Join LGBT Americans For Quinn! Help Elect The First Woman and LGBT Mayor Of NYC!

 

 

 

I am personally asking you to simply go to this site and in one minute add your name to those endorsing City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for Mayor of New York City!

There are those who suggest the power of having an open lesbian mayor of New York City is just not important.  They want you to believe that electing our own and electing the first woman mayor is no longer a historic event. That we have elected other mayors in other cities so we essentially have 'been there, done that'.  

They are wrong.  

That would only be the case if City Council Speaker Christine Quinn wasn't qualified to be Mayor and hadn't really delivered big time in the marriage equality battle in New York State.

Quinn has used the power of her office time and time again to force others to support not only marriage equality but also other issues that lead to full equality for LGBT Americans. She went far beyond what any expected of her in that role.

The National Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Emily's List have both endorsed her candidacy believing she would become a not only a powerful symbol but also a critical person in the LGBT and feminist struggle for full equality. As Mayor in  the world's most powerful city, home to the United Nations and most of the nation's media, her ability to help us move forward in our battle to achieve total freedom and equality for LGBT Americans would be unparalleled.

Please join LGBT for Quinn by clicking here.

This year we have candidates running for Mayor in Seattle, Minneapolis and New York City. Each and every one of them is important in our battle for equality. Having worked over thirty years to elect LGBT people to office, I am here to tell you that each and everyone of these campaigns are critical in our struggle.

While we appreciate and value our straight allies that hold office, we have learned time and time again there is simply no replacement for having our own elected. We have seen it in battle after battle, legislature after legislature and city by city.

While I don't always agree with Christine Quinn 100% of the time, the fact of the matter is that I would not agree with any candidate 100% of the time. There is no question that she has the experience and will do an outstanding job as mayor.

There is also no question, that if Christine Quinn is elected mayor of the nation's largest city and the world's most powerful one, that it would be historic and critical to the future of LGBT Americans.

All we are asking for is that you join LGBT for Christine Quinn by simply clicking here.

Crisis In Nigeria Worsens As State of Emergency Is Declared To Battle Boko Haram

 

 

 

".... the president has made the somewhat embarrassing admission that the state no longer controls the entire territory of Nigeria. "
-Will Ross (BBC)

The escalating crisis in Nigeria has grown worse. This week President Goodluck Jonathan declared a 'state of emergency' in three northern states with huge Muslim populations. In making the declaration, the President, in essence, is admitting that he has lost control of the region including the support of many government officials in the area.

The President announced that he is sending more troops into the three states to battle with the insurgent Boko Haram. In the last two and a half years, over 2,000 people have been killed in battles in the region. The BBC reports that on Tuesday 53 people were killed and 13 villages were burnt to the ground

The government troops have committed a number of atrocities creating more sympathy for the rebels.

The emerging civil war with the northern Islamic states is a cause of great concern among observers of the situation. BBC News journalist Will Ross reports:

Attacks have largely been hit-and-run or even suicide missions, but by saying areas have been "taken over by groups whose allegiance was to different flags and ideologies", the president has made the somewhat embarrassing admission that the state no longer controls the entire territory of Nigeria.

Mr Jonathan also urged politicians in the affected states to co-operate with the armed forces and the police. This raises the question of what they have been doing. After all, some northern politicians have been accused of backing Boko Haram.

The BBC describes the Islamic insurgent group Boko Haram:

Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram - which has caused havoc in Africa's most populous country through a wave of bombings - is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

Its followers are said to be influenced by the Koranic phrase which says: "Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors".

Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it "haram", or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society.

This includes voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education.

Boko Haram regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers, even when the country had a Muslim president.

The group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad".

But residents in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, where the group had its headquarters, dubbed it Boko Haram.

Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, this means "Western education is forbidden".

Robert Shrum: Nancy Pelosi Would Be The Perfect Speaker of the House!

 

 

Commentator and author Robert Shrum writing for The Daily Beast says if the Democrats take back the House that Nancy Pelosi would be one of the best Speakers of the House ever. He writes that, despite her unfavorable ratings from relentless attacks from Republicans, she has the politics to gather the Democratic Party and push through progressive legislation for the President to sign. No wonder the Republicans are so worried about her.

Shrum writes:

Even before she was elected Democratic leader in 2003, she was a pioneering architect of legislation to combat HIV/AIDS. She voted against the Defense of Marriage Act—and against the resolution authorizing George W. Bush to go to war in Iraq. And after she became leader, she marshaled near unanimous Democratic opposition to Bush’s scheme to privatize Social Security, and the intimidated the GOP majority didn’t even dare bring it to a vote.

As speaker in 2007, she pushed through an increase in the minimum wage—and a once resistant Bush signed it as part of the bill for Hurricane Katrina relief and supplemental funding for U.S. military forces in Iraq. A year later, she pungently described Bush as “a total failure, losing all credibility…on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject”—an assessment that’s worth remembering during this week’s exquisitely polite rituals at the dedication of the Bush presidential library.

A masterful inside politician, a Democrat’s Democrat, she nonetheless transcended partisanship when the economic crisis hit during the twilight of the Bush administration. After Republicans first defeated the bank bailout bill in the House—and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 777 points in one day—she persuaded 33 Democrats to switch their votes, and the bill passed despite the opposition of a majority of GOP members. The bailout wasn’t popular, but it was an essential first step back from the brink of a second Great Depression, and then, as now, Pelosi knew that popularity counts in politics, but it isn’t the only standard of public service.

Her chance to change America as well as his came with Barack Obama’s inauguration. The following two years saw what the political scientist Norman Ornstein called “the best Congress you’ll ever hate.” The unrelenting GOP opposition, the distortions and the demagoguery, would cost House Democrats their majority in 2010, but in the meantime they did what had to be done and wrote a new chapter in our national life.

The president, Pelosi, and her leadership team secured a second economy-saving measure, the $800 billion stimulus package, without a single Republican vote in the House. The legislation not only included one of the biggest middle-class tax cuts in history but also pumped resources into broadband and wireless Internet, clean energy, a modern electricity grid, education, transportation, and infrastructure. It responded to “the fierce urgency” of the moment—and it advanced a futuristic vision of America. The investment could have been greater, but it was the most that could be squeezed through a polarized Congress. Or as Michael Grunwald of Time put it in his book The New New Deal, the stimulus was “stocked” with “game-changers” that will strengthen the economy for decades to come.

READ THE ENTIRE COLUMN BY CLICKING HERE.....

New York Mayor's Race: Conduct Unbecoming - Just Bash Chris!

 

 

 

"Members of the audience called her a “liar,” an opponent relentlessly attacked her, and the moderator at one point had to beg the scornful crowd to let her speak."

-New York Times (April 21, 2013)

Little did New Yorkers realize that Speaker Christine Quinn was such an evil person.

Forget her stellar record as Speaker of the New York City Council. Ignore the fact that she presented seven balance budgets on time. Put aside that she has fought for the rights of others even when it wasn't politically popular. Don't remember the times when she travel to poor neighborhoods and stood with the mothers of gun victims often without press and sometimes only seven or eight people standing with her. And, for God sakes, don't remember how day in and day out she was there and is still there for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Quinn's male opponents have crossed the line in their conduct with personality attacks, distorting her record and whipping up their supporters in a frenzy of 'hate Chris'. The well known mild mannered Alex Baldwin launch a vicious attack on her as he is supporting Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. Really, Alex, of all the evil in the world Christine Quinn deserves that kind of tirade?

They, with delight, proclaim that she is tough, cusses and plays a hard games of politics. In fact, if they described a male candidate with those attributes he would be call a decisive leader. Let's face it. These guys are having a hard time dealing with the fact that they might lose to open lesbian who would be the first woman Mayor of New York City.

Christine Quinn is an unapologetic tough daughter of Ireland who gets things done. She is tough. She does cuss. She doesn't put up with nonsense. She doesn't like delays when Hurricane Sandy victims aren't being helped. She has no patience for homophobia from anyone. She is a feminist who wears that badge with pride.

Christine Quinn is a strong powerful leader and is the perfect person to take over the City of New York.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and her Democratic opponents are good men. They have stood for good things. This kind of conduct is beneath them and they know better. It is simply conduct unbecoming.

More important, while these candidates are strong supporters of LGBT rights, these kind of angry attacks gives permission to the homophobic and misogynist crazies out there. Of course you have every right to challenge her on the issues. Quinn can handle it. She needs to handle it.

Hopefully you can stand for more then you are not Christine Quinn!  However don't tolerate the increasing anger, disruption and hatred that is taking place. Speak out against it. Tell Mr. Baldwin and others that their anger is misdirected.

For those of us fortunate enough to attend the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund brunch this past Sunday, we heard speaker after speaker talk about the difference having one of our own in office makes in protecting the right of LGBT Americans really struck home. Congressman Sean Maloney gave an eloquent speech how it has affected his colleagues on the floor of the House.

When it came Quinn's turn she was powerful, moving and a leader. She talked about young LGBT Americans and our obligations to them. She talked about her vision for the city. All I could think of as she was speaking was what an excellent tough and visionary Mayor she would make for the Big Apple.

Go get them Christine

New Marist Poll Shows Anthony Weiner In Second Place Behind Strong Quinn

 

 

The first Marist poll was released since former Congressman Anthony Weiner started a firestorm of press by thinking of entering the Mayor's race. Weiner was forced to resign not only because of the photographs he sent out over Twitter but by lying about them for weeks.

A very high 46% of the voters do not want the disgraced Congressman to enter the race. Without Weiner in the race, Quinn polls 30% and is likely to face a run-off in September. She still holds a considerable lead after a series of brutal attack ads.

Nate Silver of the The New York Times said in a Tweet: "100% name recognition and just 15% ballot support? That's an ugly poll for Weiner, not an encouraging one."

Clearly his entry changes the dynamic of the race. Quinn still has a 11% lead over him. The other factor is that Weiner is detracting from the other candidates and slowing their momentum. 

Christine Quinn: 26%

Anthony Weiner: 15%

John Liu: 12%

Bill de Blasio: 11%

Bill Thompson: 11%

Sal Albanese: 3%

Undecided: 22%

Afghanistan: Faces of War

 

 

Captain Sarah M. Knutson Cullen was killed in Kandahar Province at the age of twenty-seven. The West Point graduate was from Eldersburg, Maryland. This was her first deployment to Afghanistan. She attended Liberty High School were she was in student government. She loved to ski, ran track and be in her high school musical. She was fluent in Spanish.

At West Point she studied law and was a member of the Judo team. She married a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot just four months ago.

The Worst Paying Cities In America For Women

 

 

 

In America, the struggle for women to receive equal pay for equal work has been a long one. There is no question that progress has been made over the years. Currently women make 77 cents to every dollar a man makes in the workplace. However, at the local level, the discrepancies is even more dramatic.

In the Provo-Orem, Utah area, the median income for men is a full $20,000 more than that for women! In that metropolitan area, women only make 61 cents compared to a man's dollar. 24/7 Walls Street has picked the ten worse areas for women and Utah has the top two. Here are the top five

1. Provo-Orem, Utah

- Women’s pay as pct. of men’s: 61.6%
- Median income for men: $51,692
- Median income for women: $31,846

No metropolitan area had a greater pay disparity between men and women than Provo, where the median income in 2011 for men working full time was nearly $20,000 more than the median income for women. Women who worked in personal care and service occupations earned a median of just $18,590, or 44.3% of the earnings of their male counterparts. The pay gap was still vast even in higher-wage positions. Women working in business and financial operations earned just 57.8% of what men earned in 2011, one of the largest pay gaps in that field.

2. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah

- Women’s pay as pct. of men’s: 65.2%
- Median income for men: $52,184
- Median income for women: $34,018

Ogden-Clearfield was one of just two metro areas where the median income for women was less than two-thirds of that of men’s. The median income for women was less than half the median income of men in many occupations. In the legal profession, women working full-time earned just 26.3% of what men earned, the biggest pay discrepancy of all metro areas in that field. Women working full time in personal care and service occupations earned just 40.3% of the pay that men did, again the largest pay discrepancy of all metro areas. Other jobs where women’s median income was less than half that of men’s include sales, health diagnosis and treatment, and transportation occupations.

3. Lancaster, Pennsylvania 

- Women’s pay as pct. of men’s: 68.6%
- Median income for men: $47,318
- Median income for women: $32,446

Lancaster is an industrial town. About 11.6% of all full-time, year-round jobs in the region are in the manufacturing industry, the third-highest percentage of the top 100 largest metropolitan areas. Major manufacturers in the region include Armstrong World Industries and R.R. Donnelly & Sons. The median income for women in the manufacturing industry was just 64.3% that of men’s in 2011. The gap was even worse in other fields. In the transportation industry, the median income of women was just 43% that of men’s in 2011, one of the widest pay gaps among the largest metropolitan areas in that field

4. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

- Women’s pay as pct. of men’s: 69.3%
- Median income for men: $51,037
- Median income for women: $35,362

The median income for a woman working full time in Baton Rouge was nearly $16,000 less than the median income for a man. About 7.6% of the population works in the construction and extraction industry, the second-highest percentage of all metro areas measured. Many of these people are employed in chemical extraction. Chemical companies have a significant presence in Baton Rouge, with companies such as Dow Chemical, BASF and ExxonMobil’s chemical unit among the largest employers in the region. In the construction and extraction industry, women earned just 52.4% of what men earned in 2011. Other fields where the pay gap between men and women in Baton Rouge was large include production, where the median income of women in 2011 was just 40.6% of the median income of men, and transportation, where women’s earnings were just 42.8% that of men’s.

5. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida

- Women’s pay as pct. of men’s: 69.8%
- Median income for men: $45,582
- Median income for women: $31,820

The median earnings for women in the Palm Bay metropolitan area in 2011 who worked full time was less than 70% of that for men. The pay gap in the Palm Bay area actually bucks the trend in the state as a whole. In Florida, the median income for women was 83.8% that of men’s, the sixth-smallest gap of all states. Nearly 3.7% of the population works in health support, a higher percentage than all but one other city. The pay gap in that field is very large. Women earned just over 55% the pay of men in 2011. One bright spot was in computer and mathematical occupations. Women earned a median income of more than $67,000, or approximately $3,900 more than the median wage for men.

See six through ten by clicking here.....

VIDEO: Christine Quinn Officially Announces For Mayor Of New York City

 

 

Christine Quinn officially announced her candidacy for Mayor of New York City with a great video. It is powerful and moving. No one brings more knowledge, experience and charisma to this race. She is on her way to make history by becoming the first woman and first LGBT mayor of the Big Apple.

Eve Ensler's Life Saving And Heroic Work In The Congo

 

 

In a time when few in the world are paying attention to the horrors of the Congo, author, feminist and playwright Eve Ensler has been a life saver to many people in that war torn nation. The entire world is focused on the horrors in Syria where over 100,000 have died but basically ignores the genocide in the Congo where over six million have died in the last two decades. In the Eastern provinces of that nation there are areas where 75% of the women have been brutally raped - often gang raped at a young age.

In steps Eve Ensler who created the first facility to assist those women called the City of Joy. The safe haven provides medical care, counseling, education and ways for women to empower themselves both professionally and personally. She recently wrote from the City of Joy after being there a month volunteering.

Here are excerpts from her letter and pictures from this remarkable place with a name that defies the reality of the horror in that nation.

For Ensler's entire letter click here:

Dear All,

First let me begin with the deepest thank you to all of you who believed in City of Joy and have stood by us with your confidence and support. I have spent the month here and all I can say, is you would be proud. Let me start by describing the current state of Bukavu. It is nothing short of catastrophic. In one of the richest resourced countries in the world, the poverty is inconceivable. In a place where it rains almost every day, there is no water.

It is a country with the most fertile green fields, people are starving. There is no electricity. Most of the month the children have been sent home from school as the teachers are on strike. (they have not been paid). Even the policemen are begging for food. The road is better but most of the time we have not driven on it as there are so many reasons for detours. This is the environment our director Christine and her astounding staff face and transcend every day. Then of course there is the issue of security. The month I have been here there have been no incidents, but it feels arbitrary as there is no real political basis for security and one feels anything can happen at any time.

I will not even begin to tackle here the many proposals that seem to be circulating for peace in Congo. They either feel rhetorical or implausible. I think it is safe to say that if Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi were to get out of Congo, if there were real leadership and a functioning government in Kinshasa, there would be change. But that is not the nature of what I am writing about. We made a decision four years ago to put our energy into the grassroots women of Congo, to support their visions, their plans, their desires, their futures. To believe in their strength. To find the support for them to heal from gender violence of all forms, to be trained and educated in skills and their rights, to become leaders in their communities so that they could build a grassroots movement that eventually would be strong enough to transform this country and turn pain to power.

Read entire letter and see more photographs here......

See more videos of her work here....

New Poll: Christine Quinn In NYC Mayor's Race Is Only Three Points From Avoiding Runoff!

 

 

 

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is only three points away from obtaining the 40% needed to avoid a run-off election. In a new poll released by Quinnipiac University, Quinn has a twenty-three point over her nearest rival Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. The Speaker has increased her lead by two points since last January.

Here are the latest results:

Christine Quinn: 37%

Bill de Blasio: 14%

Bill Thompson: 11%

John Liu: 9%

Undecided: 27%

When asked if they were comfortable or enthusiastic about having a lesbian as Mayor of New York City a huge 78% said definitely 'yes'! Ironically, only 57% of the voters say felt the same way about a business executive candidate!

Quinn leads with men, women, white, black and Hispanic but surprisingly runs strongest with men at 40%.

Against Republican Ray Lhota, the Council Speaker leads 63% to 19%.

See all the results here..