WATCH: Let Same-Sex Couples Have 'Contracts,' Says Rand Paul
It’s not clear, however, exactly what the presidential aspirant means by this.
Trudy Ring
Daily Archives: April 13, 2015
Lessons from Thomas Jefferson for Bobby Jindal: Don't Use Religion to Support State-Sponsored Discrimination
Lessons from Thomas Jefferson for Bobby Jindal: Don't Use Religion to Support State-Sponsored Discrimination
Open Letter to Governor Robert Jindal of Louisiana.
Dear Governor Jindal,
I hear you support a so-called “religious freedom” law that would be even more restrictive than Indiana’s. I’m surprised that after major companies pledged to pull their business, state and local governments banned travel, and people across our country pointed out the bill wasn’t really about religion, but was simply a mechanism to facilitate bigoted discrimination, you would invite a similar — and likely louder — response by asking the Louisiana legislature to send you an even more outrageous bill. Governor, it’s 2015. Hiding behind claims of religious freedom to justify hateful discrimination just isn’t okay anymore.
Nobody understood this better than our founding fathers. You might know that today is Thomas Jefferson’s birthday. Personally, I think he had some pretty good ideas. He once wrote a document commonly called the “Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom” that later provided key ideas underlying the First Amendment of our Constitution. In it, he wrote: “Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions any more than our opinions in physics or geometry.”
Jefferson recognized that in a country as diverse as ours, allowing the religious beliefs of some to dictate the fundamental rights of others would be destructive to our nation’s foundations of liberty and equality.
The law you are requesting legalizes discrimination against LGBT individuals and other minorities under this false veil of religious freedom. Here in New York, I’ve introduced legislation to ban all state-funded trips to places that refuse to protect all of their citizens equally, like you are seeking to do in Louisiana. Our hard-earned money will not be used to support bigoted practices that contradict the freedoms provided in our Constitution. My state is committed to providing true equal protection to all of its citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender, race or religion. Personally, I have visited and enjoyed Louisiana many times, and would hate to have to remove it from my potential travel options.
As we observe Thomas Jefferson’s birthday today, and the Louisiana Legislature convenes for the first time this year, I urge you to review this founding father’s words and intent. True religious freedom allows individuals to practice their religion without coercion from the state, but does not provide the right to diminish the civil rights of others.
Very truly yours,
Daniel O’Donnell
Assembly Member
New York State, 69th District
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Same-Sex Couples Still Denied Right to Marry in Alabama
‘The Voice’ Host Comes Out In Moving Blog Post, Literally Celebrates With Rainbow Cake
‘The Voice’ Host Comes Out In Moving Blog Post, Literally Celebrates With Rainbow Cake
Faustina Agolley is an Australian television personality most known for co-hosting The Voice Australia and hosting the long-running music program Video Hits.
And as of her 31st birthday, she’s also the latest media figure to triumphantly step out of the closet.
She posted this self-empowering message to her fans via her blog:
And tonight, to coincide with my birthday, I’m celebrating with friends over Rainbow Cake. It’s the Elton John of cakes, complete with rainbow flares.
As a child I always knew I was gay, but somewhere the feeling got lost. A long and, not always scenic, route ensued to bring me back to who I truly am.
What I needed was to find my tribe. I wasn’t actively seeking it, though sometime last year I met a group of women that I could truly connect to. I could see myself in them in many ways. And they are women of character who I aspire to. Most importantly, they are women that are generous and kind. For the first time in my life I came to the full realisation of who I am and I felt safe in their company. They bolstered my confidence and gave me my voice again. And I love them eternally for it.
Thankfully my tribe has now extended to my family and friends that I’ve had the confidence to come out to. We’ve created noise, a celebratory noise. We’ve drowned out the negativity that sadly weaves through many homes, communities, governments and countries throughout the world.
In life, philosophy and literature imparts one of the greatest lessons we continuously come back to, and that is to know thyself. For those reading this who are LGBT and haven’t come out – even when society may not deem you equal because of your sexuality – know that you are. And just like in my situation, know that there are people in the world that have your back.
Some may be asking “Why does she feel the need to write this?”. The answer is that there is nothing I’m leveraging off or deliberately seeking. This simply feels like the right and natural way to let it be known, sincerely.
As black as my skin, as Chinese as my blood, and as Australian and British are my nationalities, I’m also a proud Gay Woman.
Most importantly though, I’m a happy human being.
Love,
Faustina Agolley
Congrats, Faustina!
Oh and here’s that rainbow cake she mentioned:
Dan Tracer
Gay San Franciscan Launches 'I'd Bottom for Hillary' Campaign
Gay San Franciscan Launches 'I'd Bottom for Hillary' Campaign
A gay San Franciscan has launched an “I’d Bottom for Hillary” campaign and is selling t-shirts and tank tops that promote one’s willingness to receive anal penetration (metaphorically, of course) from the former Secretary of State who is now the top (ahem) Democratic candidate.
We are small but powerful group that encourages Hillary Clinton to run for President in 2016. We recognize the unbelievable force that is Hillary Clinton. So much so, that we admit that we would willingly bottom for her.
It does not matter if you usually bottom, or if you usually top but can’t resist the Clinton. She is a bad ass bitch. She is the head bitch in charge. She is the Ma’damnnnnn President.
Ideally we would be bottoming for her as we were voting for her.
We will display our love for Hillary but informing the world of our desire to bottom for her. Buy a shirt, have no shame, and vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
The website does not mention whether proceeds from the garments will be sent to the Hillary Clinton campaign or if it’s a “for profit” venture but Ryan (just Ryan for now) tells Fusion that he studied business and politics in college and has so far sold 30 shirts with no marketing.
Ryan explained to Fusion that promoting one’s desire to receive anal penetration from the former Secretary of State is a form of flattery:
“With bottoming, there’s a lot that goes into it. A lot of homosexuals understand the concept. Bottoming for someone takes a lot of trust and understanding…A lot Republicans follow the Instagram handle, and they think it’s satire. It really is a compliment to Hillary.”
Andy Towle
www.towleroad.com/2015/04/gay-san-franciscan-launches-id-bottom-for-hillary-campaign.html
Ukip's Alan Craig, Former Christian Peoples Alliance Leader, Dropped From 'Gay Cure' Conference
Ukip's Alan Craig, Former Christian Peoples Alliance Leader, Dropped From 'Gay Cure' Conference
A former leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance, currently running as a Ukip candidate at the general election, has been told by organisers he cannot speak at a conference about “Unwanted Same-Sex Attractions.” Alan Craig, a candidate for Farage’s party in Brent North who once compared gay rights to advancing Nazis, was scheduled to address the Transformation Potential: Unwanted Same-Sex …
Rand Paul to LGBT Americans: You Can Have a ‘Contract,’ But Not Marriage
Rand Paul to LGBT Americans: You Can Have a ‘Contract,’ But Not Marriage
Rand Paul to LGBT Americans: You Can Have a ‘Contract,’ But Not Marriage Does Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) really stand for freedom? That was essentially the question CNN’s Dana Bash posed…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kKZQsjKs7s&feature=youtube_gdata
WATCH: NOM Wants SCOTUS to Ignore National Support for Marriage Equality
WATCH: NOM Wants SCOTUS to Ignore National Support for Marriage Equality
Perhaps someone should tutor the folks at the National Organization for Marriage about how polling works.
Matt Baume
Indiana Hires PR Firm To Rebuild Image After 'Religious Freedom' Fiasco
Indiana Hires PR Firm To Rebuild Image After 'Religious Freedom' Fiasco
WASHINGTON — The state of Indiana has hired a global public relations firm to help rebuild its image in the wake of national criticism that state politicians were hostile to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which leads the state’s efforts to attract and retain businesses, has retained Porter Novelli for an undisclosed sum. The firm’s task is to brand Indiana “as a welcoming place to live, visit and do business.”
“Now more than ever, we want to remind the world that Hoosiers welcome everyone and that Indiana is a great place for individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses to reach their full potential,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith, who leads the IEDC. “That’s why we are moving forward with this initiative together.”
Brad MacAfee, president of Porter Novelli’s North America region, said the firm looks forward to communicating “the incredible and innovative story that is Indiana today.”
Late last month, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed a “religious freedom” measure into law that would have allowed any individual or corporation to cite religious beliefs as a defense when sued by a private party, potentially opening up the door to businesses turning away gay and lesbian customers for religious reasons.
Pence and the state’s GOP-controlled legislature faced a swift national backlash, with businesses, celebrities, LGBT activists and others criticizing the move and promising to keep their money out of Indiana. Politicians in other states took advantage of Indiana’s misfortune and encouraged businesses in the state to move to their locales.
Under pressure, Pence eventually signed a revised measure to clarify that the law does not allow businesses to deny goods or services to LGBT customers.
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www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/indiana-pr-firm_n_7056268.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices
House Democrats Support LGBT Discrimination Protection Resolution
House Democrats Support LGBT Discrimination Protection Resolution
Today House Democrats announced a resolution supporting the adoption of discrimination protections for LGBT people nationwide.
HRC.org
