Blog Posts for Anti-LGBT Discrimination
Tax Day and the LGBT Party
There has been much argument about taxes lately. Yesterday, the Tea Party Express brought some of this talk to the Boston Common, just outside my office window.
I believe that paying taxes is a responsibility that comes with being an American citizen. We must share the costs of maintaining and improving our country’s infrastructure and security, and of providing the services that benefit all of us. But I also believe that the tax system must be administered fairly, and without discrimination.
So, as another tax day rolls around, I find myself reflecting on the particular relationship the LGBT community has to paying taxes.
Imagine a School Culture of Dignity and Respect for All
Yesterday I testified on behalf of GLAD in front of the General Court’s Joint Committee on Education in support of a comprehensive bill to prevent school bullying. The bill before the committee, H. 483, is an excellent starting point and has the potential to ultimately result in a law that would create safer schools for Massachusetts students, including those who are LGBT.
A Governor’s Heartless Veto
In my work, I encounter seeds of homophobia in subtle and insidious ways all the time. But I have to admit to being floored by the actions of Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri last week. On November 10, Gov. Carcieri vetoed a bill that would have provided same-sex couples a critical, discrete protection in a time of complete vulnerability and tragedy. The bill would have allowed a surviving same-sex partner the ability to claim the remains of his or her partner, and decide how he or she will be laid to rest. To be eligible to do this, the surviving partner would have to demonstrate that their relationship met the definition of “domestic partnership” that has been a part of Rhode Island law for over eight years.
Inclusive ENDA: Passage is Essential
The first Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) bill that would create a federal law prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was introduced into Congress fifteen years ago. Fifteen years feels like a very long time given the progress that has been made generally on LGBT social issues and understanding during that same time span.
Tell 3: A Step We Can All Take for Equality
We know it takes more than simply coming out to win equality. What changes people’s hearts and minds and gets them to support equality is having had personal, close relationships with LGBT people. Relationships where – through conversations – straight people learn what it’s like to be LGBT. Pledge to tell 3 people what it’s like for you or your loved one at www.tell-three.org/.
Election 2008: Hope, Change and Work Ahead for LGBT Community
Today is an extraordinary day for all Americans. For LGBT Americans, it’s a day when we embrace hope and change – and also re-charge for the work and challenges ahead.
Pioneering Social Work Dean Took on Anti-Gay Foster Care Policy
Diana Waldfogel was the dean of Simmons School of Social Work and President of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in the 1980’s. When the Dukakis administration put into place a discriminatory anti-gay foster care policy, NASW Executive Director Carol Brill took on both Health and Human Services Secretary Phil Johnston - who likes to describe himself as a social worker - and Governor Dukakis - whom NASW and the social work community had helped to get into office through our work at the community level.