Update: Panel dismisses complaint against Ariz. senator (re: gay marriage)

BACKSTORY

Associated Press
The EDGE Boston

A legislative committee dismissed an ethics complaint Tuesday against a lawmaker accused of breaking rules by cutting off a debate that served as a filibuster for opponents of a referendum to prohibit same-sex marriage.

The target of the complaint, Republican Sen. Jack Harper of Surprise, apologized for contributing to what he called a divisive environment in the last days of this year’s legislative session, but said repeatedly that he did nothing wrong.

"I don’t believe I broke the rules," said Harper, whose complaint was thrown out on a 3-2 party-line vote by the Senate’s ethics committee.

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Ethics complaint filed against AZ legislator on same-sex marriage amendment

Associated Press
EDGE Dallas

An Arizona legislator’s ethics complaint accuses a fellow senator of disregarding Senate rules by conspiring to cut off debate to help speed a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage.

The complaint filed Monday by Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, asks for a reprimand of Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, for violating a rule on conduct of debate.

Harper was acting as Senate chairman during a debate session the evening of June 27 - the final day of the legislative session - when he cut off what amounted to a filibuster against the proposal to put a same-sex marriage ban on the ballot.

Cheuvront says Harper acted improperly by stifling debate when he was obligated by the rules to protect the Senate’s processes.

Legislators expect citizens to comply with the state’s laws, Cheuvront’s complaint stated. "I believe that we must hold ourselves to an even higher ethical standard," Cheuvront said.

UPDATE

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Tucson PD investigating possible "hate crime"

Lupita Murillo reports
KVOA News 4

Tucson police say two men were viciously attacked almost two months ago just down the road from a gas station near Oracle and Grant roads.

To this day police remain tight-lipped about the case. News 4 obtained court documents.

The incident happened at night on May 3rd. The victims were two men who left the Circle K and began walking east on Sahuaro St.

As they approached north 10th avenue they say two hispanic men approached them and begin to yell anti-gay comments.

One of the suspects attacks one of the men stabbing him in the left shoulder and in the back of the head.

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Update: Arizona puts gay marriage ban on ballot again

Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona voters will decide again in November whether to change the state's constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

A 16-4 vote by the state Senate on Friday night sends the gay marriage ban to the ballot. It had previously been approved by the House.

Arizona voters rejected a similar state constitutional amendment in 2006. That measure would have also stopped the state from recognizing civil unions of same-sex couples.

BACKSTORY

Arizona Senate Rejects Ballot Measure to Ban Same-Sex Marriage

CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE

by Amanda J. Crawford
The Arizona Republic

A measure to place a constitutional ban on gay marriage on the fall ballot was narrowly voted down in the state Senate Wednesday – but the referendum could still come back for a re-vote in the final days of the Legislative session.

The failure of the measure was largely blamed on the absence of Sen. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, who missed a planned vote a week ago and is on vacation this week. Johnson said in a memo to her Republican colleagues that she would try to return Friday to vote on the measure. Republican lawmakers and conservative groups were already launching efforts to pressure her to make sure she returns, but it's not certain whether the measure will be reconsidered on Friday or not.

The vote Tuesday, which would have sent the measure to the ballot if it had been successful, was part of a several months long odyssey to get a constitutional amendment on the fall ballot defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The measure seemed like a sure thing when it was introduced in February, but it took several votes to get out of the House and it languished for many months without being put to a vote

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Anti-gay assault in Flagstaff, Arizona

Equality Arizona responded today to an apparent bias-motivated attack on several lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people early Sunday morning. The incident involved staff and volunteers of Equality Arizona, the statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.

At least two individuals were treated for injuries at a local hospital after a group of men shouting anti-gay slurs began assaulting several people who had gathered at a street corner, where they were waiting for cabs following a celebration during the weekend pride festivities.

One of the injured, Michel Brown, was with Equality Arizona Public Affairs Director Sam Holdren, Public Affairs Intern Steven Tran and Generation Equality member David Encizo. Tran and Encizo were in the crowd when the attacks began, but were not physically injured. Holdren was steps away, returning to the scene to find Brown lying unconscious and bleeding.

The incident has already begun to have an impact on the local community, who hours earlier had been at the Pride in the Pines festival. At the festival, newly-elected Flagstaff Mayor Sara Presler-Hoefle had issued a proclamation, declaring that day Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Day in the city of Flagstaff calling "upon the all city residents, employees and volunteers to participate in the spirit and activities of this day."

Equality Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones issued the following statement today: "The news of this attack is deeply disturbing. On a day when all of Flagstaff should have been celebrating and embracing diversity, this brutal attack has reminded us all that there is still much work to be done to prevent anti-gay bias from escalating into violence."

We are grateful for the immediate and efficient response of the Flagstaff Police Department and emergency responders. Along with the hospital staff, these professionals demonstrated great respect for the victims during this traumatic time."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand with them and the Flagstaff community in calling for justice in this case. Equality Arizona will continue to partner with city leaders to create an environment where everyone who visits, lives or works in Flagstaff is safe and free from bias and discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression."

Arizona: Gilbert schools want off Day of Silence list

Two principals in the Gilbert Unified School District have asked that their schools not be listed as participants in the National Day of Silence by an organization opposing the event.
MissionAmerica.com's Web site listed Desert Ridge High and Gilbert High schools as participants in the Day of Silence, which is sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

The schools' principals asked that MissionAmerica.com, a Christian group, remove the school names after pressure from the family members of some students.

Desert Ridge's name has since been removed, although Gilbert High was still on the list as of Monday.

The school district has no "official" position regarding the day, said Dave Allison, associate superintendent. But if students choose not to participate and not talk in class, the consequences are up to the individual teacher, he said.

Matt Heil, co-chairman of the Phoenix chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, said students who choose to be silent are asked to get permission first, and if they can't participate by not speaking in class, to choose to be silent between classes or at lunch

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