Gutierrez backs gay measure in immigration reform

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez on May 24 endorsed the inclusion of a provision protecting same-sex couples and their families in any comprehensive immigration reform package.

Gutierrez, a Democrat from Chicago, is considered the House leader on immigration reform efforts and is the sponsor of the only comprehensive immigration bill pending. So, his endorsement is significant to LGBT equality advocates.

On May 24, Gutierrez held a press conference in Chicago with U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, and Jared Polis, D-Colo. All three pledged unwavering support for including the provisions of the Uniting American Families Act in any major immigration bill.

The Uniting American Families Act, sponsored for the past eight years by U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., would allow Americans in same-sex relationships to sponsor their “permanent partners” for immigration purposes.

Existing immigration law allows for a U.S. citizen to sponsor his or her spouse for immigration, a coveted “green card.” However, the provision does not apply to same-sex spouses or partners.

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2 students cited in anti-gay graffiti case

Two Southern Oregon University students have been cited on charges they scrawled anti-gay graffiti in a dormitory on the Ashland campus.

The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Ashland police cited 20-year-old Kevin Novotny and 19-year-old Blake Adkins on charges of criminal mischief. Adkins also faces a charge of intimidation.

Jonathan Eldridge, the university’s vice president for student affairs, says the students will also face a university disciplinary hearing.

The graffiti showed up last month in two halls.

Miss. teen to lead NYC Pride Parade

Constance McMillen has big plans for her summer vacation.

The Mississippi teenager who took the Itawamba County School District to federal court in a battle to attend her prom will lead the New York City LGBT Pride parade June 27. Parade organizers made the announcement that McMillen would be grand marshal in late May, as McMillen’s 2009-10 school year was coming to a close.

McMillen, 18, gained national attention as she, with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union, fought for her right to attend the prom with her girlfriend at Itawamba Agricultural High School

The school district had barred same-sex dates from the dance, as well as barred McMillen from wearing a tuxedo.

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Anti-gay marriage ads air in Minnesota

A national group is sinking $200,000 into TV ads opposing gay marriage in Minnesota.

The Washington-based National Organization for Marriage says Minnesota is the latest battleground state in the fight over same-sex marriage. The statewide ad urges a vote on the issue through a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The group announced the ad campaign in late May, a week after three gay couples filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Minnesota’s ban on gay marriage.