Equality in the News January 1-8, 2010

Hello, Equaliteers! We’re coming back from a few weeks slow on news (yet heavy in holiday foodstuffs) to a new edition of Equality in the News. Ease into 2010 as we offer up some highlights. -Rebecca

State

New anti-bullying policies go into effect

All k-12 public schools in our state should now have comprehensive anti-bullying policies, per the School Violence Prevention Act, that include protections for those harassed due to—among other things—their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Here’s the story of how the Beaufort County Board of Education got their policy into shape.

Charlotte and DC advance, while Milwaukee County, WI lags behind

Blogging Blue out of the “badger state” quotes our own Ian Palmquist in a piece on advancements (and a setback) in domestic partnership benefits and marriage. And if that’s not enough to make you click, the piece also includes footage of DC Mayor Adrian Fenty signing same-sex marriage into law.

Love from QNotes

Editor Matt Comer sends warm fuzzies our way, along with high hopes for communities and activists across the state. We love you too, QNotes! Have you lost weight, or is does the absence of your old hyphen make you look even more svelte?

Senator Boseman will give Ian 2009, but she’s got the decade

QNotes names Julia Boseman the person of the decade and Ian the person of the year! Congratulations Julia and Ian. We’re rather fond of you two, as well.

National

Obama appoints first openly transgender official

Amanda Simpson started her new job with the Department of Commerce as a senior technical adviser this week. She comes with 30 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, as well as years of board membership for such organizations as the National Center for Transgender Equality and the then-Arizona Human Rights Fund (now Equality Arizona). President Obama is the first president to appoint openly transgender people.

RI legislators bury governor’s veto

Senators and Representatives in Rhode Island overrode Governor Donald Carcieri’s veto of a bill allowing domestic partners to make funeral arrangements for their partners. The governor stated in his veto letter, “this bill represents a disturbing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles surrounding traditional marriage.” That is flawless logic, as the #2 reason* people marry is to gain a funeral planner. Right? Luckily, legislators stepped up to override the veto.
*The #1 reason is the Cuisinart Stand Mixer.

NJ Senate votes against marriage equality

Senators voted down a bill to legalize same-sex marriage this week 20-14. Rather than wait for another vote, our Equality Federation partner, Garden State Equality, plans to take the fight for equal marriage to the courts.

Equality Maryland helps stave off discriminatory license policy—for now

Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration temporarily halted plans to require proof of surgery before a person could change their gender marker on their drivers’ license. Currently, individuals can change their gender marker with a physician or psychologist’s note stating that the applicant is under supervision for a gender change.