US politicians decry Egypt's anti-gay abuses
Christopher Curtis, Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network
The ongoing protests over Egypt's abuse of gay men has reached the USA, where leading politicians have spoken out against the country's human rights record against the gay community and those they perceive to be gay.

On Thursday US Rep. Steve Rothman, D-NJ, sent a letter urging Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to eliminate all abuses against gay men.

Rothman co-authored the letter with Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Tom Lantos, D-Calif., and 41 other members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats signed it.

"We regard the repression, entrapment and torture of individuals based on their real or perceived sexual orientation to be clear human rights violations," Rothman and his colleagues wrote.


~

Controversial Indian film comes to UK
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
A film banned in its native India received its UK premier last night at the Manchester Commonwealth Film Festival. Pink Mirror, which focuses on drag queens and gay relationships, was banned in India because of its gay storylines and the fact that the drag queens talk in Hindi rather than English.


~

Fast-Track Gay Marriage Case Groups Tell Judge
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
(Seattle, Washington) Telling a state court that same-sex couples in Washington need the protections and security that marriage provides, Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women's Law Center filed court papers Friday seeking a prompt ruling in the case without a trial.

Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women's Law Center filed a lawsuit two months ago on behalf of same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in King County, arguing that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the state Constitution's guarantees of equality, liberty and privacy for all Washingtonians.  

The case was the first of its kind to be filed in Washington since the Massachusetts high court ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to full marriage under that state's Constitution.

"Today, we're telling the court that the legal issues in this case are clear.  Couples in Washington shouldn't have to wait through a long legal process to get the protections they need, and that only marriage can provide," said Jennifer C. Pizer, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Western Regional Office. 


~

School district considers adding to its anti-discrimination policies

By JENNI DILLON
Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is unlikely to add sexual orientation to a list of characteristics protected under anti-discrimination and harassment policies, the board implied in a work session Monday. However, additional wording to cover a range of traits may be added.

The board took up the discussion after a member of Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) addressed the board in February.

David Brown noted that the KPBSD is the largest Alaska school district to omit the term "sexual orientation" from its student and employee anti-discrimination policies.