I read just now that there is a little bit of debate beginning among the American Political Science Association, one if not "the" professional organization for political sciences folks, over the choice for their 2012 national convention. New Orleans is where it is scheduled to be held. Apparently, the problem is regarding that state’s “defense of marriage” amendment that was adopted in 2004, the same year as Kentucky’s. Some members of the association reportedly are saying that attending could put them and their partners at certain risks such as if an attendee has a health problem and has to go to the hospital while there, his or her partner’s power to make decisions could be denied.
Proponents of the association convening in New Orleans argue that the city needs support as it continues to rebound from Hurricane Katrina. Also, some argue that New Orleans has historically been very tolerant towards the lgbt community; I’d agree, I’ve never heard someone among the lgbt community discuss a bad time in the big easy, but the above mentioned risks made me pause. Christopher Fettweis, faculty member at Tulane University, says he supports gay rights, but given New Orleans historical tolerance feels that this is “A bizarre place to choose to make a stand on the issue”.
There are already talks of boycotting, such as being done by the political-science department at Chapman University.
The association’s governing council will meet in June to discuss this matter. The contract for the conference was negociated in 2003, but did leave a loophole to withdraw if the City of New Orleans "enacts or enforces" laws that violate civil rights, including on the basis of sexual orientation (according to the Chronicle of Higher Education). The association is seeking input from its members on this matter. If you have feelings on this, you should contact a political-science faculty member at one of your nearest University. They (the member) can comment online at www.apsanet.org. If you don’t know anyone in a position like that, post feedback on here and I’ll share with someone I know.
So, what do you think? Good reason to take a stand? Could this hit Kentucky one day? Could some national association wish to gather in the Bluegrass State and it fall apart because of our “Anti-Marriage Amendment”?
~Jody
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
"Get Busy. Get Equal."
Get Busy. Get Equal. That is what I’m reading and hearing from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Last week, they launched their new program entitled “Get Busy. Get Equal.” as part of their LGBT Project. It’s an “online toolkit” for the activist community that doesn’t have much experience in organizing. Its creation spun out of an incident in Arkansas where a couple locals decided that their town needed a domestic partner registry. As they state in their release about the program’s launch, “people who stood up to the New York City police at Stonewall to the students at BOYD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL IN EASTERN KENTUCKY who persisted until they were allowed to form a Gay-Straight Alliance in their school” are what local organizing is all about. Checkout this new online toolkit.
~Jody
~Jody
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Blog from The Bilerico Project by Toni Broaddus
Victory in California
Filed by: Guest Blogger
May 15, 2008 2:45 PM
Editors' Note: Guest blogger Toni Broaddus is the Executive Director of theEquality Federation. The Federation is the national alliance of state-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organizations.
Just over an hour ago, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of equality and justice by extending the right to marry to same-sex couples. The Court overturned Proposition 22 - a statute enacted by the voters in 2000 - along with other legal provisions that would prevent loving and committed couples from getting marriage licenses. I haven't managed to read the entire 172-page document yet, but I know the only important thing that matters right now: WE WON.
Like everyone else at the Equality Federation offices here in San Francisco - and in workplaces across the country, I am overwhelmed by emotion. I cannot stop laughing and crying at the same time.
This may be a historical decision but it is extremely personal as well. For me, the political and personal are so intertwined on this issue that I can no longer separate them. I have been happily partnered for fifteen years, and Janice and I have registered as domestic partners in multiple cities and before notaries to satisfy employer requirements and of course in the state of California, where we live. In 2004, we were married at City Hall in San Francisco - and six months later, we were "divorced" by the court when our marriage was deemed invalid. Last September, my daughter married her girlfriend in Massachusetts.
TODAY'S HISTORIC DECISION
I worked on the campaign to defeat Proposition 22 in 2000 - and I can tell you that those of us who poured our hearts into that campaign are feeling especially vindicated today by the Court's clear repudiation of that ill-conceived law. After the campaign, I started a marriage organization in California that later merged into Equality California, where I was part of the team that passed the landmark comprehensive domestic partnership law in the state - laying the groundwork for marriage equality. Now I lead Equality Federation - the national alliance of state-based lgbt equality groups - where we work to build strong organizations in the states that can lead our movement to victories like the one we have in California today.
I am overjoyed today. But I am also nervous. Anti-gay forces have submitted the signatures for a ballot measure in November that would take away the right to marriage by amending the California constitution to deny so many of us Californians our equality.
We must not lose in California in November. Just as we did in Massachusetts, we must protect our equality. And it will take our entire movement - not just Californians - to ensure that we keep the right to marry in the second state to extend that right. This is absolutely critical, not only for Californians, but for every other state across this country where we continue to work for victories like the one in my state today.
NATIONAL STAGE
We now have two states with constitutional guarantees of marriage equality. But we still have 26 state constitutional amendments and 38 state statutes expressly prohibiting marriage equality. Thanks in part to the momentum that today's California decision will create, we have very real opportunities to expand the number of marriage equality states in the next two years.
Currently, our best chances for new marriage victories are in New Jersey and New York. Despite bitter losses in the courts there, both New Jersey's Garden State Equality and New York's Empire State Pride Agenda are aggressively pursuing marriage equality in their legislatures and victory is within our reach. We also have marriage litigation pending in Iowa and Connecticut. In both those states, equality groups (One Iowa and Love Makes a Family, respectively) are also working to build legislative support for marriage equality.
All across America, state equality groups are pursuing the passage of relationship recognition laws even when their constitutions and state laws prevent them from pursuing full equality. Our progress is steady, even if it feels slow. But in less than a decade, state legislatures have approved comprehensive civil unions or domestic partnership laws in Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, California and Oregon. Maine and Washington have joined early achievers Hawai'i and DC to pass domestic partnership laws and incremental expansion of those laws is planned.
What we have learned from our successes and our setbacks in the states is that we must fight this battle on multiple fronts. Even in Massachusetts, we could not rest on the ruling of the court. We also had to win in the legislature, and we had to win the hearts and minds of the people. This is the challenge we face in every single state.
WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN: THE CALIFORNIA STORY
In California, the strategy to win marriage equality has been thoughtful, complex, and engaged in every available forum. We took great leaps forward and suffered serious disappointments along the way, but we have been intentionally building momentum for nearly a decade.
The strategy and the story are similar in every state. Our state equality organizations are introducing legislation, electing supportive legislators, conducting ongoing public education campaigns, fighting ballot measures, and working with our legal organizations to increase the likelihood of our success in the courts. In California, all of these tactics have been in play simultaneously.
California's first domestic partnership law passed in 1999, but in 2000 the voters approved one of the first statewide ballot measures banning marriage equality. Perhaps not as bold as they later became, anti-gay activists in California did not propose a constitutional amendment - something they have managed to pass in 26 states since then. Instead, California got a statute stating that "only marriage between a man and woman shall be valid or recognized in California." That was a critical mistake on the part of our opponents, as it left us with both hope and strategies tied to the California Constitution.
Over the next few years, the domestic partnership law was amended several times, most significantly in 2003. By 2006 the law was essentially the equivalent of what other states call civil unions - nearly all the state rights and responsibilities of marriage by another name. Just as in every other state (even Massachusetts), California domestic partners remain unrecognized by federal law and most other state laws.
In early 2004, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made headlines around the world when he announced that The City would issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. It was a magical moment that did not stop for weeks, as thousands of couples flocked to City Hall to make their commitments legal. This victory was short-lived, however. The California Supreme Court declared the marriages invalid. But they invited us to file suit to overturn the law that they had decided the Mayor must obey.
The City of San Francisco accepted the invitation, as did numerous couples and Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU. Three years ago, the California marriage cases began winding their way through the halls of justice.
In the meantime, Equality California and our elected champions worked ceaselessly to garner support for a marriage equality bill. In 2005, California's state legislature became the first in the nation to pass such a bill. It was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. Undaunted - and after all supporters of the bill were re-elected - the legislature passed marriage equality a second time in 2007. Schwarzenegger again vetoed the bill.
Now we face a painful ballot measure in November. But unlike the ballot measures fights in other states - we will have married couples whose dignity and rights would be stripped away by this constitutional amendment. We will have story after story of the joy and dignity people have experienced by marrying. We can win and must win this fight - if we do not, it will set us back in states across the country where we continue our steady progress toward equality.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
We are not done. This is a joyous day and we should celebrate. But tomorrow, we must double and triple our efforts in California and New York and New Jersey and Connecticut and Iowa to seize this momentum, protect equality where we have it, and win marriage equality where we are already poised to do so.
Everyone knows that, someday, we must and we will achieve recognition of our marriages from the federal government. But that day will come only after we have achieved true marriage equality in a critical mass of states. We have to do this one state at a time.
How do we do it?
We have to be incredibly focused on the work that happens every day in our states. We have to learn to speak with unity even when we disagree. We have to elect good legislators to our state house and we have to hold them accountable. We have to attend lobby days, send emails, volunteer, pick up the phone. We have to support our state advocacy organizations so that we can act as a community to sponsor legislation, support candidates, and join our voices together to demand the birthright of every American: equality and justice for all.
We have to give money. Repeat: we have to give money. Our community lags behind every other minority community in its percentage of charitable giving. Many of you do give, and you give generously. But many of you do not, and we need your help. And many of you give to national organizations - but you overlook the state organizations in your own backyards. This battle is in the states - please, get involved with your state equality group. You, too, can make history. In fact, together we will change the world.
For more information on the California campaign to protect marriage equality in November, visit Equality for All.
To get connected to the work in your state, visit http://www.equalityfederation.org/.
Filed by: Guest Blogger
May 15, 2008 2:45 PM
Editors' Note: Guest blogger Toni Broaddus is the Executive Director of theEquality Federation. The Federation is the national alliance of state-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organizations.
Just over an hour ago, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of equality and justice by extending the right to marry to same-sex couples. The Court overturned Proposition 22 - a statute enacted by the voters in 2000 - along with other legal provisions that would prevent loving and committed couples from getting marriage licenses. I haven't managed to read the entire 172-page document yet, but I know the only important thing that matters right now: WE WON.
Like everyone else at the Equality Federation offices here in San Francisco - and in workplaces across the country, I am overwhelmed by emotion. I cannot stop laughing and crying at the same time.
This may be a historical decision but it is extremely personal as well. For me, the political and personal are so intertwined on this issue that I can no longer separate them. I have been happily partnered for fifteen years, and Janice and I have registered as domestic partners in multiple cities and before notaries to satisfy employer requirements and of course in the state of California, where we live. In 2004, we were married at City Hall in San Francisco - and six months later, we were "divorced" by the court when our marriage was deemed invalid. Last September, my daughter married her girlfriend in Massachusetts.
TODAY'S HISTORIC DECISION
I worked on the campaign to defeat Proposition 22 in 2000 - and I can tell you that those of us who poured our hearts into that campaign are feeling especially vindicated today by the Court's clear repudiation of that ill-conceived law. After the campaign, I started a marriage organization in California that later merged into Equality California, where I was part of the team that passed the landmark comprehensive domestic partnership law in the state - laying the groundwork for marriage equality. Now I lead Equality Federation - the national alliance of state-based lgbt equality groups - where we work to build strong organizations in the states that can lead our movement to victories like the one we have in California today.
I am overjoyed today. But I am also nervous. Anti-gay forces have submitted the signatures for a ballot measure in November that would take away the right to marriage by amending the California constitution to deny so many of us Californians our equality.
We must not lose in California in November. Just as we did in Massachusetts, we must protect our equality. And it will take our entire movement - not just Californians - to ensure that we keep the right to marry in the second state to extend that right. This is absolutely critical, not only for Californians, but for every other state across this country where we continue to work for victories like the one in my state today.
NATIONAL STAGE
We now have two states with constitutional guarantees of marriage equality. But we still have 26 state constitutional amendments and 38 state statutes expressly prohibiting marriage equality. Thanks in part to the momentum that today's California decision will create, we have very real opportunities to expand the number of marriage equality states in the next two years.
Currently, our best chances for new marriage victories are in New Jersey and New York. Despite bitter losses in the courts there, both New Jersey's Garden State Equality and New York's Empire State Pride Agenda are aggressively pursuing marriage equality in their legislatures and victory is within our reach. We also have marriage litigation pending in Iowa and Connecticut. In both those states, equality groups (One Iowa and Love Makes a Family, respectively) are also working to build legislative support for marriage equality.
All across America, state equality groups are pursuing the passage of relationship recognition laws even when their constitutions and state laws prevent them from pursuing full equality. Our progress is steady, even if it feels slow. But in less than a decade, state legislatures have approved comprehensive civil unions or domestic partnership laws in Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, California and Oregon. Maine and Washington have joined early achievers Hawai'i and DC to pass domestic partnership laws and incremental expansion of those laws is planned.
What we have learned from our successes and our setbacks in the states is that we must fight this battle on multiple fronts. Even in Massachusetts, we could not rest on the ruling of the court. We also had to win in the legislature, and we had to win the hearts and minds of the people. This is the challenge we face in every single state.
WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN: THE CALIFORNIA STORY
In California, the strategy to win marriage equality has been thoughtful, complex, and engaged in every available forum. We took great leaps forward and suffered serious disappointments along the way, but we have been intentionally building momentum for nearly a decade.
The strategy and the story are similar in every state. Our state equality organizations are introducing legislation, electing supportive legislators, conducting ongoing public education campaigns, fighting ballot measures, and working with our legal organizations to increase the likelihood of our success in the courts. In California, all of these tactics have been in play simultaneously.
California's first domestic partnership law passed in 1999, but in 2000 the voters approved one of the first statewide ballot measures banning marriage equality. Perhaps not as bold as they later became, anti-gay activists in California did not propose a constitutional amendment - something they have managed to pass in 26 states since then. Instead, California got a statute stating that "only marriage between a man and woman shall be valid or recognized in California." That was a critical mistake on the part of our opponents, as it left us with both hope and strategies tied to the California Constitution.
Over the next few years, the domestic partnership law was amended several times, most significantly in 2003. By 2006 the law was essentially the equivalent of what other states call civil unions - nearly all the state rights and responsibilities of marriage by another name. Just as in every other state (even Massachusetts), California domestic partners remain unrecognized by federal law and most other state laws.
In early 2004, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made headlines around the world when he announced that The City would issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. It was a magical moment that did not stop for weeks, as thousands of couples flocked to City Hall to make their commitments legal. This victory was short-lived, however. The California Supreme Court declared the marriages invalid. But they invited us to file suit to overturn the law that they had decided the Mayor must obey.
The City of San Francisco accepted the invitation, as did numerous couples and Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU. Three years ago, the California marriage cases began winding their way through the halls of justice.
In the meantime, Equality California and our elected champions worked ceaselessly to garner support for a marriage equality bill. In 2005, California's state legislature became the first in the nation to pass such a bill. It was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. Undaunted - and after all supporters of the bill were re-elected - the legislature passed marriage equality a second time in 2007. Schwarzenegger again vetoed the bill.
Now we face a painful ballot measure in November. But unlike the ballot measures fights in other states - we will have married couples whose dignity and rights would be stripped away by this constitutional amendment. We will have story after story of the joy and dignity people have experienced by marrying. We can win and must win this fight - if we do not, it will set us back in states across the country where we continue our steady progress toward equality.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
We are not done. This is a joyous day and we should celebrate. But tomorrow, we must double and triple our efforts in California and New York and New Jersey and Connecticut and Iowa to seize this momentum, protect equality where we have it, and win marriage equality where we are already poised to do so.
Everyone knows that, someday, we must and we will achieve recognition of our marriages from the federal government. But that day will come only after we have achieved true marriage equality in a critical mass of states. We have to do this one state at a time.
How do we do it?
We have to be incredibly focused on the work that happens every day in our states. We have to learn to speak with unity even when we disagree. We have to elect good legislators to our state house and we have to hold them accountable. We have to attend lobby days, send emails, volunteer, pick up the phone. We have to support our state advocacy organizations so that we can act as a community to sponsor legislation, support candidates, and join our voices together to demand the birthright of every American: equality and justice for all.
We have to give money. Repeat: we have to give money. Our community lags behind every other minority community in its percentage of charitable giving. Many of you do give, and you give generously. But many of you do not, and we need your help. And many of you give to national organizations - but you overlook the state organizations in your own backyards. This battle is in the states - please, get involved with your state equality group. You, too, can make history. In fact, together we will change the world.
For more information on the California campaign to protect marriage equality in November, visit Equality for All.
To get connected to the work in your state, visit http://www.equalityfederation.org/.
CA Celebrates Marriage Equality
Release from the national Equality Federation for which KFA is a member.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
CONTACT:
Toni Broaddus, 415-252-0510
EQUALITY FEDERATION CELEBRATES MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN CALIFORNIA
Equality California Key to Success of Multi-Year Marriage Effort
Today, California becomes the second state to guarantee marriage equality for all of its citizens. This historic decision by the California Supreme Court is a victory for fairness and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of loving, committed couples and their families in California.
“The decision is historic but the joy is very personal for families all across California, knowing that we are finally able to have the basic protections and opportunities that come with marriage,” said Toni Broaddus, Equality Federation executive director. “Across America, millions more continue to work and hope for a day like this one in their own state.”
Equality Federation member group Equality California (EQCA) was one of the plaintiffs in the case and was instrumental in passing marriage equality legislation twice in the state legislature..
“This is a profound and wonderful moment in the history of the marriage movement,” said Geoff Kors, EQCA executive director. “The California Supreme Court has done its job to ensure that all citizens of this state are treated equally under the law. Every loving and committed couple deserves the dignity and support that comes with marriage.”
Across the country, state equality groups are working to ensure that families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have the same rights and responsibilities as all other families. Currently, marriage litigation is pending in Iowa and Connecticut, where Federation member groups One Iowa and Love Makes a Family, respectively, are leading efforts to educate the public about the need for basic fairness for all families. In New Jersey, Garden State Equality is aggressively pursuing marriage equality through the legislature, as is New York’s Empire State Pride Agenda in theirs. In states with marriage bans, state equality groups continue to explore other options for providing basic protections for LGBT families.
“Most Americans believe that marriage equality will be a reality in their lifetimes,” noted Broaddus. “Equality Federation member organizations in every corner of this country are working hard to achieve the American dream of equality and justice for all. We are all inspired by the California marriage decision and look forward to the day when every American in every state and territory will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by marrying the person they love.”
###
Equality Federation is a national alliance of statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organizations working to achieve equality in every state and territory by building a state-based movement. For more information, visit our website at www.equalityfederation.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
CONTACT:
Toni Broaddus, 415-252-0510
EQUALITY FEDERATION CELEBRATES MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN CALIFORNIA
Equality California Key to Success of Multi-Year Marriage Effort
Today, California becomes the second state to guarantee marriage equality for all of its citizens. This historic decision by the California Supreme Court is a victory for fairness and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of loving, committed couples and their families in California.
“The decision is historic but the joy is very personal for families all across California, knowing that we are finally able to have the basic protections and opportunities that come with marriage,” said Toni Broaddus, Equality Federation executive director. “Across America, millions more continue to work and hope for a day like this one in their own state.”
Equality Federation member group Equality California (EQCA) was one of the plaintiffs in the case and was instrumental in passing marriage equality legislation twice in the state legislature..
“This is a profound and wonderful moment in the history of the marriage movement,” said Geoff Kors, EQCA executive director. “The California Supreme Court has done its job to ensure that all citizens of this state are treated equally under the law. Every loving and committed couple deserves the dignity and support that comes with marriage.”
Across the country, state equality groups are working to ensure that families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have the same rights and responsibilities as all other families. Currently, marriage litigation is pending in Iowa and Connecticut, where Federation member groups One Iowa and Love Makes a Family, respectively, are leading efforts to educate the public about the need for basic fairness for all families. In New Jersey, Garden State Equality is aggressively pursuing marriage equality through the legislature, as is New York’s Empire State Pride Agenda in theirs. In states with marriage bans, state equality groups continue to explore other options for providing basic protections for LGBT families.
“Most Americans believe that marriage equality will be a reality in their lifetimes,” noted Broaddus. “Equality Federation member organizations in every corner of this country are working hard to achieve the American dream of equality and justice for all. We are all inspired by the California marriage decision and look forward to the day when every American in every state and territory will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by marrying the person they love.”
###
Equality Federation is a national alliance of statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organizations working to achieve equality in every state and territory by building a state-based movement. For more information, visit our website at www.equalityfederation.org.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Fairness in Florida
CONGRATS for Fairness in Florida!
Federal Judge Rules That Students Can’t Be Barred From Expressing Support for Gay PeoplePrincipal Said Rainbows Are “Sexually Suggestive”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2008
CONTACT: Chris Hampton, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, (212)549-2673 Alexandra Bassil, ACLU of Florida, (786) 363-2700 Paul Cates, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, (212) 549-2568
PANAMA CITY, FL – After a two-day trial in which a Florida high schoolprincipal testified that he believed clothing or stickers featuringrainbows would make students automatically picture gay people having sex,a federal judge today ruled that the school violated students’ FirstAmendment rights of students. The case was brought by the American CivilLiberties Union on behalf of a junior at the school who had beenforbidden by her principal to wear any sort of clothing, stickers,buttons, or symbols to show her support of equal rights for gay people. “Standing up to my school was really hard to do, but I’m so happy that Idid because the First Amendment is a big deal to everyone,” said HeatherGillman, a junior at Ponce de Leon High School and the plaintiff in thecase. Judge Richard Smoak of the United States District Court, NorthernDistrict of Florida, Panama City Division, issued an order that forcesthe school to stop its unconstitutional censorship of students who wantto express their support for the fair and equal treatment of gay people. The judge also warned the district not to retaliate against students overthe lawsuit. “Freedom of speech for every person and every idea is one of the bedrockprinciples on which America was founded,” said Christine Sun, a staffattorney with the ACLU national Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project.“Censorship reflects a deep lack of faith in the American system, and itteaches students exactly the wrong lesson on what America is about. Weare thrilled that the court in this case made the importance of students’First Amendment rights so completely clear.” The case came about after Heather Gillman and other students approachedthe ACLU about an atmosphere in which students say they were routinelyintimidated by school officials for things like writing “gay pride” ontheir arms and notebooks or wearing rainbow-themed clothing. Accordingto students, problems began in September of 2007 when a lesbian studenttried to report to school officials that she was being harassed by otherstudents because she is a lesbian. Instead of addressing the harassment,students say the school responded with intimidation, censorship, andsuspensions. That student testified on Monday, breaking down on thestand as she described the school’s indifference to the harassment sheexperienced. During the trial, which was held in Panama City yesterday and today,Ponce de Leon High School’s principal David Davis admitted under oaththat he had banned students from wearing any clothing or symbolssupporting equal rights for gay people. Davis also testified that hebelieved rainbows were “sexually suggestive” and would make studentsunable to study because they’d be picturing gay sex acts in their mind. The principal went on to admit that while censoring rainbows and gaypride messages he allowed students to wear other symbols many findcontroversial, such as the Confederate flag. “I am very pleased with the judge’s ruling to uphold the students’ rightto express their views on issues that are important to them,” saidBenjamin James Stevenson, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida. “This whole experience has been important civics lesson about exercisingour Bill of Rights.” Ponce de Leon High School is located halfway between Pensacola andTallahassee, in Florida’s panhandle. According to the school’s website,about 400 students are enrolled there. Heather Gillman is represented byStevenson and Robert Rosenwald of the ACLU of Florida, Sun of the ACLULesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, and Garrard Beeney, MauraMiller, Meg Holzer, Megan Bradley, Tom Laughlin, and Vincent Liu ofSullivan & Cromwell, LLC. Gillman v. Holmes County School District, case no. 5:08-cv-34, was heardin the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Florida. A copyof the ACLU’s complaint as well as the earlier letter and the school’sresponse can be downloaded athttp://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/33859res20080131.html<http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/33859res20080131.html> . For more information on the ACLU’s LGBT advocacy work, visitwww.aclufl.org or www.aclu.org/lgbt.
Federal Judge Rules That Students Can’t Be Barred From Expressing Support for Gay PeoplePrincipal Said Rainbows Are “Sexually Suggestive”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2008
CONTACT: Chris Hampton, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, (212)549-2673 Alexandra Bassil, ACLU of Florida, (786) 363-2700 Paul Cates, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, (212) 549-2568
PANAMA CITY, FL – After a two-day trial in which a Florida high schoolprincipal testified that he believed clothing or stickers featuringrainbows would make students automatically picture gay people having sex,a federal judge today ruled that the school violated students’ FirstAmendment rights of students. The case was brought by the American CivilLiberties Union on behalf of a junior at the school who had beenforbidden by her principal to wear any sort of clothing, stickers,buttons, or symbols to show her support of equal rights for gay people. “Standing up to my school was really hard to do, but I’m so happy that Idid because the First Amendment is a big deal to everyone,” said HeatherGillman, a junior at Ponce de Leon High School and the plaintiff in thecase. Judge Richard Smoak of the United States District Court, NorthernDistrict of Florida, Panama City Division, issued an order that forcesthe school to stop its unconstitutional censorship of students who wantto express their support for the fair and equal treatment of gay people. The judge also warned the district not to retaliate against students overthe lawsuit. “Freedom of speech for every person and every idea is one of the bedrockprinciples on which America was founded,” said Christine Sun, a staffattorney with the ACLU national Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project.“Censorship reflects a deep lack of faith in the American system, and itteaches students exactly the wrong lesson on what America is about. Weare thrilled that the court in this case made the importance of students’First Amendment rights so completely clear.” The case came about after Heather Gillman and other students approachedthe ACLU about an atmosphere in which students say they were routinelyintimidated by school officials for things like writing “gay pride” ontheir arms and notebooks or wearing rainbow-themed clothing. Accordingto students, problems began in September of 2007 when a lesbian studenttried to report to school officials that she was being harassed by otherstudents because she is a lesbian. Instead of addressing the harassment,students say the school responded with intimidation, censorship, andsuspensions. That student testified on Monday, breaking down on thestand as she described the school’s indifference to the harassment sheexperienced. During the trial, which was held in Panama City yesterday and today,Ponce de Leon High School’s principal David Davis admitted under oaththat he had banned students from wearing any clothing or symbolssupporting equal rights for gay people. Davis also testified that hebelieved rainbows were “sexually suggestive” and would make studentsunable to study because they’d be picturing gay sex acts in their mind. The principal went on to admit that while censoring rainbows and gaypride messages he allowed students to wear other symbols many findcontroversial, such as the Confederate flag. “I am very pleased with the judge’s ruling to uphold the students’ rightto express their views on issues that are important to them,” saidBenjamin James Stevenson, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida. “This whole experience has been important civics lesson about exercisingour Bill of Rights.” Ponce de Leon High School is located halfway between Pensacola andTallahassee, in Florida’s panhandle. According to the school’s website,about 400 students are enrolled there. Heather Gillman is represented byStevenson and Robert Rosenwald of the ACLU of Florida, Sun of the ACLULesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, and Garrard Beeney, MauraMiller, Meg Holzer, Megan Bradley, Tom Laughlin, and Vincent Liu ofSullivan & Cromwell, LLC. Gillman v. Holmes County School District, case no. 5:08-cv-34, was heardin the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Florida. A copyof the ACLU’s complaint as well as the earlier letter and the school’sresponse can be downloaded athttp://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/33859res20080131.html<http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/33859res20080131.html> . For more information on the ACLU’s LGBT advocacy work, visitwww.aclufl.org or www.aclu.org/lgbt.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Gay & Lesbian Films THIS JUNE!
Hey, folks: When you thought that your June was filled to the max, guess what we’re doing? KFA has partnered with Apex Village 8 Theatres in Louisville to host the first annual Gay & Lesbian Film Series. Films will be shown each week and a tentative line-up with information about the films coming so far are listed below. Information will be coming out soon on the Kick-Off Gala! Visit http://www.apextheatres.com/glfs/glfs_index.htm, as well as KFA’s website at www.kentuckyfairness.org, for updates on the films being shown and logistics. This is an exciting partnership and going to be really good for the lgbt community across Kentucky.
Shelter (June 6-12): http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/movies/28shel.html?ref=movies
The Witnesses (June 13-19): http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/386349/The-Witnesses/overview
Kiss The Bride (June 13-19): http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/400831/Kiss-the-Bride/overview
Holding Trevor (June 20-26): http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=18260
Apex Village 8 Theatres are located at 4014 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, KY.
Shelter (June 6-12): http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/movies/28shel.html?ref=movies
The Witnesses (June 13-19): http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/386349/The-Witnesses/overview
Kiss The Bride (June 13-19): http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/400831/Kiss-the-Bride/overview
Holding Trevor (June 20-26): http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=18260
Apex Village 8 Theatres are located at 4014 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, KY.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
