Facebook adds ‘civil union’ option
The San Francisco Chronicle reports Facebook is recognizing civil unions and domestic partnerships as relationship statuses for the social network’s members, a move hailed by gay and lesbian advocacy groups as a strong statement of support for same-sex couples. The social media juggernaut added “in a civil union” and “in a domestic partnership” to the list of available status options for members in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. Previously, Facebook, which has an estimated 600 million active members, offered choices ranging from “single” and “in a relationship” to “it’s complicated.” Alternatively, members can omit their relationship status and their sex from their public profiles. Mass. state adds transgender protections The Boston Herald reports Gov. Deval Patrick has signed an executive order banning discrimination against transgender employees in state government. The measure adds protections for “gender identity and expression” to existing rules against discrimination. It covers all state agencies in the executive branch of government along with companies or organizations that contract with the state. Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, said workers should not have to fear that they could lose their jobs because of who they are. Arline Isaacson, of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, praised Patrick for signing the executive order but also called for legislation that would ban discrimination in the private sector as well. Creation Museum bars same-sex couple The West Kentucky Star reports a museum based on a literal interpretation of the Bible denied a same-sex couple admittance for a “Date Night” event. Officials from the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kty., confirmed the couple was denied admission and was not reimbursed the $71.90 they paid online for two tickets. However, the two sides are at odds over whether it was clear before the event that same-sex couples were unwelcome. Jonathan Meador of Louisville, who was involved in the dispute, said the museum’s website made no mention of denying same-sex couples. Mark Looy, chief communications officer for the Creation Museum, said the promotional material made it clear the event was for heterosexual couples only. GOP targets gay-rights ordinance in Montana ABC Montana reports Republicans are favoring a plan to squash Missoula’s ordinance protecting residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Leaders of the House Judiciary Committee backed a plan Feb. 21 that bars Missoula and other cities from establishing their own criteria for those protected from discrimination. The panel also voted against a plan to add protections to the antidiscrimination law that currently protects individuals on the basis of race and religion. Missoula enacted an ordinance last year protecting residents from housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. — Larry Nichols