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.
Hello and thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking, your daily dose of LGBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Friday, November 6th. I’m Shelena Williams.
And I’m Adam Marquez. First up, the Senate hearing on an inclusive ENDA.
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate held a hearing on a fully inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would make it illegal to fire someone based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Among those who testified in favor of passing the bill was the head of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, Thomas Perez. To learn more visit HRCBackstory.org.
Following Tuesday’s approval of nondiscrimination laws in Kalamazoo, Mich., the House Judiciary Committee voted 9-5 to send a bill to expand the state's anti-discrimination law to the full house for a vote. Also, the state house speaker pro tem Pam Byrnes has introduced a resolution to reverse the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Byrnes says it’s time for a change in Michigan.
The Supreme Court of Wisconsin has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Wisconsin Family Action challenging the state’s registry of domestic partners. The court issued an order upholding the registry, to which more than 900 couples have signed. The registry gives same-sex couples limited legal benefits, though Wisconsin has a constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples.
Marriage equality may be on tap in the New York Senate next week. Governor David Paterson called a special session for Tuesday and the marriage bill is on the agenda. More information and how to take action is at HRCBackstory.org.
A cab driver in Manhattan is defending his decision to force a gay couple to leave his cab because they were hugging after only driving them two blocks. Medhat Mohamed claimed he was afraid the couple was going to take the behavior further, and his employer has explained Mohamed’s decision by citing Mohamed’s Muslim faith.
A play involving a transgender portrayal of Jesus Christ in Scotland has drawn protestors who feel the portrayal is offensive to their beliefs. Producers of the show, however, defend the play as a literary work of fiction that explores faith as a transgendered person.
Every Friday, we showcase HRC’s great line of clothing. Every purchase you make at shop.hrc.org goes towards the important work of the Human Rights Campaign.
You can also visit our action center stores in Provincetown, Washington D.C. and San Francisco to show your support for LGBT equality. That’s the news from us, thanks for watching and have a great weekend.