Virginia Senate Approves Job Protection for Gay State Workers

by Julian Walker | The Virginian-Pilot

On a near party line vote, Virginia’s state Senate passed a measure today that would protect gay and lesbian state workers from discrimination.

Suffolk Republican Fred Quayle broke ranks with the GOP and joined the 22 Democrats in the chamber in supporting the bill.

If passed into law, the measure would define a state non-discrimination employment policy that includes the category of “sexual orientation” along with race, religion, gender and disabilites, among other classifications.

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Albania Passes Model Law Against Discrimination

by Rex Wockner | Pink Paper

Albania’s Parliament banned discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity, last week.

The law covers employment, housing, provision of goods and services, education and access to public places. It also specifically mentions health care, banking, transportation, entertainment and social protection.

The vote was 71 to 0. Prime Minister Sali Berisha strongly backs the measure.

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Gillibrand Proposes End to DADT Funding

by Julie Bolcer | The Advocate

Calling the recent “don’t ask, don’t tell” hearings an “important first step,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced Saturday that she plans to introduce an amendment to ban funding for the enforcement of the policy.

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Smoke the Bigots Out of the Closet

by Frank Rich | New York Times

A funny thing happened after Adm. Mike Mullen called for gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military: A curious silence befell much of the right. If this were a Sherlock Holmes story, it would be the case of the attack dogs that did not bark.

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Gay Marriage Puts Mexico City at Center of Debate

by Elisabeth Malkin | New York Times

Angela Alfarache and Ivonne Cervantes met at a party 16 years ago and have been a couple ever since, filling their lives with books and writing and friends. After their daughter, Constanza, was born six years ago, they became a family.

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Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: What Next?

from Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

Now that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Secretary of Defense, and Gen. Colin Powell are on board with the commander in chief in allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal advocates must take advantage of this new opening. This week was huge. But even more hard work is needed, particularly since our opponents, like Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. and Sen. John McCain, are all over the airwaves making their case.

Over the next 90 days our campaign is focusing on lawmakers who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the entire Senate. We need more energy and action there. Thursday, Feb. 11 is a multi-hour DADT hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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Watch Meghan McCain Discuss Her Mom’s Support for Marriage Equality & Her Father on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

watch the full episode here

Thomas Saenz Calls for Comprehensive and Inclusive Immigration Reform

by Pedro Julio Serrano | Creating Change blog

Thomas A. Saenz , president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), called for comprehensive and inclusive immigration reform at the opening plenary of the 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. MALDEF is a national organization whose mission is to promote the civil rights of Latinos/as in the United States.

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Watch Rachel Maddow and Bishop Gene Robinson Discuss Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill

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The Slow-Walk Could Sidetrack Don’t Ask Repeal

by Duncan Osborne | Gay City News

As former President Bill Clinton tells it in “My Life,” his autobiography, he was presented with a losing issue on gays in the military within days of taking office in 1993. The public, the military, and Congress overwhelmingly opposed the promise Clinton made during his 1992 campaign to lift the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military.

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