Jesse Jackson Denies Gay Worker’s Harassment Claims
A spokesman for the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Thursday denied a claim from a man who says he was fired from the civil rights leader’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition because he is gay. Tommy R. Bennett filed a complaint with the city of Chicago’s Commission on Human Relations last year, alleging Jackson fired him unjustly and that the civil rights leader forced him to perform “uncomfortable” tasks, including escorting various women to hotel rooms to meet Jackson for sex. “The Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., unequivocally deny Tommy Bennett’s false claims of harassment, retaliation and discrimination,” PUSH spokeswoman Lauren Love said in a written statement. “We are fully cooperating with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and expect to be fully exonerated.” from Chicago-Sun Times
Nashville Approves Gay Protection Proposal
The City of Nashville has passed an anti-discrimination ordinance that would protect gays and lesbians who work for companies that contract with the city. The Tennessean reports that the vote passed by the thinnest of margins Tuesday, as opponents were arguing that city contractors shouldn’t be forced to compromise their moral and religious values. A number of prominent religious leaders, including Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, voiced opposition to the measure early on, asking the council, in a letter, to vote against it. www.BigGayNews.com
First Public Same-Sex Partnerships Celebrated in Ireland
Two couples celebrated the first public same-sex partnership ceremonies in Ireland on Tuesday, in a move that the country’s Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) described as a “milestone”. New civil partnership laws came into force in January but couples had to give three months’ notice to the country’s Civil Registration Office. The new step comes 18 years after homosexuality was decriminalised in the Republic of Ireland. GLEN chairman Kieran Rose said the ceremonies were a “very significant advance” and marked “another great milestone for Ireland and for lesbian and gay people”.