How influential is Peter LaBarbera? Well if the proponents of Question 1 were thinking, they could have saved whatever cash they laid out to ship him up to Augusta to present yet another flaccid appearance by the head of Americans for Truth Against Homosexuality.
The head count:
Yes supporters 9
NO supporters 15
Press 10
1 Capital Secuirty guard
Louise was on the ground reporting and has sent in audio of both The Peter and mASSresistance's Brian Camenker. These clowns cannot possibly add credibility to the other side.
First up is The Peter's bleating. I'll have Brian's up in a few.
It's Brian's flaccid turn to motivate the handful of the "pro-family" people who bothered to show up.
Slideshow of Louise's photos of the event.
By Brian Bershad and Scott Silver, Seattle, WAGoogle joins the major Washington employers Boeing, Nike, Vulcan, Microsoft, RealNetworks, Puget Sound Energy and Starbucks in supporting fair treatment under the law for all Washington families. Thanks Google! You've been my home page for eons now, btw. :)
Submitted on October 27, 2009To the Editor:
Google has a reputation for actively participating in policy debates surrounding information access, technology and energy. However, we do not generally take positions on social, legal or political issues that arise beyond our normal, day-to-day business. With that said, there are issues that are so important and so clear cut that we feel compelled to l to lend our voice. Supporting Referendum 71 is one of those issues.
To be clear, we respect the strongly-held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument. Nevertheless, we see this debate as one that comes down to equality, plain and simple. If we believe in equal protection under the law we must, in our view, support a man or woman's right to enjoy the legal benefits of domestic partnerships -- no matter who they love.
For the residents of Washington who want for themselves or their children the right to engage in domestic partnerships, we urge the voters of this state to APPROVE Referendum 71.
Brian Bershad - Engineering and Site Director, Google Seattle
Scott Silver - Engineering and Site Director, Google Kirkland
UPDATE: Excerpt of the remarks by the President about the hate crimes provision:
THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________
For Immediate Release October 28, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT THE SIGNING OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010East Room
2:42 P.M. EDT
...Now, speaking of that, there is one more long-awaited change contained within this legislation that I'll be talking about a little more later today. After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are. (Applause.)
I promised Judy Shepard, when she saw me in the Oval Office, that this day would come, and I'm glad that she and her husband Dennis connis could join us for this event. I'm also honored to have the family of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who fought so hard for this legislation. And Vicki and Patrick, Kara, everybody who's here, I just want you all to know how proud we are of the work that Ted did to help this day -- make this day possible. So -- and thank you for joining us here today. (Applause.)
So, with that, I'm going to sign this piece of legislation. Thank you all for doing a great job. All right.
Reactions to the signing are up:
Judy Shepard:
"After a decade of debate, persistent advocacy and 14 separate congressional floor votes, President Barack Obama today signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in a White House ceremony attended by the Shepard and Byrd families.
"When Dennis and I started calling 10 years ago for federal action to prevent and properly prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian and transgendered Americans, we never imagined it would take this long," said Judy Shepard, Matthew?s mother and the president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors.
"The legislation went through so many versions and so many votes that we had to constantly keep our hopes in check to keep from getting discouraged," she continued. "But with President Obama?s support and the continually growing bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate lining up behind the bill this year, it became clear that 2009 was the year it would finally happen."
The legislation allows federal authorities to pursue charges in violent crimes motivated by the victim?s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability, in cases where local authorities cannot or will not secure appropriate convictions. It also opens up federal aid to local law enforcement for training, prevention and investigation.
"We are incredibly grateful to Congress and the president for taking this step forward on behalf of hate crime victims and their families, especially given the continuing attacks on people simply for living their lives openly and honestly," Shepard added. "But each of us can and must do much more to ensure true equality for all Americans."
The Matthew Shepard Foundation?s work for an inclusive society continues after passage of this landmark legislation. In addition to advocating for workplace and housing equality, equal rights for same-sex couples, and an end to the ban on gay and lesbian military service, the Foundation continues to reach out to schools and corporations nationwide to encourage respect for human dignity and differences."
More below the fold.
HRC's Joe Solmonese:
"This law honors our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short because of hate," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Today's signing of the first major piece of civil rights legislation to protect LGBT Americans represents a historic milestone in the inevitable march towards equality. Although this is a major step in fighting the scourge of hate violence, it is not the end of the road. As a community, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to changing not only laws but also hearts and minds. We know that hate crimes not only harm individuals, but they terrorize entire communities. After more than a decade of advocacy, local police and sheriffs' departments now have the full resources of the Justice Department available to them."
"We applaud President Obama for signin fefg this bill into law and thank the leadership and our allies in the House and Senate. We also will always remember the tireless efforts of Senator Edward Kennedy on this issue. Senator Kennedy once said that this legislation sends 'a message about freedom and equality that will resonate around the world.' This marks the first time that we as a nation have explicitly protected the LGBT community in ththe law. And this law sends a loud message that perpetrators of hate violence against anyone will be brought to justice," said Solmonese.
For a comprehensive retrospective and historical overview of hate crimes advocacy visit: www.LoveConquersHate.org.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"Today marks a historic milestone for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and for the entire country. With the president's signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, both sexual orientation and gender identity have, for the first time in U.S. history, been explicitly included in federal law.
"It has taken over a decade of perseverance to get to this momentous day, and we thank all those who have worked to achieve this incredible victory. Laws embody the values of our nation, and through the enactment of this hate crimes law, our country has - once and for all - sent a clear and unequivocal message that it rejects and condemns all forms of hate violence, including crimes motivated by hatred of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
"We look forward to the days ahead when we will join together again to celebrate full equality and recognition of our community, including in employment, the military and in the full recognition of our families. The Task Force is committed to the work necessary to bring full equality to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We know that we have much work ahead of us. Today, we must pause and shine a light on this critical first step taken by Congress, and the willingness of this president to follow through on his promise to sign this legislation ensuring the laws of the land will protect all of us."
More on the Task Force's work on hate crimes legislation
*Passage of hate crimes legislation stems from decades of work, much of it spearheaded by the Task Force, including:
*In 1982, the Task Force founded the groundbreaking anti-violence project, the first national organizing project for anti-LGBT hate crimes.
*In 1990, the Task Force secured the Hate Crimes Statistics Act, which included sexual orientation, in large part justified by the Task Force's own statistics on hate crimes. The Hate Crimes Statistics Act was pushed so that national data could build the foundation for a hate crimes law.
*Murders and arsons, some anti-LGBT and others based on race and other characteristics, led President Bill Clinton to call for a White House Summit on Hate Crimes in 1997, attended by then-Task Force Executive Director Kerry Lobel, where she delivered a petition signed by LGBT people all over the country asking for a serious response to anti-LGBT hate crimes. Out of this meeting, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (the predecessor to today's legislation) was written; it fixed several problems with the existing hate crimes law on race, religion and national origin, and added sexual orientation, gender and disability to the law.
*In 2001, the Task Force started its work to add gender identity to the bill. Over the course of years and bringing along coalition partners, the Task Force secured a "gender identity" addition into the House legislation in 2005, with the Senate bill becoming transgender-inclusive in 2007.
*The Task Force continued to advocate for the bill's passage, repeatedly activating its membership.
*In 2009, when the hate crimes bill was added to the Department of Defense authorization bill and a death penalty provision was added in the Senate, the Task Force spoke out about the immorality of inclusion of the death penalty and activa activated its grassroots to urge the provision be struck from the final language. The conference committee ultimately removed the capital punishment language.
People for the American Way:
"We've struggled for many years to enact this legislation, but I am deeply grateful to see these protections become federal law," said Reverend Timothy McDonald, People For the American Way board member and chairman of the African American Ministers In Action. "This bill exemplifies our deepest American values, it ensures strong action against senseless violence against people targeted simply because of who they are, and furthermore it will protect the religious freedom of all clergy to speak out on any issue they feel passionately about. It is shameful that opponents of this bill and the Religious Right have waged a dishonest and unfair campaign against it, and I am thankful to all those who stood up to defend those most in need."
Right wing opponents of the bill have repeatedly attacked the legislation, falsely claiming that the legislation would impinge on First Amendment rights. In fact, the bill contains important provisions to ensure that clergy members can preach about any issue-including homosexuality-without fear of government censure.
"This is a major step towards ensuring equality under the law for all people," said Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way. "It's been more than a decade since Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. were murdered, but at long last the legislation bearing their names has become a law. I hope that Congress will move quickly to follow this bill with legislation ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell, repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and finally enacting the long overdue Employment Non Discrimination Act."
The Hate Crimes legislation, which was attached to the Department of Defense authorization bill, includes protections based on gender identity-the first time gender identity will receive positive protection in federal law.
"As we commemorate the signing of this bill, it is appropriate that we remember the unflagging leadership of Senator Kennedy," said Keegan. "Without his tireless and passionate work in support of this measure, this day would not be possible. This legislation is yet one more piece of his enduring legacy of making our core Constitutional values real faor all Americans."
Out and Equal:
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates applauds President Barack Obama's signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation by expanding coverage to include crimes based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.
This is the first federal law in the nation's history that is specifically inclusive of the full lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, a historic and significant move in the LGBT civil rights movement, signaling a new era in this country in which everyone can be treated equally."History is being made by federal leaders who are taking a stand to protect the LGBT community from the hate-motivated violence that has existed for far too long," said Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry. "We celebrate this milestone, but we can't forget the people - Mathew Shephard, James Byrd, Jr., Gwen Araujo and thousands of others - who have been victims of hate because of who they are."
"We hope that federal leaders' decision to protect LGBT Americans from hate-motivated crimes sets the course for federal policies that will protect the LGBT population on all fronts, including discrimination in the workplace through the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act," Berry said.
"We're on the cusp of ach of achieving the protections and equitable rights that countless people before us have sought, and we can't stop now. We must continue contacting our Congressional delegates to gain their support, and ultimately assuring that every LGBT person - whether it's you, your son, daughter, brother, sister, mother or father - can live their lives without fear."
Equality California:
Equality California hailed the signing today of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a federal law combating hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.
"We are thrilled that President Obama has signed this fundamental piece of legislation, which ensures that the federal government will fulfill its obligation to protect all people of this nation, including LGBT people," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "We applaud the President and Congress for joining California in standing up against violence based on hate. We are especially grateful to Assemblymember Pedro Nava who authored the hate crimes resolution this year, former Senator Sheila Kuehl who authored the original California Hate Crimes Law and the LGBT Caucus and legislators who supported the numerous hate crimes bills and resolutions passed in California."
Earlier this year, Equality California sponsored companion resolutions that call on the United States Congress to immediately pass and President Obama to sign the Matthew Shepard Act, which expands the landmark 1969 United States federal hate crimes law to include crimes motivated by a victim's real or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.
"The President believes every human being is entitled to equality and the same dignity and protection under the law," said Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara). "Signing this crucial legislation will help curb violence against the LGBT community and provide needed resources and funding to local law enforcement."
CenterLink:
Lambda Legal:A great and historic moment in the fight for LGBT equality in America occurred today as President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. After passing in both the House and the Senate by comfortable margins, and receiving today's signature from the President, the new law extends authority to fully investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes where the victim has been targeted because of actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
"I cannot begin to express the joy and thankfulness I feel today," said Terry Stone, Executive Director of CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers. "We applaud everyone who worked tirelessly to get this bill passed, and look forward to continuing our work for full equality for the LGBT community."
"It took much too long, more than a decade. And it came at too great a price: the brutal killings of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. are just two among the thousands of crimes motivated by hate and bigotry.GLAAD:"But this week, the president put pen to paper and fulfilled a campaign promise, the signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, extending the federal hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity along with race, religion, gender, national origin and disability. Our deepest hope and strong belief is that this new law will save lives. Now, lawmakers and the President have made an imperative statement to the country and the world: Our nation will no longer tolerate hatred motivated violence against LGBT people.
"We have worked long and hard for this and its passage is historic.
"According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there are nearly 8000 hate-crime related incidents annually, and more than 1200 of those incidents involve violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And even more alarming, while the overall occurrence of hate crimes is declining nationally, hate crimes against LGBT people have been increasing. This year alone, we saw hate crimes trials in the brutal killings llings of two transgender women, Angie Zapata and Lateisha Green.
"As a result of this legislation, if local jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Justice Department can now step in. And that's why the LGBT community never stopped working for this historic day.
"This legislation not only has practical value, but is a symbol of our progress. It is the first time in the nation's history that Congress has passed explicit protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We could not have reached this moment without the powerful support of our allies who stood with us every step of the way. We are deeply grateful to civil rights, civic, faith, and disability rights groups, as well as law enforcement and district attorney organizations who worked side-by-side with the LGBT advocates. We are equally thankful to Congress, President Obama, and members of his administration for passing and signing this bill into law.
"With this law, President Obama and Congress have sent a message that violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is wrong and that our community should not be excluded from the protections of our nation's laws" said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "This is a landmark step in eliminating the kind of hate motivated violence that has taken the lives of so many in our community including Brandon Teena, Matthew Shepard, Fred Martinez, Gwen Araujo, Sakia Gunn, Sean Kennedy, Angie Zapata, Duanna Johnson, Lateisha Green and so many others. The visibility of these tragic losses and the conversations that they sparked brought us to today's historic step toward ending this violence."Equality Across America:GLAAD has worked with media outlets and families of victims to raise visibility among the public about the need for LGBT-inclusive federal protections.
"We especially thank Judy and Dennis Shepard and so many of the families of those who have lost their lives to hate violence for their tireless commitment, along with so many individuals and organizations, to educate people about the importance of this legislation."
"Today is another step toward full equality, where LGBT people can be respected and feel safe in our communities with the knowledge that the laws will protect us too. Our community's work is far from over and media have the same responsibility today as they've always had: to continue telling the stories of LGBT victims of hate violence until the day that anti-LGBT violence is truly and finally a thing of the past."
"It's good that the U.S. government has finally taken action to deter hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. But by continuing to permit or even require discrimination against LGBT people in our relationships, in public service and in the workplace, the government fuels the very bigotry that results in violent attacks," said Tanner Efinger of Equality Across America.Passage of the Act shows that escalated protest over the past year, sucf such as at the National Equality March (NEM) on October 11th, is putting significant pressure on Congress to address anti-LGBT discrimination.
"We applaud and congratulate Matthew Shepard's mom, Judy, who has inspired so many over the last eleven years and did so again when she spoke at the National Equality March, this October," said Robin McGehee, co-director of the NEM. "She has truly shown what being a fierce advocate for equality and justice is truly about, even after facing such a horrible tragedy based in hate."
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