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  Help Us Mobilize Facebookers to Call Congress to Repeal DADT Now! A group of diverse Facebook organizers joined forces to use Facebook to generate a phone swarm on Capitol Hill every time there’s a key moment around the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. This effort is not affiliated with any group, but rather is meant to mobilize grassroots support to compliment the work of all the groups working to repeal DADT. As the repeal bill moves through the House and Senate, encourage your friends on Facebook to participate in the evolving event by leading them to: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=304676615784 Anticipated Upcoming Target Dates: 3-??-2010 Senate Introduction of Bill by Sen. Lieberman And as always, we’re encouraging Facebookers to you to use ActOnPrinciples to share the feedback they get during their calls. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=304676615784
My friends at the Transgender Law Center in San Francisco are moving on up… 5th Annual California Transgender Leadership Summit and 1st California Transgender Advocacy Day Friday, May 14th-Sunday, May 16th, 2010 Monday, May 17th, 2010 Interested in sponsoring the summit? Contact Paige at [email protected] or (415) 865-0176.
Thanks to Rachel Maddow, I learned that Virginia’s new Republican governor Bob McDonnell has just rewritten their non-discrimination policies for state employees to exclude sexual orientation from the list of protected classes and wants to refuse funding to Planned Parenthoods in the state. I’m fascinated with the intersections of the politics between what Republicans do, and what Democrats don’t do. It was crystalized for me when watching the following segment. Notice the argument Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University Melissa Harris-Lacewell makes about who is responsible for creating an environment where hostility and discrimination towards the LGBT community and women is acceptable. She argues that Blue Dog Democrats who have made women’s reproductive health in health care reform an ok target to demonize during the last few months are responsible for setting this tone by classifying women’s reproductive health to be attackable. Professor Harris-Lacewell also argues that Democratic leaders who do are not agressively addressing discrimination and taking a hard stand around citizenship based on sexual orientation as evidenced by the delay in the repeal of “Don’t Ask. Don’t Tell” are also to blame. And like a rockstar that she is, she then goes on to say that these discriminatory laws need to also address the discrimination in employment and housing faced by those who do not conform because of their gender expression. Most importantly, according to Professor Harris-Lacewell as Democrats “we need to set a new tone. We need a new standard of citizenship.” Amen, sister. (Hat Tip: JoeMyGod)
The long-stalled Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is going to roll out shortly. Exactly when, and with what changes are uncertain. But it’s coming, and Representative Frank has promised a vote by the end of March. On Tuesday, March 16, there will be a lobby day specifically for ENDA in Washington, D.C.. LGBT people and allies from around the country who support ENDA will be there. I will be there. Will you? It is particularly important to ENDA that people attend from the eight states in which Senators are on the fence. If you live in one of these states, you hold the fate of ENDA in your hands.
This is too important to be limited to only middle or upper class people who can afford a ticket. If you are from one of these eight states, and you are a currently-unemployed LGBT person who is unemployed because of job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, I would like to help you get there. More info by clicking here.
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