GLBT News Clips: Wednesday, June 17, 2009

 

Wednesday (June 17, 2009) News Clips
Headline		Date	Outlet	Links
.HRC In the News (15)
	U.S. to Extend Its Job Benefits to Gay Partners	06/17/2009	New York Times - Washington DC Bureau, The	Text	View Clip
	The Early Word: Juggling Reform Measures	06/17/2009	New York Times - Washington DC Bureau, The	Text	View Clip
	Media World: PepsiCo faces boycott for gay rights support	06/17/2009	Daily Finance	Text	View Clip
	Withers: HRC goes after Obama	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Brigham and Women's/Faulkner Hospitals Highlighted in Healthcare Equality Index 2009	06/17/2009	PRUrgent.com	Text	View Clip
	Christian conservatives fight expansion of hate-crimes law	06/17/2009	USA Today - Washington DC Bureau	Text	View Clip
	Human Rights Campaign Deal to Delay DADT Action	06/17/2009	Daily Kos	Text	View Clip
	L.A. gay pride parade darkened by U.S. stance on marriage	06/17/2009	Los Angeles Times	Text	View Clip
	Labor, human rights groups, urge fight against hate crimes	06/17/2009	People's Weekly World	Text	View Clip
	Kenneth Cole Teams With the Human Rights Campaign	06/17/2009	GayWired.com	Text	View Clip
	A Bad Call on Gay Rights	06/17/2009	New York Times	Text	View Clip
	http://www.towleroad.com/2009/06/orbitz-commercial-features-human-rights-campaign-logo.html	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Eye Opener: Same-Sex Partners Get Benefits	06/17/2009	Washington Post - Online	Text	View Clip
	WSJ on Department of Justice DOMA Brief and HRC Letter	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Joe Solmonese's letter to Obama on DOMA	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
Activism/Protest (5)
	Where Is The Executive Order For Federal Gender Identity & Expression Based Employment Protecti...	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Gay Groups Seethe As Obama Ignores	06/17/2009	On Top Magazine	Text	View Clip
	Dan Savage's Proposal for Civil Disobedience	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	DOJ's DOMA Brief: the Spark that Ignites a Gay Backlash?	06/17/2009	EdgeNewEngland.com	Text	View Clip
	Website: Obama Has No Gay Rights Plan	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
Business/Workplace (4)
	Lowenstein: Barney Frank to introduce inclusive ENDA next week	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Stonewall launches guidance for employers on tension between gay and religious issues	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Gay bar says 'I don't' to bachelorettes	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Bride ban: Gay bar says 'I don't' to bachelorettes	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
Courts/Legal (2)
	DOMA Lawsuit Wins First Victory	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
	'Gay Panic' is Defense in Texas Murder Case	06/17/2009	EdgeNewEngland.com	Text	View Clip
Discrimination (5)
	Christian 'civil liberties' group wants to burn gay book	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	San Francisco lesbian barred from visiting partner in hospital	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Gay New Yorkers assured an end to harassment	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Hospital Discriminated Against Lesbians	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
	ACLU: Hospital discriminated against gay couple	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
Entertainment/TV/Movies (7)
	Gay Entertainment Report: PBS Airs 'Ask Not'	06/17/2009	On Top Magazine	Text	View Clip
	Orbitz Commercial Features Human Rights Campaign Logo	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Should Parents Ask Their Kids if They're Gay?	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno Premieres in Paris, Does GQ	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno Does GQ's First Nude Cover	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Radio documentary to revisit the riots that triggered the gay revolution	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno offends gay rights groups	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
Events/Fundraising (3)
	The gay DNC fundraiser will be a watershed moment - inside and out	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Politely ask Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis why they are hosting a DNC fundraiser	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Democratic Party LGBT Fundraiser Tainted by Obama DOMA Brief	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
Hate Crimes/Criminal (5)
	AG Holder urges new hate crimes law	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	US LGBT hate murders at highest level since 1999	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Anti-LGBT Hate Crimes Highest at Ten Year High	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Gay bias killings highest since 1999	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Report: Gay bias killings highest since 1999	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
Health (1)
	Ban on gay marriage linked to rise in HIV rate	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
International (13)
	Lithuania Bans Gay Speech In Schools	06/17/2009	On Top Magazine	Text	View Clip
	Lithuania passes Section 28-style law to ban mention of homosexuality in schools or media	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	LGBT activists 'under-resourced, isolated and vulnerable'	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	China to ban criminals and those in relationships from having sex change operations	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Gay radio station to hold Pride-themed live music night	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	21 injured in bombing at Brazil Pride event	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Gay travel agent offers lesbian wedding and IVF holiday package	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Gay actor Alan Cumming receives OBE in Queen's birthday honours	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Gay man could face jail for helping ill partner die	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Australian survey finds rise in support for gay marriage	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	LGBT South Asian conference to take place in New York	06/17/2009	EdgeNewEngland.com	Text	View Clip
	Vanasco: Lesbian marriage raises eyebrows in India	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Castro's Son Duped Into Online Affair	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
Legislation (1)
	Frank to introduce ENDA next week	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
Marriage (9)
	Jubilation muted on Calif gay marriage anniversary	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Equality California and the Jordan/Rustin Coalition join forces on marriage equality outreach	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	First Anniversary Parties In California	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	NYT editorial on the DOMA hate brief: 'A Bad Call on Gay Rights'	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	NYT Slams 'Disturbing' Department of Justice DOMA Brief	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	D.C. to Continue Marriage Recognition	06/17/2009	EdgeNewEngland.com	Text	View Clip
	NYT Slams "Disturbing" DOMA Brief	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
	Dean: DOMA Brief a "Big Mistake"	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
	Legis. Jon Cooper welcomes Suozzi's new stand on gay marriage	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
Military (4)
	SLDN to the President: address "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal timeline now	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Genocidal anti-government eliminationists are in our military - but queers are the REAL danger	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	A War Hero Speaks on the Cost of Military 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Policy	06/17/2009	EdgeNewEngland.com	Text	View Clip
	Reid: DADT Could Happen 'This Congress'	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
National Politics (6)
	L.A. Times: Obama Takes 'Curiously Passive' Approach to Gay Rights	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Limbaugh to Gays on Obama and DOMA: 'Bend Over Grab The Ankles'	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	An equality speech that President Obama could deliver	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis Comment on DOJ - DOMA Brief	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Federal judge in Prop 8 challenge has mixed LGBT record	06/17/2009	EdgeNewEngland.com	Text	View Clip
	Polis to Obama: Repeal DOMA	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
Politicians/Leaders (3)
	Barney Frank Calls DOMA Brief and Boycott of Fundraiser 'a Mistake'	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Gay Politicos Chide Obama Over DOMA Defense	06/17/2009	On Top Magazine	Text	View Clip
	True Leadership: Occurring Way BELOW "Obama's Pay Scale"	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
Polling/Research (2)
	Gay weddings could give US economy a $9.5 billion boost	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Gay animals confound Darwin	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
State/Local Politics (15)
	The Governator calls for swift fed resolution of Prop 8 fed lawsuit	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Press Release of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Georgia Supreme Court Throws Out Judge's Homophobic Order	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	D.C. Elections Board Blocks Voter Referendum on Same-Sex Marriage	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	NY judge tosses Senate case back to lawmakers	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Referendum to D.C.'s recognition of same-sex marriages rejected	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Ga. court tosses gay ban in divorce case	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Mich. lawmaker seeks to recognize gay marriage	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Ocean State Muddied on Equality	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
	Ga. Supreme Court overturns ban on kids seeing father's gay friends	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
	Judge says Christians can leaflet Pride	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
	Ga. court tosses gay ban in divorce case	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
	D.C. officials block marriage referendum	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
	Gay rights ordinance up for discussion in Anchorage	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
	Will Minnesota have the first gay U.S. Marshal?	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
Taxation/Benefits (9)
	Source: Benefits for govt workers' gay partners	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Withers: Obama will sign directive for benefits for gay couples	06/17/2009	365gay.com	Text	View Clip
	Obama's gay federal benefits 'not permanent and won't include healthcare'	06/17/2009	PinkNews.co.uk	Text	View Clip
	Sebelius: Health Care For All Will Take Years	06/17/2009	On Top Magazine	Text	View Clip
	AP - Obama to extend benefits to gay workers	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	NYT: Obama admin's (lame) fed partner benefits plan designed to stop DNC fundraiser disaster	06/17/2009	Pam's House Blend	Text	View Clip
	Obama to Extend Federal Benefits to Gay Employees	06/17/2009	Towleroad	Text	View Clip
	Obama To Extend Partner Benefits To Federal Workers	06/17/2009	Advocate, The	Text	View Clip
	Federal employees to get DP benefits	06/17/2009	Washington Blade	Text	View Clip
U.S. to Extend Its Job Benefits to Gay Partners | View Clip 06/17/2009 New York Times - Washington DC Bureau, The U.S. to Extend Its Job Benefits to Gay Partners By JEFF ZELENY Published: June 16, 2009 President Obama will sign a presidential memorandum on Wednesday to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, administration officials said Tuesday evening, but he will stop short of pledging full health insurance coverage. The latest on President Obama, the new administration and other news from Washington and around the nation. Join the discussion. Mr. Obama, in an Oval Office announcement, is expected to offer details about which benefits will be provided. It is the most significant statement he has made on gay issues, and it comes as he faces intense criticism from several gay rights leaders over what they suggest has been a failure to live up to campaign promises in the first months of his presidency. Mr. Obama will be weighing in for the first time on one of the most delicate social and political issues of the day: whether the government must provide benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. While he will announce a list of benefits, officials said, they are not expected to include broad health insurance coverage, which could require legislation to achieve. The initial reaction from some gay rights advocates was mixed. "Extending benefits to partners of gay federal employees is terrific, but at this point he is under enormous pressure from the gay civil rights community for having promised the moon and done nothing so far," Richard Socarides, an adviser to the Clinton administration on gay issues, said Tuesday evening. "So more important now is what he says tomorrow about the future for gay people during his presidency." The breadth and scope of the memorandum to be signed by Mr. Obama was being completed Tuesday evening, said administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid upstaging the president's announcement on Wednesday. As a presidential candidate, Mr. Obama vowed to "fight hard" for the rights of gay couples. As a senator, he sponsored legislation that would have provided health benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. But President Obama and his advisers have been reluctant to wade deeply into divisive issues like overturning a ban on openly gay military members or extending benefits to partners of government employees, fearful that such moves could overtake the administration's broader agenda. He has sent private assurances, several activists have said, that he intends to do more in coming years. But some gay groups have grown impatient with the wary stance of the White House, particularly as a growing number of state legislatures have taken up the question of same-sex marriage and other issues important to gay men and lesbians. In considering whether to extend health benefits to same-sex issues, Mr. Obama confronted divided legal opinions. In California, two federal appeals court judges said that employees of their court were entitled to health benefits for their same-sex partners under the program that insures millions of federal workers. But the federal Office of Personnel Management has instructed insurers not to provide the benefits ordered by the judges, citing a 1996 law, the Defense of Marriage Act. Joe Solmonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, wrote an angry letterto the White House on Monday about a decision by the administration to file a legal brief supporting the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. "As an American, a civil rights advocate, and a human being, I hold this administration to a higher standard than this brief," Mr. Solmonese wrote. "In the course of your campaign, I became convinced — and I still want to believe — that you do, too." The brief, filed in federal court last week, was in response to a lawsuit arguing that the marriage act is unconstitutional. A White House spokesman said that it was standard practice for the administration to back laws that are challenged in court — even those it does not agree with — and that the president "wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act." Mr. Obama repeatedly backed repealing the act during his presidential campaign. With the administration's decision to stop short of extending full health insurance benefits or calling for legislation to do so, it remained an open question how significant the presidential announcement would be, Mr. Socarides said. But administration officials said the timing of the announcement was intended to help contain the growing furor among gay rights groups. Several gay donors withdrew their sponsorship of a Democratic National Committee fund-raising event next week, where Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is scheduled to speak. Return to Top
The Early Word: Juggling Reform Measures | View Clip 06/17/2009 New York Times - Washington DC Bureau, The Gays and Obama: Following a weekend with gay pride parades across the country, gay groups are expressing outrage over an Obama administration brief supporting the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. Joe Solmonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, wrote an angry letter to the White House on Monday about the administration's move, writing: "As an American, a civil rights advocate, and a human being, I hold this administration to a higher standard than this brief. In the course of your campaign, I became convinced — and I still want to believe — that you do, too." The brief, filed in federal court last week, responds to a lawsuit claiming that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. A White House spokesman said it was standard practice for the administration to back laws that are challenged in court — even those they don't agree with – and that the president "wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act." Mr. Obama repeatedly backed repealing the act during his presidential campaign. Return to Top
Media World: PepsiCo faces boycott for gay rights support | View Clip 06/17/2009 Daily Finance PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) is the latest Fortune 500 company to arouse the anger of the ultra-conservative American Family Association (AFA) over its support of gay rights. AFA, which was founded by Christian activist Rev. Donald Wildmon, objects to the Purchase, New York-based company donating $1 million to well-known gay rights groups, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), "to promote the homosexual lifestyle in the workplace," according to AFA's website. Spokespersons for the HRC and PLFAG could not immediately be reached for comment. The organization denies that it "hates" homosexuals. "It is that love that motivates us to expose the misrepresentation of the radical homosexual agenda and stop its spread though our culture," the group said. Gay people who have long fought AFA would beg to differ. Nonetheless, PepsiCo CEO Indra K. Nooyi has not taken AFA's advice to "remain neutral" in the culture wars. The number two soft drink company sponsors gay pride parades and bought advertisements in Out, a magazine aimed at gays, which features sexually provocative photographs. Moreover, AFA complains in a statement issued June 2 that PepsiCo employees are required to attend diversity training sessions which "promote the acceptance of homosexuality." AFA, which says it stands for "traditional family values," is vehemently against gay marriage as well Dave DeCecco, a spokesman for PepsiCo, had no immediate comment on the AFA's claims. The group, which has targeted Ford Motor Co. (F), McDonald's Corp. (MCD) and Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) , has garnered headlines for years for attacking what it sees as the lack of values in the modern media. Wildmon, who founded AFA in 1977, was one of the more persistent critics of shock jock Howard Stern. The group's campaign against PepsiCo, which began earlier this year, does not appear to have garnered the publicity of past boycotts against against other companies. Websites that follow gay rights have reported on the boycott, which appears to have been largely ignored by the mainstream media. The "culture war" fight gaining the most attention these days is the feud between Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and David Letterman. Randy Sharp, director of special projects for Tupelo, MS-based AFA, told DailyFinance that his organization is not "picking on" PepsiCo. "We don't like what they are doing," he said, adding that PepsiCo's backing of gay rights groups show "quite a commitment to the homosexual agenda." So far, more than 328,000 people have signed AFA's boycott pledge online. Others have filled out paper petitions. In the current economic climate, PepsiCo cannot afford to offend any of its customers, according to Sharp. "They [boycotts] have not lost their punch," he said. "Companies are looking for every customers. One half of one percent is a huge." Return to Top
Withers: HRC goes after Obama | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com This post will be bitter by half. Let's get the puppies and rainbows out of the way first. Bravo to Joe Solmonese and his letter to the President Barack Obama. While I still need some more info about Human Rights Campaign and the alleged deal on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" always nice to see HRC send out something that isn't about fund raising. OK, here comes the bitta. Not clear who approves these HRC missives, but in the future, please stay away from this phrase. Please. As in pretty and please. "I cannot overstate the pain that we feel as human beings and as families when we read an argument, presented in federal court, implying that our own marriages have no more constitutional standing than incestuous ones." The pain we feel. The pain we feel. Excuse me but a politician does not care one whit about pain, such as it is, unless it's the pain of losing an election or not getting a contribution. Emotional attempts at empathy fall flat in the rough and tumble world of politics because it is a chip with no value. Sure it would have been nice if the person drafting and approving the DOMA defense actually thought about how the incest line would be read, but I also want some hair, Denzel to have won the Oscar for Malcolm X instead of Training Day, and HBO's The Wire to have earned one Emmy acting nomination (while I'm on the topic here is something private to anyone who went gaga over The Sopranos but couldn't give The Wire any Emmy loving: you are an idiot). Obama, like any pol, responds to power or its threat. In the Solmonese letter there is nothing about consequences. Nada. What is HRC going to do if Obama doesn't do anything about DADT or DOMA? If we are looking for change, then that is the question that must be answered. If not, Obama will do what all pols have done before him. Move on and search for other votes. Return to Top
Brigham and Women's/Faulkner Hospitals Highlighted in Healthcare Equality Index 2009 | View Clip 06/17/2009 PRUrgent.com BW/F's Leadership in Equal Treatment of LGBT Patients Highlighted in Human Rights Campaign Foundation & Gay & Lesbian Medical Association's Index. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT Boston, MA – Brigham and Women's/Faulkner Hospitals (BW/F) proudly announce that they have been named top performers in the Healthcare Equality Index 2009. The HEI is an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. BW/F earned top marks for its treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients and employees. BW/F are two of only ten hospitals to earn a complete score on all survey dimensions among the 166 participating hospitals and clinics. "We at Brigham and Women's and Faulkner Hospitals in Boston are thrilled to have participated in the HEI survey in 2009, and we vigorously embrace the commitment to inclusion and diversity in healthcare that it embodies," said Dr. Michael Gustafson, Brigham and Women's Hospital's senior vice president for Clinical Excellence. "And while we are proud of our perfect HEI score, we are equally gratified that the process of self-assessment has stimulated significant new quality improvement activity to further bolster our care policies and practices for both LGBT patients and our LGBT staff." The HEI focuses on key policies and practices that ensure culturally competent healthcare for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and families. These policies address patient non-discrimination, visitation rights, decision-making practices, and employee benefits and non-discrimination. BW/F's efforts in ensuring healthcare equality for the LGBT community earned it the distinction of being among the 10 participants to answer "yes" to each of the survey's main criterion which applied to them. For more information on the Healthcare Equality Index 2009, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei. About Brigham and Women's Hospital: Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) is a 777-bed nonprofit teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a founding member of Partners HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery network. In July of 2008, the hospital opened the Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center, the most advanced center of its kind. BWH is committed to excellence in patient care with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery. The BWH medical preeminence dates back to 1832, and today that rich history in clinical care is coupled with its national leadership in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives and its dedication to educating and training the next generation of health care professionals. Through investigation and discovery conducted at its Biomedical Research Institute (BRI), BWH is an international leader in basic, clinical and translational research on human diseases, involving more than 860 physician-investigators and renowned biomedical scientists and faculty supported by more than $416 M in funding. BWH is also home to major landmark epidemiologic population studies, including the Nurses' and Physicians' Health Studies and the Women's Health Initiative. For more information about BWH, please visit www.brighamandwomens.org About Faulkner Hospital: Faulkner Hospital, founded in 1900, is a 150 bed non-profit, community teaching hospital located in Jamaica Plain, MA. In 1998, Faulkner Hospital, highly regarded as one of the region's most respected community teaching hospitals, joined with Brigham and Women's Hospital, one of the country's leading academic medical centers, to form a common parent company. Faulkner has a long history of meeting the health care needs of the residents of southwest Boston and surrounding suburbs and offers comprehensive medical, surgical and psychiatric care as well as complete emergency, ambulatory and diagnostic services. The hospital also serves as a site for training several hundred health care professionals, annually, in the areas of nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, social work, psychiatry, rehabilitation therapies, addiction recovery and more. Faulkner is dedicated to improving the health and well being of residents of the community and serves over 60,000 men, women, children and elderly each year through a wide variety of preventive health education, free health screenings, school partnerships and community outreach. More information at www.faulknerhospital.org Return to Top
Christian conservatives fight expansion of hate-crimes law | View Clip 06/17/2009 USA Today - Washington DC Bureau WASHINGTON — Conservative Christian leaders are fighting a bill that would provide federal hate-crimes coverage to gays and lesbians, prompting questions of who, if anyone, should be protected by such laws. With a Democrat-controlled Congress and a president who has indicated his support for the Matthew Shepard Act, time may be running out for its opponents. To stop the legislation, a few Christian leaders have suggested repealing all hate-crimes law, which would undo historic protections for race and even religion. FAITH & REASON: How does sect handle disparate views within the 'family'? "The entire notion of hate-crimes legislation is extraneous and obsolete," said Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs with the conservative nonprofit Liberty Counsel, adding that he believes hate-crimes laws are unconstitutional. In addition, a number of Christian conservatives have raised fears that pastors would be prosecuted for inciting hate crimes if they had preached against homosexuality, despite assurances that the law only targets physical violence. "All violent crime is hate crime," said Tom McClusky, vice president for government affairs at Family Research Council here in the capital. "What drives an individual to commit a violent crime but hate for their victim?" Hate crimes are only named as such when victims are targeted specifically because of their race, color, religion or national origin. Convictions for hate crimes carry harsher sentences because the victimization goes beyond the individual targeted. "If you burn a cross on someone's lawn, or put a swastika on a synagogue, the intent is not just vandalism," said David Stacy, senior public policy advocate of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, a strong backer of the bill. "It's to send a message to intimidate the community." Many religious groups publicly support the Matthew Shepard Act, even if their denominations view homosexuality as sinful. A 2007 Gallup poll showed a majority of Americans (68%) favor expanding hate-crimes protections. Majorities of frequent churchgoers (62%), conservatives (57%), and Republicans (60%) also were in favor of the legislation. The Matthew Shepard Act, named for a gay Wyoming man slain in 1998, would add sexual orientation, gender identity and disability to the list of federally-protected classes. It would also allow federal support for state and local police investigations, which often come with a hefty price tag. The bill's supporters doubt the sincerity of the Christian right's constitutional arguments. "These groups have long opposed any rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered Americans," said Stacy. "One certainly has to question whether they believe this about hate-crimes laws in general or rather that this is really about their own bias against the LGBT community." If, as opponents of the bill say, gays and lesbians do not deserve hate crime protections, then who does? Focus on the Family does not favor repealing hate-crime laws, but sees sexual orientation and gender identity as changeable, unlike race, for instance, said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for the Colorado-based group. While Horne acknowledges individuals can change their religion, that category is the exception to the rule because "the government has historically protected religion since the founding of this country." The current federal hate-crimes law was put in place in 1968, during the Civil Rights era. Barber and organizations like the FRC and the Alliance Defense Fund say the constitution covers all citizens adequately, without hate-crimes provisions. "Everyone is receiving equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, homosexuality, favorite color or 'American Idol' pick," Barber said. Hate crimes often go underreported. FBI statistics show annual hate crimes number around 7,000. However, a 2005 study done by Department of Justice provided victim numbers as high as 190,000. Conservative groups said that proves local law enforcement officials are already doing the job without need of additional legislation. "There is no evidence that a lack of prosecutions is occurring," said Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel of Alliance Defense Fund. "There is a well-documented pattern that these crimes are being punished under current criminal law without adding any kind of hate crimes provisions." In Matthew Shepard's case, his killers received life sentences without hate crime laws; but the prosecution was expensive, with no help from federal funds. The proposed legislation would help local prosecutors tap federal resources. Sean Kennedy, a 20-year-old gay man, was killed in South Carolina in 2007 in what many call a hate murder. His killer, Stephen Moller, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, and is serving 12 months and 2 weeks in prison. His mother, Elke Kennedy, believes if the Matthew Shepard Act had been in place, federal authorities could have stepped in, providing longer sentencing. "I can't do anything to change the past," she said. "What I can do is take my energy in a positive way and help get the Matthew Shepard Act passed at the federal level and then work to change South Carolina laws." Return to Top
Human Rights Campaign Deal to Delay DADT Action | View Clip 06/17/2009 Daily Kos The Daily Beast is reporting that the HRC struck a deal with the White House to delay the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask; Don't Tell" policy. In exchange for punting on the repeal of DADT, there was supposed to be action on the federal hate crimes bill and the Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). It was revealed when Sen. Chuck Schumer let it slip to some LGBT organizations. Reps for HRC have denied that such a deal has been made. unspeakable's diary :: :: For those who don't know, the Human Rights Campaign, or HRC, is a Washington-based LGBT rights lobby that is most known for having access to the nation's (mostly Democratic) politicians. HRC has been criticized by many LGBT rights activists, with good reason, for being tone-deaf on the issues that matter most to LGBT citizens and its rather timid advocacy methods. If this story is true, my problem with this development is twofold. First, the HRC was the one that made this deal. In my view, it has no authority to undercut the many grass-roots activists who are working so diligently to repeal the military's unjust and homophobic policy. The HRC is not the elected representative of LGBT citizens in this country. They have no right to unilaterally make deals on our behalf. And frankly, it's just bad strategic thinking, especially when we have so many military people, both gay and straight, coming out in opposition to DADT in a way we haven't seen before. Second, I wouldn't be so upset by this if there was something to show for this deal. As of yet, there has been no movement on either the hate crimes bill or ENDA. Many, of course, will bring up how we're still only four months into Obama's presidency, which, even if I disagree, is fine. But last time I checked, Congress can do things on its own intiative, too. Congress doesn't need to wait for the president. It can pass these bills on its own and then send them to the president's desk to sign, which I'm sure he'll take time out of his busy schedule to do. There's a well-known quote by Lyndon Johnson, after being asked by Martin Luther King, Jr., to pass the Voting Rights Act: "I wanna do it. Make me do it." Where are the LGBT leaders who putting pressure on our politicians to legislate our equality? Why are they making back room deals which seem to go nowhere? I recognize that HRC has a valuable role to play in this process precisely because it has the access, on which it prides itself so. But if it's unwilling to utilize that access to effect change, what purpose does it serve? It's time for the establishment LGBT organizations to either step up to the plate or get out of the way, so other more effective groups can take command. UPDATE: I received an email from Michael Cole, Senior Communications and Media Center Manager for the HRC. He asked that I include these statements from HRC and Sen. Schumer's office: Statement from Human Rights Campaign: "This story is not only an outright lie, it is recklessly irresponsible. HRC never made such a deal and continues to work with congress and the administration on a full range of equality issues including a swift end to the military's shameful ban on lesbian and gay servicemembers," said Brad Luna, communications director for Human Rights Campaign. Statement from U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer's office: "Senator Schumer has never said the White House didn't consider the repeal of 'Don't ask, Don't tell' a priority, and he never said the Human Rights Campaign struck some quote-unquote deal on this issue. Any rumors to the contrary are flat-out wrong," said Brian Fallon, spokesperson for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. Return to Top
L.A. gay pride parade darkened by U.S. stance on marriage | View Clip 06/17/2009 Los Angeles Times As they celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the gay rights movement, gays feel let down by Obama. Mayors Villaraigosa and Newsom take their side against Defense of Marriage Act. By Michael Finnegan June 15, 2009 The mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco joined gay rights groups Sunday in raising concerns about the Obama administration's defense of a federal law restricting same-sex marriage. "I think it's a big mistake," San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said shortly before he and his Los Angeles counterpart, Antonio Villaraigosa, kicked off the annual L.A. Pride parade in West Hollywood. Full coverage of same-sex marriage,... Interactive: Gay marriage chronologyThe mayors, potential rivals in next year's Democratic primary for governor, were each careful to avoid direct criticism of President Obama. But their mutual disapproval of a Justice Department brief filed Thursday in support of the Defense of Marriage Act comes amid growing discontent with Obama among gay rights groups. The battle over same-sex marriage added a serious note to the West Hollywood celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village that launched the modern gay rights movement. "I'm concerned about some of the arguments being made by the Justice Department," Villaraigosa told a cluster of news crews on Santa Monica Boulevard as motorcyclists in the "Dykes on Bikes" group revved their engines for the parade's start. In his campaign for the White House, Obama pledged to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which President Clinton signed into law during his 1996 reelection campaign. The law bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and enables states to refuse to recognize such marriages performed in other states. The Justice Department brief, filed in opposition to a federal lawsuit arguing that the law is unconstitutional, says the act "reflects a cautiously limited response to society's still-evolving understanding of the institution of marriage." It was filed by Assistant Atty. Gen. Tony West, who was a San Francisco fundraiser for Obama, and two other Justice Department lawyers. Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, called the administration's defense of the law unacceptable. The Defense of Marriage Act "is and has always been an immoral attack on same-sex couples, our families and our fundamental humanity," Carey said. Other groups denouncing the brief included the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union. White House spokesman Shin Inouye said the Justice Department, in submitting the brief, was following its normal practice of defending a law on the books in court. "The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] couples from being granted equal rights and benefits," Inouye said. "However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system." Obama, he said, "remains fully committed" to his proposals on gay rights. Gay rights groups have called on Obama to act more quickly on the major ones, including abandonment of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars gays in the armed forces from disclosing their sexual orientation. Rodney Scott, president of Christopher Street West, the parade's chief sponsor, said he was "deeply saddened" that Obama's administration was defending the marriage law. "That's not the president I voted for," he said as thousands of people lining Santa Monica Boulevard cheered the procession of marchers and floats. Bill Rosendahl, a gay member of the Los Angeles City Council and early Obama supporter, was equally blunt. "I'm very upset with him on everything he's done regarding us so far," he said. Among those vowing to fight for the repeal of Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that barred same-sex marriage in California, were Villaraigosa and Newsom. "We're going to do everything we can," Villaraigosa said, "to put this issue back on the ballot." Return to Top
Labor, human rights groups, urge fight against hate crimes | View Clip 06/17/2009 People's Weekly World WASHINGTON — Labor and human rights groups as well as political commentators have reacted with alarm to the May 31 murder of Dr. George Tiller, the Wichita doctor who performed abortions, and, 12 days later, the shooting of security guard, Stephen T. Johns, an African American, at the Holocaust Museum in the nation's capital. They charge that these hate crimes are proof of a dangerous surge in right-wing "domestic terrorism." The corporate media is depicting the murders as acts of deranged "lone gunmen." But organizations that are waging the struggle to protect civil rights and women's rights point out that Tiller has been the target of hatemongers like Fox News' Bill O'Reilly for over a decade. On at least 35 occasions O'Reilly referred, on the air, to the Wichita physician as "Tiller the Baby Killer." He echoes the ravings of Operation Rescue's Randall Terry who, on learning of Tiller's killing, snarled, "George Tiller was a mass murderer." Arrested in Tiller's killing was Scott Roeder, a well-known anti-abortion fanatic who repeatedly threatened Tiller's life. The accused Holocaust Museum gunman was James von Brunn, an anti-Semite with long-standing ties to the Aryan Nation white supremacists. Marsha Zakowski, president of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), told the World in a phone interview from her Pittsburgh office, "Everyone has the right of free speech but when this prejudice and hatred turns into murder it must stop. We must do everything we can to stop the hatred." Zakowski, who also serves as chair of the United Steelworkers' Civil and Human Rights Committee, commented on actor Jon Voight's recent speech to a Republican fund-raising dinner in which he said it is time to "bring an end to this false prophet, Obama." Said Zakowski, "Jon Voight is a celebrity. He can influence people. Voight has just been coming out with this ultra-conservative point of view. It is deplorable." "CLUW is a pro-choice organization," she said. "It's the right of a woman to decide. We certainly deplore the murders of Dr. Tiller and the security guard at the Holocaust Museum." Brad Luna, media director of the Human Rights Campaign, which fights hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, told the World, "As a community that faces an ongoing threat of hate-motivated violence, we know that these individual acts are designed to terrorize an entire community. They are a sad reminder that we must recommit ourselves to stopping extremism and hate in whatever form it takes." He urged people to contact their senators to demand passage of the Matthew Shepard Act "that will help law enforcement combat hate crimes." It is named for young Matthew Shepard, a gay student lynched by homophobes in Wyoming in 1998. The bill is scheduled for a Senate vote this week or next. Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), pointed out that Dr. Tiller was the fifth physician slain in a decades-long string of murders and injuries of abortion clinic doctors, nurses and staff by enemies of women's reproductive rights. "Bringing the killers to justice is not enough," she said in a statement. "The Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security must root out and prosecute as domestic terrorists and violent racketeers the criminal enterprise that has organized and funded criminal acts for decades." She added, "We call on the new attorney general Eric Holder and head of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to treat these murders in the same way they would treat politically-motivated domestic terrorism of any other kind and put the full resources of their two departments behind that effort." Michael B. Keegan, president of People for the American Way, wrote an open letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano citing the two murders and urging her to release her department's report, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment." The report was withdrawn this spring when ultra-right Republicans reacted furiously to its findings. In his June 11 letter Keegan wrote that "the events of the last two weeks show that its core findings are fundamentally correct: 'The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.'" He added, "The Department of Homeland Security is charged with protecting the security of all Americans, and it is essential for the American public to have the unvarnished truth about the rise of dangerous extremism in this country." New York Times columnist, Frank Rich, headlined his op ed on Sunday, "The Obama Haters' Silent Enablers." He quotes Fox News anchor Shepard Smith who warned on-camera of "amped up" Americans who are "taking the extra step and getting the gun out," ready to inflict maximum punishment on those they disagree with. Smith told Fox viewers that after the shooting of Tiller and Johns he received "a hundred" e-mails spewing "hate that's not based on facts," much of it directed at President Obama. "What's startling is the spillover of this poison into the conservative political establishment," Rich said, referring to Voight's incendiary comment about Obama. "This kind of rhetoric, with its pseudo-Scriptural call to action, is toxic. It is getting louder each day of the Obama presidency. No one, not even Fox News viewers can say they weren't warned." Return to Top
Kenneth Cole Teams With the Human Rights Campaign | View Clip 06/17/2009 GayWired.com The HRC and Kenneth Cole present the "AWEARNESS" unisex t-shirt to support same-sex marriage. 100% of net proceeds will go directly to the HRC, the largest LGBT advocacy organization in the US. The cotton t-shirt reads, "Those Against Gay Marriage Aren't Thinking Straight. (Or Are They?)"?? To purchase the limited edition tee online, Click here. To celebrate Pride, design house Kenneth Cole New York will host special events in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Dallas to coincide with local celebrations. At the special events, 20% of your purchases proceeds will also be directed to the HRC. Be sure to shop the special nights in your town, help the economy, and, more importantly the LGBT community. Return to Top
A Bad Call on Gay Rights | View Clip 06/17/2009 New York Times A Bad Call on Gay Rights The Obama administration, which came to office promising to protect gay rights but so far has not done much, actually struck a blow for the other side last week. It submitted a disturbing brief in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, which is the law that protects the right of states to not recognize same-sex marriages and denies same-sex married couples federal benefits. The administration needs a new direction on gay rights. A gay couple married under California law is challenging the act in federal court. In its brief, the Justice Department argues that the couple lack legal standing to do so. It goes on to contend that even if they have standing, the case should be dismissed on the merits. The brief insists it is reasonable for states to favor heterosexual marriages because they are the "traditional and universally recognized form of marriage." In arguing that other states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages under the Constitution's "full faith and credit" clause, the Justice Department cites decades-old cases ruling that states do not have to recognize marriages between cousins or an uncle and a niece. These are comparisons that understandably rankle many gay people. In a letter to President Obama on Monday, Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization, said, "I cannot overstate the pain that we feel as human beings and as families when we read an argument, presented in federal court, implying that our own marriages have no more constitutional standing than incestuous ones." The brief also maintains that the Defense of Marriage Act represents a "cautious policy of federal neutrality" — an odd assertion since the law clearly discriminates against gay couples. Under the act, same-sex married couples who pay their taxes are ineligible for the sort of federal benefits — such as Social Security survivors' payments and joint tax returns — that heterosexual married couples receive. In the presidential campaign, President Obama declared that he would work to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. Now, the administration appears to be defending it out of a sense of obligation to support a validly enacted Congressional law. There is a strong presumption that the Justice Department will defend federal laws, but it is not an inviolable rule. If the administration does feel compelled to defend the act, it should do so in a less hurtful way. It could have crafted its legal arguments in general terms, as a simple description of where it believes the law now stands. There was no need to resort to specious arguments and inflammatory language to impugn same-sex marriage as an institution. The best approach of all would have been to make clear, even as it defends the law in court, that it is fighting for gay rights. It should work to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," the law that bans gay men and lesbians in the military from being open about their sexuality. It should push hard for a federal law banning employment discrimination. It should also work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act in Congress. The administration has had its hands full with the financial crisis, health care, Guantánamo Bay and other pressing matters. In times like these, issues like repealing the marriage act can seem like a distraction — or a political liability. But busy calendars and political expediency are no excuse for making one group of Americans wait any longer for equal rights. Return to Top
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/06/orbitz-commercial-features-human-rights-campaign-logo.html | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Some brand placement from the Human Rights Campaign can be seen in a new commercial from Orbitz travel in which a group of golfers is interrupted by an Orbitz representative who presents them with checks for the savings they earned booking with the travel company. Neither the group's name nor any mention of the word "gay" is present in the ad but the recognizable HRC logo is prominently featured on one golfer's shirt (we'll have to assume that's the stealth gay guy's golf bag with the rainbow towel hanging on it). "Orbitz reached out to HRC and asked to license use of our logo on the shirt in the ad," HRC's Director of Media Relations Brad Luna told Towleroad in an email, "And since Orbitz is a company that has a strong history of reaching out to the LGBT community and has a perfect 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index, we allowed them to use that shirt." Return to Top
Eye Opener: Same-Sex Partners Get Benefits | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Post - Online Happy Wednesday! President Obama will sign an executive order today that extends federal benefits to include unmarried domestic partners of federal workers, including same-sex partners. "The move would give partners of federal employees access to health care and financial benefits such as relocation fees for moves," The Post reported last night. Three things to keep in mind regarding this decision: 1.) Obama Has Faced Criticism From Gay Rights Groups: Signing today's order should ease some of the bad feelings from liberals and gay rights groups upset with the administration's decision to file a legal brief that supports the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. On Monday the head of the Human Rights Campaign wrote an angry letter to the White House on the matter and The New York Times editorial board noted yesterday that Candidate Obama once vowed to overturn the act. "Now, the administration appears to be defending it out of a sense of obligation to support a validly enacted Congressional law. ... If the administration does feel compelled to defend the act, it should do so in a less hurtful way." You think a presidential order extending benefits to same-sex couples might ease the burden? You betcha. 2.) "Don't Ask Don't Tell": Today's decision applies only to the Defense Department's civilian workforce and not to men and women in uniform. Obama has also faced criticism for his reluctance to reconsider the military's policy on gay service members, despite his campaign pledge to repeal it. 3.) John Berry: The most senior openly gay official ever in U.S. government, Obama's director of the Office of Personnel Management is a telegenic, well-respected leader that has made several statements in recent months hinting at today's move, essentially test-driving comments you may soon hear from Obama. During a speech last week at the Justice Department, Berry passionately stated that the federal government had to do more to ensure equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans: "With the help of a president who supports our cause, the aid of courageous fellow countrymen and women who love liberty, and with God's grace, we shall prevail" in the quest for civil rights, Berry said. He made similar comments in April during his ceremonial swearing in ceremony attended by First Lady Michelle Obama: "It is the president's and my opinion, that employees should only be judged by their ability to do the job and their performance while on the job and not by any other irrelevant factors," he said. The president will take it from all sides on this decision: social conservatives will criticize the decision while gay rights activists will insist he take further actions. Regardless, today is an important day for federal employees eager to enjoy the rights and benefits afforded to their colleagues. Return to Top
WSJ on Department of Justice DOMA Brief and HRC Letter | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad The Wall Street Journal reports on yesterday's letter from Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese to President Obama: "A prominent gay-rights organization, long supportive of President Barack Obama, sent him a scathing letter Monday to protest the administration's recent legal... Return to Top
Joe Solmonese's letter to Obama on DOMA | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com June 15, 2009 President Barack H. Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: I have had the privilege of meeting you on several occasions, when visiting the White House in my capacity as president of the Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights organization representing millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, ... Return to Top
Where Is The Executive Order For Federal Gender Identity & Expression Based Employment Protecti... | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend Let me remind my peers about Dallas Principle numbers 1 and 2: 1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable. 2.We will not leave any part of our community behind. So to my lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists, and to the President, let me say this one word about the executive memorandum on federal benefits for domestic partners that will be signed today: "More." Remember Diane Schroer? I do. She's the 25-year Army veteran who did not get a job at the Library of Congress specifically because she was going to transition from male to female. An executive order from the Obama Administration could fix that issue so it didn't happen again -- but we have yet to see such an executive order. With news that the today will see many domestic partnership benefits awarded to lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples by presidential fiat, I'm left wondering about transgender federal employment protections that could be added quickly with another executive order. As usual, the transgender subcommunity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is seeing their basic civil rights protections take secondary importance to marriage equality and domestic partnership issues. I get it; there are lots more LGB people than there are T people. And, I get that this current kerfuffle over the Department of Justice's defense of DOMA brief needs to be addressed by an action that directly looks at federal benefits for lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples. However, I also get that a new executive order could provide the exact same protections based on gender identity and expression that a Clinton era executive order provides based on sexual orientation. I also know that the LGBT community civil rights groups would welcome this kind of executive order. I also understand this kind of executive order would take almost no direct effort except copying and pasting the executive order that gives federal protections based on sexual orientation, and substituting the words gender identity and expression for sexual orientation. As a candidate, President Obama said this: The transgendered community has to be protected. I just don't have any tolerance for that sort of intolerance. And I think we need to legislate aggressively to protect them. So to my activist community, I ask this: Will there be an effort to press for basic federal employment protections based on gender identity and expression "now"? To President Obama's administration, I ask this: When will we see an executive order granting federal employment protections based on gender idenity and expression? If not "now" -- if not today -- when? Let us leave no community behind. My transgender brothers and sisters deserve no less than the same federal employment protections as lesbian, gay, and bisexual federal employees -- and this can be done by Presidential fiat. I leave our progressive, civil rights, and LGBT activists with this thought by Martin Luther King Jr.: The time is always right to do what is right. Mr. President, while signing this presidential memorandum on domestic partner benefits, remember you can do more for the LGBT community with executive orders. Your next presidential order should be regarding federal employment protections for transgender people. It should be submitted and signed as close to now as possible. Transgender people are Americans too. Return to Top
Gay Groups Seethe As Obama Ignores | View Clip 06/17/2009 On Top Magazine Reaction to President Obama's hesitation to move on gay rights issues reaches breaking point; threatens gay support Return to Top
Dan Savage's Proposal for Civil Disobedience | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend I like this idea from Dan Savage over at The Starnger's SLOG.I have suggestion for an ongoing, smaller-scale action that would have a larger impact than [Cleve Jones's] one-off "march" through an empty city. My idea would need fewer than a 1000 people to succeed-730 to be exact-and it wouldn't be over in a day. It would go on, day-in, day-out, every day, for a year. Hell, it could go on indefinitely. It involves civil disobedience and the 730 volunteers would have to be willing to get arrested. People who are unable to participate could make donations to help cover the expenses-legal expenses and travel expenses-of those who can. Here's the idea: one gay or lesbian couple-a couple currently denied their rights under DOMA-shows up at the entrance to the White House grounds. A different couple every day. They ask to speak to the president about DOMA. They're refused. They sit down. They refuse to leave. They're arrested, carried away by the police. More after the flip. Couples would be recruited from all over the country, demonstrating that gay marriage isn't just an issue in liberal California or godless New England, and the media in each couple's home city and state would be notified in advance of their arrest. The occasional famous couple-Rosie and Kelli? Ellen and Portia?-would participate to pull in celeb media. But most of the couples who come to D.C. to get arrested would be average folks. The couples would need support, legal and logistical, and we would need someone to organize media outreach and maintain a website. The website would include a photo and profile of each couple that comes to D.C. to get arrested, collect all the press, and be used to recruit couples willing to travel to D.C. and get arrested. The action would be small scale-it would be human scale-and it would go on and on and on. It would demonstrate better than another gay march just how seriously we take this issue: we take it seriously that we're willing to travel to D.C. and get arrested. It wouldn't be a one-day event that the White House could ignore or bluff its way through with some lame statement about its "commitment" to ending DOMA. The couples would keep coming. Every day an arrest. Drip, drip, drip. Members of the White House press corps would see couples getting arrested every day on their way to work. Gibbs would be forced to address DOMA on a near-daily basis. The president would be asked about the issue again and again.I think this is a great idea. Can you imagine the embarrassment to the administration when foreign tourists start having their pictures taken with handcuffed couples? And think of all the real-life education all those visiting classes of school kids will get by watching history in action. Now that's advocacy! Return to Top
DOJ's DOMA Brief: the Spark that Ignites a Gay Backlash? | View Clip 06/17/2009 EdgeNewEngland.com A DOMA-supporting brief from the Department of Justice comparing same-sex marriages to incestuous unions may have sparked unease over President Obama's silence on GLBT issues into a firestorm. Return to Top
Website: Obama Has No Gay Rights Plan | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The Amid criticism that President Barack Obama is doing nothing for LGBT people, a new website has launched challenging his stand on gay rights. Return to Top
Lowenstein: Barney Frank to introduce inclusive ENDA next week | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com An aide to Barney Frank told the Washington Blade that the Congressman intends to introduce a fully inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act next week: An assistant to U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) revealed Wednesday that the congressman will introduce the Employment Non-Discrimination Act next week. Diego Sanchez, who is transgender ... Return to Top
Stonewall launches guidance for employers on tension between gay and religious issues | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Stonewall has released new guidance for employers on how to deal with tensions arising between religion and sexual orientation in the workplace. The guide is designed to provide essential advice on how to avoid conflicts which can arise at work. Return to Top
Gay bar says 'I don't' to bachelorettes | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (Chicago) Bar owner Geno Zaharakis sat one busy evening at the window of his gay nightclub, watching as groups of straight women celebrating bachelorette parties made their way along a strip of bars in Chicago's gay-friendly "Boystown" neighborhood. That's when he made a decision now posted for all to see: "No ... Return to Top
Bride ban: Gay bar says 'I don't' to bachelorettes | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Chicago Tribune | Jun. 16 at 10:32 AM Bar owner Geno Zaharakis sat one busy evening at the window of his gay nightclub, watching as groups of straight women celebrating bachelorette parties made their way along a strip of bars in Chicago's gay-friendly "Boystown" neighborhood. ... Return to Top
DOMA Lawsuit Wins First Victory | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The A plaintiff in a lawsuit against the federal Defense of Marriage Act will be allowed to get a U.S. passport in his married name, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders announced on Monday morning. Return to Top
'Gay Panic' is Defense in Texas Murder Case | View Clip 06/17/2009 EdgeNewEngland.com The defense in a murder trial in a rural Texas county says that the accused stabbed and beat the victim in self defense rather than endure a sexual assault. Return to Top
Christian 'civil liberties' group wants to burn gay book | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk A book about a young gay man struggling to come to terms with his sexuality has provoked the wrath of a US Christian 'civil liberties' group who say it should be burned. Return to Top
San Francisco lesbian barred from visiting partner in hospital | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk A gay woman from San Francisco was prevented from visiting her partner in hospital after she suffered a seizure. The couple had been taking part in a 'Meet in the Middle' rally in support of same-sex marriage, when Kristin Orbin, who suffers from epilepsy, had a seizure. Return to Top
Gay New Yorkers assured an end to harassment | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (New York) State Sen. Tom Duane assured a small West Village rally over the weekend that there would be no more police harassment or false prostitution arrests of gay, lesbian and transgender New Yorkers. "There won't be any more cases, at least in the current political climate," said Duane, who is openly gay. ... Return to Top
Hospital Discriminated Against Lesbians | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights sent a letter to a Fresno hospital on Monday asking it to change its policies after allegations that the facility prevented a lesbian from visiting her partner and giving advice about her treatment. Return to Top
ACLU: Hospital discriminated against gay couple | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Mercury News | Jun. 16 at 9:23 AM Civil rights groups urged a Fresno hospital to change its policies on Monday after employees briefly barred a lesbian from visiting her girlfriend, who went into seizure at a gay marriage march. ... Return to Top
Gay Entertainment Report: PBS Airs 'Ask Not' | View Clip 06/17/2009 On Top Magazine PBS airs documentary that explores the military's ban on open gay service, 'Ask Not' Return to Top
Orbitz Commercial Features Human Rights Campaign Logo | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Some brand placement from the Human Rights Campaign can be seen in a new commercial from Orbitz travel in which a group of golfers is interrupted by an Orbitz representative who presents them with checks for the savings they earned... Return to Top
Should Parents Ask Their Kids if They're Gay? | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad The ladies of The View debate a 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy at home, AFTER THE JUMP... (via queerty) Return to Top
Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno Premieres in Paris, Does GQ | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Above, Sacha Baron Cohen at the premiere of Bruno in Paris yesterday. Meanwhile, Third Rail Media, which caught Baron Cohen's antics on film at a "Yes on 8" rally back in November, interviewed actors Jack Plotnick, Peter Paige, and Jennifer... Return to Top
Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno Does GQ's First Nude Cover | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Sacha Baron Cohen as his gay Austrian TV reporter Bruno does GQ's first nude cover. The article inside is a "question and answer" style advice column chock-full of meant-to-offend Bruno advice. Here are a few samples: Dear Brüno, Is it... Return to Top
Radio documentary to revisit the riots that triggered the gay revolution | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Forty years ago, a blaze of gay protest broke out outside the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich, New York. A police raid on the bar erupted in to the three-night riot that is considered by many to have been the starting point of the gay liberation movement. Return to Top
Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno offends gay rights groups | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Bruno, the latest film creation from comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, has been met with complaints from gay rights groups. Return to Top
The gay DNC fundraiser will be a watershed moment - inside and out | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend Mitchell Gold, philanthropist, owner of NC-based furniture powerhouse Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and author of Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing The Personal, Social, And Religious Pain And Trauma Of Growing Up Gay In America is on the attendee list for the upcoming DNC fundraiser, (the 10th Annual LGBT Leadership Council Dinner) headed up by Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and freshman Jared Polis. Earlier today I posted ("Politely ask Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis why they are hosting a DNC fundraiser") about the unbelievable Andrew Tobias e-blast recently sent out to gay donors -- now known as the "10,400-square-foot spa" letter -- in late May that urged donors to attend and fill the DNC's coffers with queer dollars. And the administration and the DNC are doing all they can to ensure all the lavish hobnobbing with the Vice President will go smoothly -- in support of an administration and Congress that treats LGBT issues like the plague. Well this gala is not going to go unnoticed or represent business as usual because of the outrage over legislative apathy on the Hill, contempt and demonization coming out of the White House with its DOJ hate brief defending DOMA. There are protests plans to take place outside the posh venue that evening, and it won't be business as usual inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel either. The DNC is running scared.Organizers, I'm told, are scrambling to get visible White House action on gay issues in advance of the June 25 dinner to prevent it from becoming a protest stage.Inside the venue, there will be activism that will cause a bit of agita for organizers. Mitchell Gold has plans to remind those in attendance that their foot-dragging and silence endangers LGBT youth. He sent me this message, with permission to post:Dear Friends who are going or thinking of going to the June 26th DNC Dinner in DC: I'll take my seat at the table. I have decided to go as previously committed because I believe it will be an opportunity for many of us to communicate our disappointment. More importantly, it will give me and hopefully others a time to communicate some new messages that might resonate more effectively. This administration....from President Obama to Congress, have been a great frustration to LGBT Americans in spite of the good things accomplished. Of course(!) they are far better than George Bush or McCain/Pallin. That's why so many gave and worked so hard....for a FAR better future. We have been promised that they understand the need for full and equal rights...that they 'get it'. I don't need to go into all the gory details of why the disappointed feelings. Frankly, I don't blame it all on them. I think our advocacy groups have missed the mark on some very important messaging. I'm not saying the messaging they've used is bad....but it has not gotten us to where we should be. It's 90%. We must: 1. Draw the connection of the root cause of the discrimination against the LGBT community - it is religion based bigotry. When Obama and Biden talk about marriage between a man and a woman, the roots of those beliefs are in their religious teachings and that is what they are espousing....religion based bigotry. 2. Educate about the traumatic harm that is caused to over 1 million LGBT teens TODAY....right this moment. I realize many of you might not like to talk about the painful memories of your past. While putting CRISIS together I came to learn how I had to pry it out of some of our best known leaders. But NOW is the time to make certain this administration and congress know the pain and suffering that exists...and even suicides that occur because LGBT people are marginalized in this great country of ours. If I read one more post, one more open letter, hear one more speech that leaves these kids out, my hair will catch on fire. STOP FORGETTING ABOUT THEM! 3. Make it known that in America today, the bigotry against us is unacceptable. Witness Rick Warren at the inauguration. And part of the fault lies within our own groups. They are afraid to stand up and call bigotry for what it is. I will be attending the June 26th dinner. I'll be polite and listen as always.....but my real purpose is to talk to the elected officials about the harm caused to the hundreds of thousands of innocent young kids who are going through what I went through. I will tell them my story. And I will give them a copy of CRISIS. That will be my dinner conversation because I know from first hand experience it transforms people. Will you join me? I will be in the lobby prior to the dinner an hour early. I'll have plenty of copies of CRISIS. I'd like to give you one to carry around at the dinner to start a conversation with the various elected officials we have put our trust in. And to give to Vice President Biden when you meet him. Maybe if 30 people give him a copy, he'll get the message that another important and not yet visible enough face of LGBT civil rights is our traumatized kids who cannot speak for themselves. Will you do that? And will you tell your story? Break down your own walls....be vulnerable for a few minutes. When I really dig with most people and ask them why they do the advocacy work they do, inevitably it is because they don't want more kids to go through what they did. Let's say it now. Can you imagine if we turned this dinner into a time for the political leaders to learn about who we were? Not who we have become today.....strong, successful, etc....but rather who we want to protect and change this country so never again will a kid have to live in a crisis because they are struggling with their sexual orientation or identity. So yes I will go. And I will speak my truth and not be concerned about future access.So, DNC, there is no escape from the LGBT community's discontent with business as usual. Inside or out, our voices will be heard at this gala. No Delay. No excuses. *** Also breaking: Empire Pride has now pulled out of the fundraiser. Return to Top
Politely ask Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis why they are hosting a DNC fundraiser | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend (UPDATE: This is breaking big; The Politico's Ben Smith has picked up on this Blend post). So far, with a disgusting DOMA defense brief filed by the Obama Department of Justice and an unacceptable silence and dismissive attitude about LGBT rights now that the man in the big chair is sitting comfortably at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, we've heard zero from our official, normally vocal, out Congresspeeps in the House, Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and freshman Jared Polis (who also head up the equally silent Equality Caucus). Chris @ Law Dork notes the silence is costing credibility:Also, Obama's lack of action on LGBT issues has led friend-of-Bill and big Dem donor David Mixner, as well as blogger extraordinaire Andy Towle, to pull their support from the DNC's Stonewall celebration fund-raiser.Helming this 10th Annual LGBT Leadership Council Dinner is problematic at this juncture. If you want to know what kind of shindig this is and how out of touch the professional gay set is with you -- the ones lacking the resources to overcome the lack of civil rights -- look at this recent eager letter (passed on to me by a trusted source) sent by Andrew Tobias to LGBT donors. Ostensibly it's to grease the wheels by telling them how exciting it will be to give to a party that's moving at light speed regarding civil rights. And that they can hobnob with those in power at the Mandarin Oriental's 10,400-square-foot spa. This is how business as usual works "on your behalf" in D.C. Read the letter below the fold. We need those in the community who have the resources to donate to the DNC to close their wallets until this administration stops the silence on our issues and makes it clear that the DOMA defense arguments are toxic to our civil rights struggle and commits to urge Congressional leadership to act by using his bully pulpit. Why should anyone donate to the DNC when this is the view of of the state of things held by powerful gay insiders? From: Andy Tobias Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 To: Andy Tobias Subject: more people to sit with - and a few words on progress Hey, so this is shaping up to be quite a dinner to CELEBRATE our progress and REAFFIRM our collective commitment to equality. Check out whitehouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/issu... : the commitment is there. It's real. Hang on. And look what's happened in Iowa and Maine and Vermont! And what's likely to happen in New Hampshire very soon . . . and very possibly New York . . . and surely in California and New Jersey before too long. (I love that we can now say to our more timid allies and to those not yet persuaded -- gently, respectfully -- "Are you really to the right of Ted Olson?") This is our time. We need to PUSH, for sure. But we also need to HELP move the President's agenda -- which includes our own. That's the purpose of the dinner: to help fund the DNC's central project, ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA. And we need to FOCUS -- not so much on our allies as on those (in both parties) who still need persuading ("Respectfully, Senator: are you REALLY to the right of Ted Olson?"). Barney makes that point strongly in this week's Blade -- snipurl.com/barney-blade http://snipurl.com/barney-blade . Maybe the progress can be sped up. That would be great. And doubtless there will be snags - there are still an awful lot of people who are genuinely (or in some cases cynically) NOT with us . . . and many of them own monkey wrenches, whether we like it or not. Which is why we need a really thoughtful, deliberate path to success, much as we'd love a bolt out of the blue. But we really are getting there. Come help celebrate that progress and propel it forward Thursday, June 25, in Washington: the DNC's 10th Annual LGBT Leadership Council Dinner. If you can't make the date, take a rain check and help anyway? SUZE ORMAN just signed on that way. ELIZABETH BIRCH signed on that way. Lots of others. If you CAN make the date, you'll be joining the Vice President of the United States . . . . . . along with Virginia Governor / DNC Chair Tim Kaine . . . immediate past DNC Chair Howard Dean . . . Chairman Barney Frank . . . Representatives Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis . . . Vermont Senate President Pete Shumlin . . . District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty . . . David Mixner . . . Richard Socarides . . . The Task Force's Rea Carey . . . HRC's Marty Rouse . . . ESPA's Alan Van Capelle . . . GLAD's Mary Bonauto . . . NBJC's Alexander Robinson . . . GMHC's Marjorie Hill . . . The Victory Fund's Chuck Wolfe . . . Towle Road's Andy Towle . . . Iraq Marine vet Brian Fricke (whom you may have seen on 60 Minutes) . . . Billy Bean . . . Joan Garry . . . Keith Boykin . . . Ray Buckley . . . Brian Johnson . . . Corey Johnson . . . Dixon Osburn . . . Paul Smith . . . Bruce Bastian . . . Mitchell Gold . . . Krystal Ball . . . and so many others, like YOU, who have been pushing the ball down the field for so long. (Well, Krystal is fairly new to this, but what a kick to have a pro-marriage CPA triathlete young mom running to unseat a conservative Republican in Virginia.) Our LGBT Leadership Council co-chairs, Laura Ricketts and Paul Horning, have recruited dinner chairs and hosts from ARIZONA and VIRGINIA and OREGON and MASSACHUSETTS and FLORIDA and NORTH CAROLINA and ILLINOIS and UTAH . . . and, well, all over the place. It would mean a great deal to have you with us: www.democrats.org/LGBTdinner Did I mention that the Mandarin Oriental has a 10,400-square-foot spa? Did I mention that if you need to be back in Philadelphia or New York that night, there's a ten o'clock train? Did I mention even Charles is coming down for this one? (You will make him cross if you don't come, and we don't want that.) THANKS! Andy As noted above, Andy Towle and David Mixner have already pulled their support. They realize that one tool to make our elected officials hear us is withholding the almighty dollar. It is no longer business as usual. If you feel so inclined, please politely contact our out LGBT representatives on the Hill to ask them why they still plan to hold the event in the wake of lack of leadership re: DADT repeal and the horrible DOMA brief and 2) do they see anything problematic about financially supporting a party that runs for cover when our issues come up on the Hill. Rep. Barney Frank: 2252 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515 tel: (202) 225-5931 fax: (202) 225-0182 Rep. Tammy Baldwin 2446 Rayburn Building Washington DC 20515 (202) 225-6942 Fax (202) 225-2906 Email Form Rep. Jared Polis Washington, DC Office 501 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 p. 202.225.2161 f. 202.226.7840 BTW, Rachel Maddow had Howard Dean on to discuss the schism betweed the LGBT community and the Obama administration over this horrid DOMA brief. Are our Congresspeeps listening? Return to Top
Democratic Party LGBT Fundraiser Tainted by Obama DOMA Brief | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Obama's now resoundingly criticized Department of Justice defense of DOMA brief could not have come at a worse time for a Democratic Party LGBT fundraiser headlined by Vice President Joe Biden scheduled for next week in Washington D.C. As you... Return to Top
AG Holder urges new hate crimes law | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (Washington) Citing recent killings in Arkansas, Kansas and the nation's capital, Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday said new hate crimes law were needed to stop what he called "violence masquerading as political activism." The attorney general's call for Congress to act came as a civil rights coalition said there has ... Return to Top
US LGBT hate murders at highest level since 1999 | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk A National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs report has revealed that gay bias-related killings in America were at their highest level for ten years in 2008. Return to Top
Anti-LGBT Hate Crimes Highest at Ten Year High | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad A new report from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs says bias-motivated incidents against LGBT people are the highest they've been in a decade. According to the group, 29 deaths last year resulted from anti-LGBT hate crimes, an increase of... Return to Top
Gay bias killings highest since 1999 | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (New York) The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people killed in bias-motivated incidents increased by 28 percent in 2008 compared to a year ago, according to a national coalition of advocacy groups. Last year's 29 killings was the highest recorded by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs since 1999, ... Return to Top
Report: Gay bias killings highest since 1999 | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade NEW YORK (AP) The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people killed in bias-motivated incidents increased by 28 percent in 2008 compared to a year ago, according to a national coalition of advocacy groups. Last year's 29 killings was the highest recorded by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs since 1999, when it documented the same number of slayings, according to a report released Tuesday by the coalition. "What we're also seeing, more disturbingly, is the increase in the severity of violence," said Sharon Stapel, executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, which coordinates coalition. Stap ... Return to Top
Ban on gay marriage linked to rise in HIV rate | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com Two Emory economists have found that a constitutional ban on gay marriage increases the rate of HIV by four per 100,000 people. This the first study of the impact of social tolerance levels toward gays in the United States on the HIV transmission rate. The economists cite the passage of bans ... Return to Top
Lithuania Bans Gay Speech In Schools | View Clip 06/17/2009 On Top Magazine The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, approved a bill Tuesday that bans gay speech in schools Return to Top
Lithuania passes Section 28-style law to ban mention of homosexuality in schools or media | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Lithuania's parliament has given final approval to a bill banning information on homosexuality in schools or in media accessible by young people. Return to Top
LGBT activists 'under-resourced, isolated and vulnerable' | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Activists fighting for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans rights are under-funded, lack support and face "routine" violence, a report has said. Return to Top
China to ban criminals and those in relationships from having sex change operations | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk China's Ministry of Health has published new proposed clinical guidelines on gender reassignment surgery. Those wishing to undergo surgery must have no criminal record, be single, over 20 years old and have lived as their desired gender for at least two years. Return to Top
Gay radio station to hold Pride-themed live music night | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk The gay youth radio station FYi RADiO will be presenting a Pride-themed live music night to introduce London Pride on Tuesday 30th June. Return to Top
21 injured in bombing at Brazil Pride event | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Twenty-one people were injured on Sunday when a bomb exploded at San Paulo Pride. The parade is thought to be the largest Pride event in the world with almost three million visitors. Return to Top
Gay travel agent offers lesbian wedding and IVF holiday package | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Lesbian couples can now have a Spanish holiday package that includes a marriage ceremony and insemination treatment. Return to Top
Gay actor Alan Cumming receives OBE in Queen's birthday honours | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk Scottish actor and gay rights campaigner Alan Cumming has received an OBE in the annual Queen's birthday honours list. Cumming, who now lives in New York, used his honour to highlight the "inaction" of the US government on gay rights. Return to Top
Gay man could face jail for helping ill partner die | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk A north London man who helped his partner access assisted suicide in Switzerland could face a 14-year prison sentence. Return to Top
Australian survey finds rise in support for gay marriage | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk A survey has found rising support for gay marriage in Australia. The research, commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality (AME), showed that 60 per cent of those questioned are in favour of same-sex marriage, compared with 57 per cent two years ago. Return to Top
LGBT South Asian conference to take place in New York | View Clip 06/17/2009 EdgeNewEngland.com As Pride month continues, a number of leading LGBT South Asian activists from around the world will gather in New York on June 25-26 for the first annual South Asian Queer Leaders Summit. Return to Top
Vanasco: Lesbian marriage raises eyebrows in India | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com I found this today in The Times of India (I left out the paragraph where the writer called this an "unnatural marriage." The Times is regularly homophobic.). Despite the writer's obvious opprobrium, I think the sweetness of the story shines through: "Sources said that Kamla and Vimla (names changed), the girls ... Return to Top
Castro's Son Duped Into Online Affair | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The A Cuban activist from Miami reportedly duped Fidel Castro's son into a six-month online romance by posing as a woman. Return to Top
Frank to introduce ENDA next week | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Staff reports An assistant to U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) revealed Wednesday that the congressman will introduce the Employment Non-Discrimination Act next week. Diego Sanchez, who is transgender and a senior policy adviser to Frank, said the bill will be inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity. He noted it will include the legislative language Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) used in 2007 in an attempt to restore gender identity provisions to an earlier version of the bill. Sanchez said the new bill will debut with at least eight sponsors, including four Democrats and four Republicans. Among the sponsors are openly gay House ... Return to Top
Jubilation muted on Calif gay marriage anniversary | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (San Francisco) Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe vividly remembers the bustling city clerk's office and the happiness of fellow couples a year ago Tuesday when California began granting same-sex marriage licenses. But he and his now-husband, David, say their first anniversary won't be nearly as jubilant. Last month the state Supreme Court upheld a ... Return to Top
Equality California and the Jordan/Rustin Coalition join forces on marriage equality outreach | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend A huge WIN on marriage equality and it shows that fighting back on Prop 8 requires on-the-ground engagement and media visibility of not just lesbian and gay families, but ones of color. This ad features a gay black couple, Xavier and Michael Boykin-Haggood, along with three of their five children, Dante, Emmanuel and Fatima. The family lives in LA's Leimert Park neighborhood. Michael (to the children): Has everyone said grace? Alright. Xavier and Michael (nodding): We have five -- five children. Xavier: You know Michael and I have been planning what our day was going to be like for eleven, twelve years. And now you tell me I can't get married? I'm free to love who I love. Michael: At its core level it's just totally unfair to actually take away anyone's right[s]. And so I have no doubt that this will inevitably be turned back the right way. As same-sex couples who were able to legally marry last year celebrate their one-year-anniversaries, Equality California (EQCA) and Jordan/Rustin Coalition (JRC) are together launching an education and mobilization campaign on the freedom to marry in LA's African-American communities. The effort includes a TV commercial, on-the-ground organizers as well as an office dedicated to the campaign, which will be based in South Los Angeles, a predominantly African-American community. "Jordan/Rustin Coalition is happy to partner with Equality California as we do the work to open the hearts and minds of all Californians, including those in the Black community, on the question of marriage for same-sex couples," said Ron Buckmire, JRC board president. "Our partnership includes a multi-media campaign, outreach and public education and even the nuts and bolts of staffing and supplies. I am confident that together we will see the day when full LGBT equality is restored to our state." "As we celebrate this one-year-anniversary of marriages in California, we are proud to be working with the Jordan/Rustin Coalition to have conversations with African-Americans about marriage for same-sex couples," said EQCA Marriage Director Marc Solomon. "As people really get to know our families, they will see they have the same hopes, dreams and concerns as any other family and simply want the protections and dignity that marriage affords." The office is slated to open later this summer. JRC, EQCA, and a coalition of grassroots and community leaders rooted in South Los Angeles will work collaboratively to organize outreach events and lead door-to-door efforts to talk with African-American Californians. Return to Top
First Anniversary Parties In California | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend This just arrived from EQCA: Same-Sex Couples, Faith leaders Celebrate First Anniversary of Marriage Community members to hold anniversary events across the state, honoring historic milestone What: Faith leaders, same-sex couples, friends and family will gather across the state to celebrate in honor of the one-year-anniversary of couples who married last year when same-sex couples were able to legally marry. Faith leaders will offer brief remarks, and couples will gather for a group photo at each event. When/Where: June 16 Los Angeles: 4 p.m. West Hollywood Park 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard San Francisco: 6:30 p.m. First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco 1187 Franklin St, Starr King Room June 17 Fresno: 6 PM Historic Water Tower in Downtown Fresno 2444 Fresno St. Inland Empire: 6:30 p.m. Redlands UCC Church 168 Bellevue Ave. Orange County: 6 p.m. Fairview Community Church, Costa Mesa 2525 Fairview Rd. San Diego: 5:30 p.m. Mission Hills United Church of Christ 4070 Jackdaw St. Sacramento: 6 p.m. Sacramento County Clerk's Office 600 8th St. Event sponsors include, Equality California, California Faith for Equality, Marriage Equality USA, Jordan Rustin Coalition, API Equality - LA, Equality Inland Empire, Redlands United Church of Christ's Christians for Marriage Equality, Orange County Equality Coalition, Equality Action NOW, PFLAG, Courage Campaign- Fresno Equality Team, Yes! on Equality, and Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, Spousesforlifeproject.com. A hearty and very heartfelt "Congratulations!"to all of those in California for whom this is a poignant and happy day, as well as all of those 18,000 (my dear friends Teac and wife T included), who will be celebrating their first anniversaries in the following few months. Enjoy your day with joy and celebrate your love and committment without any other concern on your particular anniversary. Same as on your wedding day, your anniversary is all about YOU- and only YOU. :) ------------------------------------------------- But for the rest of us: According to Gifts.com, first anniversary presents include "paper" traditionally and "clocks" in a modern twist- shall we send appropriate emails to the WH, Congress and DNC to remind them that "time is running out" regarding our patience and donations? We should find some way of marking this important time with a strong message... Another possibility: please donate to EQME, to prevent the legal travesty that occurred in California in November 2008 from reoccurring in Maine. Do not let us become "the East Coast Prop 8 State". A third option? Do both. Personally, this is the one I like best... Return to Top
NYT editorial on the DOMA hate brief: 'A Bad Call on Gay Rights' | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend (NOTE: This DOMA brief story has blown up in the MSM, receiving coverage by CBS and the Wall Street Journal.) The pressure is building on the Obama administration to take responsibility and respond to its incredibly homophobic brief supporting the Defense of Marriage Act. The NYT editorial "A Bad Call on Gay Rights" says the White House needs to get its *ss in gear and take LGBT civil rights, which this President campaigned to champion, seriously.The Obama administration, which came to office promising to protect gay rights but so far has not done much, actually struck a blow for the other side last week. It submitted a disturbing brief in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, which is the law that protects the right of states to not recognize same-sex marriages and denies same-sex married couples federal benefits. The administration needs a new direction on gay rights. ...The brief insists it is reasonable for states to favor heterosexual marriages because they are the "traditional and universally recognized form of marriage." In arguing that other states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages under the Constitution's "full faith and credit" clause, the Justice Department cites decades-old cases ruling that states do not have to recognize marriages between cousins or an uncle and a niece. ...If the administration does feel compelled to defend the act, it should do so in a less hurtful way. It could have crafted its legal arguments in general terms, as a simple description of where it believes the law now stands. There was no need to resort to specious arguments and inflammatory language to impugn same-sex marriage as an institution.After HRC's Joe Solmonese blasted the White House in an open letter for the vile, unnecessary arguments made in the brief, the gauntlet was thrown down -- the LGBT advocacy group that is on speed-dial with the lazy MSM (you can't dispute that), was now on-the-record and ready to go on-air in direct opposition to the administration regarding its LGBT policies and strategy. The best approach of all would have been to make clear, even as it defends the law in court, that it is fighting for gay rights. It should work to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," the law that bans gay men and lesbians in the military from being open about their sexuality. It should push hard for a federal law banning employment discrimination. It should also work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act in Congress. The administration has had its hands full with the financial crisis, health care, Guant?namo Bay and other pressing matters. In times like these, issues like repealing the marriage act can seem like a distraction - or a political liability. But busy calendars and political expediency are no excuse for making one group of Americans wait any longer for equal rights.Ouch. And spot-on. The White House will not be able to bury this problem outside of the MSM news cycle now. A serious response to its questionable behavior regarding a civil rights issue is warranted. But I want to add that the larger problem of getting our "friends" and "supportive politicians" who have been either silent on this DOMA catastrophe or worse, defending the administration need to look at the words of Dr. Martin Luther King in his April 16, 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail." It shows that civil rights of an oppressed group are easily cast aside by those who claim to be your supporters if there is any perceived political risk to them. History, sadly, repeats itself.I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection. It appears that our President, his White House enablers, as well as the feeble leadership on the Hill, see the LGBT community today in exactly the light as the black community was back in the day for daring to appeal for real support fof civil rights, not lip service. Regardless of whether one likes to spar over whether there is any equivalence between these civil rights movements, the fact is we are seeing the same reticence of those in power to do jack sh*t when the oppressed group actually asks for more than speeches and proclamations. Let's review...1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable. 2.We will not leave any part of our community behind. 3.Separate is never equal. 4.Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights. 5.The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue. 6.Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged. 7.Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised. 8.Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.Related: * Berry to Advocate: hate crimes 'may pass' next week; gives WH response to DOMA * Former Clinton aide Socarides: Obama's Department of Justice had a choice * More on fair-weather progressive 'friends' selectively defending DOMA * What kind of leadership do we need? * The godd*mn DOMA-loving Obama DOJ mess * Video rewind: Obama asking for our support on the campaign trail * The Obama admin defends DOMA in a brief comparing marriage equality to incest * Watch one progressive bus run over Rachel Maddow and the LGBT community Return to Top
NYT Slams 'Disturbing' Department of Justice DOMA Brief | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad In an editorial published today, the New York Times attacks the Obama administration over the recent Department of Justice brief defending DOMA, saying that the administration not only hasn't done much for LGBT people, but with this it "struck a... Return to Top
D.C. to Continue Marriage Recognition | View Clip 06/17/2009 EdgeNewEngland.com The Board of Elections for Washington, D.C. has found that a proposed referendum to overturn a D.C. marriage recognition law fails to pass muster. Return to Top
NYT Slams "Disturbing" DOMA Brief | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The The New York Times says the Obama administration made a "bad call on gay rights" when it filed a brief that defended the Defense of Marriage Act in a "hurtful way." Return to Top
Dean: DOMA Brief a "Big Mistake" | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The Former DNC chairman and Vermont governor Howard Dean discussed the harsh language in the recent U.S. Department of Justice brief with Rachel Maddow on Monday night. Return to Top
Legis. Jon Cooper welcomes Suozzi's new stand on gay marriage | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Newsday | Jun. 16 at 12:15 PM Whenever a politician changes direction on a hot issue ? the death penalty, abortion, gay rights ? there is the inevitable question of why it took so long, and whether the wait was because the politician feared a voter backlash. ... Return to Top
SLDN to the President: address "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal timeline now | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend The fire has been lit under the advocacy orgs as the Obama administration and the Hill are under fire -- all of you out there have been calling for assertive action. Stepping up to the plate with a stern call for the President to address repeal of DADT is Aubrey Sarvis, who cites The Advocate's breaking news that Harry "Incompetence" Reid now says he's ready to set a timetable for legislation in the Senate, and that he has Senators "working on it."In the wake of the frustration, and in some quarters ire, of the LGBT community at how the Obama Administration is handling public policy issues that affect our lives, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network encourages the President to set forth his plan and timeline [Wednesday] for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "There is no need to run from the issue of gays in the military anymore," said Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN executive director. "This is not 1993. The American public, including 58 percent of conservatives, overwhelmingly supports repeal, as are the younger generation of military leaders. They understand firing someone because of their sexual orientation is not only flat wrong but harms national security. It won't be easy to replace Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, a highly decorated F-15E Aviator who has given 18 years of his life to serving this country." The President should publicly endorse legislation (The Military Readiness Enhancement Act) that ends "Don't Ask, Don' Tell" and replaces it with a policy of nondiscrimination. Or, he should put his campaign rhetoric into writing by drafting his own legislation outlining precisely how to end DADT. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) today encouraged the President to send a repeal bill to Congress. "We [the Senate] would welcome a legislative proposal from the White House on repeal so as to provide clear guidance on what the president would like to see and when. With presidential leadership and direction, I believe we can find the time to get repeal done in this Congress. We need all the troops we can get right now."Read that bolded text again -- they can find the time for this. I want all of the people out there who have been bleating that Congress and the President simply don't have time for these issues, with the economy, international conflicts, health care reform, etc. The head of the Senate has just said they have the time to work on repeal of a policy that places our security at risk. After a Salon expose on the number of skinheads, Neo-Nazis and white supremacists filling the ranks of the enlisted while people like Dan Choi are given the boot, there is no better time to move on DADT. This administration's credibility is at risk. SLDN:The end goal-the ultimate prize-- is to undo the existing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law that discriminates against gays and lesbians and harms our national security. In our 16-year history as a legal organization, SLDN has consistently advocated repeal of the DADT law in Congress. Full repeal is the only permanent fix for all gay and lesbian service members. "President Obama has a critical role in how and when this legislative objective is achieved," said Sarvis. "Congress typically defers to the President on military personnel matters (of which DADT is a part)." Achieving repeal must be done in a measured, strategic and smart way. But this does not mean there is time for indecision or inaction. The sense of urgency is real. More than 250 service members have been fired by the President since January and hundreds more have left the services because of the DADT law. Return to Top
Genocidal anti-government eliminationists are in our military - but queers are the REAL danger | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend h/t to popsiclestand To follow up to yesterday's post about Spineless Harry punting DADT back to his master, let's take a good hard look at the kind of people the military is willing to embrace. From Salon (emphasis mine): Since the launch of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. military has struggled to recruit and reenlist troops. As the conflicts have dragged on, the military has loosened regulations, issuing "moral waivers" in many cases, allowing even those with criminal records to join up. Veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder have been ordered back to the Middle East for second and third tours of duty. The lax regulations have also opened the military's doors to neo-Nazis, white supremacists and gang members — with drastic consequences. Some neo-Nazis have been charged with crimes inside the military, and others have been linked to recruitment efforts for the white right. A recent Department of Homeland Security report, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment," stated: "The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today." Many white supremacists join the Army to secure training for, as they see it, a future domestic race war. Others claim to be shooting Iraqis not to pursue the military's strategic goals but because killing "hajjis" is their duty as white militants. White supremacists in the military are nothing new. What IS a re-emerging trend is the willingness of the military to overlook it in the wake of two unpopular wars and a shortfall of recruits. There's Aryan Nation graffiti in downtown Baghdad, folks. This is not good. More under the fold. Matthew Kennard, the author of the Salon piece, began researching this issue as part of his graduate thesis at Columbia University. He isn't the only person to notice this unsettling trend. In December 2008, Alternet hosted David Holthouse, a staff author for the Southern Poverty Law Center, for a look at the racial extremists infiltrating the military.Two years ago, the Intelligence Report revealed that alarming numbers of neo-Nazi skinheads and other white supremacist extremists were taking advantage of lowered armed services recruiting standards and lax enforcement of anti-extremist military regulations by infiltrating the U.S. armed forces in order to receive combat training and gain access to weapons and explosives. Forty members of Congress urged then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to launch a full-scale investigation and implement a zero-tolerance policy toward white supremacists in the military...But neither Rumsfeld nor his successor, Robert Gates, launched any sort of systemic investigation or crackdown. Military and Defense Department officials seem to have made no sustained effort to prevent active white supremacists from joining the armed forces or to weed out those already in uniform. This is, to say the least, chilling. That whole "gays are a danger to morale and unit cohesion" meme seems far less substantive when one considers the presence of genocidal neo-nazis, white supremacists, the Christian Identity movement, and neo-Confederate Red Shirts who affiliate with those who advocate race-based hatred, violence against LGBT people, and even the violent overthrow of the United States government. Southern Poverty Law Center has reported a 54% increase in hate groups since 2000, culminating in a total of 926 hate groups by the end of 2008. The majority of them are right-wing extremist, specializing in white supremacist or Neo-confederate "philosophy" attacking immigrants (particularly Latinos), Jews, blacks, Arabs, and LGBT people. In 2008, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division (CTD) released a report detailing findings from hundreds of investigations from 2001 to 2008 regarding white supremacist recruiting and presence in American's armed forces. The FBI has over a dozen cases of white supremacist organizations using active duty soldiers to acquire automatic weapons and/or explosives, to recruit new members, or acquire training manuals on tactics and equipment. And that's just the cases they can prove. The report does not address the investigations that were terminated due to lack of time, resources, and most importantly, inclination to investigate and discharge otherwise qualified soldiers in a time of falling recruiting numbers. Kennard's findings, drawn from FOIA requests to the Army's Criminal Investigative Division's (CID) reports on white supremacist activity, show a distinct lack of concern at all levels with the dangers posed by having neo-nazis, skinheads, neo-confederates, and white separatists in the ranks. From Alternet: The report shows that agents only interviewed the subject once, in November 2006, before Fort Hood higher-ups called off the investigation that December. Another report, also from 2006, covers an investigation of another Fort Hood soldier who was posting messages on Stormfront.org, a major white supremacist website. One CID investigator expresses his frustration at the muddled process for dealing with extremists. "We need to discuss the review process," he writes. "I'm not doing my job here. Needs to get fixed." A third CID report, regarding a 2007 investigation, notes the termination of an investigation of a soldier at Fort Richardson, Alaska, who was reportedly the leader and chief recruiter for the Alaska Front, a white supremacist group. According to the report, the investigation was halted because the solider was "mobilized to Camp Shelby, MS in preparation for deployment to Iraq." This absolutely kills me. As a veteran, it makes me ill to hear that there is not only an upswing in hate groups in the military, but that people are coming in already in the system, with visible proof of their involvement, and they are welcomed with open arms by overstressed recruiters who can't fill quotas. At the same time LGBT veterans like myself, Autumn, and MauraHenessey are told that our honorable service is not needed or desired. If anyone can explain this to me, please do. I simply can't comprehend it. A link to the SPLC map gives a state-by-state look at which groups are active, and what their goals are. Here is a synopsis of the most active types of hate groups, as put together by the SPLC. Anti-gay hate groups are organizations that go beyond mere disagreement with homosexuality by subjecting gays and lesbians to campaigns of personal vilification. Christian Identity: asserts that whites, not Jews, are the true Israelites favored by God in the Bible. In most of its forms, Identity theology depicts Jews as biologically descended from Satan, while non-whites are seen as soulless "mud people" created with the other Biblical "beasts of the field." Christian Identity has its roots in a 19th-century English fad called British Israelism, which asserted that European whites were descended from the ten "lost tribes" of Israel and were thus related to Jews, who were descended from the other two Hebrew tribes mentioned in the Bible. But British Israelism, which was initially friendly to Jews, was adopted and transformed in the 20th century into a rabidly anti-Semitic creed by a number of racist preachers in the United States Neo-Confederate: Many groups celebrate traditional Southern culture and the Civil War's dramatic conflict between the Union and the Confederacy. But some groups go further and embrace racist attitudes towards blacks and, in some cases, white separatism. Such groups are listed in this category. The League of the South, founded in 1994 and counting some 9,000 members by 2001, is at the center of the racist neo-Confederate movement. Calling once again for Southern secession, the League's leaders say minorities are destroying the "Anglo-Celtic" (white) culture of the South. They oppose most non-white immigration and all interracial marriages. Neo-Nazi: Groups share a hatred for Jews and a love for Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. While they also hate other minorities, homosexuals and even sometimes Christians, they perceive "the Jew" as their cardinal enemy, and trace social problems to a Jewish conspiracy that supposedly controls governments, financial institutions and the media. While some neo-Nazi groups emphasize simple hatred, others are more focused on the revolutionary creation of a fascist political state. Nazism, of course, has roots in Europe, and links between American and European neo-Nazis are strong and growing stronger. White nationalist: Groups espouse white supremacist or white separatist ideologies, often focusing on the alleged inferiority of nonwhites. Groups listed in a variety of other categories - Ku Klux Klan, neo-Confederate, neo-Nazi, racist skinhead, and Christian Identity - could also be fairly described as white nationalist. The groups below range from those that use racial slurs and issue calls for violence to others that present themselves as serious, non-violent organizations and employ the language of academia. For many years, the largest white nationalist group in America has been the Council of Conservative Citizens, a reincarnation of the old White Citizens Councils that were formed to resist desegregation in the 1950s and 1960s. I'm not going to discuss non-white separatist or supremacist groups here, mostly because the rightwing fringe violence we've seen over the last year is a concerted effort by white, conservative, racist, homobigoted groups to intimidate, terrorize, and murder people like us. Hate crime tracking groups and advocacy organizations reported a rise in anti-gay hate crimes in the wave of the Prop 8 campaign last year. The FBI reported that in 2007, while the number of hate crimes dropped overall, anti-gay hate crimes rose 6%. There is no data on anti-transgender hate crimes, or if those are lumped in with the anti-gay incidents. For up to date information on the right-wing hate machine and terror apparatus, I recommend the SPLC's blog "Hatewatch", and David Neiwert's blog, Orcinus. Be aware and be safe. Return to Top
A War Hero Speaks on the Cost of Military 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Policy | View Clip 06/17/2009 EdgeNewEngland.com Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach fought bravely in two wars but now faces dismissal for refusing to crawl back into the closet. He spoke exclusively to EDGE about being thrust into the public eye as the face of a failed military policy. Return to Top
Reid: DADT Could Happen 'This Congress' | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a clarification of that there were no Senate sponsors in line to introduce legislation to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," saying instead that, in fact, "a number of senators" are working on repeal. Return to Top
L.A. Times: Obama Takes 'Curiously Passive' Approach to Gay Rights | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad The L.A. Times takes note of the DOMA disaster and the apparently lame attempt to stem the anger over it: In part: "The between Obama and gay rights activists appears to be growing. True, the current federal lawsuits against the... Return to Top
Limbaugh to Gays on Obama and DOMA: 'Bend Over Grab The Ankles' | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Rush Limbaugh tells LGBT people on DOMA: "You're just gonna have to bend over grab the ankles. Man up and deal with the guy. Stop whining." And Keith Olbermann responds, naiming him the "Worst Person in the World".... Listen and... Return to Top
An equality speech that President Obama could deliver | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend My fellow co-authors of The Dallas Principles, Juan and Ken Ahonen-Jover, decided to sit down and write an address that this President, if he is serious about being a "fierce advocate" could deliver. They crafted it based on the Proclamation issued by President Obama on June 1, 2009 to proclaim June 2009 as the LGBT Pride Month. In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion, many people anticipate that the White House will announce a significant package of LGBT equality measures and that the President will deliver a speech on equality in front of a large audience. The following is a speech we hope President Obama would deliver. We humbly recognize we cannot match his eloquence and rhetorical power; we put this forward as an example of the content we would expect from someone who has called himself a fierce advocate for full equality.Below the fold, an address to the nation (and to the spineless people who represent us on the Hill) that the President could craft in support of civil rights. The bolded sections are part of his Pride Proclamation of June 1, 2009. Many of the statements below also represent concepts and ideas that candidate Obama expressed on the campaign trail -- values he has now apparently abandoned."Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. "LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic. "I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. "The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. In the last four decades legislation has been enacted in many states to ensure that we hold our most dear American Promise: that we are all equal under the law. However, no state provides full legal equality to guarantee that each person is treated equally independently of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. "Other states fall far behind in what most Americans believe to be fair and just. "Congress has not passed a single piece of legislation in the four decades since Stonewall to ensure that Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are treated equally under the law. So, millions of Americans remain denied this American Promise. "In these same four decades, Congress has passed two pieces of legislation that do the exact opposite and that actually openly discriminate against those Americans. As I said in my campaign, I support repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell legislation, as well as the repeal of the entire Defense of Marriage Act. "I am here to tell you that yes, we can end discrimination. And that yes, the time for this is now. "Many will argue that while equality is a worthwhile goal, civil rights have been given incrementally. They will also tell you that we have other important priorities. "But I ask: Where is our moral compass when we knowingly continue to allow members of our society to be unequal under the law? Where is our moral compass when we have laws that openly discriminate against some members of our society? "How do you tell a parent that the daughters and sons they love so much will not be treated equally under the law? That one will be able to serve his country, while the other will be fired for doing the same thing? That one will be able to marry and raise a family with all the protection that the law affords, and the other will not? "We may not agree with every person. But we have to respect them. And the law has to apply equally to every person in the same way. "Many of the problems that we face require solutions that are complex. Many of these problems have different solutions, which some uncertainty about which solution might be best. "For instance, Congress already analyzed and enacted legislation on one of our most important and difficult problems: the economic crisis. Work is underway now on healthcare reform. "But inequality under the law is not a difficult problem to fix. We just have to ensure that all citizens are covered by our existing laws in the same way. No more and no less. We also need to repeal two laws which fly in the face of equal protection under the law: the Defense of Marriage Act, which not only acts against the rights of the States, but also religions, and the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that acts against the national security of our nation because it deprives our armed forces of personnel we need. "There is never an ideal time to enact legislation for equal rights. Yet every moment that passes, and we don't act, injustice continues. There are always reasons to delay. But ensuring that we live to our highest promise of equality needs to happen now. It is our moral imperative, since delays just end up denying the rights and protections to those who do not deserve to be left out. HATE CRIMES "First, I want to commend the House of Representatives for approving the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. As a senator, I was a co-sponsor of this legislation, and I am asking the Senate to act swiftly to approve it. "Some say that a crime is a crime and there is no need to distinguish crimes motivated by prejudice against a minority. The reality is that our judicial system considers, as it should, the intention of the criminal. The punishment is not the same, and it should not be, if somebody kills a person by accident versus somebody killing a person with predetermination. "Hate has no place in our society. Respect for each individual is the glue that keep us together. "Today, we already have hate crimes laws for those who are victims of crimes based on their race, color, religion and national origin. It is important to add gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability to those laws." Rest assured that adding this language to our existing laws in no way gives special rights to homosexuals, since hate crimes against someone for being a heterosexual would be also included in this law. NON DISCRIMINATION "Most Americans are very familiar with several pieces of civil rights legislation that protect Americans against discrimination. Most people naturally assume that those protections also cover lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. "They do not. "The first legislation covering LGBT individuals was introduced 35 years ago. I am asking Congress today to introduce an expansion of the civil rights legislation to cover non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodation, public facilities, credit, and federally funded programs and activities." DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL "My most important responsibility as President is to protect our country. Because our national security is at stake, we cannot continue to fire personnel from the military, just because of their sexual orientation. All of our dedicated service members are vital to our national security, and we have spent large sums of money and time training them. "Since the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy has been in effect, more than 12,000 service members have been discharged to the detriment to our national security, just for who they are, and not because of their actions or performance. "I am thinking of service members like Sergeant Eric Alva, a marine, who was awarded a purple heart and was the first American soldier wounded in Iraq. He was discharged for being gay; and Lieutenant Daniel Choi, a West Point graduate and an Arab linguist, also discharged just for being gay. "Therefore, today I am signing an executive order asking for a temporary suspension of investigations and discharges of service members because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Of course, behavioral problems will continue to be aggressively investigated and prosecuted. "I am also asking Congress to pass without delay the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009. "Effectiveness and cohesion of our military forces is based on trust. Each service member needs to trust each other with their own lives. Critical to this trust is integrity and the ability of our service members not to have to hide who they are and whom they love. "As when the military was integrated with female service members, we know that our troops are professional and capable of interacting appropriately. We know that our allies, such as Great Britain, Israel, Canada, and Australia have successfully integrated gays and lesbians into their militaries. I believe that our armed services personnel are capable of acting professionally. "I have also asked Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to modify regulations within the next 60 days to ensure that all service members are treated equally and that inappropriate behavior is punished whether it is between a members of the same gender or of different genders. MARRIAGE "Our country is very divided on the issue of same gender marriage. I have expressed my own opinion on the subject before. "Yes, marriage has a religious component. "Some religions do allow same gender couples to marry, others don't. It is not the role of the government to interfere with religion or favor one religion over another. For example, most religions do not allow divorce. However, led by Ronald Reagan while he was Governor of California, no fault divorce has been adopted by all states. "Let me say this, in no uncertain terms, to all Americans: the government does not currently, and will not, tell your church whom they can or cannot marry. "In addition, the rights of the States need to be protected: civil marriage licenses have been and should continue to be the prerogatives of each state. When the Defense of Marriage Act was approved by Congress in 1996, no state allowed same gender couples to marry. Today, six States do, while several others allow either civil unions or domestic partnerships. Other states have their own Defense of Marriage Acts or constitutional bans against same gender marriage. "The principle at stake is that the federal government does not, and will not, issue marriage licenses. However, the federal government needs to honor all the licenses issued by the States, not just those of opposite gender couples. Therefore, I am asking Congress to repeal the Federal Defense of Marriage Act without delay and to ensure that all the 1,138 federal benefits, such as social security, immigration, and hospital visitation, that apply to opposite gender married couples are applied without discrimination to all couples legally married or otherwise joined by a civil union or domestic partnership legally recognized by a State. "Today I am proud to say that I signed an executive order providing domestic partners of federal employees many of the benefits of married spouses." EDUCATION "One of my main priorities is education. This is a requisite for our country to be competitive in the 21st Century. Our hearts were broken when in the space of two weeks in April, two young people committed suicide after being repeatedly bullied because of a perception that they were gay. One was a middle schooler. The other was in elementary school. Our thoughts and prayers go to their families. "I want to send a clear message to all children: in America you can be free to express who you are. Bullying should not be part of our vocabulary. Every child should grow up in a society that respects their differences. "Youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment. One of the critical components of learning is to have a safe environment for children to develop to their full potential. This means, among other measures, schools free of drugs and free of bullying. Bullies target other children based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and others. I am asking Congress to immediately pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2009, which has bipartisan support. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW "These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. "Some people will argue that we cannot do so much, so fast, while the country is dealing with an economic crises, is engaged in two wars, desperately needs healthcare reform, needs education reform, and needs to address the problems with the environment. "I say: we cannot afford to NOT take care now of these blights on our American Family to ensure that we live to our highest value: That we were all created Equal. "The time has come to live to our highest aspirations. To send the message that while we may not agree with each other all the time, we all share the aspiration of living in a society in which none of our members faces discrimination. And a reminder that we were all created equal. "I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists. "Because if some of us are not equal, none of us are equal."This isn't rocket science, Mr. President. But you should know that the LGBT community has given its time, money and support for change. When we see efforts like the DOMA defense brief, we realize it's a wakeup call that you aren't listening. 1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable. 2.We will not leave any part of our community behind. 3.Separate is never equal. 4.Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights. 5.The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue. 6.Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged. 7.Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised. 8.Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.Related: Where's Barack Obama, the 'Fierce Advocate' for LGBT rights? * NYT editorial on the DOMA hate brief: 'A Bad Call on Gay Rights' * Berry to Advocate: hate crimes 'may pass' next week; gives WH response to DOMA * Former Clinton aide Socarides: Obama's Department of Justice had a choice * More on fair-weather progressive 'friends' selectively defending DOMA * What kind of leadership do we need? * The godd*mn DOMA-loving Obama DOJ mess * Video rewind: Obama asking for our support on the campaign trail * The Obama admin defends DOMA in a brief comparing marriage equality to incest * Watch one progressive bus run over Rachel Maddow and the LGBT community Return to Top
Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis Comment on DOJ - DOMA Brief | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad The stink off the Department of Justice brief defending DOMA released late last week continues to rise. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released a statement today with regard to the brief. Said Baldwin, as part of longer remarks at the Securities... Return to Top
Federal judge in Prop 8 challenge has mixed LGBT record | View Clip 06/17/2009 EdgeNewEngland.com District Court Judge Vaughan R. Walker, who will hear a request to issue an injunction against Prop 8 next month, reportedly said the Gay Games could not use the word "Olympic" in their name because "They were not a suitable group." Return to Top
Polis to Obama: Repeal DOMA | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The U.S. Representative Jared Polis urged the Obama Administration to give an explanation behind its recent decision to uphold a federal ban on gay marriage on June 12. Return to Top
Barney Frank Calls DOMA Brief and Boycott of Fundraiser 'a Mistake' | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) told Dave Wedge at the Boston Herald that the Department of Justice defense of DOMA brief was a big misstep: "I think the administration made a big mistake. The wording they used was inappropriate. I've been... Return to Top
Gay Politicos Chide Obama Over DOMA Defense | View Clip 06/17/2009 On Top Magazine Openly gay Representatives Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis and Barney Frank chide Obama on DOMA defense Return to Top
True Leadership: Occurring Way BELOW "Obama's Pay Scale" | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend HERE are our real supporters in governmental roles... U.S. Conference of Mayors Passes Resolution Supporting the Freedom to Marry Mayors Across the Country Pledge to Lead the Fight Against Inequality FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2009, New York, NY PRESS CONTACT: Evan Wolfson Executive Director, Freedom to Marry New York, June 15, 2009 - The U.S. Conference of Mayors today passed a resolution in support of ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage. The resolution, titled "Equality and Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Americans," included support for the freedom to marry along with endorsement of federal bills such as Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the Uniting American Families Act, and the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. "By passing this resolution, America's mayors spoke for the families they know and serve in communities across the country, and said that excluding those families from the freedom to marry must stop," said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry. "The mayors have their fingers on the pulse of the country, and their voices today said loud and clear that ending discrimination in marriage is the way to go." In reference to the freedom to marry, the resolution stated, "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions." "The nation's mayors are proud to take the lead in recognizing the importance of protecting all our citizens equally. It is now time for state legislatures and our federal government to enact the same protections for all our nation's citizens," said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle. "The mayors' leadership reaffirms that the freedom to marry should not be partisan or political, but rather is part of the security and respect all couples who've made a commitment to care for one another and who are dealing with life's ups and downs should have, especially in these challenging economic times." said Wolfson. http://www.freedomtomarry.org/... ------------------------------------------- Should we flood forward this to the White House, Congress, and the DNC? Return to Top
Gay weddings could give US economy a $9.5 billion boost | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk A survey carried out by the Williams Institute has predicted that legalising gay marriage across America could prove a lucrative move. Return to Top
Gay animals confound Darwin | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk More than 450 species of animals display gay behaviour, scientists have found. The paper, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, suggested that homosexuality among animals may be vital for the survival of the species. Return to Top
The Governator calls for swift fed resolution of Prop 8 fed lawsuit | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's taking an aggressive stand -- he filed an official response to the federal lawsuit brought by the American Foundation for Equal Rights and attorneys Theodore Olson and David Boies. Significantly, he also does not dispute that Prop 8 isn't constitutional. (American Foundation for Equal Rights press release via email):The Governor did not dispute the unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 and called for swift action by the courts. "Today's filing by Gov. Schwarzenegger bolsters our call for a swift end to the constitutionally intolerable situation created by Proposition 8. We are extremely pleased Gov. Schwarzenegger does not dispute the unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 and agrees that swift action is needed to ensure that every person is treated equally under the law," said American Foundation for Equal Rights Board President Chad Griffin. "Exactly one year ago today, thanks to the state Supreme Court, equal marriage rights were granted to every Californian for the first time. We look forward to the federal courts granting those equal rights once and for all by quickly acting on this case." Gov. Schwarzenegger's filing states: "Plaintiffs' complaint presents important constitutional questions that require and warrant judicial determination. In a constitutional democracy, it is the role of the courts to determine and resolve such questions. ... The Administration encourages the Court to resolve the merits of this action expeditiously." Return to Top
Press Release of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend UPDATE2: Rep Jared Polis' meatier statement is below the fold. UPDATE: As mentioned below, Kate and I have been in transit most of the afternoon/early evening (after yesterday's canceled AA flight), and have finally settled in the hotel. I haven't opened my email yet, but I imagine the inbox is full of comments about today's news regarding the DNC fundraiser -- Rep. Baldwin doesn't mention it at all in her release. Certainly her office phone on the Hill was taking calls from you all today. I'm surprised and disappointed by this statement from the normally candid Congresswoman. It mirrors the initial, clinical, passive and, well, extremely weak early responses by our groups to the DOMA brief. This is a sleazy brief that degrades our relationships as it props up discrimination. If this is an indication of the LGBT leadership in an instance like this, I'm afraid that we are truly are on our own if we want to effect change. The message is we have to tell those in power that we have to take the wheel. Honestly, as I was walking back to the hotel I thought that if there was any time for a march/demonstration, it's not October 11 -- it needs to happen at that DNC dinner. We don't need a half-million people to make news. The DNC and our gay elected leaders on the Hill have placed themselves in this embarrassing, damaging position and there should be a protest outside the gala (if the whole thing isn't abandoned by then; HRC pulling out is a huge blow, and an aggressive move). It's time to say to all these party functionaries that this isn't the change we believed in; and there should be no delays and no excuses. And the wallets are closed. What do you think? Hopefully Pam and Kate are flying friendlier skies than those they were denied last night... no doubt Pam will rework this quick post later on. This press release from Tammy Baldwin arrived in the Blend mailbox a little while ago: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin's Second District FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2009 Baldwin Comments on Obama's Support for DOMA Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin made the following statement today during the course of longer remarks at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in observation and celebration of LGBT Pride Month. "Last week the Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of DOMA. I was profoundly disappointed by this action, particularly coming from this administration. I still take President Obama at his word that he is committed to the repeal of DOMA. I also recognize that he cannot do it alone. Congress has the responsibility on its shoulders to pass legislation that would give the opportunity to the President to keep his word and ensure that all married people, including those in same-sex marriages, enjoy the same rights under federal law." ### Jerilyn Goodman Press Secretary Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin 10 E. Doty St. #405 Madison, WI 53703 jerilyn.goodman@mail.house.gov direct line: 608-251-8737 cell: 608-347-6557 fax: 608-258-9808 www.tammybaldwin.house.gov Sign up to receive e-newsletters at http://baldwin.congressnewslet... Rep. Jared Polis: I was shocked and disappointed to learn that President Obama chose to defend DOMA in federal court, especially given his campaign promise to call for a full repeal of DOMA. My sadness turned to outrage when I read the Justice Department's brief that not only defended this hurtful law but seemed to embrace it. Comparing my loving relationship with my partner, Marlon, to incest was unconscionable coming from a president who has called for change. Since this filing, I have called on the President to issue a statement or give any sign that would clarify his position and am disappointed in his lack of reply. I am a proud Democrat, as are many in the GLBT community, and I believe we must hold our leaders accountable. The Obama Administration made a HUGE mistake in the DOMA brief. If they keep making mistakes like this, they risk losing the support of the GLBT community forever, although I do not believe we are at that point yet. President Obama needs to honor his promise to repeal this law and end its needlessly divisive and harmful impact on our nation. I again call on him to work with us in Congress to help pass legislation, ending this hateful and divisive law. As the New York Times editorialized yesterday, "busy calendars and political expediency are no excuse for making one group of Americans wait any longer for equal rights." Return to Top
Georgia Supreme Court Throws Out Judge's Homophobic Order | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad The Georgia Supreme Court threw out an order by Fayette County Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards which prohibited children in a divorce case from any exposure to their father's gay and lesbian friends: "The ruling stems from the 2007 divorce... Return to Top
D.C. Elections Board Blocks Voter Referendum on Same-Sex Marriage | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Yesterday, the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics blocked a referendum that would have put the D.C. Council's recent decision to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere in front of voters: "Unless a court intervenes, same-sex couples who marry in other... Return to Top
NY judge tosses Senate case back to lawmakers | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (Albany) A judge says he won't rule on last week's takeover of the New York Senate by a coalition of Republicans and dissident Democrats, which leaves gay marriage and other issues up in the air. State Supreme Court Justice Thomas McNamara is dismissing the case, saying it's improper for the court ... Return to Top
Referendum to D.C.'s recognition of same-sex marriages rejected | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (Washington, D.C.) Gay rights activists celebrated yesterday as the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics rejected an attempted referendum on whether Washington should recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, the Chicago Tribune reports. The board upheld the decision made by the city council last month which allows same-sex marriages performed outside D.C. to ... Return to Top
Ga. court tosses gay ban in divorce case | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (Atlanta) The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday tossed out a trial judge's order that banned children in a divorce case from having any contact with their father's gay and lesbian friends and partners, and added strong language calling the restriction an abuse of the judge's discretion. The court's ... Return to Top
Mich. lawmaker seeks to recognize gay marriage | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com A Michigan lawmaker said she wants to change state law to recognize gay marriages. The proposal announced by State Rep. Pam Byrnes faces an uphill climb. Michigan voters in 2004 passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman, effectively banning the legal recognition of ... Return to Top
Ocean State Muddied on Equality | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The A new poll funded by the National Organization for Marriage shows that those looking for marriage equality in the nation's smallest state have a lot of minds to change. Return to Top
Ga. Supreme Court overturns ban on kids seeing father's gay friends | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Jun. 16 at 5:23 PM The Georgia Supreme Court tossed out part of a Fayette County court?s decision that kept a divorced gay father from allowing his children to interact with his gay friends, according to a ruling today from the state Supreme Court. ... Return to Top
Judge says Christians can leaflet Pride | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade ST. LOUIS (AP) An alliance of Christian attorneys says a federal judge will allow a ministry to hand out religious literature at St. Louis' PrideFest. The Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund says an order was issued last week that will allow the Apple of His Eye organization to share their religious views and pass out leaflets at the gay Pride event in St. Louis. The lawyers say ministry members were threatened with arrest by St. Louis officials in 2006 for handing out Christian literature. They say the order will let the ministry express its views this year at PrideFest, which is June 27-28. Phone messages left with PrideFest an ... Return to Top
Ga. court tosses gay ban in divorce case | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade ATLANTA (AP) The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday tossed out a trial judge's order that banned children in a divorce case from having any contact with their father's gay and lesbian friends and partners, and added strong language calling the restriction an abuse of the judge's discretion. The court's unanimous opinion, written by Justice Robert Benham, concluded that the Fayette County judge's order "flies in the face of our public policy that encourages divorced parents to participate in the raising of their children." It was applauded by gay rights advocates in Georgia who viewed the ruling as a commonsense answer to a decision they say was ... Return to Top
D.C. officials block marriage referendum | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Washington Blade | Jun. 16 at 9:29 AM The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics Monday denied a petition seeking a voter referendum to overturn a city law recognizing same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions, saying such a referendum would violate the city's Human Rights Act. ... Return to Top
Gay rights ordinance up for discussion in Anchorage | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Miami Herald | Jun. 16 at 2:47 PM An ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation is again on the Anchorage Assembly agenda Tuesday with some last minute changes by the chairwoman, who is tweaking the controversial proposal to make it more palatable to both sides. ... Return to Top
Will Minnesota have the first gay U.S. Marshal? | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade Minnesota Independent | Jun. 16 at 3:28 PM Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Monday recommeded the nomination of the Minneapolis Police Department?s assistant chief, Sharon Lubinski, for the post of U.S. Marshal for Minnesota. Lubinski is openly lesbian and has served in law enforcement for more than 30 years. ... Return to Top
Source: Benefits for govt workers' gay partners | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com (Washington) President Barack Obama, whose gay and lesbian supporters have grown frustrated with his slow movement on their priorities, is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, a White House official said. Obama planned to announce his decision Wednesday in the Oval Office, the official said. The official spoke on ... Return to Top
Withers: Obama will sign directive for benefits for gay couples | View Clip 06/17/2009 365gay.com Oh my. This Obama fellow is good. For the past few weeks President Barack Obama's name has been an epithet on the lips of many gays and lesbians. From non-work on DADT to a defense of DOMA that made Rev. Pat Robertson sexually aroused, Obama's White House has come under ... Return to Top
Obama's gay federal benefits 'not permanent and won't include healthcare' | View Clip 06/17/2009 PinkNews.co.uk President Barack Obama is to extend federal benefits for partners to same-sex couples but critics have said the move will not be permanent, probably won't include healthcare and will not be applied to those serving in the military. Return to Top
Sebelius: Health Care For All Will Take Years | View Clip 06/17/2009 On Top Magazine HHS Secretary Sebelius: Health care coverage for all would take years to phase in Return to Top
AP - Obama to extend benefits to gay workers | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend (NOTE FROM PAM: Atdnext also has a diary up on this topic. I call this a FAIL, albeit a nicely timed and planned one. But what about the rest of the LGBT population that has no partner benefits out here in the real world? Based on the current information we have, the votes aren't there for ENDA, so then what? The welcome, limited news (it's up in the air about whether this provides health benefits, it appears not, which is absurd, given that's the single most important partner benefit to have), will not stop this train, Mr. President; you blew it and this won't stop the DNC fundraiser protests. You and the party need to know what a mistake it was to use those foul arguments in the DOMA brief. That's not being a fierce advocate, that's selling us out in the language of bigots who want us back in the closet, dead and without any rights.) It was hotter than hell in the South today. I think the actions last week and the ensuing outrage turned up the heat at the White House too. WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama plans to extend health care and other benefits to the gay and lesbian partners of federal employees. White House officials say Obama plans to announce decision on Wednesday in the Oval Office. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the president had not yet made the announcement. The move would give partners of federal employees access to health care and financial benefits such as relocation fees for moves. Officials say Obama would detail more details of the decision on Wednesday. UPDATE FROM PAM: A heads up from Dallas Principles co-author Paul Yandura via email: 1. Chuck Todd on the Rachel Maddow show said that the benefits will not extend past this administration since it is a "memorandum" not an Executive Order-and will actually expire when Obama leaves office. 2. The Advocate is reporting that the "same sex partner benefits" will not include health benefits or retirement, the only benefit they have identified is relocation costs for a partner. See the quote below from Len Hirsch, President of Federal GLOBE: "Our analysis has been that it will take an act of Congress for the full suite of benefits such as health benefits and retirement benefits to be provided for same-sex couples and families," said Leonard Hirsch, president of Federal Globe: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Employees of the Federal Government. Hirsch said the executive branch has the authority to extend a suite of other benefits, which would include things like providing relocation costs for a partner. Return to Top
NYT: Obama admin's (lame) fed partner benefits plan designed to stop DNC fundraiser disaster | View Clip 06/17/2009 Pam's House Blend Your pressure is working, Blenders. This administration, the Congress and the DNC need to see the LGBT ATM shut down. NOW. That June 26 LGBT DNC fundraiser is toast. No one is buying a partner benefit plan that doesn't include health insurance, for god's sake. Will he announce an effort to send Congress something to act on? Uh, keep dreaming - his DOJ just wrote up a brief that uses defenses against incest and underage marriage to claim our relationships are unworthy of equal treatment under the law. They can't unring that bell.Mr. Obama will be weighing in for the first time on one of the most delicate social and political issues of the day: whether the government must provide benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. While he will announce a list of benefits, officials said, they are not expected to include broad health insurance coverage, which could require legislation to achieve. ...But administration officials said the timing of the announcement was intended to help contain the growing furor among gay rights groups. Several gay donors withdrew their sponsorship of a Democratic National Committee fund-raising event next week, where Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is scheduled to speak.Sorry WH brainiacs, the LGBT gala patient is bleeding to death because of your bludgeoning, and you haven't been left in the will. No $$$ for you. UPDATE: It gets so much worse. This partner benefit plan is simply an administrative memo - it expires when Obama leaves office! LOLOLOL. FAIL-O-RAMA. Mike Signorile:Scrambling to do damage control re: the DOMA brief the Obama administration is throwing us a pathetic bone: benefits for federal workers. Wow. Give me a break! Says Alan Van Capelle of Empire State Pride Agenda: "Welcome to 1999." I mean, is Barack Obama for real?John Aravosis:Just which benefits will gay federal employees be getting? The White House is refusing to say. But it's unlikely it's anything involving money, like Social Security, or, as we now know, health care. Which is ironic, since health care is Obama's number one issue (but not for us). Also ironic, which I wrote about earlier, is that health care reform likely won't cover us either, since they'd have to include us as "families" and "dependents" - and let's face it, they just compared us to incest and pedophilia, does anyone think this administration or this congress is going to define us as "family" in their health care package?Dan Savage:These benefits are by no means trivial... if you're part of the 2% of the population that works for the federal government and part of the 3% of that 2% who are gay or lesbian. But this does not amount to action on any of the eight promises Obama's made to the gay and lesbian community. ...And remember yesterday's attempt to mollify angry queers? The hate-crimes legislation? Harry Reid held a big press conference... promised immediate action... it got a lot of attention... going to move on the bill this week... and they're already stalling.UPDATE 2: The more I think about how this stuff seems slapped together, the more I believe that there was no "plan" for our issues and legislation. But that can't be true, can it? John mulls the same thing. Honestly, really I don't want to believe that It was all about placating and delay and deny -- and then laying the blame the lack of votes on the Hill for inaction. Harry Reid finally caught on to this asshattery. The question, then, is how could this well-oiled political machine that we saw during the campaign, turn into a crew that is so ham-handed on our issues that they thought tossing out an inflammatory DOMA brief wasn't going to be like dropping an A-bomb on the community? Given some unnamed source in the administration actually admitted to the NYT that this partner benefit announcement was crafted to stop the benefit from tanking, the WH is clearly off balance and off message. It's amateur hour at our expense. Return to Top
Obama to Extend Federal Benefits to Gay Employees | View Clip 06/17/2009 Towleroad Following days of fury over the Department of Justice defense of DOMA brief and a day in which next week's Democratic Party LGBT fundraiser was challenged by several high-profile boycotts, the White House appeared to be nudged from its slumber... Return to Top
Obama To Extend Partner Benefits To Federal Workers | View Clip 06/17/2009 Advocate, The An Obama administration official has confirmed to The Advocate that President Barack Obama will be signing a presidential memorandum Wednesday to provide benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. Return to Top
Federal employees to get DP benefits | View Clip 06/17/2009 Washington Blade WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama plans to extend health care and other benefits to the gay and lesbian partners of federal employees. White House officials say Obama plans to announce the decision Wednesday in the Oval Office. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the president had not yet made the announcement. The move would give partners of federal employees access to health care and financial benefits such as relocation fees for moves. Officials say Obama would give more details of the decision on Wednesday. A press schedule for Obama distributed Tuesday evening by the White House indicated the president woul ... Return to Top