• ELIXHER
• On March 30, 2012

In the 1970′s, Rich was known as one of the first poets to write about her identification as a lesbian. Her book of poetry, “Diving Into the Wreck,” won the National Book Award in 1973. She died of rheumatoid arthritis complications. To read more about her life and death, visit The Washington Post.

Alabama Civil Rights Museum Displays Lesbian Exhibit

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is opening a new exhibit, called “Living in Limbo: Lesbian Families in the Deep South.” Carolyn Sherer, the photographer behind the exhibit, expects some negative feedback in the highly conservative state, but says she’s “hoping to start a conversation about equality for everyone.” Read more details at SFGate.

SNL to Possibly Cast the First Openly Gay Sketch Member in Two Decades

Kate McKinnon, a three year veteran of LOGO’s “Big Gay Sketch Show,” and an out lesbian, is reportedly getting a tryout of sorts on April 7′s SNL episode. The last openly gay SNL cast member was Terry Sweeney from the 1985-86 season. For more information and clip of her past work, visit Entertainment Weekly.

California State Colleges and Universities Considering Surveying Enrollees about Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

Proponents believe that having more information about the number of LGBT members of the school population will help schools to know if they are underserving that segment of the campus. State policy requires that schools discourage harassment and bullying based on sexual orientation. Reports have indicated that LGBT students have higher rates of depression and feel less accepted than their heterosexual counterparts. Some worry that the answers gathered will compromise privacy. For more in depth coverage, visit the LA Times.

Republican Lesbian Who Helped Write DOMA is Now Lobbying to Repeal It

Kathryn Lehman was engaged to a man in 1996, when she helped form the Defense of Marriage Act that denied marriage rights to [gay people]. In 2001, she divorced and eventually came to terms with being a lesbian. She says that after reading the briefing filed by Ted Olson, the Republican gay attorney who helped file a lawsuit against Proposition 8, she has realized that the supposed threats that gay marriage would pose have not materialized. For more on DOMA and Lehman’s story, visit the Huffington Post.

Inter-American Court of Human Rights Rules in Favor of Chilean Lesbian Judge in Custody Battle

In 2009, a Chilean court decided that Karen Atala’s three daughters were to be removed from her custody, with the court claiming they were at risk of psychological harm and discrimination if they remained in the home. Last week, the decision was reversed, with the Court of Human Rights acknowledging for the first time that the 1969 American Convention on Human Rights also protects citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Read more at Pink News.