Apr 25, 2003  | COMMENTS     

ATLANTA -- One shareholder's attempt to get Atlanta-based soft drink giant Coca-Cola to drop sexual orientation from its non-discrimination statement fizzled when he didn't appear at last week's annual meeting to support it. Hou-Yin Chang, a South Carolina resident who owns 49 shares of Coke stock, proposed the measure asking Coca-Cola to end its support for "the homosexual lifestyle and other deviant lifestyle behaviors." The Coca-Cola Company held its annual meeting April 16 in Houston. "Neither Mr. Chang nor his proxy was on hand to present his proposal, and a vote can only be held for a shareowner proposal if it is properly presented at the meeting," said Racquel White, spokesperson for the company, which recommended that stock holders vote against the measure. Chang cannot submit any more resolutions for two years, she said. Meanwhile, pro-gay resolutions pushed by shareholders at J.C. Penney and FedEx prompted those companies to announce plans to amend their non-discrimination statements to include sexual orientation, according to New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, who filed the resolutions on behalf of city pension funds. The city's five pension funds hold $23.3 million in J.C. Penney stock and $60.6 million in FedEx stock.

Family of slain Tenn. activist files wrongful death lawsuit

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The family of a Knoxville gay activist strangled by someone he met at a local gay bar sued the man who admitted killing him, the Knoxville News-Sentinel reported. In the wrongful death lawsuit filed in Knox County Circuit Court, Joseph Camber's family seeks $2 million in damages from Chad Allen Conyers. Camber, who co-chaired Knoxville Pride, was last seen April 20, 2002, leaving the Carousel II, the Knoxville gay bar where he worked as a bartender. His body was found early the next morning. Conyers was sentenced to 15 years probation after pleading guilty March 21 to voluntary manslaughter. During sentencing, Conyers apologized for the killing, but offered no explanation for how it happened. Under a procedure known as judicial diversion, if Conyers does not violate his probation, his record will be cleared.

Sirius launches first 24-hour gay satellite radio

NEW YORK -- Satellite radio broadcaster Sirius announced April 15 the launch of OutQ, providing around-the-clock "complete news and entertainment programming for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community," the company said in a statement. Jay Clark, Sirius vice president of entertainment and information programming, noted that the company already offers other specialized material, including conservative shows. "When you have 100 streams of programming, you can step out a little bit," he told the Los Angeles Times. The gay service will broadcast live shows weekdays from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m., with hourly news breaks, as well as replays and "best-of" programming. OutQ is available to all of Sirius' subscribers, who pay $12.95 per month, as well as on the company's Web site, www.sirius.com. Current hosts include Wayne Besen, John McMullen, Michelangelo Signorile, Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson. Sirius cited some 30,000 subscribers last year, according to the New York Times. Competitor XM cites 500,000.

Cincinnati hate crime law faces legal fight

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Equal Rights Not Special Rights, a group opposing gay-inclusive legislation, asked the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court for an injunction April 9 to stop the city's new hate crimes law from taking effect, the Plain Dealer reported. The group, which includes state Rep. Tom Brinkman (R-Cincinnati), contends the law violates the city's one-of-a-kind charter amendment banning laws based on sexual orientation. The amendment, approved in 1993 by 63 percent of voters, bars the City Council from enacting or enforcing laws that give gays "any claim of minority or protected status, quota preference or other preferential treatment." The city's new hate crimes law, passed two months ago in the wake of an anti-gay murder, says that crimes based on age, disability or sexual orientation can lead to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. "The city is going out of its way to protect people based on sexual behavior," said David R. Langdon, attorney for the gay rights opponents.

Ky. gay-straight club can meet in high school

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) --U.S. District Judge David Bunning ruled April 18 that the Boyd County school district must allow the Gay-Straight Alliance to meet on campus and treat it no differently than the Bible club. Bunning granted a request from the ACLU, representing students who filed suit against the school district, for an injunction to give equal access to the Gay-Straight Alliance. The school district banned all school clubs in the wake of controversy over the gay group, but Bunning concluded from two days of testimony that some student groups, including the Bible club and drama club, continued to meet on campus despite the ban.

From staff and wire reports.