Gay Primary Source

Saturday, June 24, 2017

California AG Bans State Travel to GLBTQ-Phobic States


" Our country has made great strides in dismantling prejudicial laws that have deprived too many of our fellow Americans of their precious rights. Sadly, that is not the case in all parts of our nation, even in the 21st century. I am announcing today that I am adding four states to the list of states where California-funded or sponsored travel will be restricted on account of the discriminatory nature of laws enacted by those states. While the California DOJ works to protect the rights of all our people, discriminatory laws in any part of our country send all of us several steps back. That's why when California said we would not tolerate discrimination against LGBTQ members of our community, we meant it.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra; California will prohibit state-funded and state-sponsored travel to Alabama, Kentucky, South Dakota and Texas based on discriminatory legislation enacted in each state, June 22, 2017.




Canada's Prime Minister Marks Pride with Historic Legislation



http://pm.gc.ca/eng/photos


" Hello, everyone. Happy pride!

Happy pride month! Thanks for joining us today as we raise the pride flag, the trans pride flag and the Canada 150 pride flag on Parliament Hill. I’m pleased to be here with Minister Wilson-Raybould, Minister Goodale, as well as assembled ministers and MPs of all parties, as well as my special advisor on LGBTQ2 issues, Randy Boissonneault.

Randy – thanks for your terrific work on behalf of the community. We really broke new ground with this advisor role, and the work you’ve been doing is essential to ensuring a more just Canada for all. Thank you.

You know, last year, when we raised the Pride flag for the first time here on the Hill, it was a historic moment for Canadians. But at this year’s flag raising, we’re doing something even more important, and even more historic.

This year’s ceremony marks another milestone as we acknowledge and work to rectify historical injustices experienced by Canadians due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. I am pleased to announce today that our government will be moving forward with a process for the expungement of criminal convictions for Canadians who were unjustly convicted of a crime simply for who they were and who they loved.

We will be introducing legislation on this in the House of Commons later this year. Further, we will acknowledge and apologize for the role played by legislation, programs, and policies in the historical discrimination faced by LGBTQ2 Canadians.

As we announced last month, we are committed to apologizing in an inclusive and meaningful manner before the end of 2017.

I believe that it’s essential to make amends for past wrongs, not to simply gloss over them. Today’s announcement and the forthcoming apology are important steps in the right direction. Our government believes in equality and equal treatment for all Canadians and we’re proud to take concrete action to make that a reality.

We will passionately defend the rights of all our citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are unacceptable.

In Canada, we’ve come a long way but there is still more work to be done. There is still work to do, fights to be had, here in Canada, and more and more around the world. Canadians get that recognizing LGBTQ2 rights are recognizing human rights, and leading around the world in the fight for equality, for respect, for opportunity is something that is as much a part of Canada as the maple leaf flying over Parliament Hill and as now the pride flags are.

This is something we commit ourselves to now, in our 150th year since Confederation and every year as we move forward. Let us stay vigilant and ambitious while we work together towards a brighter, safer, more accepting future for all.

Thank you very much. Thank you my friends. Thank you! "

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; remarks at the flag raising ceremony for Pride Month, June 14, 2017.




Canada Praises Pride Month


June marks the beginning of Pride season across the country, where we celebrate all those who seek to be who they truly are, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It is also a time of year where we recognize the many barriers Canadians from these communities have overcome, and the challenges they continue to face.

Throughout the coming months, I will join Canadians in these celebrations and, as the month of June is National Aboriginal History Month, I want to extend special recognition of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender members of Canada’s Indigenous communities.

The Government of Canada takes seriously the responsibility to challenge stigma, violence, and prejudices wherever they occur and I remain personally committed to advance and protect our communities’ rights and address historical injustices they have endured.

Canadians recognize that diversity and inclusion make our country stronger, no matter whom each of us loves or how we identify.

Special Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues, M.P. Randy Boissonnault, June 1, 2017.

     click for original

 

Queen's Speech Supports LGBT Rights


"... My government will make further progress to tackle the gender pay gap and discrimination against people on the basis of their race, faith, gender, disability or sexual orientation. "

HM Queen Elizabeth II, 2017 Queen's Speech to UK Parliament, June 21, 2017.

     Click here to read the entire speech


  

Friday, June 9, 2017

Florida House Declares Pulse Remembrance Day June 12th


" A resolution recognizing June 12, 2017, as "Pulse Remembrance Day" in Florida.

WHEREAS, on June 12, 2016, an armed gunman opened fire at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, senselessly murdering 49 people, physically wounding 53, and traumatizing thousands, and

WHEREAS, many of the victims and survivors are from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community, and

WHEREAS, Pulse nightclub is an LGBTQ+ establishment; such establishments carry historical significance and are often recognized as safe havens for the LGBTQ+ community, and

WHEREAS, on that night, communities of color were disproportionately impacted by that horrific hate crime as Pulse nightclub was hosting a "Latin Night" celebration, and

WHEREAS, the attack at Pulse nightclub has been recognized as the deadliest mass shooting by a single individual, the most lethal incident of violence against the LGBTQ+ community in United States history and the largest terrorist attack in the country since 9/11, and

WHEREAS, local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel performed their duties admirably in the siege and selflessly risked their lives for the safety of the patrons of Pulse nightclub, and

WHEREAS, following the attack, the residents of Orlando and people throughout the state, the nation, and the world expressed overwhelming support for the victims and their families, and

WHEREAS, Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old; Amanda Alvear, 25 years old; Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26 years old; Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old; Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old; Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old; Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old; Juan Chavez-Martinez, 25 years old; Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old; Cory James Connell, 21 years old; Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old; Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 ears old; Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old; Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old; Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old; Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old; Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old; Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old; Frank Hernandez, 27 years old; Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old; Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old; Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old; Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old; Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old; Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old; Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old; Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old; Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old; Kimberly Morris, 37 years old; Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old; Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old; Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old; Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old; Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old; Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old; Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25 years old; Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27 years old; Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old; Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old; Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old; Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old; Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old; Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old; Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old; Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old; Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old; Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old; Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old; and Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old, tragically lost their lives in that senseless act of hatred and terrorism, NOW, THEREFORE,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida:

That June 12, 2017, is recognized as "Pulse Remembrance Day" in Florida to honor the memory of the 49 innocent victims who lost their lives at Pulse nightclub in a senseless act of hatred and terrorism, to support their families and the survivors, and to acknowledge the compassion and love that was displayed during the aftermath of that tragedy by the Central Florida community and people throughout the state, the nation, and the world. "

Florida House of Representatives, House Resolution HR 8077, April 27, 2017.


      bill history

US Navy Supports Pride Month


" The Navy joins the nation in recognizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month throughout June.

ALNAV 006/17 encourages participation in all the heritage celebrations and special observances throughout the year. The Department of Defense (DoD) began observing LGBT Pride Month in 2012.

Initially established as "Gay and Lesbian Month" by Presidential Proclamation in 2000, LGBT Pride Month recognizes the accomplishments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The LGBT community is part of One Navy Team that contributes their diverse talents, skills and service to the strength of the force.

"To remain the finest seagoing fighting force, the Navy needs men and women who are the right fit for the right job regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, creed or gender identity," said Capt. Candace Eckert, Special Assistant for Inclusion and Diversity. "Our goal is to ensure that the mission is carried out by the most qualified and capable Sailors. If an individual can meet the Navy's standards, they should be afforded the opportunity to be part of the One Navy Team."

The Navy is committed to recruiting and retaining top talent regardless of race, class, sex or background. A diverse, inclusive environment allows diversity of thought and innovation to thrive.

In 2016, the DoD instituted a policy change allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military as their preferred gender.

For service members, repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2011 allowed gay, lesbian and bisexuals to serve openly in the United States Armed Forces. "

Chief of Naval Personnel, May 31, 2017. 


     Click here to see original statement 


 

State Dept. Supports Pride Month

 
" In recognition of LGBTI Month, the Department of State affirms its solidarity with the human rights defenders and civil society organizations working around the world to uphold the fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons to live with dignity and freedom.

We also recognize that LGBTI persons continue to face the threat of violence and discrimination. Violence and discrimination targeting any vulnerable group undermines our collective security as well as American values. When all persons are protected on the basis of equality and with dignity, global stability is strengthened. We will continue to support the human rights of LGBTI persons together with like-minded governments, businesses, and civil society organizations globally.

The United States remains committed to human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons. Dignity and equality for all persons are among our founding constitutional principles, and these principles continue to drive U.S. diplomacy, "

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, June 7, 2017.

     Click here to see original statement