Interesting Quote: Julian Bond

"As LGBT people have gained greater equality under the law, we are hearing similar objections to the ones I heard in response to the civil rights gains of African-Americans in the 1960s. We hear people asking for exemptions from laws - laws that prohibit discrimination - on the ground that complying would violate their religious beliefs. ... There are some who feel that ENDA must allow religiously affiliated organizations - far beyond churches, synagogues and mosques - to engage in employment discrimination against LGBT people. We haven't accepted this in the past, and we must not today."

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PBS News Hour: Why the tide is turning in support of same-sex marriage?

Jonathan Capehart reminds Everyone why the Path to Equality is Ongoing and Winding

This week has been eye opening about how folks handle wins and losses in the fight for equality.

Honestly, it's been powerful and yet, disappointing to see how others get derailed and a bit myopic instead of motivated and energized for change.

However, yesterday on MSNBC, I was pleased to see Jonathan Capehart sum up the reality of the civil rights battle. What he said is totally how I feel, check it out:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Gay support for the GOP DOUBLED?

A Sad reality, y'all

Republicans made significant inroads among gay and lesbian voters in the midterm elections, with national exit polls for the House races showing that the GOP captured 31 percent of the vote of this group this year, compared to 19 percent in 2008.


The change from the last midterm elections in 2006 was not quite as large but an increase nevertheless. In 2006, 24 percent supported Republicans. Democrats' share of the gay vote rose from 75 percent in 2006 to 80 percent in 2008 and then dropped to 68 percent in 2010. Each year, approximately 3 percent of voters identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

"I have been very concerned over these last two years that the connection between the gay rights community and the Democratic Party is in danger of being broken, because I think expectations were set so high as a result of the 2008 election, and people are extremely disappointed," said Richard Socarides, a former assistant to President Clinton and senior White House adviser on gay rights. 

This is not cute. We should be better than this. If this is what happens when the going get tough, I don't know what's in store.

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Question of the Day: Are We Losing it?

The fight for our rights is taking its toll on us. As we get close to equality, the tension continues to grow and grow and grow.

And that's the scary part. Because of minor setbacks and confusing stances on details and laws, many of our fam are kind of losing it.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Joe.My.God. and the comments had me floored. His posts on Dan Choi and Valerie Jarrett brought out some nasty and tea party-ish views within our community. I mean, folks were talking about impeaching Obama, calling Valerie a cunt and a whore and how they hope the Dems will lose so they would learn their lesson.

It was sad, disturbing and disheartening to say the least. Now, I understand folks are upset with how DADT has turned out, but does it mean we just lose it and give up? No. This is a setback, but not the end. I'm disappointed in how this going, but I'm not going to lose perspective. There's just no need.

We haven't lost yet. The game ain't over and we should stop acting like it is. After seeing over a 100 sour comments from that post and a few other posts from other blogs, I think we should take a moment and gain a bit of perspective.

This is a civil rights battle. We will not completely fix 20 plus years of oppressive laws in 2 years. It will take time. I made up mind that I can't get angry over assumptions and minor setbacks. I have to be strong in this battle for our rights. It's going to be a long haul. 


But if we get this tripped up, what good we will be when true hard stuff happens? So, I hope folks take a moment, breathe, shake it off and get back in the field. We got our rights to fight for.

My plea to the LGBT Protests in Los Angeles... Let's change it up, please!

The Prop 8 stay has inspired another protest tomorrow in WeHo. But to be honest, I'm tired of these protests.

Now don't get me wrong, I believe in them and I'm very supportive of fighting for our rights, but the way it's done in Los Angeles is getting old. Let me share my reasons:

• We ALWAYS protest in WeHo. It's the gay mecca of L.A., so basically we are preaching to the choir.
• For some reason they love to start at 6pm. Hello, 6pm in L.A.? It's rush hour or better yet rush hours. Traffic in L.A. starts at 4pm and slows down at 7 or 8pm. And if you live in South Central, East L.A. or in Venice, you will need to leave work or where ever early to make it. And parking SUX in WeHo.
• At these protests, there are no set plans. You are just standing there with 100s of other angry people. Maybe someone will speak; but after driving for 40 minutes and spending 20 more minutes looking for parking, you just want a little more structure.
• L.A. is a huge city. I think to only stay in WeHo is too safe. This is a protest, we need to really take it to the streets for real. No one takes us serious if we are shouting in our own backyard.
• Also it sends a message that WeHo is only place that matters.
  

So how do we change this? Well, you know me, I always have solutions.

• We should be in many parts of the city as possible. Our anger or frustration should be expressed in ALL of L.A.
  
• We should be somewhat sensitive with time. Starting at 6pm works on the weekend, but I think 8pm is a better time. I believe more folks would come out and support.
• Have a plan. There should be next steps and strategies developed at these events. We have a captive audience, let's take advantage of that.
• Make sure the protest actually makes sense. Tomorrow's protest is nothing more but a bitchfest, let's not waste time. Let's make something happen.

As I said before, I love a good protest. But it's time to change the game. We need to take our issues to the STREETS. Hell, the civil rights movement went everywhere. They didn't just stay in the Black neighborhoods, they took it to the white neighborhoods, sock hops and schools.

It's time to follow suit.

READ Alveda King's letter addressing Coretta Scott King's support of LGBT Community

If you saw the clip with Alveda King talking to an activist, you may recall her mentioning a letter she wrote to her aunt, Coretta Scott King in 1994.

This letter addressed abortion and Coretta's support for the LGBT community. It's a must read and a sad introduction to this wingnut.

Please check it out:
Letter to Coretta King 1

WATCH MLK's niece, Alveda King make a fool of herself at NOM's Hate Tour

This is a travesty!
Coretta Scott King would be ashamed! This is hot garbage all over MLK's dream and purpose!
Alveda, you are a fool and a traitor to your family's cause.


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Gay Couples are now protected under the Violence Against Women Act

More great federal news!

Now same sex couples are protected under the Violence Against Women Act.

The Justice Department has concluded women, too, can be prosecuted under the Violence Against Women Act, in an opinion holding the law’s criminal provisions apply even when the victim and offender are the same sex.

The law’s three criminal provisions prohibit interstate domestic violence, stalking and violations of protective orders. The April 27 opinion, signed by acting Assistant Attorney General David Barron, says the law clearly covers acts by same-sex partners and also protects same-sex partners, even if it doesn’t state so explicitly.

“It is true that the statute is entitled the Violence Against Women Act, but other provisions of the Act make clear it applies to conduct perpetrated against male, as well as female, victims,” according to the opinion, which was released on Wednesday.

Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary Grindler requested the opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, which in turn solicited input from a variety of sources, including the Criminal and Civil Rights Divisions, the Office on Violence Against Women and the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.

If you want to see the opinion, don't worry, I got you:
Vawa Opinion 04272010

Obama Issues LGBT Pride Month Proclamation

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 28, 2010

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2010

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.

LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us -- the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance -- we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.

My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life-saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.

In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation's promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

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5 Things (I think) GetEQUAL could do

I'm going to tell you a secret... I'm not a huge fan of GetEQUAL.

I was excited for them in the beginning, but somewhere down the lane, things got weird. Like a friendship that took a turn in 'one-night stand-ville'.

To me, it seemed that GetEQUAL went from super activists to the Heckle & Jeckle Show. To many folks they are as Teabaggers, brats and rude hipsters. In fact, they seem to have accomplished getting arrested more than getting things done.

But if I could, I would present these 5 ideas to help them get back on track:

1. Work with our allies in Congress to organize townhall meetings. It would be good see the Senators, talk to our community about issues and possibly develop strategies.
2. Develop a list of Senators to vote for or avoid in November. We need to know who are LGBT friendly and who stand with us no matter what. GetEQUAL could get some folks to provide that list of Senators and post the info on their site.
3. Please heckle our enemies! Is that so hard? Instead of heckling Obama or Nancy Pelosi, GetEQUAL could attack folks like John McCain, NOM, Family Research Council. These peeps are not on our side at all. I mean, why be an activist group if you don't go after the people who are the reason of your existence? GetEQUAL needs to send to a message to our haters, not our allies.
4. Gather more people. The smattering of protesters makes the our cause and their purpose look weak. Recruit more folks!
5. Get Organized! When I see these protest, they look like high school bake sales. Please plan these protests wisely.

I could go on, but that's it for now.

A List 30 Accomplishments by the Obama Administration on LGBT Equality

In the midst of our gay rights battle, it's good to stop and smell roses every once in a while.

With that said, I wanted to share a list of accomplishments on LGBT Equality from the Obama Administration provided by DNC Treasurer, Andrew Tobias.

1. Reversed an inexcusable US position by signing the UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
2. Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees
3. Endorsed the Baldwin-Lieberman bill, The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, to provide full partnership benefits to federal employees
4. Signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act
5. Lifted the HIV Entry Ban effective January 2010
6. Released the first Presidential PRIDE proclamation since 2000
7. Hosted the first LGBT Pride Month Celebration in White House history
8. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King
9. Appointed the first transgender DNC member in history
10. Issued diplomatic passports, and provided other benefits, to the partners of same-sex foreign service employees
11. Committed to ensuring that HUD’s core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
12. Conceived a National Resource Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders -- the nation's first ever -- funded by a three-year HHS grant to SAGE
13. Testified in favor of ENDA, the first time any official of any administration has testified in the Senate on ENDA
14. Signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded existing United States federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability -- the first positive federal LGBT legislation in the nation's history
15. Supported lower taxes for same-sex couples who receive health benefits from employers
16. Hired and appointed a record number of qualified LGBT Americans, including more than 10 Senate-confirmed appointments
17. Sworn in Ambassador David Huebner
18. Changed the culture of government everywhere from – among others – HUD and HHS to the Export-Import Bank, the State Department, and the Department of Education
19. Appointed Sonia Sotomayor, instead of a conservative who would have tilted the Court even further to the right and virtually doomed our rights for a generation. To wit (quoting McCain): "I've said a thousand times on this campaign trail, I've said as often as I can, that I want to find clones of Alito and Roberts. I worked as hard as anybody to get them confirmed. I look you in the eye and tell you I've said a thousand times that I wanted Alito and Roberts. I have told anybody who will listen. I flat-out tell you I will have people as close to Roberts and Alito [as possible]"
20. Named open transgender appointees (the first President ever to do so)
21. Banned job discrimination based on gender identity throughout the Federal government (the nation's largest employer)
22. Emphasized LGBT inclusion in everything from the President’s historic NAACP address (“The pain of discrimination is still felt in America. By African American women paid less for doing the same work as colleagues of a different color and a different gender. By Latinos made to feel unwelcome in their own country. By Muslim Americans viewed with suspicion simply because they kneel down to pray to their God. By our gay brothers and sisters, still taunted, still attacked, still denied their rights.”) . . . to the first paragraph of his Family Day proclamation (“Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things”) and his Mothers Day proclamation ("Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by two parents, a single mother, two mothers, a step-mom, a grandmother, or a guardian. Mother's Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate these extraordinary caretakers") . . . to creating the chance for an adorable 10-year-old at the White House Easter Egg roll to tell ABC World News how cool it is to have two mommies . . . to including the chair of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce along with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of Goldman Sachs in the small audience for the President’s economic address at the New York Stock Exchange . . . to welcoming four gay couples to its first State Dinner
23. Recommitted, in a televised address, to passing ENDA . . . repealing Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell . . . repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act
24. Spoken out against discrimination at the National Prayer Breakfast ("We may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are -- whether it's here in the United States or, as Hillary mentioned, more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda.")
25. Dispatched the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to call on the Senate to repeal Don't Ask / Don't Tell, in the meantime dialing back on discharges
26. Launched a website to gather public comment on first-ever federal LGBT housing discrimination study
    
27. Appointed long-time equality champion Chai Feldblum one of the four Commissioners of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
28. Eliminated the discriminatory Census Bureau policy that kept our relationships from being counted, encouraging couples who consider themselves married to file that way, even if their state of residence does not yet permit legal marriage
29. Produced U.S. Census Bureau PSAs featuring gay, lesbian, and transgender spokespersons.
30. Instructed HHS to require any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds (virtually all hospitals) to allow LGBT visitation rights.

There are some of these I actually forgot about, but I want to check on no. 20 though.

Anywho, please think about the list. There's much more to accomplish, however let this list serve as a reminder of the successes.

Thanks to Mad Professah for the tip.

My Rant about some LGBT Blogs and their Fox News-ish ways

Today I was surfing the web, checking out all the blogs and sites of interest. Then I came across Towleroad's post called, Obama Appoints 'Proud Homophobe' to Panel on Oil Spill. I read the post and thought, "okay". But then, it hit me... Obama didn't appoint Jonathan Katz, it was the Energy Secretary Steven Chu who appointed him.

But somehow, it turned into Obama's fault. How? If I hired someone for a Hall Director position and they turn out to be a racist, should my boss be at fault? No.

This ain't the first I've seen stuff like this. AmericaBLOG, Pam's blog and others sometimes put out misinformation, half-truths and foolishness which is just wrong and misleading. I've talked about this before and never cease to amaze me how this still happens.

BTW, here are other examples of this issue: Example 2, Example 3 and Example 4

And the scary thing is, these blogs are supposedly the top go-to-places for LGBT leadership and awareness. If these blogs are considered our best, then we need to hold them accountable for their actions. We can not allow any form of misinformation to distort our path. We should demand the truth, honesty and just plan ole respect.

Don't give me bullshit in a box and call it a gift. Be real with me.

When I post anything, I try to give you the complete truth and my view. But I won't manipulate a story just to get you on my side. That's a disservice to you, to the cause and myself. If anything, I will always be real with you. Our civil rights journey must have a clear path to the goal. But it's riddled in drama and deception, we just get confused and lost.

We can't accept this level of malarkey and call it news. Hell, this is what Fox News does. Do we want our info to be this distorted? We deserve better and we should do better. My biggest fear is for our allies to see this mess in our top blogs and judge our community on the carelessness of a few.

We can't allow that, we just can't.

So in closing, if I ever mislead, trick or just flat out lie to you, please, call me out. I want to make sure that I keep it real with you. I feel it my duty to give the truth and the correct information. If I don't then I have to ask myself, "Why am I doing this?"

Gov. Pawlenty vetoes the 'Burial Rights' bill for Gay couples

Real smart move, Tim. Real smart.

This son of a jackal just vetoed gay couples' rights to bury their partners.

Citing his support for “traditional marriage,” Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill on Saturday that would allow a surviving same-sex partner to sue to recover damages in the case of wrongful death and to execute a deceased partner’s funeral wishes. Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, called the veto “partisan extremism,” and Project 515 said Pawlenty got his “facts wrong.”

Pawlenty said the bill “addresses a nonexistent problem” saying that same-sex couple must simply draw up the appropriate paperwork. He also said that a “surviving domestic partner” should not be “afforded the same legal recognition” as a spouse.

“Marriage — as defined as between a man and a woman — should remain elevated in our society at a special level, as it traditionally has been,” said Pawlenty in his veto message. “I oppose efforts to treat domestic relationships as the equivalent of traditional marriage.”

Nonexistent problem? We are a nonexistent problem, Tim? That's so nice to hear, you bastard.

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Maybe we should take a page from Utah's Tea Party Playbook

This weekend, Sen. Robert F. Bennett felt the heat from Utah's Tea Party. They were not happy with him, so Bennett was put out of the game.

It was interesting to see this happen, considering Bennett's super reign in the state. But, I start to wonder if there's something we can learn from this?

I bring this up because if you read other LGBT blogs or their comments, you always have those folks who claim 'Come November, we will either not vote, vote for someone else or some other threat' if DADT or ENDA don't pass this year. Well, those threats are cute, but really... They're empty.

How can we make these threats if we don't have a strong plan? When I read these comments or posts, I always ask, "Who are we going to replace these Do-nothing Dems with?"

We should take this time to find that LGBT supportive candidate and start promoting him or her in the next election. Like the Tea Party, they find their strong supporter and go all the way for them. I mean, in some ways they have successful with Scott Brown and ousting Bennett. Could we take a page from their playbook?

I think it could work, maybe GetEQUAL could use this notion to rally up the people. Perhaps this will be a more successful act rather than those rallies which are forgotten within 48 hours.

I would like to hear from you. I think this is a tactic we could try. So far, our efforts are 'okay', but nothing is breaking the wall.

Please share your thoughts.

They Have a Plan... GetEQUAL Targets Senators

Well, they are really putting it on the table. GetEQUAL's plans to target Senators on DADT.

In the next month, they are going to have sit-ins at the offices of non-committed folks. They are also willing to get arrested for this.

Here's an example
I hope they have enough people, but also I hope everyone involve keep it classy... Yes, you can protest and keep it cute, I do it all the time.

via JoeMyGod

My thoughts on GetEQUAL's protest

So after I thought about it, I realized the GetEQUAL protest may have done more harm than good yesterday.

I'll explain bullet point style:

• There were not enough folks representing GetEQUAL. However, there were many LGBT fam at the event, supporting Obama and Sen. Boxer.
• The heckling at Obama sent many messages that hurt GetEQUAL's credibility. The crowd labeled GetEQUAL as a Tea Party group, misinformed party and a secret GOP group. I'm sure that wasn't GetEQUAL's intentions, but that's the message they sent.
• This was not a LGBT event, so people viewed this as a myopic rant. The message people got was (what I was told) DADT must be the only issue around. I corrected that, but I believed the damage was already done.
• This protest was poorly planned, again look at the pics I posted.
• Obama is NOT the enemy! Please attack the true villains of DADT.
• When the crowd drowned out the DADT chants, GetEQUAL should've took the hint.
• The onlookers were members of South Central community (mostly Black and Latino). This didn't help the major issues between these communities at all.
• Perhaps if GetEQUAL gathered other speakers and orgs, a clear, stronger message could've been sent.

I urge GetEQUAL to rethink their protest strategy. This protest didn't really move them in a strong place. They were dismissed as teabaggers.

I also encourage GetEQUAL to work with others and actually plan stuff out. This broke version of protesting is, well, broke. Get it together and try again.

Oh, and get more people.

President Obama orders Same-Sex Couples visitation rights in Hospitals

Great news! Obama signed a memo requiring hospitals to let gays and lesbians to have all visitor rights and to allow partners to have medical power of attorney.

The president ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to prohibit discrimination in hospital visitation. The memo is scheduled to be made public Friday morning, according to an administration official and another source familiar with the White House decision.

An official said the new rule will affect any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding.

The decision injects the president squarely into the debate over gay marriage by attempting to end the common practice by many hospitals of insisting that only family members by blood or marriage be allowed to visit patients.

And if you want to see the memo, here it is:

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

SUBJECT: Respecting the Rights of Hospital Patients to Receive Visitors and to Designate Surrogate Decision Makers for Medical Emergencies

There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. In these hours of need and moments of pain and anxiety, all of us would hope to have a hand to hold, a shoulder on which to lean -- a loved one to be there for us, as we would be there for them.

Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides -- whether in a sudden medical emergency or a prolonged hospital stay. Often, a widow or widower with no children is denied the support and comfort of a good friend. Members of religious orders are sometimes unable to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions on their behalf. Also uniquely affected are gay and lesbian Americans who are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives -- unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated.

For all of these Americans, the failure to have their wishes respected concerning who may visit them or make medical decisions on their behalf has real consequences. It means that doctors and nurses do not always have the best information about patients' medications and medical histories and that friends and certain family members are unable to serve as intermediaries to help communicate patients' needs. It means that a stressful and at times terrifying experience for patients is senselessly compounded by indignity and unfairness. And it means that all too often, people are made to suffer or even to pass away alone, denied the comfort of companionship in their final moments while a loved one is left worrying and pacing down the hall.

Many States have taken steps to try to put an end to these problems. North Carolina recently amended its Patients' Bill of Rights to give each patient "the right to designate visitors who shall receive the same visitation privileges as the patient's immediate family members, regardless of whether the visitors are legally related to the patient" -- a right that applies in every hospital in the State. Delaware, Nebraska, and Minnesota have adopted similar laws.

My Administration can expand on these important steps to ensure that patients can receive compassionate care and equal treatment during their hospital stays. By this memorandum, I request that you take the following steps:

1. Initiate appropriate rulemaking, pursuant to your authority under 42 U.S.C. 1395x and other relevant provisions of law, to ensure that hospitals that participate in Medicare or Medicaid respect the rights of patients to designate visitors. It should be made clear that designated visitors, including individuals designated by legally valid advance directives (such as durable powers of attorney and health care proxies), should enjoy visitation privileges that are no more restrictive than those that immediate family members enjoy. You should also provide that participating hospitals may not deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The rulemaking should take into account the need for hospitals to restrict visitation in medically appropriate circumstances as well as the clinical decisions that medical professionals make about a patient's care or treatment.

2. Ensure that all hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid are in full compliance with regulations, codified at 42 CFR 482.13 and 42 CFR 489.102(a), promulgated to guarantee that all patients' advance directives, such as durable powers of attorney and health care proxies, are respected, and that patients' representatives otherwise have the right to make informed decisions regarding patients' care. Additionally, I request that you issue new guidelines, pursuant to your authority under 42 U.S.C. 1395cc and other relevant provisions of law, and provide technical assistance on how hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid can best comply with the regulations and take any additional appropriate measures to fully enforce the regulations.

3. Provide additional recommendations to me, within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, on actions the Department of Health and Human Services can take to address hospital visitation, medical decisionmaking, or other health care issues that affect LGBT patients and their families. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

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Folks Arrested over ENDA

Stuff is getting hot for LGBT rights, y'all.

Folks were arrested for a sit-in for ENDA.

Ten LGBT activists were arrested after 19 people staged a bi-coastal sit-in at the San Francisco and Washington, D.C., offices of House speaker Nancy Pelosi to demand that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act be brought to the House floor for a vote by the end of March. 

Four of the eight activists in the D.C. office and six of the 11 in San Francisco were arrested. They were eventually fined $125 each and released.


The activists went to Pelosi's offices at about 4 p.m. EST where they had previously scheduled meetings with her staff members. Once inside, they told staffers they would not leave until either the Speaker agreed to a vote or they were arrested.

There's also a Blogswarm for ENDA as well. However, with Health Care being the high priority this week and next, this may fall on deaf ears... But I'm hopeful.

OHIO, not a LGBT friendly place

I didn't know this but apparently, Ohio is not the greatest place to be if you're gay.

According to IN THE LIFE, Ohio are not fans:

Our first installment of this IN THE LIFE feature takes us to Ohio, a state ranked among the worst for LGBT rights. Ohio legislators not only banned same sex marriages but barred unmarried state employees from receiving benefits for domestic partners; transgender Ohioans lack basic civil rights including the right to correct their birth certificates and LGBT people can be legally fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. In this report on the gay experience in the heartland, we meet locals with deep ties to their community organizing for equal rights.

I can't wait to see this. I knew Ohio wasn't friendly, but this is very interesting.