Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?
Here is the bad news first…
Now the good…
In Texas a court ruled in favor of Nikki Araguz,
Just to get you in a good mood, here is another positive story,
Here is the bad news first…
Bill would protect business owners from denying services to gaysYou don’t even have to be gay or lesbian the doctors just have to think you are to deny treatment and of course there is a “family” organization involved, the Cornerstone Family Council.
KBOI2
By JOHN MILLER - Associated Press
Published: Jan 29, 2014
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho lawmakers and conservative Christian allies who contend faith is under siege by gays, lesbians and the government are launching a "pre-emptive" strike to bolster rights of licensed professionals to refuse service or employment to those they conclude violate their religious beliefs.
On Tuesday, Rep. Lynn Luker outlined a plan to shield religious people from the threat of having their professional licenses - issued for everything from midwives and doctors to physical therapists and nurses - revoked.
Julie Lynde, Cornerstone's executive director, says governments are increasingly passing or interpreting laws to block people from "living out their faith."These people are just using religion to hide their bigotry.
Now the good…
In Texas a court ruled in favor of Nikki Araguz,
BREAKING: Texas appeals court rules in favor of trans widow Nikki AraguzOkay let’s have a show of hands, who thinks that there will be an appeal?
Dallas Voice
Posted on 13 Feb 2014
ORPUS CHRISTI — The 13th District Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi issued a landmark opinion Thursday in favor of Houston trans widow Nikki Araguz, ruling that Texas must recognize the marriages of trans people.
The opinion, written by Chief Justice Rogelio Valdez, reverses the 2011 ruling by Houston state district Judge Randy Clapp, who ruled that Araguz was born male and Texas’ 2005 marriage amendment doesn’t recognize her marriage to a man. Her 2008 marriage to her late husband, Thomas Araguz III, became invalid. Thomas Araguz was a volunteer firefighter in Wharton and was killed in the line of duty in 2010 and Nikki Araguz was denied his death benefits.
Just to get you in a good mood, here is another positive story,
New Phila. police policy reaches out to transgender peopleOne step at a time.
Philly.com
By Aubrey Whelan, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: February 11, 2014
Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey says he hopes to alleviate that fear in an unprecedented policy change announced in late December. The policy, Directive 152, is the first in the department's history that addresses how officers interact with the transgender community. The directive also addresses thornier issues: namely, housing, transportation, and processing for transgender inmates.
It is also one of the few guidelines in the country to offer direction on how to speak to reporters about trans offenders or trans victims of crime. In cases where a transgender victim has died, the policy states officers should "use pronouns and titles of respect appropriate to the individual's gender identity as expressed by the individual."
Ramsey acknowledges that his department was behind the times when it came to transgender policy.
Diana,
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the details of the Idaho law but what they are sawing about a similar law in Kansas is that, as written, if your religious belief are such one can choose not to serve anyone. So if your beliefs believe that women should not work, you don't have to hire women. I would hope that some would choose to not serve or hire bigots. Turn around is fair play.
Leann