US: Senate BANS ABORTIONS via State Loophole - Contact The White House! [20 Dec 2009|01:11pm] gay_rights [pandapajamas] [ mood | determined ] Hi Friends and Colleagues, I am writing to urge you to contact the White House and let President Obama know that you are opposed to BOTH the Senate and House versions of the currently propose health care reform. Like most of you, I too have been filling out petitions, blogging and Twittering about these underhanded attempts in our Congress to violate women's fundamental Constitutional right to abortion. I understand it has become tiring and seems repetitive, but the fact of the matter is that no one in power seems to be listening to the big advocacy organizations like NARAL, Planned Parenthood or NOW, so I think it is time that folks as individuals make their voices heard. Please keep in mind that contacting our Senators did not stop the most recent anti-abortion amendment being pushed through without the approval of the majority of the Senate. In my mind, this means that it has gone beyond the point of people asking their elected officials to look out for their interests. If these officials were able to adequately represent us, we wouldn't have a small cabal of three or four persons (most of them white men, who will never become pregnant), flagrantly ignoring the procedures of the Senate, while being given the approval of The White House in the process. So, pick up the phone, fax or email The White House TODAY! They can be reached here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/ I suggest that folks also write letters to the editors of their newspapers, magazines and television stations and DEMAND that they interview local citizens about their opinions regarding this health care reform and the subversion of abortion rights, because I for one am sick and tired of only reading pieces with commentary by the advocacy groups when again, it seems as though those same groups are not being heard or are not engaging in an effective manner with our representatives. The whole thing stinks and feels very gamed to me. In my experience, the best way to effectively deal with these types of situations is to introduce a third party (namely individuals citizens), who can use the internet or other means so that their voices are actually seen and heard. Here is a thorough explanation as to how the current Nelson amended Senate Bill will restrict women and trans folks' (FTMs and genderqueers) access to abortions and other reproductive health services: http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/12/20/the-nelson-compromise Here is a look into the pork barrel bribe that was offered to Senator Nelson and the State of Nebraska in exchange for his 60th vote, which came at the expense of reproductive freedom: http://biggovernment.com/2009/12/19/sen-nelsons-bribe/ Here is a breakdown of why the health care reform overall is horrible for US people and our future health and financial well being: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/19/816961/-Why-This-Senate-Health-Bill-Should-Not-Pass Yours in Feminist Solidarity! 1 comment|post comment

TIPS FOR A HAPPY HOLIDAY [18 Dec 2009|09:19pm] gay_rights [nyabn] [ mood | cheerful ] [ music | 'Silver Bells' from Christmas with The Brady Bunch ] ( If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, fluid, pansexual, queer-identified, transgender, genderqueer . . . ) post comment

US; MI: Center for Population Research in LGBT Health Seeking Applicants [15 Dec 2009|07:53pm] gay_rights [pandapajamas] Center for Population Research in LGBT Health Seeking Applicants The Center for Population Research in LGBT Health is seeking applications from pre-doctoral and advanced masters’ students interested in careers in LGBT health research. The program connects students with expert faculty mentors from the national network of faculty of the Center. Mentors are closely matched to students’ research interests and will assist students who are developing or working on a research project in the study of LGBT health or same-sex families/households. An ideal candidate will have an interest in working with a mentor to better incorporate population health research methods and/or concerns in their projects. Applications for pre-doctoral mentoring are accepted on a rolling basis until February 15. For more information, please click here. Interested students are encouraged to contact Aimee Van Wagenen, Program Manager of the Center for Population Research in LGBT with questions about the program. Her email is: mentoring ATT lgbtpopcenter DOT org post comment

US; NY: Transgender State Workers Are Expected to Gain Bias Protection [15 Dec 2009|07:34pm] gay_rights [pandapajamas] Transgender State Workers Are Expected to Gain Bias Protection NY Times By JEREMY W. PETERS Published: December 15, 2009 Gov. David A. Paterson plans to extend antidiscrimination protections to transgender state employees, a decision that signifies the broadest inclusion yet of transgender people in state policy, according to several people with direct knowledge of the matter. Mr. Paterson will carry out the decision through an executive order, to be signed on Wednesday, that will require state agencies to include transgender individuals in their nondiscrimination policies, these people said. ( Read more... ) post comment

England: Schools told to act on ‘transgender bullying’ [13 Dec 2009|10:42pm] gay_rights [pandapajamas] Schools told to act on ‘transgender bullying’ Times Online Greg Hurst, Education Editor Also note: This includes sexist, racist and homophobic bullying, as well. Children who engage in “transphobic” bullying in the playground or classroom could be guilty of a hate crime and investigated by police under new government guidance. Pupils could be expelled and their parents forced to attend counselling if they refuse to accept that such behaviour is wrong. The detailed guidance, running to 46 pages, tells schools how to deal with transphobic bullying, defined as bullying stemming from a hatred or fear of people who are transgender — an umbrella term for people whose sense of gender or gender identity is seen as different from typical norms. ( Read more... ) post comment

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