Soulforce 'SPRING 2009 CATHOLIC ACTION'

Soulforce announces the ' SPRING 2009 CATHOLIC ACTION'

Please join us this spring in calling on the Vatican to support the safety and well being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We are working to gain support from the Roman Catholic Church for the United Nations Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

The United States, as of Wednesday March 18th, has signed on to the declaration. This is a great shift in U.S. policy, and we hope that you will work with us continue the focus on the Vatican.
There are many ways to participate:
You can join us by coming to New York City this April and participating in the actions there. Read details and register here.

You can join the growing group of local leaders organizing solidarity actions where they live. We will work with you to support efforts in your hometown. All are welcome at any experience level. If you are interested in being a local leader or a participant, click here for a list of participating cities, ideas for action and contact information. Or email Katie Higgins directly at Katie@Soulforce.org.

You or your organization can also join the campaign by signing onto the following statement of support. Click here to read the statement and for contact information.

The background of this campaign:
For the first time ever at the United Nations in December 2008, a statement was heard on the support of equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
French Minister of Human Rights and Foreign Affairs Rama Yade began the effort in early 2008 to create U.N.-backed protections for LGBT people. The Netherlands signed on as a co-sponsor on behalf of the European Union, and on December 18, 2008 Ambassador Jorge Arguello of Argentina read out the first declaration on LGBT rights in the General Assembly.
Unfortunately, some countries have not yet signed on in support of safety for all. The Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, was among the first to oppose:
"If adopted, they would create new and implacable discriminations. For example, states which do not recognize same-sex unions as 'matrimony' will be pilloried and made an object of pressure."
Read the official statement on the declaration from the Holy See here.

We have sent a letter to the Archbishop in New York City, calling on him to take a personal stand against defamatory language regarding LGBT people and work in open and good faith to bring the Vatican toward supporting safety for all humans.
We are inviting you to work with us this spring in solidarity actions across the country and internationally to unite our voices. Based on the idea of pilgrimage, we are looking for local leaders and participants who want to help create conversations about faith and LGBT equality and get active in their community. No experience is required - just the desire to work in solidarity with activists in a localized action with global impact to make justice the standard.
Download the text of the declaration
Read some of the actions and statements of the Roman Catholic Church

We will work with you to train, organize, and implement actions in your town. Contact us to learn more and become a part of the effort.
With questions or feedback about the campaign, please contact:Haven Herrin at Haven@Soulforce.org or Kara Speltz at Kara@Soulforce.org

Soulforce Homepage http://www.soulforce.org/index.php

NH House rejects transgender rights bill

The hopes of transgender people for inclusion in New Hampshire's laws was flushed down the loo today. The N.H. House with 52 Democrats absent from roll call voted 157 to 172 not to move HB415 to the Senate.

Flush. Sometimes it's impossible to tell what party affiliation the arms are that are dragging us down.
HB415 Roll Call

01/08/2009 H Introduced and Referred to Judiciary; HJ 12, PG.227
01/22/2009 H Public Hearing: 2/5/2009 2:00 PM LOB 208
03/09/2009 H Subcommittee Work Session: 3/12/2009 9:00 AM LOB 208
03/10/2009 H Executive Session: 3/17/2009 11:00 AM LOB 208 (Contined 3/18&19/09 11:00 AM LOB 208 If Needed)
03/18/2009 H Committee Report: Without Recommendation for Mar 24 RC
03/25/2009 H Special Ordered to Mar 25 Without Objection
03/26/2009 H Special Ordered to Mar 26 Without Objection
03/26/2009 H Motion for Ought to Pass (Rep Butler)
03/26/2009 H Floor Amendment #1070h (New Title) (Rep Wendelboe) Failed, RC 79-251
03/26/2009 H Ought to Pass: MF RC 157-172
03/26/2009 H Motion for Inexpedient to Legislate (Rep Packard): MA DIV 181-149

New Hampshire General Court - Bill Status System HB415

AP on Fox 44 NH House rejects transgender rights bill

New Hampshire House Votes for Marriage Equality.

Today the House voted 186 to 179 to pass HB436 to extend marriage equality to gay/lesbian couples.

The bill lost by one vote on the first attempt but after voting on several other motions, the House reconsidered the vote and passed the measure 186 to 179.

The bill now moves on to the Senate.

This was a very close vote and we succeeded only because so many of you contacted your elected officials.

The opposition is mounting a full fledge attack, radio ad's, phone banks and door to door canvasing.

We need to match their efforts call for call, and that will take resources.

Please give generously!

The vote on anti-discrimination based on gender identity and expression will take place this afternoon.

Mo Baxley

Help us spread the word, please
Tell a Friend

Donate today!Help us work toward marriage equality in New Hampshire with a secure on line donation:
Contact Us
NHFTMPO Box 4064Concord, NH 03302
603.223.0309
info@nhftm.org
Vermont Legislative

Mo Baxley
Executive Director, NHFTM

¡Actúa! : Protesta asesinato de defensor de Álvaro Miguel GLBT/ Protest murder of Alvaro Miguel Rivera

Protest the murder of GLBT defender Alvaro Miguel Rivera

On March 6, 2009, unknown men killed the human rights defender Álvaro Miguel Rivera in the city of Cali, Colombia.
Álvaro was the representative of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) organization, Tínku. He was also a member of Planeta Paz, a national peace network, and of the Polo Rosa, the LGBTI section of a left wing political party. Álvaro was far and foremost a committed activist who worked for the rights of the LGBTI community and people living with HIV. In the past, threats against his life had already made Álvaro flee Villavicencio, a city in Eastern Colombia.

Take Action send Colombia the message that the word is watching at

International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission http://www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/article/takeaction/globalactionalerts/875.html

Translate Page
http://translate.google.com/translate_t?hl=en#
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transgendernews/message/36238 [PR] [Colombia]Protest the Murder of LGBT Human Rights Defender

The Pope is Not Pro-Life : Two Truth Wins Out

Signaling a meaningful change from President George W. Bush's disastrous policies, the Obama administration last week endorsed a United Nations statement calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality. The primary opponents of this measure were radical Islamist countries and the Vatican, representing a new unholy alliance across the globe.

The previous day on his way to Africa, the Pope spoke to reporters about the role condoms play in the prevention of HIV. Unbelievably, the Pontiff said they make the epidemic worse.
"You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," the Pope told reporters aboard the Alitalia plane headed to Yaounde, Cameroon, where he began a seven-day pilgrimage on the continent. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."

Read this hard hitting editorial in full at Anything But Straight www.waynebesen.com

Thank Senator Schumer for Supporting GLBT Equality

Thank Senator Schumer for Supporting Marriage Equality and Calling for the Repeal of DOMA
This week New York ’s senior U.S. Senator – Charles Schumer – announced his support for marriage equality and for the full repeal of the so called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA). As Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate's Democratic Conference, Senator Schumer is now the highest ranking member of the U.S. Senate to endorse marriage equality for our families.
When announcing his support, Senator Schumer said, “It’s time. Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York , which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is poised appropriately to take a lead on this issue.”

Click here to read our press release, where we thank Senator Schumer for his support for marriage equality and for the full repeal of DOMA

Click here to take action