Hero

Three years ago, the National Gay and Lesbian Task force released a study that found 20-40 percent of the nation’s homeless youth were LGBT.  When Cream City Foundation executive director Maria Cadenas saw the report, her thoughts turned immediately to Milwaukee. Could the situation be that bad here? And, if so, what was being done to address it?

As reported in last week’s WiG, Cadenas coordinated a project that not only verified the extent of LGBT youth homelessness in Milwaukee but also led to a collaborative program called Q-Blok involving local youth service organizations. For the first time ever in Milwaukee, abandoned LGBT youth have access to shelter, independent living, social service support, mentoring and an array of other services.

 

Villain

Testifying against New Hampshire’s same-sex marriage law, state Rep. Nancy Elliott said it had resulted in fifth-graders in Nashua County schools being taught how to perform anal sex. The statement – untrue, of course – prompted a public outcry. A local alderman said she would seek for Elliott to be removed from office unless she either recanted her statement or provided evidence to support it.

Elliott responded by issuing an apology, of sorts. “I found that I could not confirm the accuracy of the information,” she said. But Elliott defended her testimony, claiming she believed the accusation was true when she made it.

Ald. Diane Sheehan said Elliott’s response failed to explain why she didn’t report the alleged incident to police or the school district. “She’s claiming she’s concerned about kids and yet she has done nothing,” Sheehan said.