The new edition of the Human Rights Campaign's so-called Congressional Scorecard has found an increase in both supportive and unsupportive legislators.HRC said the findings reveal a "stark polarisation.""A strong and devoted group of anti-LGBT legislators continues to stymie the progress LGBT people deserve," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "The fact that the first ever vote to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the House of Representatives was countered by a filibuster in the Senate illustrates the landscape."In the House, 145 members received a pro-gay score of 90 percent or better, compared to 128 members in the previous Congress. Senators scoring 90 percent or better this year rose from 32 to 36. However, the number of senators receiving a zero score from HRC climbed as well, from 16 to 32. The number of House zeros remained unchanged."As more and more Americans support equality for
Search results for military, paper, backs, claims, deal, delay, repeal, dadt, towleroad
Human Rights Campaign claim Congress is polarised - Pink Paper
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://news.google.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
DADT, DOMA, ENDA Not Even (LGBTs stay home in 2010)
Posted by
ATLdave 879 days ago
(http://firedoglake.com)
No action on DADT. No action on DOMA. No action on ENDA. No action on immigration equality for separated families. No action on adoption rights.
Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama draw the wrong lessons about where progressives LBGTs will go in 2010. It’s not that we’ll vote for the talibangelical GOP. After all, we’re not total idiots. We know those people would just as soon Ugandize our asses as look at us.
The danger is that we will stay at home. And we’ll stay at home not just on Election Day, but on every phone-banking, neighborhood-walking, vote-by-mailing, voter-IDing, precinct-organizing, campaign-blogging day before that. That’s a lot of wo/manpower to run a mid-term campaign without.
Moreover: We are the opinion leaders in our small communities. We are the folks our less engaged friends look to for guidance. Most people don’t pay attention
Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama draw the wrong lessons about where progressives LBGTs will go in 2010. It’s not that we’ll vote for the talibangelical GOP. After all, we’re not total idiots. We know those people would just as soon Ugandize our asses as look at us.
The danger is that we will stay at home. And we’ll stay at home not just on Election Day, but on every phone-banking, neighborhood-walking, vote-by-mailing, voter-IDing, precinct-organizing, campaign-blogging day before that. That’s a lot of wo/manpower to run a mid-term campaign without.
Moreover: We are the opinion leaders in our small communities. We are the folks our less engaged friends look to for guidance. Most people don’t pay attention
Specter advocates for DOMA repeal and other LGBT initiatives
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 901 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
Dems Running Scared From DADT
Posted by
UnitedByLove 931 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
House and Senate Democrats are feeling vulnerable after Tuesday's poor showing at the polls -- and according to a report on TheHill.com , many want their leaders to skip the party's controversial legislative agenda so they can focus on saving their seats in Congress. House and Senate Democrats are feeling vulnerable after Tuesday’s poor showing at the polls -- and according to a report on TheHill.com, many want their leaders to skip the party’s controversial legislative agenda so they can focus on saving their seats in Congress.
Among the issues they consider risky? Immigration reform, climate change, and “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, pushing hard for
Among the issues they consider risky? Immigration reform, climate change, and “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, pushing hard for
Inaction from Obama Keeps Married Gay Couple Separated
Posted by
BinatUK 931 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
Despite a plea from Senator John Kerry, Attorney General Eric Holder has refused to act in the asylum case of Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, who requested asylum in the U.S. in 2002. In 2005, he was married in Massachusetts to his husband Tim Coco, but the couple have been separated since 2007 when Oliveira was sent back to Brazil after his asylum requests and appeals were denied.
Obama to End Gay Military Ban
Posted by
igualdad 957 days ago
(http://online.wsj.com)
Other special interest groups that contributed to, and campaigned for, Mr. Obama, such as unions and Latino voters, have begun to question when he will address issues important to their members, such as legislation to facilitate union organizing at the workplace and an overhaul of immigration law.
Mr. Obama acknowledged some in the crowd believe that he hasn't done enough so far to address issues facing the gay community. But he said, "Do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach."
Mr. Obama acknowledged some in the crowd believe that he hasn't done enough so far to address issues facing the gay community. But he said, "Do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach."
Obama to End DADT Military Ban
Posted by
UnitedByLove 957 days ago
(http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com)
President Obama, speaking to the nation’s largest gay rights organization, pledged tonight to end the law prohibiting openly gay and lesbian citizens from serving in the military.
“I will end ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’; that is my commitment,” said Obama, adding that he is also committed to ending the Defense of Marriage Act.Obama, speaking to nearly 3,000 gay and lesbian activists at a dinner-fundraiser hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, addressed the larger effort for equality. “I’m here with you in that fight,” he said. The president also said that there were “still laws to change and hearts to open.”
Obama’s address came amid growing concern in the LGBT community that he’s not acting fast enough on campaign pledges to more fully incorporate gays and lesbians into the fabric of American life.
“I will end ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’; that is my commitment,” said Obama, adding that he is also committed to ending the Defense of Marriage Act.Obama, speaking to nearly 3,000 gay and lesbian activists at a dinner-fundraiser hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, addressed the larger effort for equality. “I’m here with you in that fight,” he said. The president also said that there were “still laws to change and hearts to open.”
Obama’s address came amid growing concern in the LGBT community that he’s not acting fast enough on campaign pledges to more fully incorporate gays and lesbians into the fabric of American life.
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.”
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.
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.
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 ...
“How may I assist with these stories, if at all?...”
“My question back to you is how do we get immigration reform defined as a...”
“Watch the actual video on ABC 7's website, and you'll see that he's really...”
“Thanks. I shortened it through tinyurl. Works now....”
“Note from imeQ about this editorial: This is an independent project which...”
Feedburner
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.