Okla. conservatives debate divorce legislation
(Oklahoma City) Touching on a sensitive issue among conservatives nationwide, the Republican-controlled Oklahoma Legislature is embroiled in a dispute over whether lawmakers should remain focused on the state’s budget problems and other fiscal priorities or delve into family issues, especially the state’s chronically high divorce rate.
Republican members proposed three pieces …
Iowa says ‘no’ to marriage repeal
A Des Moines Register poll found that lawmakers shouldn’t discuss same-sex marriage, 62-36.
Lawmakers urge end to gay immigration discrimination
A group of 60 senators and representatives, led by U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., signed a letter urging President Barack Obama and members of Congress to end discrimination against LGBT immigrant families.
The letter states, “tens of thousands of binational families are either already living separately, face imminent separation, or have …
Obama to address gays in military at State of the Union
(Washington) Barack Obama’s State of the Union address is expected to cross a spectrum of issues, including gays in the military.
Obama has promised to lift the ban on gays serving openly, and several lawmakers support a repeal of the law. But some senior military advisers and members of Congress have …
US lawmakers condemn anti-gay Uganda legislation
Five Republican House members are urging the president of Uganda to oppose a proposed law that would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans. The lawmakers say they are all men of faith, and that the bill is antithetical to the Christian belief of “inherent dignity and worth” of …
Mexico City lawmakers make the city the first in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage
Mexico City lawmakers on Monday made the city the first in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, a change that will give homosexual couples more rights, including allowing them to adopt children. The bill passed the capital’s local assembly 39-20 to the cheers of supporters who yelled: “Yes, we could! …
Lambda Legal files suit to prevent Ariz. from stripping domestic partner benefits
From Lambda Legal:
(Tuscon, Ariz.) Lambda Legal has filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Tucson to block a move to strip domestic partner benefits from gay and lesbian state employees. Arizona lawmakers included a provision stripping domestic partner health benefits from state employees as part of a last-minute …
NY court hears case against gay marriage benefits
(Albany, NY) A Christian legal group seeking to stop New York agencies from recognizing same-sex marriages performed outside the state argued in the state’s highest court Tuesday that the practice amounts to a policy decision that requires approval by lawmakers.
Attorney Brian Raum told state Court of Appeals judges that a …
AZ eliminates gay partner ben’s
AZ lawmakers repealed same-sex partner benefits for state employees citing budget concerns.
Human Rights Campaign Calls on the LGBT Community and Allies to Participate in National, Grassroots Push to Lobby Congress Face-to-Face
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today launched a national, grassroots campaign called “No Excuses” to demand action from Congress on key issues of equality. Designed to take advantage of the congressional summer recess, when members are in their local offices and meeting with constituents, “No Excuses” will mobilize HRC’s 750,000 members and their allies to meet directly with lawmakers and push for federal legislative change. Members and supporters can get involved by visiting: http://noexcuses.hrc.org.
“While we salute and acknowledge the heroic members of Congress who have worked tirelessly on our behalf, far too many have dragged their feet on basic matters of fairness and equality that have lingered too long and hurt too many LGBT people and their families,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Yes, there are many challenges facing this Congress and this president. But LGBT people often face additional hardship protecting their families, their loved ones and their jobs, and too few in Congress are willing to champion these issues of basic fairness. Now, more than ever, members of the LGBT community need to make their voices heard face-to-face and in the districts where they live.”
Using innovative online tools, one-on-one trainings and staff and volunteer follow-through, HRC members will press lawmakers to end discrimination in the military, treat all legally married couples equally, pass immigration reform that recognizes and honors LGBT families, outlaw workplace discrimination for LGBT employees, and treat all federal employees’ compensation equally.
The interactive “No Excuses” website allows supporters to download a meeting toolkit, schedule a meeting and report back on how it went. To take action, visit: http://noexcuses.hrc.org.
The in-district meetings will focus on the following key legislative priorities in the 111th Congress:
–Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies legally married lesbian and gay couples more than 1,000 federal protections;
–Prohibit workplace discrimination for the LGBT community by passing an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA);
–Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to ensure that service members who contribute to our nation’s security are no longer summarily discharged for who they are;
–Pass immigration reform that recognizes permanent same-sex couples and ends the painful separation of families;
–And provide health benefits equally to the nearly 3 million federal government employees, including same-sex domestic partners.
| Published by |
 |
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/human-rights-…
