Wisconsin Supremes To Review 2006 Marriage Ban Referendum
Madison -  The Wisconsin State Supreme Court has formally issued its intent to review McConkey v. J.B. Van Hollen, et.al, the case that University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh professor William McConkey has brought against the state challenging the legality of the 2006 referendum amendment to the state’s constitution banning same-sex marriage and civil unions.  McConkey argues that amendment should be nullified because the two questions in the referendum should have been voted on separately.
  “Fair Wisconsin is pleased that our Supreme Court has decided to hear this case,” Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Glenn Carlson said in response to the May 14 announcement.  “We are very hopeful that the Supreme Court will come to a fair and just decision. This amendment that writes discrimination into the Wisconsin Constitution has been on the books for far too long.”
  The decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, expected sometime in fall or winter of 2009, could overturn the Wisconsin ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions. 
  “While the Court’s decision could be a major victory for fairness, the decision alone would not provide protections for the thousands of committed couples here in Wisconsin,” Fair Wisconsin Legislative Director Katie Belanger added.  “That is why Fair Wisconsin is working hard to promote the domestic partnership protections that are part of Governor Doyle’s budget.   These protections would ensure that caring, committed couples has some of the basic legal protections they need to be able to take care of each other, like hospital visitation, end of life decision-making, and taking family leave to care for a sick or injured partner.”
 
Final Wisconsin Budget Bill Retains Domestic Partner Protections
Madison - The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted by a 12-4 margin May 22 to approve provisions providing for domestic partnership protections as part of the biennial budget. The JFC also authorized the provision of the offering ofto offer health insurance benefits to same- and opposite-sex domestic partnerships of state employees.
  “We applaud the Joint Finance Committee’s decision to approve this important measure, and thank the committee co-chairs Senator Miller and Representative Pocan for their leadership,” Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Glenn Carlson said in response to the vote..   
  “Domestic partnerships offer the basic legal protections that caring, committed couples need to be able to take care of each other,” Fair Wisconsin Legislative Director Katie Belanger added.  “Even in tough economic times, providing domestic partnership protections like hospital visitation, end of life decision-making, and the ability to take family leave to care for a sick or injured partner is the fair and decent thing to do.” 
  The full legislature is scheduled to vote on the budget in June.

World & National News:

Moscow Police Crush Gay Rights Rally
Moscow - Police officers in Moscow quickly suppressed a gay rights demonstration May 16, detaining dozens of protesters who hoped to showcase discrimination in Russia ahead of the Eurovision song contest final on Saturday evening.
  The approximately 40 people rounded up face misdemeanor charges for trying to hold what a police spokesman, Anatoly Lastovetsky, called “unsanctioned” demonstrations.
  Such demonstrations have become an annual headache for the Moscow authorities, who refuse to grant permission to organizers to hold the events despite constitutional guarantees protecting freedom of assembly.
  While there were no reports of violence, the crackdown on this year’s protest could prove an embarrassment as thousands of European visitors were gathered here for the Eurovision final, a huge pop music spectacle. Dima Bilan, a Russian pop star, won last year’s contest in Serbia.
  Gay rights activists called on participants and fans to boycott the contest in response to what they said was the government’s failure to guarantee even the most basic rights to gay men and lesbians. No mention of the gay rights protest was made at the Eurovision final, which was won by Norway’s Alexander Rybak.

Gay U.S. Diplomats To Receive Partner Benefits
Washington, D.C. -Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced that gay American diplomats will be given benefits similar to those that their heterosexual counterparts enjoy. In a notice sent to State Department employees, Clinton wrote regulations that denied same-sex couples and their families the same rights and privileges that straight diplomats enjoyed are "unfair and must end," as they harm U.S. diplomacy.
  "Providing training, medical care and other benefits to domestic partners promote the cohesiveness, safety and effectiveness of our posts abroad," Clinton wrote. "It will also help the department attract and retain personnel in a competitive environment where domestic partner benefits and allowances are increasingly the norm for world-class employers. At bottom, the department will provide these benefits for both opposite-sex and same-sex domestic partners because it is the right thing to do.”
  Among the benefits that will now be granted gay diplomats: the right of domestic partners to hold diplomatic passports, government-paid travel for their partners and families to and from foreign posts, and the use of U.S. medical facilities abroad.
  In addition, gay diplomats' families will be eligible for U.S. government emergency evacuations and training courses at the Foreign Service Institute, according to the message.
  Previously, the State Department had withheld some benefits from the families of gay diplomats. The Bush White House applied the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which had restricted federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
  One former ambassador, Michael Guest, resigned from the foreign service in 2007 to protest the restrictions. Guest was a part of the Obama administration's State Department transition team and played a major role in lobbying for the changes.

Texas Mayor Quits To Join Illegal Immigrant Partner
San Angelo, Texas - Just a month after winning his fourth term in office with a landslide majority, San Angelo Mayor J. W. Lown abruptly resigned his office to join his life partner, a Mexican man who had been living illegally in the U.S.
  The 32-year old Lown sent a cellular phone text message to the city manager of this west Texas town just hours before he was due to be sworn into office, advising he wouldn't be at the ceremony. City officials later found a short letter of resignation on Lown’s desk also stating he had moved to Mexico.
  Lown later told local media that his partner came to the U.S. five years ago and their relationship began in March 2009. With his partner unable to legally remain in the U.S., the mayor said he realized around election day - May 9 - that he faced a choice: betray his duty to abide by the law by helping the man hide from immigration authorities; end the relationship, or join him in Mexico. He chose Mexico.
  Lown's colleagues and constituents have rallied around him. Some said they hadn't known he was gay. Others were surprised he got involved with an illegal immigrant. Neither issue drew widespread censure or disapproval.
  "In this neck of the woods," Councilman Johnny Silvas said. "People are accepting."
  San Angelo, with a population of about 90,000, is northwest of Austin, not close to the U.S.-Mexico border. But all across Texas, residents have business and personal relationships with Mexican immigrants, legal and illegal. Mr. Lown's family has roots in Mexico, and he has holds dual nationality.
  The mayoral post is a part-time and pays just $600 a year. But Mr. Lown had thrown himself into the job, according to local officials. He pushed to rebuild aging water and sewer lines and attended hundreds of community events. He won nearly 90% of the vote in a three-candidate race, and his website said he had "high hopes" for making San Angelo "the pride of West Texas."
  His constituents want him back. Councilwoman Charlotte Farmer said she had been besieged by voters asking her to urge the mayor to resume his duties if he can resolve his partner's immigration status. "They love our mayor," Ms. Farmer said. "Quite frankly, so do I."

State News:

AIDS Network To Open Dental Clinic
Madison - AIDS Network (AN) has announced that it will expand its services to include dental care at a new clinic. “Good oral care is essential for all of us but especially so for those living with HIV virus,” AN Executive Director Karen Dotson said. “Oral lesions may bring a decline in the function of the immune system and untreated progress to an AIDS diagnosis.”
  Dotson then pointed out that most of AN’s clients live at or below the poverty level, one of the consequences of having HIV.  “Finding adequate and affordable dental care for our patients is difficult to say the least and often requires clients traveling out of town and waiting too long to receive treatment,” she said.
  As people living with HIV are challenged getting in to see a dentist and face many barriers to care, case mangers are critical to the implementation. AIDS Network case managers provide comprehensive care coordination, linkage to primary care and community partners and establish a solid trust relationship with the patients which translates to an increased likelihood for compliance and follow-up.
  In 2005, Access Community Health Centers (ACH) of Madison conducted a needs assessment for Dane County and determined that 83,000 dental visits annually were needed for low income and uninsured residents.  AIDS Network is collaborating with UW Hospitals and Access Community Health Centers to provide much needed dental service to the underserved population of this area, including an estimate of over 1,200 HIV/AIDS patients.
  “AIDS Network has consistently provided quality services to client in this area. We are very excited about this opportunity to provide more and better dental care in our area for those who need it most but can least afford it,” HIV+ AN board member Timothy Lapp said. “We are also very grateful to have the support of Governor Doyle and Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) for our efforts.”
  AIDS Network hopes to finalize plans for its new dental clinic in Madison within the month.  The agency has 25 years experience as a care provider and will manage the clinic which will be open to other low income populations as well.
  Additionally, the agency announced that it will launch a new website where latest information about this and other new initiatives will be available online.
   AIDS Network is the HIV/AIDS service provider for South Central Wisconsin and provides case management, prevention, legal, and support services for approximately 425 residents in 13 counties.

GSA Organizer Named Wisconsin PTA Teacher Of The Year
Janesville - Parker High School teacher and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) organizer Deri Wahlert has been named the 2009 Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Parent-Teacher Association.
  In addition to organizing the GSA, Wahlert is the advisor to the National Honor Society. She also founded the Parker Closet this year. Parker Closet helps students living in poverty with basics such as clothing and school supplies.
  The honor is especially meaningful because students’ comments determine who is selected for the state application, President of the Parker Parent Teacher Student Association Lori Long said.
  Wahlert spends hours on the phone with local businesses, trying to get donations to the Parker Closet, according to the application submitted to the state PTA. She’s also known as a hard-working, creative teacher who connects with students.
  According to letters submitted with her nomination, both students and staff respect Wahlert as a teacher  and role model. Fellow teacher Kate Bennett wrote that “as a ninth-year educator who coordinates a cocurricular and has been involved in many activities at Parker, Deri has motivated me to ‘step it up’ and get more involved in our students’ lives,” fellow instructor Kate Bennett wrote in her letter. If every school in Wisconsin had a teacher like Deri, we truly would have great schools!”
  Principal Steve Schroeder addressed Dahlert’s priorities in is letter of recommendation. “She has displayed a caring for students greater than many veteran teachers,” he wrote. “Her first priority is kids and making sure they have a positive learning experience. She helps them understand the value of an education, because she understands its value.”
  Parker student Brittany Beggs appreciated Wahlert’s caring attitude. “She is a caring teacher who is really helpful and understands kids,” she wrote. “She takes things slow and wants to make sure everyone knows the information.”
  Another fellow teacher also noted the winner’s caring attitude. “Ms. Wahlert makes an effort to connect with each student and will remember the smallest detail about her students. She is committed to diversity and teaching tolerance for the differences of others,” Melissa Baier wrote. “Deri has a heart of gold and will do anything for her students and staff.”
  Wahlert is the fourth teacher from Parker High School to win the Teacher of the year honor from the state PTA.  Other winners were English teachers Crystal Callison and Sara Heiss and business teacher John Zimmerman.

Anti-Gay Miss USA Loser Keeps Her Tiara
Los Angeles - Miss USA Loser Carrie Prejean who sparked a national controversy  with her opposition to same-sex marriage will be allowed to keep her Miss California tiara after insisting that her stance is the same as that of President Obama.
  Prejean, 21, the reigning Miss California, became a lightening rod for the debate over same-sex marriage when she answered a question put to her by a gay judge at the Miss USA beauty pageant last month. Caught in the spotlight, the contestant responded: “I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone.”
  Prejean, a college student whose ambition is to become a Victoria Secret lingerie model, claimed the answer cost her the Miss USA crown. She was named first runner-up by the judges, many of whom noted the gay marriage question was not the determining factor in Prejean’s loss.
  Pageant officials considered stripping her of her title as Miss California USA when she began speaking out against same-sex marriage and about topless modeling photos that surfaced on the internet. The photos also triggered a further row over whether they were taken before or after she received breast implants.
  Donald Trump, the New York property tycoon and part-owner of the beauty contest settled the issue May 12 when announced in New York that she could keep her tiara.
  “It’s the same answer the President of the United States gave; it’s the same answer many people gave,” Trump said. “She gave an honorable answer; she gave an answer from her heart.”
  Prejean, accompanied by her parents, thanked Mr Trump and God.
  In a follow-up radio interview after the announcement with conservative Christian talk show host James Dobson, Prejean said the question on gay marriage felt like a test from the Devil. “I felt as though Satan was trying to tempt me in asking this question,” she said. “And then God was in my head and in my heart saying: ‘Do not compromise this. You need to stand up for Me and you need to share with all these people... you need to witness to them.’”