"Barbra Casbar-Siperstein is among the six LGBT nominees the DNC approved at a meeting in Austin, Texas. Others include Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, Victory Fund co-founder Terry Bean and Dallas County [Tex.] sheriff Lupe Valdez. Siperstein, who was also elected vice chair of the DNC’s Eastern Regional Caucus, reflected upon her appointment during an interview with EDGE last week." Source: Boston Edge
This bill would require the governor proclaim May 22 each year as Harvey Milk Day. It would encourage public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date. Capitol Office (automated line) 916.445.2841 Fresno Office 559.477.1804 Los Angeles Office 213.897.0322 Riverside Office 951.680.6860 San Diego Office 619.525.4641 San Francisco Office 415.703.2218
Dustin Lance Black, Oscar-winning writer of the screenplay for Milk, testifies before the California Senate Education Committee on behalf of SB 572 | The Harvey Milk Day bill authored by Mark Leno and sponsored by Equality California. Add your name to the petition to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to sign this important legislation. eqca.org/HarveyMilkDay
ON EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN, PUBLIC STRONGLY OPPOSES THE WAR: COALITION OF ACTIVISTS CALL ON LEADERS FOR WITHDRAWAL Thousands join CODEPINK, United For Peace & Justice, Peace Action West, MADRE and Community Leaders Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans,Tom Hayden, Barbara Ehrenreich and Paul Haggis in Calling for Change WASHINGTON D.C. - On the 8th Anniversary of the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Afghanistan, with public opinion opposing the war at an all time high, CODEPINK, United For Peace & Justice, Peace Action West, MADRE, Brave New Films and a coalition of progressive and antiwar organizations call on leaders for an exit strategy and near-term withdrawal. Catalyzing the shift in public opinion toward a change in policy, the coalition is speaking out across the country supported by thousands of members. A petition to Take Action Against the War is being circulated widely signed by hundreds of community leaders, including longtime leader and activist Tom Hayden, CODEPINK founders Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin, author Barbara Ehrenreich, filmmaker Paul Haggis and many more (view the petition at: http://bit.ly/rNDFS). “The tide has turned on the war in Afghanistan, we need to raise our voices over the din of distraction, so that turning tide can bring our troops home and much needed peace and development to the people of Afghanistan” said CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans. “This week we aim to shake the ground below those who profit from and push for war and remind Congress a majority of the U.S. citizens want military engagement in Afghanistan to end, NOW.” This week of action comes at a pivotal moment, as President Obama considers authorizing more troops for Afghanistan. Congressional leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Carl Levin are expressing opposition to increased troop levels and according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, 57 percent of Americans now oppose the war in Afghanistan. “Our military is overstretched, our wallets are empty and there are no military solutions to these conflicts," said CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin. "We can save money, save lives and honor the will of the American people by focusing on negotiated solutions and bringing our troops home.” The coalition and petition call on leaders to oppose escalation of troops, adopt an exit strategy based on all-party talks, regional diplomacy, unconditional humanitarian aid, and timelines promising an American and NATO military withdrawal from Afghanistan The Petition to Take Action Against the War will be delivered to Congress Thursday, just one day before the September 18th anniversary of the AUMF - the bill that authorized the invasion of Afghanistan. CODEPINK Founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans are available for interview. Contact Dana Balicki, 202.422.8624, dana@codepinkalert.org For more information go to http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4895.
Tomorrow is the Municipal Primary Election and we want to remind you to GET OUT and VOTE! We have released a list of candidates that are supportive of the Common Ground Initiative, and we hope that you will support these candidates in tomorrow’s Primary Election! Recommended Candidates If you do not know where to vote, please call our office at 801.355.3479, and we will help you find your polling location.
Out gay Christian musical sensation to bless Trinity MCC Arlington TX with a live celebration of Christ's all inclusive love! Saturday, September 19, 2009 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Location: Trinity Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Street: 1846 W Division #305 City/Town: Arlington, TX View google map
Come join in the celebration and reception following the event on September 19 at Trinity MCC at 7:00 pm!
New laws forbidding sexual reassignment surgery prior to age 18 and requiring parental consent for those between age 18 and 20 years will go into affect November 18 according to Asia One News.
Thailand will also enforce a regulation that a person seeking SRS have undergone a year 'Real Life' experience where in a transgender individual lives in their proper gender and undergoes hormones replacement therapy.
It is unclear what affect the new regulations will have on transgender people from foreign countries when they seek SRS in Thailand.
Thailand however does not have laws allowing a person to legally change there documents to properly reflect there gender which creates incredible hardship for a person in transition. Currently a transgender person is forced to identify themselves as a "Lady Boy", which according to search records at planetransgender is the term that people use when searching for transgender articles involving people from Thailand and many South East Asian countries.
According to Yollada Suanyot, chairperson of the Transgender Women of Thailand group, the new regulations lack guidelines as to whom would make the determination if the applicant has met the criteria. In her opinion this will create further hardships for transgender people.
