- The ACLU won a federal court decision that ruled discrimination against a transgender person constitutes per se sex discrimination in violation of Title VII. Nan Hunter at Bilerico has further analysis of what this means for ENDA, and warns that it is a trial-level court decision, which the Justice Department is likely to appeal.
- The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, chaired by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), heard arguments on legislation to provide same-sex domestic partners of federal employees the same benefits as spouses of straight employees. Leaders of the two largest federal employee unions, among others, expressed strong support for the bill. Lieberman expressed hope about passing it, although Howard C. Weizmann, deputy director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, said his agency is opposed. Author and lawyer Nancy Polikoff, while supportive of same-sex partner benefits, raised the very good question of why the bill doesn’t cover all family configurations.
- Rumors are circulating that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was John McCain’s first pick as VP, but was eliminated because of rumors she is a lesbian. Rice jointly owned a house and held a line of credit with filmmaker Randy Bean. The unnamed source said, “Whether or not her relationship with Bean means Condi is light in the loafers is not the point.” Someone should tell this person, however, that “light in the loafers” is an appellation for gay men. We lesbians stand firm in our comfortable footwear.
- Donations in support of Prop. 8, a ban on marriage of same-sex couples in California, total $17.8 million, versus $12.4 million for the main No-on-8 campaign. Yes, it’s not just the amount of money, it’s how smartly one spends it, but it looks like we could use some help here.
- Levi Strauss & Co. and Pacific Gas & Electric will co-chair a group trying to rally opposition to California’s Proposition 8 in the business community.
- A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that 55 percent of likely voters are opposed to Prop. 8, with 41 percent in favor, and only 4 percent undecided. The article also notes the likely passage of Prop. 4, which requires notification of a parent or relative before a minor can receive an abortion.
- The surviving Vermont civil union partner of an attorney who died in New York after being run down on the street by a motorist has won after a second appeal to seek compensation for his partner’s death. The win, however, was not based on his relationship to his partner, but rather on his status as administrator of his partner’s estate.
Around the world:
- The lower house of the Australian parliament passed the Same-Sex Entitlements Bill, which would remove discrimination against same-sex partners in immigration, taxation, veterans’ pensions and elder care. The bill now moves to the Senate.
- The Indian government will oppose a petition filed by gay rights activists asking the Delhi High Court to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults.
- The organiser of the safe houses for gays and lesbians in Baghdad was assassinated. Activist Peter Tatchell says the killers were probably members of a religious militia.
- A court in Rome ordered a trial for two men arrested during an LGBT “kiss in” outside the Coliseum last year. LGBT activists in Rome say their community faces increased discrimination from public officials and homophobic violence. (Thanks, PageOneQ.)
- The U.K. Ministry of Defense apologized to a lesbian soldier who was sexually harassed by a male sergeant. She is seeking £400,000 in damages.