GLBT DIGEST - February 04, 2007

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Morons.org Mailing List
Posted on Feb. 02, 2007

Michigan Appeals Court Rules Against Partner Benefits

http://web.morons.org/article.jsp?sectionid=9&id=7374

The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that the state's marriage amendmentprohibits public employers from offering domestic partner benefits.

DETROIT - The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed deepdisappointment with the Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that the state'smarriage amendment prohibits public employers from offering domestic partnerbenefits.

"We strongly disagree with the court's decision today and plan on appealingto the Michigan Supreme Court," said Kary Moss, Executive Director of theACLU of Michigan. "It was never the intention of Michigan voters whoapproved the marriage amendment to take health care benefits away fromMichigan families."

The decision, which is dated February 1 but was not made public until thismorning, overturns a ruling by Judge Joyce Draganchuk that public employersmay offer domestic partner benefits without violating the "marriageamendment." The lower court decision was appealed by Attorney General MikeCox, who intervened as a defendant.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/02/020307mtrts.htm


Renewed Attempt To Pass Gay Civil Rights In Montana
by The Associated Press

Posted: February 3, 2007 - 4:00 pm ET

(Helena, Montana) Gay rights advocates, whose efforts to enact a law thatwould outlaw discrimination against gays and lesbians failed two years ago,are reviving the issue.

Sen. Christine Kaufmann, an openly gay Helena Democrat, is sponsoring a billthat would add ''gender identity or expression'' and ''sexual orientation''as categories under the laws prohibiting discrimination. The laws currentlycover race, religion, gender and other areas.

Kaufmann said her proposal makes good on promises of equality laid out inthe state and U.S. constitutions. She compared the measure to the civilrights movement.

''When we as a society fail to recognize the basic humanity of some people,civil rights laws with their designated classes are needed,'' she told theSenate Judiciary Committee Friday.




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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/02/020307bully.htm

Teen Girls Charged In Youth Gay Bashing
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: February 3, 2007 - 11:00 am ET

(Des Moines, Iowa) Two 19 year old girls have been arrested in the beatingand stabbing of a 16 year old gay teenager. The pair, identified asJassimen Dobbins and Angela Wade are charged with first-degree burglary andthird-degree arson.

The Des Moines prosecutor's office says it is treating the attack on the 16year old - who has not been named because he is a minor - as a hate crimeand additional charges may be laid.

The girls were apprehended following a brief foot chase on Friday.

Police say that the victim was accosted on the street in December. He washit over the head with a bottle and then stabbed with what is believed tohave been a fork.


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