John DuBois – University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service
Over one hundred supporters of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act descended upon the Washington, D.C. City Council on Monday to express support for the legislation, which would extend full marriage rights to same-sex couples in D.C.
“I wonder, really, how confirming a couples’ love for each other threatens my own marriage? I wonder how loving couples with kids and dogs and cats threaten a neighborhood? I wonder how two people who just want those of us who sit here in the privileged group to confirm their rights as a loving couple are such a threat to the fabric of society?” asked Rev. Jill McCrory with the Metropolitan Community Church.
The bill has nine co-sponsors, Councilmember David Catania (D) said, making its passage at the Council level all but guaranteed.
Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon delivered remarks at Sunday’s National Equality March. She told the supporters that their “real” activism work would start when they returned home. She notes that those who support gay rights need to come together and show resolve on the issue. (0:49)
Stonewall veteran Jerry Hoose discusses the history of the gay rights movement, which he says began with the Stonewall riots. He credits the political groups that formed in the aftermath for contributing to the civil rights of gays, but says that LGBT equality has yet to be achieved. (0:52)
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questions the need for the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, which would expand the classes protected by hate crime law to include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. He says that state and local legislation may already constitute adequate protection. (0:38)
Attorney General Eric Holder says that both he and President Barack Obama support the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, which will extend federal protection against crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. (0:33)
John Berry, the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, said that enacting legislation against hate crimes and discrimination, as well as repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, will take time. He noted that building support in Congress will be difficult. (0:53)
By Justin Duckham and Learned Foote-Talk Radio News Service
President Barack Obama took what he described as “a historic step” Wednesday evening as he signed an executive order granting limited federal benefits to same-sex domestic partners.
The executive order will give the U.S. Office of Personnel Management the authority to issue directives stating that any discrimination not based on work related factors is illegal. This would include sexual orientation and gender expression.
The President conceded that there was still much work to be done to achieve full legal equality for gays in the U.S., but noted that he planned on working with Congress to take future legislative action, including the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.
The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which bans gays from serving in the military, was not mentioned. During the 2008 election, Obama pledged that once President, it would be repealed.
The Talk Radio News service spoke with Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) during the People’s Inaugural LGBT Gayla. The Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee discussed the TARP legislation and the progress that the gay community is making. Frank predicted full legal equality within fifteen years.
