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Ohio, TAKE ACTION for equality now

OHIO Activists Counter Protest Family Research Council Bus Tour at Every Stop! GO OHIO.

Here’s a list of counter-protests by GetEqual Ohio & Freedom to Marry-Ohio to the Family Research Council’s “Values Bus Tour”.   Go grassroots!!!

COLUMBUS: Tuesday, April 10 — 12:00pm until 1:00pm
Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/275962982484168?

FAIRFIELD: Wednesday, April 11 — 3:00pm until 5:30pm
6320 South Gilmore Road, Fairfield, OH 45014
Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/241422822619718/

FINDLAY: Friday, April 13 — 5:30pm until 6:30pm
1031 Interstate Court, Findlay, OH 45840
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/274631955948213/

TOLEDO: Saturday, April 14 — 9:00am until 11:00am
105 Front Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551
Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/104685046330770/

WESTLAKE: Sunday, April 15 — 8:30am until 1:30pm
Church on the Rise, 3550 Crocker Road, Westlake, OH 44145
Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/370178013021717/

CUYAHOGA FALLS: Sunday, April 15 — 3:00pm until 6:00PM
River Square (Rockin’ on the River), Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/327960333929970/

Thank you to GetEqual OH and the Freedom to Marry Ohio Coalition and other groups and individuals WILLING TO TAKE A STAND !!!

https://www.facebook.com/GetEQUALOH
https://freedomohio.com/

FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION on the Family Research Council which is A DESIGNATED HATE GROUP by the Southern Poverty Law Center, see: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/family-research-council

New York, TAKE ACTION for equality now

TAKE ACTION: Protest NYPD and Homophobic Discrimination This Saturday at the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

(RePosted for: Tommy News Thomas and Irish Queers)

“Traditional Family Values”? NO!
This parade is Homophobic Discrimination!

New York City residents should call 311 and register a complaint.

Protest
Sat. March 17 @ 11am to end of Parade, about 4 PM
Fifth Ave. between West 56th and 57th St, New York City

Protest NYPD, Mayor Bloomberg, City and Church sanctioned homophobia
This Saturday!

Take Action: NYC Saint Patricks Day Parade sends Message of Hatred and
Intolerance

Recently, Irish President Mary McAleese turned down an invitation to
be the Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade. Irish
Central, the Irish Voice’s website, says it was because of the
parade’s explicit anti-gay stance. The parade now represents the same
intolerance and bigotry that the Irish immigrants have fought for over
two centuries.

A 1995 conservative U.S. Supreme Court decision allowed the private
sponsor of the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade to exclude a group of
gays and lesbians.
The 9-0 SCOTUS decision said that parades are a “form of expression”
protected by the First Amendment and that organizers could not be
compelled to include groups whose messages they did not favor. A
second, inclusive parade will take place in Boston, following
a mile behind the first parade.

In New York, gays have again been banned from marching in the parade
on the 17th.
For over 20 years the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and NYC SAINT
PATRICK’S DAY PARADE, Inc. which organizes the
parade, have barred LGBT and Irish gay groups from marching. They
claim the parade is a private, religious procession “Traditional
Family Values”? in
order to to justify keeping LGBT groups out.
New York Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has compared
homosexuality to alcoholism, has expressed his disapproval of marriage
equality and “homosexuals”. He has pledged to fight Marriage Equality
in New York and in places out of his jurasdiction.

In the parade, public employees such as on duty uniformed police and
firefighters, public school employees and students, and many
secular groups participate in the parade. Public funds are used for
setup, cleanup, security, etc. A private parade, can’t take public
money or allow public employees to participate.

Therefore, we must protest not only the discriminatory exclusion of
LGBT groups from the parade, but also the use of public funds and
public employees. Any event that discriminates against people because of who
they are should not be publicly supported.

The inclusive St. Patrick’s Parade in Queens, held before
St. Patrick’s Day is the only one in the city that allows gay groups
to march openly. The other parades should be boycotted and protested.
Staten Island Pride was banned from the Staten Island St. Pat’s parade
again this year, and gay groups such as Irish Queers are again banned
from marching the big parade on Fifth Avenue this week.

We must protest as long as these homophobic and discriminatory
policies continue. Openly lesbian New York City Speaker Christine
Quinn said: “‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ has been repealed. The military is
no longer
discriminating against LGBT people, but yet parades in New York City
are. It baffles the mind.”

We insist the NYPD, NYFD, public schools, public agencies and
accomodation, sanitation, The Mayor and all New Yorkers immediately stop
participation in the NYC St. Patrick’s Parade and any other such
explicitly anti-gay event. We protest.

From Irish Queers http://irishqueers.blogspot.com/

On Saturday, March 17, the NYPD takes off the mask.
BE THERE TO PROTEST NYPD HOMOPHOBIA!!!
Separate church and state… Separate bigots and public servants!
Sat. March 17 @ 11am to end of Parade, about 4 PM

Fifth Ave. between West 56th and 57th St @ The St. Patrick’s Day parade

This Saturday, tens of thousands of cops will march in an explicitly
anti-gay parade of hate – Mayor Bloomberg, too. The NYC St. Patrick’s
Day parade, once a celebration of Irish New York, is now a “solemn
procession” of the religious right. It was redesigned so that anti-gay
bigots could parade using the church’s special right to discriminate.
The parade officially sends an “anti-gay message” – and the NYPD is
its biggest participant.

How much does the NYPD support religious anti-gay bigots? The NYPD
actively fought to keep Irish queers out of the parade, fought queers’
right to protest the parade, and now sends thousands of officers to
march in NYPD contingents. Most recently, when a dozen queer rights
and immigrant/cultural groups joined forces to tell NYPD Commissioner
Kelly that police endorsement exacerbates anti-queer violence, and to
demand that the NYPD pull out of the parade, Commissioner Kelly didn’t
even bother to respond.

PROTEST NYPD HOMOPHOBIA and ANTI-QUEER VIOLENCE!
Separate church and state… Separate bigots and public servants!
Sat. March 17 @ 11am
Fifth Ave. between West 56th and 57th St

More:

http://irishqueers.blogspot.com/

Write, Email, and Call The Parade Organizers Here:

NYC SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

St Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration Committee

P.O. Box 295 Woodlawn Station,

Bronx, NY 10470

Phone Number: 718-231-4400 718-231-4400

Fax: 718-231-4401

Web Site: NYCStPatricksParade.Org

Web Site Information: [email protected]

General Info:[email protected]

Chairman: Chairman-NYC-St-Patrick-Day-Parade.Org

Scholarship: [email protected]
Chairman of Bands: [email protected]

FAQ or Information requests
please contact
Hilary Beirne
[email protected]

New York City residents should call 311 and register a complaint.

Contact New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg here:

www.MikeBloomberg.com

Phone: (212) 639-9675
Fax: (212) 788-2460

City of New York City
1 Centre Street
New York City, NY 10007-1200

Contact New York Governor Andrew Cuomo here:

http://www.congress.org/

Albany Office:

State Capitol
Albany, New York 12224
Phone: (518) 486-4623
Fax: (518) 486-4170

Contact NBC and other Media here:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/?command=org_pages&org_id=559

Website: www.msnbc.com/news
Phone: (212) 664-4444
Fax: (201) 583-5453
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112

Contact the Ancient Order of Hibernians Here:

Greater Gospel Temple Aoh
2408 E 83rd St
Cleveland, OH 44104
(216) 231-6068

http://www.aoh.com/officers.html

New York City residents should call 311 and register a complaint.

Contact and Boycott the Parade Sponsors:

Quinnipiac University

275 Mount Carmel Ave.
Hamden, CT 06518-1908
Telephone 203-582-8200 203-582-8200
Admissions and Financial Aid: 800-462-1944 800-462-1944
www.quinnipiac.edu

Manhattan College

Visa

Irish Connections Visa

Empire City Yonkers Raceway

www.yonkersraceway.com

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

MANHATTAN COLLEGE

Group Photos, Inc.

Ireland Calls Radio Show

Pride of Irish Heritage

The Irish Examiner

Tourism Ireland

Turtle Wax

Budweiser

Sponsor links here:

http://nyc-st-patrick-day-parade.org/links.aspx

TAKE ACTION for equality now

STOP THE ANTI-GAY CRUSADE: Glitter-Zap The Pope!

Help STOP THE CATHOLIC CHURCH’S ANTI-GAY CRUSADE:

Please email the Pope via Cardinal Dolan, his chief envoy:

[email protected]

and/or: St. Patrick’s Cathedral: [email protected]

With the words: GLITTER, glitter, GLITTER, glitter, GLITTER

Or Call: St. Patrick’s Cathedral: 212.753.2261

And say: Glitter, Glitter, Glitter, Glitter, Glitter.

BACKGROUND:

The Catholic Church is on full attack with its ANTI-GAY CRUSADE in America. And make no mistake: this is politics.

The Activist Priest leading the political attack against gay Americans is Timothy Dolan,220px-Archbishop_Timothy_Dolan_20090519head of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, and the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which marshals the Church’s political activities.

Last Saturday, the Pope rewarded Activist Priest Dolan with a promotion to Cardinal for his full-fledged anti-marriage equality and pro-DOMA onslaught – which recently went so far as to threaten President Obama with a holy war if he did not submit to the Pope’s will (see clips below).

This Saturday, at 4 p.m., Timothy Dolan will host a mass in his own honor to herald his ascendency – on our backs – to higher office.

Please join in the festivities, by sending an email or calling with the message:

GLITTER GLITTER GLITTER GLITTER GLITTER

By lobbying government to deny us our civil rights, the Church is breaching the fundamental social compact in America – by which we agree to create a safe haven for each of us – and all of us. Their religious freedom is based on this, and so are our civil rights.

So this a GLITTER warning to LET GAYS BE.

More info on the first 7 Crusades:
http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/bible/crusades.stm

Join action on FB here.

______________________________________________________

Timeline on Dolan’s Anti-Gay Crusade and Corresponding Promotions:

FEB 23, 2009: DOLAN APPOINTED ARCHBISHOP OF NY – St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

NOV 16, 2010: DOLAN PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT OF USCCB (vote 128-111)

JUNE 2011: DOLAN LEADS CAMPAIGN AGAINST NY MARRIAGE EQUALITY

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2011/06/dolan-gay-marriage-bill-an-ominous-threat/

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2011/06/archbishop-timothy-dolan-were-working-with-gov-cuomo-but-we-still-oppose-gay-m

AUG 2011: DOLAN ON 60 MINUTES (i.e. anti-equality media campaign).

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-20044758-10391709.html

SEPT 22, 2011: DOLAN WARNS PRESIDENT OBAMA of “a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions” if he supports DOMA repeal.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/timothy-dolan-issues-letter-to-obama-about-gay-marriage_n_976788.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-23/gay-marriage-bishop/50528104/1

NOV 2011: DOLAN PUBLICLY ANNOUNCES PUBLIC POLICY FIGHTS
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/us/bishops-renew-fight-on-abortion-and-gay-marriage.html

NOV 2011: DOLAN ANNOUNCES ANTI-ME FIGHT IN OTHER STATES
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/11/26/NY_Archbishop_Claims_Deception_Plans_to_Fight_Marriage_Equality_in_Other_States/

NOV 2011: DOLAN MEETS WITH OBAMA – OPPOSING MARRIAGE EQUALITY
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/11/15/369413/archbishop-timothy-dolan-met-with-obama-to-discuss-preserving-religious-liberties-other-concerns/?mobile=nc

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/obama-dolan-dialogue_n_1093679.html

JAN 6, 2012: DOLAN NAMED CARDINAL BY POPE (Ceremony Feb 18, Rome).
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/archbishop-dolan-to-become-cardinal/

NYC Ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral: SATURDAY FEB. 25th. 4 p.m. (tickets only). SEND GLITTER

TAKE ACTION for equality now

Protest the Elevation to Cardinal of New York Arch-Homophobe Timothy Dolan This Weekend

(Posted for: Tommy Thomas of “Tommy News”)

-By Tommy News

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, who has led the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of New York for nearly three years, will be named a
cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, at the Vatican on Saturday morning.

Sunday masses will then celebrate this elevation of church sanctioned hatred and homophobia against gays, womens rights, and against full civil rights equality including same-sex civil marriage. Dolan has even gone so far as to petition the President of The United States to take anti-gay action. We must protest.

From our friend Tif:

Timothy Dolan is the chief architect of the Pope’s anti-gay crusade in America.

He arrived in NYC spewing homophobia rhetoric, and was quickly
rewarded with an appointment as President of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) which is leading the political campaign against us.

He has broken every basic social compact – by taking his church’s views into the political arena. He has violated the basic tenet of creating a safe space for all of us – all people and all religions – in America.

From Truthdig:

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan is a man of the world in some
senses, showing his love of cigars and beer in this “60 Minutes
Overtime” clip, but he’s all about strict adherence to Catholic
doctrine when it comes to some hotly contested issues: gay marriage, female priests, abortion.

Here, he takes up a disappointingly common rhetorical tool to explain the church’s aversion to gay marriage, asking Morley Safer, “Where would, then, the tampering stop? I mean, I love my mom. I don’t have the right to marry her.” Sigh. —KA

Video Here:
http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/ny_archbishop_compares_gay_marriage_20110324/

From The New York Times:

Archbishop Dolan Condemns “Sexual Immorality” in Sunday Homily

Archbishop and Cardinal-to-be Timothy Dolan gave a stern homily on morality on Sunday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, telling church attendees that sex outside of marriage is still a sin, despite what popular culture would have society believe.

“The one who, with God’s grace and mercy, tries his or her best to be pure and chaste is often thought of not as a hero, not a saint, but as a freak in our culture today,” Archbishop Timothy Dolan said at St. Patrick’s, reported the Daily News. “The biblical teaching on sexual responsibility is countercultural,”

Dolan continued to say that teaching abstinence is countercultural. Those who try to live according to the teachings of the bible including devout Catholics, he said, will face “ridicule and criticism.”

Dolan called on priests to do a better job in guiding their parishes to live a virtuous life. He linked societal crimes, such as violence, sex crimes, disease and broken homes and divorce to “sexual immorality,” reported the Daily News.

“The church has at times in the past, sadly, come across as, as some naysaying, puritanical nag, always giving a big ‘no, no, no’ to one of life’s greatest joys,” he said.

Dolan is set to become cardinal in a ceremony on Feb. 18, 2012 in Rome.

More:
http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/282462/20120116/archbishop-dolan-condemns-sexual-immorailty-sunday-homily.htm

The Pope has called gay people “intrinsically disordered”, and his misguided homophobia works to surpress gays and women. Jesus never once mentioned homosexuality, and may have been gay or bi himself. In fact, Jesus said that gays as opressed persecuted people are Blessed!

The Pope and Arch-Homophobe Dolan really need to read their Bibles.

This is the word of Jesus, from the Sermon on The Mount.

MATTHEW 5:10-13 Blessed are they which are persecuted

5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

5:11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

5:12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

5:13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savour, with what shall it be salted? it is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

That is the word of Jesus.

The Archdiocese of New York is widely considered the spiritual heart of the American church. It counts about 2.6 million Catholics in a sprawling jurisdiction that includes includes Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island and several suburban counties.

Timothy Dolan opposes Marriage Equality in New York, and has pledged to work to oppose marriage equality, persecute and oppress gays in New York and in places out of his jurisdiction. This directly contradicts the teachings of Jesus.

The Pope and Timothy Dolan must learn what great harm is caused by their homophobia, which is defined as the irrational fear of, aversion to, animus or discrimination against gays, homosexuality or homosexuals.

However, anti-gay hate speech leads directly to animus, bullying, hate crimes, depression, confusion, low self esteem, and suicide. We must protest. Now is the time.

Ways to Protest:

1- Occupy The Church

The message is simple, yet loud; Equal Rights for All.
Get out over the weekend and go to your church. Make signs, bring whistles, pots and pans. Bring friends and
family. Those in New York City can do this at Saint Patrick’s
Cathedral on 5th Avenue at 51st Street. Even one or two people, or a small group can do this with great effect.

Sign suggestions:

LET US BE

Stop The Hate

Let Gays Marry

Church Homophobia Must End!

Cardinal Dolan Hates Gays

Gays are God’s Children Too

Blessed Are The Gays

Jesus Loves Me Too

Vote For Civil Rights

2- Write, call, email, weform and Fax your elected representatives, newspapers and media outlets, and pass this message on to everyone in your address book.

Get contact information here: www.congress.org

3- Write, call, email, webform and Fax your clergy, friends, and family

4-Write, call, email, webform and Fax Pope Benedict and
Cardinal-elect Timothy Dolan

Timothy Dolan’s Office
1011 First Ave
New York, NY 10022

Contact: Timothy Dolan
Phone: 212-371-1000

email [email protected] or [email protected]

More Here:

http://www.archny.org/departments/

The Pope’s regular mailing address is:

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City

email the Pope at [email protected] (English) or
[email protected] (Italian)

Call The Vatican Basilica Switchboard + 39 06 6982

More Here:
http://saintpetersbasilica.org/contacts.htm

MEDIA CALLING DOLAN “GAY HATING” &
HIS PROMOTIONS FOR ANTI-GAY ACTIVISM

http://www.towleroad.com/2012/01/gay-hating-ny-archbishop-timothy-dolan-to-be-elevated-to-cardinal.html

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-york-anti-gay-archbishop-timothy.html

More from Tif:

Timothy Dolan TIMELINE:

FEB 23, 2009: DOLAN APPOINTED ARCHIBISHOP OF NY – St. Patricks Cathedral.

NOV 16, 2010: DOLAN PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT OF USCCB (vote 128-111)

JUNE 2011: DOLAN LEADS CAMPAIGN AGAINST NY MARRIAGE EQUALITY

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2011/06/dolan-gay-marriage-bill-an-ominous-threat/

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2011/06/archbishop-timothy-dolan-were-working-with-gov-cuomo-but-we-still-oppose-gay-m

AUG 2011: DOLAN ON 60 MINUTES (i.e. anti-equality media campaign).

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-20044758-10391709.html

SEPT 22, 2011: DOLAN WARNS PRESIDENT OBAMA of “a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions” if he supports DOMA repeal.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/timothy-dolan-issues-letter-to-obama-about-gay-marriage_n_976788.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-23/gay-marriage-bishop/50528104/1

NOV 2011: DOLAN PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE PUBLIC POLICY FIGHTS
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/us/bishops-renew-fight-on-abortion-and-gay-marriage.html

NOV 2011: DOLAN ANNOUNCES ANTI-ME FIGHT IN OTHER STATES
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/11/26/NY_Archbishop_Claims_Deception_Plans_to_Fight_Marriage_Equality_in_Other_States/

NOV 2011: DOLAN MEETS WITH OBAMA – OPPOSING MARRIAGE EQUALITY
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/11/15/369413/archbishop-timothy-dolan-met-with-obama-to-discuss-preserving-religious-liberties-other-concerns/?mobile=nc

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/obama-dolan-dialogue_n_1093679.html

JAN 6, 2012: DOLAN NAMED CARDINAL BY POPE (Ceremony Feb 18, Rome).
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/archbishop-dolan-to-become-cardinal/

(Here is what the Chicago folks did last week with their Cardinal Francis George:
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=36115)

Please take action and pass this on to everyone in your address book.

TAKE ACTION for equality now

GAY GROUPS BLOCK TITLE VI FROM THE LGBT OMNIBUS. HOW CAN THIS BE?

NOTE:  CORRECTION: the source of the information has since said there was a misunderstanding, and that HRC, NGLTF & NCLR are not operating in coalition on the omnibus and have not opposed Title VI inclusion.  For a subsequent note on these conversations, see this post.  As the writer, I maintain this is what I was told, and regret any confusion.

ORIGINAL POST:

In a shocking bit of news, it appears that the main LGBT organizations are blocking the inclusion of Title VI in the “Omnibus” equality bill being developed by Representative Polis for filing in January.

The outline shared by Polis’ office is sweeping, but clearly omits Title VI, which pertains to all federally funded programs, and marriage equality, which is not even on the table.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act reads:

Sec. 2000d. Prohibition against exclusion from participation in, denial of benefits of, and discrimination under federally assisted programs on ground of race, color, or national origin.
No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Including Title VI in a true omnibus would add “sexual orientation and gender identity” to this list, as has been proposed regularly since the omnibus idea first emerged in 2009, and would effectively end federally subsidized discrimination.

It appears, however, that a long-needed coalition of LGBT corporations has formed, and is now speaking with one voice against an inclusive omnibus.

WHY IS GAY INC AGAINST AN INCLUSIVE BILL?

The pro-offered argument is “pragmatism.” In other words, as the story goes, the Omnibus will be more viable legislatively if Title VI is not included.

Of course, this sounds immediately fishy. It would almost be better to hear them say: “We don’t want to put Title VI in play in 2012 because it will force Obama’s hand, and the opposition will be saying: ‘Look they want to force homosexuality on your community. Boo.’ So, since this is an election year, let’s file w/out Title VI, and then we’ll add it later, after the next election.”

It’s actually a convincing argument and we’ve heard ones like it before, like when they sought to leave transgendered people out of ENDA. It’s a politics of compromise whereby we negotiate against ourselves, before the game even starts, compromising principle, deflecting the call for equality.

BUT WE ARE A MOVEMENT FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL AND ENTITLED AS A MATTER OF INALIENABLE HUMAN RIGHTS TO BE PROTECTED BY THEIR GOVERNMENT FROM DISCRIMINATION BASED ON THE STATUS OF THEIR INNATE SEXUALITY AND GENDER.

If this is remotely true, filing an omnibus without TITLE VI sure doesn’t cut it.

Think about it. Title VI, by making it illegal to discriminate using federal money, enlists an enforcement army of thousands of contract managers, managing over $3,400 billion dollars, to stamp discrimination out. It is the mechanism by which our federal non-discrimination policy becomes a social norm via the vast economic power of the United States. This is how the money talks.

Of course, Gay Inc knows all of this. Representative Polis knows all of this. The DNC knows all of this.

So WHY does the outline Rep. Polis issued NOT INCLUDE TITLE VI?

Title VI, which has been in the eQualityGiving.org Omnibus since 2009, and the American Equality Bill from the outset. Title VI which puts “non-discrimination based on race, color, and national origin,” on every contract to every school, to every homeless youth program, to every police department, state, city, town, hospital, etc.

Title VI, which gives the 1000s of lawyers in the Department of Justice’s offices the power to sue to stop discrimination everywhere in America.

To many, this is where “pragmatism” comes into the picture, not in defining the goal. Because there is a reason the various non-discrimination laws exist, and their benefits will be of equal value to our community, and their exclusion our equal loss.

SO IS THIS REALLY PRAGMATISM?

Possibly, but is that the appropriate standard? What is pragmatism anyway?

Pragmatism is the obstacle of choice in politics. It lives within the now, or even the past, but not the future. It says: yes your equality may be what you want, but do not seek it. It is the voice of the impossible blocking change.

From 1974 to 1994, LGBT organizations backed a Civil Rights Bill. In 1994, weary from a decade of AIDS, we made the pragmatic decision to drop an equality bill, and thereby, separated ourselves from our Civil Rights heritage. We decided to seek only an end to employment discrimination in a deal with potential allies, and for 17 years, have fought that pragmatic fight, unbeknownst to society at large.

Meanwhile, the world has passed us by. Marriage is legal in Argentina and South Africa where “sexual orientation” is protected in the Constitution. Our plight is recognized by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Organization of American States, which has made explicit the duty under international law to “prevent, punish and eradicate” discrimination based on SO&GI.

The United States pushed those international resolutions under President Obama and Secretary Clinton, and is bound by them. They know that Title VI is the fulfillment of this duty. Everyone does. Surely pragmatism cannot dictate that we not seek its protection. The protection of human rights, under a clear duty to act, but not for us?

SO WHY WOULD REPRESENTATIVE POLIS LEAVE IT OUT?

Because HRC, the NGLTF, NCLR, and a confidential list of others, led by an invisible hand, managed behind closed doors in secret and in concert, like only corporations can, have decided that it is not “pragmatic” to even file a bill for Equal Civil Rights protections. That we should not seek equal protection under the law, not now, not yet. That we should wait, and follow, with no public open conversation about the entire matter.

Of course it does depend on WHY WE ARE EVEN FILING AN OMNIBUS BILL?

NO ONE THINKS we are filing this bill to pass in this Congress. That is not the point.

The point of the omnibus, like the AEB, is to put EQUALITY on the table. To take OUR stance. To reflect OUR dignity. Not as a statement of the possible, but as a statement of collective intention to manifest our liberation.

It is an opportunity to be the change we seek. It is the chance to make our equality a major issue in the 2012 race, by giving our own people a beacon.

This is the “intangible” that pragmatic legislative or corporate analysis fails to grasp: The power of Collective Intention to manifest change beyond the possible in today’s terms. The power of a shared dream.

THE LOVERS & THE DREAMERS UNDERSTAND THIS.

Our movement is ultimately about love. And two-spirited people have long been the shamans and visionaries, still dancing among us today. When Richard Noble takes to walking across country for Equal Civil Rights, he points the way. When the Mayor of West Hollywood and the City Council, as duly elected officials of a city that is 40% LGBT, issue a Resolution for the AEB, they declare it. When the Mayor of Salt Lake City calls upon the U.S. government for Equal Civil Rights for LGBT Americans, the way is clear.

Like this, we need Congressman Polis to be a representative visionary. As a rather pragmatic truth, the LGBT community has no directly elected representatives, neither among its organizations nor in Congress. So as a community and people, we rely on surrogates, custodians of the public trust to do the community bidding.

In this spirit, the call for the Omnibus has repeatedly come from the community. When eQualityGiving put forth the original draft in 2008, and The Dallas Principles spoke the truth of unity. When the National Equality Marchers demanded “Full Federal Equality.” When The American Equality Bill Project encamped for 37 days, and activists fasted. When hundreds chanted “CIVIL RIGHTS NOW” in Grand Central Terminal.

The community has spoken. When the Mayors of Oakland, Reno, Boulder, Salt Lake City and West Hollywood issue Proclamations. When the LGBT Community Centers in Denver & Boulder – the Congressman’s own district – issue Resolutions explicitly calling for Title VI and EQUAL Civil Rights.

When the Wall Street Occupiers say no more corporate control of politics and take to the street for the voice of the people, they speak for our movement as well. The legitimacy of our movement depends on it, and our destiny is tied to it. Corporations cannot set the dreams for all of us.

Our movement is spiritual. We seek to free people from discrimination that binds their very being, denying their soul’s journey on earth and the safe haven to become their authentic self. We are liberating all of society by securing the acknowledgement by this Government of its primary duty: to protect us as we are, not as someone else would have us be.

Ultimately our cause is a focal point of today’s holy wars, calling the ultimate question of love or anger, compassion or judgment.  And we should no longer hide from this responsibility or avoid this role.

When we INCLUDE TITLE VI we start a macro conversation about WHY LGBT PEOPLE ARE NOT ALREADY COVERED EQUALLY by federal non-discrimination laws, WHY we are not treated with dignity, and WHY discrimination is wrong.

When we INCLUDE TITLE VI we announce what we intend to accomplish, and that YES we are speaking to everyone, everywhere in this Country.

When we INCLUDE TITLE VI we are saying we are equal, and we expect our POLITICIANS to say so too.

We have had decades of pragmatism, while societal acceptance has over shot our own organizational expectations.

We’ve bowed to allies and other minorities, denying our own dignity in the process.

We’ve seen more and more teenagers taking their lives because we won’t force the macro conversation we need to have to address a societal wide illness of homophobia and transphobia, cultivated by our own Government and propagated by its laws, that leads to barbaric acts like parents rejecting their own offspring or people tied to fences and beaten to death.

We see exponential mental illnesses among our people, spiking under anti-gay referendum, police abuse, killings, political ostracizing, families torn apart, and the generalized rejection of an entire segment of society by their own community, not as a group, but individually in a forced emotional isolation born of fear.

The Civil Rights Act can’t change this. But the debate over our Equal Inclusion can. And then, after we win the legislative battle, after we build a chorus so loud we can no longer be ignored. Title VI will push that conversation deeply into every corner of this country, leaving no child behind and no dream deferred.

We’ve seen a sea change in public opinion ushered in by television programming, but not by a mass movement.

It’s time to find our common intention to liberate ourselves as a matter of entitlement.

It’s time to find our voice as a community entitled to respect as a matter of consciousness.

It’s time to file a bill for equality that says: WE ARE EQUAL & WE ARE NEXT.

For AN INCLUSIVE OMNIBUS, email: [email protected] Your input is invited.

TAKE ACTION for equality now

GET READY: National Coming Out Day is Tuesday, October 11th 2011

GET READY: National Coming Out Day is Tuesday, October 11th 2011

-by Tommy News Thomas

Please pass this message on to everyone in your address book.

Take Action for International Coming Out Day

October 11th is International Coming Out Day. Take Action!

National Coming Out Day is Tuesday. Here are some important actions
you can take.

Write letters, email, call, and fax your representatives asking them
to support pro-LGBT legislation. Ask them to support the American
Equality Bill Civil Rights Act Amendment to include Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity. Ask then to repeal DOMA, and to pass ENDA,
UAFA, and the AEB. Arrange a letter-writing campaign gathering as
part of your National Coming Out Day activities. Make paper,
envelopes, pens and sample letter language available. Have a gathering
and serve some festive snacks and beverages. Fly your rainbow flag and
wear rainbow pride gear.

Get contact information at www.congress.org

Make a commitment to be honest about your sexual orientation or gender
identity to those who know you. Coming out and living openly as a gay,
lesbian, bisexual, transgender or supportive straight person is an act
of bravery and authenticity. Being brave doesn’t mean that you’re not
scared; it means that if you are scared, you do the thing you’re
afraid of anyway. Polls continue to show that people who know someone
gay are more likely to support full equality.

If you are participating in Occupy Together protest events, wear your
rainbow colors and make a sign reading something like LGBT FULL
EQUALITY NOW!
PASS THE AMERICAN EQUALITY BILL FOR CIVIL RIGHTS!

http://www.occupytogether.org/

More information on AEB Here:

http://www.actonprinciples.org/aeb-senate/

From The Human Righta Campaign:

National Coming Out Day

Donate your Facebook status
for National Coming Out Day!
Go to the app

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/national-coming-out-day

Whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or a straight ally,
be proud of who you are and your support for LGBT equality this Coming
Out Day!

Use HRC’s Coming Out for Equality Facebook app to show your support
and spread a message of equality to your friends and family. It’s the
courage to come out as an active voice for LGBT equality that will
result in real political and social change.

New ways to come out for equality will be added each week leading up
to October 11.

About the App
Once you add the app, select one of the “Actions to Take” to get
started! After completing each action, be sure to claim your equality
(EQ) badge and encourage others to get involved by sharing your badge
on Facebook, inviting your friends and family to take action and
tweeting with the #comingout hashtag.

We can’t do this alone, but together we can make a difference. Recruit
your friends and family to Come Out for Equality and earn a badge for
your efforts.

Learn about Coming Out Day
History of National Coming Out Day
Living Openly
However you identify, HRC and its Coming Out Project hope these guides
help you meet the challenges and opportunities that living openly
offers to each of us:

Find coming out guides and other resources
Order publications in bulk via the HRC Shop
Are You a Straight Ally?
Check out A Straight Guide to LGBT Americans to learn about the
emotional spectrum that people typically feel after someone comes out
to them and find easy ways to learn more and demonstrate your support
for LGBT Americans and equality.

Download the guide

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/national-coming-out-day

Please pass this message on to everyone in your address book.


Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Colorado, TAKE ACTION for equality now

OUTBOULDER Hosts Luncheon for the AEB & Civil Rights Walk with guests Rep. Polis & Mayor Osborne!

36835_488222893635_584103635_6880146_5326569_sTHE TIP OF THE ICEBERG is finally emerging in our quest for Equal SO&GI Civil Rights!

And breaching, like a whale in the ocean, is BOULDER COLORADO!

With great local fanfare, on Saturday, September 24th, OUTBOULDER, which runs both Pride and the LGBT Community Center, is hosting a luncheon for The American Equality Bill and Richard Noble’s Walk Across America with special guests Representative Polis and Mayor Osborne.

For details and to RSVP go to: http://www.outboulder.org/content/congressional-luncheon-american-equality-bill

The reason Boulder is so magical is that it is the district of openly gay Democrat, Representative Polis who, according to all reports, is systematically working to prepare an omnibus civil rights bill for filing THIS YEAR!

Working diligently, the internal process evidently involves canvassing LGBT organizations via Jonathan de Wolff  in the D.C. office, and the public as well, via Lisa in the campaign office.

Word is there will be a draft issued for public comment, along with additional transparent processes to ensure we have a true “community bill” !

So it finally seems safe to say: A ONE BILL STRATEGY is now in play. HURRAY!!

Over the next few months all eyes are on Boulder Colorado, and it could not be more fitting that Mayor Osborne is joining the Mayors of West Hollywood, Salt Lake City, Reno and Oakland, in issuing a Proclamation calling for Equal SO&GI Civil Rights — and that OutBoulder is helping to lead the charge with this lovely luncheon!

Thank you all for your intentions!! Keep it up! We’ve a long way to go still. But hope is clearly on the horizon!!!

BRAVO EVERYONE!!!

TAKE ACTION for equality now

LET’S GET IN THE DEBATES!! POST QUESTION TO HOSTS TO HOLD REPUBLICANS ACCOUNTABLE.

THE FIRST Republican Presidential debate included hate-speech and incitement to discrimination that is outlawed and criminal in many countries because of the harm it causes.

AND YET WE WERE SILENT.

WE ARE SILENT NO MORE.

POST THIS QUESTION: “The 08 Republican platform says that discrimination is immoral. And President Obama, in June 2011, signed two international Resolutions affirming that human rights treaties require discrimination protections for “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” Do you believe the principle of protecting people from discrimination extends to LGBT Americans?”

POST TO:
1. CNN: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/09/cnntea-party-debate-sept-12-in-tampa/#contact-form-169836
2. BRIAN WILLIAMS: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/
3. HUGH HEWITT: [email protected]
4. JOHN F. HARRIS: http://www.politico.com/reporters/JohnHarris.html

POST TWEET TO POLITICO:
“Do you agree that “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” deserve equal non-discrimination protections? #REAGANDEBATE”

***JOIN LIVE PROTEST AT REGAN LIBRARY WITH GET EQUAL
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186035981467044

PLEASE JOIN THE CHORUS & USE ANY CHANNELS YOU HAVE TO GET OUR MESSAGE TO THESE TARGETS.

____________________________________________________________

I. STRIKE ONE: SEPT 7 – RONALD REGAN LIBRARY (Simi Valley, CA. 5 PST).
A. Hosts: Library, NBC, Politico.
B. Moderators: Lewis, Williams, Hewitt

_____________________________________________________________

II.  STRIKE TWO: SEPT 12. — TAMPA. FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS
A. Hosts: CNN, Tea Party Express.
B. Moderator: Wolf Blitzer.
C. Email blasts by two large groups (confidential for now).

______________________________________________________________

III.  STRIKE THREE: SEPTEMBER 22 – ORLANDO, FL.
A. Hosts: Fox News, Florida Republican Party.
B. More info needed.

________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND

Fortunately, major groups are mobilizing to change the conversation to Full Federal Equality. To push the Republicans to embrace their own principles on discrimination. And to stand down the hate speech.

FACILITATING THIS is the 2008 Republican Platform which calls discrimination immoral and promises to strongly enforce non-discrimination statutes. It promises to reject the forces of hatred and bigotry. For everyone but us.

Here’s what they said in 08:

“Ensuring Equal Treatment for All

Individual rights – and the responsibilities that go with them – are the foundation of a free society. From the time of Lincoln, equality of individuals has been a cornerstone of the Republican Party. Our commitment to equal opportunity extends from landmark school-choice legislation for the students of Washington D.C. to historic appointments at the highest levels of government. We consider discrimination based on sex, race, age, religion, creed, disability, or national origin to be immoral, and we will strongly enforce anti-discrimination statutes. We ask all to join us in rejecting the forces of hatred and bigotry and in denouncing all who practice or promote racism, anti-Semitism, ethnic prejudice, or religious intolerance. As a matter of principle, Republicans oppose any attempts to create race-based governments within the United States, as well as any domestic governments not bound by the Constitution or the Bill of Rights.”

INTERNATIONAL RESOLUTIONS REFERENCED:
UNHRC:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/AEBproject/doc/10150258605504074/
OAS:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/AEBproject/doc/10150258606304074/

LET’S HOLD THEM TO THIS.  PRINCIPLES ARE PRINCIPLES & APPLY TO US TOO!

________________________________________________________________

GENERAL CALL TO ACTION: If you would like to organize A LIVE ACTION in Tampa or Orlando, Florida, get in touch.

WE ARE ENTITLED TO BE PROTECTED AS WE ARE.

CIVIL RIGHTS NOW.   DIGNITY NOW!   THE AEB NOW!

TAKE ACTION for equality now

POST GOP GAY-BASHING: Where is THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ON CIVIL RIGHTS?

GAY BASHING by GOP – and SILENCE by HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION.

On August 11, 2011, the GOP Presidential Candidates attacked the human rights and dignity of all LGBT Americans, some even suggesting an Amendment embedding marriage discrimination in the United States Constitution and threatening the judiciary who act otherwise.

(see video of their comments: http://www.nomblog.com/124​65/)

WHAT DID THE most powerful civil rights coalition in America — THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ON CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS – say in response?

Nothing.

Please post this question in their contact form at:

http://www.civilrights.org​/about/contact_us/

Hello,
Will your organization be issuing a statement in response to the gay bashing that took place in the GOP debate? If they were talking about Constitutional amendments to outlaw bi-racial marriages, I’m sure there would be an uproar. Where is your outrage on behalf of the LGBT community of Americans!? Where is your human rights advocacy? How long must we wait? Please do not wait for HRC. Help us now. Speak up now.

__________________________​__________________________​____________
NOTE: The Leadership Council on Civil & Human Rights is huge, with NAACP, NOW and even HRC and Immigration Equality. Here is how they define themselves:

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Through advocacy and outreach to targeted constituencies, The Leadership Conference works toward the goal of a more open and just society – an America as good as its ideals.
http://www.civilrights.org​/about/

JOIN THE FB ACTION PAGE AND SHARE THIS AT:
FB Action Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=263367287009887

TAKE ACTION for equality now

“Repeal the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act”

Confronting/eliminating those support systems that contribute to
harmful cultural bias and discimination against the LGBT community is very important. Protecting our young people in a K-12 public school environment, while helping to end the cycle of discrimination is especially important.

We must give our public schools back the tools they had prior to
Jan,2002. in order for our public schools to be able to confront and eliminate on campus discrimination with the same vigor that was coming on line prior to the signing into law of this “Act”.

http://signon.org/sign/end-us-government-supported