On all continents individuals and their families are forced to flee their homes on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity. While all refugees are vulnerable, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) refugees face particular challenges in accessing assistance and asylum procedures. They also experience instances of violence as a cause of flight or while in countries of first asylum. Human Rights First (HRF) highlighted many of these challenges earlier this month in a policy paper presented at a Roundtable discussion convened by the UN Refugee Agency – UNHCR – on Asylum Seekers and Refugees Seeking Protection on Account of their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. HRF’s paper includes a comprehensive set of recommendations directed at UNHCR and States.

Elena Kagan’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings kicked off on Monday. Her nomination has been met by glum resignation on the left and indifference on the right, as Adam Serwer notes in the American Prospect. Kagan is hoping to replace the Supreme Court’s most prominent liberal, Justice John Paul Stevens, who stepped down earlier this week. Progressives are counting on Kagan to shore up the pro-choice faction on the court.

I often try to understand the people who make up the political opposition to my point of view. After all by understanding what motivates them, there is a chance to turn their assumptions against them, or in increasingly rare cases these days, persuade them to my point of view. Which makes folks like Donna Milo even more of a cipher.

Ms. Milo is a Republican who is running to unseat Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz this cycle. What makes Ms. Milo different is that she is a transgender woman. I am really pleased the any transgendered person is running for office. Here in my hometown a transgendered woman has been running for Councilor at Large for our City Council for a couple of cycles. Pam Bennett came in 4th in her bid to be a Council member.

"Originally posted at Squarestate.net"

Chaz Bono has received legal recognition of his gender reassignment.

This week in federal court, a legal odd couple will join forces to overturn California’s Proposition 8 because it violates the U.S. Constitution. Cue the right-wing media’s hysteria and homophobia.

Crossposted from Border Jumpers.

While everyone we met in Uganda was friendly and helpful, going out of their way to assist us when we needed directions, a Wifi hotspot, or a place to find vegetarian food, the country also has some of the most restrictive laws against human rights on the continent. While we were there, the “Bahati Bill” was introduced in parliament. The Bahati called for life in prison — and in some case the death penalty — for people found “guilty” of homosexual activity.

After a string of demoralizing defeats, the New York Senate takes up same sex marriage today, only without a guarantee of sufficient support.

Chaz Bono, whose mother and father Cher and Sonny Bono made sixties television fun for so many of us, explains to Chris Cuomo on Good Morning America the transition from being Chastity Bono. This is as good an explanation I have ever seen in the mass media of the process, thinking, and feelings of this extraordinary journey — from the viewpoint of the person.

For 20 years, LGBT have put employment and housing discrimination protections at the top of our priority lists, and Congress is finally poised to enact ENDA.

I get a lot of spam form the Right since I have a public e-mail. This one was especially heinous so I thought I would share it.