L.A. City Council Settle with Former LAPD Officer

Grobeson Reaches Settlement after More than a Decade

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Nov. 1 to approve settlement of the non-damages portion of a lawsuit brought by former Sergeant Mitchell Grobeson, the LAPD's first openly gay officer. “After waiting for more than a decade, I am incredibly grateful for the actions of the current city council,” said Grobeson. “I am glad that Chief (William) Bratton has brought his progressive vision to the city of Los Angeles, and is once again bringing the LAPD to the forefront of professional law enforcement.” The settlement, which also gives Grobeson $695,000 for legal fees, provides protections for LGBT and HIV-positive employees and job applicants in Los Angeles. It also mandates recruitment within the LGBT community, and strengthens the city's anti-discrimination policies by writing them into the city's administrative code. The council's move supersedes Grobeson's groundbreaking 1993 settlement, which required the city and the LAPD to halt discriminatory practices targeting gay and lesbian employees and applicants. Grobeson first filed a complaint against the LAPD in 1988, but he was charged discrimination, and harassment continued until he left the force in 1995, including retaliation for wearing his uniform at LGBT-related events and trying to recruit other gay officers to the LAPD. A court case was scheduled to begin Nov. 13 over Grobeson's request to be reinstated as an officer.

Employment Non-Discrimination Act Passes House

Despite protests, transgender protections fail to make bill

The U.S. House made history Nov. 7 when it became the first chamber of Congress to pass a bill that provides employment protections based on sexual orientation. The 235-184 vote was a bittersweet victory for some LGBT activists, who complained loudly when one of the bill's sponsors, openly gay Rep. Barney Frank, announced in September he was dropping transgender inclusive language from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) over fear the bill wouldn't pass. For weeks more than 300 LGBT and civil rights groups lobbied to have the original ENDA reintroduced as the Internet hummed with debate over the political expediency of incremental progress versus the moral responsibility of including transgenders in necessary legislation. Once debate began, Frank's fellow co-sponsor and openly lesbian Rep. Tammy Baldwin tried to add an amendment to the bill reinstating transgender protections, but the move failed. “Some people have asked why I insisted on bringing an amendment to the floor, only to withdraw it without a vote,” Baldwin said in a statement. “The reason is simple. Those left behind by this bill deserve to hear, on the floor of the House, that they are not forgotten and our job will not be finished until they, too, share fully in the American Dream.” ENDA is far from law; however, the bill still needs to be introduced and pass in the Senate, while the White House has said it will veto ENDA.

AIDS Activist R. Scott Hitt Succumbs to Cancer

Openly gay L.A. physician led top presidential council

Russell Scott Hitt, the Los Angeles physician, activist, and fundraiser who served as chair of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS during the Clinton Administration, died Nov. 8 after a long struggle with colon cancer. He was 49. “Working with President Clinton, Scott was responsible for creating policy that saved thousands of lives,” said longtime LGBT rights activist David Mixner. “He fought discrimination and was a powerful force within the Democratic Party. We shall miss his voice.” Hitt also founded the American Academy of HIV Medicine and served on the boards of numerous AIDS and LGBT organizations, including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equality California. In a statement, AIDS Project Los Angeles said Hitt “understood clearly and deeply the multiple challenges of AIDS,” and correctly predicted the challenges new life-extending AIDS drugs brought to organizations like APLA. Hitt chaired APLA's Public Policy Committee. Despite his noted professional career Hitt's personal life complicated the public one. In 2002 he was accused of sexual misconduct with a male patient during a 2000 examination when he was a partner at Beverly Hills-based Pacific Oaks Medical Group. In 2004 his medical license was suspended and later revoked after being arrested for illegal possession of a controlled substance, Gay.com reported that year. Hitt is survived by his long time companion, Alex Koleszar. A private service and burial will take place in Phoenix, Arizona.

Phelps Loses Multi-Million Dollar Suit and Could Be Bankrupt

Karma can be a bitch. Ask Rev. Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church and a protestor at the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers. Phelps, whose followers believe military deaths are God's punishment for the country's tolerance of gays, have protested with “God Hates Fags” posters. Phelps has been reviled for his anti-gay rhetoric and what some say is harassment of grieving families. On Oct. 31, Phelps' church was ordered to pay $10.9 million by U.S. District Court to Albert Snyder, who sued after Phelps and his followers protested at the funeral of his son, a Marine killed in Iraq. First Amendment scholars say the award is likely to be overturned in appeal.

Teen Rape Victim Challenges Homophobic Atmosphere in Dubai

The rape of a French teenager in the United Arab Emirate kingdom of Dubai has revealed institutionalized homophobia in the oil-rich city. On Oct. 30 the New York Times reported the plight of Alexandre Robert, 15, who alleges he was raped by two men and a teenage acquaintance after accepting a ride. Robert's family told the Times they were discouraged from filing charges and told Robert himself could be charged with a crime. Authorities also failed to inform Robert one of his alleged assailants was HIV positive. Robert is not staying quiet. “I'm doing this for all the other poor kids who got raped and couldn't do anything about it,” he told the Times.

Rosie's MSNBC Talk Show a No Go

Comedian and former syndicated talk show host Rosie O'Donnell's MSNBC cable news prime time talk show wasn't meant to be. Word about a deal came from O'Donnell herself when she spoke at a Miami book fair on Nov. 5. News started to swirl that O'Donnell, who abruptly left ABC's The View earlier this year despite improved ratings, would be hosting a weekday show that would rival the likes of Larry King and Bill O'Reilly. But in less than a week the deal fell through. “2day there is no deal,” O'Donnell wrote on her blog Nov. 7. “poof/my career as a pundit is over/b4 it began.”

Kentucky GOP Resorts to Pat Boone Anti-Gay Robo Calls

Desperation is sad. Crooner Pat Boone lent his voice to a last-ditch attempt to bring out the vote for besieged Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher by recording anti-gay robocalls. In the calls, Boone (a former Kentucky resident) said Fletcher's Democratic opponent, Steve Beshear (right), “consistently supported every homosexual cause” and suggested Beshear would like Kentucky to be “another San Francisco.” The move didn't seem to have much impact. Fletcher, who has been mired in a corruption scandal, got trounced by Beshear. "Anti-gay tactics just turn off too many voters," local Log Cabin Republican president Jimmy LaSalvia said to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Gay Marriage Amendment Likely in Florida

This might sound familiar, anti-marriage equality activists are close to getting an initiative on a state ballot in the hopes of influencing a presidential election. A ploy that was used in more than a dozen states in 2004 is being rolled out in Florida in 2008. The group Florida4Marriage is within shooting distance of getting the 610,000 votes needed to put a state constitutional ban banning same-sex marriage on the 2008 general election ballot, the Sarasota Herald Tribune reported Nov. 5. Florida, the center of the presidential election fiasco in 2000, is once again expected to be an electoral battleground state next year.

—Ven Messum, responding to the announcement he was being granted asylum from returning to his home country of Jamaica because he is gay.

Local Group Recognizes AIDS Activists

AIDS advocacy and service organization The Life Group LA is recognizing a host of local community leaders at its 2nd Annual Angels in LA celebration, including Wells Fargo Bank Vice President Gary Oliphant, the City of West Hollywood's David Giugni and founder of Dot magazine (and Frontiers staffer) Frank Morales. The ceremony, which will be held at West Hollywood restaurant and night club Eleven on Dec. 2, is being hosted by Coco Peru. West Hollywood Mayor John Duran will present the awards. Additional awardees include here! Network, Brian Risley, Shelley McKittrick, Joseph Leahy, Harlene Marshall, Tom Royer, and Reggie Ige.

Arrests Made in Malaysian Gay Sex Party

Police in Malaysia arrested 37 men who were allegedly holding a gay sex party at a fitness club Nov. 5, the website icWales reported. A British citizen and a Chinese national were among those arrested. Police, who received a tip to the activity, found condoms, lube, magazines, and pornographic DVDs in the club. “This is against our culture, our way of life,” said local police chief Azam Abdul Hamid. The men have been released, but could face charges of “committing unnatural acts.” If convicted, the men could be subject to up to 20 years in prison or public whippings.

Irish Civil Unions Bill Voted Down Again

A bill that would introduce civil unions for same-sex couples in the Republic of Ireland failed in the country's national legislature, Irish gay magazine GCN reported. A similar bill went down in defeat last February. In response to the most recent vote, 200 people held a vigil Nov. 8 to protest the lack of any legal partnership recognition in Ireland. “This is a fight we are going to win,” Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore (left) said at the protest. “It may take some time, but we will get equality for same sex couples.” The bill is expected to be re-introduced in March 2008.