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 LGBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Tuesday, June 30th. I’m John Greene.
And I’m Margot Rosen. We’ll start today’s news in Rhode Island.
As the Rhode Island General Assembly session comes to a close, it has become apparent that same-sex marriage legislation will not be brought to a vote. None of the bills that would legalize marriage for same-sex couples advanced to a floor vote this session; although, a bill that would allow gay men and women to make funeral arrangements for their late partners is currently pending. Marriage equality bills have been introduced every year in Rhode Island since 1997.
About 100 people rallied in downtown Forth Worth, Texas, on Sunday night to protest a police raid on a gay nightclub. Seven individuals were arrested for public intoxication at the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday morning, and protestors alleged that excessive force was used, seriously injuring one person. Officials said they would investigate the claims. The raid was part of three bar checks conducted by police and agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
In South Dakota, the Vermillion School Board voted to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the district’s non-discrimination policy. The effort was headed by Equality South Dakota and the state’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The school board was initially hesitant to include gender identity, but after hearing testimony from supporters of LGBT equality, they voted 4-1 in favor of the new policy.
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis issued a warning letter to the Labor Department after 35 posters celebrating Gay Pride month were defaced or removed from building elevators. Solis said the posters will stay on display until the end of June and that they will be replaced immediately if damaged or stolen.
Early Sunday morning, arsonists burnt a portion of the giant pink triangle displayed on top of San Francisco’s Twin Peaks, meant to remember gay victims of the Holocaust. Authorities have said road flares were used to burn a 25-by-30 foot area in the middle of the display. The triangle has been installed on the mountain every Pride weekend since 1995.
Yesterday evening, President and Mrs. Obama welcomed LGBT activists from around the country to the White House to celebrate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. For more on the event, visit our blog at HRCBackStory.org.
That’s the news from us today – thanks for tuning in.
Have a great day and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.