Because I Hallie AnneMarie Shannon believe in equality, god created all so why destroy our rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Dear Secretary of State John Kerry, As stated by Senator Paul Wellstone on July 7th 2000, it “is that quite often the victims [of human trafficking] are the ones who are punished, and these mobsters and criminals who are involved in the trafficking of these women and girls with this blatant exploitation get away with literally murder.” As you are aware, the trafficking of human beings is a form of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. This is unfortunately very common in the United States, especially in the labor force. Some of the common places where forced labor has been found range from small operations to large-scaled factories. While the Department of Homeland Security looks to protect victims, we find the T-Visa (T Nonimmigrant Status) to restrict this protection due to the incredibly stringent set of requirements for eligibility. In your letter to the readers in the Trafficking in Persons Report of 2013, you state that human trafficking “tears apart families and communities1” and that we “have a moral obligation to meet this challenge head-on.” However, the stringent requirements to obtain a T-Visa only result in more challenges for victims of human trafficking. It is estimated that over 17,000 people are trafficked into the United States each year yet only slightly over half of the T-Visa applications submitted between 2002 and 2010 were approved. We applaud the work being done by you and others such as Representative Chris Smith and Representative Sam Gejdenson in an attempt to prevent men, women, and children from being trafficked. However, we feel as though there is always room for improvement especially in regards to the stringent policies that govern the requirements for eligibility for T-Visas. Sincerely, Arthur, Enya, Jeran, Kathyrn and Dr. Paul Lopez, Ph.D

I have been personally affected by the current child support system in a negative manner. The current law is outdated, unfair, and in many instances, unconstitutional. Reform is needed so that the modern family and our diverse situations can be correctly addressed. This will ensure that proper guidelines are being mandated and followed. No child deserves to be subjected to witnessing their parent fall victim to the child support system.

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.