Tag: Senator

A Personal Tribute to Senator Dianne Feinstein

September 29, 2023

By Melanie Nathan, September 29, 2023 Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of the U.S. Senate and the longest-serving senator from California, has died at age 90. Feinstein’s death leaves vacant her powerful Senate seat, requiring Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint a temporary successor. The Democratic senator’s decades-long career was studded with major legislative achievements on … More A Personal Tribute to Senator Dianne Feinstein

California Bill To Protect LGBTQ Foster Youth Passes Senate Committee

April 18, 2023

Passes Senate Human Services Committee SACRAMENTO – The Senate Human Services Committee passed Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) bill SB 407, which helps ensure LGBTQ foster youth are not placed in hostile foster homes. SB 407 passed 3-0 and heads next to the Judiciary Committee. “LGBTQ youth are being scapegoated and attacked across the country, … More California Bill To Protect LGBTQ Foster Youth Passes Senate Committee

Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Proposition 8

February 14, 2023

Asm. Low and Sen. Wiener Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Proposition 8 Sponsored by Equality California and civil rights organizations, ACA 5 would bring a 2024 ballot initiative to voters to remove anti-same sex marriage language from the California constitution SACRAMENTO — In an effort to combat anti-LGBTQ+ hate and protect marriage equality, Assemblymember Evan … More Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Proposition 8

First LGBTQ United States Senator Tammy Baldwin Wins Reelection

November 6, 2018

Wisconsin voters also reelect U.S. Representative Mark Pocan Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first openly LGBTQ person, and first lesbian ever elected to the U.S. Senate, was tonight reelected by Wisconsin voters in a race closely watched by both political parties and the LGBTQ community nationwide. LGBTQ Victory Fund invested heavily in … More First LGBTQ United States Senator Tammy Baldwin Wins Reelection

Trump Administration’s Separation of Families is more than Child Abuse

June 15, 2018

While the President of American Academy of Pediatricians calls out  Family Separation as “Nothing Less than Government-Sanctioned Child Abuse”, I call it another step along the path of the Nazi trajectory of 1939! Last night, as detention centers reached capacity, filled with kids ripped from their parents, the administration announced that it will open the first … More Trump Administration’s Separation of Families is more than Child Abuse

Senator Feinstein Election Night Statement

June 5, 2018

Washington, D.C. — US Senator Dianne Feinstein has released a statement after the polls have closed in the California Primary Election. Senator Feinstein recorded the statement this evening in Washington D.C. She could not be in California on Election Day as the Senate is in session. Today, the Senate voted on a motion to invoke cloture … More Senator Feinstein Election Night Statement

Republican Senator John Kennedy Assails Facebook with Offensive Racist Swahili Comment

April 15, 2018

“This disgustingly ill-placed comment has no place in our American Congress and John Kennedy should be censured for it!” Melanie Nathan, as ED of African Human Rights Coalition. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executive of Facebook, faced a tough crowd on the House side of Capitol Hill in his two days of congressional testimony. … More Republican Senator John Kennedy Assails Facebook with Offensive Racist Swahili Comment

Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein

February 26, 2018

California Democrats rebuked Sen. Dianne Feinstein at their annual convention this weekend, denying her the party’s endorsement in this year’s Senate race, and giving a majority of their votes to her apparently more liberal primary challenger, Kevin de León. While many may slot Feinstein in the ‘moderate’ zone, I have seen her, through the years, as … More Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein

Why Chelsea Manning is Qualified to Run for Senate

January 14, 2018

“Chelsea Manning is superbly qualified to run for the United States Senate, not only because she is an American who meets all the legal requirements, but also because she has the courage to challenge and shake up a supremely flawed elitist system” Melanie Nathan. Yup call me haughty – that is me quoting me! My … More Why Chelsea Manning is Qualified to Run for Senate

BREAKING: Sen. Feinstein to Immigrant Youth: “No Continuing Resolution Without the Dream Act!”

December 21, 2017

 Responds to weeks of escalating pressure from immigrant youth in CA and Washington to pass the Dream Act California, Washington, D.C. – With less than two days remaining this year to pass the Dream Act, immigrant youth successfully pushed Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to commit to vote NO on any Continuing Resolution that does not … More BREAKING: Sen. Feinstein to Immigrant Youth: “No Continuing Resolution Without the Dream Act!”

Trump Divisive Ambassador to Israel Gets Lowest Senate Vote Ever

March 27, 2017

This week, Trump stooge Mike Pence will administer the Oath of Office to David Friedman, the new AMERICAN AMBASSADOR to Israel- May Hashem help us! ” Friedman was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday and will likely take up his post fully only in June.Friedman, whose appointment was controversial due to his past support for West … More Trump Divisive Ambassador to Israel Gets Lowest Senate Vote Ever

California Appropriations Committee Vote 5-0 to Approve Religious Freedom Act

March 17, 2017

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Religious Freedom Act (Senate Bill 31) by a vote of 5-0 with two members abstaining. Sen. Ricardo Lara introduced the California Religious Freedom Act (S.B. 31).  Senate Bill 31 prevents California agencies from sharing data that could be used to compile a federal registry based … More California Appropriations Committee Vote 5-0 to Approve Religious Freedom Act

Experiencing the Hate of Jeff Sessions First Hand – Rabid Anti Gay Racist Could Be Trump AG

November 15, 2016

“Mr. Sessions is a throwback to a shameful era that we thought was in the past.  Inconceivable to me that a person of this attitude could be a Judge or even a US attorney. ” Senator Ted Kennedy: “He is now the ranking member of the very committee that rejected him and we were one of … More Experiencing the Hate of Jeff Sessions First Hand – Rabid Anti Gay Racist Could Be Trump AG

HRC Board Members OKAY with the Deplorable Endorsement of Republican Mark Kirk for US Senate

October 29, 2016

Well my question is are they? Melanie Nathan, October 29, 2016. #HRCdumpKIRK According to the website of the preeminent LGBT organization, Human Rights Campaign, the HRC Board of Directors “has the ultimate authority over the organization’s actions, including fiscal management and budget approval. Board members also establish the official policies that direct HRC.”  That means, … More HRC Board Members OKAY with the Deplorable Endorsement of Republican Mark Kirk for US Senate

HRC Fails to Withdraw Endorsement of Republican Senator Despite Bigoted Comments

October 28, 2016

Since the day the preeminent LGBT organization, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced its endorsement in favor of Republican Senator Mark Kirk, (R-IL) the incumbent for the Illinois Senate seat,  instead of supporting the Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth who has a 100% equality rating to Kirk’s 76% , many LGBT activists have questioned the move … More HRC Fails to Withdraw Endorsement of Republican Senator Despite Bigoted Comments

Five Reasons why LGBT Activists Endorse Tammy Duckworth

March 28, 2016

Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth is running against incumbent Republican Senator Mark Kirk, to represent Illinois in the United States Senate.  In the face of a senseless endorsement of the Republican by a prominent LGBT organization, leaders and activists have expressed outrage, and are now calling for the support of Representative Duckworth. Following her career as … More Five Reasons why LGBT Activists Endorse Tammy Duckworth

Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

November 2, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. Years ago many gay partner couples entered into adoptions thinking that the possibility of marriage would never be a reality in their lifetimes. Entering into an adoption guaranteed these couples certain legal protections like hospital visitations and inheritance rights. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decisions in … More Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

October 11, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2015. SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno that provides new protections for transgender foster youth in California was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 731 ensures that all foster youth, including those who identify as transgender, are placed in appropriate homes where they … More California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

A Big Gay and Personal Thank You to Senator Dianne Feinstein

June 30, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, June 30, 2015 Sen. Dianne Feinstein, my Democratic Senator from California, has been a consistent and stellar supporter of LGBT equality, both as a Senator and as a friend to many in our community. This week her Facebook page blazed in celebration after SCOTUS ruled in favor of marriage equality for all … More A Big Gay and Personal Thank You to Senator Dianne Feinstein

S.424 Oregon’s Merkeley added as co-sponsor of UAFA

March 28, 2009

   S . 424         At the request of Mr. LEAHY, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. MERKLEY) was added as a cosponsor of S . 424 , a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful … More S.424 Oregon’s Merkeley added as co-sponsor of UAFA