Last night at the Oscars, Sean Penn won best actor for his role in “Milk.” This inspiring essay, written by Dustin Lance Black, winner of best original screenplay for “Milk,” was posted last week on Towleroad.
In a New York Times op-ed, a pair of pro- and anti- same-sex marriage authors come to the conclusion that the federal government should, for now, provide the federal benefits of marriage to same-sex couples who have civil unions or marriages in their home states.
Hawaii has become the latest civil unions battleground. As the nation’s first state to pass a “defense of marriage” amendment, it would become the fifth state to pass civil unions legislation.
A Tucson, Ariz. newspaper is investigating the National Department of Veterans Affairs’ policy not to cover health costs associated with transitioning for transgender veterans.
Utah State Senator Chris Buttars has been removed as Chair of the state’s Senate Judiciary Committee after his comment that gay activists are "probably the greatest threat to America going down."
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Morning Sweep
A task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has recommended that the denomination consider allowing openly gay people to serve as clergy, but that churches not be required to do so.
The New York Times writes on “Rent: the High School Edition” being banned from some schools, and argues that the musical is a sort of cultural litmus test for changing attitudes about LGBT issues and sex education across the country. We guess “Spring Awakening: High School Edition” is out of the question, then?
LGBT legislation update: Wisconsin’s governor has proposed a domestic partnership plan that would grant many of the same legal protections as straight couples; an Idaho Senator is proposing a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and the West Virginia legislature isn’t biting on legislation proposed by anti-gay activists to amend the state's constitution to further ban marriage for gay couples.
At a recent U.N. conference, the U.S. reversed its Bush-administration position opposing a statement calling for the universal decriminalization of being gay.
The New York Times writes on “Rent: the High School Edition” being banned from some schools, and argues that the musical is a sort of cultural litmus test for changing attitudes about LGBT issues and sex education across the country. We guess “Spring Awakening: High School Edition” is out of the question, then?
LGBT legislation update: Wisconsin’s governor has proposed a domestic partnership plan that would grant many of the same legal protections as straight couples; an Idaho Senator is proposing a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and the West Virginia legislature isn’t biting on legislation proposed by anti-gay activists to amend the state's constitution to further ban marriage for gay couples.
At a recent U.N. conference, the U.S. reversed its Bush-administration position opposing a statement calling for the universal decriminalization of being gay.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Engaging Straight Allies in the Workplace
On Tuesday, the Pride in My Workplace 2009 Business Leaders for LGBT Equality Series launched with a panel discussion at the offices of Nixon Peabody LLP. The Business Leaders Series highlights the experiences of individuals and companies leading the way for LGBT workplace equality.
Tuesday’s panel, “Best Practices in Action: Engaging Straight Allies,” brought together over 25 professionals from a variety of industries to talk about strategies for engaging straight and non-trans allies in the workplace. Panelists included moderator Leotis Sanders from Macy’s East, Robert Christmas from Nixon Peabody LLP, and Marsha Bonner from the New York Times. The panelists had some great insight into ways that professionals can encourage straight allies to become advocates for LGBT equality and engage on a level that makes them feel comfortable and welcome.
In the below video clip, straight ally Leotis Sanders speaks about the challenges in encouraging others to “come out” in support of the LGBT community.
Marsha Bonner talked about the difference between “compliance” in accepting LGBT people at work and “commitment” in becoming a straight ally.
Robert Christmas spoke about the importance of giving straight employees the opportunity to talk about LGBT people and families and to move outside of their automatic comfort zone.
The second panel in the 2009 Business Leaders Series will discuss “Best Practices in Marriage Recognition” and will be held in May in NYC. For more information, contact Pride in My Workplace Coordinator, Wazina Zondon at wzondon@prideagenda.org or 212-627-0305.
Defying Inequality Concert on Monday
Next Monday, February 23 at 8 pm, stars from the Broadway community and beyond will come together at NYC’s Gershwin Theatre (222 W. 51 Street) for Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert – a celebrity benefit for equal rights. The special evening will benefit the Pride Agenda as well as Equality California, the Family Equality Council, Garden State Equality, and Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force – all organizations that work to promote equality and protect civil rights for the gay and lesbian community.
The benefit will include the Broadway debut of Marc Shaiman's internet sensation, Prop 8 - The Musical, a special performance by Stephen Schwartz (composer of Wicked), and appearances by Cyndi Lauper, David Hyde Pierce, Harvey Fierstein, Carson Kressley, Judy Gold, Nathan Lane, Michael Urie, Mark Indelicato, Rue McClanahan – and many more. These stars will also be joined by members of the casts of Billy Elliot, The Color Purple National Tour, Gypsy, Hair, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, South Pacific, Spring Awakening, Wicked – and even more. New cast members are being added every day as more people and organizations sign on to make a difference for LGBT rights.
Tickets are $50-$100 – for more information or to purchase, click here. We hope to see you there!
The benefit will include the Broadway debut of Marc Shaiman's internet sensation, Prop 8 - The Musical, a special performance by Stephen Schwartz (composer of Wicked), and appearances by Cyndi Lauper, David Hyde Pierce, Harvey Fierstein, Carson Kressley, Judy Gold, Nathan Lane, Michael Urie, Mark Indelicato, Rue McClanahan – and many more. These stars will also be joined by members of the casts of Billy Elliot, The Color Purple National Tour, Gypsy, Hair, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, South Pacific, Spring Awakening, Wicked – and even more. New cast members are being added every day as more people and organizations sign on to make a difference for LGBT rights.
Tickets are $50-$100 – for more information or to purchase, click here. We hope to see you there!
Morning Sweep
A new Gannett poll found that about half of New Jersey residents think same-sex couples should be able to marry and that the state constitution shouldn’t be amended to ban gay marriage.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will release today its recommendations on whether to allow gay clergy.
There’s lots of legislative action affecting LGBT people occurring across the country:
North Dakota’s Senate has voted to expand the state’s anti-discrimination protections to gays and lesbians. The bill now goes to the House.
The Denver Post editorializes in favor of two bills to make it easier for gay couples to file paperwork to share benefits and plan estates, and to grant partners of gay state employees health and other benefits.
A Kentucky paper editorializes against a proposed ban on foster parenting and adoption by unmarried couples.
The fifth and final “Common Ground” LGBT bill in Utah has been voted down. The bill would have offered unmarried couples - straight or gay - inheritance rights and the power to make medical decisions when the other partner is incapacitated.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will release today its recommendations on whether to allow gay clergy.
There’s lots of legislative action affecting LGBT people occurring across the country:
North Dakota’s Senate has voted to expand the state’s anti-discrimination protections to gays and lesbians. The bill now goes to the House.
The Denver Post editorializes in favor of two bills to make it easier for gay couples to file paperwork to share benefits and plan estates, and to grant partners of gay state employees health and other benefits.
A Kentucky paper editorializes against a proposed ban on foster parenting and adoption by unmarried couples.
The fifth and final “Common Ground” LGBT bill in Utah has been voted down. The bill would have offered unmarried couples - straight or gay - inheritance rights and the power to make medical decisions when the other partner is incapacitated.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Same-Sex Marriage Myths Busted
We recently launched a new resource to help combat some of the common myths that anti-marriage equality forces use to argue against marriage for same-sex couples. Same-Sex Marriage Myths Busted presents misconceptions about marriage along with the facts, documents and links that prove them wrong. Some of the topics covered include the current status of same-sex marriages in New York State; the difference between civil unions, domestic partnerships, and marriage; the claim that same-sex marriage threatens religious freedom; marriage as a changing institution through history; and same-sex marriage’s financial impact.
We hope this resource will be useful not just as a tool against the opposition’s false arguments, but also for supporters who want to learn more about the fight for marriage equality here in New York State.
Morning Sweep
The California State Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 7-3 yesterday in favor of a resolution that would invalidate Prop. 8. The resolution argues that taking away same-sex marriage rights is a decision that would require a vote by the legislature, and not a simple majority vote by the people. The resolution will now go to the State Assembly as a whole, and a similar resolution will be heard by the State Senate in the coming weeks.
Utah House committees have voted down two more bills that were part of gay rights groups’ “Common Ground” legislative agenda: one which would have allowed same-sex couples and other unmarried pairs to adopt and foster children; and another to protect gay and transgender residents from housing and employment discrimination. Only one “Common Ground” measure out of five total has yet to be voted on: a bid to expand protections for same-sex couples so they can visit a partner in the hospital, inherit property and make medical decisions.
A jury has decided that the four San Diego firefighters who were mandated to march in a gay pride parade were sexually harassed, and has awarded them a total of $34,300.
The risk for HIV/AIDS is increasing among gay men from Asia, and the World Health Organization warns that better access to health services is necessary to curb the increase in cases.
Apparently, it’s not the season of love in Newport Beach: the principal at a local high school is getting national attention for shutting down a production of “Rent” due to it’s gay characters.
Utah House committees have voted down two more bills that were part of gay rights groups’ “Common Ground” legislative agenda: one which would have allowed same-sex couples and other unmarried pairs to adopt and foster children; and another to protect gay and transgender residents from housing and employment discrimination. Only one “Common Ground” measure out of five total has yet to be voted on: a bid to expand protections for same-sex couples so they can visit a partner in the hospital, inherit property and make medical decisions.
A jury has decided that the four San Diego firefighters who were mandated to march in a gay pride parade were sexually harassed, and has awarded them a total of $34,300.
The risk for HIV/AIDS is increasing among gay men from Asia, and the World Health Organization warns that better access to health services is necessary to curb the increase in cases.
Apparently, it’s not the season of love in Newport Beach: the principal at a local high school is getting national attention for shutting down a production of “Rent” due to it’s gay characters.
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