Corporates: we don't hate lesbian
By Stacy Farrar

Advertisers have publicly distanced themselves from the Saltshakers after the Christian Action Group used them to claim a moral victory against lesbian sex.

Roche, Just Jeans, Allianz and DaimlerChrysler have written to the Saltshakers, stating homophobia played no part in their decision not to advertise during The L Word.

All of the companies said their decision was based on Channel Seven’s policy of granting free advertising to regular customers during lower rating or untested shows.


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Church backs opposition to homosexuality 
But Methodist court can't alter ruling on lesbian
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By PETER SMITH
The Courier-Journal
PITTSBURGH — The United Methodist Church yesterday reaffirmed its opposition to homosexuality and its ban on ordaining noncelibate gays and lesbians.

But the denomination's highest court ruled that it can do nothing to reverse a decision by a lower church court that acquitted a lesbian minister in Washington state of violating church law.


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Same-sex couples told marriage coming someday
By BETH BRAVERMAN
The Express-Times
HANOVER TWP. -- America will eventually give legal recognition to same-sex couples in long-term committed relationships, according to American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania legislative director Larry Frankel.

But Frankel is less certain about whether that change will come about in the next 10 years, or even the next 50.

"The struggles for social justice never come about as quickly as we want them to," Frankel said at a forum on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights held Tuesday night.

The forum, sponsored by the ACLU of the Greater Lehigh Valley, took place at the Friends Meeting House and attracted about a dozen people. Frankel gave attendees a summary of the state of the struggle for same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania and across the country.


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Backers rally for same-sex marriage right
BY CHERI BENTRUP
Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with "Bush You're Fired," Dr. Cheryl Haugh last week encouraged Oak Park's lesbian and gay couples to add their names to the village's domestic partner registry.

Haugh and her partner, the Rev. Betsy Ritzman, were the first lesbian couple to file in the village's registry in September 1997.

"I was proud to go down and register," Haugh said. "Some people are afraid to go out and make that commitment. Now is the time to be visible."

The couple spoke to a crowd of about 50 gathered April 27 at the First United Church chapel to rally in favor of same-sex marriages and to oppose a constitutional amendment, supported by President Bush, that would define marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman. The rally was sponsored by the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA).


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Hundreds line up for Equality Walk
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
Gay rights group Stonewall is set to receive thousands of pounds to fund its support for the Civil Partnership bill, after more than 300 people took part in their sponsored walk through Brighton on Sunday.

The group's first ever UK Equality Walk was intended to raise awareness of equal rights as well as help raise enough cash to ensure the group would be prepared to fight any opposition to the Civil Partnership bill and make sure it passes safely into law.

Celebrities attending the 10km walk included Sir Ian McKellen, comedian Sue Perkins and actress Dora Bryan. It was also supported by Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive David Planter and Stonewall's chief Ben Summerskill, who spoke of his gratitude to those that took part.


"We’re enormously grateful to everyone who joined us," Summerskill said.