By Ramy Eletreby

Federal Court Strikes Down Extreme Oklahoma Adoption Law

On May 19, a federal court ruled Oklahoma's Adoption Invalidation Law unconstitutional. The law says that the state “shall not recognize an adoption by more than one individual of the same sex from any other state or foreign jurisdiction,” thus making the children of same-sex couples legal orphans in Oklahoma.

“The very fact that the adoptions have occurred is evidence that a court of law has found the adoptions to be in the best interests of the children,” wrote U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron. “To now attempt to strip a child of one of his or her parents seems far removed from the statute's purpose and therefore from Defendants' asserted important government objective.”

The plaintiffs in the case, Finstuen et al v. Edmondson et al, include Heather Finstuen and Anne Magro, mothers of 7-year-old twin girls, and Ed Swaya and Dan Hempel, fathers of a 3-year-old girl.

“We're gratified that justice has been handed down in our case and that the court saw to it that Oklahoma has to treat the children of gay and lesbian parents the same as all other kids,” said Lambda Legal Senior Staff Attorney Ken Upton.

Anti-Gay Hate Crimes Down in 2005, But May Rise With Upcoming Politics

A new report released by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs says that the number of anti-gay hate crimes decreased in 2005 as compared to 2004, though that may change with same-sex marriage battles looming this year. The report surveyed 13 areas of the United States and found a 13 percent decrease in incidents of anti-gay violence with 1,985 incidents reported in 2005 as compared to 2,270 incidents in 2004, according to the 78-page report.

“However, no one working with the victims of anti-LGBT violence believes that 2005 presents a permanent condition for our community,” said Clarence Patton, leader of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs and executive director of the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. “The fact is that LGBT people are once again slated to be 'on the ballot' again in a number of states in the 2006 election season.”

Meanwhile, Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) proposed attaching a gay-inclusive hate crimes bill to the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act. The bill died in the Senate on May 4 with strong opposition from Sen. Bill Frist (R. Tenn.).

Senate Approves Re-Authorization of Ryan White CARE Act

On May 17, the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) Committee voted 19-1 to approve the proposed revisions to the Ryan White CARE Act (RWCA), the primary source for AIDS funding, ensuring that rural and Southern states would receive more federal HIV/AIDS funding. The proposal revises formulas for funding calculations to include HIV cases as well as AIDS cases, and creates a tiered system of larger and smaller cities to include more rural areas. The revamping further prioritizes that 75 percent of the funding go to “core medical services,” which includes medications, physician visits, and such non-traditional services as medical transportation, mental health services and substance abuse services.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) both applauded the advancement. “The Senate took a big step towards getting the Ryan White CARE Act reauthorized for this year,” said AAHIVM Executive Director Howard Grossman. “We do have a number of concerns, however, and will work overtime to improve and amend this bill before it is signed into law. The good news though is around prioritizing comprehensive medical services. That was our primary goal, and we feel this bill does that.”

Representatives of larger urban cities voiced opposition to the reauthorization because it would result in a dramatic reduction in funding to their highly affected populations. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) was the sole vote opposing the bill stating that New York could lose up to $20 million in funding under the proposed revisions.

Guerriero Moves From Log Cabin to Gill

On May 23, Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Guerriero announced that he would be leaving his position on Sept. 1 to become the first-ever executive director of the Gill Action Fund, a new political organization advocating for LGBT equality. Guerriero spent four years as president of LCR promoting bipartisanship and leading the fight for basic fairness and equality for all Americans. “It has been a humbling experience leading Log Cabin Republicans during the past four years. I'm proud of what thousands of courageous Log Cabin members across America have accomplished as we work to build an inclusive Republican Party and a better America.”

Episcopal General Convention to Confront Gay Bishops

On June 13 in Columbus, Ohio, the Episcopal General Convention will discuss the still-controversial 2003 consecration of openly gay Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson. The future of the 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church as part of the worldwide Anglican Communion may be at stake, as delegates decide whether to place a moratorium on electing gay Episcopal bishops and performing blessing ceremonies for gay couples. Anglican leaders have threatened that if the General Convention does not discourage such practices, it could break apart the 77 million-member Communion. “I definitely think the tenor of the conversation is a little stronger right now, primarily because both sides of the political issue think there's a lot to lose and there is,” says Brother Karekin Yarian of Every Voice Network. “Both sides are concerned about the church splitting, and no one wants to see that happen.”

“I think people are dreading possible outcomes, and when you're dealing with the unknown, fear kicks in a big way,” Kendall Harmon, a minister and conservative leader in the Diocese of South Carolina, told The Associated Press. “And I do think things are more polarized now.”

Lambda Legal Files a Lawsuit Against Qwest

On May 23, Lambda Legal announced a lawsuit filed against Denver, Col.-based Qwest Communications on behalf of Donald Moreau, a gay employee who claims he was severely harassed by his co-workers for years. Moreau claims that in 2001 he received a torrent of anti-gay verbal attacks as well as often finding anti-gay literature left on his desk in violation of Qwest's anti-discrimination policy. After Quest management failed to respond to Moreau's reports of the incidents, he filed a claim with the Denver Anti-Discrimination Office (DADO). When Quest failed to perform DADO's recommended sexual orientation harassment training, Moreau quit his job.

“I did everything a good employee is supposed to do—I showed up to work on time, did my job well and received praise from my supervisors even though I was constantly subjected to extreme verbal attacks by my coworkers,” said Moreau. “I acted professionally and Qwest had policies in place to protect me, but they chose not to.”

“This is a wake-up call for employers; their policies aren't worth the paper they're written on if they're not enforced," said Lambda Legal's Ken Upton.

Lambda Legal and the Center's Legal Initiative Project represent Moreau.

Short Film Targets Lieberman

Director Robert Greenwald and gay Los Angeles Democratic activist Rick Jacobs have produced a short documentary supporting Connecticut Democrat Ned Lamont in his primary challenge to Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who is seeking re-election. In the short, Uncovered: The War in Iraq, Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, Greenwald mocks Lieberman's close ties to President Bush (including what looks like a pending mouth-to-mouth kiss) and his repeated pledges of support for Bush's policies, such as the war in Iraq and the energy bill.

“Having Lieberman readily available to shore up Bush's downward spiraling popularity and policies would be bad were he a Republican, but is unforgivable when he claims to be a Democrat,” Jacobs writes in “Joe Lieberman: The Collapse of a Paper Tiger” on Huffingtonpost.com. “Lieberman is afraid. He's already using Karl Rove's Swift Boat tactics, delivering mail that absurdly claims that Ned is not really progressive. I suppose next Lieberman will stand up and swear that he is not really in favor of the war.”

The film paints Ned Lamont as a smart, thoughtful, well-spoken leader, who has the best interests of his constituents at heart.

To view Greenwald's short, see www.nedlamont.com/page/invite/natgwdvd.