Some good news to start the week: By a mere 116 names, opponents of Oregon’s new same-sex domestic partnership law did not turn in enough valid signatures to suspend the measure and place it on the November 2008 ballot. This means the law will take effect next year, giving registered partners equal state rights related […]
Tonight begins the first of Seven Straight Nights for Civil Rights, a coordinated campaign of overnight vigils led by straight allies across the nation who will “come out” as supporters of equal rights for LGBT Americans. Atticus Circle and Soulforce are organizing the events, important opportunities to show that support for LGBT rights extends beyond
There’s no ENDA news about ENDA, which means I still have lots of fodder for bad puns. The latest is that Lambda Legal has put out a statement (PDF link) in response to Representative Barney Frank’s (D-MA) criticism of Lambda’s analysis of the revised ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act). Among other things, they say Frank minimized
It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that President Bush vetoed a bipartisan bill to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). There’s lots of coverage about this in the mainstream press right now. Jennifer Vanasco of Visible Vote ’08, however, makes the excellent point: The news is especially bad for gay parents. Why? Well, The National
This is the first post in the second phase of my Family Voices series. Over the next several weeks, members of COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) will share their thoughts on having one or more LGBT parents, and how that shaped them as both children and adults. Below, Kate, a social worker from
Britney Spears has lost custody of her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline. Unlike a surprising number of people around the world, I really don’t care much about the beleaguered pop star. She holds the honor, however, of being the leading example of why it’s ridiculous to grant or withhold either marriage or parenting rights based
My son is reaching the age where everything is a negotiation. “Finish your supper,” I tell him. “How about one more piece of broccoli?” he asks. I study his plate, calculating what he’s already had. “Five more.” “How about three?” he counters. “No, five,” I insist, though I tell myself I’ll settle for four. It’s
The ongoing ENDA story dominates the LGBT headlines right now. To follow up on my earlier post: HRC has finally issued a statement. They say it is “devastating” that the bill no longer includes gender identity, but state “The decision has been made,” and claim that: House leadership and the bill’s sponsors very firmly believe
It’s official. House Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and openly gay Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are taking gender-identity protections out of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) because they fear it will not pass otherwise. This is reprehensible. There is a reason we use the unwieldy acronym L, G,
The Matthew Shepard Act, LGBT-inclusive hate crimes legislation, today passed the U.S. Senate. Judy and Dennis Shepard, parents of the slain college student for whom the bill is named, said “Today’s Senate vote sends a bold and unmistakable message that violent crimes committed in the name of hate must end.” The House version of the
