Timothy Kincaid over at Box Turtle Bulletin has a good story on the new IRS rule change regarding domestic partnerships in California. Because California has such an extensive domestic partnership law, this state treats DPs as if the same sex couple is married, including filing of state income taxes. But because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal government has required DPs to file as individuals, which often means gays pay more.
BTB reports that “the IRS has issued a memorandum revising its position on the reporting of income from domestic partnerships in California and providing an interpretation that will result in returns that are both easier to prepare and file and also which are more fairly taxed.”
Please click inside to read more about the IRS rule change and President Obama’s Executive Memorandum expanding benefits to federal employees.
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund has a nice little video out celebrating lesbians in politics. Please click inside to see what women candidates they are now supporting.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) is holding a hearing Thursday on the proposed “Anti Homosexuality Bill” now pending in the Ugandan Parliament.
The hearing will be held from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the 2172 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC.
TLHRC Co-Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) and TLHRC Exec. Committee Member Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), as well as other Commission members, will hear testimony from Karl Wycoff, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of State; Julius Kaggwa, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Uganda; Cary Alan Johnson, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission; Rev. Kapya Kaoma, Political Research Associates and Christine Lubinski, HIV Medicine Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, among others. Baldwin’s office said the committee is trying to webcast the hearing.
But is an hour and a half enough time to expose the international antigay effort – for which Uganda is a working model? Religious Right researcher Bruce Wilson produced a short documentary (20 minutes) called “Transforming Uganda” that spells out who’s who and how the Anti Homosexuality Bill is part of a much larger underground antigay Christian movement. Please watch the video and click inside to read about a conversation between Wilson and Rev. Kapya Kaoma – who is testifying today – about the movement.
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) Hearing:
Openly gay Congressmember Tammy Baldwin’s office just issued a press release saying the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, which Baldwin co-chairs, will hold a hearing on Uganda’s Anti Homosexuality Bill next Thursday. Please click inside for details.
Openly gay Rep Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) is sick with the H1N1 virus – sometimes called the “swine flu.”
Baldwin said in the release:
“Like many Americans, I’m feeling the effects of this nasty virus. I very much regret missing House business, including floor consideration of a bill I strongly support to overhaul our financial system and ensure that Wall St. and big banks can no longer abuse the public trust. Thankfully, I am already beginning to feel better and hope to be back to full strength very soon.”
Ruth Tittle at Capitol Drugs in West Hollywood is providing free vaccine clinic today, Saturday – see here – and check with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to see if they are providing the vaccine. Click inside for more information.
There are also simple everyday steps you can take to prevent flu infections:
A federal judge in California on Wednesday illustrated just how complicated the US legal system can get trying to maintain separate health benefits packages for gay couples that conflict with the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Ironically, at the same time, a House committee was debating Rep. Tammy Baldwin’s federal Domestic Partnership Act – and Charles Stewart was there with his boss, Rep. Diane Watson. Click inside to read these three stories folded into one. UPDATE: LAMBDA LEGAL JUST REPORTED THAT THE 9TH CIRCUIT RULED IN FAVOR OF SPOUSAL BENEFITS FOR KAREN GOLINSKI.
President Obama held a reception following the historic signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In his comments, he said: “You understood that we must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break bones, but to break spirits — not only to inflict harm, but to instill fear. You understand that the rights afforded every citizen under our Constitution mean nothing if we do not protect those rights — both from unjust laws and violent acts. And you understand how necessary this law continues to be.” Click inside for the entire transcript.
Meanwhile, Congressmember Tammy Baldwin also issued comments and a video on her reaction to the signing.
As Washington state is fighting to retain it’s Domestic Partnership law - the subject of a referendum on Nov. 3 – Congressmember Tammy Baldwin today testified how she and her partner of 13 years are deprived of the same federal benefits as her colleagues enjoy as married couples. Click inside for the transcript of her remarks.
Openly lesbian Rep. Tammy Baldwin issued a statement and video following the passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill that she’s worked hard on. Here’s the video. Click inside to read her press release.
Timothy Kincaid over at Box Turtle Bulletin has a good story on the new IRS rule change regarding domestic partnerships in California. Because California has such an extensive domestic partnership law, this state treats DPs as if the same sex couple is married, including filing of state income taxes. But because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal government has required DPs to file as individuals, which often means gays pay more.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) is holding a hearing Thursday on the proposed “Anti Homosexuality Bill” now pending in the Ugandan Parliament.
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) Hearing:
Openly gay Rep Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) is sick with the H1N1 virus – sometimes called the “swine flu.”
There are also simple everyday steps you can take to prevent flu infections:
A federal judge in California on Wednesday i
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