Well, here's some good news on what's been a sad day in Pittsburgh.  The Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been introduced in the Senate (already introduced in the House.) 

Bettter news? Both PA Senators are co-sponsors of the legislation.

Even better?  The bill is trans-inclusive.

An Oregon lawmaker made history Wednesday by introducing a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. Senate, marking the first time ever that a trans-inclusive bill has been considered in that chamber of Congress.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, a first-term Democratic senator, told the Blade he?s sponsoring the legislation because ?it stems from core conviction? about his belief in fairness and equality.

?For me, one of the huge issues that I?ve cared a lot about is equality under the law and fairness to all Americans, and this was just a core part of the way I view the world,? he said.

Merkley said he was designated as the lead sponsor of ENDA because he championed a similar non-discrimination bill in Oregon as a lawmaker in the state House, as well as legislation enacting domestic partnerships in Oregon.

Progress, my friends.  Pennsylvania's Mike Doyle is cosponsoring the House version, but Jason Altmire's vote is uncertain.  Your continued calls to press for fairness and equality in the workplace are critical. 

He brought it up first.

I'll admit it was the elephant in the room and I was debating how to bring it up without going into accusatory mode.  Everyone talks about it.  His Steel City Stonewall Questionnaire is pretty darn good, but "it" lurks like the tell tale heart.  Or so it seems.

But Independent Mayoral candidate Kevin Acklin brought up his donation to then Senator Rick Santorum's war chest.  I listened somewhat skeptically to his tale, but found myself drawn in to the story of a working class kid who found the party he loyally supported moving inexorably to the right on positions where he could not bend.

Like gay rights. I've been curious why Acklin has showed up at so many gay events, especially when he was still a Republican.  He told he received a lot of backlash from inside the party for testifying in favor of the anti-discrimination ordinance before County Council.  So why do it?

Acklin has gay people in his life that he loves and cherishes.  His college roommate came out while they lived together so Acklin witnessed the ups and downs of that process, eventually serving as a witness at his wedding in Canada.  He's close with a young man also coming out under completely different circumstances and has been amazed as the transformation in his life when he connected with supports that affirmed his identity.  The political really is personal on this issue. Or issues.

Acklin supports marriage equality.  He believes in domestic partner benefits. He wants an LGBT Advisory Committee that is "not just my top ten gay donors."  He sees hiring an openly gay person in his Administration as integral to having a real culture of tolerance and understands that policy doesn't quickly translate into practice when it comes to equal treatment.  When I explained that City employees lost rights when the 911 jobs collapsed into the County which does not offer domestic partner benefits, he agreed that it shouldn't happen again. 

He sees Pittsburgh as a City in the process of becoming gay friendly, due mainly to the "hard work" of community leaders or from the bottom up.  Now is the time for a top down approach to promote Pittsburgh as a diverse, welcoming community.

Still.  The donation. 

I forgot about it. 

We talked about other things.  His plans to streamline the small business process at City Hall  He's appalled that the Mayor declared the Hill District CBA a one time deal when development should be leveraging private dollars for the public benefit.  That negotiation is what he defines as "the hard work of government."  He wants to push for a dedicated source of funding for transit  The restaurant closed so we didn't get far on that path, but he did tell me that he favors a spineline of public transit to Oakland, preferably through the Hill District 

Acklin and I had an interesting side conversation about the use of new social media.  He uses Twitter and strives for what he terms the 3 P's - a little Pittsburgh, a little personal and a little politics.  The story about his usage of Facebook is definitely offbeat  As a Harvard alum, his information was actually hacked by the Facebook founders and he set up an account back in 2000, long before it became the trendy media of today. 

I like Kevin Acklin.  We disagree on some issues, but I believe he's a friend to our community. 

His Steel City Questionnaire is attached.

And he did bring it up first. 

Here's another fine opportunity to be part of the decision making.

The news for LGBT youth in Tel Aviv is atrocious. During a gathering of LGBT youth, a shooting has killed three people. Be thankful for the work of the GLCC, Persad and GLSEN to create safe spaces for our youth.  Just imagine discovering your child identifies as queer in the midst of this carnage. So sad.  I'd like the folks in West Mifflin to keep that in mind when negotiating with GLSEN to do some training.

Another tragedy closer to home is the apparent suicide of a member of the military accused in the murder of a gay soldier. 

Something disappointing in today's Post-Gazette.  Big Ben isn't talking and Casey Hampton shouldn't be.

Nose tackle Casey Hampton did not think Roethlisberger needed to apologize.

"I don think he had to say nothing because everybody knows what it is," Hampton said. "That's crazy, man. He didn't have to say that to me. I know how the world is, I know how females are. ... In today's society, man, if anybody says something, you're guilty until proven innocent anyway, you know what I mean?

"He handled it good, but it's BS, everybody knows that."

Sigh.  "I know how females are."  What more do you need to know?  I'd like to see the NFL do something incredibly proactive like donate a portion of the proceeds from their women's wear to domestic violence programs.  Or programs to promote girl's self-esteem.  Anything to mitigate the flow of stupid from Hampton's thoughts on his female fans.  Keep that in mind ladies when you slap down your $80 for this year's Steeler's gear.  Is this the guy you want your sons to emulate?  Or your daughters to date?

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Have you checked out Ning?  I don't really understand it, but it seems to be a network defined by groups.  I joined Pittsburgh's Out

I'm sitting down with Kevin Acklin today so look for that posting in the next few days. 

Coming on August 9 (next Sunday) is the GLCC and Lambda Foundation Family picnic.

Where:
North Park Gold Star Grove

When:
Sunday, August 9, 2009 12:00 to 6:00pm

Fishing contest and games for the kids
Prizes and plenty of food
Pets welcome
Tickets:$20 per family
$10 singles

Please call:412-521-5444 for tickets.