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 Thursday, January
24th. I'm David Paul.
And I'm Shelena Williams. First up, sad news from New York City.
Actor Heath Ledger was found dead in a New York City apartment on
Tuesday. Ledger starred in such films as "10 Things I Hate About You,"
"The Patriot," and "Brokeback Mountain," for which he was nominated for
an Oscar. Although drugs are thought to be involved, Ledger's cause of
death is not yet known. Heath Ledger was 28 years old.
Idaho's state legislature will consider a bill that would prohibit
workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The bill
would also ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing.
One of the bill's major sponsors, Senator Tim Corder, once voted to
amend Idaho's constitution to ban same-sex marriage, but believes this
bill would bolster due process.
Iowa Governor Chet Culver has called on his state's Supreme Court to
issue a speedy ruling on a same-sex marriage case. Culver, an opponent
of marriage equality, also says that if the court should rule in favor
of same-sex marriage, he would encourage Iowa's legislature to amend the
state's constitution to define marriage as between one man and one
woman. Culver, a Democrat, was elected in 2006.
In defiance of a European Court of Human Rights ruling, leaders of
Poland's government say they will continue to enforce a ban on adoptions
by same-sex couples. The Court ruled earlier this week that refusing
same-sex couples the right to adopt a child because of their sexual
orientation is discriminatory and in breach of the European Convention.
Polish legal scholars claim that the ruling does not affect decisions
already made in Polish courts.
New studies show that same-sex couples are as committed as opposite-sex
couples. Researchers found that same-sex couples, regardless of their
legal status, were more satisfied with their relationships, had more
positive feelings toward their partners, and experienced less conflict
than heterosexual married couples. The studies will be published in the
journal "Developmental Psychology."
A study published in the journal "Pediatrics and Child Health" shows
that while most teens are responsible when it comes to sex, they lack
knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and their consequences.
Although 76 percent of sexually active teens reported condom use, the
teens surveyed overestimated the prevalence of HIV compared to other
sexually transmitted infections. The study also reports that as many as
14 percent of teens surveyed were gay or questioning.
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.