The Supreme Court has added several cases to its docket for the term that began Oct. 1. Many of the cases now before the Court involve fundamental constitutional principles and will significantly affect public policy on a range of issues, including affirmative action, free speech on the Internet, and publicly funded vouchers for religious schools, according to People for the American Way. Several of the most important cases to be decided by the Court are in areas like affirmative action and church-state separation, where the justices are closely divided.
"Constitutional liberties are coming up for some close votes," said People For the American Way Foundation ( PFAWF ) President Ralph G. Neas. "These cases should remind Americans of the importance of the Supreme Court and of the powerful impact that will be made by future appointments."
Neas noted that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will play a pivotal role, potentially determining not just the outcome of specific cases, such as school vouchers and affirmative action, but also in the interpretation of key constitutional principles and the legality of many other present and proposed government programs.
... In Simmons-Harris v. Zelman, the Court will review a decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that the Cleveland school voucher program is unconstitutional because it violates church-state separation. The decision in this case could affect not only school vouchers, but also other efforts to funnel government dollars to pervasively religious institutions, such as the administration's faith-based initiative.
... In Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Mineta, the Court will review a decision by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals that the Department of Transportation's affirmative action program for disadvantaged business enterprises is constitutional.
... Ashcroft v. ACLU, which concerns the constitutionality of a 1998 federal law seeking to severely limit Internet communications by prohibiting posting of "harmful to minors" materials.
... Prudential HMO v. Moran, which concerns whether patients can sue HMOs under state law for refusing to consent to necessary medical treatment, or whether such claims are pre-empted by federal law.
CONSERVATIVES ATTACK BUSH
The conservative Family Research Council is attacking the Bush administration, accusing the White House of giving an "implicit endorsement" to the "homosexual political agenda," reports the Sept. 30 Washington Post.
The memo, written by Family Research Council President Ken Connor, detailed a "disturbing trend" in policy, evidenced recently by a vote in Congress to lift the ban on domestic partner benefits for gay couples in D.C. "We lost this vote because 41 Republicans bolted to join 184 Democrats," the memo said, according to the Post. "Doubtless some of these GOP defectors took a cue from the White House."
Air Force Implements 'Stop-Loss' Order
The Air Force has announced it has currently implemented a 30-day "stop-loss" order, temporarily suspending some administrative discharges, but exempting discharges "for cause," including discharges under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The Air Force order, which was implemented Sept. 22, includes language specifically instructing leaders to continue processing gay discharges despite halting many other discharges.
The Air Force is the first branch of the armed forces to implement a stop-loss order, which was authorized last week by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in anticipation of a wide-spread military mobilization. SLDN noted that the other services...the Army, Navy and Marine Corps... have not yet issued stop-loss orders.
NY GAYS HOST MEMORIAL SERVICE
A coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations organized an Oct. 1 gathering to remember and honor those lost in and affected by the recent terrorist attacks on New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania; and "demonstrate our community's renewed commitment to combating intolerance and prejudice."
The memorial event was at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th St.
Meanwhile, Gov. George E. Pataki and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani plan to address the Tenth Fall Dinner of the Empire State Pride Agenda, the statewide lesbian and gay political advocacy and civil-rights organization, on Oct. 4. At the event, the Mayor and Governor will be recognized for their leadership in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In addition, GLBT members of the New York fire, police, emergency response and administrative teams who participated in the rescue effort will be honored. A portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to relief funds.
DOCS' 1st African American Pres.
The Board of Directors of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association announced that Christopher Harris, MD, a pediatrician from Nashville, Tenn., will be the San Francisco-based organization's new president. The announcements came at a board meeting preceding GLMA's 19th Annual Conference.
"We're celebrating our 20th Anniversary," said Harris, the group's first African-American president. "In 1981, 64 physicians founded GLMA to eliminate homophobia in medicine and work toward equal access in healthcare for lesbian and gay people in North America. Their revolutionary beginning created a national force that has ultimately led to immense gains for our community."
New members elected to the board this year are include Leigh Roberts, MD, from Chicago.
Motorola, IBM to be honored at Conf.
Motorola and IBM, along with individuals and groups from Kodak, Avaya and Walt Disney World have been selected from among nearly 50 nominees to receive Out & Equal Workplace Advocates' "Outie" awards for efforts to make workplaces safe and equitable for LGBT employees.
The "Outies" will be awarded during the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, which is expected to attract more than 500 people to the greater Cincinnati area Oct. 5-7.
See outandequal.org/summitinfo.html, or call ( 415 ) 439-4272.
