Out Voice

History In The Making

2013-03-27T14:39:00.004-04:00

Legal Discrimination Gets It's Day In Court

Listen to audio arguments from SCOTUS of Prop 8 & DOMA

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No Procreation, No Marriage.

2012-11-30T10:40:00.002-05:00

Federal Court in Nevada Rules Against Marriage Equality

Judge Robert Jones on decision against Nevada marriage equality case (Sevcik v Sandoval): "Gay couples have no Constitutional right to marry." Further, going on to say; "straight couples may be disinclined to marry if same-sex couples were allowed to enter into the same institution which would result in additional societal problems."

Justice Jones, a devout Mormon (appointee of George W. Bush (R) ) who's decided that "justice" would best be served for Nevada's straight citizens by disregarding the Forth Amendment & believing that children born out of wedlock would rise due to straight couples not wanting anything to do with the now "no longer sacred" institution of marriage...

It's judges & politicians with this kind of ideology & hatred of a minority group that have continue to divide this great nation.

"All Men Are Created Equal"

"Liberty & Justice For All"

"Life, Liberty & the Pursuit Of Happiness"

Justice, not served...

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Victory!

2012-11-07T13:32:00.003-05:00

Moving Forward!

Election Day 2012 - A day that will go down in American history as numerous wins secured continued support for equality!

Tammy Baldwin (D) becomes first out gay/lesbian elected to the U.S. Senate.
Maine voters stand for fairness by passing marriage equality.
Maryland voters stand for fairness by passing marriage equality.
Washington voters stand for fairness by passing marriage equality.
Minnesota voters reject writing discrimination/hate into state's constitution.
Openly gay New York Congressional candidate Sean Maloney (D) beats incumbent Nan Hayworth (R) for the 18th district.
Mark Takano (D) becomes the first openly gay Asian elected to Congress.
David Wiggins, judge who sided with Iowa marriage equality wins reelection.
Openly gay Colorado congressman Jared Polis (D) wins reelection.
Openly gay Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline wins reelection.
Openly gay Wisconsin Congressional candidate Mark Pocan (D) wins election.
Openly gay Pennsylvania Congressional candidate Brian Sims (D) wins election.
Openly gay & black Georgia House Representative Simone Bell (D) wins reelection.
First openly gay North Dakota Congressional candidate Josh Boschee (D) wins election.
Openly gay Ohio Congressional candidate Tim Brown (R) wins election.
First openly gay West Virginia Congressional candidate Stephen Skinner (D) wins election.
Youngest openly gay Maine Congressional candidate Justin Chenette (D) wins election.

Thanks to the hard work & tireless dedication of those who fought for fairness & equality in making a difference we can all live with!

P.S. Thank goodness it's all over!!

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Call For Equality!

2012-09-27T10:24:00.001-04:00

Your Voice Is Needed!

You have the resource to educate others through a powerful & affective tool, your voice.

Join HRC in making a difference. A difference through education & the power of the vote.

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Marylanders Who Believe Their LGBT Neighbors Are Second Class Citizens

2012-08-16T13:13:00.002-04:00

Oh' The Shame... Civil Marriage Petition Signers July 12 2012

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Love Lost

2012-08-09T12:26:00.001-04:00

Face of Religious Extremism...

Your no longer my son - A response to a son coming out to his father. In the letter, you will notice the reference of the "Lord" & "unnatural lifestyle."

This is the face of pure religious extremism, intolerance & nothing more. A face that wounds by making scars run deep. A face that can & often kills.

All this for what? For a gay son who decided he needed to be honest with himself & his family. A son looking for nothing more than love & understanding. Isn't that something taught in the same religious circles this religious father claims to be part of?

A true face of intolerance...

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New York's 1st Year Anniversary Of Marriage Equality!

2012-07-24T13:23:00.006-04:00

Congratulations & Happy Anniversary!

As this joyous 1 year anniversary is upon us, I look up & see the beautiful sky that still remains, the sounds of birds singing on this bright sunny day as well as the marriages of heterosexual couples in New York were never in jeopardy (as well as the high number of divorces prior to New York's Marriage Equality).

Those hate filled anti-marriage equality groups have once again shown their messages to be wrong.

As I look back to that memorable day, I'll always remember the love, joy, hopes & visions of those beautiful couples who said "I do" in this great state of New York.

I was honored & privileged to be a part of that historical day!

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Honoring All Who Serve

2012-05-28T09:32:00.008-04:00

Thank You

As we celebrate this Memorial Day, let us take a moment to reflect upon those who serve & who's past military service gave us this great land & so many of the freedom's we take for granted.

Including a most special & sacred freedom, the right to vote.

Yes, the right to vote. Even if it's later used against you through a Constitutional Amendment denying you of the same civil rights that you fought to protect for others.

That's what so many of our LGBT brothers & sister fought & continue fighting for alongside their heterosexual counterparts. Freedom.

As an LGBT rights advocate, along with the thousands of other advocates & rights groups, we will continue to work tirelessly to bring the much needed change & freedoms you expect & deserve upon returning home to this great land we call America.

Thank you.

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Civil Rights Heads For A Vote, Again...

2012-05-25T15:41:00.009-04:00

IUS Civis!

With the recent push towards equality defeated at the ballot box in North Carolina, the rights of a minority group are once again heading to the ballot boxes. Up next, Maryland, Maine & Washington.

As the extremists, churches, religious groups & organizations fighting to "defend" traditional marriage have begun ramping up efforts to raise the funds to get out their message of; "The institution of marriage & family is under attack!" We, the LGBT community will once again pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off & begin the process of changing hearts & minds through education.

Typical messages of bigotry, intolerance & lies include:

* Lie: Gay marriage will destroy the foundation of what marriage is.

* Truth: Marriage equality will strengthen families by guaranteeing the recognition of said families as a married couple & therefore entitled to the legal rights/responsibilities/protections, tax breaks, medical decisions, etc. Who could argue having these rights/responsibilities would bring harm? Having legal protections & financial security is something all families want.

* Lie - Gay households are not a good environment to raise children & can make them gay.

* Truth - It has been proven that gay households have just as much love as their heterosexual counterparts. Something I sometimes believe to be more so as our community has long had to endure the struggles & burdens of proving to the rest their desire and ability to raise children.

As divorce rates across the country haven't fallen among the heterosexual community, the sun continues to rise each day in the states of Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, D.C. & Iowa.

So, as the Maggie Gallaghers, Bryan Fishchers, Charles Worleys, Paul Camerons & other anti-LGBT voices of the world ramp up their efforts to spew their messages of lies, intolerance, bigotry & hate in Maryland, Maine & Washington, we the LGBT community will continue the message of equality through tolerance, love & most of all, education.

Love makes a family!

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Evolved...

2012-05-09T16:03:00.011-04:00

President Obama (D) Backs Marriage Equality.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Thank you Mr. President, for your courage & conviction in standing up & speaking out for equality because, ALL families matter.

Love Makes A Family!

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Typical Right's Wrongs...

2012-05-02T11:21:00.005-04:00

"OK To Discriminate Based On Homosexual Character"

Still need a reason why to join in the fight for equality?

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EEOC Rules Transgender Workers Protected

2012-04-24T10:36:00.004-04:00

Historic Ruling For Transgender Workers

In a landmark ruling of Mia Macy v. Eric Holder Attorney General, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rules workplace discrimination against transgender workers violates Title VII.

EEOC Ruling

Thanks to the dedication & hard work of the Transgender Legal Law Center, transgender/gender non conforming Americans can now have some piece of mind in job security. A much welcomed victory in the struggle for equality.

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Extremist Christians Played Out Trump Card...

2012-03-30T10:02:00.012-04:00

Deceptive Lies Of The Conservatives...

As Anchorage, Alaska readies for yet another showdown at an attempt to protect LGBT civil rights by using the ballot box (Proposition 5), extreme conservative Christians (those loving & compassionate ones) have once again began spreading fear through extreme bigoted lies...

In this recent propaganda video/TV spot, the owner of a daycare is put into a position that if she is forced to hire a transvestite, she would lose her customers. But, if she didn't hire the transvestite, she would most likely go to jail. Not to mention, the transvestite would take your kid...

If the recent financial disclosure of both sides is any indication of how citizens in Anchorage see it, Proposition 5 could well be on it's way to becoming law & giving the long overdue basic protections to a minority group that bigoted bullies including those behind the "Protect Your Rights" organization take for granted.

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Finally, Truth In Advertisement

2012-03-22T15:19:00.004-04:00

Hungering For A Little Homophobia?

Now, I am not one to endorse a homophobic corporation such as Chick-fil-A. But, you have to admit, this take says it all & will have you hungering for more!

Enjoy!

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Recent Spate Of Anti-LGBT Attacks In Columbia County, DC

2012-03-15T11:24:00.012-04:00

See/Know Something? Say Something!

Metropolitan D.C. police are seeking help in the recent attacks against 2 gay males & 1 transgendered woman in the Columbia Heights area. If you have any information or were in the area when the attacks took place, please contact:

Metropolitan LGBT Police Liaison Unit

(202)727-5427

On Call - (202)506-0714

Hate crimes targeting the LGBT community affects us all!

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Standing Up, Speaking Out

2012-02-10T09:24:00.009-05:00

Beating Victim Speaks Out Against Hate

In response to a recent Atlanta, anti-gay beating captured on video before going viral over the Internet, 20 year old victim Brandon White comes out & speaks up against those bent on causing him harm because he is gay.

In a society with extremist Republican political candidates using their hate filled anti-gay "wedge issues," news commentators condoning violence against us for underwear ads, organizations of bigotry/hate including, "One Million Mom March" & their threat of targeting JCPenny's for it's use of a gay spokesperson to governments which seek to create laws to include death penalties to gays, it's no wonder the violent attacks continue against our community...

Enough is enough.

Thank you Brandon, for having the courage to stand up & speak out against those responsible for these atrocious & senseless acts of violence against our community.

May Mr. White be a role model for the rest of our community to stand up & speak out against the lies, intolerance & hate.

Standing up (OK, sitting down) for our rights!

There Is Hope!

2012-01-27T15:09:00.008-05:00

Whether Your LGBT Or Q...

You may have been told you or your "behavior" is wrong, immoral, disgusting or that it's just a phase you are going through. It is not. Because, you are unique & you are beautiful!

You may have heard some of the negative news or stories regarding our community whether from conservative politicians/political candidates, extremist Christians or hate groups but, there is a hope. Hope due to the tireless dedication of those fighting back against the lies, hate & intolerance.

Our community has made positive strides to include marriage equality in 6 U.S. states, the District Of Columbia (not to mention, 3 other states are on the verge of moving forward in the fight for marriage equality) & 14 other locations around the world. The U.S. military's discriminative DADT came to an end, numerous states have enacted various protections & non discriminative laws, LGBT political leaders have come out as have sport figures, actors & other influential figures. More large corporations are recognizing that some of their best employees are LGBT & have begun offering stipends to cover medical insurance tax costs for their employee's spouse/partner, creating zero tolerance policy against hostile workplace discrimination which includes LGBT to backing bills calling for full marriage rights. Extreme anti-LGBT governments like Uganda have world leaders, the U.N. & politicians speaking out against their potential laws against the LGBT community.

It is certainly not the end, but, rather the beginning on a long & often frustrating road towards equality.

There's still so much work to do & together, you & I can help make a difference by educating others.

No matter what anyone tells you, always be yourself because, it's "OK to be LGBT."

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Fighting Against Global LGBT Oppression

2011-12-07T10:33:00.020-05:00

Do As We Say, Not As We Do

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton winds her way around the globe speaking of issues from public diplomacy, economic & energy to human rights, she speaks out comparing the struggle for gay equality to women's rights & racial equality, she said "cultural or religious traditions are no excuse for discrimination." & " Gay rights are human rights & human rights are gay rights. It should never be a crime to be gay."

I applaud her efforts & appeals to nations to end the criminalization of homosexuality & to stop the discrimination of LGBT citizens abroad. At the same time, I can't help but take notice of the injustices against us right here in her own back yard...

Stop the criminalization & discrimination of LGBT citizens???

While here at home, as an LGBT citizen in many parts of America...

* You can be fired.

* Denied housing.

* Denied marriage.

* Denied the same rights/privileges/responsibilities of marriage that heterosexual couples take for granted.

* Unfairly taxed.
* Lack of anti-bullying laws to protect our most vulnerable youth.

* Discrimination in healthcare.
* Face various abuses of power from law enforcement.

* Lack of other legal protections against those targeting us in a crime.

How can the Secretary of State speak out against other nations & their hatred of it's LGBT citizens when so much criminalization & discrimination goes on right in her own back yard?

If America is going to be the mouthpiece for equality, it needs to lead by example by doing more to end LGBT discrimination's right here at home...

Standing up (OK, sitting down) for our rights!

No Cake For You!

2011-11-21T13:07:00.002-05:00

A Cake For All Occasions, Except Yours...

A wedding day for most is something special celebrating the bonding of a committed & loving relationship. A celebration with good friends, family, music, food & a wedding cake.

But for one couple, the dream of topping the joyous occasion left more of a bitter taste. With a recipe of with bigotry & intolerance, a Christian cake maker has refused to bake their special day cake & feels treating the soon to be blessed lesbian couple as unworthy of her special creations based on the grounds marriage equality goes against her beliefs.

A public & Christian establishment?

Contact Victoria Childress & tell her you disapprove of her recipe!

Victoria's Cake Cottage

420 NW 51st Place

Des Moines, IA 50313

(515)729-0253

Email

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Transgender Day of Remembrance

2011-11-20T14:44:00.006-05:00

Remembering Those Lost To Hate & Intolerance

May this Transgender Day of Remembrance be the one that sheds light & tolerance on those who's hearts are filled with hate & darkness...

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Anti-Gay Bullying 101

2011-10-27T17:25:00.009-04:00

An Education In Hate

Union-Scioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio. A place where reading, writing & arithmetic, like most schools, are considered the normal topics of learning for the day but instead, homophobia & intolerance 101 became the lessons learned.

As the student tries to escape his attacker, he was heard saying "why are you doing this?" As his fellow classmates stood by & did nothing.

The shocking video was captured by a student's cellphone which was later posted to Facebook.

The bully's punishment for this horrific attack, 3 days suspension!

How many more young lives will suffer or end at the hands or mouths of bullies?

Contact the Union-Scioto High School

1565 Egypt Pike

Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

(740)773-4102

Tell them, "Stop The Hate, Educate!"
Union-Scioto School District's Mission Statement: "Students of the Union-Scioto Local School District will achieve & succeed in a SAFE & drug free environment."

Standing up (OK, sitting down) for our rights!

Coffee Sure To Leave A Bitter Taste

2011-10-26T12:45:00.007-04:00

Take That Gay Affection Elsewhere...

Out & about looking for a place to get your next java fix? Near a Tim Hortons? Consider spending your pink dollars elsewhere as the recent event at one of their southern Ontario stores will leave a bad taste in the mouth of any LGBT consumer or one who supports equality.

On a recent trip to a Tim Hortons, a lesbian couple says they had been asked to leave or the police would be called because of a complaint of "inappropriate behavior" (hand holding & some kisses) was brought to the store manager's attention by a customer who had also happened to be a pentecostal minister.

Eric Revie, the assistant pastor of Glad Tidings Community Church says he did not ask the manager to ask them to leave but instead told the manager he did not want his young children to see such "lewd" behavior.

Tim Hortons posted a somewhat apology on it's Facebook page & invited the couple to return.

As a long time dedicated follower of Tim Hortons, my pink dollars & I will now reconsider where I get that next cup of java in the future...

Tim Hortons

Guest Services (800)601-1616

Corporate Office (905)845-6511

Fax (905)845-0265

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

Email Form

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New Hampshire Marriage Equality Under Threat

2011-10-24T17:40:00.014-04:00

Marriage Equality, A Threat To New Hampshire

"Let the majority (GOP) decide on minorities civil rights"

Even though the MAJORITY of New Hampshire citizens oppose repealing marriage equality...

As progress in LGBT rights slowly moves forward on the national stage, the desire to push them back in some states by those who continue to feel we as a community are not worthy of the "special" rights so many heterosexuals take for granted.

Take New Hampshire, "Live Free Or Die," where dealing with the issues of jobs & the economy take a back seat by those such as Rep Gregory Sorg (R) who still believe we, the LGBT community remain the biggest threat to society. Rep Sorg, in a recent statement said, "gay marriage will cause harm to society over time, even if it's not evident now." Going on to further say, "Some societal changes take generations to manifest themselves."

Estimated Expenditures would increase $50,500 to "correct" the wrongs of the state in fy 2012.

Contact your state Representative or, if you are not a resident but have family/friends from New Hampshire, tell them to help take a stand against this injustice by contacting their Representative & asking them to vote no on Bill 437 because hate & inequality has no place in the state of "Live Free Or Die."

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National Coming Out Day

2011-10-11T09:17:00.007-04:00

A New Beginning

Be yourself, be proud
&

welcome, to a new day!

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Ledyard, NY Town Clerk's Defiance Of The Law

2011-09-21T13:36:00.007-04:00

Face Of Official Intolerance

Ledyard, New York Town Clerk Rose Marie Belforti, an elected official sworn to uphold the laws of New York has continued in her defiance to break the law by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the passage of marriage equality in New York.

Last month, Mrs. Belforti sent a letter to the town board giving her decision to NOT issue marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs.

Won't do her job because of her religious beliefs?????

She is ENTITLED to her religious beliefs but, at the same time, she MUST perform the job she was elected & sworn to. She cannot decide which laws to follow & which to ignore. If she decides she can't issue marriage licenses, she needs to resign her position as Town Clerk ASAP.

Ledyard Town Clerk Rose Marie Belforti:

Town Building

1099 Poplar Ridge Road

Aurora, NY 13026

Phone (315)364-5707

Fax (315)364-5711

Email Ledyard@hughes.net

Ledyard Town Board, New York Att General, Gov. Cuomo, what are your thoughts?

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