Tag: Massachusetts

Liberian Immigrants Sue Trump over Humanitarian Protection

March 13, 2019

BOSTON, MA –The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Lawyers for Civil Rights jointly filed a lawsuit today challenging President Donald Trump’s termination of humanitarian protection and relief for immigrants from Liberia. The lawsuit, the first of its kind in the country, was filed on behalf of African Communities Together (ACT), the UndocuBlack Network, … More Liberian Immigrants Sue Trump over Humanitarian Protection

Breaking: Governor of Massachusetts Signs Transgender Bill Into Law

July 8, 2016

MA becomes first and only state this year to pass transgender -inclusive protections, including restrooms and locker rooms  BOSTON – Today Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed a transgender public accommodations bill into law making Massachusetts the only state this year to pass a bill updating state law to ensure full protections for transgender people from … More Breaking: Governor of Massachusetts Signs Transgender Bill Into Law

Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

June 1, 2016

Republican Governor expected to sign bill that would make MA 18th state with explicit protections for transgender people in public places Today the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed HB 4343, the bill that would update state law to ensure explicit protections for transgender people in public places, including parks, restaurants, hospitals, and public restrooms. The bill also passed the Senate … More Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

November 9, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. The Western New England University School of Law faculty voted unanimously on Friday, November 6, 2015, in favor of a resolution of support for pending legislation that would expand nondiscrimination protection for transgender individuals in businesses and other facilities that are open to the public, including within higher … More University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

One Step Closer for MA Homeless Queer Youth

December 31, 2014

As the Commonwealth enacts law to improve housing and services for homeless youth… By Cathy Kristofferson, December 31, 2014. Two years ago, on January 1st 2013, I posted here on OBLOGDEE about the ongoing plight of homeless queer youth. Every now and then that post gets renewed interest when someone quotes and/or links to it. That happened again … More One Step Closer for MA Homeless Queer Youth

Anti-gay Scott Lively Launches Gubernatorial Run

December 16, 2013

Scott Lively’s campaign motto is “Qualified. Experienced. Electable.”  By Cathy Kristofferson, December 16, 2013 Scott Lively (I-MA) would like to remind everyone that he is still running for Governor of Massachusetts. We presume that his campaign has been suspended while he fights Crimes Against Humanity charges. That pesky trial for persecution on the basis of … More Anti-gay Scott Lively Launches Gubernatorial Run

MA Art Museum celebrates DOMA win and loses Catholic Church funding

July 2, 2013

“We’re simply not going to support them institutionally as in the past.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 02, 2013 Last week when the DOMA ruling was handed down by the Supreme Court, the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) excitedly posted and tweeted inviting all to marry at the museum. Their website reads almost as an advertisement: “The … More MA Art Museum celebrates DOMA win and loses Catholic Church funding

9 years of Marriage Equality for Massachusetts and no Apocalypse yet

May 17, 2013

Happy Anniversary Massachusetts By Cathy Kristofferson, May 17, 2013 We here in Massachusetts are waiting. Waiting for the sky to fall, the apocalypse to occur, the locusts to swarm.  We have been waiting 9 long years now.  Nine years and over 19,000 same-gender couples’ marriages later and none of the promised catastrophes have occurred! We remember May … More 9 years of Marriage Equality for Massachusetts and no Apocalypse yet

Re-introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act

May 6, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 07, 2013. Tomorrow, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (ECDF) will be re-introduced in Congress.  The Act would ban discrimination in adoption or foster care placement based on the marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity of the potential parent, or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child. … More Re-introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act

Tiny violins for Newt and the oppression of his new-found Catholicism

May 5, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 05, 2013. First off – Happy Cinco de Mayo! I saw a headline just now – “Gingrich: LGBT rights fight ‘one sided’ because Catholics are oppressed too”.  Oh, really.  Wonder what in Heaven’s name Newt is whining about now? Then I saw this quote: “But what I’m struck with is the … More Tiny violins for Newt and the oppression of his new-found Catholicism

Pat Buchanan calls for new era of civil disobedience in response to UN’s calls for equality

April 17, 2013

Is this a tacit call to violence? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 17, 2013 Yesterday was day two of the United Nations International Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.  A conference at which Ban Ki Moon, its Secretary General, said: “Religion and culture cannot justify discrimination against gays and lesbians“. Also yesterday, Pat Buchanan penned a … More Pat Buchanan calls for new era of civil disobedience in response to UN’s calls for equality

Why march in an alternate St. Patrick’s Day parade?

March 19, 2013

An injustice to one… By Cathy Kristofferson, March 18, 2013 Sunday I marched in the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Peace Parade, the alternate to what is now called ‘traditional’ St. Patrick’s Day parade.  Now that I have had a day to thaw and ruminate on why it is I marched for the 3rd year … More Why march in an alternate St. Patrick’s Day parade?

Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

March 13, 2013

The issue comes down to this: there’s a big difference between uncomfortable and unsafe By Cathy Kristofferson, March 13, 2013. Last night at the Medford City Council meeting we witnessed round three of the organized attempt to derail the MA Dept. of Ed’s Gender Identity Policy guidelines at the hands of one city councilor and … More Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

March 7, 2013

Transgender students bullied by legislators and hate groups line up to oppose implementation and launch attack on Commissioner By Cathy Kristofferson, March 07, 2013. A couple of weeks ago I saw a post “Massachusetts Takes The Lead On Rights For Transgender Students“.  Being a MA native I smiled and perused probably while mumbling “of course … More School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

Pastor Scott Lively as pirate | Award winning attorney’s insights into Smug v Lively

February 1, 2013

Straight ally attorney to be honored for equality work at ST. Paul’s dinner – would like to file an Amicus brief in CCR case of  SMUG v. Lively By Melanie Nathan, February 01, 2013. Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, President of St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, recently interviewed Eric Isaacson, a straight attorney and LGBT ally, … More Pastor Scott Lively as pirate | Award winning attorney’s insights into Smug v Lively

Atlanta area gay community’s inspiring project to save homeless queer youth

January 29, 2013

Lost-n-Found – A do it yourself homeless queer youth shelter By Cathy Kristofferson, January 29, 2013.  Update Feb. 7 2013: Creating Change ’13 Conference session handout. In the fall of 2011 I saw posts online about a new queer youth shelter opening in Atlanta.  Local homeless queer youth were being turned away from shelters and … More Atlanta area gay community’s inspiring project to save homeless queer youth

Homeless Queer Youth – Emancipation, is it really so “out of the box”?

January 21, 2013

Legal emancipation can give homeless queer youth the tools they need to become independent By Cathy Kristofferson, January 21, 2013. Thinking about a comment I had heard that maybe we need to ‘think out side the box’ for solutions to help with issues of queer youth homelessness I thought of emancipation.  It’s not a new … More Homeless Queer Youth – Emancipation, is it really so “out of the box”?

Conversion Therapy Ban Bill filed in Massachusetts

January 18, 2013

Massachusetts seeks to become the next state to ban conversion therapy for minors By Cathy Kristofferson, January 18, 2013. Today, Massachusetts joined California in the fight against harmful ex-gay conversion/reparative therapy for minors under the age of 18.  Representative Carl Sciortino (D – 34th Middlesex District) filed “An Act Relative to Abusive Practices to Change … More Conversion Therapy Ban Bill filed in Massachusetts

Hatemonger Scott Lively invited to debate Gay Rights at Prestigious Oxford Union

January 11, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2013. UPDATED: 1/18/2013  10.30 am PST.  Scott Lively GAY Hatemonger @OxfordUnion  was due to speak last night in a debate re ‘gay rights’, but an alleged error saw him given the date of the Israel debate on 31st January instead.    As Mr Lively had already arranged his travel around that … More Hatemonger Scott Lively invited to debate Gay Rights at Prestigious Oxford Union

Homeless queer youth | the Massachusetts Special Commission

January 9, 2013

Can Massachusetts be a case study to improve the odds for homeless queer youth? By Cathy Kristofferson, January 09, 2013. The epidemic of homeless queer youth is an issue I’ve followed and advocated for because to me our youth are the most vulnerable among us.  They are empowered by our successes and are coming out younger and … More Homeless queer youth | the Massachusetts Special Commission

Video | Uganda LGBTI Activist Speaks out at Courthouse after Scott Lively Hearing

January 8, 2013

“I know that David Kato is watching.” By Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson Pepe Julian Onziema traveled from Uganda to the United States of America to attend the Motion to Dismiss hearing at Hampden Federal Courthouse, Massachusetts. What follows is a must watch Video of Pepe’s moving remarks, so courageously delivered at great risk to … More Video | Uganda LGBTI Activist Speaks out at Courthouse after Scott Lively Hearing

Large crowd of U.S. Gay Activists at MA Federal Court to Support Ugandan Gays against Pastor Scott Lively

January 7, 2013

Pepe Onziema Said  “I came to Springfield to face the devil.” (Meaning in the form of Scott Lively) By Melanie Nathan,  January 07, 2012. Today a large crowd of U.S. LGBTQI activists, holding signs outside the Hampden Federal Courthouse, Massachusetts, braved the early morning cold, to support Uganda’s LGBTI community in the first case of … More Large crowd of U.S. Gay Activists at MA Federal Court to Support Ugandan Gays against Pastor Scott Lively

Why we must attend the SMUG v. Scott Lively Lawsuit in Court January 7, 2013

December 23, 2012

Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Scott Lively – why you should care, why you should go! By Cathy Kristofferson, December 23, 2012. On Monday January 7th 2013 in Federal Court Springfield, opening oral arguments will be heard for the motion to dismiss the case of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) v. Scott Lively.  This is not the … More Why we must attend the SMUG v. Scott Lively Lawsuit in Court January 7, 2013

U.S. Federal Lawsuit Filed by Uganda Sexual Minorities Group vs Scott Lively

March 14, 2012

A Ugandan gay rights group filed suit against notorious American evangelist, Scott Lively, in federal court in Massachusetts on Wednesday, accusing him of violating international law by inciting the persecution of homosexuals in Uganda. According to an Article by Laurie Goodstein in the New York Times … More U.S. Federal Lawsuit Filed by Uganda Sexual Minorities Group vs Scott Lively

A SUGGESTION for an AN INVITATION to the Peeps of MASS-

August 29, 2009

THE FIRST WOMAN SENATOR FOR MASSACHUSETTS A KENNEDY May I be so bold – having now met Vickie Kennedy for the first time – sadly at her husband’s funeral, and admittedly by ‘virtual’ means only – I suggest the people of Massachusetts consider an invitation for this accomplished and gracious person to take the seat … More A SUGGESTION for an AN INVITATION to the Peeps of MASS-

AP – PRESS – Attorney General Martha Coakley, MAssachusettes sues Federal Government

July 8, 2009

 Question: of course its me, mel – Because of prop 8 is California able to sue as well?  Is so why dont we? Answers welcome………   QUOTE ARTICLE- See DENISE LAVOIE  Article at “Mass. is 1st state to sue feds over marriage law Massachusetts, the first state to legalize gay marriage, sued the U.S. government Wednesday … More AP – PRESS – Attorney General Martha Coakley, MAssachusettes sues Federal Government