Equally Speaking
<P><EM>The following is a transcript of HRC’s morning news webcast "Equally Speaking." To view the current videos visit the </EM><A href="http://www.hrc.org/equally_speaking.htm"><EM>main Equally Speaking page</EM></A><EM>.</EM></P>
8/26/2008
<P>Good morning, and thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking, your morning dose of LGBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Tuesday, August 26th. I’m John Greene.</P>
<P>And I’m Tommy Lodge. First up, news from the Democratic Convention.</P>
<P>HRC Back Story lead blogger Chris Johnson is soliciting questions for an HRC-sponsored panel at the Democratic National Covention called "LGBT Issues in 2008: What a Difference Four Years Makes." The panel, which will be webcasted live on Wednesday at <A href="http://www.hrcbackstory.org">HRCBackStory.org</A>, will feature Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, Washington Post editorial board member, Jonathan Capehart, and Arizona State Representative Kyrsten Sinema. To submit questions for the panel, email them to <A href="mailto:Christopher.Johnson@hrc.org">Christopher.Johnson@hrc.org</A>. </P>
<P>A tribute to LGBT rights champion Senator Edward Kennedy took place during the opening night of the Democratic National Convention. The event included a speech by Kennedy's niece, Caroline Kennedy, and a documentary film about the senator by noted filmmakers Ken Burns and Mark Herzog. Kennedy has a long history of supporting LGBT rights and has consistently scored a 100% rating from HRC.</P>
<P>Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has given approval to a group that wants to overturn the Legislature's repeal of a law barring marriages for out-of-state gay and lesbian couples. Coakley, who noted she does not necessarily support the measure, said the group's proposed ballot question meets the necessary technical requirements. Supporters must now gather 33,000 signatures by the end of October to appear on the November 2010 ballot.</P>
<P>A proposed act that would prevent adoptive or foster care children from being placed in homes of unmarried partners was approved yesterday to appear on the Arkansas November ballot. Secretary of State Charlie Daniels certified the proposed act after verifying that the 85,389 signatures submitted were from valid registered voters. Arkansas Families First has said it plans to file a lawsuit to keep the measure from appearing on the November ballot.</P>
<P>A conservative Christian group is urging its members to write to Hallmark Greeting Cards to complain about the company’s new wedding cards aimed at gay and lesbian couples. Hallmark stated that they made the cards in order to meet consumer demand. In the past, the American Family Association’s attempts at boycotting businesses for being LGBT-friendly have seen little success.</P>
<P>A church in College Park, Georgia was vandalized with an anti-LGBT message posted on its front door this past weekend. St. John’s Episcopal Church has a sizable LGBT membership and an openly gay rector. College Park police have labeled the incident as vandalism, but a complete report is not yet available.</P>
<P>That’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.</P>
<P>Have a great day, and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.<BR></P>
