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Secretary Clinton on International Human Rights Day

December 10, 2011 By 9 Comments

United Nation's Logo for International Human Rights Day 2011 (Image Credit: United Nations)

Earlier this week, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shared support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. On Tuesday, Secretary Clinton shared key remarks at the United Nation’s General Assembly in Switzerland. This was in recognition of International Human Rights Day, which occurs December 10 each year. Her speech was delivered just moments after the Presidential Memorandum was released.

In her speech, Secretary Clinton highlighted a brief background on Human Rights Day, which began during the aftermath of World War II  to help ensure and protect the “inherent humanity and dignity of all people.” After almost two years of drafting among delegates from six different continents, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted on December 10, 1948. In short, Secretary Clinton noted, “Because we are human, we therefore have rights. And because we have rights, governments are bound to protect them.” This content is for members only.
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The Power of the President

October 29, 2011 By

This week, President Obama signed an executive order reforming Federal Student Loan repayment---Much to the chagrin of Congress. Image Source: Hill and Knowlton

Earlier this week, President Barack Obama made headlines by creating a plan to help ease the burden of millions of Americans mired in Student Loan debt—doing so in the beleaguered face of a gridlocked congress.   The plan seems simple—allow students to cap their loan payments at 10% of their income rather than the current 15% and forgive the balance remaining after 20 years of repayment rather than 25 years, all beginning in 2012.  The question is:  if it’s such a simple plan and it merely alters the policies that are already in place—why is it creating headlines?  The answer is as simple as the plan itself.  President Obama has introduced this plan by asserting the executive power granted him by the office of the Presidency—in plain English he has bypassed Congress completely by issuing a decree that carries the same weight of a law passed by Congress—ruffling a lot of feathers in the process and leading many people to ask just how can Obama do this?This content is for members only.

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Protecting Wall Street

October 6, 2011 By

From its inception, Wall Street has been the site of some of America's greatest triumphs and tragedies. As another chapter plays out, the Obama administration works to protect Wall Street and the American Economy. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Approximately 100 years before America was born, an Earthen wall on the northern boundary of the New Amsterdam settlement was erected to protect settlers from Native American incursions and encroachment from the English. As the settlement expanded, the Dutch West India company collaborated with the government in place at the time to fortify the wall—the end result being a 12 foot wall running along the shore. Traders gathered along the wall dividing into two groups—auctioneers and dealers—to exchange shares and bonds. Much of our country’s history would happen on this spot where traders gathered—in 1792 George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the United States, it is the location of the passing of the Bill of Rights and in 1792 the New York stock exchange was born—on Wall Street. In spite of its history, Wall Street is also the site of some of the greatest American tragedies. In 1929, the stock market crashed and by 1932 the American marketplace lost nearly 90 percent of its value, plunging the country into the great depression. The savings and loan crisis of the 1980s contributed to the economic recession that plagued the country for much of the 1990s. The financial crisis of 2008 has resulted in some of the most controversial economic legislation in recent memory—with a final resolution still eluding American leaders.This content is for members only. Continue reading »

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Is the American Jobs Act Too Little Too Late for Occupy Wall Street?

October 1, 2011 By

Police prepare to arrest demonstrators affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement after they attempted to cross the Brooklyn Bridge (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Image Source: NY Daily News

On September 17, a group of protesters gathered in New York’s Zucotti Park under the banner “Occupy Wall Street” (#OccupyWallStreet and/or #TakeWallStreet on Twitter).  While the mainstream media largely ignored the event—Bi Social Network brought some of the earliest coverage of this potentially historic moment in our Nation’s history.  Much of the information was unclear in the beginning—early reports estimating tens of thousands of people in attendance were proven false in favor of only a few hundred.  As the dust settled, Occupy Wall Street declared—both vocally and through their homepage—that they are a “leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions” representing “The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.”  This simple statement is perhaps what has confused people the most. This content is for members only.

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Presidential Historical Look at New England GLBT Veterans on DADT

September 27, 2011 By

Below is a historic account of letters sent by Cliff Arnesen, Bisexual President of New England Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Veterans.

Read the Press Release

New England Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans, Inc.
P.O. BOX 657
Canton, MA 02021
www.newengland-glbt-vets.org

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Monday, 29 June 2009

Dear President Barack Obama:

Please know that I send this missive to you via my dear friend and Bisexual activist, author and professor, Robyn Ochs, who has an invitation from the White House today, as I am currently being treated
at a VA hospital for cancer and could not make it to meet you personally.

This stated, please know that we, the Officers of The New England Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans, Inc., respectfully call upon you to sign an executive order suspending the inhumane “Don’t Ask, Don’tTell” Policy. The idea of ending the ban by an executive order gained momentum after the release last month of a Palm Center (Think Tank Study) showing that you have the authority to suspend “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” using the “Stop- Loss” authority placed into effect by former President George W. Bush. Until now, many had argued that only Congress or the courts could lift the ban on Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual servicemembers in the Military. Continue reading »

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Statement by the President on the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

September 20, 2011 By

President Obama signs DADT repeal (Image Credit:) Wikimedia.com/Jatkins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 20, 2011

Statement by the President on the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.

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New England Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America Speak on DADT

September 20, 2011 By

PRESS RELEASE:

New England Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans, Inc.
P.O. BOX 657
Canton, MA 02021
Contact: 617-697-1045
http://www.newengland-glbt-vets.org

Dear Fellow GLB&T & Heterosexual Veterans; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender People and Advocates:

On the morning of March 15, 1778, after having been court-martialed on charges of attempted sodomy, Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin, watched anxiously as drummers and fifers in
the Continental Army, then under the command of General George Washington, assembled at their campsite at Valley Forge to carry out the General’s orders to drum him out of the Army.

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World Turning

September 17, 2011 By

Tens of thousands turn out to protest the economy in Lower Manhattan. Image Source: Occupy Wall St dot org

The 1960′s are known for being a tumultuous time in which organized, grassroots protests took on Civil Rights, the Vietnam war and other socio-economic situations that many Americans would not stay silent about.   In recent months, the movements of Marriage Equlity, and Tea Baggers have addressed more current socio-economic factors in America—though the unrest is not limited to our home soil.  Riots in London, uprising in Cairo and political unrest in Iran have all gained national headlines.  It is a time of unrest, and America is not absent in amongst those raising their voices against oppression.This content is for members only.

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Leadership Role: Intern Team Needed at the White House

August 24, 2011 By

Join the White House Intern Team

Always wanted to intern but never knew what company, city or country to start your search? Well, why not Washington, DC at the White House? If you always wanted to be apart of doing something bigger than you are, along with really having an inside look at politics being made, now is the time to get your resumes out and updated.

The application deadline for the Spring 2012 White House Internship Program is Sunday, September 11. 

I would recommend any youth or college person who really believes in the current administrations goals and what they are doing for community; along with true leadership skills to only apply please. I meet one person in Chicago who did this intern and it’s just a great footnote to have on your resume and you get a few perks for years to come. Also, I want a few bi’s in the White House, so I was asked to let you know.

 What do you need to have to work at the White House?

1. To be eligible for the program, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age, and either enrolled in an undergraduate program at a college, community college, or university or must have graduated in the past two years. Candidates may otherwise be veterans of the United States Armed Forces, holding a high school diploma or its equivalent, and having served on active duty anytime over the past two years.

2. Candidates must apply through the website, http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships/apply.

3. A complete submission includes the White House Internship application (short answers, two essay questions, and a one-page resume) as well as three letters of recommendation.

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The Covering Up Of Anti-LGBT Funding

August 15, 2011 By

(Image Credit:) Wikimedia.com/IoannesM

I read online a few days ago that Expedia.com just recently stopped giving money to The Christian Values Network because of CVT’s supporting of anti Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender (BLGT) causes. I was surprised it took this long; wasn’t it common knowledge that CVT has been doing this for ages? Why would any company still be supporting them?

When I looked into the background of The Christian Values Network some more, I found that many companies had been supporting them, most of whom claimed they hadn’t known what CVT was supporting, but when they found out, they stopped the support. Expedia as much as said this on their Facebook page. It’s nice to see that such a quick response came from the BLGT community and that we galvanized so quickly to let Expedia (and other companies) know the situation. Obviously, people have learned about CVT over the years, and I wanted to learn more as well. I couldn’t help but wonder, what anti-BLGT company had managed to fool Microsoft, Macy’s, Apple, Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline,and several others into supporting it and not knowing where their money was going? I searched and at fist I couldn’t find much; but then more started coming to light. This content is for members only. Continue reading »

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