Tag: LGBT

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35 LGBT rights groups issue an open letter calling for justice in the Trayvon Martin case

A coalition of national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organizations, led by the National Black Justice Coalition and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, today issued the following open letter:

An Open Letter: Trayvon Deserves Justice

We cannot begin to imagine the continued pain and suffering endured by Trayvon Martin’s family and friends. We stand in solidarity with them as they continue to fight for justice, civil rights and closure. And we thank everyone who has pushed and will continue to push for justice.

Trayvon Martin deserves justice and his civil rights. We support the organizations and community leaders who are urging the federal government to explore every option to ensure that justice is served for Trayvon and that his civil rights are honored and respected. But our work does not end there: we will honor Trayvon Martin by strengthening our commitment to end bias, hatred, profiling and violence across our communities.

We represent organizations with diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender constituencies. Our community has been targets of bigotry, bias, profiling and violence. We have experienced the heart-breaking despair of young people targeted for who they are, who they are presumed to be, or who they love: Rashawn Brazell, Lawrence King, Ali Forney, Brandon Teena, Brandon White, Matthew Shepard, Marco McMillian, Angie Zapata, Sakia Gunn, Gwen Araujo and countless others.

Every person, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, must be able to walk the streets without fear for their safety.

Justice delayed is justice denied and in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “a right delayed is a right denied.” We honor Trayvon by seeking justice for all people.

All Out
American Civil Liberties Union
Believe Out Loud
BiNet USA
Bisexual Resource Center
Center for Black Equity
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
Equality Federation
Family Equality Council
Freedom to Work
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network
Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network)
GetEQUAL
GMHC
GLAD
GLAAD
Harvey Milk Foundation
Human Rights Campaign
Immigration Equality
Lambda Legal
Movement Advancement Project
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
National Minority AIDS Council
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
PFLAG National
The Trevor Project
Trans Advocacy Network
Transgender Law Center
Trans People of Color Coalition

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Homeland Security – married LGBT couples will be treated same as opposite-sex couples regarding immigration

The department of Homeland Security today issued a statement affirming that married gay and lesbian couples will be treated like married straight couples for immigration purposes:

“After last week’s decision by the Supreme Court holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, President Obama directed federal departments to ensure the decision and its implication for federal benefits for same-sex legally married couples are implemented swiftly and smoothly,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in a prepared statement today. “To that end, effective immediately, I have directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse.”

According to The DOMA Project, Julian Marsh and Traian Popov of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., were surprised when they received notification just two days after the repeal of DOMA from Citizenship and Immigration Services officials that Popov’s petition for permanent residency based on his bona fide marriage had been approved.

Forward!

(source)

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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.

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Rally in Las Vegas to celebrate marriage equality victories

photo credit: Anthony Pecora

Under a clear blue sky in 105 degree heat,  Nevada LGBT leaders held a rally – part celebration, part battle cry – at the fab new Gay & Lesbian Community Center, following Supreme Court rulings Wednesday that shot down DOMA and Prop 8.

Hosted by Las Vegas’ favorite news anchor, Chris Saldana, community leaders and allies took to the stage to cheer the day and point to the battles ahead.

While Nevada doesn’t allow same-sex marriage currently, the ruling opens the door for questions about the protections of rights for same-sex couples here in the Silver State.  In the last legislative session, both the Assembly and the Senate approved SJR13, the first step to repeal the same-sex marriage ban and give the rights of marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples of Nevada.

In attendance were Chris Miller (co-chair of LGBTQ Coalition), Merek Bute (president of AFAN), Tod Story (ACLU of Nevada), Assemblyman James Healey, Sen. James Parks, Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (only GOP vote for marriage equality bill SJR13 this past legislative session), Sen. Pat Spearman, Assemblyman Paul Aizley, Sen. Ruben Kihuen, Sen. Justin Jones, and Assemblyman Andrew Martin (co-sponsor of SJR13).

Over and over, LGBT leaders and allies sent the message: “The fight for same-sex marriage is not over. The fight for equality is not over. And we need you.”

Rally host Chris Saldana gets the rally started

The crowd celebrates the day

Openly gay Assemblyman James Healy addresses the crowd

GOP Assemblywoman and ally Michele Fiore and her lesbian mom take the stage

Ryan Lyons of Le Reve and Broadway Bares shares a breather in the heat with Chris Saldana
Thanks for the beef cake, boys.

 Openly gay Sen. David Parks

Openly lesbian Sen. Pat Spearman

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LGBT Rainbow flag celebrates 35 years as iconic symbol

image via JoeMyGod

JoeMyGod shares the news that today is the “birthday” of the rainbow flag being an iconic symbol for the LGBT community.

From Joe:

“It was 35 years ago today that Gilbert Baker’s rainbow flag made its debut at San Francisco Pride.

“Since then it has become the ubiquitous global symbol of LGBT pride, solidarity, and freedom.

“I’m proud to call him a friend.”

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New Jersey: State Assembly passes “ex-gay” therapy ban

The New Jersey Assembly has approved legislation that would outlaw “ex-gay” therapy by a vote of 56-14.

Passage in the state senate is expected on Thursday.

Governor Chris Christie in March said he opposed the practice of conversion therapy, but on Monday his office declined to comment on whether he would sign or veto the bill.

If enacted, the measure would ban therapists or social workers from performing therapy that aims to change the sexual orientation of patients under age 18.

Currently, California is the only U.S. state to outlaw the practice. But, a federal appeals court has put that law’s implementation on hold while it weighs the issue.

The legislation cites American Psychiatric Association studies that found sexual orientation is determined at birth.

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The Fortune Teller – 50 years of gay in 5 minutes

The Fortune Teller is comprised of over 50 years of imagery and footage. The 5-minute clip took six months to film and assemble, and is made up of 100 carefully selected clips.

The Fortune Teller is a film by gay artist/activist Leo Herrera, chronicling milestones and icons of the modern gay man.

The story is told through the trance of The Fortune Teller (played by Stanley Frank) and created using archival and modern footage.

The film is a documentary, a time capsule, an homage to psychedelic films of the 1960′s and the modern art of the YouTube Montage film;  a kaleidoscopic five-minute journey through more than 50 years of gay history.

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Quote of the day: Sen. Max Baucus

Sen. Max Baucus writing for the Montana Standard:

“In Montana, we believe in personal freedom. We believe the government shouldn’t interfere in the people’s private business. That’s why I agreed to co-sponsor efforts to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

“There are more than 1,000 rights and obligations the federal government grants to married couples that same-sex couples are denied. It’s time to end marriage discrimination which is why I supported overturning the Defense of Marriage Act. Simply put: the federal government should not be interfering in the personal decision of who an adult chooses as a partner.

“When it comes to the workplace, it is unacceptable for anyone to be fired simply because of their sexual orientation.

“ENDA will help protect workers from this type of discrimination and I look forward to moving forward on this legislation in the Senate as soon as possible.

“Members of the LGBT community are our neighbors, brothers, sisters and friends. They are community leaders who bring the kind of diversity to our nation that makes it strong.

“We all have a role in making sure that Pride Month is not just something we check off on the calendar. ‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’ for all Americans is what we are called to strive for every day of the year.”

Max Baucus is Montana’s longest serving U.S. Senator and the first statewide elected official to publicly acknowledge his support for marriage equality.