 Los Angeles Times | Maine gay marriage supporters lead in funding The Associated Press 3 referendum, Maine is seen as a testing ground for gay-marriage laws around the country. Six states recognize gay marriage either by legislative action or ... Money fueling battle over gay marriage Voter Turnout Likely to Determine Fate of Gay Marriage Law Five Thirty Eight's Nate Silver Debunks Anti Gay Marriage Arguments in Maine |
 Bay Area Reporter | Book review | Mother shares life of gay son who was slain Louisville Courier-Journal His violent thrill-kill at the hands of a couple of gay-bashers just outside Laramie, Wyo., 11 years ago this month stunned the nation and energized a new ... A big step toward LGBT equality Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act passes 68-29 Gay hate-crimes bill could punish Christians, foes say |
 KDWN | Wash. man gets 18 months in gay immigration fraud The Associated Press SEATTLE â€" A man accused of advising straight immigrants to claim homosexuality â€" and potential persecution in their home countries â€" when they applied for ... Man sentenced to prison in immigration fraud case Kent Lawyer's Advice to Immigrants: Pretend You're Gay Kent man sentenced to 18 months in immigration fraud scam |
Bay Area Reporter | A big step toward LGBT equality Washington Post And, next week when President Obama signs this bill into law, it will be the first step on the national path toward full legal equality for LGBT citizens. ... Passage of hate crimes bill marks milestone for LGBT Americans Hate Crimes bill passes Senate Hate Crimes Legislation Headed to President Obama's Desk |
 Daily Mail | Gov't springs for older LGBT population OneNewsNow Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday announced in a press release that the new Resource Center for LGBT Elders "will provide ... National resource center created for LGBT seniors London opens gay tourist information center HRC APPLAUDS CREATION OF LGBT ELDERS RESOURCE CENTER AT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ... |
 Lez Get Real | HUD Announces Broad Initiative to End Anti-LGBT Discrimination in Housing Programs Towleroad (blog) Yes, our townships do have running water, but LGBT folk are disproportionately poor in this country. Again, we are not all rich white fags in West Hollywood ... Housing regs to add protections for gays HUD secretary to visit Buffalo neighborhoods Making a difference |
 pride source.com | GLBT economic summit set for Saturday Washington Blade Weathering the recession, mastering media relations and new business development will be discussed Saturday at the GLBT Economic Development Summit. ... Celebrating GLBT History Month at RCD A month of GLBT history â€" where do you fit in? Euro Commission tells EU applicant nations to respect GLBT rights |
Coming Online: 'Dot-Gay?' EDGE Boston For the GLBT community, which has found the Internet to be a powerful took for outreach, education, and community building, the promise of the "dot-com" ... |
How Search Engine Optimization Impacts Social Networking and Online Marketing PR Web (press release) ... discussion the SEO techniques and processes that can improve online marketing and social networking efforts at the GLBT Economic Development Summit. ... |
As one legislative victory passes the Senate, another key bill is introduced; critical government agencies announce new initiatives to end housing discrimination and strengthen support for LGBT elders.
Washington, DC; October 23, 2009: The past week has been an especially important one for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families, as both legislative victories and administration advancements have put the spotlight on key issues for the LGBT community and underlined the necessity for additional laws to ensure parity for LGBT people and all Americans. It is fitting that during the month of Octoberâ€"designated as LGBT Awareness Monthâ€"these successes are paving the way for full equality for LGBT individuals and their families.
PFLAG National celebrated success in a decade-long fight on Thursday, October 22, when the Senate passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The groundbreaking bill includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in federal law, the first time these groups have been afforded such protection. President Obama has repeatedly and publically announced his support for the bill and is expected to sign it in the following days.
The history of the hate crimes prevention act goes back more than two decades, to 1989 when Congress passed the Hates Crimes Statistics Act, which required law enforcement to collect data on crimes motivated by prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. This legislation built the foundation for the current hate crimes prevention law. In 1997, in response to a wave of murders and arsons directed at LGBT individuals, President Bill Clinton called a White House Summit on Hate Crimes, where the Hate Crimes Prevention Act we know today was crafted.
Before the legislature or executive office began to discuss hate crimes, PFLAG was already driving awareness about increasing violence against LGBT people. Jeanne Manford was outraged at such violence and set out to educate her community, writing letters to the editor, participating in LGBT pride events, and speaking with elected officials. It was from this activism in response to hate that PFLAG was established, and, since that time, PFLAG’s commitment has never wavered when community education and grassroots advocacy is necessary to secure LGBT equality.
“The importance of the hate crimes bill to the LGBT community cannot be overstated,†said John Cepek, president of PFLAG National. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of mothers like Judy Shepardâ€"and Jeanne Manford before herâ€"the U.S. Congress has taken a definitive stand against violence based on hate, they have sent a strong message on behalf of the equality movement.â€
The passage of the hate crimes bill came on the heels of several other key gains this week:
“PFLAG is grateful to the lawmakers and administrative officials who listened to families and heard their stories, then acted to help secelp secure equality for our LGBT loved ones,†said Jody Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG National. “This has been an extraordinary week for the movement, and one that gives us strength to continue driving forward on passing an inclusive ENDA and repealing hurtful laws such as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†and the Defense of Marriage Act.
# # #
PFLAG promotes the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Learn more at www.PFLAG.org today.
Contact: Nikki Willoughby | 202/467-8180 ext. 214 | Nikki@PFLAG.org
Washington, DC; October 23, 2009: The past week has been an especially important one for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families, as both legislative victories and administration advancements have put the spotlight on key issues for the LGBT community and underlined the necessity for additional laws to ensure parity for LGBT people and all Americans. It is fitting that during the month of Octoberâ€"designated as LGBT Awareness Monthâ€"these successes are paving the way for full equality for LGBT individuals and their families.
PFLAG National celebrated success in a decade-long fight on Thursday, October 22, when the Senate passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The groundbreaking bill includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in federal law, the first time these groups have been afforded such protection. President Obama has repeatedly and publically announced his support for the bill and is expected to sign it in the following days.
The history of the hate crimes prevention act goes back more than two decades, to 1989 when Congress passed the Hates Crimes Statistics Act, which required law enforcement to collect data on crimes motivated by prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. This legislation built the foundation for the current hate crimes prevention law. In 1997, in response to a wave of murders and arsons directed at LGBT individuals, President Bill Clinton called a White House Summit on Hate Crimes, where the Hate Crimes Prevention Act we know today was crafted.
Before the legislature or executive office began to discuss hate crimes, PFLAG was already driving awareness about increasing violence against LGBT people. Jeanne Manford was outraged at such violence and set out to educate her community, writing letters to the editor, participating in LGBT pride events, and speaking with elected officials. It was from this activism in response to hate that PFLAG was established, and, since that time, PFLAG’s commitment has never wavered when community education and grassroots advocacy is necessary to secure LGBT equality.
“The importance of the hate crimes bill to the LGBT community cannot be overstated,†said John Cepek, president of PFLAG National. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of mothers like Judy Shepardâ€"and Jeanne Manford before herâ€"the U.S. Congress has taken a definitive stand against violence based on hate, they have sent a strong message on behalf of the equality movement.â€
The passage of the hate crimes bill came on the heels of several other key gains this week:
- A Family Victory! On Thursday, October 15, Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) introduced H.R. 3827, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which would restrict federal funds for states that discriminate in adoption or foster programs on the basis of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Currently, at least five states specifically prohibit LGBT people from adopting children. The passage of this law wouldwould help our LGBT friends open up their homes to children who desperately need families to call their own.
The latest available research shows more than 500,000 children are currently part of the foster care system, with only 3 percent placed in pre-adoptive homes. The bill introduced by Stark is intended to eliminate barriers to adoption, as studies indicate that foster children are more likely to commit crimes, more likely to experience homelessness and less likely to be able to hold jobs as young adults. The bill will help strengthen families and create a more opportunities for young people to grow into happy and productive adults.
- A Health Victory! On Wednesday, October 21, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced plans to create the first national resource center for LGBT senior citizens (over age 60), a group estimated as high as 4 million. The LGBT Resource Center will not only help existing agencies build competency and cultural sensitivity in serving this growing community, but also will expand awareness among LGBT individuals about the need to plan for later life and long-term care. The Administration on Aging plans to award a grant of $250,000 each year to eligible entities, which include public-private nonprofit organizations with experience working on LGBT issues on a national level.
- A Housing Victory! On the same day as HHS’s announcement, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan discussed the housing agency’s series of proposals to ensure that its core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination on these bases is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act, but HUD acknowledged that the Act doesn’t specifically cite its protection of LGBT people.
Although there is no existing data on such discrimination, Secretary Donovan said that it undoubtedly exists. To build the evidence of such barriers, HUD is commissioning the first-ever nationwide study into the occurrences and effects of discriminatory housing sales and rental programs. The plan includes clarifying that the term “family†includes LGBT individuals and couples; instituting requirements for grant recipients to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that cover sexual orientation or gender identity; and stipulating that mortgage loans insured through the Federal Housing Administration consider only credit-worthiness when determining loan approvals, regardless of unrelated factors such as sexual orientation or gender identity.
“PFLAG is grateful to the lawmakers and administrative officials who listened to families and heard their stories, then acted to help secelp secure equality for our LGBT loved ones,†said Jody Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG National. “This has been an extraordinary week for the movement, and one that gives us strength to continue driving forward on passing an inclusive ENDA and repealing hurtful laws such as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†and the Defense of Marriage Act.
# # #
PFLAG promotes the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Learn more at www.PFLAG.org today.
Contact: Nikki Willoughby | 202/467-8180 ext. 214 | Nikki@PFLAG.org
PFLAG Nationalâ€"Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gaysâ€"is celebrating today’s passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The historic passage of this bill marks the first time that sexual orientation and gender identity have been included as protected categories in federal law.
In a speech earlier this month where he confirmed his support for the LGBT community and called PFLAG’s story, “the story of America,†President Obama announced that the bill was set to pass and pledged that he would sign it into law.
“PFLAG is proud of the members of the Senate who supported this important bill,†said PFLAG National Executive Director Jody Huckaby. “As we know, crimes against LGBT people have long been among the most violent and most numerous, and our loved ones have gone too long without protections afforded to other citizens. This bill is a tremendous step forward, but it is only a single step and there are many more to take, including passing ENDA to give LGBT workers more of the rights that their co-workers already enjoy.â€
The Act is named for Matthew Shepard, a college student who was murdered in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998 because he was gay. Shepard’s murder brought the national spotlight to the issue of hate crimes against LGBT people. According to FBI statistics, hate crimes based on sexual orientation make up approximately 17 percent of all hate crimes. Considering that LGBT people make up approximately 3 percent of the U.S. population, the FBI statistics suggest that these individuals are victimized at a rate approximately 6 times higher than that of the average American.
T fefhe Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act was introduced in the 111th Congress by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in the House, and the Matthew Shepard Act was introduced by the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) in the Senate. On April 29, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1913 by a vote of 249-175. On July 16, 2009, the Senate voted 63-28 to proceed with ththe Matthew Shepard Act as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill, which passed the Senate with the Matthew Shepard Act as an amendment on July 23, 2009. The Senate and House versions of the bill were then reconciled in a conference committee. On October 8, 2009, the House voted to pass the conference report of the FY 2010 Defense Authorization bill, with the Matthew Shepard Act included, by a vote of 281-146.
In a speech earlier this month where he confirmed his support for the LGBT community and called PFLAG’s story, “the story of America,†President Obama announced that the bill was set to pass and pledged that he would sign it into law.
“PFLAG is proud of the members of the Senate who supported this important bill,†said PFLAG National Executive Director Jody Huckaby. “As we know, crimes against LGBT people have long been among the most violent and most numerous, and our loved ones have gone too long without protections afforded to other citizens. This bill is a tremendous step forward, but it is only a single step and there are many more to take, including passing ENDA to give LGBT workers more of the rights that their co-workers already enjoy.â€
The Act is named for Matthew Shepard, a college student who was murdered in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998 because he was gay. Shepard’s murder brought the national spotlight to the issue of hate crimes against LGBT people. According to FBI statistics, hate crimes based on sexual orientation make up approximately 17 percent of all hate crimes. Considering that LGBT people make up approximately 3 percent of the U.S. population, the FBI statistics suggest that these individuals are victimized at a rate approximately 6 times higher than that of the average American.
T fefhe Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act was introduced in the 111th Congress by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in the House, and the Matthew Shepard Act was introduced by the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) in the Senate. On April 29, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1913 by a vote of 249-175. On July 16, 2009, the Senate voted 63-28 to proceed with ththe Matthew Shepard Act as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill, which passed the Senate with the Matthew Shepard Act as an amendment on July 23, 2009. The Senate and House versions of the bill were then reconciled in a conference committee. On October 8, 2009, the House voted to pass the conference report of the FY 2010 Defense Authorization bill, with the Matthew Shepard Act included, by a vote of 281-146.
According to this story, Washington, DC has the lowest marriage rate in the country and the highest percentage of same-sex couples.
According to a recent Pew Research study the District of Columbia has the lowest marriage rate in the country. Only 23 percent of women and 28 percent of men and in D.C. are married, compared to 48 and 52 percent nationwide. The rates in D.C. are so low that they lie entirely off the Pew map’s color key. The closest states to D.C.’s numbers are Rhode Island, where 43 percent of women are married, and Alaska, where 47 percent of men are married.
So why aren't DC resident getting hitched?
The Pew poll offers up one possibly related figure: residents of D.C. get married significantly later in life than do the residents of the 50 states. In D.C., the median age at first marriage is 30 for women and 32 for men. In contrast, the median age for a first marriage in the state of Idaho is 24 for women and 25 for men.
Additionally, marriage rates are generally lower in urban areas than they are in rural areas. A quick review of the Pew map shows that states like Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and the Dakotas have the highest concentration of married couples, whereas the states which host the nation’s biggest citiesâ€"like New York and Californiaâ€"generally have a lower percentage of married people. D.C., which is all city, all the time, would clearly trend toward singledom.
But the District also has another demographic issue working against high marriage rates. In the in the 2000 “gay census,†the District of Columbia ranked first in the nation for its percentage of same-sex couples. Same-sex couples, of course, cannot currently be married in D.C., and their out-of-state marriages became recognized in the District only recently.
To read this entire article, click here.
According to a recent Pew Research study the District of Columbia has the lowest marriage rate in the country. Only 23 percent of women and 28 percent of men and in D.C. are married, compared to 48 and 52 percent nationwide. The rates in D.C. are so low that they lie entirely off the Pew map’s color key. The closest states to D.C.’s numbers are Rhode Island, where 43 percent of women are married, and Alaska, where 47 percent of men are married.
So why aren't DC resident getting hitched?
The Pew poll offers up one possibly related figure: residents of D.C. get married significantly later in life than do the residents of the 50 states. In D.C., the median age at first marriage is 30 for women and 32 for men. In contrast, the median age for a first marriage in the state of Idaho is 24 for women and 25 for men.
Additionally, marriage rates are generally lower in urban areas than they are in rural areas. A quick review of the Pew map shows that states like Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and the Dakotas have the highest concentration of married couples, whereas the states which host the nation’s biggest citiesâ€"like New York and Californiaâ€"generally have a lower percentage of married people. D.C., which is all city, all the time, would clearly trend toward singledom.
But the District also has another demographic issue working against high marriage rates. In the in the 2000 “gay census,†the District of Columbia ranked first in the nation for its percentage of same-sex couples. Same-sex couples, of course, cannot currently be married in D.C., and their out-of-state marriages became recognized in the District only recently.
To read this entire article, click here.
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