GLAA Forum

Please sign petition opposing Prostitution Free Zones

Friends,

As you may know, the D.C. Council's Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 24) on Yvette Alexander's Bill 19-567 to allow the police chief to make so-called Prostitution Free Zones permanent. As I will testify on behalf of GLAA, those zones violate the U.S. Constitution and in any case do not solve problems associated with street prostitution, because such police tactics merely chase the activity to other streetcorners. And giving criminal records to people who are engaged in commercial sex in order to survive only makes it harder for them to escape the streets.

Our discussion of this issue in GLAA's "Agenda: 2012" is here. We will post our testimony for the Jan. 24 hearing on GLAA's website on that morning.

Our friends Darby Hickey and Sonya Mendoza have placed a petition on change.org and tumblr.com about PFZs. Please use one of these links to add your voice to ours.

http://nopfzs.tumblr.com/

https://www.change.org/petitions/council-member-vote-against-making-dcs-prostitution-free-zones-permanent

Thanks,

Rick Rosendall
Vice President for Political Affairs
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance

IFBP needs your vote to battle homophobia in HBCU campuses

From our friends at the International Federation of Black Prides, Inc. (IFBP):

As a reminder, please sign up at http://bit.ly/s97drw to vote daily for the International Federation of Black Prides, Inc. (IFBP) and four other progressive groups. Yesterday, the IFBP was in 2nd place; however, today we've slipped to 10th place, dangerously close to receiving no funding at all for our project. Please continue to vote daily (even on the weekends!). If you have not signed up to vote, please do so, by all means. This is an easy way to support the IFBP!!!  Keep in mind, I'm not asking you to donate money in this appeal -- just to vote daily, so the IFBP wins $50,000 from Pepsi to educate LGBT college students how to fight homophobia on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) campuses and in their communities. Once you're signed up to receive the Progressive Slate emails, voting takes literally one minute a day. Again, here's the link: http://bit.ly/s97drw. Thank you.

Since the initial sign-up process can be a little confusing, I've included the step-by-step procedure below: 

1. Go to the following link: http://bit.ly/s97drw, which will take you to the Progressive Slate's page.

2. Sign up and create a profile - you have do this in order to receive daily reminders and to vote easily for the IFBP and the other four organizations.

3. Then, you will be directed to the Pepsi Refresh Everything page, where you will create a profile as well.

4. You will receive an email from the Pepsi Refresh Project, asking you to confirm your account. Once you have done that, wait for the Progressive Slate email, which will come fromPepsi@progressiveleaders.org -- please do not vote prior to receiving that email.

5. When you receive the Progressive Slate email from Pepsi@progressiveleaders.org directing you to vote for the five best idea listed to be funded, you should click on the first idea.

6. You will then be asked to sign on to the Pepsi Refresh Everything page and vote. 

7. Come back to the Pepsi@progressiveleaders.org email and click on the remaining ideas one at a time to vote (Ours says, "Teaching LGBT college students how to fight homophobia on their campus and beyond").

8. Remember to come back to the email each time and vote for all five ideas, as the five groups are supporting each other. 

9. Every day this month, you will receive an email from the Progressive Slate, prompting you to vote for these five ideas.

10. Remember, you can vote for the five ideas once a day starting today using your email address, Facebook account, and texting. 

11. Please feel free to send this info to your friends and classmates via email, Facebook, Twitter and your websites.

If you are still experiencing difficulties or have any questions, please contact Sterling Washington, Resource and Grant Development Manager at IFBP, via Facebook or email at sawashington at yahoo dot com. 

It's easy enough to sign up... and please make sure you wait for that one email the next day before casting your votes. Thanks.

Nov 17 and 20 - Transgender Day of Action / Day of Remembrance

GLAA, along with several other local LGBT organizations and concerned residents, recently mobilized to shine a brighter spotlight on a matter that is uniquely devastating to the District’s transgender community: anti-transgender hatred or prejudice at the hands of law enforcement.

The coalition, called TLGB Police Watch (TLGB), was formed to support the current efforts of our leaders and allies, who – though working to bring about necessary change – have witnessed one of the most violent periods for the trans community in the District’s history. We acknowledge steps recently taken by our city officials to address these problems, and pledge continued efforts to advance our individual legislative and policy reform goals. As TLGB, we protest because there are urgent (life or death) matters that call for urgent action. At the Day of Action, TLGB shall deliver to DC officials its list of urgent demands. The trans community can't afford to wait.

Transgender Day of Action

WHEN: Thursday, November 17, 2011, 1 PM

WHERE: Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, (300 Indiana Avenue, NW), to the US Attorney’s Office (555 4th Street NW) and the John A. Wilson building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW).

[1PM MEET at the corner of 4^th and Indiana, 1 block south of Judiciary Square Metro.]

WHAT: To promote the “fair and impartial administration of justice,” please join our march from MPD HQ, to the US Attorney’s office, ending at the John A. Wilson Building, home of the city government. Bring protest signs. Wear comfy shoes and warm clothes.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

WHEN: Sunday, November 20, 2011, 5 PM

WHERE: Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC, 474 Ridge Street, NW

MORE INFO: Here.

 

Volunteer to participate at http://TLGBpolicewatch.tumblr.com.

 

TLGB POLICE WATCH COALITION

GetEQUAL DC

DC Trans Coalition (DCTC)

Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS)

Transgender Health Empowerment

Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA)

International Socialist Organization (ISO)

Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance

Cedar Lane UU Church LGBT Task Force

Rainbow Response

Gender Rights Maryland

VenusPlusX

 

illustration: Tyler Grigsby

protest poster

Frank Kameny Memorial Viewing on Thursday, November 3, 2011

Press Inquiries Only
 Bob Witeck 202-997-4055
 bwiteck@witeckcombs.com
 
 Dr. Franklin E. Kameny
 Our Viewing and Last Respects on Thursday, November 3, 2011
 Councilmembers Catania and Graham to join Kameny pallbearers at 2:30 pm ET
 
 WHAT:
 
 Lying-in-State for Dr. Franklin E. Kameny
 
 WHO:
 
 All are welcome to visit and say goodbye to our fellow citizen, neighbor, friend, advocate and civil rights champion, Frank Kameny.
 
 This farewell viewing, to be held on November 3 to allow many friends to visit at their convenience, was made possible through the leadership of our Mayor, the Honorable Vincent Gray, and with the endorsement of Members of the D.C. Council, as well as many friends and allies of the late Dr. Kameny.
 Dr. Franklin E. Kameny Memorial Host Committee members are listed below.
 
 WHEN:
 
 Thursday, November 3, 2011 between 3 pm and 8 pm ET
 
 Note: This will not be a formal program or a funeral service conducted during this viewing period. However, informal remarks by Mayor Vincent Gray and several Members of the DC Council will take place between 6 and 7 pm ET.
 At approximately 2:30 pm, the hearse carrying Dr. Kameny will arrive at the venue and will be met by four designated pall bearers in U.S. military dress, and the remaining two pallbearers will be DC Council members David Catania and Jim Graham.
 
 WHERE:
 
 The first floor atrium of the historic Carnegie Library
 Between 7th and 9th Streets N.W. at Mt. Vernon Square
 Public entrance on K Street N.W.

More details on the second page

Do you know what day it is?

 

And science says people come out at a much earlier age.

Action alert: Uganda 'Kill gays' bill 'back within fortnight', reintroduction 'by stealth'

Paul Canning reports at LGBT Asylum News:

According to two journalist sources in Uganda, the infamous 'kill gays' bill will be revived in that nation's parliament "within two weeks". Other reports have said this will happen 'by stealth'.

The journalists spoke confidentially to a longstanding contact of LGBT Asylum News from a diplomatic background and with extensive Ugandan contacts.

The contact warned that both EU and American pressure on Uganda's leadership to stop the bill, including threats to foreign aid support in the Ugandan government's budget, will have to be quickly revived.

In this regard, a new project called OneFamilyOneVoice has been launched to fund and conduct intensive private lobbying of Ugandan officials to block the anti-gay bill, whose consequences will be catastrophic if passed. I attended a forum on the new project last week in Washington featuring Ugandan human rights activists and anti-Museveni ex-pats.

If you can contribute to the effort by OneFamilyOneVoice, click here.

(This project has been organized quickly due to the emergency situation, so I don’t have a lot of polished text to share; and the danger the Ugandan activists and insiders face is grave, so names are not being bandied about. But the project is being led by an experienced Ugandan activist who has been vouched for by colleagues here in Washington for whom I have a lot of trust and respect, so I have donated $75 to the effort. I met with the anti-Museveni ex-pats several months ago to discuss possible mutual efforts, and shared information on the coverage of the Ugandan situation by Box Turtle Bulletin. The fact is, if we wait for a polished organizational presentation by OneFamilyOneVoice before acting, it will likely be too late.)

Paul Canning offers additional stories on Uganda:

• Video: Effect of criminalisation on LGBT persons in Uganda

• What happens if Uganda does pass the 'Kill gays' bill?

• Ugandan gay refugee recounts horror of imprisonment

• Video: Ugandan lesbian activist's powerful speech to Amnesty International

(Photo: the Musevenis with the Obamas)

Update: Uganda's Daily Monitor reports that Museveni's cabinet has thrown out the bill. I am not inclined to trust this. In any case, David Bahati, the bill's sponsor, insists that the bill now belongs to Parliament and is determined to go forward with it. Stay tuned.

LGBT Asylum News roundup

Here are the latest international news items from Paul Canning at LGBT Asylum News:

• Video: Problems encountered by LGBT refugee claims in Canada

• Video: powerful new Swiss film looks at failed asylum seekers - and what happens after return

• What happens if Uganda does pass the 'Kill gays' bill?

• Action alert: US authorities won't release recognised gay Honduran refugee

• Dutch launch massive, world-first HIV/Aids program aimed at world's marginalised

• In Albania, violent attack on trans woman by police

• Resource: Right to work for asylum seekers and refugees

• In Cameroon, arrested gays 'tortured into confessing homosexuality'

• Video: More problems for Australia's 'Malaysia deal' on asylum 'boat people'; detainees 'digging their own graves'

• In UK, Border Agency mistakes costing government millions

• In Jamaica, a call for 'tolerance' finds no home on TV

• In US, new legal resource covers trans detainees

(Photo from Honduras)

Freedom to Marry: Ask Senator Mikulski to cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act

My old friend Adam DeBaugh, former Field Marshal (which is to say, Washington lobbyist) for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches back in the 1970s, posted this link to Freedom to Marry's action alert asking Marylanders to urge Senator Barbara Mikulski to cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal DOMA. We then had the following exchange:

Richard: Come out, come out, wherever you are.

Adam: Surely you don't mean me, Richard, after all these years! You must be talking about a certain allegedly closeted Senator.

Richard: Certainly not, Herr Field Marshal! I meant that she is a Munchkin.

Adam: You want the Senator to come out as vertically challenged?

Richard: I want her to meet Dorothy.

Anyway, be a good witch and click on the link to send Babs a (polite) message.

LGBT Asylum News roundup

Here are the latest international news items from Paul Canning at LGBT Asylum News:

• UK denies leading Ugandan LGBT activist a visa

• Video: LGBT Zimbabweans: 'Tinzweiwo (Hear Our Plea)'

• Change.org protests removal by UK of gay Ugandan Robert Segwanyi

• Video: In Uganda, the impact of discriminatory legislation on LGBT human rights defenders

• Is self-harm in detention centres a 'bargaining tool'?

• Video: In US, landmark Refugee Congress includes gay Ugandan

• Action Alert: Help save gay Ugandan Robert Segwanyi!

(Photo of Robert Segwanyi)

International LGBT news roundup

Paul Canning at LGBT Asylum News shares these news items:

• In Malawi, more scapegoating of LGBT as riots erupt

• Breakthrough: UK to record sexuality-based asylum claims

• Video: Landmark documentary on intersex people

• In Kenya, arrests for gay sex

• Video: Sudanese LGBT produce first video

• Small gain as Hong Kong extends relationship visas to LGBT families

• In Dominica, one gay man speaks out

And check out this action alert from the National Immigrant Justice Center:

• Tell President Obama and DHS to End Abuse of LGBT Immigrants in Detention

The great US Airways saggy pants arrest scandal

Rashad Robinson at Color of Change just sent me this:

Dear Richard,

Should sagging pants get you kicked off a flight? Arrested? Jailed?

This is what 20 year-old University of New Mexico student Deshon Marman faced when he was taken off of a US Airways flight, arrested, shackled, and jailed after airline staff confronted him about his sagging pants. Marman, a San Francisco resident, had returned to California to attend his best friend's funeral.1

However you feel about sagging pants, it's clear that US Airways' response to Marman's clothing was inappropriate and discriminatory. Prosecutors have decided not to file charges against Marman — but leadership at US Airways is still defending the way their employees treated him.2

If US Airways gets away with this, it sets a dangerous precedent — we can't let it become acceptable for corporations to target and criminalize young Black men because of their appearance. Please join us in demanding that US Airways apologize to Deshon and his family and explain steps the company will take to ensure that nothing like this happens again. Just click the link below:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/usairways

When Marman was asked to pull up his pants by a US Airways ticket agent, he said he would comply once he reached his seat. Instead of that being the end of the discussion, the US Airways captain had him arrested and taken to jail.3

HRC petition calls on GOP presidential candidates to renounce reparative therapy

Paul Guequierre writes at HRC Back Story:

Last week Republican Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann demonstrated a dangerous level of extremism by signing her name to the far-right group the Family Leader’s pledge “The Marriage Vow: A Declaration of Dependence upon Marriage and Family.” Not surprisingly, Rick Santorum also signed the anti-LGBT pledge. Today, HRC is calling on the GOP candidates for President to disavow the dangerous “ex-gay” or “reparative therapies” endorsed by Michele Bachmann and her husband Marcus, a practicing, but unlicensed Minnesota psychologist whose clinic has been known to practice these therapies. Join us by signing our petition.

Michele Bachmann is obviously out of touch with mainstream America. Unfortunately her extremism rises to a dangerous level. Reparative therapy, the kind endorsed by Bachman, has been strongly denounced by leading medical organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association. Both organizations have concluded that same-sex attraction is normal and attempts to change it could be harmful. Learn more about the lies and dangers of reparative therapy at www.hrc.org/reparativetherapy.

The in-fighting in the Republican Party is on the rise. The quackery pushed by the Bachmanns makes for a good wedge issue. Either more sane party members will stand up against the extremists, or they show themselves to be willing tools of the extremists.

June 25 - White House Rally For DC Democracy

This just in from DC Vote:

White House Rally For DC Democracy
Saturday, June 25 · 11:00am - 2:00pm

Location Lafayette Square
16th & H Street NW

Join DC Vote, DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the National Urban League, the National Organization of Women, the Women's National Democratic Club, Alliance For Justice, the Anacostia Coordinating Council and others for this family-friendly rally.

We will call on President Obama to stand with the 600,000 residents of the District of Columbia who demand democracy, full equality and full citizenship.

The rally will feature local a...nd national advocacy and civil rights leaders, musical performances and crafty activities. Attendees are invited to picnic (but please note: no chairs allowed!)

* * *

Why a White House Rally now?

DC still faces very real threats to its local laws from "riders" that would override them. These riders will be attached to legislation that must pass and require bipartisan compromise - bills on the debt ceiling and the 2012 federal budget. DC riders were attached to the 2011 budget, and we expect more of the same in the weeks to come.

We must tell President Obama to stand up for DC and firmly state that local democracy in the District of Columbia is non-negotiable.

Today: Prop. 8 in court

This just in from AFER:

This morning at 9 a.m., AFER's attorneys will argue against an insidious motion to throw out the historic decision that ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional.

Today's hearing comes the day after the 44th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia decision, which said that every person has a constitutional right to marry.

AFER's staff will be providing live updates from the hearing on our website and Twitter. Find out more >
http://act.afer.org/site/R?i=uWOydL4eNSQWed7lWBcYGQ

The motion to throw out the decision is just one of the latest attacks by the other side to discredit the thorough trial that took place last year.

Anti-marriage forces would rather argue their case with slogans and electioneering that prey on the public's fears than defend discrimination in court, where facts and truth matter.

They are trying to throw out the Prop. 8 decision on blatantly homophobic grounds - and they are also trying to forever hide video of last year's public trial.

Over 20,000 people have called for the release of the Prop. 8 tapes. But we still need your help to spread the word.

http://act.afer.org/site/R?i=3oxBOAgdCacUeDC3GOAn3w

If you haven't yet, sign the open letter and be sure to encourage your friends and family to sign it as well via email, Facebook and Twitter.

Sign the open letter.

Share on Facebook.

Share on Twitter.

With your help and support, we will defeat this ridiculous motion to throw out the Prop. 8 ruling and we will achieve the freedom to marry for every American.

Sincerely,

Adam Umhoefer
Senior Project Director
American Foundation for Equal Rights

P.S. Be sure to watch Ted Olson and David Boies's special message commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Loving decision.
http://www.afer.org/loving/

May 11 - Demonstration for DC Home Rule

This just in from Ilir Zherka at DC Vote:

DC has turned up the heat on Congress this spring, and we've made an impact. Our friends are calling for more support of DC Home Rule in the Senate and the Obama Administration made a point of opposing H.R. 3 because it violates DC's rights.

We can't let up now. Join a demonstration across from the Capitol this Wednesday, May 11, to show our opponents and allies alike that we will not give up. DC residents must have equal rights to self-government and representation.

Will you join us? RSVP now, and tell your friends!

Here are the details:

Date: Wednesday, May 11
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Upper Senate Park (200 New Jersey Ave NW)
Metro: Union Station - Red Line

Please also save the date for Saturday, June 25, when we will Saturday, June 25, when we will rally at the White House.

See you on Wednesday!

Sincerely,

Ilir Zherka
Executive Director

April 18 - No Taxation Rally - GetEQUAL DC

The filing deadline for 2011 individual tax returns is April 18th this year.  GetEQUAL DC has announced the No Taxation With Discrimination Rally!! End DOMA Now! to be held on that Monday.

Every year on Tax Day, legally married same-sex couples are denied the benefits of jointly filing taxes because of the hateful Defense of Marriage Act. Every year on Tax Day, we as a community are forced to (over)pay into a government that treats us and our friends as second class citizens. Every year on Tax Day, we have stayed silent as we face blatant... discrimination from elected officials chosen to serve us- NOT THIS YEAR!

Join GetEQUAL DC as we rally in solidarity with actions around the country to tell Speaker Boehner and the House of Representatives: NO TAXATION WITH DISCRIMINATION! END DOMA NOW!!! With the Respect for Marriage Act introduced in both the House and Senate, now is the time to start reminding our officials that we won’t stop, till we get EQUAL!

When: April 18th, 7:00 AM- TAX DAY! Come before work, and show your support

Where: E st and 2nd st NW, the 395-overpass

Why: Because we want EQUALITY!!

What to bring: Yourself, friends, a cup of caffeine, and a clever sign

This is a the location of the rally in Google street view  (click on the image for a larger size).  Thought the announcement doesn't explicitly say what is planned it is likely this event will be consist of hangng banners over the side of the overpass and waving signs at the cars as they drive by underneath.

While it appears likely that with a Tea Party dominated Republican party we won't have government anymore, you still need to file your taxes by that date.  Taking your money is an essential government operation.

Update:  The location of the rally has been corrected.  And obviously the government has not shut down.  It has been confirmed that no arrests are planned for this demonstration.  And lobbying Congress is planned for after the event.

Phelps clan plans protest outside Elizabeth Taylor's funeral; counter-protest planned

Our friend Ester Goldberg reports. The Facebook page is here. I expect the biggest and most fabulous counter-protest the Phelpses have ever seen. If you're out that way, join the effort and help sing Liz to heaven. The Phelps loonies may be too far gone to see how utterly wrong they are, but others will receive the message too.

George Takei on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami

(Hat tip: Joe Jervis)

Brazil Needs to Act Now to Stop LGBT Killing Spree

All Out writes:

Watch the video about Priscila, and sign the petition asking Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to support the Anti-Homophobia bill. Footage courtesy of “Education Without Homophobia,” a project of NuhUFMG in Belo Horizonte.

Click on the link above to read and sign the petition.

(Hat tip: Michael Crawford)

Say "I Do," Mr. President

Our friends at Freedom to Marry have launched a letter campaign to urge President Obama to complete his self-described evolution on the issue of marriage equality. Click here to sign the letter.

Sign HRC's petition to Congress: Do not allow defense of DOMA

The Human Rights Campaign has launched a petition effort to urge members of Congress not to support efforts to have Congress intervene in defending the Defense of Marriage Act in court. Click here to read about it and sign the petition.

Helping Frank Kameny

John Corvino writes at 365gay.com:

When Dr. Franklin Kameny was fired from his government job in 1957 for being gay, there was no national gay civil rights movement. It took pioneers like him to make it happen. Before pride parades, before Harvey Milk, before Stonewall, there was Frank....

The astronomer-turned-activist is now 85 and as spirited as ever. Thankfully, he has lived to see some of the fruits of his labor. In 2009, when President Obama signed a memorandum extending certain benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, he handed his pen to Kameny....

To put it simply, Frank needs financial help. His modest Social Security check — his only income — is inadequate to cover his needs. An organization called Helping Our Brothers and Sisters (HOBS) has intervened on his behalf.

From their website http://www.helpingourbrothersandsisters.com/donate.html:

“HOBS has worked with Dr. Kameny for more than a year, insuring that his basic life needs are met.

“To honor our greatest living gay rights activist, HOBS provides Frank with taxi vouchers. We work to ensure that his utilities are paid (phone, electric, water). We have worked with many other fine organizations in coordinating his needs.

“We are in constant communication with DC Government Officials, attempting to make sure city services are available to Dr. Kameny. We also gathered the donations in 2010 to pay Frank’s real estate taxes, of $2,000+.”

All donations to HOBS this month go to Frank. Meanwhile, a Facebook page has launched in conjunction with this effort, entitled “Buy Frank a Drink.” The idea is not literally to buy him drinks, but to spare $10 (or whatever you can afford) for him.

Frank has worked tirelessly for decades to make our lives better. It is simply not right that he should spend his twilight years in financial need.

Please click on the above HOBS donation link to help this gay rights pioneer.

Transgender survey: discrimination "at every turn"

AP reports:

Many transgender Americans face intolerance in almost every aspect of their lives, contributing to high levels of homelessness, unemployment and despair, according to a comprehensive survey being released Friday.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality say their survey of 6,450 transgender people is the largest of its kind. It details discrimination encountered "at every turn" — in childhood homes, in schools and workplaces, at stores and hotels, at the hands of doctors, judges, landlords and police.

"Their lives are just a crapshoot," said Rea Carey, executive director of the task force. "They don't know from one interaction to the next whether they will be treated with respect and dignity. It's not the way people should be living their day-to-day life."

The report comes at a sobering time for transgender community.

While their gay-rights allies celebrated the recent Senate vote that will enable gays to serve openly in the military, transgender people were left out of the debate and remain barred from service.

Efforts to pass a federal law barring workplace discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation failed in the previous Democratic-controlled Congress — gender identity was a key stumbling block — and the new Republican-led House is considered more hostile.

Uncertain of prospects for progress at the federal level, activists hope to make headway through lawsuits, corporate diversity programs, local anti-bias ordinances, and public education efforts. They hope the survey will buttress those efforts; some of the data had been released in preliminary reports, but the final version contains new details and is prefaced by an emotional plea for Americans to rethink their attitudes.

Take the pledge to end anti-trans discrimination:
http://www.endtransdiscrimination.org/

February 3 - "Breakfast Without Bigotry" demo against the Family's promotion of gay-hating programs in Uganda

The murder of gay rights activist David Kato in Uganda (CNN news story above) highlights the importance of an upcoming demonstration here in Washington, D.C. Here are the details:

Date/Time:	Thursday, February 3 · 6:00am - 8:00am
Location:	On the Sidewalk Outside the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Sponsor:	GetEQUAL DC
Description:	Join LGBTQ folks, people of good will and our religious leaders outside the National Prayer Breakfast as we expose "The Family" -- the secretive group hosting it -- and their dangerous, gay-hating programs in Uganda, the United States, and elsewhere, made possible by events such as this.

The Facebook event page is here.

Below is a Voice of America news story from January 2010 in which I was interviewed as a counter to the notorious David Bahati, who has been helped by "The Family."

Would You Buy Frank Kameny a Drink?

Rebecca Gross at We Love DC writes about the Facebook campaign launched by the group Helping Our Brothers and Sisters (HOBS) to help our colleague, 85-year-old gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny. It's not really about buying Frank a drink, it's about helping him financially.

The FB page for helping Frank is here.

January 21 - deadline on nominations for GLAA’s 2011 Distinguished Service Awards

Friends,

We invite you to submit nominations for GLAA’s annual Distinguished Service Awards, which will be presented at our 40th anniversary reception on April 20, 2011 (more details to come).

Please send us suggestions for individuals and/or groups that you feel have given distinguished service to Washington’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. This can be political, cultural, or charity work, professional or volunteer. GLAA’s officers will review all the suggested names and decide on this year’s honorees. Each year we find an embarrassment of riches. We ask that you email us your nominations (including a brief description of their service) no later than Friday, January 21.

A list of past GLAA honorees can be found at:
http://www.glaa.org/resources/awardshistory.shtml

Please email your suggestions to us at equal@glaa.org

Thanks!

Rick Rosendall
VP for Political Affairs
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC

Tisinai: Send Rachel Maddow a message on Uganda bill

In this video, Rob Tisinai at BTB explains the terrible details of the Uganda "Kill the Gays" bill, which is still alive and may pass in the next few weeks. He wrote yesterday:

Rachel Maddow is continuing her coverage of Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” bill tonight. She’s done a great job of keeping the story in the public eye, but she’s still missing one thing:

The bill would kill gays and would kill their friends, family, or co-workers who didn’t rat them out to the government. It would be impossible to be a gay person’s friend and not be subject to the death penalty.

I pointed this out in the video below, and it bears repeating. In fact, I’ll ask you this favor:

Post the link to this video on Rachel’s Facebook page. Email it to her, too. If enough people do this, it’s bound to get her attention.

Here’s the direct link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fuEsRJp2nU

Dec. 10 - SLDN holds rally for DADT repeal

Chris Geidner reports the following details from Servicemembers Legal Defense Network on the rally they've called for this Friday on Capitol Hill to press the Senate to act:

• WHAT: MISSION INCOMPLETE: NO SENATE VACATION UNTIL THE TASK IS FINISHED
• WHO: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and anyone else who supports repeal
• WHERE: Constitution Ave. and Delaware Ave., NE, Upper Senate Park, North of U.S. Capitol
• WHEN: Friday, December 10, 2010, noon ET

SLDN executive director Aubrey Sarvis states:

We call upon the Senate and the President to remain in session and in Washington until the National Defense Authorization Act is passed – which includes the repeal of 'Don’t Ask.' The Senate is scheduled to break for holiday vacation; we can’t let them leave. We must show our rage for repeal and insist the Senate stay in Washington until they have finished the job. We implore all who support repeal to join us outside the Senate this Friday. As Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said, 'If not now, when?'

DC Center: Bathroom Access Project Update

In order to combat anti-transgender discrimination in public accommodations, D.C. regulations require business owners to place gender-neutral signage on single-occupancy restrooms. The DC Center gives an update on its efforts in conjunction with the DC Trans Coalition to make sure this is enforced:

The Bathroom Access Project wants to keep you updated on our progress! Check out the following results:

100 establishments have been visited.

70 establishment were non-compliant with DC regulations.

63 establishments have been reported to the DC Office of Human Rights.

53 establishments have been followed up with by the DC Office of Human Rights.

36 establishments have received a Director's Inquiry.

65 establishments have changed their signs as a result of corporate change brought on by the DC Center's and DC Transgender Coalition's efforts.

99 establishments total have changed their restroom signs as a result!

The Bathroom Access Project is dedicated to informing business owners about Chapter 8, of Title 4 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, which reads, "All entities covered under the Act with single-occupancy restroom facilities shall use gender-neutral signage for those facilities..." (os.dc.gov). This means all single-stall restrooms, or restrooms designed for single occupants, in Washington, DC must be gender neutral or unisex.

Congrats to Renee Reopell, who has led these efforts for the Center. Click on the above link for information on how you can help.

(Hat tip: David Mariner)

Fighting for our families on Thanksgiving

(Photo of Aurelio Tolentino and Roi Whaley)

Steve Ralls of Immigration Equality writes:

Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens in relationships with partners from abroad will be forced to spend Thanksgiving alone... or packing their bags so they can keep their families together.

Under current U.S. immigration laws, lesbian and gay Americans do not have the right to sponsor their foreign national partners for residency, as their straight neighbors do. Instead, immigration laws force these couples -- about 17,000 of whom are raising young children who are American citizens -- to separate or leave the country, forced into exile because their families are not recognized under federal law. This painful reality is forcing many American citizens, and their families, to flee their own country, exacting a heavy cost on our economy, communities and on the countless people who constitute their extended families, too....

More than 36,000 couples ... are being forced into such heart-wrenching decisions, according to research from The Williams Institute at the University of California-Los Angeles. As they leave the country, they take not only their talent and skills, but also their contributions to local economies, communities and families.

In October, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) included the Uniting American Families Act -- a bill to recognize lesbian and gay families within federal immigration laws -- in his Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010. UAFA, which is sponsored in the House by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and in the Senate by Patrick Leahy (D-VT), has also been included in the Reuniting Families Act, a family unification bill sponsored by Democratic Congressman Mike Honda of California.

Last week, Senator Menendez indicated he would like to see his comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive, bill considered in the lame duck Congress. The Immigration Equality Action Fund -- which represents LGBT binational families and lobbies on their behalf on Capitol Hill -- launched a national action campaign to support Menendez's lame duck push....

As Rachel Tiven, executive director of the Action Fund, said last week, "Whether your family is binational or not, legislation to extend immigration rights is an important first step in securing broader recognition, and rights, for every LGBT family." That, she said, is why "it is imperative that everyone who believes in federal equality for our families stand with Senator Menendez -- who courageously included LGBT families in his bill -- by mobilizing grassroots support for its consideration in this Congress."

To take action and help ensure that this Thanksgiving is the last one in which LGBT families are forced into separation and exile, visit the Immigration Equality Action Fund online.

As a member of a binational couple myself, I am thankful that our love endures despite our separation, and look forward to Patrick's next visit. But change requires concerted action. Please help Immigration Equality.

Nov. 18 (tonight): Transgender Day of Remembrance

Brian Watson writes:

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an occasion in the LGBT community set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice (transphobia).This years program will feature special tributes to those lost to violence in D.C. Our speaker will be Amanda Simpson the Senior Technical Adviser to the Department of Commerce, appointed by the Obama Administration. She is the first trans-woman and second transgender political appointee in any administration, with the first being Dylan Orr. Simpson works in the Bureau of Industry and Security.Music will be provided by Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ and a special dance by OASIS dance company.

Thursday, November 18 · 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: The Metropolitan Community Church of Washington
474 Ridge Street NW, Washington, DC

We hope you can join us this evening for a show of community solidarity and commitment. Metro Weekly reports here. Amanda Hess at TBD reports here.

Freedom to Marry: Five Reasons You Should Vote

Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry writes:

Make no mistake: The freedom to marry is on the ballot this year.

For the first time in years, there is no statewide attack seeking to ban or overturn marriage on the ballots Nov. 2, but that doesn't mean that we can't cast votes in favor of the freedom to marry. Here's a snapshot of what's at stake for the freedom to marry on Election Day next Tuesday:

• In Iowa, voters are being pressed to unseat three Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of the freedom to marry.

• Close gubernatorial races will help determine whether the freedom to marry becomes a reality in states such as California, Rhode Island, Maine, and Minnesota as soon as 2011.

• The election will determine the membership and leadership of legislative bodies in states like Maryland and New York that could vote on marriage in the next year.

• And the makeup of Congress will have huge implications for Freedom to Marry's growing campaign to overturn the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act."

The National Organization for Marriage, their hidden funders, and other anti-gay groups are funneling millions of dollars into these races to oust pro-equality elected officials and replace them with anti-gay candidates. The best way you can counteract their efforts is by making sure that you and your friends exercise your right to vote on Election Day!

Read Freedom to Marry's Five Reasons You Should Vote and share it with family and friends:

http://freedomtomarry.org/5ReasonsToVote

To put it simply, the freedom to marry, like many questions important to America's future, is on the ballot in this election.

A nationwide majority of Americans now support the freedom to marry. We can only turn that public support into legislative victories for gay and lesbian families if we vote on Election Day.

Read and share Freedom to Marry's Five Reasons You Should Vote:

http://freedomtomarry.org/5ReasonsToVote

Thanks for all you do,

Evan Wolfson
Executive Director, Freedom to Marry

Action alert for gay Nigerian Hope Nwachukwu

LGBT Asylum News reports:

Hope Nwachukwu is gay and faces persecution if he is returned to Nigeria. He has already suffered years of attacks and torture by fellow citizens who hold strong views on practicing gay men.

Hope arrived in the UK at the end of 2009 to try and escape his persecutors but since then he has spent six months in detention - where he has suffered attacks by fellow Nigerians who see he is gay. For Hope, the thought of returning to life in Nigeria is terrifying but the UK Border Agency insists that he is not gay.

Update 27 October: Hope's lawyer won at the High Court a judicial review of his fresh claim. This was at the last minute as Hope had been prepared to be removed.

This reprieve means we need your help now if we are to save Hope

See how you can help at the Action Alert.

Texas NBC affiliate stokes homophobia with viewer question/response

A report that President Obama has appointed a record number of openly gay officials has prompted an NBC affiliate in Texas to poll its viewers on an outrageously leading question. Courage Campaign reports:

Demand that NBC Universal take action to end its affiliation with KETK now

KETK-NBC news anchors ask: “Will the acceptance of homosexuality in this society be the downfall of America?”

Yes, that was a question actually posed to viewers by a Texas-based NBC affiliate TV station, both on the air and online. But it didn’t end there. The station then went on to broadcast responses from viewers -- some of the most vitriolic attacks on LGBT people that you will ever hear on a network affiliate.

The video is shocking. But the lack of response from NBC Universal -- KETK's parent network -- is even more shocking. That's why we need you to watch the video now and then sign our petition to NBC Universal executives Jeff Zucker and Steve Burke asking them to end NBC's affiliate relationship with KETK immediately....

Click here to take action.

Tell the Washington Post: Stop mainstreaming anti-gay bigotry

CREDO Action writes:

The Family Research Council is a far-right organization that endorses the work of Paul Cameron--a man who leads a known hate group and once said "the extermination of homosexuals" might be necessary and who called AIDS a "godsend."

Yet earlier this week, Washington Post editors Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn legitimized an anti-gay screed of Tony Perkins, the President of the Family Research Council, by giving it space on the editorial pages of one the nation's leading newspapers.

Shockingly, they thought Perkins would be an acceptable commentator on the recent, tragic spate of teen suicides caused by anti-gay bullying.

Tell the Washington Post: Stop mainstreaming anti-gay bigotry.

Cameron's reports, which are cited by the Family Research Council in justifying its anti-gay positions, rely upon a kind of so-called "science" that the Southern Poverty Law Center said "echoed Nazi Germany." That is why SPLC has labeled the Family Research Institute (the organization Cameron runs) a hate group, which is a designation the Family Research Institute shares with the Ku Klux Klan.

Tony Perkins may claim he does not agree with all the disgusting positions Cameron has taken, but when Perkins and his Family Research Council use the worthless "studies" of bigots like Cameron as a rationale for their anti-gay positions, they are endorsing the fruits of that bigotry.

No matter the facade, Perkins simply cannot ground his argument in irrational hate without lending legitimacy to that hate. And when the Washington Post allows its pages to be used for the repackaging of hate in this way, it becomes an accomplice to it.

Click on the link above to send the Post a message.

Latest panic from paranoid bigots: Campbell's makes halal soups

TPM reports:

Earlier this year, Campbell Canada introduced a line of halal-certified soups. The 15 soups comply with Islamic dietary regulations which, much like kosher regulations, prohibit certain foods and define the right way to slaughter animals.

The line, which includes low fat cream of broccoli and vegetarian vegetable, was certified by the Islamic Society of North America, which has been certifying halal foods since 1988.

To some people, that's just more evidence that Sharia is coming to North America -- this time, via the grocery store.

"M-m-good for the Islamists. Not so yummy for the rest of us," reads the blog of Scaramouche, which broke the news Tuesday, some eight months after Campbell's launched the line.

Robert Spencer, who writes Jihadwatch.org and has been saying for years that ISNA is tied to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood,* quickly echoed the alarm....

Park51 opponent Pamela Geller is now calling for a boycott of Campbell's.

These ignorant whackjobs need to get a grip. Have these alleged conservatives ever heard of the free market? Estimates of America's Muslim population vary (2.5 million according to the Pew Research Center, 7 million according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations), but a company's decision to serve them has nothing to do with Sharia law. Of course, there are some people who make a scandal out of the marketing of kosher food. We live in a diverse society.

I have eaten at a halal restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, about five blocks from the White House. It was nothing fancy, but the food was good. I don't know if that particular restaurant is still there, but I'd love to see the First Couple dine at a halal restaurant on one of their date nights — both to embrace America's cultural diversity and to thumb their noses at the Birthers' Manchurian Candidate nonsense. But you don't have to wait for the President. Google the halal restaurants in your area. Show Campbell's that you appreciate their respect for a diverse customer base by buying their products and giving them some positive feedback.

Countdown to Senate vote on DADT repeal

Aaron Belkin at HuffPo writes about the Senate's expected vote this week on the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Log Cabin Republicans weigh in with a call for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to reach a compromise with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Pam Spaulding interrupts this message to take issue with Log Cabin's plan to give its Barry Goldwater Award to DADT-repeal-opponent Sen. John Cornyn.

The news on Lady Gaga's rally in Portland, Maine today is here.

Alex Nicholson of Servicemembers United comments here.

To contact your U.S. Senators to urge their support for DADT repeal (assuming you have senators, unlike us in D.C.), call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121.

Russian gay leader calls for international protests against his abduction

(Nikolai Alekseev being arrested at Moscow Pride on May 27, 2006)

Paul Canning at LGBT Asylum News writes:

First call for action after abduction of Russian LGBT leader

Russian LGBT leader Nikolai Alekseev has called for international protests against Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov.

In a Facebook posting he announces that an unauthorised protest tomorrow, 21 September, at 6pm in front of Moscow City Hall calling for Luzhkov to step down will be going ahead.

He also points out that as Luzhkov is in Austria "with his billioneer wife ... It [protests] can especially be effective in Austria!!!" Luzhkov has refused to allow any Moscow Pride public events or demonstrations by LGBT. Moscow Pride is the subject of a case before the European Court of Human Rights.

The Mayor is currently engaged in an internal Russian political battle for survival and is being investigated for money laundering. State television has run a number of stories accusing him of corruption. The Austrian newspaper Der Standard suggested on Friday that the kidnapping of Alekseev "had been staged by the security forces to support Luzhkov or to discredit the views of other analysts". Russian President Medvedev is believed to want Luzhkov removed but he is supported by Prime Minister Putin.

Alekseev was abducted last week and told RFE, "I don't think federal structures would have resorted to such means if they had wanted something from me. I think this is largely linked to Moscow authorities and the actions we have taken against them at the European Court."

In a statement published on the GayRussia.ru website - which mysteriously went down during Alekseev's abduction - organizers have said the ban on their demonstration goes against Article 31 of the Russian constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.

Luzhkov has called Moscow Pride "satanic" and said "we think that destructive sects and propaganda of same-sex love are inadmissible."

In January he said: "It is high time to crack down on the parade with all the power and justice of the law, instead of talking about human rights. (...) We need a social whip or something like that."

Update: Pardon me for misspelling "Russian" in the header, now corrected.

Update 2: Please contact the U.S. State Department and ask them to issue a statement of concern and to call for an investigation:

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Russia desk: (202) 647-9806
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/index.htm

October 5-6: WBC Coming to Town

The Westboro Baptist Church has announced they will be bringing their show to the Washington area (with a morning show in Hagerstown) on October 5-6, 2010.  They are scheduled to appear for shows at the White House, the Capitol, and Arlington National Cemetary on the first day and at the Supreme Court the next day. They last appeared here to commemorate the beginning of marriage equality in the city. Unfortunately, they can be flakey and they failed to appear at the announced time. However, the counter protesters showed up on time. Here they are giving a rendition by the Lady Gaga.

Traditionally a crowd shows up with silly signs and costumes whenever the WBC makes an appearance. Perhaps there should be prizes for the best sign and the best costume.

Russian gay activist arrested without charge

Pink News reports:

Russia's best-known gay rights campaigner was arrested at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport yesterday.

Nikolai Alekseev was boarding a flight to Geneva and had passed through passport control when he was arrested by Russian border police yesterday evening.

According to UKGayNews, he was taken to a closed room at the airport but was able to contact a friend and news agency Interfax before his phone was taken away.

He was not given a reason for his arrest and his whereabouts are not currently known.

Three of his friends went to the airport to ask where he was, but were told by police he was not there.

One of the policemen apparently suggested that he could be in the custody of the FSB, formally the KGB, headquarters on Lubianska Square in Moscow.

Moscow police say they have no record of Mr Alekseev in their database.

The activist has been a tireless campaigner for equal rights and pride marches and there has been speculation that his arrest may be linked to his work.

Yesterday, Russian gay rights campaigners applied for permission to hold a picket against homophobic Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

GayRussia.ru, the country's leading gay website, is currently inaccessible.

Lezgetreal reports here.

Our thoughts go to Nikolai, who has shown remarkable courage and tenacity in the face of constant harassment. Use the following contact information to protest to the Russian Ambassador and to ask the State Department to protest this human rights violation:

HIS EXCELLENCY SERGEY IVANOVICH KISLYAK
AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY & PLENIPOTENTIARY
Embassy of the Russian Federation to the USA
2650 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20007
Tel:(202) 298-5700
Fax:(202) 298-5735
http://www.russianembassy.org/Embassy_eng/Embassy/index.html

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Russia desk: (202) 647-9806
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/index.htm

Update: The following message was sent from Nikolai's email account:

Dear all, we received a message from him that he is safe and in Minsk, we will know more from him when he can better communicate, probably tomorrow. We wanted to give you this update already and also to thank you for your incredible and huge mobilization and solidarity. It paid off. You can relay this message. GayRussia is attacked all the day so we are posting this update on facebook and here by email. We cannot answer to all your messages now. Today's news were widely covered in the Russian media. The picket against the Moscow Mayor planned in Moscow for Sept 21 is maintained irrespectively of the decision of the authorities to allow it or not.

Update 2: LGBT Asylum News provides more information, including this:

Moscow Times quotes a Moscow airport spokeswoman speaking to RIA-Novosti, Yelena Galanova, saying Alexeyev 'had refused to obey security measures'.

“He refused to remove his shoes during a check. The airport security service informed his air carrier about it, and the company removed him from the flight,” Galanova said. She did not elaborate and could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.