NC News: House votes to protect gay kids

The anti-bullying bill, that lists those children and adolescents must susceptible to bullying, that has died in the various committees and legislative bodies in the state of NC is on its way to becoming law! The split is 59 for, 57 against in the House, and there has to be three readings of the law and three votes before such a measure becomes law.

Third reading today. Not likely that anyone will peel off and not vote like they did previously.

And who were the ones who were holding it up and railing against the measure? Many of my brothers and sisters who are ordained in various denominations. In other words, clergy and many conservative Republicans...and a lone Democrat.

Click here for more.

As my partner said: This is HUGE!

Pace!

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p.s., today's final vote: 58-57: anti-bullying bill off to the Governor's desk to sign. Yeah!

Dad's Day

We took the kids out tonight to celebrate Father's Day, and I must admit I haven't laughed so hard so long in a good long time. Great night. I not only love my kids, but love them!!!

So, as I've already written in ON BEING A GAY PARENT and in my Q-Notes column, I wrote about Father's Day, and the idea of re-naming or carving out a day: Gay Parents' Day. After all, Mother's and Father's Day were carved out in the earlier part of the 20th century because of the need to pay attention to the work mothers and later fathers do in this world.

Again: rather than fighting over whose day it is, name it a "cultural icon that needs a new addition," and let's find a day to call Gay Parents' Day.

And what day should it be? May is Mother's Day, June is Father's Day: thus July is a suitable time. Third Sunday in July?

What say you?

Pace!

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Capehart: Give Obama Time

Jonathan Capehart (WaPo) believes that Obama made some missteps, but believes he is an ally:

Let's face it, the Obama administration bungled the politics surrounding its filing of a brief in a case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages. But the searing criticism that President Obama is getting for it borders on a blind rage that obscures some positive changes for gay men and lesbians from his administration in both style and substance.

But he argues to give Obama time.

The pressure is on.

Here's his argument for giving him time:

If gays and lesbians want big victories, such as the repeal of DOMA and the "don't ask don't tell" policy, they should focus their fire where it belongs: on Congress. Each bill will take 218 votes in the House and 60 in the Senate to reach the president's desk, and the votes aren't there yet. Saying no one is going to hand gay men and lesbians their rights, Berry told me, "We have to get out there and fight and get those votes." That won't be easy. But if last week's announcement is a sign that Obama will be vocal, persistent and public in his support, the fight can be won.

But Capehart is wrong on DADT: Clinton signed an executive order to make DADT law. All that Obama has to do is sign an executive order to over-turn DADT. He doesn't need an act of Congress, because this is the military service, and he Commander in Chief. He is taking his cues from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in the Pentagon who are dragging their heels (pun intended).

Capehart is speaking for the Administration...a mouthpiece.

It is time for Obama to move on these issues.

Time is moving quickly...so should Pres. Obama.

Pace!

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p.s., click here for more.

Simple, Really...

What do some of us in the LGTQB community want from Obama's Administration and Congress?
* DADT overturned;
* DOMA overturned;
*ENDA enacted;
* International Folks who are HIV+ welcomed;

...and a few more things as well.

What do we get? Federal employees get a few fringe benefits and now being able to be counted on the census in 2010, but ONLY if you are gay married folks.

So what about those of us who are in relationship and NOT living in a state that allows gay marriage? We won't count, right? We will be two roommates living in one house, correct? Just like 2000.

Give me a break.

I'm a Democrat who is more and more persuaded that this White House is about as clueless as the Clintons and Bushes on both ends when it comes to LGBTQ issues. They are tone deaf.

Click here for more.

Pace!

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Allowing LBGT People Serve Openly and Honestly

There is a similarity between what is going on in the military service and working in the church for LGBTQ people: first, we are not able to serve openly; second, that there has been a great loss of people for the military services and churches that are desirous of growing while losing members; third, that there is a growing openness of LBTQG people to serve in both the military and churches.

Today's op-ed in the WaPo is telling: John Shalikashvili (retired Joint Chief of Staffs Chairman), argues that there is really no reason for why LGBTQ people couldn't serve in the military in the USA. They serve well in other nation's armies. The argument that some retired personnel put forth a few weeks ago show a generation bias against LBTQG people, e.g., calling what we live a "life style choice."

These retired officers are the very same people in the Church who are blocking the ordination of LGBTQ people, using the same tired old, antiquated, biased perspectives.

What has been loss in the military? Read on:

The officers who oppose lifting the ban argued in The Post that there is "no compelling national security reason" to let openly gay troops serve. They also say, however, that "losses of even a few thousand sergeants, petty officers and experienced mid-grade officers" -- those they believe might bolt -- are unaffordable. Under current policy, we have lost more than 13,000 of those people, such as the Arabic language speaker featured in the new film "Ask Not." In addition, researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles have found that nearly 4,000 people leave voluntarily each year because of the ban, and that more than 40,000 recruits might join if the ban is ended.

Likewise in the Church that is losing members: we've lost a generation of pastors, counselors, musicians, educators, etc., because of our societal bias.

It is time to change.

Click here for more.

Pace!

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Our Cautious New President...or the Thud Heard Around the World

On reading salon.com this morning, I noticed these two "War Room" notices about Obama: first one was re: Biden and Clinton suggesting that Obama be more outspoken in his support of Mousavi protesters in Iran. They claim he is being cautious to a fault.

The second entry was in re: to the benefit package for Federal employees. This did not include health or retirement benefits for Federal employees. It was a salve, a balm, for those LGBTQ folks who feel that this Administration is dragging its heels on LGBTQ issues:

"But for all that, the policy really doesn't go all that far. It does mean that most federal workers -- non-civilian employees of the Department of Defense are not included -- will now be able to take sick leave if they need to care for their partner or their partner's children, and it will help with some visitation rights and provide long-term care insurance coverage. But the biggest benefits, like healthcare and retirement, are not included; they're prohibited under DOMA. And some gay federal employees already had these benefits, depending on their supervisor's policy."

As I said before, Obama is governing through incrementalism on many issues, including LGBTQ concerns.

Is this Clinton Redux?

Sigh...

Pace!

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Anti-Bullying Bill in NC

Praying for a light to appear in the NC legislature, and that the Anti-Bullying Bill that is going to the House today passes, even though there are mis-guided souls who keep on thwarting this important Bill.

Pace!

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