Lance Lundsten Family Says 18 Year Did Not Commit Suicide But Died From Complications Of An Enlarged Heart, State Senator Thomas Duane Intends To Introduce Same Sex Marriage Bill In New York Legislature “Within Weeks,” Court Of Appeals To Hear Same Sex Adoption Louisiana Birth Certificate Case Wednesday, First Pictures Of Sir Elton John And David Furnish Baby Boy

An update on a previous post, the Alexandria Echo Post is reporting that 18 year old Lance Lundsten, a senior at Jefferson High School, who died Saturday night, according to preliminary autopsy results shared with and by the family, the cause of death was cardiac edema, a condition caused by an enlarged heart. That contradicts earlier reports that Lundsten, reportedly openly gay, took his life. The Echo Post reports according to a family member interviewed by the newspaper, there was no evidence that drugs or alcohol played any role in the death, and that it would six to eight weeks before complete toxicology results are complete. At 9:45 pm Saturday, the sheriff’s office received a 911 call of a medical emergency at Lundsten’s home in rural Miltona where he lived with his grandparents. He was later transported by ambulance to Douglas County Hospital when he died. The funeral service is Tuesday evening.

Openly gay New York state Senator Thomas Duane (Democratic-Manhattan) says he intends to introduce legislation “within weeks” to legalize same sex marriage and that he will push for a vote on the issue before the end, according to the New York Daily News. “I think everyone is aware that we have to make the lives of New Yorkers better in every way – economically, as well as to provide equality to New York families,” he said Monday. While a similar bill was soundly defeated in the Senate in 2009, Duane and other marriage equality supporters believe that with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership, whose approval rating hovers at 68-percent, same sex marriage is a reality. “I think the governor is starting in a strong political place with the people on his side and the wind at his back,” said Ross Levi, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda. “That is helpful.”

The Associated Press reports that Wednesday, the 5th United States Circuit of Appeals in New Orleans will hear arguments in the case of Oren Adar and Mickey Ray Smith of San Diego, who want the court to uphold a unanimous three-judge ruling and a district judge’s decision that both of their names must appear on their adopted son’s Louisiana birth certificate. Adopted children are issued new birth certificates with the names of their new parents on them, but the state Attorney General’s Office argues that the Louisiana register cannot put both Adar’s and Smith’s names on their son’s birth certificate because under state law they could not have adopted him together. The earlier ruling would force the state, therefore, to break its own vital records laws by including the names of unmarried couples, who cannot adopt, regardless of whether they are heterosexual or homosexual. Adar and Smith adopted the boy born in Shreveport in late 2005 when they resided in Connecticut. They travelled to Louisiana to meet the mother, who gave them legal custody. Adar and Smith adopted the boy in April 2006 in New York state.

OK magazine has exclusive photographs of Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish and their new baby, Zachary Jackson Levon born via surrogate December 25th, 2010. The 63 year old John said of holding Zachary for the first time “I’ve never felt anything like it in my life. You’re so awestruck. I will never forget that feeling ever.” The couple also discuss the failed adoption of two Ukraine orphans, a 14 month old named Lev and his 3 year old HIV-positive brother Artyom, Elton saying “We’re still consulting about finding the best possible home for them.”