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Civil Rights

Evangelical leader Cizik ousted for shift in same-sex marriage views

The outspoken Christian evangelical who criticized Republican John McCain as “unprincipled” and who has emerged as a leading voice calling for conservatives to devote themselves to battling global warming resigned his longtime post with the National Association of Evangelicals after a radio interview in which he said his views on same sex marriage are “shifting.”

Gay groups cry foul on New York Times ‘No Mob Veto’ ad claims

A full page New York Times ad has sparked a war of words between gay groups and their allies and conservative religious leaders. The ad, sponsored by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asserts that gays and lesbians have engaged in a pattern of mob violence against Mormons after the passage of Proposition 8 in California; gays meanwhile have pushed back, asserting that the church is not the victim.

‘Day Without A Gay’ action to highlight economic, human contributions

Today, gays across Colorado woke up and … called in gay. They will not work, they will not shop, but instead plan to volunteer at their local soup kitchens or collect donations for food banks or signatures for a petition to repeal Proposition 8 in California.

Nurse in Emily Rice case fired over new misconduct accusation

The jail nurse who didn’t get fired after treating a dying Emily Rice the way, as has been described, “the way someone might treat a dog,” has been fired from his position following a recent accusation of misconduct. The nurse, Robert Kelly Costin, has said that — apparently just like the Rice case, which resulted in a recent $3 million settlement — it’s not his fault.

KBDI refuses to delay airing of Guantanamo torture documentary

Even as Barack Obama has vowed one of the first acts of his presidency will be to shut down Guantanamo, and even as the topic has been raging in Congress, many Americans will have to wait until the day after George W. Bush leaves office to watch a documentary detailing the horrific policies of his regime.

Women’s wages, benefits boosted by union membership

A year ago Gov. Bill Ritter got clobbered by the press and conservative pundits for signing an executive order allowing state workers to join unions. Now, a new report may offer some vindication for the governor's decision — especially as the federal Employee Free Choice Act to ease union organizing rules and strengthen union-busting laws gains steam again in Congress.

Prop. 8 fallout continues with Mormon campaign cash investigation, ‘Dishonor Roll’

The fallout is still coming down in a big way over California’s Proposition 8 election results. There have been largely symbolic pushbacks over the voter-approved law that strips gay couples from the right to marry each other — like last weekend’s protest in Colorado at the Century Boulder Theater. And there are larger stakes issues at play as well — like an investigation into whether the Mormon Church, which heavily funded the measure, violated state laws by failing to report campaign expenditures.

Craigslist nastygram results in libel charge for jilted Loveland man

In the world these days, where everyone’s a journalist, it behooves the same everyone — at least in Colorado — to know about an arcane law that could send you to the pokey for writing something insulting about someone and thereby exposing them to “public hatred, contempt or ridicule.” The latest case of criminal libel has been filed over a guy who allegedly ranted and raved about his ex-girlfriend and her attorney and posted it on Craigslist.

Polis to join anti-Proposition 8 protest at Century Boulder Theater

Colorado Congressman Jared Polis and his partner, Marlon Reis, will be among those boycotting the Century Boulder Theater on Sunday. The movie house plans to show the film “Milk,” based on the story of Harvey Milk, member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and pioneer in the gay-rights movement who was gunned down in 1978. The theater company owner’s CEO, Alan Stock, donated $9,999 to California’s Yes On 8 campaign to prohibit gays from marrying.

Protesters: ‘Yes We Can!’ close the School of the Americas

A year ago the notion that the School of the Americas would be closed down was a stretch, even for peace activists who have long been trying to shutter what they view is a training ground for Latin American assassins and human rights violators. But as the annual November protests outside the Fort Benning, Ga. headquarters swell to 20,000 this week, activists have reason for hope: Barack Obama is the president-elect. Closer to home in Colorado, Democrat Dennis Apuan, a longtime peace activist from Colorado Springs, was just elected to the state legislature — further signaling seismic social shifts.
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