Sanctions demanded for antigay rant
365gay. com reports Utah Senate Democrats have called for the ouster of a GOP lawmaker because of his antigay statements.
In recent comments to a documentary filmmaker, state Sen. Chris Buttars compared gay activists to radical Muslims and said they are “probably the greatest threat to America going down.” He also said gay people lack morals.
In response, Senate President Michael Waddoups removed Buttars from a judiciary committee that Buttars chaired.
Democrats called for additional sanctions Feb. 24, including removal of Buttars from the rules committee, of which he is vice chairman. The rules committee is one of the most powerful in the legislature because it decides which bills lawmakers will debate.
NAACP calls for an end to Prop. 8
Advocate.com reports the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced support on Feb. 23 for California’s Supreme Court to invalidate Proposition 8.
“The NAACP’s mission is to help create a society where all Americans have equal protection and opportunity under the law,” NAACP CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous wrote in a letter to legislative leaders. “Our mission statement calls for the ‘quality of rights of all persons.’ Prop. 8 strips same-sex couples of a fundamental freedom, as defined by the California state Supreme Court. In so doing, it poses a serious threat to all Americans.”
The California state conference of the NAACP has already filed briefs with the California Supreme Court in the legal challenge against the ballot initiative. The court will begin hearing the case on March 5.
Colorado backs same-sex benefits
The Denver Post reports the Colorado Senate has given final approval to a bill extending health-insurance coverage to the partners of gay and lesbian state workers.
The Senate approved S.B. 88 on Feb. 24, sending it to the House for consideration.
Partners who have been in a committed partnership with a state employee for at least a year would be eligible for coverage.
The bill is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Jennifer Veiga, who is a lesbian.
Some Republican senators say the bill violates the will of the voters. In 2006, voters rejected a proposal that would have guaranteed rights for same-sex couples registered as domestic partners.
— Larry Nichols