Friday, April 1, 2011

[Peckers_Pics] Model Wars; PICS + Articles; Apr 2, 2011/Boycott TARGET



Model Wars; PICS + Articles; Apr 2, 2011
Safe PICS For All Ages/Boycott TARGET/Support Keith Olbermann-coming to CURRENT TV

Updates on Keith Olbermann  @ ObamaBiden2008 (Update: Keith joined "CURRENT TV").  Check with your cable provider to see if you have "Current TV".  Current TV's website has option for you to request service from your cable provider.   Current TV's founder is Al Gore.  Charter Cable does not carry "Current TV".  Please Contact Charter now!  Keith is a man who stuck his neck out for progressives, as well as the LGBT community. Update:  Keith began his FOK NEWS blog. 

Alert: Target + Minnesota Forward + Tom Emmer = Support for a rather dangerous and radical political philosophy that diminishes LGBT people to pests that should be murdered. And "Target" is cool with this?   ...Now Target is suing the LGBT community for their peaceful demonstrations in front of their stores.    ....Our answer:  BOYCOTT "TARGET"

Consider joining:

Diet & Fitness:

  • Reminder: Did you complete your Diet Journal today?
  • Did you do any physical activity?  If not, make a point of it by tomorrow! 
  • Perhaps our male fitness photos shall inspire you to get Fit!
Health - Wellness - Exercise - Reflections:
SAGE 'applauds HHS, White House for taking steps to improve health of all LGBT Americans'

News release from SAGE: Department of Health and Human Services announces it will inform states about extending "spousal impoverishment" protections to same-sex domestic partners, along with other actions to support the health of LGBT people.

Miami Herald - GSFLA; Steve Rothus; Apr 1, 2011
 
[WASHINGTON, DC] April 1, 2011 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced steps to significantly improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans, including an announcement--effective immediately--to notify states that they are empowered to treat same-sex domestic partners the same as married heterosexual couples when it comes to protection from "spousal impoverishment" under Medicaid.

"SAGE applauds the important steps taken by the Administration to ensure that the basic health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) are fairly met, including the long-term care needs of LGBT older adults," said Michael Adams, executive director of SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). "We look forward to working with the Administration in continuing to improve the health of LGBT elders and other especially vulnerable members of our communities across the country."

Medicaid--the single largest payer of long-term care in the U.S.--requires  an individual to spend down all of his/her assets in order to become eligible for long-term care coverage. For married heterosexual couples, Medicaid has exemptions to avoid forcing a healthy spouse to give up the family home and retirement savings, and live in poverty, in order to qualify a spouse for long-term care.

Unfortunately, these spousal impoverishment protections do not apply to same-sex domestic partners, who can be forced to choose between long term care and poverty. The HHS action will notify states about their abilities to correct these inequities.

The steps announced today by HHS also include policies that explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in HHS employment and the administration of HHS programs; increasing the number of federally-funded health surveys that collect sexual orientation and gender identity data; and encouraging health profession training programs to include LGBT cultural competency curricula.

This announcement comes during LGBT Health Awareness week, the same week that saw the Institute of Medicine release its groundbreaking report, "The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding." The Institute of Medicine found a scarcity in research on LGBT people and called on researchers to improve data collection and learn more about the health concerns facing our communities, including LGBT older adults.

About Sage:

Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the world's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults. SAGE has pioneered programs and services for the aging LGBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for LGBT older people across the country, and provided a national voice on LGBT aging issues.  In 2005, SAGE became the first official LGBT delegate at the White House Conference on Aging.  In 2010, SAGE was awarded a three-year $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging to create the nation's only national resource center on LGBT aging.
Take Action:
  • Boycott advertisers of Glenn Beck - Fox News.  Glenn Beck is anti-gay rights.
  • Update: DADT has been repealed. President Obama has kept his promise!
  • Boycott Bill O'Reilly and FOX News and their advertisers.  Bill discussed a French commercial by McDonalds that was meant to show that McDonalds is Gay Friendly. Bill said what is next? Is McDonalds going to be Al-Qaida friendly as well?  Imagine - Bill O'Reilly compares Gays to Al-Qaida!
  • Boycott Arizona the home of  "hater" - U.S. Senator John McCain. Arizona's Hateful anti-Immigration Law - encourages racial profiling and increases hatred towards minorities.  A remedy: Demand Republicans to  support Immigration Reform (The Dream Act). Further, Senator McCain voted against ending DADT and Blocked Immigration reform! 
  • Boycott Target, Best Buy, Gold's Gym - for donating money towards anti-gay political candidates/organizations. Update: (12/26/2010): Target is continuing to donate to anti-gay groups/causes/politicians. Update 03/08/11 - Lady Gaga Ends Target Partnership, Reportedly Over Target's Poor LGBT Stance. Update 3/25/2010 - Target displays their hypocrisy and Sues California Gay Rights Group for Lobbying Outside Stores.  Target is attempting to block the LGBT right of free speech!  STOP SHOPPING AT TARGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • End DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act).  Prevents Federal employees and Gays in the Military from gaining equal benefits. Prevents Gay Partners from gaining equal benefits.    
  • Pass ENDA (Employee Non-Discrimination Act).  ENDA would prevent employment discrimination of  LGBT workforce.
  • Boycott Salvation Army as they will not hire Gays! "DO NOT DONATE TO THEM."
  • BOYCOTT "Chick-fil-a" for donating to anti-gay marriage groups.
  • BOYCOTT KOCH INDUSTRIES PRODUCTS- to include their products: Angel Soft toilet paper / Brawny paper towels / Dixie plates, bowls, napkins & cups / Mardi Gras napkins and towels / Quilted Northern toilet paper / Soft 'n Gentle toilet paper / Sparkle napkins / Vanity fair napkins / Zee napkins / Georgia-Pacific paper products & envelopes / All Georgia-Pacific lumber & building products (INVISTA Products) / Lycra / Stainmaster Carpet.   The billionaire - Koch brothers are ultra republican - tea bag founders/supporters that do not support causes of the LGBT community.
  • Boycott WALMART - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, force criticized Wal-Mart for denying employee benefits to same-s-x partners and for failing to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. By comparison, the group said two other chain stores with a strong presence in New York, Costco and Walgreens, did much better.
  • NEW: Boycott Donald Trump, The Apprentice and NBC Network! Trump stated he is considering a run for president as a Republican. In a interview with the Des Moines Register, Trump added that he opposes all forms of legal recognition for gay couples, not just marriage. "They should not be able to marry," he said. So why does NBC keep the Apprentice running - when Donald Trump has stated he may run for president? Boycott NBC! Boycott advertisers of The Apprentice and Trump's other business's. Don't shop at any building with Donald Trump's name!  The Donald has expressed extreme Hatred.  Remember how poorly he treated Rosie O'Donnel?  Now we know why he did that!  It was hate against a lesbian as we now know he is hater.  Unforgiveable!  Ready to dump NBC because they air Donald Trump's "The Apprentice"?  Start Watching CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
  • NEW: Boycott "APPLE." For the current owners and the aspiring owners of the I-phone,  Apple allows an application, "The Gay App", which is supposed to help gay individuals turn straight.  This is a step in the wrong direction.
    Apple needs to know that the decision to allow this App on their products is a fallacious idea! Update: March 23, 2011:  Apple removed this app from USA stores; but, possibly not from foreign stores.  This is offensive not just towards the LGBT community in the USA; but, offensive to  the entire LGBT community around the world.  How does anyone approve such a hateful, despicable app towards the LGBT community? Especially when Gay Teens are killing themselves after being harrassed by their church, parents, as well as  by bully's and teachers at school. The idea that this app was used, solicited is disgusting.  
  • Remember David Kato, Gay activist - Uganda, who was slain because he is gay!

And Now, Model Wars!

This group is called "Peckers Pics."  The English -  slang definition of "pecker" is to pluck at the truth. Therefore, we peck at items such as Gay Men's Health, Male Fitness, Gay (LGBT) Politics & Issues.  In this section you may peck at each photo in order to decide the winner of the "war of the fittest!"   Whereas, who is the model that may inspire you to exercise and "get fit?"  Warning: This may stoke you!
 
Your participation in discussion of health / news articles - appearing in this message is greatly appreciated.
Augusto Coronado
 
VS
TANNER GERSCHICK
 
You Decide!
Fixx Invictus at The Gerry Party at The Wild Project/
NYC; March 28, 2011
Stoked?
Rico Noguchi at The Gerry Party at The Wild Project /
NYC; March 28, 2011
GOP lawmakers kill civil unions bill
Dems call vote 'out of touch', vow to keep fighting.

Eli Stokols, Political Reporter; Reuters / Baltimore Sun; April 1, 2011

DENVER -- Surrounded by several hundred supporters on the Capitol's west steps Thursday, state Rep. Mark Ferrandino told the crowd that with their cause -- state recognition of same-sex civil unions -- it "isn't a matter of if, but when."

It was nine hours later, upstairs before the House Judiciary Committee, that Ferrandino and hundreds of same-sex couples found out what they'd nervously anticipated all day long -- that this would not be their day.

"Republicans and leadership said we were going to get a fair hearing," Ferrandino said after the committee's 6-5 party-line vote against his bill. "I think we knew what the outcome was going to be before.

"It's too bad some of these Republicans didn't have the courage to take on leaders in their own party, because I think, deep down, some of them support us."

Democrats bristled as soon as House leadership sent Senate Bill 172, which passed the Senate last week with three GOP votes joining Democrats in support, sent the measure to the House Judiciary Committee.

All week, supporters lobbied the committee's six GOP lawmakers, especially the two who seemed the most likely to swing: Loveland Reps. Brian Delgrosso and B.J. Nikkel.

Emotional testimony

When the hearing began, Ferrandino's best hope was to "pull on their heart-strings."

More than 100 people signed up to do just that, several who spoke during the bill's hearing in the Senate, and several who were testifying for the first time, including Ferrandino's partner, Gerg Wertsch.

"Do the conservative thing and vote for stable, committed, loving, two-parent relationships like Mark and me," Wertsch said as Ferrandino, seated beside him, fought back tears.

"By voting for this bill you'll be showing us and all Coloradans that whether or not you agree with our lives, you know it's no longer okay to deny us our rights," said Sonja Semion.

Those who testified against the bill primarily referred to scripture, often quoting Leviticus, some arguing that recognizing civil unions was the same as endorsing gay marriage, others arguing that being gay is a choice.

"This bill is an abomination," Pastor Roger Anghis told the committee.

After seven hours of testimony, with GOP lawmakers still unswayed, the last chance was an amendment, put forth by Rep. Sue Ryden, D-Aurora, to refer the matter of civil unions to the November ballot so that voters could decide.

Mid-way through the hearing, there was hope among some of the bill's supporters that two Republicans, Delgrosso and Rep. Mark Barker of Colorado Springs, might be open to voting yes on the bill once amended.

But three Democrats, along with all six Republicans, voted the amendment down.

Moments later, the bill itself was dead.

Republicans explain no votes

"It's really not political pressure or any other pressure, I have my own vote here," said Nikkel following the vote. "For me, it just came down to -- they should have taken this to a vote of the people."

Delgrosso, who told reporters he couldn't sleep last night, based his vote on the last time Colorado voters weighed in in 2006, when Referendum I, a proposal to recognize gay marriage, was defeated.

"A lot of the folks four-and-a-half years ago said no, they didn't support that, and I just didn't feel it was right for me as a legislator to go against what the will of the people was just four-and-a-half years ago," Delgrosso said.

Many Republicans testified in favor of the bill, some arguing for a more limited state government that doesn't have a say in people's private relationships.

And, One Colorado, the GLBT group that's crafted much of the message in support of the bill, pointed to a poll that 61 percent of Colorado Republicans actually support the bill.

"Today's vote was out of touch with everyday Colorado voters," said Brad Clark, One Colorado's director. "With 72% of Coloradans in support of civil unions, House Republicans are out of the mainstream."

Elections have consequences

Ultimately, the vote was more evidence that elections indeed have consequences.

The GOP's one-vote majority in the House won last November entitles them to majorities on all House committees and to effectively kill measures they don't like that pass out of the Democrat-controlled Senate.

As such, supporters of civil unions will now refocus on taking back a Democratic majority in the House.

Put another way, Thursday's GOP vote equates to kicking a hornet's nest -- a hornet's nest named Tim Gill.

Gill, the gay millionaire who's riches are largely responsible for the Democratic takeover in Colorado over the past decade, will now be spending more to defeat Republicans across the state, starting with GOP members of the statehouse.

"It's very likely there will be consequences for not allowing full debate and consideration by the full House," said Gill's lawyer, Ted Trimpa.
"Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges."
....Jake
  
 
Important Notice: Our ObamaBiden2008 Group works hand - in - hand with Peckers PICS (Both groups were co-created to work with each-other).  To prevent duplication of articles and questions, all members of this group are expected  to join ObamaBiden2008. It is unfair for members that belong to both groups to hear members of just Peckers PICS (only) to make statements when the ObamaBiden2008 has covered such topics in detail.  Therefore, members need to join ObamaBiden2008  immediately.  This shall clear up communications and confusion.  The LGBT cause is too important and beyond 1 person's need to just look at pictures.   Therefore, please join ObamaBiden2008 now.  No you don't have to read every article! But, it covers the LGBT community and includes updates on Health insurance; LGBT boycott list; Westboro Church; and the end of DADT, etc...Also, updates with the multi - state gov't's war against unions and people with disabilities. The group is created for you!  There are gay teen suicides going on. There are Hate crimes against gay people. There are gays who are fired over their sexual identity.  There are gay people who died for our cause! You always reserve the right to remove yourself from all my groups if you do not appreciate this request.  I have done everything I can and now it is time for you to step up!  My Groups are for Yahoo members who sincerely care about LGBT rights and Gay Mens Health!   Please Join Now!


__._,_.___


All members of "Peckers PICS" are requested to join our "Obama Biden 2008" group as it runs in conjunction to this group.  Both groups shall not repeat articles from one group to another.  However, to gain full knowledge of Gay rights, members must belong to the Obama group as well as this group.  Therefore, please accept your invitation to join. 

To join the Obama group please click (or copy and paste the link into your browser) @  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ObamaBiden2008/join

Thank you!
 

"Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges."

...Jake (Moderator)



Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)