PROMO

LGBT Regional Summit Hosted by the White House

Members of the LGBT community from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa gathered together in St. Louis on September 30th to discuss a variety of issues in a regional summit hosted by the White House and Department of Health and Human Services.

On hand for panel discussions were representatives of the SBA, USDA, Department of Justice, and Department of Education. Morning workshops included topics as varied as improving data collection for the LGBT community, to health disparities in the queer and trans communities of color, and the future of federal and state nondiscrimination protections. Afternoon workshops focused on health and aging in the LGBT community, the Affordable Care Act, and engaging and supporting LGBT youth. An afternoon panel also highlighted local leaders and community groups.

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Missouri bill would make issuing same-sex marriage licenses a fireable offense

A Missouri legislator has introduced a bill that would make it illegal for the state to enforce a marriage other than between a man and a woman and could lead to the firing of government employees who issue such licenses.

The bill, SB 555, was introduced by Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar):

This act provides that the state shall not enforce a marriage other than a marriage between a man and a woman. Additionally, no state or local taxpayer funds or state or local government employee salaries shall be dispersed for an activity that includes the licensing or support of a marriage other than a marriage between a man and a woman.

Any employee of the state or any political subdivision or instrumentality of the state who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this act may be terminated and shall no longer receive any salary, employee benefits, or retirement benefits, except that the employee may request a refund of the employee’s retirement contributions plus interest.

Same-sex marriage licenses are currently being issued in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and Jackson County, Mo., following back-to-back state and federal court decisions declaring Missouri’s 2004 ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. In Oct. 2014, a Jackson County decision recognized same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Both the St. Louis Circuit Court and Kansas City U.S. District Court decisions have been appealed by Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster to the State Supreme Court and 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, respectively.

Koster, a Democrat who supports marriage equality but says it is his job to defend state laws, did not appeal the earlier decision recognizing out of state same-sex marriages.

“I was disappointed that a bill like this has been introduced this year,” said Kyle Piccola, Senior Field Organizer for PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization. “Even after three judges in Missouri ruled in favor of marriage equality, some members of the legislature are grasping to stop the inevitable from happening.”

Emery’s bill comes on the heels of a Senate Education Committee’s hearing of twin bills (SB-248 and SB-311) on Wednesday, which would make it legal for Christian college groups to discriminate against LGBT students on Missouri campuses. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Missouri House.

The bill is similar to measures introduced in Texas and in Oklahoma that also target local officials with job loss for issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

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Equality Day 2015

Equality Day 2015

PROMO’s annual Equality Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City is Tuesday, February 17.

This year we want you to stand alongside your fellow activists to tell the Missouri Legislature “Show Me Fairness!” Every Missouri citizen should have the right to earn a living and contribute to their community without the fear of being discriminated against because of who they are. Treating others like you want to be treated is good for business, good for communities, and good for Missouri.

Please join us at the Capitol to share your stories and urge your elected officials to pass legislation that protects the LGBT community from employment, housing, and public accommodation discrimination and safeguards youth from the damaging effects of bullying. This is a unique opportunity to help us change hearts and help ensure Missouri is a fair and respectful place for all Missourians to live, work, and raise their families.

We feel that 2015 has the potential to #ShowMeFairness and we want to do it with you!

Transportation will be provided from Kansas City.

Meeting at 7:15 leaving at 7:30 a.m.
Meeting Place: The Uptown Theater parking lot. Located directly north of the Uptown on the NW corner of Broadway and Valentine.

 

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