Want to see the tangible results of the modern gay rights battle? Count the number of companies who signed the amicus brief in the US Supreme Court case involving the Defense of Marriage Act. Retailers like Amazon and Starbucks put their brand names behind marriage equality. High powered firms like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs did the same. Approximately 300 companies said in part:

The proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has long languished in the US C0ngress, was introduced again on Thursday (25 April) by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

Among the co-sponsors optimistic of the bill's chances is Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (pictured) who believes the timing may finally be right for passage.

The Republican National Committee today voted to reaffirm the party's opposition to gay marriage during a three-day meeting in Los Angeles.

The vote comes as public opinion polls show more than half of Americans support marriage equality. It also comes as the US Supreme Court is deciding whether or not the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8 are constitutional.

Meeting at Loews Hollywood Hotel, party leaders unanimously approved 12 resolutions in all, including one affirming that marriage is 'a union between one man and one woman.'

Former US President Bill Clinton will be presented with the Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles later this month for his recent work on behalf of marriage equality.

The award, to be presented at a star-studded gala on 20 April, could be seen as controversial to some since it is Clinton who signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law in 1996. He has since called for the law to be struck down.

A day after the US Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, President Barack Obama spoke out about why he believes the federal gay marriage ban is unfair.

'I think not only is it right and fair but also consistent with our Constitution to recognize same-sex couples,' Obama said Thursday (28 March) in an interview with the Spanish language network Telemundo.

The mayors of California have joined together to sign a letter urging the Supreme Court to rule the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8, is unconstitutional.

The letter, released by Courage Campaign and reported by Queerty, comes as the Supreme Court is preparing to hear the arguments for and against marriage ban.

It reads, in full:

This Thursday, 28 March, at 9am in the US District Court, Washington DC, gay Army Lieutenant Dan Choi, stands trial for past protests against the since repealed anti-gay military policy ‘Don't Ask Don't Tell’ (DADT).

If convicted he faces six month imprisonment.

In 2010 Choi was dismissed from the US Army National Guard after coming out as gay on the Rachel Maddow TV show.

He was then billed by the US Defense Department for $2,500 for failing to fulfill his military contract, which he is refusing to pay.

The Supreme Court of the United Status is unlikely to rule in favor or against same-sex marriage.

With the eight judges evenly split on marriage equality, experts are predicting they are unlikely to make a decision at all on California’s Proposition 8.

Chief Justice Roberts is reportedly raising doubts about the case, saying it may not reach the central issue of the right to same-sex marriage.

Mass pro gay marriage rallies are to be held in all 50 US states and over 160 cities from tomorrow (23 March), ahead of the Supreme Court hearings to overturn two bans on marriage equality.

Next week, on 26 and 27 March the US Supreme Court will begin hearings concerning the freedom of same-sex couples to marry, which the rallies intend to highlight.

Air Force Major Mike Almy has settled his Don't Ask, Don't Tell lawsuit against the US Defense Department.

He brought the suit because of his 2006 discharge. During a routine search of emails, notes to his then-boyfriend were found. The correspondence was shown to a commander. After being relieved of his duties, Almy lost security clearance and a part of his pay. There was a 16-month  investigation, and the 18 year career military man was discharged. His severance was half of what it would have been if he left the Air Force for other reasons.

As the US Supreme Court is inside listening to oral arguments in cases challenging the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, activists plan to be outside making a statement in the court of public opinion.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, United for Marriage and a coalition of other LGBT grassroots organizations, will rally outside the court in Washington DC on 26 and 27 March, the days oral arguments in the cases will be given.

Republican congressman, Tim Huelskamp is introducing the 'Military Religious Freedom Protection Act', a bill which aims to ban on gay marriages on military bases.

On the surface the bill appears to 'protect' military chaplains, 'ensuring' that they cannot be penalized if their religious beliefs are not pro-gay, however commentators pointed out such provision already exist.