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 LGBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Wednesday, October 8th. I’m Shelena Williams.
And I’m Bradley Mayer. First up, news out of California.
An estimated eleven thousand same-sex couples have married since the California Supreme Court legalized the unions in May. A study from UCLA’s Williams Institute also found that more LGBT couples got married during last three months in California than were married in the first four years same-sex marriage was legal in Massachusetts. The findings come less than 30 days from Election Day, when voters will decide the fate of Proposition 8. The initiative would end marriage equality in the state.
Now to a Catholic priest in California who has come out against Proposition 8. In his mass on Sunday, Father Jeff Farrow criticized Catholic church officials, who support the measure that would end marriage equality in the state. In what many believe was his last sermon, Father Farrow said that he was forced to speak up because of the church’s silence on issues related to the LGBT community.
In other news, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe is said to be reconsidering his support of a current state policy prohibiting unmarried couples from serving as foster parents. This comes after thirteen retired Arkansas judges said they oppose a November ballot measure that would put further restrictions on unmarried couples and prevent them from either adopting or serving as foster parents, as we reported yesterday. Gov. Beebe already opposes the ballot measure, saying it goes too far to restrict adoption. The governor now wants to make foster parenting in the state easier, allowing unmarried couples to foster children on a case by case basis.
Now news from the Georgia Supreme Court, which ruled Monday that a transgender woman seeking office did not mislead voters when she did not reveal that she was once a man. Michelle Bruce, the first openly transgender politician in Georgia, served on the Riverdale Council for four years but lost her bid for re-election last year. The suit, filed by two opponents, was hailed as a victory for the transgender community. It is the first such ruling in the nation to address the privacy of transgender politicians.
Members of LGBT advocacy group Soulforce were only allowed to meet with students of Columbia International University under strict guidance from school officials. The evangelical Bible college explicitly opposes homosexual behavior in its handbook. Members of Soulforce, which is doing a tour of southern universities to draw attention to discrimination against the LGBT community, were allowed four hours to speak with students in a designated area before being asked to leave the campus.
Finally we turn to Russia, where government officials are being blamed for the closing of a St. Petersburg LGBT film festival. Members of the local LGBT community are considering legal action after authorities closed two venues just before the event was to start, saying they did not meet city fire codes. Two previous venues canceled their involvement with the Side by Side film festival after receiving threats from city officials. This is the first year Side by Side would have been open to the general public.
That’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
Have a great day, and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.