Equal Rights and Safety

Still about the Matthew Shepard Act (hate crimes). This is the letter that I sent into the newspaper. Even if it doesn't get published (highly unlikely that it will), at least I'm trying to do my part.

It is astonishing to read some of the debate regarding the Matthew Shepard Act. The amount of ignorance and sheer bigotry is, frankly, terrifying. Our government is being influenced by people who don't even understand what they are protesting.

A section of this Act reads: “Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this act, shall be construed to prohibit any expression conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment of the Constitution.”

Therefore, people "logically" arguing that this will take away their freedom of speech are wrong. People who say that this will make anti-gay thoughts illegal have not even glanced over this bill.

Of course, there's also have the religious aspect, that this is "against God's will." Did I miss the memo? Since when are we a theocracy? We are NOT a religious based government nor should our society be governed by religion. And doesn't another part of Leviticus (the main section of the bible used for anti-gay propaganda) state that it is acceptable to enslave peoples of neighboring countries? So does that mean I can go up to Canada and bring back a few of their citizens as my personal slaves?

This act just trying to protect all of our citizens, whatever race, gender, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It's trying to ensure that NO American is targeted for violence, simply because of who they are. What's so wrong about that?

Update on House Bill 1366

It passed the third vote.

Woot!

This is now the farthest that a piece of pro-equality legislation has EVER passed in either part of the General Assembly of North Carolina!

NC Anti-Bullying Law

There is currently a bill in the House of NC titled "the School Violence Prevention Act." (House Bill 1366). It's currently up for one last vote in the House tomorrow...

Sadly (well, considering the state itself...), right after this bill was presented, Rep. Stam proposed an amendment to "strip out the protected categories," including gender identity and sexual orientation, from the bill. The first vote (regarding the amendment) resulted in a 58-58 tie.

After even more debate, the amendment was thankfully abandoned and the bill passed 72-45.

How is this bill especially important for this state? This is the first time in state history that a major piece of pro-equality legislation has passed a vote in either chamber.

Hopefully this bill will pass. And hopefully the anti-gay marriage amendment to the state's constitution (because apparently two laws just aren't enough) fails.

Our Society is SO Screwed

I just want to sit down and cry. Our society is so bigoted and hateful while pretending that they are loving and kind... in this example I'm talking about HR-1592, the Hate Crimes Bill. Reading some comments about the bill, I've become saddened by the state of the people of this country. How much more screwed up can we get? Canada is looking better and better...

So... I decided that to vent my anger, I would show my Representative how stupid I thought she was for voting against this bill.

• As a concerned constituent in your district, I would like to convey to you my deep disappointment in the way you voted for the Hate Crimes bill.
  
  I cannot presume to understand WHY you decided to vote against such a necessary bill. Why did you decide to say no to something so harmless yet so important? What reason could have POSSIBLY justified that vote?
  
  The major arguments against this bill seem to be that it will make anti-gay thoughts illegal and the fact that it is "against God's will."
  
  This bill in NO way prohibits freedom of speech or thoughts. This isn't saying that thinking anti-gay thoughts will make you guilty of a hate crime. This is saying that attacking someone based on some unfounded bias is illegal.
  
  And furthermore: did I miss the memo? Since when are we a theocracy? We are not a religious based government nor should our society be governed by religion. And doesn't another part of Leviticus state that it is acceptable to enslave peoples of neighboring countries? So does that mean I can go up to Canada and take a few of those people as my personal slaves?
  
  I am curious to understand your reasons for this vote, I sincerely am. I would very much appreciate a reply regarding this issue.

I was considering posting some of the comments from the right-wing religious conservatives talking about how this law is an abomination and how it will completely ruin society. But then I realized that I don't want that to be something that I would have to look at. For those of you that can handle it without having the urge to punch someone or smash something, here is a link (beware... there are maybe two non-bigots for every 50 hating comments).

• http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1592.html
  

It's My Birthday!

Wow... it's probably unnatural to smile so much. It's my birthday today! It may be early in the morning (and this may be an unnaturally short post) but I'm so excited because of the balloons and the banner.

*sheepish*

Okay, maybe a bit too happy, but it's my birthday, so I can do what I want...

:oP

This Week

So far this week has been... weird. I've been in this weird foggy mood. Not sad, not angry. But not extremely happy and joyful.

I can't explain it, which makes it even more frustrating...

Busy but Bored

Have you ever had that feeling where you are utterly bored, but you have a lot to do? Not to mention sleeping is probably a good priority. But, shocking to even myself, I really am not in the mood for fan fiction.

*shocked*

But seriously, it's amazing. I know what I should do. Laundry, clean my room, get stuff ready for tomorrow, spanish club points... but just sitting here typing, listening to music ("Home" by Josh Verdes)... I'm content. Not mind-numbingly happy, but not sad. Not angry. Just... content. I'm like in this vegetable state where nothing is really going to bother me.

Nothing being relative, of course.

;o)

I am still a walking time bomb.