thomascwaters.com

This is the kind of stuff that just really gets me angry and wound up. The linked ad is blatantly false, but designed to evoke fear. The Massachusetts does nothing like this ad suggests. When the ends justify the means, and people resort to lies and misinformation as the only way to make their case, there is a real problem.

This is the most extreme example of it that I have seen, but others most more subtle have been out there all along. A friend described it to me as desperation, and it may well be, but that doesn’t alter the fact that it takes time, energy and effort to continue to combat it. There will always be some people, who no matter what you say,or how many facts you show them, they will want to discriminate and demonize some parts of the GLBTQ community. If these ads targeted only those folks, it wouldn’t be so bad. But the lies are broad and dangerous because many others, who when faced with facts often would side with equality. But when you color the issue with fear, and especially fear involving the safety of kids, sometimes the facts never make it through the fear response.

These are the folks who are destroying our country by turning lies into weapons and refusing to enter into reasonable rational dialogue. This isn’t about developing a majority view, it is about bullying through brute force.

Red Mass Group:: Bathroom Bill Update .

I posted just the link to the Facbook account last evening, and now want to attach the link the CNN report.

Although at least one of Provost’s relatives said she believes he was killed because of his sexual orientation and his race, Brown said there was no indication the killing was a hate crime. A U.S. congressman also said on Friday there are indications Provost may have been killed because of his sexual orientation.

Provost’s aunt, Rose Roy, of Beaumont, Texas, said by telephone on Friday that her nephew had told her he was being harassed because of his sexual orientation and because he was African-American. She described him as bisexual.

Asked whether she believed her nephew was killed because of race and sexual orientation, she said, “In my heart, I do.” She added, “it was like an execution-style killing, and nobody does that unless you have that kind of hatred in your heart.”

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/03/california.sailor.death/index.html

Facebook | Robert Peterson’s Notes.

Queers United: NEA to Vote on Marriage Equality Resolution.

Makes me wonder what deals went on in Washington with Specter’s migration to the democratic party. While I don’t disagree that his level of experience can be very valuable, I don’t believe he has demonstrated that he brings what the people of PA want, need and have demanded, and that is change.

We need to reign in any democrat who isn’t helping the President’s agenda move forward, and all lawmakers who are not to meet the voters demand for change in Washington. When any lawmaker votes in a way that appears at odds with what people are demanding, I expect him to be able to say why he has voted the way he has, and simply claiming to be an independent thinker isn’t enough.

I think we need to get him out of there, unless we can look back and see a real voting history for change in Washington. I have been in doubt about his party switch since it happened. Sure he didn’t like the fact that the far right of his previous party was targeting him, but aside from that, what was wrong with being a moderate Republican? Why not just stay that way. If his voting record was really good for Pennsylvanians would continue to support him as they have all along. But his party switch had more to do with keeping his job than it had to do with how he governs or makes his decisions. Once past the next election, then what? A return to the Republican Party?

Our system was designed to be one of checks and balances. Yet, it has become one where lobby money rules. The change the American people demanded with the last election was one towards greater transparency; a move away from overwhelming influence by big business and especially the banking and healthcare industries; and a return to a focus on civil rights for all and an over turn of those government practices and policies which eroded basic civil liberties. Our role as the voters is to keep demanding that we see this, and especially the legislative and executive branch’s roles are to hold each other accountable to that- keep pushing it for more and more of what the american people want, need and have a right to expect. The Judicial branch’s responsibility is to keep the things done by these other branches legal and constitutional. That ought to make a win/win for everyone.

If Specter runs unopposed, who wins? Specter along- not the people.

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive – Former opponent endorses Specter « – Blogs from CNN.com.

Very worthwhile read!

Alameda Sun – The Homosexual Agenda Revealed!.

Note, it’s great to be recognized in the statement released below. As a blogger, I was very happy to be able to play a role in getting this legislation passed. TCW

Allegheny County Passes Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Bill

The Allegheny County Council voted Wednesday evening, July 1^st 2009, to approve the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance, legislation that will ban discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression with limited exceptions. Although similar protections have been in place in the City of Pittsburgh for over 20 years, this week’s ordinance marks the first time these protections will be extended to County borders. This is a historic step forward and true cause for celebration.

The bill, which passed by an 8-6 vote, established a county-wide Human Relations Commission that will be responsible for investigating claims of discrimination. The ordinance is set to become law once it is signed by County Executive Dan Onorato on Thursday, June 9, 2009.

The Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance, along with many other individuals, worked with County Executive Dan Onorato and County Council this week to modify the bill after a previous amendment was found to include an unreasonably broad loophole per religious exemptions. The final amended language, while explicitly stating an exemption by religious organizations, sidesteps the issue of organizations that receive tax-payer funds. This language allows for further dialogue on this particular issue.

LGBT rights organizations from across the state also praised the Ordinance for its inclusive protection of transgender individuals.  The Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance called the new legislation “the highest standard of trans-inclusive language in the Commonwealth.”  The county is now the fifteenth municipality in the state to grant protection to LGBT individuals.

For the past year, our community has worked with determination and persistence to bring this day about. Throughout this process, we have formed important relationships, and the unique collaboration between LGBT organizations, allies, grassroots activists, and public officials will continue to serve as a model of effective partnership. We thank all those involved, particularly Council Members Burn, DeFazio, Cleary, Fitzgerald, Macey, Martoni, Robinson and, of course, the prime sponsor Amanda Green. We also thank County Executive Dan Onorato and his staff for lobbying in support of the Ordinance in recent weeks.

While the individuals and groups involved in this effort are numerous, several groups and grassroots outlets offered frequent input into the process in recent days: Speakers at the Council meeting, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission, ACLU-PA, Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, Equality Advocates PA, GLCC Pittsburgh, GLEC Group, New Voices Pittsburgh-Women of Color for Reproductive Justice, One Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania NOW, PERSAD Center, Steel-City Stonewall Democrats, Trans Working Group, Women’s Law Project, Women & Girl’s Foundation of PA. Bloggers also were a vital part of getting information to the community and include pghlesbian.com, pghcomet.blogspot.com, thomascwaters.com amongst others.

We will continue to work for equality at the local, state and national levels. But, before we get back to work, let’s take this moment to celebrate and affirm that together, we can move equality forward for our entire community-LGBT and straight.

Thank you for your support!
Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2009

Allegheny County Passes Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Philadelphia – The Allegheny County Council voted Wednesday evening to approve the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance, legislation that will ban discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression with a limited religious exemption. Although similar protections have been in place in the City of Pittsburgh for over 20 years, this week’s ordinance marks the first time that these protections will be extended throughout the entire county.

The bill, which passed by an 8-6 vote, established a county-wide Human Relations Commission that will be responsible for investigating claims of discrimination.

“By passing the Human Relations Ordinance, the Allegheny County Council has made fairness a priority.  The county will now be a better place to live and work for all residents, LGBT and straight alike,” Lynn Zeitlin, Executive Director of Equality Advocates Pennsylvania said Thursday.

The Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance worked with Council members and County Executive Dan Onorato this week to modify the bill after a previous amendment was found to include an unreasonably broad loophole that would allow religious groups to discriminate against any job applicant on the basis of race, gender, disability and several other classifications, including sexual orientation and gender identity.  The final amended language, which was endorsed by several LGBT rights groups across the state, includes a much narrower religious exemption.

LGBT rights organizations from across the state also praised the Ordinance for its inclusive protection of transgender individuals.  The Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance called the new legislation “the highest standard of trans-inclusive language in the Commonwealth.”

Next on the agenda for many Pennsylvania groups is working toward the passage of House Bill 300, a bill that would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, public accommodations and housing statewide.

“We commend the Allegheny County Council for adopting this important ordinance,” Zeitlin said.  “The county is now the fifteenth municipality in the state to grant such protection to LGBT individuals, and we are pleased that the two largest counties in Pennsylvania now provide inclusive coverage.  We will continue to work throughout the state until all Pennsylvanians are treated as fairly as citizens of Allegheny County now will be.”

The ordinance is set to become law in a few weeks, and a private signing ceremony is currently being planned.  The Office of the County Executive is accepting calls from individuals in Allegheny County interested in serving on the County Human Relations Commission and can be reached at (412) 350-6500.

“I’m delighted that residents of Allegheny County will now be protected from discrimination but am still concerned that many Pennsylvanians lack this basic protection, even while most residents believe it should be the law. Look at the 71 percent support statewide – including 63 percent support in the central/’T’ region — for House Bill 300, which would protect people who live or work in Pennsylvania from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.”

Frankel applauds passage of Allegheny County Human Relations Act.

This is good stuff, both the bit about Davis, but also Colbert’s finger wagging at Fox News, who labeled SC Governor Sanford as a democrat?

Fox News, isn’t that an oxymoron?

Colbert Tells Viewers To Deny Rep. Cynthia Davis Food (VIDEO).

Here is how the vote turned out for the Allegheny County Ordinance to create a human relations commission and adopt a policy of non-discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, and public accommodations.

What was most striking to me, was how many of those who voted against it would say “No one should be discriminated against, but…” It is difficult to square that idea of being against discrimination but voting against the ordinance, except to call it bull shit. They are hypocrites.

A number of “no” hypocrites claimed that this doesn’t belong at the county level of government and belongs at the state level. These individuals display cowardice, and seek to be followers rather than leaders. If Allegheny County is to become a thriving economic leader in the state, we need to get rid of the followers and replace them with forward thinking leaders.

A few of the “no” hypocrites claimed that it would cost too much. Aside from the fact that the human relations commission is a volunteer body, Where has this objection been all along? The bill was fist introduced a year ago. If this was a real objection, it would not have been hard to – over the past 12 months- gather data from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and other locales across the state as to what exactly has been the cost to run their human relation boards. These individuals are lazy. They had a tear to explore this issue and did nothing except raise the objection at the 11th hour. Allowing lazy people to occupy seats on our county government will not allow Allegheny County to grow and be progressive.

One “no” hypocrite was worried that this might not be legal. I’m unclear as to label this as blind, ignorant, lazy or all three. With attorneys on the Council including the sponsor of the bill, and with a vast array of resources at his disposal, it would not have been hard to seek guidance about this before the meeting. Similar to the cost issue, it would not have been hard to collect information about how other municipalities across the state saw the legal issue.

At least one no vote wasn’t hypocritical at all. Jan Rea said almost nothing at all during the heated debate. She did not say that no one should be discriminated against. It isn’t clear if she is in favor of discrimination, or she is just quiet. Her only contribution, aside from voting “no,” was to state that the number of calls received on this issue. I did not take adequate notes, but I think the numbers were about 119 against the ordinance and 38 for the ordinance. I’d label her, guilty of a lack of thoroughness. The numbers she mentioned are only the numbers that came in to the general switch board, and for those council members who request that the office record their messages. A number of the council members collect their own phone messages and these numbers wouldn’t be in the database. So, the only thing the numbers do is say that more people who were opposed to the ordinance called  than who supported it. Does this mean, more people are opposed to the ordinance than are for it? By no means! Rea introduces data which is irrelevant to the real issue at hand as a way to derail the discussion.

However, in the spirit of MSNBC’s countdown, the worst council person would have to be Chuck McCullough who introduced an amendment to put this issue up for a referendum vote, who presented himself as trying to be fair, and who was busy playing politics with our civil rights. His rationale for a referendum was two-fold. 1) Let the voters decide. 2) Because the democrats had pushed for a referendum over the drink tax. He went so far as to blame the democrats- if they hadn’t pushed for a referendum, than he wouldn’t be doing it now. McCullough is one of two at-large council seats. We need to get him out of there as soon as we can! It was pointed out to me that in February, McCullough was arrested. Is this the type of person we want to be leading Allegheny forward?

Take some time to email or write and thank those who voted for this legislation, and to shame those who did not. Especially thank Amanda Green for all her hard work on this, and Jim Burn who worked skillfully throughout the debate last evening.

Voting for the ordinance:

John DeFazio, James Burn Jr., Joan Cleary, Rich Fitzgerald, Dr. Charles Martoni, William Robinson, Robert J. Macey and Amanda Green.

Voting against the ordinance:

Matt Drozd, James Ellenbogen, Michael Finnerty, Vince Gastgeb, Chuck McCullough and Jan Rea.

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09183/981333-455.stm#ixzz0K7C9oWMw&D