Politics

Same-Sex Marriage Support Solidifies Above 50% in U.S.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Fifty-three percent of Americans now support same-sex marriages, in a third consecutive reading of 50% or above in Gallup polling over the past year. The 53% in favor ties the high to this point, also measured last November and in May 2011.

Gallup's May 2-7 poll suggests Americans' support for gay marriage is solidifying above the majority level. Recently, Rhode Island and Delaware legalized same-sex marriage, with Minnesota following yesterday which brings the total number of states legally recognizing same-sex marriage to 12.

Three years ago, support for gay marriage was 44%. The current 53% level of support is essentially double the 27% in Gallup's initial polling on same-sex marriage, in 1996.

According to the polling organisation, Democrats, independents, and liberals all show increasing support for same-sex marriage with each well above the fifty percent mark now.  Gallup also noted that Republicans, conservatives, and moderates are more likely to favor gay marriage now than in 1996, but the increase in support among these groups may have stalled. Thus, most of the increase in the percentage favoring legal gay marriage in the last three years has come among left-leaning groups politically.

One factor pointing to continued expansion of gay marriage support in the future is that young Americans are more likely than older Americans to favor it. That difference by age has always been apparent, and it persists today even though support has increased among all age groups over time.

Although a majority of Americans themselves support legal gay marriage, an even larger majority perceive that most Americans come down on the side of not legalizing it. When asked their impression of how most Americans feel about the issue, 63% say the public is opposed to gay marriage and 30% say the public favors it. These data suggest that a segment of Americans who support same-sex marriage believe that their views are in the minority, while in reality they are in the majority.

Members of groups most likely to support gay marriage themselves, such as young adults, Democrats, and liberals, are more likely to perceive that Americans are pro-gay marriage than members of groups who personally oppose it. But even Democrats and young adults are of the view that most Americans oppose gay marriage. Liberals are divided as to whether the public favors or opposes it.

Politics

Gang Of  8 Senator: Immigration Amendment Redefining Marriage For Gay Couples Would End My Support For Bill

By Brody Levesque | WASHINGTON -- South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced Monday that should the Senate Judiciary Committee vote to include provisions for same-sex bi-national couples in the pending immigration reform bill, he'll pull his support.

Graham, a member of the bipartisan "gang of eight," along with fellow GOP gang of eight member Florida Senator Marco Rubio, have cautioned that any LGBT provisions would be a non-starter for Senate Republicans.

“This issue is a difficult enough issue as it is,” Rubio said. “I respect everyone’s views on it. But ultimately, if that issue is injected into this bill, the bill will fail and the coalition that helped put it together will fall apart.”

LGBT advocacy groups are pushing for inclusion of language from the proposed Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) as an amendment to the legislation being considered for immigration reform.

“Current immigration law as it exists does not allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their foreign spouse for a green card like heterosexual couples can,” said Amos Lim, a spokesperson for the advocacy group Out4Immigration.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced amendments to the measure last week that would give same-sex couples the same equal treatment as heterosexual ones under immigration law.

Current language in the immigration reform bill doesn't address the problems faced by bi-national same-sex couples, who under the Defense of Marriage Act, (DOMA) cannot petition for green cards for their foreign national partners.

Because the federal government denies recognition to legally married same-sex couples, those couples are deprived of the usual access to immigration laws that allow all other American citizens to petition for a green card for their foreign spouses. In most cases, DOMA is the only obstacle preventing married bi-national couples from achieving resolution of the immigration issue.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the president has voiced his support for inclusion of the provisions to allow same-sex couples to petition for spousal green cards, he noted that the president has also said that he would be willing to sign a bill that excluded provisions for same-sex couples.

“We have said that we support that provision, but we also think it’s very important to recognize that the overall bill here accomplishes what the President believes needs to be accomplished, and is in keeping with his principles,” Carney said.

World News

Police Confirm Man Killed In Gay Bashing Incident In Southern Russia

Vladislav Tornovoy via VK.com

By Brody Levesque | VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA -- Russian police confirmed that the death of a 23 year old victim in this southern Russian city was the result of an apparent homophobic attack. Police Inspector Andrei Gapchenko told radio Ekho Moskvy that the body of the victim was found in the courtyard of an apartment complex with multiple stab wounds including severe injuries to his genitals early Friday morning.

According to Inspector Gapchenko, a 22-year-old acquaintance of the victim and a 27-year-old ex-convict have been arrested and detained after telling police investigators that they had been drinking with the victim and attacked him after he admitted to them he was gay. The suspects have been charged with murder.

Prominent LGBT equality rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev told LGBTQ Nation that it is unheard of in most of these types of crimes for Russian police officials to specify that homophobia was the motive in an attack, adding that most attacks against Russian LGBTQ individuals are normally not described as such by police agencies.

Alexeyev pointed out that with the increasingly harsh treatment of LGBT persons in the Russian Federation, spurred on by passage of "anti-homosexual propaganda laws, including recent efforts to pass a national measure given preliminary approval by Russia's Parliament, has activists concerned that similar incidents will increase, encouraged by the laws as Russians would be "less likely to fear consequences for attacking gays."

"This monstrous incident in Volgograd demonstrates the fruits of the homophobic policy that is being conducted in this country, including the initiative to ban homosexual propaganda," Alexeyev said.

The government of Russian president Vladimir Putin has given the national law, expected to win final parliamentary approval within weeks, its tacit approval. The United Russia party, which dominates the Russian Duma has publicly stated its intent to add an amendment to the measure that would fine any persons who voice support for the Russian LGBTQ community.

Putin warned last month that agreements with other countries on the matter of adoption of Russian children may be changed to ban such adoptions if those countries legalize same-sex marriage.

The political climate regarding treatment of the LGBTQ community has become dire according to Alexeyev, as illustrated by the case of another leading Russian LGBT rights activists, Aleksei Kiselyov. 

Kiselyov fled Russia to avoid prosecution by the Putin government  for his protest activities and was granted political asylum by Spain in April.

UPDATE: Russian LGBTQ Equality Rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev confirmed for LGBTQ Nation Monday afternoon that the victim of the brutal anti-gay killing in Volvograd, Russia, was Vladislav Tornovoy.

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Illinois

Illinois Governor Quinn calls on House to send him same-sex marriage bill

Illinois Gov. Quinn speaks with reporters

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Illinois Democratic Governor Pat Quinn is calling on state lawmakers in the House to send him the bill that would legalise same-sex marriage saying that enough time has elapsed for their consideration of the pending legislation.

“It's time to vote,” Quinn said Thursday. “Illinois passing marriage equality into law, I think, sends a great signal to the people of our state and the people of America. So it's important to Illinois (that) the House of Representatives get going.”

Quinn's message to the Illinois House comes one day after Delaware's Governor Jack Markell signed a same-sex marriage bill into law and the same day the Minnesota House endorsed a same sex marriage bill.  The Illinois Senate had passed the measure tow months ago on February 14. Speaking with reporters at a press conference, Quinn contended that there are enough votes to pass the bill. However, the primary House sponsor,Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago), told the Chicago Tribune that he wasn't certain when he expects to call the legislation for a vote. Harris noted the lawmakers were focused on pension reform, but said momentum continues to build in favor of same sex marriage.

“In the last couple months we have seen the voters of three different states vote for marriage equality at the ballot box and in the last week we saw two other states, and probably a third today, where the legislature said that treating people equally is the right American thing to do,” Harris said. “Now the eyes of the country are on Illinois to see if we are going to do the right thing.” 

Backers claim that they are near to achieving the necessary 60 House votes required to send the bill to Quinn, but noted they aren't willing to push the measure for the vote until they’re sure they have enough votes lined up to pass it.

As opponents of same-sex marriage continue to push to block the measure from reaching a final vote, Harris said he hopes his colleagues were paying attention to the action in other states, saying that “none of the horrible scenarios” that opponents envision have come true.

“People who were married before same sex marriage are still happy and with their families,” Harris said. “All that has occurred is that the community has been strengthened, families have been strengthened and children have found loving parents to help raise them.”

Politics

Immigration Reform: NY's Schumer worries about resolving LGBT issues in immigration bill

J. Scott Applewhite  The Associated Press
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (L) confers with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

By Brody Levesque | WASHINGTON -- As the Senate Judiciary Committee met Thursday, holding a hearing on the comprehensive immigration reform bill, New York Democrat Chuck Schumer expressed concerns over whether or not the final draft of the measure would contain protections for foreign-born partners of gay, lesbian and bisexual American citizens.

Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D-VT) has proposed including language from the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) – which would allow the foreign-born partners of gay, lesbian and bisexual U.S. citizens to apply for green card status – into the legislation as an amendment. Schumer who along with Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio and six other lawmakers crafted the bipartisan bill, told reporters;

“This one is something, you know, I worry about all the time.” Schumer also acknowledged that the issue over including same-sex bi-national partners keeps him awake at night even though he’s a “good sleeper.” 

“Our four Democratic colleagues – including myself – believe that this is not just another issue but an issue of discrimination and so how we resolve this remains to be seen,” he added.

Senate Republicans in the bipartisan Gang of Eight along with their Senate colleagues have publicly indicated that they would not support same-sex couples having the same protections as heterosexual spouses in the final legislation. Schumer himself would not confirm to reporters if he would vote for the amendment should it be included;

“I would like very much to see it in the bill,” he said. “But we have to have a bill that has support to get UAFA passed. That's the conundrum. because if there's no bill, there's no UAFA either." 

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New York

New York's Governor Cuomo launches largest tourism campaign in decades; Includes Targeting LGBT Community

ALBANY, NY -- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo,(D) announced Wendesay the launch of New York's largest tourism campaign in decades, committing nearly $60 million to grow the industry, create jobs and attract even more visitors to the Empire State.Tourism summit generates new ideas to bring more visitors to New York state

The governor's announcement came at the conclusion of the New York State Tourism Summit, where hundreds of tourism experts gathered in Albany to discuss ideas and new ways to bring tourists to every corner of the state. As the fifth-largest employment sector in New York, tourism supported 714,000 jobs and generated more than $29 billion in wages in 2012. One out of every 12 jobs in New York is tourism-related. The more than 202 million international and domestic visitors that visited the Empire State last year resulted in $57 billion in direct tourism spending, and generated $7 billion in state and local taxes.

"New York state has some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the world. From the peaks of the Adirondacks to the beaches of Long Island, no matter what you're looking for you can find it here," Cuomo said. 

"I want the world to know about these assets, too, and am committed to making the state a 'must see' global destination, and creating new jobs and investments in New York."

After discussions with tourism experts and hearing the concerns and ideas of local and international tourism officials, the governor announced a series of initiatives designed to make New York the tourism capital of the world.

Cuomo said the state would invest nearly $60 million in tourism funding - the highest level of tourism funding in decades, making New York state third in the country in tourism funding. Last year, the state invested $19 million in tourism funding.

One of the new campaigns announced by Cuomo was the I Love NY LGBT niche tourism initiative to market New York to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, which accounts for approximately $70 billion in tourism spending in the U.S. every year.

Wednesday's summit follows a series of other initiatives spearheaded by Cuomo, including "New York Open for Fishing and Hunting," "Path Through History," "Wine, Beer and Spirits" tourism and the "Adirondack Challenge," designed to lure new visitors, create new jobs and spotlight the state's natural beauty and unparalleled attractions.

Politics

Bill to Modernize HIV/AIDS Laws Introduced In U. S. House

Rep. Barbara Lee, (D-CA) AP Photo

WASHINGTON -- California Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee reintroduced H.R. 1843, the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act, Tuesday, which would lead to an eventual repeal of laws that criminalise exposing others to HIV. Lee first introduced the measure in 2011. Thirty-two states and two U.S. territories now have laws that make "exposure" to or nondisclosure of HIV a crime.

“These laws are based on bias, not science. We need to make sure that our federal and state laws don’t discriminate against people who are living with HIV. These laws breed fear, discrimination, distrust, and hatred, and we’ve got to modernize them. That’s exactly what this legislation would do,” said Lee.

The REPEAL act ["Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal" HIV Discrimination] calls for review of all federal and state laws, policies, and regulations regarding the criminal prosecution of individuals for HIV-related offenses. If enacted, it would be the first piece of federal legislation to take on the issue of HIV criminalization, encouraging states to reconsider laws and practices that unfairly target people with HIV for consensual sex and conduct that poses no real risk of HIV transmission. 

"The more messages we can send to states to modernize or eliminate HIV criminalization laws the better—and that is exactly what this bill does," said Scott Schoettes, HIV Project Director at Lambda Legal. 

"It is high time the nation's HIV criminalization laws reflect the current reality of living with HIV, both from medical and social perspectives. Except for perhaps the most extreme cases, the criminal law is far too blunt an instrument to address the subtle dynamics of HIV disclosure."

The bill has the support of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), the Positive Justice Project, and AIDS United. 

Though condom use significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission, most HIV-specific laws do not consider condom use a mitigating factor or as evidence that the person did not intend to transmit HIV. Sentences imposed on people convicted of HIV-specific offenses can range from 10-30 years, even in the absence of intent to transmit HIV, actual transmission, or even the potential for transmission. Though most convictions are based on consensual sexual activity between adults, those convicted are often required to register as "sex offenders."

Lambda Legal noted that it is arguing a case pending before the Iowa Supreme Court in which they are seeking to overturn the 25-year sentence of an HIV+ man who used a condom during a single sexual encounter in which there was no HIV transmission.

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Texas

University Student Targeted In Homophobic Smear Campaign Wins Election

Courtesy Kristopher Sharp

HOUSTON, TX -- Kristopher Sharp, a third year student who ran for student body vice-president of the University of Houston—Downtown was elected by the student body last week. Sharp had been the target of an anti-gay smear campaign which included a flyer that disclosed his HIV-positive status with medical information on the back along with other private personal medical information.

Campus police at the University of Houston-Downtown launched an investigation into the flyers in early April.

UHD Director of Media Relations Claire Caton told LGBTQ Nation that the university is actively pursuing the case trying to find the person or persons responsible. After the initial incident with the flyer, Sharp said graffiti stating “Issac + Kris=AIDS” popped up in bathrooms. ["Issac" referred to Sharp's running mate, Isaac Valdez.]

“We’re taking this incident very seriously,” Caton said. “Of course, any time our students’ rights are violated, we take that very seriously.”

According to campus university police officials, because proper words such as AIDS and homosexual were used on the flyer versus offensive slang, it is considered free speech and therefore protected.

Sharp said he doesn't want to press charges when the person responsible is found. Instead, he wants the university to place them on academic probation.

Speaking to the Dallas Voice about his victory, Sharp said,

“I was actually very surprised. I had prepared myself for not winning,” he said, adding that his campaign highlighted the improvements he and Valdez wanted to bring to campus. “It was very discouraging, but I think we did a good job turning it around.”

Sharp, who takes office in June, told The Voice that he and Valdez will focus their attention on campus eco-friendly initiatives and updated technology. But they’ll also use their positions to educate students on diversity and acceptance, which he said wasn’t initially part of their campaign.

“Specifically, we want to address the culture of hate on this campus. It’s really important that we engage the administration and our students in awareness and education,” he said.

In a phone call with LGBTQ Nation Tuesday evening, Sharp said that at this point he would prefer to move forward and he will concentrate on executing the responsibilities of his office to best serve his fellow students. However, Sharp feels that the overall of issue of how HIV positive individuals and the stigma they're treated with by peers and society still needs to be better addressed in a much more positive fashion, As opposed to retreading of inaccurate stereotypes which is what Sharp says led directly the flyers and the negativity of the recent smear campaign.

Politics

Bill To Be Reintroduced For Gay Adoption Has Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON -- A bill that will legalise adoptions and foster parenting by same-sex couples and individuals is due to reintroduced Tuesday. Proponents of the The Every Child Deserves A Family Act argue that the momentum established by recent legislative victories over the issue of same-sex marriage coupled with increasing support by GOP lawmakers will give the measure enough standing as to pass through Congress this session.

The Every Child Deserves A Family Act would prohibit programs that receive federal funding from discriminating against potential foster and adoptive families based on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.

The Family Equality Council noted that same-sex couples and individuals face considerable legal barriers in attempts to adopt or fostering children in 39 states, with seven states banning a partner in a same-sex relationship from adopting their partner's children.  

The Family Equality Council said that Congressional sponsors will hold a press conference at the Capitol Tuesday, accompanied by same-sex families. In the House, the measure is co-sponsored by Democratic Representative John Lewis from Georgia and Florida Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,(D) is lead sponsor in the Senate.

In a statement released Monday, PFLAG National Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby said;

"Why...should more than 400,000 children remain in foster care -- 104,000 of whom are eligible for adoption -- when they could receive this support from loving, capable, and qualified lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents . 

This is truly discrimination at its worst: hurtful to the people who are being denied the opportunity to become parents, and harmful to thousands of vulnerable children being denied the opportunity for stable, loving, permanent homes."

Further support for same-sex couples or individuals came from an unlikely source last week when former Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin told folks gathered in a town hall meeting that he regretted his 1999 vote which banned  gay adoptions in the District of Columbia.

"I do believe that if there are children who are orphans who do not have a loving person or couple, I think if a person wants to love and raise a child they ought to be able to do that. Period. I would vote that way," Ryan said.

Emily Hecht-McGowan, director of public policy for Family Equality Council noted that Ryan's comments,"...demonstrate that the best interests of children isn't a partisan issue. We welcome support of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle."

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Maryland

Maryland Governor To Unmarried Gay & Lesbian State Employees: Get married or lose benefits

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's administration has notified state employees in same-sex relationships that they won't be able to include domestic partners in their health insurance anymore. The shared benefits will end on December 31. If they want coverage, they'll have to get married. The policy change is the result of the new Maryland law allowing same-sex marriage, which took effect January 1 of this year.

An administration source told LGBTQ Nation Friday that the change would affect several hundred state employees. According to that official, offering health coverage to unmarried same-sex partners no longer makes sense in light of the new marriage law particularly since unmarried heterosexual partners don't have the same benefits.

LGBTQ Equality Rights organisations and activists are not happy with the new policy. 

"It's really not the most equitable thing to be doing right now," said Carrie Evans, Executive Director of the LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Maryland.

Governor O'Malley's spokesperson, Raquel Guillory, noted that O'Malley had extended domestic partnership status to state employee same-sex couples, but not unmarried straight couples, because same-sex couples were not permitted to marry.

Now that same-sex couples can marry, Guillory said, that reason no longer exists. The administration introduced domestic partner benefits in 2009. She added that state employees in same-sex relationships who don't now have the domestic partner coverage will not be allowed to apply for it.

"If Maryland continued to offer same-sex couples two paths to benefits and opposite-sex couples only one, Guillory said, the state could face lawsuits. The administration has received legal advice that trying to maintain the status quo could open the state to a challenge from a straight couple under the equal protection clause of the Constitution."

Evans said she doesn't see the O'Malley administration's action as hostile but as premature. She said officials didn't consult her group before promulgating the policy — but she wishes they had.

"We would like to see domestic partnership benefits on the books for same-sex couples until there's a level playing field with regard to marriage," she said.

Marilee Lindemann, who runs the LGBT Studies program at the University of Maryland agreed with Evans' assessment.

"It's a decision that was made prematurely given the uneven landscape for gay and lesbian couples across the country," Lindemann says. "It's something that forces people into marriage."

Maggie McIntosh, an openly gay member of the General Assembly, said the time is now reports The Baltimore Sun. McIntosh, a Baltimore Democrat who chairs a powerful House committee, said the administration is doing the right thing.

"In Maryland, we have a level playing field," she said. "Because we fought for equality, we got equality, we should now be embracing equality."

McIntosh, who married earlier this year under the new law, said she doubts many same-sex couples in domestic partnerships will rush to the courthouse just because of the policy change.

"Marrying somebody for their health insurance is a little bit of the wrong motivation," she said.

Politics

Immigration Reform Measure Under Fire From Senate Republicans And LGBT Activist Groups Over Same-Sex Bi-National Couples

By Brody Levesque | WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans are warning that efforts to include an amendment that offers a path to legal residency for foreign partners of gay American citizens would derail the larger legislation package currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Florida GOP Senator Marco Rubio, one of the leading sponsors of the immigration reform bill package said earlier this week,

“The Gay rights push threatens the immigration deal. This issue is a difficult enough issue as it is,” Rubio said adding, “I respect everyone’s views on it. But ultimately, if that issue is injected into this bill, the bill will fail and the coalition that helped put it together will fall apart.” 

Steve Ralls, a spokesman for Immigration Equality-which promotes equality in immigration laws for LGBT persons- said that Vermont Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, intended to put forward an amendment Tuesday which would permit foreign-born partners in committed same-sex relationships with Americans to apply for green cards.

A spokesperson for the Senator Thursday refused to comment on or confirm Ralls' statement when contacted by LGBTQ Nation.

LGBT Equality Groups are pushing for inclusion of language from the proposed Uniting American Families Act as an amendment to the legislation being considered for immigration reform.

In an e-mail statement to LGBTQ Nation, Amos Lim, spokesperson for Out4Immigration said:

"Current immigration law as it exists does not allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their foreign spouse for a green card like heterosexual couples can. 

[...] 

Same-sex bi-national couples have once again been ignored by Congress. The Senate has called the bill, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, but their compromise excluded same-sex bi-national couples, forcing us to choose between our families and our country in order to stay together. 

[...] 

We will continue to push for the inclusion of LGBT Families in this bill as it moves through the amendment and voting process in Congress. We will not give up the fight until LGBT Families and same-sex bi-national couples are included in immigration reform!"

Similar sentiments were expressed Thursday in joint statement from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, United We Dream and Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project;

“We do not believe that our friends in the evangelical faith community or conservative Republicans would allow the entire immigration reform bill to fail simply because it affords 28,500 same-sex couples equal immigration rights,” the organizations state. “This take-it-or-leave-it stance with regard to same-sex bi-national couples is not helpful when we all share the same goal of passing comprehensive immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship.”

A Senate source confirmed to LGBTQ Nation Thursday that Leahy believes that same-sex bi-national couples and families need to be included as part of the overall immigration reform bill package but would not say whether or not the Senator would offer up an amendment in that regard by the first deadline of next Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Senate Republican sources say that inclusion of amendment language codifying efforts to include same-sex relationships would destroy the bipartisan coalition and prevent the measure from receiving the 60 votes needed to pass on the Senate floor.

Senate Democrats have 10-8 majority on the Judiciary Committee, and can approve changes along majority party lines however, any amendments that are problematic will almost certainly be required to garner a 60-vote super majority that the GOP is saying won't happen should same-sex equality rights be included in the final version.

Provisions for inclusion as part of the larger effort of same-sex bi-national couples are also of paramount concern to the Obama administration. Talking with reporters aboard Air Force One enroute to a presidential visit to Mexico Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the president has remained in contact with the key proponents of the comprehensive immigration reform package.

“The legislation crafted by the ‘Gang of Eight’ broadly reflects the principles that the president has laid out, but it is not word for word in keeping with all of what he would do if he were to write it himself,” Carney told reporters adding, 

“And we have said that we support that provision, but we also think it’s very important to recognize that the overall bill here accomplishes what the president believes needs to be accomplished and is in keeping with his principles.” 

World News

Canada

Ontario Re/Max Real Estate Agent Promotes Anti-Gay Regnerus Study In Sales Flyer

Jon McDonald holding anti-gay Re/Max flyer
Photo by Rob Beintema, The Toronto Star

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO -- A local Re/Max real estate agent came under fire this week after distributing a flier that promotes so-called traditional families and cited the study by University of Texas researcher Mark Regnerus that criticizes families run by same-sex couples.

Andrew Ciastek, a sales representative for RE/MAX, distributed the flyers — which said “traditional family is the best for the future of the kids” — to hundreds of homes in this city in the western suburban area of Toronto.

A retired school teacher, Jon McDonald, who lives in the Lorne Park neighborhood told The Toronto Star that he was furious after reading the contents of the flyer which was distributed in a local paper Tuesday.

“My blood pressure went up 100 per cent. I read it and thought, ‘What does this have to do with selling houses?’ ” McDonald said.

Ciastek’s flyer cited a study conducted by Mark Regnerus, a Texas sociologist who claimed that children of homosexual parents are more likely to be unemployed. The study itself has been soundly discredited by leading experts in the field of sociology who criticised the methodology and research sampling approach utilised by Regnerus.

In his defence, Ciastek told the Star, “I didn’t want to offend anybody . . . I didn’t have bad intentions.”

However, McDonald was not the only resident that took offence at the flyer. The Peel Metropolitan Regional Police and the Ontario Human Rights Commission both disclosed that they had received numerous written, e-mail, and telephone complaints.

According to Constable George Tudos, the Peel Regional Police Criminal Investigation Bureau investigated the matter and spoke with Ciastek. Tudos said that the no charges will be made in the case. 

A spokesperson for Re/Max, Christine Martysiewicz, Director of Public relations for RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada, said “the views and opinions expressed in this piece do not reflect those of RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada or our agents.” She said Ciastek will issue a public apology and make a donation to a local charity of the company’s choosing. 

According to the Star, Ciastek said he will apologize “because I understand some people were very hurt. It is the right thing to apologize.” 

Martysiewicz said that sales representatives for RE/MAX are independent contractors and do their own sales marketing. She added that there are internal policies governing marketing material, but “not with respect to choice of content.” 

According to her, the flyer was not vetted by the broker-owner of the Mississauga office, “but it should have been.” Martysiewicz said that the company's internal policies will be examined at a corporate level “to ensure that agent mail outs adhere to strict corporate guidelines.”

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Florida

Victory for Lake County 8th Grader as School Board Settles Gay-Straight Alliance Lawsuit After One Day

OCALA, FL -- Just one day after 14-year-old Bayli Silberstein filed suit against the Lake County School Board to enforce her constitutionally protected right to establish a Gay-Straight Alliance at her school, Thursday the School Board has ended months of delay and efforts to block the GSA, and will allow the club to meet. The consent decree entered in U. S. District court allowing Silberstein to finally establish the GSA settles a lawsuit filed only Wednesday, May 1st, which was the result of months of the school board repeatedly delaying and thwarting the establishment of the GSA.

“I’m just so happy that our club is finally going to be allowed to meet,” stated Silberstein, an 8th-grader at Carver Middle School. “There’s only about a month left of school, but that’s still a month we can use to start doing the work to make this school a safer and more welcoming place.”

GSAs are student organizations made up of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and their straight allies that advocate for an end to bullying, harassment, and discrimination against all students.  LGBT students in schools with a GSA are significantly less likely to experience victimization related to their sexual orientation and gender expression than students without a GSA. Silberstein has been working to establish a GSA at her school since the 2011-2012 school year, but faced multiple delays from school administrators. Frustrated by the inaction, Silberstein and her mother reached out to the ACLU of Florida for assistance in January of 2013.

The ACLU of Florida sent a letter to the school board on January 23rd explaining the legal right of the club to form as well as explaining the value of a GSA in “[c]reating an atmosphere in which bullying and violence are not tolerated and everyone is valued and respected [to] help make all students better citizens.”

What followed from the school board was months of delay and machinations to stop the GSA from being established – including a proposed ban on all non-academic clubs at middle schools – culminating with the school board voting 4-1 on April 22nd to table a proposed club policy, effectively leaving the ban on the GSA in place through the remainder of the school year.

As a result of the April 22nd vote, and having exhausted all other options to help Bayli establish the club, the ACLU of Florida filed a lawsuit on May 1st, contending that the School Board, Superintendent of the School District, and Principal of Carver Middle School violated Silberstein’s rights under the federal Equal Access Act and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Then today, May 2nd, faced with having to spend taxpayer money to argue against the right of one of its students to form the GSA – a right which federal courts have routinely upheld – the school board relented. The parties in the case have entered into a consent decree in which Silberstein will be allowed to form the club for the remainder of the school year. The club will be officially recognized and can meet on the same terms as any other club.

“We are very pleased that the school board has recognized the value in complying with clearly established federal law,” stated Daniel Tilley, staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida. 

“It’s unfortunate that it took months of delay, hundreds of concerned parents and neighbors crowding into school board meetings, tens of thousands of petition signers, nationwide media scrutiny, and a federal lawsuit for the school board to do right by their students, but we are nevertheless gratified that Bayli will get to form her club. I imagine that Lake County taxpayers are grateful, too.”

Bayli’s mother, Erica Silberstein, echoed these sentiments;

“It’s great that Bayli finally gets to have this club that she’s worked so hard for. All she ever wanted was to make her school a better place. I’m proud of her for fighting so hard, and I hope her story is a lesson that even if things seem tough, you can make things better.”

A copy of the consent decree is available here.

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District Of Columbia

Jason Collins via The Washington Wizards

Sales of #98 Jerseys Surge Since NBA Player Jason Collins Announces He's Gay

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Wizards announced Wednesday that the team's online store has had a significant surge in sales of jerseys with Jason Collins' number 98 since the NBA player came out publicly as this week.

Wizards spokesman Scott Hall said that although he could not place an actual number of jerseys sold, he verified that that '100 percent' had Collins’ name and number.

In an interview Monday evening with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos Monday evening, Collins reiterated that his choice of the number 98 was not random. He chose to wear it as a tribute to Matthew Shepard, the gay University of Wyoming student who was murdered in 1998 in an anti-gay hate crime.

"When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends," Collins wrote in his Sports Illustrated essay.

Shepard's mother Judy Shepard said Tuesday during an interview with Fox Sports that she was gratified for Collins making that gesture of acknowledgement.

"To hear the story behind his number, well, I cried," said Shepard. "I thought it was such a tribute to Matt, to Matt's story, and to so many other young people who are struggling. His own silent, private tribute, I was very moved. 

For Jason to acknowledge Matt’s story and for him to come out at all at this time in his career and his life is really pretty amazing."

Shepard's father Dennis added;

"In the past, they [gay athlete] had to hide who they are and who they love and this gives them a chance to be themselves and focus on what they should be focused on which is the sport they’re participating in and not focusing half their energy on trying to hide who they are."

Texas Man Fights To Get His Partner Of 34 Years Back

Jim Heath, (L) and Lon Watts

By Brody Levesque | STROUD, OK -- Jim Heath and Lon Watts shared 34 years together and instead of enjoying their golden years in retirement, they have been forcibly ripped apart, first by illness and then by family members. In the summer of 2011, an emergency trip to the hospital for Heath resulted in a family conflict that eventually left Watts without his partner, the home they had shared together, and even the ability to see Heath who is suffering from Early Onset Alzheimer's disease.

Speaking from his mother's home in Stroud, Oklahoma Wednesday, Watts told LGBTQ Nation in a phone interview that the problems stemmed from late in 2005, when he noticed that Heath looked lost, was frequently forgetful, and spoke about past events as though they had just occurred. In early 2006, Heath was diagnosed as suffering from Early Onset Alzheimer's disease, and Watts became his caregiver as well as partner. 

Because their native Texas passed a state constitutional amendment in November of 2005 banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, the couple was left without legal protections. However, Watts said that in 2004, they had legal power of attorney and wills drawn up as a means to have some limited legal protections.

On July 15, 2011, Watts called for an ambulance to transport Heath to hospital suffering from swelling and other medical problems. Heath's sister, Carolyn Heath Franks, accused Watts of neglect and had him removed from the hospital. According to Watts, when he returned the next day, nurses told him that he was trespassing and had hospital security remove him again. He was then served with a "No Trespass Order" and was barred from visiting Heath, and according to Watts, the Texas Adult Protective Services Agency also became involved. Later that month, Franks filed for and was awarded guardianship of her brother, Watts said, which had the effect of completely legally disenfranchising him from Heath.

After a hearing by a local judge and with input from the Texas Adult Protective Services Agency, Heath was removed from the couple's Pittsburg, Texas home and sent to a full time nursing home facility about three miles away. He said that at first he was allowed to visit Heath and then without warning he was served another "No Trespass Order" barring him from the home and any contact with his partner.

According to Watts, the couple, who first met in 1979 at the Metropolitan Community Church in Houston, had moved to Pittsburg, located about 115 miles east of Dallas, in 2000 as it was Heath's hometown and he wanted to be closer to family. Franks had purchased a home in the town for the couple with the understanding that they would be responsible for the mortgage, homeowner's expenses, and upkeep. Watts claimed that it was acknowledged that the men were a gay couple by family and friends, but as Watts told LGBTQ Nation; "We didn't fly a rainbow flag or call a lot of attention to ourselves."

Watts said that he didn't have problems with Franks until the hospital incident which then got uglier he said when after attending a church service in memory of September 11th. Franks, who also attended the same church and was an organist there stormed out of the services. Watts said that he was served with yet another "No Trespass Order," this time from the church barring him from attending services.

In October of 2011, he was served with an eviction notice from Franks that he contested but ultimately lost on Valentine's Day 2012. Shortly afterwards he moved back to his mother's home in Stroud. Watts said that not long after he returned to Stroud, he was arrested and charged with vandalism to his former residence although Franks later dropped the charges Memorial Day weekend 2012.

Alone and frustrated, Watts wasn't sure there was much he could do. When asked why, after nearly a year and a half after the situation happened, he has now come forward, Watts said that he felt that after reading the horror stories about other gay and lesbian couples who had experienced similar circumstances, and emboldened by the gaining public acceptance of same-sex marriage, he felt it was time to tell his story.

His goal he told LGBTQ Nation is to get Heath back, relocate him to Stroud, and spend what ever time they have left, together as a couple and not apart.

According to Watts, he published his story on a Facebook Page this past week and not long afterwards, Austin, Texas attorney Dax Garvin contacted him, and offered to help pro bono to see if any legal action could be taken to achieve his goal.

"We had a blessed life," he said, "I just want him home. He knows me, he loves me, there's no reason he should be there alone."