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 Tuesday, July 7th. I’m Amy Hinze-Pifer.
And I’m Margot Rosen. First up, an update on the D.C. Recognition Law.
The D.C. marriage recognition law finally goes into effect today after a recent Board of Elections decision found that legislation recognizing same-sex marriage performed in other jurisdictions isn’t eligible for a public referendum. A subsequent decision from the D.C. Superior Court furthered the law by blocking a request from the Stand 4 Marriage D.C. Coalition to bar recognition. After these rulings, and a lack of Congressional movement on the issue, the law became official.
Admiral Michael Mullen, President Barack Obama’s top military advisor, acknowledged the possible repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell but insisted slow steps must be taken to implement the policy change. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has also publicly discussed the policy indicating that the Pentagon is looking at ways to enforce the current law that lessens discharges until it can be permanently changed.
In other legal news, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker declined to grant a preliminary injunction lifting Proposition 8, effectively fast-tracking the federal lawsuit aimed to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage. Walker claimed temporarily halting voter-approved Prop. 8 would cause too much confusion in light of the upcoming federal case but gave lawyers on both sides until August 7th to file proposals in an effort to move the case directly to trial.
In Pennsylvania, the Allegheny City Council voted 8-6 last week to approve the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance, legislation that bans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The legislation established a county-wide Human Relations Commission to investigate any claims of discrimination. The bill’s passage marks the fifteenth municipality in the state to grant such protections, with the two largest counties now providing inclusive coverage.
New York’s Empire State Pride Agenda published the first state-sponsored study on the non-HIV health and human service needs of LGBT people. The report, based on governmental data, interviews with LGBT health and human service experts and surveys of LGBT New Yorkers, yielded significant discrepancies between gay and straight men and women in regards to health care needs. Key findings show many obstacles in the way of proper health care for the gay community, including homelessness, a lack of adequately trained health professionals and physical or sexual abuse.
Chad Gibson, the Fort Worth resident that spent seven days in the hospital with head injuries after the Rainbow Lounge raid, broke his silence Sunday. Gibson told reporters he wants the involved officers to take responsibility and claimed the city’s response has been a cover up. Gibson voiced hope for appropriate prosecution, as well as concern for his health. An investigation is still ongoing in Forth Worth. For more information, go to HRCBackStory.org.
That’s the news from us today – thanks for tuning in.
Have a great day and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.