Pam Spaulding

Originally uploaded by Lindsay Beyerstein

DENVER, CO.

Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend and Pandagon appearing on a panel discussion on Obama and the courts. FDL's own Christy Hardin Smith looks on.

Spaulding spoke about the impact of the federal courts on the rights of gays and lesbians, a subject she blogs about frequently and passionately.

"Our rights change when we cross state lines," Pam explained. "We're married in one state, and not in another."

Given the patchwork of state laws, the federal judiciary looms large in the lives of LGBT Americans. We need strong federal courts to protect same-sex families, Pam explained.

In Pam's home state of North Carolina, the only reason she can't be fired from her day job for being gay is that she works for a private university.

She also discussed the use of Tasers as "instruments of torture" in America today. Police officers are increasingly using these "non-lethal" devices to punish people without trial.

Spaulding hopes that Obama will appoint federal judges and Supreme Court justices to the bench who will uphold the law and protect all families from discrimination.

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