Posts with the tag gay

A Victory for Lesbians in Greece

Liz — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:01:35 EDT

I just read this in this morning's Sydney Morning Herald where an Athen's court rejected a complaints by inhabitants of the Greek island of Lesbos who had wanted gay women to stop monopolizing the term 'lesbian.'

Three residents of the Aegean Sea island had filed a complaint in April, calling on the Greek Gay and Lesbian Community (OLKE), the country's main homosexual association, to drop the term.

The island was the home of the poet Sappho who expressed her love of other women in lyric verses written in the early 6th century BC.

SOURCE: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/greeks-islanders-on-lesbos-lose-lesbian-case/2008/07/22/1216492451706.html

Are you more dangerous then a terrorist? Take this quiz.

Diana M. Painter — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:32:20 EST

Question 1.
Are you gay? Yes or No
If yes, you are more dangerous then a terrorist. If no, go to question 2.

Question 2.
Do you support teaching acceptance of diversity in public schools? If yes, you are more dangerous then a terrorist. If no, go to question 3.

Question 3.
Do you support early childhood education? If yes you are more dangerous then a terrorist.

These are the criteria set forth by Sally Kerns, teacher and Oklahoma state rep, who told supporters at a country Republican meeting that gay people are more dangerous than terrorists.

Students suspended for supporting Gay rights.

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:32:56 EST

This was in todays local news here in NW, Fl.
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The American Civil Liberties Union says a Holmes County 11th grader should be allowed to express her support for Gay Rights at Ponce De Leon High School. The A-C-L-U and the student Heather Gillman filed a federal lawsuit against the Holmes County School Board and the school's principal, David Davis.

Davis allegedly told a lesbian student she should not be gay or tell anyone she is gay. He allegedly organized a “morality assembly” with an anti gay preacher as the guest speaker.

Then Davis allegedly suspended several students for five days after they expressed support for gay rights and threatened to stage a walk-out at the assembly.

The A-C-L-U and Gillman want the school system and Davis to stop what they see as violations of the first and 14th amendments. The lawsuit claims the school is violating the freedom of speech of students who wanted to express support for gay rights, by wearing T-shirts with pro-gay messages, rainbow belts, or gay movement logos on their notebooks.

Ms. Gillman is not gay, but argues she should be able to express her feelings, regardless of her sexual orientation. She and the A-C-L-U also want remedial action taken.

www.wjhg.com
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damn right wing fascist....

Richardson on the HRC Debate..

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:20:02 EST

LOS ANGELES, CA -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson issued a statement tonight clarifying an answer to a question during the Human Rights Campaign Presidential Forum in Los Angeles. The question came from panelist Melissa Etheridge, who asked if he believed homosexuality is a choice.

"Let me be clear -- I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice," Governor Richardson said. "But I'm not a scientist, and the point I was trying to make is that no matter how it happens, we are all equal and should be treated that way under the law. That is what I believe, that is what I have spent my career fighting for. I ask that people look at my record and my actions and they will see I have been a true supporter of the LGBT community."

Governor Bill Richardson has an accomplished record fighting for the rights of all Americans. Since taking office, Governor Richardson has:

Expanded anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation. [Senate Bill SB 28, 2003 Legislature]
Signed into law the state's first hate crimes legislation for acts including those based on sexual orientation. [SB 38, 2003 Legislature]
Provided state health insurance for domestic partnerships. [Executive Order 03 010]
Signed the Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act, which was designed to ensure that consumers are the focus of the funding and services provided in all the state's HIV and AIDS cases. [Senate Bill 314, 2005 Legislature]
Created the state's first HIV and AIDS Policy Commission charged with reviewing and making recommendations on state HIV and AIDS policies. The commission also studies and makes recommendations on all factors affecting the availability, quality and accessibility of health services for persons with HIV and AIDS. [Senate Bill 313, 2005 Legislature]
Called a Special Session of the NM State Legislature to push for Domestic Partnerships Legislation, among other issues, after it failed by one vote in the Senate during the Regular Session. Governor Richardson has pledged to push for the legislation again during the next Legislative Session.
As President, Bill Richardson will:

Continue to fight for equal rights for ALL Americans.
Champion a repeal of the US Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Appoint his Vice-President to be the Chair of the HIV/AIDS Commission.

Bill Richardson has the best record on fighting for LGBT equality..

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:58:05 EST

Bill Richardson has the best record on fighting for LGBT equality. As governer of New Mexico, Bill Richardson pushed for and passed hate crimes legislation that extended protections to not only gays but transexuals as well. He did that same on the states employment non-descrimination act. He has worked with gay rights groups scince the mid 80's

When the Democratic leadership tried to pass new hate crimes & equal employment legislation in the US Senate earlier this year, they would not offer protection to transexuals. Bill Richardson was very critical of them. When Hillary Clinton's husband signed 'Don't ask, Don't tell' into law while she siliently stood by, Bill Richardson opposed it, because he believes any law that does not allow gays to OPENLY serve in the military, does nothing for gay equality.

Earlier this year, Bill Richardson called a special session of the state senate, to pass Domestic Partnerships..it lost by only 1 vote, and again this was in a red state. He has pledged not only to bring the issue back before the Senate again next year, but has also pledged to be an Activist President on LGBT Issues.

Bill Richardson is all out on his support of LGBT rights, and by far has the best record.

www.RichardsonForPresident.com

OBAMA 2 blog links = 10 LGBT ARTICLES FOR OPPOSITION REBUTAL (LONG FOLLOW UP FOR COMPLETE RESEARCH)

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:31:59 EST

OBAMA 2 blog links = 10 LGBT ARTICLES FOR OPPOSITION REBUTAL (LONG FOLLOW UP FOR COMPLETE RESEARCH)

sorry i had thought i had all 10 issues addressed in my first blog so i created another blog to cover all 10 points

Danielle
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES COVER MANY AREAS FOR USE IN REBUTING THOSE WHO WOULD ATTACK BARACK

1. OBAMA WINS LOGO GAY DEBATES

2. OBAMA ON D.O.M.A. = DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT

3. OBAMA ON NON BLOOD FAMILY VISITS

4. OBAMA ON UNTING AMERICAN FAMILIES ACT

5. OBAMA'S PAST WORDS 2004 RESEMBLES HIS PRESENT WORDS

6. OBAMA ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

7. OBAMA ON GOSPEL TOUR = MANY ARTICLES

8. OBAMA WON'T THROW GAYS UNDER THE BUS WILL HILLARY?

9. OBAMA ON PRIDE MONTH AND STATEMENT ON LGBT RIGHTS

10. GAY MAN CHARLES MERRILL TALKS TO ME ABOUT OBAMA CLINTON EDWARDS BY IM

TOO SEE LONG BLOG - CLICK - READ MORE

1-6
Link

7-10
Link

Trent Lott Resignation over Sex Scandal?

Eugene Resnick — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:30:55 EST

Rumors are swirling that Republican Senator Trent Lott has announced his shocking resignation and retirement due to the possibility of a gay sex scandal that is about to be leaked to the public by Larry Flynt. Several blogs have noted that Lott was involved with a male escort and paid him for sex. More details should come within the next week....

Funny Story from School

Asher Heimermann — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:05:01 EDT

On Monday, I was talking with an EA about current issues and political parties. When I told her that I supported Gay Rights, you should have seen her face!

Then she told me that's shes a republican that republican party ia the way to go. Then she asked, "Are you gay?" and I said "No," that I just support Gay Rights.

Same Sex Marriage

Brian In NYC — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:00:11 EDT

This is why marriage matters, and civil union isn't enough.

Link

Isn't it time for one of the top tier Dems to stand up for true family values. Can someone explain why as a gay American I'm not entitled to equal protection under the law?

" IS EVERYBODY GAY?"

AnneK — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:12:26 EDT

Remember that line from the movie, "In & Out" ?

I love that movie. So, here's an article about the GOP's Crowded Closet. Enjoy.

Link

It's All Because (The Gays Are Getting Married)

Democrat in Valley Village, CA — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 20:54:46 EDT

Check out this video on YouTube. Very funny and very poignant about gay marriage and how homosexuals are being scapegoated for everything!

Link

Chickenhawk College Republicans

Adam — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 12:18:07 EDT

Funny stuff. Max Blumenthal visits a College Republican convention, and after hearing the expected GOP pro-war talking points ("what people don't understand is if it's not faught in iraq and we don't win over there, it's gonna happen here."), Blumenthal asks:

"If you support the war, why aren't you serving in the military?"

The results are hilarious.

Blumenthal doesn't just cover the war in his visit with the Chickenhawk College Republicans. When he interviews some Republicans about their feelings about gays, at first there's some old fashioned GOP anti-gay garbage. But it gets really interesting when a member of the College Republicans lets us know that he's been dealing with some suppressed feelings:

Republican Guy: "Everybody at one time in their life has had the inclination towards the other -- uh -- towards the same sex. . . . But just because you have the inclination does not mean you're gay because if you have the inclination because you're curious and stuff like that. . . . But if you accept it, and then suppress your feelings and you pray about it to god, and know that you're not -- are are so much stronger than some other people."

Max Blumenthal: "Have you accepted it?"

Republican Guy: "Yes, I have accepted it, I have prayed about it to God, and I know for a fact that I am not gay."

Not quite convincing... but funny to watch.

Anyway, here's a link to the video: Link

Facebook bans "The Gays"

Adam — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:38:17 EDT

No, it's not what you're thinking. They didn't ban gay people. They banned "The Gays." That is, people with the last name "Gay."

[For more information, click "read more."]

GLBT Outrage at Edwards Misplaced...

Douglas J. De Clue — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:35:03 EDT

Much misplaced outrage in the GLBT community has been expressed towards John Edwards over the following commentary from the Sojourners' religious forum over the following comment:

"EDWARDS: Well, first of all, I think what the governor did and what New Hampshire's done is a great example for the rest of the country. Not only civil unions, but all the partnership benefits, including, Senator Clinton talked about getting rid of this "don't ask/don't tell" policy.

I don't think the federal government has a role in telling either states or religious institutions, churches, what marriages they can bless and can't bless. I think the state of New Hampshire ought to be able to make that decision for itself, like every other state in the country. I think every church ought to be able to make that decision for itself.

And I think it's very important that we stand up against intolerance and against discrimination.

But I want to add one thing on something that Governor Richardson sad, because it's been a tone of everything that's been discussed here today. The place that I differ with Senator Biden, Senator Clinton, and I guess, to some extent, Senator Obama, and I agree with Governor Richardson -- it is the job of the president of the United States not to legislate but to lead."

Yolanda King memorialized

Jeff — Sat, 26 May 2007 01:34:47 EDT

A memorial service was held for Yolanda King today who died suddenly May 15. Her death was overshadowed by God smiting Jerry Falwell on the same day.

In contrast, Falwell was notoriously relied on homophobic rhetoric to garner attention. Yolanda was much like her legendary parents, Martin and Coretta, and advocated equality for all, including GLBT people.

It's not sad to lose an enemy but it's horrible to lose a friend.

Nebraska, No to Gay Civil Rights - The gays are too weird

Jeff — Sat, 26 May 2007 01:33:06 EDT

In a 24-15 vote, the Nebraska Senate voted to kill a bill that would add sexuality to the categories protected under the state's anti-discrimination law.

Two Republicans led the attack on the bill.

Sen. Tom Carlson (R-Holdrege) said gays don't need workplace protections as long as they keep their sex lives in the closet.

"We're talking here about values. We're talking here about behavior. We're talking here about ethics," he said.

Sen. Tony Fulton (R-Lincoln) said it would give special rights to homosexuals and said it could lead to protections for to pedophiles and transvestites.

What Neanderthals! What bigots! What morons!

Dislike whomever you want, it's a free country. Justifiying discrimination based on your distaste is, or should be, unlawful. This is why people of faith get a bad reputation, because elected officials use the bible to legitimize bigotry in law, or lack of protections.

You don't have to agree or approve of someone's sexual orientation, but that doesn't give you the right to deem them subhuman, misters Carlson and Fulton.

Can somebody please write a law that would keep one's religious belief separate from legislating?

Link />
Sen. Tom Carlson
e-mail
(402) 471-2732
Home Address: 1112 Brown St., Holdrege, NE 68949
Office Address: Room 2104, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509

Sen. Tony Fulton
e-mail
(402) 471-2734
Home Address: 5935 S. 53rd St., Lincoln, NE 68516
Office Address: Room 1019, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509

Just to Start This Out

Jordan Pelavin — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:07:09 EDT

hey everyone, I'm Jordan. So just to start this i thought i would share some things that have been troubling me lately.

First off, the kids at my school. They are pretty much all republiccans, and i get teased all the time for speaking out about my liberal beliefs. I go to a school full of kids from traditionaly wealthy familys, and kids who dont care about anything but whats happening in their lives. Everyday i hear thousands of homophobic comments, and most of the time kids dont even get why this is wrong. I was telling a friend of mine the outher day about my gay uncle. She asked me if he was married. I told her that he couldnt get married, because our goverment will not allow gays to marry. She then gets disgusted. A minute before she was telling me how much she wanted to meet him,and now that she knew that he was gay, she was disgusted just by the thought of him. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of kids at my school, and their hatred. I'm sick of the homaphobia. I'm sick of the comments and degrading remarks. I think people need to be tought, and need to see that gay people are still people!

Just had to get that off my chest.

Hold the Bus

Max Gordon — Wed, 02 May 2007 09:23:37 EDT

At one point, 40 states in this country forbade the marriage of a white person to a person of color. Marriages between whites and persons of color were decried as "immoral" and "unnatural" and against God's will.

Thankfully, moral conscience and civil rights won out: in 1967 in the case of Loving v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the remaining interracial marriage laws across the country and declared that the "freedom to marry" belongs to all Americans, and that marriage was one of our "vital personal rights" and "essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by a free people." Forty years later, though, some of us are still being denied those vital personal rights.

Eleven years after the Loving decision, the Supreme Court declared marriage to be "of fundamental importance to all individuals," describing marriage as "one of the 'basic civil rights of man'" and "the most important relation in life." The court also noted that "the right to marry is part of the fundamental 'right to privacy' " in the U.S. Constitution.

Note that the Constitution also mandates the separation of church and state, and that marriage is a Civil Right. Churches may add their blessings to state-sanctified unions, but religious ceremonies mean nothing in relation to tax laws, estate laws, or social benefits. They are important only as an affirmation of commitment before people of similar faith. The government has no right to tell churches who can and can't be joined in a covenent; but neither do churches have the right to deny American citizens equal protection under the law.

Republicans have tried to claim marriage as Conservative value, but it is in fact a universal desire--to pledge oneself to another with love and mutual respect. Republicans have tried to claim that they alone respect the sanctity of marriage. How can this be so, when Ronald Regan divorced the mother of his two children to marry Nancy, who delivered their first child, full term, just seven months later? And when Bob Dole divorced the mother of his childï¿½"a woman who had nursed him through the long recovery from his war wounds? When Newt Gingrich divorced his wife, who was dying of cancer at the time? And when Rush Limbaugh, self-appointed voice of righteousness, and his current wife, Marta, have six marriages and four divorces between them? Which marriages are they defending? Which ones do they consider sacred, the first? The second? The last? (Democrats divorce too. But they are far less likely to trumpet their moral superiority in the face of contradictory evidence.)

We don't want special rights; quite the contrary. We want our government to join the growing number of countries who have abolished this groundless prejudice from their judicial systems. We want our government to respect the foundation of our wonderful country by heeding the words of the Constitution. Marriage IS something to be Defended. It is an amazing and wondrous thing to find someone you love so dearly, value so highly, and trust so implicitly that you would commit yourself in good faith to a lifetime together.

But these so-called "defenders of marriage" all ended their marriages: Representative Dick Armey; Senator Phil Gramm; Governor John Engler; Governor Pete Wilson; Ultraconservative pundit George Will; Senator Lauch Faircloth; Senator Alfonse D'Amato; Senator John Warner; Governor George Allen; Representative Helen Chenoweth; Senator John McCain; Representative John Kasich; Representative Susan Molinari (RNC Keynote Speaker!).... The list is so long that the running joke in Washington and elsewhere is, "Don't let gays destroy marriageï¿½"that's the job of the Republicans!"

Unfortunately, this "joke" is NOT funny: legalized discrimination by these hypocritical officials is a very real threat to the Constitution, to the moral conscience of America, and to the truly faithful everywhere. Denying same-gender marriages does nothing to "protect" marriage. Instead, it takes rights away from some Americans and grants them to others: the Constitution should not be used to make discrimiation legal.

Should my son feel less American than yours? Will you make him a "bastard" by taking away my right to marry, thus condemning him to a life where his parents are deemed second-class citizens? Will we be relegated to the back of the bus next, and forced to live as separate--but UNequal--Americans? Will we end up in separate schools, separate churches, with separate water fountains?

The "special privileges" offered to appease--civil unions, domestic partnerships, spousal unions, reciprocal benefits--are insults to the integrity of the Constitution, which declares us all to have equal rights under the law. Separating religious ceremony from the legal realities that the word "marriage" automatically conveys and bestows honors those words. I am proud that New Hampshire has taken an important first step in allowing civil unions, but that is all it isï¿½"a first step. We no longer have to sit at the back of the bus. But what good is that if they won't let us on in the first place?

Equitable Rights

Douglas Erickson — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:06:59 EDT

When will I be able to have the same protections in my relationships that heterosexual people have. I pay my taxes (which in Utah goes to educating the multitudes of fascist/cultist spawn). If my partner decides to end our relationship, where is my protection? I have invested in our lives together as much as my partner, but since we used his VA loan to purchase our house, we had to keep it in his name. I don't care about marraige per se, but I do want equal protection under the law in my relationships.
EQUAL! I don't need special rights, just equal.

Kucinich: Dignity Defender Without Peer

B. Allan Ross — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:25:13 EDT

No other viable presidential candidate can compete with Dennis Kucinich's unequivocal support for equality and human dignity.

Employment Non-Discrimination:
Kucinich supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He was a sponsor of the original ENDA.

Gender Identity in Employment:
Kucinich supports a Federal Bill that would outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

Bias Crimes Based On Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity:
Kucinich supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the Federal Hate Crimes Law. He was a co-sponsor of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a bill that amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who willfully injure a person because of their sexual orientation.

Same-Gender Marriage:
Kucinich supports same-gender marriage. On his campaign website he says, "I believe that equality of opportunity should be afforded to all Americans regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation. For that reason I support the right of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons to have the full protections and rights afforded under civil law including the right to marry the person of their choice."

Family Medical Leave for Same-Gender Couples:
Kucinich supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to same-gender couples.

Same-Gender Partner Immigration:
Kucinich is a co-sponsor of the Permanent Partners Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-gender partners for immigration into the country.

Gay and Lesbian Adoption:
Kucinich supports giving gays and lesbians the same rights to adoptions as heterosexuals.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass:
Kucinich supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.

On Civil Unions:
"Kucinich goes further than supporting civil unions for same-sex couples at the state level; he believes that, much like Civil Rights legislation of the 1960s, federal law should protect civil unions, and that no state has a right to abridge basic rights to privacy. "

On Domestic Partner Benefits:
"He supports domestic partner benefits to same-sex partners of employees, such as health insurance coverage and hospital visitation rights."

Visit Dennis to learn more about how how he has already voted, progressively, on issues important to you.