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

Take Action: North Carolina YMCA Discriminates Against Gay Family

The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina is refusing to give a family membership to Mark Maxwell and his partner Timothy Young and their children. All other metropolitan YMCA's in the state do recognize gay families for their family membership rate.

The family in question was told that only couples legally married under North Carolina law or those who file joint tax returns are eligible. However, same-sex couples are not afforded these rights in North Carolina. The chief executive said that the policy will be reassessed shortly and that it is done so every four or five years.

Demand that the Northwest NC YMCA amend its policy to embrace gay/lesbian families.

President and CEO

Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO, x 6239 - c.hazelbaker@ymcanwnc.org

Membership

Sam Franklin, VP of Operations/Executive Director, (336) 838-2152 s.franklin@ymcanwnc.org

YMCA of Northwest North Carolina
Association Office
Winston Tower, 301 N. Main Street, Suite 1900
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336.777.8055
Fax: 336.777.6345
Email: info@ymcanwnc.org

Lesbian Couple and Kids Denied Family Discount Admission Rate

Amber Koger and Jeri Underwood a lesbian couple and their three children were denied the family discount at a community pool because The Lava Hot Springs Foundation's executive director Mark Lowe maintains that as a state institution they must follow Idaho law which bans same-sex marriage and defines family as being one man and one woman.

While it is in fact true that Idaho law explicitly bans same-sex marriage, there is no universal definition of family. The marriage law was not intended to discriminate in this arena, and it is being used unfairly against this family.

Please email the Lava Hot Springs Foundation and tell them to grant this family and all LGBT families the same discount that is applied to other families.

Lava Hot Springs State Foundation
430 East Main
P.O. Box 669
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho 83246
Phone: (208) 776-5221 or (800) 423-8597
Mark.Lowe@lhs.idaho.gov

Houston Bar Refuses To Admit Gays

The Union Bar Lounge in midtown Houston, Texas refused to serve nearly 100 gay patrons, leaving them to wait in the rain while the bar was empty and heterosexuals were being ushered inside.

Patrons started lining up at about 9:40 p.m. and were told to wait in line and not allowed inside, even as straight-appearing people were waved through. As the line grew and patrons waited in the rain, employees at the door told those who were that they were maintaining a “ratio.” Later, the bar employees simply indicated they had the right to refuse anyone.

“I was shocked to be a victim of that kind of discrimination in a city like Houston in 2009,” said Neal Falgoust, a Houston law student. “I have never experienced anything like that before in my life.”

A patron who arrived at the bar early reported that the bar was nearly empty at about 9:40 p.m., when gay people started arriving and were stopped at the door.

Gay people continued to line up to the street and around the corner as people who appeared to be straight went to the front and were ushered in. Kris Banks, who stood at the front of the line, said the bar employees were asking the women who were entering with men if the men were accompanying them. If the men were with the women, they were allowed in.

“I arrived and heard that they were not allowing gay men in, so when I got to the door with three women I asked if we would be allowed in, and the door employee said ‘I was told to keep you out,’ ” said Lindsey Dionne. “This was supposed to be a social event, but now it’s political.”

That this kind of discrimination is still legal in Houston makes it more outrageous. A coalition of GLBT rights groups, including the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats, the Harris County Impact Houston and Amicus at South Texas College of Law said Saturday that the incident is proof of the necessity of legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity for public accommodations.

“Houston is the only major city in Texas without a law that prevents this kind of discrimination,” said Jerry Simoneaux, GLBT civil rights lawyer. “This incident is exactly the reason Houston should implement such an ordinance.”

The event was organized as Houston’s first “Guerilla Gay Bar,” a tongue-in-cheek event that has been popular in other cities in which GLBT individuals come to traditionally straight bars to interact with other communities. Though Guerilla Gay Bars are usually a surprise event in other cities, Houston organizers informed the bar owner in advance out of courtesy and were told they would be welcomed (Capitol Annex).

The fact that the bar was told in advance that a large gay crowd was coming was not even necessary, since when does one need to RSVP to a bar? The bar said they would be welcome, and then decided to discriminate against them.

People are already leaving negative reviews on their yelp page.

2708 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77006
(281) 974-1916
info@unionbarhouston.com
www.unionbarhouston.com

Urge Subway to Re-Instate Fired Former Gay Porn Star

2/15/09: This post has been rehashed in light of Mr. Wild's appearance on the Tyra Banks show further discussing his termination from Subway. Since this time Subway has enacted a non-discrimination policy protecting employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Please urge them to uphold their policy and reinstate this worker as well as issue an apology.

---

9/5/08: "22-year-old gay porn star Kurt Wild was fired from his day job at a Subway restaurant outside of St. Louis when a customer recognized him and threatened to boycott the fast food joint if Wild wasn't fired.

Wild says in an email:

Hey everyone.

I just wanted to tell everyone that I was just fired from my work at subway because I have done gay porn. A customer said they wouldn't even eat there at subway anymore because of my past work and said that if I wasn't fired then they would boycott the store. What I say is, if one person can try to ruin me everywhere I work... maybe I should take a stand and boycott their store too if they can't let people's privacy be treated right. I should have the right to work anywhere I can and it isn't right or fair that people can keep me from working simply because of a "gay" issue. If a girl did what we do it would probably be ok.. and if a guy does straight porn.. he is bragged about. When I do gay porn, I feel a bit lynched for the rest of my life. Not right. Thanks for reading.
- Kurt Wild" (BGay.com)

People have the right to make their own choices, and Mr. Wild should not be fired from employment due to sexual orientation and his former career in pornography. Sadly the state of Missouri does not have employment protections for people based on sexual orientation so Subway did not violate any laws.

I urge you to join me in calling on Subway to apologize for firing Mr. Kurt Wild at one of their St. Louis locations and letting them know we will not stand for this type of discrimination.

For specific store contact please type in St. Louis, Missouri.

http://www.subway.com/Applications/CustService/frmCustomerService.aspx

SUBWAY® Restaurants
325 Bic Drive
Milford, CT 06461 USA

Ph:1.800.888.4848

Out Lesbian Ejected from Children & Families Committee Because She is "Offensive"

Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford is an out lesbian in the Missouri State House. Democratic leadership put her name forward and intended to designate her Ranking Member since no other veteran member from the Democratic side of the aisle chose to return this year. However, in mid-January when Jeff Brooks, Speaker Ron Richard's chief of staff, announced which assignments had come through, he told Democratic Caucus staff that Rep. Oxford was being bumped from the Children and Families Committee because "some of our members find her highly offensive."

Ironically, Speaker Richard and Rep. Davis have made an irrefutable case for why the protections called for under MONA are absolutely necessary because no one's job is safe in the state of Missouri if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, even if you are a member of the Missouri legislature.

PROMO is asking us to pledge financial support. For the first $10 you pledge, they will send a THANK YOU CARD in your name to Speaker Richard. For $20, they will send a card to Rep. Davis as well. For $100, they will send each five cards.

Help make a point and advance the Missouri Non Discrimination Act, by donating to PROMO here.

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.

Word of the Gay: "Homosexism"

"Homosexism" is the belief that gay or lesbian identities are superior to bisexual and/or straight orientations. The "homosexist" viewpoint sometimes leads to discrimination against those who are not homosexual.

"Help A Sister Out" Benefit for Lesbian Hate Rape Victim

On December 13th, a twenty-eight-year-old California woman was brutally raped by four men because she is a lesbian and had a rainbow sticker on her car. See the story at SFGate.

The woman will need months to recover physically and years and years to recover psychologically. She needs our emotional and financial support.

If you would like to send a card, please mail it to:

Richmond Police Department
Attn: Sgt. Brian Dickerson
1701 Regatta Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804

If you can send a financial contribution (even a few dollars) to help her pay her medical bills and other costs associated with her recovery, please mail a check payable to Community Violence Solutions to:

Community Violence Solutions
2101 Van Ness Ave.,
San Pablo, CA 94806
Attn: Mrs. Joanne Douglas

In the memo section of the check please write: Richmond Jane Doe.
For details and to show support join the Facebook group.

Parents Speak Out Against Prop 8

A new video from the "No on 8" campaign featuring parents who don't want their kids to grow up in an environment of discrimination. Share with friends & family in California!

Keep Your Friends Close, and Your Enemies Closer...

On this Halloween night nothing is scarier and spookier than evil anti-queer organizations working tirelessly to take away our rights and tear our families apart.

As activists it is important that we are united in our efforts, know who we can count on and what we can feasibly achieve. Likewise it is also good to have a basic understanding of who your opponents are and what they are looking to achieve. So I am posting today about some of the LGBT communities biggest adversaries and those who constantly seek to make life difficult for Queer people. For obvious reasons I will not be linking to the sites of these homo-bigoted and transphobic organizations.

Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) - Run by Peter LaBarbera this organization seeks to spread lies and deception about LGBTQ people and use scare tactics in discussing the "radical homosexual or transsexual agenda". This organization seeks to paint Queer people as depraved, ill, radical individuals who are seeking to topple society by any means necessary.

American Family Association (AFA) - One of the largest organizations promoting "family values" and right-wing Christian ideology. They are opposed to same-sex marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships and hate crime legislation for LGBT people. They have millions of members, church affiliates, media outlets, and a huge budget and political power to lobby congress.

Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) - They are a right-wing advocacy and legal group. They are opposed to all topics of homosexuality including marriage, adoption, education, safe-sex ed, military service, etc. They seek to be involved in litigation, and offer what they call the "Day of Truth" to counter the "Day of Silence" and educate about the dangers of homosexuality and its sinfulness.

Focus on the Family (FOF) - A non-profit Evangelical group focused on conservative issues. It is also countering the so called "gay agenda" by fighting against marriage, adoption, hate crimes, and seeking to "cure" homosexuals through their "Love Won Out" program.

Family Research Council (FRC) - A "family values" right-wing christian thinktank founded by James Dobson and now led by Tony Perkins. They oppose any form of recognition of same-sex relationships. They attempt to misinform the public that there is a connection between pedophilia and homosexuality. They sponsor a "Values Voters" summit with major political power and clout.

Exodus International - This is an organization that seeks to "cure" people of homosexuality. They encourage people to "leave the homosexual lifestyle" and claim that "freedom is possible through the power of Jesus Christ". They offer resources for "reparative therapy" which is bogus therapy not endorsed by the American Psychological Association or American Medical Association and claim they have converted thousands of people yet cannot substantiate any of these claims. The "ex-gay" movement is a sham and harmful. Exodus is the largest of these groups.

National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) - An organization whose mission is to advocate for conversion therapy in changing the sexual orientation of LGB people. Narth seeks to change the 1973 decision by the American Psychological Association to no longer consider homosexuality a mental illness. NARTH seeks to provide education, resources, and advocacy for their bogus "ex-gay" agenda. The organization claims to be secular but is often partnered up with religious thinkers and faith-based organizations.

Concerned Women of America (CWA) - A right-wing "women's organization" dedicated to promoting "biblical values". In addition to other conservative issues they are fiercely opposed to gay rights and have fought against bills like the "Equal Rights Amendment" and "Employment Non-Discrimination Act". They also seek to make it difficult for LGBT groups to implement anti-bullying initiatives.

There are so many more organizations but I named a couple of the big players, it is important to know who is working against us. It is important to keep an eye on what they are doing so we can counter their radical unfamily value like agenda.

California - Reject Discrimination Video

The latest No on Prop 8 video is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and lists previous types of discrimination that was tolerated. He asks all Californians to take a stand against the current injustice against our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.

Lesbian Couple in U.K. Face Discrimination at WorkPlace

"Beth Moules and Sharleen Amos, both 24, both saleswomen, told the hearing they were ridiculed by a senior staff member who branded their sexuality "disgusting". They claimed a colleague told staff the pair had performed a threesome with their sales manager being "the meat sandwich between them". They claimed the firm ignored their complaints of sexual harassment, and they were allegedly told to stop complaining because "lesbians had never and would never suffer in the way that Jews did".

The women, who live together in Swindon, Wilts, are claiming sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal at the tribunal in Bristol. The pair joined Bristol-based Aquatec Rainsoft, which makes water purifications systems, in October 2006.

Aquatec Rainsoft accountant Anne Boyle told the hearing that the company had "done everything it could to protect" the couple." (Telegraph)

I am glad that the company claims to be trying to protect the couple. I would urge the company to fire the senior staff member who made those homophobic comments, and also issue a diversity training program which includes sexual orientation issues for their staff.

Please politely encourage Aquatec to follow the above measures, click here.

Exhibition House
North View, Soundwell, Bristol, BS16 4NT, United Kingdom
+44 117 910 9988

South African Guesthouse Discriminates Against Gays

"A gay couple is livid after allegedly being turned away by a guesthouse because the lodge did not have a policy on homosexuals. Lindani Mchunu and a gay friend, Lebogang Modise, feel downhearted and discriminated against because they were forced to drive through the night after they were allegedly rejected by the management at Dikolobe Guesthouse in Seabe village, northeast of Pretoria.

Modise said yesterday that they arrived at the guesthouse on Wednesday night – exhausted and hungry.

“We wanted to book as a couple and management told us they did not cater for gay people,” he said" (Gay Agenda)

Dikolobe Guesthouse Contact Info:

E-Mail : kmochusi@yahoo.com

Information : +27 (0) 72 459 1861

http://www.dikolobe.co.za/

Jindal to Re-legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination

"If you are a Louisiana State department head that wished to rid your taxpayer funded office of gay people, you only have to wait until after Friday. That’s when an anti-discrimination order put in place by former Governor Kathleen Blanco expires. And current Governor Piyush “Bobby” Jindal has no intention of renewing it.

The order - enacted by Blanco on Dec. 6, 2004 - bars state agencies and contractors from various sorts of harassment and discrimination by race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation or disabilities.

Jindal says that he only wants to protect from discrimination those categories that are protected by Federal or state law. And neither federal nor Louisiana state law protect gay persons from blatant intentional discrimination."

Tell Governor Jindal he should be ashamed of himself for making discrimination based on sexual orientation legal again. Click here for E-contact form.

Crossposted from Box Turtle Bulletin

Lesbian Kicked Out of Social Security Building

Ms. Lapriss Gilbert an African-American Lesbian was subject to discrimination yesterday while going to the Social Security office. A federal guard hired by Homeland Security objected to her lesbian.com t-shirt on the account that it was "offensive." Lesbian.com is an education and resource site for lesbian identified women.

The unnamed guard is contracted by Paragon Systems. Ms. Gilbert along with the ACLU are filing a lawsuit against the company. Please urge the company to fire this homophobic "security agent."

Paragon Systems Inc.
14160 Newbrook Dr.
Suite 150
Chantilly, VA 20151-2297

Phone: (703) 263-7176
Fax: (703) 263-9527
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, EST

Demand Tasmanian Blood Ban be Dropped!

The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal has been debating whether gay/bisexual men should be allowed to donate blood. The case was brought to the tribunal because currently the Red Cross the largest national blood collection agency enforces a ban on donations by men who have had sex with men, and people feel this is tantamount to discrimination.

The Tasmanian Gay & Lesbian Rights Group is fighting the ban. They said the ban is immoral for three reasons.

"1. It puts lives at risk by reducing the pool of potential blood donors at a time when blood is in short supply.

2. It stigmatises gay and bisexual men as a threat to public health.

3. It wrongly portrays male-to-male sex as inherently a health risk, and sends out the irresponsible public health message that heterosexual sex is health-risk free."

Please contact the tribunal and demand an end to the archaic and discriminatory ban.

Email: ADT@justice.tas.gov.au

The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal
23 - 25 Liverpool Street
HOBART TAS 7000

Telephone: (03) 6233 8372

Fax: (03) 6233 5355

Please also take the time to contact the Red Cross and express your views.

Robert Tickner
Chief Executive Officer
Red Cross National Office
Postal: PO Box 196 Carlton Vic 3053
Telephone: 03 9345 1800
Facsimile: 03 9348 2513
Email: natinfo@redcross.org.au


The Chief Executive Officer
Australian Red Cross Blood Service
GPO Box 5103
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Contact Form: Click Here

For more info on the men who began the battle or to get involved in blood-ban activism in Tasmania contact Rodney Croome at 0409 010 668 or Michael Cain at 0400 734 798.

"No Faggots Allowed!"

Activists in Maine created this flyer to highlight the discriminatory blood ban by the American Red Cross that prohibits men who have had sex with men since 1977 or women who have had sex with a man who has had sex with a man from donating blood.

Tell the Red Cross - Gay Blood Saves Lives!
http://www.redcross.org/contactus/

No Queers Allowed to Rent at Rybolt Reserve

"The tidy palm lined streets and affordable homes of the Rybolt Reserve subdivision in suburban Orlando have become popular with middle class homebuyers and speculators but if you are a gay or unmarried opposite-sex couple the Homeowners Association has a message - don't bother to try to rent here according to some property owners.

Several owners say they have been told by the Association they cannot rent their properties in the East Orange County subdivision to couples who are not legally married or to same-sex pairs.
"The Homeowner's Association is totally out of control," Suzane Musashe, who leases homes in the subdivision for investors, told WFTV.

"I feel like I am back in the 60's because there is such discrimination going on," Musashe told the station. The prohibitions are listed in a set of rules passed by the HOA, which describes Rybolt Reserve as a family oriented community. Musahse said the strict rules are so limiting they will send some homeowners into foreclosure. "You can only rent to a married couple, that's it. That eliminates more than half your market," she told WFTV.

The HOA restrictions are legal. Orlando has an ordinance protecting same-sex couples who purchase homes, but not renters. County Commissioner Bill Segal told the station that he may introduce an ordinance to protect gay and lesbian couples who rent." (365gay)

Contact the Rybolt Reserves and Tell Them to Engage in Fair Housing Practice!

Old Dominion Trucking Line Fires Transgender Woman

According to Lavender Newswire:

"The American Civil Liberties Union filed a sex discrimination lawsuit today against Old Dominion Freight Lines for illegally firing a truck driver for impersonating a female after she informed the company that she was transitioning from male to female. A prior EEOC investigation into the firing sided with the driver, Kaylee Seals, finding there was reasonable cause to believe that Old Dominion discriminated against Seals based on sex and sex stereotyping."

Please contact Old Dominion and urge them to issue an apology and institute fair practices for gender variant workers.

customer.service@odfl.com (General Customer Service)
Brian.Stoddard@odfl.com (Human Resources)

Corporate Office
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
500 Old Dominion Way
Thomasville, NC 27360
Toll-Free: (800) 432 6335
Local: (336) 889-5000
Fax: (336) 822-5229