Esther Garatie

Lance Corporal Esther Garatie -- an honorably discharged lesbian Marine Corps veteran who was seeking treatment for depression and possible post-traumatic stress disorder -- alleged that Pandithurai told her that "the reason you are so upset is because you feel the darkness surrounding you, and you feel guilty about being a homosexual and living in sin."

"I'm going to prescribe you some anti-depressants, maybe they'll help, but I'm not saying that you aren't going to continue to want to kill yourself," Garatie claimed she was told by Pandithurai.

In a statement released Thursday, the Veterans Affairs said it was able to "substantiate material portions" of Garatie's allegations:

"The Administrative Investigation Board has completed its investigation. The board was able to substantiate material portions of the veteran's claims.

VA North Texas Health Care System will continue to provide an environment where veterans can receive the physical and emotional healing that they desire and deserve. As such, we remain committed to respecting diversity and providing the best possible care to all veterans. Our commitment to equal rights remains strong as we practice our core values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence."

The story first broke last November by the Dallas Voice, who reported that Garatie went in for counseling after suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. Instead, she was greeted by a bizarre three-hour tirade from nurse Pandithurai.

At the time Garatie told the paper she had initially sought treatment for severe depression and possible post-traumatic stress disorder and after coming to the VA Hospital was screened by Pandithurai who inquired about her sexual orientation.

“She sat down and looked at me, and her first question was, ‘Are you a lesbian?’” Garatie wrote in a statement. “Her second question to me was, ‘Have you asked God into your heart? Have you been saved by Jesus Christ?’"

She concluded, "This is when I realized that I was no longer a United States veteran in her eyes, I was just a homosexual.”

Following the incident, Garatie and a friend, Jessica Gerson, authored a Change.org petition effort calling on the VA hospital for Pandithurai to be fired.

The online petition drew over 19,500 signatures, and in response the VA hospital launched an investigation last November, taking Pandithurai away from patients in the interim.

Natalie Johnson was sacked from the Macy's Rivercenter Mall store in San Antonio after she told a supervisor that she was unwilling to honor Macy's LGBT policies because she felt by doing so would violate her religious beliefs.

Johnson told the American Family Association's blog OneNewsNow that she observed a young man wearing women's clothes and make-up exiting a women's dressing room and politely told him he could not re-enter because it was for the exclusive use of women. She said he angrily responded that he was a "female."

The cross-dresser was accompanied by five other individuals. The group argued with expletives that Macy’s is LGBT-friendly, to which Johnson replied that Macy’s is also non-discriminatory toward religion, and that it would go against her religious beliefs to lie to say that the young man was a woman or for her to compromise with homosexuality. The group then demanded to speak with a manager, according to OneNewsNow.

After being advised by a Macy's supervisor that company policy allows transgender individuals to utilize any dressing room they may prefer, Johnson pointed out that the same policy also protects against religious discrimination and, in this case, it protects her right to her beliefs that were being violated.

The supervisor reportedly asked if Johnson intended to comply with Macy's established policies, and when she refused, was later terminated.

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of the conservative right wing anti-gay Liberty Counsel, told OneNewsNow, "Macy’s policy which allows men to use the women’s dressing room is fraught with problems. This policy will cause significant problems and will alienate the majority of Macy’s customers."

"Macy’s has essentially opened women’s dressing rooms to every man. The LGBT agenda has become the theater of the absurd," Staver said.

George Clayton

George Clayton (R-Richardson), who took office in January after defeating a longtime incumbent and now faces re-election next year as a result of recent re-drawing of boundaries for the board’s 15 positions, said that political rivals -- members of the Golden Corridor Republican Women’s Club -- had circulated emails questioning his sexuality and living arrangements, reported the Dallas Morning News.

“To avoid the tyranny of misinformation and innuendo in this political race, I wish to say that I, in fact, do have a male partner who lives with me in my home in Richardson, Texas,” Clayton wrote in an email sent to media organizations.

He blamed Geraldine “Tincy” Miller of Dallas, whom Clayton unseated last year and who is expected to run again for the seat, for raising the issue. Miller has denied any involvement.

“I hope this frank announcement satisfies Tincy Miller and the ladies associated with the Golden Corridor organization,” Clayton wrote. “All of us can now move on with discussions concerning education instead of being overly preoccupied with my personal life.”

The Dallas Morning News

According to the Texas Freedom Network, Clayton's announcement was prompted by a recent email from Susan Fletcher, president of the Golden Corridor organization, in which she suggested to members that Clayton’s personal life “needs to be investigated.”

“What are his living arrangements in Richardson? With whom does he live? It’s not appropriate to comment further — but this needs to be investigated,” she wrote.

Clayton becomes the first known openly gay Republican elected official in Texas history.

Annise Parker

Parker spent $2.3 million to promote herself to Houston voters this year in her successful effort to win another term as mayor.

Parker is Houston's second female mayor, and the first elected gay mayor of a major U.S. city.

The Houston Chronicle reported that "most close political observers considered Parker a prohibitive favorite against five challengers."

Parker took office two years ago at a time when the tanking economy drained millions from the city's income stream as tax collections plunged.

She tackled a $100 million budget shortfall by laying off more than 750 city workers, consolidating departments, raising fees and cutting deals to put off some of the city's bills until better times. She did so without raising taxes or laying off any firefighters or police officers.

[...]

Parker took no chances on the result, diligently using the power of incumbency to work the civic club and homeowners association speaker circuit and vastly outspending her opponents with television ads and mailers.

She hammered home her efforts to help Houston's economy through initiatives such as Hire Houston First, which allows the city to contract with local businesses even when they cost slightly more than out-of-town competitors.

Yet, she still managed such a bare majority that it could embolden a stronger crop of challengers in two years, much as Mayor Lee Brown got taken to a runoff 10 years ago after an unexpectedly weak showing in 1999.
"I had five opponents. Plus, I had the economy, and that was a tough opponent," Parker said in her victory speech.

Houston Chronicle

The Chronicle also reported that only 13 percent of the city's registered voters cast ballots in the mayoral election.

Manuel Rodriguez Jr.

The Chronicle had endorsed Manuel Rodriguez Jr. for another term on the board of the Houston Independent School District but decided to reconsider its position when the candidate's campaign released a flyer urging recipients not just to vote for Rodriguez, but to vote against his opponent, Ramiro Fonseca, because he has been endorsed by the Houston GLBT Caucus.

The flyer stated, "Ramiro Fonseca has spent years advocating for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender rights ... not kids," and ends with a pair of bullet points noting that "Fonseca is 54 years old with no children and has a male partner."

"That's obvious gay-bashing, of the kind that HISD rightly prohibits on the playground. It has no place on HISD's board," the Chronicle wrote.

Advocating for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights is advocating for kids. GLBT kids are among those who most need adult protection and support.

As Noel Freeman, president of the Houston GLBT Caucus notes, "GLBT youth are 12 times more likely to be bullied in schools, five times more likely to commit suicide and eight times more likely to be homeless. It is imperative that we provide a safe, welcoming environment in our schools."

With his hateful flier, Rodriguez perpetuates the kind of stereotypes that put our kids in danger. And he implies that all right-thinking people agree with him - an insult to his constituents, and precisely the kind of blithe, old-school homophobia that makes school hallways so treacherous.

Members of the school board are supposed to be role models, not bullies. They're supposed to support civil rights, not fight against them. They're supposed to fight hate speech, not commit it.

It's important to stand up to bullying, intolerant behavior, whether on the playground or at the ballot box.

Houston Chronicle

The campaign for Rodriquez has not responded to e-mail inquiries by LGBTQ Nation for their comment on the Chronicle's editorial.

Burnett was at a private party at about 1 a.m. Sunday when four men suddenly attacked him, stabbing him at least twice with a broken beer bottle before throwing him onto a lit burn barrel while yelling homophobic epithets.

A spokesperson for the District Attorney said that Micky Joe Smith, 25, Daniel Martin, 33, and James “Tray” Mitchell Laster III, 31, all face charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. The charges are second-degree felonies, punishable by up 20 years in prison.

The Lamar County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Martin and Laster are each being held on $250,000 bond, a Sheriff's spokesman said that no bond has been set for Smith, who was taken into custody earlier Wednesday.

Lamar County District Attorney Gary Young told reporters that it will be up to a county grand jury to decide whether the three suspects are prosecuted with the state's hate crime enhancement. Under Texas statues, the enhancement could result in the charges being bumped up from second-degree felonies to first-degree felonies — punishable by five to 99 years in prison.

“We’re in the process of receiving all the information as a result of the investigation,” said Young, who declined to further discuss the status of the ongoing investigation.

“We will present all that information to the grand jury, including all the information as to whether it’s a hate crime or not. The grand jury will make a determination whether it [a hate crime] is or isn’t part of the charge. If their actions of committing the aggravated assault are based on race or sexual orientation or whatever it may be, the grand jury can choose to enhance the offense up a level," he added.

Burnett said it took 30 stitches to close stab wounds to his back and forearm, as well as a cut above his left eye. He also sustained second-degree burns and severe bruises.

In an initial report published by the Dallas Voice, Burke Burnett, 26, said he was at a private party at about 1 a.m. Sunday when four men suddenly attacked him, stabbing him at least twice with a broken beer bottle before throwing him onto a lit burn barrel.

Dallas Voice

Burke Burnett

According to Burnett, his assailants were yelling the epithets “pussy-ass faggot,” “gay bitch” and “cock-sucking punk,” during the attack.

“They knew I was gay,” Burnett told the Voice on Monday. “I’m convinced they were trying to kill me.”

But one police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday that there are two sides to this incident, and that investigators were exploring the possibility that the attack may have been provoked, and not influenced by the victim's sexual orientation.

The official did indicate that police investigators were aware of the identities of the four men involved and were continuing the investigation. The source did emphasize that the Reno police were taking the attack very seriously, but no decision had been made as to possible charges.

Burnett said the officer investigating the case told him the attack will be classified as a hate crime. But Burnett said his attackers, whose identities are known, remain at large, and the officer told him it could be two weeks before they’re arrested.

“I’m scared for my life,” Burnett said, adding that he’s staying with a family friend. “I’m scared to go home. These guys have nothing to lose.”

Burnett said he grew up in Paris and came out as gay when he was 15. He knows at least one of his attackers personally. Two of the suspects have been to prison and may be on parole, he said.

Burnett said he’s attended several parties at the residence and was invited by his straight friend who lives there. He arrived at the party several hours earlier with three gay friends. However, the group left after someone at the party was overheard making anti-gay remarks such as, “These faggots don’t deserve to be here. Somebody needs to get them out of there.”

Burnett said he didn't hear the remarks and wasn't aware of them when he returned to the party later in the evening with one of his girlfriends.

Dallas Voice

In a statement released Monday, police chief Jeffery Sugg said, "The Reno Police Department is currently investigating an aggravated assault that took place last weekend. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided when available.”

Reno Mayor William Heuberger, told LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday that he felt that the police department would do a through and fair job of investigating the incident, and that he would abstain from comment until the police investigation was completed.

The Mayor also said that he didn't feel that the actions of the four men were reflective of the overall values of the community nor of its citizens.

Christian Berle, Deputy Executive Director of the National Log Cabin Republicans, told LGBTQ Nation on Saturday that "there were a number of times and incidents that the leadership in the Dallas group had endorsed positions that contravened our stated policies."

The latest hubris that propelled the national organization to take drastic action came after the Dallas chapter's Schlein appeared on the Michelangelo Signorile radio program last month. During a conversation with Signorile on GOP party platform issues, Schlein steered clear of LGBTQ equality rights, instead discussing GOP platform issues regarding national security, Social Security, and the economy:

"What good are rights if you don't have a job?" asked Schlein.

Signorile pointed out that LGBTQ people aren't protected from workplace discrimination and could easily lose any job, Schlein said antidiscrimination laws don't matter either.

"Texas is a right-to-work state. So as an employer, which I am, I can fire anybody at will," he claimed.

"You cannot fire somebody for being African-American," Signorile objected.

"Well, I wouldn’t tell them," Schlein said.

"You wouldn’t tell them, but you’d do it anyway?" Signorile asked.

"I’d find a reason if I wanted to fire them," Schlein said, defending discrimination against black people while trying to prove an anti-discrimination law would make no difference to LGBT people.

Schlein's comments provoked a firestorm of protest over what many perceived as being racist remarks.

Berle told LGBTQ Nation the action taken is simply because the leadership in the Dallas chapter had consistently undermined the credibility, effectiveness and mission of Log Cabin Republicans through their actions.

"The Dallas leadership engaged in a consistent pattern of behavior that forced our Board of Directors to and dissolve the current chapter and start over rechartering a new chapter with fresh leadership," he said.

The Log Cabin's national Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper said in a statement released late Wednesday that the previous Dallas chapter has been de-chartered, and the new Dallas chapter will be led by Thomas Purdy as president and a new board.

The Log Cabin Republicans is an organization that works within the Republican Party to advocate for equal rights for gays and lesbians.

The student told KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi on Thursday that he was suspended after he was caught on a campus surveillance camera kissing the fellow student in the school's band hall.

"They never check [school] cameras for anything unless something is stolen," the student told KRIS-TV, asking that his identity not be revealed.

"I'm sure we were the only ones, sexual orientation-wise, being caught like that."

The teen said public displays of affection are a common occurrence between heterosexual couples at Alice High School, and believes that the principal would not have targeted him had he been caught kissing a female student.

But the school district claims the kiss isn't the reason for the suspension.

In a written statement issued Friday, Principal Lucy Munoz said, "the district does not suspend students for kissing other students at school, regardless of the gender of the student."

The statement did not list a specific reason for the student's suspension, and only said "the matter is still under review by the District."

Munoz, however, did write that the "Cheer Program Handbook requires students to adhere to a higher standard of conduct than that which applies to the general student population."

The school's handbook states that the school board "established policies and procedures to prohibit and promptly respond to inappropriate and offensive behaviors that are based on a person's race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law," but makes no reference to sexual orientation or gender identity.

The student's family told KRIS-TV that if their son isn't put back on the cheerleading squad, they will pursue further action.

In a broadcast report on KDFW-TV, Dakota Ary said:

“We were talking about religions in Germany. I said, ‘I’m a Christian. I think being a homosexual is wrong,’” he said. “It wasn’t directed to anyone except my friend who was sitting behind me. I guess [the teacher] heard me. He started yelling. He told me he was going to write me an infraction and send me to the office.”

A school administrator contacted Ary's mother, Holly Pope, at work to let her know he was in trouble.

“At first I was in disbelief. My son is on the honor roll with great grades. I don’t have any problems out of him,” Pope said.

After hearing Ary’s explanation of what happened, the assistant principal reduced the original suspension from two days to one. But Pope was not satisfied with that.

“He was stating an opinion. He has a right to do that. They punished him for it,” Pope said.

Attorney Matt Krause joined Ary and his mom at a Wednesday morning meeting with the principal. They asked for the blemish to be taken off his record and reassurance there would be no retaliation.

“Students don’t lose their first amendment rights just because they go in the schoolhouse door,” Krause said.

District spokesman Clint Bond said the Fort Worth Independent School District does not comment on specific employee or student-related issues, but did say that "We are following district policy in our review of the circumstances and any resolution will likewise be in accordance with district policy."

If Ary continues taking German he’ll have to learn from the same teacher who punished him. His mom is relying on faith that things will work out.

“I want to believe the school will make the right decision. That’s something the school will need to handle,” she said.

William Flowers (left) and Jim Evans

William Flowers, and his husband Jim Evans -- who married last year in Connecticut -- called the judge homophobic, and they are being punished for being gay.

A jury denied Flowers's request for custody of his twin nine-year-old girls and 14-year-old boy. But the verdict came back with a little something extra.

In an injunctive section, Judge Charley Prine ordered that Flowers cannot leave his children with any man who isn't part of the family "by blood or adoption" without Lacey's express permission.

Male babysitters, doctors, neighbors -- not to mention Jim Evans, Flowers's husband -- were barred from exclusive contact with the children.

Houston Press

The ruling, issued last month, was signed on Friday.

KTRK-TV has this interview with the couple:

Austin family law attorney Jennifer Cochran said the ruling “strikes at the very heart of the fact that he’s gay … it’s judicial activism, legislating from the bench,” and has nothing to do with protecting the best interests of the children.

Diana Sims, an attorney, said she's never seen anything like this. "For the judge to slam him like this for no reason whatsoever is just pure homophobia," she said.

Mike Rawlings

Stand Up Against Bullying Week coincides with a visit from international rugby star Ben Cohen, who’ll be in town for gay Pride and whose StandUp Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about anti-LGBT bullying.

“It is an important issue to our youth,” Rawlings’ chief of staff, Paula Blackmon, said Wednesday. “Bullying is a real thing, and it’s important to bring awareness to it and to say it won’t be tolerated, and if it is happening, then others shouldn’t tolerate it. They should do something about it.”

The Stand Up Against Bullying Week proclamation was issued in response to a request from Jeff Hickey, a local gay activist who led the campaign to bring Cohen to Dallas.

Dallas Voice

A highlight of the week will be the North Texas Stand Up Against Bullying Education Summit, sponsored by Southern Methodist University.

The event will include a panel of experts and community leaders including the Honorable Joel Burns, an openly gay city council member from Fort Worth, Texas, who last year delivered a heart-wrenching, impassioned plea to LGBT youth struggling with their sexual identity or facing adversity among their families, community or bullying by their peers.

William Flowers married Jim Evans last year in Connecticut. At the time, William’s ex-wife had full custody of the children with William getting regular visitation with them.

After William married Jim, he sought to change the custody agreement. The jury decided that the custody agreement should remain as-is.

While there were no allegations of abuse or endangerment of the children in any way, the Judge added a ruling applicable only to William. The Judge’s ruling prohibits him from ever leaving his children alone with any man who is not related to the children “by blood or adoption.”

The article cites interviews with many practicing law in Houston stating they had never heard of such an injunction in cases not involving abuse or neglect.

When William’s ex-wife’s lawyer was interviewed about it, she claimed it was common and referred the reporter to Teresa Waldrop, a member the of the Family Law sections of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association – Waldrop admitted to never having seen an injunction such as this and referred the reporter to Austin Family Law Attorney Jennifer Cochran.

Austin family law attorney Jennifer Cochran told the Chronicle the provision is “just not reasonable.”

The fact that William can’t leave the children alone with any man to whom they aren’t related by blood or adoption “strikes at the very heart of the fact that he’s gay ... it’s judicial activism, legislating from the bench,” and has nothing to do with protecting the best interests of the children, said Cochran.

Perry, speaking to a group of Republican donors at the Aspen Institute in Colorado last Friday, said he recognizes the role and importance of the 10th Amendment in American politics.

Rick Perry

“Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. And you know what? That’s New York, and that’s their business, and that’s fine with me ... If you believe in the 10th Amendment, stay out of their business."

But Perry's comments kicked up a firestorm among social conservatives and the GOP presidential field of candidates.

In his first interview on the issue since making those comments, Gov. Perry spoke with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins today to addresses the Aspen remarks, discuss the 10th Amendment’s application to marriage, and his support for a federal marriage amendment.

Gov. Perry commented: “I probably needed to add a few words after that ‘it’s fine with me,’ and that it’s fine with me that a state is using their sovereign rights to decide an issue. Obviously gay marriage is not fine with me. My stance hasn’t changed.”

Family Research Council

Perry has also partnered with the anti-gay hate group American Family Association (AFA) in calling for a day of “fasting and prayer.”

Perry’s prayer plan includes co-hosting a major Christian worship event to be held in a Houston stadium on August 6, where worshipers will pray for a “historic breakthrough for our country and a renewed sense of moral purpose.”

Both the AFA and the FRC have been labeled as anti-gay hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Captain James Fritzen Taylor said he is "forever changed" by the incident, which gained national attention, and that he "has learned a much-needed lesson to be more sensitive of others."

James Taylor

June 28, 2011

To All Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants and all Employees:

Because of the impact of my comments, I wanted to communicate with you directly.

Please accept my most sincere apology for the inappropriate and disrespectful remarks I made in March with an open microphone. I deeply regret the derogatory remarks I made and the hurt I have caused -- I take full responsibility for those comments.

It was truly insensitive of me and I would like all of you to know that from now on, I will show nothing but the utmost respect during my interactions with all employees.

In addition, I would like to extend a special apology to all Flight Attendants, and especially those of Houston. I hope you will allow me to maintain a working relationship with all of you that will provide me the opportunity to extend an individual, personal apology to each one of you whenever we fly together.

Please know that this event has forever changed me and I hope that others can learn from my mistake.

I have learned a much-needed lesson to be more sensitive of others and I hope you will see me as a more tolerant and considerate person.

I am proud to be employed by Southwest Airlines and I am committed to representing our Company, and its employees in the most professional way possible.

With My Sincere Regards,
Captain James Taylor

In a March incident, Taylor did not realize that his microphone was still on, and while describing his intentions of partying with co-workers, bemoaned that his colleagues were either too gay, too heavy, or too old. You can listen to the rant here.

Taylor, based in Argyle, Texas, was suspended without pay by the airline and ordered to attend diversity training.