July 29, 2016

Just a Reminder

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4]Whoever wins in November the very FIRST thing they are going to do is fill a supreme court spot (one Obama should have gotten to fill), and will probably get 2 to 3 more picks after that. Who you vote for in November WILL determine the court's ideological for years if not DECADES to come.

The last repuglican president gave us Alito. Obama gave us Kagan and Sotomayor.

Donald trump has promised to fill the vacancy with someone who is the ideological twin of Scalia, and has on his list a man who would make gay sex illegal if he had his way. The last Clinton gave us one of the greatest Supreme Court Justices of all time the Notorious RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In fact, just as a quick reminder, here are Supreme Court Picks of the Last five Presidents:

• Obama: Sotomayor and Kagan



• George W Bush: Roberts and Alito



• Clinton: Ginsburg and Breyer



• George H W Bush: Thomas and Souter



• Ronald Reagan: Rehnquist, O'Conner, Kennedy, and Scalia

So, if any of you lurkers out there are questioning if you should or shouldn't vote for Clinton, please keep in mind all the recent supreme court decisions that affects this country in the last 50 years: Citizens united, Obergefell, Whole Women's Health, Gore v Bush, and many many more.

Remember which judge voted which way. Remember who nominated those judges.

Remember the platforms of both parties and what they stand for. And remember, that if you care for Social Justice; for the rights of LGBTQ people, women, racial minorities and more; for civil rights; for keeping and expanding the PPACA/Obamacare; and for making sure there is never another Scalia on the Bench...

Vote Democratic Party.

Thank you.[/font]

July 12, 2016

I believe in Bernie Sanders

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4]During this Primary, I supported Bernie Sanders. His views on nearly every issue mirrored my own. He stood for the same liberal values I had both economically and socially. His record, to me, was flawless.

Not only that, he was a man not afraid to stand up and fight for what he believes in. When most others threw issues I cared about under the bus, he stood firm. He voted against DOMA. He voted against the Patriot Act. He voted against the Iraq war. He fought for the $15 an hour minimum wage, universal healthcare, and publically funded collage. At every oppurtunity he could, he fought for the 99%!

What is more, he has repeatedly beaten the odds. He should have been a long shot who never should have one a single state. And time and time again he beat the odds. State by state he proved his critics wrong. And he did so without taking money from corporations and funding his campaign with the support of the people.

Over and over and over again, he has proven himself a person of great honor, and sound judgement. He fought the good fight; and, sadly, it just wasn't enough this time. However, the revolution is not over, it has just begun. And by sticking together we can pull this party and this country to the left where it belongs!

Today he endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.

I still believe in Bernie Sanders, I believe in the revolution, and most importantly I believe in and trust his judgement. Keep on believing in Bernie!

Believe in the Bern![/font]

July 12, 2016

Pokémon Go Users Are Trolling Westboro Baptist Church

[div class="excerpt" style="background-color:#dcdcdc; padding-bottom:5px; border:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-bottom:none; border-radius:0.4615em 0.4615em 0em 0em; box-shadow:3px 3px 3px #999999;"]Pokémon Go Users Are Trolling Westboro Baptist Church[div class="excerpt" style="background-color:#f0f0f0; border:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; border-radius:0em 0em 0.4615em 0.4615em; box-shadow:3px 3px 3px #999999;"]What a time to be alive.
07/11/2016 01:37 pm ET

JamesMichael Nichols
Queer Voices Deputy Editor, The Huffington Post

[center][/center]

Over the past week, people all over the world seem to have taken up an unexpected hobby: playing Pokémon Go.

The augmented reality video game allows players to use their handheld devices to “catch” Pokémon out in the real world, leading players to different locations based on their ability to use pokéballs to add different virtual monsters to their collection.

Part of the game involves different locations becoming “gyms” in the augmented reality Poké-World, with different teams battling for control of these spaces.

It just so happens that the Westboro Baptist Church is a gym in Topeka, Kansas ― and users are battling for control of the location in order to troll the anti-LGBT church with the names of their Pokémon, like “LOVEISLOVE” and “STOP HATE!”

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=#009999]more at link...

I love this story! Using Pokemon to fight the bigots is awesome![/font]

July 5, 2016

Japan Declares Anti-Gay Discrimination Is A Form Of Sexual Harassment

[div class="excerpt" style="background-color:#dcdcdc; padding-bottom:5px; border:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-bottom:none; border-radius:0.4615em 0.4615em 0em 0em; box-shadow:3px 3px 3px #999999;"]Japan Declares Anti-Gay Discrimination Is A Form Of Sexual Harassment[div class="excerpt" style="background-color:#f0f0f0; border:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; border-radius:0em 0em 0.4615em 0.4615em; box-shadow:3px 3px 3px #999999;"]A new set of workplace guidelines are expected to go into effect in January 2017.
by Adam Salandra 7/2/2016

[center][/center]

Discrimination against sexual minorities will now be considered a form of sexual harassment in Japan, according to the Labor ministry’s updated guidelines for employers.

Until now, sexual harassment rules in Japan neglected to protect LGBT people, but will now include sexual orientation and gender identity when they go into effect in January 2017.

The change follows a recent announcement from 30 Japanese companies, including Sony, Panasonic and IBM Japan, that declared plans to boost LGBT diversity and inclusivity at work, including recognition of same-sex partnerships and updated bathroom policies for transgender employees...


[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=#009999]
More at link...

Nice to see LGBTQ rights improving in other parts of the world

I believe the sign says, [/font]

[font style="font-family:'kaiti','MS Mincho','Fangsong',fantasy;" size=5]私の幸せは貴方には決められない。[/font]


[font size=4]"My happiness is not for you to decide."[/font]

Cross posted in Asian group