MetaFilter posts tagged with equality and humanrights

We are one Maryland, and all of us at the end of the day want the same thing for our children.

Faint of Butt — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:54:56 -0800

And the eighth state to make same-sex marriage legal is... Maryland. Governor Martin O'Malley signed the bill today, as he promised. The state's first same-sex marriage licenses will be granted on January 1, 2013. (Previously)

81 words

infinite intimation — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 10:22:47 -0800

Being gay was considered a mental disorder by psychiatry - until 1973 - when the battle lines were drawn. Reporter Alix Spiegel continues the gripping story that spurred a radical rethink. It's the story of a closeted cartel of powerful, gay psychiatrists; of confrontations with angry activists; a shrink dressed in a Nixon mask, and a pivotal encounter in a Hawaiian bar. Alix Spiegel --

This is the story of a definition. Three single sentences composed of 81 words. It's the story of how this particular definition became another definition, nine sentences composed of 237 words. Now according to some parties this change from 81 words to 237 words liberated an entire category of humanity. According to other parties it undermined the basic family unit, compromised the scientific authority of psychiatry and 'tampered with the basic code and concept of life'. Now I should tell you that I know this story not because I read it in a book or learned it in any class, but because it's one of those stories that my family uses to explain itself. Like most family stories, or anyway, like most stories told in my family, the version I heard growing up was an exaggeration, the relevant family member cast as a conquering hero. The actual story, the story I hope to tell you, is of course much more complicated -- but I'm getting ahead of myself.

81 Words: the inside story of psychiatry and homosexuality [Part 1 of 2] Download audio (mp3, right click, download linked file) 81 Words: the inside story of psychiatry and homosexuality (Part 2 of 2) Download audio (mp3, right click, download linked file) Show Transcript "Note: This American Life is produced for the ear and designed to be heard, not read. We strongly encourage you to listen to the audio, which includes emotion and emphasis that's not on the page. Transcripts are generated using a combination of speech recognition software and human transcribers, and may contain errors. Please check the corresponding audio before quoting in print." Homosexuality was once labelled a mental disease by psychiatry. But in 1973 the challenge came from within. The American Psychiatric Association had a change of heart. And with the tweak of the 81-word definition of sexual deviance in its own diagnostic manual, lives were reclaimed, and values confronted. Reporter and narrator Alix Spiegel tells the gripping story from the inside, revealing the activities of a closeted group of gay psychiatrists who sowed the seeds of change, amongst them her own grandfather, president-elect of the APA at the time. From Chicago Public Radio's This American Life.

The Rights that were Left.

seanmpuckett — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:03:17 -0800

On December 6th, 2011, International Human Rights Day, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech in front of the United Nations proclaiming freedom and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (transcript included). "Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights."

Starting by fighting for her own children's rights, she ends up in government implementing the UN Convention on Disability Rights.

maiamaia — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:41:20 -0800

Mother of disabled children changes country to suit their needs.

What History Looks Like

bardic — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:03:48 -0800

Photos of US soldiers and vets engaged in non-violent protest against "DADT" in front of the White House.

promised land

JohnR — Wed, 25 Dec 2002 02:17:49 -0800

I See the Promised Land "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord"---MLKing Jr.