human rights

Efforts to repeal the ban on out gays and lesbians in the military gains some steam; there is good news for gay and lesbian parents in Louisiana and California, though the victory in Louisiana is under attack and there is a threat to gay foster parents in Arizona; a gay BBC presenter, Ray Gosling, faces murder charges for the mercy killing of his lover with AIDS twenty years ago; an out lesbian speed skater wins gold at the Olympics--and we'll show you the LGBT Pride House in Vancouver.

Jan. 11 marks eight years since the Bush administration transferred the first prisoners to the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Ever since, human rights groups have pushed for the closure of Guantanamo, and they're pushing harder now for the Obama administration to implement its plans to transfer or release detainees and shut the place. Close Guantanamo and we'll restore the rule of law and American standing in the world, some human rights advocates say. Unfortunately, it won't be that easy. Prolonged detention in criminal conditions is not only happening in Gitmo.

On today’s show we learn how environmental activists and Goldman Environmental Prize recipients Wanze Eduards and Hugo Jabini’s organizing efforts led to a landmark ruling giving indigenous and tribal peoples control of their natural resources.

Chicago Independent Television is the monthly television series of the Chicago Independent Media Center.