06.03.06
Posted in Gay Rights at 2:23 pm by pikapp44
Vote Scheduled Week of June 5
A vote on the discriminatory Federal Marriage Amendment is scheduled for the week of June 5. President Bush will bow to right-wing extremists and speak from the Rose Garden June 6 to promote the discriminatory amendment.
The right-wing is attempting to make gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans second-class citizens forever. Take action today, and every day, until the vote. Call Senators at 202-224-3121 every day until the vote. And call the White House while you’re at it: 202-456-1111.
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Posted in Gay Rights at 2:19 pm by pikapp44
President Bush wants to amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit gay marriage. Senators are expected to begin debate on the proposed amendment in the coming week.
President Bush says marriage is the most enduring and important human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by all religions.
“Ages of experience have taught us that the commitment of a husband and a wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society,” said Mr. Bush. “Marriage cannot be cut off from its cultural, religious and natural roots, without weakening this good influence on society.”
By recognizing and protecting marriage, President Bush says, government serves the interests of all. So, he wants Congress to approve a constitutional amendment banning homosexual or lesbian marriage.
Amending the U.S. Constitution requires approval by two-thirds of the House and Senate and three-fourths of the 50 state legislatures. Lawmakers say the amendment is unlikely to pass.
Opposition to gay marriage has been a mobilizing force for social conservatives, who generally support the president’s Republican Party. Mr. Bush backed the amendment before his 2004 re-election, and won in every state where there were similar initiatives on the ballot.
Critics accuse the Bush administration of raising the issue again now to energize conservative voters ahead of congressional elections in November.
President Bush says there is a broad consensus in America to protect traditional marriage, as 45 of the 50 states now define marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
So why amend the Constitution?
Because, the president says, judges in some states have overturned laws defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
“This national question requires a national solution, and on an issue of such profound importance, that solution should come from the people, not the courts,” he added.
In a U.S. public opinion poll last month, 58 percent of those questioned said same-sex unions should not be accorded the same rights as marriage between a man and a woman. Roughly 39 percent said they should be recognized by law as equally valid.
But the Gallup poll showed less support for resolving the dispute constitutionally, with 50 percent backing an amendment and 47 percent opposing such a move.
As the debate moves forward, President Bush says, all Americans deserve to be treated with tolerance, respect, and dignity.
President Bush Monday meets with religious and community leaders as well as constitutional scholars to discuss the proposed amendment.
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06.02.06
Posted in Gay Rights at 11:33 am by pikapp44
For the seventh year in a row ExxonMobil shareholders have rejected a proposal to cover sexual orientation in the company’s equal employment opportunity policy. The vote on Wednesday was about 35% in favor of adding the protections, up from around 27% last year.
Gay and lesbian employees had been protected by a pro-gay policy at Mobil, until it merged in 1999 with Exxon, which did not have sexual orientation protections. The new ExxonMobil corporation not only killed that policy, it also closed Mobil’s domestic-partner benefits program to any new employees.
A boycott by the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign ensued, and the immense New York City Employees’ Retirement System, whose shares in ExxonMobil are worth nearly half a billion dollars, began pushing for sexual orientation protections at the new corporation. HRC tried to put the best face on Wednesday’s loss. In a statement, HRC noted that more shares voted in favor of the change than ever before.
In the proxy statement sent to shareholders, ExxonMobil said, “Discrimination and harassment of any form, including sexual orientation, are not tolerated at ExxonMobil.” But HRC criticized that position, noting that ExxonMobil “stands alone as the only Fortune 50 company that refuses to write [its policy] down.” Said HRC president Joe Solmonese, “The long-term energy needs of ExxonMobil customers are in no way served by policies that ignore hard-working gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees.” (Sirius OutQ News)
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06.01.06
Posted in Gay Portal at 8:06 am by pikapp44
Gay Wired is the premiere Internet portal for the gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender (GLBT) communities. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, superior design, multi-media entertainment, and dynamic content, Gay Wired is the ultimate online resource for these communities.
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Posted in D's Thoughts at 8:00 am by pikapp44
The Internet’s best Gay Search Engine!
For Everything Gay in one place, Gay Related Site Search
Engine, News and other free services for the gay/homosexual online community. Gay and Gay friendly lawyers, doctors, help lines, bookstores, community centers, dentists, health care, veterinarians.
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