Rod 2.0:Beta

Pro-Gay Rights Former DC Mayor Will Not Join Catholic Group

"Thanks but no thanks." Former Washington D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams withdraws his application to join a Catholic service society after members launched an internet campaign to attack his long history supporting gay rights, same-sex marriage and a woman's right to choose.

The DC Examiner reports, "Members of the Order of Malta have complained that because Williams supports abortion rights and protections for gay unions, he should not be allowed to join the group. Among the organization's members are U.S. lawmakers who give time and money to charities. Williams's critics used Internet blogs to voice their concerns."

Order of Malta Federal President Noreen Falcone wrote members of the Order saying former Washington D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams retracted his application, says the Catholic News Agency, which describes the former mayor as a  "support[er] of abortion rights and an early supporter for same-sex marriage." Falcone objects to what she calls "inaccurate" descriptions of the Order’s admission process and implied Willliams did not meet the "initial threshold for admission" ... whatever that may be.

Former Mayor Anthony Williams, who left office in 2007, was considered the District's most gay friendly-mayor at the time and elevated the LGBT office into a cabinet-level position.

News: DC Partners, Syracuse

A broad domestic partners law passes the Washington D.C. city council on a unanimous voice vote. Under the legislation, DPs in the district would be granted extensive rights such as: full property and inheritance; immunity from testifying against a partner in civil or criminal trials; legal standing to sue for in the event of a wrongful death; authority to sign legally binding "pre-marital" agreements; and, obligation to pay alimony and child support. The District of Columbia would rank 5th among states in partner recognition.

Assuming the bill is approved at a second hearing on December 20, Mayor Anthony Williams is expected to sign the ordinance. However, the legislation must be approved by Congress and that does not appear likely.

Syracuse University officially recognizes Delta Lambda Phi, a gay fraternity. DLP was chartered in 1986 and considers itself to be the only national gay fraternity. The frat will now participate in the spring 2006 rush—which reminds us of Lazarus, Rashid Darden's gay coming-of-age novel that was set against the backdrop of a fraternity initiation. via Bernie, a Syracuse alum.