GLBT at Brave New Films

Re: Houston Pride Parade 2008 EJs Float Feeding NRG

2008-08-03T10:45:50Z

Video Cam Direct Upload

My Boyfriends Always Had Girlfriends

2008-08-20T16:26:49Z

My Boyfriends Always Had Girlfriends - Written Arranged Produced & Performed by BjustB. A BjustB-eye view of The DL Chronicles. It is what it is. Errbody gotz a story to tell.

www.bjustbmusic.com

The DL Chronicles by Quincy LeNear & Deondray Gossett.

www.dlchronicls.com

Watch the video

Domestic Partner Benefits for Federal Employees - HIGHLIGHTS

2008-08-20T16:29:41Z

In 1997 President Bill Clinton nominated Jim Hormel to be the first openly gay Ambassador to Luxembourg. After a 20-month politically divisive battle, Secretary Albright swore in Ambassador Hormel. Two years later, in 2001, President Bush nominated Michael Guest to be ambassador to Romania. While there was no battle for confirmation, what both ambassadors had to cope with was an inequitable system that treated them and their committed partners differently under the law.

Federal Employees, whether in the foreign service or working in a regional office of HHS, are denied the ability to purchase domestic partner benefits. The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (S. 2521 and H.R. 4838) would provide domestic partnership benefits to all federal civilian employees on the same basis as spousal benefits. These benefits, available for same sex domestic partners of federal employees, would include participation in applicable retirement programs, compensation for work injuries, and life and health insurance benefits.

By offering health benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees, employment practices in the federal government would be in line with those of America’s largest and most successful corporations, including AT&T, General Motors, and Raytheon. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Sen Gordon Smith, Rep Tammy Baldwin and others appeared at a June 11, 2008 event at the Center for American Progress (CAPAF) to discuss the current policy and the future.

Watch the video

The Right

2008-08-20T16:20:53Z

Visit www.hrc.org to see how you can make an impact in the 2008 elections.

Watch the video

John McCain's Horrendous Record on GLBT Issues

2008-08-20T16:20:53Z

Sen. John McCain: A Record of Opposing the Interests of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Americans.

Produced by the Human Rights Campaign PAC.

Watch the video

Through sickness, health, deportation...

2008-03-18T19:39:44Z

Being as I'm part of one, I've got a special place in my heart for stories about mixed status families, especially when they're made up a citizen or permanent resident and an undocumented immigrant. For many people who find themselves in this situation, there's a fix--never quick, never easy, but it's there. There are thousands more of us who, for some reason or another, whether it's because the immigration office claims we wouldn't suffer enough to be separated for 10 years or for some other reason, who don't have that fix. Even for us, there is a solution, although it's ridiculous and uncertain and distant. For some people, though, even if they never lose status or misstep, there's no chance.

Tim Coco met the person who would become his future spouse six years ago. After they had been together for a few years and his partner had overstayed a visitors visa, Coco tried to apply to adjust his spouse's status to that of a permanent resident. Everything should have been in order. His spouse entered legally, meaning they could apply in country and, in a normal situation, receive a work permit within a month and a green card in five more. They were married, which meant that his spouse would have a green card immediately available after processing.

There was just one problem. Coco's spouse is a man. So, after years struggling with the USCIS to get them to recognize his spouse as a qualifying family member, whom he was legally married to in the state where they lived, Massechusetts, Genesio Oliveira was deported back to Brazil.

Meanwhile, Coco, 46, the owner of Haverhill-based advertising agency Coco and Co., has been working relentlessly to try to bring his husband back to the United States. To date, Coco estimates he's spent $100,000 in personal savings on the effort.

"I've always believed in following the law and that justice will prevail," he said. "Maybe it still will."

The couple this week filed an "I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative" — the same mechanism heterosexual couples use to gain recognition for immigrant spouses. But they expect the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deny the petition based on the Defense of Marriage Act, a 12-year-old law that prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

There's one problem with the Defense of Marriage Act, though (okay, not just one...). It's unconstitutional.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

States are required to honor records from others states, in all situations except for gay marriage, which goes against Article IV of the consitution of the United States. Hopefully Coco will bring suit against the government for their backwards immigration laws and revolutionize the immigration policies which have forced gays and lesbians into either exiling themselves from their country in order to be with their spouse, or violating US immigration law to do so.

Whammer Hammer

2008-08-20T16:35:12Z

Emily and Brenda learn to drive the machine used to break up the rocks along the road. They are clearing the way for ditches. The dogs look on. Music: Sillicon Morning by Music2Hues, Inc

Watch the video

Clergy support for civil rights bill in New Mexico

2008-08-20T16:20:54Z

Brian Taylor, priest at the St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church in Albuquerque speaks at press conference in Santa Fe for the Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities Act.

Watch the video

Mike Huckabee On It Being A "Choice" To Act Gay

2008-03-22T21:54:49Z

I just shook my head when I saw this earlier.

Video via ~~TPM~~ Think Progress.

Transgender Activist Teresa Sparks

2008-06-11T21:31:10Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

San Francisco activist and entrepreneur Teresa Sparks talks about her experiences as a transgender woman.

-----

Theresa Sparks discusses her life with family, business, politics and activism. Stephen Seewer moderates the discussion.

Theresa Sparks, a transgender woman, made history earlier this year when she was elected San Francisco's Police Commission President. She is also CEO of Good Vibrations and a well known transgender activist. - Commonwealth Club of California

Theresa Sparks is the president of the San Francisco Police Commission, the CEO of a multimillion-dollar sex toy retailer, and a transgender woman.

A member of the Emeritus Board of the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, Sparks is also a Vietnam veteran and a trained engineer.

Watch the video

CNN on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2008-08-20T16:20:56Z

CNN reports on 12,000 flags event and the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy profiling HRC policy advocate Antonio Agnone.

Watch the video

Another Disclosure Debacle for CNN?

2008-06-14T09:31:47Z

During the post-GOP YouTube debate analysis, CNN contributor Bill Bennett mentioned that he was "getting a ton of emails" about an audience member who asked a question. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Keith Kerr asked the candidates about the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Bennett said friends and been emailing him that Kerr "is part of Hillary Clinton's gay steering committee. I don't know if that's true or not," Bennett said, "but if he is, that certainly should have been disclosed."
Over the next half hour, CNN producers did some digging. And at the end of the broadcast Anderson Cooper told viewers what they found:
"...Apparently there was a press release from some six months ago. Hillary Clinton office saying that [Kerr] had been named to some steering committee. We don't know if he's still on it. We're trying to find out that information. Certainly had we had that information we would have acknowledged that in using his question, if we had used it at all."

Video is of General Kerr's segment.

Watch the video

The Giuliani Files

2008-06-14T09:32:03Z

Empire State Pride Agenda has THE accumulation of video and links to Rudy!'s gay friendly past that he is trying so desperately to run from. It would be quite heartwarming if he wasn't such a huge hypocrite.

You need to go over there to really get the gist of everything, but here is a sample-

Not only did Giuliani show a willingness to engage in a dialogue with the LGBT community, he:
took part in the annual NYC Pride March and held annual Pride celebrations at Gracie Mansion where he lived as Mayor
established and funded a Hate Crimes Task Force in 2000 so the City could fully investigate and prosecute bias cases
was one of the first Republicans in New York to publicly support a statewide and federal hate crimes bill that included violence motivated by anti-gay hatred
supported the passage of a statewide sexual orientation non-discrimination bill
maintained $1.5 million in funding in the City's budget for the LGBT community center's capital campaign
made high-level appointments of openly LGBT people to his administration
signed domestic partner legislation in 1998 that at the time was the strongest such bill of its kind in the nation

This is the video-

NY1 clip of Mayor Giuliani signing the 1998 NYC Domestic Partnership Bill into law
This clip shows Mayor Giuliani signing into law the City's groundbreaking domestic partnership legislation. The Pride Agenda brokered a commitment from Giuliani the previous year to get it passed. Giuliani says the bill "will help to move society more in the direction of equal treatment for everyone." Then-NYC Councilmember Tom Duane asks the Mayor to keep an open mind about marriage for same-sex couples and a local Log Cabin representative states the bill will be helpful to Giuliani in a run for the U.S Senate but not for the Presidency.

Must be RUDY! night here at the farm

Watch the video

12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots

2008-08-20T16:20:57Z

On November 30, one flag will be placed on the National Mall for every discharged service member in commemoration of the signing of "Don¹t Ask, Don't Tell." These flags will stand as a testament to the waste caused by this discriminatory law; serving as a backdrop for a series of events that weekend honoring GLBT Americans' service, their sacrifice, and their fight to serve with dignity on the 14th anniversary of "Don¹t Ask, Don¹t Tell."

Watch the video

A Question That Will Never Make It To The GOP YouTube Debate

2008-06-14T15:29:48Z

We're Lynn and Pat Mulder of Auburndale, Florida. Our son Ryan was murdered in March because he was gay. We would like to ask the presidential candidates how will they work to promote the value of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families.

More about the Mulder family here.

Watch the video

Out Central

2008-08-20T16:35:12Z

Nashville's new GLBT center is opening on Church Street and your help is needed. Find out more at www.outcentral.org

Watch the video

Joe Solmonese speaks at HRC 2007 National Dinner

2008-08-20T16:20:58Z

Joe Solmonese speaks at HRC 2007 National Dinner

Watch the video

Chris Dodd answers a question about gay rights in Sioux City

2008-06-16T03:33:53Z

At a town hall meeting on the Morningside Campus in Sioux City, Iowa on September 30th, 2007, Senator Dodd is asked about benefit availability to GLBT couples.

Watch the video

Gay People Shouldn't be Allowed to Work...

2008-06-16T09:39:33Z

at least that is the sentiment the law upholds in 31 of these United States. You can be the best at what you do, but don’t you be gay just don't be gay or your ability to rise to the top will become increasingly difficult. The ENDA is a federal bill that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or fail to promote someone based simply on sexual orientation or gender identity.

I was always under the impression that part of being an American was the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I guess that is mostly true; unless of course - you’re different. That’s where it gets iffy. The idea that we have to have bills and amendments that call for equal rights and an end to discrimination against certain groups in 2007 is repugnant. Aren’t we a civilized society? How can it be legal to terminate someone entirely because of who they are? Don't allow it to be.

Show your support for HR 2015, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Watch the video

Mitt Romney declares, "I am a homophobe. No Really!"

2008-06-16T15:36:29Z

This is a radio ad that Mitt Romney is airing in Iowa. He is trying to convince conservative Iowans (?) that is he is sufficiently homophobic.

Listen for his statement, "As Republicans we must oppose discrimination and defend traditional marriage: one man, one woman." Uh, you are fighting discrimination with a same-sex marriage ban? Who exactly are you defending against discrimination, Mitt?

Also, if you take a look into Romney's past, you will learn he had very different views on gay rights when he was Governor of Massachusetts.

Watch the video

Nashville Gay Pride June 2, 2007

2008-08-20T16:35:12Z

Music & Video by Valerie Reynolds
I wrote this song in the car on the way home from a huge Gay March on Washington in the mid-90's. Seemed fitting with this video of Nashville's Gay & Lesbian community celebrating Pride this year in Centenial Park. Check out my other projects
Lesbian community blog at avalonfarmblog.wordpress.com
podcast at www.avalonfarmcast.com
"Lesbians outloud on the internet and outside on the John Deere."

Watch the video

THE CALL

2008-08-20T16:35:12Z

Huge march by Lou Engle & thousands of religious evangelicals through Nashville's Gay & Lesbian District. In the spirit of Ghandi, Music City's GLBT community offered love and water.

Watch the video

A GLBT Community Response to 700 Club and Charlene Cothran

2008-06-18T12:41:53Z

A GLBT Community Response to 700 Club and Charlene Cothran

Watch the video

Bill Richardson's Record on GLBT issues in New Mexico

2008-06-17T21:30:39Z

New Mexico supporters speak about Governor Bill Richardson's record on issue affecting the Lesbian, Gay, and Trans-gendered commun New Mexico supporters speak about Governor Bill Richardson's record on issue affecting the Lesbian, Gay, and Trans-gendered community.

Watch the video