UGANDA “KILL THE GAYS” BILL PUT ON HOLD FOR NOW
May 16th, 2011 03:49 PM By AdminAccording to The Washington Post:
“Uganda’s parliament adjourned Friday without acting on a criticized anti-gay bill that would mandate the death sentence in some cases, drawing praise from an advocacy group that said parliament’s failure to act was a ‘victory for all Ugandans.’
“Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuk said there is no time to take up the bill this session, which ends Wednesday, leaving the bill’s future uncertain. Kiwanuk adjourned the parliament Friday and set no date for the body to return.
“The bill has drawn criticism from U.S. leaders and human rights groups. The U.S. State Department spokesman on Wednesday called the bill ‘odious’ and said no changes to the bill’s wording would justify its passage.”
Read the full The Washington Post article >>
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CYNDI LAUPER APPLAUDS SENATOR KERRY’S INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL HELP HOMELESS GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER YOUTH
May 12th, 2011 01:20 PM By Admin
Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today introduced legislation to reduce youth homelessness. The Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act would improve training, educational opportunities, and permanency planning for older foster youth. It also strengthens programs to reduce poverty and keep families together.
“As a father, it’s a punch in the gut to imagine children living on the streets, but this year alone, one in fifty American kids will be homeless,” Senator Kerry said. “There are common sense reforms we can implement to help make things better.”
The legislation includes an important provision that provides support for programs that improve family relationships and reduce homelessness among youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
“I applaud Senator Kerry for introducing such a crucial piece of legislation and for ensuring that the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth are included in the bill,” said Cyndi Lauper, True Colors Fund and Give a Damn Campaign founder. “As a mother, I am deeply saddened and angered by the epidemic of young people who are being thrown out of there homes by their parents or runaway out of fear and despair simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. As parents we need to be there for our children when they are struggling to come to terms with who they are, if passed this bill will provide much needed support for families to do just that.”
Section 106 of the bill calls for the Secretary of Heath and Human Services to create a “demonstration project for improving family relationships and reducing homelessness for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.” A growing body of research from the Family Acceptance Project, or FAP, suggests that this family-centered approach is one of the best ways to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender homeless youth.
It is currently estimated that 20% to 40% of all homeless youth identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, yet make up 3% to 5% of the general youth population. Helping to foster accepting environments at home is a vital piece of the puzzle in helping to bring an end to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth experiencing homelessness.
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DELAWARE GOVERNOR SIGNS CIVIL UNIONS BILL
May 12th, 2011 11:24 AM By AdminAccording to The Washington Post:
“Delaware Gov. Jack Markell has signed a bill into law that gives same-sex couples legal protections and recognition beginning in 2012.
“It makes Delaware the eighth state to allow civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.
“The Democratic governor signed the civil unions bill Wednesday night before a cheering crowd of more than 600 at The Queen theater Wilmington.
“The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.”
Read the full The Washington Post article >>
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NY TIMES: “PRESBYTERIANS APPROVE ORDINATION OF GAY PEOPLE”
May 12th, 2011 11:17 AM By AdminAccording to The New York Times:
“After 33 years of debate, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted to change its constitution and allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, elders and deacons.
“The outcome is a reversal from only two years ago, when a majority of the church’s regions, known as presbyterys, voted against ordaining openly gay candidates.
“This time, 19 of the church’s 173 presbyterys switched their votes from no to yes in recent months. The Twin Cities presbytery, which covers Minneapolis and St. Paul, cast the deciding vote at its meeting on Tuesday. The vote was 205 to 56, with 3 abstentions.
“Cynthia Bolbach, moderator of the church’s General Assembly, its highest legislative body, said in a phone interview from Minneapolis after the vote: ‘Everyone was civil. There was no applause, no cheering. It was just reflective of the fact that we are moving forward one other step.’
“Although by the time the vote was taken in Minneapolis the outcome was expected, Presbyterian church officials said that even a few months ago they would not have predicted that the church was ready to change its policy.”
Read the full The New York Times article >>
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BEN COHEN’S ACCEPTANCE TOUR
May 10th, 2011 05:18 PM By Admin
Ben Cohen, England Rugby World Cup Winner and staunch straight supporter of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality, is bringing his Acceptance Tour to the USA and to hold development meetings for the formation of an anti-bullying foundation. The foundation will leverage the support of a variety of other sports and entertainment stars, as well as U.S. corporations, to actively promote equality for and combat bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.
Ben filmed a special invitation (below) to all of our amazing Give a Damn Campaign supporters to join him as he stops in New York City, Atlanta, Seattle and Washington DC later this month. Check out his website to learn more >>
Here are some words from Ben on why he stands up against homophobia:
I am passionate about standing up against homophobia and feel compelled to take action. It is time we stand up for what is right and support young people who are being harmed. As athletes, it is not enough just to have strong bodies. We must have strong characters and use our voices to support those who need and deserve it.
Every person on this planet has a right to be true to themselves, to love and be loved, and to be happy. I encourage others to stand up with me and make a difference. Stand up for equality, stand up against bullying.
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EVEN MORE NEW YORKERS FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
May 10th, 2011 04:12 PM By Admin
Below are some new videos from the Human Rights Campaign for their New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign. Sean Avery, Julianna Margulies and Keith Lieberthal join the campaign as the discussion over marriage equality heats up in New York and nationwide. They join other prominent New Yorkers, from leaders and advocates, to actors and musicians who are letting America know that New York supports marriage equality.
Sean Avery:
Julianna Margulies & Keith Lieberthal:
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AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’S “FREEDOM RIDERS” ON PBS
May 10th, 2011 04:04 PM By AdminFreedom Riders is the powerful, harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever. From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives—and many endured savage beatings and imprisonment—for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, the Freedom Riders met with bitter racism and mob violence along the way, sorely testing their belief in nonviolent activism.
The Freedom Riders’ monumental impact on the United States is a testament to the power of people from every background joining together against injustice and hatred. We encourage everyone to honor these brave Americans by watching the Freedom Riders, which premieres on PBS this Monday, May 16th. Check local listings for when it airs in your area.
Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.
BRAZIL’S SUPREME COURT APPROVES SAME-SEX CIVIL UNIONS
May 10th, 2011 03:42 PM By AdminAccording to The Washington Post:
“Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday night that civil unions between same-sex couples must be allowed in this nation with more Roman Catholics than any other.
“In a 10-0 vote, with one abstention, the justices said gay couples deserve the same legal rights as heterosexual pairs when it comes to alimony, retirement benefits of a partner who dies, and inheritances, among other issues.
“The ruling, however, stopped short of legalizing gay marriage. In Latin America, that is legal only in neighboring Argentina and in Mexico City.
“Same-sex civil unions granting some rights to homosexual couples are legal in Uruguay and in some states of Mexico outside the capital. Colombia’s Constitutional Court has granted same-sex couples inheritance rights and allowed them to add their partners to health insurance plans.
“Brazil’s ruling sets a judicial precedent that must be honored by all public institutions, including notary publics where civil unions must be registered.”
Read the full The Washington Post article >>
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HOW MANY GAYS MUST GOD CREATE BEFORE WE ACCEPT THAT HE WANTS THEN AROUND?
May 03rd, 2011 04:15 PM By AdminRepresentative Steve Simon (DFL Hopkins/St. Louis Park) says a proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment to ban marriage for gay couples is largely about religion. He says if sexual orientation is innate as science is showing us, and not a lifestyle choice, then God created gay people. He asks how many gay people must God create before we accept that he wants them around.
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HAWAII BECOMES 13TH STATE TO BAN DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION
May 03rd, 2011 10:20 AM By AdminAccording to the Human Rights Campaign:
On Monday, Hawaii governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law House Bill 546, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in employment and as a matter of public policy. The bill had received final legislative approval in mid-April.
Hawaii becomes the 13th state to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression in employment, housing and public accommodations, marking one-quarter of U.S. states with such laws. More than 125 cities and counties also have such laws on the books.
Hawaii law has prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation since 1991. Hawaii also already prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in housing and public accommodations.
View a map of state employment nondiscrimination laws >>
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