Social Issues

Knowing its fans, WNBA plans LGBT marketing campaign
The effort, which begins with the launch of a website Wednesday, includes having teams participate in local pride festivals and parades, working with advocacy groups to raise awareness of inclusion through grassroots events, and advertising with lesbian media.
At this point, Pennsylvania becomes the ninth state to have its ban on gay marriage struck down by a federal judge. Ultimately, this issue will likely be decided by the Supreme Court, which will either pick one case or take them on in bulk.
Southern Baptist leaders seek softer approach on homosexuality
For an organization that has previously used opposition to gay marriage as a rallying point, statements here from church leaders, like Kevin Smith of Kentucky, shocked an auditorium of pastors into silence. "If you spent 20 years and you've never said anything about divorce in the church culture, then shut up about gay marriage," Smith said.
Holder: Subtle racism worse than bigotry outbursts
During separate commencement addresses, Attorney General Eric Holder and first lady Michelle Obama delivered a similar message: On this 60th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated schools, we should acknowledge that progress has been made, but in many ways systematic racism still exists, albeit in a more subtle way that is just as sinister.
Oprah cancels Michael Sam documentary
Oprah Winfrey's television network was set to follow Michael Sam through rookie camp as he tried to earn a spot on the St. Louis Rams. The docuseries was to follow Sam, the first openly gay NFL player, with a camera team at training camp as well as his personal life -- a "historic moment in professional sports," OWN's president told ESPN.
Declaring same-sex marriage battle won, Project 515 ends
Erica Mauter never imagined when she was growing up that she'd be able to get married. Polls in Minnesota as recently as a decade ago showed that a large majority opposed same-sex marriage. But as advocates publicly pushed the issue, opinions began to change.
FCC votes on Internet neutrality today
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler says he is dedicated to making certain everyone's content gets to consumers without interruption; but an initial version of the proposed rules suggested it might be OK for Internet service providers like Comcast to charge a content producer like CNN extra if it wanted to reach viewers faster.