Barney Frank Speaks Out
On Oct. 9 Congressman Barney Frank spoke on the floor of the House to explain his decision to split the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) into two bills, one focusing on sexual orientation and the other on gender identity, and he responded to critics of his strategy. The following are excerpts from his speech, as reported in the Congressional Record: Read the full text here.
Local activists take lead role in ENDA debate
In the wake of the decision by leadership in the House of Representatives two weeks ago to split the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) into two separate bills, one focused on banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and the other based on gender identity, local transgender activists are playing a central role in responding both to House leadership's strategy and to the decision by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) not to oppose a non-trans inclusive ENDA bill.
Conspiracies and lies at MassResistance forum in Acton
At the MassResistance forum at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School the evening of Oct. 3, held to denounce the school drama club's upcoming performance of The Laramie Project, several of the speakers seemed convinced that there was a vast gay conspiracy to silence them by any means necessary. The paranoia reached epic proportions when Brian Camenker, leader of the anti-gay group, told the crowd that one of the scheduled speakers, ex-gay activist Stephen Bennett, was rammed by a gay activist in another car while driving up from Connecticut.
Bob Gautreau and Ellen Moschetto on The Boston International Comedy Festival
Since its not-so-humble beginning in 2000, the Boston International Comedy Festival has showcased hundreds of comedians. Over the years the festival has expanded to include improv and sketch comedy, films, and themed showcases like Women of Color in Comedy and a Gay Night.
A "Bitch"-y Conversation
Sparks will fly when things collide, a basic alchemy long understood by the musician Bitch, who's been blending folk and punk, and pop and politics, both as part of the 90s queercore band Bitch and Animal and as a solo performer.
Laura Kiritsy on Local Gay Politics
Whether they're masterminded by Karl Rove or MassResistance, dirty tricks are nothing new in politics. Openly gay or gay-friendly candidates especially are vulnerable to homophobic whisper campaigns, push polls and mailings. What's worse is that the politicians and campaigns responsible for the shadowy attacks are rarely held accountable for their smears.
ENDA vote postponed
After a public outcry from LGBT and civil rights organizations, leadership in the House of Representatives put on hold a plan to split the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) into two separate bills, one banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and the other offering protections based on gender identity.
Consent in HIV testing divides health experts
Last week the Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on House Bill 2209, a bill that would repeal the legal requirement on medical providers to get written informed consent from patients before testing them for HIV (see "State Hears Testimony On AIDS Bills," Sept. 27).
Slain National Guard soldier was active member of Bay State LGBT community
Ciara Durkin, a 30-year-old member of the National Guard from Quincy who was shot in the head and killed at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan Sept. 28, was an active member of Boston's LGBT community, according to family members and her former employer, Fenway Community Health Center.
Stocks rise amid mixed economic data
Stocks extended their gains Thursday with a modest advance as investors weighed fresh economic data, including a sharp drop in new home sales, for clues to whether more interest rate cuts are in the offing.
Displaying 112 out of 122 pages
