About to mail my 2010-05-06 postal vote for Britain's Lib-Dems—YAY!

[brendalana]

Bermuda - Ignoring gender-variant, intersex and diverse-sex folk's omissive Human Rights… "Bermuda Parliament debates banning discrimination based on age and sexual orientation..." [2012-07-15 Lexology]

http://goo.gl/6wHP9

Bermuda Parliament debates banning discrimination based on age and sexual orientation

Fox Rothschild LLP
Richard B. Cohen

Bermuda

July 15 2012

The Bermuda Parliament is wrestling with the issues of banning discrimination based on age and sexual orientation. As noted by Bernews, “Bermuda’s News and Culture Source”< http://bernews.com/?p=125391 >: “Support for banning age discrimination was almost universal among MPs, while the debate on banning discrimination based on sexual orientation was more varied.” Sounds like the contour of the debates currently taking place in numerous American states and municipalities.

Yesterday’s Parliamentary debate concerned a motion to amend the Human Rights Act < http://www.bermudalaws.bm/Laws/Consolidated%20Laws/Human%20Rights%20Act%201981.pdf > (of 1981) as follows: “That this Honourable House take note of the merits of introducing an Equality Act which will establish measures protecting persons from age discrimination, and discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation, particularly in circumstances relating to employment, accommodation and the procurement of goods and services.”

One MP’s stand on discrimination based upon sexual orientation was based, he contended, on the position of his Church: “When it comes to the discrimination based on sexual orientation, I will take my lead from my Church. … I will take my lead from the Church, I am from the AME Church, and I think their stance on that is no secret. When it comes to age discrimination, I certainly will always be against that.”

Another MP took issue with this position, stating that: “at no time does any Pastor say that because your sexual orientation is different from mine don’t give me your collection on a Sunday. That doesn’t happen. And that’s being very real.”

Finally, a third MP distinguished the roles of Parliament and the Church: “Lets show respect, the church has its duty to do, and we have our duty to do as we pass legislation in this House. … We are all God’s children … If you cut us we will all bleed the same colour, I haven’t seen anyone bleed different yet.”

-

Author page http://www.lexology.com/24719/author/Richard_B_Cohen/

—

© Copyright 2006-2012 Globe Business Publishing Ltd

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-08-30 08.20BST…

Greetings, all…

Yay! for Archbishop Desmond Tutu who won't share platform with 'morally indefensible' Tony Blair over invasion of Iraq... [2012-08 29 The Independent]

http://tinyurl.com/ceqh2wz

Ciao...

B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-08-30 08.20BST…

Greetings, all…

Yay! for Archbishop Desmond Tutu who won't share platform with 'morally indefensible' Tony Blair over invasion of Iraq... [2012-08 29 The Independent]

http://tinyurl.com/ceqh2wz

Ciao...

B+...

Britain - Desmond Tutu calls for Blair and Bush to be tried over Iraq... [2012-09-02 BBC News]

http://bbc.in/OD662Y

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-08-30 08.20BST…

Greetings, all…

Yay! for Archbishop Desmond Tutu who won't share platform with 'morally indefensible' Tony Blair over invasion of Iraq... [2012-08 29 The Independent]

http://tinyurl.com/ceqh2wz

Ciao...

B+...

Britain - Desmond Tutu calls for Blair and Bush to be tried over Iraq... [2012-09-02 BBC News]

http://bbc.in/OD662Y

Desmond Tutu: "Why I had no choice but to spurn Tony Blair" [2012-09-02 The Guardian]

 http://gu.com/p/3a5ty/tw

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-09-15 11.39BST...

Greetings, all...

Thank you The Onion for your needed to be said commentary:

   US - No One Murdered Because Of This Image... [2012-09-13 The Onion]

   http://www.theonion.com/articles/no-one-murdered-because-of-this-image,29553/

   No One Murdered Because Of This Image

   SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 - ISSUE 48•37

   

   WASHINGTON—Following the publication of the image above, in which the most cherished figures from multiple religious faiths were depicted engaging in a lascivious sex act of considerable depravity, no one was murdered, beaten, or had their lives threatened, sources reported Thursday. The image of the Hebrew prophet Moses high-fiving Jesus Christ as both are having their erect penises vigorously masturbated by Ganesha, all while the Hindu deity anally penetrates Buddha with his fist, reportedly went online at 6:45 p.m. EDT, after which not a single bomb threat was made against the organization responsible, nor did the person who created the cartoon go home fearing for his life in any way. Though some members of the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths were reportedly offended by the image, sources confirmed that upon seeing it, they simply shook their heads, rolled their eyes, and continued on with their day.

   —

   © Copyright 2012 Onion Inc.

   UNQUOTE…

Ciao...


B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-10-26 15.50BST...

79-year-young 28-year-postoperative Bermudian M2F transsexual woman Brenda Lana Smith (nee Alan Brennan-cum-Alan Smith) R.af D.'s published comments on:

*Bermuda - Human Rights Commission issues progress report… [2012-10-25 Bermuda Sun]:

   What is mooted does not and will not afford gender-variant, gender-dysphoric, and intersex folk protection on Bermuda from discrimination with impunity…

   Before nonchalantly dismissing equality for gender-variant, gender-dysphoric, and intersex folk on Bermuda… and… their consequent right to pursue justice before the European Court of Human Rights… Bermuda's legislative powers-that-be need consider the potential legal impact of the 2011-06-30 European Commission Directorate-General for Justice report:

   "Trans and intersex people - Discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity and gender expression…"
   
   http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/trans_and_intersex_people_web3_en.pdf

   UNQUOTE

Ciao…

B+…

+++++

*Bermuda - Human Rights Commission issues progress report… [2012-10-25 Bermuda Sun]

http://bermudasun.bm/Main.asp?SectionID=24&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=61347

10/25/2012 10:00:00 AM

Human Rights Commission issues progress report
Human Rights Commission press release

THURSDAY, OCT. 25: The Hon. Glenn Blakeney, the Minister of Youth, Families and Sports, who has responsibility for the Human Rights Commission (the Commission) recently published a Commencement Date Notice to bring into operation the Human Rights Amendment Act 2012 on Friday,  October 26, 2012.

This amendment reflects the Commission’s commitment to continually strengthen the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1981 (the Act).  Following two years of extensive legislative review, research and consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, recommendations were made to change the structure, function and administrative processes of the Human Rights Commission to improve effectiveness.  These significant changes underpin efforts to modernize the Human Rights Commission to reflect best practice in international standards.

As the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, I am pleased to endorse these efforts to improve our service to the public. The current Commissioners have met on a weekly basis over the past several months in order to attend to business ahead of the scheduled October 26, 2012 Commencement Date.  This date also signifies the end of the term of service for the 2012 Commissioners.

As such, I could not let this occasion pass without briefly highlighting some of the significant initiatives underway this year that will continue to be addressed as the Commission moves forward.

• Continuing work on disability issues, including providing Unreasonable Hardship presentations to industry and community organisations;

• Collaboratively addressing the issue of non-Bermudian migrant worker abuse through information sessions on human rights, employment rights and immigration rights with partner agencies and individuals;

• Hosting collaborative film viewings and assemblies to students across the island, and offering information sessions on rights and responsibilities to the public;

• Engaging in roundtable dialogues with rights-based agencies and government departments to build the Commission’s knowledge about their respective mandates, identify how we can maximise impact together, and improve referral services to the public;

• Providing policy advice and support to private sector and civil service agencies to aid their equality, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination efforts;

• Continuing our public duty to advocate for the expansion of protection afforded by the Act, and as well, building understanding of issue areas including facilitating public forums and roundtable discussions.

The Commission recognizes that the Act still does not provide the comprehensive level of protection from discrimination it ought to afford.  To this end, the Commission remains staunchly committed to the evolving the Act including the expansion of protection against discrimination on the grounds of age and sexual orientation.  While the Commission recognizes that the Government has restated its commitment to determine a way forward, it has been disheartening to still receive complaints of discrimination based on the grounds of both age and sexual orientation in 2012 that could not be considered by the Commission.

These are challenging economic times for employers and employees.  Complaints of discrimination on the grounds of age in the workplace have seemingly increased.  The Commission receives complaints from individuals who question whether a job loss or failure-to-hire could be attributable to their age.  Additionally, the Commission remains dissatisfied with its ability to respond to complaints from individuals based on their sexual orientation.  As it stands there are a great number of injustices, including harassment, which can occur because of the lack of protection afforded.

Until the Act affords protection against discrimination based on age or sexual orientation, the Commission invites any persons who feel they may be a victim of these forms of discrimination to contact the Human Rights Commission as these complaints are recorded for statistical purposes evidencing unfair treatment in Bermuda.

It is important that we work together to promote and protect human rights for all, challenging our own prejudices and fear to better understand those around us.  At the Commission, as advocates for human rights, we are charged with fighting injustice, restoring faith in fairness, ensuring that people live without fear of discrimination and addressing issues of equality and inclusion.  The Commission relies on the commitment and energy of all those working in support of social justice: teachers, lawyers, students, business leaders, community advocates, and countless dedicated individuals to promote messages of dignity, respect and rights for all.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank my colleagues for their dedication as members of the Human Rights Commission for the 2012 term, steadily working to promote a culture of human rights for all people in Bermuda, where rights are better understood and protected.

The Commission is dedicated to innovation and excellence and I am impressed with the effort and focus on service to the public as shown by the staff and I thank them for their work.  As the Commission gains experience in its new role, the organization will be best able to ensure that processes are fair and accessible.

Finally, I would like to strongly encourage all members of the public who wish to join in this effort, to consider applying to serve on the Commission for the upcoming three year term.  The Commission is seeking lawyers and laypersons alike to bring a diverse representation of the community to the table in support of human rights.

The application process formally opens this November and I am hopeful and optimistic about the future Commission.

For more information please contact the Human Rights Commission at 295-5859 or email humanrights@gov.bm.


Michelle A. Scott Outerbridge

Chair – Human Rights Commission

-

Reader Comments:

Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Comment by: Brenda Lana Smith

What is mooted does not and will not afford gender-variant, gender-dysphoric, and intersex folk protection on Bermuda from discrimination with impunity…

…..

Posted: Friday, October 26, 2012
Comment by: Brenda Lana Smith

Before nonchalantly dismissing equality for gender-variant, gender-dysphoric, and intersex folk on Bermuda… and… their consequent right to pursue justice before the European Court of Human Rights… Bermuda's legislative powers-that-be need consider the potential legal impact of the 2011-06-30 European Commission Directorate-General for Justice report:

   "Trans and intersex people - Discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity and gender expression…"
   
   http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/trans_and_intersex_people_web3_en.pdf

—

© 2005-2012 Bermuda Sun Ltd.

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-11-27 13.21GMT…

   What will be the legacy of David Cameron's time as Prime Minister of the UK?

   

   UNQUOTE...

Needless to say left-of-center Liberal Democrat BLS is far from happy with the ongoing damage—mildly jested at above—that Cameron's led Clegeron coalition has done, and is doing to probably most UK electors' already poor perception of the Liberal Democratic party...

Ciao…

B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-12-17 09.22GMT…

Greetings, all...

   My best thoughts go out to all "One Bermuda Alliance" Bermuda parliamentary candidates today—2012-12-17… especially Alan Smith-cum-BLS' 28-years "Brenda-phobic" son Glen Smith… http://bernews.com/election/2012/08/constituency-14-devonshire-north-west/

   UNQUOTE...

Ciao…

B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-12-17 09.22GMT…

Greetings, all...

   My best thoughts go out to all "One Bermuda Alliance" Bermuda parliamentary candidates today—2012-12-17… especially Alan Smith-cum-BLS' 28-years "Brenda-phobic" son Glen Smith… http://bernews.com/election/2012/08/constituency-14-devonshire-north-west/

   UNQUOTE...

Ciao…

B+...

Bernews.com 2012-12-18 02.04GMT:

Huge news.....Premier Paula Cox has been ousted. Glenn Smith [OBA] has defeated the incumbent Paula Cox [PLP] in C#14 Devonshire North West. The OBA pick up a very big seat…ousting the sitting Premier...

UNQUOTE...

Congratulations, Glen...

B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2012-12-17 09.22GMT…

Greetings, all...

   My best thoughts go out to all "One Bermuda Alliance" Bermuda parliamentary candidates today—2012-12-17… especially Alan Smith-cum-BLS' 28-years "Brenda-phobic" son Glen Smith… http://bernews.com/election/2012/08/constituency-14-devonshire-north-west/

   UNQUOTE...

Ciao…

B+...

Bernews.com 2012-12-18 02.04GMT:

Huge news.....Premier Paula Cox has been ousted. Glenn Smith [OBA] has defeated the incumbent Paula Cox [PLP] in C#14 Devonshire North West. The OBA pick up a very big seat…ousting the sitting Premier...

UNQUOTE...

Congratulations, Glen...

B+...

Bermuda - One Bermuda Alliance candidate Glen Smith’s stunning removal of the sitting premier was earned on the doorstep… [2012-12-19 Royal Gazette]

http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20121219/NEWS01/712199953

‘I knew that area was going to support me’

Dec 19, 2012 at 8:00 am (Updated Dec 18, 2012 at 11:35 pm)

(Photo by David Skinner)
One Bermuda Alliance candidate Glen Smith bursts from the Devonshire West polling station at CedarBridge Academy moments after defeating Progressive Labour Party Premier in Monday’s general election.

Glen Smith’s stunning removal of the sitting premier was earned on the doorstep

By Jonathan Bell

New MP Glen Smith said he sensed long in advance that one the election’s shock victories — which saw a sitting Premier thwarted in her bid for Devonshire North West — was going to fall in his favour.

“To be honest, I knew three weeks ago,” the One Bermuda Alliance MP admitted of his victory, 470 to Paula Cox’s 377.

Mr Smith added: “That count was eleven votes off from what I said I was going to win.”

The 49-year-old businessman and former Deputy Mayor of Hamilton continued: “I knew from what people were telling me on the doorstep.

“And I kept it to myself. People will tell you what you want to hear, or else they are too polite.

“But from heart to heart, hearing peoples’ struggles in their daily lives — I knew that area was going to support me.”

The owner of Island Self Storage, Mr Smith and his wife Jonelle have two sons, Somers and Carter Smith.

He served in the Corporation of Hamilton until February, when he stepped down after announcing his candidacy.

Asked if he might seek a post in the new Cabinet, he said he could potentially serve based on “my skills in business development”.

“I started all my own businesses. I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 20. You could say I’m respected in the international business and local business arena. I’ve employed over 500 Bermudians in my time.”

Asked if he had been deployed in the area specifically to unseat the Progressive Labour Party candidate, Mr Smith replied: “No, not at all.

“My strategy from the get-go was to serve the people of Devonshire North West. I was born and raised in Devonshire North and that’s why I got involved.”

However, he added: “I guess my main goal was to create a marginal, at the end of the day, of what was historically always a PLP stronghold.”

At the polls on Monday, he said, “I knew 80 percent of everybody’s first name or surname”.

He said his campaign had been quietly “below the radar screen”, but involved laborious canvassing to build trust in Cedar Park, Roberts Avenue, Deepdale and Happy Valley.

“I knocked on every door,” he said. “After every home, I wrote a hand written note saying, ‘It was a pleasure to meet you, I’m interested in your concerns’.

“You have to remember, this is a constituency that nobody ever, ever looked after personally. It took a lot of time.”

He said perseverance, personalising notes and phoning people on their birthdays, whether they supported his party or not, ultimately paid off.

Of course, Mr Smith conceded, boundary changes, such as the addition of more affluent neighbourhoods such as Camden Road, also tilted the constituency in his favour.

But in the more depressed neighbourhoods, he said he was received initially with “Where’s this white guy coming from?” attitude.

“That was until I was able to explain who I am and what I am about — then they opened their doors to me.”

Mr Smith said he wanted to represent the ignored communities, and felt deeply flattered to gain acceptance there.

“They’re great neighbourhoods. I got invited into homes. I sat on walls and talked with people. I didn’t need a bodyguard.

“At first I was a bit apprehensive. But everywhere I go through, they say, ‘Smith, I got your back’. And they certainly did have my back on election day.”

Of the constituents, he said: “They just want somebody that’s going to give them hope. Hope and trust. To get them back to work and be there for them.”

He said he gets “three or four phone calls a day” from people who need advice.

Of his time in the Corporation of Hamilton, Mr Smith said: “Of course it was a great learning curve for me. But it could never be as powerful as this. This is about working with peoples’ lives.”

After his victory, Mr Smith said of Ms Cox: “She congratulated me and I thanked her for her contributions. She was a woman of few words.”

Speaking the day after the election, the new MP said of his next move: “Sleep. I have not been to sleep yet.

“Next it’s up to the Premier to see if he wishes to select me to be in a Cabinet position. But my main focus is to work with the constituents of Devonshire North West.”

—

© Copyright 2011 royalgazette.com.

 
 

B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2013-01-06 11.22GMT…

Greetings, all…

Re: US - Video - "Never Trust A Photo Copier…" [2011-05-31 CBS News]
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150199305532761


With rumors of alleged illegal document shredding in Bermuda government offices in the immediate wake of the 2012-12-17 PLP defeat… it would behove the OBA attorney-general to immediately seize and examine all the Bermuda government's copying machines for possible supportive evidence of such illegal activities…

Ciao…

B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2013-03-01 02.15 GMT…

Greetings, all…

Believing in values that Britain's Liberal Democratic party promotes over all other UK political parties'… having contributed but a widow's mite... this left-of-centre Liberal Democratic party member is extremely relieved and happy that Lib Dem candidate Mike Thornton has won the 2013-02-28 Eastleigh by-election… unfortunately, our Lib Dem's powers-that-be recent tarnished integrity is probably much to blame for having reduced his majority to only 1,771 votes… that done and dusted... I was not only surprised but am now very much concerned that Conservatives came in third after the UKIP... whose sneering—to this 79-year-old EU-phile—near goose-stepping xenophobic spokespeople would do the like 1930s Sir Oswald Mosley and Dr Gobbels proud… the by-election result:

   Mike Thornton (LD) 13,342 (32.06%, -14.48%)
   Diane James (UKIP) 11,571 (27.80%, +24.20%)
   Maria Hutchings (C) 10,559 (25.37%, -13.96%)
   John O'Farrell (Lab) 4,088 (9.82%, +0.22%)
   Danny Stupple (Ind) 768 (1.85%, +1.56%)
   Dr Iain Maclennan (NHA) 392 (0.94%)
   Ray Hall (Beer) 235 (0.56%)
   Kevin Milburn (Christian) 163 (0.39%)
   Howling Laud Hope (Loony) 136 (0.33%)
   Jim Duggan (Peace) 128 (0.31%)
   David Bishop (Elvis) 72 (0.17%)
   Michael Walters (Eng Dem) 70 (0.17%, -0.30%)
   Daz Procter (TUSC) 62 (0.15%)
   Colin Bex (Wessex Reg) 30 (0.07%)

   LD majority 1,771 (4.26%); 19.34% swing LD to UKIP
   Electorate 79,004
   Turnout 41,616 (52.68%, -16.61%)

Ciao…

B+...

[kurto]

Mainly just happy that the murder-condoning, disgusting pile of scum O'Farrell made no progress whatsoever.
That the Labour party would put up such a horrible excuse for a human being pretty much tells you everything you need to know about our official opposition party.

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2013-04-08 18.40BST...

Greetings, all... BLS is with Peter Tatchell vis-a-vis the late Margaret Thatcher:

Britain - Margaret Thatcher: Extraordinary but heartless…. [2013-04-08 Peter Tatchell]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=432649586829505&set=a.153791814715285.35323.153728414721625&type=1&theater

Margaret Thatcher: Extraordinary but heartless. Her free market policies paved the way for banking deregulation & the current economic crisis. She legislated the UK’s first new anti-gay law in 100 years (Section 28), and hammered civil liberties and local government.

“Margaret Thatcher was an extraordinary woman but she was extraordinary for mostly the wrong reasons. So many of her policies were wrong and heartless. Nevertheless, I don’t rejoice in her death. I commiserate, as I do with the death of any person. In contrast, she showed no empathy for the victims of her harsh, ruthless policy decisions,” said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

“Thatcher initiated policies that paved the way for the current economic crisis: the decimation of Britain’s manufacturing base, the get-rich-quick business mentality, the promotion of the free market and the poorly regulated banking sector. This led to imbalances in the economy. The financial sector gained undue influence, with few checks and balances. These distortions were exacerbated by Blair and Brown but Thatcher began the train of events that led to the present economic meltdown.

“In 1988, the Thatcher government legislated Britain’s first new anti-gay law in 100 years: Section 28. At the 1987 Tory party conference she mocked people who defended the right to be gay, insinuating that there was no such right. During her rule, arrests and convictions for consenting same-sex behaviour rocketed, as did queer bashing violence and murder. Gay men were widely demonised and scapegoated for the AIDS pandemic and Thatcher did nothing to challenge this vilification.

“To her credit, she shattered the sexist glass ceiling in politics and got to the top in a man’s world. However, on becoming Prime Minister she did little for the rights of women. She was a macho, testosterone-fuelled right-wing politician.

“Her political agenda was almost entirely divisive and destructive, including mass unemployment and urban decay. She emasculated local government and boosted police powers to the detriment of civil liberties. The striking miners and their families were ruthlessly crushed on her orders. She oversaw the use of police state methods. Baton-wielding police struck down peaceful miners. People travelling to support the strikers were pre-emptively arrested. Protesting miners at Orgreave were framed on false police evidence.

“On a personal note: Thatcher once unintentionally praised me. It happened in 1981 in the House of Commons. SDP MP James Wellbeloved urged Thatcher to denounce me for advocating extra-parliamentary protests against Tory policies. She responded by saying that she had not read the remarks by the “honourable person.” This was the first and last time she ever described me as honourable,” said Mr Tatchell.

By: Peter Tatchell

—

END

UNQUOTE...

Ciao...

B+...

[brendalana]

BLS Cornwall 2013-04-29 08.39BST…

Greetings, all...

Yay! for LGBT+ Liberal Democrats: "Always Been There For You…"

Courtesy…  http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/document/equal-marriage-for-all.pdf

Always Been There For You

   • In autumn 1975, the Liberal Party (as the party was then called) passed a resolution in favour of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality's Law Reform Bill, and called upon the party's peers and MPs to support the Bill in Parliament. The bill was the first proposed legislation to talk about full equality for homosexuals, including equalising the age of consent for gay sex (which was 21 in those days).
   • Opposed Section 28 right from the start in 1988 ü Voted to Repeal in 2000 ... and in 2003
   • Supported Gay Consent at 16 in 1994
   • Wrote the Law on Civil Partnerships in 2002
   • Supported Same-Sex Couples in the Children and Adoption Act 2002 ü Led on Trans Rights in the Gender Recognition Act 2004
   • Supported Lesbian Fertility Treatment in 2008
   • Campaigned for LGBT Asylum Seekers in 2008
   • Uniquely Supported all Trans People's Rights in the 2010 Equality Bill ü First major party to support Equal Marriage in 2010

UNQUOTE...

Ciao…

B+...