Tag: equality

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Google’s “Chrome: It Gets Better” video

An amazing new commercial for Google’s Chrome web browser aired during Tuesday night’s episode of “Glee” on FOX, and showcased the “It Gets Better” project.

“Beginning with one inspiring video, Dan Savage used the web to create the “It Gets Better” project — a movement that has generated thousands of uplifting videos that give hope to teens,” said Google.

The commercial is part of Chrome’s “the web is what you make of it” campaign.

Dan Savage, a Seattle-based LGBT activist and author, and his husband Terry Miller, launched the “It Gets Better Project” to provide support and encouragement to LGBT teens struggling with bullying and adversity.

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Rhode Island: Civil Unions bill to be introduced

Rhode Island lawmakers are working out the details of legislation that would create civil unions and plan to introduce the proposal next week.

A House spokesman said Thursday that lawmakers are reviewing civil union laws in other states to help them craft the proposal, which could be introduced Tuesday.

The new bill comes after House Speaker Gordon Fox declared that gay marriage legislation wouldn’t pass the General Assembly this year. Fox, who is gay, now supports civil unions as a more politically feasible alternative.

This development is a disappointment for groups that fought for marriage equality this year in Rhode Island.  They say they’ll oppose any proposal that falls short of full marriage. Gay marriage opponents also oppose civil unions.

Rep. Frank Ferri, a Warwick Democrat who is gay, has stated that he wants to see the bill’s details before making up his mind.

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Why Obama was asked to “show his papers”

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I hate discrimination of any kind. Period. This is why I’m so fervent in my writing about equality. Not just the LGBT community – every community.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

There are people who just don’t like Obama. Fine. Dislike his policies as a politician.

But if you don’t think this was about having a man of color “show his papers” – you’re not paying attention.

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Nevada Senate approves two LGBT protection bills

From LGBTQnation.com: The Nevada Senate on Monday approved two bills that would prohibit discrimination against gays and transgender individuals in housing and public accommodations, but rejected a third bill that would have added gender identity and expression to Nevada’s hate crimes law.

Sen. David Parks (D-Las Vegas), sponsor of all three measures, said he wasn’t surprised the 10-11 vote went against the hate crimes bill, reported the Nevada Appeal.

Parks said the law already includes race, color, religion, national origin, disability and sexual orientation in the definition of hate crimes.

“Protecting our transgender citizens harms no one,” he said.

The other two measures, however, were approved: SB331 prohibits discrimination against gays and transsexuals in places of public accommodation including hotels, motels and restaurants, and SB368 prohibits discrimination in housing and other real property transactions.

Both measures now go to the Assembly for consideration.

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Movie: “The Help”

I can’t wait to see this movie!

Anyone who reads this blog knows how much equality for everyone means to me. And the courage of anyone to stand up and change the status quo – well, this movie is right up my alley.

Based on the NY Times bestseller by Kathryn Stockett, the movie – which isn’t out yet – is already getting Oscar buzz.

The book tells the story of a group of black domestic maids in 1960s Jackson, Miss., who band together to tell the sometimes sad, sometimes triumphant stories of lives spent toiling for upper class Southern whites. “The Help” is both uproariously funny and poignant, resonating with readers across the country.

From IMDB: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962 – aspiring writer Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan returns home after college, where unexpected friendships with African-American maids Aibeleen Clark and Minny Jackson result in a book that gives a previously unheard voice to a community’s suffering.

Can. Not. Wait.

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CA: State Senate passes FAIR Education Act

The California State Senate passed a bill that would approval inclusion of LGBT contributions to California state history.

Studies have shown that when LGBT contributions are included in the history lessons that shaped California, students are more likely to be more tolerant and bullying decreases in schools.

From Equality California: The FAIR Education Act would bring classroom instruction into alignment with existing non-discrimination laws in California and would add LGBT to the existing list of underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups, which are covered by current law related to inclusion in textbooks and other instructional materials in schools. By including fair and accurate information about LGBT people and history in instructional materials, SB 48 will improve student safety, reduce bullying, enrich the learning experiences of all students, and promote an atmosphere of safety and respect in California schools.

“We thank the Senate for recognizing the need to educate students about the historic contributions of LGBT leaders to California and the struggle for LGBT equality,” said Jim Carroll, interim executive director of Equality California. “This legislation will ensure all students understand the diversity of our state and its history, and it will foster greater awareness, respect and safer schools for all students.”

Today, most textbooks don’t include any LGBT contributions to society or any account of the LGBT civil rights movement.

The bill now heads to the state Assembly rules committee.

Stay tuned!

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Delaware: Civil Unions bill passes in state House!

By a vote of 26-15, the Delaware state House passed the Civil Unions bill which now heads to the desk of Governor Markell, a gay rights champion, who has indicated he plans to sign the bill into law.

The bill, which passed the state Senate 13-6 last week, survived nine amendment attempts.

From the Human Rights Campaign: SB 30 will allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions giving them all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. Religious institutions may choose not to solemnize civil unions.

“We are tremendously proud that the Delaware House has passed civil union legislation,” said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. “The fact that the Delaware General Assembly passed civil union legislation on the first attempt is a great testament to how far public opinion has come on equality issues. This is a great day for equality in Delaware.”

With Markell’s signature, the bill will take effect Jan. 1. It will make Delaware the eighth state to establish civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Five other states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.

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Mark Ruffalo interview in The Advocate

The ever-talented and hot Mark Ruffalo talks about his support for gay rights and his directorial debut with ‘Sympathy for Delicious’, a Sundance Special Jury Prize-winning drama about a paraplegic faith healer in theaters April 29, in with The Advocate:

Why have you taken such a personal interest in gay rights?
We have a lot of friends who are gay couples with kids. When my son would go to his friend’s house down the street, where his friend’s parents are a married gay couple, not once did he come home and say, “Why does he have two papas?” That didn’t occur to him, because their house is no different from ours. I’ve seen the human face of the issue, I’ve seen the pain gay couples are going through, so it was important for me to add my voice to the fight. Fortunately, my voice reaches much further than a lot of people’s. I was trained as an actor that we have a responsibility in our community to stand up for what we believe in and to use our voice and our art to teach people and push those beliefs.

What was your earliest exposure to gay people?
During my senior year of high school, a really close friend of mine came out to me. He was so depressed, he was suicidal for weeks. I kept asking, “What’s wrong with you?” He’d cry, but he wouldn’t tell me. I didn’t know what a problem so big could be, so I thought he killed somebody. Finally, I got him to tell me, and that was the first time I knew a gay person. I’d heard about gay people, but I had no idea what that was. At the time I was in Virginia Beach, where homosexuals were like an urban myth. All of a sudden, there it was in front of me, and it was a person that I really admired. He asked, “Are you not going to be my friend anymore?” I said, “Of course not.”

You come to a moral question at that moment: Is this person I’ve known all this time now a dreaded, horrible human being that’s to be shunned, or is this person just like everybody else, except for a different sexual orientation? Luckily, I’d had whatever it takes to make someone see a person for who they really are — and to stand up and accept that even when other people around you don’t.

Click here for the full interview.

I’ve been a fan of Ruffalo for years. And knowing that he supports equal rights for all makes him that more beautiful.

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Nashville Council approves non-discrimination policy

From LGBTQ Nation: The Nashville Metro Council on Tuesday approved new rules for city contractors that would prohibit discrimination against LGBT people.

The council voted 21-15 to require firms doing business with the city not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and to sign affidavits to that effect. Contractors already agree not to discriminate against federally protected classes.

“I think this is a great move for Nashville and it’s a great step to show we believe in equality,” said Erica Gilmore, one of the co-sponsors of the bill.

Council member Jamie Hollin called the vote “a milestone moment” for the city.

“As of today, no matter who you are, you’re welcome in the city of Nashville,” said Hollin. “Not only can I tell my son that it’s not cool to hate gay people, it’s the public policy of this city.”

Let’s hear it for Nashville, kids! This clearly must have been a bit of a fight in Tennessee. Good for these public officials to do the right thing.

Forward, kids. Slowly, but surely.

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Colorado: Civil Unions bill stalls

Colorado’s civil unions bill stalled tonight due to the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee, who refused to approve the bill for consideration by the full chamber.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper had urged the committee to advance the bill, which was approved by the state Senate last week.

One Colorado reports via press release: “Today’s vote was out of touch with everyday Colorado voters. With 72% of Coloradans in support of civil unions, House Republicans are out of the mainstream,” said Brad Clark, Executive Director of One Colorado, a statewide LGBT advocacy organization. “Once again, they have turned their backs on Colorado families and kids.”

According to polls, support for civil unions is high. A February 2011 poll by Public Policy Polling found that 72% of Colorado voters support legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples.

Additionally, a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll conducted in 2010 found support for civil unions across political parties and religious affiliations, including 61% of Republicans, 84% of independents, 70% of Catholics, 67% of Protestants, and 55% of “born again Christians.”

Earlier today, a group of anti-gay Christians gathered at the state capitol building for a prayer vigil opposing the bill while pro-gay supporters held their own rally nearby.

The coalition advocating for civil unions includes more than 100 organizations representing nearly 1 million Coloradans.

All 5 Democrats on the Committee voted for the bill, while all 6 Republicans on the committee voted against the it. Republican Representatives Brian DelGrosso, Jerry Sonnenberg and B.J. Nikkel, considered moderates on the committee, took long pauses before submitting their “no” votes Thursday night.

Click here for more details

UGH!