Via JMG: Labor Department Issues Final Rule On LGBT Anti-Discrimination Measures

Via press release:

A new rule prohibiting discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity in the federal contracting workforce is being announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor. The rule implements Executive Order 13672, which was signed by President Obama on July 21.

"Americans believe in fairness and opportunity. No one should live in fear of being fired or passed over or discriminated against at work simply because of who they are or who they love," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "Laws prohibiting workplace discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity are long overdue, and we're taking a big step forward today to fix that."

EO 13672 tasked the department with updating the rules implementing EO 11246 to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes it protects. While 18 states, the District of Columbia and many businesses, large and small, already offer workplace protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, July's executive order was the first federal action to ensure LGBT workplace equality in the private sector.

The press release notes that today's action becomes effective 120 days after being formally entered into the Federal Register and will apply to all "new and modified" civilian contracts with the federal government from that date forward.

Labels: Barack Obama, business, employment, executive orders, feds, Labor Department, LGBT rights, Obama cabinet, Tom Perez

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Steven Petrow / FB:

 

Bye bye Anita Bryant. And for those of you too young to know who she was and what she did, Google her homophobic antics.

LINK: http://eqfl.org/marriagevictory

Equality Florida ‪#‎marriageequality‬ ‪#‎AnitaBryant‬ ‪#‎progress‬

Via Being Liberal / FB:

Via JMG: BREAKING: DC Bans "Ex-Gay" Torture

Via press release from the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today, the District of Columbia Council unanimously approved a bill that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. When signed into law, Washington, D.C. will become the third jurisdiction—behind California and New Jersey—to pass legislation protecting LGBT youth from practices that are known to cause severe depression and even suicide. “Today, the DC Council sent a powerful message to LGBT youth and their families that they are accepted, supported, and loved,” said Samantha Ames, NCLR staff attorney and coordinator of the #BornPerfect campaign at the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). “The Council has used its authority to protect our most vulnerable youth from dangerous and discredited pseudoscience that tells them who they are is wrong, and reaffirmed the consensus of every major medical and mental health organization that all children are born perfect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The Liberty Counsel fought those bills in both states, taking their fight against California's bill all the way to the Supreme Court, who smacked them down for the final time in June.

Labels: brainwashing, Christianists, ex-gay, LGBT youth, NCLR, religion, sexuality, torture, Washington DC

Reposted from Joe Jervis

What Is Your Strongest Chakra?

One of those FB thingys gave me this 

The Crown Chakra

 

You got The Crown Chakra! Crown chakra is all about understanding wisdom and various other things.
Gland: Pineal Gland
Associated Stones: Crystal Quartz, Moonstone, Selenite, Pearl, Amethyst, Lepidolite, Calcite, White or Clear Stones and Crystals.
Effects: Seeing the overall picture, Connection to the universe, Oneness, Spiritual Awareness, Consciousness and Enlightenment.

Flower of the Day: 12/03/14

"Living in presence means walking through life without a map, following only the commands of the heart and being guided by the Holy Spirit. Presence itself guides you. Being present, it’s impossible to run away from yourself. In fact, you only find yourself and recognize your gifts and talents in presence, because it is the manifestation of spontaneity. Through presence, you become a pure channel of the divine will."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

Dharma and the Law | December 3, 2014 In the simplest—and probably the most common—terms, the present state of the American judicial process runs counter to the tenets of Buddhism. It is predicated on an adversarial system that places people in mutually exclusive positions: victim and perpetrator, prosecution and defense, forces of good and forces of evil. - Mary Talbot, "No Justice, No Peace"

Uma frase do Dalai Lama para nós recitarmos todas as manhãs

“Toda manhã, pense quando você acorda: Eu estou vivo, Eu tenho uma preciosa vida humana, Eu não vou desperdiçá-la. Eu vou usar todas as minhas energias para me desenvolver, Para expandir o meu coração para os outros, Para alcançar a iluminação para o benefício de todos os seres. Eu não vou ficar com raiva, Ou pensar mal de outros. Vou beneficiar os outros, tanto quanto eu posso.”
- Dalai Lama.

http://www.budavirtual.com.br/uma-frase-dalai-lama-para-nos-recitarmos-todas-manhas/

SHO DOCS: The Last One Trailer

Bright Light Bright Light & The Pink Singers - Everything I Ever Wanted (for World AIDS Day)

JMG TRAILER: Stained Glass Windows

 Stained Glass Rainbows explores the most controversial subject facing America today: the collision between the LGBT community and the Christian church. Can gays be Christian? Is homosexuality a sin? Is there a gay gene? Is there such a thing as an ex-gay? Both families and churches are being torn apart over these divisive issues. Stained Glass Rainbows brings together the voices of the left, the right, the middle, and helps bridge the gulf through its dialogue. From gay pride parades to anti-gay protests, Stained Glass Rainbows confronts the controversy of faith through the hearts and minds of people on both sides of this uncivil war.

Labels: Christianity, LGBT rights, movies, religion

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Armed Democrats - Meme Bucket / FB:

Via Urban Cusp / FB:

From a privte list: The following was told by Krishnamurti

"You may remember the story of how the devil and his friend were walking down the street, when they saw ahead of them a man swoop down and pick up something from the ground, look at it, and put it away in his pocket.

The friend said to the devil, "What did that man pick up?"

"He picked up a piece of Truth," said the devil.

"That is very bad business for you, then," said his friend.

"Oh, not at all," the devil replied. "I am going to let him organize it."

Flower of the Day: 12/02/14

"As you strive to awaken from the dream of suffering, it is very important to look at the pleasure it brings you. Look at just how much life energy was invested into maintaining certain negative patterns. Subconsciously, we believe that giving up this suffering means giving up pleasure itself."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

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Feel Confident | December 2, 2014

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You should feel confident: Yes, I can attain enlightenment, I can benefit beings. Here in samsara I can help my family, I can support the sangha and benefit sentient beings. I can do it. I can achieve things, and I can live a joyful, meaningful life.

- Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, "Four Simple Tips for Living a Buddhist Life"

Via CNN: California governor signs bill requiring schools to teach gay history

"History should be honest," Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown said about the gay history legislation.

 

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The bill is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation
• It will also require teachers to instruct on the role of people with disabilities
• "History should be honest," Gov. Brown said in a statement

RELATED TOPICS

• Jerry Brown
• LGBT Issues
• Education

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday he had signed a bill that will require public schools in the state to teach students about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

The bill, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, will also require teachers to provide instruction on the role of people with disabilities.

Make the jump here to read the full article

Just Add Coco Peru

Via JMG: Obama On World AIDS Day

"Guided by our National HIV/AIDS Strategy, we are working to build a society where every person has access to life-extending care, regardless of who they are or whom they love. The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage due to a pre-existing condition, such as HIV/AIDS, and requires that most health plans cover HIV screenings without copays for everyone ages 15 to 65 and others at increased risk. We have expanded opportunities for groundbreaking research, and we continue to invest in innovation to develop a vaccine and find a cure. And this summer, my Administration held a series of listening sessions across the country to better understand the successes and challenges of those fighting HIV at the local and State level.

"In the face of a disease that extends far beyond our borders, the United States remains committed to leading the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensuring no one is left behind. Hundreds of thousands of adolescent girls and young women are infected with HIV every year, and we are working to reach and assist them and every community in need. As part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, over 7 million people with HIV around the globe are receiving antiretroviral treatment, a four-fold increase since the start of my Administration. In countries throughout the world, our initiatives are improving the lives of women and girls, accelerating life-saving treatment for children, and supporting healthy, robust communities.

"As a Nation, we have made an unwavering commitment to bend the curve of the HIV epidemic, and the progress we have seen is the result of countless people who have shared their stories, lent their strength, and led the fight to spare others the anguish of this disease. Today, we remember all those who lost their battle with HIV/AIDS, and we recognize those who agitated and organized in their memory. On this day, let us rededicate ourselves to continuing our work until we reach the day we know is possible -- when no child has to know the pain of HIV/AIDS and no life is limited by this virus. Now, therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim December 1, 2014, as World AIDS Day." - Via White House press release.

Labels: Barack Obama, HIV/AIDS, World AIDS Day

Reposted from Joe Jervis