Give Same-Sex Couples the Same Immigration Rights!

By writing your lawmakers today, you bring us one step closer to equal immigration rights, so citizens can sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration.

No more separation. No more deportation. No more fear.

Help Congress get the message loud and clear: America supports passage of the Uniting American Families Act.

Sign the petition supporting immigration equality.

An Open Letter to the Mennonite Church USA

People who are pastors or have ministered within the Mennonite Church have been called to sign an open letter advocating for change within the sect. The letter argues against the exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and talks of the inclusive and the hospitable nature of Jesus. It goes on to argue that by denying LGBT people, the Church has lost sight of the Gospel.

Anyone can sign onto the petition, but obviously people in positions of leadership hold the most weight.

http://www.openlettertomcusa.org/

Dr. Phil Petition to Stop The Misinformation!

220 of our followers on twitter have signed our petition to let Dr. Phil know that we demand he stop his homophobic and transphobic programming. We are not only seeking he stop his inflammatory segments on queer issues, we are also demanding positive and accurate coverage about our community.

Sign our twitter petition demanding positive coverage now!

Million For Marriage Petition

Sign the Human Rights Campaign petition to remove legal obstacles preventing lesbian and gay couples from receiving rights and responsibilities under federal law. The petition is for those who believe in state and federal recognition for same-gender couples and believe it is time to end discrimination by offering the same protections their heterosexual counterparts receive and often take for granted.

Save Sexuality and Gender Studies Petition

Lawmakers in Georgia and Florida are using 'budget cuts' as an excuse for a witchhunt--targeting sexuality, queer and women's studies courses and cloaking a moral agenda as a fiscal decision.

We need to act now to protect the integrity of scientific research and the importance of sexuality and gender studies--including those who do sexuality work in complementary programs like anthropology, gerontology, sociology and ethnic studies.The work of these researchers and academics contributes greatly to a healthier sexuality for all of us, preventing disease, addressing stigma and promoting lifelong sexual literacy with accurate, science-based evidence.

For more information and to sign the petition please access the link below:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savesexualitystudiesnow/

Petition: A Campaign for Native GLBT Funding Justice

Two recent national philanthropy reports have released information indicating that Gay Funders contributed $37 million in one year to GLBT organizations across the United States. Native American Two Spirit People, the poorest of all the GLBT communities, received only 4 small grants of about $2,500. The average grant to gay organizations nationally is $16,000 a year. Gay funders have a mission to serve all equally, but it's time for a summit with the Two Spirit People here in our ancestral domains to help the funders achieve their mission. Two Spirit People have significant spiritual and ceremonial roles in our Native cultures, and Gay Philanthropy has a significant role to play in realizing a vision of funding-justice and social justice with our people."

Click Here to Sign the Petition!

U.K. National ID Card Petition Over Trans Safety

The draft guidelines for the National ID Card as they currently stand, with regards to transsexual people and others who choose to present in the gender opposite to that of their birth assignment them to: a Apply and pay for up to four different ID cards b Have two separate ID cards before a GRC can be obtained.

The Database will keep a record of the birth gender, contrary to Government agreement when the GRA(2004) was passed into law. This is despite the fact that many people cannot obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) and that it is illegal to disclose whether a person is in possession of a GRC without explicit permission.

4 groups of people fall into a dangerous areas: 1 A transsexual person who has obtained a GRC 2 A transsexual person who lives full time in their acquired gender but have not yet applied for a GRC either: a Because they are not yet entitled to apply for GRC b Because they qualify to apply for a GRC, but are unable to apply for reasons such as pre-existing marriage or lack of reqrd medical evidence c Because they choose not to apply for, or are unaware of the availability of, a GRC. 3 A person who lives part time in each gender 4 A person who lives outside the gender binary.

E-Petition to the Prime Ministers office.

Expand the Civil Rights Act to Protect LGBT Rights

Join 'The Power' by signing a petition calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to lead the 111th Congress expand the Civil Rights Act to declare once and for all that LGBT rights are civil rights and that it will be the public policy of the United States that discrimination based on LGBT status is prohibited.

The petition, copies of which will be sent to Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the President's LGBT Liason, Brian Bond, will be delivered on June 1, 2009, the first day of the 40th annual gay pride month.

Please click here to sign the E-petition.

An Appeal to the Politically Skeptical

Many people who care deeply about political issues and social justice question the efficacy of activism and being politically involved. It is a legitimate question and concern. People ask why should they bother sending an email/letter, signing a petition, or going to a demonstration. Is it a waste of time and why would someone care that you disagree and hold an alternative point of view?

As someone who has been an activist for many years, I can assure you that I have seen activism to truly work wonders. Does it always work? No. You should not be discouraged when things don't go your way, and with regards to civil rights and equality it comes in strides and not in one shot. However, that being said think about how rewarding it is when you are part of the solution and you can directly affect millions of lives or stand for what is right.

This post is an appeal letter to those who are interested in social change but feel that their efforts are a waste of time. I urge you to be involved send those emails, make those calls, lobby your representatives. Sure you are just one voice, but together we are a collective of voices and we make a dent. If you don't speak up, who will?

Why activism does work...

Business:
Many times companies/organizations take positions on issues that we disagree with. The reason activism can be successful is from a business aspect. The bottom line is companies want profit $$$, if they see a group of activists demonstrating, calling for a boycott or creating negative publicity for them, it is in their best interest to either give in to the activist or try to assuage their concerns.

Government:
Technically speaking elected representatives are supposed to represent the people of their district and thus vote accordingly with the will of the population. There are some politicians who follow this rule of thumb but many others do not. Politicians need your votes, they need credibility and thus will want to do what a vocal lobbying group will tell them to do. If your voice is not heard on an issue, a politician will likely feel no reason to support or take on an issue of concern.

Public Opinion:
If you are a successful activist you are bringing attention to the issue you are concerned with. This will garner media attention, political advocacy, and the like to your issue, you might find more support from others who will join the bandwagon. Even if people do not directly support your efforts you are creating awareness on an issue of importance to you.

So to make a long story short GET INVOLVED! That being said I will leave you with my favorite quote regarding activism.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has". (Margaret Mead)

Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments on this topic.

E-petition to Scottish Parliament for Marriage Equality

A petition has been created by Nick Henderson, on behalf of LGBT Network, calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 to allow two persons of the same sex to register a civil marriage and a religious marriage if the relevant religious body consents.

Please click here to sign the petition, and send it to friends!

Petition to Stop Deporting Gays & Lesbians

Recent cases highlight the extreme danger lesbians and gays face because of their sexuality if deported to a number of countries. Sending people back to their possible death is totally unacceptable.

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop deporting gays and lesbians to countries where they may be imprisoned, tortured or executed because of their sexuality."

U.K. Residents Click Here to Sign Petition!

U.K. Petition to NHS & Prime Minister "Stop Gay Blood Ban"

"The UK is currently dangerously low in it's stocks of blood.Therefore the NHS spends lots of taxpayers money on advertising and marketing costs in order to increase donor levels.

However, if the NHS changed one simple rule, they could potentially have several million extra donors eligible to give blood - instantly and without any marketing costs.

How? Allow gay people to give blood.

The UK law is outdated, stereotypical and discriminatory towards gay men.
More than that, it is risking lives - the UK urgently needs more blood.

A straight man who has sex with a different girl every weekend can give blood TODAY.
Intravenous Drug users can give blood after 1 year.
Prostitute users can give blood after 1 year.
Those who have had sex abroad in a high risk HIV country can give blood after 18 months.

Gay men are banned FOR LIFE, even if they've only ever had sex with one partner and they used protection."

SIGN THE PETITION that will be sent to the NHS blood donor Chief Executive and the Prime Minister later in 2008.

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.

Overturn Prop 8 Petition - EQCA

Equality California is committed to defeating proposition 8. Please sign the petition to stand with the organization to overturn prop 8 either through the courts or through another voter referendum in 2010.
http://www.eqca.org/petition

Courage Campaign's - Repeal Prop 8 Petition!

"The birth of a new Marriage Equality Movement -- the civil rights movement of the 21st Century -- is unfolding before our eyes.

Movements are visceral and popular, often borne of outrage and anger. What we are witnessing on the streets and online is a community of people who have come together to say: "These are our lives. This is our time. This is unacceptable." Organized from the bottom-up by thousands of ordinary people just like you, this people-powered phenomenon is exponentially growing by the minute, online and offline.

This is our moment to stand strong together -- gay and straight -- and say that we refuse to accept a California where discrimination is enshrined in our state constitution. Please show your support by pledging to support our campaign to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California.

Please sign the pledge to repeal Prop 8 -- then forward this link to your friends"

Bigots Should NOT be in the Radio Hall of Fame!

As we reported earlier in a contest by the National Radio Hall of Fame, James Dobson was nominated to be awarded as an influential and important figure. To non-christians, and to the LGBT community James Dobson represents lies and bigotry.

Activists are still encouraging the Radio Hall of Fame not to honor this right-wing extremist bigot.

The protest is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, 1 W Wacker Drive.

4 steps of action YOU can take:

* E-Mail Radio Hall of Fame CEO Bruce Dumont, brucedumont@museum.tv, and urge him to withdraw Dobson’s honor.

* Sign our letter to the Radio Hall of Fame urging them to reverse their foolhardy decision to celebrate Dobson’s shameful and ignoble career.

* If you live in the Chicago area, please sign up to participate in our protest.

* Donate to Truth Wins Out or Donate to the Gay Liberation Network to help us stand up to James Dobson and the Radio Hall of Fame.

Petition to get APA to Review Stance on Asexuality

The American Psychiatric Association is meeting to review their definition, standards and practices with regards to many topics. The two we are most interested in is Gender Identity and Sexuality. The following is a petition I created to get the APA to review their stance on Asexuality and not consider it a mental disorder. Asexual people are fully capable of living healthy and normal lives and should not be pathologized.

Asexual people and Allies please spread the word about the petition...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/87/petition-for-apa-to-review-stance-on-asexuality

Support One Million for Marriage Equality

"From coast to coast, we are coming closer to achieving true marriage equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans. But we need your help to fight efforts now underway to deny marriage rights to same-sex couples, including state constitutional amendments and federal laws that deny benefits to GLBT couples.

Please sign the Million for Marriage Petition, and be a part of this historic civil rights battle. Gay, straight, married, single... we need everyone who believes in marriage equality to stand up NOW."

French Government Unveils EDVIGE database

The government of France is planning on using a new database called EDVIGE which brings into serious question of whether this violates the civil liberties and privacy of citizens within the nation. The program is to be used by the French intelligence as well as police, however a great deal of personal information is being recorded by the database including but not limited to sexual orientation, HIV status, political identification, physical characteristics, ethnicity, moral/religious affiliation, employment, and location.

A large mobilization effort has begun calling for a withdrawal of the file. Thousands of people have signed online as well as in person petitions and 170 organizations, trade unions, and political parties have signed on demanding a stop to this program.

Below is an online petition from the Associative & Trade Union Network asking the French government to stop EDVIGE. The petition is in French, for our readers who are proficient go ahead and click.
EDVIGE petition (En Francais)

Otherwise you can fill out the petition via babelfish's website translater page below.
English Translated - EDVIGE Petition

Petition for Gender Identity/Expression Protections in British Columbia, Canada

Help the Trans Alliance Society collect signatures for a petition that asks the British Columbia government to add gender identity/expression into the BC human rights code.

"To the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, in Legislature Assembled:

The petition of the undersigned, concerned citizens, of the Province of British Columbia, states that:

WHEREAS transsexual, transgender and gender variant persons in British Columbia regularly experience egregious harassment and discrimination in employment, in housing, in health care, in education and in accessing public services, all on the basis of gender identity and gender expression;

AND WHEREAS a clear, visible and explicit statutory prohibition against harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression will promote the dignity, equality and well-being of transsexual, transgender and gender variant persons in British Columbia;

Now, therefore, THE UNDERSIGNED, CITIZENS AND PEOPLES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA HEREBY PETITION THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE TO:

Amend the British Columbia Human Rights Code so as to include and to specify “gender identity and gender expression” as a prohibited ground of discrimination for all purposes of that legislation in British Columbia."

For further information please call Raigen D'Angelo at 604-255-0551

Click here for a printable PDF form of the petition!