Bigot of the Week Award: May 18, Safeway General Counsel Robert Gordon

Bigot of the Week

In a shocking display of misogyny, Robert A. Gordon, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Safeway Inc. easily earned this week’s BWA. At the shareholders meeting on May 15, Gordon opened his remarks with a “joke” in which President Obama lugs pigs to the White House to give to Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. The hypothetical punch line has a Secret Service agent indicating that the pigs are more valuable than the women. Ha ha ha.

Setting aside the not-so-subtle racism inherent in the setup, the culmination of this story and the expectation that it would make his audience laugh, says volumes about Gordon. That he felt comfortable sharing this tale in front of a corporate audience demonstrates how undervalued women are in that environment. Comparing two of the most powerful women in America to farm animals is nothing short of loathsome.

But of course he felt safe. Only 3.6% of Fortune 500 companies are run by women, who make less than 70% of what their male counterparts do. Ten percent of these companies still have all-male boards of directors (Safeway has an amazing one woman on their board.)

I wonder how the (few) women in the audience felt. Certainly none have come forward to complain, even though Safeway has a code of ethics which Gordon’s hateful speech violated. No comment yet from the company, either. Please let Safeway know how you feel about this kind of behavior.

Transgender Workplace Rights Upheld in Landmark Ruling

Equal just got a bit more equal

A recent decision by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has significantly increased workplace protections for transgender employees. In a landmark ruling on April 20, the EEOC declared that discrimination against someone because they are transgender violates Title VII protections against sex discrimination. It stems from a discrimination charge filed by Mia Macy, a transgender woman.

Macy applied for a position with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) while she was still presenting as a man. She was informed that she would be hired pending a background investigation. In the interest of transparency, she told the investigators that she was in the process of transitioning from male to female, and asked them to inform the ATF of the change. Shortly thereafter, she was informed that due to federal budget reductions, the position was no longer available. She later learned that someone else had been hired for that exact position.

Ms. Macy submitted a discrimination charge with the EEOC, selecting “sex” and “female” as the categories of discrimination. She typed in “gender identity” and “sex stereotyping” as the basis for her complaint, which resulted in an initial rejection as the EEOC stated those added categories were outside its jurisdiction. Ms. Macy’s attorney appealed that determination, resulting in a unanimous ruling that when an employer discriminates against someone because the person is transgender, the employer has engaged in disparate treatment “related to the sex of the victim.”

This decision is a major step forward in recognizing the rights of transgender Americans. The right to work is fundamental, and this federal ruling creates a much stronger protection for this oft-neglected minority. More work must be done, however. As Lisa Mottet, Transgender Civil Rights Project Director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, noted:

Although the ruling should be given at least some deference by federal courts, it is not the final say, and it cannot be guaranteed that this interpretation will ultimately be adopted by the Supreme Court… If Congress would pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, it would cause employers throughout the country to update their non-discrimination policies with ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity,’ conduct training for hiring officers and supervisors, and would mean that ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ would be listed with the other protected characteristics on the ‘Know Your Rights’ posters in the break room. Yes, legal recourse and being able to go to the EEOC are important, but when 78 percent of transgender people are experiencing mistreatment, harassment, or discrimination in the workplace, we need change on a much higher order — the kind of change that will only come with passage of a federal law.

Still, we should celebrate progress as it comes and use this great moment to raise awareness of the stronger change still needed. The Transgender Law Center has a good overview of the impact of the ruling and the full text of it is available here.

Where Is It Safest to Be Gay? Ranking the States

Come for the scenery, stay for the civil rights

Despite President Obama’s wonderful declaration of support for marriage equality, the devastating passage of Amendment One in North Carolina shows how far we have to go as a nation. It is also imporant to understand how your rights are protected based on where you live. Now there’s a handy tool to look at gay rights by state.

In a very thorough analysis this week, British news daily The Guardian, published a ranking of all 50 states (plus the District of Columbia) on seven key areas of civil rights. The factors rated by The Guardian include:

1. Marriage, indicating whether it is fully allowed or banned and including partial credit for domestic partnerships.
2. Hospital visitation rights, including how same-sex partners are respected as family members.
3. Adoption rights, indicating whether LGBT couples can jointly adopt (or are explicitly banned from doing so).
4. Employment, indicating what workplace protections exist based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
5. Housing, indicating laws requiring fair treatment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
6. Hate crimes, indicating laws providing for harsher punishment of crimes motivated by the victim’s real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
7. Schools, indicating laws that protect students based on sexual orientation and gender identity and any explicit anti-LGBT bullying provision.

The analysis also compares states by region. Generally speaking, the Northeast has the strongest, most consistent protections (including three states with perfect scores – CT, MA, and VT) and the Southeast has the weakest (followed closely by the Midwest). Using a distinctly British approach to the regions, The Guardian identifies six Northwest states (OR, WA, ID, AK, MT, and WY). Washington received a perfect score; Oregon fell short on marriage equality but was otherwise perfect, ranking in the top 10. Only Oregon and Washington meet any of the categories other than some school protections. It’s also nice to know that many elected officials in Oregon responded positively to the President’s announcement on Wednesday.

Of course day-to-day safety and success for LGBT Americans varies based on more than the state or region in which one lives. Metropolitan areas are generally safer and more accepting than more rural areas, regardless of the state. But knowing how a region demonstrates its support (or hostility) to gay rights is an important factor in daily life.

What Hath North Carolina Wrought?

New state motto: Get lost, homos.

The forces of bigotry have claimed another state. Yesterday voters in North Carolina approved Amendment One, using their constitution to remove rights rather than enshrine them. Even though state law already established a crude one-man-one-woman limit on marriage, that wasn’t enough for the forces of darkness. They wanted this much more stringent law worked into the fundamental document of the state. The people agreed by an embarrassing 61 – 39 margin.

Much like the amendment in Georgia (which drove my husband and me out of the South), this goes beyond the simple discrimination of blocking marriage equality. It states

Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.

This clearly blocks civil unions or domestic partnerships. While the law does provide a loophole for “contracts with another party” it is very unclear how these two components will balance. Legal experts are fairly certain that it will remove domestic violence and hospital visitation rights from LGBT couples at the very least. Where does a “legal union” end and a contract begin? Certainly not on taxation, so what will this mean for wills and other vital agreements?

Polling showed that when likely voters understood how nasty the law actually was, they became 20% less likely to support it. The right-wing disinformation campaign was powerful enough to muddy that message. Even though the NC NAACP, Bill and Chelsea Clinton, Gov. Bev Perdue, and many others campaigned hard to raise awareness, they were drowned out by things like Billy Graham’s full-page hate-speech ad in 14 newspapers statewide.

Way to go, North Carolina. Is it fun beating up a disadvantaged population? Too many gay couples already face not just societal discrimination but divisive forces within their own families. Without equality under the law, stressful situations like hospitalization, job loss, and death suddenly become battlegrounds of bigotry as well. This magnificent video makes that perfectly clear.

This is why civil rights should NEVER be subject to a popular vote. Such a vote simply allows a majority to re-express their clear opinion about a population against whom they already discriminate. How does that make sense? We need more leadership to reverse this trend, with brave voices like the Iowa justices who risked (and lost) their jobs to embrace equality. We need strong Federal laws, like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to emphasize the equality of LGBT Americans under the law. We need the vile, hypocritically named Defense of Marriage Act to be overturned so that states cannot hide behind its filthy veil. We need the government of the people to stand up for ALL the people. Clearly, in North Carolina, most of the people are happy to turn their backs on their gay neighbors and walk away.  North Carolina, another state NOT SAFE for the LGBT community!

Profiles in Courage: Justice Served in Iowa

Honored for their courage

Today the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum gives out the 2012 Profile in Courage Awards. Three recipients are the former members of the Iowa Supreme Court who were voted out of office in a spite campaign after the court unanimously upheld that the state’s Equal Protection clause required full equality in civil marriage law for gay and lesbian couples. Upholding their oath of office cost Justices David Baker, Michael Streit, and Chief Justice Marsha Ternus their re-elction bids in 2010 (earning Iowa voters a Bigot of the Year Award…)

Every year the Kennedy Library gives out the Profile in Courage Award, named after  JFK’s 1957 book to make Americans aware of the conscientious and courageous acts of their public servants, and to encourage elected officials to choose principles over partisanship – to do what is right, rather than what is expedient. The award is presented annually to a public official or officials at the federal, state or local level whose actions best demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership. Since its inception in 1990, the Award has been given to such luminaries as Sen. Ted Kennedy, Rep. John Lewis, Hilda Solis, Shirley Franklin, and Kofi Annan.

All three Justices were stunned and humbled by the award, and somewhat awed to receive a personal call from the coordinator of the Award, JFK Foundation president Caroline Kennedy. As former Chief Justice Ternus observed,

We never expected an award for upholding our oath in office. It’s a wonderful award for doing your job….a beautiful thing to have happened.

Caroline Kennedy makes it clear why the award was so well deserved.

When Justices Baker, Streit, and Ternus joined a unanimous decision to overturn a law denying same-sex couples the privileges of marriage, they sacrificed their own futures on the Court to honor Iowa’s constitution and the rights of all its citizens.

Current Iowa Chief Justice Mark Cady also noted

Throughout their careers Justices Ternus, Streit and Baker dedicated themselves to upholding the Constitution and serving the people of Iowa with integrity. It was an honor to serve with them and I’m happy to see them receive this national recognition.

In an age of partisanship, soundbites, and expedience, it is all too easy for public officials to act cautiously rather than stand up for the principles they were elected to uphold. (Hey, President Obama, does this award help you “evolve” on marriage equality?) Congratulations to these three justices for doing their jobs well and for this richly deserved honor.

Bigot of the Week: May 4, Bryan Fischer and Mitt Romney

Bigots of the Week

For two men who really don’t like each other, Mitt Romney and Bryan Fischer sure seem to pop up together frequently. For those of you fortunate enough not to know Fischer, he’s a staffer at the ironically named American Family Association and one of the most vocal opponents of LGBT equality. He has regularly accused Romney of being insufficiently Christian and is a regular attacker of the Mormon church. Ever one to pander, however, Romney’s rightward march during the campaign saw the two share the stage at the even more ironically named Values Voters summit, a tea-drenched celebration of hatred and bigotry. Romney took a veiled swipe at Fischer from the podium, saying that decency and civility are values to celebrate and that “One of the speakers who will follow me today, has crossed that line.” This week their interaction cost a man his job.

Richard Grenell is a far-right spokesman for aggressive national security and foreign policy. He was appointed to a U.N. post by W, and has strong hawkish credentials. He is also gay. Not just gay, but a vocal supporter of marriage equality and someone who has criticized the Obama administration of not doing enough for gay rights. Romney tapped Grenell two weeks ago to be his spokesman for national security. Cue the outrage.

Faux christians and professional homophobes immediately lashed into the Romney campaign. How dare he allow this unrepentant homo to represent him on any issues?! Quoth the Fischer

Richard Grenell could not possibly have been the only qualified individual that Governor Romney could find … If it wasn’t about homosexuality, than why did so many gay rights groups celebrate the hire?

Cowering under pressure, a move that is a trademark of the campaign, Romney and his aides quickly stifled Grenell, keeping him off conference calls that he had organized and removing him from the anniversary discussions of the killing of Osama bin Laden. Frustrated, Grenell resigned rather than keep a job he wasn’t allowed to do. Romney (despite tepid protestations in the press) let him walk. Fischer is jubilant.

You cannot separate religious liberty from the issue of the homosexual agenda. In fact, the homosexual agenda represents the single greatest threat to religious liberty and association in America today…Governor Romney may not do the right thing out of political conviction, but he will do the right thing out of political expediency, and this I think would be an example…This is what I think is good for the pro-family community. I think it’s going to be a long time before he hires another homosexual activist in a prominent position in his campaign.

Wow. Hate much?

It’s hard to feel too sorry for Richard Grenell — although it is easy to pity him. His first act after being hired was to delete dozens of nasty and often misogynistic tweets including attacks on Hillary Clinton and Michele Obama that had nothing to do with policy. It’s also baffling that a strong supporter of marriage equality and gay rights would have anything to do with the Romney campaign. That’s some serious pathology and internalized oppression.  Yes, while I pity Grenell, I find it difficult to feel any empathy for him.  He is no different than the many women and other marginalized people that vote against their best interest.

Nevertheless, he took on a job for which he was qualified. Bryan Fischer and his slavering attack dogs made a simple element of his humanity a firing offense. And Mitt Romney capitulated. In fact an adviser to his campaign, showing Romneyesque courage and demanding anonymity, observed

It’s not that the campaign cared whether Ric Grenell was gay… But they didn’t want to confront the religious right.

What a sad, stupid story — and clear demonstration of the kind of leadership qualities Mitt Romney possesses.

Republican Word Games: It’s not offensive if you don’t quite say it…

Know what I mean?

Another great post from TSM contributor James Queale.

Democrats are often accused (rightly so) of lacking balls. Sometimes it seems that Republicans have the same problem.

Herman Cain was recently talking about politics, which he has clearly shown to know little about. To be honest, I forgot he existed. After losing as a presidential candidate, I thought he would go into the land of political rejects (which happens to be guarded by Ann Coulter). But, to my surprise he has resurrected himself. He appeared on Fox News (surprise, surprise) and was asked about the ever-widening gap between Romney and female voters. Herman Cain answered by saying this:

Yes, President Obama is very likable to most people, if you just look at him and his family. But if you look at his policies, which is what most people disagree with, it’s a different story. And I think many men are much more familiar with the failed policies than a lot of other people, as well as the general public.

Men know policy better than “other” people? Let’s examine this for a second. There are two genders, male and female, if you eliminate Option A: male, you are left with Option B female. I get it now! Does Herman Cain really think we are that stupid? This is what I mean by lacking balls. Why not come right out and say, “In my humble misogynistic opinion, men know better than women.” Done and settled. But, no, he thinks by referring to women as “other” like you see when taking a survey and considering the other ten options, that he could scapegoat himself out of controversy.

This is just like the time when Santorum was talking about welfare and clearly stated that he felt black people were the main recipients of it. Only later, he tried to explain that he said “blah people.” Really?

Someday I would love to meet “other” and “blah” people. When I meet them I will have to let them know that they make a wonderful scapegoat. In the end, I have to agree with the amazing Betty White, who is never afraid to actually say what she means:

Why do people say “grow some balls”? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.

Bigot of the Week Award: April 6, A.G. Crowe and Bobby Jindal

Bigot of the Week

Thank you to my friend Bonnie for this week’s nomination for BWA.  Wow!  What a whopper of a Bigot Award this week!  Crowe is one of those true monsters that will do anything and everything to keep white heterosexual Christian men in power.  Crowe’s recent bill, which is now law allows charter schools to refuse to admit gay students.  Gee, does this sound like discrimination to anyone else?  Crowe defended his bill of HATE by saying:

…the bill is designed to ensure that executive branch agencies and local governments stop including bans on discrimination against characteristics not listed in state law as a condition for private companies to do business with their agencies.

How lovely, you amazing bigot.  The new law also allows the schools to deny students on their ability to speak English–Racist much?

The ever enlightened (cough, cough, cough)  Gov. Bobby Jindal responded: “We’re against discrimination, but we don’t believe in special protections or rights.”  Special rights?  Did he really just say that?  What special rights?  I worry most about the impact this will have around LGBT youth–they are clearly not safe in the state of Louisiana.

And we have a dishonorable mention this week going to another Southern Republican Governor, Nikki Haley of South Carolina. She seems to have accepted the role of apologist for her party’s attacks on women, as demonstrated by her appearance on The View this week. Making a confusing argument against the government interfering with contraception choices (which is EXACTLY what her party is trying to do), she is the latest in a series of self-loathing minorities trotted out by the GOP.  Obviously, Haley is a modeling herself off the Stepford Wives!  

Stepford Smile

The Closing of Hull House: Sad Commentary on Our Times

Goodbye Hull House

Yesterday was a very sad day indeed. Hull House, founded by Social Work Pioneer Jane Addams, closed it’s doors.  In 1931, Addams was the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Addams may well be best known for starting Hull House in Chicago.  Here is the mission statement of Hull House:

Jane Addams Hull House Association improves social conditions for underserved people and communities by providing creative, innovative programs and advocating for related public policy reforms.

Jane Addams Hull House Association provides child care, domestic violence counseling and prevention, economic development, family services, job training, literacy training, senior services, foster care, independent living, and housing assistance for 60,000 children, families and community members each year in communities in and around Chicago.

Hull House also advocates for social and public policy reforms and initiatives that impact the lives of the men, women, and children in the communities we serve.

Now after 120 years, Hull House is closed.  It would be delightful to say that Hull House closed because services were no longer needed–that poverty and discrimination had ended.  Alas, that is so far from the truth.  The truth is that the need for services continued to increase exponentially, but sadly funding for Hull House decreased at an even faster rate.

What doses this say about American Culture?  We are witnessing multi-millionaires spending millions and millions of dollars to run for President of the United States, but we as a culture put up no resistance to social services for the poor and disenfranchised being cut by 1% Republicans like John Boehner.  As someone who is currently getting his MSW, I am horrified that Americans no longer seem engaged in the battle against the inequitable  distribution of power and wealth.  We seem to have grown either amazingly stupid or apathetic  as our silence and non-action, or voting against our best interests supports an all white, heterosexual, Christian, male power structure.

I leave you with the words of Jane Addams:

The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.

Progress for Transgender Brothers and Sisters

Nice Job Massachusetts

Thank you to my dear friend and LGBT ally, Jennifer Carey, for inspiring this story.  Last week we witnessed a move forward in the civil rights movement.  Governor Deval Patrick, of Massachusetts signed bill H.3810 into law.  Massachusetts is now the 16th state to offer protection from discrimination to transgender men and women.

Governor Patrick was quoted:

No individual should face discrimination because of who they are. This legislation gives Massachusetts the necessary tools to stop hate crimes against transgender people and to treat others fairly. I am proud to sign it.

Very nice, Governor Patrick.  Now let us hope that the next senator for Massachusetts will be Elizabeth Warren.