Defending The Decision

On August 4, 2010 Judge Vaughn Walker bravely ventured forward with equality instead of holding the state of California back along with the many other states in our union who still have a ban on gay marriage. Justice Walker, the Chief Justice of the northern California federal district believes in a right wing conservative legal approach.The monumental decision struck down California's ban on same sex marriage and ruled that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. This decision will inevitably be appealed as the anti-gay marriage groups went straight to work, the case could ultimately make it's way to the Supreme Court. If the case makes it to the Supreme Court, the decision could set a major precedent for the country around the issue of gay marriage. What makes his decision even more memorable is the fact that he was nominated by George H.W. Bush, in 1989, and everyone is familiar with the Bush's and their feelings and treatments towards LGBTQ people, poor people, people of color and just about every minority group.

Groups like the National Organization for Marriage, (NOM) the American Family Association (AFA) and Prop 8 campaign leaders have come together to appeal this decision. As religious affiliated groups, NOM is notorious for the violence that they preach against the LGBTQ community. Not only are these groups rallying together for an appeal but they also are getting together to take over Congress. These groups along with other religious affiliated groups have rallied together to organize and pressure Congress to impeach Judge Walker because of his decision for equality. Claiming the Judge Walker "frustrated the will of seven million Californians" The argument is that marriage policy is not regulated by the federal constitution, therefore it is the state, according to the tenth amendment, to define marriage. But this argument can be countered with the Fourteenth amendment, this prohibits states from denying any of it's citizens from life, liberty and property. Also includes the equal protection clause, and defines citizenship.

Fundraising initiatives have begun to push this anti gay marriage agenda. Courage Campaign is a group trying to fight back and protect the decision that was made, fundraising for the appeals process but also for their "Equality on Trail" campaign. This campaign would have the trail televised to viewers as the we prepare for a tough battle on the road to equality!

Prop 8 Trial-- Part 1: supporters win the broadcast debate but the trial isn’t over!

Five days of consistent proceedings and debates regarding same sex marriage the Perry v. Schwarzenegger (aka The Prop 8 federal trial) has come to a close for the weekend. As the battle rages on behind closed doors the nation must stop and realize that the trial has been stripped away the right to use this case for educational purposes. Filing an appeal that would prohibit any video broadcasting of the Prop 8 case, the supporters of the Gay Marriage ban have once again silenced the outcry of a minority.

Losing the battle to a 5-4 verdict, it has been concluded that the court, which currently supports more conservative values, favored the defendants because allowing video coverage would jeopardize the lives of the people on the stand who support banning same sex marriage. To this I must ask, “What about the lives of people in America who are at risk on a daily basis for being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender?”

For those that are currently following the case online I offer this link as a guide to updated information about the current trial: The Prop 8 Trial Tracker. Created by the Courage Campaign this trial tracker helps specify word for word the effort of Proposition 8 opponents to repeal the gay marriage ban in California. Clearly favoring the defendants in the case the Protect Marriage website offers its viewers bias commentary.

Excited about the recent decision by the court to deny any video broadcasting of the trial the Protect Marriage blog states that, “Basing their decision in part on the well-established record of death threats, hostile phone calls and e-mail messages, lost jobs, Internet blacklists, boycotts, vandalism and physical violence that supporters have faced from anti-Prop 8 extremists, the high court recognized the harm that could come to our witnesses and supporters of traditional marriage as a result of broadcasting their testimony about their political and religious beliefs.”

Without mentioning the other side to the story this blogger has failed to mention that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people have faced almost as much if not more violence since the passage of Proposition 8 and have endured homophobia for years. While neither side can claim purity and innocence it should be noted that each side has received multiple levels of discrimination since the initiatives proposal.

In a recent post to the Courage Campaign website Richard Jacobs, chair of the Courage Campaign, publicly displays a letter sent to him regarding the website logo for the Prop 8 tracker. In the letter John M. Skeriotis, “intellectual property council for protectmarriage.com,” states that the usage of the logo is copyright infringement and “demands” that the Courage Campaign “immediately cease and desist the use of the ProtectMarriage Mark.” With all the discussion about harassment via emails and phone calls one would think that Anti Marriage Equality extremists would lay low since they won the appeal to hide what happens in the courtroom but I guess this isn’t so. The logo is unimportant to the proceedings but still it causes disruption between the Same Sex Marriage supporters and the Protect Marriage group. While this letter may read as an educated form of discrimination and hatred it is still a small reminder that homophobia still exists.

Check back for more of my updates on the Prop 8 trial.

Photo Provided by Flickr.com/ProComKelly

Good News, Bad News: New Jersey Edition

So, admittedly, New Jersey is not a state I spend a ton of time reading about, but today two bits of news worth knowing came across my radar. I'm left with mixed feelings about these goings-on in the Garden State.

Thumbs Up, NJ!

The NJ appeals court ruled yesterday that sexual harassment and discrimination laws apply to business owners and their clients, in a decision that expands application of the laws beyond just employer-employee relationships. A description of the case from NJ.com:

Eileen Tortorello, the owner of J.T.’s Tire Service Inc., in South Plainfield, filed suit against United Rentals North America Inc. and its Piscataway branch manager, Harold Hinkes, in January 2008, alleging Hinkes stopped buying tires from the firm after she refused his sexual advances.

United Rentals sought to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing sexual harassment is prohibited only in a workplace environment. In addition, the company, while acknowledging that the facts in the case are true, said they did not rise to the level of sex discrimination.

This is big news, with the three-judge panel overturning a previous ruling in order to allow Tortorello to sue United Rentals North America, Inc. after one of the company's managers pulled his business after his sexual advances were rejected by Tortorello.

We'll be interested to see how the case develops, but for now, a thumbsup!

Now, for the bad news -

Thumbs Down, NJ!

After an hour and a half of heated public debate in the Senate chamber, the state Senate rejected a bill to permit same-sex marriage. Though New Jersey legalized civil unions in 2006, supporters of the marriage legislation argue that same-sex couples are still discriminated against in some ways, citing hospital visitation rights and pension benefits.

This is just another disappointing chapter in the ongoing battle for equal rights for the LGBTQ community. A definite thumbs down on this one.

AMA Opposes Don't Ask Don't Tell and Gay Marriage Bans

The Feminist News Wire reported yesterday that the AMA voted to oppose the military's Don't Ask Don't tell policy:

The American Medical Association (AMA) voted yesterday in favor of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and proclaimed that existing bans on gay marriage negatively affect the health of the LGBTQ community.

According to the Huffington Post, the AMA based its assertion on evidence that married couples are more likely to have health insurance and that uninsured people are more likely to live sicker and die younger.

The AMA passed the resolution after learning that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has interfered with doctor-patient relationships, according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Military doctors reportedly have revealed personal information about their patients, including sexual orientation, to military commanders.

As a result, Servicemembers United has observed that some lesbian and gay servicemembers have been compelled to avoid treatment or to keep important medical information from their doctors, potentially putting them at risk for life-threatening conditions.

Alexander Nicholson, founder and director of Servicemembers United, said in a press release, "Today, the American Medical Association took a principled stance against a law that clearly has a negative impact on military healthcare, military medical providers, and our troops...This is yet another nail in the coffin of the flawed and outdated "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, and it should send a strong message to those who continue to blindly claim that this policy works."

Instituted by former President Bill Clinton in 1993, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" prohibits the military from inquiring about a service member's sexual orientation, but also calls for the discharge of anyone who acknowledges being lesbian or gay. Thus far, the policy has led to the expulsion of about 13,000 troops.

Photo Credit: quirkybird on flickr.com

Coming soon (we hope!): Same Sex Marriage in New York

Hey, remember that time the sh*t hit the fan and the New York State Senate went crazy? Well they now have a chance to redeem themselves!

The State Senate is convening at noon today for a special session to vote on a long-awaited marriage equality bill. The outcome of the vote is uncertain, with activists on both sides proclaiming confidence that their side will prevail.

New Yorkers, this is where you come in--let your State Senator know that all people deserve the right to marry.

Post-Election Day Blues

An off-season Election Day is a funny thing. There are low turnouts, no national races, and few big stories for the political media to analyze to death (not that that stops them). But these elections, no matter how scattered or small, impact people's lives, sometimes to a devastating effect.

Such is the case in Maine, where a proposition to overturn the state's same sex marriage law passed 53-47 (96% of precincts reporting). Gay marriage has now lost public votes in 31 states. Foes of same sex marriage claim that the results demonstrate that decisionmakers are "out of touch" and that the will of the people has been upheld.

All this heartbreaking loss proves is that the civil rights of a minority should never be decided by a majority. These referendums ask an oppressive populace if they would like to continue oppressing those who are different from them, and then claim that the results are the will of the people. While voting gives a voice to the people and is our fundamental right, the American people cannot use that right to dominate others. The founders of this nation understood that. From James Madison's Federalist Paper 51:

"It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure."

Slavery, segregation, disenfranchisement: none of these social ills were made illegal by popular vote. And so we fight on.

Support Maine Equality! Vote No on 1!

On November 3rd, Maine voters will decide whether to repeal Maine's new same sex marriage law. According to CommonDreams, both sides are close in the polls.

The marriage fight in Maine is shaping up to be similar to the Prop. 8 fight in California. The "THEY WILL TEACH GAY TO THE CHILDREN!" rhetoric came out in full force. Ads like these have started to run in Maine:

Give Me A Break from Stand for Marriage Maine on Vimeo.

Apparently, children will be explicitly taught that gay sex involves HUGGING and (gasp!) KISSING!

Protect Maine Equality has raised $1.4 million more than its opponent. However, advocates for equality are far from complacent. Protect Maine Equality's Jesse Connoley says "We have every reason to think this will be a razor-thin election."

If you're a Maine voter, make sure to vote on November 3rd or earlier!

National Equality March

Drum circles, mixers, town hall meetings, film screening and more. This weekend's National Equality March promises to be a fun and informative event! Topics covered range from homeless and depression, to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. With such a diverse repertoire this march is going to be an educational, yet thrilling experience—especially for all your Lady Gaga fans! As the new LGBT icon is scheduled to speak at the event.



Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgender people and others are marching for equal protection under the law. Because thus far, many continue to experience discrimination in their jobs or schools. They do not have the same protection under immigration policies or with marriage law, they cannot serve in the military openly, donate blood and more. Yet, every citizen supposedly has the same equal rights. Clearly, not everyone is equal under the law as some are more equal than others… so why are we willingly turning a blind eye and becoming the sheep in George Orwell’s Animal Farm?

Come out this weekend and join me at the National Equality March!! More details can be found at http://www.nationalequalitymarch.com/ .

Image Credit: VJnet on Flickr.com

Newsday Tuesday: August 4 Edition

Welcome, August! Which also means humidity here in DC. As we all are trying to survive the heat, let's go inside, cool down, and catch up with this week's happenings in the world of feminist news with this week's edition of Newsday Tuesday!

Global
The Italian Pharmaceuticals Agency (AIFA) has approved mifepristone, also known as RU-486, for use through the seventh week of pregnancy. Last week's ruling stipulates that the drug can be administered by doctors in a hospital but can not be sold in pharmacies.

On Saturday, a gay youth center was attacked by a gunman in Tel Aviv, Israel. A masked man entered the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association building and opened fire on a group of young people gathered for a weekly support group meeting. The shooter fled on foot and remains at large. Two were killed and eleven wounded in the attack.

British Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, have decided to perform same-sex marriages. The Quakers will formally challenge the UK laws which prohibit same-sex marriage. Quakers have allowed same-sex couples to celebrate civil partnerships with a religious commitment ceremony for more than two decades.

Shirin Ebadi, one of Iran's leading human rights defenders, is in London on Amnesty International's invitation. Her trip to the UK is part of international efforts to educate the world about the human rights abuses in Iran and support Amnesty's defense of the Defenders of Human Rights Center.

The Women and Work Commission published a report Wednesday citing an increase in the wage gap in the UK. It was found that there was an increase in the wage gap from 21.9 to 22.6 percent since 2007 and is even larger when accounting for part-time wages; the gap in those cases nears 40 percent.

A Sudanese court began hearing Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein's case on Wednesday after she was one of 13 women arrested on July 3 for wearing trousers in public. Al-Hussein was sentenced earlier this month to 40 lashings, but as a public information officer for the United Nations, she has immunity from the flogging.

On Wednesday, security forces in Nigeria freed approximately 180 women and children who were held by the radical Boko Haram, an extremist Islamic group believed to be responsible for attacks on police stations and government sites this week that have left 150 people dead.

The Tanzania Women's Bank, a new bank created to empower women, opened last week in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Iranian women's rights activist, lawyer, and journalist Shadi Sadr was released from prison Tuesday, eleven days after she was beaten and arrested while walking to a prayer service in Tehran.

The Dutch organization Women on Waves cancelled all upcoming trips of its so-called floating abortion clinic. The "abortion boat" docked in international waters and provided abortion pills and information about reproductive health to women all over the world.

National
The White House announced last week that President Barack Obama will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a number of pioneering feminists and civil rights leaders. The medal is the highest honor a civilian can receive and given to those who make significant contributions in world peace, culture, or other public pursuits. The recipients of the medal will include: Nancy Goodman Brinker, Edward Kennedy, Billie Jean King, Reverend Joseph Lowery, Harvey Milk, Sandra Day O'Connor, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 Tuesday to approve Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the US Supreme Court. The committee's decision means that a full Senate vote on Sotomayor's confirmation is likely to occur next week.

An amendment to the Labor, Health, and Human Services bill that sought to ban all federal funding for Planned Parenthood was defeated last week in the House by a vote of 247 to 183.

Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) announced last Monday that a Senate hearing on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on homosexuals in the military will be held in the fall.

States
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger cut $489 million Thursday from the state budget passed last week by the state legislature. The cuts were directed primarily towards health and human services programs, and will eliminate all state funding for domestic violence shelters, forcing these centers close or seek new sources of funding.

Photo courtesy of Tim Pearce on Flikr.com

Marriage equaliTEA: one lump or two?

Same-sex couples in DC are inching closer toward equality. The District of Columbia will tomorrow begin recognizing legal same-sex marriages performed in other states, thanks to a bill passed by the DC City Council.

Same-sex couples in the District cannot yet obtain marriage licenses here. Any DC Council bill proposing legalization of same-sex marriage in DC is, like all DC laws, subject to a 30-day congressional review period.

Local opponents of same-sex marriage may propose a ballot initiative to overturn the law, according to the Washington City Paper. But there's a great progressive, feminist community in DC, so any anti-LGBT ballot measures will meet a lot of resistance.

We might be closer to attaining equality in Maryland, too. The Maryland Attorney General's office is drafting an opinion on whether state law would permit recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley indicated today he would favor recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.

O'Malley favors civil unions over marriages for same-sex couples in Maryland, which is extremely disapointing. LGBTQ couples deserve full rights and full equality under the law, and nothing less.

Still, we can be cautiously optimistic as states continue to expand civil rights for all of its citizens. But you must remain active to keep the momentum going. Ask your elected officials what they are doing to ensure equal rights for all Americans. Work with your campus and community to ensure your university provides a safe and equitable learning, living, and teaching environment for ALL members of the campus community.

Photo credit: jsmjr on Flickr.

New Hampshire legalizes gay marriage!

New Hampshire governor John Lynch today signed into law a bill legalizing gay marriage. The state is the 6th in the country to extend full marriage rights to same-sex couples. The state legislature revised and approved the bill today, and submitted it for the governor's approval.

Congratulations to the activists and politicians in the Granite State that worked so hard on this issue. Please share your wisdom, motivation, and experience with folks in the rest of the country - we need your help to make full marriage rights a reality nationwide. The march toward equality continues...

Let us know how you plan to celebrate! Comment below, to @feministcampus, or to campusteam@feminist.org. Good night, and good luck.

Rob Thomas Has a Big Gay Chip on His Shoulder

I normally do not put much stock into the rantings of celebrities. I agree that they, like the rest of us, have a right to speak their minds but typically chalk it up to mindless chatter. So tickle me surprised when I read Rob Thomas' commentary on gay marriage.

"I've heard it said before, many times, that if two men or two women are allowed to join into a civil union together, why can't they be happy with that and why is it so important that they call it marriage? In essence, what's in a name?

A civil union has to do with death. It's essentially a document that gives you lower taxes and the right to let your faux spouse collect your insurance when you pass away. A marriage is about life. It's about a commitment."

Join us in support of this commitment for ALL PEOPLE by signing our Love and Equality Pledge today!

Sign our Love and Equality Pledge!

Help us gather thousands of feminist voices who will work to help overturn Proposition 8 in California. Act now by signing this Feminist Pledge for Love and Equality and forwarding it to friends and family. We don't have a moment to lose.

The California Supreme Court today refused to strike down the mean-spirited and discriminatory Proposition 8 that will hurt loving couples. That means it is up to us.

Plans are already being formulated to overturn Prop 8 and bring the question of same-sex marriage back to the ballot in California. Feminists must be a key partner in this battle. To make sure we do all we can, FMF board member Dolores Huerta and I have joined the board of Equality California, a leader in the fight for marriage equality.

All people should be able to marry who they love. We will keep you informed of how you can help as plans move forward to go back to the ballot box and win this fight for full equality.

We will not stop fighting until Prop 8 is overturned.

For equality,

Kathy Spillar
Executive Vice President
Feminist Majority Foundation