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 Friday, June 26th. I’m James Servino.
And I’m Candace Gingrich. First up, news from Capitol Hill.
HRC President Joe Solmonese submitted testimony at yesterday’s Senate hearing on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act. He urged the Senate to take action and pass the bill before the August recess, saying that after nine successful votes in Congress there is no good reason to delay bringing the bill to President Obama’s desk. The hearing also featured testimony by Attorney Gen. Eric Holder, marking the first time an attorney general has testified in favor of the legislation.
A new poll from Pangea Media surveyed more than 3,400 young people on their attitudes toward gay rights. The results showed that 75 percent of young people support marriage equality. Another question revealed that 55 percent think being gay is a choice, while 26 percent believe people are born gay.
Two D.C. activists are asking the Board of Elections to investigate whether Bishop Harry Jackson, the leader of the referendum effort to overturn a law recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, is actually a resident of the District. The pair said they have collected evidence that identifies Jackson as a resident of Maryland, although he has affirmed in an affidavit that he lives in D.C. If Jackson is not a D.C. resident, his petition effort could be disqualified.
LGBT civil rights hero Frank Kameny was issued an official apology this week by the Office of Personnel Management, the same department that fired him 52 years ago based solely on his sexual orientation. The office, formerly called the Civil Service Commission, is now headed by openly gay John Berry, who bestowed Kameny with the Theodore Roosevelt Award for his years of service to the Federal government.
In North Carolina, an anti-bullying bill was passed by a tight margin of 58-57 earlier this week in the State House of Representatives. The bill, called the School Violence Prevention Act, would protect students on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. The Senate has already passed the bill and it is expected to reach the desk of Gov. Bev Purdue in the near future.
This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, sparked on June 28, 1969 after police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village. To honor a generation of gay activists, the American Association of Retired People has launched a Stonewall anniversary website. The site features stories of LGBT men and women who participated in the protests and have been fighting for equality ever since. For a link to the site, visit HRCBackStory.org.