Serbian lawmakers pass anti-discrimination law
(Belgrade, Serbia) Serbian lawmakers narrowly gave final approval Thursday to an anti-discrimination law that is part of pro-Western reforms but was strongly opposed by the Serbian Orthodox Church and other conservatives.
Parliament passed the bill with a slim majority of 127 votes in favor to 59 against – one more vote …
Conn. bill would update law for same-sex marriages
HARTFORD, Conn. — As Connecticut lawmakers consider updating state law to conform with a court ruling that allows same-sex marriages, opponents of gay marriage fear their effort will go too far to promote homosexuality.
The legislators’ work is being spurred by last year’s state Supreme Court decision that concluded same-sex couples have the right to wed in Connecticut. The state’s 2005 civil union law doesn’t give same-sex couples equal status of married heterosexual couples, the court said.
The General Assembly’s judiciary committee is considering a bill that would remove gender references in current state laws and transform same-sex civil unions into legally recognized marriages as of October 2010. The bill was the subject of a committee hearing Friday.
The measure also would strip language from a 1991 state anti-discrimination law that says Connecticut does not condone gay marriage, will not set quotas for hiring gay workers or encourage teaching in school about same-sex lifestyles. Some lawmakers consider the language outdated and unnecessary.
The proposal to delete that language has upset opponents, who think the court ruling could be used to affect social policy in other matters such as school curricula. See Conn. bill would update law for same-sex marriages * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Human Relations Commission Urges Expanding PA Anti-Discrimination Law, Would Include Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression in Pennsylvania Human Relations Act
HARRISBURG, Pa — Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Chairperson Stephen A. Glassman announced today that the commission is strongly urging the legislature to pass House Bill 300, which was introduced Wednesday, and would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, disability and familial status.
“Ensuring that Pennsylvanians are free from discrimination is crucial, especially in difficult economic times,” Glassman said. “Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and education is illegal in Pennsylvania, but lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are currently excluded from these protections.
“House Bill 300 will help guarantee full equality for everyone in this great commonwealth.”
HB 300 has bipartisan support from 79 sponsors in the House of Representatives. The commission has supported passage of similar bills introduced in past legislative sessions.
The bill defines sexual orientation as actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality. It defines gender identity or expression to mean actual or perceived gender identity, appearance, behavior, expression or physical characteristics whether or not associated with an individual’s assigned sex at birth.
“Our statistics show that discrimination complaints rise sharply when the economy is in decline,” Glassman said. “As economic stresses increase and people look for someone to blame for their difficulties, frequently the targets are those who are perceived as different because they are minorities. Passing this bill would serve as a timely illustration of our commitment to protecting Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens and ensuring equal opportunity for all.”
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/human-relatio…
Gay employee files discrimination lawsuit against Easton Hospital
A Lower Saucon Township woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Easton Hospital claiming she was targeted by her superiors because of her sexual orientation and subsequently fired, court records said.
Suzanne Cornish, who worked at the hospital in Wilson Borough as the director of the cardiology pulmonary unit, filed the suit in federal court last week seeking lost salary, damages and attorney fees and to have her position reinstated, according to court records.
Cornish claims because she is gay she was harassed at work and hospital officials attempted to coerce her resignation through a “campaign of harassment,” records indicate.
Cornish alleges hospital officials found out about her sexuality at the end of May 2008 and she was fired Oct. 31.
Cornish also claims she was given inaccurate performance reviews that led to her firing, according to court records.
At one time, Cornish was suspended while the hospital investigated claims that she acted inappropriately at work, records said. The claims were not elaborated on in the court records.
“Easton Hospital’s policy is not to comment on matters in litigation,” hospital spokesman Alan Levy said. See Gay employee files discrimination lawsuit against Easton Hospital
The Express Times – LehighValleyLive.com * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Following Attorney General Investigation, Arizona-based Antigay Adoption Service Stops Business in New York: Lambda Legal’s Clients Vindicated
The Attorney General’s announcement follows a complaint filed by Lambda Legal on behalf of a New York gay couple barred from posting their on-line adoptive-parent profile by the companies in question solely because they are a same-sex couple. Adoption Profiles, LLC and Adoption Media, LLC were violating New York laws prohibiting such discrimination.
“New York Attorney General Cuomo has sent a clear message to all businesses that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation will not be tolerated,” said Flor Bermudez, Staff Attorney at Lambda Legal. “Companies can’t come into New York and hang a sign on their door saying ‘Same-sex couples need not apply.’”
Lambda Legal clients Rosario Gennaro and Alexander Gardner knew for a long time that they wanted to have children and that adoption was the way to make it possible. The couple had a home study by a licensed social worker and obtained certification as Qualified Adoptive Parents from the New York City Surrogate Court. The couple wanted to post their profile on ParentProfiles.com and seek a match with a birth parent. However, the website’s eligibility requirements only allow a “Qualifying Husband and Wife Couple” that are “one male husband and one female wife” to use the service, thus discriminating against same-sex couples on the basis of sexual orientation, sex and marital status. The company was sued in California for violating that state’s antidiscrimination law and is no longer doing business there.
“We are thrilled that the New York Attorney General’s office made the right decision and that no couple will have to experience what we did in our effort to become parents,” said Rosario Gennaro.
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Kansas LGBT rights bill advances
(Topeka, Kansas) A key legislative committee has approved a bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s anti-discrimination law.
The law currently prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, religion, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry.
“It’s clear that the time has come to extend …
City pulls LGBT discrimination law
Anti-gays strongarm City Council into repealing protections in employment, housing, accommodations.
City pulls LGBT discrimination law
Anti-gays strongarm City Council into repealing protections in employment, housing, accommodations.
