The gay-rights group known as Equality Forum has invited First Lady Michelle Obama to launch GLBT History Month 2010 in October, according to a press release. Obama and the White House have held celebrations for Women's History Month, Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. "GLBT History Month teaches history, provides role models, builds community and celebrates the GLBT community's national and international contributions," stated Executive Director Malcolm Lazin. "The White House celebration of GLBT History Month is an important demonstration of the Administration's support of our equality."
Interfaith Alliance will honor out lesbian MSNBC host Rachel Maddow and the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, director of the department of religion at the Chautauqua Institution, with the 2010 Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award in New York City Oct. 24, according to a press release. The award, established in 1998, recognizes individuals who courageously promote democratic values, defend religious freedom and reinvigorate informed civic participation. Past recipients include actor/activist George Clooney, gay-rights activist Judy Shepard and former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Mississippi have filed a lawsuit against the Wesson Attendance Center, a Mississippi high school that excluded student Ceara Sturgis' name and portrait from the yearbook because she wore a tuxedo, according to a joint press release. The lawsuit alleges that the school violated Sturgis' rights under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on gender and stereotypes, as well as the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network ( SLDN ) and Morrison & Foerster LLP, representing Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, reached an agreement with the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, U.S. Department of Justiceand the U.S. Air Force, preventing the Air Force from discharging Lt. Col. Fehrenbach under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," according to a press release. In filing its motion, Fehrenbach's attorneys argued that the government could not establish that his continued service on active duty hinders "morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion." According to Advocate.com, openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank has asked the Air Force secretary to stop discharge proceedings permanently.
In Kentucky, three teens were acquitted of kidnapping another teen and threatening to kill her because she is a lesbian, Kentucky.com reported. Cheyenne Williams, 18, claimed that Corrine Schwab and Ashley Sams, both 18, and a 17-year-old cohort kidnapped Williams, pulled her with a chain around her neck and threatened to push her off a cliff; defense attorneys claimed that Williams was lying to get out of trouble with her mother. Williams, who is undergoing counseling because of the alleged incident, will probably move to another county.
U.S. District Judge Randal Hall has ruled against Augusta State University graduate student Jennifer Keeton, who refused to read material about counseling gays as part of her curriculum, according to the Augusta Chronicle. Professors had asked Keeton to read the text after she said that she would tell gay clients that homosexuality "is morally wrong." However, the judge said that the case was not about "pitting Christianity against homosexuality," but the constitutionality of what the university required of her.
Gilt Groupe, a designer website, has been criticized for partnering with Target after it was revealed that the huge corporation had donated to a political action committee backing an anti-gay Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate, according to Advocate.com . Gilt CEO Susan Lyne said, "We consider ourselves lucky to work in an industry that flourishes precisely because it embraces diversity and change." On Aug. 20, the Human Rights Campaign dropped Target from its annual Buying for Equality Guide.
Speaking of Target, MSNBC has rejected an ad that attacks the corporation, according to Advocate.com . MoveOn.org had submitted an ad that features Target's bull's-eye logo, saying that the company was trying to buy the election with its $150,000 donation to Minnesota Forward. However, MSNBC refused to air the ad, saying it violates the network's policy regarding attacks on individual companies.
In California, Gavin Newsom—the mayor of San Francisco and the Democratic candidate for the state's lieutenant governor—is seemingly distancing himself from the topic of same-sex marriage, according to an Advocate.com item. Newsom, who actually issued marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples back in 2004, admittted to The Bay Citizen newspaper that he is now less outspoken on the topic, saying, "What we needed to do in 2004 was to put a human face on it, and I think we achieved that goal." There is speculation that he is moving away from talking about marriage equality to appease voters in more conservative areas.
The Utah Pride Center was the scene of vandalism when a person or persons spray-painted an anti-gay slur on a sign at the facility, according to an Advocate.com item. The center's executive director, Valerie Larabee, said, "We realize that often times the purpose of these actions are to cause widespread fear among the members of our community. That is why today we are speaking out. This will not be swept under the rug. We will not be scared into silence by acts of intolerance."
In the wake of a scandal revolving around her using the N-word, controversial personality Dr. Laura Schlessinger is leaving her radio talk show at the end of the year, according to ABC News. However, she told CNN's Larry King on his show that she is not quitting—just that she plans "not to do radio anymore" so she can "regain [ her ] First Amendment rights." Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has defended Schlessinger, advising her, "Don't retreat ... reload!" Schlessinger—who has endured criticism from the gay community for her views on homosexuality—has apologized for using the N-word.
In New York, Lambda Legal has settled its lawsuit on behalf of lesbian couple Adola DeWolf and Laura Watts against Countrywide Financial after the Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae, agreed to allow homeowners to add their domestic partners to their deeds without penalty, according to a Lambda Legal press release. After deciding to move in together in 2005, the DeWolf attempted to add Watts' name to her deed and mortgage. However, Countrywide claimed the couple had breached their loan agreement with Fannie Mae loan agreement because Watts was not recognized as a member of DeWolf's family.
In Pennsylvania, the council of Doylestown voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that protects its community members from discrimination, according to PhillyBurbs.com . The council also voted to create a human-rights commission to enforce said ordinance, although some members were concerned with the cost of putting together such a group. Equality Pennsylvania Executive Director Ted Martin said that the council has "given voice to that which is quintessentially American—relief from fear."
In Norristown, Pa., authorities arrested transgender woman Asia Dominique Santana, 40, charging her with the first-degree murder of boyfriend Eric Nevith, 28, Philadelphia Gay News reported. The district attorney's office said that Santana told detectives that Nevith hit her in the face during an argument; the next thing she knew, she was holding a knife and he was on the floor, bleeding out of his mouth. Nevith died of multiple stab wounds to his leg, torso and back.
Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, has contributed to the campaign of a GOP Senate candidate who is against same-sex marriage, according to a SheWired.com item. Mary, 41—who lives with partner Heather Poe and their two children—gave $500 this past April to Kelly Ayotte, a political candidate from New Hampshire who opposes marriage equality. However, according to The Raw Story, which originally reported Mary Cheney's Ayotte contribution, she has also given support to other anti-marriage-equality individuals and groups.
In Florida, a state panel has ruled that Michael Verdugo, the Hollywood police officer who was fired after appearing in a gay-porn movie, can retain his police certification, the Miami Herald reported. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement ruled to place Verdugo on probation for one year and to require him to take an ethics course. Verdugo, who was also on the reality-TV show Design Star, said, "hey voted unanimously. We're done. My certification stands. I'm happy. Shocked—in a good way.''
Out has launched the new online campaign "Get to Work, Get to Giving," presented by the Levi's® brand, according to a press release. This new program offers visitors the opportunity to effect change in the world by connecting them with local and national charities. By clicking the map's geographic markers, readers can gather more information about a spotlighted charity and inquire about how to become involved. See out.com/gettowork/ .
The gay Republican organization GOProud will again be an affiliate for the yearly Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) , even though other right-wing groups would prefer GOProud not be there, according to Advocate.com . GOProud Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia said in a statement, "Thanks in large part to the exposure we received at CPAC our organization has experienced tremendous growth over the last few months. We look forward to building on that success with CPAC 2011." Next year's conference will take place Feb. 10-12 in Washington, D.C.; among those invited to speak are Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter and Newt Gingrich.
In Massachusetts, Eunice Field confessed to fatally stabbing her ex-girlfriend's Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, Lorraine Wachsman, because Wachsman reportedly caused the couple to split, EDGE Miami reported. Field left a note for ex-girlfriend Renee Williams saying that she killed Wachsman "for taking away the love of her life," according to Assistant District Attorney Thomas Flanagan. Field is scheduled for a Sept. 3 court appearance.
