Virginia Lawmakers Say No to Gay Judge on Bench
Virginia isn't ready for a gay judge, lawmakers decided this morning. Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland had been nominated to Richmond’s 13th General District Court and would have been the state's first openly gay nominee to win confirmation. But he got only 33 votes instead of the 51 needed after Delegate Bob Marshall led social conservatives on a crusade against him.
Baptist School's Antigay Pledge Drives Faculty Exodus
Shorter University is losing faculty members who refuse to sign a “lifestyle statement” renouncing homosexuality, among other things.
Gay Judicial Nominee Could Be Denied Because of Marriage Support
The nomination of a Virginia prosecutor to be a state judge is being challenged because one state delegate fears he is a "homosexual advocate."
Chile Approves Antidiscrimination Law
Pressure for the law came after the killing of gay man Daniel Zamundio.
Dispute Over Gay Teen's Scholarship Resolved
His Catholic school and the pro-gay scholarship sponsor have overcome differences.
American University's Student Body President Comes Out, Gets Lady Gaga's Support
Students at American University got a big surprise when the most recent student body president stepped down from the position last week. Students had elected Tim McBride to serve last year, without realizing that McBride identifies as a woman. She came out as transgender publicly after serving her time as student body president.
WATCH: N.C. Family Attorneys Urge No on Amendment One
More and more people are speaking out against North Carolina's proposed Amendment One, which goes to voters Tuesday — the latest is a group of family attorneys who say the antigay initiative will lead to chaos.
Big Party in S.F. as NCLR Turns 35
The National Center for Lesbian Rights, the San Francisco-based legal advocacy group, celebrated its 35th anniversary with an event Saturday that also honored Jane Lynch and plaintiffs in one of its high-profile cases. With 1,500 people in attendance at the City View at Metreon, NCLR not only honored its own work but the achievements of others. Actress Jane Lynch was given the Vanguard Award for using her celebrity to further LGBT causes. "I am honored and proud to be recognized by NCLR, which has given LGBT people and their families hope through its tireless work to gain dignity, respect, and, above all else, equality for all," Lynch said. "I love the selflessness and generosity of the organization, which stepped up and successfully represented my wife in her custody battle. I feel like I should be honoring them." Also part of the festivities were Brittany Geldert, Damian McGee-Backes, Dylon Frei, Ebonie Richardson, Kyle Rooker, and Krystin Schuette (pictured) — six student plaintiffs in the NCLR-fought case against Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin school district. The students fought against distict policies that prevented officials from taking action against anti-LGBT bullying. The district, which has recently lost numerous students to suicide, has since changed its policies and is taking more responsibility for harassment in its hallways. Actor Wilson Cruz presented the award to the students. Speaking at the event, NCLR executive director Kate Kendall said, "This year is especially significant, as NCLR celebrates turning 35 years old — an opportunity for us to look back on our history-making cases, while recognizing those who continue to speak out against injustice and are helping change the legal landscape for every member of our community. The seven people we recognized this year truly embody what is to be a hero, and we are honored to stand beside them in the march toward equality."
Yearbook Has Town Arguing Over Whether 'It's OK to Be Gay'
A seemingly innocuous yearbook article about a gay student has sent a Tennessee town over the edge.









