National Roundup
Windy City Times
by Amy Wooten
August 6, 2008

A U.S. utility company recently forked over some big bucks to gay rights group Equality California in order to help defeat California's gay marriage ban ballot initiative. Pacific Gay & Electric ( PG&E ) announced that it is giving $250,000 to help defeat the ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage, also known as Proposition 8. The utility company said it would also try to get other California businesses to jump on board to help keep gay marriage legal in the state. A report published by UCLA's Williams Institute revealed that same-sex couples jump at the chance to marry or take part in civil unions. In 11 states that allow same-sex marriage, civil unions or domestic relationships, 85,000 gay and lesbian couples ( or 40 percent of all such couples in those states ) have registered for recognition.

A federal judge recently ruled in favor of a Florida school's gay-straight alliance ( GSA ) . Judge K. Michael Moore ruled that the Okeechobee County School Board must allow the school's GSA to hold its meetings on campus. The ACLU had filed suit against the school district in 2006 when the school's principal would not allow the GSA to meet on campus. Opponents didn't want to GSA to be held on campus because they felt the club was “sex-based” and interfered with abstinence-only education.

Following an incident outside a gay bar, two Indiana State Police officers have been fired. The two officers were fired following an investigation into allegations that they beat a man outside of an Indianapolis gay bar. A bar customer said that the two officers allegedly assaulted him outside of the bar on May 31. The officers, however, were not prosecuted because there was not enough evidence, according to police.

Allison Herwitt, the Human Rights Campaign's legislative director, has advised The Democratic Party's National Platform Drafting Committee to include LGBT-related issues, such as the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” and the passage of a totally inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, 365Gay.com reported. Herwitt also, among other things, asked for the platform to incorporate language opposing attempts to constitutionally define marriage.

Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., announced his proposal to legalize marijuana. His bill, HR 5843, would end federal penalties for pot smokers carrying less than 100 grams. Basically, Frank wants casual and responsible use of the drug decriminalized so those who use leisurely or have the drug prescribed to them for medical reasons won't be subject to arrest. Frank said that responsible pot use is “none of the government's business” during a press conference.

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The LGBT-welcoming Tennessee church that was the site of a recent shooting said that the violence would not impact its welcoming and liberal views. The suspect, Jim Adkisson, went on a shooting rampage during a children's musical performance at the church, which is home to Tennessee's largest gay and lesbian congregation. Two were killed and six others were wounded. According to police, a note was found in the suspect's car after the shooting. The note revealed that Adkisson targeted the church because of its liberal views. The shooting is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

A recent University of Illinois study indicates that gay and lesbian couples who have children are more likely to get married. The study also indicates that same-sex couples with strong religious beliefs are more likely to tie the knot, as well. University associate professor Ramona Faith Oswald said, “Opponents of relationship recognition for same-sex couples often say that we have to protect children, or that same-sex relationships are against God. But this study suggests that lesbians and gay men who seek relationship recognition may be acting to protect their children and enact their own religious beliefs.”

Gay author and activist Larry Townsend died July 29 of complications from pneumonia at the age of 77, according to The Los Angeles Times. Townsend authored numerous books, including Run Little Leather Boy ( 1970 ) and The Leatherman's Handbook ( 1972 ) , and founded The Hollywood Hills Democratic Club, the first gay-oriented community Democratic organization in Los Angeles County. Fred Yerkes, Townsend's companion of 44 years, passed away in 2006.

The family of Steven Paul Hirschfield, a gay dancer killed by police, has filed a $20 million lawsuit against San Diego Harbor police and the officer who shot him, according to Advocate.com. Police said that Hirschfield argued with them and was shot when he tried to snatch one of their handguns.