If Elected, I Promise To Deny Gays Of Any Equality!

Count On Me To Fight Against Our Most Important Issue, LGBT Equality!

Illinois governor hopeful Bill Brady (R) on his agenda if elected: "Prohibiting any Marriage Equality or Civil Unions" by including them in a package of ideas that the voters would sure stand up for such as taxes, legislative term limits and a redistricting process.

Forget about things like the economy, jobs, crime, mortgage crisis etc!

What is it these so called politicians for "giving government to the people" are so scared of? Does the LGBT community really scare them so much? Is it we are outspent in funding/filling their coffers by the religious right? Could it be their backwards thinking/belief we will rub off on them, their family and friends or their insecurities of coming out themselves?

Hey, Bill Brady's of the world, remember: "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" and "All (wo)Men Are Created Equal"

GOP - "Gay Oppressing Politicians"

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Democrats Loss Widens...

Historical Upset As GOP Stains Massachusetts Senate Seat

In yet another blow to the Democratic party, Republican Scott Brown wins the Massachusetts Senate seat held by the late Senator Kennedy in one of America's most liberal states. Adding insult to injury, it comes on the day New Jersey swears in it's new homophobic Governor Chris Christie...

When will the voters of America wake up and realize the mess where in was due to the past 8 years of the Bush regime's failed GOP policies...

Democratic Party, THIS IS THE WARNING SHOT HEARD ROUND' THE COUNTRY!
When are you going to wake up and take notice? Time is running out! You have been warned...

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Applauding Inequality

Celebrating The Denial Of Other's Civil Rights/Liberties

Trenton New Jersey - In another blow to "Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness" And "All Men Are Created Equal" in America, the New Jersey Senate has voted 20/14 against the passage of Marriage Equality even though there were plenty of "safeguard" provisions for religious/clergy to be under no obligation to perform such unions. Once again, bigotry prevails in continuing the tradition of gay and lesbian second class citizens...

What's ironic was the loud applause from the senate galley as the vote results were read. The results of continuing unfair restrictions on another's civil rights and liberties.

It's time for the government to get out of the marriage business as well as no longer offering the over 1,000 some odd benefits and rights that go with it. If they did, you can sure bet there would be less at the alter...

Another setback only to strengthen our voices and cause to not ask for but demand change! I say to my fellow LGBT, NEVER GIVE UP!

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New York, The Empire Inequality State

Marriage Equality Bill Fails In Senate Vote

 Albany - The first Senate debate on the future of marriage equality in New York is officially dead.

As I sat there watching the live broadcast from the place that never seems to accomplish much in the way of fiscal responsibility, I felt a slim possibility of it's passage after the passionate pleas of doing the right thing. But, as the "slow vote" began, the no's began overshadowed the yes's. 1 by one, the Republican and "undercover Republican" senators voted it down. The final count - 24/38

The NY hall of shame featuring the dems who voted no on marriage equality: Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) • Darrel Aubertine (D- Cape Vincent) • Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) • Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) • Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) • Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) • George Onorato (D-Queens) • William Stachowski (D-Buffalo).

Looks like we, the "second class" LGBT citizens of this great state will continue to pay taxes, work and struggle but will continue to have limited civil rights that all hetero's take for granted as the homophobe Senators (and those worried about their jobs) have spoken. Shame on all of those who decided the best thing for New York was to vote against equality. Shame on you!

New York deserves better and I hope this hard lesson of our continued second class citizen status will be a wake up call more than ever to become involved in our fight for equality!

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Keep a smile on your face and love in your heart!

Church And State Give You Our Blessings

The Influence Of The Religious Institution

No Separation of church and state to benefit our Salt Lake City, Utah LGBT brothers and sisters in the protections that the rest of the community takes for granted.

With the blessings of the Mormon Temple, new "gay rights" will be allowed that protect in housing and job discrimination (I wonder if that includes the LDS community/properties). "The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage" the LDS said in a statement.

Does this look like an olive branch? Should we bow to the LDS in thanks? I say, NO! This is more the reason there needs and has to be a separation of church and state and that the church should not be involved in laws that affect others, especially when it comes to denying others of their civil rights.

I think the best thing for these churches is that they lose their tax exempt status since they are part of the political machine that destroyed families with their funding of Proposition 8. They find it less important distributing their massive funds to help feed the hungry, help the homeless and other community issues all in the name of bigotry and intolerance...

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Do You Feel Safer Now?

Historic Hate Crimes Bill Signed Into Law

Washington D.C. - President Barack Obama signs the much overdue hate crimes bill into law giving protection status to our community as well as persons with disABILITIES (wow, I am protected twice in 1 bill uh?).

But, at what moment do we truly celebrate this victory/compromise?

To receive the status this bill affords the LGBT community, it had to be attached to the military defense bill. It is disappointing to know that its the main reason for its passage and not because it was the right thing to do.

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that now we will have some recognition for the horrible crimes committed against our community for nothing more than being who we are and showing the simple act of love. But, will we truly be a protected class? Hate is hate and hate knows no boundaries/protections.

It will not be enough being signed into law but rather the best defense against these acts is education. Education must begin at home, school, church, work, etc.

It's another step forward on the long and winding road called Equality we hope to finish in a land called America...

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National Coming Out Day/Equality March

A Voice By The Thousands Promising To Be Loud And Proud!

As National Coming Out Day approaches us once again, this year promises to be much more than a day of "self liberation" as thousands of queer Americans and supporters will descend upon Washington D.C. demanding to be heard on the issues of equality and fairness in everything from marriage to jobs, housing and the past campaign promise by then presidential candidate Barack Obama to lift DADT (military ban on serving openly).

As my disapproval towards those that want to deny us of our rights turns to anger, I find positive ways of venting that energy towards advocacy and education (as well as the creation of my award winning LGBT CAT toolbar) in many things I do such as having a conversation with someone regarding the many benefits and protections (such as the recent situation where a lesbian was denied access to her dying partner because Florida is a homophobic state and that hate can legally be used to deny you access to a loved one) we are NOT entitled to solely based on our sexual orientation/identity to being discharged from serving our country.

These discriminative issues just don't seem to make much sense in the great land of America, especially after my recent trip to Springfield, Illinois in where I learned so much more about a beloved man and former president named Abraham Lincoln who's famous Gettysburg Address invoked principles of human equality encompassed by the Declaration Of Independence "a new birth of freedom" that would bring true equality to all of its citizens and declared the sacrifices of battle had rededicated the nation to propositions of democracy and equality.

So, here we are, 2009' battling for the basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, happiness to be free to be who we are because that is what so many, including Lincoln have fought and died for.

So, as we come or step out to be heard, let us not forget the fight for equality does not come easy in a country that "guarantees it" but rather, which is manipulated by hate and bigotry.

Overcome them and we have won our fight!

Stand tall, stand proud and most importantly, be yourself!

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http://lgbtminute.ourtoolbar.com

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As The Band Played On, DADT Played Even Louder

Celebrating The Sacrifices Of America's (straight) Armed Forces

And the band played on...

At an evening of celebration at the nation's premier military academy, West Point,
the MC of ceremonies began by speaking of how many sacrifices the armed services have and continue to give to this great nation of freedom and that we should all stand and feel proud as the flag is lowered.

Sitting there, I began to think of how for many American's, the word "freedom" does not truly apply as well as any celebrating of their sacrifices as I am often reminded of inequality and DADT.

Yes, the performances were outstanding as the military bands Hellcats, Jazz Knights and West Point Concert Band played into the evening followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Hudson.

So, as I celebrated the sacrifices of our military service members, a special moment of celebration and sadness from my heart went out to my brothers and sisters in the LGBT community who were shown thanklessness and discharged under DADT...

To you I say, "Thank You!"

And, may DADT one day no longer be a part of America's great policy of discrimination and bigotry.

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Goodbye And Thank You Dear Friend!

A True Ally In The Fight For Equality, You Will Never Be Forgotten.

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (February 22nd, 1932 - August 25th, 2009)

Some of Senator Kennedy's great contributions to our community included voting against the 1996 passage of DOMA, fighting against any attempts at passing an outright federal marriage equality ban, co-sponsor of ENDA and supporter of the Matthew Shepard Act.

Senator Kennedy leaves behind a legacy of fighting for the "little guy" and those with a "weak voice" in a country where bigotry, intolerance and hate make for passage of oppression and discriminative for many.

G-d bless you and thank you for all you have done for humanity.
P.S. If you see my beloved angel Booboo in Heaven, please tell her I miss and love her very much!

Visit the official Kennedy Memorial Site

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Railroaded

A Bitter And Costly Road Many New Yorkers Will Travel

Ok, so this is not actually about LGBT rights/equality (actually, once a year it is commonly referred to as the "Gay Train" by our community, come the last weekend in June and not to mention, it is very hot on board due to so many open flames that day) but, it is about unfairness.

With all the fiscal mismanagement in Albany and those who run this so called "commuter haven" that stretches it's ugly tentacles from NYC and lower CT all the way up most of the Mid Hudson valley of New York.

Metro North, which has for some time been crying "hardship, has been pressing the powers that be to do something. So, the "good ol' folks" in Albany decided to "railroad" those who live in the area where the train comes threw by creating exorbitant automotive registration fees.

My previous 2 year automotive registration renewal fee - $48.00
"New and improved" 2 year "railroaded" registration renewal - $163.50

Lets break down those purse lightening little fees:

Increase in flat rate registration fee - $71.00
Motor vehicle "use fee" $10.00 (I wonder if I could avoid it if I promise not to use my vehicle)
Metro North Train Fee - $50.00
6 cylinders under the hood. Yep, there's a fee for that too! - $32.50

$163.50

That cost does not include yet more fees on the way in 2010 with the new driver's license fees and license plates we will all be required to pay for...

The point I am making in this posting is that we need to take a stand against those that treat us unfairly. Be it equality or Albany!

Do you live in New York? Contact Albany and your elected officials and tell them to stop railroading us because enough is enough of this nonsense!
P.S. Albany and my elected officials have heard my anger!

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Strange Bedfellows: President Obama And Department Of Justice

LGBT Equality/Rights Tug Of War

Working towards equality while working against equality...

In a political system that just never ceases to amaze me, President Obama has gone public saying DOMA is anti gay and unfair and wants to work on its repeal. All the while, the Department Of Justice is working diligently to defend it.

How is it a government of, by and for the people can work so hard to defend something that denies people their rights?

Thank you Mr. President, for taking a stand and for making it publicly known that you believe this hateful law is just that, hateful and wrong and needs to go!

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

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