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 Monday, September 8th. I’m Sarah Birnie.
And I’m Tommy Lodge. First up, news from Arizona.
Roman Catholic and Orthodox Jewish congregations in Arizona are being told to support a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban marriage for same-sex couples. Arizona's Roman Catholic bishops sent letters of support to churches statewide while the Union for Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America said that Jewish Law states marriage is between a man and a woman. A similar amendment to ban marriages and civil unions for same-sex couples failed in 2006.
And a Montgomery County, Maryland referendum that would ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity is now heading to the Maryland Court of Appeals to decide whether it should be repealed through a public vote. The court meets today after the conservative Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government gathered enough signatures to vote on repealing the referendum in November. The referendum, passed by county officials last year, is set to take effect next February and would prevent “discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, cable television service and taxicab service on the basis of gender identity.”
Legislation in California that would improve protections for LGBT seniors passed the state Assembly last week. The bill would train licensed health professionals about the needs of LGBT seniors and help prevent bias in senior care facilities and nursing homes. The bill must return to the Senate for a routine concurrence vote before being sent to the governor's desk.
Proposition 8, California’s ballot initiative that would end marriage equality, is sending many in a rush to the alter. According to one county clerk’s office, an unusually high number of wedding licenses are being issued, which many say is a sign that some couples are hurrying to say “I do” if Proposition 8 passes in November. Proponents of Proposition 8 say it may not be worth the rush, however, because the legality of the marriages could be called into question if voters approve the measure.
An Ohio church recently gained attention after making an anti-LGBT statement on a public sign using musician Katy Perry's song "I Kissed a Girl." Havens Corners Church put up a sign with the lyrics "I kissed a girl and I liked it," followed by the words "Then I went to hell." Pastor David Allison said the sign confused people who were unfamiliar with the song and were unclear of its message.
In Italy last week, gay police officers announced that they were setting up an organization to combat discrimination and planning a collective coming-out event for members of the squad. One man, Fabrizio Caiazza became a leader of the movement after facing sanctions from superiors for entering a gay beauty contest. Many gay police officers in Italy say they are subject to scrutiny and ridicule if they are out in their squad, but leaders like Caiazza say the future is bright.
Alright, that’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow.