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...
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Get ready to laugh. I'm going to lead you through the twists and turns of one of the most ridiculous places known to humankind: the U.S. Congress. The purpose of this exercise is to explain what has happened to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
But I have a deeper goal. The hate crimes bill is the first in a series of pro-LGBT proposals expected to come before Congress. These include the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, changes in immigration laws and repeals of the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbians and gays in the military.
Given that President Obama has said he favors these proposals, the trick for LGBT America is to get them through Congress and onto his desk. This is no easy task. To succeed, our community and allies must understand how Congress really works. We need to know when to relax and let the pro
But I have a deeper goal. The hate crimes bill is the first in a series of pro-LGBT proposals expected to come before Congress. These include the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, changes in immigration laws and repeals of the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbians and gays in the military.
Given that President Obama has said he favors these proposals, the trick for LGBT America is to get them through Congress and onto his desk. This is no easy task. To succeed, our community and allies must understand how Congress really works. We need to know when to relax and let the pro
Hate Crime Bill Passes Senate Close to Final Passage
Posted by
igualdad 1036 days ago
(http://www.sfbaytimes.com)
The Senate tacked hate crimes onto the defense appropriations bill, so we are a conference committee away from sending “something gay” to the desk of the president for the first time. The conference committee needs to strip out a poison pill amendment that mandates the death sentence for certain federal crimes, but other than that detail, we’re home free.
I know you want to hear about the midgets, but I’m not finished. I can’t help being pleased by this modest step in the right direction, but as I’ve written before, a hate crime law is last on my personal gay agenda. It is an ineffective deterrent to a type of violence that will only abate gradually with the help of substantial gay rights legislation. The repeal of the military ban. The addition of sexual orientation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Immigration reform for the partners of gay Americans. Federal recognit
I know you want to hear about the midgets, but I’m not finished. I can’t help being pleased by this modest step in the right direction, but as I’ve written before, a hate crime law is last on my personal gay agenda. It is an ineffective deterrent to a type of violence that will only abate gradually with the help of substantial gay rights legislation. The repeal of the military ban. The addition of sexual orientation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Immigration reform for the partners of gay Americans. Federal recognit
What is the Uniting American Families Act?
Posted by
uluckidog 1050 days ago
(http://www.yousaytoo.com)
The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) is a billpresently making its way ... have amajor impact upon the way US Immigration benefits...
HIV travel restriction set to be lifted (Brownsville Herald)
Posted by
USABound 1051 days ago
(http://www.brownsvilleherald.com)
According to Victoria Neilson, the legal director of Immigration Equality in New York, some travelers can enter the country and not report that they have HIV, because they don't realize that it's considered a "communicable disease of public health significance," as defined by the U.S. Department of State. Yet, she has seen many cases of individuals who are profiled as homosexual, and are then stopped and questioned as to whether or not they are HIV positive, a practice that she says is discriminatory.
"One of the things we always thought made the ban (regulation affecting) short-term travel kind of ridiculous is it's sort of over inclusive and under inclusive at the same time," said Neilson. "(It) continues to prevent entry by many people who pose no real public health threat, while simultaneously allowing many travelers with HIV to enter without ever disclosing their statu
"One of the things we always thought made the ban (regulation affecting) short-term travel kind of ridiculous is it's sort of over inclusive and under inclusive at the same time," said Neilson. "(It) continues to prevent entry by many people who pose no real public health threat, while simultaneously allowing many travelers with HIV to enter without ever disclosing their statu
What next for India gaydom?
Posted by
USABound 1055 days ago
(http://www.dnaindia.com)
Immigration rights - For Indian gay and lesbian couples, immigration is a vital area in the push for gay rights. Presently, they face difficulties in making career moves because of limitations regarding the visas they can obtain for their partners. SALGA points out there is a disgraceful prejudice in denying people immigration equality on the basis of sexual orientation.
"We are hoping that legalising gay marriages will allow same-sex couples to file for visas like straight couples," said Sooklall. He added that SALGA receives pleas for help from its own members and from gays and lesbians living in South Asia. "I know two cases where people did get asylum," said Sooklall.
Britain, Canada, South Africa and most west European countries have immigration policies that recognise same sex couples, but there has been no change to American immigration laws for gay coup
"We are hoping that legalising gay marriages will allow same-sex couples to file for visas like straight couples," said Sooklall. He added that SALGA receives pleas for help from its own members and from gays and lesbians living in South Asia. "I know two cases where people did get asylum," said Sooklall.
Britain, Canada, South Africa and most west European countries have immigration policies that recognise same sex couples, but there has been no change to American immigration laws for gay coup
The Ins and Outs of the HIV Travel and Immigration Ban
Posted by
ATLdave 1056 days ago
(http://dc.bilerico.com)
Perversely, the ban has only served to perpetuate this stigma for 22 years, long after the science has shown that HIV is not a threat to the public's health and would not substantially burden our healthcare system. However, the new HHS rule finally puts these unfounded concerns to rest, removing previous barriers to to treatment and prevention:...Be sure to see Steve Ralls' excellent Bilerico post on lifting the ban, which includes a video on the topic by Immigration Equality.
Despite knowing this obvious fact for decades, the United States remained one of only twelve countries to have long-enforced such a strict, unscientific and ineffective policy, undermining its position as a global leader in combating HIV/AIDS. In supporting such a discriminatory and antiquated restriction, the United States has placed itself among the ranks of other bastions of civil liberty - includi
Despite knowing this obvious fact for decades, the United States remained one of only twelve countries to have long-enforced such a strict, unscientific and ineffective policy, undermining its position as a global leader in combating HIV/AIDS. In supporting such a discriminatory and antiquated restriction, the United States has placed itself among the ranks of other bastions of civil liberty - includi
HHS Proposes Regulations to Eliminate HIV Travel Ban
Posted by
USABound 1057 days ago
(http://www.msmagazine.com)
The US Department of Health and Human Services has released proposed regulations that would repeal a ban preventing HIV-positive foreigners from entering the country. The law, originally enacted in 1987, prohibits foreign nationals with HIV from obtaining visas for travel to the US and prevents them from becoming legal permanent residents. The new regulations are set to be implemented after a 45-day public comment period.
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), who both supported a congressional measure to lift the ban last year, praised the current progress this week. Senator Kerry said of the proposed regulations, "Today we are one step closer to ending a discriminatory practice that stigmatizes those living with HIV, squanders our moral authority, and sets us back in the fight against AIDS...I sincerely hope we can continue to work in a bipartisa
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), who both supported a congressional measure to lift the ban last year, praised the current progress this week. Senator Kerry said of the proposed regulations, "Today we are one step closer to ending a discriminatory practice that stigmatizes those living with HIV, squanders our moral authority, and sets us back in the fight against AIDS...I sincerely hope we can continue to work in a bipartisa
Questions Around Hate Crime Legislation
Posted by
DividedByLaw 1058 days ago
(http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign have been working to pass a hate crimes bill, also referred to as the Matthew Shephard Act (in remembrance of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shephard in Laramie, WY). This legislation would let the U.S. Justice Department help to prosecute hate crimes committed against LGBT people that result in serious injury or death. The timing is certainly right: hate crimes against both the LGBTQ community and minority communities, particularly Latinos, are on the rise. As I listened to a radio broadcast of Latino USA discussing hate crimes on my way home from work the other day, my head and my heart pulled in two separate directions. With murmurs of immigration reform from the White House and nearly unprecedented unemployment rates, anti-immigrant/anti-Latino groups have become more violent....
A Penultimate Step in the Fight to End the HIV Travel Ban
Posted by
USABound 1059 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
In a move that closes the gap between two White House administrations, numerous government agencies and a year-old act of Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued regulations that would end the United States' decades-old HIV travel and immigration ban. Originally authorized as part of President Bush's PEPFAR legislation - thanks, in large part, to the heroic efforts of Senator John Kerry, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Senator Gordon Smith - repeal of the ban took a giant leap forward this week with publication of the HHS regulations and a promise from President Obama that his administration is committed to seeing the ban rescinded soon.
Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality, which played a leading role in the repeal effort called the proposed regulations "the penultimate step" toward ending the ban, noting in Newsday that
Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality, which played a leading role in the repeal effort called the proposed regulations "the penultimate step" toward ending the ban, noting in Newsday that
Notice of Regulation Ending HIV Travel and Immigration Ban Imminent
Posted by
DividedByLaw 1060 days ago
(http://www.hrcbackstory.org)
I just got some updates from our policy team who have been working on the implementation of the HIV travel ban passed in Congress last year…
The regulation is out in the preview version of tomorrow’s Federal Register, which will be the start of a public comment period. Anyone can submit their thoughts on removing the ban and once the comment period is open we’ll provide you an easy opportunity to do so with a national action alert set to launch soon. After reviewing those comments, the Department of Health and Human Services will issue a final regulation.
Late last week the Office of Management and Budget indicated that they have completed review of a proposed regulation...
The regulation is out in the preview version of tomorrow’s Federal Register, which will be the start of a public comment period. Anyone can submit their thoughts on removing the ban and once the comment period is open we’ll provide you an easy opportunity to do so with a national action alert set to launch soon. After reviewing those comments, the Department of Health and Human Services will issue a final regulation.
Late last week the Office of Management and Budget indicated that they have completed review of a proposed regulation...
The Demise of the HIV Travel Ban
Posted by
MarcoMUC 1061 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
The first step to ending the HIV travel ban in the United States has been taken by the Obama administration. The Office of Management and Budget posted a notice on its site Friday afternoon indicating that the department of Health and Human Services could move forward with steps to change a regulation that has restricted HIV-positive people from gaining entrance into the United States.
Administration Moves Forward on Regulation Ending HIV Travel and Immigration Ban
Posted by
DividedByLaw 1063 days ago
(http://www.hrc.org)
They have completed review of a proposed regulation which would remove the remaining barrier to HIV-positive visitors and immigrants. The proposal, which OMB indicates would remove HIV from the list of communicable diseases that bar foreign nationals from entering the United States, will now be published in the Federal Register and open for a period of public comment. After reviewing those comments, the Department of Health and Human Services will issue a final regulation.
“We are one important step closer to finally ending this discriminatory ban once and for all,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This regulation is unnecessary, ineffective and lacks any public health justification. We are confident that this sad chapter in our nation’s treatment of people with HIV and AIDS will soon be closed.”
“We are one important step closer to finally ending this discriminatory ban once and for all,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This regulation is unnecessary, ineffective and lacks any public health justification. We are confident that this sad chapter in our nation’s treatment of people with HIV and AIDS will soon be closed.”
HIV Travel Ban To Be Lifted
Posted by
USABound 1063 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
The first step to ending the HIV travel ban in the United States has been taken by the Obama administration.
What Hate Crimes and Travel Promotion Have in Common
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1074 days ago
(http://jaysays.com)
Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what hate crimes and the promotion of tourism into the United States have to do with each other. However, as is being reported via an “unnamed source” by way of the Washington Blade, Americablog and Pam’s House Blend, The United States Senate has, apparently, deemed adding the current Hate Crimes Bill (which passed the House as H.R. 1913) as an Amendment to S. 1023, also known as the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, proper.
The purpose of S. 1023 is “to establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the United States.” But this is, apparently, the bill which will get sexual orientation and gender identity included into existing federal hate crimes legislation – have gays, will travel.
The purpose of S. 1023 is “to establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the United States.” But this is, apparently, the bill which will get sexual orientation and gender identity included into existing federal hate crimes legislation – have gays, will travel.
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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.