Tag: ENDA

On Santa’s Naughty List HRC Gets Coal Delivery

December 24, 2014

…and the letter from Santa tells Chad why! 12/24/2014 By Cathy Kristofferson. Santa Claus asked the members of 1AngryOldLesbian.org (1AOL) if they wouldn’t mind delivering a letter to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and they merrily agreed. Though the weather outside was frightful, their spirits were high as they donned their rainbow Santa hats while listening to the … More On Santa’s Naughty List HRC Gets Coal Delivery

LGBT Activists Target Democrats on Civil Rights

August 21, 2014

Queer Nation Demands Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2014. New York, NY (Aug. 21, 2014) – In its ongoing effort to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same rights and protections that all other … More LGBT Activists Target Democrats on Civil Rights

LGBT Activists Target Tammy Baldwin on Civil Rights

August 14, 2014

Queer Nation Demands Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 14, 2014. New York, NY (Aug. 14, 2014) – In its ongoing effort to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same rights and protections that all other … More LGBT Activists Target Tammy Baldwin on Civil Rights

LGBT Activists Target Mark Takano on Civil Rights

August 11, 2014

Queer Nation and a bunch more of us demand Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  New York, NY (Aug. 11, 2014) – In its ongoing effort to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same rights and protections that all other Americans … More LGBT Activists Target Mark Takano on Civil Rights

LGBT Activists Target Congressional Democrats for Federal Civil Rights Legislation

July 31, 2014

Queer Nation Demands Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 1204. Continuing to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same legal rights and protections that all other Americans currently have, Queer Nation is targeting Rep. Mike Michaud … More LGBT Activists Target Congressional Democrats for Federal Civil Rights Legislation

Activists at DC Pride attack HRC’s Bad ENDA

June 8, 2014

While asking the community to demand no less than full federal equality… By Cathy Kristofferson, June 8, 2014 This week saw the first national organization come out strongly against the flawed Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA) when the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Thursday announced it “We strongly oppose any religious exemption in ENDA… we will … More Activists at DC Pride attack HRC’s Bad ENDA

Civil Rights History lost on Chad Griffin and Rea Carey

May 28, 2014

Senate Historical Office offers a Civil Rights Proponents’ Strategy For Success By Cathy Kristofferson, May 28, 2014 Today the United States Senate Historical Office gave a presentation “Civil Rights Act at 50: Civil Rights’ Proponents Strategy For Success”. This seemed a good lesson the LGBT community needs to learn as we fight discrimination, religious bigotry, and our … More Civil Rights History lost on Chad Griffin and Rea Carey

Federal Court’s refusal of benefits in Employee Plan shows why religious exemption hurts ENDA

May 7, 2014

Federal Court Rejects Discrimination Claim Against Catholic Hospital’s Refusal to Cover Same-Sex Spouse Under Employee Benefit Plan and ENDA is in danger Why I am calling on Freedom to Marry, NCLR, Lambda Legal, GLAAD, ACLU, Transgender Law Center,  GetEQUAL to thwart the HRC push for Senate’s ENDA By Melanie Nathan, May 07, 2014. Although both … More Federal Court’s refusal of benefits in Employee Plan shows why religious exemption hurts ENDA

Still No EO Relief for LGBT Employment Discrimination Despite Biden’s ‘Barbaric’ Bomb

March 28, 2014

4 possible reasons why and call for 220+ congressional allies to do more By Cathy Kristofferson, March 26, 2014 Following Monday’s street theatre action in front of the White House, we picked up the trail Wednesday, making trips to Vice President Biden’s home and Labor Secretary Perez’s office. Could they influence the President to sign … More Still No EO Relief for LGBT Employment Discrimination Despite Biden’s ‘Barbaric’ Bomb

Shocking Hypocrisy of HRC in Fight Against Religious Bigotry

March 24, 2014

Despicable contradiction – does he take us for idiots? By Melanie Nathan, March 24, 2014. I must say I am in a state of shock at the hypocrisy of the latest HRC (Human Rights Campaign) fund raising ploy.  The fundraiser is focused on fighting religious bigotry because, as they say, our enemies are “Using religion … More Shocking Hypocrisy of HRC in Fight Against Religious Bigotry

HRC Boots Activist Protesting ENDA’s Broad Religious Exemptions

March 21, 2014

Lesbian Avenger film screening event makes perfect backdrop for ENDA religious exemption protest By Cathy Kristofferson, March 21, 2014 Last week, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced a $2 million campaign to push for the House Vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA). This campaign partnership with Americans for Workplace Opportunity (AWO) is similar to … More HRC Boots Activist Protesting ENDA’s Broad Religious Exemptions

APB put out on ENDA

November 20, 2013

Boehner buries ENDA, where is the Executive Order Obama? By Cathy Kristofferson and Ellen Sturtz, November 20, 2013 After the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed the Senate with bi-partisan support, all eyes turned to the House. It seems when we looked there, the Bill had been buried in four different committees and House Speaker John Boehner … More APB put out on ENDA

Republican amendments further water down ENDA protections

November 5, 2013

What is the point of ENDA now? By Cathy Kristofferson, November 5, 2013 Republicans have introduced two amendments to the already highly contentious religious exemption of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), further watering down the bill’s protections. With all Democrats already committed to vote Yes and only 59 votes secured, supporting Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) … More Republican amendments further water down ENDA protections

Why are LGBT Organizations and Democrats Pushing for a BAD ENDA?

November 4, 2013

IS THIS JUST ABOUT DONATIONS? By Melanie Nathan, November 04, 2013. On Thursday the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed cloture on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).  It stands before the Senate as I write. But is it right? For the past few weeks we have been bombarded with e-mails from Senators and LGBT … More Why are LGBT Organizations and Democrats Pushing for a BAD ENDA?

Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

September 5, 2013

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, was introduced again in Congress this year — if passed, it would make sure that no one can legally be discriminated against in the workplace for being gay or transgender. By Melanie Nathan, September 05, 2013. We all know we have a Congress that will not work with this … More Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes

July 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 10, 2013 Today in a wham bam no discussion just majority and minority opening statements hearing, Senate Bill 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was passed out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) in a 15-7 vote. All Democrats voted in favor joined by 3 Republicans – … More ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes

Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

July 4, 2013

See Video – And a Gay Tenor sings his way into the hearts of America By Melanie Nathan, July 04, 2013. The weeks leading up to this 4th of July have been historic for America – the horrendously discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)  came crashing down after decades of hell for many Americans and … More Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

Rubio staffer tries to have GetEQUAL DREAMer deported

June 25, 2013

Rubio staffer told the police officers in the room that one of the people in the room “is here illegally.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 25, 2013 Today during the GetEQUAL action Senator Rubio’s (R-FL) Tampa office, a Rubio senior staffer – his Regional Director – tried to have GetEQUAL’s Co-Director Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez deported.  The Rubio staffer … More Rubio staffer tries to have GetEQUAL DREAMer deported

Julian Bond gives powerful statement opposing ENDA’s religious exemptions

June 14, 2013

“Religious liberty, contrary to what opponents of racial equality argued then and LGBT equality argue now, is not a license to use religion to discriminate.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 14, 2013 Back in April when the 2013 version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced into Congress we posted here and here on OBLOGDEE … More Julian Bond gives powerful statement opposing ENDA’s religious exemptions

Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

June 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 13, 2013. Today eight members of the group Get Equal were arrested while protesting outside speaker Boehner’s office, calling attention to the House’s failure to pursue ENDA, the legislation that would end work place discrimination against LGBT people in America. The protestors were demanding that the speaker hold a floor vote … More Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

Lesbian Fund Raisers and The Ellen Sturtz Fallout

June 8, 2013

AND A Letter from a Get Equal Lead, C.D. Kirven  to the First Lady Explaining the Actions of Ellen Sturtz. The lesbian community was drawn into a controversy this week as Ellen Sturtz, a leader from the group Get Equal, attended a D.C. fundraiser and interrupted the First Lady’s speech calling attention to the fact … More Lesbian Fund Raisers and The Ellen Sturtz Fallout

ZERO LGBT protections with $44.9 BILLION in profits

May 29, 2013

Now it is our turn to be heard – read on… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 29, 2013 Once again today, as they have done for the past 14 consecutive years, ExxonMobil shareholders voted down non-discrimination protections for the company’s LGBT employees.  This year the vote was 81-19%, the lowest vote for non-discrimination in all those … More ZERO LGBT protections with $44.9 BILLION in profits

LGBT Job Protections Needs Activist Uprising

May 12, 2013

Will direct action be what it takes to get job protections? By Cathy Kristofferson, May 11, 2013 While nationally the fight for job protections has gone quiet since the re-introduction last month of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) 2013, local activists in Texas have been fired up, and have taken direct action steps that may … More LGBT Job Protections Needs Activist Uprising

The Special Rights Battleground of ENDA and Immigration Reform

May 2, 2013

Seems to be exactly where the Religious Right is digging in these days. By Cathy Kristofferson, May 02, 2013. Two legislative initiatives now underway on Capital Hill greatly underscore the fact that it is the Religious Right who is seeking ‘special rights’ not the LGBT community, as we are so often accused.  The Comprehensive Immigration … More The Special Rights Battleground of ENDA and Immigration Reform

Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

April 29, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 29, 2013 Here on this BLOG Thursday, we reported that directly preceding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2013, a press release came out expressing “very grave concerns” about the religious exemption clause contained in the Bill. The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, the National Center for … More Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 will be introduced with problems

April 25, 2013

Employment protections bill introduced for the 20th time… but will expanded religious exemptions doom ENDA before it’s even reintroduced? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 25, 2013 The 2013 version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) will be introduced into Congress today by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in the Senate and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) in the … More The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 will be introduced with problems

GetEQUAL to Protest at White House before President Obama’s State of the Union

February 8, 2013

LGBT Civil Rights Group GetEQUAL asks President Obama to Keep His ENDA First-Term Promise By Melanie Nathan, Feb 08, 2013. On Sunday, February 10 – just two days before President Obama’s State of the Union Address – members of GetEQUAL DC will gather outside the White House to remind President Barack Obama of a first-term … More GetEQUAL to Protest at White House before President Obama’s State of the Union

First Transgender Person to Provide Testimony to U.S. Senate

June 13, 2012

“Living the truth and pretending to live who I was not…people never understood why I had a female gender marker…I  .. when I used female restrooms police would accost me and I would have to strip….” By Melanie Nathan, June 13, 2012. Kylar Broadus made history Tuesday, after becoming the first openly transgender person to testify … More First Transgender Person to Provide Testimony to U.S. Senate