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SLDN, HRC LAUNCH “COUNTDOWN 2010” GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN
Major push for ENDA and DADT Repeal over Congressional recess;
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Partners on DADT Repeal Grassroots Work
countdown2010.hrc.org
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national, legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), jointly announced today a new grassroots campaign to increase support and to press for passage of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal in the U.S. Senate as well as passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in the U.S. House. This nationwide campaign will mobilize grassroots supporters of equality across the country through in-district meetings as well as a call-in and email campaign.
"We need supporters to contact their senators and tell them to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and follow the lead of Chairman Carl Levin who will be managing the defense bill on the floor," said Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "It is critical that we beat back any filibuster threat, defeat attempts to strike repeal, and defeat any crippling amendments. Senators need to hear from us now, especially in the 10 key states where our combined SLDN and HRC field teams are working now."
"As we approach the waning days of this Congressional session, we must continue to demand immediate action on critical legislation," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "LGBT voters and our allies will be keenly aware of Congressional action or inaction as the November elections approach."
HRC and SLDN's efforts will be specifically focused on 10 states with key lawmakers whose votes on DADT repeal are critical: Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Virginia. HRC will also engage the LGBT community and our allies in those states on ENDA in addition to on-the-ground work for ENDA in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas. Supporters of equality are encouraged to meet with Representatives and Senators while they are in their districts and states for the August Congressional recess.
To participate, individuals can sign up at countdown2010.hrc.org. There, they'll find downloadable meeting toolkits, videos on in-district meetings and information on how to schedule a meeting and report back on how it went.
"LGBT people and our allies can make a real difference by making their voices heard face-to-face and in the districts where they live," added Solmonese. "Many of us are frustrated with the pace of progress and this is a way to get involved to make change happen."
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (www.sldn.org) is a national, non-profit legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." A journalists' guide is available here.
[7/29/10]
NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner expresses support of NGLCC mission > Full Story. [7/29/10]
HRC TO NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE: HOW MUCH WILL YOU SPEND LYING TO CALIFORNIANS THIS TIME?
NOM opens coffers to anti-LGBT campaign in California, but how much?
WASHINGTON – According to a media advisory from the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, the National Organization for Marriage is involved in a $1 million independent expenditure campaign to support Carly Fiorina for Senate, a candidate they point out opposes marriage equality. Today, the Human Rights Campaign – the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization – called on NOM, which has a long history of trying to hide political contributions, to disclose how much they're contributing to this effort. As the LA Times points out in reporting on the new campaign, "finding out where the money comes from – if and when it actually does come – is virtually impossible."
"Like a broken record, NOM is again involved in a campaign with an anti-LGBT message yet the public has no idea how deep they're reaching into their coffers," said Fred Sainz, HRC's vice president of communications. "Apparently they have some gas money left from their sham summer tour to once again flood the airwaves with lies about same-sex couples who only seek the same rights as everyone else."
NOM has a history of trying to evade long-established public disclosure laws and to hide their political activities from legitimate scrutiny and accountability. In doing so, they have falsely alleged that their donors have been harassed and intimidated across the country to justify why it shouldn't have to play by the same rules as everyone else. These tactics have prompted a state ethics investigation in Maine and recent court defeats across the country.
In Washington state, NOM's lawyers fought the state's public records law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court – and lost last month. A federal court in California similarly rejected NOM's efforts to hide its donors and debunked its claims of harassment and intimidation in the wake of Proposition 8.
"While the stated intent of this independent expenditure is to support Carly Fiorina, clearly NOM wants to poison the well around the marriage debate in California," said Sainz. "With polls showing movement towards equality for all families, they see the writing on the wall and will stop at nothing to turn the clock backwards."
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
> Full Story. [7/29/10]
FORMATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO LINK STATE AND LOCAL TRANSGENDER ADVOCACY GROUPS IS ANNOUNCED
Columbus, OH -- 07/23/2010: A group of state and local transgender leaders are pleased to announce the formation of the Trans Advocacy Network. The Trans Advocacy Network held their first meeting in Memphis, Tennessee on July 10, 2010 with the purpose of defining their mission and goals for the upcoming year. > Full Story. [7/26/10]
TARGET CONTRIBUTES MONEY TO MN ANTI-GAY CANDIDATE
Target, the perceived LGBT-friendly department store chain, has contributed $150,000 to Minnesota Forward, a political action committee that supports Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, an opponent of gay marriage, reports NBC Bay Area. > Full Story. [7/26/10]
7 GAY COUPLES SUE MONTANA OVER EQUAL PROTECTION
The ACLU of Montana may have found a way to force states like Texas that have outlawed same-sex marriage to provide rights to gay and lesbian couples. > Full Story. [7/23/10]
NATIONAL AIDS FUND RECEIVES $3.6 MILLION SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND AWARD
New Public Private Partnership Supports Implementation of National HIV/AIDS Strategy;
Leverages Corporate, Philanthropic and Individual Support for Programs
Ensuring Access to High-Quality HIV Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 22, 2010 – The National AIDS Fund (NAF) announced today it is one of 11 organizations to receive the first-ever Social Innovation Fund (SIF) grants, an initiative administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The $3.6 million SIF grant will enable NAF to expand the scope of its Access to Care initiative in support of innovative public-private partnerships to improve individual health outcomes and strengthen local services systems, connecting economically and socially marginalized individuals living with HIV to high quality supportive services and health care.
"The National AIDS Fund is honored to be a part of the distinguished first class of Social Innovation Fund grantees," said NAF President and CEO Kandy Ferree. "The Social Innovation Fund is a true public-private partnership and is an example of how the Obama Administration is using new funding pools to support issues of national significance, carrying with it a requirement to leverage a 1:1 match at both the national and local grantee levels."
According to Ferree, NAF's SIF award serves as a pivotal follow-up to the May 13 meeting at the White House that addressed the role of public-private partnerships in the implementation of National HIV/AIDS Strategy. "This is a call to action and invitation by the National AIDS Fund and Obama Administration to have corporations, foundations and individuals join in helping the United States reach the 'Increasing Access to Care' goals set in the new National HIV/AIDS Strategy," said Ferree.
NAF kicked off its Access to Care Initiative with support from Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Walmart Foundation. Ferree emphasized however, that the leadership and collaboration with BMS and the Walmart Foundation must serve as a launching point for even more support of efforts to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States have access to care.
"This is a huge opportunity for the private sector to step up and help to create a country where new HIV infections are rare and where ALL people living with HIV/AIDS have access to high quality health care," said Ferree.
The SIF is a new way of doing business for the federal government that better targets public-private resources toward solving social challenges. The initiative is designed to expand the impact of high-performing organizations and innovative solutions to issues in three key areas: economic opportunity, youth development and school support, and healthy futures.Specifically, the SIF is designed to:
Identify and grow innovative and effective nonprofit organizations;
Generate and share new evidence and knowledge about how to address critical social challenges; and
Build the grant making infrastructure and supportive environment necessary for social innovation to flourish in a diverse set of geographies.
Click here to read the complete list of SIF grantees and to learn more about the Fund.
"Our SIF award is a significant and pivotal investment in our nation's fight against HIV/AIDS," said Ferree. "As the single largest award for HIV/AIDS made in decades by the federal government from new money and from non-AIDS-specific funds, the award demonstrates the premium value placed by the Obama Administration on the uniting of the public and private sectors to improve the life and health of our nation's communities. These funds will enable the National AIDS Fund, in collaboration with current and new funding partners, to develop and enhance more evidence-based and innovative community-driven interventions that help to increase health literacy, remove barriers and get more people living with HIV access to primary health care and HIV specialty care."
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About the National AIDS Fund
The National AIDS Fund exists to leverage resources, develop leadership and advocacy, and foster community innovation to prevent new HIV infections and care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
> Full Story. [7/22/10]
SOUTH BEND, IND., CONSIDERS LGBT EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS
South Bend Common Councilmember Oliver Davis has co-sponsored a measue that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in Indiana's fourth largest city. > Full Story. [7/22/10]
NEW ANNUAL RAINBOW PRIDE FEST IN RENO
The Gay Community in Reno is energized with exciting news of three separate groups emerging together during Gay Pride weekend for an exhaustive agenda that includes two full nights of party-time events with male and female Go-Go dancers, a Rainbow Idol contest and a first of its kind "Rainbow SPLASH Pool Party". > Full Story. [7/20/10]
MAINE MAN WINS $1 MILLION GAY DISCRIMINATION SUIT
A jury has awarded a Maine man more than $1 million in a discrimination case based on sexual orientation -- the largest such award to date in Maine. > Full Story. [7/16/10]
HRC CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF UNITING AMERICAN FAMILIES ACT
Ending discrimination against same-sex, bi-national couples
must be part of any immigration reform effort
WASHINGTON – Today the Human Rights Campaign – the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization – joined in a coalition of LGBT, immigrants' rights, civil rights and faith groups calling on Congress to enact the Uniting American Families Act (H.R.1024) as part of any future immigration reform effort.
HRC President Joe Solmonese released the following statement:
"Our nation should bring families together, not tear them apart, yet same-sex, bi-national couples are too often forced to separate because the government views them as strangers under the law. For far too long, leaders have ignored the devastating real-life consequences for these couples imposed by our current immigration policies. Family reunification is a primary goal of our immigration system but our government fails to accomplish this basic objective for thousands of loving same-sex couples."
HRC is a signatory along with more than 30 other organizations on a statement today calling on Congress to include the provisions of UAFA in any effort that reforms our immigration system. According to the most recent U.S. Census, nearly 36,000 lesbian and gay Americans are in bi-national couples. Their median age is 38, and 47% of bi-national couples are raising children.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
> Full Story. [7/15/10]
D.C. COURT OF APPEALS REJECTS MARRIAGE INITIATIVE
D.C.'s highest court rules proposed initiative seeking to overturn marriage equality violates D.C. Human Rights Act
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, applauded a D.C. Court of Appeals ruling today that rejected a proposed initiative on the D.C. marriage equality law. In March 2010, D.C. became the sixth jurisdiction in the nation to permit same-sex couples to marry. While Bishop Harry Jackson, a pastor in Maryland, has been the public face of this litigation, the truth is that outside groups like the National Organization for Marriage and the Alliance Defense Fund are the driving force behind these anti-equality measures.
"The court's ruling today is a significant victory for justice, the rule of law and the protection of all D.C. residents against discrimination," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
"It's time for the National Organization for Marriage to realize equality is here to stay no matter how much money they want to throw at turning back the clock."
In its decision, the Court of Appeals, D.C.'s highest court, decided 5-4 that the Council properly exercised its authority under the D.C. Charter in establishing the requirement that a proposed initiative may not authorize, or have the effect of authorizing, discrimination prohibited by the D.C. Human Rights Act. The Court ruled unanimously that the proposed initiative would in fact impermissibly permit discrimination against gays and lesbians in the District.
"The D.C. Council made a wise decision decades ago that no initiative should be permitted to strip away any individual's civil rights. The Court unanimously found that the proposed anti-marriage initiative would have the effect of causing discrimination, and in doing so, stood up for the entire D.C. community," said Solmonese.
On December 15, 2009, the D.C. Council overwhelmingly passed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Act of 2009. The bill was signed by Mayor Adrian Fenty, transmitted to Congress for review and became law on March 3, 2010. The first marriages between same-sex couples were performed on March 9, 2010. The marriage equality law ensures that clergy and religious organizations are not required to provide services, accommodations, facilities or goods for the solemnization of a same-sex marriage.
"D.C.'s elected officials and courts have spoken, yet NOM may very well grasp at straws by appealing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court in a desperate attempt to further their misguided efforts," said Solmonese.
The Board of Elections & Ethics has repeatedly rejected proposed initiatives and referenda that would invalidate legislation passed by the Council and signed by the mayor recognizing same-sex marriages. D.C.'s lower courts uniformly rejected opponents' claims that they were being denied a right to vote and upheld D.C.'s strong anti-discrimination protections.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
> Full Story. [7/15/10]
TRANSWOMAN ARRESTED AFTER SETTING HOME, CAR ON FIRE, RUNNING THROUGH STREETS NAKED
An Idaho woman has been jailed over suspicion of having rigged pipe bombs to her propane tank and setting her trailer on fire. She then ran naked down the street with what appeared to be another pipe bomb in her hand. The incident stems from a 2007 traffic citation in which fifty-three year old Catherine Carlson was forced to give her birth name Daniel Carlson despite the fact that she had changed that name more than thirty years ago, and changed her sex in 1980. > Full Story. [7/14/10]
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE RESPONDS TO NATIONAL HIV/AIDS STRATEGY UNVEILED TODAY
WASHINGTON, July 13 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responded to the Obama administration's unveiling today of a national HIV/AIDS strategy. > Full Story. [7/14/10]
NATIONAL AIDS FUND APPLAUDS RELEASE OF NATIONAL HIV/AIDS STRATEGY (NHAS) PLEDGES TO CONTINUE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN MOBILIZING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN RESPONSE TO NHAS’ “INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE” PILLAR
Statement of Kandy Ferree, President and CEO, National AIDS Fund
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 13, 2010 – Today's release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) by the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) demonstrates the dedication and commitment of the Obama administration to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. The three pillars of the NHAS -- Reducing Incidence, Increasing Access to Care and Reducing Health Disparities – offer a blueprint for an effective response to the disease domestically, and an opportunity for all of us in the corporate, philanthropic and HIV communities to come together to establish clear goals and measurable outcomes to affect real change.
For two decades, the National AIDS Fund has been mobilizing private sector investments to support community-driven responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and we are now playing a strategic role in discussions with ONAP about the importance of public-private partnerships in the implementation of the NHAS. In May, 2010 we were the only national HIV/AIDS organization to assist with the planning and to participate in a panel discussion on The Role of Public Private Partnerships in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), moderated by Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council.
The panel presented an important opportunity to showcase the 20+ year experience NAF has working with the public and private sectors as well as community to address HIV/AIDS in the United States. ONAP showcased NAF's collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb in support of the "Increasing Access to Care" pillar of the NHAS. The new grantmaking partnership, "Positive Charge," provides resources to five areas of the country highly impacted by HIV/AIDS to increase access to HIV care by identifying and minimizing the barriers that people living with HIV/AIDS experience as they navigate the social services and medical care systems. This collaboration represents an unprecedented strategic private sector investment in community-based responses to accessing HIV/AIDS care and true bridge-building between the public/private sectors and the community.
To ensure that the NHAS is effective we must keep the momentum going. ONAP has made it clear that the successful implementation of NHAS will require the commitment of all parts of society; including people living with HIV/AIDS, state and local governments, corporate America, faith communities, highly affected communities, philanthropy, and others. With the release of NHAS, we must be more diligent than ever in creating inventive cross-sector partnerships that capitalize on our strengths as individuals, organizations, government agencies and communities.
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> Full Story. [7/13/10]
FULL PAGE VARIETY ADVERTISEMENT CALLS ON ABC AND THE VIEW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SPREADING INACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT HIV/AIDS
Weeks after Perpetuating Falsehoods About African American Gay and Bisexual Men, ABC and The View Still Refuse to Share the Facts > Full Story. [7/12/10]
VANDALS TEAR DOWN OHIO’S FIRST GAY HISTORIC MARKER
Police are searching for vandals who tore down the only Ohio historical marker for a gay or lesbian person.
The marker recognizing Natalie Barney was knocked down in Cooper Park some time before Wednesday, July 7, said John Gantt, executive director of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. The park is next to the downtown Dayton Metro Library.
"A friend noticed it had been torn down and told me about it," Gantt said. "I called police and they came and took a report."
Barney was a literary patron and lesbian author who was born in Dayton in 1876, but lived most of her life in Paris.
> Full Story. [7/12/10]
FEDERAL COURT RULES DOMA’S SECTION 3 UNCONSTITUTIONAL
A federal court in Massachusetts today ruled unconstitutional Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. Judge Joseph Tauro, a Nixon appointee, ruled in two separate cases that Section 3 violates the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection and denies states their Tenth Amendment powers to decide who can be married.
Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way, said:
"The court did the right thing today-the right thing under the Constitution, and the right thing for the citizens of Massachusetts. For too many years, thousands of legally married couples in states across the country have seen the federal government turn its back on their unions. The Constitution doesn't allow the federal government to give rights to some married couples and deny them to others. Today's decision was vindication of that principle.
"Americans don't want to hurt their gay and lesbian friends and neighbors, but DOMA does just that-it causes real harm to people across the nation. Although this case has the potential to be contested for years, I hope that Congress will take this opportunity to do the right thing and repeal DOMA, so that all married couples, like those in Massachusetts, can enjoy the full rights and responsibilities of marriage."
> Full Story. [7/9/10]
GLAAD PRAISES NBC DECISION TO OPEN TODAY SHOW'S "MODERN DAY WEDDING CONTEST" TO SAME-SEX COUPLES
New York, NY, July 8, 2010- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today praised NBC's decision to open the Today Show's "Modern Day Wedding" Contest to same-sex couples. This afternoon, after GLAAD met with NBC executives and shared our community's concerns, the network agreed to the changes. > Full Story. [7/9/10]
TRANSGENDER WOMAN WINS SUIT AGAINST GEORGIA LEGISLATURE
The Georgia General Assembly engaged in sex discrimination when it fired Vandy Beth Glenn after she announced she was transitioning from male to female, a federal judge has ruled. > Full Story. [7/8/10]
HAWAII GOVERNOR’S VETO OF CIVIL UNIONS BILL ‘A DISGRACE’
WASHINGTON, July 6 - Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle today vetoed a bill that would have granted same-sex and opposite-sex couples the right to enter into civil unions. The legislation passed the state House on April 29 by a 31–20 vote and the state Senate on Jan. 22 by an 18–7 vote. > Full Story. [7/7/10]
FIRE DESTROYS GAY PRIDE FLOAT IN ANCHORAGE
Anchorage authorities say they're investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a gay pride float intended for a 4th of July parade. > Full Story. [7/6/10]
PEOPLE OF HAWAII OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT EQUAL RIGHTS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES
Honolulu – Today, a coalition of leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations in Hawaii announced poll results indicating a wide majority of the people of Hawaii support equal rights for same-sex couples. The poll was commissioned by Equality Hawaii and conducted by QMark Research. Coalition representatives also delivered more than 8000 postcards, petitions and letters addressed to Governor Lingle to corroborate the findings of the poll.
"Today we deliver news to the Governor that the people of Hawaii overwhelmingly support treating same-sex couples equally under the law. This poll and the subsequent constituent contacts delivered to the Governor today, confirm what we've known for a long time – that Hawaii is a place for tolerance and equality. The time is now to stand against discrimination and to stand for treating all families in Hawaii equally. We are one Hawaii and we urge Governor Lingle to stand with the people of Hawaii in recognizing that enacting civil unions is the right thing to do."
The QMark poll shows 81% agreed that "committed couples and their families, regardless of their sexual preference or orientation, should have the same rights." The number was an increase from a 73% result obtained on the same question in a 2007 poll. Additionally, 64% agreed that "couples of the same gender should have access to the legal privileges and protections of marriage as couples of the opposite gender - as a matter of civil rights."
Coalition members include Equality Hawaii, the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG-Oahu and Pride Alliance Hawaii. Representatives from each group delivered the poll results and constituent contacts to Governor Lingle in an effort to ensure the record is set straight in advance of the Governor's decision regarding the bill on July 6.
For detailed information on the QMark Poll including question responses and demographic breakdown, go to:
www.equalityhawaii.org/Downloads/QMark-memo.pdf
www.equalityhawaii.org/Downloads/QMark-table.pdf > Full Story. [7/2/10]
TASK FORCE: PASS COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM THIS YEAR
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responded to President Obama's speech today on immigration reform. The Task Force has long advocated for comprehensive and humane immigration reform. Find more details here and here. > Full Story. [7/1/10]
LESBIAN COUNCILWOMAN RUNS FOR MAYOR OF OAKLAND
Openly lesbian councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan has announced her candidacy for mayor of Oakland, CA. > Full Story. [7/1/10]
TENNESSEE COURT RULES FOR SECOND TIME MOTHER’S LESBIAN PARTNER CAN REMAIN IN HOME DURING CHILDREN VISITS
A three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled for second time that a trial court judge erred in imposing a "paramour provision" barring a mother's lesbian partner of more than 10 years from being in the home during the mother's overnight visits with her children. > Full Story. [6/30/10]
CA PASSES HISTORIC RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF UAFA SAME-SEX COUPLES RIGHTS TO IMMIGRATION EQUALITY
Today the State Senate passed a resolution with a 23-12 vote that included bipartisan support, endorsing a federal law that would permit U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a same-sex partner for immigration. The resolution, AJR 15, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Equality California and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), formally requests that the United States Congress pass and President Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)... > Full Story. [6/30/10]
INCOME TAX FAIRNESS STRIPPED FROM N.Y. BUDGET BILL
A proposal that would have granted married same-sex couples in New York the ability to file state income taxes jointly was stripped from a budget bill Tuesday following opposition by antigay Democrat, Ruben Diaz, Sr. > Full Story. [6/30/10]
RHODE ISLAND GOVERNOR VETOS TRANSGENDER PROTECTIONS
On 23 June, Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri vetoed legislation which would have protected transpeople from harassment and violence. Carcieri vetoed House Bill 7044/Senate Bill 2055 on the grounds that the hate crime statues of Rhode Island already covered "motivated by racial, religious, sexual orientation, gender or disability prejudice," so why cover anyone else like the transpeople? > Full Story. [6/30/10]
NEW MONTANA GOP PARTY PLATFORM: CRIMINALIZE GAY SEX
The newly adopted GOP party platform in Montana says: > Full Story. [6/29/10]
ILLINOIS GOVERNOR SIGNS ANTIBULLYING LEGISLATION
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Prevent School Violence Act into law Sunday, Lambda Legal announced. > Full Story. [6/29/10]
TULSA AGREES TO PROTECT GAY WORKERS
Lawmakers in Tulsa, Oklahoma have voted in favor of protecting gay city workers from discrimination.
The 6-3 vote to add sexual orientation to the city's non-discrimination policy came two weeks ago. The policy already outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, political beliefs, age, ancestry and disability. > Full Story. [6/29/10]
FEDERAL JURY DECIDES IN FAVOR OF SCOUTS
A federal jury Wednesday decided that the city violated the Boy Scouts' First Amendment rights in using the organization's anti-gay policy as a reason to evict them from their city-owned Logan Square offices. > Full Story. [6/24/10]
WIS. COURT: GAY PARENTS DO NOT HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS
A Wisconsin appeals court says gay parents do not have full parental rights when it comes to their adopted children. > Full Story. [6/24/10]
SECOND MAN ALLEGES ASSAULT BY MARINES ARRESTED FOR BEATING SAVANNAH MAN
The Savannah Chapter of Georgia's largest LGBT Group, Georgia Equality, has brought forward a second case that may implicate Keil Cronauer and Christopher Stanzel in a second attack on a gay man, this time in February of this year. While this assault may never be prosecuted due to the tentative nature of the identification, anonymous sources with the FBI and NCIS have indicated that the assault in February and the assault on Keiran Daly may not be the only ones. At least one other may have occurred. Unfortunately, the Chatham County police were reluctant to bring forward any charges on Cronauer or Stanzel, or to even open up an investigation into their alleged actions, this past February. > Full Story. [6/21/10]
AFTER 71 YEARS, OLDEST U.S. GAY BAR TO CLOSE
The Cedar Brook Café's status as the oldest gay bar in the United States will come to an end on June 26 when the 71-year-old institution closes. > Full Story. [6/21/10]
STUDENTS DISCIPLINED FOR DEFACING DORM WITH ANTI-GAY GRAFFITI
Southern Oregon University is not expelling the two students who defaced a dorm with anti-gay slurs, Fox 12 Oregon reports. > Full Story. [6/21/10]
HAWAII GOV TELLS LEGISLATURE SHE MAY VETO CIVIL UNIONS
Gov. Linda Lingle has informed the Hawaii state legislature that she may veto a sweeping civil unions bill that would give same-sex couples the rights and responsibilities of marriage, according to KITV. > Full Story. [6/21/10]
GAY TEEN SEEKS TO SUE SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER SCHOOL FAILS TO INTERVINE
Surprise, Arizona – 15-year-old Caleb Laieski attending Willow Canyon High School says incidents of harassment and hate speech has been mostly ignored by teachers and administration, also saying that bullying and death threats over his sexuality have led him to take action against the district.
The Dysart School District claims that they will not allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or age yet excluding sexual orientation and gender identity. Mr. Laieski responded "If they are so serious on this matter, without hesitation sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected in their policy." Mr. Laieski also continued saying "The handbook inquires that first offense of hate speech is a 2-3 day suspension and eligibility for a police report to be filed, and they never enforce that. Additionally, their handbook claims that their staff, both teachers and administrators, are required to intervene, in which they often fail to do."
Mr. Laieski has endured a relentless amount of hate speech including "fag, homo, queer" following the phrase "that's so gay" in replacement of the word stupid. He has also faced death threats by students both on and off campus. He's been harassed while walking home, in public, at school and even over the phone.
In result, Mr. Laieski has founded Gays and Lesbians United Against Discrimination (GLUAD) fighting discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community as a whole, primarily focusing on LGBT youth and will also continue pursuing a law suit against the Dysart Unified School District.
> Full Story. [6/15/10]
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. ELECTS THIRD GAY MAYOR IN A ROW
The city of Cambridge, Mass., home to Harvard University, has its third openly gay mayor…in a row. Mayor David Maher, who was elected to the post by his city council colleagues in February, acknowledged publicly this weekend he is gay. > Full Story. [6/15/10]
ANTI-GAY HATE CRIME SKYROCKETING IN CANADA
Violent crime is on the increase in Canada, with gay men being the victims of many of the most vicious attacks. > Full Story. [6/15/10]
GETEQUAL, MISSOURI ADVOCATES LAUNCH NATIONAL CAMPAIGN DEMANDING REP. IKE SKELTON (D-MO) APOLOGIZE FOR HOMOPHOBIC “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” REMARKS
U.S. House Armed Services Chairman has Until End of Day to Publicly Apologize or Face Further Actions by a Growing Number of National and local, Missouri Advocates and Veterans > Full Story. [6/14/10]
2 MARINES ARRESTED IN ATTACK ON GAY MAN IN SAVANNAH
Two Marines were jailed Saturday on misdemeanor battery charges after they beat up a gay man they thought winked at them, according to Savannah-Chatham police. > Full Story. [6/14/10]
ARIZONA MAYOR CALLS GAYS “LACY-DRAWERED, LIMP-WRISTED”
At an official Memorial Day event, Yuma, Ariz., Mayor Al Krieger spoke out against allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, saying, "I cannot believe a bunch of lacey-drawered, limp-wristed people could do what those men have done in the past." Krieger was presumably referring to U.S. military veterans.
more at http://www.gaypolitics.com/2010/06/10/arizona-mayor-calls-gays-lacy-drawered-limp-wristed/ > Full Story. [6/10/10]
STATE DEPT. ISSUES NEW PASSPORT GUIDELINES
Last night the US Department of State announced new guidelines for issuing passports to transgender people. Beginning today, applicants for a gender marker change on their passports will need to submit certification from a physician that they have received "appropriate clinical treatment" for gender transition. Most importantly, gender reassignment surgery is not required under the new policy. > Full Story. [6/10/10]
PENTAGON: INVESTIGATIONS AND DISCHARGES UNDER “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” WILL CONTINUE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national, legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), responded today after a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed to the Denver Post that investigations and discharges of gay and lesbian service members will continue. Cynthia Smith, a Pentagon spokesperson, said: "The law is still in effect, and if someone were to out themselves, we would have to begin the discharge process." SLDN issued warnings to gay and lesbian service members before and after the recent House floor and Senate committee votes on an amendment that would allow for the repeal of the law. Gay and lesbian service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline:202-328-3244 x100 or email legal@sldn.org. Any service member with questions about DADT can schedule an appointment for free, confidential legal advice with an SLDN attorney.
"The Pentagon is being very clear that they will continue the discharges and gay and lesbian active-duty service members, including those in the reserves and the national guard, remain at risk," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "Even with the recent votes in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee, the discharges are continuing. Qualified men and women of our armed forces will continue to be fired from their jobs and it is putting our national security at risk. And even despite the new 'more humane' Pentagon Instructions, we are aware of an 'O-7' – a one-star general – signing off on a discharge very recently. Congress and the Pentagon need to stay on track to get repeal finalized, hopefully no later than first quarter 2011."
"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' continues to be the law, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members remain vulnerable to being discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation," said Aaron Tax, legal director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "It is not safe to come out or serve openly until the process of repeal is complete. During this time, continue to check with SLDN regarding changes in the law, changes to the regulations, and what impact, if any, these developments mean for your ability to serve openly."
Read SLDN's warning to gay and lesbian active-duty service members, including the reserves and the national guard: http://bit.ly/ds7JAL
Read today's Denver Post story: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15256223
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
Even with the updated Pentagon Instructions, the language does not change the fact that statements, acts, or same-sex marriage, are still grounds for discharge under DADT, including:
A service member can still be fired if outed by his or her parents;
A service member can still be fired for revealing his or her sexual orientation while making a statement to the police that would prevent or help solve a crime;
A service member's middle school teacher can still out the service member 10 years after he came out to her in social studies class;
A service member can still be discharged if he reports that someone has threatened to kill him for being gay;
A service member can still be fired for hugging someone of the same sex;
A service member can still be fired for getting married; and
A service member can still be fired for saying she would like to return from Iraq to care for her dying girlfriend.
Read SLDN's warning to gay and lesbian active-duty service members, including the reserves and the national guard: http://bit.ly/ds7JAL
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (www.sldn.org) is a national, non-profit legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." A journalists' guide is available here.
> Full Story. [6/10/10]
KEY COMMITTEE BEGINS MEETING ON BLOOD BAN FOR GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN
Washington – The Human Rights Campaign – the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – submitted comments in advance of today's meeting of the Department of Health and Human Services' Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability calling for an end to the ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men. In addition, HRC joined other LGBT and HIV advocacy groups on a letter urging the Committee to revise the current policy, as well as a joint statement with LGBT, HIV and hemophilia organizations expressing our shared commitment to policies that maintain the safety of the blood supply. > Full Story. [6/10/10]
CYBILL SHEPHERD, LEE DANIELS HONORED AT 21ST ANNUAL GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS
Lady Gaga Receives GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist > Full Story. [6/7/10]
HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE POISED TO ADD LGBT-INCLUSIVE NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES
A new analysis of healthcare equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation found that the vast majority of U.S. healthcare facilities don't have fully inclusive policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, but that sweeping new changes will soon dramatically alter how LGBT people interact with the healthcare system.
Kaiser Permanente – one of the nation's largest not-for-profit health providers – updated its Patients' Bill of Rights to fully protect LGBT patients and their families from discrimination. These changes, which took effect in Kaiser Permanente's network of 36 hospitals today, make Kaiser Permanente the first large health network to have a fully inclusive non-discrimination policy for LGBT people. They are also the first health network to achieve Top Performer status in the HRC Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).
The HEI 2010 comes following President Obama's memorandum in April directing Health and Human Services (HHS) to make rules that require all hospitals that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding – nearly every hospital in America – to protect the visitation and healthcare decision-making rights of LGBT people. It also comes as the Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies healthcare facilities, has announced new, fully inclusive patient non-discrimination standards as part of their accreditation process. Together, these developments mean that LGBT healthcare equality is going to improve nationwide, in towns big and small, from New York to Mississippi to Utah to San Francisco.
"The healthcare landscape for LGBT patients and their families is about to change dramatically," said Joe Solmonese, president of the HRC Foundation. "We all know horror stories of loved ones torn apart, already heart-wrenching decisions made even harder, and basic human rights denied. Bold action by the President and the Joint Commission mean many of those stories will be a thing of the past – and not a moment too soon, because as of right now huge challenges remain on the books."
While these changes are being put into place, it's critical for LGBT people to ensure they're prepared before tragedy strikes – particularly in preparing legal documentation like advance directives (such as a health care proxy or living will) and visitation authorization forms. Individuals should discuss these decisions with their primary care physician, file forms with local hospitals and carry the information on their person. More information is in the section for LGBT patients at www.hrc.org/HEI.
The HEI 2010 independently reviewed a representative sample of 200 of the largest healthcare facilities nationwide. The report found that in all 50 states – and even in historically LGBT-friendly cities like San Francisco and New York – there are facilities that do not fully protect LGBT people from healthcare discrimination. Ninety-three percent of healthcare facilities included in the study do not have fully inclusive policies toward LGBT people, and 42 percent don't include "sexual orientation" in their Patients' Bill of Rights/non-discrimination policy.
In addition, the healthcare reform bill passed by Congress and signed by the President, while a step forward for all Americans, failed to address important issues facing LGBT people. It did not end the unfair taxation of employer-provided domestic partner health benefits, it did not permit states to offer early HIV treatment under Medicaid and it did not mandate collection of critical health data on LGBT people. Maybe worst of all, it did not address the fundamental issue of discrimination in healthcare: many health insurance plans do not offer domestic partner benefits or healthcare benefits for transgender Americans.
However, there are bright spots. The HEI 2010 also includes data from 178 facilities across the country that voluntarily provided information on patient non-discrimination, visitation, cultural competency training, and employment non-discrimination. Of the 178 facilities nationwide, 11 individual facilities and one network of 36 hospitals received perfect ratings, and many have made advances over the last three years since the HEI began. The HRC Foundation also provides hospitals with comprehensive resources to help ensure healthcare equality for LGBT people.
"Healthcare that is free of prejudice is a fundamental human value, and a fundamental American value," said Solmonese. "We thank all healthcare facilities that voluntarily participated in this year's HEI for showing an implicit commitment to the rights of LGBT patients and their families. While many LGBT people may indeed have a positive experience in these hospitals, we believe that the standard for equality must be policies that are put in writing and carried out in practice. We urge all healthcare facilities to move toward greater inclusiveness, because sooner rather than later, that's where America is headed."
The HEI 2010 is dedicated to the memory of Lisa Pond and the advocacy of her partner Janice Langbehn. In 2007, when Pond was rushed to a hospital emergency room with a brain aneurysm, Langbehn and their children were kept from Pond as her life slipped away. Thanks to the tireless work of Langbehn and other advocates for health equality, this year the hospital updated its policies to protect the rights of LGBT patients and their families.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. > Full Story. [6/7/10]
GMHC APPLAUDS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FOR PASSING RESOLUTION SUPPORTING REVISED BLOOD DONATION GUIDELINES
New York, NY -- On Tuesday, June 1, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously passed a resolution in support of the use of science-based eligibility criteria for blood donation, urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review its lifetime deferral of gay and bisexual men donating blood. > Full Story. [6/3/10]
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PROCLAMATION FOR LGBT PRIDE MONTH
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2010 > Full Story. [6/1/10]
RUSSIAN GAYS OUTWIT POLICE DRAGNET TO HOLD SUCCESSFUL PRIDE PARADE WITHOUT ARRESTS, BEATINGS
Despite a vow by Moscow's anti-gay mayor that it would not happen, 30 Russian lesbian, gay and bisexual activists foiled the police and FSB security services by holding a 10 minute flashmob Gay Pride march on one of Moscow's major thoroughfares, Leningradsky Street, this afternoon, Saturday 29 May.
Carrying a 20 metre long rainbow flag and placards in Russian and English calling for "Rights for gays", the protesters chanted "No homophobia" and "Russia without homophobes."
"LGBT activists from Moscow, St Petersburg and Minsk staged today the first-ever successful Gay Pride in Moscow, despite the [government] ban," said Nikolai Alekseev, principal organizer for Moscow Pride. "Though the March was short - it happened. All the Russian media reported that for the first time in five years, the gay parade took place in Moscow without being arrested by the police and assaulted by protesters."
Photos, videos and more quotes message from Nikolai Alekseev can be found here:
http://www.facebook.com/l/0466b;www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=15821
"The guerrilla-style hit-and-run Moscow Gay Pride march was over before the police arrived. When they turned up, officers scurried around aimlessly, searching for protesters to arrest. All escaped the police dragnet," said British gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who joined today's parade to support the Russian gay campaigners.
"All morning the Gay Pride organisers fed the police a steady stream of false information, via blogs and websites, concerning the location of the parade... As a result, the police put the whole area in total lockdown, closing nearby streets and metro stations, in bid to prevent protesters assembling there."
"Through clever organizing and disciplined execution of their plan, Russian lesbian and gay organizers were able to outwit the vastly superior resources of the Russian state," said Andy Thayer of Chicago's Gay Liberation Network. "Russian gay organizers defied homophobic Mayor Yury Luzhkov's macho bluster, demonstrating great courage and determination. They showed that people can successfully organize for freedom even in very difficult circumstances. They not only set an example that LGBT people around the world can learn from, but gave hope for all Russians struggling for democracy and equal rights."
Even though police tailed journalists in hopes that they would lead officers to the demonstrators, Russian Pride organizers were able to "embed" and get coverage from major international news agencies including the Associated Press, Agence France Presse, Reuters, TF1 (1st channel of French television), dpa (Deutsche Press Agenture), Swedish television, BFM (French television), France2 (French television), and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Many independent journalists covered the event as well. A preliminary list of links to print stories, video and photos appears below.
> Full Story. [6/1/10]
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