Blog : Press Clips
GET INFORMED: LGBT News for October 1
Each weekday, Get Busy, Get Equal brings you a sampling of national and regional LGBT news, the latest on what's new in LGBT relationships, and new developments in ACLU work. We're making progress, but since every step forward is met with resistance, we've got to fight smart to win. Get informed.
ACLU NEWS
- ACLU Seeks Data on Spying for 32 Groups (Washington Post)
The ACLU of Maryland is demanding that state police reveal whether 32 advocacy groups, including statewide LGBT group Equality Maryland, have been the target of spying by undercover agents; more info here
Prowel v. Wise Business Forms
- Appeals court hears gay man's harassment claim (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
- Judges hear case of fired gay man (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- 3rd Circuit hears argument in gay stereotype case (Associated Press)
Reacting to the ACLU's unanimous victory at the Arkansas Supreme Court striking down an anti-gay foster care ban in Howard v. Child Welfare Agency Review Board, anti-gay activists have been attempting to get an initiative on the ballot that would ban unmarried couples who live together from serving as adoptive or foster parents in the state of Arkansas. The ACLU is part of the coalition opposing this needless measure that would only harm children by reducing the pool of potential homes. Learn more about the Howard case here.
- Foster parent bias: State’s partner in recruitment turns away gays (Arkansas Times)
- Vote 'No' on Initiated Act 1 (Arkansas Times Blog)
- Groups fight state’s policy on foster parents (Associated Press)
- Developing News: Groups Battle It Out Over Adoption Issues (KTHV CBS 11)
- Canvassers inform voters of proposed adoption ban (Henderson State University Oracle)
Schroer v. Billington
Diane Schroer began taking steps to transition from male to female shortly after retiring as a Colonel after 25 years of distinguished service in the Army. She was offered and accepted a job as a terrorism research analyst at the Library of Congress, but when she told her future supervisor that she was in the process of gender transition, they rescinded the job offer. The ACLU is now representing her in a Title VII sex discrimination lawsuit against the Library of Congress. Learn more about her case here.
- I may yet get a job . . . . (Mikarrhea)
This is from ten days or so back, but I just now caught it – sorry!
RELATIONSHIPS NEWS
California Prop. 8
- EDITORIAL: Reject Proposition 8 (Contra Costa Times)
- A 'No on 8' challenge to Hollywood (Variety)
Jonathan Lewis, political activist and heir to an insurance fortune, is pledging to chip in $500,000 to defeat Proposition 8 if the entertainment industry does the same - Wentz Joins Marriage Fight (Queerty)
- OP-ED: Prop. 8 Protects Rights of Those Who Support Traditional Marriage (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Question Asks to Restrict Marriage (Palm Beach Post)
Features Bob Pingpank and Dick Nolan, a couple together for over 50 years who were also plaintiffs in our unsuccessful attempt to challenge a 2006 version of this ballot initiative; we lost, but the initiative failed to move forward that year because its proponents didn’t gather enough signatures. Bob and Dick were also featured on our 10 Couples website. - FL: Orlando Magic's owner gives $100K in support of marriage amendment (Pam’s House Blend)
- Poll: Arizonans Support Ban on Same-Sex Marriage (East Valley Tribune)
DISCRIMINATION NEWS
- Bristol Man Arrested in Park Sex Sweep Sues Police Chief, Johnson City; Alleges Excessive Publicity (Kingsport Times News)
Lambda Legal is suing a Tennessee police department that went hogwild publicizing the names, addresses, and photos of 40 men charged in a park sex sting last year; you may recall that one of the men committed suicide after this happened. Go kick some ass, Lambda! - Tennessee: public gay sex sting results in lawsuit over bias (Pam’s House Blend)
- Iowa man drops HIV lawsuit against McDonald's (The Associated Press)
This was the one where someone slapped the poor guy with a piece of cheese. Our McDonald’s matter in Kentucky is still open. - Man drops discrimination lawsuit: Former employee of Dyersville McDonald's had claimed he was fired because he is gay and has HIV (The Telegraph Herald)
- Right-Wing Activists Plan Private D.C. Briefing on Gays in the Military (The Huffington Post)
- Busted - Elaine Donnelly's secret, desperate meeting to preserve DADT (Pam’s House Blend)
- Sad, Sad Elaine Donnelly (Box Turtle Bulletin)
- The Closet as Security Risk: The National Security Agency courts openly gay employees (The Advocate)
…aaand in the meantime, the NSA *wants* openly gay staff who living their lives openly and honestly and without fear of blackmail - Harassment Suit by Four San Diego Firefighters Ordered to Ride in Gay Pride Parade Goes to Jury (Los Angeles Times)
- Atty. wants $1 million each for firefighters in Pride parade suit (San Diego 6)
- California Governor Vetoes Harvey Milk Bill (Associated Press)