Four years ago today the Iowa State Supreme Court ruled in Varnum v. Brian that same-sex couples should have the freedom to marry across the state of Iowa. Continue reading “Iowa: Happy 4th Anniversary of Marriage Equality!”
Today is Harvey Milk Day
Today is “Harvey Milk Day,” a day of honor for the slain gay rights activist, which is officially recognized by the State of California and celebrated worldwide. Milk was one of the first openly gay politicians to be elected to public office when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He and Mayor George Moscone were shot and killed by former Supervisor Dan White at City Hall on Nov. 27, 1978. While Milk served only 11 months in office, he was responsible for passing a stringent gay rights ordinance for the city. The ordinance extended employment protections to gays and lesbians in San Francisco, and became a model for anti-discrimination legislation throughout California and the nation. In 1978, Milk campaigned across the state of California against Proposition 6, also known as the Briggs Initiative. Had it passed, Proposition 6 would have banned gays and lesbians, and possibly anyone who supported gay rights, from working in California’s public schools. The proposition was defeated in the November 1978 election in part because Milk successfully appealed to Californians’ basic sense of fairness. Despite his short career in politics, Milk became an icon in San Francisco and a martyr for gay rights, and has been referred to as “the most famous and most significantly open LGBT official ever elected in the United States.” Legislation designating Milk’s birthday, May 22, as a day of “special significance” in California, was passed in the state legislature in 2009 and signed into law by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2009, Milk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Later that year, Milk was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Milk, born on this day in 1930, would have been 82. (source)
Joe Manganiello for the “It Gets Better” campaign
My man Joe Manganiello sends this message for those kids who are experiencing bullying – from the It Gets Better Project. Continue reading “Joe Manganiello for the “It Gets Better” campaign”
Stephanopoulos questions Chaz Bono – GMA: Dancing, Cher, Agenda…
Bless Chaz Bono. He handles this interview so well.
I’m personally thrilled to see a transgender person take on the spotlight of “Dancing With The Stars” and handle it with so much aplomb. I’m not a regular viewer of the show, but I’ll definitely be watching and supporting Chaz.
I will admit I’m a bit chagrined by George Stephanopoulos’ question regarding Cher defending her child – “Where’s this coming from?” -SRSLY?
George – someone attacks a mother’s child, what do you think she’s going to do?
Is this hard?
Very disappointed in Stephanopoulos. Not his best moment.
Lesbian students enter to cheers at High School Pep Rally
Two lesbian high school students who fought for the right to walk together as part of a royalty court made their entrances Monday to the cheers of hundreds of classmates.
Sarah Lindstrom and Desiree Shelton wore matching black suits with pink ties and held hands as they entered the Snow Days Pep Fest at Champlin Park High School in Minneapolis’ northwest suburbs.
“It felt amazing,” said Shelton, adding that she was too nervous to notice dozens rise to give her a standing ovation as she walked in with Lindstrom. “I think we were too focused on getting to the stage.”
Champlin Park is part of the Anoka-Hennepin school district, Minnesota’s largest, which has been in the spotlight in the past year for its handling of issues involving gay and lesbian students.