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 Friday, November 16th. I’m David Paul.
And I’m Shelena Williams. First up, a tribute to American soldiers discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
As we head into the holiday season, HRC will be partnering with the Servicemembers United, Log Cabin Republicans, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Liberty Education Forum to host a three-day tribute, “12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots.” One flag, 12,000 in all, will be placed on the National Mall to recognize the 12,000 men and women kicked out of the military since the signing of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." The tribute begins Friday, November 30, the 14th Anniversary of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" being signed into law, and will continue through Saturday, December 2.
Coach Phil Jackson was reprimanded by the NBA and criticized by a national gay and lesbian group for an off-color remark he made Tuesday night after the Lakers lost to San Antonio. NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said Jackson’s comment, a reference to the Oscar-winning movie Brokeback Mountain, was in poor taste, and that the Lakers have promised that such remarks will not occur in the future. Jackson apologized for the joke, calling it “poor humor.”
Iran's Chief Justice has halted the execution of a 21-year-old man who allegedly had sex with another male when the accused was only 13 years old, according to an international human rights group. In his ruling, the Chief Justice described the death sentence to be in violation of Islamic teachings, the religious decrees of high-ranking Shiite clerics, and the law of the land. It is believed to be the first time a sodomy conviction has been overturned based on Islamic teaching and followed a letter from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission to Iranian authorities.
Thanks to the diligence of one police detective and new forensics methods, an illegal immigrant already in prison on another charge and awaiting deportation to Mexico has been charged with the killings of two gay Miami men whose bodies were found six blocks apart during a six day period in 1998. Detective Confesor Gonzalez had been connected to the case for years when he discovered the suspect, Guillermo Valencia, had lived in Miami at the time of the murders and decided to interview him in prison. Valencia denied knowing either victim but agreed to give Gonzalez a DNA sample, which matched two wads of chewing gum found at the home of one of the victims.
By a 10-2 city council vote, Toledo, Ohio has become the first major city in that state to create a domestic partner registry. It will be available to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples who cannot or chose not to marry. Couples would have to prove that they cohabitate, are financially interdependent and are over the age of 18 to register at city hall. The registry would offer the same municipal benefits that married couples have.
Michele McPhee, a crime columnist for the Boston Herald and host of a daily two-hour radio talk show, made waves on Tuesday with an inflammatory comment regarding the GLBT community. McPhee attempted to attribute the fashion industry’s obsession with thin models to gay male fashion designers who “like little boys,” which could be construed as equating pedophilia with being gay. McPhee claims the quote was taken out of context.
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.