“I’m aware the university has come under some criticisms regarding communications and response, in general,” Carpenter said. “But again, I feel that the administration’s response has been focused on the investigation and my well-being.”
Los Angeles activist groups have condemned the school’s decision to wait over a week to announce the crime, saying “silence is deadly” in cases like this.
Elsewhere…
D.C. – Mayor Adrian Fenty apologized for awarding a Certificate of Appreciation to the head of the anti-gay group Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays. A staffer apparently treated PFOX’s request for a certificate as “a request to honor a private citizen for an occasion such as a 90th birthday or graduation, which calls for a less rigorous vetting,” according to the Washington Blade. By the looks of it, PFOX was trying to spoof the Fenty administration into breaking a campaign pledge to not issue awards or tributes to anyone that advocated discrimination against minorities, including LGBT people. (The Washington Blade)
D.C. – Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) said she welcomed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s “intention” to hold a vote on repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell this year, and called out the Obama Administration for its lack of advocacy on the issue. (The Advocate)
Hawaii – Surprise! The state legislature passed a bill legalizing same-gender civil unions, which now awaits the governor’s signature. Gov. Linda Lingle has not said whether or not she supports the measure, but has been imploring the legislature to focus on solving the state budget crisis instead of civil unions. (The Honolulu Advertiser)
Florida – Anti-Gay Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, better known as “Closet Case” Crist around the blogosphere, announced he’s going to run as an independent in response to a primary challenge from a Tea Party-aligned candidate. (The Advocate)
Massachusetts – The Massachusetts Legislature passed an anti-bullying measure inspired by the suicides of two young Bay State students harassed by classmates because of their perceived sexual orientations. (The Boston Globe , via the Box Turtle Bulletin)
Teh Interwebs – YouTube tomfoolery: Don’t Ask, Don’t Telephone; bored Chair Force cadets take on “Tik Tok”; and The Defense of Marriage Blanket. (YouTube, The Daily Dish)