Open Forum: Justice Sotomayor - Friend or Foe?

This week the senate held confirmation hearings on Judge Sotomayor who is widely expected to receive more than enough votes in the democratic controlled congress. This would be historic in the respect that it would be the third woman nominated to the Supreme Court and the first Latina.

Not much is known about where Judge Sotomayor stands on LGBT issues, she has had very few cases that have dealt directly with queer concerns. Major LGBT advocacy groups however like the Human Rights Campaign applaud her nomination and claim "confidence" in her judicial philosophy. The mere fact that she has been nominated by democrats is not enough to assure us on how she will rule on key issues. Many republican nominated judges have turned out to be more moderate/liberal as seen in the California supreme court ruling on Prop 8, and the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous ruling on marriage equality. Judges are supposed to rule on the merits of the case and only follow the constitution. Ideally issues on LGBT equality should not be considered a conservative nor liberal issue, but a civil rights and constitutional issue. Sadly, activist judges on the conservative end of the spectrum have failed to uphold the constitution and use loopholes in the law to justify their viewpoint.

Do you think Judge Sotomayor should be confirmed, will she be an LGBT ally on the bench or might we see a democratically appointed judge who is conservative on social issues that effect our community?

Blog Spotlight: The Lion's Historian

The Lion's Historian features everything from reviews on the latest toys and lesbian erotica to the latest updates on LGBT issues. Stop by daily at http://vyzion360.com to satisfy your need for a good laugh or an interesting information tidbit.

"Tell 3 Campaign" - Coming Out Isn't Enough!

The "Tell 3" campaign is being run by Equality California in an attempt to create awareness about LGBT people, our lives, and our fight for equality. The premise of the campaign is that coming out is simply not enough to win us equal rights, we must do more, we need to be proactive and speak out about why these issues are important to us. "Tell 3" is urging us to speak about LGBT issues with 3 straight people, specifically people who don't undertstand and are not necessarily allied with our movement.

Goto http://www.tell-three.org to learn more, get materials, and spread the word!

Vote for Gay Rights/LGBT Issues To Be On 2009 Agenda At MoveOn.org

Queers United has been waging a campaign to get MoveOn.org a large grassroots progressive organization to focus on and to fight on behalf of LGBT equality. Moveon has been instrumental in the fight for progressive issues and in their efforts to elect Barack Obama, their voice is loud and they are a powerful constiuency.

Up until now, MoveOn has neglected LGBT issues, now is our chance!

LGBT rights made the MoveOn top ten goals for 2009. Please vote to make it the top issue for MoveOn in 2009.

If you are a current MoveOn member, check your email and head to the site to vote, if not, please register and make your voice heard.

Help Pro-Equality Candidate Win Senate Seat in Georgia!

Help elect pro-equality Democrat Jim Martin in the Tuesday, December 2nd run-off election in Georgia. Incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss has a 0% rating on issues important to us, even voting for a same-sex adoption ban!

Jim Martin on LGBT issues:

-Expand federal hate crimes laws to include LGBT citizens.

-Expand federal workplace equality laws.

-Increase funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and education.

-Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell

-Supports Civil Unions

-Protect adoption rights for same-sex couples.

-Opposes discriminatory federal marriage amendment.

http://martinforsenate.com/