Complete coverage on

Social Issues

Musician, Johnny Logan plays his 1987 Eurovision Song Contest winning song "Hold Me Now" for CNN,

Latest Stories

Sweden snags top prize in Eurovision Song Contestupdated: Sat May 26 2012 19:44:00

A Swedish performer emerged victorious in the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, beating out competition from 25 other nations.

China hits back on U.S. human rightsupdated: Fri May 25 2012 13:05:00

China criticized a "woeful" human rights record in the United States on Friday, a day after a U.S. report said Beijing's own record is getting worse, with harsh crackdowns on dissidents.

Amnesty: World's leaders let protesters down in a tumultuous yearupdated: Wed May 23 2012 19:52:00

Like many other 18-year-olds, Nina Siren is on the point of graduating from high school. Unlike her peers, she has spent more than half her short life fighting to prevent the destruction of her home, culture and indigenous community in the interests of oil exploration.

New majority: Minority babiesupdated: Mon May 21 2012 08:02:00

CNN's Tom Foreman tackles the increasing trend of the number of minority babies surpassing white babies in the U.S.

GOP problem: 'Their voters are white, aging and dying off'updated: Mon May 21 2012 08:02:00

When presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney appears before Latino small-business owners in Washington on Tuesday, he'll address a group whose explosive birth rates foreshadow a seismic political shift in GOP strongholds in the Deep South and Southwest.

Mali facing deep crisis, Amnesty International saysupdated: Mon May 21 2012 07:33:00

Violence and the resulting displaced people have created a crisis in Mali that is the worst in its recent history, a new report by Amnesty International says.

Rights groups criticize British queen's guest list for Jubilee monarchs' lunchupdated: Fri May 18 2012 18:17:00

Rights groups have slammed a lunch hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Friday for including monarchs criticized for their countries' human rights records.

Minnesota's same-sex marriage debateupdated: Fri May 18 2012 16:12:00

As one of the next states to vote on banning gay marriage, Minnesotans react to President Obama's comments.

Minnesota same-sex marriage fight re-energized -- on both sidesupdated: Fri May 18 2012 16:12:00

Minneapolis is a conflicted city. It's home to one of the largest gay pride festivals in the Midwest and was once dubbed the "gayest city in America" by The Advocate magazine. The metropolitan area is also home to the conservative power base of Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Lesbian couple can file for divorce in Maryland, court rulesupdated: Fri May 18 2012 14:07:00

Maryland's highest court has ruled that a lesbian couple married out of state can legally file for divorce, even though Maryland's own same-sex marriage law does not take effect until next year.

Gay and Lesbian Family Day at Capitolupdated: Thu May 17 2012 18:44:00

Zach Wahls, has two moms, meets with lawmakers to discuss marriage equality.

LGBT families lobby Congressupdated: Thu May 17 2012 18:44:00

Tommy Starling and Jeff Littlefield say they've slowly been changing minds of people in their community when it comes to what a family looks like.

Most U.S. children under 1 are minorities, Census saysupdated: Thu May 17 2012 12:32:00

U.S. minorities now represent more than half of America's population under the age of 1, the Census Bureau said, a historic demographic milestone with profound political, economic and social implications.

Can Obama use Hollywood's soft power?updated: Thu May 17 2012 07:45:00

Barack Obama's appearance on "The View" on Tuesday topped a week spent cozying up to the world of entertainment, including a dinner hosted by George Clooney that raised $15 million and a $5,000-a-plate extravaganza with Ricky Martin.

Will gay marriage support hurt Obama?updated: Wed May 16 2012 08:32:00

Political analysts predict how President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage will play out in the election.

N.C. gay marriage vote spells the end of Obamaupdated: Wed May 16 2012 08:32:00

North Carolina is so important to the re-election chances of Barack Obama that he picked Charlotte as the host city for the Democratic nominating convention.

Notorious prison still exists in Iraq, rights group reportsupdated: Tue May 15 2012 19:36:00

A notorious prison in Baghdad's Green Zone is still open despite the Iraqi government having said more than a year ago it was closed, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.

Civil unions debate rages in Coloradoupdated: Tue May 15 2012 14:06:00

The battle over same-sex civil unions in Colorado did not end when a legislative committee killed a measure to allow them Monday, leaders for both sides said Tuesday.

Obama: Gay marriage 'should be legal'updated: Tue May 15 2012 12:13:00

President Obama declares that gay marriage 'should be legal.'

Obama talks same-sex marriage on 'The View'updated: Tue May 15 2012 12:13:00

Last week, Barack Obama went on record as the first American president to support same-sex marriage, but he doesn't appear ready to take his commitment beyond the endorsement stage.

How the right helped launch same-sex marriage movementupdated: Mon May 14 2012 17:46:00

After President Barack Obama made his tepid endorsement of same-sex marriage last week, the pundits, from Fox News all the way to The New York Times, quickly pivoted from asking why to whether it will hurt him politically.

Colorado legislature meets on civil unionsupdated: Mon May 14 2012 17:23:00

As Colorado's legislators met Monday in extraordinary session to consider bills that were not brought to the floor last week, House Democratic Leader Mark Ferrandino bemoaned the assignment of a civil-unions bill to a "kill committee" as a harbinger of its likely defeat.

Single mothers, stand proudupdated: Sun May 13 2012 11:16:00

It is Mother's Day, and let us celebrate single-mother households -- not as half empty, but as half full of strong women. It is a good time to encourage children raised by women to see themselves as resilient, not doomed. And it is time, today and every day, for our culture to stop assigning blame and start offering help.

History of same-sex marriage in the U.S.updated: Sat May 12 2012 10:31:00

CNN's Randi Kaye reports on how far the U.S. has come on same-sex marriage.

By the numbers: Same-sex marriageupdated: Sat May 12 2012 10:31:00

Same-sex marriage was thrust into the political spotlight earlier this week after North Carolina voters approved a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage in the state, and President Barack Obama, who will accept the Democratic Party's nomination in North Carolina later this year, announced Wednesday that he personally supports same-sex marriage. Obama's announcement brought cheers from gay rights activists and Democratic allies and jeers from religious conservatives and some quarters of the GOP.

Timeline of an 'evolution': How Obama made his same-sex marriage decisionupdated: Fri May 11 2012 09:24:00

Before President Barack Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage this week, White House officials gave mixed signals on just how and when the president had originally planned to roll out his support for the issue.

Did coach's anti-gay comment cross line?updated: Fri May 11 2012 09:02:00

CNN's Chris Welch reports on whether a Huskers coach's anti-gay comments were personal or professional.

Biden apologizes to Obama for marriage controversyupdated: Thu May 10 2012 22:20:00

Vice President Joe Biden has apologized to President Barack Obama for putting him in a tough position that led to Obama's announcement that he now supports same-sex marriage, senior administration officials said Thursday.

State laws supersede Pentagon on gay marriages at U.S. basesupdated: Thu May 10 2012 19:10:00

Gay service members who want to marry often can't have the ceremony on military bases in the United States. It's not the Pentagon that has authority, but the states where the bases are located.

11th arrest linked to Florida white supremacist groupupdated: Thu May 10 2012 16:38:00

An 11th suspect linked to a central Florida white supremacist group has been arrested and another individual was being sought, authorities said Thursday.

Obama's same-sex stance spurs reactionupdated: Thu May 10 2012 11:00:00

President Obama's stance on same-sex marriage inspires plenty of reactions. CNN's Shelby Lin reports.

Will Romney use gay marriage issue against Obama?updated: Thu May 10 2012 11:00:00

For the better part of four years, voters have said the number one issue is the economy.

Campaigners push for marriage equality worldwideupdated: Thu May 10 2012 09:59:00

Cushla wore a white dress for her big day, Tania, braces, a hat and bow-tie. The couple, now wife and wife, tied the knot during a small ceremony led by an unregistered celebrant on a farm west of Sydney, Australia. It had all the hallmarks of a "real" wedding. Except this one wasn't valid, at least under Australian law.

What's next for Obama on gay rights?updated: Thu May 10 2012 09:41:00

After two years of claiming that his views were "evolving," President Obama said on Wednesday that he has finally reached a conclusion and supports same-sex marriage. Obama's public endorsement is an important step in the right direction, but it does not undo the fact that he has a mixed record on gay rights.

Gay marriage support: Obama's most courageous moveupdated: Thu May 10 2012 06:06:00

President Barack Obama's blockbuster announcement that he is in favor of full marriage equality is the most courageous thing he has done since he entered the White House three and a half years ago.

Quinn: This is amazingupdated: Thu May 10 2012 06:06:00

NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn tells Piers Morgan what Obama's statement means to her and her upcoming wedding.

The risky politics of same sex marriageupdated: Wed May 09 2012 22:26:00

President Obama's decision to make his support of same sex marriage known carries risks for the fall campaign.

Social issues may not turn election in 2012 but will influence votersupdated: Wed May 09 2012 22:26:00

In an election year that some pundits have predicted will be focused on jobs and the economy, social issues like same-sex marriage have stolen the spotlight a surprising number of times. But experts say don't expect those hot-button topics to be the ultimate markers of the 2012 cycle.

Obama announces he supports same-sex marriageupdated: Wed May 09 2012 21:57:00

President Barack Obama said Wednesday he supports same-sex marriage, raising the political stakes on an issue over which Americans are evenly split.

Celebs react to Obama's same-sex supportupdated: Wed May 09 2012 21:36:00

CNN's Becky Anderson looks at tweets from celebrities in reaction to President Obama's support of gay marriage.

Celebrities, politicians weigh in on Obama's same-sex marriage stanceupdated: Wed May 09 2012 21:36:00

Politicians and celebrities were quick to weigh in, via Twitter and in statements, on news of U.S. President Barack Obama's support for same-sex marriage. Here are some reactions:

Pastor: 'Shove' gay kids, don't punchupdated: Wed May 09 2012 18:04:00

Pastor Sean Harris explains what he meant when he told parents to punch children who demonstrate homosexual behavior.

Is same-sex marriage too radical for America?updated: Wed May 09 2012 18:04:00

President Barack Obama has endorsed same-sex marriage. Will it make any difference to the battle for marriage equality? The news coming out of North Carolina suggests not. The Tar Heelers on Tuesday voted 61% to 39% to amend their constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage. Actually, they've gone much further. The new amendment prohibits any kind of same-sex unions, including the relatively innocuous option of civil partnership.

Members of white supremacist group arrested in Floridaupdated: Wed May 09 2012 17:21:00

Railroad ties, cement pilings and other debris reportedly mark the entrance to Marcus and Partricia Faella's rural Florida compound, situated on the edge of a wildlife management area marketed by tourism officials as a good spot for hikers, campers and bird watchers.

North Carolina's ban on same-sex marriage sparks cheers, jeers updated: Wed May 09 2012 10:35:00

A day after North Carolina became the latest state to approve a constitutional amendment defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman, opponents of the referendum are beginning Wednesday to explore their next options.

The politics of same sex marriageupdated: Wed May 09 2012 10:35:00

CNN contributor Roland Martin on how President Obama's stance on gay marriage could affect his reelection.

In GOP, support for same-sex marriage is growingupdated: Wed May 09 2012 10:33:00

Just in case you thought you had time to catch your breath from the culture wars, the issue of marriage for gay couples is back at the ballot box this year. On Tuesday, North Carolinians voted 61% to 39% to ban all forms of relationship recognition for same-sex couples.

Obama's view on same-sex marriageupdated: Tue May 08 2012 09:00:00

The White House says Vice President Biden's comments on gay marriage aren't a departure from the president's statements.

Obama keeps his conscience in the closetupdated: Tue May 08 2012 09:00:00

Let's be clear about one thing: Vice President Joe Biden's recent comment about being OK with marriage equality did not place the president in a difficult situation.

Connecticut priest helps Latinosupdated: Tue May 08 2012 05:38:00

CNN's Susan Candiotti profiles an East Haven, Connecticut, priest who fights discrimination against Latinos.

As repression in Egypt grows, U.S. must back fair voteupdated: Mon May 07 2012 08:14:00

That the road from revolution to a new Egypt is arduous and twisting comes as no surprise. But few expected that today, one month from presidential elections, Egypt would be moving toward more repression and less accountability than under the deposed dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Bahraini human rights activist arrestedupdated: Sun May 06 2012 17:55:00

A prominent Bahraini human rights activist has been arrested upon his return to the Persian Gulf kingdom from Lebanon, the government and an activist group said Sunday.

Ignore racism? Fat chance, Rushupdated: Sat May 05 2012 13:48:00

It's always funny to get tweets and e-mails from followers of radio entertainer Rush Limbaugh. None of them ever actually think of checking the facts out before they begin their ignorant, vile and rambling rants. I suppose that's to be expected because all they are doing is following their feckless leader, Limbaugh.

Cinco de Mayo a Mexican import? No, it's as American as July 4, prof saysupdated: Sat May 05 2012 12:39:00

Cinco de Mayo -- the unofficial U.S. holiday long believed to have been imported, with celebratory beer, from Mexico -- isn't a Mexican holiday at all but rather an American one created by Latinos in the West during the Civil War, according to new research by a California professor.

Chen case is another human rights issue for Obamaupdated: Fri May 04 2012 19:56:00

Iran, Syria and now China. President Barack Obama faces a third front of vulnerability on his administration's record of defending human rights with the muddled situation involving activist Chen Guangcheng.

Did Obama betray a Chinese hero?updated: Thu May 03 2012 05:40:00

When the blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng staged his astonishing escape from house arrest, he sought American protection at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Six days later, when Chen left the embassy for a local hospital, it looked as if U.S. officials had found a solution that, as the State Department put it, "reflected his choices and our values."

Arrests, beatings fail to deter Chinese human rights crusader Chenupdated: Wed May 02 2012 22:17:00

Long before Chen Guangcheng became internationally known as a human rights crusader, villagers near his home knew him as the man to go to when they had trouble with local authorities.

Israeli military closes investigation into deaths of 21 family membersupdated: Wed May 02 2012 15:01:00

Israeli military investigatorshave ordered an end to a probe into the deaths of 21 members of a Palestinian family during the 2009 military offensive on Gaza, saying there was "no war crime committed."

Child labor in sugar harvestupdated: Wed May 02 2012 09:21:00

CNN's Kyung Lah reports on child labor in sugar harvesting in the Philippines.

Life not sweet for Philippines' sugar cane child workersupdated: Wed May 02 2012 09:21:00

Barefoot and covered in dirt and sweat, 14-year-old Dante Campilan pulls weeds from orderly rows of sugar cane.

Romney running mate rumorsupdated: Wed May 02 2012 09:10:00

CNN's Candy Crowley reports on who's in and who's not as possible running mates for Mitt Romney.

Bobby Jindal for vice presidentupdated: Wed May 02 2012 09:10:00

Republicans have a Latino problem. Only about 6% of Latino voters agree that the GOP is the party most concerned for their interests. Nearly half choose the Democrats as the party most concerned for them.

Chen affair could overshadow U.S.-China economic talksupdated: Tue May 01 2012 11:34:00

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flew to China on Tuesday, President Barack Obama was tight-lipped about the whereabouts of escaped Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng and his potential impact on the discussions to be held this week in Beijing.

Obama withholds comment on Chen caseupdated: Tue May 01 2012 05:20:00

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepared to depart Monday night for China, President Barack Obama was tight-lipped about the whereabouts of escaped Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng and his potential impact on the discussions to be held this week in Beijing.

Where is blind Chinese activist Chen?updated: Tue May 01 2012 05:20:00

CNN's Stan Grant looks into the guessing game about the whereabouts of human rights activist Chen Guangcheng.

How diamonds fuel Africa's conflictsupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 08:12:00

Much of the war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor focused on the role played by so-called "conflict diamonds" in funding rebels in conflict areas.

Inside Zimbabwe's diamond industryupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 08:12:00

Marketplace Africa gets exclusive access to the controversial Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe.

Report: Bahraini police beat, torture detaineesupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 05:39:00

Police in Bahrain regularly resort to beating anti-government protesters, despite officials' pledges to stop such practices, a human rights group said Sunday.

Bahrain's Grand Prix finishesupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 05:39:00

CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports on the race that finished without an incident despite violent pre-race protests.

How Romney can win over Latino votersupdated: Thu Apr 26 2012 22:29:00

Modern technology has made campaigning much easier in some ways. It's now possible to raise millions in small donations through the Internet, host Facebook town halls and galvanize millions of supporters through Twitter. An ad can be released on YouTube and attract enough media coverage to make it worthwhile without spending a dime on TV time.

Why Marco Rubio can't save the GOPupdated: Thu Apr 26 2012 15:34:00

Is Marco Rubio auditioning for vice president -- or secretary of State?

Sen. Rubio: 'World is our business'updated: Thu Apr 26 2012 15:34:00

Sen. Marco Rubio takes an internationalist view in a foreign policy speech he makes for the direction of America.

Connecticut becomes 17th state to abolish death penaltyupdated: Wed Apr 25 2012 17:41:00

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed a bill into law Wednesday that abolishes the death penalty, making his state the 17th in the nation to abandon capital punishment and the fifth in five years to usher in a repeal.

Muslims in Europe dogged by bias, Amnesty saysupdated: Tue Apr 24 2012 08:52:00

Muslims in Europe face discrimination in education, employment and religious freedom, an Amnesty International report said.

Demonstrations rev up ahead of Bahrain Grand Prixupdated: Fri Apr 20 2012 14:11:00

Bahrain authorities arrested demonstrators Wednesday as they tried to "disrupt public and private interests" ahead of this weekend's Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, state media reported.

'Racist' cake sparks outrage in Swedenupdated: Wed Apr 18 2012 16:39:00

An Afro-Swede group wants the arts minister to resign for helping cut a cake that depicted an image some feel is racist.

Sweden's art minister takes heat over 'racist' cakeupdated: Wed Apr 18 2012 16:39:00

Sweden's culture minister was feeling the heat Wednesday after a weekend art exhibit in which she cut up a cake baked into the shape of a cartoonishly stereotyped African woman.

Bahrain's human rights problemupdated: Tue Apr 17 2012 07:22:00

Said Boumedouha of Amnesty International weighs in on human rights in the Middle East country of Bahrain.

Amnesty report: Bahrain reforms are 'flawed,' 'inadequate'updated: Tue Apr 17 2012 07:22:00

Human rights reforms in Bahrain are inadequate and have failed to provide justice for victims in the aftermath of last year's government crackdown on opposition protesters, Amnesty International said in a report Tuesday.

Call for opposition protests ahead of Grand Prix F1updated: Mon Apr 16 2012 20:56:00

An opposition group called for a week of demonstrations ahead of Sunday's Formula 1 Grand Prix race in Bahrain.

Humane Society says video shows farm conditions legislation would correctupdated: Thu Apr 12 2012 22:21:00

The Humane Society of the United States released Thursday what it says is video showing gruesome images of many dead chickens -- and in some cases, mummified chicken carcasses -- at a farm in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Connecticut lawmakers vote to repeal death penalty updated: Thu Apr 12 2012 05:37:00

Connecticut's governor says he will sign a bill abolishing the death penalty, making it the 17th state to abandon capital punishment.

Connecticut lawmakers to vote on death penalty repealupdated: Wed Apr 11 2012 13:06:00

Lawmakers in Connecticut's House of Representatives are expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would abolish the state's death penalty, one week after the bill passed the state Senate.

Maryland high court to hear same-sex divorce caseupdated: Wed Apr 11 2012 10:35:00

Maryland's highest court is considering a case involving a lesbian couple married in California but denied a divorce in Maryland because the state does not currently allow same-sex couples to wed.

Al-Assad's broken peace promiseupdated: Tue Apr 10 2012 05:24:00

The opposition in Syria claims hundreds have been killed by the government since the regime agreed to a cease-fire.

Report: More than 100 executed by Syrian authorities updated: Tue Apr 10 2012 05:24:00

Syrian security forces have summarily executed at least 101 people, including civilians, since late 2011 in attacks on cities and towns, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Monday.

Hamas: 3 executed in Gaza, one for 'collaborating' with Israelupdated: Sat Apr 07 2012 06:59:00

Three Palestinians were hanged in Gaza on Saturday, one of them for "collaborating" with the Israelis, the territory's ruling Hamas government said.

Bahrain hunger striker's life in danger, daughter saysupdated: Fri Apr 06 2012 16:49:00

The human rights activist who entered the 55th day of a hunger strike in Bahrain on Tuesday may not survive the ordeal, his daughter told CNN.

Obama adds politics to women's forumupdated: Fri Apr 06 2012 13:32:00

President Barack Obama on Friday added a political element to an annual White House forum on women's issues by saying Republican policies would reverse progress that his administration has made.

Obama touts health care, jobs to womenupdated: Fri Apr 06 2012 13:32:00

President Obama touts his steps to advance the economic plight of women.

Syria witnesses describe 'massacre'updated: Fri Apr 06 2012 10:20:00

CNN's Ivan Watson reports record numbers of Syrian refugees escaping what they describe as a massacre.

Syrian refugees flood into Turkeyupdated: Fri Apr 06 2012 10:20:00

The Turkish government reported a record number of refugees fleeing Syrian military offensives across the border, just days before the Syrian government pledged to withdraw military forces from population centers.

London's Metropolitan Police faces racism claimsupdated: Fri Apr 06 2012 09:08:00

London's Metropolitan Police was under fire Friday after 10 cases involving alleged racism by police officers were referred to the independent police watchdog for investigation.

Petit family hopes for speedy executionupdated: Thu Apr 05 2012 08:44:00

The Petit family addresses the media after learning a jury sentenced Joshua Komisarjevsky to death

Connecticut may be latest state to repeal death penaltyupdated: Thu Apr 05 2012 08:44:00

The Connecticut Senate on Thursday voted to repeal the death penalty, setting the stage for Connecticut to join several states that have recently abolished capital punishment.

Connecticut lawmakers to vote on death penaltyupdated: Wed Apr 04 2012 19:21:00

Lawmakers in Connecticut are grappling with a bill that would do away with the death penalty and make their state the fifth in five years to abolish capital punishment.

AC 360° study: African-American children more optimistic on race than whitesupdated: Mon Apr 02 2012 13:55:00

A white child and a black child look at the exact same picture of two students on the playground but what they see is often very different and what they say speaks volumes about the racial divide in America.

Protesters attacked in Bahrain, rights group saysupdated: Sun Apr 01 2012 00:32:00

Government forces attacked protesters in Bahrain Saturday, according to a human rights group.

Gay pride groups appear at U.S. military academiesupdated: Sat Mar 31 2012 18:09:00

In the six months since the repeal of the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, many of the most prestigious military institutions in the country are adding a student group to their club rosters that they had never seen before: gay pride groups.

We recommend

From around the web