The way she moves
Really talks to me
I’m going out of my mind
`Cause the way that she winds
Is truly divine
A bill that would ban anti-gay discrimination in Utah was tabled by a senate committee a few days ago. This means it’s unlikely it will ever move forward, or at least not for a while.
This was the fifth year Democrats have tried to pass such a bill, though it’s the first year they’ve ever reached a senate hearing. A number of cities and counties in Utah already protect people against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in matters like housing and employment, but Democratic lawmakers are trying to make this consistent across the state.
Of course, mentions of religious exemption are starting heated conversations. Read on from the Salt Lake Tribune:
Gayle Ruzicka, president of the Utah Eagle Forum, spoke against the bill, saying that exemptions for religious organizations should be expanded to include religious people. Although existing anti-discrimination laws exempt owners of four or fewer units, Ruzicka questioned how she would be affected if she owned a 100-unit apartment complex.
“What if I was renting to singles and wanted a certain standard. I couldn’t say, ‘You’re living a homosexual lifestyle. You can’t live here,’” Ruzicka said. “I think I should have the right to do so.”
McAdams said allowing bias because of a person’s religious beliefs would undermine state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.
“If I want to rent only to people of a certain ethnicity [because of my religious beliefs], I can’t do that. That’s discrimination,” McAdams said.
I do not understand people who actively advocate for discrimination. I never will.
On Wednesday in Virginia, a state senate subcommittee approved a bill that would allow public adoption agencies to refuse to approve adoptions or foster care on “religious or moral grounds” - namely, allowing them to discriminate against LGBT people.
State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who is gay, said that although the words “sexual orientation” or “gay” and “lesbian” are not in Senate Bill 349, lawmakers clearly understand that it’s aimed at justifying the denial of adoptions or foster child placement for gay people.
“This would put into the law that they can be turned away,” Ebbin said. “The issue is simple –whether or not state dollars should be used or taxpayers’ funds should be used to fund discrimination in adoption and foster care.”
At the same time, bills banning job discrimination against state workers and adoption-related discrimination for LGBT people both died in committee this week. Talk about kicking us when we’re down; why so hateful, Virginia?
With every ignorant, bigoted teenager comes an equal and opposite brilliant one. Watch 15-year-old Madison Galluccio ask the New Jersey Assembly to allow her fathers to get married. More.
Not gonna lie I cried. I hope my future children never have to feel this way. This was heartbreaking to watch. It’s brave people like this that truly help move the gay rights movement along in the right direction.
Watch Maine congresswoman Chellie Pingree speak on the house floor about the importance of marriage equality. More.
“Because if Harry Potter taught us anything, it’s that nobody deserves to live in a closet.”
I literally laughed out loud reading this. Gotta love a good closet joke.”
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| — | Harry Potter Alliance on LBGT organizations (via despite-all-of-my-struggles) |
After department store giant JC Penney decided to use Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson for a new marketing campaign, the antigay group One Million Moms blew up and publicly shamed JC Penney for their actions.
But that’s not stopping the store from connecting with Ellen. In response to the unnecessary outrage, GLAAD has launched a campaign called Stand Up For Ellen asking people to tell JC Penney how thankful they are to have Ellen as a role model.
JC Penney President Michael Francis voiced his enthusiasm for the partnership in a press release:
“Importantly, we share the same fundamental values as Ellen. At JC Penney, we couldn’t think of a better partner to help us put the fun back into the retail experience. Moving forward, we’ll be focused on being in sync with the rhythm of our customers’ lives and operating in a ‘Fair and Square’ manner that is rooted in integrity, simplicity and respect. We’re thrilled that she’s joining our team to help convey the exciting transformation under way.”
As the article above explains, this is a particularly big deal for JC Penney, one we should all be proud of and thankful for. Haters gonna hate - the world stands with Ellen.
On Wednesday in Virginia, a state senate subcommittee approved a bill that would allow public adoption agencies to refuse to approve adoptions or foster care on “religious or moral grounds” - namely, allowing them to discriminate against LGBT people.
State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who is gay, said that although the words “sexual orientation” or “gay” and “lesbian” are not in Senate Bill 349, lawmakers clearly understand that it’s aimed at justifying the denial of adoptions or foster child placement for gay people.
“This would put into the law that they can be turned away,” Ebbin said. “The issue is simple –whether or not state dollars should be used or taxpayers’ funds should be used to fund discrimination in adoption and foster care.”
At the same time, bills banning job discrimination against state workers and adoption-related discrimination for LGBT people both died in committee this week. Talk about kicking us when we’re down; why so hateful, Virginia?
A Virginia bill that would have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was defeated Monday. A committee in the Republican-dominated Senate rejected the bill 8-7. Republicans defeated a similar bill last year as well.
The kicker?
Opponents argued that the bill is unneeded because there is no evidence that gays and lesbians face discrimination now.
I’m actually cringing at that explanation.
