Rep Roskam: Talk of Repealing DADT "Manipulating & Dishonoring" of Troops

During an appearance on WLS Radio's Don Wade & Roma this morning, Illinois GOP Rep. Peter Roskam of the 6th district knocked efforts to repeal the military's anti-gay 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy which bars openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving in the military. The congressman suggested that the mere conversation about possible repeal of the policy is "manipulating and doesn't honor" the troops.

ROSKAM: We've got to focus on jobs and the economy. What the American public is very reluctant about, and I think deeply resents, is the idea of using our national military for politics -- moving a political agenda and manipulating the military in the process. And it just seems completely incongruous. It doesn't honor the people that are serving in the military, it doesn't hold them in high esteem. Instead, it says we're gong to manipulate you and we're going to use you as a foil in this great debate that we're having across our country. You know what, let's have the great debate, but let's not use these folks as a pawn in this political game.

Tell the congressman that the only thing manipulative and dishonorable is not allowing troops to serve openly.

507 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4561
E-contact form
Twitter

H/T to Progress Illinois for the news tip.

Midwesterners to Protest Exodus "Ex-gay" Ideology in Illinois

The Gay Liberation Network is organizing a protest against the opening of Exodus International’s annual “Freedom Conference” which promotes "ex-gay" therapy and it invites you to join them in protest:

Tuesday, July 14
6:30 PM
Wheaton College
500 College Avenue
Wheaton, Illinois

GLN is organizing transportation from Chicago to the protest, and may be able to offer it from some suburban locations. If you need transportation or are willing to offer it, please email LGBTliberation@aol.com.

Crossposted via Truth Wins Out.

PROTEST President Obama's Broken Promises To the Queer Community

Many in the LGBT community are growing increasingly frustrated with Barack Obama's inaction on LGBT issues, and what is being seen as his administrations anti-gay decisions and actions.

The Gay Liberation Network will be protesting President Obama on Monday June 15th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. Protesters are mad that Obama continues to enforce the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy barring gays from serving openly in the military. They are also outraged that the administration defended the Defense of Marriage Act in courts using some ridiculous claims and marriage equality opposition tactics. Some are also still mad about his giving a platform to anti-gay people like Rick Warren and Donnie McClurkin.

The GLN demands that President Obama:

*Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and come out for marriage equality

* Repeal Don't Ask / Don't Tell

* Legalize readily accessible needle exchanges to reduce HIV / AIDS transmission

* End faith-based initiative funding which allows for religious groups to discriminate against LGBT people

PROTEST President Obama's visit to Chicago:
10:30 AM – 12 noon
Monday, June 15
Hyatt Regency Hotel
151 E. Wacker Drive
(one block east of Michigan Avenue)

Info: LGBTliberation@aol.com

Illinois Legislature to Vote on Civil Unions Today!

The Illinois House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill allowing for civil unions for same-sex couples within just a few hours.

It is high time that committed same-sex couples have access to rights such as visiting a partner in a hospital, making financial and medical decisions, etc.

Urge representatives in the House to support HB2234, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act. Use this e-action form from Equality Illinois.

Call your State Senator in Springfield. Ask them to support the civil union bill, Senate Bill 1716. (The switchboard number is 217-782-2000).

Mormon Machine Working Against Civil Unions in Illinois

The following official email was just sent out (via the LDS Church website) to all the members of the Nauvoo 3rd Ward, as approved by Kristy Combs, ward website administrator, and by Bishop Chris Church of the Nauvoo 3rd Ward. (Because it was sent through the LDS website, it required the authorization of a bishop or higher.)

"This message has been authorized for sending by Bishop Church.

The Civil Union Bill (HB 2234) has been scheduled for a hearing in the Youth and Family Committee this week on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in Springfield. If the bill is voted out of committee, it becomes eligible for a vote before the full Illinois House of Representatives. This bill will legalize civil unions in the state of Illinois, and will treat such civil unions with the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits as are afforded within marriage. In other words, civil unions will be different in name only from marriage. As has already been seen in Massachusetts, this will empower the public schools to begin teaching this lifestyle to our young children regardless of parental requests otherwise. It will also create grounds for rewriting all social mores; the current push in Massachusetts is to recognize and legalize all transgender rights (An individual in Massachusetts can now change their drivers license to the gender they believe themselves to be, regardless of actual gender, which means that confused men and women are now legally entering one another's bathrooms and locker rooms.What kind of a safety issue is this for our children?). Furthermore, while the bill legalizes civil unions, it will be used in the courts to show discrimination and will ultimately lead to court mandated same-sex marriages.

To help defeat this bill, please call your state representative and state senator and ask that they support traditional marriage and vote against the civil unions bill. If you are unsure who your legislators are, please see the link at the end of this email.

Also, please take a moment and call the following members of the Youth and Family Committee to encourage them to vote no on this bill. We need 4 votes to keep it from passing out of the committee. And - as always, please pass this on to all who believe in protecting our families and our children. If you are interested in attending the hearing, it will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 9:00 a.m. in Springfield in Room 122B of the Capitol Building (I can give you directions to the Capitol Building if needed).

Members of the Youth and Family Committee:

Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) (Greg Harris is also the sponsor of this bill, but he needs to hear your opposition to this bill)
Chairperson
217-782-3835

Rep. LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago)
Vice-Chairperson
217-782-5962

Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago)
Republican Spokesperson
217-782-1653

Rep. William D. Burns (D-Chicago)
217-782-2023

Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe (R-Chicago)
217-782-8182

Rep. Al Riley (D-Matteson)
217-558-1007

Rep. Dave Winters (R-Rockford)
217-782-0455

Directions for identifying your legislators:

You can use the following link to identify your state legislators and
their contact information: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1 (and enter your 9
digit zip code). If this link doesn't work, you can use the general
link www.ilga.gov and then click on " legislator lookup" near the
bottom of the page, then click on "by zip+4". Type in your zip code,
and you'll see a list of your legislators. You want your state
senator and state representative as they will be the ones voting on
the bill.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sister Combs"

Please do the opposite of this action alert by the church and tell your legislators you support the HB2234 the civil unions bill.

Crossposted via Chino Blanco.

New Illinois Governor Appears Favorable to LGBT Community

The new Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn who has replaced the corrupted former Governor Blagojevich appears to be supportive of the LGBT community.

Governor Quinn has marched in the gay pride parade, and is reported to strongly support civil unions legislation.

Next Illinois Senator, Attorney General Roland Burris?

Attorney General Roland Burris will be appointed to the U.S. senate by governor Blagojevich of Illinois. The governor is currently in a scandal over allegations that he was selling Barack Obama's former senate seat to the highest bidder. Whether the senate appointment will stick is anyone's guess at this time.

It seems we have a friend in Roland Burris though. With minimal information out there, all accounts seem to be LGBT friendly.

• He lobbied extensively to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the hate crimes law in the state.

• He pushed to include same-sex couples in domestic violence legislation.

• Burris has been reported to be a "trailblazer" by hiring openly LGBT people for his staff.

Much more will come out about Roland Burris and his positions on LGBT issues, as the media, political analysts, and bloggers will dissect his record. Whether he becomes senator of Illinois or not, it appears likely that we have an ally in this man.

Out & Greek Conference 2008

"Never has there been a leadership conference to share, network and learn strategies to create safer, more LGBT inclusive fraternity and sorority communities. The Out & Greek National Leadership Conference is the first of its kind for undergraduate fraternity and sorority leaders and is sponsored by the landmark Lambda 10 Project, an educational initiative of Campus Pride. The Lambda 10 Project founded in 1995 works to heighten the visibility of LGBT members of the college fraternity and sorority by serving as a clearinghouse for educational resources and materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression."

November 14-16 at DePaul University, Chicago, IL, register now!

Illinois Your Chance is NOW!

Anti-gay activists are working around the clock to get petitions signed and contact their representatives to defeat the proposed civil unions bill.

Please join Equality Illinois in demanding equal rights for all citizens.

"HB1826, the civil union bill, passed the House Human Services Committee and now is waiting for a vote on the full House floor."

Illinois citizens please goto the link below and contact your representatives!

http://eqfed.org/campaign/action_alert_hb1826_mar2008