GLBT GROUPS RESPOND TO SEN. JEFFORDS
GLBT organizations have had a range of responses to last week's decision by Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords to leave the Republican Party to become an independent. The move leaves Democrats in control of the chamber for the first time since 1994.
The Log Cabin Republicans responded to the news "with regret," saying "We understand that the decision was Senator Jeffords' decision alone, and while we disagree with it, we respect it."
Both the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force considered the move good news.
"The shift in control of the U.S. Senate will create an environment more favorable for issues important to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and to progressive allies," NGLTF said. Both groups cited the installation of Sen. Tom Daschle ( D-S.D. ) as Senate majority leader and the corresponding changes in key Senate committees. Sen. Patrick Leahy ( D-Vt. ) will replace Sen. Orrin Hatch as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, while Sen. Joe Biden ( D-Del. ) will replace Sen. Jesse Helms as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
U.S. schools get failing grade on gays
Human Rights Watch has found that gay teens suffer so much bullying in U.S. schools that they aren't getting an adequate education. The organization makes the claim in a report entited Hatred in the Hallways: Discrimination and Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students in U.S. Public Schools.
According to the report, teachers and administrators frequently ignore bullying and violence against GLBT teens.
Army denies appeal
in Winchell case
The Army has denied the wrongful death claim of Patricia Kutteles, mother of slain soldier PFC Barry Winchell.
Winchell was beaten to death by fellow soldiers atFort Campbell, Ky., because of his perceived sexual orientation. Kutteles filed a complaint under the Military Claims Act ( MCA ) . That claim was denied in October, and her appeal was denied last week.
Vermont House OKs repeal of civil unions
The Vermont House of Representatives has approved, 70-69, a measure that would repeal civil unions in favor of a reciprocal partnership bill extending marriage benefits to blood relatives, the Rutland Herald reports. The measure now moves to the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Lutheran Church asks bishop to resign
The Chicago-based Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has asked a Southern California bishop to resign for participating in the ordination of an openly lesbian pastor last month in Minnesota, AP reports.
Bishop Paul W. Egertson, whose son is gay, said last week that he hasn't decided whether to comply with the request. His term expires on Aug. 31, and he was not expected to seek re-election.
Scouts bill passes House
An amendment that would punish schools that deny access to the Boy Scouts has passed the U.S. House, causing an uproar among gay-rights groups.
The amendment by Rep. Van Hilleary ( R-Tenn. ) would prohibit federal funding to schools that don't open their facilities to the Scouts because of their ban on gays. Sen. Jesse Helms ( R-N.C. ) has proposed a similar measure in the Senate.
ESPN editor comes out
Bill Konigsberg, an assistant editor at ESPN.com, wrote a coming-out essay is response to the Out magazine letter from the editor speaking about a closeted baseball player. He wrote: "As a gay man who has worked in sports since 1994, I know something about [ how scary it is to be gay in pro sports ] . My way of dealing with this has been a personal 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy, for the most part. Since I am nonstereotypical, people seem not to know, and people don't ask about my private life. ... I'm an honest man, I do not lie about it, yet ironically by not saying anything I sometimes feel dishonest. ... It's funny, because there are many, many great athletes who happen to be gay. I can vouch for this. ... until someone [ comes out ] publicly and shows they can do their job, do it well, and be known as gay, it simply will be a big deal. Before we can say it doesn't matter, we have to accept the fact it exists."
