The Bangor Daily News reported that an anti-gay group, The Christian Civic League, wishes to undo any and all gay rights in Maine. The group is trying to get a referendum on the ballot that would prevent LGBT people from marrying, entering civil unions and even adopting children. The referendum would also strike down any and all anti-discrimination laws that currently protect LGBT people in the state. Maine's Secretary of State needs to approve the petition before the group can start gathering signatures. EdgeBoston.com reported that the state's LGBT group, Equality Maine, isn't too concerned about the group's attempt, calling the broad referendum request 'ridiculous.'
The San Francisco-based gay media company PlanetOut Inc. sold its magazine and book publishing business to an affiliate of Here Networks for $6 million in cash. PlanetOut publishes The Advocate and Out magazines. The company also runs Gay.com and Planetout.com . According to the San Francisco Business Times, the deal should be closed by April 31. Associated Press reported that the media empire had been struggling, but when news of the sell hit, the company's shares rose. PlanetOut's execs say that they want to focus more on the company's Web sites.
Through a mass e-mail, Hillsborough ( Fla. ) County Commissioner Brian Blair has urged parents to voice their opposition to the Day of Silence, an April 25 event that is aimed to stop the bullying and harassment of gay and lesbian students. In his e-mail, Blair called the Day of Silence a way for students to 'promote their social and sexual agenda,' reported the Tampa Tribune.
Anti-gay Republican Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern denies her statement that gay and lesbian employees shouldn't be fired, as well as her promise to Oklahoma Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ( PFLAG ) parents that she would meet with them again, despite the fact that those statements were recorded. National PFLAG released the audio recording of the legislator's March 27 meeting with Oklahoma PFLAG parents in which these statements were made. The group met with the politician after past anti-gay comments she made comparing gays to terrorists appeared on YouTube.
Media Matters for America reported that on an April 5 episode of MSNBC show 'Tim Russert,' Christopher Hitchens used the word 'lesbian' as an insult. While openly gay blogger Andrew Sullivan and Hitchens debated about comments made by presidential candidate Barack Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright, Sullivan lost his train of thought. Sullivan said, 'And now you've made me forget my second point.' Hitchens quipped, 'Oh, well, don't be such a lesbian. Get on with it.'
American Airlines announced the launch a Facebook application called Travel Bag in order to help connect with LGBT travelers. The airline company wanted to find a new way to reach out to gay travelers, knowing that studies show the community is not only online more often than heterosexuals, but that Facebook is a popular Web site among LGBT people. Travel Bag enables Facebook users to check for fare prices, reserve seats and even get information about their flight. Users can also make lists of their favorite gay destinations when traveling and more.
A Denver LGBT publication retracted an article that mocked a trans child after receiving heat from local activists. In its March issue, the Gayzette published an article written by Bejamin Paige for its 'Homo-razzi' feature that made fun of a transgender child, as well as her parents, who allow her to dress as a girl to public school. The publication's publisher apologized for the coverage in a press release.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the Mormon Church's commission of family services has agreed to meet with a gay Mormon group. The Mormon Church's Fred Riley will speak with leaders to the gay Mormon support group Affirmation in August. In the past, the Mormon Church refused the support group's requests to meet. The group's leaders hope to address the Church's mistreatment of gays and lesbians.
Arizona approved domestic partner benefits for the partners of gay and lesbian state workers. Arizona's Regulatory Review Council approved the benefits expansion 4-0. Now, the same-sex partners of state employees can enjoy heath coverage and other benefits.
A gay Kansas student who was charged with harassment will be allowed to return to his high school without being expelled, according to the Wichita Eagle. The out student allegedly harassed a fellow classmate in the school bathroom. However, the teen said that he was unfairly accused because he is gay. He was found to be not guilty.
