Va. lawmaker blasts gay-rights flag
The Washington Examiner reports Virginia’s most outspoken legislative adversary of gay rights is calling out the president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond for flying a gay-rights flag outside its downtown tower.
In a memo to Jeffrey Lacker, Republican Delegate Bob Marshall calls the decision to fly it “a serious deficiency of judgment.”
Marshall asked Lacker what flying the flag, or any other similar display, has to do with Lacker’s central banking mission.
Fed spokesperson Jim Strader says it is being flown through June at the request of an LGBT employees group called Prism.
Florida Family Assoc.: Beware of Disney Gay Day
The Advocate.com reports the Florida Family Association spent $7,000 to fly a large banner “warning” Disney World guests of the annual Gay Day celebration at the Magic Kingdom.
“Thousands of homosexuals, lesbians and transgenders will converge on Central Florida the first week of June to celebrate their immoral lifestyles,” the group announced on its website in condemnation of Orlando Gay Days, which brings millions of tourist dollars to the area each year.
The association also criticized DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando for its official sponsorship of Gay Days.
Conn. Senate passes gender-identity bill
The Boston Globe reports the Connecticut Senate has passed legislation that would provide protections from gender-identity discrimination under the state’s antidiscrimination laws.
The bill passed June 4 on a 20-16 vote. It has already passed the House of Representatives. Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he will sign the bill into law.
Proponents say the bill codifies a ruling by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities that made it illegal to discriminate against transgender people. They say legislation is needed to help a small group of people who’ve experienced discrimination with employment, housing and other matters.
— Larry Nichols