Tag: LGBT discrimination

Posted on

Businesses decide against relocating to Arizona due to “Religious Freedom Bill”

Barry Broome of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council

That was quick.

Businesses are already deciding NOT to relocate to Arizona due to the impending “Religious Freedom Bill” that would legalize LGBT discrimination based on religious beliefs.

From KJZZ in Tempe, Arizona:

Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, said businesses are concerned.

“The potential litigation threats to the state, the costs to taxpayers, the potential litigation to businesses,” he said. “It’s immeasurable the damage a bill like this could do to Arizona.”

Broome said he has already heard from businesses that have reconsidered Arizona as a location.

“One company that dropped us this morning was considering investing up to 1,000 jobs, and the HR director of the company told me and the CEO they could not in good conscience relocate people into this market,” Broome said.

Posted on

Arizona Gov. Brewer – Please veto LGBT discrimination

Jan Brewer, the governor of Arizona, had five days to either sign SB1062 into law (making LGBT discrimination legal), veto the bill or ignore it which would allow the legislation to become law.

The bill represents what is basically a “license to discriminate” against gays and lesbians in Arizona.

This is bad for the LGBT community. It is bad for Arizona. It’s bad for humanity.

Giving citizens the ability to hide behind “sincerely held beliefs” will affect more than the LGBT community.

Should an unwed mother-to-be see a doctor whose religion that preaches abstinence until marriage, that woman could be refused medical treatment legally.  Many other scenarios come into play in this ill-conceived piece of legislation.

You can call the governor’s office and let her know what you think.

Call Gov. Jan Brewer at 602-542-4331.

Posted on

Arizona state House approves legalized discrimination against LGBT citizens 33-27

Graphic via Memeographs

Today, the Arizona state House voted 33-27 to legalize discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The bill, HB-2153, would expand people’s rights to claim their religious beliefs as a basis for refusing service to gays and others.

The legislation now heads to the desk of GOP Governor Jan Brewer.

Democratic Minority Leader Rep. Chad Campbell spoke passionately to the chamber, telling his fellow House members, “this is state sanctioned discrimination.”

“If you are gay, don’t come to Arizona. That’s what we’re saying to the nation,” Rep. Campbell said. “This is a direct attack on a certain group of people — the LGBT community,” he noted.

Rep. Demion Clinco, who is Arizona’s only gay lawmaker, said, “I don’t think we deserve a bill like this anywhere in this country.” Saying he was appalled by the legislation, he added it is discrimination hiding behind religious freedom.

The legislation is Arizona’s response to a lawsuit in New Mexico – Elaine Photography v. Vanessa Willock.  In that case, the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a photographer violated that state’s Human Rights Act by refusing to photograph a same-sex wedding.

Posted on

Arizona: State Senate approves legalizing gay discrimination

The Arizona state Senate approved a bill that would legalize anti-gay discrimination on the basis of “sincerely held religious beliefs” by a vote of 17-13:

The vote along party lines, with Republicans in the majority, came after supporters defeated an attempt to extend existing employment laws that bar discrimination based on religion and race to also include sexual orientation.

Sen. Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, said that’s a separate issue from what he is trying to do.

But Sen. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, said that’s precisely the issue. “The bill opens the door for discrimination against gays and lesbians,” he said.

Yarbrough, however, said foes of SB 1062 are twisting what his legislation says. “This bill is not about discrimination,” he said. “It’s about preventing discrimination against people who are clearly living out their faith.”

The Arizona state House, where Republicans outnumber Democrats by 36-24,  is debating the legislation now.  You can watch the debate here.

Posted on

Maine: State House votes down religious-based “license to discriminate against gays” bill

Today, after hours of debate, the Maine House rejected  LD 1428, “An Act to Protect Religious Freedom,” following similar activity by the Maine Senate.

The vote was 89-52.

Rep. Andrew J. McLean, told the House that the legislation, LD 1428, “An Act to Protect Religious Freedom” actually denies religious freedom.

Rep. Justin Chenette, who at 22 is the youngest openly-gay legislator in America, talked eloquently and vehemently about how the bill would affect him. “Religious freedom is important, but this bill makes me feel like a second-class citizen… Name me an issue in Maine — I still haven’t heard one.”

“There isn’t an issue. This is a bill searching for a problem, rather than solving one,” Chenette told his colleagues. “This wastes taxpayer money… It’s fiscally responsible to oppose it.”

More at The New Civil Rights Movement

Posted on

Ugandan Ethics minister: We are tolerant of homosexuals – we are not slaughtering them

Minister for Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo of Uganda made these statements regarding the recently approved legislation that allows for life imprisonment if found to be gay in his country:

“We are tolerant. That’s what we are saying: we are not slaughtering them.”

“They can come and be helped to come out of this unfortunate situation… It’s like a drug addict. Drug addiction is not an innate situation, it is acquired. But they can be transformed and become better.”

“So we are saying anybody found committing this incredible and abominable act should be checked and isolated from society.”

“If you are found practising it, we shall take you to a cell.”

President Obama has called on the Ugandan president to not sign the legislation into law.

(source)

Posted on

Kansas state Senate kills anti-gay “religious liberty” bill

The Kansas state Senate president has killed – at least for now – legislation passed in the House that would have legalized discrimination against the LGBT community.

From MSNBC:

House Bill 2453, as drafted and passed by the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives this week, would give any individual, business, group, or government official the right to deny same-sex couples a host of basic goods, services, benefits, or employment – on the grounds of a conflicting “sincerely held religious belief.” Lawmakers in the state House approved the measure on Wednesday by a vote of 72-49.

The bill was widely expected to pass the state Senate, too, as Republicans outnumber Democrats 32-8 in that chamber. But Republican state Sen. Susan Wagle, the Senate’s president, poured cold water on its prospects Thursday night when she released a statement saying that a majority of her caucus opposed the bill’s potential green light to discriminate. On Friday, she reaffirmed that position.

“I believe that when you hire police officers or a fireman that they have no choice in who they serve,” Wagle said at a news conference Friday, according to the Wichita Eagle. “They serve anyone who’s vulnerable, any age, any race, any sexual orientation.”

Many organizations, including the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, criticized the bill saying it would strain employer/employee relations.

A Facebook page titled “Stop Kansas House Bill 2453” has netted more than 50,000 “likes” as of Friday evening.

Posted on

President of Uganda to sign anti-homosexuality bill into law

The president of Uganda has indicated he will sign into law a bill which makes homosexuality punishable by life in prison.

From the AP:

Ofwono Opondo, a government spokesman, said in Twitter posts Friday that President Yoweri Museveni told lawmakers that he would do that after receiving a report from “medical experts” saying “homosexuality is not genetic but a social behavior.” Opondo did not say when the signing would happen.

Museveni previously had opposed the bill, saying it’s too harsh. Homosexuality, which Museveni has called abnormal, is a crime in Uganda.

The bill, approved by parliament in December, would legalize life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.

https://twitter.com/OfwonoOpondo/status/434372997194186752
Posted on

Tennessee: GOP lawmakers introduce bill to legalize discrimination

A bill has been introduced in the Tennessee state Senate that would write into law the ability for anyone to refuse service to another person if they felt it would “violate” their religious beliefs.

The bill – SB 2566 – states that “protecting the free exercise of religion is a government interest of the highest order,” and “laws that protect the free exercise of religious beliefs regarding marriage will encourage private citizens and institutions to demonstrate tolerance of others’ beliefs.”

Here’s just part of the legislation:

No person or religious or denominational organization shall be required to perform any of the following actions related to, or related to the celebration of, any civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by this state, if doing so would violate the sincerely held religious beliefs of the person or religious or denominational organization regarding sex or gender:

(A) Provide any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges;

(B) Provide counseling, adoption, foster care, or other social services;

(C) Provide employment or employment benefits; or

(D) Solemnize a civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by this state.

So, if you are in a same-sex marriage, be prepared for folks to refuse any kind of service, job or accommodations.

Kansas and Idaho are also in the process of similar laws, with more states lining up as marriage equality continues it’s momentum.

(source)

Posted on

NBC edits out IOC anti-discrimination statement from opening ceremony at Sochi Olympics

Deadspin reports that NBC edited out IOC president Thomas Bach making a “strong statement against ‘any form of discrimination’ and in favor of tolerance.”

The world heard Bach’s statement, but Americans did not. Here is the edited out portion of the speech:

Now you are living in an Olympic Region. I am sure you will enjoy the benefits for many, many years to come. Thousands of volunteers have welcomed us with the well-known warm Russian hospitality. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers. Bolshoi spasiba, valantyoram! Thank you very much to everyone. Russia and the Russians have set the stage for you, the best winter athletes on our planet. From this moment on you are not only the best athletes, you are Olympic Athletes.

You will inspire us with your outstanding sports performances. You have come here for sports. You have come here with your Olympic dream. The International Olympic Committee wants your Olympic Dream to come true. This is why we are investing almost all of our revenues in the development of sports. The universal Olympic rules apply to each and every athlete- no matter where you come from or what your background is.

You are living together in the Olympic Village. You will celebrate victory with dignity and accept defeat with dignity. You are bringing the Olympic Values to life. In this way, the Olympic Games, wherever they take place, set an example for a peaceful society. Olympic Sport unites people. This is the Olympic Message the athletes spread to the host country and to the whole world. Yes, it is possible to strive even for the greatest victory with respect for the dignity of your competitors. Yes, Yes, it is possible – even as competitors – to live together under one roof in harmony, with tolerance and without any form of discrimination for whatever reason. Yes, it is possible – even as competitors – to listen, to understand and to give an example for a peaceful society.

Head over to Deadspin where both the full version of the speech and the edited version (with a cut-away shot) are posted.

Boo on NBC. This is going to be a story…

(via JMG)