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, October 3rd. I’m Cuc Vu.
And I’m Adam Marquez. First up, news from HRC.
HRC’s Twelfth Annual National Dinner takes place tomorrow in Washington, D.C. Senator Joe Biden will make this year’s featured remarks and best-selling author and personal finance expert Suze Orman will be honored with the National Equality Award. The dinner will also feature a special performance by two-time Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Holliday.
In anticipation of National Coming Out Day on October 11th, HRC announced an online video contest yesterday. Individuals ages 18 to 25 are invited to create a short video telling the world how they will come out and vote to make a difference this year. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the nation’s capital and will have the opportunity to be on XM radio’s show, “The Agenda with Joe Solmonese.” For additional information on how to enter and to watch HRC’s National Coming Out Day awareness video, visit HRC.org/comingoutcontest.
On Monday, HRC Foundation will kick off “Hype ’08,” a nationwide program in partnership with more than 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. “Hype ‘08” aims to link national issues such as hate crimes, anti-LGBT discrimination, and HIV/AIDS to problems students face on HBCU campuses. For more information on the event and to find participating schools across the country, please visit HRC.org/Hype08.
In Arkansas, a policy that bans gays, lesbians, and unmarried straight couples who live together from being foster parents is being challenged by a coalition of child advocates. Officials with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and other groups were set to testify yesterday against the policy. The Arkansas Family Council is currently campaigning for a ballot measure that would ban unmarried couples living together from fostering or adopting children, and would also remove the state’s ability to issue waivers on a case-by-case basis.
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace met with student leaders and LGBT advocates at Indiana University yesterday after students expressed concern about his appointment to a chair in the Kelley School of Business. Last year, Pace publically called homosexuality immoral and likened it to adultery. It was reported Wednesday that advocates for the university’s LGBT community were disappointed by his appointment to the 2-year post.
New evidence in the case of slain openly gay teen Lawrence King is said to have led to the accused killer’s murder charge being upgraded to a hate crime charge and for the case to be tried in adult court. Ventura County Deputy District Attorney Maeve Fox said that the discovery of white supremacist materials in 14-year-old Brandon McInerney’s bedroom influenced the changes. If convicted of all charges, McInerney could be sentenced to 51 years to life.
That’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
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