Posts tagged equality
Bringing you the news and stories of the community
gender equality isn’t about forcing people out of traditional gender roles, it’s about giving people the choice to live their lives how they want to, regardless of whether it meets traditional expectations or not, without being shamed for it
There are people who have said that I’m being brave for being openly supportive of gay marriage, gay adoption, basically of gay rights but with all due respect I humbly dissent, I’m not being brave, I’m being a decent human being. And I don’t think I should receive an award for that or for merely stating what I believe to be true, that love is a human experience not a political statement, however, I acknowledge that sadly we live in a world where not everybody feels the same. My family and I will help the good fight continue until that long awaited moment arrives, when our rights are equal and when the political limits on love have been smashed.
(via fuckyeahbisexuals)
Some businesses support LGBT workplace equality – and some don’t. Which ones do you want to support when you’re out shopping around town? With our new 2011 Buying for Workplace Equality guide and iPhone app, it’s easier than ever to find out where companies stand on workplace equality.
Lesbians and gays across the country are literally putting themselves in the line of fire for the rest of society, as school teachers in gang territories, as police officers, as fire fighters. Yet their partners lack the security of knowing that if anything goes wrong, they’ll be able to see them in the hospital, to reassure them that they’ll be all right, or, heaven forbid, to see them alive one last time.
But what deeply worries and outrages me is that I shouldn’t have to justify having equal rights because I’ve spent so much time giving back to all of the communities that I’ve lived in. It shouldn’t be relevant that the people we’re depriving of their rights are police officers, fire fighters, and school teachers. No other group has to justify their rights by pointing to all that they’ve contributed to the world. They get their right to marry because they’re part of society, period.
(via stfuconservatives)
FYLGBT on Bobby Griffith
To preface this, this is a 1 page reflection I wrote for English class about a modern day tragic hero. Whenever I get the opportunity, I bring up an LGBT issue at school, such as asking if French has gender neutral pronouns, bringing up DADT on a history paper of women soldiers in the Civil War, or explaining Sodom and Gomorrah’s notorious mistranslations in Theology. So far, the only classes I haven’t brought it up in are Algebra and Physics (ideas are appreciated!). I encourage you all to do the same and be creative in promoting equality!
Bobby Griffith, to those around him, would seem like a normal 20 year old. He was born as a middle child with an older brother, younger sister and two loving parents. Their family attended a Presbyterian Church and all the children were brought up to be religious, mostly from their mother’s teachings. At this time in his life, most people would not consider him a tragic hero. But when the year 1983 was almost over, in August, Bobby took his own life and changed many people’s lives.
Bobby was gay. His entire upbringing taught him that he was a sinner and destined to go to hell. For the last 4 years of his life, his mother strived to change Bobby through prayer. Bobby’s diary would reveal thoughts such as, “What’s wrong with me? I wish I could crawl under a rock. God, do you enjoy seeing me stumble around this world like a stupid idiot? I think you must.” He was a very artistic boy and a wonderful writer; his diary was estimated to have over 400 pages. He was constantly fighting with internal struggle of God’s plan for him and his own path in life.
Reading the prompt for this reflection and coming across the characteristic, “Falls from great heights” made me cringe. Bobby’s greatest fall was off of a freeway overpass. Fortunately, however, although this fall did not increase self-awareness and knowledge for Bobby, it did for his mother Mary. Mary was the one who forced change on Bobby the most. She referred to Bobby as sick, perverted, and a danger to children. Following his death, Mary Griffith spent a year asking God, “Why?” and came to say the conclusion, “Bobby’s death was the direct result of his parent’s ignorance.”
Bobby had to live with being gay, a character flaw seen by his family. It was beyond his power to change it. As a shy, lovable, and family-oriented spiritual person, many people feel sympathy for Bobby. His error in judgment came when he decided that he was not normal. He was not alright. Being gay was wrong and the only way out for him was suicide. However, it is his mother who lives with these outcomes and after soul-searching, lives on to become a gay rights advocate. Her story touched millions and was transformed into a book and movie. Her famous speech about Bobby’s death reverberates with the final words, “Before you echo “amen” in your home and place of worship, think. Think and remember a child is listening.”
My teacher told me it almost made her cry :]
Everyone Should Have The Right To Tie The Knot.
Obama signs Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal
In a historic achievement for gay rights, President Obama signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal this morning, which will allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.
“This is a good day, this is a very good day.” Obama said. ”No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder in order to serve the country that they love.”
Last weekend, the US Senate voted to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. On Monday, Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary, tweeted:
President to sign repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on Wednesday at 9:15 AM…
The repeal is not immediately effective, reports the New York Times. The change will go into effect once Obama and defense officials certify the military’s readiness.
(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
52 Things You Can Do For Trans Equality
#1: Take a Trans Person to Lunch
#2: Ask your library to carry books that deal positively with trans people
#3: Attend an anti-racism training and put into practice what you learn
#4: Run for Office
#5: Invite your mayor or other elected official to address a trans group or town meeting
#6: Plan an Art Show of Works by Trans Artists
#7: Create and publicize a calendar of local events and encourage people to attend them
#8: Start an online community or a blog that deals with an issue that is important to you
#9: Change the Policy of an Organization You Belong To
#10: Donate money to an organization providing direct services for transgender people
#11: Hold a workshop on how to effectively advocate for yourself when seeking medical care or therapy
#12: Ask Your Local Film Festival to Show Trans Themed Movies and then Go See Them
#13: Support the Day of Silence
#14: Preach or speak at a local community of faith, such as a synagogue, church or mosque
#15: Adopt a Highway
#16: Hold a Trans Pride event in your community
#17: March as a trans contingent in the Gay Pride Parade
#18: Educate a local homeless shelter about how to be trans inclusive
#19: Pass a non-discrimination ordinance in your community
#20: Visit the offices of your congressional representative and educate them about trans issues
#21: Start a local support or education group
#22: Volunteer with an LGBT Advocacy group
#23: Start a Speakers’ Bureau
#24: Break a Gender Rule
#25: Make a Restroom More Accessible to Trans People
#26: Locate Support Services
#27: Collaborate with another group on a community project or social event.
#28: Work to Pass a Nondiscrimination Policy at Your Workplace
#29: Connect with PFLAG!
#30 Write a regular column for a publication
#31: Plan to Come out on National Coming Out Day on October 11#32: Register New Voters!
#33: Fund Scholarships!
#34: Programs for Youth
#36 Get involved in the political process: Volunteer for a Candidate
#37 Plan and conduct a Day of Remembrance event
#38 Support or create a radio show or podcast
#39 Hold a House Party for NCTE or another trans organization
#40 Make Jails Safer for Trans People
#41 Hold a Job Fair
#42 Support a Drag Community Event
#43 Engage Media Coverage of Transgender Issues
#44 Conduct a Community Needs Assessment
#45 Vote!
#46 Start a discussion group on gender related books
#47 Respond to Alerts from Other Organizations
#48 Collect and share stories of discrimination
#49 Set up a training in a hospital, nursing or medical school
#50 Write an op-ed
#51 Help an LGBT organization become more transgender friendly
#52 Make a New Year’s Resolution for Transgender Equality
Get Informed. Get Involved. Give a Damn about Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”!
The United States Senate is expected to vote on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” next week. Jules, a former Marine Captain discharged in 2008 under the policy for being gay, shares her story and asks us all to step up and urge our Senators to vote to repeal this unjust policy.
Call the Senate Switchboard now. The lines are open 24 hours a day.
(202) 224-3121
If you need to know the name of your senators, just ask the operator.
What to say while on the phone:
—Tell your senators to vote with Sen. Reid and Sen. Carl Levin in opposing a filibuster, or any amendment to strike “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal from the larger defense bill.
—Tell your senators that it is critical they vote and finish the Defense bill before they leave for the election recess.
