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, February 7. I’m Sarah Birnie.
And I’m Shelena Williams. First up, news about the federal budget.
President Bush has proposed a new budget that would freeze funding for domestic AIDS programs. Human Rights Campaign is urging Congress to increase funding for life-saving treatment, care and prevention, as the proposed budget falls far short of providing those on the front lines of the HIV AIDS epidemic with the resources they need.
A Vietnam War veteran expelled from the Navy 40 years ago has filed a petition to change his “other than honorable” discharge to an “honorable” discharge. He was given a dishonorable discharge for being gay, despite being straight. The Navy Board of Correction for Naval Records is expected to make a decision on the case in the next few months.
Four men in Cairo, Egypt have been convicted and sentenced to one year in prison for being gay. Two of the men are HIV-positive, and are being held in a hospital where they are chained to their beds. Egyptian authorities have repeatedly arrested gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Human Rights Campaign has announced Vanessa Williams as the recipient of its “Ally for Equality” award. Williams stars on the hit show “Ugly Betty” and has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality and same-sex adoption rights. Williams will accept the award February 23 at the annual HRC greater New York gala dinner.
Salt Lake City has approved a domestic partner registry it says does not violate Utah’s state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. City residents over the age of 18 who are in a committed relationship can now receive a certificate from city hall. In 2006, the city extended health benefits to adult partners, siblings, long-term roommates, and parents of city employees.
A Balitmore Sun article notes that in the same-sex marriage debate, the “one man, one woman” argument ignores intersex and transgender people. Scientists believe as many as one in every 4,000 births displays some degree of sexual ambiguity. While most intersexed people choose to define themselves as either male or female, many prefer a third “trans-“ or “inter-“ option.
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 mornin