Congratulations to Maine!!!

It seems in the face of discrimination, bigotry, and opposition, equality seems to be prevailing (at least to some extent). Maine becomes the 5th state to legalize same-sex marriage as of this Wednesday (along with Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont). Governor John Baldacci and the members of the state legislature should be commended.

This is not to say that this act of equality will not be challenged. As we all know what happened last Novemeber in California, this too can be challenged. Therefore, I encourage everyone to voice their support. While we have seen a trend in many states of adding constitutional prohibitions on equality for all citizens, the LGBT citizens of the United States have been given a glimmer of hope by Maine's actions (and hopefully soon to be New Hampshire).

This step forward today also comes with the news that North Carolina's Senate has passed the School Violence Prevention Act which prohibits bullying on the basis of sexual orientation along with a number of other socially protected statuses. If this bill passes in the House and is signed by the Governor, then bullying in our schools can be addressed and prevented. Please contact your NC state representatives to ensure this bill's success. We all know what the negative effects are for students that are continuously bullied, especially when it is based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. I applaud Oprah for focusing on school bullying on her Wednesday show and highlighting the growing trend in our schools of making LGBT or perceived LGBT students live in constant fear.

Achievements such as these are not to be taken lightly or in vain. They have come at the expense of countless volunteer hours and organizing on the parts of various organizations (Equality Maine, Equality NC, HRC, etc) which should be commended for their part. Thank you to all who stand for equality and realize that discrimination and inequality on any basis in our society is no longer something to be tolerated. LGBT individuals are to be respected as law-abiding citizens who deserve all the rights and privileges that come along with that title, nothing more.

So let's raise a glass to Maine and continue to back the similar efforts ongoing in our state of NC and all across the country.

Here we go.........

As many of you are aware by now, the U.S. House has passed the Hate Crimes Bill which adds the social statuses of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." But let's not party down in celebration too much because as you know with any good thing, there is a degree of opposition.


Let me highlight a few of the glorious statements thus far:


"In and of itself this law can be applied to speech. The nature of assault -- putting someone in fear of their safety -- what will that mean for someone preaching against homosexuality?... It elevates homosexuality to the same protective category as race. It's all part of the radical homosexual anarchist agenda" - Mathew Staver of the Liberty Counsel




In reference to the murder of Matthew Shepard, "We know that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay... the hate-crimes bill was named for him, but it's really a hoax that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills." - Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)


Before I get into these statements, let me point out the 17 Democrats that voted "no," specifically Democratic Representatives Heath Shuler (NC- 11th District) and Mike McIntyre (NC- 7th District) because they represent my state, and the 18 Republicans that should be applauded for voting for the bill.


As to our friend Matt's comments, am I the only person not following his reasoning? I mean this bill specifically grants the ability to persecute someone who commits a crime on the basis of a protected status. I mean, does he think that these preachers are commiting crimes by preaching against homosexuality? Does the bill somehow state that preaching is a crime? Come on Matt, I know you can think better than that and your status as a spokesmen for a legal firm should be indicative of that. I mean if you were worried about that, then why is it that the KKK can go on preaching the hatred that they preach against individuals on the basis of race? I mean, they are not being charged with hate crimes when they are openly racist. Nor will this status, as recognized if this bill passes in the Senate, allow for the criminalization of individuals who are openly homophobic. It is when a crime is committed against that person (ex. murder) that this hate crime legislation is resourceful.

To the second part of the statement concerning the radical homosexual anarchist agenda. I mean, seriously? He seriously said that. Wow. Let us take a moment. How does lobbying for your political rights and anarchy remotely coincide? In fact, are the two not contradictory? To be a participant in the political process on one hand and then to be anti-government on the other. OOHHH Matt, what other fear tactics must you employ?

Now, to our dear Representative Foxx. I can understand that you might have been given false evidence from the news program you watched, but I mean as a member of the United States House of Representatives, should you not be looking more in depth at the issues at hand, especially when you are going to vocalize your opposition to it? Or is this statement just representative of the basis for your argument of opposition (i.e. ignorance). Granted, she did issue a formal "apology", but come on, regardless of the issue, is this blatant ignorance really what constituents seek in their ideal political representative?

In conclusion, the fear tactics as represented by Mathew Staver and the perpetuated lies/ignorance as represented by Foxx need to stop. It is completely counter to the issue at hand and is no basis on which this bill should fail in the Senate. People who are targeted as victims of crime because of some personal defining factor deserve to be protected, and legislation should respond appropriately to curb these discriminatory behaviors. When I am assaulted, I am the victim of assault. When I am assaulted because I am gay, I am the victim of both assault and a hate crime. As Judy Shepard highlighted on the Rachel Maddow show, victims of crime that is based on some defining factor of an individual deserve to be distinguished because it is not just a violent act against one person but is meant so as to threaten an entire group of people. The prosecution of such acts should be made to thoroughly reflect the multiple dynamics of these crimes.

And that is the spilt perfume!