Equally Speaking
The following is a transcript of HRC’s morning news webcast "Equally Speaking." To view the current videos visit the main Equally Speaking page.
Good morning, and thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking, your morning dose of GLBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Thursday, July 3rd. I’m Candace Gingrich.
And I’m Sultan Shakir. First up, news on Cyndi Lauper.
Cyndi Lauper appears on today’s episode of "As the World Turns" in a scene with the characters Noah and Luke, a gay couple on the show. Cyndi plays herself in the episode and dedicates a performance of her hit "True Colors" to the couple, affectionately known as "Nuke" by fans of the series. Cyndi, as well as the B-52s, The Clicks, and several other musical acts, are currently touring in the second summer installment of the True Colors Tour. To see a list of remaining cities, go online to HRC.org/truecolors.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has taken his first public step toward seeking higher office, filing papers to form an exploratory committee for a potential gubernatorial bid in 2010. Newsom, best known for challenging California's ban on marriage for gay and lesbian couples in 2004, is six months into his second and final term, which expires in 2011. Newsom also made headlines early in his first term when he directed city workers to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples, three months before Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize such unions.
A three judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments next week in a lawsuit that is seeking to revive last year's failed referendum on Oregon's domestic partnership law. The law, which was passed in 2007 after a marriage initiative failed, allows gay, lesbian, and straight couples who are unable to marry to form legally recognized partnerships. Under the partnership law, couples who register are guaranteed the right to visit partners in the hospital, make medical decisions, file joint state tax returns, take sick leave to care for their partners, and have joint health insurance plans.
A Huntington Beach City jailer is suing the city, alleging that she was harassed by colleagues because she is a lesbian. The suit, filed by Catherine Denise Cranford, accuses city workers of publicly discussing her sexual orientation and invading her privacy by revealing her confidential medical history at the Huntington Beach Police Department. Cranford left work on stress leave in April 2007 and her lawsuit is the second filed by a gay city employee in the past year. Earlier in the week, officer Adam Bereki settled his harassment lawsuit against the city, receiving over two million dollars in damages.
Two Michigan high school freshmen are facing charges of aggravated assault in an attack against a schoolmate for being an advocate of GLBT equality. Another student recorded video of the attack and posted it on the Internet within two hours of the assault. In the wake of the attack, local parents have formed a coalition called Making Schools Safe to work with school officials and to promote acceptance.
Gay and lesbian couples in Wisconsin could face criminal penalties if they marry out of state. According to a Wisconsin advocacy group, a state law that was originally intended to prohibit underage couples from crossing state lines to marry could be interpreted to apply to marriages for gay and lesbian couples. The penalty includes a fine of up to $10,000, nine months in prison, or both.
That’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
HRC wishes you a happy Fourth of July holiday, and we’ll see you back here Monday morning.