Sunday, January 29, 2012

United Nations Secretary-General steps-up to the plate again for LGBTI rights and violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights!

The United Nations has stepped-up again for LGBTI rights, worldwide. The head of the United Nations and leader of the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon again chastised States on Sunday.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has made clear from the beginning the protecting gay and lesbian people is a priority for his administration.

In September 2010, the Secretary General stated:

The responsibilities of the United Nations and the obligations of States are clear. No-one, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. No-one should be prosecuted for their ideas or beliefs. No-one should be punished for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

Today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that laws against homosexuality violate the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"Let me mention one form of discrimination that has been ignored or even sanctioned by many States for far too long, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens, or even criminals," he said. "Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up to the ideals of the Universal Declaration."

United Nations member States must abide by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights or face prosecution from the United Nations International Court of Justice, or the International Court of Justice.

In a speech to African leaders today, who accuse the United Nations International Criminal Court (ICC) is being biased against Africans, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon fired back however pointing out that the new Chief Prosecutor of the ICC is an African woman, Fatou Bensouda of Republic of The Gambia.

--> Posted by a volunteer Community Blogger of Kentucky Equality Federation. This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.

Friday, January 27, 2012

New Jersey Governor promises to veto same-sex marriage; Governor compares same-sex marriage to slavery.

In a comment related to his call for a voter referendum on the proposal to legalize gay marriage in the State of New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie said Wednesday, “People would have been happy to have referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South.”

The Governor, who on Tuesday called for a referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot that would ask voters to decide if the State should legalize same-sex marriage, also said he will veto the Democratic legislation to allow it when the proposal reaches his desk.

The comment that the civil rights movement of the 1960s could have been settled through a national or southern States voter referendum stunned New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex), who became the first Black woman to head the lower house in 2010.

“Governor Christie better sit down with some of New Jersey’s great teachers for a history lesson, because his puzzling comment shows a complete misunderstanding about the civil rights movement,” Assembly Speaker Oliver said. “It’s impossible to ever conceive that a referendum on civil rights in the South would have been successful and brought justice to minorities. It’s unfathomable to even suggest a referendum would have been the better course.

“Governor – people were fighting and dying in the streets of the South for a reason,” the Assemblywoman said. “They were fighting and dying in the streets of the South because the majority refused to grant minorities equal rights by any method. It look legislative action to bring justice to all Americans, just as legislative action is the right way to bring marriage equality to all New Jerseyans.

“The governor’s comment is an insult to those who had no choice but to fight and die in the streets for equal rights,” Assembly Speaker Oliver said. “The Governor needs to show the same courage. We do not shrug off civil rights. We do not pass on tough decisions.”

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) also offered criticism of the governor’s comment.

“It’s difficult to understand what the governor was thinking,” Watson Coleman said. “His words defy history and were extremely insensitive to the struggle for equality of African-Americans and other minorities in this country. Fighting and dying in the streets of the South was not a choice, governor, it was the only way.

“Anyone who lived through that time or took a history class in school understands it was an incredibly dangerous and hostile period for African-Americans and other minorities in the South,” the Assemblywoman said. “Basic human rights should never be decided by a referendum. But can you imagine the outcome if civil rights in this country, during this very racially charged time in our history, had been left up to a vote?

Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), the state Democratic chairman, said, "Rosa Parks didn't get to the front of the bus through a ballot question and Jim Crow laws weren't repealed by public referendum. These civil rights were won because throughout our history, great leaders -- both Democrats and Republicans, from Thomas Jefferson to Abraham LIncoln to Lyndon Baines Johnson -- have stood up and lead the forward march of progress. To call for a public referendum on any civil right is the refuge of someone who refuses to lead.

"Governor Christie has an opportunity to leave a mark in history as a someone who, when the beacon of civil rights called his name, stood up to be counted among the leaders," Wisniewski said. "My hope is that he finds the courage to take up the challenge and joins in the great American tradition of fighting to expand our civil rights and for justice."

The Governor's Office had no immediate comment on the criticism offered by Oliver, Watson Coleman, or Wisniewski.

The Democratic-controlled Legislature has made the legalization of same-sex marriage a priority for the new legislative session.

On Tuesday, Christie said, “This issue that our state is exploring – whether or not to redefine hundreds of years of societal and religious traditions – should not be decided by 121 people in the Statehouse in Trenton. The fact is we’re discussing huge change, and I believe we need to approach this not only in a thoughtful way, not in a rushed way, but also in a way where we’re able to get the most input that we can from the public.”

Should the “New Jersey Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act" be approved in the State, New Jersey would become the seventh state to allow same-sex marriage. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York have legalized it as have 10 countries, including South Africa, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

--> Posted by a volunteer Community Blogger of Kentucky Equality Federation. This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Lexington deprived of a progressive Senator - Senator Kathy W. Stein

How truly said for the Commonwealth, lead by Senate President David Williams, that Senator Kathy W. Stein, one of the only progressives in the Kentucky Senate will be out of a job when her current term expires.

In politics nothing is without calculated moves, it's like a game of Chess, move and counter move until you are in Checkmate. Senate President Williams saw an opportunity to get a progressive voice out of the Senate and jumped at the chance.

Senate President David Williams doesn't care what is best for the Commonwealth nor its citizens, only how he can remain in power in the Senate (much the same way former Governor Fletcher did during his last days in office).

President Williams values consist of a crude calculation of how he can remain in office. His flip-flops on important issues are by now, legendary across the Commonwealth. Let us not forget that he once asked Senator Stein to apologize for a statement she made at a rally in the Kentucky Capitol. President Williams doesn't like outspoken Women such as Senator Kathy W. Stein, much less one who will not "rollover" to his leadership and demands.

Kathy W. Stein has been a tremendous asset to the Commonwealth.

Though some say this maybe unconstitutional, it has been made law. Only the Kentucky Supreme Court can rule on this case, because it deals exclusively with Kentucky law, the U.S. Supreme Court cannot hear the argument just as they could not hear the arguments about smoking bans in the Commonwealth.

Hillbilly Report has her on video during a protest in Lexington, who has just lost a Senator.

Let no mistake be made, Senator Stein was removed from the Senate because she fights for equality, civil rights, and actually communicates with her constituents.

--> Posted by a volunteer Community Blogger of Kentucky Equality Federation. This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.

GLAAD lays off nearly 25% of its workforce; gay and lesbian non-profits continue to fail nationwide.

Just as Equality California has made major cuts and speculation continues that they will close (just as Equality Mississippi did), national organizations are also in danger:

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) laid off nearly a quarter of its workforce today as it tries to regroup for the year ahead.

The cuts come against the backdrop of an economy that still has not fully recovered, and nonprofits everywhere continue to face fund-raising challenges. But employees said they didn't see the changes coming.

GLAAD cut 11 people from its staff of 45, and a statement from the group assured that "core programs" remain intact, including National and Local News; Religion, Faith & Values; Entertainment Media; and Spanish-Language Media.

Interim president Mike Thompson attributed the cuts in part to the problems GLAAD faced last year, when former president Jarret Barrios resigned amid controversy about whether GLAAD improperly backed a proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile.

"It's no secret that GLAAD experienced some real challenges in 2011," Thompson said in a statement to The Advocate. "While the changes that took place subsequent to last summer's tumult were in many ways healthy for the organization, the reality is that the experience had financial impacts for the organization. Our restructuring is reflective of that."

When Thompson took over, he changed the group's position on the merger to neutral, and then backed Net neutrality efforts that AT&T had opposed. And Thompson told The Advocate that the group needed to ensure those watching that it had refocused efforts on what it's known for.

"We look forward to a stronger GLAAD, one that is focused on our mission and commitment to LGBT equality," he said today. "We believe the current structure will help us achieve those goals."

--> Posted by a volunteer Community Blogger of Kentucky Equality Federation. This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Another Culture War at the United Nations; Iran calls Homosexuality a Western Disease to German Official

By: Richard T. Jones, Chairman of the Board

The Secretary-General of the Iranian High Council for Human Rights has described homosexuality as a western “disease,” and said that same-sex marriage was “immoral.”

General Mohammad Javad Larijani allegedly made these remarks in Tehran during a visit by a lawmaker from the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Tom Koenigs, who chairs the human rights committee in Germany’s parliament, according to a report by Radio Free Europe.

The Islamic Republic of Iran considers "Homosexuality a Western Disease."

In Iran and under strict Islamic law, homosexuality is punishable by death.

“The West says that the marriage of homosexuals should be allowed under the human rights charter, however, we think it is sexual immorality and a disease,” he was quoted as stating to his German counterpart, in Iran’s semiofficial Fars news agency.

This statement is consistent with the harsh sentences and treatment of LGBT people in Iran that enforces and enacts the death penalty for same-sex acts.

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad drew international criticism in 2007 when he said during a visit to Columbia University in the United States that there were no homosexuals in his country.

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon chastised States in September 2010 by stating:

"The responsibilities of the United Nations and the obligations of States are clear. No-one, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. No-one should be prosecuted for their ideas or beliefs. No-one should be punished for exercising their right to freedom of expression."

Here at Kentucky Equality Federation, President Jordan Palmer issued a brief statement condemning the statement of General Mohammad Javad Larijani and urged ILGA to bring the issue before the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights. Kentucky Equality Federation is an official, voting, dues paying member of the world organization, ILGA, which has consultative status at the United Nations.

Palmer's statement also stated: "General Mohammad Javad Larijani is in self denial if he believes homosexuality is a disease. LGBTGI people are in every State of the United Nations, in every city. If the execution of homosexuals does not stop, additional sanctions should be placed on Iran in-line with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's statement. This could quickly create another culture war at the United Nations."

UPDATE:  Our friends at Hillbilly Report has researched this issue in great detail.  Excellent work!

--> Posted by a volunteer Community Blogger of Kentucky Equality Federation. This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.