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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- Learn more about transgender Americans and HRC resources
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HATE CRIME IN BALTIMORE
Apr 26th, 2011 12:55 PM By AdminGET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED
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AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’S “STONEWALL UPRISING”
Apr 25th, 2011 12:16 PM By AdminDon’t miss American Experience’s “Stonewall Uprising” this evening on PBS at 9 pm ET/PT.
Learn about one of the defining moments that began the movement for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.
Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.
LAW FIRM BACKS OUT OF DEFENDING ‘DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT’
Apr 25th, 2011 12:04 PM By AdminAccording to Politico.com:
“In a real victory for supporters of same-sex marriage — and marking what seems like real marginalization for its foes — a major law firm has reversed course and will refuse to represent the House of Representatives in defending the Defense of Marriage Act.
“King and Spalding Chairman Robert D. Hays, Jr., whose partner Paul Clement was to lead the defense, said in a statement through a spokesman, Les Zuke:
“Today the firm filed a motion to withdraw from its engagement to represent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the House of Representatives on the constitutional issues regarding Section III of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. Last week we worked diligently through the process required for withdrawal.
“In reviewing this assignment further, I determined that the process used for vetting this engagement was inadequate. Ultimately I am responsible for any mistakes that occurred and apologize for the challenges this may have created.
Further more, according to Politico.com:
“Former Solicitor General Paul Clement resigned Monday from his law firm, King & Spalding, over the firm’s abrupt and belated decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act on behalf of the House of Representatives.
“‘I resign out of the firmly held belief that a representation should not be abandoned because the client’s legal position is extremely unpopular in certain quarters. Defending unpopular clients is what lawyers do,” Clement wrote to King & Spalding chairman Robert Hays. “I recognized from the outset that this statute implicates very sensitive issues that prompt strong views on both sides. But having undertaken the representation, I believe there is no honorable course for me but to complete it.’
“Clement said he will join Bancroft PLLC, a small Washington-based firm that is home to former Bush Justice Department official Viet Dinh.”
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QUOTE: MERYL STREEP
Apr 21st, 2011 10:40 AM By Admin
“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” – Meryl Streep
MARRIAGE EQUALITY OPPONENTS NOW IN MINORITY
Apr 20th, 2011 07:07 PM By AdminAccording to The New York Times:
A poll from CNN this week is the latest to show a majority of Americans in favor of same-sex marriage, with 51 percent saying that marriages between gay and lesbian couples “should be recognized by the law as valid” and 47 percent opposed.
This is the fourth credible poll in the past eight months to show an outright majority of Americans in favor of gay marriage. That represents quite a lot of progress for supporters of same-sex marriage. Prior to last year, there had been just one survey — a Washington Post poll conducted in April 2009 — to show support for gay marriage as the plurality position, and none had shown it with a majority.
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STRAIGHT BUT NOT NARROW
Apr 20th, 2011 06:58 PM By Admin
All you straight guys out there, here is a great new organization for you to join and show you give a damn! It is called Straight But Not Narrow and here are some PSAs they have recently released. Watch and share with your guy friends!
Avan Jogia:
Josh Hutcherson:
Matt Bennett:
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