Prison segregated lesbian inmates
Advocate. com reports the largest women’s prison in Virginia segregated dozens of masculine-looking lesbian and straight inmates from the rest of the population.
Inmates and corrections officers claimed that what began as an effort to break up couples and stop sexual activity at the Fluvanna Correctional Center in Troy turned into a practice of sending women to a unit called the “butch wing” based on their appearance.
Women sent to wing 5D said they were verbally harassed by the staff there and separated from other inmates. Three guards confirmed the charges.
Former guard William Drumheller said that manager Timothy Back started the practice, which lasted for over one year.
The practice stopped recently.
Chastity Bono announces sex change
Yahoo News reports Chastity Bono is having a sex change to become a man. A spokesperson for Bono, born to Sonny and Cher, said he “has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity” and began the sex-change process earlier this year.
Publicist Howard Bragman said Bono hopes “that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue.”
The 40-year-old writer, activist and reality-TV star came out as lesbian 20 years ago.
Court overturns lesbian sex conviction
The Southern Voice reports that, with a 5-2 vote, the Georgia Supreme Court set aside the 10-year prison sentence of a lesbian teacher who engaged in an affair with a former student.
Melissa Lee Chase was 28 when she was convicted of sexual assault for having sex with a 16-year-old female former student.
Although the student testified she initiated the relationship, Chase was not allowed to present evidence at her trial.
In the majority opinion, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears wrote that since the age of consent is 16 in Georgia, minors can enter into sexual relationships with adults.
The opinion stated that if there is no imbalance of power, it is legal to have a relationship with a former student who is of consenting age.
— Larry Nichols