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  WINDY CITY TIMES

NewsWrap
by Raphael Abantés
2003-06-25

This article shared 3017 times since Wed Jun 25, 2003
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A New Jersey state judge will hear oral arguments Friday, June 27, in a historic lawsuit seeking full marriage rights for same-sex couples, according to Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, which represents the seven New Jersey couples seeking marriage licenses.

The Board of Department Of Justice (DOJ) Pride, on behalf of its membership and its membership's supporters, announced the annual DOJ Pride Ceremony, originally scheduled to be held in the Great Hall of Justice June 18, was rescheduled at the Russell Senate Office Building in the Russell Caucus Room at 1st and C Streets NE June 20. The week of June 2, the DOJ Pride Board was notified that the Justice Department was canceling the previously approved Gay Pride Awards Ceremony and that no such event would be allowed to take place at the Department this year. This was followed by two further announcements by the Department: the absolute ban was lifted and the FBI was informed that no gay pride event would be allowed to go forward there either. The DOJ Pride Board was given a clear choice. Hold the event at the Great Hall of Justice but forgo Department sponsorship and be forced to pay more than $1,000 for the Hall unlike any other employee association or similar event. 'The DOJ Pride Board has declined the Department's offer of second-class status.,' said DOJ Pride President Marina Colby.

In a June 17 letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., raised concerns about a new CDC initiative that may result in the agency reducing federal funds available to community-based organizations for HIV- prevention services. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced plans in April to increase its focus on HIV testing and risk- reduction services for HIV-positive people. AIDS advocacy groups nationwide expressed concern with the CDC's plans to decrease funding available for HIV-prevention education and risk-reduction activities in order to implement the new priorities. AIDS advocates also raised concerns with a recommendation making HIV counseling optional.

Michael Charles Hurd was shot and killed June 19 as he drove down a street in Houston. 'We may never know his story, but we know that he was dressed as a woman PFLAG condemns the hatred and misunderstanding that leads to crimes against those of us who don't appear to conform to society's repressive norms,' said PFLAG national president Sam Thoron. 'This cold-blooded killing would appear to be a hate crime. If so, it is yet another chilling example of the violence perpetrated against transgender people.' The Human Rights Campaign strongly condemned the leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention, who announced an initiative to 'liberate' gay and lesbian Americans through religious conversion.

Republican National Committee chairman Marc Racicot will step down from that post to run President George W. Bush's re- election campaign, reports The Missoulian. Racicot, a former Republic Governor of Montana, angered some conservative Republicans this year by meeting with the Human Rights Campaign in an effort to reach out to gays and lesbians. Racicot said Bush's inclusive message makes the campaign an easy one.

New York State is ready to remove references to sodomy in state law, according to The Advocate. Empire State Pride Agenda negotiated the bill between the three arms of government in New York. State law currently divides sexual assault into two categories: rape and sodomy. Rape involves what the law calls 'sexual intercourse' while sodomy involves 'deviate sexual intercourse.' Gay- rights advocates have objected to this terminology because of its often-misperceived connection with gay sex.

The Intersex Society of North America, in conjunction with Birth Defects Research for Children, Inc., announced the launch of an innovative project to examine the relationship between environmental toxins and the development of intersex conditions. 'Is there a cause and effect relation between environmental toxins and intersex conditions? We do not know yet, but we intend to find out,' stated Dr. Monica J. Casper, ISNA's Executive Director. 'We intend to address social, ethical, and political issues regarding that relationship. Here at ISNA we are especially excited about engaging with environmental health issues and communities as we continue to advocate for the rights of all people with intersex conditions, regardless of the origin or cause of their condition.' Intersex conditions affect approximately 1 in 1,500 to 2,000 births. While many of the conditions classified as intersex are assumed to be naturally occurring, a growing body of literature documents the relationship between atypical genitalia and reproductive organs and exposure to toxins. For example, there is a fairly significant body of literature suggesting an environmental link to hypospadias and testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). The intersex and disability rights communities are concerned about this evidence, and are eager to begin exploring what it means for activism aimed at reducing stigma and supporting people with intersex conditions. See www.isna.org .

New gay-rights legislation to take effect in a few days in New Mexico will not be blocked —at least not yet. AP reports that efforts to get enough signatures on a petition to stop the law from taking effect July 1 have been halted in an effort to work toward a referendum next year that could repeal the law. The law expanded the state hate-crimes law to include protections for GLBT people. Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is conducting a nationwide search for a new Legal Director. Lambda's outgoing Legal Director, Ruth Harlow, is leaving the organization in July to pursue a career outside the courtroom.

Presbyterians in Cincinnati are deciding whether to keep their pastor or their Presbyterian affiliation, according to the Cincinnati Post. The Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken was removed as pastor of Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church last week by the Cincinnati Presbytery, a group of 86 local churches, for performing a gay wedding in May. Church elders say they want to stay in the Presbyterian denomination but also want to stand behind their core values, which include accepting gays and lesbians—a group that makes up 30 percent of their parish.

Oregon's bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's anti-discrimination law is dead in the water, according to the Statesman. State Sen. Kate Brown said the bill will not likely move forward because of the opposition she expects in the House. A lobbyist for the gay-rights group Basic Rights Oregon said they believe there is support in the House. Only one group spoke against the bill at a public hearing.

Episcopals must really like gay Bishops. New Hampshire elected America's first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. And in England, another gay bishop was elected just outside of London. Dr. Jeffrey John rejected calls for his resignation, adding that he is in a permanent non-sexual relationship with his gay lover.

Gay pride banners may be seen this year flying from Oklahoma City light poles, reports KOCO. For two years, the city prevented pride flags from flying on city poles if the flag promoted social advocacy or religious messages. This year, the city council voted to allow banners, regardless of the message.

Dallas police are holding Patric Henn, a gay man accused of bilking money after 9/11 from emergency assistance agencies in south Florida, reports AP. Henn was picked up on charges of marijuana possession and petty theft. Editors at the Express news in Florida brought Henn's alleged fraud to light when Henn approached them about a story they say did not add up. News Tips? RaphaelNews@aol.com


This article shared 3017 times since Wed Jun 25, 2003
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