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, March 25th. I’m
And I’m Heidi Williams. First up, an update on a transgender-rights bill in Massachusetts.
A bill which would add transgender-inclusive language to Massachusett’s non-discrimination and hate crimes laws has been placed into study by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. This gives the Judiciary extra time to study the legislation and draft a written report. The bill must pass the full House and Senate before the end of July if it is to pass into law this year.
Starting this fall, students at Willamette University in Oregon will have the option of gender neutral housing. The program will allow men and women to room together in select residence halls. It is designed to meet the needs of GLBT students who might not be comfortable sharing a room with someone of the same gender.
A man who escaped the World Trade Center on Nine Eleven and requires regular medical care as a result has been dropped from his life partner’s health insurance plan. Konica Minolta, the company where his partner works, says it only offers insurance to same-sex couples in states where those relationships are registered. New Jersey has a domestic partnership registry and Idaho does not.
Democrat Ron Marlett has announced he will run against Oklahoma representative Sally Kern this fall for her seat in the state House. Kern made national headlines after a video of her making anti-GLBT remarks was posted on the internet. Marlett says he abhors hatred and believes everyone is worthy of respect.
The deaths of popular gay bar owner Michael Brown and his boyfriend, Brant Hines, in West Palm Beach, Florida have been declared a murder suicide. Officers were dispatched to Brown’s condo after he failed to show up to work for two days. Neighbors report having heard loud crashes and shouting coming from the unit.
As many as 100 counter-demonstrators plan to act as human shields Saturday at a same-sex commitment ceremony in State College, Pennsylvania. Counter-demonstrators will carry rainbow-colored umbrellas to visually block protestors from the ceremony’s attendees. The commitment ceremony is intended to start a dialogue, as Pennsylvania offers no legal recognition for same-sex couples.
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.