1/14/09

TEXAS to decide fate of Gender inclusive "ENDA" HB508

By: Villarreal H.B. No. 538

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the prohibition of employment discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.002, Labor Code, is amended by adding
Subdivisions (9-a) and (13-a) to read as follows:
(9-a) "Gender identity or expression" means having or
being perceived as having a gender-related identity, appearance,
expression, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance,
expression, or behavior is different from that commonly associated
with the person's actual or perceived sex.
(13-a) "Sexual orientation" means the actual or
perceived status of an individual with respect to the individual's
sexuality.
SECTION 2. Section 21.051, Labor Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 21.051. DISCRIMINATION BY EMPLOYER. An employer
commits an unlawful employment practice if because of race, color,
disability, religion, sex, national origin, [or] age, sexual
orientation, or gender identity or expression the employer:
(1) fails or refuses to hire an individual, discharges
an individual, or discriminates in any other manner against an
individual in connection with compensation or the terms,
conditions, or privileges of employment; or
(2) limits, segregates, or classifies an employee or
applicant for employment in a manner that would deprive or tend to
deprive an individual of any employment opportunity or adversely
affect in any other manner the status of an employee.
Full bill at www.legis.state.tx.us

Please contact Representative Michael Villarreal and tell him that you support his efforts.

By Kelli Busey
Jan. 14, 2009
planetransgender

1/13/09

Tell Pepsi THANK YOU For Supporting Our Families!



Last week, the American Family Association launched a boycott of PepsiCo. The AFA boycott is based, in part, on the PepsiCo Foundation's support of PFLAG’s Straight for Equality in the Workplace project.

Please let Pepsi know that you appreciate their support for our families and will support the company when you are shopping.

Please call PepsiCo's customer relations line at 1-800-433-2652 today.

When you call, please be brief in your comments. Politely tell the operator that:

You are a PFLAG member and want to thank Pepsi for its support of your family;
You plan to purchase Pepsi products whenever possible to show your support for the company’s welcoming policies; and
You support Pepsi and your area bottlers and will refuse to participate in the boycott.


For more information on Pepsi’s generous gift to Straight for Equality, click here.

Thank you for your support of PFLAG, Straight for Equality and PepsiCo. Then, forward this alert to all of your friends . . . ask them to support PepsiCo . . . and remember when you shop to buy Pepsi products, like Tropicana, Frito Lay, Quaker and Gatorade.

1/12/09

New York Civil Liberties Union-President Obama CLOSE GITMO AND END THE MILITARY COMMISSIONS


“As President, I will close Guantánamo, reject the Military Commissions Act, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions”
– Barack Obama 8/1/07

Tell President elect Obama you support the restitution of American justice and social equality by signing this letter by the New York Civil Liberties Union!

Dear President-elect Obama,

I was deeply moved by your recent affirmation that you will close the Guantánamo detention facilities and shut down the military commissions, which have been a stain on America here, at home and abroad.

Nothing would make me prouder than to see you act on your first day in office to restore America's moral leadership in the world.

With one stroke of your pen, you can close Guantánamo Bay prison, shut down military commissions, and ban torture.

The Bush administration created a prison camp at Guantánamo - a place where they claimed the law didn't apply. They detained hundreds of men without charge or trial, authorized torture, and prosecuted some prisoners in military commissions that violate our Constitution and international law.

We can't let the system of injustice George W. Bush put in place stand - not for a single day.

I want you to know that I will support your leadership on this vitally important issue in every possible way. And I will stand by you every step of the way to resist those calling for you to "go slow" or "wait for the right time" to act in defense of American freedom.

New York Civil Liberties Union.

1/11/09

Transgender and Gay Ordinance in Kalamazoo under Attack


Kalamazoo's new Gay and Transgender city ordinances are being challenged and the Kalamazoo Alliance says your Help is Needed to Keep the new Equal Rights Ordinance in Kalamazoo.

"Join us at City Hall on Monday, January 12 at 6pm for the City Commission Meeting on the second floor of City Hall."

Kalamazoo news " The commission unanimously approved amendments Dec. 1 making it a civil infraction to discriminate against gay, lesbian or transgender individuals in housing, public accommodations or employment."

"But a petition drive spearheaded by the American Family Association of Michigan collected more than enough signatures in the 20 days after the new ordinance language became effective to bring the issue back to the commission and potentially to a public vote."

"Regardless of the action commissioners take Monday night, the expanded protections will not be enforceable, at least in the short term, says City Attorney Clyde Robinson."

A direct vote in May could decide whether Kalamazoo will remain the 17th Michigan city to extend human rights to Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people.

By kelli Busey
Jan. 11, 2009
planetransgender

1/10/09

Dallas DOMA Protest January 2009





There were aprox. 35 protesters attending the rally on the square at 509 Main St. to bring attention to the incoming Obama administration of the inequities being suffered by the GLBT community under DOMA.
We did however attract group of hate mongers who after being escorted across the street by the police proceeded to yell hate inspired slogans as we peacefully continued our rally. After a while of this they knelt and began to pray, I presume asking for forgiveness for being such huge bigots. I also prayed for them. God please forgive these mislead disciples. They have been taught to hate and spread violence enabling vicious lies. Please help them to love their neighbours. Amen.


By Kelli Busey
Jan. 10, 2009
planetransgender

Gainesville Fl : Misleading Anti Transgender Ad Exposed


A Florida based Hate Group has unleashed a propaganda campaign insinuating that if Gainesville Fl transgender protective laws are allowed to stand men will follow your childern into bathrooms.

According to Fox News Gainesville City Commissioner Crag Lowe, the leader of a group called Equality is Gainesville's Business, has called the ads from Davis' group a grossly distorted attempt to whip up fears.



The train of thought which would lead to the conclusion that enacting human rights to protect a vulnerable class of people would embolden pedophiles to commit crimes when previously the lack of same laws prohibited them is beyond me. The group "Citizens for Good Public Policy", who produced this video were called on to answer for this misleading ad after citizens learned of the deception and would not return calls from FOX News.

This video is a attack against me. The last thing a transgender person wants is to offend anyone much less assault anyone. Quite the opposite. Transgender people are the ones being victimized.

The only thing missing from that video was men dragging this man out of the ladies room and lynching him.

I live in a city where transgender people are protected by laws similar to Gainesville. There has been no increase of crime targeting children attributable to enactment of gender protective laws in this city or any other city or state.