Newspapers / Lambda (Carolina Gay and … / Oct. 1, 1998, edition 1 / Page 3
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Oct. '9^ LAMBDA Page 2 Mewfi Brief by Amqnda Peedef DETROIT— The man convicted of second-degree murder for shooting a gay admirer after he appeared on Jenny Jones to reveal his crush had his 2S-50 year sen tence overturned on a technicality September 14-. The Michigan Court of Appeals was forced to overturn the 1996 conviction be cause the defense was not allowed to remove a juror the day before the trial began. Under the law, the defense is allowed to remove a juror at any time during the jury selection. Scott Amedure was shot after he appeared on the show in 1995 to tell Jonathan Schmitz that he had a crush on him. After ward, Schmitz told police that he was humiliated by the on-air sur prise, delivered as the audience laughed and hollered. Schmitz will remain in prison until the prosecu tion exhausts its appeals. Source—The News and Observer Tuesday, September 15 WASHINGTON, DC— In early August, the House rejected a pro posal by Rep. Joel Hefley (R-Co), to void an executive^ order forbid ding discrimination against homo sexuals in federal hiring proce dures. The vote, mainly along party lines, was 252-176, with +0 Republicans voting against the measure. The order, issued May 28, added sexual orientation to the list of classifications that federal employers cannot discriminate against for hiring practices. This is an addition to gender, race, handi caps, age and color. However, Hefley in sisted that the bill was not aimed at homosexuals or discrimination, but rather, at his perception of Clinton’s abuse of power in cir cumventing Congress. However, this may not be so easily believed by the homosexual community and the general public alike, as this year seems to be a declared open season on homosexuals. Senate Majority Leader, Trent Lott has aligned himself with Exodus Inter national and compared homosexu ality to kleptomania. Earber in August, the House voted to block federal payments to cities such as San Frandsco that require compa nies they contract for work to pro vide benefits to same sex partners. Rep. Nita Lowery (D- NY),who voted against the mea sure, said, '‘Republican leadership has dedded that it’s in their politi cal interest to side with the igno rance and bigotry of the radical right.” In an interesting side note, Hefley had planned to offer his amendment in July by tacking it onto a bill written by fellow Republican Jim Kolbe of Arizona, but decided against it because Kolbe is gay. Source—The News and Observer online, August 6, 1998 WASHINGTON DC— There is stiU no word as to whether or not the vote to appoint James Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg will occur before the Senate adjoiums on October 9. Hormel, the heir to a meat fortune, weU known AIDS activist and dvic leader, has had his appointment blocked because some senators feel that he would use the post to promote a gay lifestyle. Vice President A1 Gore and Secretary of State Madeline Albright, among others, have urged the Senate to vote on the matter. In an address to the Human Rights Campaign in early September, Gore told the Senate to give Hormel “the up-or- down vote he deserves.” As of yet, the Senate has not responded. “Will & Grace,” NBC’s new com edy premiering September 21 at 9:30 p.m. will be the first sitcom to feature a gay man as the lead role. Actor Eric McCormack will be playing Will Truman, an attrac tive Manhattan lawyer who just so happens to be gay. Grace Adder (Debra Messing) is his straight best fiiend, and Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) is the overtly gay fnend. Unlike “Ellen,” the men in this show are openly gay and have been for years, so there will continued on page 9 CHARLOHE: GREENSBORO: RALEIGH: ite Rabbit Books & Things Gay & Lesbian Everything Store! BOOKS • CARDS • MAGAZINES • MUSIC JEWELRY • CLOTHING • VIDEOS • GIFTS 834 Central Ave. 28204 (704) 377-4067 1833 Spring Garden St. 27403 (336) 272-7604 309 W. Martin St. 27601 (919) 856-1429
Lambda (Carolina Gay and Lesbian Association, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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Oct. 1, 1998, edition 1
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