Everyday, children in this country are bullied because a fellow student doesn't like that they may be gay. Too often these bullying tactics -- including several already this year -- result in suicide and the sad loss of life of a completely innocent victim.
In addition to biased-generated bullying done in our schools and playgrounds, too many children and adults are victims of serious hate crimes. They are beaten and brutalized not just because they are gay, but because of the color of their skin or their gender. With no law to prosecute violence based on bias, the federal government is limited in what it can do to punish these horrible perpetrators.
And everyday, hundreds of thousands of American workers are afraid to be themselves, to be proud of who they are in the workplace because they know their God-given natural sexuality could cause dismissal, demotion or other workplace discrimination.
For years, politicians in Congress have given us excuses. To the children who are being hurt or the workers who are afraid to show up to do the job they were hired to do, they can't afford your excuses anymore.
Nor can I.
There are three critically important pieces of legislation that should pass Congress and move to the president's desk immediately. You were elected on a promise to help people -- to make a difference in people's lives. Because discrimination is unacceptable, you should move forward now to pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act, the National Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
The children and workers in this country need you to protect them on the playground and in the workplace -- to allow them to live their lives without fear of getting physically or emotionally hurt -- to allow them to make a living and pay taxes like any other American worker.
With strong Democratic Majorities in the House and Senate, the three proposed laws I've mentioned above should be passed easily -- before one more life is lost, before one more hard-working American unjustly loses his or her job.
And one more thing, you won't have done a complete job if you leave out transgendered Americans. They are people too who deserve all the same rights and protections afforded to any other American.
No more excuses. Get these laws passed now and show us that you are willing to fight for these very people who so desperately need your help.
I thought you might appreciate knowing about a new refugee advocacy organization with a focus on LGBTs launched last month: ORAM – Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration.
ORAM’s mission is to advocate for refugees fleeing sexual or gender based violence. Only through raising consciousness of LGBT refugee issues to governments, refugee organizations, communities and the media, will help come to these individuals, who are among the most persecuted people in the world today.
Details of our work and mission appear in the press release below. Whether your concern is LGBT rights, refugee rights or both, we invite you to learn more about us by visiting www.oraminternational.org.
Regards,
Scott Piro, Communications Director
ORAM - Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration
Tel: +1 415 373-5299|Fax: + 1 415 373 9191| www.oraminternational.org
Nice to see you up there, in a high-ranking post, advising the President. Why bother with legislation at all? If you will just make sure Obama says "gay" and "transgender" every once in awhile, that would be great. I can't ask for more than that. If he would look all sympathetic and doe-eyed when he makes a little gay-friendly speech, that would be even better.
But please, don't worry yourselves with DOMA, or DODT - I don't know why all those mean, demanding, grabby gays keep going on about those weird acronyms. Just say nice things about us. That's all we need, and I'm sure that's all Obama really meant when he promised so much more, you remember, back when he needed our votes.
And you keep on keeping it real, Steve! Wow, you're a very important gay man! Don't worry 'bout the rest of us, hon. Just keep kissing the ring. We know you mean well.
Executvie Stop Loss to DADT then REPEAL - no more dismissed! No DOMA NOW - not next year like your Democratic hacks suffering from political homophobia are saying.
Repeal of DOMA.
ENDA and Hate Crimes are important - so do them ALL!
Interesting what you chose to omit.
It took two days (?) to ge the Lily Leadbetter act out of committee and on the President's desk because he made it a priority on his domestic agenda.
Have the President state--on a nationally broadcast, for the record, and with a timeline--that he wants movement on these pieces of legislation (as well as DADT and the repeal of DOMA). Then I will believe it is Congress' fault. Until then, they have cover because the President has not made it a priortiy on his domestic agenda.
Yes, these issues are important, but they are not the issues which President Obama said he would address on behalf of the LGBTQ community (e.g., DADT, DOMA).
Yes, I also understand that President Obama has enormous amount to do. That is why I'm tired of hearing that our community is trying to "get to the front of the line."
If the President had not offered the DOJ brief - and, more unfortunately failed to apologize for it - I would still be "waiting my turn." However, this President is exactly who I thought he would be - a politically expedient guy (look at his "present votes" in IL - which they media seemed to busy in their adoration to examine).
I do wish this President well. I do continue to support his agenda, overall. However, like others, the DNC and other Democratic candidates will not be seeing a "gay dime" out of me until I hear an apology for the DOMA brief and see this President exercise "hope and change" by speaking honestly and openly to our community about our agenda - the same one he used to win this election.
DADT? Do you understand the word "irony?"
Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a threat to our national security. We are losing Arabic linguists, highly experienced fighter pilots, and other mission-critical troops. We need action on this now.
I will not vote for President Obama in 2012 if he has not kept his promise to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. I urge other gay and lesbian voters, and their straight allies, to make the same pledge.
Mr. Hildebrand, you should be ashamed for letting yourself be whored out like this to appease the crowd. I'm sad for
DOMA?! DADT?!
We elected a fraud.
You needn't look further than the recent event at the White House....an event that should have seen anger, outrage, and demands for proof of Mr. Obama's 'fierce advocacy' on our behalf coming from those in the Community who claim to represent us. Instead, we heard respectful applause and extravagant a**-kissing.
True, some attendees did speak up for us (the representative of the LGBT Task Force, for example); but non-confrontation seemed the norm for those in attendance (HRC can be counted on to cozy up to any candidate or officeholder who deigns to give them the time of day).
Bill Clinton set the standard for bullshi**ing the LGBTQ community. It worked, but our only reward was DADT and DOMA. Why should Obama tinker with a proven formula? Give 'em the old razzle-dazzle and "our leaders" will deliver every vote they can squeeze out of our easily placated community.
Let's stop 'asking' what time it is; and TELL Obama and his ilk that the time is NOW. No action...no votes! In spite of what the Dems sell us every four years (what our 'connected' leaders continue to buy), we DO have somewhere else to go with our votes...corporate parties are NOT the only game in town.
The issue was taken to the President who signed it into Federal law.
The issue was taken to California voters not once but twice. Both times marriage was defined as between a man and a woman.
The issue was taken to Federal courts and they upheld DOMA.
You are equal in every aspect of the law. In California any unmarried man is free to marry any unmarried woman. No man may marry a man. No woman may marry a woman. You want a privilage that no one else has. You want the special privilage of being able to marry someone of the same gender. That is not an equal right. It is a special privilage for a small group.
"They are people too who deserve all the same rights and protections afforded to any other American." Correct. They do deserve the same protection: but do they deserve extra, special protection not given to other Americans?
Well I'm not waiting for my grandparents' generation to die off. I will be demanding my equal rights NOW!
But doing that would mean potentially losings seats in Congress in 2010 and Obama can't have that! So we get screwed as per usual.