Week of October 14
A judge in Northern Ireland ruled Thursday that same-sex and unmarried couples should be allowed to adopt children. This decision overturned a 1987 adoption law that discriminates against both groups.
Belfast High Court Justice Seamus Treacy ruled that the 1987 law clearly violated the European human rights laws on privacy and discrimination.
The Northern Irish Health Minister Edwin Poots said the government would appeal the ruling.
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The at-home HIV testing kit OraSure hit shelves this week. Advocates of the at-home test hope the confidential nature will encourage those who might not otherwise get tested to do so.
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Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota recently appointed Bryan Lindquist, the spokesperson for a hate group, to their newly created anti-bully committee.
Lindquist is the spokesperson for the Parents Action League which is, according to Think Progress, a
vile anti-LGBT hate group that seems to exist solely to reinforce stigma in the community, insisted that its rhetoric — including promotion of ex-gay therapy and references to AIDS as “GRID” (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) — be included in the new policies moving forward. Now it seems they might just have that opportunity.
Anoka-Hennepin School District gained notoriety recently when the U.S. Department of Justice found that it had not properly protected its students from harassment.
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The East Aurora School District in Illinois made an admirable choice this week when they passed a policy that affirmed the identities of transgender students.
Now, after outcry from a local hate group, the district may rescind the new policy.
The School Board announced earlier this week it would hold a “special meeting” on Friday to “review,” and possibly rescind, the policy.
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A federal Appeals Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act this week. What was striking about the decision was the author of the decision, Chief Judge Dennis Jacobs, an extremely conservative judge appointed by President Bush, Sr.
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