Equality in the News August 7th - 14th

Hey everyone. Drop by our table at the 14^th Annual N.C. Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which starts today in Durham.

In the State …

The Associated Press released its review of the year in the N.C. legislature, mentioning the School Violence Prevention and Healthy Youth Acts.

Ian Palmquist, of Equality NC, issued our own “year in review” as well.

Last week was “Family Week” in Provincetown, MA – advertised as “the largest national gathering of LGBT families and their friends in the United States.” Read a review of the town-guest relationship – including comments from a Greensboro, NC family.

Indyweek.com proclaims that the annual N.C. Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is something for us all to get excited about, not just the organizers. "We always try to be cutting edge," says Carl, senior director of the Carolina Theatre, "but this year we hit the jackpot."

In the Nation …

At Salon.com N.C. blogger Pam Spaulding gives a detailed and thoughtful commentary on "At the Intersection: Race, Sexuality, and Gender," a comprehensive report released this week by the the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a must read for anyone hoping for coalition building beyond the boundaries of race, sexuality, and religion.

To read the original HRC report in pdf, click here.

“Are Black people really homophobic?” bluntly asks columnist Mary C. Curtis in Politics Daily. Answer: It’s really much more complicated than that.

The American Bar Association has approved a resolution to repeal the section of DOMA that prevents same-sex married couples from receiving federal benefits. Read more from Edge.

For a great summary on this bill, check out this piece from the CCH Aspen Publishers Technical Answer Group.

Equality California has announced that, after months of research and consultation with experts and grassroots activists, they will are now working towards an initiative FOR marriage equality in the 2012 election. They believe that a 2010 campaign is not likely to succeed for a host of reasons. All Headline News covers the controversy over this approach. Check out Equality California's full plan to win.

Dice Equality California que se debe posponer la lucha por el matrimonio gay hasta el año 2012. ¿Porque? Reuters América Latina tiene la respuesta.

Out in the World

The second ever gay rights march in Mumbai is planned to take place today and tomorrow. “There is a need for the gay community to find an identity that is connected to Indian culture, said Pallav Patankar, a trustee with the Humsafar Trust, a community-based organization. “Our homosexuality is not about being Western. We’re trying to find our own path.” Read more from the N.Y. Times.

That’s all for this week – hope it got you thinking!