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 Tuesday, October 9th. I’m John Greene.
And I’m David Paul. We’ll start out with some news on state ballot initiatives.
First in Oregon, anti-gay activists fell short in their attempt to force a referendum on Oregon's recently passed domestic partnership law. Just over sixty thousand raw signatures were submitted, but after checking for duplications and other errors, the Secretary of State determined that the petition fell short by just 116 names. The state GLBT rights group, Basic Rights Oregon, says since anti-gay activists couldn’t meet a low threshold it proves that Oregonians aren't interested in rolling back anti-discrimination laws.
In Arkansas, activists are beginning to collect signatures for an adoption ban now that the state’s Attorney General has approved language for the ballot initiative. If they collect enough signatures and the measure is voted into law, no unmarried couple living in a sexual relationship could adopt or foster children. This would include both same- and opposite-sex couples.
Following up on a story we told you about last week, a man was convicted of manslaughter and a hate crime in the death of Michael Sandy, a gay New Yorker who died last year after being lured to a park by men who wanted to attack him. John Fox could be sentenced up to twenty-five years in prison for his role in the killing.
Turning to the Golden State, Equality California and other GLBT groups are sponsoring a new ad campaign in support of marriage equality. A new ad will air across the state that portrays an opposite-sex wedding where the bride is tripped coming down the aisle. The ad asks rhetorically, what if you couldn’t marry the person you loved? The campaign comes as the state Supreme Court is considering a marriage equality case and Governor Schwarzenegger still has a marriage equality bill on his desk.
A street in LA is being renamed for a renowned lesbian psychologist. Dr. Betty Berzon died last year but she will be remembered for her community work with the newly renamed Ventura Place in Studio City.
If you missed this weekend’s HRC National Dinner you can check out highlights on HRC’s blog at http://www.hrcbackstory.com. You;ll find first-hand accounts and photos of honorees Sheryl Swoopes, Michael Urie, Rebecca Romijn, Matthew Broderick and Nancy Pelosi.
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.