CIVIL UNIONS: A NEW ERA IN IL

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Today, Wednesday, June 1, 2011 is a new day in the state of Illinois. Gay and lesbian couples will be eligible to apply for civil union. The ceremonies may be held a day later after the application for union is approved and the license is good for 60 days only.

On January 31, 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn signed the civil unions bill and made Illinois the 16^th U.S. state to give spousal rights to same-sex couples by signing the bill into law and allowing civil unions.

This law gives same-sex couples state-level rights and recognitions that married opposite-sex couples took for granted for years. The rights include hospital visitation, a decision making of ending life care and property inheritance rights. The bill will provide protection for Illinois couples and families. Illinois will be one of six states that allow civil unions, and today is an historic day and a tribute to our legislature, our governor and the people of Illinois.

Unfortunately, these rights, protections and benefits are not portable because the federal law states that civil union in Illinois means nothing and it does not convey the over 1,000 federal benefits and rights of regular marriage between a man and a woman.

But the fight is far away from being over, we still need to keep fighting for our rights and equality that we all deserve as human being who living on this planet. So to all of you out there, keep the momentum and effort going until the day we can just sit down, relax and enjoy the freedom, equality and all on our planet earth, the way God gave us all—and enjoy!

Minnesota Legislature Places Anti-marriage Amendment on 2012 ballot

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Without a Budget in Place, Legislature Wastes Time on Social Issues

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), admonished the Minnesota legislature for ignoring the real needs of Minnesotans and instead placing an anti-marriage amendment on the 2012 ballot. The state House passed the proposal by a 70-62 vote, following Senate action last week.

“At a time when all Minnesota families are sharing concerns over the economy, it is appalling that the legislature would seek to harm a segment of those families rather than pass a budget,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We are confident, however, that when November 2012 arrives, Minnesotans will reject these divisive tactics.”

HRC has been working closely with OutFront Minnesota, Project 515, supportive legislators, labor and other progressive organizations in the state to oppose this measure in the legislature. Together, the group has been planning a winning campaign to defeat this amendment with the newly formed coalition, Minnesotans United for All Families.

“Minnesota voters are being asked to amend our constitution to ban same-sex marriage. In 2012, Minnesota will vote “NO” on this anti-family ballot question. In Minnesota, we treat others like we want to be treated,” said campaign spokesperson Donald McFarland. “Our campaign is hitting the ground running and we plan on using every resource available to defeat this anti-family constitutional amendment. I invite every Minnesotan to take the first step in defeating this measure by visiting www.minnesotansunitedforallfamilies.org and signing up to volunteer.”

Currently, 29 states have constitutional amendments prohibiting marriage for same-sex couples. However, a recent Star-Tribune poll showed the majority of Minnesota residents oppose the amendment.

Source: The Human Rights Campaign

Sara Feigenholtz Helps Local Residents to Avoid Foreclosure

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

State Rep. Feigenholtz Holds Mortgage Relief Project to Help Local Residents Avoid Foreclosure

CHICAGO – Continuing her efforts to protect local residents and reduce area foreclosures, state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) participated in the Mortgage Relief Project on Saturday to help Chicago residents keep their homes and avoid foreclosures. Residents from Lakeview to Cicero came for the opportunity to meet with Department of Housingand Urban Development-certified housing counselors to ask questions about their mortgages.

The seminar marked the twentieth stop in the statewide Mortgage Relief Project, an initiative of Governor Pat Quinn to help homeowners keep their homes and avoid foreclosure. The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and was co-hosted by Feigenholtz, state Sen. President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), state Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), Alderman Tom Tunney and outgoing Alderman Vi Daley.

“The state of Illinois wants to help you keep your homes because avoiding foreclosures improves our communities as a whole,” Feigenholtz said. “Legislators are working hard in Springfield to ensure that homeowners have the tools they need to be informed about their options and prevent foreclosure. Whether we are urging Congress to place a moratorium on foreclosures or giving homeowners more time to refinance their mortgages, we must protect our residents.”

Feigenholtz is also encouraging residents to be aware of the Homeowner Protection Act, which gives homeowners who have fallen behind in their mortgage payments a grace period of up to 90 days if they seek and enter housing counseling. Homeowners can use this period to refinance their mortgage or set up a payment plan with their bank.

“Many homeowners came because they did not have anywhere else to go and felt trapped by their mortgage,” said Feigenholtz. “Having a one-stop shop where homeowners can meet one-on-one with a housing counselor, learn about mortgages and get honest answers to their questions gives homeowners valuable information to help them fight to keep their homes. Falling behind on your mortgage does not have to lead to foreclosure and I am working hard to provide as many tools as possible to help people get back on the right financial track.”

Homeowners who were unable to attend Saturday’s event may call IDFPR’s consumer helpline at (800) 532-8785 for assistance. For more information about the program, please visit www.idfpr.com or www.ihda.org. A list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Illinois can be found at www.hud.gov.

Source: IL State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz office.

PINK IN MOTION: A New Direction In Sharing

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Dear Reader,

Launched in 1990 as The Pink Pages—an LGBT community business/organization directories serving markets in New York, Chicago,Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and Denver—PINK progressed into a combined quarterly lifestyle magazine and business directory, while posting weekly exclusive web updates—featuring the most current, topical and edgy LGBT arts, auto, fashion, culture, travel and lifestyle news. All avaiable to our loyal PINK readers, on PINKmag.com, The PINK SPOT© and now our social networking.

PINK is committed to cover the latest in LGBT community today. Introducing PINK IN MOTION©, is our new way of Bringing You The Best DAILY!

And that’s not all. Anybody who ‘Like Us‘ on Facebook or ‘Follow Us‘ on Twitter, will have a chance to win wonderful prizes and giveaways from our advertisers and sponsors that will be avaiable only to users who visit us online.

We would love to hear your comments, thoughts and more. Visit us online and on YouTube too. Enjoy!

David Cohen

Publisher

‘Like’ Us on Facebook – Follow Us on Twitter

Friday, May 6th, 2011

‘Like’ Us ON Facebook – Follow Us on Twitter for a chance to win

State Rep Roundtable; Sara Feigenholtz host

Friday, April 29th, 2011

CHICAGO–State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is hosting a public town hall meeting this Sunday, May 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Nettelhorst Elementary Auditorium located at 3252 N. Broadway.

Feigenholtz’s office encourages residents to join her Sunday if effort to learn more about the state budget and pertinent legislation in Springfield. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and give their feedback on state matters, which may very well likely stand to be those relavent the local LGBT community. Apart from Lakeview-resident lifestlyle issues making up one-third of her 12th-district constituency, since taking office Feigenholtz’s political platform has strongly supported efficient and comprehensive state-provided HIV/AIDS care–as reported in PINK’s summer 2010 issue (specifically on page 20).

The event is open to the public; for more information or to RSVP, please contact Representative Feigenholtz’s constituent service office at (773) 296-4141 and/or visit her official website, www.staterepsara.com.

Delaware House Passes Landmark Civil Unions Bill

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Delaware House Passes Landmark Civil Unions Bill

Bill Providing Critical Family Protections Moves to Governor Who Has Pledged to Sign

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Delaware, Delaware’s statewide coalition of LGBT advocates, congratulates the Delaware House for passing civil unions by an 26 to 15 vote. The bill now goes to Governor Markell for his signature.

“Today, we celebrate a victory for all Delaware families who will have the tools to protect themselves in good times and in bad,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We look forward to Governor Markell signing this bill into law and thank Senator Sokola and Representative George for their leadership on this bill, and Equality Delaware for their tireless dedication.”

“We are tremendously proud that the Delaware House as passed civil union legislation,” said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. “The fact that the Delaware General Assembly passed civil union legislation on the first attempt is a great testament to how far public opinion has come on equality issues. This is a great day for equality in Delaware.”

SB 30 will allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions giving them all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. Religious institutions may choose not to solemnize civil unions.

Delaware will be the 8th state to offer civil unions or comprehensive domestic partnerships. After the bill is signed into law, it will take effect on Jan. 1, 2012. Currently, five states have laws providing an expansive form of state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples, without offering marriage. California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington provide same-sex couples with access to almost of all the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships. Earlier this year, the governors of Hawaii and Illinois signed into law civil unions bills. Couples in Illinois can begin applying for civil union licenses on June 1, 2011 and in Hawaii couples can begin applying on Jan. 1, 2012.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing where marriage equality stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.

Source: Press Release

Arkansas Overturns Adoption Ban

Friday, April 8th, 2011

WASHINGTON–The Human Rights Campaign hails the Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision upholding a lower court ruling that a law prohibiting adoption by unmarried couples who live together violates the Arkansas Constitution. On Nov. 4, 2008, Arkansas voters approved a statutory ban on adoption and foster parenting by unmarried individuals cohabiting with a sexual partner. Today’s ruling affirms an April ruling by a Pulaski County circuit judge that Initiated Act I of 2008 intrudes on privacy rights guaranteed by the Arkansas Constitution. HRC also congratulates and thanks the American Civil Liberties Union for their work in providing representation in this case.

“The Arkansas Supreme Court has removed a discriminatory barrier for loving gay and lesbian couples who, child welfare experts agree, are equally able parents,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Too many children are in need of a loving home and the court has rightfully put their interests ahead of discrimination.”

Today’s victory leaves Mississippi and Utah as the only states with adoption bans for unmarried couples, including same-sex couples. Currently the Virginia State Board of Social Services will decide in the coming weeks whether to enact regulations proposed by former Governor Kaine that would prevent discrimination based on marital status by child welfare agencies in the adoption process. Governor Bob McDonnell has until April 16 to make a formal recommendation to the State Board of Social Services and has said publicly he is against the regulations. HRC has called on the Governor and the State Board of Social Services to enact the regulations.

A map detailing adoption laws across the country is available at www.hrc.org/documents/parenting_laws_maps.pdf.

Source: HRC press release

Delaware Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill

Friday, April 8th, 2011

WASHINGTON– today, The Human Rights Campaign,, and Equality Delaware, Delaware’s statewide coalition of LGBT advocates, applauds the Delaware Senate for passing a civil unions bill by a 13 to 6 vote. The bill now goes to the Delaware House of Representatives for consideration.

“Today, we applaud the Delaware Senate for valuing all Delaware families,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We call on the Delaware House to swiftly send the bill to Governor Markell for his signature.”

“We are delighted by today’s Senate vote and look forward to strong support from our sponsors in the House,” said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman.

SB 30, was introduced by Senator David Sokola and Representative Melanie George. The bill would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions giving them all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. Religious institutions may choose not to solemnize civil unions.

Currently, five states have laws providing an expansive form of state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples, without offering marriage. California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington provide same-sex couples with access to almost of all the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships. Earlier this year, the governors of Hawaii and Illinois signed into law civil unions bills. Couples in Illinois can begin applying for civil union licenses on June 1, 2011 and in Hawaii couples can begin applying on Jan. 1, 2012.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing where marriage equality stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.

Source: HRC press release

First National TV Interview for Transgender Basketball Player

Friday, April 1st, 2011

“You know, I’m a guy, just a plain, old guy. I don’t like to be labeled, I don’t like to sit down and say, ‘Oh yes I’m just a lesbian,’ or, ‘I’m gay.’ Or, whatever, I’m just a guy.” -– Kye Allums

WASHINGTON—Cable Sports Network ESPN interviews junior Kye Allums, who suited up for this season’s George Washington women’s basketball team as the first publicly transgender athlete to play Division I basketball.

Allums is biologically female, has yet to have surgery to change sexes, and says he has not taken any male hormones. Still, he is starting the transition by changing his name from Kiara to Kye, and asking everyone to refer to him as a man.

“I never expected this. No one has ever had to deal with this,” says George Washington Coach Mike Bozeman.

Kye plans to have surgery to remove his breasts in May, and the NCAA has said as long as Allums does not take male hormones, he can play his senior season on the women’s team. Sunday on Outside the Lines, ESPN reporter John Barr talks with Allums and his mother, who has been reluctant to accept his transformation.

“Honestly, I was just in denial for quite some time,” says Allums’ mother, Rolanda DelaMartinez. “It was just very hurtful to hear because most moms have this vision of having their kids grow up, get married, have the white picket fence, wear the wedding dress. So, it’s like your dream being shattered.”

Outside the Lines, featuring trans-identified GWU basketball player Kye Allums, airs Sunday, April 3, 2011 on ESPN at 9 a.m. ET.