National
Senate panel approves DP bill, takes OPM to task
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) praised the Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act as a way for the federal government to compete with the private sector in attracting the most qualified workers. (DC Agenda photo by Michael Key)
A Senate panel approved legislation last week that would provide domestic partner benefits to LGBT federal workers, but not before criticizing the Obama administration for allegedly not providing information on how to offset costs for the bill.
The Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee reported out the legislation — known as the Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act — on an 8-1 vote. The lone vote of dissent during the markup was Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah).
Counting the votes of senators who didn’t attend the markup and voted by proxy, the legislation was reported from the committee, 10-6.
The legislation, S. 1102, would make available to the same-sex partners of LGBT federal workers benefits afforded to the spouses of straight employees, including health and pension benefits.
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement that the committee’s approval of the bill “is an important step toward guaranteeing equal compensation for lesbian and gay workers serving our government at home and abroad.”
But key supporters of the bill criticized the U.S. Office of Personnel Management during the markup for not explicitly providing information on how to offset the cost of the legislation — an estimated $63 million each year — and said a Senate floor vote wouldn’t take place until that data is provided.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), chair of the committee and sponsor of the bill, said he earlier asked OPM to provide information on costs offsets, but received no information by the time of the markup.
“We’re willing to do this and finance it within offsets from the existing OPM budget,” Lieberman said. “They were unable, for some reason, to get that information across to us this morning.”
Lieberman pledged that a Senate floor vote wouldn’t take place until OPM provides the information to senators. He had said earlier during an October committee hearing that he expected a floor vote on the bill early next year.
In a statement, OPM director John Berry, who is gay, responded to the comments from Lieberman and others by praising the committee for approving the legislation and promising to work with senators as the legislation progresses.
“I am confident that we will be able to work with [the Office of Management & Budget] and the Committee to address the concerns raised today so that forward progress can continue,” he said.
Both Lieberman and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) praised the bill as a way for the federal government to compete with the private sector in attracting the most qualified workers.
Collins said the legislation would be particularly effective in attracting younger people to the federal workforce.
“It matters to them — whether they are straight or gay,” she said. “It matters to them because they view it as part of the offer that any good employer would provide.”
CPAC retains gay group as sponsor, despite boycott threats
A prominent, conservative convention is letting a gay group remain a co-sponsor despite threats from others who say they might boycott the event.
Organizers of the national Conservative Political Action Conference, set to take place in D.C. in February, are allowing GOProud, a gay conservative group, to continue as a co-sponsor in the face of calls to exclude it from the event.
Asked about the boycott threats, a CPAC spokesperson deferred to a statement from event director Lisa de Pasquale that was published this week in Hot Air, a conservative publication.
“After talking with their leadership and reviewing their web site, I am satisfied that they do not represent a ‘radical leftist agenda,’ as some have stated, and should not be rejected as a CPAC cosponsor,” she was quoted as saying.
On the agenda for GOProud, according to the organization’s web site, is repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment. It supports gun ownership rights and privatization of Social Security and favors repealing the estate tax. The group was among those that opposed the nomination of U.S. Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of GOProud, said he’s “excited” his organization will take part in the event, which some consider the most important annual gathering for conservatives.
“I just think that we’re excited to be a part of it,” he said. “I don’t have anything more to add to that. We’re just moving ahead and looking forward to being part of that important event.”
Although GOProud contributed $4,000 to co-sponsor CPAC, LaSalvia said a decision hasn’t been made yet on whether the group would have a speaking role at the event. He said more details would become known after a meeting in January. — By Chris Johnson
The White House
Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Nancy Pelosi is also among this year’s honorees
Beloved LGBTQ advocate Judy Shepard is among the 19 honorees who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the U.S., the White House announced on Friday.
The mother of Matthew Shepard, who was killed in 1998 in the country’s most notorious anti-gay hate crime, she co-founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation with her husband Dennis to raise awareness about anti-LGBTQ violence.
The organization runs education, outreach, and advocacy programs, many focused on schools.
Shepard was instrumental in working with then-President Barack Obama for passage of the landmark Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, which was led in the House by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who will also be honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom during the ceremony on Friday.
Also in 2009, Shepard published a memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed,” and was honored with the Black Tie Dinner Elizabeth Birch Equality Award.
Other awardees who will be honored by the White House this year are: Actor Michelle Yeoh, entrepreneur and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jesuit Catholic priest Gregory Boyle, Assistant House Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), former Labor and Education Secretary and former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), journalist and former daytime talkshow host Phil Donahue, World War II veteran and civil rights activist Medgar Evers (posthumous), former Vice President Al Gore, civil rights activist and lawyer Clarence B. Jones, former Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), former U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) (posthumous), Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky, educator and activist Opal Lee, astronaut and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center Ellen Ochoa, astronomer Jane Rigby, United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero, and Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe (posthumous).
National
United Methodist Church removes 40-year ban on gay clergy
Delegates also voted for other LGBTQ-inclusive measures
The United Methodist Church on Wednesday removed a ban on gay clergy that was in place for more than 40 years, voting to also allow LGBTQ weddings and end prohibitions on the use of United Methodist funds to “promote acceptance of homosexuality.”
Overturning the policy forbidding the church from ordaining “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” effectively formalized a practice that had caused an estimated quarter of U.S. congregations to leave the church.
The New York Times notes additional votes “affirming L.G.B.T.Q. inclusion in the church are expected before the meeting adjourns on Friday.” Wednesday’s measures were passed overwhelmingly and without debate. Delegates met in Charlotte, N.C.
According to the church’s General Council on Finance and Administration, there were 5,424,175 members in the U.S. in 2022 with an estimated global membership approaching 10 million.
The Times notes that other matters of business last week included a “regionalization” plan, which gave autonomy to different regions such that they can establish their own rules on matters including issues of sexuality — about which international factions are likelier to have more conservative views.
Rev. Kipp Nelson of St. Johns’s on the Lake Methodist Church in Miami shared a statement praising the new developments:
“It is a glorious day in the United Methodist Church. As a worldwide denomination, we have now publicly proclaimed the boundless love of God and finally slung open the doors of our church so that all people, no matter their identities or orientations, may pursue the calling of their hearts.
“Truly, all are loved and belong here among us. I am honored to serve as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for such a time as this, for our future is bright and filled with hope. Praise be, praise be.”
Federal Government
Republican state AGs challenge Biden administration’s revised Title IX policies
New rules protect LGBTQ students from discrimination
Four Republicans state attorneys general have sued the Biden-Harris administration over the U.S. Department of Education’s new Title IX policies that were finalized April 19 and carry anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ students in public schools.
The lawsuit filed on Tuesday, which is led by the attorneys general of Kentucky and Tennessee, follows a pair of legal challenges from nine Republican states on Monday — all contesting the administration’s interpretation that sex-based discrimination under the statute also covers that which is based on the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The administration also rolled back Trump-era rules governing how schools must respond to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault, which were widely perceived as biased in favor of the interests of those who are accused.
“The U.S. Department of Education has no authority to let boys into girls’ locker rooms,” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement. “In the decades since its adoption, Title IX has been universally understood to protect the privacy and safety of women in private spaces like locker rooms and bathrooms.”
“Florida is suing the Biden administration over its unlawful Title IX changes,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on social media. “Biden is abusing his constitutional authority to push an ideological agenda that harms women and girls and conflicts with the truth.”
After announcing the finalization of the department’s new rules, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told reporters, “These regulations make it crystal clear that everyone can access schools that are safe, welcoming and that respect their rights.”
The new rule does not provide guidance on whether schools must allow transgender students to play on sports teams corresponding with their gender identity to comply with Title IX, a question that is addressed in a separate rule proposed by the agency in April.
LGBTQ and civil rights advocacy groups praised the changes. Lambda Legal issued a statement arguing the new rule “protects LGBTQ+ students from discrimination and other abuse,” adding that it “appropriately underscores that Title IX’s civil rights protections clearly cover LGBTQ+ students, as well as survivors and pregnant and parenting students across race and gender identity.”
Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Andy Cohen coming to D.C.
Want to dance for a good cause?
Calendar: May 3-9
HHS reverses Trump-era anti-LGBTQ rule
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
Pride season has begun
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Pageant
