Neb. bill could target gays
The Sioux City Journal reports that Nebraska’s gay community is concerned it might be unfairly targeted by a bill meant to punish those who knowingly spread a deadly disease, such as HIV/AIDS.
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee heard testimony March 20 on a measure, LB 625, that would make it illegal to intentionally spread a deadly disease through sex.
“I’m concerned that this will be a witch hunt against the gay community of Nebraska,” Lucas Peterson of Lincoln said after the hearing.
Violators could face a minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison.
School sued for homophobic atmosphere
The Orange County Register reports a high school that recently made headlines over the nixing of the musical “Rent” is being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The lawsuit against the Newport-Mesa Unified School District accuses Corona del Mar High School of permitting an atmosphere that is hostile to female and LGBT students.
The lawsuit refers to a Facebook video in which three male students use gay slurs and threaten a female peer. Later, a fourth student threatened the girl on school grounds.
The lawsuit calls the school’s investigation and response “inadequate.”
Ultimately, two boys went unpunished and two were suspended for five days.
LGBT collection donated to university
KansasCity.com reports Bruce McKinney, who collected over 35 years’ worth of magazines, pamphlets and underground newsletters on alternative lifestyles, has donated his collection to the Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
Library officials say the collection gives insight into the experiences of the gays in the Midwest.
“It is one of the largest gifts of its kind we’ve ever received,” said Sherry Williams, the library’s curator.
McKinney, of Wichita, chose the library because the town was the first in Kansas to have a gay organization.
— Larry Nichols