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 GLBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Monday, April 28th. I’m David Paul.
And I’m Charlie Nordstrom. First up, news about HRC’s Election 2008 “Year to Win” efforts.
Today marks the launch of the HRC’s “Year to Win” campaign. “Year to Win” is a nationwide effort to elect fair-minded leaders to the White House, Congress and statehouses across the country. For more about “Year to Win”, visit the HRC Equality 2008 website at HRC.org/YeartoWin.
HRC’s annual Mile High Gala in Denver, Colorado was held on Saturday. HRC president Joe Solmonese was in attendance, and Congressman Mark Udall gave the keynote welcome. Frenchie Davis, Broadway star and former American Idol contestant, performed. Three awards were presented, including the Partners in Equality Award to The Matthew Shepard Foundation.
A Fort Wayne, Indiana memorial honoring those who have died from HIV AIDS has been vandalized. A stone pedestal that supported a statue of an angel was pushed over, and the statue smashed. Otis Vincent created the memorial in Lindenwood Cemetery in 1995 after his son died of AIDS.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has sued former bishop John-David Schofield, who opposed the Church's pro-GLBT stance. The lawsuit claims Schofield breached his duties to the church and demands he turn over diocese property and vacate his offices. Jerry Lamb was elected bishop last month to replace Schofield.
In other legal news, a federal appeals court has overturned a lower court verdict that found a school district had discriminated against two former school administrators because they are lesbians. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver said that when the women’s contracts were not extended in 2003 there were no explicit protections for GLBT workers in the state. As a result, the women could not claim they were victims of discrimination.
A transgender discrimination lawsuit in Houston, Texas has been settled. A radiology business had been accused of wrongfully pulling its offer of employment to Izza Lopez after learning she had been born a man. Both parties have agreed to mutually resolve their differences.
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.