California

The California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday, May 28, 2008 in the case of an Oceanside lesbian whose doctors at North Coast Women's Care Medical Group denied her fertility treatments based on their religious beliefs.

The Mountain View Voice spotlights a group called Outlet, which supports area LGBT youth. The piece - posted April 18th - reports that a national survey shows 5 to 7 percent of teenagers will realize they are gay by the time they graduate.

The Bay Area Reporter announces an adoption agency's new campaign to place gay and lesbian foster youth in permanent homes. An Oakland-based agency called Family Builders by Adoption has been committed to placing kids with families since 1976. It focuses on children who have a tougher time in the foster system, such as LGBT children, those with special needs, and children who have been exposed to drugs or alcohol.

Gay rights groups are celebrating the failure of a signature drive by ultra-conservatives to overturn civil rights protections for California students.

Lambda Legal - a national GLBT civil rights organization - is celebrating a victory in California. In a major show of support for same-sex couples, the California Supreme Court denied a petition by county assessors seeking review of a California Court of Appeal decision affirming the validity of basic property tax protections for domestic partners. The Court's decision means that the validity of these protections is now secure. No further appeals are possible.

State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D) - from Santa Monica - is responding to the misleading information being spread about Senate Bill 777.

SB 777 requires the California Department of Education to monitor the way schools adhere to the state's anti-bias laws and specifically mandates the department to ensure the protection of LGBT students.

Right-wing press and leaders of conservative groups say the legislation orders public schools to allow boys and girls to use the same restrooms and locker-rooms.

The Los Angeles Times reports a disturbing story coming from San Diego. It involves an egg donor who carries a rare genetic mutation that can lead to an early death of her offspring. This particular neurological disease usually kills its victims before age 5.