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 Thursday, November 29th. I’m John Lake.
And I’m Sarah Birnie. First up, Senator Barack Obama shares his views on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
This week, HRC has been asking seven of the leading Democratic nominees for president to respond to the question, If you are President, what concrete steps would you take to repeal the discriminatory policy? Today’s statement will come from Barack Obama. Each candidate’s response will be posted on the HRC Back Story blog at http://www.hrcbackstory.org.
Two conservative Christian groups have asked a federal judge to overturn a California law prohibiting discrimination against GLBT students. The Student Civil Rights Act would protect students from harassment and bullying in public schools.
Former LAPD officer Mitchell Grobeson testified in court this week, saying he hoped his lawsuit would help change attitudes toward gays in the police force. Los Angeles police officials suspended Grobeson, who is gay, for appearing in uniform at a gay pride parade in 1994.
At a recent nighttime rally in Missoula, more than 250 people expressed their support for legislation that would add sexual orientation, gender and disability to Montana’s current hate crimes law. Two recent reports of alleged anti-gay violence in Missoula prompted the rally.
In another hate crimes-related story, community members in Seattle organized a forum to address a recent wave of anti-gay attacks in the city. Seattle Police Captain Paul McDonaugh said 8 anti-gay incidents since June -- including six in the traditionally gay Capitol Hill neighborhood -- are being taken seriously.
Members of a Dixie State College diversity club recently had their rainbow-colored flag stolen. The banner, a symbol of gay pride, was removed by an unidentified male during a meeting between students and state Sen. Scott McCoy, one of Utah's openly gay legislators.
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.