In Iowa, lesbian couple Heather and Melissa Gartner has sued two of the state's health department's officials after the department would not put both women's names on their daughter's birth certificate, according to the Des Moines Register. The Gartners contend that the certificate is wrong because it only lists Heather and states that daughter Mackenzie was born out of wedlock. The suit was filed slightly more than a year after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality.
Sara Isaacson may end up paying the University of North Carolina almost $80,000 because she came out to the leader of her school's Army ROTC program, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article. The Wisconsin native, who is a chemistry major, was given the opportunity to rescind the letter declaring her sexuality ( because she is not technically in the military ) , but she declined to do so. An Army ROTC scholarship covered seven semesters of tuition and other expenses, totaling $79,265.14.
An estimated 45,000 participants helped the 25th annual AIDS Walk New York ( held May 16 ) to raise $5.7 million, surpassing expectations, according to a press release. The event, started in 1986 in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, has become the world's largest AIDS-related fundraiser. Celebrities at this year's event included Leslie Jordan, Michael Urie ( from Ugly Betty ) , Melanie Clunie ( from Queer As Folk ) and Hal Sparks.
Astrophysicist and self-described "proud homophobe" Jonathan I. Katz has been dropped from the Department of Energy team dealing with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to an Advocate.com item. The development occurred after news of Katz's controversial writings, including a defense of homophobia, was publicized. Gay-rights activist John Aravosis, who was against Katz's appointment to the team, had started a petition against the scientist.
In light of the George Rekers "rentboy" scandal, the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel newspaper has called for an end to the ban on gay adoption in the state of Florida, ChicagoPride reported. An editorial read, in part, "The fact that Florida has the strictest law in the country banning gay adoption is embarrassing enough. Now, when you add the George Rekers fiasco—a combination of hypocrisy and tens of thousands of wasted tax dollars—you can add 'shameful' to 'embarrassing.' The only hope is some good will come out of all this, and Florida lawmakers will get rid of an archaic ban on gay adoption that has no place in 21st century society." The anti-gay Rekers, who was caught traveling with a young male escort, received $120,000 to testify in a gay-adoption trial in 2008.
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., has said that a measure extending benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian federal workers could be introduced soon, according to an Advocate.com item. Although some Republicans are balking at the cost of implementing the benefits—approximately $310 million through 2020—Lieberman said, "This legislation would cost about two-hundredths of a percent of the federal government's overall costs for the civilian workforce. That is a very small price to pay for the improvements we would see in recruitment, retention, and morale."
In Milwaukee, Wis., transwoman Dana "Chanel" Larkin, 26, was murdered May 7, according to EDGE Boston. Andrew Olacirequi allegedly offered Larkin, 26, $20 to perform a sex act. When Larkin supposedly asked if "it was OK with him actually being a man," Olacirequi reportedly pulled out a .357-caliber revolver and shot her three times in the head. The suspect has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and use of a dangerous weapon; he could get up to 65 years in prison if convicted.
In Washington, D.C., the gay organization known as the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club has endorsed local councilmember Harry Thomas, who recently voted in favor of the district's marriage-equality law, according to an Washington Post item. Thomas was pressured to vote against the measure but said he could not condone any "disenfranchisement of any individual in the District." The club also endorsed openly gay councilmember Jim Graham.
FriskyHands.com, a social-networking website devoted exclusively to the deaf LGBTQ community, is launching soon, according to a press release. Users can interact through Live Chat and/or web messaging, and stay mobile through their iPhones. Soon, the site will add a videoconferencing function. People can sign up to be notified of the official launch.
In Kentucky, 24-year-old Matthew Vanderpool—an openly gay man without a college degree who had $150 in campaign donations—has won the Democratic primary for the 45th District of the state's house of representatives, according to a ChicagoNOW.com item. Vanderpool's primary foe, attorney Mark Coblenz, had about $6,000 in his campaign war chest. Vanderpool will now face incumbent Republican Stan Lee.
At the 2010 Indiana Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in Indianapolis May 14, U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., shocked attendees when he made a joke about AIDS during his speech, according to Advocate.com . Bayh subsequently apologized for the joke, saying that he was misunderstood and stating that he has continuously voted in favor of AIDS funding. Members of the Indiana Stonewall Democrats reportedly left the venue because they were offended.
Safer-sex activist Allan Gassman was found dead in his New York City apartment in April at the age of 47, according to Business.avn.com . A porn performer, writer and director, Gassman focused on his activism in the award-winning documentary The O Boys: Parties, Porn & Politics. His gay orgies occasionally included famous closeted entertainers, but attendees kept the secrets of those who were there. Gassman once asked, "When you have sex, you should assume that everyone is HIV-positive, which is why we always have plenty of condoms at our parties. So, why don't all parts of the adult industry use condoms?"
In Hawaii, Gov. Linda Lingle has meet with opponents of the civil-unions bill before deciding if she will veto or approve the measure, according to an Advocate.com item. Lingle, a Republican, has to make a decision by June 21. Lingle is reportedly considering several factors, including the economic impact of having civil unions.
Lesbian University of Arizona professor Sandra Soto was booed and cheered after she brought up the state's new anti-immigration law at a graduation ceremony, according to Advocate.com . "One reason [ the law ] has instigated a boycott is because to a whole lot of people, myself included, it appears to not only invite but require the police to engage in racial profiling," Soto said. The reactions were swift and mostly negative.
