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, October 7th. I’m Margot Rosen.
And I’m Jim Rinefierd. First up, news from Iowa.
The Iowa Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments in December in a case challenging the state’s ban on marriage equality. The court said that both sides will be given 30 minutes to make their arguments. Last year, a Polk County judge struck down a state law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples, ruling the law violated the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection.
In Arkansas, three former chief justices of the state supreme court say they oppose a ballot measure that would ban gay and lesbian couples from becoming adoptive or foster parents. Former Chief Justices W.H. Arnold, Jack Holt, and Bradley Jesson were among 13 retired judges who issued a statement yesterday opposing the ban. The judges said the proposal would limit their ability to choose the best home environment for children and said that child placement should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Three European scientists were awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine yesterday for separate discoveries of viruses that cause AIDS and cervical cancer. French researchers Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier were cited for their discovery of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, in 1983. They shared the award with Germany’s Harald zur Hausen, who was honored for finding human papilloma viruses that cause cervical cancer.
Late last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they estimate about 1.1 million Americans are infected with HIV. The numbers, based on 2006 data, show the population living with HIV is growing as more patients survive due to improved treatment methods and drugs. The report also reinforced previous findings that the epidemic disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men.
Episcopalian clergy and lay members of the Pittsburgh diocese voted this weekend to break from the church over differences on issues including homosexuality and biblical teachings on salvation. Presiding Bishop of the U.S. church Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori criticized the vote, saying there is room in the church for all those who wish to be members. The split is part of a group of people who are breaking away from the denomination because Episcopalians consecrated the first openly gay bishop, Right Reverend Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
In news abroad, the Ugandan government announced it will prosecute anyone who comes out as gay or lesbian. Sex between two people of the same sex is already a criminal offense in the country and is punishable by life imprisonment. Anti-gay attacks are commonplace in Uganda, and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission last year said that it had uncovered evidence that the Bush administration has funded groups in Uganda that actively promote violence and discrimination against lesbians and gay men.
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.