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Queerly Divine Archives
Action Fund issues $20,000 challenge grant bolstering Basic Rights Montgomery
A group of Montgomery County, Md., residents, joined by the advocacy organization Equality Maryland, last week announced the formation of a campaign to preserve a gender identity nondiscrimination law that was unanimously passed last November by the County Council.
“The LGBT community in Maryland and nationally sees this as an important opportunity to inform our neighbors about the unique challenges and the intolerable discrimination faced by people who don’t conform to certain societal gender expectations. The Task Force is announcing a $20,000 challenge grant so that we can get to work — right now — in putting together the necessary campaign to counter the misinformation being spread by those who would repeal these vital protections.”
— Rea Carey, Acting Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
[ Learn more and get involved ]
Posted by webmaster on April 29th, 2008 under In the News | Comment now »Fighting for marriage equality in California
Right-wing groups last week submitted petition signatures in an attempt to place an initiative on California’s November ballot that would ban same-sex marriage. It will be weeks before it is known whether the measure has officially qualified for the ballot. If it does, and ultimately passes, the state Constitution would be amended to ban same-sex couples from marrying in the Golden State for generations. The Task Force Action Fund and Equality for All are continuing to prepare to defeat the possible November initiative.
“This mean-spirited attack is out of touch with the ideals of most Californians, who are known for being fair-minded and respecting and valuing personal freedoms. This initiative is an affront to them, to the thousands of families who will be personally and irrevocably affected if this discriminatory amendment is enshrined in the state Constitution, and to the core American principle of fairness.”
— Rea Carey, Acting Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
Opening the Door to the Inclusion of Transgender People
The Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality this week released a joint publication titled Opening the Door to the Inclusion of Transgender People: The Nine Keys to Making Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organizations Fully Transgender-Inclusive, geared toward LGBT organizations.
Opening the Door makes the case for full inclusion at every level of an organization. It examines the need for genuine, consistent advocacy for inclusion of gender identity and expression in policies, programs, legislative stances and public positions, and explores critical issues such as understanding the transgender experience and the role of an ally, how to address staffing issues, dealing with prejudice and ways to further outreach. The voices of LGBT leaders discussing real-life experiences with transgender inclusion are found throughout the guide.
Posted by webmaster on April 29th, 2008 under In the News | Comment now »National Black/Brown Summit convened in Philadelphia
Black and Latino/a LGBT leaders met in Philadelphia last Friday at the first National Black/Brown Summit, convened by the International Federation of Black Prides. The gathering brought together leaders from across the country for a day of conversation and discussion about issues that both unite and separate black and Latino/a communities. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by webmaster on April 29th, 2008 under In the News | Comment now »National Day of Silence observed
The National Day of Silence, held on April 25, drew attention to the pervasive anti-LGBT harassment and bullying found in the schools.
“Thousands of students across the United States participate in the annual Day of Silence to bring attention to the tragic consequences of the failure to stop school-based anti-LGBT harassment. The murder of California middle-school student Lawrence King at the hands of a classmate is a searing and recent testimony to this deadly dynamic in our schools. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by webmaster on April 29th, 2008 under In the News | Comment now »