Troy Michigan Deletes Anti-Gay Facebook Status As Protestors Plan Rally Monday, Evansville Indiana City Councilman McGinn Sponsored Amendment To Municipal Code To Include Provision Against Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity Passes, Ohioans Rally For Same Sex Marriage, Bishop Eddie Long Announces He Is Leaving Mega-Church He Founded

An update on a previous post, Michigan Live reports that a group of demonstrators organized by Troy High School students are expected to protest Monday night for the resignation of newly elected Mayor Janice Daniels. The protest at Troy City Hall is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 11:30 pm, according to the Protest at City Hall Facebook page. The Troy City Council is scheduled to meet at 7:30 pm. The call for Daniels’ resignation is in wake of a June 25 Facebook post surfacing that was anti-gay marriage: “I think I am going to throw away my I Love New York carrying bag now that queers can get married there.” The post, which was recently deleted, came a day after New York legislators voted to allow same sex marriage in the state. “It's important to stress that this is meant to be completely peaceful and respectful,” reads a message protest group's Facebook page. “We aren't showing up at City Hall to take over the building, we're showing up to demonstrate that bigotry is not a true representation of Troy.” Daniels has been soundly criticized for the status, which she posted before entering into the public office. Equality Michigan -- a civil rights, advocacy and anti-violence organization serving Michigan's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community -- called on Daniels to make a public apology, and “endorse a non-discrimination ordinance in her city that protects gay and transgender residents of Troy from the harm that such language breeds.” Another group on Facebook -- Fight Hate in Metro Detroit: Janice Daniels -- is calling for anyone appalled by the longtime Michigan tea party activist’s pre-election status to “contact her offices and workplace and demand that she take accountability for her words and apologize.” The post – uncovered by the blog Keep Troy Strong – was lumped in between recent activities of Daniels changing her Facebook photo and a “poem of the day” regarding former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner.

At first glance, an amendment of Evansville, Indiana municipal code this week to include provisions against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, did not appear to have any profound effects on how the community operates. But city officials and local gay rights advocates say that was not the point. "My hopes are that prejudice and bigotry will slowly disappear," said City Councilman Dan McGinn, who sponsored the amendment, which was passed Monday with a unanimous vote. "Hopefully it will disappear like a lot of other groups."That's my hope." The Evansville Courier & Press reports that McGinn said he lost his brother to AIDS and had been a lifelong witness to issues like gay bashing. Sponsoring the revision in code to provide equal opportunity for all citizens in the areas education, employment, access to public conveniences and accommodations and the purchase or rental of real property, was his chance to help, he said. "I'm in a position where I could help eliminate all of this," he said. "That's why I'm interested in helping." The approved ordinance also defined sexual orientation as being male or female sexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, real or perceived, by orientation or practice. McGinn said defining those terms in city code would provide an opportunity for discussion in the community. That, he said, would result in a better understanding. "Talking about the issues is what helps to eliminate the prejudice and bigotry," he said. "I think a more open, free society will let people know we're starting a trend where we're trying to let them know we're accepting of all lifestyles." Amie McKibban, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Southern Indiana and an ally to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, said the revision in the code places the necessary responsibility on the community to support all citizens, adding, "What this means is that it will provide a means for that support." McKibban, who has been involved in educating communities across the country on LGBT communities, said the move by council to approve the revision puts the community in the mainstream. She also expected the federal government to eventually follow suit in better recognizing those in the LGBT community. McKibban agreed with statements of Tri-State Alliance President Wally Paynter that while the revision does not have a direct correlation to the pursuit of benefits for city workers who are same sex partners, it is a step in the right direction. "I think it will be just a matter of time before we embrace that as a community," she said. McKibban also said the revision was a step forward in bolstering a state position on hate crime. Currently, Indiana does not have a specific law against hate crime. In other states, the law is vague and difficult to prosecute. "This is a really small step, but I would agree it's a step forward toward anything in regard to equality," she said. "Any protection or support you put out there, this is moving in that direction." Kelley Coures, vice president of Tri-State Alliance, said the revision was a sign to people and companies with thoughts of moving to Evansville, that the city does not accept prejudice. He also said it is a sign the city is ready to better itself economically. "One of the ways to develop this community is by making it more forward looking," Coures said. McGinn said perhaps the biggest impact the community will see from the revision is how it bolstered the city's efforts to grow areas like Downtown and the Arts District. "By broadening our statute and adding four different types of people, it will let people know we are nice people, and we are tolerant," he said. "We want to let the rest of the state and the rest of the world to now discover the great people of Evansville."

Gay and straight activists united at the Ohio Statehouse for a pro same sex marriage rally on Saturday. The group said it was time to take a stand for equal rights, 10TV’s Danielle Elias reported. “I have no rights now, and I want them, I deserve them,” said John Gouvas, a demonstrator. “We are American citizens it should be legal to marry in Ohio.” In 2004, Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage in the state. Demonstrators at the Ohio Statehouse said they want to change the ban. “We're constantly accused of wanting to redefine or destroy marriage,” said Tom Morgan, a demonstrator. “That's the last thing we want to do. We want in on it.” Morgan decided to use the rally as an opportunity to propose to his boyfriend of 14 years. “We know that we cannot legally marry in Ohio. But no one can stop us from being engaged so that's what we did,” said Morgan. The advocates were hoping state legislators would take notice of their rally and consider a new law in Ohio.

Eddie Long, the anti-gay preacher who was accused of sexually abusing four young men in his youth ministry, announced Sunday he is taking a leave from his Atlanta mega-church to spend time with his family. “I’m still your pastor, you will receive my direction,” Long told the congregation at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, reports ABC News. Vanessa Long, who has been married to the pastor for 21 years, filed divorce papers last Thursday, but withdrew them a few hours later. But Vanessa Long’s change of heart was short-lived. Friday, her lawyers announced the divorce was back on. “Mrs. Long continues to hope that this matter may be resolved expeditiously, harmoniously and fairly; however, she has determined that dismissal of her divorce petition is not appropriate at this time,” her attorney said in a statement. Long’s accusers say he coerced them into sexual relations when the they were teenagers. The preacher settled with the accusers for an undisclosed amount last May. Some suggest he spent nearly $2.5 million to end the lawsuit. This summer, at his first public appearance after news of the allegations broke, Vanessa Long stood by her husband’s side. The church is trying to positively spin the most recent developments, and today told its Twitter followers, “The enemy wants us to think it isn’t well.” Eddie and Vanessa Long have three children together, and he also has a son named Edward from his previous marriage. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, which has more than 25,000 members, has been rocked by the scandal involving their “bishop.” Elder Bernice King, daughter of slain civil right leader Martin Luther King, left the church this summer but denied she left because of the allegations surrounding Long having sex with young men in his youth ministry. Long has a long history of preaching again gays, gay sex and gay marriage. He once led a march against gays through the streets of Atlanta, and described homosexuality as a “spiritual abortion.”