DOMESTIC
National News Notes
by David Stout. Q-Notes staff
TWO to battle ex-gay movement
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new national
group called Truth Wins Out (TWO) has
formed to counter the misinformation of the
so-called “ex-gay” ministries and to chal
lenge their political
influence. The latter
was evidenced when
President Bush includ
ed Alan Chambers,
head of Exodus
International, in his
June 5 press confer
ence calling for a con
stitutional amendment barring same-sex
marriage.
“With the president embracing the leader
of the ex-gay ministries, there has never been
a more crucial time to expose the faith-based
folly of these harmful programs,” declared
TWO Executive Director Wayne Besen at a
June 7 National Press Club event trumpeting
the group’s formation.
Several ex-gay survivors shared their sto
ries at the unveiling, including 18-year-old
Lance Carroll (pictured) who was forced into
an ex-gay boot camp in Tennessee after he
came out to his parents. Carroll said that none
of his fellow attendees actually changed.
“While I was there, it just seemed to make
people more depressed and self-loathing than
they already were.” For more information, visit
www.truthwinsout.org.
Dance music star gaybashed
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Dance chart-top
per Kevin Aviance (pictured), 38, was
attacked by four men in Manhattan’s East
Tillage around 1:30 a.m. June 10 as he was leav
ing a gay bar. According to
reports, Jarell Sears, 20,
Gerard Johnson, 16,
Gregory Archie, 18, and
Akino George, 20, shouted
anti-gay slurs as they beat
and Wcked the singer.
Afterward, Aviance was
admitted to Beth Israel Medical Center where he
was treated for a broken jaw and a knee injury.
The gender-bending performer, known for
such club hits as “Give It Up,”“Din Da Da” and
“Alive,” was released from the hospital June 12.
His jaw was wired shut and his leg was in a
brace. The attack outraged N.Y. activists and
political figures. Mayor Michael Bloomberg
called it “a disgrace.”
The four suspects have been charged with
first-degree gang assault and first-degree
assault as a hate crime. They are being held on
$25,000 bail at press time. They face up to 25
years in prison if convicted.
LGBT rights law survives challenge
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Opponents of a state
law banning discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity failed to gather
enough voter signatures to force a public vote
on the law, allowing it to take effect June 7. The
non-discrimination measure passed earlier
this year after 30 years of struggle. Washington
is the 17th state to outlaw gay bias and the 8th
to protect transgender people.
“It’s amazing to wake up in a state today
where you can no longer be fired from your
job because of your sexual orientation or gen
der identit)^’ said John Vezina, campaign man
ager of Washington Won’t Discriminate. “This
shows that the people of Washington don’t
want to discriminate against their [LGBT]
friends, colleagues and family members.”
Barbara Green, interim executive director
of Equal Rights Washington, added,
“Washington residents believe in fairness for
all, and they have demonstrated that by their
refusal to sign onto this mean-spirited effort.”
HRC head set for the airwaves
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Human
Rights Campaign and XM Satellite Radio are
launching a weekly, live talk show hosted by
HRC’s president. “The Agenda with Joe
Solmonese” will explore politics, entertain
ment and culture through interviews with
newsmakers and celebrities and listener call-
in segments. “The Agenda” will premiere July
17, exclusively on XM.
“This is a unique opportunity to engage
millions of Americans in a real conversation
about what it means to be [LGBT] today,” said
Solmonese. “Our goal has always been to en
gage more Americans in a dialogue about fair
ness and equality, and XM’s more than 6.5
million subscribers give us an incredible reach
into rural as well as urban American homes
and cars.”
Broadcasts will include celebrity guests
like Cyndi Lauper and George Takei; political
leaders like Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI); religious leaders
like Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson; and
national and local community leaders.
Appeals court OKs visitation fight
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The California
Court of Appeal ruled June 9 that Charisma
R. may seek visitation with the child born to
her former female part
ner through artificial
insemination. The case.
Charisma R. v. Kristina
S. , is the first appellate
decision to apply the
California Supreme
Court’s groundbreaking
trio of 2005 decisions
recognizing lesbian parents.
“Finally, the law is catching up with the
reality of same-sex parent families,” said
Shannon Minter (pictured). Legal Director for
the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “This
decision is particularly important because it
protects children whose parents separate
shortly after a child is born. As the Court of
Appeal recognized, children benefit when the
law protects their relationships with both par
ents from the outset, regardless of whether the
parents stay together.”
Charisma and Kristina were in a commit
ted relationship for several years before their
daughter was born. Shortly after, Kristina
abruptly left the couple’s home and took the
child with her. Charisma filed a petition ask
ing the court to rule that she is a legal parent
in May 2004. The trial court dismissed her
action.!
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JULY I .2006‘Q-NOTES 7