| A free twice-weekly news summary for the LGBT community |   |
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- Corporate support swings behind marriage equality
Starbucks, Microsoft, Boeing and Google are among a growing number of companies taking stands in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry, a development some say is emblematic of a major shift in corporate America’s approach to LGBT issues. “Earlier on there was more risk than reward. Now there’s far more talk about the reward and less about the risk,” said Bob Witeck, a consultant who advises corporations on LGBT issues. Another sign of
the sea change in corporate thinking on the issue: Target is selling T-shirts with LGBT-positive messages to help raise money for the Family Equality Council, a group which is part of coalition fighting a marriage amendment in Minnesota. Politico (Washington, D.C.)
(6/3), The Washington Post/The Associated Press
(6/1)     
| Politics and Policy | | |
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- Civil unions aren’t the solution, Ill. study finds
About 5,000 Illinois couples have entered into civil unions since they became legally recognized in the state, but a new study finds that these couples are subject to hurdles not faced by married couples. “In area after area, couples were either treated unequally or denied their rights. As we learned in history, separate does not make equal,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois. Chicago Phoenix
(6/2)
- Key ruling expected in Prop 8 case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today could decide
whether a decision striking down California's Proposition 8 as
unconstitutional will be reheard by a larger panel of the court's
judges. If the court declines the request for an en banc hearing,
proponents of Prop 8 are expected to appeal directly to the Supreme Court. Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.)/Poliglot
(6/4)
- Number of out Colo. state legislators could double
The Colorado House and Senate could include eight openly gay and lesbian
members after elections this year, up from the four currently serving. "I
think the Legislature is going to look more and more like Colorado. I
think that's a good thing for the democratic process," said Sen. Pat
Steadman, who is openly gay. The Denver Post
(6/1)
- N.C. GOP platform condemns discrimination, but not against gays
Platform language adopted by the North Carolina Republican party urges
government to treat all citizens impartially, but a sentence at the end
of the section specifically excludes gays and lesbians. "We oppose
all forms of invidious discrimination. Sexual orientation is not an
appropriate category," the document reads. ThinkProgress.org
(6/4)
| Opinion | | |
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-
The next U.S. president could appoint one or more Supreme Court
justices. What's your view of the importance of that to the overall
movement for LGBT equality?
 | It could make a huge difference, given the cases expected to come up. |
| It's hard to predict how individual justices will view LGBT issues. |
| I haven't given it much thought. |
| Leadership Spotlight | | |
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- New York’s out state senator won’t run again
Sen. Tom Duane, the first and only openly LGBT member of the New York state Senate, announced this week he will not seek election to an eighth term. “I always knew that I was going to have another chapter in my life, and it’s time for me to start that new chapter,” said Duane, who also served on the New York City Council. Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund and Institute, called Duane, “a leader among the growing network of openly LGBT elected officials around the world.” The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(6/3), Gay City News (New York)
(6/4), GayPolitics.com
(6/4)
| Beyond Politics | | |
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- Group buys, plans relaunch of “Lesbian.com”
Kathy Wolfe, Maria Lynn and Shannon Wentworth are the new owners of Lesbian.com, which they hope to build into a global Internet home for lesbians. “What we want to do is empower lesbians by bringing them together. We want to find a way to have everyone have a place at the table,” said Wolfe, who noted that the site would be run by lesbians for lesbians. Curve magazine online/Curve Magazine
(6/4)
- New Miss USA supports trans contestants
Rhode Island’s Olivia Culpo won the Miss USA pageant Sunday after expressing support for allowing transgender women to compete. Asked in the question round whether openly transgender women should be allowed in the pageant, Culpo said it was a matter of fairness because, “there are ... so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life.” Daily News (New York)/The Associated Press
(6/4)
| Media Mix | | |
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- Actor Jason Alexander pens apology for joke
Jason Alexander apologized this week for joking on a late-night talk
show that cricket is a "gay sport." "In comedy, timing is everything.
And when a group of people are still fighting so hard for
understanding, acceptance, dignity and essential rights -- the time for
some kinds of laughs has not yet come," Alexander wrote via Twitter. USA TODAY/Game On!
(6/5)
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Let us pay tribute to those who came before us, and those who
continue their work today; and let us rededicate ourselves to a task
that is
unending — the pursuit of a Nation where all are equal, and all have
the full and unfettered opportunity to pursue happiness and live
openly and freely."
--President Barack Obama, in his LGBT Pride Month proclamation, as quoted by the Washington Blade
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