(Say, Gregg (Steinhafel; Target CEO)? Randi wants to talk to you! And you'd better - the last thing you need is a "Where's Roger?" deal, with YOUR name on it.... - promoted by TwoPuttTommy)
Eden Prairie grandmother and activist Randi Reitan brought husband Phillip and son Jacob to Target HQ at noon, Friday, Aug 6, with a bunch of vocal supporters. Randi rattled Target's cage last week with a video showing her reversing a Target shopping trip and cutting up her Target card. That video reached over 250,000 views as of today. Today's HQ video:
Target's contribution of $150,000 to Minnesota Forward, a right wing group supporting Tom Emmer, a guy who's against almost everything.
The LGBT community acted swiftly and the boycott spread across the country. BAM, the group protesting Arizona SB70 immigration nightmare joined in support of the boycott. MoveOn.org adopted it nation wide and promoted individuals delivering boycott letters at high noon today.
The 19 state tour of the National Organization for Marriage visited St. Paul, yesterday, July 28. Various LGBT groups circled in quiet protest. As the intensity rose from the marriage defenders, the counter protestors adjourned to the Capital rotunda, a much cooler space, for a rally supported by a host of religious groups. Senator John Marty, who had been identified by the NOM group as a threat to marriage, briefly addressed the group promising favorable legislative action next session. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Last week the news of Target Corporation's $150,000.00 donation to Minnesota Forward made it's way around Minnesota. Particularly Minnesota's LGBTQ Communities. Three different stories were written in the Twin Cities LGBT News Blog The Colu.mn. There were also two different blog posts here on the Minnesota Progressive Project. A boycott of Target group has been created on Facebook over the weekend with close to 100 members already signed on.
As of last Friday many of us who started contacting Target about our disappointment over the corporations decision to support Minnesota Forward most likely got a return email that was very much like this one:
Minnesota has begun to see the first fruits of the Supreme Court Decision Citizens United. However, the last corporation we would expect to take first advantage of it is Target.
According to WCCO News Target Corporation donated about $150,000.00 to a political action committee called "Forward Minnesota" that has sponsored a television ad for GOP Candidate Tom Emmer.
The news has only begun to ripple through the LGBT Community and is already receiving some bad press. Many are shocked and dismayed that Target a company that participates in many LGBT related functions including Twin Cities Pride and the Minnesota AIDS Walk every year, would even consider sponsoring an ad for the most anti-gay candidate for Governor.
What is the next move for progressives and LGBT people and those who support the LGBT Communty? Should we begin a letter writing campaign? Should we begin to boycott Target,which may leave many middle to lower class Minnesotan's with only Wal-Fart (excuse me, Wal-Mart)? What about those who use Target's amazing $4.00 prescription program that saves many of us a lot of money? How can progressives and the LGBT community respond to this in a way that will get our message across to the Target Corporation effectively? Are we all really helpless to Citizens United, or is there more we can all do?
If corporations are going to begin using Citizens United as their best tools for putting themselves ahead of people, then how can we respond to that?
I offer these and many questions for everyone's thoughts and comments. We have an obligation to respond to this. This is one of those things that I hope either Mike Macintee or even Matt McNeil from AM 950 picks up on and runs with it on their radio shows. I think it is very important that people here on the Minnesota Progressive Project and all through out the Twin Cities area be given an opportunity to respond to this in a way that will really hit Target Corporation where it will effect change in a positive way for everyone.
(Once again, I'd like to thank Sen. Dibble for his commentary. - promoted by The Big E)
In his bid for the presidency it will be interesting to see if my Governor, Tim Pawlenty, will try to perpetuate the air of a hip, young-ish, Bruce Springsteen fan, and infer that he is in step with the growing acceptance of LGBT people and families. To do so would be profoundly misleading, having achieved political success by emphasizing his hostility to LGBT people and many others.
His latest salvo is the veto of a common sense measure that would have allowed us explicit legal rights to carry out our partners' final wishes, make funeral arrangements and to be able to recover from those liable for our partners' wrongful death.
These are perhaps the most sensitive decisions someone will ever make regarding the one they love. But LGBT Minnesotans, our friends and allies have long been accustomed to disappointment in Tim Pawlenty.
(We don't promote every diary from organizations, but contests like this one are too much fun not to give a little attention! - promoted by Joe Bodell)
Grassroots Solutions http://www.grassrootssolutions... , a national grassroots consulting firm in Minneapolis, has two open seats at its table for the May 8th Hubert H. Humphrey Day Dinner http://www.dfl.org/hhh . Representative Barney Frank will be the special guest for the evening.
To honor Representative Frank, Grassroots Solutions is asking its Facebook fans to post haikus about the distinguished Congressman on the wall. The author of the best haiku and a guest will be invited to join Grassroots Solutions at the HHH Day Dinner next Saturday.
The contest is open through Wednesday, May 5th. The winner will be announced on Friday, May 7th.
The SD 63 DFL LGBT Caucus will be meeting this upcoming Thursday, March 25th at 7:00pm. We will be meeting at Davanni's Pizza and Hoagies located at 8605 Lyndale Ave in Bloomington.
At our LGBT Caucus meeting we will be signing letters to President Obama, Vice President Joe Bidden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Rep. Keith Ellison, Senator (s) Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. Those letters will be addressing the matter of how the Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act and the Early Treatment for HIV Act were not included in HR 4872 the Reconciliation Act of 2010. In the reconciliation act for health care reform there were a few groups that were "bargaining chips" to get HCR passed, and the LGBT Community and those affected by HIV/AIDS were among them. The LGBT Community from SD 63 is going to respond to that.
We are also going to be addressing the issue of the inclusive employment non-discrimination act (ENDA), and the repeal of DADT. Our letters will ask those who campaigned on the LGBT Vote to act on their promises. Why is there such a hold up? When can we expect changes?
At this months meeting will also be a representative from Keith Ellison's office, Monica Meyers from Outfront Minnesota who will talk about LGBT Lobby Day at the Minnesota Capitol on Wednesday, April 21st. Please go to http://www.outfront.org to register for LGBT Lobby Day.
Everyone is invited to attend even if you do not live in SD 63. This is a grassroots organization that wants to help bring action on LGBT legislation and initiatives.
Please email BearBudMN@yahoo.com for more information.
Organization: DFL SD 63 LGBT Caucus Community Organizing
We are expecting Rep. Thissen to be at the last half hour of the meeting on Tuesday, February 23. Members of the Staff of Outfront Minnesota and Project 515 will also be there.
Candidates for Governor have been invited. John Marty is coming to the meeting on Thursday, February 25th.
All are welcome, even if you are not part of District 63. We are hoping to start this in Senate District 63 and have other districts follow with their own programs.
Grassroots LGBT Issues Advocacy:
Objective Goals:
Hold our elected officials accountable to their campaign promises through consistent reminders and requests for urgent action.
Call on individuals concerned about LGBT issues to contact our elected officials, urging their immediate and decisive action on LGBT issues and initiatives.
Inform candidates seeking our votes that we are anticipating and expecting their full, active support by voting for pro-LGBT initiatives as their campaigns have promised.
Come purchase your favorite pizza and hoagie and join us to discuss wais to become involved in this effort at either of the following meetings.
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Davanni's Pizza and Hoagies
2312 W. 66th Street
Richfield, MN 55423
Date: Thursday, February 25, , 2010
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Davanni's Pizza and Hoagies
8605 Lyndale Ave S.
Bloomington, MN 55420
We are also going to be at the District Convention. Please Join us.
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: Meet at 8:00am
Location: Richfield Intermediate School
7020 12th Ave S
Richfield, MN 55423
• Hold our elected officials accountable to their campaign promises through consistent reminders and requests for urgent action.
• Call on all individuals concerned about LGBT issues to contact our elected officials, urging their immediate and decisive action on LGBT issues and initiatives.
• Inform candidates seeking our votes that we are anticipating and expecting their full, active support by voting for pro-LGBT initiatives, as their campaigns have promised.
Come, purchase your favorite pizza or hoagie, and join us to discuss ways to become involved in this effort at the following meetings.
We are inviting our District Representatives, Senators and candidates to attend, as well.
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Davanni's Pizza & Hoagies
2312 W 66th Street
Richfield, MN 55423
We are attending the District Convention. Please join us:
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Richfield Intermediate School
7020 12th St. South
Richfield MN 55423
For more information, please contact
Philip Lowe, Jr
Phone: 612-861-1855 (home)
Email: bearbudmn@yahoo.com
I read the whole Newsweek interview and found it interesting because in a fairly short space, it tells a lot about our slob hunter gov and the party he's trying to appeal to. It's not just what he says, but that he thinks that's what he has to say to get nominated, and that's he's probably right. He may be an arrogant perfidious dissembler, but he's one of the smartest arrogant perfidious dissemblers the Republicans have, and he definitely has some political skills. Some Republicans might argue with that last bit given their fortunes in legislative elections with Pawlenty as governor, but he hasn't gotten into office and onto the national stage by accident.
(Congressional hearings are the first step and the first pressure point of changing law! - promoted by Grace Kelly)
ENDA is better known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Did you know that there is no federal law that says that employers cannot discriminate against potential or current employees due to their sexual orientation or gender expression?
Minnesota has a human rights law against discriminating against LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) individuals in the work place. Of course in Minnesota in an employer does have an issue, they beat around the bush and find some other reason to not like someone. I am originally from Massachusetts, I moved here in 2001. And when I was talking to someone they explained to me that in Minnesota most discrimination is implied rather than blatant. Part of the Minnesota Nice that we all love.
Nevertheless, the Federal Government is about to take up the issue of an inclusive ENDA. We say inclusive because in the past, the ENDA bill has been given problems by people who have issues with transgendered individuals in bathrooms. Some suggest that some might use ENDA as an excuse for sexual assault in a woman's restroom for example. However, there has not as far as we know a case been presented to suggest that transgendered people are a threat to anyone in a bathroom. Quite the contrary.
However, this week on Wednesday, September 23rd, at about 10:00pm EST there will be a Congressional hearing on ENDA. We would like to see this bill moved forward. However, we need as many Representatives and Senators to get behind this bill. I have no doubt that Keith Ellison and Al Franken will be behind the bill, but we don't know as much about Amy.
I am asking as many people as possible here to consider calling their Congressional members and asking them to support an inclusive ENDA. Please help make discrimination against LGBT individuals in the work place a federal issue.
I had the honor of attending a gathering with President and Michelle Obama at the White House on Monday, June 29, at an event marking the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, commonly cited as the modern beginning to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equal rights movement, alongside about 250 other LGBT citizens, allies and families. I was especially encouraged to see so many young people there.
This was a unique opportunity to remember those who began fighting for equal rights so many years ago, and honor the work that has been done since that time. It also was an opportunity for members of the LGBT community to speak with President Obama about how much work is yet to be done, and how we would like to work together to ensure equal rights for everyone in our country.
Because it was important for the President to know the thoughts and feelings of those from across the country the about the state of our movement and the pace of change, I brought two letters with me. I personally delivered each to the President's Senior Advisor, David Axelrod.
From Kelly - you would not realize that this fine article is just a work in progress, by just reading, so I am telling you - it is not finished! When this note disappears, the article will be finished.
I've been "Out of the Closet" for over twenty years and that's that second most popular question asked by my heterosexual friends, colleagues and family. "What's up with that Gay Pride thing you guys always have...And is it always in June?!?"
Last night, I watched Stephen Colbert and I was astonished to see how far the GLBT community has grown in the past 40 years.
Colbert had Jim Fouratt as his guest to explain the history behind the "Stonewall Riots".
Fouratt's account recalls only a sliver of all of the pieces that were going on when those police officers raided that sleazy bar in Greenwich Village, but it's enough to kick off the conversation.
Given the current controversy surrounding Obama administration and GLBT rights, former State Senator Steve Kelley feels that it is important to take a stand on LGBT rights. Steve Kelley believes that our society wrongly discriminates against gays, lesbians, transgendered, and bisexual persons. Steve considers it a family matter, as his brother is gay. In this day and age for our society and government to force these persons to struggle and/or have a second-class status, it is up surd.
As Governor, Steve Kelley will:
-Sign a bill into law that allows couples who are otherwise qualified by law to marry, regardless of gender, while also protecting the constitutional rights of religious institutions to make their own determinations as to who can participate in the sacraments and rites of that particular faith
-Lead a dialogue on these issues respecting the concerns of the many Minnesotans who are uncomfortable with using the word "marriage" for same sex relationships
-Support domestic partner benefits to employees that are in relationships, but who do not wish or are unable to marry
-Ensure that educators and school administrators are providing a safe and supportive learning environment free from harassment and bullying, and that all school programs and policies are inclusive
By Ross Dybvig
Steve Kelley for Governor Exploratory Committee
Arguments regarding California's Prop 8 open before the State's Supreme Court tomorrow. The Court has awarded itself to hear the case and dwell on the subject without a ruling until after Memorial Day. There's a lot of speculation swirling around the Justices' ruling in favor of Prop 8 based on the old "liberal v conservative" framework.
Especially in the spotlight will be Justice Kennard, who voted with the majority last year, but who also voted against hearing the petition of the Prop 8 opponents. No one knows whether the latter vote was motivated by a belief that the adoption of Prop 8 was so clearly valid that there was no point in hearing the case or by a belief that the challenge should have been filed first in the lower courts, rather than originally in the state supreme court.
Arguments regarding California's Prop 8 open before the State's Supreme Court tomorrow. The Court has awarded itself to hear the case and dwell on the subject without a ruling until after Memorial Day. There's a lot of speculation swirling around the Justices' ruling in favor of Prop 8 based on the old "liberal v conservative" framework.
