LGBT Resource Center
Tipping Point
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The past seven days have been incredibly significant for the LGBT movement. If you've walked by the LGBT Resource Center (KC1161) in the past week, you may have noticed signs, streamers and balloons as well as a big party!
Last Wednesday, October 28, President Obama signed the federal hate crimes bill into law. It was an historic and long-awaited victory. In describing the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Bill which he was about to sign, President Obama said the following:
"After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are."
This is the first ever LGBT-inclusive piece of federal legislation!
Acknowledging this historic moment, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force issued the following statement:
"Joy comes not easily when we have all waited a too-long 11 years for passage of federal legislation that actually brings a measure of justice to victims of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, gender, national origin and disability."
The LGBT Resource Center thanks all who labored tirelessly for 11 years to make this happen.
History has also been made in our own state. Yesterday the citizens of Kalamazoo passed an inclusive Non-Discrimination Ordinance in a 2 to 1 vote! This ordinance adds protection in employment and housing for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
The LGBT Resource Center sends a huge shout out to ONE Kalamazoo (or "WON" Kalamazoo!) for their hard work to pass this ballot measure.
Washington state's Referendum 71, which would preserve the state's expanded domestic partnership law, was leading 51% to 49% as of last night. Election officials are expected to release the results this afternoon. We are hopeful. [Later that day, we learned that Washington State passed Referendum 71 keeping legal protections for lesbian and gay couples! Add that to the tipping point!]
It is also a sad day as we acknowledge the defeat of marriage equality in Maine. There is no way to explain the level of injustice in putting the rights of a minority up to a vote of the majority. Thank you to all those individuals who worked on the "No on 1" campaign.
Putting this defeat in context, Rea Carey, Executive Director, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force offered the following:
"Despite this setback, the tide clearly is turning nationwide in favor of marriage equality. We are confident that Maine will again join the growing number of states that extend the essential security and legal protections of marriage to all loving, committed couples."
Happily, with this administration, we see the tide IS turning, and we are hopeful that these victories represent a tipping point on matters of equality and justice for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender communities.
Labels: federal hate crimes law, GVSU LGBT Resource Center, Kalamazoo Non-Discrimination Ordinance, marriage equality, No on 1, Referendum 71
Posted 10:11 AM
