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 From Stonewall Democrats and Change.Org Mississippi Proms aren’t the only place students face discrimination, Help pass the Student Non-Discrimination Act By now you’ve probably heard about the drama surrounding Prom at the Itawamba Agricultural High School in Mississippi. After a lesbian student named Constance McMillen was told she wouldn’t be able to bring her girlfriend as her date to Prom, the ACLU intervened on her behalf. In response, Itawamba School District cancelled Prom altogether, and school officials are currently encouraging a private prom be organized that can continue to deny Constance and her girlfriend entrance. What’s happening in Mississippi unfortunately happens all too often around the country, and not just during Prom season. Sign our petition to your Member of Congress, and urge them to co-sponsor Jared Polis’ Student Non-Discrimination Act. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students are subjected to discrimination, including harassment, bullying, violence; and are deprived of equal access to educational opportunities. Congressman Jared Polis took a stand earlier this year to fight for LGBT students when he introduced the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4530). “Like Title VI for minorities in the 60s and Title IX for women in the 70s,” Congressman Polis said at the time of the bill’s introduction, “my legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear.” Tell your Representative in Congress to co-sponsor the Student Non-Discrimination Act so Constance McMillen — and every student — can have equal access to a safe education: Sincerely, P.S. We’ve set a goal of 1000 people writing their Members of Congress and urging them to become co-sponsors. It’s a big goal, but we know we can do it with your help. Please sign the petition, then help us by posting on Twitter and Facebook. Thanks! http://www.change.org/actions/view/demand_all_proms_are_fair_support_the_student_non-discrimination_act
 (No Ratings Yet) From Stonewall Democrats and Change.Org Mississippi Proms aren’t the only place students face discrimination, Help pass the Student Non-Discrimination Act By now you’ve probably heard about the drama surrounding Prom at the Itawamba Agricultural High School in Mississippi. After a lesbian student named Constance McMillen was told she wouldn’t be able to bring her girlfriend as her date to Prom, the ACLU intervened on her behalf. In response, Itawamba School District cancelled Prom altogether, and school officials are currently encouraging a private prom be organized that can continue to deny Constance and her girlfriend entrance. What’s happening in Mississippi unfortunately happens all too often around the country, and not just during Prom season. Sign our petition to your Member of Congress, and urge them to co-sponsor Jared Polis’ Student Non-Discrimination Act. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students are subjected to discrimination, including harassment, bullying, violence; and are deprived of equal access to educational opportunities. Congressman Jared Polis took a stand earlier this year to fight for LGBT students when he introduced the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4530). “Like Title VI for minorities in the 60s and Title IX for women in the 70s,” Congressman Polis said at the time of the bill’s introduction, “my legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear.” Tell your Representative in Congress to co-sponsor the Student Non-Discrimination Act so Constance McMillen — and every student — can have equal access to a safe education: Sincerely, P.S. We’ve set a goal of 1000 people writing their Members of Congress and urging them to become co-sponsors. It’s a big goal, but we know we can do it with your help. Please sign the petition, then help us by posting on Twitter and Facebook. Thanks! http://www.change.org/actions/view/demand_all_proms_are_fair_support_the_student_non-discrimination_act
Unite and Fight: Strategizing for LGBTQ Civil Rights and Equality *** REGISTRATION CLOSES THIS FRIDAY AT NOON *** Schedule Available Online (subject to change) Please visit our website at: *********************************** On the weekend of March 12–14 activists from across the Midwest will gather to discuss and debate many of the issues we currently face as a movement today. Check out the blog listed above for the full program (subject to change). In addition there will be artists performing and showing their work, music, dancing and lots of time to hang out and socialize with other LGBTQ activists and allies in the region. Don’t miss the opportunity to build unity and meet new activist friends in Chicago, March 12–14, 2010. Featuring: If you’re not in Chicago but in the Midwest, join us via conference call on Sunday, March 7th from 6-7:30 pm CST. Click the link below for call in information. http://eaamidwestconference.wordpress.com/
From a FaceBook friend of Act On Principles: Massachusetts became the 1st state to sue the U.S. government on July 8, 2009 over the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies married same-sex couples all 1,138 federal marriage benefits. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley contends in the lawsuit that DOMA “constitutes an overreaching and discriminatory federal law.” You can view the full complaint here: http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/press/2009_07_08_doma_complaint.pdf Marriage Equality has also been the law of the land in Connecticut since November 12, 2008. We ran a campaign in August of 2009 urging then Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to defend state law — marriage equality. AG Blumenthal promptly responded to our campaign, “We are monitoring Massachusetts’ action and listening to views and opinions expressed by advocates on all sides of the issue.” However, before AG Blumenthal could make a final decision he has decided to not run for reelection and is instead running for Senate. Thus far, there are 3 Democrats and 3 Republican who have announced their candidacies for Attorney General. Since marriage equality is indeed the law in Connecticut, we are asking those 6 Attorney General candidates if they will follow Massachusetts’ lead and stand up for the citizens and laws of their state by filing a lawsuit against the federal Defense of Marriage Act. FYI, in addition to the Attorney General having a duty to defend state law, defending marriage equality just so happens to be the politically expedient action to take. The majority of Connecticut citizens support marriage equality and those numbers continue to grow. http://www.columbia.edu/~jrl2124/Lax_Phillips_Gay_Policy_Responsiveness_2009.pdf So let’s ask all 6 Attorney General candidates if elected, they would defend state law, marriage equality, and file a lawsuit against DOMA! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=355072194694
the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) has been passed by the Assembly, and the only remaining obstacle to the bill becoming law is the New York State Senate. The time is NOW to take action and make our final push to get the Senate to vote to end discrimination against transgender New Yorkers. GENDA would amend the state’s human rights law to ban discrimination in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations. It also expands the state’s hate crimes law to explicitly include crimes against transgender people. We need you to get on the phone and call your Senator and the lead Senate sponsor Tom Duane at their Albany offices to tell them that you want them to bring GENDA to the Senate floor and pass it. We’re at a crucial moment and it is vital that they hear from you. Here’s how to make your calls: 1. You can find your State Senator’s Albany phone number here and you can reach Senator Tom Duane at (518) 455-2451. 2. Remember to tell your Senator the number of the GENDA bill (S.2406) and ask them to support GENDA and bring it to the floor for a vote. 3. You can use these talking points about the urgent need for GENDA and the broad support it has: Due to difficulty with job discrimination, one-fifth of transgender New Yorkers have incomes below $10,000 a year Working together, we can win! Start making those phone calls now! http://eqfed.org/espany/all-msgs.html
THE LGBTQ community is on the MARCH again on SUNDAY, March 21st — in Washington, D.C. Lincoln Memorial 1 p.m. This time for LGBT Immigration Domestic Partnership Rights and Immigration Reform!!! Please join the Parade in D.C. (see below) or by bus from NYC: BY BUS FROM NEW YORK CITY (3 options): 1. $20 r/t! – Manhattan: LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th Street, 10011. 6:30 a.m. return 10:30 p.m. $20 r/t. EMAIL FIRM reservations to: tif509@gmail.com. Subject: LGBT Bus to DC – Center. Ticket purchase details to follow. 2. FREE! – Queens: Make the Road, 92-10 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights, NY 11372. FREE. Leave 6:30 a.m. Return 10:30 p.m. Email FIRM reservations to: karina.claudio@maketheroadny.org – or call: (718) 418-7690 ext 1278. Put Subject: LGBT Bus to D.C. – Queens. 3. FREE! – Brooklyn: Make the Road, 301 Grove Street, Brooklyn, 11237. FREE. Leave 6:30 a.m. Return 10:30 p.m. Email FIRM reservations to: karina.claudio@maketheroadny.org – or call: (718) 418-7690 ext 1278. Put Subject: LGBT Bus to D.C. – Brooklyn. ALREADY IN WASHINGTON? GATHER AT: BRING LGBT FLAGS, POSTERS, LOVE. This March is organized by Reform Immigration for America (RIFA) which is subsidizing ALL buses!!! And, NY Immigration Coalition. LGBT INVOLVEMENT: Immigration Equality – register for free T-shirt at: http://immigrationequality.org/blog/?p=1683 Out4Immigration.org NYC Bus by: C=IIR (Comprehensive = Inclusive Immigration Reform) (http://tinyurl.com/CIIRonFB) WAY Over 36,000 LGBT Bi-national couples, and 600,000 LGBT minority, youth and singles NEED THIS REFORM and YOUR VOICE & BODY to get it! Please come support this important cause! P.S. For a broader movement reason why this is important check out this Bilierco.com piece (skip down to: “It’s USCCB Response Time): http://www.bilerico.com/2010/03/immigration_closet_a_perfect_storm_for_us_catholic_bishops.php http://tinyurl.com/MARCHonMarch21-WashingtonDC
(No Ratings Yet) From Project 1138: What Is Project 1138?: Project 1138 is designed to increase public awareness of the 1,138 federal marital benefits and protections denied to same-sex couples as the result of marriage inequality. How Did It Originate?: On September 5, 1996, Congressman Henry Hyde sent a request to the General Accounting Office of the United States. In it, he asked how many federal benefits were contingent on marital status. In response, the GAO identified 1,049 federal laws in which martial status applied. January 31, 1997 letter to Henry Hyde In January 1997, Senator Bill Frist asked the GAO to update this number. Due to changes in laws over the previous seven years, the number of federal benefits had increased to 1,138. January 23, 2004 letter to Bill Frist Share Your Story! Here is the latest story shared on the site: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Michael & Tony http://www.1138project.blogspot.com/
From The Empire State Pride Agenda From: jsolmonsohn The New York State Assembly has passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) for the third time. The Empire State Pride Agenda thanks the Assembly for once again taking a stand in support of transgender rights. The final vote tally is posted on “The Agenda” blog. Now, it’s time for the Senate to act! The Pride Agenda will be launching a GENDA Call-In Day to Senators statewide next week. Click here to tell your friends to sign up for our Action Alerts today so that they will hear from us next week when it’s time to take action! The Pride Agenda just released the following statement regarding the Assembly’s passage of GENDA: New York State Assembly passes bill banning transgender discrimination; Pride Agenda calls on State Senate to act Today the New York State Assembly voted by an overwhelming bipartisan margin to amend the state’s human rights law to include anti-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression. The bill (A.5710), known as the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), bans discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations. It also expands the state’s hate crimes law to explicitly include crimes against transgender people. The Assembly has now passed the bill by large bipartisan margins the past three years; Governor Paterson has also said he will sign GENDA into law should the Legislature send it to him. “Transgender New Yorkers shouldn’t have to live in fear that they lack basic protections and could lose their job or be denied a lease on an apartment or service in a restaurant just because of who they are,” said Interim Executive Director Joe Tarver. “In passing this bill, the Assembly continues to demonstrate its leadership on civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers. We thank Assemblymember Richard Gottfried for his sponsorship and support of this bill, as well as the Assemblymembers who voted to pass it.” “The State Senate remains the only obstacle to passing GENDA. It is now time for the Senate to follow the Assembly’s lead and end discrimination against transgender New Yorkers once and for all by passing GENDA,” said Tarver. “Transgender New Yorkers can’t—and shouldn’t have to—wait any longer.” Transgender people face severe discrimination in New York. A 2009 needs assessment of New York State’s LGBT community conducted for the Pride Agenda found that 20.7% of transgender New Yorkers have incomes of under $10,000 a year, and one-third are or have been homeless at one time; 28.4% have experienced a physical or sexual assault motivated by transphobic or homophobic violence that was serious enough to require medical care. Twelve states and the District of Columbia have comprehensive laws banning discrimination based upon gender identity and expression, covering public and private sector employment as well as other areas of everyday life. Eight additional states including New York have executive orders covering public employees only. According to a March 2008 Global Strategy poll, 78 percent of registered New York voters support passing a bill to protect transgender people. This support is strong across the state, including upstate (74%), New York City (79%) and the downstate suburbs (82%); and among Democrats (86%), Republicans (67%) and Independent voters (78%) alike. For more information and to get involved, contact Joanna Solmonsohn, LI Program Organizer at 212.627.0305 x103 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org. http://eqfed.org/espany/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=38057040
(No Ratings Yet) From The Empire State Pride Agenda From: jsolmonsohn The New York State Assembly has passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) for the third time. The Empire State Pride Agenda thanks the Assembly for once again taking a stand in support of transgender rights. The final vote tally is posted on “The Agenda” blog. Now, it’s time for the Senate to act! The Pride Agenda will be launching a GENDA Call-In Day to Senators statewide next week. Click here to tell your friends to sign up for our Action Alerts today so that they will hear from us next week when it’s time to take action! The Pride Agenda just released the following statement regarding the Assembly’s passage of GENDA: New York State Assembly passes bill banning transgender discrimination; Pride Agenda calls on State Senate to act Today the New York State Assembly voted by an overwhelming bipartisan margin to amend the state’s human rights law to include anti-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression. The bill (A.5710), known as the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), bans discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations. It also expands the state’s hate crimes law to explicitly include crimes against transgender people. The Assembly has now passed the bill by large bipartisan margins the past three years; Governor Paterson has also said he will sign GENDA into law should the Legislature send it to him. “Transgender New Yorkers shouldn’t have to live in fear that they lack basic protections and could lose their job or be denied a lease on an apartment or service in a restaurant just because of who they are,” said Interim Executive Director Joe Tarver. “In passing this bill, the Assembly continues to demonstrate its leadership on civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers. We thank Assemblymember Richard Gottfried for his sponsorship and support of this bill, as well as the Assemblymembers who voted to pass it.” “The State Senate remains the only obstacle to passing GENDA. It is now time for the Senate to follow the Assembly’s lead and end discrimination against transgender New Yorkers once and for all by passing GENDA,” said Tarver. “Transgender New Yorkers can’t—and shouldn’t have to—wait any longer.” Transgender people face severe discrimination in New York. A 2009 needs assessment of New York State’s LGBT community conducted for the Pride Agenda found that 20.7% of transgender New Yorkers have incomes of under $10,000 a year, and one-third are or have been homeless at one time; 28.4% have experienced a physical or sexual assault motivated by transphobic or homophobic violence that was serious enough to require medical care. Twelve states and the District of Columbia have comprehensive laws banning discrimination based upon gender identity and expression, covering public and private sector employment as well as other areas of everyday life. Eight additional states including New York have executive orders covering public employees only. According to a March 2008 Global Strategy poll, 78 percent of registered New York voters support passing a bill to protect transgender people. This support is strong across the state, including upstate (74%), New York City (79%) and the downstate suburbs (82%); and among Democrats (86%), Republicans (67%) and Independent voters (78%) alike. For more information and to get involved, contact Joanna Solmonsohn, LI Program Organizer at 212.627.0305 x103 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org. http://eqfed.org/espany/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=38057040
From Equality Across America: On October 11, 2009, more than 200,000 people marched on Washington D.C. in the National Equality March with one single demand: Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. On May 22, 2010—the anniversary of Harvey Milk’s birthday—we will take action again to demand full equality for all LGBT people. The International Day Against Homophobia, May 17, kicks off a week of local actions and on Harvey Milk’s birthday, May 22, Equality Across America (EAA) calls on activists to converge in each of the 50 states for the Harvey Milk Day Action. Join EAA and others on May 22, 2010, and take action for full federal equality. We won’t wait, Federal Equality Now! http://www.equalityacrossamerica.org/
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From Equality Across America:
