Uphold New York Gender Identity Protections Court Urged
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(New York City) In the first transgender discrimination case to reach a New York state appeals court, the American Civil Liberties Union today urged the court not to deny transgender New Yorkers protections against discrimination.

"The laws of New York State clearly protect transgender people from discrimination, yet our opponents are trying to take those protections away," said ACLU attorney Edward Hernstadt.

"We asked the court to make it clear once and for all that gender identity discrimination is not something New York will tolerate."

Hispanic AIDS Forum, an AIDS service organization represented by the ACLU, brought suit against its former landlord after it was evicted because other tenants complained that HAF's transgender clients were using the "wrong" bathrooms.

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SAN FRANCISCO
Celebrating right to marry
Hundreds rally at City Hall as Massachusetts nuptials begin

A small but cheery crowd, reveling in the news that legal, same-sex marriages were under way in Massachusetts, marched from the foot of Powell Street to Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco Monday evening for a celebratory rally.

Organizers estimated that several hundred people participated in the gathering that was as much a demonstration as it was a solidarity rally, Bush protest, family affair and comedy show. A contingent from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence conducted an on-stage "exorcism" to drive "hate out of the White House," and comedian Margaret Cho gave a spirited performance. "We are who we are, we love who we love," she told the crowd, which began chanting "Margaret Cho for president" as she left the stage.
Earlier in the evening, she said: "It's my responsibility and duty as an American to be part of this and to bring a message of equality, love and pursuit of happiness."

The San Francisco event was part of a day of nationally coordinated demonstrations to mark the beginning of the legal issuance of marriage licenses in Massachusetts. Similar rallies were held in more than 20 cities across the country, including Trenton, N.J., Atlanta and Los Angeles.