Equality

Join Marriage Equality New York for a march across the Brooklyn Bridge and a fundraiser to push for marriage equality and recognition by the state.Date: Sunday, September 14th 2008Time: 11:00 a.m.Location:Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge- exact location TBASign up, fundraise & march!

North Bay Community Meeting “What happens after happily ever after?” Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 6:30 p.m. The Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA Please join Kate Kendell, Esq., Executive Director of Equality for All, Evan Wolfson, author of Why Marriage Matters, Maya Harris, Executive Director of ACLU of Northern California, and local members of the Equality for All campaign f

New Jersey Democratic congressman Steve Rothman who previously did not support same-sex marriage has made an about face and now supports equal marriage rights. He has made this decision in light of his lesbian step-daughter. Mr. Rothman has also joined the newly formed LGBT Caucus within the House of Representatives.Please take the time to thank Representative Rothman for supporting Marriage Equ

“If I try to ‘found’ equality rationally, I am able to do this only in and through a discourse which addresses itself to all and refuses all authority, a discourse therefore which has already presupposed equality of humans as reasonable beings.” Cornelius Castoriadis There are many reasons why equality is important, or is an important value. [...]

Our opponents are preparing to get their voter referendum passed this election day which will effectively reverse the court ruling and write the "marriage is between one man and one woman" into the California state constitution. They are spreading a campaign of lies and misinformation about marriage equality.It's important to correct these misrepresentations and be equipped with the knowledge of

"The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition is pleased to announce the release of its 2008 GENIUS Survey in partnership with Ernst & Young. GenderPAC works to ensure that classrooms, communities and workplaces are safe for everyone to learn, grow and succeed.The Gender Equality National Index for Universities & Schools (GENIUS), GenderPAC’s most recent effort to end discrimination and promote awarenes

Comedian Jay Leno has come out publicly in favor of same-sex marriage according to BGay.com"Talk show host Jay Leno showed up at the symbolic mass commitment ceremony at the Abbey in West Hollywood Wednesday night to show his support for gay marriage.Leno - who several times has been criticized for being insensitive towards LGBT people on his late night talk show - said he didn't understand why pe

MoveOn.Org a large "California" based progressive organization has yet to take a stand on the marriage amendment slated for the upcoming election. I personally have unsubscribed from MoveOn's email list months ago because I never see them take any actions on LGBT issues and I find that disturbing.MoveOn.org is now taking feedback on where their focus should be going fwd, please let them know LGBT

It's a sad day for this writer. For I have just found out that the dude behind a carrot juice that I regularly drink, William Bolthouse, has donated $100,000 in support of California's anti-gay constitutional amendment: Local carrot farmer donates...

Hat tip to Lavender Liberal for this wonderful idea in order to defeat the anti-marriage initiative in California.The Marriage Equality Youtube group is looking for LGBT folks & allies to upload short videos onto the net to speak out about why marriage equality is so important to you. Whether you are coupled, single, married, or just believe in equal rights please put out the message and broadcas

Our opponents have collected 1.1 million signatures for a proposed anti-gay ballot initiative that would overturn the recent court ruling allowing for marriage equality in California. To reflect the new number our opposition has reached, the Human Rights Campaign has a new goal on the "Million for Marriage" campaign.Please sign the Million for Marriage petition and send it along to friends and fa

It was assumed that men were just better than women at math and science, but a recent study suggests that the lovely ladies are equally equipped to dominate at these subjects. A study... Feeling teased? Want more? I thought so. Go to Joeprah.com and become complete.

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tran Nam spoke with Dau Tu newspaper about a resolution allowing foreigners to own apartments. Why does the resolution not include some groups of foreigners that were covered by the draft submitted by the Ministry of Construction? The National Assembly’s resolution does not apply to the three following groups of foreigners: Firstly, foreign individuals

GreenNet is a not for profit, ethical, collective ISP. It was founded in the 80s as a cheap, effective way for environmental activists to collaborate. GreenNet caters to the needs of organisations, activists and people working for social change. Their...

The California Supreme court decision on gay marriage was historic, a long time coming, hard fought, and about time.Unfortunately (and not surprisingly) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is receiving large numbers of phone calls from the supporters of 'Limits on Marriage' (The constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage in California) about his comment to a group of Log Cabin Republicans that

Do not pity anyone. Look upon all as your equal; cleanse yourself of the primal sin of inequality. We are all equal and must not think, “I am good and you are bad, and I am trying to reclaim you’. Equality is the sign of the free…. Only sinners see sin. See not man, see only [...]

Action Alert from Equality Maine:"On Tuesday, June 10th, primary voters will be asked to sign a petition supporting a referendum that would strip basic protections from LGBT Mainers and their families. Voters have every right to sign that petition. But we want them to know what they're really signing: a measure that would * Erase all the non-discrimination protections we've fought so hard to wi

Homosexual activist John Hosty has left a comment at this Blog in which he asserts that, "People who act violently do not speak for me or any of the people in the GLBT community I know. We simply want equality from the government."Really? The facts would suggest otherwise. Let's examine the homosexual agenda:The homosexual agenda, or homosexual ideology, consists of a set of beliefs and objectives

"Beginning today, the first 100 people who log onto the Straight for Equality website and donate $50 or more will receive an autographed copy of Cyndi's new CD, Bring Ya To The Brink. Straight for Equality will put your gift to work supporting families and advocating for change. And you'll get one of the first - and one of only 100 autographed - copies of Cyndi's new release. Bring Ya To The

"the gay community shouldn't be celebrating." "This decision does next to nothing for California gays and lesbians, and causes real harm to people who believe in the "old" definition of marriage. It's nothing to be proud of." "Sure, gays and...

It's good to be back.Related articlesGay Marriage Upheld in California [via Zemanta]A slew of California endorsements brings Obama closer to the magic number. [via Zemanta]Gay Marriage in Pictures [via Zemanta]

Actually, obligatory suggests that I don't actually want to write about this, which is false. There is no doubt that the California decision is a landmark, and what I read of the 162 page set of opinions was quite well-reasoned. For the most part, neither dissent resorts to demagoguery (which is pretty typical when you have relatively independent judges doing the decision-writing), with the most v

Via EQCA:"SAN FRANCISCO: In an historic decision today, the California Supreme Court ruled that same-gender couples deserve the freedom to marry under California law. The landmark ruling makes California the first state in the nation to give lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people full equality."Join a celebration tonight:Click here to join a party in CA

"The goal of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) equality is at the heart of True Colors. From day one, the tour has sought to raise awareness about the discrimination the GLBT community still faces and raise significant funds for the organizations that work everyday on their behalf. This year, the True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation has been created to enable increased and efficient fundraising for the tour's national non-profit partners through various revenue sources. In addition to a portion of every ticket purchase, money will be raised through benefits."The Lineup: (Different per state, and venue, check for your local listing).Cyndi Lauper, The B-52's, Rosie O'Donnell, Regina Spektor, Andy Bell of Erasure, Teagan & Sara, Carson Kressley, Joan Jett & the Blac

"The "Marriage Protection Amendment" is legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to define marriage as solely between one man and one woman, as well as prohibit civil unions and potentially more. If this legislation passes, it could harm thousands of Pennsylvanians including same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples and their children. We need everyone to contact your Senator and Representative give a voice to the millions of Pennsylvanians who oppose writing discrimination into our State Constitution. In addition to calling your Senator and Representative, please email them about this important legislation." (Click here to contact your representatives if you are a Pennsylvania resident)

FTA: "I have said that the story of America is that of the tension between liberty and equality. At times we swing too far one direction, and the other is in danger of being lost. Both rely on each other however; both are crucial to the democratic enterprise."

Equality was a core principle of the Civil Rights movement, a movement with which most Americans would comfortably express agreement or even admiration. America's oldest Civil Rights organization has accepted atheism as a Civil Rights issue, however, many Americans remain unwilling to do so. Equality remains an unfortunately elusive goal for atheists in America.Stellar1 at de-conversion recently asked, "What if I behaved toward Christians like they behave towards me?" This is certainly an intriguing question in this context. Some of Stellar1's points:However, I have to say that I am so very tired of having other people’s religious beliefs shoved in my face. I do not behave in that manner about my agnostic view and think it arrogant for Christians to think I care about their belief system

According to Queers Without Borders: "Read, Take Action and Forward! Did you know that transgender individuals in CT can still be fired from their jobs or denied housing simply because of who they are? A bill now before the CT House of Representatives (HB 5723–An Act Concerning Discrimination) would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression." Contact your State Representative today to support this bill.

Help Lambda Legal make the case for equal workplace rights by signing their petition. Click here for Pledge-A-Thon petition for Workplace Equality Here is the pledge you would sign above: "I believe that workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and people living with HIV is wrong. I pledge to support workplace equality whenever I can and will strive to do one or more of the following: * Treat LGBT people and people living with HIV with respect in and out of the workplace. * Get educated about forms of workplace discrimination that LGBT people and people living with HIV experience. * Help make my workplace LGBT- and HIV- friendly. * Support my co-workers' (or employees') right to form an LGBT employee resource group. * Help

I received the following email today from Kate Burns who, along with her partner Sheila Schroeder, "were arrested for trespassing on September 24, 2007 when they peacefully remained at the Denver Clerk and Recorder Office after being denied the opportunity to apply for a marriage license." (See the video of this incident here.)This case again highlights the courage needed to acquire full and equal civil rights, and again shows how anything less than the conferring of the designation of "marriage" is the equivalent of "separate and unequal." This is the email Kate sent:(Denver, CO) – The trial for lesbian couple Kate Burns and Sheila Schroeder is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 14th at the Denver City and County Building located at 1437 Bannock Street, in Courtroom 117M. The two w

"From coast to coast, we are coming closer to achieving true marriage equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans. But we need your help to fight efforts now underway to deny marriage rights to same-sex couples, including state constitutional amendments and federal laws that deny benefits to GLBT couples. Please sign the Million for Marriage Petition, and be a part of this historic civil rights battle. Gay, straight, married, single... we need everyone who believes in marriage equality to stand up NOW."

Write your senators and congressional representatives to support S. 1328/H.R. 2221, the Uniting American Families Act - legislation that will finally grant qualified same-sex couples equal access to our country's most basic immigration rights. This bill is sponsored by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT).Currently bi-national couples are not considered a family and thus do not have the same rights as heterosexuals when it comes to immigration rights. These couples currently face tremendous fear and discrimination at the expense of the lack of protections.Use the following Human Rights Campaign form to contact your representatives:

"Many of my constituents tell me they don't believe sexual orientation should be considered a protected class like race or religion," Thatcher said. "The new law has vague definitions of sexual orientation, which will lead to expensive litigation and there are already measures in place to deal with discrimination." -Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer).: kim@kimthatcher.netContact #: 503-932-1291PO Box 9111Salem, Oregon 97305

Please check out the Human Rights Campaigns recently released "Buying for Equality" guide. Whether you pass Exxon-Mobile and don't get gas because they lack a domestic partnership policy, or you make sure to stop at the ATM at Citibank an HRC corporate sponsor. You can make a difference, money talks, and where there is money LGBT equality will follow. Support the companies who support you, and boycott those who seek to oppress the Queer community.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that we are not alone in this struggle for Equal rights. History has shown us that there have been many brave men and women who have helped pave the way for equality. Below are just a few quotes that lift my spirits and remind me that mankind does have the capacity to understand equality for EVERYONE, even if it is taking longer than we had hoped. Yet, there

It has taken four years for the legal battle over California's marriage equality to reach the Supreme Court. On Tuesday, March 4th at 9:00 am, California's seven Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments in the San Francisco marriage case that was launched in March of 2004. This case challenges the constitutionality of state law that discriminates against same-sex couples in marriage. The

Cynthia Wade won an Oscar Sunday night for her short documentary Freeheld, about the 2006 struggle of New Jersey police officer Laurel Hester's struggle to transfer her pension to her domestic partner during the final months of her life. Hester, who worked as a detective on the force for 25 years, took on the locally elected Ocean County Freeholders as she battled cancer to give the financial

In 2006, California became the first state to prevent an effort by right-wing radicals and religious extremists to qualify an anti-equality marriage amendment on the California state ballot. In a renewed effort to place a discriminatory constitutional amendment onto the California ballot this November, these conservative organizations have hired paid signature gatherers to do their dirty work.

In celebration of the 4th Anniversary of the historic San Francisco weddings, AT&T and PG&E are having a special screening of PURSUIT OF EQUALITY, Directed by Geoff Callan & Mike Shaw. By issuing same-sex marriage licenses, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom uproots the status quo, attempts to change the way the nation looks at life, love, and marriage, and ignites what may become our nation’s

Wannabe pole-sitters hoping to join Lewis Hamilton at McLaren for 2008, then leapfrog him to the championship, look to be facing disappointment. McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh has hinted the team may quietly suspend its traditional equality policy next year and make Lewis Hamilton its number one driver in all but name. And instead of trying to recruit another established star to partner him, Whitmarsh suggested the team will simply promote one of its existing test drivers, Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa or Briton Gary Paffett. Writing in the official Formula 1 season review yearbook, he admitted that McLaren’s policy of treating its drivers as equals - which caused friction between Hamilton and Fernando Alonso this year - made it harder to win the World Drivers’ Championship. And although he defended the general application of the policy through the team’s history, in an interview with Autosport magazine he made it clear that Hamilton was already effectively viewed as team l

Today Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of McLaren commented on their ‘equal driver’ policy making world championship challenges that much more difficult.  McLaren have emphasized recently that despite the controversy surrounding Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, both drivers are equal.  Now many race fans, especially those who aren’t McLaren fans will continue to dispute this, some passionately so.  Never has this been so prominent as when Fernando Alonso fans recently submitted a petition complete with what they feel is proof that Lewis Hamilton was the favourite driver in 2007. “It’s [equality policy] been daunting and challenging and that created some ‘interesting’ discussions,” “McLaren, rightly or wrongly, has a policy of equality, and I think people accept that we do a pretty good job of it. “This has made our challenges for world championships more difficult. “A de facto number one is easier and sometimes more efficient, but we believe

Japan has fallen further down the global rankings of equality between women and men, with long working hours and stubborn gender stereotypes seen as to blame. Despite being the world's second-largest economy, Japan is well known for its "glass ceiling" for female workers, its male-dominated boardrooms and its long working hours which make it hard for women to balance a job and a family. Japan ranked 91st out of 128 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2007 global gender gap ranking released Thursday, the worst of the Group of Eight major industrialized powers and down sharply from 80th the previous year. Sweden came top in gender equality followed by other Nordic countries, while Pakistan, Chad and Yemen were at the bottom. The Philippines fared best out of Asian nations in sixth place. Japan ranked 94th in terms of political empowerment, with females accounting for only nine percent of lawmakers. It came 97th in economic participation and opportunity, mainly d

Straight For Equality is a new project that “aims to motivate the vast audience of fair-minded Americans who wish to more actively support equality in their daily lives”. Cyndi will be co-hosting the October 11 Launch News Conference. She will be among the nations first leaders to sign the “Straight For Equality Pledge” and endorse its mission. More information about this great project can be found here: http://www.straightforequality.org

Alberto Alesina and Francesco Giavazzi have written an essay on why the left should embrace freer markets (via the Adam Smith Institute blog):Labour-market flexibility, deregulation of the service industry, pension reforms and greater competition in university funding is not anti-equality. Such reforms shift financing from taxpayers to the users themselves and, as such, tend to eliminate rents. They tend to increase productivity by basing rewards on merit rather than on being an insider. They tend to open up opportunities for younger workers who are not yet well-connected. Pursuing pro-market reforms does not imply facing a trade-off between efficiency and social justice. In this sense, pro-market policies are “left wing”, if that means reducing the economic privileges enjoyed by “insiders”.Expanding on some of the messages of a book we published a year ago,1 this is the argument we make in our new short book – Il liberismo è di sinistra 2. The new book was written with I

  Things you should know before viewing:  This interview is in 4 parts due to Youtube’s file size restrictions.  We here at 2 Witches had no part in its filming, we are simply sharing it here FYI In accordance with that fact we may not necessarily agree with everything said in the included interview. It was uploaded onto Youtube by the good people at PaganTV What is the Soul Force Equity Ride? “Homophobia is globally pervasive, and no community or school escapes its reach. In 2006, during the inaugural Equality Ride, participants traveled to nineteen schools and engaged students, faculty, and administrators in conversation about the damaging effects of homophobic doctrine, the false notion that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender identities are sick and sinful. This year, the journey continues with fifty young adults going to thirty-two Christian colleges and universities. Two buses are taking the group on two distinct routes around the country in creative pursuit of

This is for the pro-choice (abortion) people: [note: I am divorced with a child, I support my child willingly and would no matter what the law stated because I feel it is right to do so and I want to do so.]Since the concept of pro-choice is the basic fact that the female should have the choice of having a child or not, shouldn't this construct be given to the male in the equation also?Consider, you and your partner become pregnant unexpectedly (wrong time, not trying, etc.). Both of you are pro-choice and both feel that it wouldn't be a good idea to have the child. The husband/boyfriend argues that this wouldn't be good because of [insert good reason here] and you feel roughly the same. After thinking about it, you feel that reason [insert better reason here] would overcome his (and your concerns) and decide (as is your right) to have the child even though he doesn't want to.A period of time later, you split up (in no relation to said pregnancy). Here's the question: should

By Anirudha AlamGender equality, a well-defined by-product of human development, always entrenches inclination on how to focus attention on women empowerment. Simultaneously women empowerment confronts challenges consecutively in translating the responsibilities to gender equality into action. Gender discrimination is the prime source of endemic poverty leading to skyrocketing HIV prevalence. With a view to making gender equality a reality as a core commitment, women empowerment has to be the stepping stone to sustainable development.HIV/AIDS epidemic is raging in Africa and mounting all over the world mostly due to gender discrimination, stigmatization and unsafe sex practice. To make the spread of epidemic flagged, widening gender gaps must be combated. Nowadays young women and girls are at a much higher risk than men. As per the findings of surveys and case studies conducted in Africa, adolescent girls are 5-6 times more likely to be infected by HIV virus than boys.Taking an inclusi

“Given the natural differences between human beings, equality is an ethical aspiration that cannot be realized without recourse either to despotism or to an act of fraternity.” [read business fable] Octavio Paz (1914 – 98) Mexican winner of the Nobel Prize in literature

Quotes of the Month (Liberty, Freedom, Equality) ~ Independence Day ~ Mark Twain: The President, throned behind a cable locker with a national flag spread over it, announced the 'Reader,' who rose up and read that same old Declaration of Independence which we have all listened to so often without...

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 – 68) U.S. civil rights leader and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

Originally posted at QWOCI'm not going to sugarcoat this. I never wanted to get legally married. Not until now. Not until I found the love I had waited so very long for. And now I see the importance of marriage & why civil unions/domestic partnerships are not enough. For many years I ran around saying "screw legal marriage, everyone should just do domestic partnerships." I believed it with all my heart & still very much feel it's a great way to go. It is not necessary to get legally married. Lawyers can draw up papers so that most things in a marriage can apply to a union. So why have I changed my mind for myself?I suddenly understand what deep love means & how important it is to protect it to the fullest extent possible. Legal marriage makes this possible. To want your partner & family to have as many provisions as possible to keep the family sustained & healthy is an appropriate response to such strong feelings. Don't get me wrong, legal marriage in and of itself can't k

Some news from the Swedish Trade Unions:Many member dropouts from the unemployment insurance fundsLO was, on March 29, 2007, informed about the outcome of the inspection of the unemployment insurance funds regarding the number of members who have not paid the fee to the unemployment insurance fund during January 2007. It might be as many as 335 000 members, which is quite a disquieting situation.In January, 335.000 fewer members paid the fee to the unemployment insurance fund and they thereby run the risk of being excluded from the fund if payment is not made by March 31, 2007. According to the Act on Unemployment Insurance, members who do not pay their fees, are excluded. High opinions of regional safety delegatesSince the 1970s, inquiries have been made among the members of the LO national unions about their working environment and how the work for a better working environment proceeds. LO has now, with the assistance of Statistics Sweden, made a new review of the regional safety del

Starting Sunday, any Dallas police officer in a marked squad car who is captured on the city's cameras running a red light will have to pay the $75 fine if the incident doesn't comply with state law.I like that the article blurb from Slashdot says "Is this a case for or against governments relying on un-biased automated systems? Or, should anyone be able to control who is recorded on camera and who is held accountable?" and has tags for the entry marked as haha, pigs, abovethelaw, bacon, politics

Friends Y4e has taken a step in order to make this country a better place to live , support them.... Youth For Equality is going to contest the forthcoming MCD Elections in Delhi. After every poosible democratic, nonviolent means of protests to make our voice heard against the Govt's reservation policy, which is having the single point mechanism of increasing vote bank, participating in elcetions is one of the suitable ways to make our voice heard. So we appeal all the countrymen, who feel to save this nation from further division on caste line and to put an end to the Suppressor and suppressed politics, to come forward and support us in any manner they can, which may help us in going a long way to protect the interest of YFE and the nation as a whole. Visit our office at C-35, (Behind Mehera Son's Jwellery) South Extension.New Delhi Anticipating your quick and positive response. thanks n regardsNikhilYouth for EqualityDelhi University98185528489911765750PS: Bloggers blog it as

My conundrum is this: Is it possible for men and women to ever be treated equally and should we even try? A good friend of our family was complaining the other day about how unfair the world is towards women. She found out that a man she works alongside, who does an identical job to her, was being paid more than she was. When she confronted her bosses their reply to her was because the man took less time off work than she did. This statement was indeed true to some extent as whenever her children were ill, the school called her to come and collect them. Being a salaried employee she claimed that this was discriminatory as it wasn't her fault that her children's school called her when they were ill, whereas the male employee's school didn't call him when his children were ill. Is it discriminatory or are the employers valid for paying her less considering she works fewer hours? I believe the argument about the schools is void as the male employee has no control either...it is just