"I have family members who are members of those communities. We get along great. We get along great," said McCaffrey. "It’s a question of things having evolved over time.”
Steve, thank you as always for your heroic work. One correction: the 1995 civil rights legislation only covered sexual orientation (gay, straight, bisexual) and not gender identity, so it is not correct to refer to it as LGBT civil rights legislation. In fact, the bill that was originally introduced did include gender identity and expression, but the then-leadership of the House told advocates that it would not pass if that was included, so it was removed. (Note to readers: I was not involved in the making of that decision, so don't come after me for it.) The 2001 bill added gender identity and expression to the state nondiscrimination law (I was involved in getting that passed.)
Very, very disappointing but not surprising. We live in a time when facts and evidence are routinely being dismissed, and convenient lies, unchallenged flipflops and calculated, smooth-sounding rhetoric are all that are required. Rhode Island is the Trumpiest "Blue State" in the country, where the goombahs take care of the goombahs and "artful" deals are usually consummated with the devil. But we showed up. We witnessed to the truth. I am proud of every single one of the folks who stood up to Power last week.
“I have family members who are members of those communities”. Sir, you just othered them. How many times does he need to say “we get along great” to convince the public and himself? Things are NOT great, I assure you!
Steve, thank you as always for your heroic work. One correction: the 1995 civil rights legislation only covered sexual orientation (gay, straight, bisexual) and not gender identity, so it is not correct to refer to it as LGBT civil rights legislation. In fact, the bill that was originally introduced did include gender identity and expression, but the then-leadership of the House told advocates that it would not pass if that was included, so it was removed. (Note to readers: I was not involved in the making of that decision, so don't come after me for it.) The 2001 bill added gender identity and expression to the state nondiscrimination law (I was involved in getting that passed.)
Thank you! I’ll make that correction!
Very, very disappointing but not surprising. We live in a time when facts and evidence are routinely being dismissed, and convenient lies, unchallenged flipflops and calculated, smooth-sounding rhetoric are all that are required. Rhode Island is the Trumpiest "Blue State" in the country, where the goombahs take care of the goombahs and "artful" deals are usually consummated with the devil. But we showed up. We witnessed to the truth. I am proud of every single one of the folks who stood up to Power last week.
In Rhode Island NOTHING ever changes. Pathetic
Steve- thanks as always for covering an important story with insight and great research
Could not have said it better!!
“I have family members who are members of those communities”. Sir, you just othered them. How many times does he need to say “we get along great” to convince the public and himself? Things are NOT great, I assure you!