"No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are or because they live with a disability,"-Obama

So far, President Obama has kept one of his many promises that he has made to lesbian and gays. President Obama signed a bill that will protect people from hate crimes based on their sexual orientation. Rea Carey an executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force feels that although the law is an accomplishment, there is still many work that should be done. Carey said the following, "We look forward to the days ahead when we will join together again to celebrate full equality and recognition of our community, including in employment, the military and in the full recognition of our families," Many gay activists are waiting for President Obama to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that says that marriage is between a man and a women, and that it is up to the states in whether they want to recognize gay marriages. President Obama has also promised to outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. I agree with Obama when he says that it unjust that people get fired based on their sexual orientation; everyone deserves the right to be treated equal.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091029/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_hate_crimes

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

“The new reductions will affect child welfare and children's healthcare, the elderly, state parks and AIDS treatment and prevention, going beyond the dramatic cuts that were part of the deal Schwarzenegger negotiated with legislative leaders.”

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will cut $500 million more from the budget; according to him these are necessary cuts. I think he’s just gone crazier! Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says that this budget has its good, bad an ugly. He says that the good part in the budget is that the taxes won’t raise and the government will become more efficient. Although not raising taxes is important, overall the plan is just ugly. The cuts that the plan includes are: “$489 million -- took nearly $80 million that pays for workers who help abused and neglected children; $50 million from Healthy Families, which provides healthcare to children in low-income families; $50 million from services for developmentally delayed children under age 3; $16 million from domestic-violence programs; and $6.3 million from services for the elderly. Among other reductions was $6.2 million more from parks, which could result in the closure of 100, rather than 50, of California's 279 state parks.” Looking at where the budget is being cut from, there can be a conclusion that most of the wealthy people will not get affected. Aaron McLear, the Governor’s spokesman said that "The governor understands how difficult these cuts are," Honestly I don’t think that he does because these cuts do not affect him in anyway! The governor has also said “"if our revenues drop further, to make the necessary cuts and live within our means." I don’t think that he is making necessary cuts, because he has called the last cuts “necessary”, I can’t even imagine what the next “necessary” cuts will be. Hopefully things get better soon so that there won’t be any more cuts that affect people who are low-income, the elderly and others who really need help, such as people who need AIDS treatment.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-california-budget29-2009jul29,0,7361988.story

National Equality March 09!

“Obama, I know you are listening” –Lady Gaga

On Sunday thousands of gay rights activist marched to D.C to pressure president Obama to put an en to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and equality to marriage. Obama has said that he is working on repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and that he is urging Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act(DOMA) and pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act. Obama also said that this Act will turn into a bill and he will sign it into a law.

During the march in Washington D.C., there were people who gave powerful speeches such as, Judy Shepard and Christine Quinn.
Judy Shepard, mother of Mathew Shepard, who was murdered because of hate crime; for being gay was part of the march and said the following, "No one has the right to tell my son whether or not he can work anywhere. Whether or not he can live wherever he wants to live and whether or not he can be with the one person he loves -- no one has that right…We are all Americans. We are all equal Americans, gay, straight or whatever." Many people feel this way, such as Lady Gaga who said that America is not free or equal if gays are not able to marry the person who they want.

Christine Quinn is the first openly speaker of the New York City Counsel. In the march she said, "Look me in the eye and tell me I am less of a person than you are," she said. "Look me in the eye and tell me my family is worth less than yours. Look me in the eye and tell me I am not an American. Well you know what, not one person in any of those places can do that, not one of them."

I really hope that Obama allows the LGBT community to get married. Both Judy and Christine made really good points during their speeches. They are right by the fact that people should stop LGBT from being with the person who they love, or making them unequal because of their sex orientation.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/11/U.S.gay.rights.rally/index.html#cnnSTCText

I am a Liberal! <3

According to the political spectrum in the typology test, I am a liberal.

“Strongest preference for diplomacy over use of military force. Pro-choice, supportive of gay marriage and strongly favor environmental protection. Low participation in religious activities. Most sympathetic of any group to immigrants as well as labor unions, and most opposed to the anti-terrorism Patriot Act. “

I don’t believe that war is the only solution to solve disagreements. War is just making the economy worst and the money being used for war should be used for education! The money can also be used to help out the needy or help improve communities.

I would agree that I am because contrary to the conservatives I believe that gays should have the right to get married. Everyone should be treated equally and should have the same equal opportunities; marriage is and opportunity that is denied to them.

Immigrants are another group in which I think deserve equal opportunities. The Dream Act is something that will really benefit many Immigrants who are in school. There are many immigrants who do really well in school but unfortunately are denied the opportunity to go to universities or colleges. I think this Act should be passed because it will change many people’s lives and will help them succeed.

http://typology.people-press.org/typology/