Exxon-Mobile Continues to Alienate LGBT Community

According to Gay.com:

"ExxonMobil shareholders Wednesday voted record support to a resolution to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the company's nondiscrimination policy, though they were unable to win a full majority.

The percentage in favor of the policy change has grown consecutively over nine years, with 39.6 percent of shares voted in favor of the policy this year, according to the Human Rights Campaign. This year's vote was the first to include gender identity.

"ExxonMobil continues to have the dubious distinction of being the only Fortune 50 company that refuses to add sexual orientation and gender identity to their non-discrimination policy, and is stuck in the ever-shrinking minority of businesses that don't offer domestic partner benefits," said HRC president Joe Solmonese in a written statement.

"It is irresponsible for ExxonMobil to ignore overwhelming shareholder support and not to join the majority of companies that provide equal protections and benefits to all families," Solmonese said."

Tell Exxon-Mobile you will boycott them until they have fair practices and protect LGBT workers through a comprehensive non-discrimination policy as well as provide domestic partner benefits.

E-contact Form for Exxon-Mobile

Action Alert to Support Family Values!

"GLBT Americans pay federal taxes like everyone else, yet they don't qualify for the basic federal protections that married couples and their children can count on. It's blatantly unequal.

GLBT people work hard to provide for their families. Tell Congress that the assets, health, jobs and rights of GLBT people deserve equal protection under the law.

* The Domestic Partnership Benefits Obligations Act (H.R. 4838, S. 2521)
* Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries (H.R. 1820, S. 1556)
* Family and Medical Leave Act (H.R. 2792)

These three bills bring together a pro-family, pro-equality legislative agenda that seeks to secure equal treatment under federal law for GLBT individuals, same-sex couples, and their children."

Fill out this fast & simple form to contact your elected officials, click here

Frequently Asked Questions about Same-Sex Marriage in California

I came across this great informative article on Lesbian Life:

"Answers to Your Questions About California and Gay Marriage

Now that the highest court in California has deemed that the state must allow gay marriages, you probably have a lot of questions about what that means. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about California's gay marriage law.

I was married in San Francisco in in 2004. Is my marriage legal now?
No. Those marriages were nullified in 2004.

When can gays and lesbians get married in California?
The California Supreme Court ruled that banning gay and lesbian couples from marrying is unconstitutional on May 15, 2008. The court gave 30 days for the state to begin marrying same-sex couples, so by June 16, 2008, gays and lesbians will be able to marry in California.

We have a California Domestic Partnership, do we need to dissolve that before we can be married?
No.

What's the difference between a California Domestic Partnership and Marriage?
You can be married to the same person you have a domestic partnership with. (Not someone else.) Having both can't hurt.

I live in another state, can I be married in California?
Yes. There is no residency requirement to get married in California

Will my California marriage be recognized in my home state?
Most likely not. Most states have bans on gay marriage. Your California marriage will probably be recognized in states that recognize gay marriage, which as of this writing is Massachusetts and New York.

Will the federal government recognize California same-sex marriages?
No. Because of the federal Defense of Marriage Act only marriages between a man and a woman are recognized by the federal government. This means married gay couples cannot not file joint federal tax returns, sponsor their spouse for immigration purposes or receive federal benefits such as Social Security.

Can the ruling be overturned?
The only way the ruling can be overturned is by an amendment to California's constitution. Anti-gay groups have all ready been collecting signatures to try and put a measure on the November 2008 ballot that would amend the state constitution.

What will happen to the married couples if that measure passes?
The California attorney general's office says the issue is unclear. What will probably happen is the issue will be fought out in the legal system."

Join the Fainess For ALL Families Campaign

"Join the Fairness for ALL Families Campaign and pledge to safeguard legal protections, health care and employment benefits for all Floridians.

Up for a vote, the so-called "Marriage Protection Act," would strip away domestic partnership protections currently being relied on by thousands of Floridians, including seniors, fire fighters, teachers and police officers. It would also bar the passage of future measures to help Florida families.

Spread the word to your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Ask them to join Fairness Campaign and pledge to vote against any law that denies protections to Florida's families. SIGN THE PLEDGE, VOTE NO!"

http://ga4.org/campaign/ffafmember

Learn more and take additional action at VoteNoOn2!

Help Pass the Domestic Partnership Policy in Miami-Dade County

According to Gay News Net:

"A package of domestic-partnership benefits moved closer to passage in Miami-Dade County on Wednesday, clearing committee and advancing to the full County Commission for a vote later this month or in May.

The proposal gives domestic partners, regardless of sexual orientation, the legal right to visit each other in hospitals and jails. It would also let county employees buy health insurance coverage for their partners and partners' children.

''We're a family and we need to have that sense of security,'' said Cristina Florez, whose partner works for the county's aviation department. Florez's unborn daughter was due Monday, and she said independent insurance will be practically unavoidable when she becomes a stay-at-home mother.

The proposal defines domestic partners as unmarried adults who are at least 18, live together, are not blood relatives and consider themselves ``immediate family.''

It was approved 3-1 in the Economic Development and Human Services Committee, with Commissioners Katy Sorenson, Barbara Jordan and Dennis Moss voting for it and Javier Souto dissenting."

Please urge commissioners to adopt the Domestic Partnership Policy!

Email: Click here to email the Commissioners!