The LGBT Task Force met Wednesday (8 April) – here are the highlights:
You can also read the full minutes (PDF) if you’d like.
Geez. I’m not sure what to think – now there are FOUR states that have legalized same-sex marriage.
Vermont’s legislature voted to override the governor’s veto on the gay marriage bill this morning. As the article points out, the state is the first of the four that has lifted the ban in this manner – the other states used the courts to overturn the rulings.
For some reason, I’m reminded of when Canada was set to be the third country to recognize these unions, and then all of a sudden, Spain swoops in and does it before them.
Technically, it’s not a race – but if it is, let’s just hope everyone finishes.
My name is Melissa DiMotto and I work in University Marketing and Media Relations in Hyer Hall. I’ve been at UW-Whitewater since 1999. I have a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree in corporate communication both from UW-Whitewater.
I’ve always found campus to be welcoming and supportive of students, faculty and staff of all walks of life and I strive to make my office environment feel the same way.
I enjoy spreading the good news about all of the great things happening on campus. I hope you’ll stop by sometime to share your story with me.
The task force is comprised of members from all over campus. The blog allows us to not only let the campus community know what we do, but also gives us an opportunity to introduce the individuals that make up this fantastic committee.
When one thinks of Iowa, ‘liberal hotbed’ isn’t something that springs to mind, does it?
Well, Iowa struck down its same-sex marriage ban yesterday. The Midwestern state becomes the third in the nation, along with Massachusetts and Connecticut, to allow these unions. In twenty days, the state will begin to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, when the ruling takes effect.
This is fantastic news, but from what it seems like, it’s far from over (no surprise there). Groups like the Iowa Family Policy Center have already mobilized and are preparing to fight the new law.
And of course, Iowa’s not alone in its marriage equality – we could see another state go ‘pro-gay marriage’ shortly: Vermont (I’ve heard as early as next week).
We’ll just have to wait and see if this affects policies and laws in surrounding states… =)
Homosexuality, as many people know, was considered a disease by the American Psychiatric Association until the early 1970s. The APA included homosexuality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in its first and second editions and was deleted from later editions. I found this nifty document from late 1973 – right before the deletion – on the APA’s website detailing the proposed change.
Anyway, thirty some years have now past. Psychiatrists and therapists don’t still think that being attracted to a person of the same sex is a ‘disease’ and can be cured, right?
Apparently, there still are some out there that do. A study published in the March issue of BMC Psychiatry claims that nearly one-sixth of health professionals in the UK admitted to offering to assist in the conversion to heterosexuality.
Read the news item from MSNBC:
Gay ‘cure’ still sought by some therapists
Link to the study:
The response of mental health professionals to clients seeking help to change or redirect same-sex sexual orientation, BMC Psychiatry
I was just in the UK last week – good thing I didn’t run into any therapists.
Thanks to Eric for the link!
