Pa. group protests gay marriage bill
The Burlington Free Press reports nine men who said they were with a Pennsylvania-based group recently protested in Bangor against a gay-marriage bill in the Maine Legislature.
The men stood at an intersection near the Bangor Mall on April 18 carrying signs supporting “traditional” family values. The men told the Bangor Daily newspaper they belonged to the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.
The group travels to states where same-sex-marriage legislation is being considered. During its two hours in Bangor, the group got both honks from supporters and hoots from opponents.
‘Not a gay bar’ sign draws protest
The Chicago Tribune reports dozens of gay-rights supporters recently lined up to express their outrage after a karaoke bar in Peoria, Ill., posted a sign that read: “WE ARE NOT A GAY BAR!!”
“The sign was basically a sign of intolerance, and we’re not going to stand for it anymore,” said Stephanie Worlow, 27, one of the organizers of the protest.
For decades, the bar, now the Elbo Room, had been called the Quench Room and was known as a gay bar. In the 1990s, ownership changed hands. Although gay patrons continued to frequent the spot, tensions between them and the bar owner have risen over public displays of affection.
The bar owner, Greg Quast, issued a statement apologizing for the sign.
Lawsuit spurs GSA
365gay.com reports New York’s Indian River Central School District has agreed to allow Ashley Petranchuk to form a gay-straight alliance just days after a federal lawsuit was filed.
The suit claimed that Charlie Pratt endured years of antigay harassment during his time at Indian River High School, and his sister Ashley suffered the same bias years after her brother left.
“Indian River is taking an important first step toward righting its wrongs,” said Lambda Legal attorney Michael Kavey. “Respecting students’ freedom to stand up for themselves and each other is a key part of creating a safe learning environment for LGBT youth and their allies.”
— Larry Nichols