think-progress: “ Beyond Marriage: Inside The Future Of LGBT Advocacy “ For more than 20 years, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) bounced around Congress, becoming watered down with religious exemptions and never passing both the House and...

think-progress:

Beyond Marriage: Inside The Future Of LGBT Advocacy

For more than 20 years, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) bounced around Congress, becoming watered down with religious exemptions and never passing both the House and Senate during the same session. LGBT people throughout the U.S. can still be fired or not hired just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and ENDA’s likely last iteration died a quiet death last week in the House Rules Committee.

The LGBT movement is not giving up, however. Instead, the focus has actually grown, with advocacy organizations and lawmakers now gearing up for a comprehensive nondiscrimination bill, one that protects LGBT people not only in employment, but in housing, education, credit, and public accommodations as well. Rather than unsuccessfully fighting for one right at a time, the movement is now pressing to make the case for a full LGBT civil rights bill to block all forms of discrimination across the board.

That is the focus of a new report released by the Center for American Progress (CAP), introduced at an event Wednesday morning. The report aggregates available data about various forms of discrimination LGBT people experience across the country, and guests at CAP’s event drove home the point that these injustices can be tolerated no longer, including lawmakers Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), as well as Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin.

So important, beyond marriage: inside the future of LGBT advocacy | Follow ThinkProgress

(via upworthy)

My colleague Henry Waxman is retiring this year after 40 years in Congress. I’ll miss him and his mustache of justice.

Down with the patriarchy. Source: Steven Dennis – CQ Roll Call

Down with the patriarchy.


Source: Steven Dennis – CQ Roll Call

RE: Rand Paul Likens Obama Exec Action To Japanese Internment Camp Order

Senator Paul’s comments likening President Obama’s executive action that provides immigration relief to millions of people in this nation to the internment of Japanese Americans is insulting - not only to the millions who will benefit from President Obama’s executive action, but to the thousands of Japanese who were interned during World War II, including my own mother and father. At best, his comments are revisionist history, wrapped in a logical fallacy. 

President Obama’s executive action prioritizes the protection of vulnerable, hardworking immigrants. Executive Order 9066 did the opposite and was not just a failure of the executive, but a failure of each branch of government, as Congress allowed the internment of thousands to take place, and the Supreme Court failed to uphold the constitutional rights of those interned. 

While I’m sure that Senator Paul’s purpose of making these comments was to feed the libertarian fantasy of rampant government overreach in everything President Obama does, the fact remains that there is absolutely no comparison to his executive action, which allows millions of hardworking immigrants to no longer live in fear, and the systematic stripping of basic human rights of Japanese Americans by every branch of government.

The Congressional Maker Caucus… in 3D!

The Congressional Maker Caucus… in 3D!

Since 1956, eleven Presidents, from both parties, have signed executive actions providing immigration relief. Precedent on this issue has been established and the President has the constitutional authority to provide such relief.

Since 1956, eleven Presidents, from both parties, have signed executive actions providing immigration relief.

Precedent on this issue has been established and the President has the constitutional authority to provide such relief. 

Welcome to Tumblr Mayor Garcetti - lamayorsoffice

Welcome to Tumblr Mayor Garcetti - lamayorsoffice

Feel free to come on in and say hi next time.

Feel free to come on in and say hi next time.

(Source: stretchingeverynerve)

This week, President Obama came out in favor of a strong Net Neutrality rule, without loopholes, which will keep the internet open and free from restrictions. Verizon, Comcast and other internet service providers want to be able to block content,...

This week, President Obama came out in favor of a strong Net Neutrality rule, without loopholes, which will keep the internet open and free from restrictions. Verizon, Comcast and other internet service providers want to be able to block content, limit access to certain websites and services, and slow the connection unless they receive a cut from every website and extra money from you, the consumers.

A strong Net Neutrality rule, which I support, will prevent that from happening. The fight is not over though. The FCC, which is an independent agency, will make the final decision.

This is what’s happening over at twitter.com/repmarktakano.  I plan on calling Special Agents Mulder and Scully in to testify about their work on the X-Files.

The Truth may be out there, but it’s probably not on Twitter.

(Source: comebackdecade)

freedomtomarry: “ ”

freedomtomarry:

H/t to housedems for putting together these charts on unemployment.

housedems:

Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra and Congressman Mark Takano discuss ongoing progress for the LGBT community and efforts to ensure equality for all Americans. 

(via housedems-deactivated20161216)