PENTAGON CHIEF: Gay Soldiers Violate "Law of Nature"

Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Act

ANOTHER DOOMED LGBT BILL

With the Republican White House threatening to Veto the Matthew Sheppard hate Crimes Act, it seems there is little that can be done to get this legislation passed considering the current situation in the House.

Options that have been discussed include tacking it to a defense spending measure and or sending it to the President's desk separately; in which case it would be vetoed.

With discussions now projected to continue into December, the current Bill will most likely never make it to the President's desk and the legislation will ultimately have to be re-considered under a different presidency.

With FBI statistics that clearly indicate that one in six hate crimes is motivated by sexual orientation, it has never been more important to pass such legislation.

The White House has gone on official record as noting that the legislation is "unnecessary and constitutionally questionable."

It is hard to see how providing protections for a group of Americans that is being discriminated against is "constitutionally questionable."

-ENDA VOTE-

AN ONGOING SAGA

WHO IS MY REPRESENTATIVE?

GENERAL ISSUE STANCES

Do you know where your representative stands on all of the important issues?  If not, select your state below and we will take you directly to the most updated information Project Vote Smart has available to the public.

Select a State Below to Retrieve Issue Stances

VOTING RECORDS

Does your representative really mean what they say?  Select your state below and we will show you the most current information Project Vote Smart has available for your congressional official; if available.  Once the page fully loads, you can see first-hand just how your representative has been representing you.

Select a State Below to Retrieve Voting Records

WHAT IS CONGRESS DOING RIGHT NOW?

Did you know that the House of Representatives' Office of the Clerk keeps everyone updated as far as what congress is doing on any given day?

Finding out what congress is doing this hour is as easy as clicking the link below.  Once clicked, you will be taken to the Office of the Clerk's Legislative Activities page where you can select the day of interest and then see events posted as they begin to unfold throughout the day.

Click here now to see what Congress is doing.

LGBT LEGISLATION

The current Democratic-controlled Congress is in a position to consider new initiatives. While Republican leaders focused on restricting gay rights, the shift in power means that new legislation broadening protection for lesbian and gay Americans can potentially be passed.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has been proposed multiple times but always derailed. This legislation would effectively ban workplace discrimination against LGBTs, placing sexual orientation and gender identity in the same protected category as race, color, nationality, religion, gender, and disability status.

>>ENDA passes House of Representatives, but key protections for transgender individuals have been left out as it moves to the Senate and ultimately the President's desk; where it faces a near certain veto.

Congress may attempt to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" ban (long shot) on gays in the military. This is something that's best left to the executive branch under normal circumstances, but as the executive branch is at least 20 years behind on this issue, perhaps Congress can take a stab at it. This legislation might generate more support than it otherwise would because of the revelation that Eric Alva, the first American soldier wounded in the Iraq War, is gay.

IMPORTANT ISSUES

Do you keep up to date with all of the current issues surrounding the LGBT community as a whole?  If not, you can quickly and easily enhance your knowledgebase and understanding of pivotal issues by using any of the links below.

Issues of Importance to the GLBT Community (External Information):

• Aging

• Coming Out

• Hate Crimes

• Health

• International Rights & Immegration

• Marriage & Relationship Recognition

• Military

• Parenting

• People of Color

• Religion & Faith

• Transgender

• Workplace

• Youth & Campus Activism

For a listing of all current issues relating to the GLBT community, click here.

MINI POLL - THE IRAQ WAR

TAKE ACTION & MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

Did you know that you can take action and make a difference today by sending your congressional representative a fax through out site?

Click here now to go to our take action section where you can make your opinion known!  If you think that our take action section lacks an action item you feel is important, click here to contact us today!

MINI POLL - CONGRESS

HYPOCRITE LIST

The list of representatives, staffers, GOP staff and Bush staff listed below was compiled by Mike Rogers and is available in its entirety on his website which can be reached by clicking his name above.

In order to earn a place on this auspicious list one must "use their positions to actively oppose the equal rights of gay citizens while at the same time, secretly living a gay life."

 

US Representatives Rep. Ed Schrock (VA) Rep. David Drier (CA) Rep. James McCrery (LA) Rep. Mark Foley (FL)	US Senators Sen Larry Craig (ID) Sen Barbara Mikulski (MD)
Senior House Staffers Jim Conzelman, Oxley Lee Cohen, Hart Robert O'Conner, King Pete Meachum, Brown-Waite	Senior Senate Staffers Robert Traynham, Santorum Jonathan Tolman, Inhofe Kirk Fordham, Martinez Dirk Smith, Lott John Reid, Allen Paul Unger, Allen Linus Catignani, Frist
Senior GOP Staff Jay Timmons, NRSC Dan Gurley, RNC Jay Banning, RNC Brian Walton, NRSC, RNC	Bush Staff Israel Hernandez Jeff Berkowitz