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 LGBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Friday, September 26th. I’m Adam Marquez.
And I’m Tommy Lodge. First up, news from New York.
A New York-based adoption group released a report yesterday that urges changes to state laws and adoption agency practices so they are more welcoming of gay and lesbian applicants. The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute said there are about 129,000 children waiting to be adopted, many of whom are older and have special physical, mental health, and developmental challenges. HRC released a statement on the report, saying it underscores the need for the HRC Foundation’s “All Children – All Families” initiative, which strives to improve agency competence in working with LGBT families.
The deputy director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management told a Senate hearing Wednesday that his agency opposes legislation that would provide equal employment benefits for domestic partners of gay federal employees. The federal agency initially had no official position on the measure but later stated concern over technical issues with the bill. HRC President Joe Solmonese submitted written testimony for the hearing, which was held by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. For coverage on the hearing and to read the full testimony, visit HRCBackStory.org.
In California, hundreds of pastors are calling on their congregations to fast for up to 40 days in support of Proposition 8, a proposed constitutional amendment that would end marriage equality in the state. The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, have donated nearly 1.3 million dollars to the effort while donations from individual Mormons account for more than 6.4 million of the approximate 17.3 million dollars raised so far. A coalition of religious leaders called California Faith for Equality has been working to persuade people of faith to oppose the ballot measure on spiritual and social justice grounds.
Ellen Degeneres took to her blog this week to ask fans to oppose Proposition 8. The comedian pleaded with readers to oppose the ban so that she doesn’t have to return her wedding gifts. Degeneres and actress Portia de Rossi wed in August.
A former Southern Methodist University women’s basketball player is suing the school for 2.5 million dollars, claiming she lost a scholarship after complaining her coach made inappropriate comments about dating other team members. The lawsuit alleges that attempts by the student to secure a scholarship at other schools failed after coaches contacted SMU. The school says the student’s allegations of inappropriate behavior were investigated by two separate university offices but neither investigation supported her claims.
A Louisiana man was sentenced this week to eight life terms after pleading guilty to eight gay-related murders. Ronald Dominique had been suspected in the slayings of as many as 23 men in the state. More than two dozen family members of his victims were in court for the sentencing.
That’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
Thanks for watching, have a great weekend.