Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / July 29, 2006, edition 1 / Page 7
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DOMESTIC National News Notes by David Stout. Q-Notes staff Miss North Carolina USofA Schedule of Preliminaries 2006-2007 Appeals court gets marriage case SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The California Court of Appeal heard oral arguments July 10 in IVho V. California and five other cases that will decide whether excluding same-sex cou ples from marriage violates the California Constitution. Plaintiffs fancy Woo and Cristy Chung (pictured) have been together 18 years and have an eight-year-old daughter. Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, who are also plaintiffs, said, “During our 53 years together, we have wit nessed enormous changes in California law concerning lesbian and gay people. At one time, the law treated us as complete out siders. Today, the law recognizes our exis tence, but it does not yet recognize our full humanity and equality. We have loved one another faithfully for more than five decades. We wish to marry before either one of us dies.” More than 250 religious and civil rights organizations, including the NAACP and California Council of Churches, filed amicus briefs supporting gay marriage. The Court of Appeal has 90 days from the hearing to issue a decision. Lesbian wins state House seat BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Patricia Todd (pictured) made history July 18 when voters in the 54th District elected her to serve as their state representative, marking the first time ever that the Alabama legislature will include an openly gay Representative. Todd, a Democrat, has no Republican opponent in the general election in November. “The road to equality in Alabama is a mile shorter [now],” said Chuck Wolfe, presi dent of The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation’s largest gay political action commit tee. “Gays and lesbians in Alabama will now have what all Americans deserve — a voice and a vote. Alabama knows well what a sin gle voice can accomplish. We applaud Patricia’s courage in stepping up to be heard.” The Victory Fund helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Todd’s campaign. Human Rights Campaign Regional Field Director Sarah Scanlon traveled to Alabama and joined HRC members in canvassing the district with get-out-the-vote messages. Todd won by just 70 votes. Trans jobs bill expected to pass SAN FRANCISCO, Calif — At press time the San Francisco Board of Supervisors was expected to pass a $300,000 initiative to improve employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for transgender people to counter high rates of unemployment and underemployment. One recent survey found that 59 percent of the city’s transgender respondents made less than $15,299 annually, with only eight percent earning above $45,000 per year. “The Comprehensive Transgender Employment Initiative is a great investment for San Francisco,” said Supervisor Bevan Dufty.“Too many well-qu^ified transgender people who want to work or start businesses are frozen out of the market. The Initiative is a vital first step in making sure that this com munity can fully participate and contribute to the weO-being of our great cityl’ San Francisco’s Airport and the Public Utilities Commission collaboratively con tributed $100,000 to the Initiative so that a portion of the employment training pro grams will be specifically geared to meet their employment needs. The remaining commitment comes from the city’s General Fund. judge rules against gay marriage NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Superior Court Judge Patty Jenkins Pittman ruled July 12 that same-sex couples cannot demonstrate a sufficient harm from not having marriage because Connecticut’s civil union law pro vides indistinguishable benefits. “Civil union and marriage in Connecticut now share the same benefits, protections and responsibili ties under law,” she wrote. “The Connecticut Constitution requires that there be equal pro tection and due process of law, not that there be equivalent nomenclature for such protec tion and process.” “The case for full marriage equality in Connecticut continues despite this bump in the road,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.“We knew the fight for marriage would neither be easy nor quick, but the country is on a clear trajectory toward equality and we must never give up until we reach that point.” He added that the Connecticut case has a long way to go, reminding that the success ful push for marriage equality in Massachusetts started with a loss at the same court level. LGBT family fest gets underway PROVINCETOWN, Mass. — As this issue is hitting the street, hundreds of families from all over the world are gathering here for the 11th annual Family Week sponsored by Family Pride, the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to equality for LGBT parents and their families. Family Week runs July 29 through August 5 offering an array of social activ ities for families as well as workshops and dis cussion days for adults. “It has been an extraordinary and chal lenging year for Family Pride and for our fami lies ...,”said Jennifer Chrisler (pictured), executive director of Family Pride. “Family Week gives us an oppor tunity to gather and draw strength from each other as well as plan for the challenges we face this Fall in elections across the nation.” In addition to a full slate of events and programs. Family Pride will recognize two families who have contributed to the visibility and rights of LGBT families nationwide, i 10/06 Miss F’ayeticville I SofA Club Spoktmm www.ckibspektrum.com 11/05 Miss Greensboro USofA Warehouse 29 \\\v\v.v\'29.com 11/19 .Miss Piedmont USof.A Warehouse 29 WWW.vv29.com 01/05 Miss Iliekorv USofA Cluh Cahaivi \v\\'\\'.cluhcuharet(a earihlink.nct 01/07 Miss larheel U.SofA Wareliouse 29 www.w29.com 01/14 Miss W ilmington USofA WWW.ibizawilminutoii.com 02/03 .Miss Greenville L Sof.A www.greatamericanminingcompany.com .Miss North Carolina USofA UNAl. Warehouse 29 w\v\\'.\v29.coni I’leliniiiiaries still available for purchase: Miss .Vsheville USof.V Miss Capitol City I SofA .Miss Central Carolina I .Sof.A Miss Western North Carolina I SofA colUact: Diamond 910-578-7394 conkui: Kent 336-207-8411 W29 336-333-9333 contact: Chris 336-402-0501 W29 336-333-9333 contact: Jeff jcffrccvcs'ct wehtv.net contact: .lames 336-908-2168 W29 336-333-9333 contact: Kristine 910-264-6056 Scott 910-473-2533 contact: Michelle 252-320-4052 .March 8-11.2007 If interested in holdin" a preliininarv contest at vonr venue, please contact Kent at .1.16-207-8411. Deadline for scliedniinu preliminaries is .Vugnst 30th. Miss North Carolina USofA at Large Pageant "Memoirs of a Harajuku Girl” . Sunday, September 3 Registration of contestants 3:00-4:00/S 100 entry Interview 4:30/Contest begins 10:00 pm $500 Prize Package to the Winner ! Entertainment to include: PAISLEY PARQUE Miss NCUSofAatLarge2006 JESSICA JADE Miss NCUSofA2006 KRISTINA KELLY Former Miss NCUSofAatLarge Botli events listed above to be held at; 1011 Arnold Street, Greensboro, NC 336-333-9333 www.W29.com JULY 29.2006* Q-NOTES 7
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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July 29, 2006, edition 1
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