Steve Lee

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Maryland Legislature Passes Historic Equal Pay Bill

 

Late Saturday, the Maryland legislature passed a historic bill that, if signed by Gov. Hogan, will make Maryland a national leader in closing the gender pay gap. The governor now has three weeks to sign the bill to make it law.

“Maryland made history on Saturday. With the Governor’s signature, Maryland will become a national leader in the fight to close the gender pay gap,” said Charly Carter, executive director of Maryland Working Families. “This is a huge victory for women, for transgender equality, and for working families across the state.

“Nearly 40 percent of households have a female breadwinner, and those families simply can’t afford to be making less. We believe in this bill because it tackles the two biggest impediments to equal pay for equal work: pay secrecy and the tracking of people based on gender into jobs with less responsibility and lower wages.

“We urge Gov. Hogan to not stand in the way of history, and sign this bill. Working families need pay equality, and we need it now.”

Facts on Maryland’s historic proposed Equal Pay law:

  • This bill tackles the root of the pay gap — it expands transparency, allows employees to talk about their wages with one another, and eliminates the so-called ‘mommy track’ that sidetracks many women from success in the workplace.

  • It allows Marylanders to get justice in two ways: through lawsuit, or by filing complaints with the state’s labor commissioner.

  • The bill covers anyone discriminated against on the basis of gender, including women and transgender Maryland residents.

  • It makes Maryland the national leader on gender pay equality protections.

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Assemblywoman Gonzalez Announces Human Trafficking Reform Legislation

California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) has announced human trafficking reforms that would for the first time in California, treat the buying and selling of sex separately, increasing penalties for those purchasing sex while decriminalizing prostitution for minors who are by definition being victimized.

Assembly Bill 1708 would require a minimum fine and mandatory 72-hour jail hold for those caught seeking to purchase sex. The bill would also increase penalties for trafficking victims in and near schools. AB 1708 would also address the reality that commercially sexually exploited minors are unable to legally consent to participating, and are by definition victims of sex trafficking. Therefore, they cannot be guilty of committing that crime.

“Sexual exploitation is a much larger problem than many of us know or are willing to admit. It reaches cross all regions, incomes, and races to steal our children” said Gonzalez. “We’re sending a clear message that if you are a minor being trafficked, you cannot be held guilty of a crime when you are the victim of that crime. Plus, we’re directly attacking the demand for this exploitation by requiring purchasers go through a harsher penalty than just the current slap on the wrist they receive.”

Assemblywoman Gonzalez has conferred with victim advocates, support providers, law enforcement, prosecutors and other stakeholders in San Diego County and statewide to develop these proposals, drawing from experience on the front lines designed to reduce demand and more effectively help victims of sex trafficking.

An expansive recent study into the underground sex industry in San Diego County estimated more than 11,000 sex trafficking victims/survivors each year in San Diego County with an average entry age of 15 years old. It further found that 42% of first-time prostitution arrests were actually instances of sex trafficking, and estimated the industry generated $810 million in annual revenue regionally, involving more than 100 area gangs.

The juvenile justice system is not an appropriate place for underage victims of sex trafficking. Strip searches, physical restraints, and solitary confinement can all have a damaging impact on youth. Furthermore, a recent Department of Justice study found that 12% of detained girls experienced sexual violence while at a juvenile justice facility. Granting minors immunity from prosecution for prostitution better helps these youth through a victim-centered and trauma-based approach.

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HRC condemns Ben Carson’s latest attack on transgender people

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) responded to the latest attack on the LGBT community by leading GOP candidate for president Ben Carson. In an interview today with Fusion’s Jorge Ramos, Carson suggested creating transgender bathrooms.

Questioned about Houston voters’ rejection of a law banning LGBT discrimination this week, Carson said: “How about we have a transgender bathroom?”

“It is not fair for them to make everybody else uncomfortable,” Carson said of transgender people. “It’s one of the things that I don’t particularly like about the [LGBT] movement. I think everybody has equal rights, but I’m not sure that anybody should have extra rights – extra rights when it comes to redefining everything for everybody else and imposing your view on everybody else.”

Condemning he comments HRC President Chad Griffin said, “Ben Carson’s hateful comments are out of touch and all candidates should immediately make clear that they disavow his dangerously transphobic views. Ben Carson can’t go a week without invoking reckless and irresponsible stereotypes about the LGBT community, and his suggestion that transgender people be required to use segregated bathrooms echoes an ugly past our country should never revisit.”

 

In that same interview, Carson again showed a fundamental misunderstanding of existing non-discrimination laws, saying he opposed “extra rights” for LGBT people. In reality, there are no explicit federal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people, and a majority of states also lack non-discrimination protections. HRC’s polling this year found that 63 percent of LGBT people have experienced discrimination. The Equality Act would guarantee explicit federal discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Carson has a long history of anti-LGBT rhetoric. Earlier this year Carson suggested that “prison” proves that being LGBT is a choice. He walked those comments back after HRC demanded he apologize. After that, Carson said he would “no longer” talk about LGBT issues because he was being taken out of context.

Since his self-imposed ban on LGBT issues, Carson has suggested that LGBT families are not of “equal value” and that same-sex marriage would lead to “polygamy.”

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Janssen launches ‘Your Story, Your HIV Wisdom’ campaign

Seeking and sharing information are important parts of the HIV journey – in fact, 80 percent of people living with HIV said they give advice or tell others where to find HIV-related information. In an effort to demonstrate the power of shared wisdom, provide a place for the HIV community to access and share information and support national HIV advocacy efforts, Janssen Therapeutics (Janssen) has announced the launch of Your Story, Your HIV Wisdom™.

Your Story, Your HIV WisdomTM honors the experiences of people living with or affected by HIV. By sharing insights, perspectives and encouragement at ShareHIVWisdom.com in the form of words, pictures, audio or video, participants have an opportunity to make a difference for others affected by HIV. With these wisdom submissions, Janssen will make a donation to one of two national advocacy organizations serving the HIV community – AIDS United or the Black AIDS Institute – for a total campaign donation of up to $10,000 per organization. AIDS United focuses on community-driven responses to the HIV epidemic that reach at-risk populations. The mission of the Black AIDS Institute is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV.

Janssen has also brought together some of the leading voices in the HIV community to serve as advisers to Your Story, Your HIV WisdomTM.* Each month, Guy Anthony, Maria Mejia and Josh Robbins will share inspiring submissions in the Your Story, Your HIV Wisdom™ “Wisdom Gallery.” Each received powerful wisdom at key moments in their HIV journeys, learning firsthand the power of sharing information and the importance of passing wisdom on to their networks.

  • Guy Anthony is a published author and well-known HIV/AIDS blogger and vlogger. Guy encourages people to be open with their healthcare providers: “Ensure you are transparent and honest with your doctor – it’s important to share who you are outside of your HIV diagnosis, first. Without being fully aware of your sexual history, eating habits or housing status, your healthcare provider simply cannot provide you with comprehensive HIV-related care.” Read more of Guy’s wisdom here.
  • Maria Mejia is a powerful advocate for HIV education, treatment, testing and prevention, with a strong presence in traditional and social media. In her own words, Maria noted, “I am one of the faces of HIV. No more shame, no more stigma! We are just human beings that happen to have the condition of HIV. It’s that simple.” Read more of Maria’s wisdom here.
  • Josh Robbins is an HIV/AIDS activist and the founder of imstilljosh.com and “HIV Video Minute.” Josh commented, “Since being diagnosed, I’ve read and heard wisdom from thousands of people on the same journey as me. My piece of wisdom is simple – start talking. And make that talk encouraging to others.” Hear more of Josh’s wisdom here.

HIV was first reported in 1981 and remains a challenging disease and public health concern worldwide. In the United States today, an estimated 1.2 million people live with HIV and the number of Americans being diagnosed with HIV every year – about 50,000 – has not declined since the mid-1990s.

“Managing HIV requires more than medicine – it requires information and support, both from healthcare professionals and from others affected by the disease,” said Nefertiti Greene, president, Janssen Therapeutics. “Janssen has long been committed to providing resources for people living with HIV. We created Your Story, Your HIV Wisdom™ to support the community and provide a place to showcase the insights and experiences of people living with or affected by this difficult disease.”

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