Gay Politics Report

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October 27, 2009

A free twice-weekly news summary for the LGBT community

Top Story

Marriage battle takes center stage in nation's capital
The battle over a marriage-equality measure in Washington, D.C., continues, as opponents have threatened to take legal action if the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics does not allow the issue to be put to a referendum in 2010. The D.C. Council held a hearing on a marriage-equality bill Monday night. It was co-sponsored by 10 of the chamber's 13 members. The Washington Post (10/27), Washington Blade (10/26)

Politics and Policy

Is marriage case too much, too soon for Supreme Court?
A federal marriage lawsuit that seeks to overturn California's Proposition 8 -- considered to be a long shot effort by some LGBT advocates -- has cleared its first hurdle by getting the go-ahead for a January trial in San Francisco. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, in a pretrial hearing, expressed an openness to marriage equality. But the ultimate test for marriage lies ahead with the U.S. Supreme Court, the current makeup of which does not seem to favor the issue. NYTimes.com (10/26), San Francisco Chronicle (10/26)

Maine marriage-equality group has fundraising edge
NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality has brought in $4 million in contributions to preserve the state's marriage-rights law, while anti-marriage group Stand for Marriage Maine has gotten $2.5 million in contributions, according to this article. But marriage-equality backers, even with more money in the bank, are predicting "a razor-thin election," said NO on 1 campaign manager Jesse Connolly. Google/The Associated Press (10/24)

Out lawmaker holds town hall meeting on LGBT issues
Out U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., on Saturday convened what was reportedly the first town hall meeting focused solely on LGBT issues. "President Obama promised a lot during the campaign. It's been a little bit slow to deliver that, so I'm here to talk about what the legislative process looks like, where the different bills are and hear from people about their priorities about what they'd like to see Washington do," Polis said. KUSA-TV (Denver) (10/25)

Should names of those who sign anti-marriage petitions be made public?
A contentious side skirmish of the larger marriage-rights fight is developing over whether the signatures of voters who sign petitions in support of anti-marriage ballot measures should be released to the public. KnowThyNeighbor.org, a Boston-based group, has arranged for the release of petitioners in Massachusetts, Florida, Arkansas and Oregon, but was stopped from doing so for Washington state by a U.S. Supreme Court order. Los Angeles Times (10/25)

Viewpoint

LGBT people of faith still have to win over skeptics
The decision by Pope Benedict XVI to allow Anglicans who are disenchanted with the liberalization of their church to take part in Catholic rituals and for married Anglican priests to continue in their ministry role is a reminder of the advocacy work that still needs to be done with churchgoers to help them understand that it's possible to be out and a person of faith, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Benedict's action is part of a formidable religious backlash against gay rights that isn't confined to the pulpit; witness the lobbying by some religious leaders against same-sex civil marriages," The Times writes. Los Angeles Times (10/24)

Issues and Society

College elects transgender homecoming queen
The College of William and Mary has chosen transgender student Jessee Vasold as this year's homecoming queen. The selection of Vasold, the student assembly undersecretary of diversity initiatives for the college's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs, reportedly has generated little reaction on campus. "I don't see why it's not a good thing. Change is seldom bad," said law student John Krug. Daily Press (Newport News/Hampton, Va.) (10/25)

Famous Irish athlete comes out
Donal Og Cusack, one of the biggest names in Irish sports, has come out as gay to a mostly positive reaction from the public and his teammates on the Cork hurling team. "In national terms this is huge," said Shane McGrath, who writes about Gaelic games for the Irish Daily Mail. "Hurling is bigger than politics, music, everything. Its hold on rural Ireland is supreme." BBC (10/24)

	It's a major problem that's not being addressed.
	There's awareness of the problem, but it's still an unresolved issue.
	Much progress has been made in educating athletes about their locker room talk.
	I don't follow professional sports.

Leadership Spotlight

Frank on health care reform, National Equality March
Out U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., fields 10 questions submitted by the public on topics including the role of lobbyists in government, health care reform and his reasons for not taking part in the National Equality March. The Reddit Blog (10/23)


Executive Director	California Faith for Equality	Los Angeles, CA
Director of New Media	Freedom to Marry	New York, NY
Major Gifts Officer	Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)	Washington, DC
Executive Director	Equality Ohio	Columbus, Ohio
Executive Director	Pride At Work, AFL-CIO	Washington, DC
Public Policy Associate - State and Federal	GLSEN	Washington D.C.

SmartQuote

Pass this bill and finally make my brother's partner of 15 years my brother-in-law."

--Marisa Levy, testifying in favor of a marriage-equality bill in Washington, D.C., as quoted by The Washington Post



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