SindraMird
inirnsdiiwiitlie
Upstdtt benefit
inGreenile
noted . notable . noteworthy GLBT issues
Malaprops in Asheville
Reading & Book Signing
Being Out Rocks — Gingrich
chairs HRC campaign 13
GLAAD honors supportive
activist stars 21
South Carolina 25
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VOLUME 17 . ISSUE 2
SINCE 198S
WWW. ^-Nci’nis. CPU
JULY S . 2002
Knowledge is power — the University of
North Carolina is opening LGBTQ library
by Glenn Grossman
There will be a TViangle LGBTCi public
library — a safe, confidential lending library.
One of the recommendations of the UNC
LGBTCbclimate report was that the University:
“Create an accessible, comprehensive archive
of LGBTQ. life which would include a lending
library of books, movies, periodicals and other
media, with confidential lending.”
Perhaps there was a particular book which
was especially helpful when you were coming
out. Or a book or movie dealing with other
LGBTQ. life experiences you thought were
helpful, moving or memorable. Perhaps you
would consider donating your used book so
someone else might benefit from it! Or buy a
new copy, and donate it for public use.
When you go to an LGBT bookstore to buy
something for yourself, consider spending a
few extra dollars and purchasing a second
copy to be donated to the new LGBTQ_library.
To help fulfill this goal. White Rabbit
Books has agreed to make it less expensive
for the public to donate new and used LGBTQ.
books, movies, tapes, CDs and DVDs to the
LGBTQ.lending library.
Please consider going and buying some
books and donating them to the LGBT library.
Because of a special sale, there is a great
selection of new books at great prices. Books
you want to go to the new library can be
donated at the time of purchase. There will be
an ongoing collection.
Cameron’s in University Mall has also
agreed to be a drop off location for all book,
movie and other media donations for the new
LGBT library.
Remember the library when you’re done
with a wonderful read or superb movie. All of
these materials will be made available in a
space which supports the safety and privacy
of its users. •
LGBT library extends university diversity
info:
e-mail: Glenn Gi
glenng@emcil.
tossmqn
unc.edu
919-968-8210
Mychal Judge Act recognizes 9-11 victims^ wishes
Bush signed new law that awards
$250,000 federal benefit to all
beneficianes of those killed
in the line ofdufy
President Bush signed the
Mychal judge Act providing a
federal payment to the
beneficiaries of public safety
officers killed in the line of duty,
including those killed in the
September I i terrorist attacks
without a surviving legally-re
cognized spouse, child or parent.
“This bill honors the memory of
heroes who, in the line of duty,
showed uncommon sacrifice in
helping other people,” said Human
Rights Campaign executive director
Elizabeth Birch. “In a time of
national crisis we watched these
courageous individuals rise to the
occasion, and it is only fitting that
Congress and the President rose to
the occasion to treat their families
with the sensitivity and respect
they deserve.”
The $250,000 federal benefit
money has been available only
to spouses, children and parents.
Gay activists had lobbied for the
bill, and the Justice Department
had objected to it, saying in a
letter to Congress that the benefit
had been designed for immediate
survivors with pressing needs and
that the bill was “likely to create
unintended and unfortunate results.”
David Smith of the HRC said he hopes the
new law will be “the beginning of government
recognition — that gay families deserve the
same rights and privileges that non-gay
families have.”
And the National Stonewall Democrats
also lauded the political victory, calling the
Mychal Judge Act a
“Democratic
strategic success.”
While the bill
quickly passed the
Democratically
controlled Senate,
House Republican
leaders initially
tabled the leg
islation in an
attempt to kill it.
In re
sponse.
Father Mychal Judge, top and then as he was
carried from the Worid Trade Center on 9-11;
and President Bush
House Democrats, led by Rep. Jerrold Nadler
(NY), put together a strong coalition of public
service officials forcing Republican leadership
to allow a vote, and then pressured the
President to sign it.
“When the debate becomes a choice
between voting for or against the heroes of
September il, it becomes very hard for
anyone to say no,” said Chad Johnson, NSD
Executive Director. “That being said, we
appreciate the President’s signature, and
hope that it indicates . his willingness to
advance basic equality in a manner not
demonstrated before.”
The White House revealed the decision
with a minimum of fanfare, sending a one-
sentence email, shortly after Bush had
delivered a speech outlining a new Middle
East peace plan.
According to The Washington Post, the
email from the White House “adds chaplains
to the list of individuals eligible for the Public
Safety Officers’ Benefits Program and allows
life insurance beneficiaries to qualify as eligible
survivors for death benefits if a public safety
officer has no surviving spouse or child.”
The announcement represented a rare
case in which Bush was willing to take on
the Republican Party’s right wing. Indeed,
the decision incited some conservative
leaders. “Homosexual folks see this as a
first step • toward recognizing
homosexuality on the same level as
marriage, and that’s what it will be used for,”
said the Rev. Lou Sheldon, chairman of the
Traditional Values Coalition.
Scott McClellan, White House spokesman,
said the law honors the wishes of victims. “It
is not a determination of legal status.”
The new law is named for Catholic priest.
Father Mychal F. Judge, the New York Fire
see MYCHAL on 8