|
|||||
 (No Ratings Yet)
 Well – the opening salvo has appeared on the immigration reform debate with a “framework” letter from lead drafters Senator Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Graham (R-SC). (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703115.html). And guess what, 300 million of us have to get very fancy – and supposedly innocent – biometric social security cards – that somehow has no data about you stored on the government side, but which we all have to have to “work”. I’m sweating already. But it’s definitely “close and control” the border. If only we trusted our government even just a little. But what a bizarre posture to begin with politically! There’s a lot to swallow and chew on, which the ACLU is already ready to spit out. (http://www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/5-problems-national-id-cards) In related bad news, we “gays” were headed happily to D.C. this Sunday for the big immigration reform march until the big surprise Friday that there is NO LGBT Immigration group invited or speaking at the Rally in which 300-500 hundred LGBT folks are already expected to be marching (http://www.immigrationequality.org/blog/). For us New Yorkers, it’s like driving 10 hours r/t to party you’re not really welcome to. But hey – we’re going and with more CHANTS. “Let Us Speak” – jumps to mind. In response to this badly defended slight, there was an spontaneous nationwide phone bank Friday started at 4:36 p..m. by direct activists (from directactionnetwork, QueerRising & Out4Immigration) that targeted the Center For Community Change (CCC), a major player at the national level (on the Reform Immigration for America, Management Team), that’s coordinating the event. They’re big friends, endorsed UAFA, and have an openly gay ED, but somehow we were still over looked. If only “you had joined the conversation sooner,” one spokesperson explained like they don’t know about us. That’s why we had to do the phone bank. By 6 or so that night, the delightful Deputy from CCC, Marissa Gaciosa, was on the phone with us explaining that Deepak Bhargava, the openly gay ED will definitely mention our community, and Rep. Mike Honda will talk about UAFA. But there’s no LGBT group representative out and on stage speaking for us — and there is really no substitute for this. The sad part is that the press release issued by CCC announcing the other speakers promotes this beautiful message of the collective effort: “On March 21, we will celebrate America’s values and history as a nation of immigrants. We will celebrate America’s values of inclusiveness, justice and equality. We will exercise our Constitutional rights and demand economic fairness for everyone and recognition of our civil rights for all who work hard to sustain our country. Our laws and policies must honor our families, protect American workers and move this country forward.” The truth is – and everyone admits it – we weren’t included because we are the “gays”. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) does not even want us on the community stage, as part of the rally, now alone in the bill. So we have a lot of work to do with all the other big players in this coalition. We have to stand down Catholic opposition to our safety and equality, and this is a good place to do it when they are trapped in their own organizing matra. Clearly religion is no longer a justification for our inequality. 21 other countries allow same-sex immigration partnership rights, including Spain, Brazil, and France each with huge (73-94%) Catholic populations, the US. is only 24% Catholic. (http://tinyurl.com/CIIR2010-TenStatePlan). Clearly religion and equality can peacefully co-exist in a secular country, but the “United States” Conference of Catholic Bishops, unfortunately, is still getting old memos from Rome (http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2009/09-122.shtml). So – on stage or off, we’ll still march and have our voices heard. Some are wearing medical masks and sunglasses for our partners who dare not show their face, like so many others. We’ll chant: “We’re Here, We’re Queer. You are not alone.” to make our presence known, and our support clear. And maybe now and then we’ll toss in a: “Let Us Speak” – — so the issue is not overlooked. Already, we have started a new conversation about our political dignity that will set the stage for the debate about to ensue with a new set of demands: We must be included up-front in any legislation that affects our equality or safety. We will no longer be treated like a dirty little secret in the process. We expect more of our friends. And religion is not an excuse. But given the scope of the conversation Schumer/Graham just started, I think we’re going to be an easy sell, and almost irrelevant to this bill. But we will be a major annoyance to the coalition if they don’t live up to their own mantra and treat our community with real respect. So far, they left us out of the Rally, but what we really want is to be included up-front and dignified-like in the pending-any-day “comprehensive” immigration reform bill. Let’s hope that’s the plan, as Schumer is hinting. (http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/18/Schumer_Signals_UAFA_Inclusion/). But to help that be true, call the Senators and demand “UAFA inclusion in CIR” now. We don’t want to be treated like a dirty little secret in the bill, like we are at the Rally! (Schumer, 202-224-6542) (Graham, 202-224-5972). SPEAKERS: MEDIA NOTES: Media credentials for the March are available by signing up at http://www.campaignforcommunities.org/press-room/media-registration. Registration period ends promptly at 12 noon, Saturday, March 20, 2010.
Here is a strong shout-out to Lt Dan Choi and Captain James Pietrangelo for their courageous stand on Thursday, March 18. Court date is set for April 26th, 2010 at the DC Superior Court. We know there will be thousands of supporters rallying on that day. Below are four significant pieces of history that we wanted to share with you: Dan’s official statement from prior to the rally, the rally statement, the White House fence statement, and the jail release statement. All significant in seeing the story unfold. Editors Note: Dan Choi just became a Champion on Act On Principles. Hat Tip for the coverage and video: AMERICAblog Gay
This week has been one that LGBT movement hasn’t seen in a long time. There were blog swarms to push Speaker Nancy Pelosi to introduce an inclusive ENDA, there were lobby days to move Congress on ENDA and DADT. And more importantly, things were being done differently by a new group called GetEqual, effectively moving HRC out of the way, as Lt. Dan Choi and Captain James Pietrangelo chained themselves to the White House fence, and coordinated actions happened in Speaker Pelosi’s San Francisco and Washington, DC offices. A good friend of mine said “The times are a changing….” Amen sister, amen.
(No Ratings Yet)
(No Ratings Yet)
(No Ratings Yet)
Note from Bil: The Bilerico Project is participating in a blogswarm today with Daily Kos, Open Left, Americablog, Towleroad, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, first introduced in 1994, would prohibit job discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. But LGBT people have never been able to achieve the enactment of the bill, known by the acronym of “ENDA”. Last year, the Administration’s highest ranking gay official, Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, indicated that ENDA was highest priority on the LGBT civil rights agenda. “If we can get ENDA enacted and signed into law, it is only a matter of time before all the rest happens,” he said. “It is the keystone that holds up the whole bunch, and so we need to focus our energies and attention there.” Hearings were held last Fall in the House and in the Senate to demonstrate the need for the bill, and testimony was heard on the severe unemployment, underemployment and harassment experienced by LGBT workers. Witnesses testified to the scientific studies demonstrating this. But nothing has happened. Click here to find out why and join us in swarming Speaker Pelosi’s office.
This year we have the historic opportunity to elect Dr. Dana Beyer to the Maryland Assembly. This would be the first transgender to America’s history to hold public office. In addition to this historic opportunity, Dana should be very well known here. She is co-author of The Dallas Principles, a champion of Act On Principles, and member of the Advisory Board for eQualityGiving. It isn’t just that we need to elect the nation’s first transgender person to office. We also need a progressive voice in politics and a voice that is strong and substantial. In fact, Dana is a principled woman and has demonstrated it amply on this forum—and she is a real fierce advocate. Support her campaign by donating, organizing fundraisers, telling your friends about her, etc. Check her website now www.DanaBeyer.com
eQualityGiving announced yesterday its first set of Endorsed Candidates to Fund for the 2010 elections. eQualityGiving endorsed pro-equality candidates in competitive races for federal or statewide office. The endorsement process is rigorous and requires the candidates to support all Equality Goals in writing (including marriage). Additionally, each candidate has been personally interviewed. Donating by the reporting date of March 31st is strategic because these candidates are in very close races and will be stronger for the rest of the campaign with a good financial report now. Endorsements are updated periodically. Check the online list of eQualityGiving Endorsed Candidates here. On top of eQualityGiving list is to re-elect one of our Equality Heroes, Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania. >> Give to Re-elect Congressman PATRICK MURPHY
. . >> Give to Elect Congressman JOE SESTAK to the US Senate
.
. >>Give to Elect ROXANNE CONLIN to the US Senate
. . >> Give to Elect Mayor STEVE POUGNET to the US House
. . >> Give to Elect Mayor DAVID CICILLINE to the US House
Donate to David Cicilline here . . >> Give to Elect Councilman SCOTT GALVIN to the US House
. . >> Give to Elect EDWARD POTOSNAK to the US House
. . >> Give to Elect KRYSTAL BALL to the US House
. . >> Give to Elect State Rep PAUL THISSEN for Governor of Minnesota
. . . >> Co-endorsing for Governor of Vermont Vermont has marriage equality and only lacks passage of the Gender Identity Act to reach full equality and become the only state to score a perfect 6 on eQualityGiving’s States of Equality Scorecard. Gubernatorial candidates for the open seat include three Democrats who would sign the bill. Check all the details at eQualityGiving’s website.
|
 
 | ||||
Iraq War veteran Murphy will be in a very close race again, this time facing a Republican opponent with the backing of Rick Santorum and the well-funded right-wing religious community intended to stop Murphy’s leadership of the House bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He is one of our strongest allies in the House, so his seat is a top priority to preserve.
This Pennsylvania Congressman and retired 3-star Navy Admiral has been publicly outspoken and has used his military credentials in Washington to drum up support to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Electing him will put a strong voice and sure vote for this and all the other pro-equality legislation in the Senate.
Roxanne is confident that polls are correct, showing Iowans prefer her values to GOP Senator Grassley’s (and showing Grassley’s favorability ratings sink into the 20’s). We are confident as well and are endorsing this ground-breaking, and locally popular civil liberties attorney to give Iowa, which now has marriage equality, a pro-equality Senator.
The popular Mayor of Palm Springs is openly gay, legally married, and has been named a Red-to-Blue candidate by the DCCC. Having a Tea Party candidate in the race increases his chances to defeat the vulnerable GOP incumbent, Mary Bono Mack, who holds the seat once held by former Mayor Sonny Bono. Obama won this district in 2008.
Cicilline came out while serving four terms as a Rhode Island State Legislator. He then won two landslide elections for mayor. Now he wants to fill the House seat being vacated by Patrick Kennedy. Winning the highly competitive September 14 primary is this popular politician’s biggest hurdle in a strongly Democratic district.
Galvin has earned respect in his solidly Democratic district and has twice won re-election to his North Miami council seat. Having served five years as an aide to former Congresswoman Carrie Meek, Galvin, who is openly gay, could easily emerge as the standout candidate to win the seat being vacated by Kendrick Meek, but only if his fundraising meets its target.
Potosnak, one of 4 openly gay men running for Congress, was an aide to Congressman Honda. He’s now running to defeat a vulnerable incumbent GOP freshman in a toss up district that voted for Obama. A win here by this teacher and small business owner would put a young and energetic voice in the House and add strength to the LGBT caucus.
This young mother has become the darling of the progressive community, and she’s a very strong advocate for full LGBT civil rights. She was the first candidate we endorsed, back in June. Her race could go down to the wire since she is running against an unpopular GOP incumbent in a year when the electorate wants change.
As governor, Thissen would sign a marriage equality bill currently making its way through the legislature. With no constitutional amendment forbidding it, Minnesota could join its midwest neighbor Iowa. While co-endorsing may occur in this very close race, Thissen has emerged first due to his strong reputation for getting pro-equality legislation passed.
