Short political update...
As usual, I try to avoid political posts wherever possible but there are a few topics that are important enough to me that I want to let my flist know about ways to contribute when they can still help affect a decision.
INTERNET PRIVACY CONCERNS
CISPA (the newest incarnation of SOPA/PIPA/etc which is supposed to be targeting cyber criminals but unfortunately extends to privacy concerns for EVERYONE) has somehow passed the House but it is not yet up before the Senate. The good news is President Obama has said he will veto the bill if it makes its way to his desk. Hopefully he follows through on that.
If you want to get involved:
**House Passes CISPA: Make Sure It Dies In The Senate -- send a letter to your Senator
**Obama Threatens To Veto CISPA: Encourage Him To Stand Strong -- that one is from 4/25 so it was before the House voted. It says it sends a letter to Obama and your Congresspeople both so idk if it will also go to the House even though they already voted.
GAY RIGHTS/ POSSIBLE SAME SEX MARRIAGE BAN IN MINNESOTA
Minnesota is the latest state with a proposed bill to ban same sex marriages. There is a group that is devoted to seeing that bill fail: Minnesotans United for All Families.
Through April 30, any donations will be equally matched. They are trying to raise $60,000 for the fight against discrimination of committed couples, some of whom have been together for decades.
Help Minnesota stand strong. Contribute now or Get Involved some other way.
...and a short visit into trivialand...
Interestingly, Minneapolis has one of the highest percentages of LGBT population in the country, just barely behind Seattle and (weirdly, to me) Atlanta, and of course all three are second to SanFran because, come on. It's SanFran. Minnesota also ranks in the top 10 states with highest percentage of GLBT population, and Minneapolis in the top 8 in the nation for percentage of GLBT in the metro area. Plus, Minneapolis was (somewhat jokingly) named the Gayest City in the US recently.
So basically, at least the metro area of Minnesota is pretty gay.
Which is why it's weird that Iowa, of all states, legalized gay marriage before anyone else in the Midwest. Really, Chicago and Minneapolis? Get with the program, guys. You're letting the Iowegians embarrass the rest of us... I mean, Christ. Not even the cheeseheads over in Sconnieland got on top of it before the rest of us.
Anyway. That trivia addition was to underscore that this really is a serious issue for a LOT of Minnesotans-- people who fall into the GLBT category, as well as their friends, families and supporters. If this is something that is of concern to you and you have the means and interest in doing something, please help-- by contributing, spreading the word, or maybe a bit of both.
By the way, if you know of other states that also have this on their legislation let me know and I'll add that to this list. I thought some other state possibly in the southern NE was looking into it too but now I can't find the information.
[EDITED TO ADD]
North Carolina also has an amendment on the ballot that would not only define marriage as between a man and a woman but ALSO ban any other time of domestic legal union, to include civil unions and domestic partnerships.
THIS IS UP FOR VOTE ON MAY 8! If you live in North Carolina and can vote, please consider going out there just to vote no on this amendment!
More information:
Protect All NC Families (this might be the official campaign? You should do research to check it out if you're in NC)
Equality NC
surge in early voting in NC
Ms Magazine article and video
((Thanks for pointing out NC to me Aaeth!))
INTERNET PRIVACY CONCERNS
CISPA (the newest incarnation of SOPA/PIPA/etc which is supposed to be targeting cyber criminals but unfortunately extends to privacy concerns for EVERYONE) has somehow passed the House but it is not yet up before the Senate. The good news is President Obama has said he will veto the bill if it makes its way to his desk. Hopefully he follows through on that.
If you want to get involved:
**House Passes CISPA: Make Sure It Dies In The Senate -- send a letter to your Senator
**Obama Threatens To Veto CISPA: Encourage Him To Stand Strong -- that one is from 4/25 so it was before the House voted. It says it sends a letter to Obama and your Congresspeople both so idk if it will also go to the House even though they already voted.
GAY RIGHTS/ POSSIBLE SAME SEX MARRIAGE BAN IN MINNESOTA
Minnesota is the latest state with a proposed bill to ban same sex marriages. There is a group that is devoted to seeing that bill fail: Minnesotans United for All Families.
Through April 30, any donations will be equally matched. They are trying to raise $60,000 for the fight against discrimination of committed couples, some of whom have been together for decades.
Help Minnesota stand strong. Contribute now or Get Involved some other way.
...and a short visit into trivialand...
Interestingly, Minneapolis has one of the highest percentages of LGBT population in the country, just barely behind Seattle and (weirdly, to me) Atlanta, and of course all three are second to SanFran because, come on. It's SanFran. Minnesota also ranks in the top 10 states with highest percentage of GLBT population, and Minneapolis in the top 8 in the nation for percentage of GLBT in the metro area. Plus, Minneapolis was (somewhat jokingly) named the Gayest City in the US recently.
So basically, at least the metro area of Minnesota is pretty gay.
Which is why it's weird that Iowa, of all states, legalized gay marriage before anyone else in the Midwest. Really, Chicago and Minneapolis? Get with the program, guys. You're letting the Iowegians embarrass the rest of us... I mean, Christ. Not even the cheeseheads over in Sconnieland got on top of it before the rest of us.
Anyway. That trivia addition was to underscore that this really is a serious issue for a LOT of Minnesotans-- people who fall into the GLBT category, as well as their friends, families and supporters. If this is something that is of concern to you and you have the means and interest in doing something, please help-- by contributing, spreading the word, or maybe a bit of both.
By the way, if you know of other states that also have this on their legislation let me know and I'll add that to this list. I thought some other state possibly in the southern NE was looking into it too but now I can't find the information.
[EDITED TO ADD]
North Carolina also has an amendment on the ballot that would not only define marriage as between a man and a woman but ALSO ban any other time of domestic legal union, to include civil unions and domestic partnerships.
THIS IS UP FOR VOTE ON MAY 8! If you live in North Carolina and can vote, please consider going out there just to vote no on this amendment!
More information:
Protect All NC Families (this might be the official campaign? You should do research to check it out if you're in NC)
Equality NC
surge in early voting in NC
Ms Magazine article and video
((Thanks for pointing out NC to me Aaeth!))