Fighting Against Global LGBT Oppression

Do As We Say, Not As We Do

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton winds her way around the globe speaking of issues from public diplomacy, economic & energy to human rights, she speaks out comparing the struggle for gay equality to women's rights & racial equality, she said "cultural or religious traditions are no excuse for discrimination." & " Gay rights are human rights & human rights are gay rights. It should never be a crime to be gay."

I applaud her efforts & appeals to nations to end the criminalization of homosexuality & to stop the discrimination of LGBT citizens abroad. At the same time, I can't help but take notice of the injustices against us right here in her own back yard...

Stop the criminalization & discrimination of LGBT citizens???

While here at home, as an LGBT citizen in many parts of America...

* You can be fired.

* Denied housing.

* Denied marriage.

* Denied the same rights/privileges/responsibilities of marriage that heterosexual couples take for granted.

* Unfairly taxed.
* Lack of anti-bullying laws to protect our most vulnerable youth.

* Discrimination in healthcare.
* Face various abuses of power from law enforcement.

* Lack of other legal protections against those targeting us in a crime.

How can the Secretary of State speak out against other nations & their hatred of it's LGBT citizens when so much criminalization & discrimination goes on right in her own back yard?

If America is going to be the mouthpiece for equality, it needs to lead by example by doing more to end LGBT discrimination's right here at home...

Standing up (OK, sitting down) for our rights!

No Cake For You!

A Cake For All Occasions, Except Yours...

A wedding day for most is something special celebrating the bonding of a committed & loving relationship. A celebration with good friends, family, music, food & a wedding cake.

But for one couple, the dream of topping the joyous occasion left more of a bitter taste. With a recipe of with bigotry & intolerance, a Christian cake maker has refused to bake their special day cake & feels treating the soon to be blessed lesbian couple as unworthy of her special creations based on the grounds marriage equality goes against her beliefs.

 A public & Christian establishment?

Contact Victoria Childress & tell her you disapprove of her recipe!

Victoria's Cake Cottage

420 NW 51st Place

Des Moines, IA 50313

(515)729-0253

Email

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Transgender Day of Remembrance

Remembering Those Lost To Hate & Intolerance

May this Transgender Day of Remembrance be the one that sheds light & tolerance on those who's hearts are filled with hate & darkness...

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Anti-Gay Bullying 101

An Education In Hate

Union-Scioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio. A place where reading, writing & arithmetic, like most schools, are considered the normal topics of learning for the day but instead, homophobia & intolerance 101 became the lessons learned.

As the student tries to escape his attacker, he was heard saying "why are you doing this?" As his fellow classmates stood by & did nothing.

The shocking video was captured by a student's cellphone which was later posted to Facebook.

The bully's punishment for this horrific attack, 3 days suspension!

How many more young lives will suffer or end at the hands or mouths of bullies?

Contact the Union-Scioto High School

1565 Egypt Pike

Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

(740)773-4102

 Tell them, "Stop The Hate, Educate!"
 Union-Scioto School District's Mission Statement: "Students of the Union-Scioto Local School District will achieve & succeed in a SAFE & drug free environment."

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Coffee Sure To Leave A Bitter Taste

Take That Gay Affection Elsewhere...

Out & about looking for a place to get your next java fix? Near a Tim Hortons? Consider spending your pink dollars elsewhere as the recent event at one of their southern Ontario stores will leave a bad taste in the mouth of any LGBT consumer or one who supports equality.

On a recent trip to a Tim Hortons, a lesbian couple says they had been asked to leave or the police would be called because of a complaint of "inappropriate behavior" (hand holding & some kisses) was brought to the store manager's attention by a customer who had also happened to be a pentecostal minister.

Eric Revie, the assistant pastor of Glad Tidings Community Church says he did not ask the manager to ask them to leave but instead told the manager he did not want his young children to see such "lewd" behavior.

Tim Hortons posted a somewhat apology on it's Facebook page & invited the couple to return.

As a long time dedicated follower of Tim Hortons, my pink dollars & I will now reconsider where I get that next cup of java in the future...

 

Tim Hortons

Guest Services (800)601-1616

Corporate Office (905)845-6511

Fax (905)845-0265

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

 Email Form

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New Hampshire Marriage Equality Under Threat

Marriage Equality, A Threat To New Hampshire

 "Let the majority (GOP) decide on minorities civil rights"

Even though the MAJORITY of New Hampshire citizens oppose repealing marriage equality...

As progress in LGBT rights slowly moves forward on the national stage, the desire to push them back in some states by those who continue to feel we as a community are not worthy of the "special" rights so many heterosexuals take for granted.

Take New Hampshire, "Live Free Or Die," where dealing with the issues of jobs & the economy take a back seat by those such as Rep Gregory Sorg (R) who still believe we, the LGBT community remain the biggest threat to society. Rep Sorg, in a recent statement said, "gay marriage will cause harm to society over time, even if it's not evident now." Going on to further say, "Some societal changes take generations to manifest themselves."

Estimated Expenditures would increase $50,500 to "correct" the wrongs of the state in fy 2012.

Contact your state Representative or, if you are not a resident but have family/friends from New Hampshire, tell them to help take a stand against this injustice by contacting their Representative & asking them to vote no on Bill 437 because hate & inequality has no place in the state of "Live Free Or Die."

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National Coming Out Day

A New Beginning

 

Be yourself, be proud
&

welcome, to a new day!

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Ledyard, NY Town Clerk's Defiance Of The Law

Face Of Official Intolerance

Ledyard, New York Town Clerk Rose Marie Belforti, an elected official sworn to uphold the laws of New York has continued in her defiance to break the law by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the passage of marriage equality in New York.

Last month, Mrs. Belforti sent a letter to the town board giving her decision to NOT issue marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs.

Won't do her job because of her religious beliefs?????

She is ENTITLED to her religious beliefs but, at the same time, she MUST perform the job she was elected & sworn to. She cannot decide which laws to follow & which to ignore. If she decides she can't issue marriage licenses, she needs to resign her position as Town Clerk ASAP.

Ledyard Town Clerk Rose Marie Belforti:

Town Building

1099 Poplar Ridge Road

Aurora, NY 13026

 Phone (315)364-5707

Fax (315)364-5711

Email Ledyard@hughes.net

Ledyard Town Board, New York Att General, Gov. Cuomo, what are your thoughts?

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DADT Passes Away...

End Of A Hateful Era

 

Tuesday, September 20th, 12:01am EDT - With no 21 gun salute or national fanfare for justice finally served (just the destruction of lives & careers), DADT quietly passed into the history books leaving behind a shameful reminder of how equal & free many of us truly are.

Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno on this historical moment: "Today marks the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The law is repealed. From this day forward, gay & lesbian soldiers may serve in our Army with the dignity & respect they deserve."

May this day be one we remember as a huge victory but also, may it be a constant reminder of the struggles we have faced & continue to face in our fight for equality.

Congratulations & thank you to ALL who serve!

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The GOP Wedge Trump Card

Out Of Touch Once Again...

On Tuesday afternoon, the vote so many North Carolina GOP representatives were desperately seeking has finally been delivered on a silver platter. Could it be a bill for jobs creation? NOPE! Maybe tax cuts for the state's citizens? NOPE! Hurricane Irene Help? NOPE! What about education issues? NOPE! The environment & energy? NOPE! Possibly health care? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The most important & pressing issue for the state's lawmakers is "marriage in-equality" & making sure traditional straight marriage is "protected" by passing a Gay Marriage Amendment ballot.

"Protected," forcing a vote against the civil rights of a minority by the majority...

Out of the ass of Senator Jim Forrester (R): "this wasn't a slap in the face to them, it was just something I thought we needed to do to continue to have a strong family structure here in North Carolina."

Shame on those who are put into positions of power that seek nothing more than to hurt others with their hatred/extreme ideologies.

Well Mr. Obama, anything to say?

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New Balance's "Make All Better" Letter...

Money Not Well Spent...

 

An open Letter:

"Dear New Balance associates, customers and consumers:
Earlier this year, a private donation was made by our Chairman to a political action committee that is affiliated with Mitt Romney. First, let me be clear that this was a private donation and not a contribution from New Balance. We encourage civic engagement at all levels and will always respect the right of any of our associates to engage in the political process as they see fit. We typically do not comment on private political donations; however, this situation is different. 

Mr. Romney recently signed a pledge that challenges same sex marriage and that has offended many including those in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Mr. Romney’s position on this issue is not reflective of Jim Davis’, my or New Balance’s position and support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community. As a company, New Balance embraces the differences in all people and we work tirelessly to create and sustain an environment where everyone – our associates, consumers, customers and guests – are treated with dignity and respect."

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Historical First Same-Sex Marriages In New York!

I Do New York!

 

As a volunteer & advocate for our community, I'm usually in contact with an organization (often my favorite, The LOFT!) or group when I hear of any important issues or events effecting our community as I'm often looking to help since I'm not someone who waits around for a possible "missed opportunity" to make a difference.

July 24th was no exception...

With little sleep the night before, I awoke around 7am to get my morning going as I was eager to get started volunteering in such an historical & joyous event & to be around those that are special to me.

 

After picking up my friend, we were off on the hour journey to Greenburgh Town Hall (I decide to get there early as I figured there would be plenty of setting up).

Upon arriving to an empty parking lot & locked doors, I panicked & began making calls to find out if I was at the right place & if people were on their way. Well, it turns out we were a few hours early!

Finally, people began arriving & I was eager to get involved. With it pretty much being a catered event, the director of The LOFT asked me to be the "official photographer." So, with camera in hand, I began snapping pictures of everything from the arrivals, license applications, food to the best part, the "I Do's!" choreographed to the sounds of thunderous applause!!!!

Congratulations to some of New York's first who tied the knot & good luck to those who seek it in the future!

Many thanks go out to the Greenburgh officials, the judges, caterers & all who made that magical day possible (especially since they all volunteered their time)!

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

DADT's Official Execution Date Set

 60 Days & Counting...

With the stroke of President Obama's pen, the discriminative & destructive DADT has officially begun it's downward spiral into the history books of a shameful & unequal treatment of 1 of America's minority groups.

During the official signing, Obama said, "it undermines our military readiness & violates American principles of fairness & equality."

He went on to say: "In accordance with the legislation that I signed into law last December, I have certified & notified Congress that the requirements for repeal have been met."

DADT officially passes from the law September 20th, 2011.

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Pride In A Community

Community With A Big Heart

 

 

In Wake Of The May 22nd Tornado that devastated the community of Joplin, Missouri, the LGBT community is coming together to make a difference & can use your help.

The EF-5 tornado spared little in it's path including the loss of over 100 lives, destroying businesses, homes & the "Unity Spirit Of Christ MCC," a church founded by & for the LGBT community.

Ways you can help:

American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org

Spirit Of Hope MCC - (816)931-0750

GLO Center - (417)869-3978

Show Me No Hate - Ed Reggi showmenohate@gmail.com 

MCC Of Greater St. Louis - (314)361-3221 help@mccgsl.com

 Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

Priorities, Priorities...

GOP's Upside Down Priorities...

At a time when American's are struggling to find work (let alone hold onto one since many have continued to move overseas) or who are in jeopardy of their unemployment benefits running out, worrying about putting food on the table, home foreclosures, health care insurance issues, debt, high taxes, the ongoing war in Afghanistan, illegal immigration, etc, the GOP has put together a list of the most pressing issues to deal with in order to "take America back."

At the top of the list are the following: 

• Health care repeal.
• Destroying families by targeting marriage equality.
• Denying a woman her right to choose.
• Monitoring average Americans who use FOIA.
• The White House.

Priorities, oh' the priorities...

As for last on the list, G-d help us all.

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Reload

You Betcha!

"Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America" are to heed messages like this huh?

What does your "commonsense" tell you regarding this message from a right wing extremist such a Sarah "Mama Grizzly" Palin?

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Sarah Palin's Message Of Hope...

Process Of Elimination...

As the news of a mass shooting of 12 which included Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford (D) of Arizona outside a Tuscon, Arizona grocery store, Alaska's former GOP governor and presidential hopeful Sarah "Mama Grizzly" Palin's twitter featured this image (which has since been removed).

It's the extreme dark GOP ideology such as this that continues to plague & divide this country with anger and violence.

Christian morals uh Sarah?

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The Numbers...

Uphill Battle

As the fight for equality in 2011 begins to ramp up & the majority of house seats begin to warm with GOP bottoms, this year promises to be one of further complication, but not of impossibility!

Make this the year to:

• Get off the couch
• Come out
• Speak out
• Help financially
• Volunteer

Quoting former President John F. Kennedy, "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

What can YOU DO for our community because now, your voice & actions are needed more than ever!

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!