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, March 28th. I’m Brad Mayer.
And I’m Cuc Vu. First up, news from out west
Larimer County in Colorado has decided to expand its health insurance benefits to cover same-sex couples. Starting July 1st, a county employee can enroll his or her partner in the health plan by signing an affidavit stating they are in a committed relationship. County commissioners believe a same-sex benefit package will help Larimer County compete with the private sector for high quality employees.
Two long-time officers with the University of New Mexico’s police department have filed reverse sexual discrimination claims against three superiors, including the police chief. They claim they are being treated unfairly because they are straight and their superiors are gay. The next step for the plaintiffs is a formal hearing before the department, or to waive the hearing and proceed directly to a civil lawsuit.
Marisa Richmond will be the first black transgender delegate at the Democratic National Convention in August. Richmond already made history on Super Tuesday, when she became the first openly transgender person to win an election in Tennessee. As an elected official, Richmond is working to expand Tennessee’s hate crimes laws and university policies to cover gender identity.
Two students have decided to revive the gay-straight alliance at Okeechobee High School in Florida. A lawsuit filed against the local school board for not allowing the club to meet was dismissed earlier this month because the club had no active members. Once club meetings resume, the ACLU will ask the judge to reconsider the case.
An Ohio woman has claimed the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is grounds for barring her ex-partner from sharing custody of their son. Last June, a judge ruled the marriage amendment has no bearing on a signed joint custody agreement. The state’s court of appeals has agreed to hear the case.
Ronald Haines, who served as the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington from 1990 to 2000, has died. Haines was an advocate for the ordination of women, and a GLBT ally. Haines was a controversial figure in the Episcopal Church for his ordination of the openly lesbian Reverend Elizabeth Carl.
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.