After hearing the news that state Rep. James Smith
(D-Richland, District 72), is brave enough to be the one to introduce
an LGBT
anti-discrimination bill this coming Tuesday , I immediately thought of
the old Diana Ross song, ‘It’s my turn’. After watching the entire new England states
support Marriage equality, California embracing not only marriage equality but
rights for Transgender and a host of other states debating similar legislation,
I felt, as I’m sure many in S.C. always do, that we’ll never even get the
chance to talk about such things here, but this week, it’s our turn.
Yes my fellow Sur Carolinians, we too will be placed on the
national spotlight this week, to see if we as a state have progressed enough
yet to provide equality to all in this state, finally. On Tuesday April, 30th, the US
State of South Carolina is looking to make discrimination against LGBT people
in the workplace illegal, with a bill on the matter to be heard. Federally,
Congress is in the process of debating EDNA, currently there are no nationwide
US laws prohibiting anti-LGBT discrimination in the workplace. State by State
and in many cases City Ordinances have been debated and or passed in support of
ending discrimination against our communities. Unfortunately this
week, Washington State seems to be taking the opposite approach. Many
states are changing laws and many are not, the American
Medical Student Association has a great state by state count of laws
pertaining to, partnerships-adoption-non-discrimination laws-hate crime
protection and gender change.
South Carolina
Equality Executive Director Ryan Wilson said according to Pink
News, of the bill:”All hardworking people in our state should have the
chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families.” So true, and he is urging LGBT citizens and
their allies in South Carolina and beyond to sign up for email
action alerts on the SC equality web page.
South Carolina Equality link
Why is this so important? Even if you’re the most apathetic citizen
who thinks politicians don't listen to you, well they don’t…if you don’t make
your voice heard. If only a handful of calls and letters get to our local
legislators that will be voting on a bill, affecting our lives for the next
decade or two is heard, that will be the amount of LGBT people they think they
are representing. Have you ever met a South Carolina resident that thinks
Gay-Lesbian-bisexual or Transgender people don’t exist in this state? I have
and if you don’t raise your hand at roll call and say I’m here, many will vote
against this bill believing it affects no one in this state. Already I’m
reading comments on face book by many in the community, “well if it happens”,
don’t wait for someone else to tell you whether you have the right to work and
have a job, place to live and just basic equality protected under the law.
Raise your hand, pick up the phone, call your local representative and say I’m
here. It takes all of five min., and you will still have plenty of time to go
cruise, party, be ready for your next drag show and hang with the gang, but you
will be counted and our state leaders will know we are watching and waiting to
see them do the right thing. If all else fails and hopefully not, remember
their names and vote against them in the next election. It’s time to be
counted, considered and given the respect deserved, as hard working taxpaying
citizens of this state. LGBTQ of South Carolina this is your moment at the
podium and the nation is watching, because if it could pass in the birth place
of discrimination, it can happen anywhere.
Furthermore, if you’re reading this here, I’ve even made it
easier for you. You don’t even have to search for who is your local legislator, here is the list,
pass this link around. Simply put in your city and zip code and presto, their
number. If you happen to be in my district 38 state senate and district 98
House of Representatives they are Sean Bennett (who covers
the corners of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester co.) And Christopher J
Murphy (who covers most of southern Dorchester), respectively.
In District One, we currently don’t have a United States
Representative until May 7th,
with Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, whom Transmuseplanet endorses and who has
stated her support for pro-lgbt legislation runs against Mark “the runaway
Governor” Sanford, who has given past
examples of his anti-Lgbt stance and continues presently. He, if he is given another chance, would
become the greatest and most out spoken opponent to equality of any kind
concerning LGBT people, remember that on May 7th. Currently, that’s
not a major issue due to the fact it is being debated on the state level, so
your State Senator and State House of Representatives are the ones that need to
hear from you this week.
A major hip-hip hooray also needs to go to the state
representative, Rep. James Smith, for his bravery in bringing this to light. If
you’d like to thank him or send your support…click here.
LGBTQ South Carolinians, it’s really in your hands. The roll
call is about to start, the nation is watching, are you here?
Diana Ross's It's my Turn Video: Dedicated to the ones who didn't live to see this day come in South Carolina.Related TMP articles:
Why Trans* should vote for our own self interest
1 comment:
Thanks for writing this very clear explanation of the work ahead. It will probably take a while to get this bill passed. But if more and more people call their reps and senators, each time it is up for a hearing, we will get the job done. Just be patient and keep up the pressure.
Ann Willbrand
SC Equality
Board Secretary
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