San Diego’s new top cop will support LGBT equality

Shelley Zimmerman will support the LGBT community, said the new police chief who was sworn in Tuesday following almost a love fest and praise from residents during her confirmation hearing before the San Diego City Council. Zimmerman, 54, is the first female San Diego Police Chief and is a 31-year veteran. Mayor-Elect Kevin Faulconer nominated…

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Oxford, Miss. unanimously passes pro-LGBT resolution

Last night Oxford, Miss. unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the dignity and worth of all city residents – including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).  Oxford joins two other Mississippi cities – Starkville and Hattiesburg – which both passed similar resolutions earlier this year. Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin issued…

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Kentucky attorney general won’t defend state’s ban on marriage equality

Today Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway announced he will not appeal a judge’s order to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states or jurisdictions.  Instead, Governor Steve Beshear will hire outside counsel to appeal the ruling.  Last month U.S. District Court Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled that Kentucky ’s marriage amendment violates the constitutional…

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New poll puts support for marriage equality at 56 percent, including historic 40 percent of Republicans

WASHINGTON – A new poll out this week from the New York Times and CBS News shows that 40 percent of Republicans support marriage equality, further indication that Americans are moving steadily in one direction on the issue.  Less than two years ago, just 24 percent of Republicans said they thought it should be legal…

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Seven points

That is the amount by which David Alvarez lost the mayoral race to Kevin Faulconer. First, the LGBT community did not sell out. It voted overwhelmingly for David Alvarez in the “gayborhoods” of Hillcrest, North Park, University Heights and South Park. Meaning in most precincts Alvarez got more than 70 percent of the vote, just…

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Marriage equality: it’s not over ’til it’s over

The string of victories for marriage equality since the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Prop. 8 have the LGBT community understandably excited, and some pundits surprisingly unhinged. David Cohen and Dahlia Lithwick of Slate have declared “It’s over” of the court debate. Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post’s blog…

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Historic injunction for marriage equality in Texas

Today, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ruled that Texas’ ban on marriage for lesbian and gay couples is unconstitutional in the lawsuit brought by Cleopatra DeLeon, Nicole Dimetman, Vic Holmes and Mark Phariss who were represented by the law firm Akin Gump. The ruling is stayed pending appeal, meaning marriages will not occur immediately in…

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New Harris poll: Discrimination is alive and well and living in America

NEW YORK — Some would argue that the United States has come a long way in tackling discrimination, and that the U.S. is far more progressive and equality-minded than either its historical self or many countries today. However, a recent Harris Poll clearly demonstrates that Americans still believe many groups are discriminated against in this country….

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Hattiesburg, Miss. passes resolution recognizing LGBT residents

Last night, Hattiesburg, Miss.  unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the dignity and worth of all city residents – including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT). Hattiesburg is the second Mississippi municipality to pass such a resolution in the past month, with the city of Starkville taking similar action last month. Human Rights…

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