Majority of Mass. Legislators Co-sponsor An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes
104 of 200 Massachusetts legislators have signed on as co-sponsors of this bill which will prohibit gender-based discrimination and protect transgender people in Massachusetts. Please go to www.masstpc.org, find out how our legislator voted, thank them if they have signed on as sponsors, and ask them to vote for the bill if they have not. Help make Massachusetts a full equality state.
Out Bi Politician
Newark, Delaware City Councilman Ezra Temko (see featured image) introduced and got support from the City Council for an anti-discrimination ordinance based on sexual orientation and won support to add gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination clause in its personnel policy. He also got the Council to agree to research health benefits for the city’s domestic partners and the creation of a domestic partner registry.
And, on top of that, he came out of the closet publicly, in an interview with the Newark Post: Said Temko, 23: “I’m bi. I’ve dated girls before, but I’ve been with my boyfriend, Drew, since August and we’re planning to get engaged this summer. During college, I was in a very inclusive environment that embraced everyone, instead of accepting norms as legitimate on face value. I was able, in this environment, to explore who I was and realize that I’m bisexual. I always assumed I would end up with a girl; then I met Drew.” (from the newarkpostonline.com)
Americana
I don’t know if anyone has already seen this or not, but I was at Walmart the other day looking for a “Thinking of You” card and saw something I never thought I would see. You know how cards have the little dividers in between them, For Him, For Her, Love, etc. Th ere was one that caught my eye since it said, “Coming Out” I read the rainbow colored card and it was pretty good. I just never thought I would see it at Walmart here in Kansas City.
–posted by Kelly on one of the bi lists
Equal Rights in Nepal
A Nepali MP has said his “eyes were filled with tears” when he read the full written decision of the country’s Supreme Court on a writ petition from four organisations representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people.
A summary decision was issued in December 2007, when the court issued directive orders to the Nepal government to ensure the right to life according to their own identities and introduce laws providing equal rights to LGBTIs and amend all the discriminatory laws.
The final judgement was issued today.
It reiterates that all LGBTIs are defined as a “natural person” and their physical growth as well as sexual orientation, gender identity, expression are all part of natural growing process. Th us equal rights, identity and expression must be ensured regardless of their sex at birth.
The writ petition was filed by Blue Diamond Society and other 3 LGBTI organisations in Nepal demanding the protection and defence of the equal rights of sexual and gender minorities.
“Reading this decision my eyes were filled with tears and I felt we are the most proud LGBTI citizens of Nepal in the world,” said Sunit Pant, Nepal’s only gay MP.
“A legal note of point has been raised for the new constitution of Nepal while ensuring the equal rights to individuals, like the bill of tights from South Africa, and non-discrimination provisions on the grounds of sexual orientations and gender identities must be introduced.”
The Court has also issued a directive order to form a seven-member committee, with a doctor appointed by Health Ministry, one representative from National Human rights commission, the Law Ministry, one socialist appointed by government of Nepal, a representative from the Nepal police, a representative from Ministry of Population and Environment and one advocate as a representative from the LGBTI community, to conduct a study into the other countries’ practice on same-sex marriage.
Based on its recommendation the government will introduce a same-sex marriage bill. (from http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9597.html)