LGBT Organizations Announce Full LGBT Equality Demonstration During Obama’s Manhattan Visit TOMORROW!

Organizations Call on LGBT Community and Allies to Gather at 5:30 pm (ET) Tomorrow, 6/23/2011, in New York City

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, GetEQUAL — a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization — Queer Rising — a New York based grassroots queer equality organization — and Join the Impact — a national LGBT civil rights organization — announced plans to demonstrate for full LGBT equality, scheduled to take place at 5:30 pm (ET) tomorrow, Thursday, June 23rd, 2011. The event, “A Demonstration for Full LGBT Equality”, was called by the organizations in order to give the LGBT community and their allies an opportunity to gather together in unity as they raise the urgency for full LGBT equality now. As we’ve seen from one of the hardest fought legislative sessions for LGBT equality in New York history, freedom isn’t free and the work for full LGBT equality will continue.

“A Demonstration for Full LGBT Equality” will take place just outside of the perimeter of the largest LGBT fundraising event this election season with proceeds going to assist the re-election campaign of the “still-evolving on marriage equality candidate,” President Barack Obama.

For more information on the demonstration, visit: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123451884405622#!

WHAT:   “A Demonstration for Full LGBT Equality”

WHO:     GetEQUAL, Queer Rising and Join the Impact:

GetEQUAL, a national LGBT civil rights organization,

Queer Rising, a New York-based grassroots queer equality group
Join the Impact, a national LGBT civil rights organization

WHEN:   5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2011

WHERE:   Sheraton New York,  811 7th Ave On 53rd Street   (New York City)

With the outcome of the New York State Senate vote on the Marriage Equality Act expected any moment, supporters and allies from the LGBT community will gather together in their call for full LGBT equality now. With the majority of Americans now supporting the extension of marriage rights, there is no reason to delay or deny full equality to ALL LGBT Americans any longer. While the fight for full LGBT equality continues, we remind our leaders that without government support and protections the LGBT community is at greater risk for hate crimes, bullying, suicides and homelessness. We expect our elected officials to do the right thing by protecting the civil liberties of their entire constituency.

Attendees are encouraged to bring candles for a vigil and to demonstrate their passion and claim to full equality – win, lose or no vote on New York’s Marriage Equality Act.

** Press requests and other media-related inquiries should be directed to Michael Talon, 202-631-9830 or Michael@lunamediagroup.com.**

Founded in 2010, GetEQUAL is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and our allies to take bold action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way. For more information, go to www.getequal.org, www.facebook.com/getequal, or www.twitter.com/getequal.
Queer Rising is a grassroots organization created to demand full equality for all queer people through nonviolent direct action. Formed in late 2009 by people tired of watching LGBTQ rights put on the back burner or given no attention at all, Queer Rising vows to continue to pressure legislators and the public until all queer people are equal. More information can be found at www.queerrising.org.

Founded in 2008 after the passage of California’s Proposition 8, Join the Impact is a national grassroots organization that strives to make a positive impact in the lives of the LGBT community, its allies, and even its opposition.

CONTACT: Michael Talon 202-631-9830 or michael@lunamediagroup.com

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“Good things don’t come to those who wait. They come to those who agitate!” Julian Bond

The BIG FOCUS is on daily phone banks and in-district signature gathering in key districts that anyone can help with.  And EVERYONE should Call Their Senator (with easy tools, see below).

And there are Direct Actions, Rallies, and other action in the works.

Find your passion, and JOIN THE MARCH FOR EQUALITY and help change the world.

Here’s a  list of WAYS TO PLUG IN:

I.  PUBLIC DIRECT ACTION, MEETINGS & CONFERENCE CALLS (let’s shake it up!)

BRONX OPPOSITION RALLY (response generally to Diaz).  Friday, June 3rd, 2 p.m.  Bronx Courthouse, 851 Grand Concourse @ 161st Street.

BROOKLYN OPPOSITION RALLY (opposition Sen. Golden) Mon. June 6th. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194534963926102

II.  PERSONAL ACTION ALL NY’ers CAN DO (mandatory!)

FIND YOUR SENATOR by your address: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

CHECK YOUR SENATOR’S POSITION:
Act On Principles: http://www.actonprinciples.org/marriagenysenate/;  or
NY1 Marriage Tracker: http://content.ynn.com/state_of_politics/same-sex-marriage-vote-tracker/index.html

CALL YOUR SENATOR (options)

1.  VIA FRIEND FACTOR (easy, no registration) & a REAL FLOWER will be sent to Albany:  Click here.

2.  VIA HRC’s automated system:

EMAIL: https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1110
PHONE: http://bit.ly/HRCphoneSenNY

III.  COALITION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (daily, no excuses!)

PHONE BANKS: (Monday, Tues, Wed, Thurs. 5 to 8:30 p.m.) Location: SEIU 1199 Offices, 330 W. 42nd Street, 7th floor. Show up or register here: http://bit.ly/HRCphonebankReg ; or: Nicholas Galbraith at volunteer@prideagenda.org, 917.522.3414.

IN-DISTRICT SIGNATURE GATHERING (shifts noon-5, 5 to 8; various days/times): RIDGEWOOD, FOREST HILLS, OZONE PARK, WOODHAVEN, HOWARD BEACH: Contact: Jeremy Hammond, HRC Field Coordinator, (516) 712-4198, Jeremy.Hammond@Gmail.com.

BUSINESS ON-LINE PETITION DRIVE: Business Support Petition Drive (on-line petition by ESPA): http://bit.ly/ESPAbusinessPetition Desma Holcomb, ESPA; (212) 627-0305 or dholcomb@prideagenda.org.

PRIDE VISIBILITIES & SIGNATURE GATHERINGS: STATEN ISLAND (June 4); QUEENS (June 5); BROOKLYN (June 11th); MANHATTAN (June 26th – celebration . For Rendez-vous info: Carlos Menchaca, City Council LGBT Liaison; (212) 788-5646; cmenchaca@council.nyc.gov.

*These are the UNDECIDED for particular focus: Hannon (R-6th); Huntley (D-10), Addabbo (D-15), Kruger (D-27), Ball (R-40 – leaning yes), Saland (R-41), McDonald (R-43), Alesi (R-55). If you’re in these districts, please redouble efforts positively.

We should thank all the co- sponsors of UAFA and now ask them to also co-sponsor RFA. I have used the AOP Whip Count data to generate the list below of the UAFA co-sponsors who have yet to co-sponsor RFA. The list also includes the phone number of each member and a link to their website.
If you are able to persuade a member to confirm support for RFA, or even to co-sponsor the bill, please record and share what you have learned on the RFA whip count .