Serbia passes anti- discrimination law

By one vote, Parliament bans discrimination on “race, religion, sexual orientation or gender”

Serbia passes anti- discrimination law

By one vote, Parliament bans discrimination on “race, religion, sexual orientation or gender”

Serbian lawmakers pass anti-discrimination law

(Belgrade, Serbia) Serbian lawmakers narrowly gave final approval Thursday to an anti-discrimination law that is part of pro-Western reforms but was strongly opposed by the Serbian Orthodox Church and other conservatives.

Parliament passed the bill with a slim majority of 127 votes in favor to 59 against – one more vote …

Wage ‘all-out war’ vs discrimination, LGBT group urges AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is being challenged to “wage an all out war” against discrimination, particularly on lesbians and gays, a group said Sunday.

In a statement, Project Equality, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights network in the Philippines, challenged the AFP to “wage” the “war” after the declaration that military service is open to gays and lesbians.

“We welcome the statements made by top military officials declaring that lesbians and gays are now accepted in the military. However, this is not insufficient. There has to be a concrete and comprehensive non-discrimination policy in the military,” Project Equality spokesperson Jonas Bagas was quoted as saying.

“There has to be a clear policy explicitly stating that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, can join the military provided that they qualify for military service,” Bagas said.

Project Equality also urged the AFP to address other forms of discrimination within the AFP, particularly discrimination once gays and lesbians enter into service.

“Once inside, LGBT soldiers can encounter other forms of discrimination and abuse. That, too, should be prohibited,” Bagas added.

“The military is a macho establishment. Hearing pro-LGBT statements from its officials may be refreshing, but they cannot hide the strong anti-LGBT sentiment in the military,” Bagas said.

The LGBT group also urged AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano to introduce anti-discrimination reforms in the military if they are “truly serious” with its pro-LGBT stance.

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/wage-all-out-…

Agencies split on gay adoption rules

Anti-discrimination laws prompt protest, some cooperation from religious-based orgs.

Bigots file Petions to strike down new gay-rights ordinance – Is hate a family value in Kalamazoo?

KALAMAZOO – Petitions seeking the repeal of a newly adopted city ordinance that extends discrimination protections to gays and lesbians in Kalamazoo have been filed.

City Clerk Scott Borling said former city commissioner and current Kalamazoo County Treasurer Mary Balkema officially turned over 189 pages of petitions that circulators said contained about 1,600 signatures.

Due to the New Year’s Day holiday Thursday, Borling said certification of those signatures will begin Friday.

Borling expects the process to extend into next week before it is officially determined that the petitions contain at least 1,273 signatures, the minimum Borling said are necessary to trigger reconsideration of the anti-discrimination ordinance.

Under the charter, if sufficient signatures are certified next week, the ordinance is immediately suspended and the Kalamazoo City Commission must either repeal the entire ordinance or put it on the ballot for city voters to decide.

That action must occur at the commission’s next business meeting, which would be Jan. 26.

The current ordinance expands existing housing and employment protections to include gays, lesbians and transgender individuals, protected classes that are not currently included in existing state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

See Petitions filed Wednesday in opposition of new Kalamazoo gay …
Kalamazoo Gazette – MLive.com, MI

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/bigots-file-p…

Agencies split on gay adoption rules

Anti-discrimination laws prompt protest, some cooperation from religious-based orgs.

CONGRESSMAN FRANK BASTS OBAMA’s CHOICE OF RICK WARREN TO GIVE INAUGURATION INVOCATION

“I am very disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama’s decision to honor Reverend Rick Warren with a prominent role in his inauguration. Religious leaders obviously have every right to speak out in opposition to anti-discrimination measures, even in the degrading terms that Rev. Warren has used with regard to same-sex marriage. But that does not confer upon them the right to a place of honor in the inauguration ceremony of a president whose stated commitment to LGBT rights won him the strong support of the great majority of those who support that cause.
“It is irrelevant that Rev. Warren invited Senator Obama to address his congregation, since he extended an equal invitation to Senator McCain. Furthermore, the President-Elect has not simply invited Rev. Warren to give a speech as part of a series in which various views are presented. The selection of a member of the clergy to occupy this uniquely elevated position has always been considered a mark of respect and approval by those who are being inaugurated.”
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