Posts tagged equality

nonplussedbyreligion:

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is asking the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that allows state employees to place their same-sex partners on their health insurance. Chris Geidner reports:

After the 2011 decision, lawyers for the state asked the Ninth Circuit to re-hear the case en banc, or by an 11-judge panel. On April 3, the Ninth Circuit denied the request, starting the 90-day clock for the governor to file a petition for a writ of certiorari asking the Supreme Court to take the case. The Ninth Circuit ruling, which upheld a trial-court ruling, kept an Arizona law from going into effect that, as the appeals court held, “would have terminated eligibility for health-care benefits of state employees’ same-sex partners.” Paula S. Bickett, the chief counsel for Civil Appeals in Arizona Attorney General’s Tom Horne (R)’s office, is the counsel of record for the Gov. Brewer. Lambda Legal is representing the plaintiff couples, who have until August 6 to submit their response to the governor’s petition. 

Here I am, ashamed to be living in NC, and then I’m reminded that it could be worse, and I could live in Arizona with this evil creature as my governor.

(Source: joemygod.blogspot.com, via nonplussedbyreligion-deactivate)

nonplussedbyreligion:

Because I’m more motivated by actions than words, I’m glad that Obama finally voiced his opinion, but until I see what he does with his admission, I’m less inclined to jump on this bandwagon.  I can’t help it; I’m super wary of politicians, especially in election years.

A few of the groups in America who have tasked themselves with the job of protecting marriage from us equality terrorists, had something to say about it.  Ordinarily I’d just blow it off as the continued rhetoric of the bigoted, but for FRC’s comment that, “From opposing state marriage amendments to refusing to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to giving taxpayer funded marriage benefits to same-sex couples, the President has undermined the spirit and the letter of the law.“ 

Please correct me if I’m wrong here, but it was my understanding that members of the LGBTQA community who are gainfully employed and pay taxes are deserving of the same benefits allotted to every other taxpayer.  You all know that I don’t own a TV, but I don’t think I would have missed something as big as the announcement of state and federal tax agencies refusing to accept the tax dollars of LGBTQA citizens!   

I’ve said this so many time, but I’ll say it again: REGARDLESS OF YOUR STANCE ON HOMOSEXUALITY, YOU CANNOT DENY CERTAIN TAX PAYERS THE BENEFITS GIVEN TO ALL BECAUSE YOU ARE IN OPPOSITION TO THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION!  Yes that was written in all caps because I’m fucking furious.  

These hypocrites, most of whom are blanketed under 501(c)(3) providing them a tax exemption status, stand on their platforms and declare how much God is against same sex marriage.  Apparently God is not against clean streets, public schools, public services, politician salaries, and every other state and government program funded by tax dollars.  Tax dollars that INCLUDE those of the very same people they are trying to deny the right to marry.   

How dare they try to support their fight against marriage equality by making references to tax dollars?  Are they fucking serious with this?  

~ Kim

American Family Association

He has finally come out of the closet, if you will, on the homosexual marriage issue. He’s in favor of it. He always has been. The only reason he didn’t say anything about it before the election last time is because he didn’t want to hurt himself. President Obama, [in] his first year in office, had the homosexual activists to the White House for a dinner and he promised them he would be their ‘champion’ — and so he is coming through for them on many different fronts, including the military, changing the military to allow open homosexuality there.

Family Research Council

For once, the President is bringing his words in sync with his actions. From opposing state marriage amendments to refusing to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to giving taxpayer funded marriage benefits to same-sex couples, the President has undermined the spirit and the letter of the law. As demonstrated by yesterday’s overwhelming vote for Amendment 1, redefining marriage remains outside the mainstream of American politics, especially in the critical battleground states and among minority voters. In North Carolina, the amendment received more than 60 percent of the vote in majority-black counties. If anything, today’s announcement almost ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election.

Alliance Defense Fund

This shows that the Obama administration doesn’t understand the public purpose of marriage. Marriage — the lifelong, faithful union of one man and one woman — is the building block of a thriving society. It’s not something that politicians should attempt to redefine for political purposes. The president has spoken eloquently about how fatherless homes often hurt children and society. Today’s statement is a tragic contradiction that promotes the creation of even more fatherless and motherless homes.

Tradition Values Coalition

This isn’t exactly a bold move by the president. Forced by Joe Biden’s big mouth, Obama had no choice left but to publicly embrace an agenda he has privately promoted for years. Obama needs new friends. His leadership has completely alienated Wall Street, financial investors, small businesses, soccer moms, and virtually every other constituency by pushing his radical ideology at a time when America needed principled leadership. Who better to appease than the LGBT community with tons of disposable income to fund his re-election campaign? North Carolina just became the 31st state to affirm the sanctity of marriage. As if mainstream Americans needed any further reasons to reject Obama’s radical social agenda, we were most certainly reminded today.

Catholic League

The president of the United States likes the idea of Tom and Dick marrying. He did not say whether he supports Tom, Dick and Harry marrying, or whether he is “evolving” in that direction. Perhaps he has to consult with his mentor on this issue, Mr. Joseph Biden of Delaware. Yesterday, North Carolina voters affirmed marriage as being between a man and a woman. In the 32 times voters have been asked to decide this issue, they have voted 32 times to support traditional marriage. Gay rights advocates have never won. President Obama will be hurt by this decision in the swing states. More than that, he has now made this cultural matter a major issue in the presidential campaign. The time has finally come to pass a constitutional amendment affirming marriage as an institution reserved to the only two people who can naturally produce a family, namely a man and a woman.

[source of hate group reactions]

(via nonplussedbyreligion-deactivate)

(Source: icantbelieveitsalawblog)

nonplussedbyreligion:

I just can’t think of a nicer way to say it.  

I know this amendment is not only about same sex marriages, but we all know that’s the real issue here.  I guess Billy Graham and company won this round after all.  

Great job North Carolina.  Thanks for reminding me how much of a joke the idea of church and state being separate really is in this country.  

Yeppp.

(via nonplussedbyreligion-deactivate)

thesavagesalad:

PSA post to my fellow feminists:

Trans*women can’t appropriate a woman’s identity.

Why?

Because they are women.

Maybe this needs repeating - but being a woman transcends your genitalia or your chromosomes. Being a woman is how you identify. That’s it. That’s all it takes to identify as a woman. If you know in your heart of hearts that you are a woman- that’s all it is.

So don’t be that douche bag that has the audacity to degrade a transwoman or demand her to prove her womanhood. She owes you no explanation. 

Now if you really are a feminist, you will defend her existence to the death and ensure that she always has a safe space and voice with in the movement.

(via lavenderlabia)