From: "Shelly Roberts" Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 22:16:26 +0000 Subject: ROBERTS' RULES: LONG __________________ ROBERTS' RULES by Shelly Roberts NON-ILLIGITIMATI CARBORUNDUM "Every time I pick up the paper," he said. "It's bad news. He was the third person this week I'd heard that from. Were they right? Was it all going to heck in a beautifully crafted, hand painted, natural wood handbaseket. Was the glass half empty again? Sure we'd all gathered for Ellen Morgan's wake, and wondered what Ellen would do in the wake. Indigo Girls were canceled from a free concert. A third of teens queeried in a new survey said that they had tried suicide, so that number isn't getting better. But there must be something good to keep us going. So I went searching. And this is what I found: There are 27 openly gay or lesbian candidates running for office in the US at all levels plus the three who already won. The Declaration of Religious Support is sponsored by the Progressive Religious Alliance. Support from clergy, congregations, communities of faith and others will be publicly announced on June 1, 1998. In a unanimous ruling, the Ontario Court of Appeal Thursday declared gay and lesbian couples have the same rights as heterosexuals to collect spousal survivor benefits from private pension plans. Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)will push for a House of Representatives vote this year on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Gainesville City Commission passed on first reading, by a 3-2 vote, an amended ordinance that would add sexual orientation to the anti-discrimination code. A law proposed by New York's Mayor Giuliani would mean that domestic partners who register with the city, would have the same rights and benefits as spouses in city contracts, housing and death benefits. The Navy promotes Mcveigh to highest enlisted rank. Philadelphia's City Council passed DP benefits. And that's just this week. Here's some of what happened last year: Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Alabama Law Barring Gay Student groups from Campus. Ellen" becomes the first prime-time television program to have its main character come out as a lesbian. Texas appeals court rules lesbian entitled to sue for visitation rights to her ex-lover's child, providing gay partners a legal standing denied in some other states. Walt Whitman Community School, the nation's first private school for Gays and Lesbians, opens in Dallas. New Jersey state court judge grants gay couple right to adopt foster child they had been caring for for nearly two years. Federal appeals court upholds Cincinnati voter initiative forbidding city government extending anti-discrimination measures to gays and lesbians. Atlanta, GA Emory University, affiliated with Methodist church, announces it will allow same-sex couples to say marriage vows in its chapels, but only if officiated by leader of one of 24 recognized religious groups. Newark, NJ court decides Gay and lesbian couples now able to jointly adopt children under state custody. Lacey, and Tumwater, WA enact anti-discrimination ordinances protecting gays. Cobb County GA rescinds anti-gay resolution. Openly gay congressman Kolbe (R-AZ) chairs appropriations subcommittee. Fremont, CA schools ban anti-gay harassment. MA jury awards man $1.2 million for anti-gay discrimination. Travis County, Texas swears in nation's first out lesbian sheriff. Christian Coalition denounces bombing of lesbian bar. US AIDS deaths drop 27% in past 6 months. CA court rules student newspaper may run ad for gay youth group. MCC admitted to Ecumenical Council. Washington marriage ban vetoed. LAPD forced to pay $$ for anti-gay harassment.. St. Louis enacts DP registry. NY court expands gay parents' adoption rights. West Hollywood, CA elects gay majority to city council. Number of gay-straight clubs at high schools up over 10 times from 1992. Gay/Lesbian liason to President gets status boost to "Special Assistant." Arizona enacts hate crimes bill protecting gays. RI, WA, CA, LA anti-marriage bills all fail. Catholic Church calls homophobia a sin, says celibate gays are "holy." Michigan man awarded 10 million in gay bashing suit. Gay candidates win municipal elections in San Mateo and Redwood City CA, and Oak Park and Erie, Illinois. IL court strengthens lesbian adoption/custody in state. Court strengthens Chicago's anti-discrimination law. Court upholds New Jersey gay civil rights law. Anti-marriage bills die in conservative Texas and Nebraska. Santa Barbara, CA gains DP registry. Maine enacts statewide anti-discrimination law protecting gays. First US Senator grants DP benefits for staffers. SF 49ers,.Democratic National Committee, Upjohn Corporation, Pharmacia Corporations, Knight-Ridder,EDS (Ross Perot's company), Bank of America, Michigan State ,Philadelphia Public Schools, Madison, WI public school district, University of Alaska, U. of California system (USA's largest state university system), University of Washington St. Petersburg, FL Times, Chicago, Chevron Oil, Northern CA's major utility company, Lexinton Herald-Leader, Los Angeles unified school district, City of New Orleans, Wells-Fargo, MediaOne, Union Bank add DP benefits. Blue-Cross, HealthNet and PacificCare add DP coverage to insurance plans adds DP benefits. 1-3 companies add DP policies every week. Wisconsin court upholds Madison anti-discrimination ordinance. Alabama ban on gay school clubs struck down. More than 50 US Pride celebrations, with several million participants. Clinton issues pride proclamation, first ever from US President. Ohio court rules sexual orientation should not affect adoptions. Florida court upholds lesbian "pre-nuptial" agreement. New Hampshire enacts state-wide anti-discrimination bill protecting gays. Colorado anti-marriage bill vetoed for 2nd time. Historic San Francisco Domestic Partner benefits law goes into effect. Virginia court OKs lesbian adoption. Evanston IL expands anti-discrimination ordinance. Delaware enacts hate crimes law including sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian weddings OK'd at Harvard chapel. Gay and lesbian youth conference in SF largest ever. Federal court strikes down ban on gays in US military (it is under appeal). Montana court strikes down state's sodomy law. Connecticut bans anti-gay discrimination in school system. Hawaii statewide DP registry/ benefits take effect. LAPD forced to pay for anti-gay harassment For Better of for Worse with gay subplot runs in 1000+ papers. Chicago to spend 2 million on gay neighborhood. Focus on Family co-founder apologizes to gays. More gay characters on TV than ever, GLAAD reports. American Psychological Association condemns anti-gay "therapy." Florida court OKs lesbian adoption. Nebraska court rules in favor of lesbian in custody case. MA court makes gay parents' adoptions easier. Clinton first sitting President to attend major gay-rights banquet. Judge in Chicago upholds DP benefits law, New Jersey rules in favor of allowing gay couple to adopt, First openly gay ambassador nominated by President. Gay press fastest growing ad market for 3rd consecutive year. Mass. court rules for gay male couple in adoption case. U. of California system (USA's largest state university system) approves domestic partnership plan. Emory University opens up its chapel to gay weddings. GLAAD forces re-write of controversial scene in "The Jackal" Anti-gay Disney Boycott abject failure, profits up record levels during boycott. North Carolina court rules in favor of gay father in custody case for 2nd time. Georgia Supreme Court affirms Atlanta domestic partners plan. Founder of largest gay Christian denomination honored at White House. Gays and lesbians big part of White House hate crimes summit. A US President addresses gay rights group dinner, first time ever. Gay candidates win 83% (12 of 15) elections on Election Day 1997. Reform Judaism (US largest branch) passes resolution in support of same-sex religious and civil marriage. US Military forced to allow gay clubs in civilian schools on overseas military bases.NJ first state to allow joint adoption by gay couples. Duke University gives benefits to same-sex partners of grad students. Salt Lake City bans discrimination against gay city employees. Ypsilanti, MI passes gay civil rights law. Newton, MA passes domestic partnership law. Pacific Exchange becomes first US Stock exchange to offer DP benefits. Gay candidates win runoff elections in Houston and Atlanta. Washington DC elects gay Republican council member. Athens, OH passes gay civil rights law. Lithia Springs GA passes gay civil rights law. University studies confirm lesbians make good mothers. Like I said: DON'T LET THE ILLIGITIMATI WEAR YOU DOWN. _______________________ (C) 1998. Shelly Roberts. All rights reserved. A one-time simultaneous print right is hereby granted to subscribing newspapers; all other rights, including electronic or digital reproduction are reserved. Must be reprinted only in its entirety. Shelly Roberts is an internationally syndicated columnist, journalist and author of the next set of Roberts' Rules: Lesbian Dating. (June '98 Spinsters Ink.)