Listen to this articleSNAP: Lesbian confirmed to Mass. Court
After weathering vicious attacks from the religious right, Barbara Lenk was approved appointment to the Massachusetts Supreme Court. She will be the first openly gay or lesbian person to sit on the bench. She has served 18 years on the bench, and is a Harvard and Yale graduate. Her confirmation hearing lasted more than seven hours and was often contentious.
SNAP: Book of Mormon lands 14 Tony nominations
After nearly a decade of planning and writing, South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Avenue Q co-creator, Robert Lopez, the musical following two Mormon missionaries in Africa finally hit the Broadway stages. After critical and audience acclaim, the musical garnered 14 Tony nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Direction, Best Choreography and Best Actor in a Musical. The record number of nominations is held by Billy Elliot and The Producers, which are tied at 15. The Producers holds the record for the most Tony awards with 12, including Best Musical.
SLAP: Tenn. continues assault on equality
After advancing a bill that would make acknowledging the existence of gay people and families, the so-called ‘Don’t say Gay’ bill, the Tennessee legislature is at it again. Since the Nashville City Council passed a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender city employees, conservatives have been chomping at the bit to remove the protection. A bill moving through the legislature would outlaw anti-bias laws protecting lesbian, gay and transgender people. The ‘Don’t say Gay’ bill would outlaw the mere mention of sexual minorities until the ninth grade.
