Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

LGBT Victories of the Past Year

I’m happy to welcome this guest blog post by Stephan Maldonado, of Social Work License Map, that celebrates some of the achievements for the LGBT community in the past year.

Thanks to Stephan for sharing.  Make sure you check out his blog, which has tons of information regarding the world of social work, by clicking here.

A Year for Equality: LGBT Victories of the Past Year

June 27, 2013  |  Stephen Maldonado

In the year that’s passed since President Obama announced his support for gay marriage, enormous progress has been made in the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. States are rapidly legalizing same-sex marriage, while the Supreme Court deliberates the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). LGBT athletes have made waves by coming out in sports long regarded as heteronormative, and while many worry that the current focus on same-sex marriage represents a narrow vision of LGBT politics, some progress has also been made on transgender rights and cultural visibility. The images and achievements of LGBT activists below give a brief recap of a year for equality:

Obama Announced Support for Gay Marriage

Picture by BosGuy

Barack Obama became the first president in the history of the United States to publicly state his support for gay marriage.

Places All Over the World Legalized Same-Sex Marriage

Picture by Bangor Daily News

During the November 2012 elections, Maine, Maryland and Washington all voted for same-sex marriage, and the state government of Maryland started 2013 off by legalizing same-sex marriage on Jan. 1. On April 23, France legalized same-sex marriage and adoption. Rhode Island, Delaware and Minnesota all followed quickly. And after several Brazilian states independently legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year, the Brazilian federal government passed a law making same-sex marriage legal throughout the nation.

Hillary Clinton Announced Support for Same-Sex Marriage

Picture by the Human Rights Campaign

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who vocally supported DOMA in the years after her husband signed it into law, publicly reversed her position on gay marriage. Her announcement seemed particularly significant in that it came shortly before the Supreme Court heard arguments for and against DOMA, and in light of the fact that many believe she will run for president in 2016.

Supreme Court Heard DOMA Arguments

Picture by NPR

On March 26 and 27, the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding DOMA. No decision has been made yet, but to have the law reconsidered by the highest constitutional authorities is a historic moment.

Jason Collins Came Out

Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

As the buzz about gay athletes reached a fever pitch, amid speculation that the first male professional athlete in a major team sport would come out soon, Jason Collins stepped up. The 7”, 255 lbs. NBA player known for his intelligence, aggressiveness on the court and 12-season career will provide many Americans with a fresh vision of the contemporary athlete.

A Few People Remembered Another Gay Athlete

Picture by gawkerassets.com

Shortly after Jason Collins was hailed as the first openly gay male actively playing in a major American team sport, we got a history lesson about Glenn Burke, a 1970s baseball player whose promising career ground to a halt as he was gradually outed. At the peak of his career, Burke batted .303, went to the World Series with the Dodgers and invented the high-five — no, seriously, he invented the high five. Why haven’t we been celebrating this guy for the last 30 years?

California Passed Transgender Anti-Discrimination Laws

Picture by TakePart

The state of California recently passed three laws intended to prevent discrimination against transgender people. The state now legally requires health insurance companies to allow transgender people the same treatment as anyone else and requires public schools to allow transgender participation in sports and equal access to bathrooms and locker rooms. The state also allows transgender citizens to legally change their names without appearing in court.

The Boy Scouts Lifted Their Ban

Picture by David Manning/Reuters

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America voted 60-40 to overturn their ban on gay scouts, although they will continue to prohibit gay adults from leading troops.

Although the past year has seen great strides in the march towards equality for the LGBT community, there is still more progress to be made. Here’s to an even brighter, more equitable tomorrow!

UPDATE: Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA and Proposition 8

Picture by WinningProgressive.org

As of 10:00 am on the morning of, June 26, 2013, we are proud to report a tremendous victory for the LGBT community. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has announced their ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), finding the act unconstitutional in a vote of 5 to 4. The Supreme Court has also struck down Proposition 8, the controversial law that prevented same-sex couples from marrying in California.

Posted on

President Obama: If you’re married and you move, you’re still married

Speaking the day after an historic Supreme Court ruling striking down the key portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Obama said the benefits of being married should extend to same-sex couples no matter where they live. Twelve states (soon to be 13 with California), plus the District of Columbia, currently allow same-sex marriage, while 35 states ban it.

“If you’ve been married in Massachusetts and move somewhere else, you’re still married,” Obama said in Dakar, Senegal, in a response to a question from CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin. “Under federal law, you should be able to obtain the benefits of any lawfully married couple. But again I’m speaking as a president not a lawyer.”

Saying he’s directed the federal government to ensure statutes that apply to married people are now properly extended to same-sex couples, Obama explained the Wednesday ruling did not mean that same-sex marriages were permitted nationwide.

“The Supreme Court did not make a blanket ruling that applies nationally, but rather lifted up the ability of states to recognize and respect same-sex marriage, and that the federal government couldn’t negate the decision by those states,” Obama said.

(from CNN)

Posted on

Updated marriage equality map June 2013

From McClatchy-Tribune comes this updated map of marriage equality in the US.

Just my opinion, but the next states we may be looking to for full equality would seem to be Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey (which currently have civil unions), plus New Mexico (which has no law recognizing or banning same-sex marriage).

Posted on

Next week’s cover of The New Yorker

From the Gothamist: The New Yorker is celebrating the overturning of DOMA on their upcoming cover, which features Bert and Ernie’s “moment of joy.”

The two Sesame Street puppets are pictured sharing a very human moment, cuddled up on a couch looking at the Supreme Court on their television screen—it’s enough to make even the coldest heart melt.

Posted on

Nepolitano – Binational gay couples will now be treated fairly

“I applaud the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor holding that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. This discriminatory law denied thousands of legally married same-sex couples many important federal benefits, including immigration benefits.

“I am pleased the Court agreed with the Administration’s position that DOMA’s restrictions violate the Constitution.

“Working with our federal partners, including the Department of Justice, we will implement the decision so that all married couples will be treated equally and fairly in the administration of our immigration laws.” – Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano, via press release.

Posted on

As DOMA falls, Utah state Senator proposes to longtime boyfriend

Utah State Senator Jim Dabakis

An openly gay Utah state senator didn’t just give a speech at a party celebrating two Supreme Court victories for gay rights – he took to the stage to propose to his longtime boyfriend.

Democratic state Sen. Jim Dabakis popped the question to partner Stephen Justesen Wednesday at a rainbow flag-draped rally at Salt Lake City’s Club Sound. The two met 26 years ago.

“Stephen, after all these years, will you marry me?” Dabakis said over the whoops of an approving crowd.

Dabakis, founding chair of the Utah Pride Center, became the first openly gay person to lead a state party in Utah.

He opened by saying the gay marriage issue was “very deeply, deeply personal” for him, and introduced the crowd to “a wonderful man” he met nearly three decades ago.

That’s when Dabakis pulled out a ring he said he’d purchased that day and put it on Justensen’s finger.

Justesen told the crowd Dabakis had given him a different ring years ago that he still wears, but “this is super fantastic to have another one.”

Dabakis told The Salt Lake Tribune the proposal was a spur-of-the-moment decision and a wedding date hasn’t been set.

(from KAALTV)

Posted on

YouTube celebrates Gay Pride Month with LGBT Creators channel

Today and tomorrow, YouTube celebrates Gay Pride month and the LGBT community by creating this channel of LGBT creative videos.

I’m happy to say many of the videos featured in the compilation above have had a presence here on The Randy Report.

Check out other videos by creative folks at this link.

From YouTube:

At YouTube, we believe that everyone has the right to love and be loved. We strive to make YouTube a place where all communities can feel proud to express themselves and connect through video. That’s why we’re proud to stand with the LGBT community and support equal rights and marriage equality for all.

JOIN IN: Who, what, or why are you #ProudToLove?
Upload a video or share a post with #ProudToLove in the title so others can find it.

Subscribe by clicking here.

Posted on

Immigration reform passes in US Senate by vote of 68-32

On a vote of 68 to 32, the US Senate approved an immigration reform bill that would put 11 million undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship. From NPR:

The bill also includes measures that would punish employers who take advantage of immigrant workers, as well as providing billions in spending to employ fences and high-tech tools to help secure the border between the U.S. and Mexico.

The legislation, , is widely seen as the product of the efforts of the “Gang of 8,” a group that includes Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

The bill has been seen as a main priority for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who insisted the chamber will act on it before the July 4 holiday. It is also a centerpiece of the Obama administration’s legislative agenda.

“It’s landmark legislation that will secure our borders and help 11 million people get right with the law,” Reid said Thursday.

The future looks more rough for the bill in the GOP-controlled House. Several House Republicans are believed to be working on their own versions of the legislation.

Posted on

Stephen Colbert on the repeal of DOMA

Stephen Colbert “worries” on the repeal of DOMA:

“Traditional marriage is now as defenseless as a freshman frat pledge about to go through the spanking machine….If DOMA is unconstitutional, that means the Constitution is gay.”

Funny stuff…

And here’s Stephen purposely discombobulating the Prop 8 decision: