Friday, November 30, 2007

NASA Snoops Into Sexual Orientation, Private Lives,Scientists Sue

Investigating the scientists who successfully investigated Mars. Image credit: JPL.



To see the JPL scientist's blog on The Homeland Security directive that they are protesting, click the link. Space- the last frontier for the right to privacy.

Markmarkmark writes:
"Wired is reporting that all NASA JPL scientists must 'voluntarily' (or be fired) sign a document giving the government the right to investigate their personal lives and history 'without limit'. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists this includes snooping into sexual orientation, mental & physical health as well as credit history and 'personality conflict'. 28 senior NASA scientists and engineers, including Mars Rover team members, refused to sign by the deadline and are now subject to being fired despite a decade or more of exemplary service. None of them even work on anything classified or defense related. They are suing the government and documenting their fight for their jobs and right to personal privacy."

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Insult Upon Injury: HRC Snubs Trans Volunteers...Volunteers Resign

Image credit: James Green




The word is out that two more highly respected Trans leaders have resigned from the HRC. The gay.com story below gives some details.

This story, as I read it on Pamshouseblend is even more bizarre and outrageous. This is not Trans sour grapes, which would be completely justified. No.

James Green and Donna Rose, Trans members of the HRC Business Council, were loyal to HRC. They waited until after the ENDA vote, and then asked to meet with the HRC Executive Director Joe Solmonese to discuss strategy, going forward. Their request was ignored. No reply for three weeks, according to the referenced letter. Obviously then, Joe chose to ignore them, which is outrageous, insulting, and unprofessional...and intentional.

HRC would know that this stiff arm, stonewalling might force a resignation. Thus, rather than collaborate and consult with the two trans, respected, high level members of the international trans community, and the HRC Business Council, they set up a situation where the only reasonable option for these people was to resign. Shameful.

HRC is out of control, and their Executive Director has lost my confidence. It all seems to come down to control, and HRC has proven they do not welcome any consultation-and they never really have, from my experience as a former Federal Club Member- or request to participate in strategy. Even from their own high level volunteers. No matter how much pain and injustice is at stake. You know, the LGBT community never set out to become so fed up with HRC. I was willing to consider that Barney had put them in a very difficult situation.

No more. HRC has turn trans snubbing into internal policy. HRC is now ethically bankrupt.

I believe the Executive Director should resign, and the Board should turn over a new policy leaf on a number of fronts.

Until then, "HRC Does Not Speak For Me" just might make a good bumper sticker.

Source: Gay.com

"Two transgender members of the Human Rights Campaign quit Tuesday, saying the group's support of an employment nondiscrimination bill that excluded transgender workers put them ''in an untenable position.''

Jamison Green and Donna Rose's resignations from the business council of the Human Rights Campaign are effective immediately, according to a joint letter. The Human Rights Campaign works for equal rights for gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

''Considering recent broken promises, the lack of credibility that HRC has with the transgender community at large, and HRC's apparent lack of commitment to healing the breach it has caused, we find it impossible to maintain an effective working relationship with the organization,'' they said. MORE...click Header.



Friday, November 23, 2007

AOL = Against Out Liberals?

Image: Kenny Hill of AOL



AOL canned a new queer blog of it's own making.
A principal in the effort now wonders why, amidst the ruins of his dream.

Source: Proceed at your own risk.com

"And was the deletion of QueerSighted bundled into a general "layoff" to hide some ugly truth? Were our politics too far to the left of certain senior officers at AOL? Was AOL receiving threats from it's large Evangelical and Right wing readership that used to entertain itself by flaming our site? I guess we'll never know and the worst thing we can say about AOL is that they lied about their commitment to the GLBT community and Kenny Hill and just swept us and him away as part of some mindless, heartless corporate housecleaning exercise. More? Click Header.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Transgender Day Of Remembrance Nov 20

source: rememberingourdead.org

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder in 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Since then, the event has grown to encompass memorials in dozens of cities across the world.

Who Died In 2007?

[No Photo]Nakia Ladelle Baker
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Cause of Death: Blunt force trauma to the head
Date of Death: January 7, 2007

[No Photo]Keittirat Longnawa
Location: Rassada, Thailand
Cause of Death: Beaten by 9 Youths who then slit her throat
Date of Death: January 31, 2007

[No Photo]Moira Donaire
Location: ViƱa del Mar, Chile
Cause of Death: Stabbed 5 times by a street vendor
Date of Death: March 5, 2007

[No Photo]Michelle Carrasco “Chela”
Location: Santiago, Chile
Cause of Death: She was found in a pit with her face completely disfigured.
Date of Death: March 16, 2007

[No Photo]Ruby Rodriguez
Location: San Francisco, California
Cause of Death: She had been strangled and was found naked in the street.
Date of Death: March 16, 2007

[No Photo]Erica Keel
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cause of Death: A car repeatedly struck her
Date of Death: March 23, 2007

[No Photo]Bret T. Turner
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds
Date of Death: April 2, 2007

[No Photo]Unidentified Male Clad in Female Attire
Location: Kingston, Jamaica
Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds to the chest and lower back
Date of Death: July 7, 2007

[No Photo]Victoria Arellano
Location: San Pedro, California
Cause of Death: Denied necessary medications to treat HIV-related side effects.
Date of Death: July 20, 2007

[No Photo]Oscar Mosqueda
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Cause of Death: Shot to death
Date of Death: July 29, 2007

[No Photo]Maribelle Reyes
Location: Houston, Texas
Cause of Death: AIDS; Reyes was turned away from several treatment centers due to her transgender status.
Date of Death: August 30, 2007


You can also find out about all the other reported cases of anti-transgender murder by visiting the Remembering Our Dead website.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

This Is Where The Work Needs to Be Done: Rep.Patricia Todd of Alabama

Sweet Home Alabama. Patricia Todd, white, liberal and lesbian won a state seat in a majority black voter district in Alabama. She never expected to win, and she was rightfully fearful of the Klan and others as she pioneered in this win. Patricia is one of the most interesting politicians in the LGBT elected constellation. Hello, it seems as if you are committed to delivering what constituents want need and deserve you can win on the merits. Patricia is proving that. Thanks to Pam over at House Blend for posting all of these great videos by Rep. Todd. Rep. Todd tells moving stories about what her campaign, and life are like in the deep south.

Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (And Visa Versa?)




Video: You Tube. Hillary campaigning at The Abbey, a famous LGBT club in LA.

Yes, Barney Frank is wounded by the ENDA flap, but politics must go forth in an election year. What is interesting here to Stonewall Citizen is that Clinton openly welcomes him with a headline post on her blog. This is progress for the community, and probably helps Frank with his LGBT base, as Clinton is spending her political capital on him, and us.
Now maybe they can work together on Trans inclusion in ENDA and everything else, and towards a federal marriage act for the LGBT during a Clinton presidency.


Source: hillaryclinton.com

The Clinton Campaign announced the endorsement of Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and named him as an Economic Advisor to the Campaign.

"I have from the beginning of this campaign believed that Hillary Clinton was the candidate best qualified to serve as President," Rep. Frank said. "I am convinced that once elected, the qualities she will bring to the job - commitment, intellect, and political skills - will make her an extremely effective leader in our effort to reverse the badly flawed course on which George Bush and past Republican Congresses have set this country.

"I am particularly pleased by her commitment to reverse the economic policies that have created a situation in which as the country progresses economically, only a small number of Americans benefit. Her understanding of the need to implement policies that provide fairness for middle and working class people is very important. She has shown an ability to fight for progressive values in a way that is capable of appealing to the majority of our fellow citizens, and I believe that she is both politically and substantively the candidate best qualified to be our nominee.

"As Chair of the House Financial Services Committee with major responsibilities for various parts of our economy, I particularly look forward to working with her and members of her administration in once again demonstrating that economic growth and a concern for economic fairness in fact are reinforcing values, and not, as the current administration believes, in competition with each other.

"In addition, based on my work with her on issues involving discrimination, I am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the candidate best equipped to pass laws that will treat all Americans with dignity, fairness and equality no matter who they are or who they love."

"I'm honored to have the support of one of the sharpest minds in Congress," Hillary said. "Barney has devoted his life to championing economic fairness and civil rights, and expanding opportunity for all Americans. I'm delighted he'll take a leadership role in our campaign."

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Trans-free ENDA Passes House



Shakesville (click header) says it all on this very divisive outcome. As they say in Congress, I associate myself with her comments, below. It is also clear that education begins at home, and the community needs to do a tremendous amount of work within to get to the desired outcome of Trans inclusive legislation on ENDA any every piece of legislation going forward.

"Immediately, I got an email from HRC celebrating, but noting in bold letters: "HRC remains 100% committed to doing the hard work necessary to pass legislation that protects our entire community, including transgender workers who remain especially vulnerable to workplace discrimination." Especially vulnerable. Indeed. Perhaps more so than anyone realized, given the extent of the prejudice expressed by presumed allies during the run-up to this vote. As Pam said this morning: "[T]he big picture is that this entire situation is a complete embarrassing mess of mixed messages and motives, inadequate preparation, poor PR strategy, and a hell of a lot of anger and vitriol that is damaging, painful and was this amateur hour was avoidable. One can only hope that whatever tattered relationships remain can be stitched together in some form or fashion, because there's more legislation and lobbying coming down the pike. Our community, for whatever that word means at this moment, needs to find a better way of doing things." I don't know what else to say at the moment, except that I'll continue to be a fierce ally for the Ts."

-

Towards Gay Greens:Clinton's Energy Plan

Image:Clinton's Energy Plan. Source:hilaryclinton.com

Hilary Clinton released yet another extremely detailed technology-based plan for new energy, jobs and climate change mitigation. No matter one's views on the 2008 race, no one can fault Clinton in her continued roll out of comprehensive campaign plans in the tech arena. The LGBT community is highly innovative and technology focused, so we are prepared, in a Clinton Administration to get engaged in growing gay leadership in the next green economy.

From her web (click header):

POWERING AMERICA'S FUTURE: NEW ENERGY, NEW JOBS

Hillary has a bold and comprehensive plan to address America's energy and environmental challenges that will establish a green, efficient economy and create as many as five million new jobs.

Centered on a cap and trade system for carbon emissions, stronger energy and auto efficiency standards and a significant increase in green research funding, Hillary's plan will reduce America's reliance on foreign oil and address the looming climate crisis.

Setting ambitious targets, the plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 to avoid the worst effects of global warming, and cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from 2030 projected levels, more than 10 million barrels per day.

Hillary would transform our economy from carbon-based to clean and energy efficient, jumpstarting research and development through a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund and doubling investment in basic energy research. She would also spur the green building industry by funding the retrofitting and modernization of 20 million low-income homes and take concrete steps to reduce electricity consumption, including enacting strict appliance efficiency standards and phasing out incandescent light bulbs.

Recognizing that transportation accounts for 70 percent of U.S. oil consumption, Hillary would increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, but would help automakers retool their production facilities through $20 billion in "Green Vehicle Bonds."

To take the steps necessary to transition to a clean and renewable energy future, Hillary will urge all of the nation's stakeholders to contribute to the effort. Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings.

Hillary's plan to promote energy independence, address global warming, and transform our economy includes:


  • A new cap-and-trade program that auctions 100 percent of permits alongside investments to move us on the path towards energy independence;
  • An aggressive comprehensive energy efficiency agenda to reduce electricity consumption 20 percent from projected levels by 2020 by changing the way utilities do business, catalyzing a green building industry, enacting strict appliance efficiency standards, and phasing out incandescent light bulbs;
  • A $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy. The SEF will finance one-third of the $150 billon ten-year investment in a new energy future contained in this plan;
  • Doubling of federal investment in basic energy research, including funding for an ARPA-E, a new research agency modeled on the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
  • Aggressive action to transition our economy toward renewable energy sources, with renewables generating 25 percent of electricity by 2025 and with 60 billion gallons of home-grown biofuels available for cars and trucks by 2030;
  • 10 "Smart Grid City" partnerships to prove the advanced capabilities of smart grid and other advanced demand-reduction technologies, as well as new investment in plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies;
  • An increase in fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of "Green Vehicle Bonds" to help U.S. automakers retool their plants to meet the standards;
  • A plan to catalyze a thriving green building industry by investing in green collar jobs and helping to modernize and retrofit 20 million low-income homes to make them more energy efficient;
  • A new "Connie Mae" program to make it easier for low and middle-income Americans to buy green homes and invest in green home improvements;
  • A requirement that all publicly traded companies report financial risks due to climate change in annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
  • Creation of a "National Energy Council" within the White House to ensure implementation of the plan across the Executive Branch.
  • A requirement that all federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Pile Ons Remind LGBT's of Every Day Life

Halloween is over, but scary pile-ons in the debates continue to resonate with many voters.
So while most things in the gay world can be reduced to the political element of inequality, Stonewall Citizen (SC) is going to be talking politics here. Let's review the fall out of the Hilary Clinton "pile on" effect, after the last debate.

What woman, what minority, what LGBT person has not at one time or another been the focus of a "pile on" attack? Whether in the streets or in the boardroom, we have all been through one or more of these.

While watching Clinton go through it during the last debate SC remembered those moments when not just the issue, but one's person is under attack. Clinton supporter and former candidate for President Geraldine Ferraro is not spinning when she says that sexism is still OK in America. Her point is that 2 hours of attack on one candidate would not be acceptable if that candidate were Obama, for racism is not ok in this country. Ferraro spoke in the New York Times today and says she does not think a 2 hour attack on Obama would be acceptable. It would not be to SC, and we support Clinton.
As a woman SC was angered and offended. As a gay person SC was angered and offended by the straight white male onslaught. Obama showed some restraint, and we appreciate that.
Obama did not lead the attack, but rather the courtroom lawyer, John Edwards. He and his wife Elizabeth have been aiming hard ball rhetoric at Hilary for some time. Edwards is also a master of re-framing questions before he answers, rather than answering the question asked.
Slamming the front runner, who is also a woman, is not having the desired effect. Do we honestly think Edwards, who has pinned his hopes on a quickly whipped up poverty platform and a southern demographic would have warmed to his task if the target was Obama? John Edwards performance under the pressure of political slippage showed him to be an attack dog. His name is now off of our list of options when the democratic primary comes to town.

Stonewall Citizen believes Clinton will come roaring back in the next Democratic debate.
A Newsweek poll shows that Clinton's numbers are still strong. Interest Alert.com has a good take on this evolving story, as well. (click headline).

Source: Newsweek.com Newsweek Pole: Clinton Thrives Among Dems

On Tuesday, at the eighth presidential debate among Democrats, front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton came under withering fire from her top rivals, Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards. But the attacks didn't appear to do much damage, with her lead for the party's nomination unchanged, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll. Almost exactly a year before election day, Clinton is also the favorite to win the White House--if only by a very small margin.

The New York senator gets 44 percent of the overall Democratic vote, compared to 24 percent for Obama (down a point since NEWSWEEK's August poll) and 12 percent for Edwards (down two points). She is the first choice of 45 percent of self-identified Democrats (compared with 39 percent of Democratic "leaners"). She also trounces Obama among Democratic female voters (48 to 19 percent) and enjoys a marginal lead among male Democratic voters (38 to 32 percent). Obama runs better among younger Democratic voters and minorities.