Good Morning! Today is World IPv6 Day. If it sounds technical, that’s because it is. IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version six. The world’s current system, IPv4, is exhausting its four billion plus unique web addresses and will soon run out.

IPv6 is the next-generation, and it is expected to expand the number of possible Internet addresses to roughly 340 trillion trillion trillion. What is that, 3,400 decillion?

Today, Google, Facebook, Yahoo!, and many other major web content providers will offer their content over IPv6 for a 24-hour “test flight” in an effort to help bring IPv6 into reality. For more information or to test your IPv6 connectivity, log onto www.worldipv6day.org.

It's going to be another hot day. The weatherman is calling for a mix of sunshine and clouds with a high near 95°. A stray thunderstorm is also possible this afternoon.

Here’s what’s brewing in the news:

Gay rights, good for black families?
Yes, June is already here. It’s Pride month, and Father’s Day is around the corner.

According to Maya Rupert, federal policy director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the observation of these two events is when a lot of attention is given to addressing the issues of same sex marriage and absentee fathers in the black community. She says these two issues are often pitted against each other, but encourages the black community to embrace the fight for gay rights because, in her opinion, it’s better for black families.

In an article for the Huffington Post, Rupert writes:

“Taken together, these discussions threaten to reignite the damaging dialogue that the needs of the black community and the needs of the LGBT community are inherently at odds. A narrative that tells us that working to advance marriage equality automatically undermines the strength and security of the black family.

“Not only is it a damaging narrative, but, as it turns out, it is also completely untrue. In fact, the fight for marriage equality works in tandem with the movement to strengthen the black family. Achieving marriage equality will actually help save the black family.”

Rupert argues that laws that prohibit same-sex marriage disproportionately harm black couples. To support that claim she adds, “twice as many black same-sex couples are raising children as white same-sex couples. Black same-sex couples are also much more likely to be struggling economically.”

QUESTION: Do you agree with Rupert that achieving marriage equality for same-sex couples will actually help save the black family?

Read more at the Huffington Post
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Inmate willing to risk life over sex change
Ophelia De'lonta, an inmate in Virginia, is suing the state claiming the state has failed its duty to provide adequate medical care because it won't give “her” a sex change, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The AJC reports that in October, De’lonta, 50, tried to castrate herself with disposable razors and failed. It is not her first attempt. She said she needs the surgery to treat her gender identity disorder. She told AJC that if her lawsuit is not successful she will continue to attempt to perform the surgery on herself, even though she knows it could kill her. (Read more at ajc.com)
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How much would you pay for a public education?
School districts across the nation cutting back in many areas and eliminating a lot of programs and course offerings. As bad as it’s been in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, it’s been better for parents here, in some regards, than for those in other parts of the country.

In many cases, parents are racking up hundreds of dollars in out of pocket expenses to pay for supplies such as safety goggles, workbooks and even printer ink. Many are also paying college-tuition-style registration fees that can range anywhere from $5 to more than $400 per activity. Some schools are charging for core courses. One family in Ohio shelled out a total of $4,447 for one year of public education for their 3 of their children.

Some parents welcome the price, saying they rather pay the higher prices than see more offerings cut.

***QUESTION: What about you? How much would you be willing to pay? Are there any expenses that you think parents should not be responsible for?

Read more at wsj.com
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Teacher: Student is my babies’ daddy
A Georgia teacher is pregnant with twins and claims that a teenage student is the father, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. According to the paper, Rene Chantel Frank, 27, has been charged with sexual assault of a person in school and is being held without bond. (Read more at ajc.com)

*** This is your chance to speak out. Use the comment section below to share what's brewing on your mind.

Got news to share with Qcity readers? Email us at editor@qcitymetro.com.
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