Showing posts with label can't we all just get along?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label can't we all just get along?. Show all posts
6.04.2009
Thank You, Barack Obama
You are a friend, in words anyway. I'm sure you will be a friend in deed also, sometime very soon. Thanks for forwarding this Debbie!
*********************************
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States , do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
*********************************
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States , do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
5.29.2009
Time to Vote on all Marriages!
Oh I love how this makes such an easy point of this. It really isn't rocket science. But then again, everyone knew the colored schools, waiting rooms, water fountains, and ghettos were wrong too. Thanks KELLY for posting!
5.28.2009
10.29.2008
Campaign 2008 :: Unbelievable Advertising
This is from the nutjobs in the village freaking about Proposition 8 in California. I'm speechless.
I can't wait for a week to pass so i can stop feeling compelled to post these atrocities.
Sure hope Obama is going to unleash some Culture Peace.
--Martin Niemöller, 1976
I can't wait for a week to pass so i can stop feeling compelled to post these atrocities.
Sure hope Obama is going to unleash some Culture Peace.
"When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out."
--Martin Niemöller, 1976
3.29.2008
Join HRC
What a sad story.
Authorities in Florida denied info to this guy about his partner, because they were not married. In a state that won't let them get married. His partner and his parents had just died in a plane crash. But since Eric and the guy "weren't actual family members," the authorities wouldn't tell him anything. So he saw that his partner and his partner's parents had died in a plane crash on the news.
See the video HERE.
Steven, we need to find an attorney to help us set up the legal stuff we need to set up since we can't get married.
I'll never forget that night mister, right after Janice died in a car crash, that you showed up at home after a workday at 9 pm. You'd forgotten your phone that day, and were just having a coffee with a coworker after working late at Earthlink, but i was in a cold sweat panic, calling the DOT and the Atlanta Police. No doubt i was fragile after the loss of Janice, but I remembered thinking "we need to do whatever we need to do" to at least get to pretend like we are married and can really take care of one another. That was 4 years ago.
If any of you want to join HRC, or renew your membership, you can do so HERE.
Authorities in Florida denied info to this guy about his partner, because they were not married. In a state that won't let them get married. His partner and his parents had just died in a plane crash. But since Eric and the guy "weren't actual family members," the authorities wouldn't tell him anything. So he saw that his partner and his partner's parents had died in a plane crash on the news.
See the video HERE.
Steven, we need to find an attorney to help us set up the legal stuff we need to set up since we can't get married.
I'll never forget that night mister, right after Janice died in a car crash, that you showed up at home after a workday at 9 pm. You'd forgotten your phone that day, and were just having a coffee with a coworker after working late at Earthlink, but i was in a cold sweat panic, calling the DOT and the Atlanta Police. No doubt i was fragile after the loss of Janice, but I remembered thinking "we need to do whatever we need to do" to at least get to pretend like we are married and can really take care of one another. That was 4 years ago.
If any of you want to join HRC, or renew your membership, you can do so HERE.
3.17.2008
A Letter from an Oklahoma Teen to Representative Kern
Sally Kern i'm sure had no idea what blowback she was unleashing upon herself. She deserves all of it. Her words can (and will) inspire others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others, indeed. This landed in my inbox over the weekend, being passed around from Oklahoma teen Tucker:
**********************************************
Rep Kern:
On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that
killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not
had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have
included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and
many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.
That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He
was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He
held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with
their lives.
As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be
explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual
agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my
own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your
voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist
attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that
will agree with you.
I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful,
wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and
misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my
mother's killer was a better person than a group of people that are
seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.
As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you
very clearly you are absolutely wrong.
You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a
lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through.
Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman
that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your
heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of
children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?
I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had
anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay
students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when
I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay
slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just
imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you
have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the
suffering of some of your students?
Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay
and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for
protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate
and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at
them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker,
many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you
assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think
before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and
bloody because of what you said.
I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a
real Christian should be acting and speaking.
I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were
fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in
their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me
graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll
be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and
one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have
no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more
bombs and kill more people again. I don't want to be here for that. I
just can't go through that again.
You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The
old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will
never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the
memory of my mom.
Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.
Sincerely
Tucker
**********************************************
Rep Kern:
On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that
killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not
had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have
included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and
many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.
That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He
was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He
held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with
their lives.
As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be
explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual
agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my
own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your
voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist
attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that
will agree with you.
I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful,
wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and
misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my
mother's killer was a better person than a group of people that are
seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.
As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you
very clearly you are absolutely wrong.
You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a
lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through.
Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman
that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your
heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of
children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?
I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had
anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay
students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when
I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay
slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just
imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you
have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the
suffering of some of your students?
Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay
and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for
protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate
and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at
them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker,
many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you
assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think
before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and
bloody because of what you said.
I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a
real Christian should be acting and speaking.
I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were
fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in
their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me
graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll
be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and
one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have
no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more
bombs and kill more people again. I don't want to be here for that. I
just can't go through that again.
You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The
old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will
never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the
memory of my mom.
Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.
Sincerely
Tucker
3.05.2007
Cruelty Clipping of the Day :: Uggh I'm Speechless
Any of you old enough to have loved Flipper, watch with caution. I still feel sick after watching this. How can people be so incredibly cruel? Nothing makes me want to boycott all things Japanese more. And it gives me more than a flicker of desire to go vegetarian. So many vegetarians eat fish, eggs, and cheese in addition to a herbivorous diet, because they think it is more humane than contributing to what cows, sheep, chickens, pigs, etc. have been subjected to by our Wonderful World of Agribusiness. Oh this makes me sick. Geez I could go on a jag on this theme of cruelty clippings. Remember, those capable of doing such cruel things to animals are the ones that lead us all in the horrible, atrocious things humans do to one another. Oh well, I'm sure Ann Coulter would just call me a big Peta Fag right about now.
12.24.2006
News from the Homeland
Gee i'm so proud that Cobb County had finally woken up and decided that Evolution is nothing to stop teaching in science class! BC, could you imagine if you'd been the science curriculum coordinator there in the past few years? Sheesh. Click here to link to a fellow blogger's story about this. I love his quip: "Next battle: There's no such thing as "gravity." What happens is intelligent falling."
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