A gay New York teenager who said Mohawk Central School District administrators did nothing to address bullying he experienced at school settled a lawsuit on Monday with the district. The district agreed to pay $50,000 to the student's family and implement changes to protect students from harassment in the future.
The Washington Post praises new rules that will make it more difficult to dismiss military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as "an excellent interim step" to a full repeal.
CNN is featuring messages and pictures sent in by transgender readers on the iReport section of their website.
Oprah's website has a beautifully written, poignant essay by the fiance of a trans man.
Showing posts with label march. Show all posts
Showing posts with label march. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
News Sweep
Marriage equality advocates in New Jersey are trying to bring the issue back to the state's Supreme Court. The Star-Ledger editorializes that none of this would be necessary if NJ had a functional government that had done its job and passed marriage already.
18-year-old Constance McMillen has won her suit against her school district for violating her First Amendment rights for refusing to allow her to bring her girlfriend to the prom, but the district will not be forced to hold the dance.
The ACLU and Equality California have notified U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker that they intend to appeal his ruling that requires them to disclose some internal campaign-related documents to the defendants in the Prop 8 trial.
18-year-old Constance McMillen has won her suit against her school district for violating her First Amendment rights for refusing to allow her to bring her girlfriend to the prom, but the district will not be forced to hold the dance.
The ACLU and Equality California have notified U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker that they intend to appeal his ruling that requires them to disclose some internal campaign-related documents to the defendants in the Prop 8 trial.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
News Sweep
In response to the incendiary "bathroom bill" rhetoric sometimes used by anti-gay forces, the Pride Agenda has created a GENDA myth-busting Q&A resource.
A New York mid-level court of appeals has ruled that the state has the power to annul a civil union made in another state. ''This is an important ruling. A different ruling here would leave the persons legally entangled with each other, and people have to move on with their life," said a staff attorney for Lambda Legal.
Last week, Gov. Paterson signed a bill into law that will allow same-sex partners to make medical decisions for their loved ones.
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in a case involving the Christian Legal Society at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. The group has challenged to school for denying it official recognition because it is unwilling to accept gay students as members.
Republican leaders spoke out over the weekend against health care reform protesters who yelled racist and anti-gay slurs at some Democratic U.S. Representatives in Washington, D.C.
School district officials testified that they were considering canceling Itawamba Agricultural High School's prom before Constance McMillen asked to bring her girlfriend to the event. A lawyer for McMillen, who has received widespread attention in the media, said the district violated the student's First Amendment rights.
The Higher Education Research Institute finds that nearly 2 in 3 current college freshmen support marriage equality.
A report by the Vet Voice Foundation finds that 73% of veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan said they felt comfortable around gay and lesbian colleagues. The percentage jumps to 80% when only younger veterans are counted.
A New York mid-level court of appeals has ruled that the state has the power to annul a civil union made in another state. ''This is an important ruling. A different ruling here would leave the persons legally entangled with each other, and people have to move on with their life," said a staff attorney for Lambda Legal.
Last week, Gov. Paterson signed a bill into law that will allow same-sex partners to make medical decisions for their loved ones.
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in a case involving the Christian Legal Society at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. The group has challenged to school for denying it official recognition because it is unwilling to accept gay students as members.
Republican leaders spoke out over the weekend against health care reform protesters who yelled racist and anti-gay slurs at some Democratic U.S. Representatives in Washington, D.C.
School district officials testified that they were considering canceling Itawamba Agricultural High School's prom before Constance McMillen asked to bring her girlfriend to the event. A lawyer for McMillen, who has received widespread attention in the media, said the district violated the student's First Amendment rights.
The Higher Education Research Institute finds that nearly 2 in 3 current college freshmen support marriage equality.
A report by the Vet Voice Foundation finds that 73% of veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan said they felt comfortable around gay and lesbian colleagues. The percentage jumps to 80% when only younger veterans are counted.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
News Sweep
Expelled former Senator Hiram Monserrate is making his "no" vote on same-sex marriage a highlight of his campaign for re-election. The New York Times editorial board highlights this aspect of his campaign that "appears to be growing uglier by the day."
Gay City News reflects on GENDA's status in the Senate and what Andrew Cuomo's possible run for Governor could mean for LGBT New Yorkers.
Police say that five men attacked another man in Brooklyn, New York last week while yelling antigay slurs.
Same-sex couples have begun to wed in Washington, D.C.
Demonstrating that there's still a long way to go when it comes to changing hearts and minds, more than 25 people have canceled their subscriptions to the Washington Post due to a front page picture of two men kissing after their wedding.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on whether whether the father of a Marine killed in Iraq may sue protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church who picketed his son’s funeral with signs that read “God Hates You” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” Members of the church believe deaths in Iraq are God's punishment for homosexuality in America.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
News Sweep
Former Congressman Harold Ford, who had declared his support for marriage equality as he weighed a potential run against staunchly pro-LGBT Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, has decided against throwing his hat in the race.
Washington, D.C.'s marriage office has hired temporary extra employees in preparation for an influx of applicants on Wednesday, the first day lesbian and gay couples will be able to marry in the District.
Anti-gay activists on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent gay couples from marrying in D.C., claiming residents should be able to vote on the matter. Local courts have rejected such arguments.
Leading up to the implementation of the marriage equality law in Washington, D.C., LGBT advocates worked with African Americans who were crucial in building support for marriage equality in the District.
Los Angeles' John A. Pérez yesterday was sworn in as the first openly gay speaker of the California Assembly.
Daniel Radcliffe, star of the "Harry Potter" franchise, has come out a strong, straight ally in support of the LGBT community.
Washington, D.C.'s marriage office has hired temporary extra employees in preparation for an influx of applicants on Wednesday, the first day lesbian and gay couples will be able to marry in the District.
Anti-gay activists on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent gay couples from marrying in D.C., claiming residents should be able to vote on the matter. Local courts have rejected such arguments.
Leading up to the implementation of the marriage equality law in Washington, D.C., LGBT advocates worked with African Americans who were crucial in building support for marriage equality in the District.
Los Angeles' John A. Pérez yesterday was sworn in as the first openly gay speaker of the California Assembly.
Daniel Radcliffe, star of the "Harry Potter" franchise, has come out a strong, straight ally in support of the LGBT community.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Morning Sweep
A bill is moving through Connecticut's state legislature that would essentially confirm the State Supreme Court's marriage decision and automatically transfer all civil unions conducted before the decision into marriages by 2010.
A recently formed West Point LGBT alumni association has been grabbing a lot of headlines lately in their campaign to apply pressure for the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."
In a first for New York, a state Supreme Court judge has allowed a married lesbian couple (they went to Canada in 2004) in Binghamton to legally divorce.
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has been receiving a lot of mail since he stated that he would veto a same-sex marriage bill if passed by the state legislature (which is highly likely). Currently the pro-marriage equality letter writers are outnumbering the anti-equality forces by 60% - 40%.
In other Vermont marriage news--former governor-slash-presidential candidate-slash-DNC chairman Howard Dean is urging democratic lawmakers to pass the marriage equality bill.
Evan Wolfson writes on the Huffington Post about the imminent California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8 and argues that the Court should do what courts are constitutionally charged with doing: protecting a targeted minority.
A report released by the European Union shows that LGBT people across Europe face widespread discrimination and harassment.
A recently formed West Point LGBT alumni association has been grabbing a lot of headlines lately in their campaign to apply pressure for the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."
In a first for New York, a state Supreme Court judge has allowed a married lesbian couple (they went to Canada in 2004) in Binghamton to legally divorce.
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has been receiving a lot of mail since he stated that he would veto a same-sex marriage bill if passed by the state legislature (which is highly likely). Currently the pro-marriage equality letter writers are outnumbering the anti-equality forces by 60% - 40%.
In other Vermont marriage news--former governor-slash-presidential candidate-slash-DNC chairman Howard Dean is urging democratic lawmakers to pass the marriage equality bill.
Evan Wolfson writes on the Huffington Post about the imminent California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8 and argues that the Court should do what courts are constitutionally charged with doing: protecting a targeted minority.
A report released by the European Union shows that LGBT people across Europe face widespread discrimination and harassment.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Morning Sweep
Gay City News Editor in Chief Paul Schindler reports on Mayor Bloomberg's restatement of support for marriage equality, noting that the mayor made some of his strongest statements on the issue to date by promising "to go with Christine Quinn up to Albany and to testify and to do whatever it takes to keep the pressure on."
There is good news and bad news surrounding the movement of marriage bill in Vermont and New Hampshire.
In Delaware it's all good news: a bill that would have banned marriages between same-sex couples was defeated in the State Senate and one that would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation passed in the State House.
Researchers from UC Davis in California and Mt. Sinai Medical Center in NYC have filmed for the first time an HIV-infected T-cell infecting a healthy cell. Towleroad has the fascinating video, which scientists hope will aid them in developing more effective HIV/AIDS treatments.
Britain's National Portrait Gallery announced that its "Gay Icon" exhibition will open in July--and don't be surprised if some of first names that pop into your head are missing from it. Of course, Queerty puts in their two cents on what should make a bona fide gay icon.
There is good news and bad news surrounding the movement of marriage bill in Vermont and New Hampshire.
In Delaware it's all good news: a bill that would have banned marriages between same-sex couples was defeated in the State Senate and one that would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation passed in the State House.
Researchers from UC Davis in California and Mt. Sinai Medical Center in NYC have filmed for the first time an HIV-infected T-cell infecting a healthy cell. Towleroad has the fascinating video, which scientists hope will aid them in developing more effective HIV/AIDS treatments.
Britain's National Portrait Gallery announced that its "Gay Icon" exhibition will open in July--and don't be surprised if some of first names that pop into your head are missing from it. Of course, Queerty puts in their two cents on what should make a bona fide gay icon.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Morning Sweep (PM Edition)
Last night at the annual dinner of NYC’s LGBT Community Center, Mayor Bloomberg urged the State Senate to pass marriage equality legislation saying "Make no mistake, the time will come ... and we will pass this bill." Here's the Daily News report and here's a NY1 video clip.
The AP reports that NYC will start allowing married lesbian couples to list both woman as parents on the birth certificate of a child when one of them is the birth mother. New York State started doing this everywhere else in December. NYC, which has always kept set its own rules, has now followed suit.
Another state legislative chamber passes marriage equality legislation. Earlier this week it was the Vermont Senate. Now it’s the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Funding problems have resulted in the shutdown of Catskill Rural AIDS Services in Oneonta.
The AP reports that NYC will start allowing married lesbian couples to list both woman as parents on the birth certificate of a child when one of them is the birth mother. New York State started doing this everywhere else in December. NYC, which has always kept set its own rules, has now followed suit.
Another state legislative chamber passes marriage equality legislation. Earlier this week it was the Vermont Senate. Now it’s the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Funding problems have resulted in the shutdown of Catskill Rural AIDS Services in Oneonta.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Morning Sweep (PM Edition)
The AP follows up on Sen. Charles Schumer’s announcement in support of marriage equality and the repeal of DOMA with some political insight.
In a first-ever meeting with an LGBT group, the new Secretary of Education met with GLSEN recently and pledged to make schools safe for every student, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
The Vermont Senate voted on Monday to pass the state’s marriage equality bill. The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.
Hawaii Senate Democrats are trying to revive the stalled civil unions bill.
It’s still not over: the city of San Diego is appealing the ruling that it must pay damages to four firefighters who claim they were forced to participate in a pride parade.
In a first-ever meeting with an LGBT group, the new Secretary of Education met with GLSEN recently and pledged to make schools safe for every student, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
The Vermont Senate voted on Monday to pass the state’s marriage equality bill. The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.
Hawaii Senate Democrats are trying to revive the stalled civil unions bill.
It’s still not over: the city of San Diego is appealing the ruling that it must pay damages to four firefighters who claim they were forced to participate in a pride parade.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Morning Sweep
Breaking news: NY State Senator Charles Schumer has announced his support for marriage equality and the full repeal of DOMA. Read the Pride Agenda’s statement on Schumer’s positions here.
Long Island Episcopalians have elected a new bishop, The Rev. Lawrence Provenzano from Massachusetts, who said he firmly supports gay rights and believes in “the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the church."
The New York Times tells the story of Ra Ruiz, a young lesbian who once took refuge among other LGBT youth at the Christopher Street Pier. Told through Ruiz’s own recorded words and poignant black and white pictures, the story is part of the Times’ “One in 8 Million” series, which adds new profiles of New Yorkers weekly.
Gay City News profiles The Reciprocity Foundation, a local organization that helps mostly LGBT homeless youth get much-needed job training.
Mass. Sen. John Kerry has asked the Obama administration to grant asylum to a gay Brazilian man whose former requests have been denied.
Ithaca College held a conference last week on the topic of sexuality in sports.
Long Island Episcopalians have elected a new bishop, The Rev. Lawrence Provenzano from Massachusetts, who said he firmly supports gay rights and believes in “the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the church."
The New York Times tells the story of Ra Ruiz, a young lesbian who once took refuge among other LGBT youth at the Christopher Street Pier. Told through Ruiz’s own recorded words and poignant black and white pictures, the story is part of the Times’ “One in 8 Million” series, which adds new profiles of New Yorkers weekly.
Gay City News profiles The Reciprocity Foundation, a local organization that helps mostly LGBT homeless youth get much-needed job training.
Mass. Sen. John Kerry has asked the Obama administration to grant asylum to a gay Brazilian man whose former requests have been denied.
Ithaca College held a conference last week on the topic of sexuality in sports.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Morning Sweep
Elected officials and LGBT rights advocates, including the Pride Agenda, gathered at City Hall this week to announce a Council resolution asking the Obama administration to start counting LGBT people and married same-sex couples in the U.S. Census.
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn blogs on Huffington Post about her experience celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the White House and her discussion with Obama about LGBT rights.
A 19-year-old Brooklyn man has been convicted of murder in the 2007 stabbing of a gay man he claimed had flirted with him, but there was not enough evidence for him to be convicted of a hate crime.
After a week of heated testimony, the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved the state’s marriage equality bill. The full Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.
A new study from the Williams Institute challenges the stereotype that the lesbian and gay population is an affluent elite. The study reveals that lesbian couples are more likely to be poor than married heterosexuals, and children of same-sex parents are twice as likely to live in poverty.
A bill to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV-positive people has been reintroduced in Congress.
A federal judge has given Louisiana officials just 15 days to add the names of the two New York gay fathers to the birth certificate of the Shreveport-born son they adopted.
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn blogs on Huffington Post about her experience celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the White House and her discussion with Obama about LGBT rights.
A 19-year-old Brooklyn man has been convicted of murder in the 2007 stabbing of a gay man he claimed had flirted with him, but there was not enough evidence for him to be convicted of a hate crime.
After a week of heated testimony, the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved the state’s marriage equality bill. The full Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.
A new study from the Williams Institute challenges the stereotype that the lesbian and gay population is an affluent elite. The study reveals that lesbian couples are more likely to be poor than married heterosexuals, and children of same-sex parents are twice as likely to live in poverty.
A bill to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV-positive people has been reintroduced in Congress.
A federal judge has given Louisiana officials just 15 days to add the names of the two New York gay fathers to the birth certificate of the Shreveport-born son they adopted.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Morning Sweep
The Ithaca College student paper has a great Q&A with Rabbi Steven Greenberg, the first Orthodox rabbi to publicly come out in 1999.
Remember the guy who got in trouble for climbing the New York Times building? His daredevil stunt resulted in time for a good cause -- He’ll be serving his community service sentence at Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
Everyone is up in arms about the Pope’s recent statements that condoms help spread HIV/AIDS, but David Mixner’s blog on the topic is the most eloquent and direct that we’ve seen so far.
Hundreds of people attended yesterday’s public hearing on the Vermont marriage equality bill.
GLSEN reports that transgender students are more likely to face harassment in schools that their lesbian, gay and bisexual peers, but that they’re also more likely to speak out about LGBT issues.
An openly gay candidate is running for mayor of Guadalajara, Mexico.
A radical right “news service” reports the story of the new definition of marriage in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Too bad they’re six years too late on this “breaking news” – the change was made in 2003.
Remember the guy who got in trouble for climbing the New York Times building? His daredevil stunt resulted in time for a good cause -- He’ll be serving his community service sentence at Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
Everyone is up in arms about the Pope’s recent statements that condoms help spread HIV/AIDS, but David Mixner’s blog on the topic is the most eloquent and direct that we’ve seen so far.
Hundreds of people attended yesterday’s public hearing on the Vermont marriage equality bill.
GLSEN reports that transgender students are more likely to face harassment in schools that their lesbian, gay and bisexual peers, but that they’re also more likely to speak out about LGBT issues.
An openly gay candidate is running for mayor of Guadalajara, Mexico.
A radical right “news service” reports the story of the new definition of marriage in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Too bad they’re six years too late on this “breaking news” – the change was made in 2003.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Morning Sweep
New Jersey police are investigating the attack of a gay couple after a Britney Spears concert this past weekend. Police are not yet certain if the couple was targeted because they are gay.
The Obama administration plans to endorse a UN resolution calling for the world decriminalization of being gay that the Bush administration had refused to support.
Deadlocked in the judiciary committee, the New Hampshire marriage equality bill will now go to the House floor for a vote without any recommendation from the committee.
The federal circuit court judge in yesterday’s hearing about the Arkansas unmarried couples adoption ban ruled that the ACLU’s lawsuit against the ban can move forward.
The Obama administration plans to endorse a UN resolution calling for the world decriminalization of being gay that the Bush administration had refused to support.
Deadlocked in the judiciary committee, the New Hampshire marriage equality bill will now go to the House floor for a vote without any recommendation from the committee.
The federal circuit court judge in yesterday’s hearing about the Arkansas unmarried couples adoption ban ruled that the ACLU’s lawsuit against the ban can move forward.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Morning Sweep
Irish NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn will not march in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade today, in part because of its lack of inclusiveness of LGBT representation.
Vermont legislators have begun a week of hearings on marriage equality legislation. You can watch the testimony here.
A hearing on the lawsuit challenging Arkansas’ ban on adoption by unmarried couples begins today. The top state lawyer will reportedly argue that "there is not a fundamental liberty interest in adopting or being adopted."
Also in Arkansas, a state legislator has filed a bill that would ban domestic partnership registries in the state, including one that is already established.
An Oklahoma teacher has been fired for her actions regarding a class project inspired by the film “The Laramie Project.”
Vermont legislators have begun a week of hearings on marriage equality legislation. You can watch the testimony here.
A hearing on the lawsuit challenging Arkansas’ ban on adoption by unmarried couples begins today. The top state lawyer will reportedly argue that "there is not a fundamental liberty interest in adopting or being adopted."
Also in Arkansas, a state legislator has filed a bill that would ban domestic partnership registries in the state, including one that is already established.
An Oklahoma teacher has been fired for her actions regarding a class project inspired by the film “The Laramie Project.”
Monday, March 16, 2009
Morning Sweep
An organization of LGBT youth called Fierce and the Urban Justice Center are fighting to have a say in how Pier 40, a massive rundown structure where West Houston Street meets the West Side Highway, will be redeveloped. The youth, who often hang out in the area, would like to see a 24-hour youth center built there.
Newsday has a great story on Long Island LGBT seniors who have come out later in life and their connection to the Long Island branch of Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE).
The New York Times’ Frank Rick writes that people have less tolerance these days for the moral scoldings of the radical right, and that more support for subjects like stem-cell research, marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has resulted.
The Washington Post editorializes in favor of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow gay Americans to sponsor their same-sex foreign-born partners for residency. The Post says the act, if passed, will “right a gross unfairness.”
A threefold spike in anti-gay hate crimes in the county near San Francisco in the past year is being blamed on all the attention surrounding Prop. 8.
Much has been written lately about the solution some think will solve the marriage equality issue: establish “civil unions” for all and take “marriage” out of the hands of the government altogether.
The West Virginia Senate has passed a sexual orientation non-discrimination bill which will now go to the House for a vote.
Newsday has a great story on Long Island LGBT seniors who have come out later in life and their connection to the Long Island branch of Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE).
The New York Times’ Frank Rick writes that people have less tolerance these days for the moral scoldings of the radical right, and that more support for subjects like stem-cell research, marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has resulted.
The Washington Post editorializes in favor of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow gay Americans to sponsor their same-sex foreign-born partners for residency. The Post says the act, if passed, will “right a gross unfairness.”
A threefold spike in anti-gay hate crimes in the county near San Francisco in the past year is being blamed on all the attention surrounding Prop. 8.
Much has been written lately about the solution some think will solve the marriage equality issue: establish “civil unions” for all and take “marriage” out of the hands of the government altogether.
The West Virginia Senate has passed a sexual orientation non-discrimination bill which will now go to the House for a vote.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Morning Sweep
A measure that would give marriage-like benefits to same-sex couples in Washington has passed in that state's Senate and now moves to the House for a vote.
Vermont's governor said yesterday that he does not support a same-sex marriage bill because the issue is "divisive." He also believes that his state's civil unions law is adequate.
A lot of the LGBT chattering class came down hard yesterday on openly gay Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) for his flub on the status of federal hate crimes legislation. His response to Andy Towle is reasonable--and reminds us why we shouldn't be so quick to go after those who truly have the best interest of our community at heart.
For LGBT Jews in NYC, Eastern Bloc is hosting a gay Purim party tonight. For the non-chosen: Purim is like Jewish Halloween, therefore big with the gays.
Claudia Brenner, a victim of anti-gay violence in the late eighties, will be speaking at SUNY Cortland on March 30 about the continued prevalence of hate crimes committed against LGBT people across the country.
Vermont's governor said yesterday that he does not support a same-sex marriage bill because the issue is "divisive." He also believes that his state's civil unions law is adequate.
A lot of the LGBT chattering class came down hard yesterday on openly gay Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) for his flub on the status of federal hate crimes legislation. His response to Andy Towle is reasonable--and reminds us why we shouldn't be so quick to go after those who truly have the best interest of our community at heart.
For LGBT Jews in NYC, Eastern Bloc is hosting a gay Purim party tonight. For the non-chosen: Purim is like Jewish Halloween, therefore big with the gays.
Claudia Brenner, a victim of anti-gay violence in the late eighties, will be speaking at SUNY Cortland on March 30 about the continued prevalence of hate crimes committed against LGBT people across the country.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Morning Sweep
Today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and Gay Men's Health Crisis will be gathering at City Hall with leaders of other AIDS service organizations, elected officials, teachers and clergy to call attention to the "alarming" infection rates among women and girls.
New Jersey Gov. Corzine has evolved from being a weak supporter of civil unions to a strong supporter of marriage equality.
A new poll shows that if a repeal of Prop. 8 were to be put on the 2010 ballot, voters would currently be equally divided for and against it.
A lawsuit against Arkansas’ ban on unmarried partners adopting or becoming foster parents will proceed.
David Mixner thinks the U.S. should take a lesson from Britain’s LGBT-inclusive government.
New Jersey Gov. Corzine has evolved from being a weak supporter of civil unions to a strong supporter of marriage equality.
A new poll shows that if a repeal of Prop. 8 were to be put on the 2010 ballot, voters would currently be equally divided for and against it.
A lawsuit against Arkansas’ ban on unmarried partners adopting or becoming foster parents will proceed.
David Mixner thinks the U.S. should take a lesson from Britain’s LGBT-inclusive government.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Morning Sweep
Amid the outcry from LGBT advocates that police have been arresting gay men at NYC adult shops on false prostitution charges, the NYPD has decided that similar investigations will now have to be approved by the department's higher-ups.
The Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains has a new roommate: The Loft, a widely-known LGBT community center, has moved into vacant office space at the church after accepting a gracious invitation to co-habitate.
Reflecting on the CA Supreme Court seemingly leaning towards upholding Prop. 8 but still recognizing the 18,000 already-performed same-sex marriages, the L.A. Times writes on the repercussions for those marriages. Although some couples say they will be glad to have their marriages’ recognition solidified, they’re sad that they will be “on an island” and part of a small minority that their unmarried gay friends won’t be able to join.
The Advocate profiles seven LGBT White House appointees.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin will soon introduce the Domestic Partner Benefits & Obligations Act, which would extend benefits such as health, life and disability insurance to same-sex partners.
At a meeting at the European Parliament, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received praise for saying: "In particular, persecution and discrimination against gays and lesbians is something we take very seriously."
Nearly 2,000 marriage equality advocates rallied in downtown Honolulu on Saturday in support of the state’s civil union bill.
Connecticut Catholic churches who don’t want to perform marriages for same-sex couples don’t have to. But for the Connecticut Catholic Conference, that’s not enough; they’re asking lawmakers to expand those who don't have to comply with the state's same-sex marriage law to florists, wedding photographers and justices of the peace. We have to second Republican Sen. John Kissel’s sentiments on this (even though he opposes same-sex marriage): “A law preventing a Catholic caterer from serving guests at a same-sex marriage could also be used by a Protestant baker who doesn't want to sell a cake to a Catholic father for his son's first communion. It could just as easily turn against each and every Catholic in the state of Connecticut." Amen.
Legislation in Kentucky to prohibit gay couples from adopting will advance to the Senate floor for a vote.
Two openly gay Minnesota lawmakers don’t see eye to eye on marriage equality. Gay Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble has proposed marriage equality legislation, but gay Republican Sen. Paul Koering opposes it, saying there are more “pressing issues” to focus on, like the economy.
The newest pointless, inaccurate study to hit the Internet declares that NYC is the least "manly" city in North America -- if you define manliness by factors like frequency of monster truck rallies and "emasculating" factors such as the number of home furnishing stores and subscription rates to beauty magazines. Wait a second...did we say inaccurate?
The Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains has a new roommate: The Loft, a widely-known LGBT community center, has moved into vacant office space at the church after accepting a gracious invitation to co-habitate.
Reflecting on the CA Supreme Court seemingly leaning towards upholding Prop. 8 but still recognizing the 18,000 already-performed same-sex marriages, the L.A. Times writes on the repercussions for those marriages. Although some couples say they will be glad to have their marriages’ recognition solidified, they’re sad that they will be “on an island” and part of a small minority that their unmarried gay friends won’t be able to join.
The Advocate profiles seven LGBT White House appointees.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin will soon introduce the Domestic Partner Benefits & Obligations Act, which would extend benefits such as health, life and disability insurance to same-sex partners.
At a meeting at the European Parliament, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received praise for saying: "In particular, persecution and discrimination against gays and lesbians is something we take very seriously."
Nearly 2,000 marriage equality advocates rallied in downtown Honolulu on Saturday in support of the state’s civil union bill.
Connecticut Catholic churches who don’t want to perform marriages for same-sex couples don’t have to. But for the Connecticut Catholic Conference, that’s not enough; they’re asking lawmakers to expand those who don't have to comply with the state's same-sex marriage law to florists, wedding photographers and justices of the peace. We have to second Republican Sen. John Kissel’s sentiments on this (even though he opposes same-sex marriage): “A law preventing a Catholic caterer from serving guests at a same-sex marriage could also be used by a Protestant baker who doesn't want to sell a cake to a Catholic father for his son's first communion. It could just as easily turn against each and every Catholic in the state of Connecticut." Amen.
Legislation in Kentucky to prohibit gay couples from adopting will advance to the Senate floor for a vote.
Two openly gay Minnesota lawmakers don’t see eye to eye on marriage equality. Gay Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble has proposed marriage equality legislation, but gay Republican Sen. Paul Koering opposes it, saying there are more “pressing issues” to focus on, like the economy.
The newest pointless, inaccurate study to hit the Internet declares that NYC is the least "manly" city in North America -- if you define manliness by factors like frequency of monster truck rallies and "emasculating" factors such as the number of home furnishing stores and subscription rates to beauty magazines. Wait a second...did we say inaccurate?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Morning Sweep
Gov. Paterson has appointed two lesbian judges to the NYS Appellate Division. They will be the first openly gay judges to serve at this level.
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church protested in Albany yesterday at a local high school and AlbanyU. They were greatly outnumbered by counter-protesters.
The Executive Council of the AFL-CIO has passed a unanimous resolution calling on the California Supreme Court to invalidate Proposition 8. Bilerico has an interesting post on what the NAACP’s opposition to Prop. 8 means to the movement. And for more Prop. 8 news, we’ll be posting shortly on yesterday’s oral arguments.
A bill before the Connecticut legislature would amend the state’s marriage laws to be gender-neutral now that marriage for same-sex couples is legal in the state. It would also transform civil unions into fully valid marriages by 2010.
Vermont’s marriage equality bill is on a fast-track through the Senate, and is likely to pass. Although it is also likely to pass in the House, it’s not known whether Gov. Jim Douglas, an opponent of same-sex marriage legislation, plans to veto it. If he does, the legislature may not have enough votes to override his veto.
The Illinois civil union bill has moved out of committee and will not be put to the House floor for a vote.
Legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
In more drama over high school productions, an ethics teacher in Texas has been suspended for moving forward with a production of “The Laramie Project.”
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church protested in Albany yesterday at a local high school and AlbanyU. They were greatly outnumbered by counter-protesters.
The Executive Council of the AFL-CIO has passed a unanimous resolution calling on the California Supreme Court to invalidate Proposition 8. Bilerico has an interesting post on what the NAACP’s opposition to Prop. 8 means to the movement. And for more Prop. 8 news, we’ll be posting shortly on yesterday’s oral arguments.
A bill before the Connecticut legislature would amend the state’s marriage laws to be gender-neutral now that marriage for same-sex couples is legal in the state. It would also transform civil unions into fully valid marriages by 2010.
Vermont’s marriage equality bill is on a fast-track through the Senate, and is likely to pass. Although it is also likely to pass in the House, it’s not known whether Gov. Jim Douglas, an opponent of same-sex marriage legislation, plans to veto it. If he does, the legislature may not have enough votes to override his veto.
The Illinois civil union bill has moved out of committee and will not be put to the House floor for a vote.
Legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
In more drama over high school productions, an ethics teacher in Texas has been suspended for moving forward with a production of “The Laramie Project.”
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Morning Sweep
Last night, thousands of people marched from San Francisco's Castro District to City Hall to demonstrate their desire for the CA Supreme Court to invalidate Prop. 8. Oral arguments will take place today from noon to 3 PM Eastern time, and will be broadcast live online here.
The LA Times editorial board writes on the factors the Supreme Court will ponder in the Prop. 8 case: “Considering the ease with which a well-funded ballot initiative can garner millions of votes, the state -- and the high court -- would do well to consider how easily the majority can tyrannize a minority through the amendment process.”
Queerty has an interview with the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Executive Director Kate Kendall on their legal arguments against Prop. 8. NCLR legal director Shannon Minter will present these arguments today.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated that her first two LGBT-related legislative priorities are an inclusive hate crimes law and an inclusive ENDA.
Legislators in Oregon have introduced their state’s version of a Dignity for All Students bill to protect all students – including LGBT students – from bullying in schools.
A Minneapolis news magazine has a comprehensive story on trans youth.
The LA Times editorial board writes on the factors the Supreme Court will ponder in the Prop. 8 case: “Considering the ease with which a well-funded ballot initiative can garner millions of votes, the state -- and the high court -- would do well to consider how easily the majority can tyrannize a minority through the amendment process.”
Queerty has an interview with the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Executive Director Kate Kendall on their legal arguments against Prop. 8. NCLR legal director Shannon Minter will present these arguments today.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated that her first two LGBT-related legislative priorities are an inclusive hate crimes law and an inclusive ENDA.
Legislators in Oregon have introduced their state’s version of a Dignity for All Students bill to protect all students – including LGBT students – from bullying in schools.
A Minneapolis news magazine has a comprehensive story on trans youth.
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