Lawmakers vote to protect gay, lesbian workers By Thomas Ferraro Wed Nov 7, 8:32 PM ET
The Democratic-led House of Representatives on Wednesday defied a White House veto threat and voted to protect millions of Americans by outlawing workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.
"This is truly a historic day," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, told her colleagues. "Discrimination has no place in America."
The measure passed 235-184, falling far short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a possible veto by President George W. Bush.
Democrats vowed to try to mount support, but face stiff opposition from the religious right and others in what's been a 30-year effort to enact such legislation into law.
While the House-passed bill drew praise from civil rights groups, it elicited the ire of lesbian and gay organizations that sought broader protection for members of their diverse community.
Sent to the Senate for concurrence, the bill would prohibit employers from considering sexual orientation in deciding whether to hire, fire or promote someone.
But the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would not cover transgender men and women -- those whose gender identity differs from their birth sex.
In a letter to House members, a coalition of nearly 400 gay, lesbian and transgender groups wrote that it opposed the legislation because it "leaves some of us behind."
Democrats had initially sought transgender protection. But many backed off when they realized they did not have the votes, and feared transgender coverage could sink the bill.
"I wish we had the votes in this House to ban discrimination of all sorts," said Democratic Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, a chief sponsor of the measure and one of two openly gay members of Congress.
"I wish for a lot of things, but I will not act on my wishes irresponsibly," Frank said.
Rep. Howard McKeon, a California Republican, opposed the bill, warning it "could result in the exact opposite effect its supporters intend by creating new pressures on employers to consider and even document their employees' sexual orientation, actual or how it is perceived, in order to guard against litigation."
It's now legal in 30 of the 50 U.S. states to fire someone because of their sexual orientation. A recent study found that 16 percent lesbians and gays reported being dismissed or denied a job because of their sexual orientation.
"There are millions of our fellow citizens, gay or lesbian, who live in fear that they could be fired because they live in states where there is no such protection," Frank said.
The White House has threatened to veto the bill, which has been described as a proposed extension of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that banned discrimination based on race, sex and national origin.
In a statement, the White House said, "The bill turns on imprecise and subjective terms that would make interpretation, compliance and enforcement extremely difficult."
Mostly Republican critics also complained the bill, despite Democratic claims to the contrary, would inadequately exempt religious institutions from the proposed law, and could even undermine state laws banning same-sex marriage.
Tony Perkins of the conservative Family Research Council, which opposed the bill, said the proposal would permit "mainstream homosexuality, bisexuality ... and provide activists a legal tool for punishing employers who do not approve of these lifestyles."
Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York spoke in favor of ending workplace discrimination, but then announced he would vote against the measure, saying it did not go far enough.
"I believe it is important we take a principled stand now, and speak with a strong and united voice for equal rights for all Americans, whether they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender," Nadler said.
can't tell if this is a parody some of the time but it does have some really cheeky moments i must admit...the editing is really well done for somewhat amateurs...but it's definitely amusing to watch. (can you tell i get a little defensive when someone parodies my queen? ehhe)
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Rubin Museum Of Art 150 West 17th Street New York City
Music by DJ Christopher Sealey Hors d’oeuvres Silent auction
Buy Tickets to the Opening Night Benefit by visiting www.fashion4action.com
Be the first to shop our collection!
Free and open to the public
Housing Works Chelsea Thrift Shop 143 West 17th Street New York City Friday 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm
All proceeds from FASHION FOR ACTION benefit Housing Works, New York City’s largest provider of housing and supportive services to homeless men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS.
(this is my day job by the way)
Participating Designers & Brands
3.1 Phillip Lim 7 For All Mankind Adam + Eve AG/Adriano Goldschmied Angel Sanchez Armani Exchange Bally Barkley Kalpac Association Ben Sherman Bloomingdale's Bottega Veneta Bromley Group Burberry Calvin Klein Carla's Closet Catherine Stein Designs Inc Charlotte Ronson Citizens of Humanity Coach Leather Cockpit USA Company Agenda Completely Bare Spa DSquared2 Diane Von Furstenberg Diesel Dior Dolce & Gabbana Donald J Pliner Earnest Sewn Elie Tahari Energie Ermenegildo Zegna Etro Fendi Foley & Corinna Frye Ghurka Giorgio Armani Gucci Guess Hugo Boss ICOT Showroom Issey Miyake Jean D'arc John Varvatos Juicy Couture L.A.M.B. Lacoste Levi's Libertine Limited Brands Louis Vuitton Luba J M2L Marc Jacobs Martin Gordon Designs Max Leather / Cipriani Accessories Mayle Michael Kors Milly Miss Meghan Mulberry Nanette Lepore Narciso Rodriguez Ogan Dallal Oliver People's Sunglasses Paul Smith Port 1961 Prada Real Simple Robert Graham Rogan Rosasen Shoshanna Stephen Burrows Steven Alan Swiss Army The Palm Theory Tom Ford Men's Wear Tory Burch Triple 5 Soul True Religion TSE Cashmere Valentino Versace Veuve Clicquot Vince W Hotels The Wall Street Journal Yves Saint Laurent Zegna Sport
from one of 2007's best releases, here's the video for tracey thorn's first single from her brilliant solo album 'out of the woods'. i first saw the video a long time ago but forgot to post it here then. take a look...it's just perfect! "it's all true"
so i just got back from my third dj gig in six days and i must say...as much as i love to play music for other people...i would never want to do it full time. i devote so much of my time off of my day job to scouring the internet for avant garde and underground tracks to build my sets around as well as rediscovering house classics and new wave masterpieces along the way. each venue i play 'requires' a different kind of sound yet still adhering to my turntable sensibility. some songs i can play at each bar or club and some i wouldn't even dare look in my cd book for. that's the beauty of my 'occupation' and it's what keeps me in lust with my labour of love (and play money). if i only could play one genre of music i would limit myself to one gig a month i think.
sunday was fantastic. it was the opening night of a new monthly gig hosted by the metrobears called "score" held at the amazing three floor haven called bar 13. at first the soundsystem was a bit hard to manage only because the wires weren't set up properly for me like i was told they were supposed to be, but once all that madness was worked out...i completely werked it out. i had prepared a ton of cds with music i planned on slapping people in the face with as well as songs that people would remember...something i'm finally getting accustomed to...that happy medium. also, i finally had a dance floor to manipulate! a dj's dream! so many people loved what i was doing and made sure to let me or the hosts of the party know how pleased they were. i walked out of there exhausted...part deaf and satisfied because of a job well done!
then came tuesday. ugggh....a mess. it was mischief night...it was 'bear essentials' at nowhere bar in the east village and it was our monthly black out party where we dim the lights...put up black material to create nooks and crannies for the hairy ones to frolick in unabashedly and i had prepared a haunting set of halloween inspired songs along with personal spooky and melancholic favourites. the crowd seemed to not respond to my intentions and it got me down...the crowd also wasn't as interesting or familiar as usual and the energy was just so off. i got drunk way too early and my set was sloppy and lacking cohesion. i used to think i didn't need to depend on people's reaction as much but tuesday proved otherwise.
tonight on the other hand was wonderful. once in a while i fill in at a place called gstaad (still not completely sure how to pronounce it but it's a swiss word if you're interested in looking it up. the bar is gorgeous and is primarily a straight bar with the occasional neighborhood homo or friend of mine lurking around hehe. this is the first non gay gig i've ever had and that really excites me that i'm branching out thanks to my friend kevin who got me the trial run a couple months ago. the crowd is definitely on the caucasian and asian side and i've noticed that not many people react to really anything but one another. the music is definitely background for them but every now and then i will see someone bopping their head or saying 'thank you' to me as they leave. tonight my brother mel stopped by and he's one of those people who's opinion is very important to me not just because he's one of my best friends but because his taste in music and a lot of other things is primo. an amazing dancer, he had to fight himself not to bust a move where he was standing. i wouldn't have minded...i could stand and stare at him dancing for hours hehe. the night though, started lovely. the first song i played was 'haunted' by poe, fresh from my set of cds i made for the mischief night party. i'm addicted to burning at least 1 to 8 new cds for every single one of my gigs...it's a problem but a good one in my opinion hehe. suddenly, the bartender (his name is gates) came up to me and introduced himself and said "what a way to start your set with poe!" that made my night...the most important thing for me wherever i spin is at least pleasing the staff because they have to listen to me the whole damn night and the last thing i want to be to a new group of people i work with is obnoxious...i'm only comfortably obnoxious to people i know for a while haha. again he made me happy at the end of the night when he asked what other places in the city i play at. i replied with my business card and with a witty "i guess that means you liked it". he laughed and said "yes". i'll be back there on the 16th of november (which happens to be my fifth year anniversary to the day i first stepped behind the booth at 'the urge' starting my mini career as DJ Chauncey D, the disco scientist of love).so you win some and you lose some...luckily i'm sore either way hehehere's a dirty chauncey treat that i could probably get away with playing at any of my venues...whether it's to make people go crazy on the dance floor or push someone over the edge and make the decision to go home and fuck the person's brains out they were hitting on the whole night...yes it's that dirty of a track...enjoy...i know i will every time i hear it
enough of the dreary political news...here's a beautiful track by the amazing and underrated singer skin. she used to be the lead singer of skunk anansie but has been pumping out solo stuff for some time now. the lyrics are gorgeous as is her delivery...it's not brand new but it's from her most recent release. it's also a break from the hard thumping sexelectro i usually post...that's why it's a diet chauncey treat hehe
So the IAEA is saying that Iran doesn't possess nukes and is years away from having them. But the US and France are deciding to ignore that piece of news. Does this remind anyone of 2002 when the IAEA stated clearly that Saddam had no WMD's. Again that was ignored (and the US and UK in fact told barefaced lies about Iraq's weapons to justify Bush the Evil's murderous campaign of terror across Iraq.
Well looks like they're now doing the same with Iran. Interestingly the unelected dictatorship in Egypt announced its own intention to build nuclear power stations was announced yesterday. Despite being an unelected dictatorship the US welcomed Egypt's news. Looks like the only way to be an unelected dictatorship is if the said dictatorship is funded by the West (Egypt gets 2billion a year in military aid
France and the US have dismissed a finding by the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog Mohammed ElBaradei that there is no evidence of Iran building a bomb.
The US said Iran's efforts to enrich uranium rather than import it more cheaply, indicated that it really wanted nuclear weapons.
Mr ElBaradei said on Sunday that Tehran was years away from developing a bomb.
Iran denies it is seeking to build nuclear weapons and says it wants only civilian nuclear energy.
Its refusal to stop enriching uranium - a process which can lead to a nuclear bomb - has led the UN Security Council to impose two sets of sanctions, which the US has followed up with unilateral penalties of its own.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Iran was "enriching and reprocessing uranium, and the reason that one does that is to lead towards a nuclear weapon".
His remarks were later clarified by US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe, who was asked whether any country enriching uranium seeks nuclear weapons.
"I would say that we're concerned about Iran doing this because they could have the capability to have a nuclear weapon. Each country is different, but obviously Dana was asked and was talking about Iran," he said.
French scepticism
The French defence minister said: "Our information, which is backed up by other countries, is contrary [to Mr ElBaradei's comments]."
Iran has denied its nuclear work is intended to develop weapons
"If... ElBaradei is right then there is no reason that Iran stops ElBaradei and the IAEA [the UN nuclear watchdog] from carrying out inspections," Mr Morin told reporters on a visit to Abu Dhabi.
"If [the nuclear programme] is only civil what would be the reason to stop international inspections?"
The IAEA has some access to Iranian nuclear facilities but Tehran's refusal to allow intrusive inspections means the UN cannot verify the absence of undeclared nuclear material.
The US Ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said on Monday that Washington saw "no indication" Iran was moving towards suspending uranium enrichment.
Eyes on ElBaradei
Mr ElBaradei's deputy, Olli Heinonen, arrived in Tehran on Monday for a now round of talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
There is tension between Western countries and Mr ElBaradei over an agreement he reached with Iran in August, drawing up a timetable for the country to answer questions about its past nuclear activities.
This was seen as buying time for Iran, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports from the UN.
Mr ElBaradei says he will report to the IEAE's board in mid-November on how much information Iran has provided.
He warned Tehran of the importance of active co-operation and transparency.
Diplomats say discussions on a third sanctions resolution are under way in case Iran stalls again.
However it is not clear that Russia and China will support further sanctions, our correspondent adds. "
i just don't get the idea of having nuclear weapons...it would just mean the end of the world...if iran bombs one country...another will bomb iran and so on and so forth...
i used to think i was emotionally over 9/11 even though i watched the towers fall as it happened but i still have the occasional nuclear bomb nightmare and it's the kind of nightmare that really fucks you up in the head
(San Francisco, California) A survey of gay and lesbian employees across the U.S. has found that "fears about disclosing a gay identity at work had an overwhelmingly negative relationship with their career and workplace experiences and with their psychological well-being."
The study, 'Making the Invisible Visible: Fear and Disclosure of Sexual Orientation at Work' was based on a questionnaire of 500 LGB workers and the results appear in The Journal of Applied Psychology.
"These findings were both striking and disturbing; those who reported more fear of the negative consequences of full disclosure had less positive job and career attitudes, received fewer promotions, and reported more physical stress-related symptoms than those who reported less fear," wrote researchers, Belle Rose Ragins and Romila Singh of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and John M. Cornwell of Rice University.
For those working in what they perceived as a non-supportive environment, the costs of non-disclosure were significant, the study concluded.
Workers who feared more negative consequences to disclosure reported less job satisfaction, organizational commitment and lower satisfaction with opportunities for promotion and career commitment.
They also had lower self-esteem in the workplace and were more likely to change jobs than those who feared less negative consequences."
"Those who feared more negative consequences reported more [job] role ambiguity, more role conflict, and less workplace participation than those who feared less negative consequences,” the report said.
"LGB employees who feared more negative consequences also reported greater psychological strain than those who feared less negative consequences." Psychological strain was described as stress-related symptoms experienced on the job, work-related depression, and work-related irritation.
The study said that while deciding whether to come-out is an exceptionally difficult career challenge facing lesbian/gay employees it typically goes unnoticed by employers.
However, the threats to employment security are real. There are no laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in 31 states, and such discrimination remains “widespread” in practice.
The researchers pointed to previous studies that indicated that between 25 and 66 percent of lesbian or gay workers had experienced discrimination. Of the participants in this study, 37 percent said they had faced discrimination because others suspected or assumed they were gay or lesbian. More than 10 percent said they had been physically harassed. More than 22 percent said they had been verbally harassed. Nearly 31 percent said they had resigned from a job, had been fired from a job or had left a job because of discrimination.
Robert-Jay Green, executive director of the Rockway Institute, a national center for LGBT research and public policy affiliated with Alliant International University said that the new study fits with other research showing that more accepting work environments are associated with LGBT employees being healthier and more productive.
"The research also provides some additional facts concerning the need for public policies protecting against job discrimination,” said Green.
"Employees who are not afraid of being fired or held back from promotion because of their same-sex orientations are psychologically freer to put their full creative energies into work. This, in turn, saves employers’ time and money. It a win-win for all concerned."
The study was released as the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote on legislation that would ban LGBT workplace discrimination.
damn...look at the evil smiles on their faces...but who's smiling now?
CNN Church ordered to pay $10.9 million for funeral protest
October 31, 2007
Story Highlights *Albert Snyder sued after church members demonstrated at his son's funeral *The church and three of its leaders were found liable for invasion of privacy *Church believes the Iraq war is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of gays *A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests
BALTIMORE, Maryland (AP) -- A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals in the belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.
Albert Snyder of York, Pennsylvania, sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.
The jury first awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages. It returned later in the afternoon with its decision to award $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress.
U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted the size of the award for compensating damages "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court.
Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."
A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries.
But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.
The church and three of its leaders -- the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46 -- were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress.
Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.
The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that the deaths of soldiers are due to the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.
Their attorneys argued in closing statements Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.
The judge said the church's financial statements, sealed earlier, could be released to the plaintiffs.
Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse.
Church founder Fred Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates fag enablers."
Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America."
Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles.
Brand New Album: "Seventh Tree" Released On 25th February 2008
Howdy Deers
And without further ado, we can reveal the news that you have all been waiting for... exclusively announced here for the very first time...
We are very pleased and proud to announce that Goldfrapp will release their fourth album, Seventh Tree, through Mute on 25th February 2008. Seventh Tree is written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory and was recorded at their own studio deep in the English countryside.
A sensual counterpoint to the glitterball glamour of Supernature, Seventh Tree is gilded in the butterfly colours of an English surrealism shared from Lear to Lennon. It shimmers and shines with the warmth of a hazy summer, an electric whirlpool over which Alison's glistening voice soars.
Alison and Will say, "We can't wait for you to hear what we've been doing. It comes from the heart and was made with love, so we hope you will be into it too."
We'll let you know the track listing and get you a sneaky peak of the album artwork just as soon as we can. Naturally you'll be the first to know.
Let the fun begin...
Lots of love and wrap up warm
Deer x
such exciting news! and madonna's album is supposedly out in march!...2008 is gonna be a great year!
artwork by sparanoid the following is a list of some of my favourite songs to get me into the halloween spirit. as we get older...the holidays that we once looked forward to are just shoved inbetween work weeks and paychecks and lose a lot of their magical aspect they possessed when we were children...halloween was always one of my favourite holidays and now, much to my dismay, i have so much trouble even coming up with a glimpse of an idea of what to think about a possible costume idea...let me clear things up...
i don't mean songs like Monster Mash or Thriller...i mean songs that when you listen to them they instill either a fear or longing or helplessness or anger or some sort of romanticized evil in you...they are not really in any particular order but in order of which ones popped into my head 1. poe - WILD 2. concrete blonde - BLOODLETTING 3. she wants revenge - TEAR YOU APART 4. rabbit in the moon - WAITING FOR THE NIGHT 5. siouxsie and the banshees - PEEK-A-BOO 6. annie lennox - LOVE SONG FOR A VAMPIRE 7. nine inch nails - CLOSER 8. the knife - SILENT SHOUT 9. lamb - GORECKI 10. patrick wolf - THE LIBERTINE 11. goldfrapp - DEER STOP 12. portishead - STRANGERS 13. david bowie - BRING ME THE DISCO KING
i will eventually make some of these available for download for you but i had a long ass day and i'm t.i.r.e.d.
this blog features reflections on popular culture, political propaganda, avant garde art, underground and overground music, film, events, original poetry, one part madonna and a little more than a pinch of the gay agenda and anything else that may dance through chauncey d, the cerebral jester's head!
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