Prop 8 in court today: Stop Ken Starr from divorcing loving couples!

This morning, before the California Supreme Court, Ken Starr will argue for the forcible divorce of 18,000 loving same-sex couples who married before Proposition 8 passed.
Starr has said the marriage ban should stand because of the state’s role in protecting the welfare of children.

The hypocrisy of “protecting” children by divorcing their parents is unconscionable. Yet this is just one in a parade of outrageous lies by right-wing extremists.

So HRC is launching a new campaign to expose this dishonest fear-mongering against equality – to counteract the lies with respectful dialogue and grassroots action.

Sign our first petition at EndtheLies.org – Tell Ken Starr to stop using lies about child “welfare” to divorce loving parents.

Since it’s no longer as acceptable to display open bigotry against LGBT people, the right-wing has resorted to lies and fear tactics. Take Ken Starr’s statement that same-sex marriage amounts to “seizing and hijacking the marriage relationship in order to achieve apartheid-type values.”
HRC’s EndtheLies.org campaign will help us combat these untruths in the media, in Congress, in our statehouses, schools, workplaces and faith communities. And that will be key during the brewing battle over hate crimes legislation – which the right-wing is already trying to drag into the gutter.

They say that hate crimes laws will criminalize pastors and “do away with our freedom of speech.”

They spent millions during the Prop. 8 campaign telling Californians that marriage equality was corrupting schoolchildren and eroding their “moral character.”

They’re running absurd ads that suggest transgender anti-discrimination measures will lead to men attacking women and girls in public restrooms.
We’ve exposed dozens more outrages at EndtheLies.org – check it out and sign our Ken Starr petition today.

Right-wing extremists will keep spreading these lies as long as no one holds them accountable. They will continue to raise money hand-over-fist and use lies to block hate crime and workplace protections, marriage equality, HIV/AIDS funding, and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
That’s why YOUR action is so critical. These lies aren’t just offensive – they stand in the way of basic fairness and equality.

EndtheLies – starting with Ken Starr’s!

Last night, HRC joined with other groups to sponsor Marriage Equality USA’s “Eve of Justice” vigils across California. Today, hundreds of protestors will gather outside the courthouse in San Francisco during the oral arguments. The court will issue a ruling within 90 days. This is one of those rare moments in our movement when we can shine a light and change hearts and minds – please spread the word to family and friends.
Warmly,

Joe Solmonese, HRC President

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Lloyds TSB Tops List of Britain’s Gay-Friendly Employers

tonewall published its Top 100 Employers 2009, showcasing Britain’s best employers for gay staff. It names Lloyds TSB as the best place to work in 2009 for lesbian and gay people. In second place is Hampshire Constabulary, and Brighton & Hove City Council comes third.

The Home Office wins the award for Employee Network Group of the Year and law firm Simmons & Simmons is named Most Improved Employer.

The index is based on a range of key indicators that this year included the largest ever survey of lesbian and gay employees, with almost 7,000 participants. This consistently revealed staff satisfaction levels were highest at the top ranking organizations in the index. Gay staff working at the top 25 workplaces reported a satisfaction level almost 10 percent higher than workplaces outside the top 100. Staff members were also more likely to disclose their sexual orientation in monitoring exercises at the highest-ranking organizations.

Lloyds TSB was the Most Improved Employer in Stonewall’s 2007 Index and ranked in the top 10 gay-friendly employers last year. Their journey and progress reflects how effective a proactive diversity strategy can be when implemented.

“This was our most competitive index to date,” said Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive. “We received more entries than ever before from employers who have taken heed of recent Stonewall research which found that gay people are far more likely to buy goods or services from companies they know are gay-friendly. The Index is a powerful tool used by Britain’s 1.7 million gay employees and 150,000 gay university students to decide where to take their talent and skills.” See Lloyds TSB Tops List of Britain’s Gay-Friendly Employers
Talent Management, CA