Gay exec to run Disney films
Advocate. com reports Rich Ross, the out president of Disney Channels Worldwide, has been appointed to run Walt Disney Studios. The acclaimed television executive will make the transition to movies, where he has the support of the powerful DreamWorks team of Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider.
In his 13 years with the Disney Channel, Ross pioneered programming that appeals primarily to young audiences between ages 9-14. He is the force behind young stars such as Zac Efron of “High School Musical,” Miley Cyrus of “Hannah Montana” and the Jonas Brothers.
A profile of Ross in the Los Angeles Times in June mentioned his long-term partner, Adam Sanderson.
College employee fired for antigay e-mail
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports a Morehouse College employee has been fired and another has been reprimanded for discriminatory comments made via their work e-mail accounts.
The fired woman was an administrative assistant in the president’s office.
After receiving an e-mail that included wedding photos of a gay couple, she forwarded the e-mail and made comments that were considered discriminatory.
Morehouse president Dr. Robert M. Franklin released a statement on Oct. 1 that the historically black all-male college has a no-tolerance discrimination policy.
He said the views expressed in the e-mail were the personal views of one individual and do not reflect the values of Morehouse College.
Judge clears way for gay divorce
USA Today reports a Texas judge has cleared the way for two Dallas men to get a divorce, ruling that Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional guarantee to equal protection under the law.
District Judge Tena Callahan ruled Oct. 1 that the court “has jurisdiction to hear a suit for divorce filed by persons legally married in another jurisdiction.”
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has argued that because the state doesn’t recognize gay marriage, its courts can’t dissolve one through divorce. Voters approved a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in 2005.
Abbott said he’ll appeal the ruling.
— Larry Nichols