» Gobernador firma leyes para extender derechos a los gay
29/05/13 10:44 from El Nuevo Día : Política
El Proyecto del Senado 238 y el Proyecto de la Cámara 488 se firmaron en La Fortaleza
May 29, 2013
10:44 a.m.
Governor signs legislation to extend rights to gays
Senate Bill 238 and House Bill 488 were signed at La Fortaleza
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By Rebecca Banuchi / rebecca.banuchi @ gfrmedia.com
After weeks of intense debate, Governor Alejandro García Padilla became law Wednesday morning the two bills that expand the rights and guarantees to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).
From today, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity will be penalized, and protections granted by Act 54 of domestic violence cobijarán to all types of people regardless of their sexual preference, gender identity, marital status or immigration status.
The Chief Executive signed both measures in the Hall of Mirrors at La Fortaleza, surrounded by the presidents legislative, Jaime Eduardo Bhatia and Perello, the authors of the measures, Sen. Ramon Luis Nieves and Rep. Luis Vega Ramos, plus some activists like Pedro Julio Serrano and amaryllis Pagan Wide Committee for the Search for Equity, which dominated public discussion on the draft the past few weeks.
Before signing, the chief executive referred to both projects, and stressed that approval does not mean the victory of one group over another, but represents a breakthrough for the country in the field of human rights.
"Today is not the triumph of one community over another. Today is not a song of victory of one community over another. Today, with the signing of these laws, Puerto Rico remains undefeated in this fight. Earn all, flattering and detractors because today Puerto Rico is a better country where there is less discrimination and where advances in the struggle of the human and civil rights, "said the president.
Discussion of both projects in the Legislative Assembly faced the people and organizations that advocate for the rights of the LGBT community and religious leaders who opposed its creed and also to understand the extent of these guarantees and protections opens the door to also grant homosexuals the right to marry.
García Padilla avoided on Wednesday to discuss the issue of marriage between same-sex couples, but said his position has not changed. The governor has expressed its opposition to allowing these people to establish such civil bond.
Although the governor emphasized that the recently approved Law 22 and Law 23 not be viewed as the victory of a particular group, for members of the LGBT community that appreciation in inescapable.
"It's the first time we won," he said as he left the Executive Mansion Carmen Milagros Velez, who has unsuccessfully tried through the courts to recognize a right to his partner, Acosta Angeles, to adopt her biological daughter.
"We won. Not matter that is different to what we want and deserve, no matter, we won, and henceforth our spirits will be another. We exist. Leave to be invisible. To me, that's the big profit, "said Velez.
Senate Bill 238, which prohibits discrimination in employment, was approved Tuesday in the Senate, that body then run parallel with amendments that included the House of Representatives, which significantly limited its scope.
The changes undergone by the House left without protection against discrimination for victims of this behavior in business, public and private efforts, in public transport and transactions such as buying and selling real estate.
The rights activists anticipated LGBT community will continue to fight for that they also recognize that rights through legislation, or even by executive orders of the governor.
Meanwhile, House Bill 488, on the extension of the validity of Act 54, was ratified by the High Corps during Tuesday's session expeditiously and without question.
The work also included Senate on Tuesday approved the draft legislative reform, but that measure was not signed by the governor immediately.
via puerto rico news - Google Blog Search by Jamie Hoskins on 5/29/13
By Jamie Hoskins SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) – Puerto Rican Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed a bill Wednesday, prohibiting employers from hiring someone based on gender or sexual orientation.
Puerto Rican Gay Rights
Bill restricts employers from discriminating
By Jamie Hoskins SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) – Puerto Rican Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed a bill Wednesday, prohibiting employers from hiring someone based on gender or sexual orientation.
Padilla commended legislators for approving the proposal saying he met his obligation as a Christian by signing this bill.
The bill originally included clauses banning discrimination in public transportation and other instances but those were removed because of opposition by religious groups.
A separate bill was signed by Padilla extending domestic violence laws to gay couples.
Puerto Rico governor signs bills for gay rights
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Published: 10:32 am
Updated: 10:35 am
» Puerto Rico Governor Signs Local ENDA, Domestic Violence Bills - Advocate.com
29/05/13 15:03 from puerto rico politics - Google News
Advocate.com Puerto Rico Governor Signs Local ENDA, Domestic Violence Bills Advocate.com Puerto Rico's Democratic governor, Alejandro García Padilla, today formally signed into law a bill that protects LGBT Puerto Ricans from discrimin..
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor has signed a bill that prohibits employment discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.
Alejandro Garcia Padilla said Wednesday that he met his obligations as a Christian by signing the bill and congratulated legislators on approving the proposal.
The original measure would have also banned discrimination in commercial transactions, property rentals, public transportation and other circumstances. Those clauses were removed after heavy opposition by religious groups.
Most government agencies in the U.S. territory already have anti-discriminatory policies, but human rights activists say they are often not enforced.
Garcia also signed a separate bill that extends a domestic violence law to gay couples.
©2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Alejandro Garcia Padilla said Wednesday that he met his obligations as a Christian by signing the bill and congratulated legislators on approving the proposal.
The original measure would have also banned discrimination in commercial transactions, property rentals, public transportation and other circumstances. Those clauses were removed after heavy opposition by religious groups.
Most government agencies in the U.S. territory already have anti-discriminatory policies, but human rights activists say they are often not enforced.
Garcia also signed a separate bill that extends a domestic violence law to gay couples.
©2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Roberto Octavio González Nieves, a Franciscan who received the position of archbishop in 1999 after having served as auxiliary bishop to Cardinal Bernard Law in Boston, Massachusetts, and as Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas, says that Cardinal Marc Ouellet has pressed to resign and take another position in the Church. 
