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[LeftWriteFemme]

Transsexual Woman Cited for Using Ladies Room


http://m.nbcdfw.com/nbcdfw/pm_108184...tguid=nIdkVX8I

[LeftWriteFemme]

California Bill Would Protect Patients From Harmful Ex-Gay Therapy


http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/0...ill/?mobile=nc

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Nat

North Carolina Pastor Sean Harris: Parents Should 'Punch' Their Gay-Acting Children

These right-wing-nut "Christian leaders" are so damn stuck on stupid- as well as being pathetic homophobes. And don't even get me started about ever "punching" a child! Of course, these are the exact people that abuse children in various forms in very high numbers.

So tired of these idiots!

[SoNotHer]

Boehner Doesn’t Want Gay Soldiers Having Equal Benefits



The House leadership on Monday moved to intervene in a suit brought by gay and lesbian servicemembers as they challenge DOMA’s denial of spousal benefits. The intervention comes in the case of McLaughlin v. United States, where eight gay and lesbian servicemembers and their spouses are challenging that DOMA illegally discriminates against them on grounds of their gender and sexual orientation. The case also challenges three other federal statutes — Titles 10, 32 and 38 — that prevent the military from providing equal recognition, support and benefits for all military families.

Plaintiffs in the case include Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) Morgan, who has incurable stage IV breast cancer and who traveled to Washington to personally ask Speaker Boehner not to intervene in this case.

The Obama administration, per its assertion that DOMA Section 3 is unconstitutional, will not defend the ban in court and may even argue against DOMA’s denial of spousal benefits as the administration has done in several other cases. Within hours of the House leadership’s petition to intervene in this case, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, who support Plaintiffs in this suit, condemned the move. Said Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis:

Speaker Boehner’s request to defend this case in the wake of the ongoing harm done to military families by these discriminatory laws is reprehensible and callous. The Speaker has turned a deaf ear to the urgent pleas of CW2 Charlie Morgan and countless families like hers, who are living with the day-to-day realities of a military that has been forced to create two classes of service members. Speaker Boehner’s politically motivated ongoing defense of these unjust laws is hurting military families. It’s time to repeal DOMA and revise these antiquated laws that are preventing all military families from being treated with fairness and equality. There cannot be two classes of service members.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s spokespeople also condemned the move, reportedly saying:

“Without a vote or any specific authorization … [BLAG] is intervening in yet another case,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said.

“The men and women of the U.S. armed forces risk their lives for the country they love and don’t deserve to face prejudice,” Hammill added.

The House leadership represented by the bipartisan (though Republican controlled) Legal Advisory Group has now sort to intervene in 12 DOMA defense cases even after a number of federal courts have found Section 3 to be unconstitutional. House Speaker Boehner has also faced condemnation for his failure to disclose exactly where the funds, in excess of $1 million, used to defend DOMA have been taken from. Boehner has repeatedly said that funds have been taken from the Department of Justice budget, but this is something the DOJ has denied.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/boehner-...#ixzz1tv1pU6w9

[SoNotHer]

First Russian is Convicted Under Gay Propaganda Ban



by Steve Williams
May 4, 2012


LGBT rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev has become the first person to be convicted under St Petersburg’s gay propaganda band.

Reports the Washington Post:

Nikolai Alexeyev told the Associated Press that a city court in St. Petersburg fined him 5,000 rubles ($170) for breaching the law, which was controversially introduced by lawmakers in Russia’s second-largest city in February. He pledged to appeal the decision.

He said the judge has not presented the grounds for her decision, and that they will only be available next week. Calls to the court went unanswered shortly after the ruling. The law was approved in February and came into force in March. As noted above, this is the first time a citizen has been charged under the ban’s provisions.

A judge late last month however declined to invoke the penalty, specifically saying that the ban on “homosexual propaganda” was so broad and ill-defined it lacked a sufficient legal framework to make it enforceable.

Alexeyev, a former journalist, turned to LGBT rights promotion in 2005 and subsequently founded the gay rights advocacy group GayRussia. He has been a vocal opponent of the ban, saying that its wide ranging nature speaks to a larger climate of oppression Russia is currently suffering under.

The propaganda ban is of course purposefully broad though. It is designed to prevent open advocacy of LGBT identity in the public sphere, this under the guise of protecting children. Critics have pointed out that this would serve to ban gay pride events outright, in direct opposition to European mandates of freedom of speech and assembly.

Seventeen Russian protesters were arrested during a May Day march this week with police charging them under St Petersburg’s ban on homosexual propaganda and with failure to comply with police orders, all because they were trying to fly rainbow flags.

The Ryazan, Kostroma and Arkhangelsk regions have also banned so-called LGBT propaganda and there is now a push to enact a federal ban. It recently emerged that the propaganda ban is likely to have been inspired by a visiting US evangelical.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/first-ru...#ixzz1u0bv4KRH

[Andrea]

Arizona bans funding of Planned Parenthood

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/05/us/arizona-planned-parenthood/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

I so wish I never had to visit Arizona again but my mother lives there and so I will, but under protest.

[Nat]

John travolta = being sued for sexually assaulting a masseur

[Kobi]

WASHINGTON—House Republicans on Tuesday advanced their own version of an election-year bill to protect women from violence.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 17-15 along party lines to renew the 1994 Violence Against Women Act that protects abused women and which expired last year. The Democratic-controlled Senate passed a conflicting version last month.

The law historically has enjoyed bipartisan support. But this year, with the presidency and congressional majorities at stake and female voters a pivotal constituency, it's become the latest vehicle for gender politicking over an issue on which there's been little debate in less-polarized years.

Republicans say they want to tighten provisions in the Senate bill that would protect abused immigrants -- as well as taxpayer money doled out under the law.

Democrats say any effort to change the Senate version is just the latest shot in what they say is the GOP's "war against women."

"House Republicans are continuing their war on women by holding VAWA, Violence Against Women Act, hostage to their rigid right-wing ideology," Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said.

Full story: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/wa...--+Latest+news

[Soon]

Obama Backs Gay Marriage


WASHINGTON -- In a nod to a dramatic shift in public opinion, Barack Obama on Wednesday became the first sitting president to announce his support for same-sex marriage.

In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama completed what has been a markedly long and oft-mocked evolution on the matter.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama told Roberts, in an interview that will air in full on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he said.

The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years. With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Obama Backs Gay Marriage


WASHINGTON -- In a nod to a dramatic shift in public opinion, Barack Obama on Wednesday became the first sitting president to announce his support for same-sex marriage.

In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama completed what has been a markedly long and oft-mocked evolution on the matter.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama told Roberts, in an interview that will air in full on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he said.

The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years. With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified.

Obama video link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...6pLid%3D159286

Biden's video link:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1489235.html

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Obama Backs Gay Marriage


WASHINGTON -- In a nod to a dramatic shift in public opinion, Barack Obama on Wednesday became the first sitting president to announce his support for same-sex marriage.

In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama completed what has been a markedly long and oft-mocked evolution on the matter.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama told Roberts, in an interview that will air in full on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he said.

The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years. With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified.

I am incredibly proud of our President today.

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Obama Backs Gay Marriage


WASHINGTON -- In a nod to a dramatic shift in public opinion, Barack Obama on Wednesday became the first sitting president to announce his support for same-sex marriage.

In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama completed what has been a markedly long and oft-mocked evolution on the matter.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama told Roberts, in an interview that will air in full on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he said.

The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years. With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified.

This is interesting news. Tho I am not quite willing to pat him on the back just yet. Is this genuine Obama or political savvy Obama?

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama said. Having grown up in the civil rights era, does this sound like familiar wording to anyone else?

And given the GOP is still waxing nostalgic for the return of days gone by, part of me wonders when the War on Women will be sharing time with the War on Queers.

Hard when optimism is sharing space with realism.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Kobi

This is interesting news. Tho I am not quite willing to pat him on the back just yet. Is this genuine Obama or political savvy Obama?

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama said. Having grown up in the civil rights era, does this sound like familiar wording to anyone else?

And given the GOP is still waxing nostalgic for the return of days gone by, part of me wonders when the War on Women will be sharing time with the War on Queers.

Hard when optimism is sharing space with realism.

Personally, I don't think it was a political move. I don't think it was a political move for two reasons.

One, a group I think Obama can expect will vote for him is the queers. Even if he is not every gay/lesbian/queer's favorite for President, I think he is the preferred choice over Romney. I don't think he worries about the gay vote.

Two, he only spoke on it after Biden came out with support. It has been said that Obama felt that he really didn't have much of a choice (however, I do understand that he was considering speaking on it at some point).

I am thrilled that he said it on the one hand, but the bigger part of me is worried it will lose him votes.

[~ocean]

i think ppl willaccept his decission and some will applaud his decission .. someone had to finally make one ..

[PumaJ]

Thank you, President Obama. I could care less what your motivation for finally speaking out in favor of gay marriage, is. I can tell you that when I came out at the age of 18, a few months after Stonewall, none of us were evening dreaming of a president making such a statement.

[Cin]

Obama voices his support for same sex marriage while the Washington Post uncovers story about Romney bullying a gay teen in high school. It also seems he was quite a prankster and tricked an English teacher with very poor vision into walking into a closed door.

Kind of a long article (I never found the actual WaPo article just lots of conversation about it):
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/05/1...ing-incidents/

Here's a couple of reporters, one an ex mormon, talking about the article in the Washington Post.


A shorter version

[Gemme]

Targets Resembling Trayvon Martin Selling Out

This is absolutely disgusting.

A Florida entrepreneur said he had sold out of gun range targets depicting a faceless, hood-clad figure holding an iced tea and a bag of Skittles meant to look like Trayvon Martin.

"The response is overwhelming," the seller told Orlando's WKMG news team over e-mail. "I sold out in two days." The station did not identify the seller, and said it found the ad on a popular firearms auctioning website.

A cached version of the GunBroker.com webpage belonging to a seller named "hillerarmco" from Virginia Beach, Va., shows the paper targets being sold in packs of 10 for $8.

The description of the product reads:

Everyone knows the story of Zimmerman and Martin. Obviously we support Zimmerman and believe he is innocent and that he shot a thug. Each target is printed on thick, high quality poster paper with a matte finish! The dimensions are 12"x18" ( The same as Darkotic Zombie Targets) This is a Ten Pack of Targets.
A Twitter account with the same name has been discontinued. A Google search on "hillerarmco" shows a company called the Hiller Armament Company. The domain for Hillerarmco.com is no longer active.

Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old, was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer as he returned to his father's girlfriend's house after a trip to the convenience store. Martin was unarmed, but was carrying a bag of Skittles, a can of iced tea, and his wallet after he was shot by George Zimmerman, the watch volunteer. The shooting, and the local police's handling of it, have become major news stories and sparked national conversations around racial profiling and gun laws.

In the aftermath of the shooting, protesters calling for Zimmerman's arrest donned hoodies and waved Skittles at protests around the country.

According to WKMG, the seller said that that the "main motivation was to make money off the controversy." The seller said that he was a supporter of Zimmerman who thinks "he is innocent and that he shot a thug."

Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's attorney, told the news station that he felt the targets were offensive. "This is the highest level of disgust and the lowest level of civility," O'Mara said. "It's this type of hatred -- that's what this is, it's hate-mongering -- that's going to make it more difficult to try this case."

[Nat]

I have less and less faith in humanity.

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by Gemme

Targets Resembling Trayvon Martin Selling Out

This is absolutely disgusting.

A Florida entrepreneur said he had sold out of gun range targets depicting a faceless, hood-clad figure holding an iced tea and a bag of Skittles meant to look like Trayvon Martin.

"The response is overwhelming," the seller told Orlando's WKMG news team over e-mail. "I sold out in two days." The station did not identify the seller, and said it found the ad on a popular firearms auctioning website.

A cached version of the GunBroker.com webpage belonging to a seller named "hillerarmco" from Virginia Beach, Va., shows the paper targets being sold in packs of 10 for $8.

The description of the product reads:

Everyone knows the story of Zimmerman and Martin. Obviously we support Zimmerman and believe he is innocent and that he shot a thug. Each target is printed on thick, high quality poster paper with a matte finish! The dimensions are 12"x18" ( The same as Darkotic Zombie Targets) This is a Ten Pack of Targets.
A Twitter account with the same name has been discontinued. A Google search on "hillerarmco" shows a company called the Hiller Armament Company. The domain for Hillerarmco.com is no longer active.

Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old, was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer as he returned to his father's girlfriend's house after a trip to the convenience store. Martin was unarmed, but was carrying a bag of Skittles, a can of iced tea, and his wallet after he was shot by George Zimmerman, the watch volunteer. The shooting, and the local police's handling of it, have become major news stories and sparked national conversations around racial profiling and gun laws.

In the aftermath of the shooting, protesters calling for Zimmerman's arrest donned hoodies and waved Skittles at protests around the country.

According to WKMG, the seller said that that the "main motivation was to make money off the controversy." The seller said that he was a supporter of Zimmerman who thinks "he is innocent and that he shot a thug."

Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's attorney, told the news station that he felt the targets were offensive. "This is the highest level of disgust and the lowest level of civility," O'Mara said. "It's this type of hatred -- that's what this is, it's hate-mongering -- that's going to make it more difficult to try this case."

@)#%$*@#)$* Q#W()$.....Sigh. Assholes.

[LeftWriteFemme]

Transgender community demands civil, not special, rights


http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle3414880.ece