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 Monday, June 29th. I’m Jon Monteith.
And I’m Charlie Nordstrom. First up, an important anniversary.
Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the start of the Stonewall Riots in 1969 after police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Seen as the birth of the modern LGBT rights movement, it is the cornerstone of pride month and an important time to reflect on the sacrifices of LGBT activists who have come before us.
Due to intense political turmoil, the New York State Senate did not vote on same-sex marriage legislation last week and the bill has been taken off the agenda until the situation can be resolved. Sponsors of the bill did not want to risk pushing it in a Senate session that many view as invalid, as neither side will give the other the 32 member quorum they need to vote on legislation. It is expected that same-sex marriage will be at the top of the agenda once the Senate settles its conflict and returns to business as usual.
A Seattle judge has temporarily blocked the release of a list of names detailing city employees involved in a city-sponsored LGBT group. Gay rights opponent Philip Irvin had issued a request to have the names disclosed, saying he was barred from attending the group’s events because of his opinions and that he was prevented from establishing a similar group for “ex-gay” city employees. A hearing in September will determine whether the group names are ultimately made public.
The Obama administration has taken the first step in lifting the HIV travel ban in the United States. A repeal of the law was signed last summer and has now been in the rulemaking process. The Department of Health and Human Services will publish the new regulation in the federal register this week, which will then be made open for public comment before being implemented.
Last Thursday, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal and the ACLU filed legal documents backing a federal lawsuit seeking to restore marriage equality in California. The documents were supporting previous arguments that California’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples violates the federal constitution. ACLU Attorney Matt Coles said the arguments were filed to bolster the case originally filed by Ted Olson and David Boies in May.
The White House is hosting a reception for members of the LGBT community this afternoon to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots, as well as Pride Month. The event comes as members of the LGBT community are pushing the president to take greater action on LGBT issues.
That’s the news from us today – thanks for tuning in.
Have a great day and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.