4/12/09
Queers United: Is Amazon Censoring LGBT Books?
Queers United: Is Amazon Censoring LGBT Books? Check in with Queers United, are LGBT books disapearing from Amazon?
4/11/09
Dallas Catholic Leader To Lead Prayer Vigil for Soulforce Action
Press Release
date
For immediate Distribution
Prayer and Vigil Supporting Soulforce Catholic Action 2009
Date/Time
Location
Dignity/Dallas
dignitydallas.org/
Jon Garinn, Co-Pastor
214-621-9530
garinns@sbcglobal.net
PO Box 190133
Dallas, Texas 75219
Soulforce
Katie Higgins
Director of Operations: Soulforce Q
Soulforce Q (Young Adult Activism):
2000 Grand Avenue, Unit 2, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Tel: 469-867-5725 Fax: 612-236-4696 Q@soulforce.org
Soulforce
kelli Busey
Dallas Soulforce email
Dignity/Dallas Catholic Ministers to Lead a prayer vigil and rosary in support of Soulforce's request for conversation with United Nations Vatican observer, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, in New York regarding the Vatican's opposition to a proposed U.N. declaration calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals.
The Vigil and Rosary Prayer is a call for all Catholics to call on the Church to support fundamental human rights and opposes every form of “unjust discrimination” which includes “not just the death penalty, but all violent or discriminatory criminal laws against homosexuals,” as is the doctrine according to the Rev. Federico Lombardi, S.J., Vatican spokesman.
“This proposal is long overdue,” says the Rev. Jon Garinn, Dignity/Dallas co-pastor. “It calls for an end to the practice of criminalizing and punishing people for their sexual orientation, which is something the Vatican has long favored.”
Location
Date
Time
Dignity/Dallas is a community of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Roman Catholics, their family and friends. We are members of DignityUSA, a national organization that speaks on behalf of GLBT Catholics everywhere.
dignitydallas.org/
"The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance."
http://www.soulforce.org/index.php
date
For immediate Distribution
Prayer and Vigil Supporting Soulforce Catholic Action 2009
Date/Time
Location
Dignity/Dallas
dignitydallas.org/
Jon Garinn, Co-Pastor
214-621-9530
garinns@sbcglobal.net
PO Box 190133
Dallas, Texas 75219
Soulforce
Katie Higgins
Director of Operations: Soulforce Q
Soulforce Q (Young Adult Activism):
2000 Grand Avenue, Unit 2, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Tel: 469-867-5725 Fax: 612-236-4696 Q@soulforce.org
Soulforce
kelli Busey
Dallas Soulforce email
Dignity/Dallas Catholic Ministers to Lead a prayer vigil and rosary in support of Soulforce's request for conversation with United Nations Vatican observer, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, in New York regarding the Vatican's opposition to a proposed U.N. declaration calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals.
The Vigil and Rosary Prayer is a call for all Catholics to call on the Church to support fundamental human rights and opposes every form of “unjust discrimination” which includes “not just the death penalty, but all violent or discriminatory criminal laws against homosexuals,” as is the doctrine according to the Rev. Federico Lombardi, S.J., Vatican spokesman.
“This proposal is long overdue,” says the Rev. Jon Garinn, Dignity/Dallas co-pastor. “It calls for an end to the practice of criminalizing and punishing people for their sexual orientation, which is something the Vatican has long favored.”
Location
Date
Time
Dignity/Dallas is a community of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Roman Catholics, their family and friends. We are members of DignityUSA, a national organization that speaks on behalf of GLBT Catholics everywhere.
dignitydallas.org/
"The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance."
http://www.soulforce.org/index.php
4/10/09
TCU LGBT & Allied Students Rally in Support of DiversCityQ & NEED YOU !
Texas Christian University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender !QStudents Rally!
"Due to the recent news media coverage regarding the DiversCityQ Living Learning Community, opening in the Fall at TCU, there is a need to show support for LGBT students, not just at TCU but nationwide. As expected, there has been a lot of negative comments regarding LGBT support at TCU from Christian individuals, in addition to some LGBT students, seeing this move as segregation. I know during lunch on a Friday, but if you can, please come out & show your support to the community so those that may not be out, can know that there is a support system. ".
Event: Demonstration of Support
"'Come out' as an ally and supporter!"
What: Rally
Host: Iris Reaction
Start Time: Friday, April 17 at 11:45am
End Time: Friday, April 17 at 12:30pm
Where: Bass Building-Sadler-BLUU Commons
Google maps TCU Bass Building
To see more details and RSVP, follow the facebook link below:
Rally Iris Reaction
Join us for a march across campus in an effort to publicly show support for the LGBTQ community and the efforts to establish a resource center.
The march will be silent, and we'll walk from the Bass Building to Sadler, where we'll place irises on the steps to symbolize the TCU administration working with us eye-to-eye on this issue. Then we'll make our way to the University Commons where we'll place rainbow flags in the ground to 'claim our stake.'
So bring your rainbow flags and your pride and join us in an effort to promote awareness, inclusiveness, and support.
Some of the recent news media coverage regarding the DiversCityQ Living Learning Community;
planetransgender "Texas Christian Universities New "DiversCityQ" to offer inclusiveity for GLBT Community!"
Dallas Morning News "TCU to provide special housing for gay, lesbian students"
"Due to the recent news media coverage regarding the DiversCityQ Living Learning Community, opening in the Fall at TCU, there is a need to show support for LGBT students, not just at TCU but nationwide. As expected, there has been a lot of negative comments regarding LGBT support at TCU from Christian individuals, in addition to some LGBT students, seeing this move as segregation. I know during lunch on a Friday, but if you can, please come out & show your support to the community so those that may not be out, can know that there is a support system. ".
Event: Demonstration of Support
"'Come out' as an ally and supporter!"
What: Rally
Host: Iris Reaction
Start Time: Friday, April 17 at 11:45am
End Time: Friday, April 17 at 12:30pm
Where: Bass Building-Sadler-BLUU Commons
Google maps TCU Bass Building
To see more details and RSVP, follow the facebook link below:
Rally Iris Reaction
Join us for a march across campus in an effort to publicly show support for the LGBTQ community and the efforts to establish a resource center.
The march will be silent, and we'll walk from the Bass Building to Sadler, where we'll place irises on the steps to symbolize the TCU administration working with us eye-to-eye on this issue. Then we'll make our way to the University Commons where we'll place rainbow flags in the ground to 'claim our stake.'
So bring your rainbow flags and your pride and join us in an effort to promote awareness, inclusiveness, and support.
Some of the recent news media coverage regarding the DiversCityQ Living Learning Community;
planetransgender "Texas Christian Universities New "DiversCityQ" to offer inclusiveity for GLBT Community!"
Dallas Morning News "TCU to provide special housing for gay, lesbian students"
4/9/09
Texas Christian Universities New "DiversCity Q" to offer inclusiveity for GLBT Community!
BREAKING NEWS: TCU delays housing program for LGBT students
Source 'Instant' by Dallas Voice News Editor John Wright;
"Officials at Texas Christian University have postponed plans for a living-learning community geared toward LGBT students and their supporters."
"The two TCU students who proposed DiversityCity Q — Shelly Newkirk and Su Harz — said Monday they were disappointed with the decision. Harz said she thinks the administration caved to outside pressure, and she noted that DiversityCity Q was the only living-learning community that had generated any media attention."
"Newkirk said a demonstration is planned Friday at TCU to push for an LGBT resource center on campus. But she said the demonstration was planned prior to Monday’s decision, and she doesn’t want it to turn into a protest. The demonstration will be from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., beginning at the Bass Building and ending at the Sadler Lawn."
Full story at Dallas Voice Blog INSTANT TEA
Texas Christian University (TCU) is moving forward with plan's to provide a safe learning environment to Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Questioning students fall of 2009.
Source Dallas Morning News;
"TCU is apparently the first campus in the state to reserve housing for gay students and straight students who support them. And that's earning kudos from advocates for gay students."
"It just basically says that TCU wants their campus to be safe for all students and wants everyone to feel welcomed," said Shane Windmeyer, executive director and founder of Campus Pride. The nonprofit group supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender college students."
Full Original story at the Dallas Morning News TCU to provide special housing for gay, lesbian students
EQUALITY MARYLAND CALLS FOR A VOTE ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION
Contact Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chairman Brian Frosh and Vice Chairwoman Lisa Gladden and urge them to vote, once and for all, on SB 566, gender identity anti-discrimination legislation. Call today.
Sen. Frosh: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3124 (toll free)
Sen. Gladden: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3697 (toll free)
With four days remaining until the end of the 2009 legislative session, the prospects of passing gender identity discrimination legislation are fading. During hearings in February and March, House and Senate committees were urged by transgender Marylanders who have been fired from their jobs or harassed by employers, discriminated against in rental housing, and denied access to safe social services for the homeless to clarify in law that such discrimination is illegal.
The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, in response to urges for movement on the legislation, has placed the bill on its voting agenda four times. Each time, the Committee has chosen a path of inaction, opting to hold off on a vote. In the latest move, the committee on Wednesday, April 8 again voted to hold off on considering a vote on the bill until Friday, April 10. Committee Chairman Brian Frosh (D-16) holds the power to bring the measure for a vote.
Despite good faith efforts led by the bill sponsors, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-21), Senator Rich Madaleno (D-18), and equality Maryland to address lawmakers’ concerns about public facilities and to appease religious organizations by exempting them from the hiring protections in the bill, the Judicial Proceedings Committee continues to stall a vote on this important bill.
“To date, no issue or concern with the legislation has been identified to which we have not responded with a reasonable solution,” said Delegate Peña-Melnyk. “At this late date, the strategy of Senate leaders is clear: hold the legislation and run out the clock on the 2009 session, which ends Monday, April 13, at midnight.”
Equality Maryland’s response is simple: No matter the outcome, Senator Frosh, take this vote. Outlawing blatant discrimination, rather than condoning it through inaction, is a moral imperative for our state. Responding to discrimination is not an issue that is too hot to handle, especially when those affected may be incapable of putting supper on the table, a roof over their head or supporting their children – especially in these difficult economic times.
It is worth noting that members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee have been actively communicated with by broad constituencies, including advocates for the homeless, civil rights groups, the state’s human relations commission, religious organizations, and unions. Together, these groups have spoken with one voice, imploring legislators to address a documented public policy issue: transgender persons are statistically at much greater risk for underemployment and unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and resultant health disparities because of housing and employment discrimination.
We know and recognize that many people are deeply uncomfortable with how a transgender person may identify or appear, but that discomfort cannot be used as an excuse to deny an already vulnerable group of their ability to find employment or a place to live. The anti-discrimination legislation before the Maryland General Assembly does not address social mores, or force religious organizations to hire transgender people, or create hardships for businesses. It simply states that transgender people should be able to earn a living being judged on their qualifications and abilities alone, and able to access housing and needed services without prejudice barring the way.
Discrimination is a sad reality that deserves to be addressed by legislators.
Contact Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chairman Brian Frosh and Vice Chairwoman Lisa Gladden and urge them to vote, once and for all, on SB 566, gender identity anti-discrimination legislation. Call today.
Sen. Frosh: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3124 (toll free)
Sen. Gladden: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3697 (toll free)
sign up for EQMD Action Center.
Sen. Frosh: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3124 (toll free)
Sen. Gladden: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3697 (toll free)
With four days remaining until the end of the 2009 legislative session, the prospects of passing gender identity discrimination legislation are fading. During hearings in February and March, House and Senate committees were urged by transgender Marylanders who have been fired from their jobs or harassed by employers, discriminated against in rental housing, and denied access to safe social services for the homeless to clarify in law that such discrimination is illegal.
The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, in response to urges for movement on the legislation, has placed the bill on its voting agenda four times. Each time, the Committee has chosen a path of inaction, opting to hold off on a vote. In the latest move, the committee on Wednesday, April 8 again voted to hold off on considering a vote on the bill until Friday, April 10. Committee Chairman Brian Frosh (D-16) holds the power to bring the measure for a vote.
Despite good faith efforts led by the bill sponsors, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-21), Senator Rich Madaleno (D-18), and equality Maryland to address lawmakers’ concerns about public facilities and to appease religious organizations by exempting them from the hiring protections in the bill, the Judicial Proceedings Committee continues to stall a vote on this important bill.
“To date, no issue or concern with the legislation has been identified to which we have not responded with a reasonable solution,” said Delegate Peña-Melnyk. “At this late date, the strategy of Senate leaders is clear: hold the legislation and run out the clock on the 2009 session, which ends Monday, April 13, at midnight.”
Equality Maryland’s response is simple: No matter the outcome, Senator Frosh, take this vote. Outlawing blatant discrimination, rather than condoning it through inaction, is a moral imperative for our state. Responding to discrimination is not an issue that is too hot to handle, especially when those affected may be incapable of putting supper on the table, a roof over their head or supporting their children – especially in these difficult economic times.
It is worth noting that members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee have been actively communicated with by broad constituencies, including advocates for the homeless, civil rights groups, the state’s human relations commission, religious organizations, and unions. Together, these groups have spoken with one voice, imploring legislators to address a documented public policy issue: transgender persons are statistically at much greater risk for underemployment and unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and resultant health disparities because of housing and employment discrimination.
We know and recognize that many people are deeply uncomfortable with how a transgender person may identify or appear, but that discomfort cannot be used as an excuse to deny an already vulnerable group of their ability to find employment or a place to live. The anti-discrimination legislation before the Maryland General Assembly does not address social mores, or force religious organizations to hire transgender people, or create hardships for businesses. It simply states that transgender people should be able to earn a living being judged on their qualifications and abilities alone, and able to access housing and needed services without prejudice barring the way.
Discrimination is a sad reality that deserves to be addressed by legislators.
Contact Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chairman Brian Frosh and Vice Chairwoman Lisa Gladden and urge them to vote, once and for all, on SB 566, gender identity anti-discrimination legislation. Call today.
Sen. Frosh: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3124 (toll free)
Sen. Gladden: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3697 (toll free)
sign up for EQMD Action Center.
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