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 Friday, April 4th. I'm Shelena Williams.
And I'm Candace Gingrich. First up, news about a new HRC initiative.
Monday is the first day of HRC's "Seven Days to a Better Financial You" educational campaign. In advance of Tax Day on April 15th, HRC will hold a series of events that draw attention to the unique financial and legal challenges faced by the GLBT community as a result of being unable to marry. To learn more about the "Seven Days" campaign and check out resources for GLBT financial and estate planning issues, visit hrc.org.
In conjunction with the "Seven Days to a Better Financial You" educational campaign, HRC is joining with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress to unveil a new legislative agenda called Family Matters. The aim of Family Matters is to pass laws that provide equal rights and responsibilities for same-sex couples and their families. Such bills include the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act and the Domestic Partnership Benefit and Obligations Act.
This year's national annual Day of Silence, when students observe a vow of silence to bring attention to bullying and harassment of GLBT students, will be dedicated to the memory of 15 year old Lawrence King. The openly gay eighth-grader was shot by a fellow student in front of classmates in February in Oxnard, California. The National Day of Silence will be held on April 25th.
More than 1000 people demonstrated at the Oklahoma Capitol on Wednesday in support of state Rep. Sally Kern and her recent remarks that gays are more dangerous than terrorists. Kern was cheered when she told the crowd that their support affirmed the rights of conservative Christians "who want to stand up for the truth of God's word." Kern made the offensive remarks in a speech to a small gathering but did not know they were being recorded.
A Georgia State Senate bill that would require school systems across the state adopt written anti-bullying policies may get stuck in a state House committee. The bill, which passed the state Senate unanimously, would expand the definition of bullying and require parental notification of bullying issues. To survive, the bill must receive a floor vote before the legislative session adjourns, which could be as soon as today.
Objections from parents have led to the banning of anti-bullying books from two schools in England. The parents objected to the books, which were part of an initiative to educate school children about homophobia, on the grounds that the material was not suited to children. The Bristol City Council made public their decision to remove the books earlier this week.
That's the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you back here again Monday morning.