Constance McMillenthe Mississippi teen whose high school prom was initially cancelled when she wanted to bring her girlfriend as her date and wear a tuxedohas been named one of Glamour magazine's 2010 Women of the Year, according to a press release. The gala celebrating McMillen and nine other women took place Nov. 8 at New York City's Carnegie Hall. Among the other women who will be honored are singer Fergie, fashion designer Donatella Versace, Queen Rania of Jordan and actress Julia Roberts; superstar Cher will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Equality Forum is seeking nominations for GLBT History Month 2011 Icons. The nominee needs to be a GLBT person, living or deceased, who has distinguished him or herself in his or her field of endeavor; is a national hero; or has made a significant contribution to GLBT civil rights. Nominations are due to nominations@equalityforum.com by Friday, Dec. 17.
At the upcoming American Library Association's ( ALA ) Youth Media Awards, authors and illustrators of LGBT books will compete for the first the Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award, according to a press release. The award will now join other honors such as the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, the Andrew Carnegie Medal and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. The announcements of the award winners will take place at the ALA Midwinter Meeting Jan. 10, 2011, at the San Diego Convention Center.
In Washington, D.C., transgender man Kye Allums wants to be identified as a male even though he is on George Washington University's women's basketball team, according to CBS Sportsline. In a statement on the school's website, Allums said that the school "has been supportive during this transition" adding that he "decided to transitionthat is, change my name and pronounsbecause it bothered me to hide who I am, and I am trying to help myself and others to be who they are."
In Oregon, transgender woman Chloe Lucero, 27, has sued the city of Portland for more than $200,000 after a police officer allegedly grabbed her breasts and genitalia, according to the Oregonian. The lawsuit states that policeman Kevin Macho pulled Lucero over in 2008. He allegedly screamed "Give me the bottle" at her, opened the driver's door and yanked Lucero out of the car. Macho then reportedly shoved her against the car, examined the license, and "viciously ... grop [ ed ] " her. A police spokeswoman said that officers of both sexes regularly "pat down" suspects to make sure things are secure.
In Philadelphia, police have arrested transgender prostitute Herman Burton is connection with the death of Patrick Brady, whose body was found after a fire at a posh hotel, according to CBS Philly. Authorities said tht Brady had been beaten, robbed and strangled. Philadelphia homicide captain James Clark said that Burton had some of Burton's items, and that the room was intentionally set on fire to cover up the crime.
In Wisconsin, the Green Bay alderman has decided not to move forward with his request that the city support a lawsuit filed against the state's domestic-partner registry, according to WBAY.com . The conservative group Wisconsin Family Action filed the lawsuit in August, claiming the registry is unconstitutional because it violates the state's marriage amendment. Alderman Shae Sortwell, who suggested supporting the suit, said, "I think the people of Green Bay and the people of Wisconsin did speak on this, and I think, but because the recent change in state government, I'd like to possibly give state government the chance to go ahead to speak on this issue."
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network ( GLSEN ) has started its Safe Space Campaign, designed to promote visible support for LGBT students in U.S. middle and high schools, according to a press release. The campaign aims to place a Safe Space Kit in every middle and high school in the United Statesmore than 100,000 schools. The kits contain Safe Space stickers and posters along with a guide for steps that individual school staff members can take to build support for vulnerable students and reduce anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in their school.
The Forum for Collaborative HIV Research will convene its 2010 National Summit on HIV Diagnosis, Prevention and Access to Care Nov. 17-19 at the National Harbor in Washington, D.C., according to a press release. The summit will bring together 300 scientists, clinicians, public health leaders and advocates to map out a plan for achieving routine HIV testing for all U.S. residents ages 13-64. On Nov. 18, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop will be honored for efforts in charting the nation's policy on HIV/AIDS. See www.hivforum.org/ .
V. Gene Robinsonthe first out gay Episcopal bishopsaid at the annual diocesan convention in Concord, N.H., that he will retire in 2013, citing controversy and death threats, according to Advocate.com . Robinson said, "Death threats, and the now worldwide controversy surrounding your election of me as bishop, have been a constant strain, not just on me, but on my beloved husband, Mark" as well as congregants throughout the state. Robinson was elected in 2003. Last year, he gave the invocation for the opening ceremony of President Obama's inauguration.
In Ohio, prospective juror John Backderf was excused from jury service after claiming he knew the late serial killer/cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer, according to the Herald Sun. When asked if he knew anyone who was convicted of a crime, Backderf said, "I had a close friend in high school who killed 17 people," causing the judge and attorneys to freeze. Backderf is a graphic novelist who is about to publish My Friend Dahmer. Dahmer confessed to killing and dismembering men and boys in Milwaukee, Wis.; he was killed in a prison in 1994.
There has been another gay teen who committed suicide, allegedly because of anti-gay bullying. In Pennsylvania, 14-year-old Brandon Bitner walked in front of an 18-wheeler Nov. 5, according to Advocate.com . Bitner's friend Takara Jo Folk wrote in a letter to a local newspaper that Bitner committed suicide "because of bullying. t was not about race, or gender, but they bullied him for his sexual preferences and the way he dressed. Which they wrongly accused him of." Students at Bitner's school, Midd-West High in Middleburg, attended an anti-bullying assembly just days before Bitner's death; however, students said that no one took the event seriously.
In Michigan, assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell has lost his job because of reasons related to his harassment of the University of Michigan's student body president, who happens to be gay, according to CBS News. Shirvell, 30, had been on leave after his blog accused student Chris Armstrong of promoting a "radical homosexual agenda." Attorney General Mike Cox let Shirvell go for "conduct unbecoming a state employee, especially that of an assistant attorney general." However, Shirvell has defended his actions, relying on the First Amendment and saying that he was exercising his free speech.
Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said that no LGBT-related measures will pass Congress next year because the House is under the control of the GOP, according to Advocate.com . In an interview with the Washington Blade, Frankwho recently was re-elected to a 16th termalso said that the Democrat-controlled Senate and President Obama would team to block any anti-gay measures from passing over the next two years.
In Chicago, Lutheran Child and Family Services refused same-sex married couple Fred Steinhauer and Matt Nalett permision to adopt a local homeless youth, according to an Advocate.com item. Steinhauer and Nalett, who live in the Lakeview area, lived together for seven years and got married in Canada; they later met a 15-year-old boy ( who happens to be gay ) who had been a ward of the state. Although the couple passed background checks and other tests, the Lutheran group refused the couples' request to adopt because they are gay.
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a woman who lost biological custody of her daughter after a state court granted custody to her former lesbian partner, according to Advocate.com . In Vermont, the state supreme court unanimously granted custody to Vermont resident Janet Jenkins in her fight with Lisa Miller, who is still in hiding with daughter Isabella Miller-Jenkins.
Genesio Oliveira, a gay Brazilian man, could be deported even though he is legally married to Massachusetts citizen Tim Coco, according to the Daily Mail. Oliveira's bid for asylum ( over claims he was raped in his home country as a teen ) were rejected; however, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., intervened, allowing the Brazilian to return. However, Attorney General Eric Holder refuses to overturn the original decision.
Two different organizations filed separate lawsuits challenging the Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) as they represent different plaintiffs, according to MetroWeekly.com . The Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders plans to file a lawsuit in Connecticut challenging section three of DOMA, which says "marriage" and "spouse" are only applicable to opposite-sex couples. Elsewhere, the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) is challenging DOMA in New York City. The ACLU is representing Edith "Edie" Windsor, who was married to the late Thea Spyer for 44 years, according to an organizational press release. Windsor had to pay more than $350,000 in federal estate taxes upon inheriting Spyer's estateeven though they were marriedbecause the Internal Revenue Service cited DOMA.
In Tennessee, two ex-members of Vanderbilt University's Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi, said they were asked to leave the group because of their sexual orientation, InsideVandy.com reported. A former Beta Upsilon Chi brother and Vanderbilt 2010 alumnus who wanted to remain anonymous e-mailed the campus publication, The Hustler, that fraternity president Greg Wigger approached himand which point he came out to Wigger. Wigger then allegedly said the information would remain confidentialbut then the alumnus was "deactivated" 10 days later. The fraternity's code of conduct does not condone homosexuality.
In Florida, Lords South Beach, a new gay hotel, is slated to open soon in Miami Beach, according to Advocate.com . The 53-room boutique hotel will open at 1120 Collins Avenue. On its website, the hotel is described as "a home away from homejust a lot more fun, posh, friendly, sexy, easy, satisfying, and gratifying." Among its amenities are three pools; access to the Crunch gym next door; and the Cha Cha Rooster bar.