AUSTIN, Texas -- NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell says gay athletes’ fight for equality and acceptance reminds him of the struggles black players faced in the 1960s.

WASHINGTON -- Nearly a million people signed up for health insurance under President Barack Obama's law even after the official enrollment season ended, helping push the share of uninsured Americans below 10 percent and underscoring how hard it could be for Republicans to dismantle the program.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A federal judge is set to hear arguments Wednesday morning from four same-sex couples suing Utah over its decision to stop granting benefits to newly married gay couples.

Tampa – With a unanimous vote, Hillsborough County Commissioners passed a law prohibiting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The law, which became effective immediately, re-establishes protections that were eliminated in the 1990s, when that former commission repealed amendments to its human rights ordinance protecting the gay community.

Honey Maid Graham Crackers created a commercial that represents a gay family.  "Everyday wholesome snacks for every wholesome family" is stated while displaying a gay male couple with their 2 children in front of a house with an American flag. 

HOUSTON -- Houston leaders on Wednesday approved expanded anti-bias protections for gay and transgender residents in a measure that critics argued would impede their religious liberties.

HOUSTON -- The latest on voting on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (all times local):

In a tough blow to LGBT people everywhere, Houston voters on Tuesday repealed a year-old non-discrimination ordinance –a repeal that appeared to be largely driven by fears that it would enable sexual predators to enter women’s restrooms to assault young girls.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker predicted an arduous fight lies ahead to protect citizens from discrimination in America’s fourth largest city.

HOUSTON (AP) — The dispute over Houston's equal rights ordinance has extended to the pulpit.

When an important social issue intersected with business in Arizona, Corporate America decided it was time to take a stand.

On Tuesday, the Human Rights Campaign launched ‘Project One America,’ a new multi-year campaign aimed at extending lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality throughout the South, particularly in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas.

The Equality Act, if passed, would be a monumental victory for the LGBT community.

It may be slow on providing fast Internet connections, but Time Warner Cable (TWC) is sure providing some progressive equality to its employees.

About 750 people packed a gymnasium at Edward Waters College for the second of three “Community Conversations” on a proposed human rights ordinance for the city of Jacksonville.

Officials in the north-central Idaho city of Lewiston have passed an ordinance banning discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Supreme Court says gay and lesbian couples have the same right to adopt children as anyone else under state law.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — After finishing three days of testimony, Idaho lawmakers will vote Thursday on legislation that would create protections for gay and lesbian people in the state.

About four dozen gay rights activists were arrested at the Idaho Statehouse Thursday afternoon.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho's gay and lesbian activists lined up 22 hours of testimony in their effort to have anti-discrimination laws amended to include them in housing and employment protections.

CHICAGO (AP) _ Illinois' health insurance marketplace is now allowing gay and lesbian couples to enroll for private coverage.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois regulators issued a reminder to health insurers that it is illegal to deny coverage to someone because they are transgender, drawing praise from the gay rights community.

An ordinance that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has been approved by the Carmel City Council.

(WB) India on Aug. 15 celebrated 76 years of independence. 

Indiana lawmakers have days to decide whether to keep certain contentious bills alive during this legislative session, including one that would extend civil rights protections to gays and lesbians, but not transgender people, one that would use a tax increase to fund road improvements and one that would further restrict the sale of cold medicines used to make methamphetamine.

GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) - A northern Indiana mayor who recently withdrew a proposed expansion of the city's anti-discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity says he'll issue an executive order adding those protections to the city's hiring policy.

Chatting with the lawyer who made it happen

The University of Iowa is reassigning senior associate athletic director Jane Meyer, saying she cannot remain in the department while her partner sues the school for discrimination.

The IRS is making it official: The tax agency says it will now recognize same-sex marriages regardless of where they were performed.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it will now allow Jews to immigrate to Israel with their non-Jewish same-sex spouses.