Gay activist
summit proceeds in Cincinnati despite end of antigay
petition drive

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Citizens to Restore Fairness kicked off their four-day leadership summit Thursday in Cincinnati, despite the failure of local conservatives to get a referendum on antidiscrimination protections for gays on the November ballot. The petition drive was the sole reason for the meeting to train gay activists, The Cincinnati Post reports. "We've actually been planning this for some time, but even with what's happened, this event is just as important as ever," Gary Wright, campaign chair for Citizens to Restore Fairness, told the Post. The petition drive failed after some of the signatures collected were discovered to be forged or otherwise tampered with.

Some 70 participants are expected to gather at the University of Cincinnati's Tangeman Center for the summit, which will train them to go out in their local community and advocate on behalf of gay causes. The summit lasts through Sunday. (The Advocate)