Equally Speaking
Equally Speaking
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007
First up on HRC's daily webcast, we go to Capitol Hill. SLDN is reporting that Admiral Michael Mullen – President Bush’s nominee to succeed General Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – indicated at a hearing this week that it was appropriate for Congress to revisit the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" ban on openly gay, lesbian and bisexual service members. At a Senate hearing Tuesday, Mullen said, "I really think it is for the American people to come forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and make changes."
One more bit of congressional news: the nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick to a post on the federal bench remains up in the air. Supporters of the nominee tried to bring up a resolution calling for his confirmation, but opponents were able to table the measure. HRC has opposed his nomination based on his previous rulings – including one that upheld a ruling denying custody to a lesbian mother.
In state news, the first domestic partnership registry in Kansas opened yesterday. The Lawrence, Kansas, City Council passed a bill creating the registry, which does not carry with it any specific legal rights. Local GLBT rights groups say, however, the registry can be an important tool to prove a relationship to take advantage of employer-offered domestic partner benefits.
Turning to international news, a gay couple in Montreal has won a harassment claim against youth from their neighborhood. The Quebec Human Rights Commission ordered one of the young men to pay the couple $10,000 for harassing them because of their sexual orientation.
Singapore began its pride celebration this week even though the government maintains strict policies against homosexuality. In fact a photo exhibit of same-sex couples kissing was closed down by police days before the events because they said it promoted indecency.
Finally to Jerusalem, where reverberations from June’s pride event are still being felt. An ultra-conservative sect continues to protest the arrest of group members for trying to disrupt pride. Some of those arrested are still in custody, including a man accused of trying to detonate a bomb at the parade. A police official told the Israeli Parliament this week that members are setting fires nightly to show solidarity.