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DOMESTIC National News by David Stout. Q-Notes staff Hate crimes bill back in Congress WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last month, Rep. John Conyers of Michigan re-introduced The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, H.R. 1913. Better known as the Matthew Shepard Act, the bill would extend federal law to provide hate crimes protections based on sexual orienta tion and gender identity. It is Identical to the hate crimes bill passed by the House of Representatives in 2007 and includes the lan guage that transgender advo cates requested. It is also the first transgender inclusive bill to be introduced during this legislative session. To track the bill’s progress, the Human Rights Campaign has established a hashtag for Twitter users to contribute to and stay cur rent on the measure’s status. By entering #FightHateNow at search.twitter.com, anyone can review the real-time updates submitted by Twitter ‘ ' " users on the hate crimes legislation. HRC’s blog, HRC Back Story (www.hrcbackstory.org) has also been providing live coverage of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee markup of the hate crimes bill on Twitter using the #FightHateNow hashtag. Faith-based effort for equality AUSTIN, Texas — Advocates for LGBT equality, looking to develop dialogue about gay rights with members of faith communities across the nation, will embark on the Sundays of Solidarity campaign — visiting churches, synagogues, and other faith community gath erings across the U.S. — for seven straight Sundays this month and into June. The nationwide action, co-sponsored by Austin-based organizations Atticus Circle and Soulforce, aims to engage members of a wide variety of faith communities in discussions about faith, dignity and equal rights for LGBT individuals and couples. The actions will start on May 17, which is observed as International Day Against Homophobia by a growing number of international gay rights organizations, and will end on June 28 — the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City. Participants in the Conyers of Michigan shirts and buttons pro claiming “Gay? Fine by Me” and “Gay Marriage? Fine By Me,” available via the Atticus Circle website (www.atticus circle.org), while attending worship services and other faith community meetings across the country. CAFFE PRADA CAFFE PRADA brings Manhattan style to NC. Help us build a nice place where we can be ourselves! There’s something for everyone including Homemade Gelato, International Beers, Wine and a fabulous cocktail called Bellini. Meet after work and start your night right at CAFFE PRADA $2 BEERS ALL DAY when you mention this Q-Notes Ad Hope to see you soon... Www.CaffePra^® ®Of^ Alex Prada & Ken Hart 390 N. Broad St. Winston-Salem North Carolina 27101 (336) 793-2468 Bar WWW,lVlYSPACE.COM/TOOLBOXNC WWW.TOOLBOXNC.COIVI Pols vote to expand DP law OLYMPIA, Wash. — With both portions of the Washington Legislature strongly supporting a bill that expands the rights and responsibilities associated with the state’s domestic partnership registry. Gov. Christine Gregoire is expected to sign the measure into law at press time. The House passed the legislation by a 62-35 vote, fol lowing the Senate’s passage by a vote of 30-18. Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, applaud ed the move. “This measure will bring same- sex couples in Washington state one step closer to realizing equal treatment under the law. Particularly in times of economic crisis, it is vital that same-sex couples and their families have access to health care and other critical protections provided through this legislation. “While clearly not a substitute for legal marriage, it is a step in the right direction ... and we look forward to the day when full legal marriage is a reality for same-sex couples in Washington state.” Students allowed to form GSA PHILADELPHIA, N.Y. — Just days after Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit against the Indian River Central School District, the District relented and allowed the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). On April 8, Lambda Legal and Kirkland & Ellis LLP filed a lawsuit representing former student Charlie Pratt and his sister, current sophomore Ashley Petranchuk, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, The suit described the severe harassment that Charlie endured throughout his time as a student in the Indian River Central School District. “After years of denying students like Ashley, her brother Charlie and others their right to form a GSA, Indian River is taking an impor tant first step toward righting its wrongs,” said Lambda Legal attorney Michael Kavey. According to the lawsuit, students attacked Pratt relentlessly with antigay and sexist slurs, pushed him into walls and lockers, threatened him, threw food and other objects at him, spat on him and vandalized his locker with antigay slurs. Staff members at the high school often joined the harassment by ridiculing Pratt with stereotypically effeminate gestures in front of other students. D.C. Council supports marriage WASHINGTON, D.C. — By a vote of 12-0, the D.C. Council initiated an effort to fully rec ognize marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in other jurisdictions. The Council also voted to recognize civil unions and broad domestic partnerships entered into in other jurisdictions as domestic partner ships under D.C. law. A final Council vote on both bills is expected May 5. The bills would then be sent to Mayor Adrian Fenty and, if approved, forwarded to Congress for review. Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, said, “We look forward to the final Council votes, and urge Mayor Fenty to sign this common-sense legislation. We also hope that Congress will respect the Council’s votes and will respect the District of Columbia’s choice to provide equal recognition for cou ples who have legally entered into relation ships in other jurisdictions.” i Aw EnchanJing Forest -JX'M. \ : L . , \ / Awaits You. y > ' ■■f- Developed in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina just outside „ of Boone, you will find a gated 'll community built exclusively for your lifestyle. Build a log cabin or i natural wood sided home on a one >^1) acre private wooded homesite in a ' 165 acre mountain development. Priced from the mid $50’s, our enchanting forest awaits you. A Gay & Lesbian Community In The Blu^fSicige Mountains of North Carolina. Livc^^i&Lifcstylc The Wav OHters Dream Of Living! • Beautiful Views ^fell • Gated Community • Community Oriented V • Clubhouse/Pool/Amenities ar^ree ommunity ^ * Rolling Streams nity Oriented • Enchanting Forests ise/Pool/Amenities • Natural Surroundings For More Information, Please Call Us At 336-385-1136 WWW. caret reecove. com kj^ • Hiking Trails A • Rollino Streams 2325 Burnett Blvd. Wilmington, N.C. MAY2.2009-QNotM
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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