From the HRC.org site…Keeping you informed. For more information and how you can get involved in your area, go to www.hrc.org

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has signed into law a comprehensive anti-bullying measure.  This makes Maryland the eleventh state to protect students from bullying or harassment based on sexual orientation, and only the seventh to protect gender identity or expression. 

A new study shows that Bravo, Apple and Levi’s are considered the gay-friendliest brands.  Bravo consistently airs programming featuring GLBT people, and Apple and Levi’s each scored 100 percent on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index.  68% of respondents said they are more likely to buy products from a company they consider to be gay-friendly. 

In Florida, a judge has ruled that the Holmes County School Board violated a high school student’s right to free speech by prohibiting her from wearing a pro-GLBT civil rights t-shirt.    The judge also ordered school administrators to alert students in writing that they are allowed to express their support for the equal treatment of GLBT people in an appropriate and non-disruptive way. 

The University of Toledo has fired a senior administrator who wrote an op-ed article attacking GLBT civil rights.  In the piece, Crystal Dixon stated that homosexuality is a choice and that it has consequences.   Dixon is reportedly considering a lawsuit challenging her termination. 

A long-time priest of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas has resigned amid parishioner complaints about his past participation with a website for gay priests.  Father Mallinson acknowledges his involvement with the now-defunct site, which he quit in 2001.  He remains a priest in good standing, and awaits a new assignment.