New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch has signed a law establishing civil unions for same-sex couples, the Associated Press reported. Gay and lesbian couples can apply for the same rights as heterosexuals as soon as January. Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson, who plans on being united with his partner, attended the bill-signing. California, Vermont, New Jersey, Maine and Washington State also allow either civil unions or domestic partnerships. Among those praising the measure are organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign and individuals such as Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
In Massachusetts, some legal organizations have expressed their support of House Bill 1722, which would include gender identity and expression in the state's anti-discrimination and hate-crime statutes, according to Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly. The Massachusetts Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Lesbian & Gay Bar Association are among the groups behind the measure, and the Boston Bar Association is also considering endorsing the bill.
Samuel Garrison III, who defended then-President Richard Nixon in the 1974 impeachment hearings, died of leukemia in Roanoke, Va., at the age of 65, according to The Washington Post. In his colorful life, Garrison got divorced; came out; declared bankruptcy after a restaurant/disco failed; spent time in prison and was disbarred.
The latest American Gallup Poll results reveal that a record high percentage of United States citizens supports homosexuality, GallupPoll.com reported. Since 1977, public support for legalizing same-sex relations has increased to 59 percent. However, when asked if they believed that homosexuality is morally acceptable, 47 percent answered 'yes' while 49 percent said 'no.'
In Florida, the Rev. Grant Lynn Ford had to deal with Jamaicans angry that the Fort Lauderdale-based pastor decided to start a gay church in Jamaica, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Callers to a radio show Ford was on said that he was promoting homosexuality, with one person promising that Ford would be shot in the head if he came to the island.
The Philadelphia City Council has voted 16-1 to terminate the free-rent arrangement for the local branch of the Boy Scouts of America unless it promises to not discriminate against gay people, 365Gay.com reported. The city council said that the Cradle of Liberty Council, the third-largest scouting branch in the country, must sign a non-discrimination pledge or face having to pay full-market value for its home. Four years ago, the branch dismissed a scout who later acknowledged being gay.
In North Carolina, the state House has passed a measure that would require public schools to have anti-bullying policies, Advocate.com reported. The bill, which would include LGBT students under its umbrella, passed by a vote of 73 to 46, and will move to the Senate.
The Web site of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security listed gay-rights and anti-war organizations among the groups that could include terrorists, according to the Associated Press. The site was shut down because people felt that they were been targeted because of their beliefs, the department's head said. The Web site is slated to go back up, but without specific organizations being identified.
