Sutley appears at confirmation hearing
(Washington) Two top members of President-elect Barack Obama’s environmental team face questions from a Senate committee about the new administration’s plans to deal with global warming, water and air pollution and coal ash.
Lisa Jackson, picked to head the Environmental Protection Agency, and Nancy Sutley, tapped to chair the White House …
Lambda Legal Urges Unbiased Nominees to Fill 54 Federal Bench Vacancies
‘The foremost consideration in nominating federal judges should be their commitment to rendering decisions impartially.’
(New York, January 15, 2009) — As inauguration day draws near, Lambda Legal sent a letter to President-Elect Obama and the leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee, explaining the monumental need for fair and impartial nominees to the federal bench who will address issues facing the gay community without bias.
“In the coming years, a number of key issues that significantly impact the gay community are likely to arise in the federal courts,” said Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart, “The foremost consideration in nominating federal judges should be their commitment to rendering decisions impartially.”
During his two terms, President Bush appointed 326 judges to the federal bench.
“It is no secret that the Bush Administration’s goal was to pack the federal courts at all levels with arch-conservative judges who would be unfriendly to the vigorous protection of civil rights — not only for gay people, but for everyone,” said Cathcart.
“To start, President-Elect Obama will have 54 vacancies to fill and we hope that those nominees can provide balance to what has become a federal system that is often hostile the gay community,” added Cathcart.
Today’s letter is a follow-up to a memo Lambda Legal provided to the Obama Transition Team. It urges President-Elect Obama to nominate federal justices who adhere to precedents established in cases of importance to the gay community- including the right to privacy, protection against laws based on antigay bias, the right to sue in state courts under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and protections against HIV discrimination, among others.
Finally, the letter seeks to promote judicial integrity through nomination of jurists who represent the nation’s diversity including people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, people of color, women, and those with public defender and public interest legal backgrounds.
To read the full text of the letter submitted, please visit Lambda Legal’s website www.lambdalegal.org or the email version of this press release includes an attached PDF of the letter.
| Published by |
 |
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/lambda-legal-…
Gay man to be named to top White House post
The days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama have brought a virtual cascade of LGBT-related political developments: nine new appointments were revealed to be in the works, a gesture was made, and an unexpected skeleton emerged from a completely overlooked archival closet.
Most significant by far, in terms of political importance, are the new appointments, albeit in various stages of being vetted, finalized, and announced.
Openly gay National Zoo Director John Berry is being named to head the Office of Personnel Management. It’s a tad short of the secretary of interior position gay leaders had hoped for but it’s the highest-ranking position ever for an openly gay appointee. The Office of Personnel Management, with more than 5,000 employees and an annual budget of about $1.5 billion, is the hiring agency of the federal government’s 3 million-strong civilian workforce.
See Gay man to be named to top White House post
Bay Area Reporter, CA
| Published by |
|
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/gay-man-to-be…
Gay Former Clinton Aide Lashes Out at Obama Over Warren
It’s becoming clear that while the gay rights movement’s leaders are thrilled with Obama’s invitation to Gene Robinson to join inauguration festivities, lots of its rank and file are still deeply distressed over Rick Warren giving the invocation on Inauguration Day. As a reporter, it’s often tricky figuring out if a movement’s—any movement, from the Christian right to the antiwar left—spokespeople are truly representing whom they claim to speak for.
Without polls, it’s really impossible to know.
But I’m getting more and more angry comments and E-mails from members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community furious with their nominal leaders. This E-mail from a former Clinton White House aide who requested anonymity captures the lingering anger over Warren:
. . . [T]he problem here goes well beyond Warren’s incendiary language equating gay marriage with incest. He is what he is. The greater problem lies in the President-Elect’s cruel calculation that this insult and offense to gay America is acceptable collateral damage for whatever plus he sees in the suck-up to Warren, giving profile and platform to this mega-merchant of discrimination in the first program agenda item during the first official act of his first day in office. I was one of the 12 first-ever openly gay White House staff members to take up work the day following President Clinton’s inauguration. His respect for gay Americans was evident even when setbacks and disappointments slowed the change agenda, and he certainly did not deliberately nor unnecessarily scheme to sell out gay Americans on his first day in office to score points with opponents. Ordinary gay Americans will need to hold this new Administration to the tenets of its campaign and to the idealism of its Inaugural language — and to a fundamental expectation for respect. The Warren invitation remains a disgrace and a blemish on day one of the new Administration. Shame on Obama.
For a lot of LGBT folks, the heartburn over Warren will linger awhile. But what if Obama delivers on a major LGBT political goal in his first term, something like ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” like the president-elect’s spokesman recently promised? It’s hard to imagine the current gay ambivalence over Obama outlasting such a huge advance for the LGBT cause. The reality of policy would quickly overwhelm symbolic concerns.
See Gay Former Clinton Aide Lashes Out at Obama Over Warren
U.S. News & World Report, DC
| Published by |
|
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/gay-former-cl…
Opponents of Kalamazoo city ordinance are fighting a losing battle …
The Kalamazoo City Commission has backed off, at least temporarily, on its new ordinance outlawing discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender individuals.
But even if the commission doesn’t come back with a reworked proposal any time soon, my sense is that ordinance opponents are on the wrong side of history.
The tipping point has been reached on the issue of gay rights. Sure, California voters passed Prop 8 in November. Yes, President-elect Obama is hedging on supporting same-sex marriage. True, the American Family Association of Michigan was able to get 1,300 Kalamazoo residents to sign petitions protesting the new ordinance.
See Opponents of Kalamazoo city ordinance are fighting a losing battle …
MLive.com
| Published by |
|
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/opponents-of-…
Hannity criticized gay Episcopal bishop for “partisan hatred,” but called partisan Rev. Falwell a “very dear friend”
On the January 13 edition of Fox News’ Hannity, Sean Hannity claimed that Rev. Gene Robinson — the openly gay Episcopal bishop from New Hampshire whom President-elect Barack Obama has selected to deliver the invocation at his inauguration kickoff — “bashed President Bush” in a prayer published in GQ magazine. Hannity then stated: “You know, all along, I actually thought pastors were supposed to spread the love of God, not fan the flames of partisan hatred.” However, Hannity did not criticize his frequent guest, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell — whom Hannity called a “very dear friend”– despite Falwell’s history of inflammatory, partisan rhetoric directed at Democrats.
According to the Episcopal Church website, Robinson said he would use some of the prayers that he wrote for GQ — which do not mention Bush by name — in drafting his prayer for the inaugural event. In one prayer, titled “A Prayer for Barack Obama,” reproduced on Boston Globe religion reporter Michael Paulson’s Articles of Faith blog, Robinson wrote in part:
O God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.
Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership, FDR’s courageous boldness and vision, and JFK’s ability to enlist the best efforts of our people.
Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain for these times, not a fierce warrior who knee-jerk reacts to every real or perceived threat.
Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.
But while Hannity criticized Robinson for “partisan” remarks, he frequently hosted Falwell, founder of the conservative Moral Majority and frequent critic of Democrats and progressive positions. Falwell had a history of inflammatory statements about former President Bill and Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton. For example, Falwell publicized, co-financed, and distributed The Clinton Chronicles, a video that contained anti-Clinton allegations of drug trafficking and murder. On the October 22, 2003, episode of CNN’s Crossfire, Falwell said, “I think that we needed Bill Clinton, because we turned our backs on the lord and we needed a bad president to get our attention again.” Falwell also called Hillary Clinton “a bad person with a criminal mind,” and said during the lead-up to the Democratic presidential primary, “I think Hillary would be the worst thing that would ever happen to America.” Falwell also told the Associated Press, “I don’t think anybody doubts that the Republicans have a better record and a better commitment to national security than the Democrats do.”
Despite these and other partisan remarks by Falwell, Hannity devoted an entire broadcast of Hannity & Colmes to Falwell the day after his death, during which he referred to Falwell as “a very dear friend of mine” and said, “He may have misspoke once or twice. But he devoted his life, to his religion.” Before his death, Falwell was frequently a recipient of Hannity’s praise. On the January 24, 2007, broadcast, Hannity discussed filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi’s documentary about evangelical Christians with her and said, “I hope you also capture people like Franklin Graham and the Reverend Falwell. They spend millions of dollars a year to help people in a lot of very positive ways. Did you capture that?” Pelosi responded, “Listen to you. You’re just doing P.R. for them.” Also, during a discussion of children born into poverty on the July 2, 2006, edition of Hannity & Colmes, Hannity cited Falwell as an example of people who are “charitable” and said, “Jerry Falwell has a home for any girl who’s pregnant. He’ll send them to school. He’ll give them free health care if they have their baby.” Hannity also delivered the commencement address at Falwell’s Liberty University in May 2005.
As Media Matters for America noted, Hannity applied a double standard on the January 12 broadcast of his show when he said, “I don’t like the lyrics that refer to women as ‘B’s’ and ‘ho’s,’ and we’ve had many discussions about this,” despite the fact that he previously aired concert footage of rock musician and right-wing activist Ted Nugent calling Obama a “piece of shit” and referring to Hillary Clinton as a “worthless bitch.” After airing the clip, Hannity referred to Nugent as a “friend and frequent guest on the program.”
See Hannity criticized gay Episcopal bishop for “partisan hatred,” but …
Media Matters for America
| Published by |
|
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/hannity-criti…
Burris likely to be seated this week
(Washington) Eager to put the scandal-tainted standoff behind them, Senate Democrats accepted Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate successor on Monday and said they expect to swear in the new Illinois senator this week.
“He is now the senator-designate from Illinois and, as such, will be accorded all the rights …
Gay bishop to kick off Inauguration events
(Washington) Gene Robinson, the Episcopal church’s first gay bishop, will deliver the invocation at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, January 18 – the formal kickoff leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Obama.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the service, including the President-elect.
“It will be an enormous honor to …
Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Inauguration Prayer
New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, a vocal gay rights leader, will open President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration with a prayer on Sunday’s kick-off event at the Lincoln Memorial.
“I am writing to tell you that President-Elect Obama and the Inaugural Committee have invited me to give the invocation at the opening event of the Inaugural Week activities, We are One, to be held at the Lincoln Memorial,” Robinson wrote in an email to friends.
The announcement comes after weeks of outcry from the gay community over Obama’s choice of evangelical, anti-gay pastor Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation.
“It’s important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way,” Robinson said in an interview with the Concord Monitor. “Whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority or, in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters.”
Robinson is the first openly gay diocesan bishop in the Anglican Communion. “God never gets it wrong. The church often takes a long time to get it right. It is a human institution, but one capable of self-correction,” Robinson told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “I believe in my heart that the church got it wrong about homosexuality. There is great excitement in my heart to be living in a time when the church is starting to get it right.”
See Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Inauguration Prayer
| Published by |
|
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/gene-robinson…
Bishop Gene Robinson To Open Inaugural Weekend
The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who was elected the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop in 2003, will deliver the invocation for Sunday’s kickoff inaugural event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Presidential Inaugural Committee said.
President-elect Obama is scheduled to attend the afternoon event, which is free and open to the public.
“The president-elect has respect for the Rt. Rev. Robinson, who offered his advice and counsel over the past couple of years,” an inaugural official said. “It also has the benefit of further reinforcing our commitment to an open and inclusive inaugural.”
Many of Obama’s supporters were furious at the choice of Rick Warren, the evangelical pastor and best-selling author, to deliver the invocation at the swearing-in ceremony.
An Obama source said: “Robinson was in the plans before the complaints about Rick Warren. Many skeptics will read this as a direct reaction to the Warren criticism – but it’s just not so.”
| Published by |
|
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/bishop-gene-r…
