Equally Speaking
The following is a transcript of HRC’s morning news webcast "Equally Speaking." To view the current videos visit the main Equally Speaking page.
Good morning and thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking, your morning dose of LGBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Tuesday, November 17th. I’m Tommy Lodge.
And I’m Shelena Williams. First, sad news regarding the Washington Blade and other LGBT news publications.
Over the weekend, Windows Media, the parent company to LGBT publications including The Washington Blade, Southern Voice, and Houston Voice, closed its doors. The Washington Blade reported stories important to the LGBT community for 40 years, the Southern Voice for 20 years. The ending of these publications is a great loss for the community.
George Steven Lopez Mercado, a gay 19-year-old Puerto Rican, was found dead over the weekend. Mercado’s brutalized body was found on the side of the road, his body was burned, his head was decapitated and his arms and legs were dismembered from his body. HRC is in contact with our allies and the Justice Department regarding this horrific crime.
The Electoral Commission of India has decided to recognize voters who don’t see themselves as male or female. In the past transgender people have decided not to vote because they do not have an appropriate box to check regarding their gender. This new move gives transgender people legal recognition on electoral forms.
Country singer Dolly Parton has once again publicly come out in support for the LGBT community. On the Joy Behar Show, when asked if she was for or against equal marriage, she stated she believes gays and lesbians should be able to get married.
Bishop Thomas Breidenthal of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio announced that he has lifted a ban on performing same-sex unions in his diocese. He stated that no priest is required to perform the ceremonies, and same-sex couples will be able to marry in these churches beginning on Easter 2010. There are more than 80 churches and 25,000 Episcopalians in this diocese. The state of Ohio will not recognize the marriages.
It’s a big week for LGBT equality on Capitol Hill with a number of mark-ups and confirmation hearings. Visit HRCBackstory.org for updates throughout the week.
That’s the news from us today – thanks for tuning in.
Have a great day and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.