It looks like homophobic Republican Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern will face a challenge in the fall. A social worker backed by the Democratic Party announced that he will run against the anti-gay lawmaker in November. Democrat Ron Marlett said he will oppose Kern, who has come under fire since a video of her comparing gays to terrorists was leaked on YouTube. In the video, Kern said that homosexuality is a greater threat to the nation than terrorism. Although many have called for her resignation, Kern has stood by her words and refuses to apologize.
The Oklahoma City chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ( PFLAG ) recently met with Kern. The group expressed its concern with her anti-gay comments. According to the group's president, at the meeting, Kern said she agrees that LGBT employees should not be fired because of their sexual orientation. The Oklahoma City PFLAG chapter called the meeting 'an important first step forward' for Kern.
A Michigan attorney is utilizing the 'gay panic' defense for his client, who is accused of killing a 62-year-old man with a baseball bat, according to Edgeboston.com . Steven Scarborough, 22, is on trial for the murder of Victor Manious. His attorney claims that Manious, who led an alleged secret gay life, sexual assaulted his client, who then defended himself. According to the defense, it was Scarborough's friend who had the idea to lock Manious, still alive, in the trunk of his own car. Manious was found dead in the trunk days later.
The Body Shop and MTV have joined forces once again to launch an HIV/AIDS campaign effort. The two joined forces for the 'Move Your Lips' Campaign 2008, the second annual campaign to fight the spread of the disease through awareness. The campaign's goal is to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in young adults, due to the fact that half of all new HIV infections impact those under the age of 25. See www.moveyourlips.com for more information.
Non-profit Truth Wins Out ( TruthWinsOut.org ) launched a new multi-media Web site to help warn against 'ex-gay' or 'conversion' therapy. With the revamped site, the organization hopes to help debunk the 'ex-gay' myth and industry. The organization hopes the new site will serve as a one-stop-shop for information on the ex-gay myth. It features various resources, including daily blogs, videos and more.
A gay former University of Wisconsin-Platteville student settled a civil lawsuit against one of the men he alleges gay-bashed him near campus at a local restaurant. According to Brett Timmerman, two men attacked him in 2005 for being gay. The terms of the settlement have not been released, and the lawsuit against one of the alleged attackers is still pending. Timmerman is being represented by Lambda Legal. Wisconsin has a hate crimes law.
The Advocate reported that an Oregon transman, Thomas Beatie, is five months pregnant with a baby girl. The 34-year-old transgender male decided to stop taking his hormones and have a child because his wife is unable to. According to Beatie, both he and his wife have severe suffered discrimination from the medical community along the way. However, despite opposition, he is excited to carry their child. Beatie wrote, 'Our situation sparks legal, political, and social unknowns.' The baby is due in July.
The Queer Media & Entertainment Conference ( Q-Me Con ) and AfterEllen.com announced a lesbian/bisexual web series contest. They are seeking several web series that feature lesbian and bisexual women, or a lesbian/bisexual story line or theme. The winners will have their web series published weekly on AfterEllen.com The deadline submission is April 15. Up to three winners will be announced in May. See AfterEllen.com for guidelines for submissions.
UPS announced that it is expanding its supplier diversity program to include LGBT-owned businesses through a partnership with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce ( NGLCC ) . The company's supplier diversity process provides UPS business opportunities for small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and LGBT people. Businesses certified by NGLCC can register to participate. The organization currently represents about 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses. They hope the announced expansion will help more LGBT businesses grow.
