This petition was started by alumni from Eastside Catholic High School. After we started this, we were happy to hear of an earlier petition the current students at Eastside began, which can be found here: https://www.change.org/petitions/united-states-conference-of-catholic-bishops-change-the-roman-catholic-church-s-stance-on-gay-marriage It's time for a doctrinal change in the Catholic Church and its position on homosexuality and marriage. In the words of Pope Francis, "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" The churches stance on homosexuality is medieval, and it's policies are not following in the teachings of Christ, Pope Francis or our basic human rights to chose who we love. Eastside Catholic should take a stance to protect one of their own over this unjust policy, and reinstate Mark Zmuda immediately.

Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the family featured on the hit TV show Duck Dynasty, just went on a racist and anti-gay tirade comparing homosexuality to bestiality and saying that African Americans were "godly" and "happy" during segregation. A&E Network, which produces Duck Dynasty, responded by putting Phil Robertson on indefinite hiatus, but now they're coming under attack from the religious right. Already Sarah Palin, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and the National Organization for Marriage are claiming that he's being unfairly persecuted for his religious beliefs. Sadly, this is becoming a huge media story dominated by anti-gay conservatives, and A&E is being accused of being anti-Christian -- when the reality is that most Christians and most viewers are appalled by Robertson's hateful rhetoric. Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech--but not everyone is entitled to a TV show as a platform. It's up to viewers like us to raise our voices and express our outrage when TV stations--like A&E--provide a venue for people with hateful speech.

I am starting this petition in hopes that a child suffering from being bullied because of polygamy will see it and have some hope.

Virginia has no workplace discrimination law to protect the LGBT members of our community. A new bill sponsored by progressive legislators would change that, codifying the basic human right of all state employees to be free from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Help us make this bill a reality: sign on now as a citizen cosponsor and we'll send a note to your legislators letting them know you support ending workplace discrimination.

Since the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 was signed into law, Americans have seen a steady assault on and erosion of our constitutionally protected rights. These assaults range from NSA spying and warrant-less searches based on suspicion alone to the rapid militarization of local sheriff and police departments. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 is the root of all these assaults. Together, let us uproot this abominable tree! Take action and peaceably petition our government for a redress of grievances and sign this petition demanding that they repeal the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and end this assault on the constitutionally protected rights of all Americans.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is undertaking an unnecessary and highly controversial data sharing program with a private, non-governmental entity, called inBloom, Inc. They are creating a massive database for the storage and eventual release or sale of information, including confidential and sensitive “personally identifiable information” (PII) of millions of New York State school children. NYSED is capturing and uploading this information without first obtaining consent from parents or legal guardians. In many cases, data is being captured and uploaded without even parental or guardian knowledge. This information consists of more than 400 data points per child and will be stored in a “cloud,” hosted and managed by inBloom, or vendors of inBloom’s choosing. These data points include: the student’s name, address, academic record, test scores, detailed disciplinary record, attendance/ absence record, economic status and income information, special education status (i.e., IEP, 504), parent and family circumstances, medical and health records, and more. NYSED’s actions violate the privacy of New York State’s public and charter school children, as well as those of their parents and legal guardians. Parents and guardians have the right to decide who has access to confidential information about their children. Parents and guardians have the right to review any PII about their child currently on file with their local school district and NY State. They have the right to be notified of any intention by NY State to share and/or sell confidential PII about their children. If they do not wish to have this information stored or disseminated, they should be given the right to have this information withheld or removed from the State's database, and/or any database of any entity engaged by the State. The potential dangers to children by the transfer of their PII to cloud storage are substantial. The data can be hacked, sabotaged or otherwise compromised. Even the “authorized release” of this data by the State and/or inBloom could result in significant harm, including stigma and discrimination against children as they progress through their elementary or secondary education, college, future employment and life. NY State is the only state in the country that is uploading this highly sensitive, confidential PII with inBloom. All other states that originally contracted with inBloom have cancelled their programs due to the privacy and vulnerability concerns stated above. We the undersigned oppose the creation of this database and the collection, storage, and release (potentially to for-profit companies) of any and all confidential and private PII without the express consent of parents or legal guardians. Accordingly, we demand the following: • Immediate cessation of all transfer of PII to inBloom, and/or its partners, and/or affiliates; • Immediate termination of NYSED’s contract with inBloom; • The swift passage of strongly worded legislation that 1) protects the privacy of students and safeguards PII, 2) provides parents/legal guardians with the opportunity to decide who has access to PII about their children and the right to withhold such information from NYSED, 3) requires explicit written consent of parents/legal guardians before NYSED can disclose PII, and 4) imposes civil and criminal penalties on those who violate State privacy laws. • Review and restrict the number and type of data points NYSED is allowed to obtain from school districts; review the financial and emotional costs to the students, parents and taxpayers of New York State related to NYSED’s current contract with inBloom, and the current uploading of PII; and assure the immediate termination and punishment of any government official found to have caused harm. We call on the officials listed above to stop NYSED and inBloom and put an end to the invasion of student and parent privacy. We are resolved to protect the children of New York State.

To help slow down and prevent this influx of police officers stereotyping and primarily targeting minorities because of their fear of them. Many of us cannot even walk home without being harassed and it is ridiculous when our critics talk about us "looking suspicious" and basically stooping to the level of the officers. I want to start this petition in order to address and call out this racist officer of the 103 Precinct, and make sure this is not something that is "settled out of court". Paying off the people they know they profiled is a primary reason this continues to happen. I do not want that to be a recurring thing and want to be the person to help stop that.

i want to walk my dog on my street safe in the knowledge that no one passing by has a loaded gun in his pocket

The City of Chicago should not have the right to force any citizen to provide free shelter for individuals. The mayor can open shelters to house individuals who cannot meet their financial obligation to the landlord. I most definitely am being affected by this issue. The financial burden including but, not limited to court cost is insurmountable.

To protect human rights is to ensure that people receive some degree of decent, humane treatment. To violate the most basic human rights, on the other hand, is to deny individuals their fundamental moral entitlements.

I have always been proud that my roots started in Oklahoma. Many Oklahomans were elated last year when the Ten Commandment Monument was placed on the Capitol grounds, thanks to Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. Just like the push to take prayer out of schools in 1962, we can not afford to allow Satanist Lucien Greaves (of New York) to come to Oklahoma to "pay homage to Satan". We can not stand by idly. Unlike 1962, there is no excuse in letting your voice be heard. I was just a twinkle in my father's eye in 1962; however, I promised that if I ever had a chance to make a difference when it came to protecting American values, that I would. This is not a religious opinion or view; however, it is an American one. We have an obligation to revoke this movement by the Satanist as provided in our pledge of allegiance. In his own words, Greaves states, "We believe that all monuments should be in good taste and consistent with community standards," Greaves wrote in letter to state officials. "Our proposed monument, as an homage to the historic/literary Satan, will certainly abide by these guidelines." Greaves said one potential design involves a pentagram, a satanic symbol; while another is meant to be an interactive display for children. He said he expects the monument, if approved by Oklahoma officials, would cost about $20,000. Let's show him that regardless of your religious opinion, that no one believes any statute honoring Satan would be considered "in good taste" in the Sooner state. This is a tool set for leverage and precedence. If this action is not taken NOW to fight this statue, the other 49 states of the union will all be subject to this nonsense as well. Let's show them what we stand for in Oklahoma. As our pledge of allegiance states, "...one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Let's not be divided (indivisible) on this matter!

People of Michigan should be ashamed that we are ranked in the top ten when it comes to unfair elections. Mainly do to gerrymandering and other political gaming the representatives we vote for does not match the representatives we elect. Currently in the Michigan House 54% of voters voted for Democratic representatives yet only 46% of the seats were filled by Democrats. We the citizens of Michigan should demand that the representation accurately reflects that way we vote, no matter if we vote Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Green.