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 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/12465/) 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, ________________________________________________________________ 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. JOIN THE FB ACTION PAGE AND SHARE THIS AT:
Confronting/eliminating those support systems that contribute to We must give our public schools back the tools they had prior to http://signon.org/sign/end-us-government-supported
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 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 [email protected]** 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. 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 [email protected] ### –
As you may know, a few powerful religious groups are mounting an all out attack on marriage equality and the LGBT community in New York in the final hours of the campaign. Fortunately, Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) has issued a CALL to the hundreds of clergy associated with Pride In the Pulpit to go to Albany – this Monday June 20th – the last day of the legislative session. [Contact: Kate McDonough at [email protected], or 917-522-3411. Meet on the 3rd floor of the Capitol at 10:30am near the Senate majority offices. For directions call Jonathan at 716-348-7516.] This is a very important LAST STAND for MARRIAGE EQUALITY and AGAINST religious intolerance and civil law discrimination. Monday is critical because the pressure from religious opposition in the final days is VERY serious. Yesterday, I spoke for about 45 minutes with legal council for Skelos’ Majority office, Nancy Lynn Ferrini. It is clear that there is an inadequate appreciation or understanding of the basic social compact by which all religions and all people come together under a Democratic framework, founded on principles. As I explained to her, the basic premise of our social compact is to create a safe space for all, where no one particular group should even seek to exclude any other group of society from peaceful and safe co-existence. On this foundation, we have laid down the principles of a Constitutional democracy: of equality under the law, and the right to pursue happiness, safe from harm by others, including the right to be free from discrimination, and the suffering it causes, as well as freedom of religion in particular, equally safe from the same discriminatory harms. It comes down to a mutual obligation to deference and mutual respect, which otherwise causes fundamental conflict. Obviously, this means that religious organizations can not and should not feel entitled in exercising their religious freedom to even espouse, now alone try to impose in civil law, their particular religious view points against one group, or in any way seek to deny any person’s fundamental civil right to non-discrimination and equal and full participation in all civic institutions. To do otherwise, is an attack on the foundation of our joint existence that pierces the veil of their safe sanctuary as they are doing to others, ironically violating the very notion of the freedom of religion they enjoy on the same terms. The relentless attacks against homosexual Americans by the Catholic church in particular, violate this basic civic duty, and perpetuates the same intolerance that has brought religious fervor and war to humanity for centuries. Arch Bishop Timothy Dolan is a particular case in this regard. He recently arrived in New York immediately spewing homophobic rhetoric, seemingly quite gratuitously at the time. Subsequently, he was quickly rewarded with his appointment as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In perfecting this role for Rome, yesterday he increased his attacks with horrible rhetoric that threatens our very social fabric (speaking from a USCCB conference in Seattle no less). I find this quite unbearable I must say: http://www.patheos.com/community/deaconsbench/2011/06/17/dolan-gay-marriage-bill-an-ominous-threat/ So the debate is not really one of marriage equality or traditional marriage. It is a debate about our basic social compact and how this is being violated at the core. I urge everyone to go to Albany and make this case. Tif
ActOnPrinciples has now added the Public Whip Count for GENDA in the New York Senate. http://www.actonprinciples.org/gendanysenate/
The New York Assembly passed AB 5039, a bill adding gender identity and expression to the state non-discrimination laws by a vote of 78-53 yesterday. This is the third time the Assembly has passed a comprehensive gender identity non-discrimination bill. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. Now is the time for New York Senate to take up the legislation in this session, especially with just ONE VOTE Needed. From a recent HRC press release: According to New York State Assembly Member and key sponsor of the legislation, Daniel O’Donnell. “Transgender individuals all across New York State currently live in fear of being fired from a job or denied housing based upon gender expression; this must be changed. New York will be a stronger, more just place when we all can live secure in the knowledge that our government protects us.” AB 5039 would amend the state non-discrimination laws to add gender identity and expression to the list of characteristics protected from discrimination in employment, education, public accommodations, housing and credit. It would also add gender identity and expression to the state hate crimes law.
ACTION ALERT: New York Governor Cuomo to introduce marriage equality -by Tommy Equality News Thomas Please take action, and forward this message on to everyone in your The New York State Senate ends this legislative session at the end of Will you please Call, Fax, Webform, Email, and Write NY Senators Today From The Empire State Pride Agenda: There is another reason to be hopeful that marriage will become law Call your senator now through the New York State Senate switchboard at “I’m calling to express my support for the bill that would allow all Today four more senators came out for marriage. Democratic Senators We remain committed to building momentum so that marriage equality You can bet our opposition is throwing everything they can into the With Urgency, Ross D. Levi Call Call NY Senators now through the New York State Senate Take Further Action Here: http://www.kintera.org/c.5oICJOPxGiIUF/b.5880681/k.7782/Pride_Agenda_Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=5oICJOPxGiIUF&b=5880681&aid=15858 And Use Webforms Here: http://www.nysenate.gov/contact_form Please take action, and forward this message on to everyone in your
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: 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 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 [email protected], 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, [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. PRIDE VISIBILITIES & SIGNATURE GATHERINGS: STATEN ISLAND (June 4); QUEENS (June 5); BROOKLYN (June 11th); MANHATTAN (June 26th – celebration *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.
 (No Ratings Yet) Are you ready to Organize For Equality? Organizing For Equality is a national strategy to create a grassroots network of state-based organizers building power in the LGBT community to demand full federal equality. Rather than waiting around and hoping that someone else will work for our equality, OFE is taking the movement for full LGBT equality into our own hands. No longer will we wait around while partisan politics make our equality a political football. No longer will we wait around while the specter of a President Palin is raised to dismiss our criticism. No longer will we wait around while candidates raise money from their base on the backs of our youth by spewing lies about the morality of LGBT Americans. Organizing For Equality will inspire members of the LGBT community to stand up for the dignity and justice that we all deserve. We will organize for full federal equality — no longer relying solely on piecemeal federal legislation that divides our community and forces us to leave behind areas of the country that are not “politically strategic.” This campaign is a line in the sand — an effort to mobilize LGBT Americans and allies around a vision to create an undeniable call for our full humanity. Make a commitment — now — to take ownership in this fight for dignity and equality. Will you join us?
(No Ratings Yet) Link to petition: http://tinyurl.com/42nvcrf Out4Immigration (O4I) is an all grassroots organization. Because of DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act), Americans in same-gender relationships with foreign partners have no right to sponsor those partners for legal residency in the US. In O4I’s ongoing efforts to change this condition, this is our first petition of the 112th Congress asking Representatives and Senators to support equal immigration rights for Same-Sex Binational couples by becoming cosponsors of the Uniting American Families Act (or UAFA, House Bill 1537 and Senate Bill 821). While we badly need comprehensive immigration reform in the US, and this has historically been the vehicle through which we’ve expected UAFA to pass, we have also seen an acknowledgment at last on the Federal level that our families are facing injustice. In February of this year, following federal court rulings that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional, President Obama announced that the Justice Department would no longer defend that law in court. As a result, for an all-too brief period at the end of March, the US Customs and Immigration Service put in abeyance deportation cases of foreign, same-sex partners of Americans. While the legal guidance supported continued enforcement of DOMA, this brief acknowledgment that DOMA discriminates represents a major turning point in the quest to right this wrong. It is time to demand that equal protection extend to our families—and all families–in all matters related to immigration! In the 111th Congress we had a record 161 cosponsors for this bill, though it never made it out of committee. While there is still much work to do, we are deeply grateful to the 119 Senators and Representatives who signed on at the bill’s reintroduction on April14. It is progress that this initial co-sponsorship is far higher than in any previous Congress where the bill has been introduced. The President, as well as Secretary Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security, will be named on every single petition we mount in this campaign. Additionally, we start our efforts this week targeting the four senators who have been past co-sponsors but have not yet signed on. By signing and promoting this petition, you will help us get them back on board (and Change.org also sends letters automatically to your own Congressional Representative and Senators by default)! We encourage you to take part in this campaign by using any of these options: (1) The easiest one. By clicking through and adding your name to this page, you will send ALL six of the letters AT ONCE. You can also provide the link to your friends and family to take action too, as well as promote on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites you may use; http://tinyurl.com/42nvcrf out4immigration.org
(No Ratings Yet) from Refusetolie.org
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2011
Marriage Equality in NY is in the final stretch with lots of activity, and lots more to do! The legislative deadline is JUNE 20th, and so far, we’re neck & neck(ish). So, it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK!
. For Rendez-vous info: Carlos Menchaca, City Council LGBT Liaison; (212) 788-5646; 
