The census is not necessarily the topic you’ve been waiting to hear about, I know, but bear with me for a moment.
It’s coming up in March or April, and while it’s supposed to be an accurate count of everyone in the country, there’s no question that asks if someone is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
This is a huge problem. The data collected has a direct impact on issues that are critical to every American–issues like health care, economic stability, safety. And when LGBT people are not counted, individuals, families, and communities suffer.
The good news is that we can change this. Show your support of a census that counts everyone–say it right on your census envelope with your free Queer the Census sticker! And make sure to sign the petition telling the Census Bureau to make sure everyone is counted.
http://act.credoaction.com/sticker/queerthecensus?r_by=-2551005-fe3f12x&rc=taf.stickers
Hey Representative Carter, didja see this? Autumn over at Pam’s House Blend calls your attention to this New York Times article:
New Impetus for Bill Banning Anti-Gay Bias at Work
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 27, 2009
Filed at 2:59 p.m. ET
Momentum is building for Congress to pass the first major civil rights act protecting gays and transsexuals, supporters say, and one of the stars in the debate is a barrier-breaking transgender staffer on Capitol Hill.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, would prohibit workplace discrimination — including decisions about hiring, firing and wages — based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It would exempt religious organizations, the military and businesses with less than 15 workers.
The driving force behind the bill has been Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., the longest-serving of the three openly gay members of Congress. He expects hearings on the measure to be held this fall.
More at NY Times
(08-27) 14:57 PDT SAN FRANCISCO — Lesbian rights pioneer Del Martin, whose trailblazing activism spanned more than five decades, most recently in the battle for same-sex marriage, died Wednesday, just two months after she made history again by wedding her longtime partner in San Francisco City Hall.
SFGate.com
Check out the list of tributes to Del posted over at Pam’s House Blend.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE CIVIL MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Governor Eliot Spitzer and Lieutenant Governor David Paterson today submitted legislation to create civil marriage equality for all New Yorkers. This historic legislation would establish equal responsibilities, recognition, benefits and protections for all married couples. The bill would additionally stipulate that no clergy member or religious institution should be compelled to perform any same-sex marriage ceremony.
Under current law, partners unable to enter into a civil marriage — and their children — lack legal protections taken for granted by married couples. In such areas as property ownership, inheritance, health care, hospital visitation, taxation, insurance coverage, child custody and pension benefits, married couples receive important safeguards against the loss or injury of a spouse, and crucial insurance against legal intrusion into marital privacy.
“This legislation would create equal legal protection and responsibilities for all individuals who seek to marry or have their marriage protected in the State of New York,” said Governor Spitzer. “Strong, stable families are the cornerstones of our society. The responsibilities inherent in the institution of marriage benefit those individuals and society as a whole.”
“This bill guarantees that the inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness will be protected equally for all individuals in the State of New York,” said Lieutenant Governor David Paterson. “This is an important step in the fight for civil rights for all people.”
NY.gov
Update: N.H. Lawmakers Approve Civil Unions
The measure was approved along party lines in the Senate today with 14 Democrats voting for it and 10 Republicans voting against it.
Washington Post
By Anthony Faiola
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 26, 2007; Page A01
HART’S LOCATION, N.H. — The champagne is on ice at the Notchland Inn on Route 302. Proprietors and longtime partners Ed and Les are ready to raise their glasses to New Hampshire later today, when the state is set to pass a broad civil union bill granting gay and lesbian couples virtually all the same legal rights as married heterosexuals.
Supporters and opponents of the measure agree that it will be approved, and last week Gov. John Lynch, a moderate Democrat, said he will sign it. When he does, it will make New England the first region to have every state granting a measure of legal rights to same-sex couples. Even as the bulk of the country has passed constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, New England has stubbornly gone its own way.
Washington Post
Isn’t it ironic that New England, the home of Puritanism, would be the most progressive region of the country when it comes to marriage equality?
Gay Marriage Bill Advances In Connecticut
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: April 13, 2007 – 11:00 am ET
(Hartford, Connecticut) A bill to legalize same-sex marriage is headed to a vote in the Connecticut House of Representatives, but if the measure passes both houses it is likely to suffer the same fate as similar legislation in California – a veto.
The Judiciary Committee voted 26 – 15 Thursday to send the bill to the floor of the House for a vote.
365Gay.com
By Gina Keating
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Walt Disney Co. has changed its policy to allow same-sex couples to participate in a popular Fairy Tale Wedding program it runs mainly at its two U.S. resorts and cruise line, a Disney spokesman said on Thursday.
Disney previously had allowed gay couples to organize their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at rented meeting rooms at the resorts, but had barred them from purchasing its Fairy Tale Wedding package and holding the event at locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World that are set aside specifically for weddings.
“We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies,” Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said. “This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests.”
Walker said the change was prompted by “an inquiry from a guest that asked about this service.”
Reuters
I got an email from my sister-in-law this morning…
We went to a political function a few weeks back and a woman was walking around getting signatures for a petition something to do with rights of gay partners. Harry out loud made a comment his brother was gay and he could not sign or support their cause. It was so cool Steve. I was proud of him. I know it’s not a big deal but to me it was.
Thanks Harry.
FMA Backers: No New Attempt To Revive Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment In New Congress
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 22, 2007 – 1:00 pm ET
(Washington) The two leading advocates of amending the US Constitution to ban same-sex marriage say they have no plans to make a third try to advance the proposal.
Sen. Wayne Allard and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, both Colorado Republicans, were the sponsors of the proposed amendment that failed to get enough votes to advance in either 2004 or 2006 when Republicans dominated both houses of Congress.
With Democrats now in Control Republicans believe there is even less probability of passage.
“If we thought there was a decent chance to bring it to the floor for debate, I would, but with the new Congress, I’m not sure we will ever have that opportunity,” Allard told the Pueblo Colorado Chieftain.
Musgrave’s spokesman, said the congresswoman would not introduce the legislation this year, the paper reported.
365Gay.com
Mexican state near Texas passes gay union law
Reuters
Thursday, January 11, 2007; 11:35 PM
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The northern state of Coahuila, a mining and ranching region south of Texas, approved gay civil union on Thursday, becoming the second area in Mexico to give legal status to homosexual partnerships.
Legislators in the state Congress voted 20-13 for a bill that gives gays greater rights than a similar law backed by Mexico City last November.
Washington Post
Rights Group Names Best LGBT Workplaces
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 9, 2007 – 5:00 pm ET
(Washington) A record 142 major companies made this year’s Best Places To Work List put out by the Human Rights Campaign. The number is an increase of 41 over 2005.
HRC publishes the list annually. All 142 companies this year attained a perfect score on the organization’s Corporate Equality Index, which measures policies and practices implemented to promote fairness and equality in the workplace for LGBT employees.
“This is our version of the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval’ showing that these 142 companies have a philosophy of inclusion and are committed to fairness and equality for all Americans,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
365Gay.com
You can see the full list of the top companies that support equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees at HRC’s web site. IBM made the list, which is based on the HRC annual report, the Corporate Equality Index that rates corporate America’s treatment of GLBT employees, by acheiving a perfect CEI score. More than 140 companies received a perfect score this year, demonstrating their commitment to equality.
