Jul

7

Decision Day Epilogue: Statement on the Hawaii Civil Union Bill Veto

Filed Under LGBT, LGBTQ Families, Politics, WTF? | 1 Comment

Last night, Republican Governor Linda Lingle broke a promise and dismissed the will of Hawaiian citizens as she vetoed HB 444, which would have allowed both same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter into civil unions with all the rights enjoyed by married couples.

Michael Sargeant, Executive Director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, issued the following statement in response to Governor Lingle’s veto of the civil union bill:

“We at the DLCC are disappointed in Governor Lingle for ignoring the will of Hawaiian citizens as expressed by the Hawaii legislature’s passage of this landmark legislation. Governor Lingle also broke her campaign promise not to veto a civil union bill if passed by the state legislature. She has denied Hawaii the opportunity to become the latest example of states leading the way on equality.”

Vetoing the legislation broke a promise Lingle made in her first campaign for governor in 2002.

It was during a live debate broadcast on PBS Hawaii that Lingle was asked by moderator Linda Taira about her position on the arrangements for gay couples with rights such as family and bereavement leaves, probate rights and hospital visitation.

“On the issue of domestic partnerships, I have stated that if the Legislature (should) pass legislation granting certain rights I would not veto that legislation,” Lingle said [emphasis added].

Democratic legislators did their part and voted their conscience on “that legislation,” after a marathon 18 hours of earnest debate. But their work was undone by the Governor’s broken promise.

And in breaking her promise, Governor Lingle denied hundreds of thousands of her own citizens a right she probably takes for granted.

The Governor’s veto is a sad setback in the ongoing fight for equality. But that fight continues.

One day, America will look back on the struggle for equal rights and wonder why it was so difficult. Governor Lingle will be one of the reasons.

source

May

7

Hawaii Civil Unions Bill Hangs in the Balance

Filed Under LGBT, LGBTQ Families | Leave a Comment

On April 29th, the Hawaii Legislature overwhelmingly passed House Bill 444, which grants same-sex couples in civil unions “the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities” as those enjoyed by married couples.

Republican Governor Linda Lingle is reportedly undecided about whether to sign or veto Hawaii’s civil unions bill. Her decision could come any day.

The DLCC is collecting petitions asking that the civil unions bill be signed. Click here to add your voice!

IF SIGNED INTO LAW, this bill will dramatically improve the lives of thousands of Hawaii families, and it will help add momentum to the nation-wide movement for equal rights.

IF VETOED, it could be years before Hawaiians get another chance to take a step towards equality.

Every bit of momentum for equal rights is at a premium right now, and this is the most important legislative action we’ve seen in months.

Civil unions and marriage aren’t the same thing, and we know that. But we believe every step toward equality, wherever it happens, is a step we need to take.

Click here to sign the petition!

Sincerely,
Michael Sargeant
Executive Director
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

May

3

Bob Witeck Discusses Census 2010 and the LGBTQ Community

Filed Under Family, Lesbian Podcast, LGBT, LGBTQ Families | Leave a Comment

Bob Witeck Bob Witeck joins us on SistersTalk Radio to discuss the US Census and why it’s important for members of the LGBTQ community to be counted in Census 2010.

Bob is the CEO and co-founder of Witeck-Combs Communications. He has more than 30 years professional communications experience in the private sector and in public service. Bob frequently serves as senior counselor and strategist as well as specialist in crisis communications for many of the firm’s clients.

Before co-founding Witeck-Combs Communications in 1993, he was senior vice president for Hill & Knowlton Public Affairs, a global public relations and public affairs firm. On Capitol Hill for over a decade, Witeck also served as communications director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and as a Senate press secretary and legislative assistant. He is a graduate with distinction of the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar.

In 2006 Bob Witeck and Wes Combs co-authored Business Inside Out (Kaplan Publishing), considered the first-ever book on marketing insights, practical tips and strategies targeting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender market.

Jan

21

Sue Hyde Discusses NGLTF Creating Change Conference

Filed Under LGBT, LGBTQ Families, Podcast | Leave a Comment

For two decades, Sue Hyde has inspired and nurtured organizers and led community members to participate in democracy with the goal of securing freedom, justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and their families.

ttp://sisterstalk.net/suehyde.mp3

She is a seasoned community organizer and advocate whose issue portfolio at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has included repeal of sodomy laws, rescission of the military’s ban on openly gay, lesbian and bisexual servicemembers, passage of local and state civil rights laws, training leaders to effectively oppose right-wing incursions in their communities, directing the annual Creating Change Conference, and securing marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Sue joined us on SistersTalk Radio to discuss the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s 22nd annual Creating Change conference being February 3 – 7, 2010 in Dallas, TX.  Hear her discuss:

*The NGLTF’s mission

*The conference agenda

*Changes made to the conference in its 22 year history

*What a new conference attendee can expect

*Kate Clinton and other guests speakers at the conference

*How to secure a scholarship so you can attend the conference

Oct

14

Belinda Carlisle: My Son, James, is Gay

Filed Under LGBT, LGBTQ Families, Parenting | Leave a Comment

I love Belinda Carlisle. Not only is she is a Grammy Award-nominated singer, the lead vocalist and a founding member of the all-female band The Go-Go’s, and a successful solo artist, she’s a straight ally of the gay community.

On October 11, 2009, Carlisle announced her support for same-gender marriage by appearing in a PSA video urging supporters to donate to the No on 1 campaign in Maine.

In the following PSA video, Carlisle states that she recorded the video not as a musician or celebrity, but as a concerned and loving mother: “My son, James, is gay, and I want him and every other gay person out there to have the same opportunities and rights that I’ve had in life.” And from the looks of the video (no makeup, no glam), we can believe that Carlisle is speaking as a concerned parent and not a celebrity.

May

4

Wal-Mart CEO Signed Anti-Gay Adoption Petition

Filed Under Bitch Slap, LGBTQ Families | 4 Comments

Eric Bull, over at Wal-Mart Watch just informed me that this weekend he learned Mike Duke, Wal-Mart’s CEO, signed an anti-gay adoption petition in Arkansas. This petition placed a question on the ballot that asked if unmarried couples should be allowed to adopt (or provide foster care for) children under the age of 18. The bill passed with 57% of respondents voting yes and 43% voting no.

The Unmarried Couple Adoption Ban is a citizen-initiated state statute that was on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Arkansas. It was approved, making it illegal for any individuals cohabitating outside of a valid marriage to adopt or provide foster care to minors. While the measure was proposed primarily to prohibit same-sex couples from being adoptive or foster parents, this measure also applies to all otherwise qualified couples who are not legally married. [source]

While Arkansas’s anti-gay adoption ban props heterosexual marriages up as the absolute best environment for children, it trips over its own hypocrisy. The bill does not ban anyone who has ever been divorced from adoptiong a child, nor does it ban anyone who adopts a child from getting a divorce. The bill’s main goal was to restrict homosexual couples from adopting children.

May

1

Blogging For LGBT Families Day 2009

Filed Under LGBTQ Families | Leave a Comment

Just announced: Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2009 is June 1.

To participate, all you have to do is blog on a topic related to LGBT families on or before June 1, 2009. Once you’ve posted your blog, you must complete the form located here.

Anyone can participate, even if you’re not a member of the LGBT community – and even if you don’t have children.

This event is hosted by Mombian and sponsored by Family Equality Council.

We're on YouTube!