Last night was quite the night at the polls as Democrats extended their winning streak in states across the country. Continue reading “Democrats Extend Winning Streak On Election Night”
Democrats Extend Winning Streak On Election Night
Onscreen Chemistry In Gay Cowboy Flick + More News
L-R Ethan Hawke, Pedro Pascal (photo: Sony Pictures Classics)
Andrew Ridgeley On The Last Time He Saw George Michael + More News
WHAM! bandmates Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael
News: Most Googled LGBTQ Films, “Never Have I Ever” Trailer + More
L-R Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer in ‘Beginners’
Mother Charged In Case Of 6-Year-Old VA Student Who Shot Teacher
Richneck Elementary in Virginia (screen capture)
Brittney Griner Is Back With Phoenix Mercury + More News
WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner (photo: Lorie Shaull – CC License)
News Round-Up: November 3, 2021
Some news items you might have missed: • LGBTQ Nation: QAnon Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) bragged about giving birth in a truck in a repulsive anti-gay rant about Pete Buttigieg taking paternity leave. Continue reading “News Round-Up: November 3, 2021”
News Round-Up: April 2, 2021
Time to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather (stock image via Depositphotos)
Virginia Gov Restores Voting Rights For Those Who Serve Their Prison Sentences
Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia
Governor Ralph Northam today restored the civil rights of more than 69,000 Virginians using new eligibility criteria that mirror a proposed change to the Constitution of Virginia that would automatically restore voting rights to individuals upon completion of their sentence of incarceration.
With today’s announcement, Governor Northam has restored civil rights to more than 111,000 people since he took office.
Under current law, anyone convicted of a felony in Virginia loses their civil rights, including the right to vote, serve on a jury, run for office, become a public notary, and carry a firearm. Virginia remains one of the three states in the nation whose constitution permanently disenfranchises citizens with past felony convictions, but gives the governor the sole discretion to restore civil rights, excluding firearm rights.
I personally believe if you are found guilty of a crime, go to prison and serve your sentence, by definition you have paid your debt to society as determined by the justice system. And so, yes – you should have your right to vote restored. Read the full public statement here.
Virginia Moves To Ban Gay/Trans Panic Defense
Virginia could be the next state to ban the gay/trans legal defense. House Bill 2132, introduced by state Del. Danica Roem (D-Manassas), was approved on Friday in the House Courts of Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 6-2. All of the Democrats on the committee plus Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield County) voted in favor of the legislation. State Dels. Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville) and Les Adams (R-Pittsylvania County) opposed it. From the Washington Blade:
Judy Shepard, Wesley Bizzell of the National LGBT Bar Association and Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth are among those who testified in support of the bill. Out and Equal Workplace Advocates and other groups also submitted testimony in favor of HB 2132.
“Filing this bill as a constituent service request from an out student in Manassas Park reminds me that young LGBTQ people today in 2021 still live with the same fear I did as a 14-year-old freshman in 1998 when Matthew Shepard was tortured and killed for simply existing as a gay man in America,” Roem told the Washington Blade after the vote. “Equality is constituent service and the lives of my LGBTQ constituents need to be protected by the Virginia General Assembly.”
The American Bar Association denounces the gay/trans panic legal defense saying it “legitimizes and excuses violent and lethal behavior against members of the LGBTQ+ community.” “The defense is defined by the LGBT Bar as ‘a legal strategy which asks a jury to find that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendant’s violent reaction, including murder.'” Currently, 11 states and the District of Columbia prohibit using the legal strategy. The state of Maryland is also looking at banning the practice.