28 posts tagged “equal rights”

As of now Florida does not legally protect its gay citizens. For those of you that might regularly check in with my blog from time to time, this is nothing new. For those of you who might have stumbled across this posting here, it's important for you to know why gay rights and protections are of ultimate importance. Please follow this link to a short video of Eric Breidenbaugh, of Florida, and try to put yourself in his shoes as he tried to get information on his partner's whereabouts after an aircraft "incident". Just try to imagine if your loved one was missing.

Please spread the word to those who live and vote in Florida: vote "No" this November on a Florida State constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and unions. Take this fight a step further by clicking on the following link and joining HRC, Human Rights Campaign. You can donate money or volunteer your time. Most importantly, just vote "No" in November.

Have you gotten wind of this yet? A radio station, in of all places West Virginia, gave away a free legitimate divorce for a Valentine's Day promotion.

Social conservatives are often outraged by the thought of gay marriage and blame gay-rights as a threat to the sanctity of this institution. The true threat to traditional marriage is the straight community and their nonchalant attitude; marriage isn't taken seriously anymore by many people. It is evident in all aspects of our culture from reality TV shows, to Vegas style nuptials and even to radio stations promoting divorce.

It seems that you can't escape reality TV these days, especially during the peak of the writers' strike. You don't have to be a fan to have noticed that there are television programs that actually promote the union of two strangers, in the short time period between the first episode and the season finale -- literally only a couple of months.

Then there are those that run off to Vegas and sign on the dotted line while in a drunken stupor. Even celebrities are in on the fun. Remember when Britney Spears married a long-time friend on a whim? I think it was for only a matter of hours.

Well, now here is the next insult to the sacred institution of marriage. I'll even give you a hint. It has nothing to do with two loving committed people of the same gender wanting to make a spiritual and legal commitment to each other. The threat once again comes from the straight community itself.

In the conservative southern state of West Virginia, a radio station gave away a free divorce for a situation "where maybe you despise your spouse and resent the entire day." This is according to Jay Nunley, the Program Director of WKLC-FM, referring to Valentine's Day. He spoke of giving away concert tickets in place of the divorce. "That's going to make you happy for a little while. This is the chance to make someone happy for the rest of their life."

The threat to marriage doesn't come from anyone in the gay community wanting to legalize or legitimize their unions. It comes directly from those who have the legal right to marry; the institution of marriage has turned into a trivial game, easily entered and easily escaped. One thing is for sure, those of us fighting for equal treatment under the law wouldn't take this American right for granted.

Broward County, home of Fort Lauderdale, a large gay tourist destination, passed an amendment this afternoon to include gender identity in its human rights ordinance. Broward County is now one of only a dozen municipalities in the state of Florida to have banned discrimination based on gender identity.

The amendment provides for workplace and housing protections, as well as public accommodations for transgendered people. It also makes harassment illegal, against gay or straight people that do not fit traditional stereotypes.

Just as Florida begins to grapple with a November ballot initiative against gay marriage or unions, Broward County proves to be a progressive pocket in the state. Congratulations to the fair-minded commissioners who were part of this movement and also to the citizens of Broward County.

Charlotte Robinson, gay-marriage activist and Emmy Award winning producer and director, formerly of CBS and ABC news, discusses her new pro-gay-marriage film with conservative talk show host, Tom Fredriksen of Old Glory Radio. Charlotte's short film, can be seen at OUTTAKEonline.com.

The radio interview aired yesterday, February 7, 2008. It was rather civil and productive, with host Tom Fredriksen allowing Charlotte to educate his conservative listeners on the topic of gay-marriage. If you haven't already listened to the interview, click on the podcast player above. It is a surprisingly comfortable exchange.

Click on the podcast player below, to hear listener reaction to yesterday's interview with Charlotte Robinson. I must say, the host, Tom Fredriksen was very impressive.

As our country continues to be divided about extending equal rights to its gay citizens, individual states are attempting to figure out where they stand on the issue. As one state progresses forward, another sinks deeper into the abyss of the dark ages.

Oregon was the latest to offer some type of protection for its gay community. The state finally extended a domestic partnership law after it was held up in court for a short period of time. Just this Monday, same-sex couples were able to legally apply for domestic partnership. This move provides gay couples with many of the responsibilities and benefits of marriage, but not all.

How can anyone reconcile that in their hearts and in their heads? Yes, it's a step in the right direction but the new law does not treat gay people as equal. Why only provide for some of the duties and protections of marriage, and not all? The mind-set in that logic is blatantly discriminatory.

Meanwhile, New York's appellate court decided it must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages as equal to its recognition of heterosexual marriages. A court challenge, by a Canadian lesbian couple, led to this ruling. The lawsuit began when one of the women was denied health care benefits by her partner's employer. Because the two had entered into a civil union in the state of Vermont many years earlier, the court ruled they must be treated as any married couple.

The New York Times reported that the court concluded that gay marriages meet the state's "marriage recognition rule". The court said, “In our view, the Court of Appeals thereby indicated that the recognition of plaintiff’s marriage is not against the public policy of New York.”

Again this is a step in the right direction, but when and how does this ruling begin to apply to the other thousands of gay couples in the state? Of all states, New York has been slow to move on this issue; in the greater context of things this doesn't make too much sense. I'm confident, however, that it will only be a matter of time until the state makes things right, but it should have led the movement, not followed.

And now, as I've pointed out several times recently, Florida is on the verge of going in the opposite direction. This November the state will vote on whether to ban all forms of gay marriages and unions. The gay community needs its state representatives to lead on this issue. It has been rumored that Florida Governor, Charlie Crist, is against this proposed measure. If that is the case, then will he stand up for us? He is a very popular Governor with about 70% approval. He and others should speak out against the proposed amendment.

It can be defeated but only if we work to defeat it. The most important thing you can do as a Florida voter is to VOTE! And, don't forget to spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors.

You can also join the fight by checking out and joining these organizations: Fairness For All Families, Equality Florida, and Human Rights Campaign Fund

This message was issued to LGBT Americans last night by Hillary Clinton, concerning her commitment to LGBT civil rights.

As I have traveled around the country these past twelve months, what I sensed in my heart has been confirmed – America is embracing its LGBT sons and daughters with an acceptance and understanding as never before. On the campaign trail, a father of a gay son will ask about ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A woman will ask why she can be discriminated against just because of who she is. Sometimes they wait furtively for the crowd to thin and then whisper their confidences in a soft voice and sometimes they stand up proudly at town meetings and want me to share my views on how I will help lead the change to assure that this country fulfills its promise to everyone.

Let me tell you what I have been telling voters across America. I am fully committed to the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans. For seven long years, the Bush Administration has tried to divide us - only seeing people who matter to them. It's been a government of the few, by the few, and for the few. And no community has been more invisible to this administration than the LGBT community.

I will change that. The best evidence of what I will do as President is what I have already done.

I am proud of my record as First Lady, as a U.S. Senator and as a candidate for President in working toward the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans.

I am proud that as Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee in 2006, I worked closely with LBGT community to develop a smart strategy that defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment. I am proud of fighting the FMA as divisive wedge politics at its worst.

I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act which would grant the same benefits (including health insurance) to domestic partners of federal employees that are currently offered to employees' legal spouses.

I am proud to have authored the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV, and fought to fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act.

I am proud that I hired a National Director of LGBT Outreach within a month of announcing my candidacy for President and to have openly gay and lesbian staffers serving at all levels of my campaign.

I am proud to have a National LGBT Steering Committee of over 130 that includes openly LGBT elected officials, Board members and opinion leaders on issues ranging from transgender rights, to HIV/AIDS, to "Don't Ask Don't Tell".

I am proud to have marched in Gay Pride parades as both First Lady and as Senator and to have spoken in front of so many LGBT audiences ranging from the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

I am proud to have fought Republican efforts to demonize and marginalize the LGBT community, and I will continue to do that as President.

We have so much work to do. When I am President, we will work together to make sure that all Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits and that nothing stands in the way of loving couples who want to adopt children in need. We're going to expand our federal hate crimes legislation and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and assure that they are both fully inclusive of all people. And finally, we will put an end to the failed policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice - the traits that define our men and women in uniform - have nothing to do with sexual orientation.

My father was a conservative Republican, who held very traditional views for much of his life. Yet in his last years, it was a gay couple who lived next door who provided much of the compassion and comfort he and my mother needed as he grew ill. And it was that same neighbor who held his hand as he died. If my father can move, America can move.

To each and every LGBT American, I say this. You have done so much to help this country understand your lives by simply being open and honest about who you are and living your lives with dignity. Thank you for your courage. It is time that we recognize your hard work. I know that this country is ready for changes in the law that reflect the evolution in our hearts.

America deserves a President who appeals to the best in each of us, not the worst; a President who values and respects all Americans and treats all Americans equally no matter who they are or who they love. I want to be that President. I want to be your President.

Editorial Note: With Florida considering a state constitutional amendment to ban gay unions and gay marriage in November, I thought this earlier post from September, was worth posting again. In this piece, I try to clearly explain what the big deal is for those opposing gay marriage vs. those supporting it. As time gets closer to the November election, I will probably post it again. Please feel free to share this with other people who might not understand what the fuss is all about.

Original Post:
It’s no secret to most of us that many mainstream denominations are against gay marriage. But are you aware that many mainstream religions actively spend money to lobby Congress, in an effort, to deny the gay community its basic legal rights?

For decades religion has had a presence in Washington, D.C. Most faiths are represented, including: Catholics, Southern Baptists, United Methodists, Reform Jews and Quakers, just to name a few. Some of these lobbyist groups serve as the voice for individual denominations, while others represent a larger body of associations. Religious lobbyist groups concern themselves with issues ranging from loosening immigration policy, to anti-abortion measures and of course, working against gay rights.

Many of the religious lobbyists have exerted their power to help push the passage of positive and important legislation, such as civil rights in the 1960s, ending the Vietnam War in the 1970s, and the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. However, over the last decade or so, there has been an enormous uprising against the gay community by many of these organizations. We have also seen the emergence of groups like The Christian Coalition, The Family Research Council, and the American Family Association all of which work to decry anything they deem to be “immoral”, including or especially, homosexuality.

The groups working to “save the institution of marriage” are not only attempting to claim the word, marriage, as their own, but are also attempting to deny the gay community their basic legal rights, as Americans. Not all of the religious lobbying groups are anti-gay. Episcopalians and The United Methodists, for instance, are known to be gay-friendly.

The fight in the gay community isn’t about faith, or religious belief; it’s about having legal and equal protection under the law. Let me be clear, it’s about legal rights, not religious beliefs! This is very important. In the larger picture, one truly has nothing to do with the other. The only binding force between the two is the word, “marriage”.

By denying legal and equal protection to the gay community, the law is denying hospital visitation, inheritance rights of property, and adoption of children to long-term same-sex couples.

So if as an example, I were to be on my death-bed at the hospital and my doctor told everyone to leave the room except my family, my partner of more than nine years would have to leave. He would legally be denied the right to hold my hand and comfort me through my final hours. Then after my death, my half of the home we both share (financially, domestically and spiritually) would be inherited by my next of kin. If my kin wanted to liquidate their share, then they could force my partner to sell his own house.

Granted, there are ways to legally protect property through the terms in a will, as well as the terms on a property deed. However, paying to protect one’s self through a legal contract does not guarantee that the legal contract won’t be contested in a court of law (and many have been). Also, drawing-up legal contracts is costly, often ranging into the thousands of dollars; whereas, if one were able to marry his/her same-sex partner these protections would simply be afforded to them like any other married heterosexual couple. It would be automatic protection, under the law.

Remember, these powerful religious lobbying organizations operate tax-free under the federal law. So, before the next time you or your church-going loved ones tithe, ask questions and do some light investigative work because your money could very well be going to deny yourself, or your family and friends their legal rights.

Below is an example of how giving money in church funnels its way to work against the gay community. Please understand that this example IS an accurate path that church money takes; however in all fairness, the Southern Baptist Convention is NOT THE ONLY group to lobby against gay rights. Click on the chart below to enlarge it.

I have written several times before on this topic; and, unfortunately, it has now come to be. Florida will decide in November 2008 if the gay community, and others, in the state will permanently be banned from every form of civil union or gay marriage. The anti-gay group, collecting signatures supporting an amendment to Florida's constitution, collected enough support to get their anti-gay marriage proposal on the ballot in the fall.

If passed by Florida voters, the amendment will affect all unmarried Floridians not just those of us in the gay community. Many from the straight community, including seniors, firefighters, teachers and police officers living together for financial purposes, will also be impacted by this.

The most important thing we can do is to spread the word and ask all of those who love and support us, to vote "NO" on the proposed Florida state constitutional amendment known as the so called "Marriage Protection Act". Equality Florida, a non-profit group seeking equality and justice for Florida's gay community, suggested talking to your circle of influence, stepping outside of your comfort zones and engaging the people in your neighborhoods and the places where you shop. We must not allow this kind of inequality to be permanently written into the state's constitution.

Two laws and a court decision already prevent gays in Florida from marrying. Why do we now have to write this into the constitution? If it succeeds in passing, our relationships will never be legally recognized. We will be legally prevented from visiting our life-partners in the hospital; we will be in jeopardy of losing our own homes upon the deaths of our partners; our children will be legally prevented from visiting a gay parent with whom they grew up in the event of a separation. And, the list goes on.

How does giving our community legal protection threaten traditional marriage? By not legally recognizing our relationships, the law would in effect, promote a lack of commitment and responsibility to each other. The law actually encourages us not to be faithful to each other. Why would Floridians and our government support that? This anti-gay group is attempting to mislead fair-minded citizens in the state. Their message is all about religion and fear. Since Massachusetts enacted gay marriage many years ago, heterosexual marriage hasn't collapsed. It won't anywhere else either.

Please join me by helping to defeat this ignorant and hurtful proposal in November. You can help by voting "NO", by spreading the word to other Floridians, by volunteering or contributing to organizations working for true equality. You can learn more by linking to these websites: Equality Florida and Fairness For All Families.

You can also read my other postings on this topic by clicking on any of these links here: Florida Gay-Rights Supporters Beware; Gay Floridians Still in Harm's Way; Attention Florida Voters: We Need Your Help; Religion & Politics: A Match Made In Heaven?

Yesterday the City of Miami voted to amend the Miami Charter to include a Citizens' Bill of Rights. The amendment was proposed by City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. This Bill of Rights will guarantee many of the rights already included in the U.S. Constitution, but will also add a few extras. The amendment will protect rights related to religion and conscience, speech, assembly and press, unreasonable searches and seizures, nondiscrimination, environmental protection, natural resources and scenic beauty.

The key word for Miami's gay community is, nondiscrimination. The referendum was developed, in part, with the intention of passing a city ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. The gay community in the City of Miami will soon have similar protections as those in the City of Miami Beach.

My partner and I registered as domestic partners with the City of Miami Beach several years ago; this basically provides for hospital and jail visitation while within city limits, whether you reside there or not. The new amendment in the City of Miami promises to go a step further.

It has also been reported that the new Bill of Rights will provide for civil unions, giving gays, lesbians and the transgendered the same rights as legally married couples.

Promises are sometimes broken, so time will tell how these rights finally shake out. There is no word yet on when we should expect to see these changes; none-the-less, this is an exciting step in the right direction.

As many of you know today is Primary election day in Florida. There are several groups out today, working the polling places. One group is attempting to get additional signatures for an anti-gay marriage amendment. If this group is successful, a proposed change in Florida's constitution will appear on the November 2008 ballot. If passed this amendment will forever write anti-gay rights discrimination into the state's constitution, prohibiting any form of gay union in the future. For more details please read my earlier post by clicking here: Gay Floridians Still in Harm's Way

A couple of other groups are working the polls today as well; these other groups are pro-gay rights. They are attempting to educate voters on what the proposed amendment will mean for our community as well as others in the state of Florida. They are asking voters not to sign the petition for the proposed amendment.

A friend of mine, just came from voting this morning and told me that he was asked to sign a petition to keep the proposed amendment off of the November ballot. He was confused and did not sign it. I am not aware of any pro-gay rights groups collecting signatures. This does not mean that they are not. It could be that my friend was confused or it could be that the person collecting signatures was misrepresenting herself. I'm not sure.

But I have a strong warning for those in Florida today -- please do not sign anything that you do not fully understand. Unless it very clearly states on the petition that you want to keep the measure off of the November ballot, I urge you not to sign it.

Please spread the word to all of your Floridian loved ones that want to support you and your gay-rights.