Anti-Gay Policies

From the White House and the Supreme Court on down, gay rights advocates have won a string of victories this year. Many Americans remain opposed to same-sex marriage, but support for gays and gay marriage has been rising — particularly among young people.

Although gay marriage is again on the docket, Wednesday's legal issue is different. Tuesday was about California's attempt to ban same-sex marriage. On Wednesday, the focus is whether the federal government can deny benefits to legally married same-sex couples.

The case before the court tests the constitutionality of a California referendum, narrowly passed by voters in 2008, that reinstituted a ban on gay marriage. The U.S. is calling on the court to declare the California law unconstitutional, a violation of the principle of equal protection.

Update: The Boy Scouts of America board delayed its vote on whether to end a ban on gay membership until May. Original Story (8:13 a.m.):More than 40…

Boy Scout troops across the country could soon be able to decide for themselves whether to admit scout masters and troop members of all sexual…