Exxon-Mobil Continues to Fuel Discrimination Against LGBT People

ExxonMobil continues to stand steadfast against including LGBT people in their non discrimination policy. Mobil had such a policy which was reversed when Exxon Corp merged with them. The shareholders refuse to acknowledge LGBT people and have consistently voted down a proposal for an inclusive non-discrimination policy.

This year shareholder support for adding LGBT protections to the non-discrimination policy went down by a whopping 18 percent. In total 78% of Exxonmobil shareholders are opposed to adding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression to their policy.

It is imperative that we continue to let them know of our concern as well as to ensure a community wide boycott.

E-contact Form for Exxon-Mobil

Ask the Kissimmee City Commission to Approve Domestic Partnerships

Equality Florida has an action alert supporting LGBT city employees in Kissimmee Florida:

"In the coming weeks, the Kissimmee City Commission will consider the approval of domestic partner benefits for city employees.

If approved, Kissimmee will join dozens of municipalities across Florida in offering its employees some form of domestic partnership coverage. The inclusion of domestic partner coverage provides a critical lifeline for all unmarried city employees, gay and straight.

Help Kissimmee take it’s rightful place as a fair-minded city by voicing your support for domestic partner benefits."

Please send this message so that partnership benefits are approved.

Nevada Governor Pledges to Veto Domestic Partnership Bill (TAKE ACTION)

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) has promised to veto the domestic partnership bill. His spokesperson Daniel Burns has said that:

"The governor believes that government has no business in your medicine chest or your bedroom"

He also believes there are existing contracts that can be created, so no change to the law is needed. If there are people who want to be domestic partners, they can do so under existing laws.

He is also mindful of the fact that voters of this state on two occasions have said that marriage is between a man and a woman, and it's part of our Constitution."

It is unfair to deny domestic partners equal rights, and create legal obstacles for partners to obtain the same rights when it comes to estate planning, family planning, and medical decision making.

To contact Governor Jim Gibbons:

State Capitol
101 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 684-5670
Fax: (775) 684-5683

E-contact form

The good news is that there is word there may be enough votes within the state senate to override the Governor's veto. It is imperative Nevada residents contact their senators to urge for passage of senate bill 283.

Petition for Marriage Rights in Washington State

A petition has been created by Equal Rights Washington urging lawmakers to adopt the domestic partnership expansion bill. The email also states that the freedom to marry is a basic human right and personal choice.

Send Washington lawmakers a message in support of full equality for same-sex couples.

Urge Curry County, NM Commissioners Not to Impede Domestic Partnership Bill

New Mexico is considering senate Bill 12 and House Bill 21, which would make domestic partnership legal in New Mexico.

Curry County commissioners are trying to draft a document to the legislature stating their counties opposition to a domestic partnership bill.

“I just think that we need to stay with the traditional family values that we have in Curry County,” Chandler said.

Other commissioners cited heavy community opposition to same-sex marriage as the reason for their position on the resolution. (CNJ Online)

Please click here to email all the county commissioners and urge them not to impede the domestic partnership bills advancement within the state of New Mexico.

Activist Tip: Take Away Their Marriage Recognition

For those who voted to take away our marriage rights, we can symbolically take away the recognition of theirs as well. In some ways it seems a little juvenile, but so are their actions, and this will go a long way to make our point. If you know someone who is anti-gay, or voted for a proposition banning same-sex marriage, you can no longer regard their relationship as a marriage. Instead, give them a taste of what they are subjecting us to. Refer to their spouse as their "domestic partner" and their marriage as a "civil union" or just say you no longer recognize marriages since your right to them was taken away.

H/T to Chino Blanco for the graphic.

Unified Voice - Stand for Civil Partnerships

The people at Unified Voice believe that America is not ready for marriage equality, so instead their focus is on taking it one step at a time, securing as many rights as possible. They hope that through their action they can secure civil partnerships in all 50 states by 2020.

Sign the petition to grant full civil partnership benefits on a federally recognized level.

Equality Utah - Petition for Gay & Transgender Utahns

"Throughout the recent election cycle, the LDS Church has demonstrated its willingness to participate in political issues by asking its members to do all they can do, including donating their means and their time, to support California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution and eliminated gay couples right to marry by defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The LDS Church has articulated it is not “anti-gay” but rather pro-marriage and it “does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.” On November 5th, Elder L. Whitney Clayton stated the LDS Church does not oppose “civil unions or domestic partnerships.” In response to these statements, Equality Utah is drafting legislation for the 2009 General Session of the Utah Legislature to address each of the issues mentioned by the LDS Church."

Help urge the LDS church to stick by their statements and help in the effort to pass equality legislation in Utah.

Click here to sign the Equality Utah petition.

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!