Gay Rights Action Alerts from Care2

Oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment

Mon, 08 Mar 2004 00:00:00 PST

Last year, President Bush officially declared his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment � a measure that would write discrimination into the United States Constitution.

It's time to stand up and be heard.

We must protect our civil rights and liberties and protect the constitution from the hands of the far-right conservatives.

President Bush couldn't run on his record, so he works to divide Americans on wedge issues like same-sex marriage to ignite his failing campaign. What's worse -- he's willing to do it by darkening our Constitution with an amendment that forbids our rights instead of protecting them � the only other amendment to do so was Prohibition.

All of our civil rights are at stake, and we must do everything we can to protect them. Please sign this petition today to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment - all of our rights depend on it!
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Repeal the Discriminatory

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:00:00 PDT

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the only federal law that mandates firing an American because of his or her sexual orientation. The Pentagon has spent at least 360 million tax-payer dollars discharging 11,000 service members under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" since 1993. Paying millions of dollars to discharge people who volunteer to serve our country is ridiculous, especially in a time of war. But the absurdity of this outdated policy does not stop there. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has forced the Pentagon to discharge nearly 800 personnel in specialties experiencing critical shortages, including linguists and military intelligence analysts. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, HR 1246, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and replace it with a law allowing lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans to serve openly. Over 110 co-sponsors currently support the act - but more support is needed! Sign this petition encouraging your U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.
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Fight hate crimes!

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 PDT

Landmark hate crimes legislation has passed the House of Representatives and could be up for a vote in the near future in the U.S. Senate - where the radical right, terrified of this legislation, has stepped up their attacks.

The Matthew Shepard Act would expand current Federal hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity - something more than two-thirds of Americans support. The bill would also give local law enforcement agencies the resources they need to investigate and prosecute these crimes.

The Human Rights Campaign, America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality, is leading the charge on this bill.

It is essential that we get a broad enough majority - and strong Republican support - to help the Senate pass the bill and discourage a presidential veto.

Tell your Senators to support the Matthew Shepard Act!
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End Workplace Discrimination: Pass ENDA Now!

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:00:00 PDT

Equal Opportunity - Unless You're Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender.

In 31 states, it's still legal to fire someone because they're gay; in 39 states it is legal to fire someone for being transgender.

Thousands of hardworking GLBT Americans have lost their livelihoods simply because of who they are. The Human Rights Campaign is leading the charge to end this bitter injustice by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a federal bill that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Our momentum for this historic legislation is building on Capitol Hill. But the radical right is flooding lawmakers with lies and misinformation about ENDA.

You can set the facts straight. Send your lawmakers a message today. Make sure they know passing ENDA is the American thing to do!
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Oppose Anti-Same Sex Marriage Constitutional Amendment

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT

The California Supreme Court has just confirmed what we all know in our hearts - that lesbians and gay men in California have every right to marry the person they love.

This is an historic moment - but there is a real threat to our joy looming in November. Anti-gay bigots are pushing to get a constitutional amendment on November's ballot to ban same-sex marriage. If approved, this amendment would overturn the Supreme Court's decision and send California into the dark ages in terms of equality.

We need to build momentum now to defeat this dangerous amendment. Please pledge to vote against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and then ask your friends to do the same.
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Don't Deny Civil Rights for Same-Sex Couples

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT

The California Supreme Court recently deemed denying same-sex couples the right to marry unconstitutional, paving the way for same-sex marriage in the state. New York's governor David Paterson also recently decided to recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in other states and countries. These are important steps in the ongoing fight for marriage equality.

Every couple - regardless of sexual orientation - deserves the benefits that marriage brings, including equal rights to health care and the primary caregiver status. Voice your support of same-sex marriage to presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
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Demand Comprehensive Hate Crime Legislation

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PDT

On May 16, 2007, Sean Kennedy, a 20-year old gay man, was attacked on the streets of Greenville, South Carolina. He died of his injuries later that night. Yet, because of the lack of hate crimes legislation, his attacker will be eligible for parole in as little as 10 months.

Sean was a brave young man with a bright, infectious smile. But his life was cut short and justice left unserved.

As it stands now, 23 states, including South Carolina, do not have hate crime laws that include sexual orientation, but passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Action (LLEHCPA) would change that by strengthening existing laws and allowing the Department of Justice to assist local prosecutions, and where appropriate, investigate and prosecute cases.

Sean's death shows that comprehensive hate crime legislation is urgently needed. Please support the LLEHCPA.
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Tell John McCain to Stop Supporting Discriminatory Anti-GLBT Measures!

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT

You've probably seen countless news stories about John McCain's "maverick" record. But while he'd like you to believe he's a moderate, at the end of the day Sen. McCain marches in lockstep with the anti-GLBT right wing. Did you know:

* John McCain has publicly embraced the hateful California marriage initiative that would deny marriage rights to committed same-sex couples.

* In 2006, he appeared in a TV ad for a similar measure in Arizona.

* He doesn't believe GLBT couples should be able to adopt children.

Don't let Sen. McCain get away with embracing discrimination while telling us he's protecting GLBT rights. Don't let him tell us he's a maverick while supporting hate and bigotry.

Sign the petition and tell Sen. McCain to stop supporting measures that deny committed, adult couples the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

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