Unions lose sex equality ruling
Unions have failed in a legal bid to quash new equality regulations which, they say, fail to protect gay and lesbian workers from discrimination.

A UK High Court judge refused to rule that provisions in the government's 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations were flawed.

Unions said the rules failed to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination by "faith based" employers.

Religious organisations are exempt from certain provisions in the regulations.


~

Utah student reinforces gay youth rights
By Deb Price / The Detroit News
The most exhilarating moment of the Murray High School junior prom, held at Utah’s magnificent state Capitol, is when young sweethearts separately walk down two marble staircases, then meet at a single flight of stairs leading them to the dance floor.

At the suburban Salt Lake City school, the “promenade” has a long tradition, one that recently got a much-needed update, thanks to a gutsy 17-year-old lesbian.

Heather Johnston bought an expensive dress and excitedly anticipated the big dance. “She was just sky high,” recalls her stepdad, Joe Barraco.

But then, school officials told Heather she could dance with her girlfriend, but that the girls could not walk in the glamorous promenade as a couple. Why? Tradition.

“It was ridiculous,” says Heather, who came out to gay friends in ninth grade, and to her parents and most kids at school the next year. “We just wanted to be in the promenade like everybody else.”


~

Poll: California is more open to same-sex nuptials
By Lee Romney
LOS ANGELES TIMES
SAN FRANCISCO - Slightly less than one-third of Californians say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, and more than half say gay and lesbian relationships between consenting adults are not a moral issue, according to a new Los Angeles Times Poll.


~

Gay marriage issue may be resurrected
BY ABE LEVY
The Wichita Eagle
Supporters of a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriages are urging senators to reconsider the issue as lawmakers return to Topeka for a wrap-up session this week.

"We believe a huge majority of Kansans want this on the ballot to voice their approval or disapproval," said the Rev. Joe Wright, pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita. He is among 200-plus Wichita pastors who oppose gay marriage.

Wright said he and another Wichita pastor met with Senate President Dave Kerr about reintroducing the proposal in the Senate.

"I would be shocked if it wasn't revisited," Wright said.