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Imagine being refused housing because of who you are. Or told you’re too gay to stay in a hotel. Or turned away from a restaurant on a date.
That’s what Northern Ireland would look like if the powerful Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) were to get their way. They want to add an anti-gay clause to equality laws that would allow businesses to refuse service to lesbian, gay, and bi people.
Now All Out members have a chance to help. The DUP has asked for feedback on their anti-gay amendment by February 27. A huge global outcry will show that refusing service to gay people isn’t OK. Not in Northern Ireland, not anywhere.
The consultation closes in 4 days - can you help? go.allout.org/en/a/northern-ireland
Pro-equality politicians from Sinn Fein and other parties have teamed up to stop the anti-gay amendment. But it will still go to a vote. A huge response to the DUP’s call for feedback could push more Assembly Members to vote for equality. And it’ll put off anti-gay parties - from Northern Ireland and around the world - from proposing anymore anti-gay legislation.
The clause states that businesses could refuse service where someone feels they are required to “endorse a same-sex sexual relationship in violation of his/her faith identity.” This means that a gay couple could be refused the rental of a house or be kicked out of a restaurant, just for being in love.
The deadline is February 27 - sign now: go.allout.org/en/a/northern-ireland
Last month 166,551 of us signed All Out's petition against the anti-gay bill in Virginia. This law would have allowed doctors, teachers, and all companies to deny service to gay, lesbian, and bi people because of “religious and moral convictions”. Our partners in Virginia delivered all our signatures straight to the head of the voting committee - and they heard us. The subcommittee voted against the bill unanimously, so it will never see the light of day.
When we stand together for equality we win - will you push back against another scary anti-gay law? go.allout.org/en/a/northern-ireland
Thanks for going All Out,
Andre, Guillaume, Lucy, Oscar, Rose and the rest of the All Out team.


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  • This is the fundamentalist right's new line of attack on gay people. They know they've lost on marriage, so now they are fighting to legalize anti-gay discrimination. With the passage of the Arkansas law, these efforts are getting a lot more attention now. The Texas version is SB 343. I don't at this point have a feel for its chances. Odds are if it makes it to a floor vote, it will pass, and I wouldn't expect our new governor to veto it.

    Here's a letter I wrote to my state senator, Connie Burton, a hard-core Tea Party type who was swept into office last year. Any other Texans in here, it would be helpful if you'd also write your state lawmaker.

    Dear Ms. Burton:

    Congratulations on your win in November. This is my first constituent letter to you. I'm urging you, as a resident and representative of Fort Worth, to oppose SB 343, which would prevent Texas cities from enacting ordinances that bar discrimination against their gay residents. As you know, Fort Worth was among the first cities in Texas to enact such an ordinance and considers it a point of pride. A state law that nullified that ordinance would clearly be against the city's wishes.

    Another point: Proponents of such ordinances say they would level the playing field for businesses. On the other hand, most major corporations have company polices that forbid discrimination against gay employees. Some of these businesses take this very seriously, and would take a dim view of Texas if it enacted a law that allowed such discrimination.

    I know you are a "Tea Party" Republican, but one of the things the Tea Party espouses is for the federal government to leave the states alone. This proposed law micromanages the affairs of Texas cities, and is just not necessary.

    And a final point. I am one of your constituents, and I'm a gay Texan and proud of it. Anti-discrimination laws are very important as they prevent or discourage discrimination against Texans just because of who we are. With same-sex marriage on the verge of nationwide reality, it wouldn't make sense for Texas to try to turn back the clock by passing a law like SB 343.
    BearinFW 02/25/2015 02:19 AM