Equality in the News March 12-19

Thanks again to Communications Intern Danielle for compiling the news!

State

Church Town Hall Meeting Discusses LGBT Issues

In Greensboro, a meeting led by the Human Rights Campaign’s Harry Knox was held to address LGBT and faith issues. The goal of this dialogue was to encourage discussion within faith-based communities. The question at hand, "What does the Bible say about gays and lesbians."

I hope this discussion will encourage other members of the faith-based communities to address the issue instead of simply denying the existence of gays and lesbians or bashing them.

Nation

New Jersey Equal Marriage Gets Another Chance

New Jersey advocates for gay and lesbian couples are heading back to the Supreme Court to gain equal marriage rights. A motion was filed on March 18 seeking a ruling that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state.

In 2006, a similar motion arrived at the Supreme Court but was defeated narrowly in a 4-3 vote decision. The outcome, however, did grant same-sex couples civil unions but they have proved to be unsuccessful and ineffective when visiting other states or when someone was denied access to their sick partner in the hospital.

Soldiers against Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. James Pietrangelo, opponents of the "Don't Ask, Don’t Tell" policy, were arrested after protesting on the White House Lawn.

They are heroes for both standing up for their country by putting their life on the line despite second-class citizenship. I hope President Obama will keep his word and work to repeal the policy that already has dismissed more than 250 soldiers in his administration.