San Francisco Posted by Melanie Nathan and reported by Gregg Cassin – (by Blackberry) Gregg is reporting from the court Room – I have kept the words as I have received them. This is a very moving and heart wrenching day. Thanks to the witness and his courage. here at LGR- we hope the Whitehouse is listening to the way we are treated in this country.   He must do more to undo the harm bestowed on our community by the allowances given the riligious right during the BUSH administration.  It is NOT only about economic, medical insurance and  foreign policy mess – its about the invalidity of an American Minority.  If President Obama issues an executive Order NOW for the repeal of DOMA – this would all change………. 

“i am here listeing to the testimony of a gay man and his coming out story to his parents.  and how they forced hi m as a child into reparative therapy…to avoid burning in hell forever……

this is in a courtroom in sf ca today.  the future of gay peoples lives ……..

The power of this testimony ws through tears.  every word spoken through tears.  the silence in the courtroom , the shaking of heads and the occasional sniffle as people listened.  we sat witnessing  a version of what so many of us went through.  the fear of being an outcaste, being disowned by those you rely on.

 his testimony …

my mother and father sent me to this center to change me from gay ….and i lived there from 14-16 yo.  when i would come home for a visit my mother would scream at me and tell me i was going to hell, that she wished she had had an abortion. that she wished that i had been retarded, with downes syndrome. she wished and told me…that i was dead.

in orde to survive i surrendered my self to childres protective services…. at 16.

they began a case of neglect against my parents

i gave up all that i had…alone at 16.

now we re listening to an expert social scientist…..

talking abtthe messages the gay community gets every day by society politics etc…..

example  how obama states that he is a fierce ally yet has taken no steps to promote the rights of gay/les people yet.

that a senator can compare homosexuality to bestiality and have it heard by a nation and the media and no outcries of injustice, prejudice, etc…..

that studies show that no class of people except undoc aliens (a distant second) has had more legislation directed towards them

We are looking at article that speaks of a conference call of 1700(!!!) MINISTERS, PREACHERS, CHURCH-LEADERS….to design a concerted effort to pass prop 8.  they are trying to establish the powerlessness of a class of peoople.  to have churches joining together to deny an entire class of people their  civil rights. (Referring to the Mahattan declaration)
 

Thanks to

Gregg

Gregg Cassin  

AIDS,Medicine & Miracles

“…life-changing empowerment programs for ALL people affected by HIV/AIDS…”

www.aidsmedicineandmiracles.org

For his extraordinary and unique reporting – for Melanie Nathan. 

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  Lady Gaga will perform at the Hands Up for Marriage Equality benefit in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday, January 16^th. The funds raised from the event will go to the Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality Pennsylvania, Garden State Equality, and The Power.

GaGa released the following statement:

“I am honored to be able to continue to raise awareness and money for this cause and these outstanding organizations. Organizations like these are in the trenches every day working on behalf of all of us whether you are LGBT or straight. Equal and full civil rights are supposed to be for all of us.”

My mom blames California for me being a lesbian. “Everything was fine until you moved out there.” “That’s right, Mom, we have mandatory lesbianism in West Hollywood. The Gay Patrol busted me, and I was given seven business days to add a significant amount of flannel to my wardrobe.

~

via Speak Equal.

Coley Sohn started out as a theater actor in her native Washington DC and made her way west.

Other acting credits include recurring roles on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and 90210. Coley also writes, improvises, and has a penchant for real estate.

In fact, Coley says she bought the house BOUTONNIERE was shot in and flipped it post production to pay for the entire project.

Currently, Coley working on getting the feature version, SASSY PANTS, ready to shoot, as well as another screenplay she recently completed entitled DODIE AND CHERYL GET HITCHED.

YES -YOU – CAN Posted by melanie Nathan: Judge orders compensation for gay couple denied benefits (LA Times Report) by Carol J. Williams:-  
While recognizing  the status quo of federal government rejection of gay marriage under the Defense of Marriage Act,  federal judge of U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals,  Judge Stephen Reinhardt today ordered compensation for a Los Angeles couple denied spousal benefits by the federal government because they are gay men; and deemed the denial of health-care and other benefits to the spouse of federal public defender Brad Levenson to be a violation of the Constitution’s guarantee of due process and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, which is prohibited by California state law.

Levenson married his longtime partner, Tony Sears, on July 12, 2008, during the five-month period when same-sex marriagewas legal in California. A ballot measure. Reinhardt, who is the federal judge responsible for resolving employee disputes in the Federal Public Defenders office within the 9th Circuit, had earlier ordered the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to process Levenson’s application for spousal benefits for Sears. The federal government’s Office of Personnel Management stepped in to derail the enrollment, however, citing the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that prohibits the recognition of same-sex marriage for the purpose of federal benefits or programs.

Levenson appealed, seeking either an independently contracted benefits package for his spouse or payment of the equivalent value of the coverage denied. Reinhardt ordered the latter, based on a “back pay” provision in the law covering federal defense lawyers’ employment.  “Considering that the federal government won’t give Tony the equal benefits package of other spouses, we are very pleased with this decision,” said Levenson. “Is it equal treatment? No. Is it a good remedy? Yes. And we are appreciative of the judge’s order.”

The men have been keeping track of the costs of separate insurance  and estimate the back pay and future compensation will amount to thousands of dollars each year.  The judge’s order is expected to resolve the injustice Reinhardt has cited in previous orders in Levenson’s case.  Several other challenges by those denied federal benefits, like filing joint tax returns, are making their way slowly through the federal courts.

The Obama administration has spoken out against what it sees as a discriminatory policy toward gay spouses of federal employees but Atty. Gen. Eric Holder has also said his office is obliged to defend the practice as long as the Defense of Marriage Act remains law. 

Comments Melanie Nathan:- When I wrote to President Obama about Holder’s pursuit I received the following (probably generic) email which was signed with the President’s name.

“Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.  I appreciate your perspective. Every American deserves equal protection under our laws, and neither Federal nor state law should discriminate against any American.  The issue of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights has all too often been used to divide our country.  We must treat all of our citizens with dignity and respect, and stand united in our protection of equality–a founding principle of our Nation and a moral imperative. 
      
I continue to oppose a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.  We must also extend the over 1,100 Federal marital rights and benefits to same-sex couples, because every American should be able to visit a loved one in the hospital, transfer property, and receive equal health insurance and other employment benefits.  
     
My Administration is committed to addressing a full spectrum of issues important to the LGBT community.  We can reduce
discrimination by strengthening hate crimes statutes; supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; ensuring adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation; and opposing discrimination in public accommodations.  To combat HIV/AIDS, we need policies that support people living with this illness and increased funding for prevention, care, and research.  I also support repealing the current Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy in a sensible way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security.  Please join me online to learn more about my civil rights  agenda at:  www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/civil_rights.     Together, we can create a more open and tolerant society that protects and values all people.  Thank you again for writing.  To be a part of our agenda for change, join us at www.WhiteHouse.gov 

Sincerely,

Barack Obama“

Mr. President – our families cannot wait any longer. Our binationals are being turned away at the airports, even as I write these words.  Just a few days ago a same-sex couple came home and  dispite having a  same-sex valid marriage and visa, the foreign partner was turned away at the airport and sent back to a country where he has no work, at the command of one ICE official given arbitrary power belying his age and qualifications.

If you cannot effect change immediatley, you must create a moratorium on all the unconscienable results of the inequitous laws that plague our lives; you MUST make what you yourself term civil rights your number one priority issue.  What could be more important than ALL Americans being treated the same way.   Is that not why we fight abroad.  What is the point of fighting on foreign soils and losing our soldiers while you continue to fail  your own at home when it comes to basic fairness and human rights. You must provide full civil rights to all your own citizens.

Do something now. Our LGBT leadership is disjointed and fragmented and we cannot expect our non-profits to take the helm in the face of this fragmentation.  Mr. president we voted for you to be our leader and now we expect YOU to be the ONE to lead us to equality. Please spare us your generic words and your purported civil rights agenda – you must come up with something to end all this – the Repeal of DOMA should be first on your list.  You must lead us to equality because you can;  ”YES YOU CAN”

Thank you Sir, for listening.

Article  Melanie Nathan. nathan@privatecourts.com; www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com www.visualcv.com/melnathan ;
Picture by Refael Nathan-Israel, 4 years old – taken at kid level of fridge magnets

By Melanie Nathan  -   Maybe I did not get it. But watch the video of Dr. Ruth Jacobs on YouTube  to make your own assessment.  Let me know how you would title this post.  I will personally send a keepsake to the one whose title I will use on the BLOG.

I was absolutely flabbergasted when I heard this crazy woman under the guise of Physician;  a sad sorry being.  How did she get that seat to testify. Oh goodness help us. I sunk into deep despair – yes optimistic me – so depressed to see this video – it hits me like a ten ton truck – the fight – the battle.  Is this really happening?

How does one fight prejudice – hate- fear – insanity? Is there a formula?  I am not sure if there could be any worse sign of the times than a highly educated professional displaying such ignorance. 

I came to the US from South Africa 25 years ago- as Reagan was about to murder the middle class.  I thought America was diverse, tolerant, progressive.  I truly believed there was no racism here. I was proud to display my banned copy of the Life of Nelson Mandela on my West Hollywood coffee table.  I could not  be arrested here for that.  I could walk in West Hollywood holding my partner’s hand and I was safe.  This is America the law would protect me.

Then came the day my dream came true – In fron of Willy Brown, Mayor San Francisco I was sworn in as a citizen. What a celebration. The greatest Country in the World and I am its citizen.  I  vowed to do my bit – non-profit boards, commissions, volunteer, oh a lot more and I did.  but now I stand hated and marginalized and worse – my children considered unfit to have the relationship of their 2 parents  equated to that of their friends. Their college money spent on immigration attorneys, excess taxes and all the extra money it costs to be gay in America.

However today I awake to the reality of this Dr. Ruth Jacobs - a metaphor for the times – Maine, California, a never to be repealed DADT and DOMA – a few miserable tokenistic crumbs  hailed as progress;  - and what do we get Ruth Jacobs equating my right to marry to an anus and what should come out and not go in.  

Shame America! Shame that you allow such bigotry to taint the true value of this Country and the dream we all share.

g”>

Blogged by MELANIE NATHAN, CEO of Private Courts, Inc. Consulting, mediation & private advocacy ; motivated by injustice, I blog about family law/mediation, politics, news and LGBT equality and anything that ‘tickles my fancy.’ Otherwise blogging as O-blog-dee-o-blog-da. Websites and blogs include: http://www.privatecourts.com; http://www.divorcemediators.us; www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com. Contact nathan@privatecourts.com

Bishop E. W. Jackson Sr., who leads Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, Va., says that while he’s against anti-gay violence, he also opposes homosexuality and wants to be free to preach against it, as reported in the Virginian-Pilot. While reading this I am clear that the smiling Bishop and I clearly do not share the same Adonai. His comments were made in conjunction with President Obama’s signing of the Mathew Shepard Hate Crime Act into law, yesterday. Jackson stated that federal legislation defining attacks on gays and lesbians as “hate crimes” will stifle religious freedom.

I say – if stifling religious freedom saves lives, so be it!

Jackson told the newspaper he fears religious leaders could be prosecuted for inciting anti-gay violence, even though the legislation — expected to be signed Wednesday by President Barack Obama — contains language meant to preclude prosecution of religious leaders and others on the basis of speech or beliefs.

I say – let the chips fall where they may!

“We could find ourselves in a situation where we’re accused of inciting someone,” Jackson said. “I am categorically opposed to the hate crimes bill.”

I ask -Why did he not come out against Hate Crimes before sexual orientation was included?

Thank my Adonai for the solace I find in the voice of Rev. Steve Jolly of Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk’s who disagrees, telling the Virginian-Pilot: “If I stand up in the pulpit and say the consumption of alcohol is evil and we should pour it all in the river, that’s a personal opinion. That’s very different from saying, ‘There’s a bar down the road; let’s break in and pour all the alcohol into the river.’”

But I must say – people like the BISHOP – scare me still! Has he considered that the Hate Crimes ACT protects lesbians like me from people like him? His intent is clear and I am pleased to recall my law school lesson where I learnt mens rea is mens rea!

Refs: http://blackchristiannews.com/news/2009/10/virginia-pastor-says-hate-crimes-bill-stifles-religion.html

Blogged by MELANIE NATHAN, of Private Courts, Inc. Consulting, mediation & private advocacy; motivated by injustice, I blog about family, law, mediation, politics, news and LGBT equality and anything that ‘tickles my fancy.’ Otherwise blogging as O-blog-dee-o-blog-da. Websites and blogs include: http://www.privatecourts.com; http://www.divorcemediators.us; www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com. nathan@privatecourts.com

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“I’m gay. My music is gay. My show is gay.” – Lady Gaga to Kanye West before agreeing to tour with him; according to an interview with Out Magazine. (found on GLAADblog)

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“As much as I stand up for gay rights. I marched with the Prop. 8 thing. If I were gay do you think I would have a problem coming out? There’s nothing wrong with being gay. There’s nothing wrong with being bi. I would be waving my f*cking flag all over the place but it’s not my truth. So I have to defend my truth.” – Pink (debunking rumors she was bisexual or lesbian)

“My feeling about gay people is that we have a responsibility not only to make gay marriage acceptable and to make gays feel accepted as much as heterosexuals…Gay people are downtrodden They are beaten. They are abused for their sexuality, and it goes across race. In the white community and the black community gay people are the bastards of the world. And in order for things to change, because any one of you could have gay children, or gay relatives, or gay friends…we have a responsibility to make this acceptable, to get all this bullshit so that some gay kid going to high school doesn’t get the shit beaten out of him just because he’s gay…I’m as heterosexual as they come. What is this hang-up about gay marriage? Who cares? Get on with your life!” – Howard Stern

“You can be bi but not gay. (In Hollywood) Well, you can be gay and funny, like Ellen (DeGeneres) and Rosie (O’Donell). It’s really hard to be straight-up gay and serious. We’re still not over that.” – Michelle Rodriguez

“I don’t like living in an elitist world, it bothers me. I don’t want to be part of an elitist sexual preference. It bothers me. Maybe it’s because I come from a country where I lived under apartheid. This is a form of apartheid and I don’t want to be a part of that.” —Actress Charlize Theron on her skin and orientation privileges

“I almost dropped dead the first time I heard Bob Dole say ‘gay marriage’ on the floor of the senate. He wasn’t saying nice things, but he said it! I never thought in my lifetime I’d hear that. I just think we’re moving now at warp speed. Even when we take a step back like with prop 8, we take two steps forward.” – Cherry Jones, currently playing the President on 24 from Celebs on Gay Marriage

“Definitely no more kissing girls.” - Eva Longoria Parker in an interview about her lesbian kiss with Teri Hatcher on Desperate Housewives.

“Everybody deserves basic human rights. I mean, I’m a huge supporter of the gay community — possibly a member myself, you never know. And I definitely feel like, I don’t care what you are in life, gay, straight, trans, whatever you are, whatever color you are, whatever you believe in, everybody deserves basic human rights.” – Aubrey O’Day

“The Social Security benefits we analyzed are only one of hundreds of federal privileges and benefits extended to opposite-sex married couples but denied to legally married same-sex couples.” – The Center for American Progress in a new study which finds that same-sex couples are denied more than $8,000 in Social Security benefits because the federal government doesn’t acknowledge their marriage.

“It’s killing me that upon death, K.T. is going to lose 50 percent of everything I have to estate taxes. Or vice versa.” – Suze Orman

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/?feed=rss2&p=4638 0 http://lezgetreal.com/?p=4175 http://lezgetreal.com/?p=4175#comments Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:00:54 +0000 ~Julie Phineas~ http://lezgetreal.com/?p=4175

“There’s no doubt that there are too many laws, they are often written badly and they are sometimes not very understandable”

- The Vatican in regards to The Italian Parliament

(In Sarah Palin voice)

“I can see discrimination from my house.”

- Jeff during the Dyke Drama Podcast

“It isn’t discrimination when you treat different people differently.”
- Maggie Gallagher for Yes on 8 on Dr. Phil.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

- T. Jefferson, United States Declaration of Independence 1776

“Gay, Straight, Black, White, Marriage is A Civil Right!”

“My lesbian boss has taught me about how to be a better father.”

- John Koch Huffington Post

“When you Vote ‘No’ to Prop 8 then I can get married here in California and maybe it will be one of you…”

- Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara