Re: Gays Still Second-Class Citizens in America; Legal Discrimination Against Gays

Would that be Ted Stevens' and Sarah Palin's Pork Bridge to Nowhere?

On 2/4/11, GregfromBoston <greg.vincent@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Bill Clinton's DOMA is being defended by Barack Obama's DOJ as we
> speak.
>
> And if you think 53% of California is republican, I got this really
> cool bridge for sale.
>
> On Feb 4, 10:09 am, Tommy News <tommysn...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Gays Still Second-Class Citizens in America
>>
>> Although the election of Barack Obama may be good news for
>> progressives and civil rights advocates, four ugly ballot initiatives
>> aimed at suppressing equality for gay and lesbian Americans passed
>> handily.  In Florida, Arizona and California, discrimination was
>> written into state constitutions that will deny committed LGBT couples
>> the legal protections enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts.  The
>> battle over California's Proposition 8 was the tightest, with 52% of
>> voters approving the repressive measure.  The amendment will likely
>> negate the estimated 18,000 same-sex marriages performed after the
>> California Supreme Court approved the unions back in May.  Prop 8 was
>> the most expensive initiative on any ballot in the nation this year,
>> with more than $74 million spent by both sides.  It also marks the
>> first time in our country's history where a law has been passed taking
>> away rights that citizens have already been granted.
>>
>> In Arkansas, voters approved a measure that bans unmarried couples who
>> live together from being adoptive or foster parents.  From Associated
>> Press:  The measure's sponsor, the Arkansas Family Council, tried to
>> paint it as a battle against a "gay agenda."  Opponents argued it
>> would make it harder for the state to find the foster parents it needs
>> to take care of children.  The measure grew out of a 2006 Arkansas
>> Supreme Court decision that struck down a state policy banning gay
>> foster parents.  A push to enact a ban similar to the ballot measure
>> during the last legislative session failed.
>>
>> Right-wingers will no doubt experience smug satisfaction knowing they
>> are still legal superiors to those whose sexual orientation is
>> different.  Christian fundamentalists will convince themselves that
>> God is on their side. The Sally Kerns among us will cheer, the Sarah
>> Palins will wink and nod, the James Dobsons will praise the Lord and
>> shout hallelujah.  But despite the historic outcome of this
>> presidential election, we cannot pat ourselves on the back too
>> heartily.  After all, millions of our nation's tax-paying citizens are
>> still being treated unfairly under the law.  Until that disparity is
>> addressed, the true meaning of equality will remain as intangible as a
>> rainbow.
>>
>> More:http://www.progressivepuppy.com/the_progressive_puppy/2008/11/gays-st...
>>
>> Discrimination Against GaysText Size:
>>
>> Related Practice Areas
>> Labor & Employment Law
>> Employment Discrimination
>>
>> Related Articles
>> Your Work-Related Appearance: What Are Your Rights?
>> English-Only Rules and National Origin Discrimination
>> Discrimination in a Job Interview
>> Filing a Claim with the EEOC
>>
>> Lawyers.comsm
>>
>> Although federal government workers are protected from discrimination
>> because of their sexual orientation, there are no federal laws
>> protecting workers in private companies.
>>
>> The following states and the District of Columbia currently have laws
>> prohibiting discrimination because of sexual orientation in the
>> workplace: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
>> Montana, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island,
>> Vermont and Wisconsin.
>>
>> Eight additional states have laws against sexual orientation
>> discrimination in public employment: Colorado, Delaware, Illinois,
>> Indiana, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.
>>
>> Some counties and cities also have local laws that prevent private
>> employers from discriminating against gay and lesbian workers.
>>
>> It may also be that your employer has voluntarily committed to a
>> written anti-discrimination policy, which can be located in an
>> employee manual or other document.
>>
>> Even if there are no laws protecting you from discrimination and your
>> employer doesn't have a specific policy on the issue, you may still
>> have a legal claim based on other types of laws, such as:
>>
>> Wrongful termination
>> Defamation or slander
>> Invasion of privacy
>> Anti-harassment
>> For specific information regarding your local laws, you can contact
>> your area's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (located in the
>> government pages of your phone book) or the American Civil Liberties
>> Union.
>>
>> More:http://labor-employment-law.lawyers.com/employment-discrimination/Dis...
>>
>> --
>> Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
>> Have a great day,
>> Tommy
>
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--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

--
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