Other good stuff happened ...

In New York, openly gay State Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell has announced the introduction of a marriage equality bill.  He announced it by Twitter.  You can follow him @DanielJODonnell 

How can you not follow this guy?  It would be like denying yourself a breath of fresh air.  I just nearly gassed myself with weed killer in a death match with poison ivy so the fresh air analogy is the best you are gonna get from me right now. 

So New York is a battleground.  More than 1,000 folks turned out for a lobby day on Monday and the Governor supports the legislation.  There's always a but ... however, today we are just going to bask in the good news. 

Next, we have word from The New York Times

After 33 years of debate, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted to change its constitution and allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, elders and deacons.

More on this later. 

And then some very sad news from Uganda which is reportedly set to pass their anti-homosexuality bill.  The one that includes "punishment by death."

It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that were I living in Uganda, I could be executed.  I strongly encourage you to follow the link and delve into some of the nuances of that legislation. 

Then come back and tell me that I have nothing to fear from those right wing Christians who SUPPORT this legislation.  They may not be trying to kill me, but ... they are unabashedly denying my humanity. 

Hurrah for New York and the Presbyterian Church.  Prayers for the people of Uganda as they struggle for their very lives. 

It is hard to keep up with the good stuff, but I'm sure you want to know about it ....

Anti-Discrimination

HB 300 sponsored by Representative Dan Frankel

SB 910 sponsored by Senator Lawrence Farnese

These bills will expand the Human Relations Act to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes.

Hate Crimes   

HB 1372 sponsored by Representative Josh Shapiro

SB 586 sponsored by Senator Jim Ferlo

These bills will expand hate crime definitions and protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

Anti-Bullying

SB 191 sponsored by Senator LeAnne Washington

Sexual Education

HB 416 sponsored by Representative Chelsa Wagner

Civil Unions

HB 708 sponsored by Rep Mark Cohen      

Marriage Equality

SB 461 sponsored by Senator Daylin Leach                 

(scroll down for links to the 2011 Blog for Equality participating blogs)

When it comes to LGBTQ equality blogswarms in Pgh, we've had good company back in 2008 and 2010. 

I'm sad that we need to rally the troops once again to stand up against yet another attempt to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution in order to "protect marriage."  Sigh.  But I'm happy the troops are there to be rallied. 

Here's how it works

- Your post should be up before or on Tuesday, May 10, 2011

- Any blogger can participate. 

- Write a blog post on any angle of the issue that you like (or don't like).  Length is not important.

- Contact me (email, twitter, facebook) with a link so we can track participation.

- Spread the word to other bloggers who might want to chime in. 

In my recent half dozen posts, you'll find more details including the 5 Western PA legislators serving on the relevant committee alongside the legislation's sponsor and committee chair, Daryl Metcalfe - R, Cranberry.  Let me know if you need more details. 

- This is the Equality Pennsylvania petition to which you may want to direct your readers.

- This is the link to the actual bill should you find that helpful.

That's it!  Once your post is up, please use your social media tools to spread the word.  I can attest that these "swarms" are read over and over and over again throughout the year. Together we can send a message to Pennsylvania that the lives of LGBTQ persons are not political fodder. 

Thanks to Maria at 2 Political Junkies for logo design.

FWIW, there are four separate pieces of legislation that are LGBTQ+ on hate crimes, civil unions, marriage equality and civil rights protections.  I am looking forward to sprinkling some of that goodness into the conversation. 

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2011 Participants    **New contributors for 2011

Einstein's Desk **  Blog for Equality Day

Angels of Sodom **  Blog for Equality '11

2 Political Junkies - Dayvoe   Blog for Equality Day

2 Political Junkies - Maria  Signs of Spring in PA

The Pittsburgh Comet  Trib is Succinct, Eloquent on Topic of Liberty

Burgh Baby **  An Equal Opportunity to Suck Face

topherhoff **   Blog for Equality Day 2011 - Pittsburgh

intense chaos ** Blog for Equality

Thomas C. Waters **  LGBT Equality in PA: Far from a reality

Examiner.com (A.J. Mayowski)** Equality and the Killer

Six Kitties (Ledcat) Blog for Equality Day 2011

A Spork in the Drawer The Thing Is, They're Losing and They Know It

After the Bridge Blog for Equality Day

PGH is a City Blog for Equality Redux

Three Rivers Anthology ** Blog for Equality Day

Amadi Talks Blog for Equality Pittsburgh 2011:  Here We Go Again

Ms. Mon's Salon  A Reminder That We Are All Created Equal

Deal Snob  Pittsburgh Blog for Equality Day May 10, 2011 (Blog for Fairness)

The Radical Middle In Honor of Blog For Equality Day

Here's What I Have To Say ** Blog for Marriage Equality Day

The Narrative in the Blog sent in this submission a little late, but very welcomed!  Blog for Equality Day 2011

Other links of note:

The Tribune Review Editorial Board: "But constitutions are not for denying rights; they're for enumerating them. This is poor form, the antithesis of liberty, and the effort should be rejected."

Other shout outs to note:

sdf

They have a fancy new website which makes it easier for me to find the press releases since they keep kicking me off their email lists ...

On HB 1434

?Representative Metcalfe understands the need to do more than simply protect the word ?marriage.?  A strong two-part amendment is what is needed to preserve the institution of marriage.   In 2004 Oregon passed an amendment that simply defined marriage as between one man and one woman and four years later marriage-like benefits were extended to homosexual couples.  Their amendment only preserved the word, not the institution of marriage,? stated Diane Gramley, President of the AFA of PA.

The word "marriage" is the issue.  Marriage a legal term used to describe a civil institution.  I want access to that institution.  I don't give a hoot about the religious constructs of marriage.  But there's no way to parse the word and people who think we can magically come up with a solution which satisfies everyone are thinking desperately.  No one is coming to take over the church ceremonies.  Relax and save your hysteria for the natural gas companies where it is well deserved.

Setting aside the other LGBT legislation, I just shake my head that so many issues will go unaddressed while elected officials rally around this.  I'm sure it will be the toast of Cranberry Township tomorrow night when Metcalfe, the Pennsylvania Family Institute and rightwing darling Lila Rose will be gathering for the PFI Annual Dinner.  I wish I had ability to infiltrate.  With a Flip Cam. 

sdf

UPDATE: I didn't dig deep enough when I originally posted.  Western PA Reps Krieger and Mustio also cosponsor this legislation. My apologies.

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Metcalfe's plan to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution begins in the State Government Committee of which he is the Majority Chair. As Chair, he has the power to bring the amendment to a committee vote.  It would be best to squelch that and you can help by contacting the other members of the committee. 

The message is very clear.  There are many more important issues than this and we need our elected officials to focus their time and energy on them -- the economy, transportation, taxes, health care, the environment, etc. 

Note that there are several Southwestern PA committe members. It is not too early to galvanize your networks to make the calls and make it personal -- people in our neighborhoods need jobs, healthcare, focus on energy issues, education, etc.  The links will take you to the reps contact page - phone, email, webforms, etc.   Just a few clicks if you live in Moon or Penn Township and you can help put this divisive issue aside to focus on your family priorities. 

Republicans

Seth Grove - York County

Jim Cox - Berks County

Matt Gabler - Clearfield and Elks Counties

Linda Schlegel Culver - Northumberland and Snyder Counties

George Dunbar - Westmoreland County (Jeannette, North Huntington,  Penn Twp, Irwin, North Irwin, Penn)

Eli Evankovich - Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties (New Kensington, Penn Township, Murrysville, Upper Burrell, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Township, Arnold, Export, Bethel Township, Cadogan Township, Parks Township, and Gilpin Township)

Glen Grell - Cumberland County

Marcia Hahn - Northampton County

Rob Kauffman - Cumberland and Franklin Counties

Jerry Knowles - Berks and Schuykill Counties

Timothy Krieger - Westmoreland County (Greensburg, Hempfield Twp, Delmont Borough, Hunker Borough, New Stanton Borough, Salem Township, South Greensburg Borough, Southwest Greensburg Borough. Unity Twp, Youngwood Borough) **COSPONSOR**

T. Mark Mustio - Allegheny County (Aleppo Twp, Ben Avon Heights, Collier Twp, Edgeworth, Findlay Twp, Haysville, Kilbuck Twp, Moon Twp, North Fayette Twp, Ohio Twp, Osborne, Robinson Twp, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills) **COSPONSOR**

Brad Roae -  Crawford County

Jerry Stern - Blair County

Democrats

Babette Josephs (Minority Chair) - Philadelphia County

Tony Payton, Jr. - Philadelphia County

Steve Samuelson - Lehigh and Northhampton Counties

Greg Vitali - Delaware County

Tim Briggs - Montgomery County

Eugene DePasquale - Montgomery County

Florindo FaBrizio - Erie County

Kenyatta Johnson - Philadelphia County

Eddie Day Pashinski - Lucerne County

Steven Santarsierio - Bucks County

From the Trib ...

Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, who chairs the House State Government Committee, on Monday announced he is sponsoring a constitutional amendment to define marriage. It would need to be approved in two successive sessions of the Legislature and would then be submitted for approval or rejection by the state's voters. The earliest that could happen would be 2013.

The constitution, if changed, would read:  "Marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."

The bill's chances are improved in a Republican-controlled legislature, but it is still a contentious issue many lawmakers would rather avoid. As committee chairman, Metcalfe can at least guarantee a committee vote.

It is a bit challenging to come up with someonething new about this one other than quiet disgust.  John Morgan at The Pennsylvania Progressive plans to out closeted legislators who cast any affirmative vote on this one. 

While we can hope this illustrates the distance between Metcalfe and the "rest" of the Republicans, I suspect this will not go quietly into the good night.  Democrats have voted for this in previous terms so we can take nothing for granted.

Please take a moment to sign the petition up at Equality Pennsylvania's site.