fuckyeahgenderstudies:

Tory MEPs have voted against the withdrawal of gender identity from the the International Classification of Diseases’s list of mental and behavioural disorders.

Daniel Hannan and Nirj Deva voted alongside the likes of the BNP’s Nick Griffin and Andrew Brons in opposing Labour MEP Richard Howitt’s amendment to human rights legislation, with other Tories abstaining.

The amendment was passed; 353 votes to 268 (52 abstentions).

Among other things, it:

• Calls on the Commission to advocate the withdrawal of gender identity from the list of mental and behavioural disorders in the negotiations on the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and to seek a non-pathologising reclassification;
• Reiterates its request that the Commission produce a comprehensive roadmap against homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, also addressing human rights violations on these grounds in the world;
• Reasserts that the principle of non-discrimination, also embracing grounds of sex and sexual orientation, must not be compromised in the ACP-EU partnership;
• Calls on the Member States to grant asylum to people fleeing persecution in countries where LGBT people are criminalised, taking into consideration applicants’ well founded fears of persecution, and relying on their self-identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

gaywrites:

This week the Senate approved the judicial nomination of Michael W. Fitzgerald, an openly gay nominee for the federal bench and the third openly gay nominee from the Obama administration.

With a 91-6 floor vote, Fitzgerald will fill an empty seat in California. He’s already earned his fair share of scorn from conservative groups who say he’s radical or extremist because of his LGBT activism, but still only six votes were cast against him.

President Obama nominated Fitzgerald to the federal bench in July. “His impressive career stands as a testament to his formidable intellect and integrity,” Obama said in a statement last summer. “I am confident he will serve the people of California with distinction on the District Court bench.”

Once again, it’s good to have people in high places who know what’s right. Congrats to him.

gaywrites:

Sen. John Kerry has introduced federal legislation that would protect same-sex couples from discrimination in matters related to housing. A version of the bill was introduced in the House as well. 

The Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, or HOME Act, would amend the 1968 Fair Housing Act to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This would relate to issues dealing with credit, acquisition of housing and custody of children, among other things, including making it easier for LGBT couples to fight back against discrimination. The Advocate article linked above has more of the legal details.

“It’s hard to believe that in 2011, any law-abiding, tax-paying American who can pay the rent can’t live somewhere just because of who they are,” Kerry said in a statement. “Housing discrimination against LGBT Americans is wrong, but today in most states there isn’t a thing you can do about it. This legislation would end discrimination that continues to hurt people.”

Now that is what I’m talking about.