Legislative progress for LGBT and immigrant rights after the midterm elections will proceed at a snail's pace at best or screech to a grinding halt at worst. I tend to think the latter, considering the current political climate and lack of leadership in Congress and the White House on civil rights and immigration reform.As such, I think it is crucial that we all go back to the basics and continue chipping away at the ground level by changing hearts and minds one at a time. An effective way to achieve this is by sharing our stories as queer folk, as immigrants, or as both. This puts forth faces that challenge stereotypes thereby encouraging some fair-minded individuals to change their positions and take on seemingly intractable issues.So when the Michael Eric Dyson Radio Show invited me to tell my story as both a gay man and an immigrant, I jumped at the opportunity. I was able to shed
Search results for hiv, ban, repeal, story
Conversations: The Importance of Story Telling
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://erwinsdeleon.blogspot.com)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is tired of her "vulnerable" (read: freshman, or up for re-election) Democratic friends being targeted by the right-wing for their controversial views and votes, particularly on health care. Which is why she's reportedly told her Congressional colleagues that the House will not take up any "controversial" bills in 2010 unless the Senate acts first. And you can bet that Don't Ask Don't Tell — or ENDA, or UAFA (or any immigration reform), or repealing DOMA — falls into that category.
No Repeal of DOMA Expected Until 2011 (If Then)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 879 days ago
(http://www.edgeboston.com)
As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama did not support marriage equality, but he did support the repeal of the so-called "Defense of Marriage" Act (DOMA), a 1996 law that bans any federal recognition of gay and lesbian families and allows states to deny marriage rights even to same-sex couples who have been legally wed in their home states. Obama also spoke of supporting some sort of legal provision to allow same-sex families access to civil unions on a national level.
Pro-family parity lawmakers have a bill that would strike down DOMA. They call it the Respect for Marriage Act; if passed into law, the bill would protect marriage--all marriages, that is--by granting federal-level recognition to families, gay or straight, who had been married in any jurisdiction.
Some family equality advocates do not support the bill because it applies only to married couple
Pro-family parity lawmakers have a bill that would strike down DOMA. They call it the Respect for Marriage Act; if passed into law, the bill would protect marriage--all marriages, that is--by granting federal-level recognition to families, gay or straight, who had been married in any jurisdiction.
Some family equality advocates do not support the bill because it applies only to married couple
Specter advocates for DOMA repeal and other LGBT initiatives
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 900 days ago
(http://www.epgn.com)
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter made headlines earlier this year when he announced that he was switching the "R" after his name to a "D," and he was again in the headlines late last month when he declared that he had also shifted his position on an LGBT issue that has beleaguered the community for more than a decade.
There are many people throughout the United States who seem more and more unhappy with the current state of gay rights issues. This unhappiness seems particularly acute when discussing the issue of DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act). Under current United States Federal law same sex marriages are not recognized by the Federal Government. Therefore, United States Immigration benefits based upon marriage cannot be extended to the same-sex partners of US citizens as same sex marriage is not recognized as a “marriage” for purposes of US Immigration.
Many have advocated either the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act or the enactment of some federal legislation which would allow for same sex immigration benefits notwithstanding DOMA. A recent example of the latter is the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) which would provide US Immigration benefits to “permanent partners” of US Citiz
Many have advocated either the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act or the enactment of some federal legislation which would allow for same sex immigration benefits notwithstanding DOMA. A recent example of the latter is the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) which would provide US Immigration benefits to “permanent partners” of US Citiz
Obama Takes Major Steps for People with HIV and AIDS
Posted by
DividedByLaw 930 days ago
(http://yubanet.com)
...a discriminatory travel and immigration ban has gone the way of the dinosaur and we’re glad it’s finally extinct. It sure took too long to get here. We’ve now removed one more hurdle in our fight against AIDS, and it’s long overdue for people living with HIV who battle against stigma and bigotry day in and day out,” said Senator Kerry.
Two days after signing the historic Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act--the first federal law to extend protections to GLBT Americans--President Barack Obama addressed two other issues seen by gay Americans as crucial to the cause of equality.
The president signed into law legislation that re-authorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The law provides funds for another four years to programs that provide medicine and care for needy people living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 500,000 individuals rely on the program to maintain their treatment regimens...
The president signed into law legislation that re-authorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The law provides funds for another four years to programs that provide medicine and care for needy people living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 500,000 individuals rely on the program to maintain their treatment regimens...
Welcome sign from US ending misguided HIV policy
Posted by
USABound 930 days ago
(http://www.chron.com)
The United States has long been a resolute, generous leader in the international struggle to eliminate AIDS, but for the past 22 years it has also been one of a handful of countries to refuse entry to HIV-positive visitors, both tourists and those seeking to become legal residents.
But last week, as he prepared to sign a bill reauthorizing funds for HIV/AIDS programs, President Barack Obama announced an end to the ban, calling it a policy “rooted in fear rather than fact.”
It was a sound and welcome decision, eliminating a discriminatory roadblock that has been in place far too long without any scientific justification.
In 1987, in an atmosphere of fear and confusion over its nature and transmission, the Department of Health and Human Services added HIV/AIDS to the list of communicable diseases that could deny people entry.
But last week, as he prepared to sign a bill reauthorizing funds for HIV/AIDS programs, President Barack Obama announced an end to the ban, calling it a policy “rooted in fear rather than fact.”
It was a sound and welcome decision, eliminating a discriminatory roadblock that has been in place far too long without any scientific justification.
In 1987, in an atmosphere of fear and confusion over its nature and transmission, the Department of Health and Human Services added HIV/AIDS to the list of communicable diseases that could deny people entry.
Respect for Marriage Act would repeal Defense of Marriage Act
Posted by
DividedByLaw 971 days ago
(http://mountainsageblog.com)
The Respect for Marriage Act is sure to bring a veritable hailstorm of criticism and outrage from the conservatives of the country. I don’t think the conservatives of the country are stupid, yet the arguments I’ve seen against same sex marriage make little sense to me and I daresay most liberals. Obviously claiming that same sex marriage in some way effects heterosexual marriage is a false claim and makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. So, I went looking for the other arguments against same sex marriage.
Legislation Introduced to Congress to Repeal DOMA
Posted by
DividedByLaw 971 days ago
(http://emptyclosets.com)
“The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a hurtful and cynical law enacted to discriminate against loving, committed same-sex couples,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, who also offered remarks at the introduction press conference. “It does real harm by denying thousands of lawfully-married same-sex couples the federal rights and benefits that only flow through marriage. Many of these include the protections couples turn to in times of need, like Social Security survivors’ benefits, medical leave to care for an ailing spouse and equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws. Today’s introduction of legislation to repeal DOMA is a welcome step, and as more states recognize the commitment of loving same-sex couples and their families, it's time for this law to go into the history books where it belongs.”
Repeal of Discriminatory DOMA Introduced
Posted by
UnitedByLove 971 days ago
(http://baltimoreoutloud.com)
On September 15, the House of Representatives introduced the Respect for Marriage Act which would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and restore the rights of all lawfully married couplesa 'including same-sex couples to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.
Respect for Marriage Act Will to Repeal DOMA
Posted by
UnitedByLove 971 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
UPDATED U.S. Reps. Jerrold Nadler , Tammy Baldwin Jared Polis , along with John Lewis and Nydia Velazquez today introduced the 'Respect for Marriage Act', a measure that would repeal the 'Defense of Marriage Act' . I'll be posting more details on the press conference as updates to this post as they come in.
Already in Congress is the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act, which seek to put a stop to the discrimination and permit same-sex partners to obtain permanent resident status by amending the Immigration ...
(Gay Immigration Rights) Rep Jared Polis on DOMA Repeal chances
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 971 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
In an interview with David Thielen at the Huffington Post, Rep. Polis stated that we'd need 25 to 30 states allowing gay marriage to get Federal recognition.
We discussed the Defense of Marriage Act also (hey, I do know those two) and he think we will have to get to 25 to 30 states recognizing gay marriage and then the federal government will recognize it.
We discussed the Defense of Marriage Act also (hey, I do know those two) and he think we will have to get to 25 to 30 states recognizing gay marriage and then the federal government will recognize it.
Repeal DOMA Now Campaign
Posted by
DividedByLaw 983 days ago
(http://sdcsn.blogspot.com)
Good news on the DOMA front. Human Rights Campaign looks to be getting serious about repealing DOMA. They're now starting a campaign to make it happen. 50,000 of you took our survey on how the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) harms families. And with Congress back in session this week, we personally delivered your responses – and thousands of heartfelt comments – to help build the case for repealing this discriminatory law. Now is the time to really put the pressure on and tell Congress it’s time to Repeal DOMA Now (which is coincidentally the name of our new campaign).
In the past year, tens of thousands of loving same-sex couples have legally been married in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont. And with new laws soon to take effect in New Hampshire and Maine, thousands more will surely join them. Enacted in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act purports to
In the past year, tens of thousands of loving same-sex couples have legally been married in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont. And with new laws soon to take effect in New Hampshire and Maine, thousands more will surely join them. Enacted in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act purports to
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Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States who seek equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality issues, rights and policy.