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November 13, 2009 Sign up Forward Archive Advertise A free twice-weekly news summary for the LGBT community       Top Story  Lawmakers are ready to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Democratic leaders have indicated that they will repeal the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in next year's defense-authorization bill -- legislation that has long been considered a likely vehicle for reversing the discriminatory policy. The decision could make the divisive social issue an agenda for voters and candidates during the 2010 midterm elections. The Hill (11/11)   Politics and Policy  Rights advocates win Mormon support in Salt Lake battle Gay-rights advocates scored a stunning victory, convincing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to back Salt Lake City laws that would prevent discrimination against gays or transgender people in housing and employment. The church had previously expressed support for gay rights related to hospitalization, medical care, employment and probate, but this is the first time the church backed actual legislation. Google/The Associated Press (11/12) Fort Worth council backs new protections for transgender people The City Council in Fort Worth, Texas, voted Tuesday to expand nondiscrimination protections to transgender people. The council is also examining proposals to provide domestic-partner benefits and expanding the city health plan to cover gender-reassignment procedures. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas) (11/11) New Jersey marriage-equality advocates race against time Gay-rights advocates will be pressing New Jersey legislators to act on a same-sex marriage bill before Gov. Jon Corzine leaves office in early 2010. Corzine lost his re-election bid this month to Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto any same-sex marriage legislation. The Montclair Times (N.J.) (11/12) Other News Houston's Parker picks up support of former rival GayPolitics.com (11/10) Rhode Island AG slams governor for gay-rights veto WLNE-TV (Providence, R.I.) (11/12)   Register now for the 25th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference Twenty-five years ago a handful of out elected officials met to share experiences and talk about how to build their ranks. This December 3-6 hundreds of openly LGBT leaders from government, community organizations and business will gather in San Francisco to celebrate this silver anniversary and talk about the future of LGBT leadership. Register today to take advantage of early discounts and we'll send you a discount code for rooms at the Parc 55 Hotel. But hurry-conference rate rooms are in limited supply. Register here today.   ADVERTISEMENT   Viewpoint  Salt Lake success could go statewide Success in gaining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' support for gay-rights legislation decreases the chances the state Legislature will seek to overturn the city ordinance and opens the way for change across Utah, the Salt Lake Tribune editorial board writes. The Legislature is considering a reform package that would enforce nondiscrimination protections statewide. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (11/12) Does the inclusion of pro-LGBT language in pending health reform legislation make you more likely to support it? I'm already a supporter.  74.90% This makes it more likely that I'll support it.  18.79% I still don't support it.  4.66% Not sure.  1.65% Looking for a better way to recruit? SmartBrief is excited to announce a new SmartBrief Jobs website. Reach the hard-to-find industry pros you want on your team. Get 25% off all jobs posted through December 2009 with the code SBJOBS. Check out our new home now!   Issues and Society  Connecticut celebrates first anniversary of marriage equality One year into the enactment of marriage equality, 2,291 nuptials have been celebrated in Connecticut. State Sen. Andrew J. McDonald, whose Judiciary Committee worked on the state's marriage-equality law, said, "The most remarkable aspect about the anniversary is how little has changed in the lives of ordinary citizens in Connecticut." Connecticut Post (Fairfield County-Bridgeport) (11/13) No international convention for LGBT rights Though nations such as Uganda still impose harsh penalties for public expressions of homosexuality, people in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities around the world slowly are making gains. Only a handful of nations -- the U.S. not among them -- guarantee full equality and protection under the law for LGBT persons. No international human-rights convention exists that provides for the sexual rights and equality of the LGBT community, a fact that prevents more progressive nations from bringing pressure to bear on the African and Islamic states where homophobia is enshrined as law. GlobalPost.com (11/11) Church threatens to end work in D.C. over marriage equality The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., has threatened to suspend its charity services for the District of Columbia if the city's government legalizes gay marriage. Although the church would not be required to perform same-sex weddings under legislation being considered by the City Council, it would have to follow laws prohibiting discrimination against gays and would be required to extend benefits to same-sex partners. The Washington Post (11/12) D.C. Council members say church overplayed its hand: Several members of the City Council in Washington, D.C., are saying they are not interested in changing a planned marriage-equality measure as requested by the Catholic Archdiocese. Out council member Jim Graham noted, "If the Catholic Church has been able to adjust in Connecticut, I think they can certainly adjust here." The Washington Post (11/13) School must reverse prom-cancellation decision An Alabama school has been ordered by the school district to reverse a decision to cancel its prom over a request by a female student to bring her girlfriend as a date after the American Civil Liberties Union intervened in the case. Advocate.com (11/11) 1st openly gay Presbyterian minister is ordained The First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Calif., ordained the denomination's first openly gay minister, Lisa Larges, by a vote of 156-138 -- a decision that follows nearly 15 years of debate. San Francisco Chronicle (11/11) MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER LAMBDA LEGAL New York NY Major Gifts Officer Equality California (EQCA) San Diego, CA Executive Director Project 515 Minneapolis, MN Director of Finance & Administration Equality Federation San Francisco CFO - Chief Financial Officer LAMBDA LEGAL New York NY Development Officer for Corporate Relations NYC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center New York Director of New Media Freedom to Marry New York, NY Public Policy Associate - State and Federal GLSEN Washington D.C.   SmartQuote  There are going to be gay advocates who don't think we've gone nearly far enough, and people very conservative who think we've gone too far." --Michael Otterson, director of public affairs for the Mormon church, as quoted by The Associated Press on Google         A resource from the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute Home | About | Officials | Training | Conference | Harvard Fellows Subscribe to The Network, Victory's monthly e-newsletter.     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy   Read more at SmartBrief.com A powerful Web site for SmartBrief readers including: Readers' Choice Archive       Recent Gay & Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief Issues: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Friday, November 06, 2009 Tuesday, November 03, 2009 Friday, October 30, 2009 Tuesday, October 27, 2009     Lead Editor:  Adam Mazmanian | Robert DiGiacomo       Media Inquiries and Sponsorships: Denis Dison Job Board: Lee Vanderwerff 202-737-5500 x 248 Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2009 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information