Thomas Waters | thomascwaters.com

Keystone Progress asks PA Senate, House for ALEC Records

Right to Know Law requests filed for correspondence, financial records related to controversial corporate front group, the American Legislative Exchange Council HARRISBURG, PA — Keystone Progress today asked the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives to release all records related to the shadowy and controversial corporate front group, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The Keystone Progress RTKL request asks for: All correspondence, including surface mail and email, containing the words ALEC or American Legislative[Read More…]

May 1, 2012 — 1 comment — general

Am I Gay if Batman Is Gay?

Perhaps, I’m just put off with “Gay” being used as a concept. Isn’t that one more way to dehumanize the reality of our shared queer lives? We aren’t really in love with members of our own sex, we are just concepts, right?

May 1, 2012 — 3 comments — general

Who can say what without being a [fill in the word]: The Sharon Needles Controversy.

Don’t love me (or hate me) because of what I look like. Love me (or hate me) because of who I am- the whole of me. Now, Sharon doesn’t talk in terms of “love,” she uses more shocking confrontational images, and perhaps some of the controversy is more about how her confrontational style makes people feel uncomfortable.

April 29, 2012 — 9 comments — general

Drummers and Dancers

Here is some video I captured at Art All Night in Lawrenceville last evening. The event is always really great, and I found this year to be no exception. I loved the location this year. Really amazing old factory. The video isn’t all that good- shot on my iPhone 4, but I think it does capture the power of both the drims and the dancers. It ends abruptly as my phone’s battery was getting low.[Read More…]

April 29, 2012 — 1 comment — Art, general

Issues, ideology, process, and people.

From my perspective, At least four different levels or elements at play and one of the reasons why different people have such different takes on the Pitt Trans Policy issue grows out of assumptions about these four things.

April 27, 2012 — 1 comment — Activism, general, Transgender Discrimination & Issues

What will an openly gay legislator accomplish?

In the biggest picture image: how many little girls and little boys growing up across Pennsylvania, will now have one more positive reference for being publicly gay?

April 26, 2012 — 1 comment — Election, general

Equality PA Issues Statement Regarding Pennsylvania Primary Results

Statement on 2012 Pennsylvania Primary Results and the Nomination of the General Assembly’s First Openly Gay Member Harrisburg – Today, Equality Pennsylvania is celebrating. We think yesterday’s election was a bit of a game-changer. It is with great pride that we watched our former Board President, Brian Sims, win nomination to serve the 182nd House District. He has no opponent in November’s General Election and that means he will come to Harrisburg as the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s first[Read More…]

April 25, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Election, general

Election Commentary

Sue Kerr has a really great post on Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents talking about the results of yesterday’s primary election. I encourage everyone to check it out.

April 25, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Election

The Voter Suppression Bill: Voter ID will keep me from voting.

I have a Pennsylvania issued valid drivers license that will not meet the ID guidelines. I am a legal voter! The Voter ID bill is doing nothing to protect my right to vote! My partner was told that he could use his passport, but why is that? A passport has an expiration date on it but no address at all. Yet, my valid driver’s license won’t suffice? This bill in no way creates protection. Rather it creates hurdles, road blocks, and confusion.

April 25, 2012 — 2 comments — Election, general

EEOC rules that gender-identity discrimination is covered by Title VII.

I urge Pitt to get to work quickly on a thorough, fair, and comprehensive policy. While efforts are progressing, it is far from fast enough. The Pitt situation is also complex. As a university, it has students, staff and faculty all to be considered. This ruling seems to apply directly to employment discrimination, but it could have other ramifications as well.

April 24, 2012 — 1 comment — Activism, general, LGBT Discrimination: Exploring Laws and Policies, Transgender Discrimination & Issues

Articles by: Thomas Waters

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