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| Politics and Policy |
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- Hate crimes to get Senate vote as amendment, not stand-alone bill
The federal hate crimes bill reportedly will be considered by the U.S. Senate as an amendment to an as yet unspecified measure rather than as a separate piece of legislation. The Senate leadership thinks treating hate crimes legislation as an amendment would be "the most efficient way" to ensure its passage, according to this article. The stand-alone hate crimes bill cleared the House on April 29 by a 249-175 vote. Washington Blade (6/8)     
- Supreme Court won't hear appeal of military ban
The U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear a challenge to the military gay ban is not "bad news" for repealing the policy because it rightly shifts the debate to President Barack Obama and Congress, according to Kevin Nix, spokesman for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "Times have changed," Nix said. "The service members in Iraq and Afghanistan -- their attitudes toward gay people are very different than some retired generals in their 50s and 60s who served in the 20th century. It's a different world." MSNBC/The Associated Press (6/8)
- Parks built coalition to back Nevada's DP legislation
 The keys in Nevada to overcoming a gubernatorial veto and enacting a landmark domestic-partnership law included winning the support of the gaming industry, taking advantage of "tone-deaf opposition" and developing a strong coalition of lawmakers and advocacy groups behind the bill. Out lawmaker state Sen. David Parks, a Democrat, is credited with bringing together the winning coalition. "I've never seen so many people from so many walks of life come together," said gaming lobbyist Billy Vassiliadis, who was one of the bill's main backers. Las Vegas Sun (6/5)
- Out former journalist launches bid for Detroit council
Charles Pugh, formerly a reporter and anchor for Detroit's Fox television affiliate, has launched a bid for a seat on his hometown's City Council. A victory would make Pugh the first openly gay person to serve on the council. Pugh, who is being endorsed by the Victory Fund, is not concerned about personal attacks. He said, "My agenda is Detroit's agenda. I just happen to be black, a man and gay." Chicago Tribune/The Associated Press (6/9)
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Join us in San Francisco for the 25th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference
The 25th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference will bring together hundreds of openly LGBT leaders involved in business, government, politics, advocacy and community organizations. Join us in San Francisco, December 3 to 6, for three days of training, skills building, networking and discussion of key issues facing out leaders.
The Leadership Conference exists to make you more effective, more informed and more prepared to lead. Plenary sessions and workshops are interactive, absorbing explorations of current events, strategic solutions and best practices for out officials and community leaders. But the atmosphere is relaxed and convivial, encouraging attendees to connect or stay connected to their peers across the world.
Early-bird registration discounts are available now. Go to www.glli.org/conference. |
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| Viewpoint |
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- Respect for lawmaker shows power of being out
 The unequivocal support among rural Arkansas lawmakers for out state Rep. Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock, is a reminder that even in a so-called "red state," minds can be opened when those with anti-gay views get to know LGBT people, writes columnist John Brummett. "It seems that anti-gay sentiment applies only generally, not personally," he writes. Arkansas News Bureau (6/7)
- How will coming out affect the singing career of "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert?
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Being openly gay will help Lambert's career. |
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Coming out will have a negative effect on his career. |
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It will make no difference, because everyone who watched "American Idol" already knew he was gay. |
| Issues and Society |
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- Politics likely to play bigger role in San Francisco Pride Parade
The June 28 San Francisco Pride Parade, reflecting the ongoing fight over marriage equality in California as well as issues such as the military gay ban, will seek to strike a balance between being a political event and a celebration of all things LGBT-related, according to this article. "There's a movement to make it a little more political this year," said Mikayla Connell, president of San Francisco Pride's board of directors. "But if we tone it down because of what others might think of us, we don't deserve to use the word 'pride.' " San Francisco Chronicle (6/8)
- Conservatives split over trying to overturn Wash. state's partner law
Conservatives in Washington state reportedly are divided over whether a drive to seek a ballot referendum to repeal the state's marriagelike domestic-partnership law is the right strategy at this time. "My concern is, in running a referendum, you're not really going to win," said the Rev. Joe Fuiten, founder of Positive Christian Agenda. "All you accomplish is you divide up the community and really alienate a lot of people from the church and from the gospel." Los Angeles Times (6/8)
| Leadership Spotlight |
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- Kameny's lifetime of LGBT activism in spotlight
Pioneering LGBT-rights activist Frank Kameny, who helped organize the first gay-rights march in front of the White House and played an instrumental role in having homosexuality removed from the list of mental illnesses, will be recognized for his lifetime of activism during this year's Washington, D.C., pride festival. "He's indomitable. There's no one else like him in the movement," said Dudley Clendinen, co-author of a book about the gay-rights movement in the U.S. "He doesn't relent. He doesn't really negotiate. ... The culture gradually came around to recognize what he early on insisted was fair and true." The Sun (Baltimore)/The Associated Press (6/8)
| Marketplace |
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- "Idol" runner-up: Yep, I'm gay
"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert, whose sexuality has been the subject of much speculation, has come out as gay. "I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear I'm gay," he told Rolling Stone. "[Former 'Idol' contestant] Clay Aiken's gay, and I'm gay, and we couldn't be more different. The only thing that is the same about everyone in the gay community is that we're gay. ... Why can't we talk about a human community?" Rolling Stone (6/9) , USA TODAY (6/9) |
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The
outcome of the case being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, which will determine
whether Washington state can post online the names of residents who support an
anti-gay ballot measure, could reverse nearly four decades of open government in
that state and more than two dozen others where citizens may bring about ballot
measures, writes Joe Mirabella. "The Supreme Court must protect the integrity of
our open government," Mirabella writes. "Too much is at stake if they don't." 
With the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to take on a case appealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and Congress' inaction on the lifting the ban, The New York Times is calling on the White House to issue a "stop-loss" order or some other directive to prevent additional gay and lesbian military personnel from being discharged. "How much better to use the [stop-loss] power to prevent the loss of gay service members eager to keep serving," the Times writes. 
In this video clip, the spouse of a gay soldier stationed in Iraq discusses the difficulties of having his partner in harm's way without either one being able to be open about their status because of the military's gay ban. The narrator of the clip is not shown, nor is his name disclosed, out of concern that his partner would be outed and discharged for being gay. 