Press Release Roundup.
Here are the latest press releases from some important groups, all in one handy place:
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State
Obama Support For Expansion Of ‘Faith-Based’ Program Is Disappointing, Says Americans United
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rather than try to correct the defects of the Bush “faith-based” initiative, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama would do better to shut it down, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Obama today announced a proposal to expand faith-based funding during a speech in Zanesville, Ohio.“I am disappointed,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “This initiative has been a failure on all counts, and it ought to be shut down, not expanded.”
However, Lynn said he was pleased to hear Obama express support for church-state separation and say that he would bar government-funded proselytism and religious discrimination in hiring when tax dollars are involved.
“It is imperative that public funds not pay for proselytizing or subsidize discrimination in hiring,” said Lynn. “Obama has promised that he will not support publicly funded proselytism or discrimination in hiring, and that’s an important commitment.”
….. more
Americans United Will Monitor Implementation Of New Louisiana Anti-Evolution Law
Friday, June 27, 2008
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today warned Louisiana officials that lawsuits will result if the state’s new anti-evolution law is used to introduce religion into public school classrooms.Gov. Bobby Jindal this week signed the legislation (SB 733), which allows teachers to use “supplemental materials” when discussing evolution. The measure was pushed by the Louisiana Family Forum and the Discovery Institute, two Religious Right groups that advocate creationist concepts, and is widely seen as an effort to water down instruction about evolution.
“I am very disappointed that Gov. Jindal signed this unwise and unnecessary measure,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Louisiana has a long and unfortunate history of trying to substitute dogma for science in public school classrooms. Let me state clearly and upfront that any attempts to use this law to sneak religion into public schools through the back door will not be tolerated.”
….. more
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Task Force Action Fund applauds Congress for today’s historic hearing on transgender discrimination in the workplace
WASHINGTON, June 26 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds the House of Representatives for holding its first-ever hearing today on transgender discrimination in the workplace. In addition to submitting written testimony documenting the urgent need for inclusion of gender identity in federal employment protection, the Action Fund has worked closely with the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) to prepare for the hearing.
Several studies have shown widespread employment discrimination against transgender people, as documented in the Action Fund’s written testimony. Later this summer, the Task Force Policy Institute will be adding to the existing body of research with the launch of the largest-ever study of transgender people’s experiences of discrimination in their daily lives, including within the workplace.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund“Discrimination against transgender people is pervasive and current laws and employer policies are insufficient to protect their rights. For far too long, transgender people have lived with the fear of losing their job simply because of who they are. Today’s hearing marks a critical step in addressing this travesty once and for all.
“We applaud the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions for holding today’s hearing, and we urge lawmakers to pass federal employment protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
….. more
National leader says passage of Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act is critical to saving lives of LGBT youth
WASHINGTON, June 19 — The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (H.R. 5524) earlier this month, and the Senate is expected to consider companion legislation (S. 2982) later this summer. This legislation would reauthorize the program for an additional five years.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act connects youth to family reunification programs, outreach workers on the streets, emergency shelter, longer-term housing and myriad additional support systems, including workplace preparation, education, health and behavioral health services, and other opportunities to ensure the safety and well-being of this vulnerable population. In fiscal year 2007, runaway and homeless youth programs served more than 740,000 youth in crisis situations.
“LGBT youth make up a disproportionate number of runaway and homeless youth, as many as 40 percent. It is a national disgrace that youth are turned out of their homes and communities based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. These homeless youth deserve the same safety, food, shelter, access to education and opportunity to a bright future that is the right of every child,” said Rea Carey, acting executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. “The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act is a vital part of helping this segment of our community. We praise the House for its reauthorization of this important legislation and call on the Senate for equally swift passage.”
…..
“This legislation, and the programs it funds, really can make the difference for many LGBT young people who have been rejected by their families and society. By providing a roof over their heads and reliable support and encouragement, they can begin to focus on their long-term futures rather than on the prospect of another night on the street,” said study author Nick Ray.
….. more
Texas Supreme Court Ruling Paves the Way for Religious Abuse Nationwide
American Atheists stated today that the 6/27/08 Texas Supreme Court ruling in the case of a victim of religious exorcism set a bad legal precedent for all of America. The religious laws in place set up to protect churches and other religious groups from prosecution for crimes they commit while expressing their religion go too far. But they usually don’t go this far!
The violent actions of the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God’s staff, who were performing an “exorcism” on one of their own 17-year-old congregants, should not go unpunished. They harmed her, physically and mentally, and should be held accountable.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the violence that came to that young congregant was allowed under laws on the books today that protect “religious expression.” To call this violent incident “religious expression” is to indict religion, but to insist that any law absolves anyone of consequences for violent and harmful acts is just plain irresponsible.
…..
Texas State Director for American Atheists, Joe Zamecki, said “Any law that specifically protects a religious group from appropriate legal action is a special privilege, especially when that religious group has clearly harmed someone in the course of their religious activities. I’m finding that more and more religious groups in America want blanket protection from any kind of consequences for violating peoples’ rights and actually harming them.”
….. more
