Members Of Congress Introduce Resolution To Designate June 26th As "LGBT Equality Day"

This would most excellent, especially in light of the historic decisions which have occurred on June 26th.

Via press release:

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced a resolution to designate June 26, as “LGBT Equality Day,” honoring the anniversary of three significant victories won at the U.S. Supreme Court for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans.

“America should celebrate the progress we have made to pass on to the next generation a country that is more equal, not less equal. But we cannot mistake our progress for victory,” said Senator Baldwin. “We have more work to do in the march for fairness, freedom and full equality for the LGBT community. I believe America is ready to take the next steps forward and together we will break down barriers so that every American has an equal opportunity to dream the same dreams, chase the same ambitions, and have the same shot at success.”

“In the last two decades, our nation has seen the Defense of Marriage Act overturned, an end to the criminalization of same-sex conduct and now nationwide marriage equality — all through Supreme Court decisions handed down on June 26,” DelBene said. “But even as same-sex couples enjoy the right to marry in all 50 states, LGBT people continue to face violence, inequality and discrimination simply for who they are and who they love. Our resolution designates the 26th of June as ‘LGBT Equality Day’ not only to celebrate how far we’ve come, but also to acknowledge how much work remains to be done.”

During the past two decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued three different landmark rulings on the 26th of June that helped eliminate LGBT discrimination, affirm the dignity of same-sex couples and move our country toward a more perfect union:

· Lawrence v. Texas (June 26, 2003). Twelve years ago, the Court ruled on June 26, that states could no longer criminalize the private intimate conduct of same-sex couples, invalidating hateful and discriminatory laws in more than a dozen states.

· United States v. Windsor (June 26, 2013). Two years ago, the Court overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on June 26, and ruled that legally married same-sex couples deserve all of the rights, benefits and protections provided by marriage under federal law.

· Obergefell v. Hodges (June 26, 2015). One year ago, the Court ruled on June 26, that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, putting the United States on the right side of history and ending marriage discrimination once and for all.

Senator Baldwin and Congresswoman DelBene’s resolution is cosponsored by more than 175 members of Congress and is supported by the Center for American Progress, the Human Rights Campaign, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Chuck Hagel nomination for Secretary of Defense

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) appeared on Andrea Mitchell Reports today to speak about the Chuck Hagel nomination as Defense Secretary and the pushback it has received from some LGBT rights advocates.

Said Baldwin:

“I do not know Chuck Hagel...I do want to speak with him, particularly about his comments 14 years ago, to see if his apology is sincere and sufficient. I want to hear how he’s evolved on this issue in the the last 14 years because the significance to the post to which he's been nominated is the respect for now openly gay members of the military who because of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell can serve openly and we need to see that implemented successfully..."

Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin sworn in as 1st openly gay US Senator

Fox News has little time for LGBT issues

Media Matters notes that Fox News had little time for the marriage equality wins or Tammy Baldwin's historic US Senate win in Wisconsin.

From November 6 to November 9, Media Matters combed through transcripts of CNN, MSNBC and Fox News for terms related to same-sex marriage. The organization determined that Fox News devoted far less time to the subject than it's competitors - only one segment and nine mentions to the marriage equality wins, which marked the first time in history that American citizens voted in favor of same-sex marriage. When discussed by Fox newscasters, these victories were usually "bundled with other ballot initiatives," rather than given individualized attention.

Media Matters also notes that Fox News failed to report on the election of Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the first openly gay candidate to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. By contrast, her election received in-depth coverage on the other networks.

Read more at the Advocate.

Historic election night speech - Tammy Baldwin elected as first gay US Senator

This is so powerful for all America. Not only the LGBT community, but everyone. This represents overcoming so many bias and bigotries.

Forward.

Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin has 9 point lead in Senate race

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin holds a nine-point lead over former Governor Tommy Thompson in the closely watched U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin, according to a new poll from Marquette University Law School.

The 50% to 41% advantage marks a reversal for Baldwin, who trailed Thompson by nine points in a Marquette poll last month.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that while Baldwin firmed up support among Democrats following the convention in Charlotte, her biggest shift came from independents. Thompson held steady among Republicans with support around 93%, while the poll showed President Barack Obama jumped to a 14-point lead over Mitt Romney in Wisconsin, compared to a three-point lead last month.

Should she win, Baldwin would be the first openly gay senator.

Via The Advocate

Wisconsin: Primary puts gay candidate on track for Congress

State Senator Mark Pocan of Wisconsin cruised to a huge victory in his primary in hopes of taking the US Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Tammy Baldwin.


Pocan got 72% of the vote in a four way primary.  His strongest challenge came from Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, who only garnered about 22% of the vote.

Being a heavily Democratic district, this makes Pocan, who is openly gay, on track to replace Tammy Baldwin, who is stepping down as she runs for US Senate.  If she wins her race, Baldwin will become the first out senator in the nation and the first woman to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate.

More at Wisconsin Gazette

Campaign ad: Tammy Baldwin for US Senate

I've met Tammy and she's the real deal. She clearly wants the best for all Americans.

She's one of the few openly gay members of Congress and she's very well respected.

I'm hoping she wins her race in Wisconsin for US Senate.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin announces run for US Senate

Out U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) on Tuesday announced that she will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.).

In a message to supporters, Baldwin said, “I’m used to facing challenges head on. When I first ran for Congress in 1998, people counted me out. But we worked hard, campaigned across south-central Wisconsin, and we won.”

Baldwin's potential Republican opponents, along with state and national party members, moved quickly to paint the six-term congresswoman as too far to the left to win the seat held by retiring Sen. Herb Kohl.

"She's voted for virtually the entire Obama agenda, except when it wasn't liberal enough," said Mark Neumann, the only Republican officially in the Senate race.

Baldwin talked past such criticism after announcing her bid in an email and video to supporters early Tuesday. Speaking to reporters later, she said her race will focus on boosting the middle class.

"I am a fighter," she said. "When you stand up to big and powerful interests, that sometimes leads to the type of labels you're hearing being offered at this point."

Read more at NYTimes.com

Tammy Baldwin “very likely” to run for Senate

With Sen. Herb Kohl announcing his retirement from the US Senate, sources close to Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., have told the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund she is very likely to run for the U.S. Senate seat. If Baldwin runs and wins, she would become the nation’s first openly LGBT member of the U.S. senate.

“This would obviously be a top priority for us. Tammy Baldwin has been an outstanding congresswoman, and she’d be an outstanding senator,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which has endorsed Baldwin repeatedly.

“This would be a remarkable milestone for LGBT Americans. Congresswoman Baldwin is one of the most admired public officials I know. She would have the strong support of those who want to see our economy work for all Americans, and who believe that all voices deserve a place at the table,” Wolfe said.

I've met Rep. Baldwin here in Las Vegas and she's really smart and inspiring. Talking to her you really get a sense that she not only 'means' to do the right thing, but she 'does' the right thing.

Here's hoping we get good news about a senate run in Wisconsin soon.
(via gaypolitics.com)