Civil Rights News; the Good, the Bad, the Idiots

There's a lot of civil rights news happening this week. There's GOOD, BAD and IDIOTS. I'll be happy to point them out as you read through them.

• *IDIOT***Rick Perry praises effort to end marriage equality in N.H.
  Texas Gov. Rick Perry has come out in support of an effort to reverse New Hampshire's marriage equality law, telling a conservative audience in Manchester, "I applaud those legislators in New Hampshire who are working to defend marriage as an institution between one man and one woman, realizing that children need to be raised in a loving home by a mother and a father." Concord Monitor (N.H.) (10/29)     

• **GOOD***Britain may withhold aid from countries that ban homosexuality
  British Prime Minister David Cameron said the threat of losing aid payments may help persuade certain countries to reform their laws against homosexuality, but acknowledged that reform will still take time. Cameron said he's raised the issue with some leaders of Commonwealth nations at a recent meeting in Australia. The Guardian (London) (10/30)     **

• **BAD***New Jersey seeks dismissal of marriage case
  Lawyers for the state of New Jersey are set to ask a judge this week to dismiss a lawsuit brought by supporters of full marriage equality for same-sex couples. Advocates contend the state’s civil unions law is not sufficient to address the inequality faced by gay and lesbian couples. New Jersey Online/The Associated Press (10/31)     

• **GOOD TO STAND AGAINST/BAD and IDIOTIC BILL**
•  University of Michigan employees consider leaving if anti-gay bill passes
  A bill in the Michigan Senate that would prohibit state schools from extending benefits to the domestic partners of gay and lesbian employees could prompt an exodus of University of Michigan professors, according to this article. University officials said passage of the measure would put the school at a competitive disadvantage in attracting top talent. AnnArbor.com (Mich.) (10/31)     

• **DISAPPOINTING IDIOTS** - WE BOYCOTT THIS RESTAURANT
• Report: Chick-fil-A foundation gave $1.7M to anti-gay groups in 2009
  A review of tax filings showed that a charity foundation affiliated with restaurant chain Chick-fil-A donated about $1.7 million in 2009 to groups including Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council. Towleroad (11/1)

**GOOD**Wash. state voters would back marriage equality law, poll shows
A new poll in Washington state finds that 55% of registered voters would support a law extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, with 38% saying they'd vote to reverse such a law if it is passed by the state Legislature. State Sen. Ed Murray and State Rep. Jamie Pedersen are considering introducing a marriage bill in the next legislative session. The statewide poll was conducted by the University of Washington Center for Survey Research. The Seattle Times/Politics Northwest (10/31)