Archives for January 2011

Marshall Thompson The recent repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was a great step for equality in this country. Having served in two combat zones with good friends and outstanding soldiers who were gay, I was overjoyed that our nation abolished this oppressive policy. Unfortunately, while homosexual service members can now serve openly, they will remain second-class citizens when it comes to their legally wed spouses. Even though a service member may legally marry a same-sex spouse in several states, …

Continue Reading about DADT repeal leaves military spouses out in the cold →

By Jay Willis As reported by ABC News (video) and the Houston Chronicle, Texas physician Michael Bardwil has filed suit against his alma mater, Strake Jesuit College Prep (Houston), for denying admission to his son.  Bardwil claims that while meeting with school officials in 2006 to discuss his son’s eventual application, the school’s director of development assured him that a $100,000 donation would guarantee admission for his son.  Bardwil agreed to pledge $50,000, and had paid $40,000 of this …

Continue Reading about School Admissions, Socioeconomic Status, and Affirmative Action →

By Michael Stephan Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the weighty gay marriage case involving California’s Proposition 8, took a step toward completion last week when the Ninth Circuit ordered certification of a question about standing to the California Supreme Court.  Proposition 8, which was deemed unconstitutional by a federal district court last August, provides that “[o]nly marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The issue of standing pertains to whether the …

Continue Reading about Ninth Circuit Decides Proposition 8 Case. Sorta. →

By Zack Luck Here in America’s Third Second City, Election Day is less than two months away.  You heard that right, no primary, just straight to an election (with some unusual procedures) on the third Tuesday in February.  This is Chicago’s very own way of saying “you thought just having Elections on Tuesday was anti-democratic, we’re going to go one further, and pick a Tuesday with literally freezing average temperatures.” The election (rather than a primary) is in February  for at least some …

Continue Reading about Why Is Chicago’s Mayoral Election In February? →