U.S. Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y., has resigned from Congress as the House ethics committee is investigating claims against him, according to FOXNews.com . Originally, Massa had planned to resign at the end of 2010, citing a recurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as the reason. However, a male staff member has said that Massa sexually harassed him—a claim Massa has denied. According to the Washington Post, Massa's chief of staff, Joe Racalto, was concerned that Massa showed a "pattern" of meeting young gay men—and head Democrats were allegedly aware of related complaints about Massa for some time.
In Virginia, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II has sent letters to the state's public colleges and universities asking them to rescind policies banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, according to the Washington Post. Cuccinelli argued that only legislators can extend legal protections to gay and lesbian state workers, students and other individuals. Most officials have declined to publicly comment on the letter, but Vincent F. Callahan, Jr.—a former Republican member of the House of Delegates who is on George Mason University's board of visitors—said, "What he's saying is reprehensible. I don't know what he's doing, opening up this can of worms."
Scientists have discovered that HIV can hide in certain bone-marrow cells and emerge in certain situations, according to HealthDay News. Dr. Kathleen Collins, co-author of the study that revealed this conclusion, said, that the results provide "a better understanding of how HIV hides in the body." Moreover, the findings could lead to approaches about killing or at least controlling the virus.
In Colorado, Boulder's Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School has denied a pre-schooler readmission because the child has lesbian parents, according to TheDenverChannel.com . The Archdiocese of Denver issued a statement that read, "To preserve the mission of our schools, and to respect the faith of wider Catholic community, we expect all families who enroll students to live in accord with Catholic teaching. Parents living in open discord with Catholic teaching in areas of faith and morals unfortunately choose by their actions to disqualify their children from enrollment." About two dozen protesters demonstrated outside church service March 7.
Pro-gay University of Maryland wrestler Hudson Taylor won the 197-pound class at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, according to Advocate.com . Taylor won a Human Rights Campaign sticker on his headgear and proposed to his girlfriend the night they saw the film Milk. Taylor has qualified for the NCAA championships in Omaha, Neb., March 18-20.
Republican Calif. state Sen. Roy Ashburn, who has voted against gay-rights bills since winning office eight years ago, has officially come out of the closet, Bakersfield.com reported. The development occured just days after Ashburn was charged with driving under the influence after leaving the Sacramento gay club Faces with a male companion, according to FOXNews.com . On March 8, Ashburn told radio talk-show host Inga Barks on KERN Newstalk 1180, "I am gay and so those are the words that have been difficult for me for so long," according to Bakersfield.com . Addressing his voting record, Ashburn said that his votes reflected how his constituents felt; he did not say if he agreed with the public.
In California, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced that he's running for lieutenant governor of the state, according to Advocate.com . Newsom, a fierce marriage-equality supporter, left the governor's race after polling low against fellow Democrat Jerry Brown, who is in the gubernatorial race.
In observance of same-sex marriage being legalized in Washington, D.C., Keith Spangler-Vellios and Andreas Vellios wedded March 11 at the Georgetown location of Ben & Jerry's, according to Advocate.com . Jerry Greenfield, the ice-cream chain's co-founder, and David Catania, the marraige bill's sponsor, attended the event. Last year, Ben & Jerry's renamed its Chubby Hubby flavor "Hubby Hubby" in its Vermont stores after gay marriage was legalized in that state.
In Georgia, the municipal-court trial for dancers and workers at the Atlanta Eagle gay bar has begun, according to an Advocate.com item. Four employees and four dancers were arrested during a police raid last September and are accused of violating various city ordinances. ( The police allegedly used anti-gay slurs and excessive force during the raid. ) Each violation carries a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The Washington Post is defending its decision to run a photo of gay male couple Jeremy Ames and Taka Ariga kissing on its front page, according to Pink News. The publication ran the image on the day same-sex couples in Washington, D.C., were eligible to apply for marriage licenses. Post ombudsman Andrew Alexander said that he had received complaints over the photos, and at least 27 people have cancelled their subscriptions. Alexander has stated, "Did the Post go too far? Of course not. The photo deserved to be in newspaper and on its website, and it warranted front-page display."
In New York City, five individuals are being sought in a attack on a man who left a gay party at a Brooklyn bar, according to the New York Daily News. The attackers beat the victim, 32, while hurling anti-gay slurs. They jumped on him as he walked down Luquer Street in the Carroll Gardens area. It is not known if the victim knew his attackers.
In Rhode Island, openly gay Providence Mayor David Cicilline is running for the Congressional seat that current U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy is vacating, according to an Advocate.com item. Cicilline, 49, would become the fourth out member of Congress if elected to the seat. GayPolitics.com stated that Cicilline is running against state Democratic Party Chair William Lynch.
Ted Olson and David Boies, the lead attorneys in the federal challenge to California's Proposition 8, will receive the 15th annual International Role Model Award at the Equality Forum's May 1 International Equality Dinner in Philadelphia, according to a release. In addition, CNN will receive the 8th annual International Business Leadership Award. Among those slated to attend are U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. The forum is April 26-May 2; see www.equalityforum.com .
A celebration of the life and work of feminist theologian, philosopher and academic Mary Daly will take place Saturday, May 1, at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., according to a press release. Daly died Jan. 3 at the age of 81. People planning to attend the memorial should respond to MaryDaly.org by April 4.
