Tag Archives: Obama

Gay History - February 17: Trump, Obama, The Equality Act and Facebook Sucks.

Gay History – February 17: Trump, Obama, The Equality Act and Facebook Sucks.

1989 – Chicago’s new gay rights ordinance takes effect. It mandates fines up to $500 for discrimination based on sexual orientation. WOW $500 dollars.

2011 – Facebook expands relationship language to add civil unions and domestic partners. In the next 10 years Facebook will be accused repeatedly for having a double standard and treating the LGBT community to different standards including recently ejected an ad of a same-sex couple, but took no issue with a similar ad of a heterosexual couple.

2011 – The Obama administration announced that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court. DOMA was a federal law that defined marriage as between one man and one woman and denied federal recognition to same-sex marriages. The decision not to defend the law marked a significant shift in the federal government’s stance on marriage equality.

2012 – Iraq – “Emo Killings” begin in Iraq. The series of killings targets young men who appear outside the mainstream, especially gay and “emo” youth. Emo is a style of fashion including skinny jeans. On this day, Saif Raad Asmar Abboudi, 20, is beaten to death with a brick.

2016 – The city of Charlotte, North Carolina passed a non-discrimination ordinance that included protections for LGBT people. The ordinance was controversial, and opponents of LGBT rights launched a campaign to repeal it. In response, the North Carolina legislature passed HB2, a law that nullified the Charlotte ordinance and prohibited cities from passing similar laws. The law was widely criticized as discriminatory, and led to boycotts and protests.

2017 – The Trump administration revoked federal guidelines that had been issued by the Obama administration to protect transgender students in schools. The guidelines had instructed schools to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that corresponded with their gender identity. The Trump administration’s decision was widely condemned by LGBT rights advocates

2020 – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill has not yet been passed by the Senate. The original Equality Act was introduced 49 years ago by Bella Abzug on January 14th of 1974 — the first piece of federal legislation to address discrimination based on sexual orientation.  To this day it has till not passed both the House and the Senate.

WFC’s Don Feder: LGBT Soldiers “armed with vibrators” Greater Threat To USA Than Putin‏

Hot Gay Sailors

Don Feder, leader of the anti-LGBT hate group the World Congress of Families, yesterday in an op-ed for the AmericanThinker.com stated that LGBT soldiers, “armed with vibrators” are a greater threat to the U.S. than aggressive action by Russia and its president Vladimir Putin.

The piece, titled “Putin Doesn’t Threaten Our National Security, Obama Does,” posited that Russia’s dictatorial president is not as bad for the United States and the world as a president who is “not an American” in the White House.

Feder pointed to a now-debunked story of LGBT troops performing in drag shows overseas. In “Obama’s life style-friendly military,” Feder said, these supposed troops in drag will be the norm.

“If Putin doesn’t take us seriously, is it any wonder?” he asked. “Perhaps we could deploy an elite unit, armed with vibrators, to the Crimea to counter Spetsnaz commandos.”

Rather than victory, Feder lamented, “diversity is the New Action Army’s most important product.”

TheWorld Congress of Families is one of six anti-LGBT hate groups that are working abroad to undermine the rights of LGBT people around the world. The group has lauded the criminalization of same-sex relations in Uganda and played an active role in helping Russian legislators craft their vicious “gay propaganda” law.

The group is scheduled to have its 2014 meeting at the Kremlin in Russia. There has been no word on whether the far-right organization plans to cancel in the wake of Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine.

John Boehner Tells LGBT Caucus: There Is ‘No Way’ ENDA Will Pass In 2014

ENDASpeaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) told the 113-member LGBT Equality Caucus last week that there is “no way” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would pass this year according to Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA).

Boehner has repeatedly claimed that the LGBT employment protections are “unnecessary” while  in reality, it remains legal in 29 states to fire people for their sexual orientation and and in 33 states to fire people for their gender identity.

Meanwhile Obama could issue the “promised” executive order protecting at least the LGBT employees of federal contractors, which would also apply to small businesses not covered by ENDA, but the White House insists it prefers a legislative approach even though it seems Boehner will not be allowing it to come up for a vote  soon.

Could this be the reason why President Obama who through out his tenure has not been known to use the “bully pulpit” did not mention the Employment Non-Discrimination Act last night in the State of the Union address because he knows its dead in the water?

H/T  Zach Ford – TPM

 

 

President Obama Will Not Attend Sochi Olympics Sends Two Openly Gay Athletes Instead

Sochi Russia gay

For the first time since 2000 the United States will not send a president, former president, first lady or vice president to the Olympic Games.

It must be stressed however that the White House DID NOT explicitly say that President Obama is not attending due to Russia’s horrible treatment of its LGBT citizens and its newly enacted draconian laws as the leaders of both France and Germany have done with The White House only stating that Obama’s schedule will not permit him to attend the Sochi Olympic Games.

The White House will be sending two openly gay athletes to take part in the United States delegation.  Iconic tennis player and 39-time Grand Slam winner Billie Jean King  and hockey player Caitlin Cahow who will join former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, figure skater Brian Boitano and presidential adviser Rob Nabors. (Sounds like more than two LGBT delegates to me)

White House spokesman Shin Inouye said the delegation “represents the diversity that is the United States” and that Obama “knows they will showcase to the world the best of America – diversity, determination and teamwork.”

 

 

 

Gay Russian Activist “Let Down” By Meeting With President Obama – Video

Gay Russia

Igor Kochetkov of the Russian LGBT Network has publicly stated that he felt underwhelmed and “let down” with the recent meeting of President Obama concerning the persecution that LGBT Russians are experiencing under Vladimir Putin’s current anti-gay regime because Obama said he had to consider his overall relationship with Russia.

Said Kochetkov:

“The President said he can’t prioritize human rights in his relationship with Russia because there are other issues as well. I disagree with the President because, in my view, by doing so, we narrow our chances of cooperation in other areas.”

Not totally shocking considering the snails pace the Obama administration has taken on LGBT issues in his own country after all his grandiose promises and talk during his campaign year in 2007 and 2007.  While DADT did happen after much prodding from GetEqual and the LGBT community we’d do well to remember the LGBT community took care of DOMA and we sit here 6 years later still waiting on a strong push from President on ENDA and much of the time waiting is because there are other “issues” with out own anti-gay faction of government because their are other issues.

White House To Do Extra "Deep Cleaning" and Disinfect Before Joe Biden Arrives on Jan. 20

President Obama’s Remarks From The LGBT Pride Month Reception – YAWN!

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release                           June 13, 2013

 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

AT A RECEPTION FOR LGBT PRIDE MONTH

East Room

5:21 P.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  All right, I will not beat that act.  (Laughter.)  We could not be prouder of Zea and Luna for the introduction.  And welcome, all of you, to the White House for Pride Month.  (Applause.)

 Zea and Luna are here with their moms, and also I think with Grandma and Grandpa — correct?  And so feel free to congratulate them afterwards for their outstanding introduction.  

 There are a few other folks who don’t have the same star wattage that I want to acknowledge — first of all, my Vice President, Joe Biden.  (Applause.)  We’ve got some outstanding members of Congress here, including a record number from the Congressional Equality Caucus.  (Applause.)  Eric Fanning, the Under Secretary of the Air Force, is here.  (Applause.)  Major General Patricia Rose and her wife, Retired Lieutenant Julie Roth, are here.  (Applause.)  We’ve got Fred Hochberg and Elaine Kaplan, two outstanding members of my team, who are here.  (Applause.)  And John Berry is here — John is a former member of my team.  You may not recognize him because he looks so well rested now that he’s left the administration.  (Laughter.)      

 And even though she couldn’t be here today, because she’s getting ready to finally take her seat on the bench and get to work, I want to congratulate Nitza Quinones Alejandro, who, just a few hours ago, was confirmed by the Senate, making her the first openly gay Hispanic federal judge in our country’s history. (Applause.)  

 And what I’m especially excited about, in addition to Zea and Luna, we’ve got citizens from all across the country who wrote me letters over the last several years.  And in a letter from Kathleen, a young woman from Massachusetts, I saw someone who had experienced too much discrimination and hatred at such a young age, at the age of 24.  But I also read about someone who dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can help others, and who is determined to make a difference because, as she put it, she is “hopeful of a world filled with love.”

 Love is what I saw in Valerie and Diane’s letter from North Dakota, who’ve been together for 37 years.  Their son, Madison, is here, 14.  They told me that when Madison was little — he’s not little now, by the way.  (Laughter.)  He used to say that someday, he was going to become president and make it legal for his moms to get married.  And now, they added, “I don’t think we’re going to have to wait that long.”  (Applause.)

 Madison, I agree with you that it’s time.  I agree that you should run for president.  (Laughter.)  And I agree that we’re not going to have to wait that long — because from Minnesota to Maryland, from the United States Senate to the NBA, it’s clear we’re reaching a turning point.  (Applause.)  We’ve become not just more accepting; we’ve become more loving, as a country, and as a people.  Hearts and minds change with time.  Laws do, too.  Change like that isn’t something that starts here in Washington, but it’s something that has the power that Washington has a great deal of difficulty resisting over time. 

 It’s something that comes from the courage of those who stood up, and sat in, and came out.  It’s something that comes from the compassion of family and friends and coworkers and teammates who show their love and support.  (Baby cries.)  Yes, it’s true.  (Laughter.)   

 And it’s something that can be traced back to our Declaration of Independence — the fundamental principle that all of us are created equal.  And as I said in my Inaugural Address, if we truly are created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.  (Applause.) 

 That’s the principle that’s guided my administration over the past four and a half years.  We passed a hate crimes bill in Matthew Shepard’s name.  (Applause.)  We lifted the HIV entry ban, released the first national HIV/AIDS strategy.  We strengthened the Violence Against Women Act to protect LGBT victims.  (Applause.)  We told hospitals that accept Medicare and Medicaid that they have to treat LGBT patients just like everybody else.  (Applause.)  Starting next year, the Affordable Care Act will ban insurance companies from denying someone from coverage just for being LGBT.  We put in place new policies that treat transgender Americans with dignity and respect.  (Applause.)  And because no one should have to hide who they love to serve the country that they love, we ended “don’t ask, don’t tell” once and for all.  (Applause.)  

 But part of the reason we’re here is because we know we’re not done yet.  When Zea and Luna wrote me last December, they told me they would have voted for me if they could have — thanks, guys.  (Laughter.)  They also laid out quite an agenda.  I hope Congress is listening to them. 

 But I want them and all of you to know that I’m not giving up the fight to keep our kids safe from gun violence.  (Applause.)  I’m not giving up the fight for smarter and better schools.  I’ll continue to support marriage equality and states’ attempts to legalize it, including in my home state of Illinois. We’re not giving up on that.  (Applause.) 

 And as we saw earlier this year with the gun safety debate, sometimes this stuff takes time, and it’s frustrating.  You take two steps forward and sometimes there’s a step back.  But I deeply believe in something that Martin Luther King, Jr. said often, and that is that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.  Eventually, America gets it right. 

That doesn’t mean we can be patient.  We know from our own history that change happens because people push to make it happen.  We’ve got to do the hard work of educating others, showing empathy to others, changing hearts and minds.  And when we do that, then change occurs.  It doesn’t come always as quickly as we like, but progress comes. 

 We’ve got to keep pushing.  We’ve got to make access to health care more available and affordable for folks living with HIV.  We’ve got to implement the protections in the Affordable Care Act.  We’ve got to keep making our classrooms and our neighborhoods safe for all of our young people. 

 And I agree with Susan, a PFLAG mom from Ohio — we’ve got to end LGBT discrimination in the places where we work.  Susan wrote me and said, “If I have a concern it is that there are so many LGBT men and women who contribute to the wealth and growth of our nation … but they still are not protected from harassment in the workplace.” 

And I share that concern.  In 34 states, you can be fired just because of who you are or who you love.  That’s wrong.  We’ve got to change it.  There’s a bipartisan bill moving forward in the Senate that would ban discrimination against all LGBT Americans in the workplace, now and forever.  We need to get that passed.  (Applause.)  I want to sign that bill.  We need to get it done now.  (Applause.)

 And I think we can make that happen — because after the last four and a half years, you can’t tell me things can’t happen.  Look around.  We’ve got gay and lesbian soldiers, and sailors, and airmen, and Marines who are here today.  We’ve got married couples from places like New York and Washington State.  (Applause.)  You’ve got a couple of guys here on stage who I don’t think anybody in their high schools thought would be the President and the Vice President of the United States.  (Laughter.)  So don’t tell me that things can’t happen when we put our minds to them.  (Laughter.) 

 The genius of America is that America can change.  And people who love this country can change it.  That’s what we’re called to do.  And I hope that when we gather here next year, and the year after that, we’ll be able to say, with pride and confidence, that together we’ve made our fellow citizens a little more free.  We’ve made this country a little more equal.  We’ve made our world a little more full of love.

 Thank you very much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless America.  (Applause.)  Enjoy the party.  (Applause.)

Keep digging through that horseshit kids there must be a pony in there somewhere because obviously there is no EXECUTIVE ORDER banning LGBT Discrimination for people who work with Federal Contractors or any real promises from the President himself for any work that he himself actually can do to get ENDA passed.

 

What The F*#k Chuck? – Democrats Ready To Throw LGBT’s Under the Bus Over Immigration Reform

LGBT Immigration Reform

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is feeling the heat from the LGBT community and NY LGBT politics for his cold feet and lack of spine over the voting for a provision sought by same-sex couples and progressives to be included in the immigration reform bill.

 The Uniting American Families Act, would allow American citizens to apply for green cards on behalf of their foreign spouses.  Under current law, citizens can get a green card for a foreign spouse in a traditional marriage with relative ease, but cannot apply for a green card for a gay spouse or partner.

But among the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” currently considering comprehensive immigration reform California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer have indicated that they will not vote for two amendments proposed by committee by Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy that would allow married LGBT Americans to sponsor their foreign-born same-sex spouse for citizenship and are  caving into the Republican threats of killing immigration reform entirely if LGBT families are included

On Monday Schumer called a meeting with prominent New York gay elected officials and activists about his fear that the inclusion of the UFWA act  would  because Republicans involved in the reform talks have said would be a deal killer for the entire immigration  reform bill.

“Sen. Schumer called the meeting because he is in trouble with a key constituency,” said Rachel Tiven of the group Immigration Equality.

One source who attended the meeting said some attendees told Schumer that once when people are left out of legislation, it becomes hard to catch up later, something that which the gay community has witnessed before in other iterations.  Others made it quite clear to Schumer they don’t believe the Republicans would walk away from immigration reform as a whole, comma even with a same-sex provision in it.

Many in the LGBT community are now in fear of being scape-goated AGAIN and have little faith in Schumer to do the right thing considering his record of  being late to support same-sex marriage and to repealing DOMA — remains a real concern.

President Obama also seems comfortable in throwing LGBT community under the bus signaling that he is unlikely to veto immigration reform simply because it excludes LGBT Americans.  Also it is being reported that Obama has contacted Leahy and suggested tha he table the LGBT reform provisions “for now” and try to include it when the Bill hits the Senate floor which would be almost impossible since it holds little chance of getting 60 votes.

And where is Human Rights Campaign in all of this you may ask?

Nowhere.

Sources tell me HRC has had little to no involvement with the push for LGBT immigration inclusion on Capital Hill  saying and I quote:  “they are just hanging out waiting for the Supreme Court decision.” 

Gay History - August 24, 1970: the New York Times Runs Front Page Story On "Homosexuals in Revolt"

NY Times Editorial Board Takes President Obama Task Over ENDA – JUST DO IT!

The New York Times

The New York Times Editorial Board has come out strongly urging that President Obama sign an  executive order that would ban discrimination of LGBT employees by companies under federal contract and telling him that its time that he stand up and help push ENDA  (The Employment Non-Discrimination Act) through Congress

Some conservative opponents of the act, known as ENDA, contend it would threaten religious freedom because its exemption for employers affiliated with religious organizations is too narrow. Actually, the proposed religious exemption is far too broad and needs to be scaled back. The American Civil Liberties Union and some gay rights groups rightly point out that as it is now drafted, the exemption — extending well beyond just houses of worship to hospitals and universities, for example, and encompassing medical personnel, billing clerks and others in jobs that are not directly involved in any religious function — amounts to a license to engage in the discrimination that ENDA is meant to remedy.       

It is one thing for religious groups to further their religious mission by favoring people of their own faith in hiring, as Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act permits. It is quite another to allow the firing of a lesbian physician or transgender nurse when a hospital that is not affiliated with a religious group happens to merge with an institution that is. Under Title VII’s religious exemption, houses of worship and religion-affiliated entities are subject to the law’s prohibition against discrimination based on race, sex and national origin. ENDA’s religious exemption should treat sexual orientation and gender identity in a similar fashion. To do otherwise would leave too many jobs outside of ENDA’s protections.       

Congress has a duty to stop dawdling and approve a strong bill. In the meantime, President Obama, a supporter of ENDA, can take a significant step toward ending discrimination in the workplace by issuing an executive order barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by federal contractors. He has the power to protect millions of American workers, and it is about time he used it.

The NY Times points out that protections for people of religion are indeed included in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  One of the main arguments of many right-wing extremist groups and the GOP itself is that ENDA would five LGBT individuals “special rights” and protections while they have been enjoying them for the past 50 years.

ENDA has been introduced in every Congress since 1994.  Similar legislation has been introduced without passage since 1974 unsuccessfully.

ENDA To FINALLY Be Reintroduced to the Senate and House Thursday Despite Lack Of Obama Push

ENDAThe long-stalled and ever suffering Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) will see reintroduction finally in the Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday. After years of obstruction, indecision. lack of leadership, and problems despite the fact that President Obama and his administration have done no work in pushing the legislation.

ENDA which has been introduced in every session of Congress except one since 1994 will be introduced in the House and Senate with bipartisan support.  Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) will be joined by Sens. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) as original sponsors of the bill. In the House, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fl.) will introduce the bill.

“The bottom line is no worker in America should be fired or denied a job based on who they are. Discrimination is wrong. Period. And I think the Senate is ready to take that stand,” said Merkley.

Earlier in the week Chris Johnson of the Washington Blade pressed White House Press Secretary Jay Carney about specifics on what Obama has done in the past year to build support for ENDA, Carney touted the president’s commitment to LGBT rights and support for the legislation — without naming any specific initiative to build support for it.

Writes Johnson:

Beyond the messaging, no work from the White House to build support for ENDA has been evident to supporters of the bill as the administration has pushed for gun control and comprehensive immigration reform in the past year. A Reuters article published earlier this month quoted Valerie Jarrett as saying ENDA “is a priority,” but also reported that congressional aides see little evidence the White House is pushing to win support.

Translation.  The Obama administration has done jack.

Said Tico Almeida, president of the LGBT group Freedom to Work:

“It would be great to hear President Obama make the case for ENDA in his own words, explaining how LGBT workplace fairness creates benefits for both America’s businesses and LGBT employees.  It would be helpful for the president and other members of the administration to start publicly challenging both chambers of Congress to bring ENDA to a vote this year, and the White House legislative team could start urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to find Senate floor time for an ENDA vote this summer.

And while ENDA may receive quick action in the Senate the real battle will come in the House, where Republican leadership has opposed ENDA every step of the way and given no indication it will bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

“I fully expect this session ENDA will have more support than ever before,” Polis said,  Polis, who is now the most senior LGBT member of the House, believes that by increasing bipartisan support for ENDA they will be able to pressure House leadership to bring the bill for a vote.

Should the Senate pass ENDA,  Polis and Ros-Lehtinen could subvert obstruction by Republican leaders by launching a discharge petition a rare legislative procedure, but if theyu can collect 218 signatures  they would be able to bring the bill to a vote without the approval of House leadership.

Once again it looks like a long hard fight to get ENDA passed.  A fight we will all have to join in.

Sources:  Metroweekly and the Washington Blade

 

 

GetEQUAL Protests White House Demanding Obama Sign Federal Contractor Anti-Discrimination ENDA EO

 

GetEqual picket

Last night the LGBT activist group GetEQUAL took to the streets in front of the White House and staged a protest demanding that President Obama sign the Executive Order that would ban job discrimination against LGBT workers by businesses that hold contracts with the federal government.

Roughly a dozen members of GetEQUAL and the Maryland Light Brigade held panels with illuminated letters that spelled out “Sign ENDA EO” on the Ellipse and in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“The State of the Union is coming up in two days and our hope would be the president would get themessage,” Heather Cronk, managing director of GetEQUAL, told the Washington
Blade. “He has the power to take action to end employment discrimination.”

Last April President Obama decided NOT to sign an executive order banning workplace discrimination of gay, lesbian and transgender federal contractors despite the fact that it has Presidential precedent when in 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed an Executive Order  Executive Order 11246 banning federal contractors from discrimination based on race, religion and gender.

Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work said that the White House rationale for not signing the EO and instead waiting for ENDA which has stayed stalled in Congress for over 20 years to pass was “weak,” “shallow,” “unpersuasive” and “embarrassing.” Paul Yandura, a gay former Clinton White House aide and a Democratic strategist, also criticized some gay leaders in addition to the president, saying that groups like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), “weren’t advocating on our behalf.”

“It was clear that the groups — and if you want to say it in positive way — the groups were trying to give the White House space to do the right thing. I would say they weren’t advocating on our behalf. I was told that everyone had agreed they were going to play an insider game. Well, I think we now as a community can see when you play an insider game, this is what you get.” Yandura said.