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, April 22nd. I’m Sultan Shakir.
And I’m Candace Gingrich. First up, the latest in election news.
Today is the Pennsylvania Democratic primary. Voters are heading to the polls to cast their ballot for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton in what has been the closest primary race in decades. After today, the next primaries will be on May 6th in Indiana and North Carolina.
Legislation to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in Colorado is expected to be considered in the state House this week after causing raucous debate in the Senate. The bill would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, credit and school enrollment. Colorado law already bans discrimination based on race, gender and creed.
In the latest in a worldwide push to lift bans on gay men as blood donors, activists in Russia have written to the Ministry of Health to inquire about the status of that country’s ban removal. Russian health officials had previously said they would end the ban, but have not yet done so. While Portugal and France allow people to donate blood regardless of sexual orientation, gay men are still prevented from giving blood in most parts of Europe and the United States.
According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, gay and lesbian adults read more blogs than their straight counterparts. 51 percent of gay and lesbian respondents report reading some type of blog, compared to only 36 percent of heterosexual adults. The study also shows that gay and lesbian adults participate in other online activities more than straight adults.
Openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson has announced he will go to England for the Lambeth Conference this summer, despite not being invited. The Conference is the once a decade meeting of the world’s Anglican Bishops. Conservative bishops have threatened to leave the church over the role of LGBT people.
The Boston Globe reports that several school districts in Massachusetts have integrated a day-in, day-out anti-bullying program. So far, the program has been successful, with one 600 student elementary school reporting a 31 percent decrease in verbal bullying and a 27 percent drop in physical bullying. Officials gauged the improvements by comparing anonymous surveys given in September 2006 with those conducted in January.
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.