Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
Largest gay rights group seeks permit for St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York
The nation's largest gay rights group said Monday that it is applying to have a contingent march in the 2015 St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City. Published September 15, 2014
New Jersey updates alimony laws
New Jersey has joined a small but growing number of states that have updated alimony laws that critics say reflected outdated models of work, longevity, relationships and gender participation in the workforce. Published September 11, 2014
Catholic League exits N.Y. St. Patrick’s parade over gay group
The leader of the Catholic League said Thursday his group will not march in the 2015 St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City, due to a broken promise involving other marchers. Published September 11, 2014
Christie signs bill tightening alimony rules
Couples who end up in New Jersey divorce courts are no longer likely to face "permanent" alimony, according to a law signed Wednesday evening by Gov. Chris Christie. Published September 10, 2014
Seven gay marriage cases will be presented to Supreme Court justices
The Supreme Court Wednesday gave the clearest signal yet it is ready to wade once again into the legal war over gay marriage, formally adding a slew of gay marriage cases to the justices' agenda for their closed-door conference on Sept. 29. Published September 10, 2014
Inclusion of gay group in St. Patrick’s Day Parade angers both sides
In the wake of news that a gay broadcast-employees group has been approved to march in the 2015 St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York, three Irish gay groups said Tuesday they are applying too — and if they're rejected, they want the approved gay group to drop out. Published September 9, 2014
Alternative to Boy Scouts sees big gains in first year
The adventure organization for boys formed in protest after the Boy Scouts of America eased its membership policies on gays in Scouting is growing "like wildfire" in its first full year, fueled by what organizers say is a hunger for a program that will help parents raise godly men. Published September 8, 2014
Lawmakers seek change in policy on organ donation from gays
Members of Congress have seized on the rejection of donated eye tissue from a deceased gay teen to insist that the federal government change its policies. Published September 8, 2014
Gay marriage notches wins in Wisconsin, Indiana
Gay marriage laws in Wisconsin and Indiana were struck down Thursday by a federal appellate court, adding another victory to gay plaintiffs and moving the issue closer to the Supreme Court. Published September 4, 2014
Study: 19% of women, 2% men of raped in their lifetimes
An estimated 19 percent of women and 2 percent of men have been raped at some point in their lifetimes, typically by someone they knew, a new federal study says. Published September 4, 2014
Federal judge in Louisiana breaks gay marriage winning streak
A federal judge in Louisiana has broken the streak of rulings in favor of gay marriage by upholding the state's voter-passed amendment that says only men and women can legally marry. Published September 3, 2014
Gay marchers to join NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
A gay group will march for the first time under its own banner in next year's St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City, organizers said Wednesday. Published September 3, 2014
Judge decriminalizes polygamy in Utah
A landmark Utah case that would make a polygamy lifestyle legal is now free to move forward — unless state officials decide to appeal. Published August 28, 2014
Clinics push to block La. abortion regs
Abortion providers went to federal court in Louisiana Thursday to stop a law from going into effect Monday that they say will force them to close their clinics. Published August 28, 2014
PBS documentary on slain abortion doctor George Tiller faces protest
A pro-life leader is calling on PBS to cancel an upcoming airing of the documentary that she says offers a sympathetic portrayal of four late-term abortion providers who are carrying on the work of slain abortion doctor George Tiller. Published August 27, 2014
Alarms raised again on drug-resistant gonorrhea
Public health officials are sounding the alarm -- again -- about the looming problem of drug-resistant gonorrhea in the wake of a Swedish study about four cases that didn't immediately respond to treatment. Published August 27, 2014
Cincinnati area’s last abortion clinic closing; supporters blame Ohio politics
Supporters of a Cincinnati area clinic that is ending its surgical abortion services Friday say it is the latest victim of a political attack — and that Ohio is at risk of losing even more of its abortion clinics. Published August 21, 2014
Study finds bigger weddings make for happier couples
Having lots of guests at your wedding is linked to a high-quality marriage, say researchers, who note that it’s not the lavishness of a wedding that matters but the size of the social network of friends and family who come to support the union. Published August 19, 2014
Pope Francis: World has to ‘stop’ attacks on religious minorities in Iraq
Speaking aboard the papal plane Monday, Pope Francis told reporters that the international community — not just one country — should "stop" the Islamic attacks on religious minorities in Iraq. Published August 18, 2014
Pope Francis calls for ‘fraternal dialogue’ with China, North Korea
Pope Francis on Sunday called on Catholic bishops in Asia to promote a "fraternal dialogue" among the peoples of Asia, stressing the need to "walk together" — comments widely seen as an outreach to China and other Asian nations with whom the Vatican has no diplomatic ties. Published August 17, 2014