Nunn, CEO of the Points of Light Foundation, is the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), who fought for the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on gay service members while in office but later supported repeal.
She joins a crowded field vying to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (D-Ga.), including prominent Republican U.S. Reps. Paul Brown, Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston and former Secretary of State Karen Handel. The election takes place in 2014.
Avondale Estates creates symbolic domestic partnership registry
Avondale Estates, the home of state Rep. Karla Drenner, the first openly gay state legislator in Georgia, has now established a domestic partnership registry for its residents. The registry extends to lesbian and gay couples as well as opposite-sex couples.
While the registry does not provide any legal rights due to Georgia’s 2004 constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, it does add a level of symbolic recognition to couples and their relationships. According to the Williams Institute, Avondale Estates has the highest concentration of same-sex couples in Georgia.
The Avondale Estates mayor and board of commissioners approved a resolution on July 22 to create the registry. Avondale Estates joins Atlanta, Fulton County and Athens-Clarke County in offering domestic partner registries.
Boycott calls target Winter Olympics over Russia’s anti-gay laws
A recent crackdown on gay rights in Russia is fueling calls for boycotts of Russian products and the 2014 Winter Olympics, set for February 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
RUSA LGBT, a group for Russian-speaking Americans, is among those calling for a boycott of the Winter Olympics, while some gay bars are boycotting Russian vodka and other products.
Recent attacks on gay rights in Russia include a law against “gay propaganda” that allows even tourists to be arrested, violence against LGBT Pride events, and bans on Russian children being adopted in any country with marriage equality.
Boycott supporters want to call attention to these policies, while those who oppose the Olympic boycotts — including several LGBT organizations and athletes — fear a boycott will hurt athletes who have trained for years to compete without prompting the country to change its policies.
All Out, a global gay rights group launched in 2010, and Athlete Ally, a U.S.-based organization that promotes LGBT inclusion in sports, released a joint statement July 29 calling on a political solution rather than a boycott.
Two openly gay Olympic athletes — retired diver Greg Louganis and figure skater Johnny Weir, who plans to compete in Sochi next year — have also stated their opposition to a boycott.
Top photo: U.S. Senate candidate Michele Nunn (Publicity photo)