Arizona LGBT Workers Sue to Maintain Benefits

Yesterday, Gay and Lesbian university and state workers in Arizona filed a suit aimed at overturning a law which takes away their domestic partner benefits.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Phoenix, and claims the move to retract domestic partner benefits violates constitutional protections that guarantee equal treatment of all individuals.

Tara Borelli, an attorney with the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund stated:

“These gay and lesbian state workers just want the same thing that workers at the next desk, in the next patrol car, get.”

Borelli also indicated refusing equal benefits for all employees is the same as paying some employees less for the same work.

Tracy Collins, a senior patrol officer with the Department of Public Safety, who is also one of the 10 plaintiffs in the lawsuit, is concerned, because if the change takes effect as scheduled on October 1, 2010 she will lose the benefits that now go to her partner and their children. Collins stated:

“I do the exact same job all of the other officers do for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.”

Collins also noted that her 10-year relationship demonstrated her relationship is just as committed as the relationships of married DPS staffers, adding:

“I do believe that we deserve the same rights as every other officer does with a family.”

The employees are in jeopardy of loosing their partner benefits after the state’s “Christian” Governor, Jan Brewer, who admittedly holds open prayer sessions while determining state law, signed a law that redefines a ‘dependent,’ canceling the rule change made by the state’s former Gov. Janet Napolitano that allowed domestic partners to receive benefits.

Another Female Gov Prays Away the Gay

We all remember the funny, yet not so funny ex-governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, who thought that Jesus rode dinosaurs and you could “pray away the gay”.

Well, it looks like this time, yet another religious fanatic governor has actually succeeded in praying away the gay…or perhaps is playing God.

According to various reports, Arizona’s Governor, Jan Brewer stated on Wednesday that she believes,

“God has placed me in this powerful position as Arizona’s governor.”

Brewer has also been vocal and detailed about how she relies on her faith and in prayer to deal with many of the issues she faces as the state’s chief executive, stating there are times during staff meetings they will pray together about an issue.

According to Brewer:

“And we stop, and we take that time, and we pray about it, and it does make a difference.”

So what are the issue they pray about and what difference has it made? Well, recalling benefits for same-sex partners of state employees is one.

According to the Arizona Daily Star:

“A bill signed by Gov. Jan Brewer redefined a ‘dependent,’ canceling the rule change made by Gov. Janet Napolitano that allowed domestic partners to receive benefits. Also eliminated are children of domestic partners, full-time students ages 23-24 and disabled adult dependents. The legislation is in legal review. About 800 state employees are affected, according to the state’s administration department.”

So see, maybe Sarah Palin was right…perhaps you can ‘pray away the gay’, or at least if you have the power, you can make it go away!

Drug Laws Trump Religious Use of Marijuana in Arizona

The state’s interest in banning marijuana outweighs the religious beliefs of an individual that he is entitled to use the drug anywhere, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled today.

In a unanimous opinion, the justices said state law permits the government to “burden the exercise of religion” only if it shows a compelling interest and that the restrictions are the “least restrictive means of furthering that interest.” And Daniel Hardesty conceded to the court that there is some governmental interest in the regulation of marijuana.

Read more at: www.azstarnet.com!

Arizona City Votes Down LGBT Protections

The Flagstaff City Council voted 6-1 on March 2nd, against an ordinance that would extend enforceable legal rights to Flagstaff’s LGBT community. Instead they passed a nonbinding resolution of inclusion that carries no force of law.

If the ordinance passed, sexual orientation and gender identity would have been included on the list of personal characteristics protected in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations and education.

Some of those who spoke out against the ordinance were landlords, who felt the measure was not unnecessary, however those in support cited it would be comforting to know they would not be able to evicted or refused a living space based upon their sexual orientation.

Either way, the ordinance did not pass, and as it stands, there are still no protections against discrimination for LGBT persons in Flagstaff.

Suze Orman Speaks OUT About Gay Marriage

Financial adviser powerhouse Suze Orman gave us her Valentine’s Day wish…that all Americans, gay and straight, can make the most out the money they by being given their “birth right” of marriage and enjoying the financial benefits thereof.

Orman refers to Prop 8, Amendment 2 and Amendment 102 as “travesties”, and asked the question, “What is that all about?”

Thank you Suze…you rock!

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