Via JMG: Clinton Praises Ugandan Activists

During her stop in Uganda yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised the brave LGBT activists who risk murder and rape merely by being open about who they are.

"It is critical for all Ugandans - the government and citizens alike - to speak out against discrimination, harassment, and intimidation of anyone. That's true no matter where they come from, what they believe, or whom they love," Clinton said. Clinton said she raised the issue in talks on Friday with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, whose government has been accused of allowing political and religious leaders to drum up anti-gay feeling in the deeply conservative East African nation. "You are a model for others and an inspiration for the world," Clinton said to representatives of the group, formed in 2009 to combat draft legislation which proposed the death penalty for anyone convicted of "aggravated homosexuality".

Labels: activism, Africa, Hillary Clinton, Uganda

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 4, 2012

Swimming in the Infinite

There is no point in being Buddhist! One does it for the sheer joy of swimming in the infinite!

- Robert Thurman, "Swimming in the Infinite"

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Via FB

Anne Rice Via FB:

Via Freedom to Marry FB

Via JMG: Homeland Security To Consider Marriage Status Before Deporting Foreign Gays

After pressure earlier this week from Rep. Nancy Pelosi and a coalition of more than 80 Democrats, Homeland Security says it will consider the partner status of gay potential deportees. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:

The department has issued a new policy governing the issuances of "Notice to Appear" documents, which is the step that starts removal proceedings, which can lead to deportation. The new policy will put the policies of U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services — which considers green card applications — in alignment with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement policies for "low priority" enforcement cases, according to the department — which means that USCIS won't likely issue the notices unless other negative factors, like a criminal record, are found. A spokesman did not respond to an immediate request for a copy of the policy.

Well-known LGBT immigration advocate Lavi Soloway is thrilled. Via press release:

After a two-year campaign urging the Obama administration to stop the deportations of spouses of gay and lesbian Americans, we welcome the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it will formally recognize same-sex marriages as part of its year-old ‘prosecutorial discretion’ deportation policy. By articulating the first federal policy to recognize marriages of gay and lesbian couples, the administration signals to deportations officers, Immigration Judges, and Immigration & Customs Enforcement prosecutors that our marriages must be considered when determining whether a case is deemed low priority for deportation.

Until DOMA is repealed Homeland Security will continue to deny green cards to the spouses of LGBT Americans.

Labels: DOMA, Homeland Security, immigration, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe

Via Gay Poltics Report: U.S. can’t treat married same-sex couples differently, judge rules

• U.S. can’t treat married same-sex couples differently, judge rules
   
• A key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, a federal district court judge in Connecticut ruled this week. Judge Vanessa L. Bryant said DOMA's definition of marriage, which bars numerous federal benefits for married same-sex couples, is impermissible under the Constitution's Fifth Amendment right to equal protection. Her ruling is expected to be appealed, though a number of other federal district and appellate courts have reached a similar conclusion. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (tiered subscription model) (7/31), BuzzFeed (7/31)     

Via Gay Politics Report: U.S. to consider same-sex marriages in deportation cases

• U.S. to consider same-sex marriages in deportation cases
   
• The Department of Homeland Security this week said it will take into account the marriages of binational same-sex couples when deciding whether to pursue deportation of a foreign national. The announcement was sought by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and more than 80 other members of Congress who urged the Obama administration to stop deporting the gay and lesbian spouses of U.S. citizens while the courts grapple with the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. BuzzFeed (8/2)     

Via Anti-Theists. Pro Active Atheists. Opposing Religion.'s photo

Anti-Theists. Pro Active Atheists. Opposing Religion.'s photo.

"As I've said before numerous times Gay Civil Rights is very similar to African American Civil Rights of the 50s and 60s. Many of the arguments made about LGBT People are the same arguments the KKK made regarding African Americans. They said they were "Unclean" they said they were "Stupid" they said they were 'Disease Ridden", and they said that they would try to make your children just like them. Those are the same lies being told today by Anti-Gay Groups like the American Family Council. I say this has to stop. For nearly 60 years these lies have been going on. Let's stop the hate and start the Love."

Racism, sexism, gay hate and woefully inadequate child protection are all covered with opposing religious harm.

Anti-Theists. Pro Active Atheists. Opposing Religion.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 3, 2012

Everyday Bodhisattva

The bodhisattva aspiration is an everyday matter—everyday both in the sense of needing to be renewed as each day passes, and in the sense of applying to simple tasks, to ordinary actions motivated by a longing to reduce the difficulty and increase the happiness of those with whom we share our lives.

- Manjusura, "An Everyday Aspiration"

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Via JMG: House Democrats Pressure White House Over LGBT Immigration Rights

Yesterday House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a coalition of 81 House Democrats issued a call for the Obama administration to make it official policy that the foreign partners of LGBT Americans will not be deported. Chris Geidner reports:

Pelosi — along with Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Mike Honda, the lead sponsors of two bills aimed at addressing LGBT inequalities in the immigration system, and 81 other Democrats — called on Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to "issue a written field guidance or a memorandum to explicitly state the policy of your August 18, 2011 announcement which would direct DHS personnel to consider LGBT family ties as a positive factor for the exercise of prosecutorial discretion."

The House members — including out gay Reps. Barney Frank, Jared Polis and David Cicilline — go on to say that "[a] written policy is the best way to ensure that the decision by President Obama and DHS to recognize LGBT family ties for immigration purposes will be implemented so that families will remain together."

Calling the letter "a true show of congressional force," Immigration Equality spokesman Steve Ralls told BuzzFeed, "It is a simple action, but also one that will have a real impact on real people and families. We hope Secretary Napolitano will heed the advice of those who signed the letter, and take this important step toward protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals within the immigration system from deportation."

Labels: DOMA, immigration, Immigration Equality, Nancy Pelosi, Obama administration, U.S. House

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 2, 2012

Deep Listening, Deep Loving

Our training begins with learning first to listen to ourselves until we know our deepest aspirations, shortcomings, sufferings, and joys. Next, we must learn to listen deeply to our partner and family. Right speech prompts us to ask our loved ones: 'What could I do to make you happier?' and then to listen to the reply without judging or reacting. Right speech prompts us to say, 'Thank you for being here for me. Your presence enriches my life. Please tell me how I can love you better.'

- Sister True Virtue, "The Fourth Precept: Right Speech"

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Via Towleroad: Amtrak's Beautiful New Gay Family Ads: PHOTOS

http://www.towleroad.com/2012/08/amtraks-beautiful-new-gay-family-ads-photos.html

Via FCKH8.com FB:

Via Muito axé FB:

Via JMG: NH Chick-Fil-A To Sponsor Gay Pride

The only New Hampshire Chick-Fil-A franchisee has signed on as a sponsor of this LGBT Pride Fest. Via LGBT Nation:

The announcement by franchise general manager Anthony Picolia came as a surprise to Pride Fest organizers in light of the ongoing public relations debacle over the negative remarks by Chick-Fil-A’s President last month regarding same-sex marriage. Picolia, in an email to LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday, confirmed that his franchise will sponsor the festival, writing:

“In both my personal and professional life, I have had and continue to have positive relationships with family, friends, customers and employees in the LGBT community. It would make me sad if someone felt that they were not openly welcomed into my life or restaurant based on their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender,” In a statement issue by Pride organizers, Picolia added that his Chick-fil-A franchise “has gay employees and serves gay customers with honor, dignity and respect.”

The event takes place next Saturday.

Labels: bravery, fast food, gay Pride, New Hampshire

Reposted from Joe

Via AmericaBlog Gay:

Another federal judge strikes DOMA down

I remember a while back when the religious right kept saying that no court had ever found DOMA unconstitutional.  Oops.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 1, 2012

Letting Go

It is hard to let go of things, harder to let go of ideas, and even harder to let go of spiritual pretensions. Over time, as we familiarize ourselves with the many subtle twists and turns of letting go, we begin to be more savvy about how ego steps in to appropriate the entire process. In the millions of mini-decisions we make day by day and moment by moment, we are challenged each time either to let go or to re-solidify.

- Judy Lief, "Letting Go"

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Vi JMG: House GOP Demands And Gets DOMA Response Delay From Supreme Court

The GOP's House Bipartisan (snort) Legal Advisory Group has requested and received a delayed deadline for when they must respond to two pending DOMA suits before the Supreme Court. As always, super-reporter Chris Geidner gets to what the request was really all about.

The deadline extension, which lawyers familiar with the cases say could cause up to a one-week delay in when in the fall the Supreme Court justices would consider when to take the cases, won't likely have any long-term effect on how and when the cases might be considered by the justices. The new deadline, however, means that House Speaker John Boehner's lawyers could take the chance to take aim at the Obama administration, which stopped defending DOMA in early 2011, following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention on Aug. 30 and before the start of the Democratic National Convention the next week.

Labels: Democratic convention, DOMA, GOP, SCOTUS

Reposted from Joe