TAKE ACTION! HRC: Sign Our Petition for Marriage Equality

projectqueer:

Washington, D.C. has now joined five states in allowing same-sex couples to marry. Other states have legal protections for domestic partnerships, civil unions, or recognize same-sex spouses who have married in another state.

Yet all same-sex couples are still denied the full federal rights of marriage – hospital visitation, Social Security benefits, equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws, the right to take leave to care for a spouse, and more.

This civil rights struggle is simply about day-to-day life. Two people who are in committed, loving relationships should be able to protect each other with basic legal rights and safeguards.

More than a million people have already signed this petition. Sign and help us reach 2 million!

After you’ve signed the petition, you’ll have an opportunity to send a note of congratulations to some of Washington’s newest newlywed couples!

posted by scantron
Comments (View) -|- Tags: action, takeaction, politics, advocacy, marriage equality, same-sex marriage,
Call to Action - Duke University, Durham NC

Thanks amindy07 for the heads up! pulled info from the facebook event:

On Monday April 20, the Westboro Baptist Church will be gracing Duke with its presence, from 7:30am-8:00am. For those of you who don’t know, this group has been labeled a terrorist group by the ACLU, and spews some of the most ludicrous hate speech of any groups currently at work in the US.

“Well, we wish it were 33,000 killed, but we are thankful for 33.” (In reference to the VTech shootings.)

“The Lord God Almighty killed [the people who died on 9/11], looked at them in the face, laughed and mocked at each one of them as he cast each one of them into hell.”

“This is the hypocritical, fag-infested, fag-run United States of America and we’re supposed to respect that fag rag flag?”


These warped and attention-seeking sheep are hardly worth anyone’s time, and make their profit off of inciting bystanders to violence against them.

IN LIGHT OF THIS, Duke University chaplains and religious leaders are hosting a peaceful breakfast in front of the chapel, as a quiet but forceful show of support for Duke’s LGBT community, it’s allies, ROTC, and all those groups who have been targeted by Fred Phelps and the WBC. We cannot engage them, this would only play into their hands and give them the attention they crave. Instead, let them protest on their own, ignored, while we gather as a united community to celebrate our diverse campus.

THIS IS A CALL TO PEACEFUL ACTION. Come in your LOVE=LOVE shirt, eat a nice breakfast w/ friends. Let’s take this opportunity to show our support for ALL the communities that make up Duke campus.

In order for this to really have an impact we need the Chapel steps to be covered in a WAVE of LOVE=LOVE shirts and students mingling, unfazed by the bigotry being brandished just outside our campus. SO INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS! Drag them out of bed Monday morning! JUST BE THERE!

Date: Monday, April 20, 2009 
Time: 7:30am - 8:00am
Location: In front of the Chapel, Duke University
City/Town: Durham, NC

posted by scantron
Comments (View) -|- Tags: action, news, events, activism,
Amazon’s Epic Fail

I’m sure you’ve heard as it’s been all over the internet this weekend that Amazon.com had a “glitch” which caused all of their gay and lesbian books to be classified as Adult books, thus removing their sales ranking (which is the basis of their search engine algorithums). Now, if you search for books using the term “homosexuality”, the very first item that comes up is A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality. Hmm.. sounds like SOMEONE at Amazon.com is a big homophobe for a “glitch” this big and intentional to happen.

I have always been skeptical of Amazon.com since doing volunteer research work for the now extinct BuyBlue.org which researched financial contributions of CEO’s of top businesses and corporations. CEOs of Amazon.com, unsurprisingly, gave generously to Bush Jr’s presidential campaign.

Stop supporting Amazon.com and support businesses that aren’t royally screwing you over. Just because they are the biggest online retailer, doesn’t mean they are the only one. Try Powells.com, who tweeted “That certainly is disturbing. Fortunately, Powell’s will never censor this material” after hearing about the Amazon controversy.

AMAZON EPIC FAIL!

UPDATE: Turns out the whole controversy was the works of a hacker and not Amazon.com, but whatever. Major corporations that support republicans still suck. So don’t give them your money.

UPDATE: So was it really a hacker or did Amazon hire a hacker to take the blame so they can slip out of this mess?

guess we’ll find out as things unfold…

posted by scantron
Comments (View) -|- Tags: homophobia, boycott, action, news,
URGENT ACTION: Call Now!

Please call all of our legislators today! It will only take a minute. Right-wing, misinformed “religious” groups, fueled and underpinned by purely politcal motives are rallying outside the legislative building in support of the constitutional amendment to North Carolina’s constitution that would write in discrimination!

Call these legislators and share your disappointment with them signing on to the bill as cosponsors from our area:

Rep. Carolyn Justice
919-715-9664
Rep. Danny McComas
919-733-5786
Rep. Bonner Stiller
919-301-1450

All three of these legislators are out of step with the country and with the times are signing up for a bill that does not protect marriage, but writes in discrimination. They know it and are still doing it! This is not what we need in this state during this time!

Call and thank:

Rep. Sandra Hughes at
(919) 733-5754
Sen. Julia Boseman at
(919) 715-2525

Both of these legislators have stood up and said NO to op

posted by scantron
Comments (View) -|- Tags: action, marriage, north carolina, take action, urgent action, activism,
Legislation Begins, Time to Lobby in Florida!

gavelinIt’s March 3rd and today is Florida’s first day in legislative session. Legislation topics include the passage of the four LGBT-rights bills:

  • Adding ‘Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’ to the Florida Civil Rights Bill
  • Ending the anti-gay adoption ban;
  • Create statewide legal protections for same-sex couples
  • Expanding Florida’s Hate Crimes law

Action now!

Whether you are fellow Floridian, North Carolinian, or Oklahoman, now is the time to voice your opinion and make a difference in our country! Let’s use our government and put democracy into practice by participating in lobby days, contacting your state representatives and state senators to get these bills heard and passed this session.

Here’s a starter list (feel free to add on to it in the comments section) of websites that should keep you in the loop about what LGBT issues/topics are being discussed at the state level.

Equality NC
Equality FL
Equality CA
Equality OK
Equality NY
Equality TX
Equality IL
Equality MD
Equality VA
Equality GA
Equality MI
Equality VT
Equality NH

Fellow Floridians, I encourage you to make a lunch date with other LGBTQ activists (allies that means you too!) for the Rally in Tally, Monday, March 16th at noon. Read up Public Policy Director Mallory Wells’ notes on what’s happening at the FL Capitol and visit your State Legislature’s website (FL) to read up on the bills:

  1. SB0460/HB0413 are the Adoption bills;
  2. SB1642 is the Senate version of the statewide Domestic Partnership bill by Sen. Eleanor Sobel. There is a similar House version, HB1067;
  3. HB2012/HB 397 are the bills that will extend Florida’s Civil Rights Act to cover “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”. (Local Tallahassee note: Sen. Al Lawson has another bill on civil rights which protects pregnant women… but does not speak to LGBT people.)
  4. SB220/HB265 are the bills that would establish the “Florida Healthy Teens Act” by eliminating the heterosexist “abstinence-only” sex education allowed in schools today. (Local note: newly-elected Tallahassee state representative Michelle Rehwinkle-Vasilinda has signed on as a co-sponsor of the House legislation).


Update/Resources provided by  Tallahassee Impact and Join the Impact.

posted by teknacolorninja
Morehouse College Trans/Homophobia Update

This is an e.mail I received from George Anthony Montgomery Jr. (National Co-chair: Youth Caucus):

“I have attempted to keep everyone up to speed on the article written by Mr. Gaynor of Morehouse College titled “Is Gay the Way?” Like I said I did write a lengthy letter to Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Gaynor expressing my opinions on his “opinions.” Well, on Feb. 23rd, Mr. Gaynor sent another article out to the Maroon Tigers webpage, and I would like each of you to read it. Apparenly Mr. Gaynor has yet to realize the error of his way, and I for one am tired of seeing his complete and utter ignorance put into print week after week. I, once again, encourage each of you to write Mr. Mitchell and the administration of Morehouse College and tell them enough is enough. Pass this link on to other LGBTQ communities, let’s make not only Mr. Gaynor and Mr. Mitchell, but the entire administration at Morehouse know that enough is enough!!!”

There is also a poll posted with this new article: “Do you consider Morehouse to be a largely homophobic institution?” Right now the results are 69% Yes, 31% No.

Want to express your outrage about these articles? We’ve made it super easy for you! Use the links above to e.mail Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Gaynor. Just copy & paste the following, put in the respective last name, add your name, and send!

Mr. ,

I find it very unfortunate that Morehouse College’s esteemed reputation is being marred by the article “Is Gay The Way” as well as it’s followup article. What is being defended as a mere expression of opinion is actually a direct and blatant attack on the LGBTQ community. These articles can seriously hurt certain Morehouse students and that is why I am asking you to stop providing a platform for fear and ignorance, and to please make sure that any further discussions of the LGBTQ community in the Maroon Tiger can in no way be misconstrued as homophobic.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Or if you’d like to call to make your point the number is: (404) 681-2800

posted by babeuseless
Utah lawmaker: Gays are “greatest threat to America”

Speaking of UNCW PRIDE…. PRIDE’s Vice President, Caitlin just sent out an urgent message on facebook. Check it out and take action!

Hey everyone,

I just heard an unbelievable interview by Utah State Senator Chris Buttars. He called LGBT Americans “probably the greatest threat to America…I know of.” With the country fighting two wars and the economy the way it is, you’d think there would be other things that would keep Sen. Buttars up at night, right?

Don’t let them get away with ignorant homophobia. Click below to tell the Head of the Utah Senate that Sen. Buttars should be condemned or censured.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/buttars

Words matter. They can’t just be laughed of shrugged off. In the same interview, Sen. Buttars also called homosexuals “the meanest buggers I’ve ever seen.” That’s exactly the kind of rhetoric that creates an atmosphere conducive to violent hate crimes.

Will Utah’s leaders turn a blind eye? Will they tolerate open bigotry? Write to them today and demand accountability.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/buttars

Thanks for helping, guys!

Caitlin
Vice President of PRIDE

posted by scantron
Comments (View) -|- Tags: Chris Buttars, UNCW, Utah, take action, action,
Picket Human Rights Campaign Gala 2009 -Charolotte,NC

Dear Friends,

I would like to inform you that I have set up a Demonstration with a picket line at the Westin Hotel and the Charlotte Convention Center on February the 21st. The Charlotte Police Dept has been notified in accordance with the law and is a legal Picket. The Demonstration will start at 5pm until 7pm.

The reason for the Protest is that HRC, the Human Rights Campaign in negations with Congress for the Employment Non Discrimination Act. Agreed with the Congressional Committee to Delete the Transgender Community from the Bill, giving us no chance for equal employment. The Human Rights Campaign was paid by the transgender community through membership fee’s and donations to represent us in a full and inclusive ENDA. HRC failed us by agreeing to elimate us from the bill.

We as the transgender community deplore this action by HRC, who claims to be a transgender inclusive organization. I ask the LGBT community to support us by boycotting the Charlotte Gala in hopes that the LGBT community will send a clear message to HRC that we are a family that supports each other. If you would like to participate in our demonstration contact me at janiceCovington1@aol.com.

Thank you,

Janice Covington Allison

www.transcarolina.org

Picket Location and Time:

Time: February 21, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm
Location: Westin Hotel, Charlotte Convention center
Street: Collage St
City/Town: Charlotte NC
Contact Info: 704-309-6051
Organized By: Janice Covington

For further reading about the Transgender Community dispute with HRC go to:

Provided by: Raleigh GLBT Cultural Report & News

posted by teknacolorninja
Comments (View) -|- Tags: charolotte, human, north carolina, rights, transcarolina, transgendered, action,
Rally in Tally!
posted by teknacolorninja
Comments (View) -|- Tags: Tallahassee, activism, equality, facebook, florida, gay adoption, politics, tall, action,
Raleigh's GLBT community call to action!

This was sent to us in a newletter called “Raleigh GLBT Cultural Report & News”, and I believe you can sign up for the digital format via raleighGLBTReport@att.net. The next newsletter will be out Feb 23rd (so be on the lookout). Here’s a story that needs your help right away! There’s already a buzz of comments about the article, check it out here.

“On Feb. 24, the bishops of both dioceses will hold a news conference at the legislature to announce their support for an amendment to the state’s constitution defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman. The effort is intended to quash the possibility of same-sex marriage, should a court find North Carolina’s law prohibiting gay unions unconstitutional.” -newsobserver.com

Raligh GLBT Report suggests writing letters to The News & Observer Editor, plus write letters to The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh / North Carolina , then contact all your elected officials (pdf) with your personal and community concerns. Raleigh and North Carolina need your support!

posted by teknacolorninja
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