From our friends at ThinkProgress: The Equality Act Introduced Today in Congress, Would Allow LGBT Americans To Live Free From Fear Jami and Krista Contreras of Michigan found out the hard way about the lack of comprehensive legal protections for LGBT Americans. Jami and Krista were married in Vermont in 2012, and two years later their daughter Bay was born. When it came time for their baby girl’s first checkup, her doctor refused to provide her care simply because her parents are gay. The unfortunate reality is that the Contreras’ story could have happened in the majority of states across America. Despite the progress that has been made in ensuring marriage equality, there are still over 30 states that lack clear and comprehensive legal protections for LGBT people. In these states, LGBT Americans are at risk of being fired from their jobs, refused service from a business, or evicted from their apartment simply because of who they are. As the Contreras family learned, even the children of LGBT couples are not safe from discrimination without explicit federal law prohibiting it. Thankfully, many members of congress recognize this reality and are working to change it. The Equality Act, introduced today, is a historic bill that would ensure comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people regardless of where they live. Under The Equality Act “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” would be added to protections for employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and juries. The bill would also expand and enhance existing protections for people of color, women, and Americans of all faiths. The Equality Act was introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-OR) and Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. David Ciclline (D-RI), along with a long list of co-sponsors including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Lewis. Its support among congressional democrats and LGBT advocates is huge. Not surprisingly, support for the bill is not as high among conservatives in Congress, many of whom oppose any non-discrimination legislation and are actively working against it. In fact, just last week, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) introduced the so-called First Amendment Defense Act, which the ACLU has described as Indiana’s religious freedom bill on steroids. BOTTOM LINE: The last decade has seen huge progress in the recognition and attainment of LGBT rights. But in 31 states, LGBT Americans are at risk of being fired from their jobs, refused service from a business, and much more, just because of who they are. LGBT Americans deserve to live free from fear. The Equality Act will ensure that they can.

The reasons provided by the city for this project have varied -- originally it was stated that this project was to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere downtown to bringing Heron and Wishkah Streets into compliance with state DOT regulations since they are part of state highway 101, but the city has not actively asked for business and resident input, nor has a traffic impact study been done to determine if businesses and local residents will be positively or negatively impacted by the lane reductions. I am asking that concerned Grays Harbor county residents request that the city and state perform a new traffic impact study before starting the project, and to also hold a well advertised (local radio, newspaper, and social media ads) town hall meeting to specifically discuss this project with our community. Revised on 7/24/2015 at 12:57 PM - Additional information about traffic study: A traffic study was done in 2000, and as written in an article by Kyle Mittan of the Daily World, "The study provided data on traffic patterns in the area, and also considered the idea to reduce the lanes from three to two, Scott added. Those changes were abandoned." (http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/council-approves-lane-revisions-wishkah-heron) The traffic study is outdated and a new one should be done before the project moves forward.

Our political parties should run their conventions on donations from "we, the people," not lobbyists and PACs. Democrats did that in 2012, but the Democratic National Committee just announced it will take money from PACs and lobbyists to fund its 2016 convention. Common Cause is calling on every candidate for president to demand a ban on PAC and lobbyist convention funding as a necessary step to change Washington's pay-to-play culture. Any candidate who wants to be president has to stand up to big money and stand for people — letting PACs and lobbyists buy the national conventions is a step in the wrong direction. But a candidate who took a bold stance against the party insiders, would distinguish himself or herself as a champion for reform. Hillary Clinton should put public pressure on the DNC to reverse this capitulation to special interests. If its presidential candidates speak out loudly and swiftly, party leaders will act.

Our political parties should run their conventions on donations from "we, the people," not lobbyists and PACs. Democrats did that in 2012, but the Democratic National Committee just announced it will take money from PACs and lobbyists to fund its 2016 convention. Common Cause is calling on every candidate for president to demand a ban on PAC and lobbyist convention funding as a necessary step to change Washington's pay-to-play culture. Any candidate who wants to be president has to stand up to big money and stand for people — letting PACs and lobbyists buy the national conventions is a step in the wrong direction. But a candidate who took a bold stance against the party insiders, would distinguish himself or herself as a champion for reform. Bernie Sanders should put public pressure on the DNC to reverse this capitulation to special interests. If its presidential candidates speak out loudly and swiftly, party leaders will act.

Our political parties should run their conventions on donations from "we, the people," not lobbyists and PACs. Democrats did that in 2012, but the Democratic National Committee just announced it will take money from PACs and lobbyists to fund its 2016 convention. Common Cause is calling on every candidate for president to demand a ban on PAC and lobbyist convention funding as a necessary step to change Washington's pay-to-play culture. With money taking more and more control of our system, any candidate who wants to be president needs a plan to put We The People back in charge — standing by in silence while PACs and lobbyists buy the national conventions would show a lack of commitment to this needed goal. But a candidate who took a bold stance against the party insiders, would distinguish himself or herself as a champion for reform. Democratic candidates should pressure on the DNC to reverse this capitulation to special interests. Republican candidates should demand that their party join in rejecting PAC and lobbyist money at their convention.

North Carolina could benefit so much from legalization of cannabis... we have the 8th, 3rd, and 1st poorest cities in all of America according to the last few years of census data. Unemployment is ridiculously high in the state. Legalizing cannabis would create thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in revenue, and most importantly, save or greatly improve lives. Even if you're against complete legalization so that anybody could use it (like alcohol which has been proven in countless studies to be significantly more damaging than marijuana) at least allow people who have genuine medical conditions who could benefit from it to have access to it. At least give North Carolina hope for a better tomorrow.

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There's been another mass shooting, this time in Lafayette, Louisiana. Innocent people are being killed every single day by guns and this can be stopped by having stricter laws and stricter requirements for purchasers. How many more innocent people have to lose their lives or be seriously injured before something is changed? Change it now!

I've seen too many young people die from alcohol--from alcohol poisoning, drunk driving, suicide, and other ways too. Commercials make it look like you have to have it to enjoy sports, sex or life. Kids believe it. Tobacco is gone; it's time for alcohol.

Autism Awareness is needed for people with autism that have comprehension, and speech problems. They could easily be misunderstood, which could lead to confusion or violence. Our Schools, and Police Officers in Zachery, LA need to know there are special risk people in the community that have trouble communicating with anybody, including teachers and police officers. Autistic persons would not understand a command " To put your Hands up " or " Get down on the ground." Without awareness, the Autistic Person could easily be shot. that is scary to everyone with autistic children. We will be moving to Zachery, LA, Copper Mill. Please Support this Petition for Autism awareness and training. Thank You.

I am a Certified Nurse Assistant and have worked 15 years in health care, during which time pay scales have not changed for CNA's in Missouri for myself nor for my peers. The purpose of this petition is to bring public and political awareness to the unfair wages paid to CNAs, with hope that change will follow.

Specifically, we are calling on Congress to: Recognize the devastation of homicide and violence suffered by communities which experience a disproportionate amount of violence across the nation; and the traumatic repercussions experienced by children, youth and families who are constant witnesses to these events by providing funding, research and trauma informed programming to combat these circumstances. These resources and programs will serve to interrupt the "contagion" of violence and the number of homicides in heavily impacted communities. Deem homicide a public health epidemic for men of color ages 13-34, as supported by our nation's statistical data. Furthermore, allocate funding, education, advertising and research resources to address the rapidly growing social crisis. Pass gun bills, pending in the House and Senate, that will minimally, reduce gun violence through background checks; closing gun show loopholes; and restricting the sale of guns to individuals who are under age; mentally ill, or have criminal records. Reform and amend the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in order to provide equal access to benefits, without discrimination, to families of victims of crimes in communities with high rates of homicide. In addition, provide community based mental health services and support to families who have lost loved ones to violence.