Changing of the Guard

Officially the Democrats have officially taken over control of Congress. Wheee! Let's see how they do. I expect the Minimum Wage debate to start in Ernest. I'm not entirely in favor of the increase, but that's another entry.
However, there are still 10 bills which have either failed to reach the floor or pass, that are Pro-Gay Rights.
Here's what they are:

Employment Non-Discrimination Act: Banning private sector employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act: Federal government authority to prosecute hate crimes based on a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Military Readiness Enhancement Act: Repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, allows gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly.

John Shalikashvili, a proponent of the policy, recently voiced his belief that the military is "ready" to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly. I see this act having some potential as atleast being reviewed again.

Uniting American Families Act: Amending the US Immigration and Nationality Act to allow foreign nations who are same-sex domestic partners of US citizens to apply for the same immigration rights offered to foreign nationals who legally marry US citizens.

Its a pretty safe bet that this isn't going to happen. Silly bill, waste of taxpayer dollars. The government does not recognize domestic partnerships among American citizens - Why would they recognize foreign nationals?

Domestic Partner Health Benefits Equity Act/Tax Equity of Health Plan Beneficiaries Act: Amending the Internal Revenue Code to end taxation of health insurance benefits for domestic partners. Currently, gay and lesbian employees must pay taxes on similar benefits as if they were ordinary income.

Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act: Define domestic partnerships to provide health insurance and other benefits to same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners of federal government employees.

Clarification of Federal Employment Protections Act: Declares: "Federal employees are protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation".

Family Medical Leave Inclusion Act: Calls for amending the Family & Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow government and private sector employees to take leave to care for a domestic partner who has a serious health condition. Also would allow medical leave for the care of a same-sex married partner or the parent-in-law, adult child, sibling or grandparent of a same-sex partner who has a serious health condition.

Responsible Education About Life Act: Calls for creating a $206 million federal grant program to award funds to states for comprehensive sexuality education that is not linked to advocacy of abstinence-only-until-marriage. Supporters say the bill is needed because existing sexuality education programs funded by the federal government are linked to abstinence-only policies.

...I'm torn on this bill.

Early Treatment for HIV Act: Calls for allowing low-income, childless adults with HIV to become eligible for Medicaid coverage before they develop full-blown AIDS. Under current law, people who meet the income requirements for Medicaid are ineligible for the federal health program if they have HIV but are not "disabled" by having AIDS.