WTF is Wrong with Texas and the Republican Party?

Dear Daniel, Sign the petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele: "Mr. Steele, I urge you to publicly reject the anti-LGBT language in the Texas GOP Platform." Sign now. What you are about to read is shocking but true. The 2010 Texas Republican Party Platform says gay people shouldn't have custody of children.1 It says issuing a marriage license or performing a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple should be punishable by jail time.2 It wants to restore 19th-century Texas statutes outlawing sex between men.3 It's one thing for extremist groups to spout this type of bigotry. But one of the nation's two main political parties? That's taking it WAY too far. The Republican National Committee is trying to avoid the issue, but a huge public outcry can force them to take sides. Is this really what they want voters to think the GOP stands for as the 2010 elections approach? Sign our petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele: "Chairman Steele, I urge you to publicly reject the anti-LGBT language in the Texas GOP Platform." At a time when Americans are looking for real solutions to the challenges we face, the Texas GOP decided to focus on propaganda, not policy: "Homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases." "Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should 'family' be redefined to include homosexual 'couples.'" "We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married." They're not just against marriage equality; they're against basic equal rights. They think it should be 100% legal to fire someone for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Even their word choice shows a possible anti-transgender bias, using the phrases "natural man" and "natural woman." The list goes on – far beyond the usual Republican talking points on "traditional family values" and even the GOP platforms in other conservative states. And they don't stop with attacking LGBT citizens. They also call for evicting the United Nations from the U.S., requiring drivers' licenses to indicate citizenship, opposing legislation to allow stem cell research, rescinding no-fault divorce laws, reversing Roe v. Wade, and shutting down the U.S. Department of Education. I want to be clear: HRC is a bipartisan organization. We've endorsed Republican candidates for election. So this isn't about party politics – it's about deep intolerance that deserves to be rejected. Sign our petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele – tell him to repudiate this outrageous platform. After you've signed, please spread the word to your friends – LGBT and straight, Republican and Democrat – and help us get the word out. Let's not allow the national Republican Party to hem and haw their way out of this one. Sincerely, Joe Solmonese President P.S. The full platform is available here (PDF). 1. "We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to...custody of children by homosexuals..." [sic] 2. "We support legislation that would make it a felony to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple and for any civil official to perform a marriage ceremony for such." 3. "We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy. " This link is specific to you, so please take action on this campaign before you forward to your friends. Having trouble clicking on the links above? Simply copy and paste this URL into your browser's address bar to fill out and share the survey: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=885

Via JMG: Maddow On Crazy Sharron Angle

GOP Senate nominee Sharron Angle won't talk to the mainstream press about her calls to withdraw from the UN, abolish Social Security, and shut down the EPA. She's also warned of "Second Amendment remedies" if the teabaggers don't come to power in 2010.

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: BREAKING: Supreme Court Rules Names On Referendum 71 Must Be Made Public

The U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled that anti-gay activists in Washington state MUST make public the names on Referendum 71. Protect Marriage wanted to keep the names secret, claiming they feared retribution from "violent homofascists." The ruling (PDF) was 8-1, with Justice Clarence Thomas dissenting.

Justices ruled in a case called Doe V. Reed. They heard oral arguments in Washington, D.C., April 28. The conservative group that tried to block release of the signatures wanted the nation's high court to uphold a lower court ruling that said signing petitions and referendum is constitutionally protected political speech - which by law is OK to engage in anonymously. The group, Protect Marriage Washington, asked justices to shield the names of the 138,000 people who signed Referendum 71 petitions in hopes of overturning the "everything but marriage" same-sex domestic partner law. In November Washington voters upheld the new statute. Gay rights groups have said they'll post the petition signers' names online, and some fear harassment or threats if their names are revealed.

The Court's decision, of course, has far-reaching implications for the transparency of the referendum process and campaign finance laws nationwide. SO SUCK IT, NOM! This is a GREAT day for LGBT Americans and the democratic process. reposted from Joe

Is Homosexuality a Choice?

LGBT Pride Reception - I love my President

Via 365gay: Clinton says State should gay rights in Africa, at home

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told an audience of LGBT State Department workers that she is working to end discrimination against gays and lesbians at home and abroad.

Clinton said, “We reaffirm our commitment to protect and advance the rights of all human beings, of members of the LGBT community around the world.”

“Men and women are harassed, beaten, subjected to sexual violence, even killed, because of who they are and whom they love,” she added. “Some are driven from their homes or countries, and many who become refugees confront new threats in their countries of asylum. In some places, violence against the LGBT community is permitted by law and inflamed by public calls to violence; in others, it persists insidiously behind closed doors.

“These dangers are not “gay” issues. This is a human rights issue.”

make the jump here to read the full article

Via 365gay: Obama inches toward gay agenda

(Washington) President Barack Obama is chipping away at his long list of promises to gay voters but has yet to earn the enthusiastic backing of the reliably Democratic voting bloc.

The Obama White House has accomplished more than any other on gay rights, yet has drawn sharp criticism from an unexpected constituency: the same gay activists who backed the president’s election campaign. Instead of the sweeping change gays and lesbians had sought, a piece-by-piece approach has been the administration’s favored strategy, drawing neither serious fire from conservatives nor lavish praise from activists.

make the jump here to read the full article

Via JMG: Hillary's Deputy Eric Schwartz On Improving LGBT Asylum Requests

U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Eric Schwartz, spoke today about the State Department's attempts to improve the handling of asylum requests by LGBT refugees. Schwartz was speaking at the State Department's LGBT Pride Month reception and this video was posted to their official YouTube channel.



RELATED: Good As You has Secretary Clinton's Pride Month message. An excerpt:

Think about what’s happening to people as we speak today. Men and women are harassed, beaten, subjected to sexual violence, even killed, because of who they are and whom they love. Some are driven from their homes or countries, and many who become refugees confront new threats in their countries of asylum. In some places, violence against the LGBT community is permitted by law and inflamed by public calls to violence; in others, it persists insidiously behind closed doors. These dangers are not “gay” issues. This is a human rights issue. (Applause.) Just as I was very proud to say the obvious more than 15 years ago in Beijing that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights, well, let me say today that human rights are gay rights and gay rights are human rights, once and for all. (Applause.)

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Openly Gay NBC Anchor Thomas Roberts: I Was Never On The Down-Low

In a discussion about the FDA ban on gay blood donations on today's episode of The View, guest moderator D.L. Hughley brought up the issue of black men on the down-low, prompting openly gay NBC anchor Thomas Roberts to reveal that he didn't come out until the age of 27, but never dated men and women at the same time. In 2005 Roberts testified against the priest who had molested him a boy, helping send the man to prison.

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Ten Year-Old Will Phillips To Be Grand Marshal Of Arkansas Pride

Ten year-old Will Phillips, who made national news last year when he refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance until LGBT people have full equality, will be the Grand Marshal of Northwest Arkansas Pride.

"It's wrong for anyone to be treated differently just because of the way they are born," said Phillips, who declares himself as an ambassador for equal rights. Will's name may sound familiar because he was the West Fork student who decided not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance this past fall. Will said he didn't stand because not everyone is being treated equal. He will be the parade's youngest grand marshal ever, but he said age shouldn't make a difference. "Because I'm a person, I may be 10, but I'm a person," said Will. The parade is put on by NMA Pride. They said they are aware Will's age could be an issue, but he's no ordinary 10-year-old. "He's literally the last half of the year been all over the country and spoken to thousands of people," said Jay Phillips, Will's father. NWA Pride also said they market their parade a little differently than some of the other pride parades around the country. "We're not San Francisco, New York, we're pretty much a family affair, so it's pretty safe to be there," said Joney Harper, creator of NWA Pride.

Will's parents are taking a bit of a beating in the comments of the linked newspaper story. Give them a little support if you have a minute.

(Tipped by JMG reader Mark) reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Feds To Expand Leave Policy To Include Caring For Kids Of Same-Sex Partners

Federal employees will soon be allowed to take medical leave to care for the kids of their same-sex partners.

The policy will be set forth in a ruling to be issued Wednesday by the Labor Department’s wage and hour division, the officials said. Under a 1993 law, people who work for a company with 50 or more employees are generally entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or for a spouse, son or daughter with “a serious health condition.” The new ruling indicates that an employee in a same-sex relationship can qualify for leave to care for the child of his or her partner, even if the worker has not legally adopted the child. The ruling, in a formal opinion letter, tackles a question not explicitly addressed in the 1993 law. It is one of many actions taken by the Obama administration to respond to the concerns of gay men and lesbians within the constraints of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman as husband and wife

The new policy was developed with the help of the Human Rights Campaign.reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Constance McMillen Invited To White House LGBT Pride Reception

Lesbian teen Constance McMillen has been invited to join a select group of activists at a White House reception tomorrow to celebrate LGBT Pride Month.

The White House confirmed Friday that Obama will host the event and is expected to deliver brief remarks. After the prom controversy, McMillen said, she faced a hostile environment from her peers and transferred out of her northeast Mississippi school district to a school 200 miles away in Jackson. She said she broke down in tears at the graduation ceremony. "I didn't really want to walk, but I did it for my parents," she said. "My name wasn't on the program." On Friday, McMillen will be the guest of honor at a benefit concert in Woodstock, N.Y., with Spector, best known for her hits with the Ronettes in the early 1960s. The money raised will go toward McMillen's college education and the American Civil Liberties Union's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project and AIDS Project. Two days later, she will be in New York City as one of the grand marshals in the city's gay pride parade. "I'll never get my senior year back," she said. "But the experiences that I have had because of this have really made it a lot easier. It has really helped me."

The White House hasn't released an official list of the invitees, but according to the Washington Blade, most of those attending will be the leaders of state LGBT activist groups.reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Quote Of The Day - Eric Holder

"We have much to celebrate today. In the year since we last gathered, our nation – and the Justice Department – have taken steps to address some of the unique challenges faced by members of our country’s LGBT community. As you all know, up until last fall, there was not a single line in the nearly 225-year history of the U.S. Code that referred explicitly to gender identity. Today, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act – which the President signed into law last October – does just that, finally protecting our nation’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals from the most brutal forms of bias-motivated violence.

In another important development, in April of this year, the Justice Department concluded that the Violence Against Women Act covers, and more importantly protects, same sex partners. And, just several weeks ago, as part of the department’s, and the Administration’s, commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, I announced a new Diversity Management Plan and the appointment of Channing Phillips as Deputy Associate Attorney General for Diversity. With this initiative, and with Channing’s leadership, we’re working to ensure that the Department can effectively recruit, hire, retain, and develop a workforce that reflects our nation’s rich diversity, a Department that welcomes and encourages the contributions of its LGBT employees." - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, speaking to representatives of DOJ Pride and others in recognition of LGBT Pride Month.reposted from Joe

GLEE - Season Finale Performance - "Over the Rainbow"

Via Bilerico: GOALLLLLLL!

Via 365Gay: CNN's Gay In America: Stereotypes Abound & Bigger Picture Ignored

Filed by: Bil Browning

June 20, 2010 7:00 PM

I had a chance to preview CNN's first episode of their new Gay in America series: Gary & Tony Have A Baby. Unlike the multi-hour Black In America extravaganzas, the network has several one hour shows planned to look inside the queer community. BIA host Soledad O'Brien also helms this documentary.

When the press kit arrived, I didn't bother to read the letter or description. The title spoke for itself: two gay guys are having a baby. I wasn't impressed; as a starter topic it's about as original as a documentary on pride. Jerame, however, was excited that the news network was focusing on our community and really wanted to watch it.

Before we popped it into the player, he chastised me for being so pessimistic about the show. As the DVD started to play, I looked at Jerame and made a few predictions. Not only did I nail every one, but the documentary goes so far beyond the usual mass media dreck that GLAAD should issue an action alert about it for perpetuating gay stereotypes.

Continue reading "CNN's Gay In America: Stereotypes Abound & Bigger Picture Ignored" »

Via JMG: Con Edison Celebrates LGBT Pride Week

Sacramento Pride Parade and Festival on the Mall