Posts Tagged ‘politics’

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NEW JERSEY TO VOTE ON CONVERSION THERAPY

Should minors be protected from the anti-gay therapy?

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 12/17/2012 at 1:00PM | 1 Comment

Photo by Think Stock

New Jersey could become the second state in the nation (California was the first) to pass a new law that would ban reparative – also known as conversion therapy. The controversial treatment seeks to alter sexual orientation from gay to straight – and is often directed at young people despite there being no proof to its effectiveness. The American Psychiatric Association has actually refuted claims from conversion therapy groups, going so far as to suggest it can cause depression and even suicide in young people.

But this new bill, sponsored by Sen Steve Sweeney, would ban the practice in the Garden State for those younger than 18 years old.

And while Gov. Chris Christie has already vetoed marriage equality legislation, the fate of conversion therapy will rest on his desk. And while there are opponents to the bill – namely therapists which practice conversion therapy – Sweeney has admitted publicly that he’s confident the bill will pass as early as this week.

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COULD PA OUTLAW GAY MARRIAGE?

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe introduced an amendment to ban it in the state constitution - again

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 12/14/2012 at 12:41PM | 1 Comment

The future of marriage equality could come down to yet another proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania State Constitution that would define marriage between one man and one woman. Representative Daryl Metcalfe has again introduced an amendment that, if passed, would become the first of its kind to legislate discrimination.

“In the near future, I will be introducing legislation proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania providing for the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. My legislation is similar to a bill that passed the House in June 2006 by an overwhelming majority,” he drafted in a memo to the General Assembly.

His memo continues:

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MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN NEW JERSEY?

An uncertain future

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 12/13/2012 at 11:09AM | No Comments

New Jersey’s first openly gay Assemblyman Reed Gusciora may have introduced legislation this week that would put same-sex marriage on the ballot as early as next year, but leaders in the Garden State seem to be at odds over whether voters should decide the fate of what many are calling a civil rights issue.

That’s not stopping LGBT groups and other marriage equality supporters from using some of the momentum of last month’s successes in states like Maryland and Maine to help move the issue forward, even if some legislators seem to be dragging their heels.

And while Gov. Chris Christie says he would veto the legislation, a majority of Jersey voters say they support gay marriage rights. A recent poll has support at over half (53 percent) with as many as 72 percent of voters saying they would like to go to the polls to decide the issue.

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WHAT DO PEOPLE REALLY THINK OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY?

A new web series gets to the heart of this debate and many other timely issues

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 12/7/2012 at 11:03AM | 1 Comment

For months now, Julie Winokur, producer and co-founder of Talking Eyes Media, has been traveling the country to talk to real Americans about what they think about everything from gay marriage to taxes and abortion in a special web series Bring it to the Table. In case you’re wondering where the title comes from, Winokur literally brings a table with her to get a sense of what people really think about some of the most hot-button issues of our time.

Here’s an example:

Can you be religious and support gay marriage? from Talking Eyes Media on Vimeo.

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DO IT: AN LGBT POLITICAL DISCUSSION

Find out what to expect for the LGBT community in the next four years

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 12/4/2012 at 9:39AM | No Comments

Mark your calendars because the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association is hosting the LGBT Political Panel – What’s Next? on Sunday, Dec. 9 (5 – 7:00 p.m.) at the William Way LGBT Community Center. A distinguished panel has been assembled to talk about November’s progressive electoral victories and what the LGBT community can expect in the next four years.

Participants include:

• David Rosenblum, Mazzoni Center Legal Services Dept.

• Natalie Hope McDonald, editor of G Philly

• Phil Elliott, Washington, D.C.-based reporter who covered the Republican presidential field for The Associated Press

• Tobias Wolff, Penn law professor and advisor to Barack Obama on LGBT issues

The event is free and open to the public, and includes a happy hour to follow.

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PHILLY COULD OFFER INCENTIVES FOR LGBT HEALTH PLANS

Find out what Councilman James Kenney has in mind for life partners

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/29/2012 at 10:31AM | 1 Comment

Same-sex couples in Philly could soon access the same health care as their straight co-workers (photo by Think Stock)

For Councilman James Kenney, offering new health care protections for same-sex couples simply makes good financial sense. That’s why he’s introduced a bill that would offer tax incentives to employers who offer health plans for LGBT and partnered employees. Kenney says that in addition to the tax breaks attracting more job growth and talent to the city, it’s also an important step toward LGBT equality.

“All Philadelphians deserve nothing less than dignified and equal treatment at work, at the hospital or doctor, and from their government; regardless of marital status, gender identity or sexual orientation,” Kenney says. But up until now, state laws have made it problematic for both same-sex and life partners to access equal benefits in Philly – the same benefits that straight employees and married couples have been enjoying for years.

And the timing is essential. Kenney says that even though Philly is the sixth largest city in the country, it’s 90th out of 100 in job growth. But the breakdown of LGBT demographics shows that not only are LGBT Americans well-educated (66 percent are college grads and almost one million are military veterans), but that 60 percent are homeowners, almost 40 percent make purchasing decisions at work and comprise at least five percent of the overall consumer market in the U.S.

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SIMS MAKES APPOINTMENTS

The openly gay legislator-elect selects his chief of staff and district office manager

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/28/2012 at 11:05AM | 1 Comment

Mason Lane has been named as Brian Sims' chief of staff (courtesy of Sims4Pa)

State Representative-Elect Brian Sims, the Commonwealth’s first openly gay member of the legislature, made two key staff appointments. He named Mason Lane as his chief of staff and Anna Aagenes as the district office director.

“Philadelphia is full of really strong, progressive professionals and I knew I had an opportunity to recruit some of the best for these new positions,” says Sims. “Mason and Anna will be fully integrated in every part of the work that I do to represent Center City. I’m pleased to work with them, but I’m also very excited by the talents that each will bring to the District and to Harrisburg.”

In his new role, Lane will develop and implement legislative initiatives, advise on policy matters, and oversee office operations. Currently a third-year law student at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, he’s been serving as Sims’ transition director since the April 24 primary victory over longtime incumbent Representative Babette Josephs. Lane previously served as the Eastern Pennsylvania Field Organizer and Policy Coordinator for Equality Pennsylvania, the state’s LGBT political advocacy organization fro which Sims served as president.

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THE FISCAL CLIFF’S DIRE FOR LGBT AMERICANS

What it could really mean for your well-being and wallet next year

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/26/2012 at 10:52AM | No Comments

Illustration by G Philly

We’ve been hearing predictions about the so-called fiscal cliff that threatens to turn much of the economy upside-down if the U.S. government doesn’t start agreeing on economics. For example, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces federal employment discrimination laws, would see an automatic cut to its budget in 2013, and these cuts would continue through 2021 if no budget resolution is reached. This could have serious implications for LGBT workers, who already face extraordinarily high rates of discrimination on the job.

The Center for American Progress, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and a coalition of 23 other national LGBT organizations say that the sitiation could be problematic for the LGBT community in many other ways, as well. They released a report – “Caught in the Budget Battle: How the ‘Fiscal Showdown’ Impacts Gay and Transgender Americans” – detailing the sobering effects that sequestration could have on LGBT Americans when it comes to everything from employment and health to housing, higher education and overall safety.

“If Congress fails to strike a deal before the end of the year, all Americans will suffer, including those that are LGBT,” says Jeff Krehely, vice president of Center for American Progress’ LGBT Research and Communications Project. “Sequestration in particular would inflict significant harm by requiring wholesale cuts to programs that are critical to the health, wellness, and livelihood of LGBT people and their families. We cannot afford to let that happen.”

To put it bluntly, many federal programs, which both directly and indirectly function to support and serve the LGBT population, could be cut. Here’s what that means:

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1 IN 5 GAY COUPLES LIVE WHERE THEY CAN MARRY

What the election results mean for same-sex couples in key states

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/8/2012 at 12:06PM | 1 Comment

Photo by Think Stock

When Maryland, Maine and Washington voted this week to recognize marriage for same-sex couples – and Minnesota voted to reject an amendment outlawing it – the lives of more than 35,000 couples changed. Using data from the 2010 Census, the Williams Institute estimates that one in five same-sex couples now live in states where they can legally marry. And considering that many LGBT people didn’t reveal their status on the census, this number may actually underestimate the impact the new laws have on the LGBT community as a whole.

But after Tuesday’s vote, the group says same-sex couples can now marry in nine states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. And as a result, 20 percent of same-sex couples now live in states where they can marry. Overall, 16 percent of the U.S. population also lives in states where same-sex couples can marry – which is expected to have a positive impact on the way people perceive marriage equality.

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GRINDR GOT POLITICAL

The hookup app reached a record 1.5 million men about the election

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/8/2012 at 11:16AM | No Comments

Courtesy of Grindr

We may know Grindr best for its ability to sniff out the nearest (and hottest) guys looking for a little action, but Grindr for Equality has been spending this week reeling from the election results. This comes after creating an awareness campaign for LGBT equality issues nationwide. Not only did the app deliver important political messages directly to its users during this election season, but it helped brings awareness to out and LGBT-friendly candidates and marriage equality fights in several key states.

All told, Grindr says it reached 1.5 million users in the U.S. alone with as many as 135 in-app messages with specific calls to action that accrued 40,000 click-throughs. And according to a post-election survey conducted by Grindr for Equality, 91 percent of users saw the in-app messages, and more than a quarter of those users – we’re talking hundreds of thousands of gay and bisexual guys – did something about it, like vote, volunteer, sign petitions and even donate money.

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