I recently wrote about the changes to the White House website. If the White House website depicts policy then there has been a major departure from what Obama originally promised. I would argue that it is impossible to support "full civil unions … equal to those of married couples" without the repeal of DOMA. DOMA applies to "a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage." Putting aside the "separate but equal" issue, civil unions cannot be legally "equal" when full faith and credit is specifically precluded by DOMA. On inauguration day, the White House website included the following statement within the civil rights agenda:
Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions.
Now, that has been reduced to:
He supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
Debate is happening NOW. Live video here. As usual, Pam et al. please fee free to update this diary.
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch hasn't taken a position on the bill. He could sign it, veto it or let it become law without his signature.The New Hampshire House and Senate have passed bills legalizing gay marriage, but the details differ. The House could accept the Senate version, reject it or ask a committee of lawmakers to reconcile the two bills....
Question: "In terms of federal benefits and that part of DOMA? I mean, these are four states that have --"But, of course, she again refers to the priorities she's setting in the House:Pelosi: "Right now on our agenda we're talking about turning the economy around, dealing with an energy policy, health care for all Americans; education is the third pillar. We have an economic crisis of a magnitude that none of us has seen in our lifetime that we have to deal with.
"At the same time, we have a human rights, civil rights agenda of course. We passed the hate crimes bill last week. We were very proud of the big, strong numbers. It was a 74 vote margin; actually it was 249 to 175. I watched that bill very closely; it was very important to me. And, again, it was all inclusive in terms of hate crimes.
"But right now our agenda is jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, and as we move on that front, concurrently, we have to make some decisions about what is possible in our values based initiatives as well."That translates into hurry up and wait, you're on your own. Of course economic recovery is critical, but again, can Congress not multitask? We're not going to get into an economic upswing for some time, so perhaps someone should ask Speaker Pelosi a different questions -- what economic goals/metrics need to be reached before her hands are no longer tied on moving on values-based initiatives.
Last Friday, individuals and organizations gathered at the state Capitol in Salem to call for comprehensive immigration reform, fair and just wages, and an end to immigration raids that tear families apart. The event was sponsored by CAUSA, PCUN, SEIU, Voz Hispana, Rural Organizing Project, and more--and it drew over 3,000 immigrant and labor rights advocates!
Basic Rights Oregon was proud to support the May Day rally, and the ongoing work of Oregon's movement for immigrant rights. If you remember 2004’s marriage equality campaign in Oregon, you’ll remember that CAUSA, the statewide immigrant rights coalition, took a stand by publicly endorsing the No on 36 campaign, and holding conversations with members about LGBT rights. After all, both LGBT and immigrant communities know what it feels like to be marginalized. We all know what it feels like to:
- Live under laws that say we are less human;
- Be a scapegoat for society’s problems;
- Be afraid for the security of our families; and
- Feel vulnerable and unsafe because of policies, institutions and attitudes that keep us on the margins.
The struggles for immigrant rights and LGBT rights are distinct, to be sure, but we share these critical experiences as communities. And leaders in Oregon's immigrant rights movement have been staunch supporters of LGBT rights for years. That's why BRO staff and volunteers from Portland were proud to be a part of the crowd to support our coalition partners in the immigrant rights and labor movements. And that's why BRO supporters from Eugene volunteered as legal observers, to ensure that the rally and march went smoothly and peacefully.
Congratulations to all the rally organizers on a fantastic event, and thanks to the BRO volunteers who joined in!
For more photos: BRO's flickr stream
For more information: CAUSA's press release
For video of the rally: CAUSA's YouTube video
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