This is a repost from the Equality Texas blog at EqualityTexas.org. But don't worry, I'll hang around.
Last night the LGBT and allied community suffered through some agonizing election returns. We won some. We lost a big one. How do you evaluate such a mixed bag of election results across the nation? Then, how do you apply those lessons to the movement for equality in general?
It's not as hard as you think.
We won.
No, we didn't win everything. The big prize of marriage in Maine got away. Still, we won. Let's take stock.
This is a repost from the Equality Texas blog at EqualityTexas.org. But don't worry, I'll hang around.
Last night the LGBT and allied community suffered through some agonizing election returns. We won some. We lost a big one. How do you evaluate such a mixed bag of election results across the nation? Then, how do you apply those lessons to the movement for equality in general?
It's not as hard as you think.
We won.
No, we didn't win everything. The big prize of marriage in Maine got away. Still, we won. Let's take stock.
This is a repost from our blog at Equalitytexas.org. I'll hang around to answer questions and comments. But, check out our website, and help us out.
Federal Hate Crimes Legislation - A Grim Victory
Today, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It is an important, yet grim, victory for the LGBT and other targeted communities. Among other important steps, the Act marks the first time federal law has referred to "gender identity" in a positive manner and offered transgender persons some form of protection.
It has taken 13 years, untold victims, multiple deaths, and the efforts of survivors, loved ones and activists to get the Hate Crimes Act passed. No one, of course, expects the Act to actually end hate crimes. However, the hope is that by granting the federal government the jurisdiction and resources to prosecute hate crimes people will become more aware, and educated, about hate crimes--eventually leading to an overall reduction in this, one of the most hideous forms of violence.
(It was fun meeting this trio at Netroots Nation. Their product seems very appropriate given BOR's early history. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Hey y'all, longtime lurker and fan here. Not a fan of gay republicans who make life miserable for other gay people. So my friends and I went through and make an entire deck of cards featuring Gay Republican Hypocrites (WWW.GAYREPUBLICANCARDS.COM) featuring all your favorites - Foley, Craig, Jeff Gannon, Glenn Murphy - and many more. Each card is sourced to police or news documents - we did massive amounts of (very disturbing) research for the cards.
All three of us are Austin residents and UT grads and you probably met us if you were at the BOR party at Cedar Door or Netroots. A portion of the profits are donated to gay rights groups here in town.
I'd appreciate everyone's comments on the cards or the website or anything else. Thanks to the BOR guys for everything. Thanks!
I am looking for people who would be willing to collaborate with me in an attempt to continue a project very similar to the round-up of gay rights legislative, judicial, and executive bodies on the federal, and state/provincial levels in the US, and even the rest of the world, as very comprehensively done by Bill Myers. You can see one of the latest versions of it available on the web here, courtesy of The Wayback Machine. I could especially use someone to keep track of events in Texas as they happen.
first, let me clarify that SD1 is not solely about Longview. they seem to have a monopoly on the postings, blogs, sites that i've come across and this is does not make me happy. SD1 includes my hometown of Tyler as well as many other noteworthy towns such as Marshall.
(Marti served with me, leading the Campus Alliance which fought Prop 2 last November and demolished it in student precincts. It's inspiring to see continued progress. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
As we saw, yet again, Travis County voters came together and did what was right for gay and lesbian families in Austin...Voted Yes on Prop 6. Now any Austin City employees can add their partner (or brother or grandmother, etc.) to their health insurance policy. What a great way to assist people through the health care crisis facing all of us...AND to promote equality...all in the same vote!
But I really want to acknowledge the fact that those 68% of Austinites weren't all gay people. There are SO many straight people joining this movement every day and it's awesome! Every civil rights movement has been advanced by the "haves" joining in the forces to stand with the "have nots"...through their voices, their votes, and their courage to demand what is right.
I want to acknowledge a new organization called the Atticus Circle. It was founded a little over a year ago, and it's sole purpose to to collect and empower the straight voice for gay and lesbian equality.
I just felt good about finding this today so I thought I'd pass it on. Some of you know I went to Univ of NC at Chapel Hill. I also lived in a super liberal town right next door to it called Carrboro (NC's version of a mini Austin). We had one of the only openly gay mayors in the country in Mike Nelson. He finally retired this past December after serving a record 10 years.
Last evening he won 1 of 3 seats available in the Democratic primary for Orange County (NC) Commissioner. Congrats to Mike and gay politicians everywhere! Especially Democrats!
