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 Monday, February 25th. I'm Cuc Vu.
And I'm John Greene. First up, news from last night's Academy Awards.
Last night the film "Freeheld" won the Oscar for best documentary short. The film tells the story of police detective Laurel Hester who fought until her death to leave her pension to her partner. To hear an interview with filmmaker Cynthia Wade on HRC's radio show, visit www.hrc.org/theagenda.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida police are investigating whether the shooting of a 17-year-old killed this weekend is a hate crime. The victim self-identified as gay and was dressed in women's clothing at the time of the murder. If the shooting is determined to be a hate crime, it will add extra time to the criminal sentence.
Ric Weiland, one of the founders of Microsoft, has left 65 million dollars to the Pride Foundation of Seattle. This is the largest single bequest ever to GLBT causes. Ten national GLBT and HIV/AIDS organizations will receive a portion of the money over the next eight years.
A Vermont judge has dismissed hate crime charges against two teenage sisters, citing lack of evidence. The sisters are accused of slashing tires and spray painting anti-gay slogans on vehicles owned by two gay men. Prosecutors said they believed they had enough physical evidence, including a can of spray paint, a large knife, and razor blades, to prove a hate crime had been committed.
State constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage have been credited with increasing conservative Republican voter turnout in key swing states such as Ohio in 2004. But statistical evidence shows that a high-profile ballot issue can increase voter turnout in a presidential year by only one percent. Still, advocates on both sides of the same-sex marriage issue think the measure that will appear on Florida's ballot in November is intended to bring out the GOP vote.
A recent string of brutal attacks on gay men in Jamaica has brought international attention to anti-GLBT violence in the island nation. No official statistic has been compiled of the number of attacks over the years, which include harassment, beating and even murder. And while some Caribbean tourist destinations have marketed to GLBT travelers, Jamaica has not.
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.