Queers United

Endorse the Florida Competitive Workforce Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:19:00 +0000

The Florida Competitive Workforce bill adds "sexual orientation and gender identity and expression" to Florida's civil rights law that bans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.

Take a stand today. Sign on to this letter of support as an individual, organization and/or company and spread the word.

New Toolbar Feature

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:17:00 +0000

Hey folks,

We have a handy dandy new toolbar below if you haven't realized. It's pretty snazzy if I say so myself. You can now translate the website into a variety of different languages, bookmark us, and can use the share feature to spread our campaigns on social networks and news sites.

I hope you find it useful and I'd love to hear any thoughts about the new feature :)

Thanks for your continued support and readership!

Action Alert: Marriage Vote Scheduled for New York

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:26:00 +0000

The New York State Senate is scheduled to debate and vote on the issue of marriage equality tomorrow. The outcome is unpredictable at the moment, with some democrats and republicans opposed, in favor, or unsure of their vote. It is essential that you urge your senator to vote in favor of full equality for their LGBT constituents.

The following is a list of key "swing" senators to contact courtesy of Queerty.

Undecided

John Bonacic, R-Mt. Hope
Brian Foley, D-Suffolk
Ruth Hassel-Thompson, D-Bronx/Westchester
Owen Johnson, R-Suffolk
Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island
Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga
Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens
John Sampson, D-Brooklyn
David Valesky, D-Oneida

Wouldn't Say

Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens
James Alesi, R-East Rochester
Kemp Hannon, R-Nassau
Vincent Leibell, R-Westchester
Thomas Morahan, R-Rockland

Take action by falling out this form by the New York Civil Liberties to contact your senators and senate leaders to affirm marriage fairness.

Trans Student Ejected from Texas High School

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:07:00 +0000

17 year old O’Rhonde Chapman, a Nimitz High School senior says she’s being discriminated against because of her gender expression. The transgender teen always wears womens clothes to school but decided to wear a wig and stiletto heels, and the principal turned her away citing a violation of the male dress code.

Chapman is standing by her decision to not return to school, and fight for her right to self expression:

“I would like to be able to wear my hair and everything and still be treated the same and have an equal opportunity to have an education, as others do. I ought not be segregated or sent home because of what I have on,” Chapman said. “I am losing out on my education. That upsets me. That upsets me because I don’t go to school to be judged.”(Trans Griot).

Please support this brave young woman by demanding the school allow her to attend the way she is, and to institute policies protecting transgender youth.

Nimitz Senior High School
2005 W.W. Thorne Drive
Houston, TX 77073-3301
Phone: (281) 443-7480
E-contact form (Scroll down to Nimitz High School)

Your Support Can Help End HIV

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:52:00 +0000

Dr. Sudhir Paul of the Covalent Immunology Foundation offers a promising new vaccine that potentially eradicates HIV in the human blood through an enzyme that interacts with the virus. The study needs to go into the next phase of research which involves testing. They want to make this vaccine affordable and accessible to the public if it is successful.

Help take the research into the next phase at End HIV.

Intersex Solidarity Day - 11/08/09

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:18:00 +0000

November 8th is Intersex Solidarity Day. In honor of the day please make the commitment to educate yourself about intersexuality and to promote intersex activism to others.

I'd also like to encourage this post to be about what it means to stand in solidarity with the intersex community, whether you are intersex or not, what we can do to be advocates and allies?

Other topics for possible discussion as suggested by the official Intersex Solidarity Day are The life of Herculine Barbin, intersex "normalization" treatments without consent, the violence of the binary sex and gender system, the sexism implicit within the binary construct of sex and gender.

Please sign the Solidarity with the Intersex Community Petition

Miley Cyrus: "You're Vain, You're Gay"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:29:00 +0000

Pop star Miley Cyrus from the hit Disney show Hannah Montana has changed the lyrics of one of her popular songs '7 Things' in a recent Louisville, Kentucky concert from 'You're Game' to 'You're gay'.

'You're vain
You're GAY
You're insecure
You Love me you like her...'

Watch her on stage performance clip in Louisville with the words being altered below:

It is unacceptable to use 'You're Gay' as an insult, and it's particularly dissapointing coming from Miley who only recently endorsed marriage equality.

Contact Miley Cyrus on Twitter or Myspace and urge her to apologize for these 'lyrics'

Shameless Self Promotion Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.

Tell Obama to Act Now

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:24:00 +0000

The Obama administration was absent in yet another critical fight for the soul of our nation. His failure to speak out forcibly against Question 1 in Maine is unacceptable. Sign Equality California's petition. Then, ask everyone you know to do the same.

Petition Obama to support federal Prop 8 lawsuit

MTV's 'True Life' Upcoming Queer Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:04:00 +0000

MTV's True Life is a docu-series which features various young people going through extraordinary circumstances in life. There are two upcoming tapings that may be of interest to readers here, one about being passable as hetero-normative, and the other about athletes coming out to their teammates.

TRUE LIFE: I'M PASSING
Are you "passing" as someone you're not? Have you been passing in school, at work, in your community or anywhere else as being of a different race, gender or sexual orientation from what you actually are? Are you are a transsexual female who passes as someone who was born a female? Or maybe you're a person of color who passes as a white person. Or perhaps your schoolmates or colleagues think you're straight while in fact you're gay.

Do you try to pass as someone other than who you are for a particular reason? Do you feel it gives you an advantage of some kind at work, school or with your friends? Or do others look at you and simply decide for themselves? Do you correct them or do you enjoy passing? Are you considering "coming out" and putting your days of passing behind you?

If you are passing as someone of a different race, gender, sexual orientation or otherwise, MTV wants to hear from you. If you appear to be between the ages of 15 and 28, please email us at passing@mtvn.com. Please be sure to include your name, location and phone number.

TRUE LIFE: I'M COMING OUT TO MY TEAM
Are you planning to come out to your teammates? Have you been afraid or hesitant to come out to your sports team as gay, bisexual, or transsexual but are now planning to reveal yourself? Perhaps you've already come out to your friends and now have to face the upcoming season with teammates who still think you're straight? Or maybe you're unsure of how your fellow athletes would react if they knew, and thus have not come out to anyone?

Whatever your situation may be, if you are planning to come out to your teammates and appear to be between the ages of 15 and 28, MTV wants to hear from you. Please email us at comingout@mtvn.com and be sure to include your name, location and phone number.

For more info or to check other upcoming episodes goto True Life - MTV

Open Forum: The Death of Queer Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Is queer culture on the verge of death? The question may strike you as odd since millions of people have come out over the past few decade, and the numbers only increase over time. We have entered a time period where sexuality and gender are no longer binaristic, and new terms and identities are being created to allow freedom of self expression to take place. All these are signs that queer identity is blossoming and taking on new forms. After all religion doesn't dissipate when the number of followers expands, it only becomes more evident and vibrant.

So what's this talk about queer culture fading? Well unlike religion or political parties whereby more followers means more identity and power, the opposite is true with queer identity. Queer identity is built on the notion that we are different, and apart from the general public. The more people who join the queer "freak show" the less weird and alien it is to the general public and the easier it is for queers to assimilate. Assimilation is inevitable, the more people come out, equals the more normalized queer identity becomes, results in the less marginalized queer people become, and the result is less need for queer specific resources.

Is assimilation really a bad thing? It does come at the expense of some aspects of queer culture but many of the aspects being erased are ones of shame and exclusion...

"If there is a real choice between a culture built on oppression and a culture built on freedom, the decision is an easy one" - Andrew Sullivan

Is this the death of a culture, or is it the evolution of a movement? Do you see queer identity as growing or fading over the course of time, and do you view that in a positive, negative, or neutral light?

Nationwide Marriage Equality Protest Listing

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:36:00 +0000

In the wake of marriage equality being defeated in Maine, and the one year anniversary of the passage of proposition 8, activists are holding protests throughout the country to express their outrage that the majority has the right to deny civil rights to a minority population.

*Please notify me of any planned protests, vigils, or demonstrations and I will promptly add them to the list and keep it up to date.

Saturday November 7th Protests:

New Orleans, Louisiana
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm (Central Time)
City Hall
1300 Perdido Street
Forum For Equality
Mary Griggs Email: ffe@forumforequality.com Phone: 504-569-9156

Sunday, November 8th Protests:

New York, New York
Outside St. Patrick's Cathedral
9 AM - 1 PM
460 Madison Ave

Orange County, New York
Marriage equality rally 12:30-2:30 pm
Church Park, located at the intersection of Main St. and South Church St. in the center of Goshen.
For more information, contact Sam at Sussman.sam@gmail.com or 845 304 0830.

New Paltz, New York
Candlelight rally
5-7 pm on Main Street in New Paltz in front of the Elting Memorial Library
stephan@biggayhudsonvalley.com

Astoria, New York
Western Queens for Marriage Equality
Rally and candlelight vigil outside the office of state Sen. George Onorato at 5PM
28-11 Astoria Blvd

Tuesday, November 10th Protests:

Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Cincinnati
meet beginning at 10 a.m. on McMicken Commons to pick up materials for Day of Silence.
At 12:15 p.m., flash action, peaceful demonstration. Location to be announced.

Albany, New York
Capital Building in Albany demonstration.

Saturday, November 14th Protests:

Atlanta, Georgia
12:00-2:00 pm
GA State Capitol Building (Washington St. Side)
contact: Jeff Schade (jeffschade3@gmail.com)

November 29th Protests:

No On Prop 8 Peaceful Protest & Candlelight Vigil - Long Beach, California Saturday 11/29 7pm
Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

Help Ensure Health Care Reform Includes LGBT Families!

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:29:00 +0000

We are at an unprecedented point in the process of national health care reform: the House of Representatives plans to vote TOMORROW, November 7, on its reform bill, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962).

It is crucial for LGBT families that this bill passes with a strong majority. The House bill includes numerous provisions that are key to the health and well-being of LGBT families, including:

* data collection that includes sexual orientation and gender identity, which is foundational to understanding the needs of the LGBT community
* strict prohibitions on discrimination in health care and insurance coverage
* an end to unequal taxation of domestic partner health benefits
* funding for comprehensive sex education
* a strong public option that greatly expands coverage

The LGBT community is the un- and under-insured. We are families with children, seniors and youth, women, people of color, immigrants, people living with HIV and AIDS, and transgender people. We are too often discriminated against by insurance companies and health care providers and denied the care that we need. The status quo harms our community and our families; we deserve to be part of the nation’s blueprint for reform.

Tell your Representatives to pass LGBT-inclusive health care reform NOW. CALL your Representatives using the toll-free number 1-877-264-4226 and ask them to support the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Follow this link to find your Representative’s contact information.

Crossposted via Family Equality Council.

'Million for a Million' to Bring Marriage Back to California!

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Million for aMillion is a new campaign by Yes On Equality, Truth and Hope, and Restore Equality 2010 to raise a million dollars to get the over 1 million signatures needed to put marriage equality on next years ballot.

Polls indicate public support growing for an effort to repeal proposition 8 which banned marriage equality in California in 2008.

Donate now, and sign up to get updates at Million for a Million.

New York Marriage Debate Set for Tuesday's Senate Agenda

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:47:00 +0000

The New York State Senate under the order of Governor David Patterson is scheduled to discuss and possibly vote on the issue of marriage equality. The marriage bill has been passed by the house, if the senate concurs, the bill will be signed into law by the governor.

New Yorkers please take a minute to call your state senator through the Empire State Pride Agenda's click to call action service.

E-Day Phone Banking in California

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Equality California to Host Phone Banks for Maine and Washington Ballot Initiatives

WHAT: Equality California (EQCA) will host phone banks across the state for California volunteers, encouraging voters in Maine and Washington to vote to protect the rights of same-sex couples. On November 3, Mainers will vote on whether to repeal a law granting same-sex couples the right to marry. In the state of Washington, voters are being asked to re-confirm the expansion of domestic partnership rights for same-sex couples.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

WHERE:

* SAN DIEGO: 301 University Ave., San Diego, 92103, 2:30 PM- 5 PM
* ORANGE COUNTY: 1700 E. Garry Ave, Ste. 231, Santa Ana, CA 92701, 10 AM-4:30 PM
* PALM SPRINGS: 314 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 92261, 1 PM- 5 PM
* INLAND EMPIRE: 410 3rd Street, Ste. 7, Riverside, 92507, 1 PM-7 PM
* LOS ANGELES: 2801 Hyperion Ave., Ste. 103, Los Angeles 90027, 10:30 AM- 5:30 PM
* HOLLYWOOD: 1125 N McCadden Pl., Los Angeles, 90038, 10:30 AM- 5 PM
* FRESNO: 1055 N. Van Ness Ave., Ste. C, Fresno, 93728, 7 AM- 5 PM
* SAN JOSE: 19 N. 2nd Street, Ste. 102, San Jose, 95113, 11 AM- 9 PM
* SAN FRANCISCO: ACLU Office, 39 Drumm St, San Francisco, 94114, 7 AM-7:30 PM
* BERKELEY: 1528 Hopkins St., Berkeley, CA 94703, 7 AM-7:30 PM
* SACRAMENTO: 1722 J St., 2nd Floor Unit 9, Sacramento, CA 95814, 10 AM-5 PM

H/T to Mike Tidmus.

Election Day Endorsements

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Today is election day and it is vital that the LGBT community and allies get out to the polls to vote for progressive and equality minded candidates for our local districts throughout the country.

There are also some key races and ballots for consideration today that effect the LGBT community and this blog is endorsing some candidates and positions.

*Election day recommendations are always based on the LGBT record of the candidate and not on the basis of their political affiliation.

Maine

Vote NO on question 1 to protect marriage equality.

Washington

Vote YES on Referendum 71 to protect domestic partnerships.

Michigan

Kalamazoo vote YES on ordinance 1856 to protect anti-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

New Jersey

Vote for Governor Jon Corzine (D) a marriage equality proponent, his opponent is opposed to marriage equality and uses it as a campaign scare tactic.

Virginia

Vote for Creigh Deeds(D) who voted against a marriage amendment, his opponent is fiercely anti LGBT equality.

New York (District 23)

Vote for Bill Owens (D) who supports civil unions, his opponent is fiercely anti LGBT equality.

Texas

Houston vote for Annise Parker (D) to be first openly lesbian mayor.

Word of the Gay: "Queerbie"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

A "queerbie" is a play on the words queer and newbie and is a term for someone new to the gay scene.

Organization Spotlight: SQREAM

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000

SQREAM stands for "Scooter Queers Riding Everywhere and More". The group is open to all gay and lesbian scooter riders and their friends and operates in 9 areas and welcomes new chapters to be formed.

Alert: Maine Opposition Pushing Ahead in Polls and Money

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Tomorrow Mainers will decide the fate of the marriage equality bill, and the No on 1 Protect Maine Equality is now behind the polls and facing an uphill challenge as the opposition drives a last minute fund-raising campaign.

A new poll released today shows those in favor overturning marriage equality, or those voting YES for Question 1, beating us 51% to 47%.

And to make matters a little worse, the Yes on 1 side has just done an unexpected, major push to raise $25,000 to air one last major attack ad (Unite The Fight).

Please get out the word, donate, volunteer and vote!

Happy Belated Trans Parent Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:58:00 +0000

The first Sunday of November marks Trans Parent Day! An innovative and new holiday to celebrate the unique relationship between a transgender parent and their children. Trans parent day is an opportunity to celebrate parents without adhering to the gender stereotypes traditionally associated with mothers and fathers day.

Check out Trans Parent Day for stories, resources, and to connect with others.

Web Spotlight: Asexualitic

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:35:00 +0000

Asexualitic is a free dating site for Asexual People. When major dating sites don't recognize asexuality, asexual people have a dating place to meet here.

Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry to Hold Interfaith Candlelight Vigils in Maine Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:50:00 +0000

On Sunday, November 1, faith leaders from the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine will hold interfaith candlelight vigils in communities across the state to remind people of all faiths to vote NO on Question 1.

WHO: Faith leaders from the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine

WHAT: Holding interfaith candlelight vigils in communities across the state to remind people of all faiths to vote NO on Question 1.

WHEN: Sunday, November 1 (Times vary, see below)

WHERE:

Brewer, from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM, at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 21 Holyoke Street;

Machias, at 5:00 PM, at Centre Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 9 Center Street;

Augusta, from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta, 69 Winthrop Street;

Auburn, from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM, at the First Universalist Church of Auburn, 169 Pleasant Street on the Spring Street Lawn;

Brunswick, from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM, on the Brunswick Mall, Maine Street;

Portland, from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM, at the Williston-West Church, United Church of Christ, 32 Thomas Street;

Kennebunk, from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM, at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 114 Main Street.

Crossposted via Pam's Houseblend.

Sky West Airlines Accused of Discrimination by Gay Employee

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Gilbert Caldwell an employee of SkyWest airlines, is claiming the company is treating him and his legally wed partner differently than other married employees.

SkyWest refuses to give them the same employee benefits that his straight married coworkers enjoy. Caldwell is forced to pay a fare for his spouse under the "companion" program for friends, even though his straight married coworkers are allowed to have their spouses fly for free.

SkyWest claims to be an "equal opportunity employer"; however their diversity statement on their website only covers race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. There is no mention of sexual orientation (Examiner).

Mr. Caldwell and his partner have been together for 34 years and were legally married in the state of California. Even though proposition 8 bans same-sex marriage in California, the Supreme Court has upheld the existing 18,000 same-sex marriages that have already taken place.

Tell SkyWest that gay couples should be treated no differently, and that their practice and non-discrimination policy must reflect that. Let them know that their continued denial of benefits is not only socially irresponsible and ethically wrong, but also bad for business.

SkyWest Airlines
444 South River Road
St. George, Utah 84790
Ph. (435) 634-3000
Fax: (435) 634-3105

E-contact for Corporate Office.

Shameless Self Promotion Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.