WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–July 22, 2011.  The repeal of the discriminatory military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been fully certified today by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen and President Barack Obama. The certification officially states that the military has completed its review[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)– The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – lauded today’s certification of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” After hearing from senior military leaders that repeal posed no threat to the armed forces, President Obama’s signature of the[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 22, 2011.   Debt Ceiling Negotiations Continue to Cause Uncertainty President Obama had once set Friday, July 22, as the day when an agreement had to be reached so that corresponding legislation to raise the debt ceiling could be drafted and passed by the House and Senate. However,[Read More…]

Montgomery, AL-(ENEWSPF)- The Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today sued the Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota, challenging the pervasive anti-gay harassment in the district’s schools as well as a “gag policy” that prevents teachers from discussing issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.-(ENEWSPF)- The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – praised Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Respect for Marriage Act – a bill that would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal recognition to legally[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.-(ENEWSPF)- The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, Monday praised the Senate for confirming Paul Oetken to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Oetken is considered the first openly gay[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.-(ENEWSPF)- Monday at a White House news conference, Press Secretary Jay Carney announced President Obama’s support for the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal recognition to legally married same-sex couples. The bill will be the subject of a[Read More…]

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—July 21, 2011. The Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 70 Sycamore Drive, Park Forest, will screen the movie ‘Knocking’ on Saturday, July 23 at 7 p.m. A discussion will follow the movie screening. The event is free and open to the public. ‘Knocking’ is a film that opens the[Read More…]

Midsummer Madness participants enjoy the cool air in Dining on the Green as they wait for raffles to begin. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski) Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Setting forth on the hottest day of the year so far when temps in Park Forest topped at 100° F, Midsummer Madness participants marched through[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–July 19, 2011.  The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, recently reintroduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, is a significant measure toward protecting private and public employees from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace, though it lacks the comprehensive scope of civil[Read More…]