Add Texas to the list of states that explicitly bans gay marriage. Last week, Texas
Gov. Rick Perry signed into law the Texas Defense of Marriage Act. While most
states have similar laws prohibiting the recognition of a gay marriage performed in
another state, Texas has gone the extra step of banning civil unions and banning
any state agency from granting legal protections or benefits to same-sex couples.
'The legislature finds that through the designation of guardians, the appointment of
agents, and the use of private contracts persons may adequately and properly
appoint guardians and arrange rights relating to hospital visitation, property, and the
entitlement to proceeds of life insurance policies without the existence of any legally
recognized familial relationship between the persons,' the law reads.
The Boy Scouts' Cradle of Liberty Council in Philadelphia, challenged the national
organization's stance on homosexuals, according to AP. The group, the third largest
council in the country, expanded its nondiscrimination policy to include a ban on
discrimination based on sexual orientation. 'We disagree with the national stance,
and we're not comfortable with the stated national policy,' council Chairman David
H. Lipson Jr. told AP. The decision to act now was particularly poignant as the
Scouts national convention is underway in Philadelphia.
The Presbyterian Church was again unable to decide the issue of ordaining
practicing homosexuals, according to the Courier Journal. At the end of the Church's
national convention, church elders and deacons were unable to resolve any issues
relating to gays in the church.
The New York Yankees won the case filed by a gay ex-equipment manager, reports
the NY Daily News. Paul Priore says he was fired from his $30-a-day job as
equipment manager for the Yanks because he's gay and HIV-positive. The team
dismissed Priore's claims that several Yankees players threatened to sexually
assault Priore. The Yankees argued that they fired the man because they suspected
him of stealing. The appeals court agreed and dismissed the case.
A new booklet about the risks of HIV and other STDs is available from the Seattle
Gay City Health Project, reports the Seattle Intelligencer. The 32-page booklet,
targeting gay, bisexual, and transgender men, is written in frank terms
[www.gaycity.org].
Birmingham's Central Alabama Pride won't get a pat on the back from the Jefferson
County Commissioners this year—not all of them, according to the Birmingham
News. County Commissioner Shelia Smoot says she'll salute the 25-year-old
celebration in her own commendation because the full Commission could not
agree to honor the celebration. One commissioner against the measure said, 'I
have never seen one of their marches, but according to reliable sources, they dress
in revealing attire.'
Two teens in Kent, Wash., charge that, after calling them homophobic names, a
golfer assaulted them and their camera. The King County Journal reports that high
school senior A.J. Roulston was on a skateboard wearing only a thong while
classmate Chris Machowski videotaped the stunt that was intended to be a spoof
on skating videos for a school project. The golfer allegedly threw Machowski to the
ground and destroyed the camera with his 9-iron.
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