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

Kerrigan and Mock, et. al. v. Commissioner of Public Health

• Hartford Courant: A Majority In Connecticut Poll Backs Gay Marriage Ruling
• Hartford Courant: Gay Marriage Ruling Ended Long Journey Of Soul
  Video available at the above link
• Associated Press: Marriage ruling not the end of debate in Conn.
• Waterbury Republican-American: No Residency Requirement for Same-Sex Couples to Wed in Connecticut
• New York Times: Using Biology, Not Religion, to Argue Against Same-Sex Marriage
• The Bilerico Project: Never using religion, nor biology, to argue against same-sex marriage
• Politico: Bush opposes gay-marriage ruling
• The Bilerico Project: Legal Victories Are Not Enough!
• Asbury Park Press: Will Connecticut's gay-marriage ruling be copied in Jersey?

Arkansas Parenting Ballot Initiative
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. 

Note: These are all separate Arkansas Times Blog posts – they just are titling most of their blog posts on this topic with the same title, “Vote ‘No on Initiated Act 1,” in case you were at all confused about their position on the matter. 

• Arkansas Times Blog: Vote 'No' on Initiated Act 1
  Foster Care Alumni of America announces its opposition to the ban
• Northwest Arkansas Times: COLUMN:ROOTS & WINGS : Handcuffing our families
• Arkansas Times Blog: Vote No on Act 1
• Associated Press: Analysis: Foster care fight shifts to 'gay agenda'
• Arkansas Times Blog: The 'gay agenda'
• Associated Press: Family Council Says Hearing On Ark. Gay Foster Ban A 'Sham'

Advocacy on Behalf of Gay Men Verbally Abused by McDonald’s Staff

The ACLU has filed a complaint with the Louisville, KY Human Relations Commission on behalf of two gay men who were called “faggots” by an employee at a McDonald’s. Both the local manager and McDonald’s corporate customer service department have ignored their requests for a refund and apology. Learn more about the case here. 

• Louisville Courier-Journal: Protesters picket McDonald's: Alleged anti-gay slurs spur action

RELATIONSHIPS NEWS

California Prop. 8

• Sacramento Bee: Mormons lead the way in financing Yes on Prop. 8 efforts
• San Francisco Chronicle: Newsom Becomes Campaign Tool for Prop. 8 Backers
• San Francisco Chronicle: COLUMN: A Lesson in Political Naivete
• Box Turtle Bulletin: A Poorly Conceived Show of Support
• Orange County Register: COLUMN: Neighbors at odds over Prop. 8
• Politicker CA: Los Angeles Mayor donates $25,000 to help gay marriage
• Los Angeles Times: Stand against Prop. 8 costs priest dearly
• Father Geoff Farrow: An open letter to my parish community
• Associated Press: Gay Couples Rush to Wed Ahead of Calif. Election
• The New York Times: California Clerks Want Delay in Change on Marriage Licenses
• Pam’s House Blend: OCT 17: Mormons to deliver Prop 8 letters, petition to LDS Church HQ
• Financial Times California polls shock gay marriage supporters
• La Prensa: Editorial: Parental Notification and Gay Marriages Two Controversial Propositions
• Box Turtle Bulletin: Pepperdine Statement on “Yes On 8″ Television Ads
• Joe. My. God.: Homotracker: Three Great No On 8 Ads From The Entertainment Biz
• Joe. My. God.: SF Mayor Gavin Newsom: No On 8's Worst Nightmare

• Tucson Citizen: Anti-gay marriage groups look for Arizona redemption
• Tucson Citizen: Guest Opinion: No on 102: Keep government out of our private lives
• ABC 15: Anti-gay marriage proposition signs vandalized in Valley
• My Fox Tampa Bay: Critics Target Marriage Amendment
  Quotes Mike Pheneger of the ACLU of Florida
• Miami Herald: Editorial: On state constitutional amendments - The Miami Herald recommends
• WFTV: Pride parade draws 45,000, raises awareness for Amendment 2
• Pam’s House Blend: Florida Amendment 2 Update- Everyday People Stand Up, Speak Out, Say No 2
• My Fox Utah: 34 couples now on Salt Lake City's domestic partner registry
• Iowa Independent: Iowa could be next in same-sex marriage battle
• Associated Press: Study: Peers, Not Profs, Influence Student Views
  A study finds that while in college, students’ support of marriage for gay couples increases; research thinks this is due to peer influence
• On Faith – Newsweek/Washington Post blog: Catholicism and Same-Sex Marriage

YOUTH AND SCHOOLS NEWS

• Fox 40: Coalition Hosts Conference to Fight Gay and Lesbian Discrimination in Schools
  Quotes Sarah Young of the ACLU of Mississippi
• Mississippi Public Radio: Safe Schools
  That’s an MP3 audio link
• ABC Montana: School board updates policy to protect gays
• Chicago Tribune: A talk with man who could become principal of gay high school

DISCRIMINATION NEWS

• The Northern Light: LGBT Alaskans still face discrimination says survey
  Story about a survey conducted by the ACLU of AK
• The Boston Globe: Seeking a Home Away From Homophobia
• San Diego Union-Tribune: Judge: Rights of firefighters not violated