One More from Maine
Happy Halloween to all! Here’s another solid ad from Protect Maine Equality. Let’s hope it makes Tuesday a little less scary.
Politics and Law
Weekly Political Roundup
Wow. Another week of major news. I’ll keep this fairly short, though, as there’s bound to be lots of news next week after the elections, one way or another. U.S. National News President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It’s worth reading his remarks (link above) and Judy
Protect Maine Equality Takes the High Road
Here’s the latest ad from Protect Maine Equality. I like it a lot. I think they smartly don’t fall prey to the “Yes they will” – “No they won’t” trap that tripped up California’s No On 8 campaign when fighting the claim that marriage equality would (gasp!) mean children get taught about homosexuality in schools.
Judy Shepard’s Statement on Hate Crimes Legislation
I don’t usually just post press releases, but I think this one from the Matthew Shepard Foundation needs no explanation. The legislation is due in large part to parental love. After a decade of debate, persistent advocacy and 14 separate congressional floor votes, President Barack Obama today signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James
Weekly Political Roundup
What a week in LGBT political news! Here are some of the highlights: National News The U.S. Senate approved the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It now goes to President Obama, who has said he will sign it. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of
LGBT Parenting Roundup
I’m breaking away from the bullet points for this roundup, and going for the “connected by vague trains of thought” approach. [Updated 8:30 p.m. Added an article by Jessica Cerretani that I’d missed earlier because the Boston Globe screwed up our delivery last Sunday.] Let’s start with the best news: U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA)
Maine Bigots Look Set to Misuse Family Diversity Film
The ultra-conservatives trying to revoke marriage equality in Maine look set to use the excellent LGBT-inclusive diversity-education film That’s a Family!, by Academy Award-winning filmmaker (and lesbian mom!) Debra Chasnoff for their own bigoted purposes, Frank Hogarth of San Francisco’s Beyond Chron reports. (Jeremy of Good As You independently confirmed a payment to Chasnoff’s Groundspark
Weekly Political Roundup
U.S. National News The White House has issued a statement of President Barack Obama’s position on marriage equality referenda in Maine and Washington. The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, which would extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, flew through its Senate hearing.The similar bill House bill has already passed out of committee.
LGBT Parenting Roundup
Just Awesome The Harry Potter Alliance, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit “dedicated to bringing the themes of Harry Potter into the real world” announced a grassroots effort to help defeat Ref. 1 and support marriage equality in Maine. As Jeremy at Good As You said, Dumbledore would be proud. Youth and Schools Fifty-three Republicans have signed a
“I Think Those Children Suffer”
Appalling. Ignorant and appalling. Keith Bardwell, a Louisiana justice of the peace, has refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple, citing concerns about the effect on any children. The AP, via NPR, reports: Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came