Location- California
People in Charge- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Reason of importance- Schwarzenegger signed three LBGT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender) bills. The first bill allows marking May 22 as “Harvey Milk Day” honoring the gay leader, Harvey Milk. The second bill passed is allowing all same sex couples, married before Proposition 8, the same marriage rights as all the heterosexual partners have. The third bill passed expands funding of domestic violence for same-sex relationships. Unfortunately two did not get passed. These two bills allowed transgender individuals to obtain a new birth certificate stating their correct gender. The second bill that did not get passed asked to recognize gender identity as well as sexual orientation convicts and house them safely.
Question: If the second bill that did not get passed (recognizing gender identity as well as sexual orientation convicts and house them safely) got passed, how would you house these convicts safely?
Article: “Thousands march in
People in charge- Obama and LBGT activists
Reason of importance- The march followed president Obama’s speech about abolishing the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy in the military. The reason for the march was to push a time-line on when the policy will be repealed and also to fight for the “1,100” rights that heterosexual people had and LBGT people are denied. A few days after the march Obama stated that he is working on undoing former president, Bill Clinton’s “Defense of marriage Act ” by allowing same-sex couples to marry and be federally recognized.
Article: “Senate passes gay hate-crimes bill”
People in Charge- Congress
Reason of importance- A bill was passed posing that it will be a federal crime to inflict violence upon Gays and Lesbians as well as any other group (i.e: religion, race, gender and disability). This article states that soon (whenever this might be) President Obama will pass the bill so it will officially become a federal crime.
Question: What other groups do you think might be added to this bill in the future?
Article: “The Truth about the Day of Silence”
Location- Throughout
People in Charge- Students at the
Reason of importance- Is to bring attention to discrimination, verbal and physical abuse the LGBT takes everyday. The day of silence shows to those discriminated agent that it is recognized and they are not alone. Another reason is to publicize the harassment that students of this nature, have to put up with everyday, hoping for a solution. By being silent, it educates those who do not know, the discrimination of LBGT happening all over the world. In order to participate in the day of silence you can be anyone. It does not matter what your background is or you sex perseverance, just letting people know, that you know what is going on. The next day of silence is on April, 16, 2010
Question: Have you ever participated in the day of silence? Why or why not? Will you be participating in this coming year?
In reference to the article discussing the different bills pertaining to LBGT rights, I feel as if the part pertaining to housing of the convicts, should be addressed and signed. It is very sad to think that although these individuals are in jail, they are not safe, and are up for harassment among their peers. Although a lot of abuse goes on in the jails, it is the government’s job to stop as much violence from occurring as possible, and if there is a particular group of individuals that are more apt to harassment, it is their job, to address this. A way in which to solve the problem may be to have a different section of the jail to house these individuals. As sad as it is, that there would have to be a different section based on sexual orientation, if it insures the safety of the inmates, that is all that matters.
ReplyDelete-Lauren Piligian
I have participated in the day of silence. I have mixed emotions about it though. Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgendered are all abused and suppressed and their rights are limited --- so why are we being silent about it? Wouldn't that instead, be the best day to have parades and press releases, and publics awareness presentations? That signifies and shows a more united front -- A vigil is also something that could happen that night ...
ReplyDeleteThat was Ashley brocker -- I forgot to sign my name ..
ReplyDeleteThis is in reference to the article about the abolition of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. I think that this was a poor decision on President Obama's part. I have many military members in my family, and I personally know quite a few. I feel that this was a bad choice because now, the Gay and Lesbian memebers on ships and on the front line are even more subject to redicule and possibly physical abuse. Even though Obama abloished this policy,it doesn't sweep away the stigma that is set inside of the military, and the minds of those serving.
ReplyDelete