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, July 1st. I’m John Greene.
And I’m Margot Rosen. First, an update on the DC referendum effort.
A D.C. Superior Court judge has blocked a request by the Stand 4 Marriage D.C. Coalition to stop implementation of D.C.’s new law to recognize same-sex couples that were legally married in other jurisdictions. The decision from Judge Judith Retchin means there will be no referendum on the recognition statute, and it will likely become law July 6 after a congressional review is completed.
Police in Forth Worth, Texas, deny that antigay motives were behind the raid at the Rainbow Lounge that left one patron seriously injured and seven arrested. Immediately following the raid, several LGBT groups including HRC called for a full investigation of the incident. Police say they were conducting a routine bar inspection. Club manager Randy Norman disputed the officer’s claim, stating they began arresting people without first asking to see the liquor license, a routine inspection standard. To read Joe Solmonese’s statement, go to HRCBackStory.org.
Monday morning, the right-wing Family Research Council launched the Stop Kevin Jennings campaign in response to his appointment to the Department of Education. Kevin Jennings, the former Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network president, was appointed as assistant deputy secretary heading the department’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. True to form, FRC took several quotes of Jennings out of context to paint him in a negative light.
2010 Iowa Gubernatorial hopeful Bob Vander Plaats publicly vowed last weekend that if elected as governor, he would issue an executive order banning marriage for same-sex couples until a constitutional amendment could be placed on a statewide ballot. Vander Plaats was the only GOP candidate at the weekend forum that committed to issuing the executive order. Marriage for same-sex couples was legalized in Iowa last April.
Kendra Konrady, a volunteer for the Human Rights Campaign, was attacked during the Omaha Gay Pride parade. William Crilly, an Omaha resident and attendee of the parade, put Konrady in a headlock as she passed him on the parade route. The crowd quickly came to her aid, and she was able to seek help from the police. Crilly was later arrested for assault.
Army National Guard Officer Lt. Dan Choi faced a board of four military officers in a hearing yesterday to determine whether to discharge him based on his violation of the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy. If the board decides to no longer recognize Choi as an officer, he will be the first in the New York National Guard to face a discharge because of alleged violations of the DADT policy.
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.