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.

Log Cabin Republicans Endorse LGBT-Friendly Conservatives

"The Log Cabin Republicans, a national gay group, announced its first wave of endorsements for incumbent candidates in the House and Senate.

“We’re proud to endorse these six lawmakers for re-election,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “They’re strong allies and they have excellent records on issues of basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans. They have stood with us. We are proud to stand with them during the upcoming campaign. We look forward to helping them win re-election.

“These members of Congress represent the future of the Republican Party,” said Sammon. “They support a unifying agenda and they believe, as we do, that the Republican Party must be a big tent party that welcomes everyone.”

More information on these lawmakers:

Senator Gordon Smith is one of Log Cabin’s strongest allies in the U.S. Senate. He has fought for basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans—leading the fight in the Senate for hate crimes and HIV/AIDS legislation. Smith co-sponsored the Early Treatment for HIV Act and the Matthew Shepard (hate crimes) Act. He has also led the way in fighting for basic fairness in tax legislation, recently introducing the Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act and the Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act.

Senator Susan Collins is a leader on issues important to gay and lesbian Americans. She is a strong supporter of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and is a co-sponsor of the Matthew Sheppard Act. Sen. Collins opposed the anti-family federal marriage amendment and has also been a leader in the Senate on HIV/AIDS funding. Recently, Sen. Collins pressed Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen on the harmful “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. During a Senate hearing, Collins expressed growing concern that the loss of gay service members under the law is harming our nation’s security.

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack stood with Log Cabin and opposed the anti-family federal marriage amendment. She also voted for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Plus, she’s a leading Congressional advocate for sound HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention policies. She’s a co-sponsor of the Early Treatment for HIV Act and led efforts in the House to re-authorize the Ryan White CARE Act.

Congressman Mark Kirk voted against the anti-family federal marriage amendment. He is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act and supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is a co-sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. She has provided a powerful conservative voice in the fight to end the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. She voted against the anti-family federal marriage amendment. She also supports the hate crimes bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Early Treatment for HIV Act. Most recently, Ros-Lehtinen has spoken out forcefully against human rights violations of LGBT citizens abroad, particularly in radical Islamic regimes. She has also urged fair treatment of gay and lesbian employees of the U.S. State Department.

Congressman Christopher Shays is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He is also a strong supporter of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act and a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He voted against the anti-family federal marriage amendment and is a strong supporter of sound HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention policies.

“We’re proud to endorse these six lawmakers for re-election,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “They’re strong allies and they have excellent records on issues of basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans. They have stood with us. We are proud to stand with them during the upcoming campaign. We look forward to helping them win re-election."

Urge Mass Lawmakers to Repeal Discriminatory 1913 Marriage Law

UPDATE: Victory! The House of Representatives has voted 118-35, with five members not voting to repeal the 1913 law. Governor Deval Patrick has said he will sign the bill into law, effectively opening Massachusetts to out of state same-sex couples to be eligible to marry.

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Last week the Massachusetts Senate repealed a discriminatory 1913 law that barred out of state same-sex couples from marrying within the border of Massachusetts.

In order for the repeal to take effect the House of Representatives must follow the action of the Senate and vote for its repeal. Should this law be repealed it would open up the way for same-sex couples from other states to legally marry in Massachusetts.

Please copy and paste the emails below and urge representatives to repeal the "1913 law" that bans marriage in MA if the marriage would be considered invalid in another state.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm

Tell Congress to Pass the Matthew Shepard Act

"A law protecting all of our citizens against senseless hate violence is long overdue. Last year, both houses of Congress passed a historic hate crimes bill known as the Matthew Shepard Act, which would have outlawed hate crimes based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. But the legislation never made it to President Bush's desk because of his veto threat.

Send a message to Congress today. Remind them that America still needs the Matthew Shepard Act to help ensure safety and security for ALL Americans."

Click Below to Fill Out the E-Contact Form...
http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/hatecrimes0708

Urge Mass Lawmakers to Allow Out of State Marriage!

The Massachusetts Senate is scheduled to vote tomorrow on whether to repeal a 1913 law that does not allow for couples from other states to marry within the borders of Massachusetts. If they vote to repeal the House will then vote the following week. Should this law be repealed it would open up the way for same-sex couples from other states to legally marry in Massachusetts.

Send an email to all 40 members of the senate and tell them to vote to repeal the 1913 law which is archaic and discriminatory CLICK HERE!

Call one or more senate offices - Phone number listings

Thank Members of the Newly Formed LGBT Caucus!

Congressman Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin have announced the formation of the newly formed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The mission of the LGBT Equality Caucus is to achieve the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence and the improved health and well being for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression."

The following are the 52 congressional members of the LGBT caucus. Please take a moment to thank your state representatives for standing up for LGBT equality.

Click here to contact your representatives!

Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Barney Frank (D-MA), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Mike Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Hilda Solis (D-CA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Peter Welch (D-VT), Howard Berman (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Robert Brady (D-PA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Phil Hare (D-IL), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA), James Moran (D-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, D.C.), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), José Serrano (D-NY), Chris Shays (R-CT), Pete Stark (D-CA), Betty Sutton (D-OH), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Robert Wexler (D-FL), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).

For more info on the news check out Pride Source

Please Act Now to End the HIV Travel and Immigration Ban

Please join Gay Men's Health Crisis in fighting the HIV travel & immigration ban.

"What do terrorists, money launderers, child smugglers and people living with HIV have in common? They're all automatically banned from entering the United States.

After more than twenty years, this outrageous ban against HIV travelers and immigrants needs to go. Today all but 13 countries have recognized the injustice of such a ban: Iraq, China, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, Moldova, Russia, Armenia, South Korea and the United States. Tell your senators to listen to the facts and stand up for the rights of people with HIV."

Click here to contact your representatives!

Support Anti-Discrimination Legislation in Ohio

According to God is a Dyke:

"In Ohio it is legal to:

* Fire someone if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
* Deny them a place to live if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
* Force them to leave a restaurant if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender

In Ohio, it's legal -- even though more than two-thirds of Ohio voters support passage of legislation that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Today, a bipartisan group of legislators has introduced a bill to ban this type of LGBT legislation. State Senator Ray Miller and State Representatives Jon Peterson and Dan Stewart are optimistic, that Ohio will become the 21st state to update its laws and make our state a place where everyone feels at home."

ACTION: Contact Congress this Memorial Day!

This Memorial Day contact your representatives and senators urging for a repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy which bars gays/lesbians from serving openly in the military.

Organizations working for a repeal of "DADT" and serving LGBT servicemembers and veterans:

*Service Members Legal Defense Network
*American Veterans for Equal Rights
*HRC's "Legacy of Service"
*The Gay Military Times

Keep up the Pressure on Jamaican Government

Prime Minister Bruce Golding of Jamaica has announced he would not allow gay people to be part of his cabinet. This is part of a continuing campaign by the Jamaican government to ostracize and endanger the lives of LGBT citizens. The hate crimes in Jamaica are staggering with several gay people murdered and beaten annually. There is rampant homophobia in the culture, throughout musical lyrics, and hate spewing from religious as well as political authorities.

Please contact government officials and tell them you will be boycotting Jamaican tourism and goods, and demand that they enact laws safeguarding their LGBT citizens.

The following link enables you to send an email to the Prime Minister, his cabinet, the Ministry of Tourism, and other important officials.

Click Here to Contact Government Officials!

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

Support the Safe Schools Improvement Act

A new action alert has come out from the The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

"Across the country, communities are mourning the brutal murder of 15-year-old Lawrence King of California, who classmates say was killed because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. This tragic event reminds us of the importance of creating safe learning environments. We call on schools to honor King’s memory by using this as an opportunity to address violence and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. Further, we call on Congress to enact strong anti-harassment and anti-bullying legislation.

U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) has introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H. R. 3132), which would promote bullying prevention efforts in schools across America. H. R. 3132 is vital to protecting America’s students in schools, but the bill needs more cosponsors in the House.

The Senate has included similar language to address bullying and harassment in the draft of No Child Left Behind reauthorization, sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo). Senators, especially those on the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, should support maintaining the language that will strengthen state and local efforts to prevent bullying and harassment through the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.

Contact your members of Congress today and urge support for strong anti-bullying legislation."

Click Here to contact your representative

Click Here to contact your Senators

Urgent Alert: Contact Reps Over Arizona Anti-Marriage Amendment

The Arizona House of Representatives are slated to vote Monday over a proposed bill that would place a ban on same-sex marriage amendment to the 2008 ballot for November.

Arizona residents CLICK HERE to find and contact your two representatives and tell them to vote against this hateful amendment and to support equality for LGBT residents.

Act to Stop SB 1250 Anti-Marriage Equality Bill in PA

"The "Marriage Protection Amendment" is legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to define marriage as solely between one man and one woman, as well as prohibit civil unions and potentially more. If this legislation passes, it could harm thousands of Pennsylvanians including same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples and their children.

We need everyone to contact your Senator and Representative give a voice to the millions of Pennsylvanians who oppose writing discrimination into our State Constitution. In addition to calling your Senator and Representative, please email them about this important legislation."

(Click here to contact your representatives if you are a Pennsylvania resident)

Urge Salt Lake County Council to Vote in Favor of Partner Benefits

The council in Salt Lake City Utah is scheduled to vote on a health insurance plan that would include lesbian and gay couples. The plan would enable anyone living together who can demonstrate financial ties regardless of their gender or if they are legally married to be able to access coverage.

Please urge council members to vote in favor of equality.

Click below to find contact information for council members:

http://www.council.slco.org/html/contact.html

Arizonans Speak Up Against Anti-Marriage Amendment

According to Pam's House Blend:

"The anti-marriage amendment is back. After it looked like the amendment had been derailed, it is back on the agenda for the Arizona House of Representatives. Things may move very quickly-the House could vote on the amendment at any time, possibly on today, April 22, and the Senate might immediately follow. If the legislature approves the amendment, it will be on this November's ballot, just two years after a similar effort was defeated."

Arizona residents click CLICK HERE to contact your representatives.

Please call them now at 602-926-4221 or 1-800-352-8404 to urge them to vote no on SCR 1042, as amended. Urge them to keep this divisive amendment off the ballot.

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!

Act to Make Sure Sexual Orientation Covered by New E.U. Laws

According to ILGA-Europe:

"Within the next couple of months, the fate of an EU directive protecting against discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion/belief in all areas of life will be decided by the European Commission and the European Council. At the moment, there are signs that this directive will not include sexual orientation, age and religion/belief. ILGA-Europe is calling on everyone to join its campaign to ensure that a comprehensive new EU anti-discrimination directive which protects against discrimination on all grounds and in all areas of life is proposed and adopted."

Click for document listing European Commissioners to Contact!