Out HIV-positive New York state legislator Thomas Duane has announced that he's leaving politics, according to Advocate.com . Duane, 57, is not sick or involved in a scandal—he simply wants to stop commuting to the state capital of Albany from New York City. Duane—whose term ends Dec. 31—fought passionately for marriage equality in the Empire State. He also championed services for HIV-positive inviduals, mental-health care services and tenants' rights.
CNN anchor Ashleigh Banfield said during a recent broadcast that being gay is "voluntary," but later tweeted that she was misunderstood, Advocate.com reported. During a segment on the show Early Start, Banfield responded to an anti-gay minister's comparison of homosexuality with incest and pedophilia by saying the latter two aren't choices—but being gay is. She later posted, "Incest and pedophelia are CRIMES & victims have no choice. Being gay is not. Relatnshps r by choice. Way of life not crime. ... I support LGBT people."
Former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi apologized for spying on late ex-roommate Tyler Clementi, saying in a letter that the spying on Clementi's rendezvous with another man was "stupid" and "insensitive," according to ABC News. Ravi also said he would surrender and start his 30-day prison sentence May 31 despite the prosecution's continuing appeal for a longer jail term. Ravi was convicted of spying and hate crimes against Clementi, who took his life days after he found out about what Ravi did.
GetEQUAL—a grassroots organization that stands up for LGBT equality by using direct action and nonviolent civil disobedience—held a protest at ExxonMobil's annual meeting of shareholders in Dallas May 30 to call attention to what the organization says are the oil giant's discriminatory policies against LGBT employees, according to a press release. The release contended that "ExxonMobil remains the only Fortune 10 company that refuses to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the corporation's leadership has made it clear that it will only institute such policies if required by federal law."
In a recent nationwide Wells Fargo retirement survey, LGBT non-retirees reported a higher level of confidence in their retirement savings, compared to the general population, according to a Business Wire item. In the poll, 61 percent of LGBT non-retirees felt confident they would have enough saved by the time they retire to live how they want throughout their retirement, significantly higher than the 53 percent cited by the general population. However, 36 percent of LGBT non-retirees expect they will need to work during retirement in order to afford their lifestyle ( lower than the 41 percent of the general population ) .
The California state Senate approved a bill designed to limit the ability of mental-health providers throughout the state to engage in so-called "ex-gay therapy," also called "conversion therapy" or "reparative therapy, according to an Equality California ( EQCA ) press release. If the Assembly approves the measure and Gov. Jerry Brown signs it, California would be the first state to ban licensed mental-health professionals from trying to change the sexual orientation of minors.
The Campaign for Youth Shelter—a coalition of LGBT providers and advocates—has called on New York ( the city and state ) to back an additional $3 million in annual funding set aside to create 100 new shelter beds every year, according to a press release. The Campaign is asking New York City to raise its Runaway and Homeless Youth Services budget from the recently announced $5 million to $13.5 million, both revoking the Mayor's proposed $7-million cut, and including the city's half of the annual $3 million.
When he was archbishop of Milwaukee, New York's Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan authorized payments of as much as $20,000 to sexually abusive priests to get them to agree to dismissal from the priesthood, the New York Times reported. Dolan had previously called news of a payoff "false, preposterous and unjust." However, a recently discovered document revealed the payoffs that allowed the Church to remove the priests from the payroll.
A controversial video featuring an Indiana boy singing "Ain't no homo gonna make it to heaven" while he's in church is becoming viral on the Internet, according to TheIndyChannel.com . However, in the wake of the video, members of the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle Church in Greensburg said they have received death threats and have undertaken security measures. The church's Facebook page, which had been filled with thousands of complaints, was taken down; also, Pastor Jeff Sangl and his wife quietly left town on vacation.
In Flagstaff, Ariz., the city council has agreed to review a LGBT-rights ordinance, according to AZDailySun.com . Five of the current seven members have agreed on a timeline to start formally reviewing a new measure that would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of traits protected in the areas of education, housing, employment and public accommodations. However, a new council won't start the review until at least July—resulting in the loss of two LGBT allies from the panel.
Judge Glenn Berman is defending his decision to sentence former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi to 30 days in jail, according to Advocate.com . Berman said it would've been "unconscionable" to give a longer sentence, adding, "I can't find it in me to remand him to state prison that houses people convicted of offenses such as murder, armed robbery and rape. I don't believe that that fits this case. I believe that he has to be punished, and he will be." Prosecutors are appealing Ravi's sentence.
Maryland-based pastor Dennis Leatherman has said he "kind of likes" the idea of killing LGBT people, the Huffington Post reported. Leatherman—who heads the Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church in Oakland, Md.—spoke on the subject in a 50-minute sermon titled "Homosexuality and the Bible." In the clip, Leatherman says, "I will be very honest with you. My flesh kind of likes that idea [ of killing LGBT individuals ] ... but it grieves the Holy Spirit. It violates Scripture. It is wrong."
In New Jersey, Democratic state senators denied the nation's first gay, Black Republican mayor a chance to sit on the state Supreme Court, according to the Huffington Post. By a 7-6 vote, the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee voted against confirming Chatham Mayor Bruce Harris to the court. The Democrats cited Harris' lack of courtroom experience as a public-finance attorney and his announcement that he will recuse himself from any marriage-equality cases.
In New York, an appeals court has ruled that calling someone "gay" is no longer slander, Advocate.com reported. Justice Thomas E Mercure of the Appellate Division's Third Department wrote that earlier ruling equating the words "lesbian, gay or bisexual," with defamation were based on a "false premise that it is shameful and disgraceful." The court ruled in the case of Mark Yonaty, who claimed that a woman had spread a rumor that he was gay, hoping his girlfriend would break up with him.
The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) has announced a new partnership with Macy's, according to a press release. The retailer will feature HRC merchandise in its Boston Downtown, Columbus Easton, Los Angeles Beverly Center, Macy's Minneapolis, Saint Louis West County and San Francisco Union Square stores throughout June, which is LGBT Pride month. ( Featured merchandise will include a "Vote Equality" T-shirt. ) One hundred percent of the proceeds from the partnership will go to HRC.
Texas has its first lesbian state lawmaker after Mary Gonzalez defeated two challengers in an effort to replace retiring Rep. Chente Quintillia, the Dallas Voice reported. Gonzalez won the Democratic primary with 52 percent of the vote, and there's no Republican in the race. Rep. Glen Maxey, D-Austin, who served during 1991-2003 was the state's first openly gay legislator.
The Women's International Leatherfest took place June 1-3 in Dallas, according to the Dallas Voice. The event's website indicated that events included the Women's International Leather Legacy Contest, an intergenerational panel and a brunch/keynote address. Workshops included "From Power Struggle to Power Dynamic" and "The Feminist Collection," among others.
Longtime South Florida gay journalist Bob Kecskemety has of complications from bone and bladder cancer at age 60, according to the Miami Herald. "Bob never wrote anything negative about anybody," said his friend Norm Kent, publisher of South Florida Gay News. "He loved doing things that showcased people in the community, putting a positive spin on nice people." A memorial service for Kecskemety will be held in mid-June at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors.
A Facebook page signed by Michael Carroll says that his partner—acclaimed gay writer and Princeton University lecturer Edmund White—is recovering well after suffering a second stroke, the Washington Blade reported. White, 72, is the author of such books as A Boy's Own Story and the co-writer of The Joy of Gay Sex. Recently, White himself came out in favor of marriage equality and announced his own engagement.
House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, is supporting openly gay Richard Tisei's candidacy to represent the people of Massachusetts' Sixth District, On Top Magazine reported. Tisei, 49, came out in 2009, before he was named a gubernatorial running mate. "They just happen to be good candidates in districts that are winnable for us," Boehner told reporters.
Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, is supporting same-sex marriage in Maine, according to Boston.com . Robinson married his longtime partner in New Hampshire on New Year's Day 2010, and hopes Maine voters legalize marriage equality in a November ballot proposal. Maine is the second state where Robinson is appearing at showings of "Love Free or Die" for campaigns connected to same-sex marriage.
More LGBT-related murders occurred in 2011 than any year since the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs began collecting data in 1998, the Huffington Post reported. In 2011, 30 fatally violent hate crimes were committed against LGBT people, three more than the previous year's total. At the same time, overall reports of anti-gay hate violence were down last year; however, authors of the hate-crimes report don't feel the drop in reports of violence actually means a decrease in violence.
Paul Babeu—the Arizona sheriff who announced he was gay after a former lover accused him of abusing his power—has dropped his bid for a Congressional seat and will seek another term as sheriff, the L.A. Times reported. In a letter to supporters, Babeu said he decided to withdraw because of complications about the succession of his chief deputy, Steve Henry, as Pinal County sheriff. Earlier this year, media outlets reported that Babeu had threatened to deport ex-boyfriend Jose Orozoco if he went public about their relationship; Babeu has denied abusing the power of his office.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network ( SLDN ) has launched a month-long campaign, "30 Days of Pride," that profiles individuals and organizations making a difference today in the fight for full LGBT military equality, according to a press release. The campaign features a new profile each day throughout June ( LGBT Pride Month ) , beginning June 1 by spotlighting the plaintiffs in SLDN's landmark litigation, McLaughlin v. U.S. See www.sldn.org .
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) honored Facebook with a Special Recognition Award at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards June 2, according to a press release. Facebook's Andrew Noyes and Sara Sperling, who accepted the award on behalf of Facebook, were instrumental in the creation of the Network of Support, which helps the company effectively address issues faced by the LGBT community. Guests at the event included Rita Moreno, actor Sean Maher and stars from the show Pretty Little Liars, among others.
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ( DTCC ) announced it will offer U.S.-based employees new transgender health benefits that include sex-reassignment surgery and related prescription-drug treatment, according to Business Wire. DTCC's benefits will follow the guidelines set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Other financial-services firms offering similar benefits include Goldman Sachs, American Express and Bank of America.
JC Penney has launched a Father's Day ad that features a family with two gay dads—and the conservative group One Million Moms is not pleased, according to MyFox8.com . The print ad shows a real-life couple laughing with their two little kids. One Million Moms also spoke out against JC Penney's decision to hire Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson. However, the company's media manager said, "In celebration of Father's Day, we're proud that our June book honors men from diverse backgrounds who all share the joy of fatherhood."
A picture book that features a lesbian couple raising children has upset parents at a Utah elementary school, the Chicago Tribune reported. The book, In Our Mother's House by Patricia Polacco, was removed from the library shelves at Windridge Elementary School after parents objected to the book's social message. The book is now kept behind the librarian's counter and can only be checked out if a student presents a permission slip from a parent.
Janet Boynes, an "ex-gay" friend of Marcus and Michele Bachmann, appeared on the Dr. Drew show and accused the host of not putting more people like herself on television, according to Advocate.com . At one point Boynes told Dr. Drew Pinsky, "Why don't you, Anderson Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres and Barack Obama put people on their show or bring them to the White House that [ believes ] change is possible." Boynes—the author of Called Out: A Former Lesbian's Discovery of Freedom—also said, "It's not about an intervention. My intervention was Jesus Christ."
The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) and Equality Cincinnati are calling on Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy to reverse course after it rescinded a teaching job from Jonathan Zeng after finding out he's gay, according to a press release. HRC President Joe Solmonese said, "Jonathan's sexual orientation should in no way change that assessment, but the school appears to have taken Jonathan out of the running simply because he was gay. This is an injustice to both Jonathan and the CHCA community—it sends the message to students that there's something wrong with being gay."
