Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
Oregon bakers seek reopening of gay marriage case over potential bias
Lawyers for Oregon bakery owners embroiled in a gay marriage lawsuit have asked for the case to be reopened to see if it tainted by bias. Published June 2, 2015
Barronelle Stutzman, Washington florist, files for state Supreme Court review in gay marriage case
Lawyers for a Washington state florist have asked the state's highest court to review a ruling that found her guilty of discrimination -- and facing financial ruin -- for not agreeing to make a floral arrangement for a gay customer's wedding. Published June 2, 2015
Obama signs human trafficking law
President Obama has signed a popular bill to punish people involved in human trafficking and provide resources to victims. Published June 1, 2015
Gay ‘conversion therapy’ faces a legal fight in New Jersey case
A first-of-its-kind lawsuit over whether gay "conversion therapy" violates state consumer-fraud law is set to begin Tuesday in New Jersey. Published May 31, 2015
Illinois ‘conversion’ therapy ban goes to governor
The Illinois legislature passed a ban on "conversion" therapy Friday, and has sent it to the governor. Published May 29, 2015
Science mag retracts gay canvassing study without agreement of one author
Science magazine's editor-in-chief Thursday retracted a study that purported to show that if traditional marriage supporters briefly interacted with gays and lesbians who wanted to marry, they would change their minds and support gay marriage. Published May 28, 2015
N.C. governor vetoes gay marriage ‘conscience’ exemption bill
A North Carolina bill permitting magistrate judge and other officials to "opt out" of marriage duties if they objected to performing ceremonies for same-sex couples passed Thursday. The governor has vetoed it; the measure is back before the lawmakers, who could vote to override the veto. Published May 28, 2015
Missouri school officials sued for field trip to Christian sports venue
An anonymous Missouri mother and an atheist-rights organization are suing a local school for taking the children on a field trip to a Christian-centered sports center. Published May 28, 2015
Adoptees decry re-homing as states move to end practice
Adopted under false pretenses from Ethiopia in 2006, Tarikuwa Lemma was barely acclimated to America when her family "re-homed" her to relatives a few months later. It was "really humiliating," she testified to Maine lawmakers Thursday. Re-homing is "not right, not fair, not safe." Published May 25, 2015
Don’t swallow lake water, feds say, citing last summer’s norovirus case
Uncle Sam routinely issues summer warnings about boating safety, wearing sunscreen and not diving into unknown waters. Now the government is adding a recommendation that swimmers not urinate or defecate or drink the water in chlorinated pools and freshwater lakes. Published May 24, 2015
50 movies kids should watch before they turn 12
School is not quite out for most children in elementary school, but a family-friendly media organization has released a list of 50 of the best movies children should see by age 12. Published May 22, 2015
Robert Gates, Boy Scouts president, calls for lifting ban of gay troop leaders
The president of the Boy Scouts of America said Thursday that it's time for the organization to change its ban on homosexual adults as members, leaders and volunteers. Published May 21, 2015
Abortion ‘parody’ of NAACP is constitutional speech: court
A pro-life group that criticizes the high rates of abortion among black women has won an appeal in a trademark dispute with the nation's best known civil-rights group for black Americans. Published May 20, 2015
Human trafficking bill goes to Obama
A bill to help victims of human trafficking and boost law enforcement against the "modern-day slavery" passed the House Tuesday. Published May 19, 2015
Ted Lieu: ‘Conversion’ therapy for gays is fraud, should be banned nationwide
Rep. Ted W. Lieu, a California Democrat, is proposing a bill to classify "conversion" therapy for gays as fraud, and prohibit its marketing and sale to minors and adults nationwide. Published May 19, 2015
Gay-conversion therapy ban to be introduced in House
The push to end so-called "conversion therapy" against homosexuality is expected to gear up Tuesday with the introduction of a House bill to ban the therapy nationally. Published May 18, 2015
Child sex trafficking victim seeks congressional action
A young Mexican woman -- who said she had "no other identity" beyond that of a sex object until she was rescued from a sex-trafficking gang -- urged Congress to do much more to stop this growing criminal enterprise. Published May 14, 2015
Congresswoman seeks FTC probe of gay ‘conversion’ claims
A California congresswoman has asked a federal watchdog agency to investigate therapists' claims about "reparative" or "conversion" therapy. Published May 13, 2015
U.S. lamb producers hungrily eye growing Muslim market
Many Americans may not have much of a taste for lamb, but it's a delicious dish for Muslim and Hispanic families -- and U.S. lamb and sheep producers are eager to set those tables. Published May 13, 2015
Facebook gets some thumbs up for requiring vendors to pay $15/hr min wages
A major women's group -- echoed by the White House -- is giving thumbs up to Facebook's new rule that its vendors and contractors must pay their employees $15 an hour and give them three weeks paid leave. Published May 13, 2015
