Support HRC and GLBT regardless of orientation

An open letter to everybody:

I wanted to thank everybody who has so far accepted my invitation to join the HRC group. I think that it shows that young people have a voice, and that our up and coming generation is willing to be inclusive and accepting of all people.

Regardless of whether you think that being GLBT is a choice or genetic I appreciate the support. Even if it is a choice -- we should all be free to choose our destiny. I advocate the position that it is a biological distinction -- but I thank you for being supportive regardless of your personal beliefs.

As we fight for freedom abroad we musn't ignore our fight for freedom domestically. I encourage you at every opportunity to help us push past this hurdle of discrimination and be accepting -- or at least tolerant -- of millions of fellow Americans. Americans who breathe the same air and contribute to society.

Everybody has a member of their family who they can identify this with. Even if its just a suspicion and they haven't told you -- don't push them away or make them deny who they are. And even if you don't wish to confront them directly at least be supportive of them in their battle for equality.

The pain of concealing who you are is very damaging -- and a heavy burden to bear. For years when I was younger it was difficult to fall asleep at night through the tears. It made me a very cold person -- a person in search of love and acceptance. Help them lift this burden by being supportive -- or at least tolerant -- of their cause.

Thank you.
~Nathan Gower Schwarz

Matthew Shephard Act (S. 1105)

Today the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105) passed on a vote of cloture.

This bill would only apply to violent attacks based on the victim's gender, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.

It would also provide funding to help law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes. This legislation has been endorsed by over 280 civic, religious, and law enforcement organizations.

Upon calling both Senator Hutchinson and Senator Cornyn of Texas their staff reported that both Senators had voted AGAINST this bill.

According to Cornyn's staff he didn't even have to think about his vote and wasn't conflicted.

Senator Hutchinson's staff wasn't even aware of the result of the votes but said to "check on-line".

Thanks, Texas Senators.

Mission Statement -- Rough Draft

The Rio Grande Valley Organization for Responsible Growth (ValleyORG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit human service agency providing emergency assistance and social services to all individuals, children, and families in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, as well as to educate the public and advocate for public policy changes. We believe that in a democratic society a commitment to pro-social values such as kindness, compassion, tolerance and respect for all people regardless of age, gender, gender identity, national origin, socio-economic status, or sexual orientation is essential.

ENDA -- Make the Right Vote

In 31 states (including TEXAS), it's still legal to fire someone because they're gay.

In 39 states (including TEXAS) it is legal to fire someone for being transgender.

I spoke to a regional coordinator of HRC yesterday and apparently Solomon Ortiz is having some trouble voting the right way. Please be sure to give him plenty of phone calls.

There is a federal bill that could be voted on as early as this Monday (Sept. 24th) called the Equal Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA, H.R. 2015) that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity.


Many Texas representatives are on the edge about this bill and we need YOUR help to convince them! Here’s a number of ways you can help, take your pick of any or all of them. Please at least send the automated response (3) if nothing else.


Lastly, please don’t treat this as an issue without consequences. This is something that affects real people such as me and many others around you. It has real consequences, real emotion and represents discrimination against real people. Whatever your beliefs may be, as humans we all deserve a safe place to work without being judged on who we are as individuals (black, Mexican, woman, gay, Muslim, etc.).


WHAT YOU CAN DO (TODAY!!)

1) CALL the undecided Texas representatives and let them know how you feel (this is most effective and quick)

a. Henry Cuellar (28th) (202) 225 1640
b. Chet Edwards (17th) (202) 225 6105
c. Nick Lampson (22nd) (202) 225 5951
d. Solomon Ortiz (27th) (202) 225 1134
e. Kenny Marchant (24th) (202) 225 6605


2) Send them a letter in the MAIL. I can email you an easy template.

a. Henry Cuellar 336 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

b. Chet Edwards 2369 Rayburn Building, Washington, DC 20515-4311

c. Nick Lampson 436 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515

d. Solomon Ortiz 2110 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515

e. Kenny Marchant 1037 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515-4323


3) At minimum, you can let your representatives know how you feel by sending them an automated email. Simply click this link, fill-in the information and then click send. Be sure to add a little about yourself in the automated message (i.e. that you’re a medical student or professional). http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/enda_fb


Thank you so much to those that take ACTION on this matter. Email me if you have any questions/comments/concerns. You can get unbiased information about ENDA from my favorite website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_Non-Discrimination_Act

GLBT -- The Taboo of the Closet

Who really understands the complexities of a Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgen (GLBT) relationship? There are absolutely no positive role models for successful relationships in a society that has a divorce rate of around 50% even within heterosexual couples.

Then to further compound that problem heterosexual couples begin experiencing relationships in about the 7th grade. They get to go through the trials and tribulations of exploring what they do and don't want then. This serves as of relationship training that GLBT individuals (GLBTI) are not given the luxury of having.

This disadvantage traps GLBTI at the emotional/relationship level of about a thirteen year old. Back when children fall in love instantly and think that they are destined to be together forever without really knowing each other. This type of emotional retardation prevents a healthy adult relationship from developing because the magic fizzles out in the first few months, even weeks.

GLBTI often live together so quickly and the relationship falls apart and gets messy as the relationship was flawed from its inception. GLBTI are forced to live their lives in the closet at the beginning as well (Thanks Senator Craig). This makes GLTBI think that their behavior is taboo (undesired by society) and that they are in violation of societal standards just by breathing and being themselves! Hence why you have the sex acts in these discreet locations -- which is a point for another discussion. Why do the cops stalk about gays having sex in rest rooms at airports and not stop terrorists with bombs?

Or like in McAllen where they cruise the curcuit and solicit people to give them (the police) money for sex and then arrest them? Don't they have better things to do than sting homosexuals? I got my apartment broken into -- over 5,000 dollars worth of stuff taken from me -- and they did not even arrive for 5 hours. Were they busy busting homosexuals at the park? Thanks McAllen PD.

Therefore the barriers preventing other social taboos like drinking, drugs, and risky promiscuous sex become much easier to violate and breach. Society creates the image of the undesirable homosexual by placing these undesirable traits within their reach and forcing them to it. Its a self-fulfilling prophecy where those who believe they have no other choice engage in the behaviors that are already expected of them.

So now were stuck with a class of people who have no ambition, who fall to the glamour and appeal of artificiality and superficiality, and who are used for their alleged undesirable characteristics for political and social gain by the very individuals who have created them into the monsters that they are. Wearing the designer clothing and other fashion accessories and using the latest products because it's hip and chic -- who cares if they had to sleep with an old man or steal to get it? Waste their college fund?

If people would just be accepting and allow them to develop normally and at a healthy rate when GLBTI were younger then all of these missteps could be avoided. But society seeks to condemn and segregate that which it does not understand.

Hopefully my words have brought some understanding and helped to open at least one set of eyes.

Free Speech - The Dread of Tyrants

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"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it."-- Francois Marie Arouet VOLTAIRE

"Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom." -- Benjamin Nathan CARDOZO

"Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter ones thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power...To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker." -- Frederick DOUGLASS

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What happened to Andrew Meyer is reprehensible. Efforts to impeach his character by saying this was a Punk'd type joke are irrelevant. We DO NOT live in a police state. We should never as Citizens of the United States of America be viciously attacked and manhandled by police in this fashion.

I am disgusted by Senator Kerry as well. How could a purported scion of civil liberties allow this to go on? He could have easily commanded the officers to release the student but instead meekly watched the events unfold and later issued a weak press release.

While Kent State was much worse, the anger is still palpable in his voice. Voting irregularities and this unwinnable war should enrage all of us.

A voice should never be silenced... especially not with 50,000 volts of taser by 5 police officers.

VG and I

Veronica Gonzales and I