LGBT Groups React to Threats Against LGBT-Inclusive Immigration Reform Bill

LGBT organizations reacted yesterday to statements by Republican senators that comprehensive immigration reform would be put in jeopardy by the addition of provisions for LGBT families. A coalition of groups released a statement. HRC released another.

National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLAAD, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, United We Dream and Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project released the following statement:

"Our primary goal is to pass a commonsense, compassionate immigration reform bill that puts our nation's undocumented men, women and children on a pathway to citizenship. That pathway would provide at least 267,000 LGBT undocumented people the opportunity to become full participants in our economy and our democracy.

"We do not believe that our friends in the evangelical faith community or conservative Republicans would allow the entire immigration reform bill to fail simply because it affords 28,500 same-sex couples equal immigration rights. This take-it-or-leave-it stance with regard to same-sex binational couples is not helpful when we all share the same goal of passing comprehensive immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship.

"We all deserve a chance to live with dignity, to pursue our dreams, and to work for a better future and better quality of life.

"Our current immigration system is broken. It dehumanizes, scapegoats and vilifies all immigrants, including LGBT immigrants, and their friends and families. Comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform is an urgent priority for our nation and the LGBT community.

"We stand firmly that the following principles must be included if we are to truly have comprehensive immigration reform legislation:

· Provide a pathway to citizenship.

· Ensure that family unity remains at the heart of immigration law and policy.

· End unjust detentions and deportations.

· Uphold labor and employment standards and ensure that the enforcement of immigration law does not undermine labor and employment rights.

· Promote a dignified quality of life for border communities by establishing oversight mechanisms to ensure border agencies uphold basic civil and human rights protections.

· Ensure immigrant members of our community are not relegated to permanent second-class status."

And HRC President Chad Griffin released this statement:

"The idea that lesbian and gay couples are the barrier to a bipartisan immigration reform agreement is an offensive ruse designed to distract attention away from the failings of Congress -- a body that refuses to come together on popular and common-sense solutions to a host of our country's problems.

"When examining the facts, it is clear that LGBT equality is not the controversial, hot-button issue that a handful of legislators portray it to be. Marriage equality continues to advance in the states and polls show super-majority support for everything from workplace non-discrimination laws to anti-bullying protections. Moreover, a broad coalition of religious groups, labor organizations, businesses and civil rights groups support the inclusion of same-sex bi-national couples in a comprehensive reform bill.

"This bluster is nothing more than a political maneuver designed to divide the pro-reform coalition and at the same time appease a small but vocal group of social conservatives that will do anything to stop progress for lesbian and gay couples. The LGBT community will not stand for Congress placing the blame of their own dysfunction on our shoulders."

HRC Apologizes for Mistreatment of Trans Activists and Undocumented Queer Immigrants at SCOTUS Marriage Arguments: VIDEO

The Human Rights Campaign today posted an apology for its mistreatment of trans activists and undocumented queer immigrants during last week's Supreme Court marriage hearings.

Writes HRC's Fred Sainz, Vice President, Communications and Marketing:

In the midst of a tremendously historic week for our community, two unfortunate incidents at the United for Marriage event at the Supreme Court last week have caused pain in the community.  In one case, a trans activist was asked to remove the trans pride flag from behind the podium, and in another, a queer undocumented speaker was asked to remove reference to his immigration status in his remarks.

HRC joined in a coalition statement on Friday apologizing for these incidents and the individuals involved have personally offered their apologies to those affected.  But to be perfectly clear, HRC regrets the incidents and offers our apologies to those who were hurt by our actions.  We failed to live up to the high standard to which we hold ourselves accountable and we will strive to do better in the future.  Through both our legislative and programmatic work, HRC remains committed to making transgender equality a reality.

HRC's statement, which follows apologies from the United for Marriage Coalition (HERE) and a statement from GetEQUAL (HERE) comes after reports of the two incidents surfaced on the internet. The blog Transition Transition demanded an apology for the flag removal incident, and the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project (QUIP) posted a video asking for one as well.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Laura Bush Requests Removal from Marriage Equality Ad: VIDEO

Former First Lady Laura Bush has asked the Respect for Marriage Coalition (spearheaded by HRC and Freedom to Marry) to remove her from a new ad which is the centerpiece of a $1 million media campaign in support of marriage equality, the Dallas Morning News reports:

The advertising blitz, first reported by Politico, features a clip of Bush talking to Larry King on CNN in 2010 and saying, “When couples are committed to each other and love each other then they ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone has.”

But Bush spokeswoman Anne MacDonald said in a statement Wednesday that the former first lady “did not approve of her inclusion in this advertisement nor is she associated with the group that made the ad in any way.”

“When she became aware of the advertisement last night, we requested that the group remove her from it,” MacDonald said.

The ads began airing Wednesday on cable.

The full-page newspaper ad (right, inset) which began running in major newspapers including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post , also features Mrs. Bush's quote and image.

Watch the ad, AFTER THE JUMP...

Related...
MSNBC Speaks to FTM's Evan Wolfson About Marriage Equality Ad Campaign: VIDEO
Cheney, Laura Bush, Colin Powell Voice Support for Marriage Equality in New Ad: VIDEO

HRC: Boy Scouts Will Hire Convicted Criminals But Not Gays

The Human Rights Campaign obtained an employment application from the Boy Scouts of America which apparently states that the organization will hire convicted criminals but not "avowed homosexuals".

They write:

HRC obtained a copy of their job application, which says: "The Boy Scouts of America will not employ... known or avowed homosexuals." The icing on top? "Conviction of a crime is not an automatic bar to employment" according to the application. That's right – a person's sexual orientation is more of a red flag than their criminal record.

President Chad Griffin writes, in a letter urging the organization to demand a non-discrimination policy:

But with the news two weeks ago that the BSA Board of Directors wouldn't immediately end the organization's ban on gay Scouts and troop leaders, the true colors of the BSA are only growing clearer.

The Marines, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard have all ended discrimination based on sexual orientation. Isn't it time the Boy Scouts follow suit?

Discrimination affects the entire Boy Scouts organization, and the harmful impact on young people is what disturbs me the most.

The BSA is an organization that prides itself on leadership. Yet its discriminatory policies seem to teach young participants that it's perfectly fine to exclude people based on sexual orientation. And the message these policies send to gay youth who already struggle to feel accepted is just heartbreaking.

Major U.S. Businesses Throw Support Behind DOMA Repeal with New Coalition

A|X Armani Exchange, Aetna Inc., Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Diageo North America, eBay Inc., Electronic Arts, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Marriott International Inc., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Replacements, Ltd., Sun Life Financial U.S., and Thomson Reuters are the initial signees to a new Business Coalition formed by HRC supporting repeal of DOMA.

Writes HRC: "The Business Coalition for DOMA Repeal is a group of leading U.S. employers that support legislative efforts to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act through the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. These Coalition members recognize that DOMA is bad for business and have pledged their support for RMA, which restores the rights of all lawfully married couples—including same-sex couples – to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law."

Said HRC President Chad Griffin: "These corporate pioneers understand one marriage deserves no less respect and dignity than any other marriage.They understand that repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act is the right thing for our nation, and the smart thing for American business.  We call on both large and small businesses to add their voices to the growing chorus calling for an end to this odious law."

HRC President Chad Griffin Reacts to Obama Inauguration Speech: VIDEO

HRC President Chad Griffin spoke with Andrea Mitchell about Obama's inaugural address:

"The President really has begun his legacy on this issue. This civil rights moment in our history. He has done that in his first term and it's now time to take it to the next step and to really fully bring about full and complete equality under the law. Because as long as our government discriminates, it gives license to everyone else to discriminate."

Griffin also talked about Chuck Hagel:

"We've accepted his apology with regard to what he said. I look forward to hearing how he plans to fully implement the repeal of DADT and bring about equal benefits to all our men and women serving in uniform in this country."

Mitchell also asks about DOMA, Prop. 8, and the Supreme Court.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...