Tag: LGBT

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Sen. Patrick Leahy files his amendment to include LGBT binational couples in immigration reform

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D – VT), has filed an amendment to the ‘Gang of Eight’ immigration bill that would allow the spouses of gay and lesbian U.S. citizens to become permanent residents according to POLITICO.

Last month, Leahy withdrew the measure in committee, after an emotional debate during the committee markup, after several Democrats said they would vote against his amendment in order to preserve the overall bill.

Now, Sen. Leahy is determined to at least get a vote on his amendment

“Seeking equal protection under our laws for the LGBT community is the right thing to do,” Leahy said in a statement Tuesday. “I withheld my anti-discrimination amendment during the Senate Judiciary Committee markup. As the entire Senate turns to debate the immigration bill, the fight for equality must go on.”

Chances are slim to none that this will end up being a part of the “comprehensive immigration reform.” BUT thank you Sen. Leahy for stepping up and at least being heard.

I think Leahy rocks. And Vermont must be very proud to have him as their Senator.

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Meet Colin & Joe – gay married binational couple

From The DOMA Project – meet Colin & Joe, binational married couple facing immigration uncertainty.

Were it not for the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” Joe and Colin would be able to stay in the US and plan their family life as any heterosexual couple can.

THE DOMA PROJECT is a campaign launched in October 2010 by a group of married binational couples working with attorneys Lavi Soloway and Noemi Masliah.

The campaign’s purpose is to raise awareness of the cruel impact of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on married gay and lesbian bi-national couples and to bring an end to that discrimination.

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Iowa: Gay couple awarded $147K in harrassment case

An Iowa gay couple has won a $147K judgment against the management of their apartment complex because they failed to stop harassment by their maintenance man:

Jurors awarded $22,000 in economic damages to Charles Anderson and Brandon Morehead, plus $50,000 for emotional distress and $75,000 in punitive damages, according to a news release issued by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, which brought filed a lawsuit on the couple’s behalf.

According to the commission, jurors heard testimony that maintenance technician Allen Emert launched repeated harassment and name-calling of the defendants after he learned in March 2011 that they were sharing a one-bedroom apartment.

Two of Emmert’s supervisors at New Life Multi-Family Management LLC failed to stop the daily epithets, which included, among other things, references to the men being “queer” and “pillow biters.”

The judgment was awarded after a four day jury trial.

(via JMG)

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Cal Poly University: Gay students shut down anti-gay preacher on campus

Gay students kiss while anti-gay preacher talks about the evils of homosexuality, being gay and marriage equality

At California Poly State University in San Luis Obispo this week, an anti-gay ‘preacher’ was exercised her freedom of speech on campus to pontificate on the evils of homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

Two students decided to exercise their freedom of expression, too, in their own way.

The crowd was clear on what position they support.

(source)

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NYC to offer self-defense training in reponse to rise in anti-gay hate crimes

JoeMyGod reports that the disturbing image above was seen scrawled on a poster in a subway station at West 72nd and Central Park West.  It reads “Queers beware – it’s faggot season.”

In light of the recent increase in anti-gay hate crimes, NYC will begin offering self-defense training to LGBT citizens. Note that you do have to call ahead to reserve space in a class.  The lessons will focus on street smarts more than actual fighting, Quinn said.

Via press release from the office of New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn:

Following a string of hate crimes against LGBT New Yorkers, Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the City Council LGBT Caucus today announced they will host a series of free self-defense trainings across the City. The trainings will empower New Yorkers by teaching violence prevention strategies and safety tips to the LGBT community. The kick-off class, led by the Center for Anti-Violence Prevention, will be held on Saturday, June 8th in Room 101 of the LGBT Center at 4:00 PM. An additional evening class has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 12th at the Hudson Guild Elliot Center at 7:00 PM.

Participants should reserve their space by calling (212) 788-5613 or by e-mailing events@council.nyc.gov. “No one should be made to feel unsafe because who they are or who they love,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “The spate of bias attacks against LGBT New Yorkers in recent weeks is unacceptable and must end now. Our free self-defense classes will teach violence prevention strategies to New Yorkers and will provide the community with the tools they need to stay safe.”

Anti-gay hate crimes have doubled in New York City this year.

In addition to the self-defense training, the NYPD has increased foot patrols in the gay neighborhoods of the West Village, Hell’s Kitchen, and Chelsea. Mounted units have been assigned to Christopher Street on the weekends.

(via JMG)

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Orlando Gay Days 2013 is on!

Orlando Gay Days 2013 is currently on, with events until Monday.

The Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld is the host hotel with events for all types of LGBT Disney junkies.  So go get your Disney on, kids.

Plus, there’s a circuit party at Typhoon Lagoon, a performance by dance/R&B diva Deborah Cox, Judy Tenuta and more.

If you’re  in Orlando – now you know what the red t-shirts are all about.

Hope everyone has a great time!

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Bryan Fischer: Mormon Church supports gay scouts with secret polygamy endgame agenda

Bryan Fischer has been in search of a reason for why the Mormon Church supported the decision by the Boy Scouts of America (or “Boy Sodomizers of America,” as he calls them) to lift its ban on gay scouts, and now he’s found one.

Of course, he has no proof, but he “believes” that the Mormon support comes from a secret plan to bring back polygamy.

And there you have it.

What an idiot…

(via Right Wing Watch)

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NYC: Mark Carson’s accused killer indicted by grand jury for murder today

Mark Carson’s accused killer was formally indicted by a grand jury of murder as a hate crime today.  His lawyer entered a plea of “not guilty” even though Morales boasted of shooting Carson after being arrested.

From the New York Daily News:

An attorney for accused killer Elliot Morales briefly appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court to get notification of the grand jury vote Thursday morning.

Morales, 33, did not appear.

The lawyer, Kevin Michael Canfield, later said Morales is not guilty of the slaying and is “devastated by the charges.”

“He didn’t murder anybody,” Canfield said, suggesting there were other factors at play.

“He was sexually abused as a child by a male authority figure which led to a lifetime of alcoholism and drug abuse,” Canfield told the Daily News, adding, “It’s a terrible tragedy.”

Morales was arrested for murder in the second degree as a hate crime and other related charges after the shocking incident on Sixth Ave. near W. Eighth St. around midnight Saturday.

“Look at you faggots, you look like gay wrestlers,” Morales allegedly told victim Mark Carson and his friend minutes before policed say he shot Mark Carson, 32, in the head.

Authorities said he callously laughed as he confessed to the random killing. His gleeful expression came as he allegedly told investigators, “I shot him in the face.”

(source)