Monday, April 4, 2011
Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Tobias Wolff
"The attempt by the Republican party to overreach following last November's elections and cripple the ability of workers to organize -- and, incredibly, to roll back protections like child labor laws, as in Maine, where Republicans are seeking to create a rotating, vulnerable and underpaid workforce that will further disempower low-wage household earners -- has generated a backlash unlike anything we have seen in half a century. Liberal and progressive forces have an opportunity to use this fight to reclaim the political agenda in America and to reframe the political narrative. LGBT advocates and the LGBT community need to be a part of this urgently important moment. We need to be visibly showing up and contributing our efforts, so that our allies in labor, in state legislatures, and in political parties and organizing committees around the country will know that we were there when it mattered. And, in putting skin in the game, we will be able to play a part in defining the agenda and narrative that will emerge from this reawakening of the American worker." - Activist and UPenn law professor Tobias Wolff, calling on the LGBT community to rise up against anti-union forces.Via JMG: Equality California: Should We Take Proposition 8 Back to The Ballot In 2012?
Equality California says that since it may be years before Prop 8 is resolved in federal court, it's time to talk about attempting its repeal on next year's ballot. Via press release:
Because legal experts are advising that the Proposition 8 federal challenge could take years to resolve, Equality California is launching a community engagement initiative to start a discussion on whether to return to the ballot in 2012 to repeal the marriage ban or whether to wait for a final decision by the courts. Before making any recommendation, Equality California will survey its membership, hold 10 town halls across the state and an online town hall, conduct a poll of likely 2012 voters, consult with political experts, coalition partners and engage with its members and the LGBT community. Equality California will announce results of polling and analysis by Labor Day. Details and a complete schedule for community town halls are forthcoming with initial meetings scheduled for San Francisco on May 19, West Hollywood on May 25 and San Diego on June 2.A small but dogged campaign to place a repeal of Prop 8 on the 2010 ballot ultimately collapsed without the support of major groups like Equality California.
Via JMG: IRS Ombudsman Predicts No Penalties For Married Gay Couples Filing Joint Returns
The anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund is quite unhappy with the IRS ombudsman who says that married gay couples can expect little retribution for filing joint returns.
Nina E. Olson, the national taxpayer advocate who acts as an ombudsman for the I.R.S., acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding federal taxation of same-gender spouses in an annual report to Congress. In the report, she said that taxpayers may take a filing position without penalty if there is “substantial authority” to do so, such as a court case that hasn’t been overruled by the United States Court of Appeals. And there happen to be two such cases, which are currently on appeal.Last week the Refuse To Lie campaign launched with the warning for gay couples to seriously consider the possible ramifications.
Via Barack Obama 2012:
| Today, we are filing papers to launch our 2012 campaign. We're doing this now because the politics we believe in does not start with expensive TV ads or extravaganzas, but with you -- with people organizing block-by-block, talking to neighbors, co-workers, and friends. And that kind of campaign takes time to build. So even though I'm focused on the job you elected me to do, and the race may not reach full speed for a year or more, the work of laying the foundation for our campaign must start today. We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. It never does. But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made -- and make more -- we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest. As we take this step, I'd like to share a video that features some folks like you who are helping to lead the way on this journey. Please take a moment to watch:  In the coming days, supporters like you will begin forging a new organization that we'll build together in cities and towns across the country. And I'll need you to help shape our plan as we create a campaign that's farther reaching, more focused, and more innovative than anything we've built before. We'll start by doing something unprecedented: coordinating millions of one-on-one conversations between supporters across every single state, reconnecting old friends, inspiring new ones to join the cause, and readying ourselves for next year's fight. This will be my final campaign, at least as a candidate. But the cause of making a lasting difference for our families, our communities, and our country has never been about one person. And it will succeed only if we work together. There will be much more to come as the race unfolds. Today, simply let us know you're in to help us begin, and then spread the word: http://my.barackobama.com/2012 Thank you, Barack |
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Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible. |
Via AmericaBlogGay:
John reported on the NIH report here. Another report has surfaced via the Center for Health Policy Research at the University of California, Los Angeles. The report's empirical data proves there are some major health concerns for our aging LGBT community. Not surprisingly, our elders are showing the negative signs of the stress from having to suffer through living in an unwelcoming and hateful American anti-gay culture.
Older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults in California are more likely to suffer from chronic physical and mental health problems than their heterosexual counterparts, a new analysis has found. They also are less likely to have live-in partners or adult children who can help care for them.Also, there is this:
Older gay and bisexual men — ages 50 to 70 — reported higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and physical disability than similar heterosexual men, according to the researchers. Older gay and bisexual men also were 45 percent more likely to report symptoms of psychological distress and 50 percent more likely to rate their health as fair or poor. In addition, one in five gay men in California was living with H.I.V. infection, the researchers found.The problem is a complicated one with several time sensitive and social variables. First, our older LGBT citizens have had to deal with a far more negative and pervasively discriminatory society. Secondly, our gay culture needs to learn how to honor and embrace our elders and thirdly, we lost a core generation of gay men who succumbed to HIV who might have been instrumental in making the older generation's transition to their golden years easier. Our community needs to remember we all participate in the aging process and honor and support our elderly.
Yet half of California’s older gay and bisexual men lived alone, compared with 13.4 percent of older heterosexual men.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Today's "We are one of our own worst enemies" Post: VIA JMG
Queers Against Equality
Apparently they've been around for a couple of years, but I've only just learned about them via Slog. From the Against Equality about page: Against Equality is an online archive, publishing, and arts collective focused on critiquing mainstream gay and lesbian politics. As queer thinkers, writers and artists, we are committed to dislodging the centrality of equality rhetoric and challenging the demand for inclusion in the institution of marriage, the US military, and the prison industrial complex via hate crimes legislation. We want to reinvigorate the queer political imagination with fantastic possibility.On marriage equality:
Gay marriage apes hetero privilege and allows everyone to forget that marriage ought not to be the guarantor of rights like health care. In their constant invoking of the “right” to gay marriage, mainstream gays and lesbians express a confused tangle of wishes and desires. They claim to contest the Right’s conservative ideology yet insist that they are more moral and hence more deserving than sluts like us. They claim that they simply want the famous 1000+ benefits but all of these, like the right to claim protection in cases of domestic violence, can be made available to non-marital relationships.Against Equality also opposes the repeal of DADT, because nobody should be in the military.
Is it the uniforms? The always flattering navy blue of a seaman’s uniform? The adventurous khaki of a soldier in the desert? Or might it be the rituals of military life, the sado-masochistic infliction of rules and tortuous drills, which drive today’s gays and lesbians to insist that they ought to be allowed to serve freely and openly in the military?There's a Facebook page for an upcoming speaking engagement by the group at Seattle's Cornish College.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Lançada a Frente Parlamentar Mista pela Cidadania LGBT
O salão nobre do Congresso Nacional, no dia 29/03/2011, foi palco de um dos momentos mais significativos na luta pelo reconhecimento dos direitos de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais-LGBT e a efetivação da cidadania da comunidade homossexual. Numa bela cerimônia, aconteceu o lançamento da Frente Parlamentar Mista pela Cidadania LGBT.
A Frente de caráter supra-partidário, tem como objetivo reunir todos os parlamentares comprometidos com os direitos humanos, com o combate à discriminação e ao preconceito de todos os tipos. E que, independente de suas crenças religiosas, reafirmam o caráter laico e republicano do Estado brasileiro.
A Frente apóia e articula a apresentação e aprovação de proposições legislativas de interesse da comunidade LGBT, assim como trabalha para colaborar na garantia de recursos para a execução do Plano Nacional de Política LGBT. E, neste novo momento, é composta por 175 parlamentares, incluído deputados federais e senadores.
Para Carlos Magno, secretário de comunicação da ABGLT, a Frente LGBT é uma grande iniciativa, pois os parlamentares poderão atuar no Congresso, no Senado e defender os interesses da comunidade LGBT. “ Além de leis que nos proteja, precisamos de porta-vozes que possam garantir o debate prol-LGBT no congresso. Precisamos de vozes para denunciar os crimes, a violência homofóbica e, fundamentalmente, a falta de leis”, comemora Magno.
Um dos deputados de destaque na Frente é o Jean Wyllys (PSOL-RJ).
Carlos Magno e Jean Wyllys no lançamento da Frente Mista pela Cidadania LGBT( foto)
Carlos Magno
Supervisor do CRLGBT-BH
Sec. de Comunicação da ABGLT
Militante do CELLOS-MG
Pós- Graduando em Mídias Sociais e Comunicação Digital
Que a gente viva feliz mesmo sem permissão ( Mário Benedetti)
Via AMERICAblog Gay: GOP Homophobia was on display at hearing on DADT repeal implementation
As we mentioned earlier this week, the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel was holding its first hearing on DADT repeal today. It was supposed to be about the implementation process. But, these GOPErs can't help themselves. Their homophobia was on full display. And, they wanted another debate over whether DADT should be repealed.
SLDN blasted the hearing:
“Today’s hearing represents a shameless and transparent attempt by a few repeal opponents to delay, defund, and derail the timely certification and full repeal of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law.Alex Nicholson took a swipe at the hearing organizers, but sees progress:
“Mr. Wilson knows better. There was nothing undemocratic about last year's vote to repeal ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell.’ The measure passed both houses of Congress on a strong bi-partisan vote.
"Despite the transparent intentions behind the scheduling of today's oversight hearing on the progress toward 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal, the hearing went very well and revealed smooth sailing for ongoing training and certification preparation. Under Secretary Stanley and Vice Admiral Gortney thoroughly answered all questions regarding the progress of repeal training, and opponents of repeal noticeably struggled to try to get in digs about this inevitable change in policy. Overall, the Department of Defense continues to do an admirable job in deliberately moving forward toward certification and finality on this issue."At Think Progress, Zack Ford report on the hearing is titled, "GOP Digs For Dirt At Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Oversight Hearing." Chris Johnson from the Washington Blade live-tweeted the hearing. Rep. Joe "You Lie" Wilson chaired the hearing:
WIlson (R-S.C.) says he was "troubled" by the process that led to #DADT repeal and thought it was rushed through lame duck sessionYeah, the House only voted on repeal twice, in May and December. The Senate only debated repeal three times. That's a real rush job. But, I think this is my favorite:
Hartzler you have a "double-standard" by not requiring men and women to shower together, but requiring gays to shower with straight troopsHartzler is Rep. Hartzler (MO) is the sponsor of the resolution on DOMA that's given us the list of the biggest homophobes in the House. Now, why she puts so much thought into people showering together is intriguing. Clearly, she thinks about it a lot. She's vying to be the next Marilyn Musgrave.
We're just seeing more and more evidence that a lot of these House Republicans don't really care what the American people think. They're trying to impose their warped, homophobic views on the country.
Guess it's a good thing we didn't wait to push the repeal bill in 2011, which was part of the original plan.
Via AmericablogGay: More on America's unfair gay immigration policy
More on America's unfair gay immigration policy
ABC News has a story that provides some concrete examples of just how devastating the decision to continue with "business as usual" is destroying gay American bi-national couple's lives.
"I started from zero in this country -- new language, new culture," said Velandia. "It's been like the American Dream."Nice, huh? Next we have an example of a bi-national lesbian couple, Carry Tucker, 55, of Sacramento, CA, and her LEGAL wife, Claire Pollar, 49, of the United Kingdom. Thanks to our nation's inhumane policies justified by politicians who serve conservative theocratic Talibangelicals, their daughter has missed the support of two loving mothers.
But when his visa expired, an application for a green card was denied. In 2009, Velandia received a notice of deportation. If deported, he could be barred from entering the U.S. for 10 years.
The couple was prepared to move to Canada where Pollard had applied for legal residence under the skilled-worker program, but the economy went sour in 2008.Wonderful family values, America. And hardly liberty for all.
Under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California recognized legal same-sex marriages, but DOMA stood in their way.
They have now been separated for five years. Tucker says her 18-year-old daughter is a "stranger" to Pollard.
"All of her teen years, my daughter did not have her loving stepmother in her life," said Tucker. "They are the two loves of my life, and they don't know each other. That is the most painful part for me."
Friday, April 1, 2011
Via JMG: Gay Sailor Wins Discharge Hearing
Petty Officer Derek Morado today won his discharge hearing with the Navy after being told he faced ejection due to a MySpace photograph that was turned in anonymously. In the photo, Morado is seen kissing another man. Morado's lawyer told KMPH News that even though DADT has been repealed, that doesn't mean the military's investigations are over."There's nothing illegal about what the Navy is trying to do to this man right now as I understand it," Attorney Mark King said. King says that's because the law, is the law. "If someone does something in January that by June is no longer a crime, there's nothing unconstitutional about prosecuting them in September over what happened in January, because in January it was against the law," King said. A Navy spokesperson tells KMPH News, the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy has to be certified by the Secretary of Defense, Chairman and President. After that, it will take another 60 days before it goes into effect. "We have to treat them all with dignity and respect. At the same time there is a law and we have to maintain that law," Navy Commander Danny Hernandez said. But for Derek Morado, it wouldn't matter. On Thursday the board voted against discharging him, which means he can continue his dreams of a decorated military career.According to a press release from GetEQUAL, the Navy's panel voted 3-0 in favor of Morado's retention.
Via AMERICAblog Gay:
Navy decides NOT to discharge gay sailor
Joe and I just sent out the following update to our email list about yesterday's action to help a gay sailor who was almost kicked out under DADT today. Great news.
Victory!
Derek Morado -- who was faced with discharge even though we were "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was history -- just telephoned GetEQUAL to let them know he won his battle to stay in the military today.
Thank you to the thousands who signed our petition on behalf of Derek over the past 24 hours. We sent your names to Derek this morning right before he went into his hearing, so in a very real way you were there with him.
According to Derek, all three members of the hearing board voted to retain him in the military -- an incredible result.
Derek gets the lion's share of the credit for today's victory, but I really believe each and every one of you who joined AMERICAblog and GetEQUAL in this action played a role, and you should be proud.
Please share this success with your friends -- and encourage them to join us in our effective activism.
Click here to share on Facebook.
Click below to tweet this message:
Victory! Navy will not discharge sailor under DADT. Join our action ntwk & join the fight: tinyurl.com/684aghv @americablog
There isn't anything we can't accomplish if we work together. Thanks so much, and congratulations again,
John Aravosis, Editor of AMERICAblog
Joe Sudbay, Deputy Editor of AMERICAblog
P.S. You can read some background on Derek's story here.
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