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Ga. governor changes day against ‘homophobia’ to ‘mistreatment’

Ga. Gov. Nathan Deal has done it again. For the second time in as many years, Deal’s office issued a proclamation requested by organizers of the International Day Against Homophobia — but only after sanitizing it into “Mistreatment Awareness Day” and removing any reference to LGBT rights.

The renamed event is sadly ironic, Georgia organizer Betty Couvertier observed last year.

“They couldn’t even use the word homophobia,” Couvertier, who asked for the proclamation, said then. “This [proclamation] is a documentation of homophobia.”

Organizers launched a Change.org petition to get Deal to issue a proclamation honoring the real observance, but at press time May 7, he hadn’t obliged. Meanwhile, plans for Atlanta’s International Day Against Homophobia start with and culminate with an evening event with speakers and performers May 17.

News in brief: Boo for Gov. Deal, kudos to Rhode Island

The Georgia Voice Editors
National

Help fight HIV stigma among African-American gay, bi men

The Georgia Department of Public Health seeks applicants for a new community advisory committee that will develop a campaign aimed at lessening HIV stigma. The group’s main focus will be African-American gay and bisexual men.

The committee will meet six times, for one hour each, monthly from June to November. The first meeting is June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Jason’s Deli on 10th Street in Midtown. The deadline for applying is May 22; members will be notified by May 31.

For more information, contact Nina Pagadala at the Georgia Department of Public Health: nipagadala@dhr.state.ga.us

Atlanta Pride party at Ga. Aquarium draws PETA protest… again

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is once again rallying gay celebrities to denounce Atlanta Pride’s annual kick-off party at the Georgia Aquarium. Last year, it was actor Jane Lynch; this year, it’s fashion guru Tim Gunn of “Project Runway.”

In a letter to Pride on behalf of PETA, Gunn claims that “loud music and normal party raucousness” are “deeply disturbing and unnerving” to marine life including the aquarium’s beluga whales.

Atlanta Pride Executive Director Buck Cooke responded with his own letter stating that the party will remain and calling out PETA for targeting Pride over the hundreds of other events at the aquarium.

This year’s party is set for Friday, Oct. 11.

Rhode Island, Delaware approve marriage equality

Rhode Island and Delaware this month become the tenth and eleventh states to approve marriage for same-sex couples. On May 2, the Rhode Island House voted 56-15 in favor of the law, which Gov. Lincoln Chafee then signed the same evening in a public ceremony on the capitol steps. Lawmakers burst into song after the vote, singing a verse of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Same-sex marriage will begin Aug. 1. The Delaware Senate approved a marriage equality bill May 7, after moving debate that included Sen. Karen Peterson, a Democrat from Dover, coming out on the floor during debate. Gov. Jack Markell signed the measure shortly after it passed.