There are countless people in need of equality. It is every citizens right to marry who they wish.

I disagree with the NFL banning only certain racial ethic and gender slurs, they need to deal with all of them as a whole and actually encore the rules that they all ready have in place concerning all racial, ethic, and gender slurs

A provision that defines boycotts against Israeli policies towards the Palestinians as anti-Semitism (1) was inserted into the House version of the Maryland budget bill without any vote or public hearing (2). This language is not in the version of the budget passed by the Senate. The two versions of the budget bill will go to a conference committee which will decide the final language. The Maryland Senate and House will then vote on the bill, but no further changes will be allowed. A similar resolution has been defeated in Illinois. (3) Similar legislation is pending in New York, Florida, Kansas, and the U.S. Congress. (4) South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a leader in the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement that helped overthrow apartheid in South Africa, has challenged the Maryland provision and similar legislation as an attack on free speech in support of justice in Israel and Palestine. (5) Maryland legislators and Governor Martin O'Malley should insist that the offensive anti-boycott language in the House version of the budget bill be removed. References: 1. “Amendment to senate bill 170, as amended,” http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/amds/bil_0000/sb0170_92322801.pdf 2. “New Developments on Anti-Boycott Efforts in MD State Legislature: Immediate Action Needed,” http://www.freespeechfreestate.org/final_action 3. “Anti-Boycott Resolution Rejected in Illinois State Senate Committee,” Center for Constitutional Rights, http://palestinelegalsupport.org/2014/04/02/anti-boycott-resolution-rejected-in-illinois-state-senate-committee/ 4. “Questions about free speech, anti-Semitism roil debate on academic boycott of Israel,” Renee Schoof, McClatchy, March 17, 2014, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/03/17/221495/questions-about-free-speech-anti.html 5. “Statement from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on US anti-BDS legislation,” http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1502

From the OWH: The Nebraska School Activities Association has asked a state champion from its speech contest to change the content of his poem before recording it for a television program. The student won a first place medal at the state high school speech tournament last week reciting poems about gender identity. The association, however, has deemed the poems too controversial to be featured in a public TV broadcast highlighting the best performers at the competition. Michael Barth of Gordon-Rushville High School performed poems titled "Swingset" and "Same Love," according to Rhonda Blanford-Green, executive director of the Nebraska School Activities Association.

A Christian school just rejected an 8-year-old girl for "practicing a homosexual lifestyle or an alternative gender identity." Until recently, Sunnie Kahle attended Timberlake Christian School in Forest, VA. She got good grades and was never in trouble. But she also preferred wearing her hair short and prefers jeans and sneakers -- which school administrators claim disturbed the classroom. "Unless Sunnie as well as her family clearly understand that God has made her female and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity," they wrote to Sunnie's grandparents, who raised her, "TCS is not the best place for her future education." Sunnie's grandparents removed her from Timberlake Christian and enrolled her in public school. They understandably don't want to reenroll her, but they say that she cries every day because she misses her old friends -- and who knows how many other children are suffering under the school's cruel and sexist policies? Timberlake Christian School owes this young girl and her family an apology -- and they need to drop their unchristian and discriminatory policies immediately.

I am deeply concerned about the fate of many men and women from India and other developing countries who are being used almost like slave labor in Dubai, Abu Dhabhi, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states

Qatar is set to host the Football World Cup in 2022 — and by that time, at least 4,000 migrant workers will have died to make the city ready. Since 2012, roughly 900 workers have already been killed working on infrastructure for the World Cup, astronomically more than have died in any construction project in recent history. It's easy to see why. Workers describe forced labor in 50C (122F) heat, employers who steal their salaries and passports, and being shuttled like cattle in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions without access to water or food. And throughout these rampant abuses, FIFA has been silent as the grave. It's time for the organizer to take a stand. Join us in calling on FIFA to send a clear message to Qatar: We will not allow the 2022 World Cup to be built on the backs of dying slaves.

This year in Indiana, Midori Fujii lost her partner of fifteen years to ovarian cancer. In the midst of grieving, she received a $300,000 bill for her home - because it was in her wife's name. It's been nearly two years since President Obama made his now famous address in support of legalizing gay marriage. But because Indiana still doesn’t recognize same-sex unions, Midori’s California marriage remains invalid. Every day without marriage equality, lives continue to be ruined. Gay marriage is currently banned in 30 states - well over half of the country! And Midori's tragic story reminds us that there are real, destructive consequences. Indiana's bigotry has punished this woman for her wife's death. Join us in demanding an end to the state’s anti-gay discrimination now!

The rights and dignity of transient members of our community should not be repressed simply because some people feel uncomfortable with their presence. This is a civil rights issue.

I am an active member in this democracy. As members of a democratic society its our role to make sure people are free to exercise their right to liberty. This includes their liberty to marry those of the same sex. Not allowing these civil unions to be recognized is unconstitutional.

To protect the freedom of the press which part of the first amendment congress does not have the right to decide who press is and is not.

Federal recognition has been denied or stripped from over 400 thousand native Americans in California alone. This is a systemic problem throughout the United States. The re-recognition or recognition process can take over 30 years and millions of dollars. Many times after years of litigation it results in denial for recognition. For many of us we have federal recognition through the '1972 California Judgment Fund Payment', we were Native enough to be paid but it does not signify federal recognition or membership in a "Federally Recognized Tribe". This is played out throughout the United States, Hawaii is the worst for recognition with California being second worst. Some of the so called "tribes" in California were Rancherias that was land set aside for homeless Indians, they were a consortium of many tribes. Because of their status of having a "land" base they were considered as a tribe. Any other Natives without a reservation, Rancheria or land in federal trust for Indians were taken from the recognition roles. That left an estimated 38 thousand Natives on the Federal recognition roles and stripped recognition of close to 500 thousand Native Californians. We are not allowed to participate in any discussion at the state or federal level concerning native needs or policies. It is time our voices are heard