One year after eighth-grader Lawrence King was killed in Oxnard, Calif., dozens of community vigils were held across the nation. Among those remembering King was California Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, who said, "Lawrence's brutal murder is a challenge to all of us to stand up for the safety of gay, lesbian and questioning youth in our school system," according to the San Francisco Sentinel. King was allegedly murdered by a classmate because of the former's sexual orientation and gender expression.
In San Diego, Calif., hundreds of people protested a Bill Clinton appearance at the Manchester Hyatt Hotel after the former president did not honor a boycott supported by LGBT leaders and labor unions, according to the San Francisco Sentinel. The boycott was started last July in response to hotel owner Doug Manchester's $125,000 contribution in support of Prop 8.
Wyoming's House of Representatives has voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage between a man and a woman as the only legal union in the state. HRC President Joe Solmonese said, "We congratulate Rep. Cathy Connolly and the 24 other representatives who voted against the resolution."
In New York, police have arrested four people who allegedly vandalized the Long Island Gay & Lesbian Youth Center in Bay Shore late last month, EDGE Boston reported. Detectives arrested Milagro Ruiz, Gilbert R. Geigel, Kerrond Miller-Jones and Charles Diaz Feb. 9. The four were charged with second-degree criminal mischief—but have not yet been accused of committing a hate crime.
The first openly gay news anchor in the United States is now unemployed. Veteran anchor Randy Price has been let go from WHDH-TV in Boston, ending his 12 years there Feb. 4, according to EDGE New England. Price, 59, said that the professional parting was a business decision, but he was angered that the station made it look like he wanted to retire—something Price strongly disputes.
Republican Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has said he is behind civil unions for same-sex couples that would give them many of the same legal rights as married couples, according to the Associated Press. Huntsman said, "I believe in the traditional definition of marriage, but I also believe that we can do a better job in enhancing equal rights for more of our citizens." A gay-rights group is pushing a series of bills in Utah's legislature called the Common Ground Initiative that seeks additional civil rights for LGBT residents—something Huntsman supports.
In Florida, two high-school students sued their school board because they were not allowed to form a club that promotes the tolerance of LGBTs, the Associated Press reported. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed the suit on behalf of Yulee High School students Hannah Page and Jacob Brock, claiming that the school is violating the First Amendment and the Federal Equal Access Act.
In Colorado, straight activist Stuart Allen, 23, has initiated his own amendment to the state constitution that would lift the marriage ban on gay and lesbian families, EDGE Boston reported. Allen's high school friend, Hallie Atenco, has joined him in his quest to put the question before voters in 2010.
In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., two gay candidates have lost the mayoral seat to Jack Seiler, 365Gay.com reported. Seiler was supported by anti-gay Jim Naugle, who was the city's previous mayor but was prevented from running by term limits. The gay candidates were former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis and businessman Earl Rynerson.
A RAND Corporation study, "The Economic Cost of Methamphetamine Use in the United States, 2005," puts the national cost of meth abuse at $23.4 billion, according to a release from the Illinois Meth Project. The study represents the first time a comprehensive assessment of the annual costs of methamphetamine abuse has been analyzed on a national scale. Additionally, $712 million was spent on treatment and hospital care for meth users in the United States in 2005.
In Kansas, lesbian Amy Brian was dismissed from the state's Army National Guard after nine years of service when she revealed her sexual orientation, according to PinkNews.co.uk. Brian—who participated in a tour of duty in Iraq—is the first service member dismissed from the Kansas Army National Guard, made up of reservists, under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Campaign filings have shown that opponents of California's anti-gay-marriage measure Proposition 8 actually raised more money before last November's election than supporters of the initiative, according to Advocate.com . The campaign to defeat Proposition 8 and keep same-sex marriage legal raised about $43.3 million while the measure's backers amassed $39.9 million. The measure passed 52 percent to 48 percent.
Phillip Ragon, founder and CEO of Boston, Mass., software company InterSystem Corporation, has donated $100 million to start a foundation that will fund research for vaccines against several diseases, including AIDS, according ot Advocate.com . The gift will establish the Phillip T. and Susan M. Ragon Institute Foundation, which will fund an effort with scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In Houston, Texas, lesbian City Controller Annise Parker plans to run for mayor, the Associated Press reported. Parker, 52, would be the first openly gay mayor of the country's fourth-largest city if elected Nov. 3.
North Dakota's Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would prevent sexual-orientation discrimination, according to kfyrtv.com . Several people have testified in favor of the measure, including a woman who said that she and her partner were removed from their apartment because they are lesbians.
In Massachusetts, the lesbians who spearheaded the movement that led to same-sex marriage in the state have now filed for divorce, the Boston Herald reported. Hillary and Julie Goodridge's lawsuit led the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to legalize same-sex marriage in 2003, and they married the following year. Reportedly, Hillary enjoyed being known as a gay pioneer while Julie preferred staying in the background.
In Minnesota, Dustan Warren, 27, has pled not guilty after being accused of committing hate crimes against a lesbian, the Pioneer Press reported. The woman, 35, has testified that Warren punched her, pinned her to the floor and threatened to rape and kill her after making insulting comments about her sexual orientation. A scheduling hearing is slated for Feb. 12.
The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association ( IGLTA ) has chosen Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to host its 2011 International Convention, according to an organizational press release. The southern Florida city hosted its first IGLTA conference in 2002, and currently serves as the organization's world headquarters. IGLTA's 26th Annual Convention will take place May 7-10 in Toronto, Canada, and the group will meet in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2010.
An ex-girlfriend of former baseball star Roberto Alomar filed a lawsuit Jan. 30, alleging that he insisted on having unprotected sex for four years despite having AIDS, according to CBS Sportsline. The girlfriend, Ilya Dall, is seeking at least $15 million in punitive damages from the 41-year-old Alomar. Alomar spent 17 years as a pro baseball player, and was one of the game's great second basemen.
In Hawaii, the state House passed a civil-union bill by a vote of 33-17—one vote shy of a veto-proof supermajority, according to the Honolulu Advertiser. The measure, which now moves to the state Senate, would grant partners in civil unions the same benefits, protections and responsibilities as married couples under state law. Hawaii would also recognize civil unions, domestic partnerships and same-sex marriages performed in other states.
AT&T has donated $33,000 to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) , according to OutInAmerica.com . The contribution will support the organization's Student Fellowship Program, which trains and prepares young adults for future professional success by providing hands-on experience working with GLAAD staff and other media professionals.
