Helen Boyd Kramer's journal on gender and stuff
politics, both trans & otherwise
A study done by two NYU researchers shows that in fact, party, ideology, frequency of religious service, and age were far more important factors than race in the defeat of Prop 8.
So at long last, we can put this one down.
The other good news is that they also found support for same sex marriage has increased in nearly all demographics.
Press release at Freedom to Marry, & the actual study is here (pdf).
From the NCTE:
Today, January 6, Members of Congress raise their right hand and swear to uphold the Constitution as they begin the new legislative session.
Let’s make sure the first thing they hear about is the importance of an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that protects all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224 3121 and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code). Tell them: “I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I strongly support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”
Then, call back and leave messages with your two Senators too!
Request an in-person meeting for you and other community members with your two Senators and your Representative (or their staffs) in their home district offices. You can call the district offices to request these meetings but they often want you to fax a meeting request. To find contact info for district offices, go to to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.
Sample meeting request letters, and other talking points and resources for your meetings, are available in the following toolkits:
Rachel Maddow on the Rick Warren decision:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Congratulations to Diego Sanchez for his new appointment as Barney Frank’s senior policy advisor.
There are misgivings, of course, precisely because Sanchez has worked with HRC & crossed picket lines in SF to speak at an HRC dinner (when even the SF mayor wouldn’t).
(I’m going to agree with Courtney, who wondered aloud on the MHB forums, as to whether or not Frank will be comfortable sharing a bathroom with him.)
It certainly looks like Huckabee is doing some early work to get out in front for the 2012 presidential run, doesn’t it?
As Pam over at PHB points out:
“This man ran for president and intends to do so again. Journalists, particularly openly progressive ones, have an obligation to bore in on pols like Huckabee because their views are often wrapped up with a wink and a smile and sold as protecting family, children, the word “marriage”, etc. as if this is all a benign act that hurts no citizens in this country.”
Jon Stewart took him down in a good way – you can see the clip at Pam’s – and I agree with her that we need go shut this down before it gets too big.
The Advocate had a bunch of LGBT activists, writers, & bloggers pen a letter to the incoming president, including Mara Keisling, Donna Rose, Pam Spaulding, and Tammy Baldwin.
Worth checking out.
While the current US administration is lollygagging in signing a UN statement that encourages non-discrimination against LGBT people, the incoming president has just named lesbian Nancy Sutley to his administration.
I’m thinking we should just wait until January 21st to get the UN document signed, so we can quit wasting everyone’s time.
Is this beautiful or what?
At a news conference Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama said the company should follow through on its commitments to its workers, The Associated Press reported.
The NYT article is here, about a sit-in by factory workers at an auto industry-related factory in Chicago, but do you really need to know more? WE HAVE A PRO LABOR PRESIDENT!
(h/t to Betty)
Tomorrow there are rallies against Prop 8 happening all over the country! Go to www.jointheimpact.com for more information about the rally near you.
There’s a Wiki so you can easily find your local contacts and events.
In NYC, the rally will happen at 1:30 at City Hall.
Get out there, people! Bring your friends, family, ministers, allies, teachers – whoever is willing.
(Although I have to say I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering why all this wasn’t happening before Election Day.)