posted March 9, 2009 12:03 AM by
rickweberLast week was a downer, but this week I have some "good" news for you. In
Washington state, the State senate passed a bill giving same-sex couples rights and benefits equal to heterosexual couples. Likewise, in
Illinois a civil union bill made it through the House Youth and Family Committee. If approved, it would afford citizens of Illinois the same rights as heterosexual couples, though no church would be required to perform or recognize same-sex unions.
Before the Illinois house committee passed it, this email was sent out on the request of Bishop Chris Church of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) in Nauvoo, Illinois. Here's the content of the email.
From: Kristy Combs
Date: March 3, 2009 12:27:59 PM CST
Subject: Civil Union bill scheduled for a hearing Thursday - calls needed
This message has been authorized for sending by Bishop Church.
The Civil Union Bill (HB 2234) has been scheduled for a hearing in the Youth and Family Committee this week on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in Springfield. If the bill is voted out of committee, it becomes eligible for a vote before the full Illinois House of Representatives. This bill will legalize civil unions in the state of Illinois, and will treat such civil unions with the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits as are afforded within marriage. In other words, civil unions will be different in name only from marriage. As has already been seen in Massachusetts, this will empower the public schools to begin teaching this lifestyle to our young children regardless of parental requests otherwise. It will also create grounds for rewriting all social mores; the current push in Massachusetts is to recognize and legalize all transgender rights (An individual in Massachusetts can now change their drivers license to the gender they believe themselves to be, regardless of actual gender, which means that confused men and women are now legally entering one another’s bathrooms and locker rooms. What kind of a safety issue is this for our children?). Furthermore, while the bill legalizes civil unions, it will be used in the courts to show discrimination and will ultimately lead to court mandated same-sex marriages.
To help defeat this bill, please call your state representative and state senator and ask that they support traditional marriage and vote against the civil unions bill. If you are unsure who your legislators are, please see the link at the end of this email.
Also, please take a moment and call the following members of the Youth and Family Committee to encourage them to vote no on this bill. We need 4 votes to keep it from passing out of the committee. And - as always, please pass this on to all who believe in protecting our families and our children. If you are interested in attending the hearing, it will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 9:00 a.m. in Springfield in Room 122B of the Capitol Building (I can give you directions to the Capitol Building if needed).
Members of the Youth and Family Committee:
Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) (Greg Harris is also the sponsor of this bill, but he needs to hear your opposition to this bill)
Chairperson
217-782-3835
Rep. LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago)
Vice-Chairperson
217-782-5962
Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago)
Republican Spokesperson
217-782-1653
Rep. William D. Burns (D-Chicago)
217-782-2023
Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe (R-Chicago)
217-782-8182
Rep. Al Riley (D-Matteson)
217-558-1007
Rep. Dave Winters (R-Rockford)
217-782-0455
Directions for identifying your legislators:
You can use the following link to identify your state legislators and their contact information: http://www.elections.il.gov/ DistrictLocator/ SelectSearchType.aspx? NavLink=1 (and enter your 9 digit zip code). If this link doesn’t work, you can use the general link www.ilga.gov and then click on ” legislator lookup” near the bottom of the page, then click on “by zip+4?. Type in your zip code, and you’ll see a list of your legislators. You want your state senator and state representative as they will be the ones voting on the bill.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sister Combs.
For some historical context of Nauvoo, it's important to know that the city was founded by Joseph Smith- the founder of the LDS Church. After Mormons were forced to flee Missouri, they regrouped in Illinois in a small settlement. Smith however was still imprisoned in Missouri. After he and a few others escaped, he joined the settlement and renamed the city Nauvoo. So, Nauvoo is one of the original stomping grounds of the Mormon Church.
The LDS headquarters in Salt Lake City currently claims that this
Bishop acted alone. However, the talking points they used are
VERY similar to those used during the Prop 8 fight. What are you thoughts on the content of the email? How does it make you feel to read it? What kind of impression does it give you of Mormons? I know quite a few GLBTQ people with LDS backgrounds, and it's been very sad to see the social ties that they have lost. There is hope though. On the eve of Prop 8, 600 LDS mothers gathered to protest the LDS Church's involvement, and to support their GLBTQ children.
In a separate matter, it looks like there is some progress being made in repealing the U.S. Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Here's an interview Rachel Maddow had with author Nathaniel Frank.
There are a variety of opinions why "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was passed, what's yours?
Now that some of these GLBTQ issues are becoming a common theme throughout the country, something relevant to share is the letter that Barack Obama wrote to the
Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club when he was still campaigning for President.
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the opportunity to welcome everyone to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club's Pride Breakfast and to congratulate you on continuing a legacy of success, stretching back thirty-six years. As one of the oldest and most influential LGBT organizations in the country, you have continually rallied to support Democratic candidates and causes, and have fought tirelessly to secure equal rights and opportunities for LGBT Americans in California and throughout the country.
As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same sex couples under both state and federal law. That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.
For too long. issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. This is no less than a core issue about who we are as Democrats and as Americans.
Finally, I want to congratulate all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks. My thanks again to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club for allowing me to be a part of today's celebration. I look forward to working with you in the coming months and years, and I wish you all continued success.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Finally, the last story for this week's blog is about sexual health. The
FDA recently approved a new female condom. One of the most significant quotes to come out of the article was this, "female condoms put the power of protection in women's hands." I suppose I feel like that's important because protection is not just a woman's thing (get on the pill), or a man's thing (put on a condom), it's partners showing themselves and others respect by using protection. Any effective new tool is something I'm all for. Now, the question is, would you ladies be willing to use it? What about you guys, would you be willing to buy a condom for your partner and wear one as well? How do you practice "safe sex?"
as for safe sex, anything involving penetration needs a condom on the penetrator, no exceptions