Transsexual UM student fights for equal rights
AIMEE DOLLOFF, OF THE NEWS STAF

ORONO - An internship at Walt Disney World in sunny Orlando, Fla., seems like a great opportunity for almost any business student, but for one University of Maine student, it has become a fight for her rights. Claire, who is referred to by first name only to protect her safety, was accepted last fall to the Walt Disney World College Program for a seven-month internship.

But there's a twist: Claire, 23, is a transsexual, and Disney offers only single-sex housing.

When Claire told Disney officials about her situation, they gave her two options: Cut her hair and go back to living as a male, or live alone in a two-person apartment and pay double the amount of rent

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Louisiana court reinstates ban on gay marriage


NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Louisiana Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously reinstated the anti-gay marriage amendment to the state constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in September.