Another slow week, though a few items popped up:
TIME magazine has a long article about how some jurisdictions that have banned same-sex marriage are nevertheless endorsing adoption by same-sex couples. “But the gay adoption boom may be less about support for gay rights than it is about the urgency of finding homes for abandoned children,” they note. I suspect this is the same attitude that will also lead to the eventual downfall of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”- The American Medical Association added gender identity to its non-discrimination policies, which include discrimination against patients, medical students and physicians.
- City Commissioners in Kalamazoo, Michigan have found a way to provide health-care benefits for city employees’ same-sex partners, despite a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that said such benefits were unconstitutional. The new “Other Qualified Adult” program will extend medical and dental benefits to both same- and opposite-sex partners of employees. Because the benefits are not based on sexual orientation, Commissioners say the they are legal.
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina has added “sexual orientation” (but not gender identity) to its list of categories covered under the city’s anti-discrimination policies for its employees.
- 365Gay.com has a roundup of LGBT protections that became law on July 1: The Iowa civil rights commission now has the power to investigate complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations. A second adds sexual orientation to the protected categories under school anti-bullying regulations. gender identity is now part of Vermont’s anti-discrimination categories. Colorado has banned abstinence-only sex education in schools.
Around the world:
- Britain’s new minister for Children, Kevin Brennan, said the government is working with LGBT-rights group Stonewall to produce guidance for schools on eliminating homophobic bullying. While some LGBT activists questions whether “guidance” would be strong enough, Brennan said it “has got the full force of the government behind it.” Worth reading Brennan’s whole speech, if only to ponder what a vast world separates him and U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
- Hungarian cabinet minister Gabor Szetey came out while giving a speech to open an LGBT film festival.