Gays Won't Be In Immigration Reform Bill

An amendment to add LGBT couples to the Senate immigration reform bill was withdrawn tonight in order to improve the bill's chance of passage. Chris Geidner has the news at Buzzfeed:

Sen. Patrick Leahy withdrew his proposed amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have recognized the marriages of same-sex couples for immigration purposes on Tuesday night, after several Democratic members of the committee stated that they would not be supporting it. A little past 7 p.m., Leahy said, “It is with a heavy heart … I will withhold the Leahy Amendment 7 at this point.” Leahy offered the amendment a half-hour earlier, saying, “I don’t want to be the senator who asks Americans to choose between the love of their life and the love of their country.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham: "If you redefine marriage for immigration purposes [by the amendment], the bill would fall apart because the coalition would fall apart. It would be a bridge too far."  Devoted LGBT allies Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Al Franken both reluctantly agreed that removing the amendment to include gay couples was better than sinking the entire bill.

The Human Rights Campaign reacts:

"As we come together as a nation to tackle our broken immigration system, it is deplorable that a small number of Senators have been able to stand in the way of progress for lesbian and gay couples torn apart by discriminatory laws. Instead of working to achieve common-sense solutions, Senators Graham, Flake, McCain and Rubio threatened to derail the entire immigration bill to appease a small but vocal group of anti-gay social conservatives that will do anything to stop progress for lesbian and gay couples.

"We are extremely disappointed that our allies did not put their anti-LGBT colleagues on the spot and force a vote on the measure that remains popular with the American people. We will continue to work hard to include bi-national same-sex couples as the bill moves to the floor and remain committed to the underlying principles of inclusive and comprehensive immigration reform. We owe it to the estimated 267,000 undocumented LGBT adults and estimated 24,700 LGBT bi-national couples living in the U.S. today to get the job done."

Immigration Equality reacts:

"Despite the leadership of Chairman Leahy, Judiciary Committee Democrats have caved to bullying by their Republican colleagues," said Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality Action Fund. "There should be shame on both sides of the political aisle today for lawmakers who worked to deny LGBT immigrant families a vote. Despite widespread support from business, labor, faith, Latino and Asian-American advocates, Senators abandoned LGBT families without a vote."

Senator Chuck Schumer, an architect of the immigration bill, had long promised LGBT constituents that the package would include their families. "From the beginning we told Senator Schumer that it would only get harder to add LGBT families to the bill," said Tiven. "We are disappointed that Senator Schumer and his 'Gang of 8' colleagues accepted a false choice between LGBT families and immigration reform, when the truth is that including LGBT families from the outset would have strengthened the bill."

UPDATE: DOMA Project head Lavi Soloway sends this image.

UPDATE II: President Obama has issued a statement.

I applaud the Committee members for their hard work, especially “Gang of Eight” members Senators Schumer, Durbin, Graham and Flake. None of the Committee members got everything they wanted, and neither did I , but in the end, we all owe it to the American people to get the best possible result over the finish line. I encourage the full Senate to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor at the at the earliest possible opportunity and remain hopeful that the amendment process will lead to further improvements

Sen. Al Franken Cheers MN Marriage

"I've been married to Franni for 37 years and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. As a long-time supporter of marriage equality, I believe that every loving couple-in Minnesota and across the country-should have the same opportunity. And now, thanks to courageous-and not to mention, bipartisan-votes by the Minnesota State Legislature and support from Minnesotans statewide, we are the latest state to legalize same-sex marriage. Today I'm proud that Gov. Mark Dayton signed legislation bringing marriage equality to Minnesota. Our country is beginning to understand that it's not about what a family looks like: it's about their love and commitment to one another." - Sen. Al Franken, in a statement posted to his official Senate page.

Sen. Al Franken & Wife For MN Marriage

CHARLOTTE: Top Politicos Address Second LGBT Caucus At Democratic Convention

A galaxy of the Democratic Party's top stars literally waited in line outside the jammed LGBT Caucus ballroom today for a turn to address the overflow audience of activists, journalists, and delegates. Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who entered to chants of COR-REE COR-REE, sent reporters flying to their Twitter accounts when he broadly hinted that he'd be the one to approve marriage equality in New Jersey when he becomes governor. Similarly, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell vowed that his state too would soon advance from civil unions to full marriage rights.

Sen. Al Franken demanded support for his federal anti-bullying bill, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, and Democratic National Committee Treasurer Andrew Tobias rallied the troops to get out the vote. Second Lady Jill Biden, who was received like a rock star, spoke briefly in LGBT-supportive generalities then was whisked out of a side door. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis followed but I'd stepped out for a better photo of Mrs. Biden and missed much of her speech. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina followed and pointed out the openly gay White House social secretary in the audience.

The star power in the room was not limited to the dais as recently hired HRC president Chad Griffin and NLGTF head Rea Carey looked on from the front rows. Most would agree, I think, that we have truly entered a new era when virtually every top official from the nation's in-power political party vies for face time in front of LGBT activists. Speaking directly to us this week we've had cabinet members, top-ranking members of the Senate and House, state governors, rising stars, and the First and Second ladies. A new era.

Sen. Al Franken For Marriage Equality

Matt Baume: Marriage News Watch

New York marriage, hate groups, DOMA, and Al Franken.

DOMA DEBATE: Sen. Al Franken PWNS Focus On The Family

Video courtesy of Think Progress.

I Just Met Sen. Al Franken

I happened to be passing Sam Seder's radio booth when Franken arrived for his interview. Introduced myself, shook hands, got a pleasant (if distracted) "Heyhowareya!" Totally bloggable, though.

MINNESOTA: Gay Teen Commits Suicide

Openly gay Minnesota high school student Lance Lundsten, 18, committed suicide this weekend. Friends are blaming bullying.

Around 10 p.m. Saturday the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded to an emergency call at the Lundsten's residence in Miltona. When officers arrived, they discovered 18-year-old Lance Lundsten needing emergency medical care. Lundsten was transported to the Douglas County Hospital where he later died. The Sheriff's Office confirmed to KSAX that they believed Lundsten's death was a suicide. The Sheriff would not confirm the nature of the medical emergency. According to his Facebook page, Lundsten was openly gay. On a Facebook memorial page in Lundsten's honor, friends said that Lundsten had been bullied at school for his sexual orientation. Some students who knew Lundsten believed the bullying may have led to his suicide.

Lundsten's classmates have launched an anti-bullying Facebook page. Sen. Al Franken sent his condolences to the family, saying, "My heart goes out to Lance's family, and friends and loved ones. It's a tragic event, not only for them, but for the school, and the Alexandria community and really for all of us. LGBT kids really do need more protection." Franken is the cosponsor of a federal anti-bullying bill called the Student Non-Discrimination Act, which would forbid schools from ignoring anti-gay bullying. Christianist groups are vehemently opposing the bill.

Sen. Al Franken On DADT Fail

NET NEUTRALITY: Sen. Al Franken Warns That Corporations Will Run The Internet

Calling it the First Amendment issue of our time, during his closing keynote at Netroots Nation, Sen. Al Franken warned that unless net neutrality is preserved, media corporations that are also internet providers will soon throttle the speeds of their competitors, an issue we've long been discussing here on JMG.

(Via - Towleroad)

LIVE VIDEO: Sen. Al Franken's Closing Keynote Address At Netroots Nation

UPDATE: The live stream is concluded. Franken opened with the "NeVAHda vs. NeVEHda" controversy. Preceding him was Tarryl Clark (Michele Bachmann's opponent), and Linda Chavez-Thompson, candidate for Lt. Governor of Texas. Fantastic night!

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) Introduces Federal Anti-Bullying Bill

Today Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and 21 fellow Senators introduced a federal bill intended to protect LGBT students from harassment and bullying. Via the ACLU:

The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) would help to end entrenched biases towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in our education system. A similar bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in January by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) and currently has over 100 co-sponsors. The American Civil Liberties Union strongly supports these bills and urges swift action by both chambers. The ACLU is currently involved in a case that underscores the need for the SNDA. In April, the ACLU filed a complaint with the Itawamba County School District in Fulton, Mississippi urging the school district to reverse its decision to forbid a lesbian student from attending a prom with her girlfriend and from wearing a tuxedo to the prom. After school officials canceled the prom altogether rather than allow Constance McMillen to attend the dance in a tuxedo with her girlfriend, the ACLU then filed a federal lawsuit. In a preliminary ruling in April, the court found that Itawamba County School District officials violated McMillen's First Amendment right to freedom of expression, and the case is expected to go to trial.

Franken says that he and others are working on language to define what constitutes bullying. But he says that most people know it when they see it. As noted in the above-linked story, Rep. Jared Polis introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House earlier this year. Here's the list of Senate co-sponsors:

SNDA is co-sponsored by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Robert Menedez (D-N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).

Sen. Al Franken Vs. Jason Mattera

Wannabe wingnut attack dog Jason Mattera ambushed Sen. Al Franken with a crazy-ass claim that the health care reform bill provides $7B for "playground jungle gyms." Watch how Franken handles him (even after being called "Sen. Smalley") and keep in mind that this Mattera's own edited video. What the bill really says:

In the "Creating Healthier Communities" portion of the Senate version of the bill, under the section "Community Transformation Grants," entities receiving grants may use them toward activities such as "creating healthier school environments, including increasing healthy food options, physical activity opportunities, promotion of healthy lifestyle, emotional wellness, and prevention curricula, and activities to prevent chronic diseases."

Al Franken Denies Joe Liebermann Additional Time On Senate Floor

And John McCain does NOT like it.

Inclusive ENDA Hearings Begin

Yesterday the first ever transgender-inclusive ENDA hearings began before the U.S. Senate.

Restrooms and religion arose as the only objections today during the U.S. Senate’s first hearing on the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). And the testimony from the Obama administration struck an unusually ironic note just two days after Maine voters rejected an equal marriage law there. The 2009 version of ENDA is different from a 2002 version that also received a Senate hearing in that it includes a prohibition based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. The only one of seven witnesses to speak against the bill was Craig Parshall, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Religious Broadcasters Association. He raised the concern about religious exemptions, as he did in September when the House held a hearing on the bill.

Only three (all Democrats) of the 23 members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions bothered to show up for the hearing: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), and the bill's sponsor, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), whose opening statements are below.

Sen. Al Franken's Party Trick

Sen. Al Franken amused the audience at the Minnesota State Fair by demonstrating that he can draw the complete map the Unites States, including the Great Lakes and all state lines, from memory.

Sen. Franken Handles Teabaggers

JMG reader Tony in the UK tips us to the thoughtful, intelligent way that Sen. Al Franken handled a group of constituents opposed to "ObamaCare."

Bill O'Reilly: Sen. Al Franken's Win Is A Sad Day For America

Sound the sad trombone.

The Pain, The Pain

Media Matters provides this clip showing the anguish of the right over Al Franken's win.