U.S. Supreme Court Refuses To Block Release Of Names Who Signed Petition Challenging Washington State’s “Everything But Marriage” Rights For Same Sex Couples, Pittsfield Massachusetts Employee Suspended For Anti-Gay Hate Speech, Swiss Politician Compares Homosexuality To Cocaine Use, Tyler Posey Shirtless Sexy

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to block release of names of those who signed petitions for Referendum 71, the unsuccessful 2009 challenge to the state’s “everything but marriage” rights for same-sex couples. “This means we can once again release these public records,” said Katie Blinn, co-director of state elections in the office of Secretary of State Sam Reed. The case entitled Doe v. Reed has bounced up and down in the federal court system. The Supreme Court earlier ruled, in an 8-1 decision, that signatures on initiative petitions should be a matter of public record. The Supremes sent the case back to U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma. Settle has ruled that sponsors of the anti-gay measure did not prove that they have been harassed — or would face harassment — if named on the Ref. 71 petitions were released. Several plaintiffs seeking to block release of the names — e.g. Rev. Ken Hutcherson, Faith and Freedom leader Gary Randall and State Sen. Val Stevens — are longtime public leaders and advocates in opposition to marriage equality. The group Protect Marriage Washington had asked that release of names be blocked until the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals hears an appeal of Judge Settle’s ruling. Settle, the 9th Circuit and the Supreme Court have now rejected the group’s request. Secretary of State Reed is a longtime advocate for releasing the names. He has argued that signing an initiative petition is equivalent to a lawmaker sponsoring legislation. He has pointed out that, with one exception, all states with initiative and referendum laws provide for the release of signatures. Reed received an eloquent boost in an opinion by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in the court’s earlier ruling. “There are laws against threats and intimidation; and harsh criticism, short of unlawful action, is the price our people have traditionally been willing to pay for self-governance. Requiring people to stand up in public for their political acts fosters civic courage, without which democracy is doomed.” With its decision on Referendum 71 in 2009, Washington became the first state to endorse domestic partnership rights for same-sex couples in a state-wide vote of the people.

A Pittsfield, Massachusetts employee was temporarily suspended from her job for deriding mayoral-hopeful Peter Marchetti at work with an epithet aimed at his sexual orientation, according to The Berkshire Eagle. Sandra Phelps, who is employed at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, was suspended for a week without pay, according to sources in City Hall. During the run up to November 8 election, Phelps was heard saying, "Don't vote for that fag," according to the source, who had direct knowledge of the suspension but declined to be named. Phelps, who returned to her job at the senior center's coffee shop late last week, was unreachable for comment. Marchetti, who lost the election to Dan Bianchi by 106 votes, is openly gay and lives with his husband, Jeff Hunt. Mayor James M. Ruberto, a Marchetti supporter, made the decision to suspend Phelps after hearing about the comment and confronting Phelps, according to the source. In her conversation with Ruberto, Phelps reportedly admitted to making the statement, the source said. Ruberto refused to comment directly about the matter, saying he couldn't legally discuss personnel issues. But asked if, in general, he would consider suspending a city employee for hate speech at work, Ruberto answered, "Any outward appearance of intolerance is not accepted by this office. And disciplinary action follows." During the campaign, Marchetti and Bianchi exchanged jabs, each accusing the other of spreading rumours and innuendo about their opponent. Marchetti supporters claim their candidate was the victim of a "viscous whisper campaign" aimed at alienating voters who were uncomfortable with his sexual orientation. Marchetti said Monday he didn't want to comment on the disciplinary action at City Hall. "I'd just as soon let it go," he said. "I'm not looking to re-open wounds that are trying to heal." Asked if he thought Ruberto's response was appropriate, Bianchi also declined to comment, saying he didn't know enough about the situation. But he said his campaign would never have condoned the kind of speech Phelps reportedly used, adding "I'm certainly not the type to hurt anybody's feelings.”

As Switzerland debates allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt, a leading politician has caused consternation by comparing homosexuality to drug use. Last week the legal committee of the upper house, the Council of States, voted in favour of changing the law to make it easier for gay and lesbian couples to adopt. At the moment a single person can adopt regardless of sexual orientation, but single-sex couples cannot adopt nor can one partner adopt the other’s biological child. The Local reports that Christophe Darbellay, head of the center-right Christian Democrats is deeply opposed to any change in the legislation governing adoption. He said he didn’t see why the law should be extended to include gay couples. “I wouldn’t suddenly legalize cocaine just because half a million people consume it,” he said to Le Temps newspaper last Friday. His comments have caused uproar. The Association for Rainbow Families said that it was “insulting” that Darbellay would “compare same-sex parents with cocaine addicts.” Co-president Chatty Ecoffey told the 20 Minuten newspaper, “His homophobia shocks us.” Barbara Lanthemann of the Swiss lesbian organization LOS told the paper said, “Darbellay is comparing two things that are simply not comparable.” Darbellay on Monday defended his statement. “I didn’t want to insult anyone. I simply wanted to say that just because something exists, does not mean that it has to be legalized,” he told 20 Minuten. The Council of States commission said last week that adults should be able to adopt regardless of their marital status or sexuality, as long as that was the best solution for the child. The commission said that it was recognizing the reality that many so-called rainbow families already provided a stable family environment. A change in the law would require the approval of both the Council of States and the larger lower house, the National Council, which has already rejected a petition demanding equal adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples.

Tyler Posey and his smoking sexy armpits, spotted shirtless and sweaty, performing with his band Lost in Kostko.