Race, sex, age, disability — it’s common knowledge that if you discriminate based on those things, you could face a tough legal battle no matter where you live in the United States. But what if you’re gay? That still depends on where you live. It’s a lesson learned the hard way by one woman who’s speaking out after what she calls a hurtful decision.

In a horrific show of force, and a major blow the the National Organization for Marriage, the New Hampshire House of Representatives killed two measures that would have overturned the state’s new gay “marriage” law. The bills would have simply repealed the same-sex “marriage” law that passed in June and came into effect January 1 of this year. New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed a same-sex marriage bill into law early June despite his opposition to gay marriage.

In a story that mirrors Kentucky’s history, another Republican Governor rolled back protections for gay and lesbian people that a Democratic Governor ordered. His Excellency (official addressing per the constitution) Bob McDonnell rolled back protections for gay and lesbians in Virginia government, thanks to a little-noticed change made by the new Republican Governor in an executive order. His new order, which includes all previously protected categories including race, sex, religion and age – but not the previously protected category of sexual orientation – is also supported by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

In a series of condemnations and action alerts to raise public awareness of bad legislation, Kentucky Equality Federation, now joined by the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group condemned House Bill 350. With Kentucky’s economy in ruins, additional human services are expected to be cut by lawmakers before the end of the 2010 legislative session.

Gordon Dennis Fox has the distention of being the first openly gay speaker of a state lower house, although Assemblyman John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) was elected to the speakership of the California Assembly several weeks before Fox (Pérez, however, will not be sworn in as speaker until March 1).
Members of the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations House of Representatives elected Fox to succeed William J. Murphy in a day of pomp and speechifying, capping months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Kentucky Equality Federation’s Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee released a letter commending Radio Shack Corporation for its response to a discrimination case. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) 2010 Buying Guide however, Radio Shack Corporation scored near the bottom of the list along with Wal-Mart, Office Depot, and Meijer.

Don’t ask, don’t tell? Then don’t pay for it, says U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York). U.S. Senator Gillibrand said the quickest way to stop the policy is to cut off funding for its implementation and enforcement. U.S. President Obama could issue an executive order to accomplish the same task, but has yet to do so.

Former Governor and current Kentucky Senator Julian Carroll (D) looses his cool with CNN. Many in Frankfort are upset with Senator Carroll for loosing his tempter and calling him an “embarrassment.” A CNN news crew followed the chair of Independent’s voters who is trying to change Kentucky law to allow Independents to vote in primary elections.

Top defense officials will tell the U.S. Senate on Tuesday that the military will no longer aggressively pursue disciplinary action against gay service members whose orientation is revealed against their will by third parties, sources told the Washington Post. Figures released Monday show that 428 people were discharged from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines last year for violating the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. The total is about one-third lower than in 2008, when 619 people were discharged.