Over 95% of Fortune 500 Companies Provide Sexual Orientation Protection

Today I got this information in an email from Equality Forum, I thought it was important enough to pass on...

RECORD 477 (95.4%) of FORTUNE 500 

PROVIDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION PROTECTION

President Obama, Vice President Biden and Congressman Ryan Support ENDA

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Equality Forum reported that a record 477 (95.4%) of the 2012 FORTUNE 500 Companies voluntarily include sexual orientation in their employment non-discrimination policies.  Starting in 2004, Equality Forum in collaboration with Professor Louis Thomas, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Ian Ayres, William K. Townsend Professor, Yale Law School has made the business case to FORTUNE 500 CEOs, HR Directors and members of their Board of Directors as well as made the shareholder case to their largest institutional shareholders.  In 2004, there were 323 (64.6%) of the FORTUNE 500 Companies that provided sexual orientation workplace protection.

“Ninety percent (90%) of Americans mistakenly believe that sexual orientation workplace protection is provided under the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).  Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia mandate workplace sexual orientation protection,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum.  “In most of America, gays and lesbians can be fired solely because of their sexual orientation and without any misconduct or violation of corporate policy.”

This is the first time that the Republican vice presidential candidate and the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates support passage of ENDA.  President Obama and Vice President Biden support the inclusion of sexual orientation in federal ENDA.  In 2007, Congressman Paul Ryan voted in favor of the unsuccessful attempt to amend ENDA to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

While Gov. Romney opposes workplace discrimination, he is not on record as supporting ENDA to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

“Equality Forum calls on Senators Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid and Speaker John Boehner and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to include sexual orientation and gender identity in ENDA and pass that amendment to ENDA in the lame duck session of Congress,” stated Lazin. “The Republican vice presidential nominee and Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominees, the FORTUNE 500 companies and public opinion support including sexual orientation in the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. There is overwhelming bipartisan and business support for protecting LGBT Americans in the workplace and no rational basis for delay.”

According to recent polls,  over 75% of Americans support the inclusion of sexual orientation in federal ENDA including a majority of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, seniors, Catholics and small business owners, among others.

To find the 23 (4.6%) of the 2012 FORTUNE 500 companies that do not provide sexual orientation protection and the 477 (95.4%) that do provide sexual orientation protection, visit www.equalityforum.com/fortune500.

'Team Lesbian' Junior Fitted Tee (Google Affiliate Ad)

Twisted-Queer comedy at the 2012 New York City Fringe International Theatre Festival

If you happen to live in New York, or plan on visiting this summer, you just may want to check out the
New York International Fringe Festival.

In Heat Creative Team Presents

IN HEAT: Is She Hot Under Her Collar or Under Her Skirt?

The New York International Fringe Festival – FringeNYC

A production of The Present Company

August 10^th – 26^th

Tickets: $15-$18. For tickets visit www.FringeNYC.org

 

New York, NY (July 16, 2012) – Are lesbians passé? That’s what Doris Anderson will disprove during her occupation of the 16^th annual New York International Fringe Festival – FringeNYC. IN HEAT, a twisted-queer comedy for people of all persuasions, genders and sexualities, is a humorous excavation of the artifacts and personalities in the LBGTQ community circa 2012.

Alarmed that lesbianism is being overshadowed by a new Gender-Queer culture, life-long Sapphic sister Doris Anderson has pioneered the Self-Identified Lesbian Community Center (SILC), a cultural hospice for the last of the lesbians (who will be dying off in the next 30 years).

Ms. Anderson, who has refined her message through infiltrations of BAX and EAT, will use the FringeNYC festival to launch SILC’s inaugural live broadcast of her public access show. The lesbian community and their gay and straight supporters will discover survival skills to brave the Gender-Queer Revolution, learn about community cat neutering and get **hot** tips on dating.

Starring Sally Sockwell (the original New York production of Vanities), directed by Jocelyn Sawyer and written by Lisa Haas (with contributing material by Sawyer and Sockwell), this world premiere of IN HEAT lampoons sexual desire, sexual orientation and gender self-identification.

LOCATION:
 IN HEAT will be in the Gene Frankel Theatre – Venue #9, located at 24 Bond Street (between Lafayette and Bowery). 

TRANSPORTATION:
 The closest trains are the F, B, M or D to Broadway and Lafayette, or, the #6 train to Bleeker Street. 

DATES/TIMES: 

Friday, August 10 @ 5PM

Sunday, August 12 @ 7:30PM

Thursday, August 16 @ 3:45PM

Wednesday, August 22 @ 7:45PM

Saturday, August 25 @ 2:00PM. 

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

TICKETS: $15-$18. Tickets can be purchase at the door, at Fringe Central (1 East 8^th Street) or online www.FringeNYC.org

For more information visit: www.in-heat.com

Follow Doris Anderson on Twitter: @DorisAnderson

PRESS PHOTOS: www.flickr.com/photos/inheat/

Over 500 Gather for Vigil Honoring Lesbian Hate Crime Victim

This article came from LGBTQ Nation.

More than 500 gather for vigil for lesbian brutalized in home invasion

By Chris Dyer

 

Update: 7/23/12: Lincoln police have now classified the attack as a hate crime due to the victim’s sexual orientation.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Over 500 people gathered on the steps of the Nebraska State Capitol Sunday night to hold a vigil for a lesbian woman brutalized early Sunday morning in what local LGBT activists are calling a hate crime.

According to Lincoln, Neb., Police Captain Joe Wright, patrol officers responded to an address two blocks south of Lincoln High School in the downtown area, for a reported assault and house fire.

More than 500 people gather on the steps of the State Capitol in Lincoln, Neb. Sunday.

The victim, whose name has not been released, told officers that she had been attacked earlier that morning by three masked men who barged into her house, bound her wrists and ankles with zip ties, cut her all over her body and carved homophobic slurs into her skin before dumping gasoline on her floor and lighting it with a match.

A friend described the cuts as “things carved on her body that can only be described as hate, that somebody can only be taught and we need to stop teaching it.”

A source to LGBTQ Nation said “the words ‘cunt,’ ‘fag’ and ‘dyke’ were carved onto her face and body, and that the assailants tried to set her house on fire.”

Lincoln fire department arson investigator Damon Robbins, told the local media that there was evidence that a match flame ignited vapors from a pool of gasoline on the woman’s floor, but the flash fire did not continue to burn and caused no noticeable damage to the house.

Friends said the men who assaulted her also spray painted anti-gay words in her basement, including “We found u dyke.” Friends called the attack a hate crime because the woman assaulted is a lesbian.

“When someone takes the time to handcuff someone with a zip tie and carve derogatory comments or words into somebody else’s body, that’s sheer hate and at this point, this is a hate crime,” the friend said.

Anti-gay epithets were scrawled on the basement walls.

“Our hearts go out to the victim, her family and close friends,” said Tyler Richard, president of Outlinc, a group that supports LGBT people in Lincoln. “Many in our community are understandably experiencing a great deal of sadness, anger and confusion. We look to our entire community to pull together in this difficult time, ” he said.

The assault has sparked outrage in Lincoln’s LGBT community, which is already galvanized by the ongoing debate over the city’s fairness amendment — a proposal to ban discrimination in housing and employment based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The measure is now on a ballot referendum for this November.

Karen Bratton-Cranford, president of the LGBT advocacy group Star City Pride, took the microphone at Sunday night’s vigil to urge those gathered to act with respect and to refrain from seeking revenge, reported the Lincoln Star-Journal.

“Don’t go out and act on your own,” she said. “Don’t give them the power to control your actions.”
Police have not yet ruled the attack a hate crime, and Lincoln’s Police Chief Jim Peschong, refused to comment, citing an ongoing criminal investigation.

Officials told LGBTQ Nation late Sunday evening that no arrests had been made. The victim has been treated for her wounds and is staying with friends.

Nebraska has a hate crimes statute that covers crimes motivated by a victim’s sexual orientation. Federal authorities also may have jurisdiction over the crime as a result of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Update, 7/23/12: 

Lincoln police have now classified the attack as a hate crime due to the victim’s sexual orientation.
“I don’t want to minimize this and make it a political issue, because it was a horrible thing that happened in our community, and it saddens me that this happened,” City Councilmen Carl Eskridge told LGBTQ Nation on Monday. “It is because of events like this we need to pass the fairness ordinance, and that is why I introduced it.”

“It’s critically important that we find a common voice, for all of us to come together to improve the community,” he said.

Fred Sainz, Vice President of Communications for the Human Rights Campaign, called the attack “a jarring reminder that we have much work to do in creating environments where all members of our community feel safe living honestly and openly, and where crimes motivated by one’s sexual orientation or gender identity are never tolerated.”

NY Judge Take DOMA Into Her Own Hands

From WND
by Michael F. Haverluck

A judge in New York has taken advocacy for normalization of same-sex “marriage” to the next level, ruling this week that a major component of the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional because it doesn’t provide the same financial benefits for homosexuals and lesbians.

District Judge Barbara Jones ruled that a federal law defining marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman conflicts with the U.S. Constitution.

DOMA “intrude[s] upon the states’ business of regulating domestic relations,” Jones stated in her decision this week. “That incursion skirts important principles of federalism and therefore cannot be legitimate, in this court’s view.”

A number of judges have ruled in favor of same-sex marriage since the Obama administration said it would refuse to defend DOMA. After explaining his views on the issue were “evolving,” President Obama recently announced be personally supports same-sex marriage.

“President Obama has been actively promoting an agenda to undermine the nation’s marriage laws,” said Liberty Counsel founder and Chairman Mat Staver. “When you weaken the family, as President Obama is doing by his policies, you weaken society.”

The White House’s increased support of same-sex marriage apparently has emboldened more people to challenge laws under the federal DOMA in court.

In 2010, Edith Windsor filed the New York suit against the government to get back $363,053 that she was required to pay in federal tax on her deceased partner’s estate. The two were “married” as a same-sex couple in Canada two years before Windsor’s partner died in 2009. Windsor sued because she was ineligible to claim the unlimited marital deduction.

Striking down federal law, Jones included in her ruling that the government must reimburse Windsor the entire amount she was legally obligated to pay in estate tax.
Supporters of the homosexual agenda are hoping that the Empire State’s ruling against DOMA is more than a fad.

“[The decision is] another example of the trend of the judiciary continuing to see that treating same-sex couples differently than their heterosexual counterparts is not only wrong but goes against the laws of equality and justice here in the United States,” said Marriage Equality USA Executive Director Brian Silva.
The American Civil Liberties Union has endorsed the normalization of homosexual behavior.

“[This] adds to what has become an avalanche of decisions that DOMA can’t survive even the lowest level of scrutiny by the courts,” commented the ACLU director of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, James Esseks.

New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman applauded Wednesday’s ruling, calling it “a major step forward in the fight of equality.”

The decision came less than a week after a similar First Circuit ruling was issued in Boston that declared as unconstitutional a section of DOMA that reserved federal benefits only for couples in marriages that are between one man and one woman. On May 31, the federal court of appeals judge in Massachusetts – which in 2004 became the first state to allow same-sex marriage – affirmed a 2010 decision made by a federal judge.

But Staver says that this battle over DOMA is far from over, as the U.S. Court of Appeals indicates that the U.S. Supreme Court will have the final say in the Bay State’s matter.

“We have done our best to discern the direction of these precedents, but only the Supreme Court can finally decide this unique case,” Staver explained regarding the final outcome of the Massachusetts case, which he believes has been poorly judged.

“This ruling makes no sense. A state cannot dictate the kind of benefits the federal government must provide,” contested Staver. “If a state recognizes polygamy, does that mean that the federal government must also recognize multiple spouses? Absolutely not! This decision is the proverbial tail wagging the dog.”
Yet these types of decisions aren’t only seen on the East Coast. The tide of judicial activism to abolish marriage protections began earlier this year when a couple of federal judges in California ruled that DOMA works to violate “married” same-sex couples’ due-process rights. With the push over the years to legalize same-sex marriage much legislation has taken place across the United States.

Since 1996, more than 30 states have approved and instituted amendments to protect marriage as between one man and one woman, while eight states allow – or are in the final stages of allowing – same-sex marriage, including Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Iowa, Maryland and Washington state, as well as Washington, D.C. Legislation allowing same-sex marriage is not yet in effect in the latter two states, where referendums could determine their final fate.

Despite all of the political and judicial maneuverings over same-sex marriage that are taking place just months from this year’s presidential election, pro-family advocates want America to remember the most important thing at stake.

“Children fare best when raised with a mom and a dad,” Staver said. “Redefining marriage to something it was not intended to be weakens the family and is not in the best interest of children or society.”

Salt Lake City Utah Pride Includes Mormon Support

In a recent Associated Press Report:

SALT LAKE CITY - More than 300 Mormon church members who are not gay drew shouts of approval and tears from spectators while marching in the Utah Gay Pride Parade in downtown Salt Lake City.

The Mormons say they sought to send a message of love to Utah's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by joining the annual parade Sunday. Their participation marked the first time such a large group of Mormons took part in the parade, organizers said.

The Mormons, dressed in their Sunday best, included fathers carrying their children on their shoulders and mothers pushing strollers, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Nevin Munson, 13, carried a sign that said: "Love thy neighbor as thyself."

"I'm very saddened by the amount of hate in the world," he said, adding discrimination against gays and lesbians exists around the world. "I don't believe in that — they're humans."

Emily Vandyke, 50, carried a sign with the words from a Mormon children's song: "I'll walk with you, I'll talk with you. That's how I'll show my love for you."

Along the parade route, she embraced a weeping woman who said, "Thank you."

"I haven't recognized them as equals," Vandyke told the Tribune. "They have been invisible to me."

Parade grand marshal Dustin Lance Black, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, tweeted: "In tears. Over 300 straight, active Mormons showed up to march with me at the Utah Pride parade in support of LGBT people."

Holly Nelson, a 38-year-old lesbian from Murray, also had tears in her eyes, as the Mormons walked past.
"I think it's amazing," she said. "It's been so hard to live in Utah knowing the Mormon church is against the gay community."
While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not consider same-sex attraction a sin, it only regards sexual relations within the marriage of a man and a woman as acceptable.

Some spectators said their homosexuality caused them to leave the church, and they might have remained members had the faith been more tolerant.

"I lost everything I loved because I came out," said Carolyn Ball, a 48-year-old lesbian from West Jordan.
The participation of the church members was organized by a newly formed group calling itself Mormons Building Bridges.

Erika Munson, the group's founder and a mother of five from Sandy, said the success of the event reflected the "deep wounds" in the community. Organizers hope it marks the beginning of a grassroots movement, she added.

"We want to inspire other Mormons at the local level to do things for their LGBT brothers and sisters," Munson said.

Presidential Proclamation: June 2012 is Pride Month for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

In a proclamation that was distributed earlier this month President Barack Obama has declared June 2012 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month for the third year in a row. This year also marks the President’s open support of marriage equality for all people.

You can read his full proclamation below:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2012
By The President Of The United States Of America

A Proclamation
From generation to generation, ordinary Americans have led a proud and inexorable march toward freedom, fairness, and full equality under the law ‑‑ not just for some, but for all. Ours is a heritage forged by those who organized, agitated, and advocated for change; who wielded love stronger than hate and hope more powerful than insult or injury; who fought to build for themselves and their families a Nation where no one is a second-class citizen, no one is denied basic rights, and all of us are free to live and love as we see fit.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community has written a proud chapter in this fundamentally American story. From brave men and women who came out and spoke out, to union and faith leaders who rallied for equality, to activists and advocates who challenged unjust laws and marched on Washington, LGBT Americans and allies have achieved what once seemed inconceivable. This month, we reflect on their enduring legacy, celebrate the movement that has made progress possible, and recommit to securing the fullest blessings of freedom for all Americans.

Since I took office, my Administration has worked to broaden opportunity, advance equality, and level the playing field for LGBT people and communities. We have fought to secure justice for all under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and we have taken action to end housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We expanded hospital visitation rights for LGBT patients and their loved ones, and under the Affordable Care Act, we ensured that insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to someone just because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Because we understand that LGBT rights are human rights, we continue to engage with the international community in promoting and protecting the rights of LGBT persons around the world. Because we repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans can serve their country openly, honestly, and without fear of losing their jobs because of whom they love. And because we must treat others the way we want to be treated, I personally believe in marriage equality for same-sex couples.

More remains to be done to ensure every single American is treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Moving forward, my Administration will continue its work to advance the rights of LGBT Americans. This month, as we reflect on how far we have come and how far we have yet to go, let us recall that the progress we have made is built on the words and deeds of ordinary Americans. Let us pay tribute to those who came before us, and those who continue their work today; and let us rededicate ourselves to a task that is unending ‑‑ the pursuit of a Nation where all are equal, and all have the full and unfettered opportunity to pursue happiness and live openly and freely.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2012 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Concentration Camps for Lesbians & Queers?

The Human Rights Campaign pointed out a video today that shows Pastor Charles Worley, the head of Providence Road Baptist Church in North Carolina, explaining his plan to "get rid of all the lesbians and queers."

"Build a great big large fence... put all the lesbians in there... Do the same thing for the queers and the homosexuals and have that fence electrified so they can't get out..."

"...And you know what, in a few years, they'll die out... Do you know why? They can't reproduce.

Don't let bigotry like this go unanswered....Take a look at the video below then go to the HRC Website and take action to tell Pastor Worley we won't stand for this kind of hate speech.

Boy Scouts of America Lesbian Leader Ousted

Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell was recently ousted as a Boy Scout leader for her son's troop simply because she is a lesbian. Jennifer, along with many others who support her cause, are taking a stand and telling the Boy Scouts of America to end its long history of discrimination against LGBT youth and parents.

Check out GLAAD's support site to read the whole story and see what you can do to help.

First Annual Howard Grayson LGBT Elder Life Conference, March 24, 2012

If you're a Senior and live in the Bay area (San Francisco) then you may want to check out the First Annual Howard Grayson LGBT Elder Life Conference being held at 30th Street Senior Center, 225 30th St. (betw. Dolores & Church) on Saturday, March 24th from 1:30-5:00pm.

The Howard Grayson LGBT Elder Life Conference will deal with end of life issues as well as taking the first steps towards a safe and more secure elder life. Spend Saturday afternoon with us for a rainbow of resources and wisdom! Lean about your legal options and protections, LGBT services, and opportunities for action! Chat and chew with LGBT community organizations and leaders!

Honored guest Phylliss Lyon,
honored comedians Karen Ripley and Tom Ammiano.

Bay Area seniors welcome to this Free event.
For more info contact Michael Lyon 415-215-7575 or email him at

mlyon01@comcast.net

Read about Howard Grayson’s life: http://tinyurl.com/7bcn3td


Sponsored by: Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, On Lok 30th St. Senior Center, Department of Aging and Adult services, Openhouse, Rainbow Adult Community Housing, Senior Action Network, Gray Panthers, Asian Pacific Island Queer Women and Transgender Community, California Alliance of Retired Americans, LGBT Center of San Francisco, Outlook Theater Project, National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Prop 8 Ruled Unconstitutional in California!!!

Just this morning the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Prop 8 is unconstitutional. This is a huge win for freedom to marry supporters in California and continues the growing momentum for the freedom to marry nationwide.