In DC, Judge Asked to Block GAY MARRIAGE Decision

Opponents of gay marriage filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court yesterday hoping to force a referendum on whether to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

The civil suit against the District’s Board of Elections and Ethics asks Judge Judith E. Retchin to overturn an election board ruling Monday that blocked a proposal to put the issue before the voters. Citing a District election law prohibiting votes on matters covered under the 1977 Human Rights Act, which outlaws discrimination against gay men, lesbians and other minority groups, the board said that a referendum would “authorize discrimination.”

The plaintiffs asked for an expedited hearing. If the court or Congress does not intervene, recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere will become law early next month, at the end of the required congressional review period.

See GAY MARRIAGE Judge Asked to Block Decision

Washington Post

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Artee Hotel in Brentwood, TN Fires Employee For Being Gay, Dares Him To Sue, So he Sues

The old Holiday Inn in Brentwood, TN has a new name: it is now called the “Artee Hotel.” According to the hotel’s web site, in Indian Artee means “A divine light in front of a God.”But for LGBT travelers, their families and allies, “Artee” has taken on a new meaning: “A hotel that fires workers for being gay.”

According to their website, Artee offers “memorable southern hospitality” combeined with its “endearing staff, its newly remodeled rooms with hardwood floors” and a location only a block away from the new Target Shopping Center.

Despite all these assets, the Artee Hotel in Brentwood appreas to have one major drawback: the owner, Tarun Surti. The Nashville Scene reoprtsd “Surti had a gay employee compile a list of other gay employees, then methodically canned them. “The owner (allegedly) said, ‘I don’t give a damn. They can sue me. I will not have any of the gays in leadership roles in my hotel.’ And that’s a quote,” fired human resources director David Hill told Channel 4 News. Mr. Surti will very soon learn a lesson in equal opportunity employment. Hill has apparently already filed complaints with the Department of Labor and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He says he’ll also file a civil suit.” See Brentwood Hotelier Fires Employee For Being Gay Nashville Scene