WhiteHouse.gov blasts the closet door down

This is one click from the home page; just go to whitehouse.gov and click on Civil Rights.


THE AGENDA • CIVIL RIGHTS
CIVIL RIGHTS

"The teenagers and college students who left their homes to march in the streets of Birmingham and Montgomery; the mothers who walked instead of taking the bus after a long day of doing somebody else's laundry and cleaning somebody else's kitchen -- they didn't brave fire hoses and Billy clubs so that their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren would still wonder at the beginning of the 21st century whether their vote would be counted; whether their civil rights would be protected by their government; whether justice would be equal and opportunity would be theirs.... We have more work to do."

-- Barack Obama, Speech at Howard University, September 28, 2007

President Barack Obama has spent much of his career fighting to strengthen civil rights as a civil rights attorney, community organizer, Illinois State Senator, U.S. Senator, and now as President. Whether promoting economic opportunity, working to improve our nation's education and health system, or protecting the right to vote, President Obama has been a powerful advocate for our civil rights.

* Combat Employment Discrimination: President Obama and Vice President Biden will work to overturn the Supreme Court's recent ruling that curtails racial minorities' and women's ability to challenge pay discrimination. They will also pass the Fair Pay Act, to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work, and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
* Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: President Obama and Vice President Biden will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation, expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act, and reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice's Criminal Section.
* End Deceptive Voting Practices: President Obama will sign into law his legislation that establishes harsh penalties for those who have engaged in voter fraud and provides voters who have been misinformed with accurate and full information so they can vote.
* End Racial Profiling: President Obama and Vice President Biden will ban racial profiling by federal law enforcement agencies and provide federal incentives to state and local police departments to prohibit the practice.
* Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Support: President Obama and Vice President Biden will provide job training, substance abuse and mental health counseling to ex-offenders, so that they are successfully re-integrated into society. Obama and Biden will also create a prison-to-work incentive program to improve ex-offender employment and job retention rates.
* Eliminate Sentencing Disparities: President Obama and Vice President Biden believe the disparity between sentencing crack and powder-based cocaine is wrong and should be completely eliminated.
* Expand Use of Drug Courts: President Obama and Vice President Biden will give first-time, non-violent offenders a chance to serve their sentence, where appropriate, in the type of drug rehabilitation programs that have proven to work better than a prison term in changing bad behavior.

Support for the LGBT Community

"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."

-- Barack Obama, June 1, 2007

* Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. President Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, President Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.
* Fight Workplace Discrimination: President Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. The President also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
* Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.
* Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: President Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.
* Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.
* Expand Adoption Rights: President Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.
* Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, President Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. The President will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.
* Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. President Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

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Pennsylvania committee sends gay marriage ban to full Senate

The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations committee passed a marriage and civil unions ban bill. The measure, which would enshrine the ban in the state's constitution, now goes to the full Senate (29 Rs, 21 Ds).

Approps passed it 18-8. Six of 10 Democrats (60%) voted "no"; 14 of 16 Republicans (88%) voted "yes". Remember who your friends are.

The bill is here; the Approps roll call is here; party affiliations are here.

Maryland is not for gay lovers

Nothing much happened in Maryland this year. No movement on gay marriage, no movement on civil unions, no movement on domestic partner benefits, no movement on transgender protections.

But Republican Senate minority leader David R. Brinkley sees a silver lining:

"I don't see fire hoses and dogs being turned on gay activists. That, to me, is not a civil rights problem."

Take your east coast beach vacations elsewhere this year. Massachusetts is lovely.

Vermont commission almost recommends gay marriage

The Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection issued its long-awaited report today. The thirty-five page report laid out a substantial case for legalizing same-sex marriage, but fell short of a legalization recommendation. The Commission noted that its charge was not to make a recommendation for or against, but to gather testimony, examine the legal issues, and then place the matter before the state's elected officials for further consideration.

The final section reads as follows:

The Commission’s Recommendations

1. Areas for Additional Study and Review.

The Commission's hearing process provided a forum around the state for Vermonters to express their views on how the civil union law is working and on whether Vermont should permit gay and lesbian couples access to civil marriage. The process was a simple and straightforward one of asking Vermonters to testify and of listening to their thoughts, views, and concerns. The Commission took best advantage of the time available from its volunteer membership, and while our methods were not scientific, the Commission believes this report fairly reflects what is in the hearts and minds of Vermonters.

Nonetheless, the Commission recommends further study and review of the following areas:

♦ What has been the experience of the Massachusetts lesbian and gay couples who have married under Massachusetts law? Are these couples successfully obtaining all of the rights, privileges, and benefits of marriage – under Massachusetts law, federal law, and the laws of other states? Are their marriages more readily understood and more portable than a Vermont civil union?

♦ Can the Vermont income tax system be revised by statute or administrative action to ease the burden that civil union couples face in preparing and filing their returns?

♦ What is the best science available today on the different impacts on children raised in different family structures? Is there a consensus in the research community? How should social science affect the debate over same-sex marriage? How can the research be scrupulously and objectively evaluated before it influences policy-making and legislative action?

♦ If Vermont were to move to full access to marriage for Vermont's lesbian and gay couples, how should the state address the many civil union licenses already issued? Should civil union status remain for those who may want it? Should a civil union couple seeking marriage be required to waive or rescind that license at the time of joining in civil marriage? Or should a civil union couple's license be automatically converted by statute to a marriage license? These are only a few of what are likely to be many such transition questions should Vermont enact same-sex marriage.

2. The Commission's charge does not ask it to make a specific recommendation on whether Vermont should grant gay and lesbian couples access to civil marriage. The 29 Commission believes that making such a recommendation would undercut the purpose and usefulness of its work and this report. Simply put, we were asked to listen to the testimony of Vermonters on these issues, to look at the legal issues, and to report on what we found. It is the role of Vermont's policy-makers and elected officials to read and reflect on this report and in their best judgment determine what steps to take in their role as public servants of the people of Vermont. Accordingly, the Commission does not reach that recommendation.

3. The Commission recommends that Vermont take seriously the differences between civil marriage and civil union in terms of their practical and legal consequences for Vermont's civil union couples and their families. Their testimony and the testimony of their friends and supporters was sincere, direct, impassioned, and compelling. Act 91 represents Vermont's commitment to the constitutional equality and fairness for these citizens, and Vermont should preserve and protect that commitment.

See the entire report (pdf).

Biden statement on New Hampshire civil unions

BIDEN ISSUES STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR LYNCH'S SIGNING OF THE CIVIL UNIONS BILL
Published: 05/31/2007

Wilmington, DE – Sen. Joe Biden issued the following statement today on Governor John Lynch’s signing of H.B. 437, the Civil Unions bill.

"I applaud Governor Lynch and the leaders in the State House for fighting to protect individual rights – which today has resulted in the establishment of civil unions in New Hampshire. Government has an obligation to ensure that freedom and justice are equally applied to each American - that no individual is discriminated against because of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. As a nation, we are making progress recognizing civil unions as an issue of individual liberty. The state of New Hampshire has once again proven to be one of the nation's leaders on this front."

Dodd addresses Connecticut and New Hampshire civil unions

Blair, about to step down, looks back on U.K. lesbian and gay progress

U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair announced today that he will step down 27 Jun 2007. In a valedictory address that he gave before a Stonewall Equality gathering in March, he reviewed progress for U.K. lesbians and gays under his government:

22 March 2007

Prime Minister:

Thank you very much, thank you. Thank you very much indeed. It is a real honour to be with you here this evening at the Stonewall Equality Dinner and to say thank you to Ben for that kind introduction.

Just before I came here tonight, and this is probably a sad reflection on the type of thing you do as you end your time in office, I actually got out one of my old speeches and re-read it. It was a speech back in 1994 on an amendment by Edwina Currie and Neil Kinnock [a well-known Conservative M.P. and a well-known Labour M.P., respectively --LB], interestingly enough, it wasn't a combination that was often found, but they came together to move an amendment on the equality of the age of consent. And the thing that really struck me, re-reading the speech this evening, was just how a whole lot of things that nowadays we would more or less take for granted, you had to start literally from the very first principles, including arguments like: "how do you stop people being persuaded to be gay?" And I was thinking that is an interesting idea. I have got five really good arguments in favour of being gay. And I remember saying to the guy who was on the opposite side afterwards: "You know, I am not gay and I wouldn't be persuaded by five really good arguments." And he said to me: "No, no, of course not, of course not." And I said: "But maybe it is the same the other way round?" He had never thought of it like that at all obviously.

But the interesting thing is that you then fast-forward to last night in the House of Lords and the fact is the vote was won, which is an incredible thing. [The Lords upheld the U.K.'s new Sexual Orientation Regulations anti-discrimination law, which included gay adoption rights without an exemption for church-affiliated adoption agencies. --LB]

And I really just wanted to say two things about the changes that have happened over the past ten years, which you will know very well. And there were a lot of important things, but I think the civil partnership is really the thing that, as I was saying to people earlier, it is a thing that doesn't just give me a lot of pride, but it actually brought real joy. I don't know whether you remember the very first day, and I don't by what bizarre circumstance, the first set of ceremonies were actually in Northern Ireland, but it was just, sort of just so alive, and I was so struck by it. I remember seeing the pictures on television, and it is not often you do a little sort of skip around in my job - I can assure you. But it really the fact that that the people were so happy and the fact that you felt just one major, major change had happened, of which everyone can feel really proud. And now I think we were just saying, was it 16,000 civil partnerships, and what is interesting now is that other countries in Europe are looking at this legislation, and it is very divisive still in Spain and Italy at the moment. But nonetheless it is happening.

The fascinating thing, and this is my second reflection about it all, because you know all the different pieces of legislation and so on, and there is no point in rehearsing them, but what has happened is that the culture of the country has changed in a definable way as a result of it. And here is what I think is really interesting, that the change in the culture and the civilising effect of it has gone far greater than the gay and lesbian community.

In other words, by taking a stand on this issue and by removing a piece of prejudice and discrimination, and by enabling people to stand proud as what they are, it has had an impact that I think profoundly affects the way the country thinks about itself. And I like to think of Britain as a country with an immensely proud history, but it is able today to stand on its own merits and look at the 21st century and say, we have got a great future.

And the one thing that I think is really important about any country that will succeed in the future is that you make the most of the talents and abilities of your people, and if you allow discrimination to fester, that is the complete rejection of that modernising and civilising notion of making the most ... [APPLAUSE]

So that is what has been important about it, and it is why as the day approaches, I mean even I get casual about this legacy business - well I think it is actually part of the last ten years - that certainly I will look back on with a lot of pride.

However, there is one final thing I wanted to say, which is this: it wouldn't have happened without you. I mean some people have been very kind in saying that it took a certain amount of political courage. Well yes it did, but you know I remember back in the early '80s when this type of issue was condemned as political correctness, when this was the loony-left, as it were, engaged in this. Stonewall in my view played a fundamental and often insufficiently recognised part in achieving this.

And I want to tell you why. Because when you are trying to do something that is difficult, divisive, and to be honest about it, as a politician you are doing something that you know is going to be very controversial, you know it is all very well, you say we are going to do this, and you can see some of your people are absolutely up for it, and some of your people are thinking mmm.

And you know what actually matters enormously is that the people from the outside of politics that you are trying to do it with have a sufficient intelligence and sensitivity and what I call, which is really how I define the Stonewall campaigning, I define it as a polite determination. In other words there was a complete you know push and drive to get the thing done, but also a way of doing it that was always looking to bring people on-side, that was always looking to understand sensitivities, that was always looking to say look this is something you know we would like to help get done with you in a sensible and intelligent way. And what Stonewall did, and Angela Mason, who I thought was absolutely fantastic when she was the Head, and now Ben what they did was remarkable and it is a real tribute.

And you seen here we are this evening at the Stonewall Equality Dinner, and the interesting thing is that a lot of the tables from some of the best known names in business and commerce, and this is part of the diversity agenda now of these big companies, and all of that is fantastic. Sometimes people have said to me "well now that all the political parties are in favour of this, you know there is going to be greater competition for the so-called gay and lesbian vote." And I say actually it is a fantastic thing that all the party leaders today, and in the future actually all of them will be, I think, in favour of equality, and that is a sign of how much things have changed and we shouldn't be worried about that, whatever political party we are in, we should be actually glad of it, because it is a great achievement for our country.

So anyway I just wanted to say this evening how deeply grateful I am for what I regard as a real honour in coming along and being able to address these words to you at the start of your dinner tonight. And I would like to thank each and every one of you for participating in the dinner, for helping, you know this has been a good fund-raiser for Stonewall and it will be an important signal that this is part of the mainstream part of our society today and that progress actually does come about, and it comes about because people are determined when they see injustice, to correct it. And that is what you have done through Stonewall, and we have played our part in that.

But I want to say to a lot of people who have been very kind tonight, and said thank you to me, but I want to say thank you to you, because we couldn't have done it without you. And when I do look back on it, with pride, I think I should acknowledge rightly that the pride and the honour is shared with you.

Thank you very much.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski statement on civil unions, ENDA bills

Oregon Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski made the following statement at yesterday's signing ceremony for the state's civil unions and employment non-discrimination act (ENDA) bills:

Remarks by Governor Kulongoski

May 9, 2007

HB 2007 and SB 2 Signing Ceremony

Good Morning. Today is truly a historic day for Oregon.

I look out at you in the crowd – and at those standing with me today – and I see the faces of my friends, my colleagues and my fellow Oregonians who, like me, have been fighting for this day for more than thirty years.

This has been a long road traveled. It has taken patience. It has taken perseverance. It has taken our will to never give up on the dream of hope and opportunity for all Oregonians.

And today, we can deliver that dream by ending legal discrimination once and for all against gays and lesbians in Oregon – and by extending protections and legal recognition for same-sex couples and their families.

I started this legislative session declaring that this is the session of opportunity. That this is the session where we will succeed in affording all Oregonians the same rights and protections under the law. And that this is the session where we will formally recognize that diversity and equality of opportunity makes us all stronger – not weaker.

I don’t get to say this as much as I like to, but I couldn’t be more proud to stand before you today and say, "I was right!"

This is the session where we have succeeded in upholding the values and principles of Oregon – that we are all created equal and that Oregon is a land of equal opportunity for all of our citizens.

This is the session where we’re breaking down barriers to all Oregon families to live and love – play and succeed – work and contribute to one Oregon – to a better Oregon.

I only have the greatest respect for our legislators – of both parties – and their commitment to their constituents in their committee work and their work to make the best decisions on behalf of what’s best for Oregon. But if you look at the majority of the bills that pass each session, they are what I call transactional.

However, every decade or so there are a few bills that are actually transformational – and House Bill 2007 and Senate Bill 2 are two pieces of legislation that will literally transform our state from one of exclusion to one of complete inclusion.

And there are a lot of people here today who deserve credit for this transformation.

I’m looking out at many who took time out of their busy lives of work and family to spend hours on the phone, writing letters, educating the public and lobbying the legislature for these bills.

From my Task Force on Equality to individual Oregonians to organizations like Basic Rights Oregon to corporate partners like Nike – today is truly the result of a collective effort affirming that we really are one Oregon – with one common destiny.

But there are three special people here today that I want to recognize, thank and honor. They have been leaders in this movement and by my side in the struggle for basic fairness and equality for all Oregonians for more than thirty years – Gov. Barbara Roberts, Terry Bean and Don Powell.

First, though, I want to introduce two legislators who made this possible. While I like to think as Governor, I can make it happen on my own, the reality is that to be effective, I need strong partners in the legislature, to enact legislation like Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2007.

So I’d like to ask my good friend, colleague and champion of gay rights, Senator Kate Brown to take the stage, followed by Speaker Merkley, who kept his promise to bring these two bills to the floor.

Now I’d like to recognize Governor Roberts – who has been fighting for equal rights of gays and lesbians as long as – if not longer than – all of us.

She stood up for equality before it was politically correct, politically popular or politically viable.

She broke ground on the road that got us to where we are today – and even after her time in public service, she never stopped paving the path to progress, and ultimately, full equality.

She is a great friend, a great mentor, a great leader – and a great Oregonian.

She represents the best of Oregon – past, present, and today, future – and it is with great honor to share this moment with her.

And now, Governor Barbara Roberts.

The next two speakers are good friends and good Oregonians who have been with me throughout my public career – starting back in Junction City.

We may not always agree, but we’ve remained friends and we’ve remained united in this fight to establish equality and fairness for all Oregonians.

My good friends, Terry Bean and Don Powell.

The next person is someone who answered my call last year and chaired my Task Force on Equality – taking on an ambitious mission with an aggressive timeline.

I charged the Task Force with analyzing current law and identifying changes necessary to guarantee that all Oregonians receive equal protection from discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I also asked the Task Force to review states with domestic partnerships and to identify the path for Oregon to establish legal recognition of same-sex couples and their families.

The Task Force had diverse representation from the business community, faith community, education community, health care community, legal community and local governments.

The members dedicated hours of their personal time each month toward this cause – and in a short time frame, they delivered a report and recommendations to me in time for legislation to be introduced this session.

As a result of their commitment to creating a more equal and fair Oregon, these two bills were introduced and with their help in educating the public and the legislature – these two bills were passed with bi-partisan support.

So thank you, Paul and to the other 10 members of the Task Force who are here today. Your role was invaluable to achieving this historic moment.

I also want to thank Attorney General Hardy Myers and the Department of Justice, and Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner and BOLI for supporting the work of the task force and lending staff assistance to ensure the Task Force was able to carry out its mission.

With that, I’d like to turn the podium over to Paul Kelly, attorney and business leader, who served as the Chair of my Task Force on Equality.

Before we move on to the bill signing, there is one more person I’d like to recognize and give an opportunity to say a few words. He is new to Oregon – I believe he’s moved here within the last few weeks…But he is not new to the GLBT civil rights movement.

From Idaho, he was the first openly gay attorney in the state and has been a passionate leader and advocate for the GLBT community throughout the west for the last twenty years.

He is a proven leader and a welcome addition to Oregon, whom I look forward to working with in the coming years.

With that, I’d like to introduce John Hummel, Basic Rights Oregon’s new Executive Director.

Now let’s sign these bills into law!!!