Nondiscrimination bill approved
The Las Vegas Sun reports a bill barring discrimination based on sexual orientation in Nevada was signed into law May 22 by Gov. Jim Gibbons.
Under SB 207, the Nevada Equal Rights Commission would be required to investigate complaints of such discrimination. Sen. David Parks (D-Las Vegas), an openly gay state lawmaker, sponsored the measure.
Lee Rowland, of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said the new law “honors the implied promise Nevada makes when it advertises to gay and lesbian tourists all over the world that they will be treated fairly and equally when they come to Nevada.”
While Gibbons signed SB 207, he vetoed a domestic-partner bill this week.
Mayor quits job over boyfriend
The Houston Chronicle reports San Angelo, Texas, Mayor J.W. Lown submitted his resignation on May 19 because of his illegal-immigrant boyfriend.
Lown had fallen for the man in March, after he had already filed for re-election. The man came to the U.S. five years ago to study at Angelo State University.
Lown said he chose not to take the oath of office while “aiding and assisting” a person who was illegally in the country.
Lown, 32, was elected in 2003 as the city’s youngest mayor and was re-elected three times.
Lown said he planned to stay in Mexico to help his partner obtain a U.S. visa.
‘Dance’ judge apologizes
Yahoo News reports “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Nigel Lythgoe, at the behest of GLAAD, has issued an apology for comments made during an audition by same-sex dance partners.
On the May 21 premiere, Lythgoe critiqued the duo’s samba and said: “I’d like to see you both dancing with a girl.”
Lythgoe then Tweeted about the controversy, saying, “I’m not a fan of Brokeback ballroom.”
On May 23, Lythgoe took responsibility for his actions.
“I sincerely regret the fact that I have upset people with the poor word choices and comments I made both during the taping of the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ audition and on my personal status update,” he said. “I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such.”
— Larry Nichols