4/13/09

Tell Amazon to Stop Discriminating Against LGBT Books

Tell Amazon to Stop Discriminating Against LGBT Books

Targeting: Amazon Customer Service and Jeff Bezos (CEO, Amazon.com)
Started by: Ben Rattray
It was recently revealed that Amazon has been stripping the sales rank of gay and lesbian books, labeling them as "adult" content and removing them from search rankings. At the same time, books about heterosexual porn stars, Playboy centerfolds, and techniques on how to "cure" homosexuality remain ranked.Please tell Amazon this discrimination is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately, and that as a public company they should release a transparent set of guidelines on how books are classified on the site.
Petition Link


First Transgender Hate Crime Trial Opens in Zapata Murder Case

Source: Public News Service, CO, USA

Greeley - A landmark trial begins this week in Weld County, Colo. It is believed to be the first murder prosecution under hate-crime laws that involves a transgender victim. The case is last year's brutal killing of Angie Zapata, an 18-year-old transgender woman who was attacked in her Greeley apartment. The suspect in the case is charged with a number of crimes, including first-degree murder and a "bias-motivated" or hate crime. "

"Colorado was the first state in the nation to pass a hate-crime law, in 1988. Mindy Barton, legal director at the GLBT Community Center of Colorado, says it was amended in 2005 to include sexual orientation and gender identity."

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that these charges have been filed in an anti-transgender-specific case."

Public News Service - CO
April 2009
Criminal Justice
GLBTQ Issues
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Vigil for Angie Zapata April 14 2009


Vigil for Angie Zapata

Support Angie's family during this difficult time and raise awareness of hate crimes against transgender people

Tuesday, April 14 from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
North side of Lincoln Park (Greeley, CO)
10th Ave. & 8th St.Greeley, CO 80631

RSVP @ Progressive Colorado

http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/event/detail/4jvjz

One Iowa's 'Virtual Rally for Common Concern!'


Virtual Rally for Common Concern!
Opponents of equality are at it again! Once again on Monday, extremists will protest the unanimous Iowa Supreme Court decision and push additional measures to undermine the Court’s historic decision! Monday’s protest follows a similar protest last Thursday that saw
opponents of equality disrupt the House Chambers with chants and political gamesmanship.
In response, One Iowa is calling on Iowans across the state to participate in a virtual rally asking our elected officials to continue work on issues of common concern to all Iowans. In the midst of a budget shortfall, job losses, and last year’s devastating floods, our elected officials should put aside divisive politics and continue to work for all Iowans!
Participate NOW in the Rally for Common Concern:
CALL AND EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS
Even if you’ve already done so, our legislators need to hear from you again! Call legislators today after 8 AM, by contacting the Iowa House switchboard at 515-281-3221 and the Iowa Senate switchboard at 515-281-3371. You can find your legislators here. Also email your legislators and tell them to put aside divisive politics and work on issues of common concern!
TAKE ACTION ONLINE!
Signatures will be delivered to House leadership later in the day.
Second, change your facebook, myspace, and twitter picture to One Iowa’s ‘blue dot’. Follow the link, save the photo and upload it as your profile picture for the day.Lastly, change your status to

“One Iowa Rally for Common Concern:

Avoid divisive politics and focus on what really matters! http://eqfed.org/ct/M12XkwM1MEzw/“ For twitter users please follow OneIowa and add the hashtag #OIRCC to your message.
DONATE TO THE FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOOD BANKSupporters are encouraged to donate canned food items to their local food pantry before or after work. In Des Moines, canned food items can be dropped off at Ritual Cafe on 1301 Locust St.
While many Iowans are struggling just to put food on the table, it’s time for our elected officials to drop divisive politics and focus on what really matters!