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26 February 2015 - NPWJ News Digest on LGBTI rights
Articles
Not Yet Over the Rainbow, or the Unexpected Vigor of Intransigence
By The Huffington Post, 25 Feb 2015
As the LGBT community waits for the Supreme Court to hear, and ultimately decide, the four same-sex marriage cases currently on its docket, there is a rising sense of optimism about the expected outcome. Even Justice Thomas -- as evidenced by his recent "[this] may well be seen as a signal of the court's intended resolution" dissent in the 7-2 SCOTUS decision to allow gay marriage to precede in Alabama -- appears to be jumping on the bandwagon of inevitability. While the recognition is welcome, there is no need to congratulate John Roberts and Co. after the Supreme Court issues its decision in late June because they are not leading the charge. Rather, they are facilitating a transition in society that is already happening but not yet complete. Progress isn't the same as the end zone -- and even gays know you don't call for a pass on the one-yard line at second down.
Gay Rights Activists Fire Early Shot At GOP Field
By Time Magazine, 25 Feb 2015
The Human Rights Campaign is firing an early shot at the emerging presidential field, releasing polling and research highlighting their opposition to same-sex marriage. On Wednesday, the group unveiled a micro-site highlighting GOP rhetoric on LGBT issues, including their positions on marriage, conversion therapy and bullying. The launch is pegged to this weekend’s Conservative Political Action Conference, which has blocked the sponsorship of the GOP gay group Log Cabin Republicans. (Although the group will participate in a panel discussion.) The group is highlighting the results of a survey it commissioned of 1,000 self-identified LGBT voters showing that few would even consider supporting Republican candidates. Only 15 percent would consider New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; 12 percent, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; 9 percent, Sen. Rand Paul; 9 percent, Sen. Marco Rubio; and 5 percent former Sen. Rick Santorum.
The U.S. Has Appointed Its First Ever Special Envoy for LGBT Rights
By Time Magazine, 24 Feb 2015
The U.S. appointed its first-ever special envoy on Monday to defend and promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The State Department named Randy Berry, a gay senior diplomat who previously served as U.S. consul general in the Netherlands, to the role, reports Reuters. In his new role, Berry will work to reduce violence and discrimination against LGBT people around the world, including those in some 75 countries where homosexuality and same-sex relationships are criminalized. “Defending and promoting the human rights of LGBT persons is at the core of our commitment to advancing human rights globally — the heart and conscience of our diplomacy,” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement.
Families must end LGBTI violence and improve rights in Asia - TRFN
By Reuters, 24 Feb 2015
Some of those most guilty of violence and discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people in Asia are their families, which must instead play a key role in improving LGBTI rights, activists from the region said. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) in Asia face the threat of violence and widespread discrimination - denied education and jobs, and disowned by their families in societies that are often patriarchal and religious, the activists said ahead of a three-day meeting on LGBT health and human rights in Asia.