In the News

NAPERVILLE, Illinois - A 44-year-old man faces trial for committing a hate crime, after allegedly choking and threatening to stab a 15-year-old boy who identifies as being bisexual. Phillip N. Jackson is also charged with aggravated battery, a felony, for roughing up the Romeoville teenager, who was not seriously injured in the attack, Bolingbrook police Sgt. John Sullivan said. The incident occurred Monday in a home in the 800 block of Beech Drive where Jackson has been living, Sullivan said. The alleged victim was visiting a teenage friend who lives there, and planning to sleep overnight in that youth's home. Sullivan said the boys were socializing when Jackson entered their room and gave "basically a tongue-lashing" to the teen who lives in the home. He then "turned verbal on the other boy," shouting disparaging comments about bisexuality "and slurs of that nature," Sullivan said. Jackson then allegedly "grabbed (the victim) by the neck and dragged him out of the room and outside and told him to leave," Sullivan said. Jackson also allegedly "threatened to cut him with a knife," Sullivan said.

NAMPA, Idaho - A same-sex couple in Nampa, Idaho, is up in arms over a public recreation center's decision to deny them a family discount. "They would not give us a family membership, because we could not provide a marriage license from the state of Idaho," said Rachel Dovel from her apartment in Nampa. Dovel says she and her partner Amber Howard have been living together for two years. The couple is raising Amber's four-year-old son, Logan. "We're not married, but we are a family," Dovel said. "Family isn't a piece of paper, family is love and togetherness that we have." Nampa city spokeswoman Sharla Arledge issued a written statement which reads in part: "The family pass is not available to any couples living together outside of marriage. Those not eligible for a family pass are welcome to purchase individual passes."

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - A same-sex couple in Nampa, Idaho, is up in arms over a public recreation center's decision to deny them a family discount. "They would not give us a family membership, because we could not provide a marriage license from the state of Idaho," said Rachel Dovel from her apartment in Nampa. Dovel says she and her partner Amber Howard have been living together for two years. The couple is raising Amber's four-year-old son, Logan. "We're not married, but we are a family," Dovel said. "Family isn't a piece of paper, family is love and togetherness that we have." Nampa city spokeswoman Sharla Arledge issued a written statement which reads in part: "The family pass is not available to any couples living together outside of marriage. Those not eligible for a family pass are welcome to purchase individual passes."