California Senate Passes Anti-Bullying Law

Seth's Law, named for a 13-year-old California student who hung himself in his backyard after bullies targeted him for being gay, has passed the CA state senate and is expected to be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Seth's Law will "make schools provide bullying complaint forms on their websites, give schools a timeline to investigate and resolve complaints and have them post policies throughout campuses."

Full story here:
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x682452439/Seths-Law-anti-bullying-bill-heads-to-governor

Uganda’s Family Life Network Calls for Passage of Anti-Homosexuality Bill

As Warren Throckmorton reports, Stephen Langa of the Family Life Network has launched the "Pass the Bill Now Campaign", urging the Ugandan parliament to approve the draconian anti-homosexuality law which would, among other things, make homosexuality a capital offense. Langa, who organized the 2009 Kampala conference attended by Scott Lively and other anti-gay evangelicals, stated in a press release that as we speak "[t]he molestation, recruitment and defilement of our children is still going on unabated and with impunity."

You can view the press release in its entirety at Warren Throckmorton's blog:
http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/09/03/ugandas-family-life-network-calls-for-passage-of-anti-homosexuality-bill/

Welcome Oliver Mushtare, 1L, to the WNE OUTlaw Blawg

Please welcome Oliver Mushtare, 1L, to the WNE OUTlaw Blawg! As evidenced by the last three posts, Oliver is off to a great start. We are so excited to have him join OUTlaw and help us keep the blawg up-to-date with LGBTQ legal news for the WNE Law community.

You can reach Oliver or any of the other members of OUTlaw by emailing us at outlaw.wnec@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Piers Morgan Questions Rick Santorum Over Anti-Gay Rhetoric

In an interview with former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum, Piers Morgan asks him about his critical views on homosexuality:

Five Things ‘Nightline’ Could Have Done Better In Its Special On Transgender Children

Nightline recently ran a special on transgender children, and Think Progress provides a list of five things they could have done better. The link also has the entire special if you feel inclined to watch it:
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/09/01/309882/five-things-nightline-could-have-done-better-in-its-special-on-transgender-children/

Hung Jury in Brandon McInerney's Murder Trial

A jury was unable to reach a verdict in the murder trial of 17-year-old Brandon McInerney, who is accused of shooting his fellow classmate, Lawrence King, for being gay. McInerney's defense attorneys appear to be using the notorious "gay panic defense", claiming that he shot King twice in the back of the head at point-blank range because King constantly flirted with him.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/gay-slaying-jury.html

Election Results

Congratulations to OUTlaw's 2011-2012 Executive Board and Representatives!

President: Erika Scibelli, 3L
Vice President: Caitlin Childs, 3L
Treasurer: Shiona Heru, 2L
Secretary: Chris Burnett, 1L
SBA Liaison: James Ackley, 1L
3L Representative: Aimee Lemay-Hammond
2L Representative: Amber Gould
1L Representative, Section 1: Josh Goldberg
1L Representatives, Section 2: Kaley Lentini, Oliver Mushtare
Social Chair: Jackie Bouchereau, 3L

UPDATE: First OUTlaw meeting & 2011-2012 Elections

The first OUTlaw meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 1st at 12:15 in room 1. We will also be holding elections that day. 1Ls are welcome to participate in the election and/or run for a position. Please also add WNE OUTlaw on your TWEN page to receive email updates.

WNE Law to Participate in Williams Institute National Moot Court Competition

WNE Law has been approved to participate in the Williams Insitute National Moot Court Competition on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law! All interested students must participate in the 2-credit Appellate Moot Court Tutorial class in the fall taught by Professors Orlen and Kaiser. The class culminates in a moot court competition through which members of our team will be selected. Students who participate in the Moot Court Tutorial are not guaranteed a spot on the Williams Institute Team--they will compete for a slot against other students who have indicated an interest in the Williams Institute team, but everyone who participates will get 2 credits.

Professors Flynn and Shay will co-coach the team and Professor Flynn will travel with the team to L.A in the spring.

CT Senate Approves Trans Rights Bill

The Connecticut Senate approved a bill on Friday, June 4th  that will extend equal protection to transgender individuals. Governor Malloy said that he will sign the bill. WNE Law Professor Jennifer Levi worked tirelessly on the bill along with a larger coalition in Connecticut. This is exciting news for Transgender residents of Connecticut.

Read Professor Levi's narrative from the night of June 4th here or at GLAD.org. An article is also available from the Hartford Courant here.