Presbyterian Church (USA) MOVES CLOSER TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY

JULY 12 UPDATE: For the state of Marriage Equality rules in other denominations, visit this NCR ARTICLE.



STATEMENT/RELEASE FROM "MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS" 

Presbyterian Church (USA) Discusses Marriage;  Misses Historic Opportunity

Saturday, July 07 2012 @ 09:42 AM  July 6, 2012 More Light Presbyterians Media Release Media contacts: Antony Hebblethwaite, antony@mlp.org, 720-519-3831           Presbyterian Church (USA) Discusses Marriage; Misses Historic Opportunity Pittsburgh, PA – Today, the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) discussed two different ways to expand the 2 million member denomination’s understanding of marriage to include committed same-sex couples. While neither option ultimately collected the majority of votes needed to begin the ratification process, this discussion marked another step towards making the Presbyterian Church (USA) a truly inclusive church. “While it is disappointing that the Church missed this historic opportunity to move toward full inclusion, the fact that so many Presbyterians from around the country called for the Church to recognize love between committed same-gender couples was awe-inspiring to see.” said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director, More Light Presbyterians. “We have more work to do to show those who oppose full inclusion how truly wonderful the gifts that committed, married same-sex couples bring to our church. We’re inspired by the progress we’ve made together and are just as committed to continuing this work, together.” The Civil Union and Marriage Committee recommended overture 13-04 to amend W-4.9001, the Directory of Worship to change the characterization of marriage from a "man and a woman" to “two persons.” The Directory of Worship is part of the Book of Order, the PCUSA's Constitution. This is the first time an overture like this has been debated by a Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly. The second overture would have issued an authoritative interpretation that would permit ministers residing in states where marriage between same-sex couples is already legal to preside at same-sex wedding ceremonies. This overture would have clarified a confusing limbo that many Presbyterian ministers find themselves in as more and more states recognize same-sex marriage. Rev. Heidi Peterson, pastor, Central Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri and Co-Moderator, More Light Presbyterians said: “As a Presbyterian minister, my job is to provide pastoral care to the real people I serve in my congregation and in my community. Today, our church missed an opportunity to not only take a bold step towards love, but to also clarify confusion that ministers across the country are facing as more and more states expand their recognition of marriage to include same-sex couples. While we didn’t take this step forward today, I have faith that the Presbyterian Church (USA) will one day soon stand on the side of love.” This progress on marriage equality follows on the heels of a 2011 amendment to open ordination in the church to include gay and lesbian candidates. ### More Light Presbyterians is a national network of Presbyterians working for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

General Assembly Committee Approves Marriage Equality Amendment

Wednesday, July 04 2012 @ 11:20 AM  More Light Presbyterians Media Release Media Contact: Michael J. Adee, Executive Director, 505.577.0086, michael@mlp.org General Assembly Committee Approves Marriage Equality Amendment Pittsburgh, PA: A historic moment happened last night in the Civil Union and Marriage Committee at the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The General Assembly Committee approved a marriage equality overture. The Civil Union and Marriage Committee passed overture 13-04 to amend W-4.9001, the Directory of Worship to change the definition of marriage from a "man and a woman" to "two persons" by 28 to 24. The Directory of Worship is part of our Book of Order, the PCUSA's Constitution. The committee also passed legislation calling on the PCUSA to study the meaning of Christian marriage . "We give thanks to God for the thoughtful discussion and prayerful discernment that led to this historic decision. This is the first big step toward marriage equality in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Surely as the prophet Isaiah said, 'God is doing a new thing in our midst.' As a gay man baptized, confirmed and ordained in this Church, this moment recognizing same gender loving people in both church and society feels like we are stepping on holy ground." said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director, More Light Presbyterians. The next step for this marriage equality amendment is for it to be presented by the Civil Union and Marriage Committee to the entire Assembly. Discussion and voting on this amendment will be announced on the General Assembly Docket once all committee work is completed today. The important attempt to resolve the pastoral crisis now for Presbyterian ministers serving in states where same-sex marriage is legal failed in committee by the narrow margin of 24 to 26. Overture 13-05 would have called for an Authoritative Interpretation which would have allowed Presbyterians ministers to perform same-sex marriages in states where they are legal. "As a Presbyterian minister, I look forward to the day when I can offer pastoral care to all persons within the congregation I serve and in my community. Counseling and supporting couples in matters of love, commitment, faithfulness and marriage is a significant part of pastoral care. This is true for the same gender loving couples God sends my way along with heterosexual couples. My deep hope and prayer is that the Presbyterian Church (USA) will be on the right side of history and keep standing on the side of love," said Rev. Heidi Peterson, pastor, Central Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri and Co-Moderator, More Light Presbyterians. SOURCE: MLP General Assembly Legislative Summary, July 3 For More Information, visit the MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS website

Sen. Ben Cardin: Time for Congress to Repeal DOMA

I met my wife, Myrna, in grade school. We've been married for 47 years. We've built our lives together -- sharing everything, like any loving couple.

And, rightfully, the federal government recognizes and respects that. But what if it didn't? What if a group of extreme ideologues decided that our love didn't count?

It is time for Congress to make sure this doesn't happen and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA.

I am fighting for marriage equality in the U.S. Senate. But I need your help right now. We need to demonstrate what we already know: The vast majority of Americans support equal rights for all loving and committed couples.

Help me send that message to extremists in Washington by signing my petition to repeal DOMA.

Discrimination cannot be tolerated. It degrades us as a nation and as a society. That is why we must pass the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal DOMA and allow loving and committed same-sex couples to enjoy the same benefits my wife and I do.

I am dedicated to this goal and will do everything in my power to get this bill passed. But we need to show opponents of equality that we have a strong, overwhelming coalition willing to stand up for our values.

If you join me today and sign our petition, we can do just that.

Please sign our petition to support equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation.

Together, we can end this hurtful and discriminatory policy.

Thank you for joining me in this effort.

Senator Benjamin Cardin

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski - Let's Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (P.L. 104-199)

Thank you for getting in touch with me to express your support for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (P.L. 104-199).

I am a co-sponsor of legislation to repeal key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act. I believe all Americans are entitled to equal protection under the law and all of our citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

The Respect for Marriage Act, S.598, will allow couples who have a legal marriage in a state to have the same federal protections as every other married couple. This includes the right to receive spousal benefits under Social Security; to file joint federal tax returns and to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act when a spouse falls seriously ill. The bill maintains the ability of every state to determine the legality of same-sex marriage.

The bill does not infringe on the right of any state to decide whether same-sex marriage will be legal within its borders. Nor does it require that members of religious organizations, whose tradition or theology opposes same-sex marriage, to perform or recognize such a marriage.

This legislation ensures that all Americans are equal under law. This is a fundamental American principle. All Americans who have the right to marry should also have equal access to the benefits of marriage.

Again, I appreciate your contacting me on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

ECONOMIC SABOTAGE EXPLAINED

From THINK PROGRESS - ECONOMIC SABOTAGE EXPLAINED 

Today’s monthly employment report brought the disappointing news that the economy created 84,000 private sector jobs in June, with the unemployment rate remaining at 8.2 percent. Let’s take a closer at how we got here and why we’re not moving forward more quickly.

As the election nears, we’re reminded of when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) outlined the GOP’s number one goal:


The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.

Not creating an economy that works for everyone. Not putting Americans back to work. The GOP’s top — and almost singular — goal is to defeat the president, even if that meant more and longer suffering for millions of Americans in the process.

And true to form, House Republicans aren’t responding to today’s jobs news by announcing plans to pass to jobs legislation. Instead, they’re planning on just wasting more time next week on yet another vote to repeal Obamacare. This obsession with taking away health care from millions of Americans has not ever and will not now create one job. By contrast, the health care sector’s 13,000 new jobs was one of the bright spots in this month’s jobs report.

And it’s not just that Republicans and their failed policies wrecked the economy and now they’re just trying to wait out the clock until November. ThinkProgress’ Jeff Spross outlines five ways the GOP has sabotaged job growth:

1. Filibustering the American Jobs Act. Last October, Senate Republicans killeda jobs billproposed by President Obama that would have pumped $447 billion into the economy. Multiple economic analysts predicted the bill would add around two million jobs and hailed it as defense against a double-dip recession. The Congressional Budget Office also scored it as a net deficit reducer over ten years, and the American public supported the bill.

2. Stonewalling monetary stimulus. The Federal Reserve can do enormous good for a depressed economy through more aggressive monetary stimulus, and by tolerating a temporarily higher level of inflation. But with everything from Ron Paul’s anti-inflationary crusade to Rick Perry threatening to lynch Chairman Ben Bernanke, Republicans have browbeaten the Fed into not going down this path. Most damagingly, the GOP repeatedly held up President Obama’s nominations to the Federal Reserve Board during the critical months of the recession, leaving the board without the institutional clout it needed to help the economy.

3. Threatening a debt default. Even though the country didn’t actually hit its debt ceiling last summer, the Republican threat to default on the United States’ outstanding obligations was sufficient to spook financial markets anddo real damage to the economy.

4. Cutting discretionary spending in the debt ceiling deal. The deal the GOP extracted as the price for avoiding default imposed around $900 billion in cuts over ten years. It included $30.5 billion in discretionary cuts in 2012 alone, costing the country 0.3 percent in economic growth and 323,000 jobs, according to estimates from the Economic Policy Institute. Starting in 2013, the deal will trigger another $1.2 trillion in cuts over ten years.

5. Cutting discretionary spending in the budget deal. While not as cataclysmic as the debt ceiling brinksmanship, Republicans also threatened a shutdown of the government in early 2011 if cuts were not made to that year’s budget. The deal they struck with the White House cut $38 billion from food stamps, health, education, law enforcement, and low-income programs among others, whilesparing defense almost entirely.

And when it comes to Mitt Romney, economists agree that his plans will actually make things worse and could cause another recession.

SOURCE:  

THINK PROGRESS - ECONOMIC SABOTAGE EXPLAINED 

The Affordable Care Act by the Numbers

From The White House Blog (July 3 2012):

Upheld last week by the Supreme Court, President Obama's health reform law -- the Affordable Care Act -- ensures hard-working, middle class families will get the security they deserve and protects every American from the worst insurance company abuses.

Insurance companies no longer have unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny you coverage, or charge women more than men.

Soon, no American will ever again be denied care or charged more due to a pre-existing condition, like cancer or even asthma.

Preventive care will still be covered free of charge by insurance companies--including mammograms for women and wellness visits for seniors. 

By August, millions of Americans will receive a rebate because their insurance company spent too much of their premium on administrative costs or CEO bonuses. 

5.3 million seniors will continue to save $600 a year on their prescription drugs. 

Efforts to strengthen and protect Medicare by cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse will remain in place.

For a comprehensive overview of the Affordable Care Act, visitWhiteHouse.gov/HealthReform and HealthCare.gov. Or, Check out an infographic showing how the Affordable Care Act benefits Americans.

SOURCE:  The White House Blog - The Affordable Care Act by the Numbers

CASA DE MD & EQUALITY MARYLAND - LOOKING FOR LGBT FAMILIES AND DREAMERS

EQUALITY MARYLAND, the state’s LGBT civil rights organization, and CASA de Maryland, the state’s largest Latino and immigrant organization, have launched an exciting partnership to educate our communities about the importance of immigrant education and family recognition in an exciting year when these issues will be front and center in our state.


The two organizations are seeking your help in recruiting volunteers!

CASA is recruiting Latino and Spanish-speaking LGBT families to speak out in the Latino community, in the press, at festivals and more -  about their lives and the importance of family unity.

Equality Maryland is recruiting LGBT DREAMers to help educate Maryland’s LGBT communities about the importance of immigrant education.

We need your help to recommend committed, excited volunteers to join the cause!

We have an unique opportunity to show that Marylanders believe in fairness, and Marylanders believe in family; that we are building economies aimed at the future and communities where everyone is embraced; and that we are a state that understands that we are all in this together. We hope that you will join us for this exciting project and our united future together. 


Please visit eqmd.org/DREAM if you are interested in helping us out.

Sincerely,

Carrie Evans
Executive Director
Equality Maryland

Gustavo Torres
Executive Director
CASA de Maryland

"Seeing the doctor" is Not Easy for Many LGBT Patients

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that doctors are not being trained to ask the right questions of LGBT patients. The study reported on the results of research associated with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Medical Education Research Group at Stanford University School of Medicine. The study was covered recently in the New York Times.

Medical school deans in the United States and Canada were asked about the curriculum and specifically about whether and how medical students are trained to address with patients such topics as gender identity, coming out as gay and disparities in health care access for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients. 

While nearly all the students were learning to ask patients about the gender of their sexual partners, a majority of medical schools devoted only five hours to teaching anything more than that simple question. 

Fully one-third of schools allotted no time at all.

“These results should serve as a call to action for the health profession to include L.G.B.T. health as part of the standard curriculum,” said Dr. Desiray Bailey, in the New York Times article. Bailey, an anesthesiologist, spoke as president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

Another report, this one by the Institute of Medicine, concluded that L.G.B.T. patients are likely to have higher rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. 

The Institute of Medicine report also found that LGBT patients suffer from discrimination and fear, and that many encounter significant "difficulty gaining access to care" as the Times article noted.  Consequently these patients also "face an increased risk of suicide, substance abuse and unaddressed domestic violence."

“These patients need to feel that they can tell their doctor they are gay and that their doctor will accept them,” 

These are the words of Dr. Mitchell R. Lunn, senior author of the Institute of Medicine study.

The federal government has recently announced several initiatives to address disparities in L.G.B.T. health care access, but these two studies suggest that medical schools are not addressing gay and gender issues in ways that foste confidence or that address relevant medical issues. 

The more cutting edge medical schools:

(1) integrate relevant material into courses
(2) offer electives
(3) inviting outside experts to speak on topics like gay parenthood, lesbians’ health or the use of hormones in transitioning from one gender to the other. 
(4) foster discussions among medical students on sexual identity issues
(5) use actors, who play the part of LGBT patients, to help students address how their future LGBT patients  deal with their own identity, which differs from that assigned to them by society at birth.

A serious related problem, according to the Times article is that "organizations responsible for accrediting medical schools and licensing physicians do not require that prospective doctors know about health care issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender patients."

Also, becuase of the relative newness of the field, and the limited research, medical schools often cannot find experts qualified to teach.

Giving LGBT patients full access to legal protections will help redress the embalance in health care delivery for LGBT citizens. This is yet one more reason why full civil marriage equality is important and must be protected in Maryland on General Election Day - November 6, 2012.

SOURCE: Medical Schools Neglect Gay and Gender Issues