Defense Department surveys troops on DADT

The Department of Defense issued its survey on gays in the military to 400,000 servicemembers earlier this month.

The survey is part of the Pentagon’s study on a potential repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the policy that bans gays from serving openly in the Armed Forces.

The U.S. House voted for a repeal and the Senate is expected to vote on the issue later this summer. A provision in the legislative plan would delay a repeal of DADT until the Pentagon completes its study in December.

Military officials have said a crucial component of the study is the survey of servicemembers, intended to give a review panel a baseline of information about the opinions of 2.2 million servicemembers and their families.

About half the surveys went to active-duty servicemembers and half to reservists, who received instructions to use an untraceable PIN number so that responses remained confidential.

Pentagon officials said it was important to provide anonymity so that gay and lesbian servicemembers could respond to the survey.

U.S. Department of Defense surveys troops on DADT

NBC changes rules to allow gay ‘Today’ wedding

NBC’s “Today” show says it is changing the rules for its annual wedding contest to allow same-sex couples to apply.

The network made the determination after a meeting with gay and lesbian activists July 8, and extended the deadline for applications.

The morning show runs a contest every year in which viewers choose a couple to get married on the show. Viewers plan every aspect of the wedding, from the cake to decorations, and it takes place live on the air sometime in the fall.

NBC says it abided by New York state rules, where same-sex marriages aren’t allowed. But after activists pointed out that a couple could still get a marriage license in another state and have the ceremony at the “Today” show, the network said it would allow same sex couples to apply.

There’s still no guarantee that viewers will be able to choose a same-sex couple. NBC ultimately culls through thousands of applicants to give viewers a choice of four couples.

from WiG and AP reports

Feds solicit opinion on fair housing policy

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is seeking comment on a proposed policy intended to provide assistance to LGBT individuals and their families facing housing discrimination.

The draft the policy, published in the federal register in late June, was announced by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in late June and described by HUD Assistant Secretary John Trasviña.

The policy instructs HUD staff to inform individuals filing discrimination complaints about discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation and that gender identity discrimination is covered under the federal Fair Housing Act as gender discrimination.

“Our job to prevent and combat housing discrimination is not complete without addressing 21st-century issues,” Trasviña said. “Our Fair Housing staff will work with state and local civil rights agencies to investigate and refer discrimination cases and work to combat all aspects of gender discrimination.”

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental, sales and lending on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability and familial status.

In about 20 states and the District of Columbia, and in more than 60 cities, towns and counties across the nation, additional protections specifically prohibit discrimination against LGBT people. Under the HUD rule, the federal agency would, as necessary, retain its jurisdiction over complaints filed by LGBT individuals or families, but also jointly investigate or refer matters to those state, district and local governments with other legal protections.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development solicit opinion on fair housing policy

Lung association reports higher LGBT smoking rates

Gay, bisexual and transgender men are 2 to 2.5 times more likely to smoke than heterosexual men, according to Smoking Out a Deadly Threat, a new report from the American Lung Association.

The ALA report examines the trend of tobacco use among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the need for additional research specific to this community.

Most state and national health surveys do not collect information on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, there are current data indicating the LGBT population smokes at a higher rate than the general public.

Other key findings in the report:

Lesbian, bisexual and transgender women are 1.5 to 2.0 times more likely to smoke than heterosexual women.

Bisexual boys and girls have some of the highest smoking rates when compared with both their heterosexual and homosexual peers.

from WiG and AP reports