GOP insiders want party to ditch marriage topic, poll finds

TOP STORY

• GOP insiders want party to ditch marriage topic, poll finds
  
  A National Journal poll of 99 Republican Party insiders finds that just 11% want the GOP to actively oppose marriage rights for same-sex couples. More than a quarter of respondents want the party to support marriage equality, and nearly half said the party should avoid the topic altogether. "We can’t be a party that supports a zone of personal freedom and then try to use federal power to curtail it. Plus, we increasingly look prejudiced, and not a little stupid, on this issue," said one respondent. National Journal/Political Insiders Poll (1/10)

POLITICS AND POLICY

• Sweden ends forced sterilization of transgender people
  
  Individuals wishing to legally change their sex will no longer be forcibly sterilized, as a court decision last month declared the requirement unconstitutional. Sixteen European countries still mandate sterilization for those who undergo sex reassignment surgery. Time.com/NewsFeed (1/14)

• State regulators tell insurers to cover transgender health
  
  Health insurance regulators in California and Oregon have told some insurance companies they must cover procedures such as hormone therapy, breast reduction and cancer screenings for transgender individuals if they provide the same coverage for non-transgender customers. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (1/11)

• San Francisco official seeks to rename airport for Harvey Milk
  
  San Francisco Supervisor David Campos is readying legislation that seeks to honor slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk by adding his name to San Francisco International Airport. The bill would allow voters to decide the issue. "San Francisco has always been at the forefront of the fight for LGBT equality, and so people come here from around the country and around the world because of that, and for 40 million people a year to land at Harvey Milk International Airport sends an incredible message to the world," said Supervisor Scott Wiener, who supports the measure. San Francisco Chronicle (1/14)

• Hearings set for R.I. marriage bill
  
  Hundreds of opponents and supporters of legislation that would establish full marriage equality are expected to be on hand for hearings in the Rhode Island Statehouse today. Openly gay House Speaker Gordon Fox, a Democrat, has promised a vote on the measure before the end of the month, but Democratic Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed opposes the bill. Rhode Island is only state in New England to forbid the marriages of same-sex couples within its borders, though the state does allow legal civil unions and recognizes the marriages of same-sex couples who wed elsewhere. ABC News/The Associated Press (1/15)

• Gay Va. lawyer likely to be confirmed for judgeship
  
  Some Virginia lawmakers whose votes last year helped block the confirmation of an openly gay man to a General District Court judgeship in Richmond say they have changed their minds. City Prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland is expected to be confirmed after a joint House-Senate panel voted unanimously to advance his nomination. The Washington Post (1/14)

• Small Ky. town passes LGBT-rights ordinance
  
  Vicco, Ky., population 334, has become the fourth municipality in the state to pass a LGBT non-discrimination ordinance. "We believe everyone deserves the opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Fairness is a Kentucky value, a Vicco value, and one of our most American values," said Vicco City Attorney Eric Ashley. Towleroad (1/14)

• Other News

• Hundreds of thousands march against marriage equality in Paris
  The Guardian (London)/Reuters (1/13)

• Va. lawmakers kill effort to repeal marriage ban
  Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (1/14)

• Wyo. marriage bill gains GOP support
  Jackson Hole News & Guide (Wyo.) (1/15)

OPINION

• Are you sure you understand what each letter in the acronym LGBTQIA stands for?

  No.	58.36%
  Yes.	41.64%

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

• Out lesbian makes history in Oregon House
  
  Tina Kotek was sworn in this week as speaker of the Oregon House, becoming the first out lesbian to lead a state legislative chamber in the U.S. "Outstanding leaders like Speaker Kotek can inspire women and girls to believe they too can serve in elective office, represent their communities, lead their colleagues and live authentic lives," said Victory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe. The Oregonian (Portland) (1/14), GayPolitics.com (1/14)

• Other News

• Trans woman competes for Miss California crown
  Pasadena Sun (Calif.) (1/12)

• Furniture mogul, husband seek to establish LGBT history museum in D.C.
  The Washington Post (1/11)

BEYOND POLITICS

• Jodie Foster talks "coming out" during Golden Globes speech
  
  

  
  Actress Jodie Foster joked about coming out during a speech accepting the Cecile B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes Sunday, then thanked her former partner, Cydney Bernard, with whom she raised two sons. "I hope you’re not disappointed that there won’t be a big coming-out speech tonight, because I already did my coming out about a thousand years ago back in the stone age in those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family, and co-workers and then gradually, proudly to everyone who knew her, to everyone she actually met," Foster said before indicating she may be retiring from show business. Advocate.com (1/13)

From Gay Politics Report