END CIA'S torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading wrongfull imprisonment of civilians.

The CIA Inspector General's report released today describes the horrific abuse of detainees in U.S. custody. The report goes beyond what has previously been released to describe CIA agents threatening prisoners with death and carrying out a mock execution. It also describes the use of waterboarding and other methods of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

The report demonstrates conclusively the need for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate our nation's use of torture, as advocated by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. NRCAT has also called upon the Attorney General to undertake a comprehensive investigation for criminal culpability.

The White House announced the creation of a new elite interrogation unit, and the Justice Department's ethics office has formally recommended reopening a number of cases of prisoner abuse. These are important measures, but NRCAT believes a comprehensive investigation is needed.

The White House announced the creation of a new elite interrogation unit, and the Justice Department's ethics office has formally recommended reopening a number of cases of prisoner abuse. These are important measures, but NRCAT believes a comprehensive investigation is needed.

Our country will not end this sordid chapter of American history until we understand the full nature of U.S.-sponsored torture and put safeguards in place to make sure that U.S.-sponsored torture never happens again. It is our responsibility to assure that future generations of Americans grow up in a country that does not torture.

Please take action today: Please urge your elected officials to support a Commission of Inquiry AND urge the Attorney General to fully investigate the use of torture by the United States.

Click here to send a form email to the White House, both of your U.S. senators and your member of the House of Representatives, asking for a Commission of Inquiry in light of the horrific abuse detailed in the CIA Inspector General's report.

Click here to send a form email to Attorney General Eric Holder asking for a comprehensive investigation for criminal culpability in light of the CIA Inspector General's report.

Click here for suggestions for promoting a Commission of Inquiry.The response of the religious community to the Inspector General's report could be very important. Please send emails to the President, your senators, your member of the House of Representatives and the Attorney General today. Thank you for everything you have done to end U.S.-sponsored torture.Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rev. Richard Killmer

Executive Director

Salt Lake City Mayor Asks for LGBT Protection Feed Back

Click here ro respond to Mayor Mayor Ralph Becker request for feedback on the proposed city ordinance that includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Source Examiner.com

"On Top Magazine is reporting that Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has been circulating a proposal for a new city ordinance that includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression."

"The public discussion draft, titled "Overview of Possible Salt Lake City Non-Discrimination Ordinance", is based on a July 2009 report by the Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission that "provides further factual confirmation of the harms caused by discriminatory practices."

"If the ordinance is passed as written, it would represent a significant step forward in a city that has been dogged by contoversy over the past year, specifically due to the actions of the Mormon church, a large proponent of California's Proposition 8 same-sex marriage ban. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recently detained a gay couple for kissing on their private property, leading to their arrest for trespassing. The charges against the couple were dropped, but the incident garnerned negative national attention to the church and the city."

DECELERIN Reduce Beard Growth 16% Delay regrowth 30%

Redheads and blond transgender MTF Take Heart! There may be a way for us to significantly lessen our tears, time and money spent in the electrolysis and Lazer [torture] chair!

This product has not been evaluated by the FDA. This article is not a commercial endorsement. Feedback is encouraged.

source: Life Extension

DECELERIN claims:

■Reduced frequency of shaving or depilation in female legs up to 82%
■Reduced frequency of shaving or depilation in female groin up to 70%
■Reduced frequency of shaving or depilation in female armpit up to 50%.
■Delayed the growth of stubborn beard hair in men by 30%
■Reduced beard hair density in men by 16%

Getting to the Root of Hair Growth

The first stage of your hair growth is known as anagen. This growing phase lasts an average of almost three years, but it can range anywhere from two years to six years depending on the individual. During this time, your hair is actively growing at a rate of approximately one centimeter a month (a centimeter is 0.39 inches, or almost one-half of an inch).8 Melanin pigment is also being produced in the hair bulb throughout this entire stage.

The next step is a short transition or resting stage called catagen that lasts around two to three weeks. During this time, your hair stops growing. Also at this point, your hair follicle shrinks and part of it begins to die. Only about 4% of your hairs are in this intermediate stage at any given time.

In the final or shedding stage (telogen), your hair follicle becomes active once more and starts the cycle of hair growth again. (Each single follicle will produce an average of 20 hairs in its lifetime.) This fresh growth pushes the dead hair up the follicle and expels it to make room for the new hair. It takes roughly three to four months for this particular stage of the process to occur. Only one in ten hair follicles on your head is in this shedding phase at any particular moment. It should be noted that the length of these cycles will vary with the sex of the individual, the person themselves, and the part of the body on which the hair is growing.

But one thing is absolutely certain: the key to slowing hair growth lies exclusively in the anagen phase, because only anagen hairs are vulnerable to physical damage or stimuli.

Topically applied compounds can now painlessly slow down hair growth—and even decrease hair density so it’s less noticeable. That means you don’t have to shave, wax, or tweeze as often. You can spend the time you save doing something you enjoy instead—all thanks to an exciting new topical formulation.


PDF lipotec.com

Request a free sample from Heidessen Deutschland GmbH

Integrity Fort Worth: Rejoices with the ELCA LGBT Inclusion!

Source Integrity Fort Worth: Lutheran Church Lifts Ban on Gay Clergy, Supports Same-Gender Relationships

On Friday, August 21, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, passed a resolution to allow gay and lesbian persons in relationships to participate in ministries, including ordained ministries. The vote came 559 to 451.

Integrity's home offices in New York released the following statement:

Integrity rejoices at the news from Minneapolis that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) today adopted all four of the resolutions before their Assembly regarding the fuller inclusion of the LGBT baptized in the work and witness of the Lutheran Church.

“Today’s action in Minneapolis is not just good news for gay and lesbian Lutherans, it is good news to all who strive for peace and justice and are committed to respecting the dignity of every human being,” said the Reverend Susan Russell, president of Integrity USA.

“For decades the faithful have prayed for justice to roll down like waters for the LGBT baptized in the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches. The Summer of 2009 has become that watershed moment we have prayed for.”

“We are delighted that our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ are joining The Episcopal Church in moving forward in mission with a commitment to include all God’s beloved equally. We look forward to opportunities to continue in our call to common mission with our Lutheran colleagues as we join together in proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ Jesus available to all.”

“We believe that when taken together with the actions of our Episcopal Church last month in Anaheim, we are seeing a spiritual groundswell sending the message that there are communities of faith that actually practice the compassion they preach. Our deepest hope is that these actions will encourage those who had given up on the church to give it another chance. Our doors are certainly open to welcome them – and we look forward to the mission and ministry ahead of us as the Body of Christ in the world.”

Read more here.

Transgender belly dancer helps launch Arab gay initiative

Source: The Local

"Dressed in a flashy black belly-dancing outfit, Nancy is a hobby transgender dancer from Iraq, ready to take to the stage with full make-up and skinny high heels. She is preparing to entertain more than 200 other Arab gays, lesbians and transgender people in Stockholm, Sweden."

"The setting is the Stockholm headquarters of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL). The occasion is the launch of Arab Initiative, the first Arab LGBT rights group in Europe."

As Arab members discuss the horrifying details of their escapes, often secreted away by smugglers to safe havens in the US and Europe, Nancy prepares to dance.

"Meanwhile, it was time for Nancy to mount the stage and wow the crowd with her belly dancing shakes to Arabic music. Swedes, Arabs, Africans and people of other ethnicities, men and women, straight and gay, gathered around the stage and clapped to the rhythm – a sight unseen in any Arab country."

Please read on at The Local

RFSL

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America votes YES to GLBT Ministry and Marriage!

GREAT DAY to be GAY!

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America votes to invite people who are in same sex relationships into ministry!!!!!

After the presiding Bishop Hanson discovered that it was time for a prayer he discovered there was none ready. The congregation laughed together as Bishop Hanson asked if that gaff would not be included in the minutes. This is the soul of the ECLA as members who emotionally and passionately dissented to allowing GLBT ministry called for their congregations to maintain the body in Christ and to not vote to succeed from the ELCA.

Effectively concurring with item 2 the ELCA voted yes to allow Gay and Lesbian clergy. There was passed an amendment that does require to respect those whose policy is to prohibit the exclusion or inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the ELCA

The 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, meeting in Chicago, directed the task force assigned to develop the social statement on human sexuality to "specifically address and make recommendations to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly on changes to any policies that preclude practicing homosexual persons from the rosters of this church." The church maintains official rosters for associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained clergy.

The report and a four-step recommendation were released in February 2009. The report discusses concepts such as "bound conscience" and "structure flexibility." Assembly voting members will decide to accept or reject the recommendation, or amend any part of it. The ELCA Church Council recommended that each part of the recommendation requires a majority vote to adopt.

The assembly amended the order of consideration of ministry policies resolutions to 3, 1, 2, 4.
The four-step process asks these questions:


Step one asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.
APPROVED

Step two asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders of this church.
Approved

Step three asks this church whether, in the future implementation of these commitments, it will make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all.
APPROVED

Step four proposes the specifics of how this church can move toward change in a way that respects the bound consciences of all.
APPROVED

"Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," a proposed ELCA social statement

Historic Day Gay Marriage and Clergy Approved

Watch Live the Evangelical Lutheran Church Vote on Gay and Lesbian Clergy 8/21/09

From Episcopal Cafe:

Breaking Today the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is voting on a major piece of legislation that modifies their ministry policies. If passed in its entirety then the ELCA will allow people "in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church."

The proposal may be found here. They are voting on each section one-at-a-time that is listed in bold type. There are four resolutions:

1. Step one asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding ways to allow congregations and synods that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. (Passed)
2. Step two asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders of this church. (To resume later today, 2 pm CST)
3. Step three asks this church whether, in the future implementation of these commitments, it will make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all. (Passed)
4. Step four proposes the specifics of how this church can move toward change in a way that respects the bound consciences of all. (To resume later, time unknown yet.)

You may follow the debate via live video stream here.
Read the rest here.

TransMentors and West Valley UU Present TRANSFORM ARIZONA

TransMentors International, Inc. and West Valley UU Present

TransForm Arizona

HOME SPONSORS AGENDA VOLUNTEERS WORKSHOPSPRESENTERS SPEAKERS ENTERTAINMENT REGISTRATION

Uniting the T and the LBG
October 16, 17, 18 2009
A weekend filled with entertainment, educational workshops and the opportunity to connect and enhance the entire LGBT community and beyond!

Location: UUCP,

4027 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85253

Bottled water provided Friday night & Saturday.
Registration is necessary for the workshops and meals on Saturday.

Registration Cost: $15 Includes Saturday Box Lunch, $20 Includes Saturday Box Lunch & Full Dinner
(Price increases on October 1st, so Register early to save!)
Limited number of Scholarships available. Email for details.

Note: Peterson Toscano's performances, as well as the Picnic, are FREE to everyone.

An event to bring awareness to the specific needs and special circumstances within the Trans community, and educate all those open to gaining new insights and knowledge of this special group within the LGBT.

The conference weekend kicks off Friday night with our keynote speaker, Luis Garcia, followed by a fun-filled Variety show performed by Peterson Toscano, including hilarious excepts from Queer 101-Now I know my gA,B,C's and Ho Mo No Mo Halfway House.

Saturday you'll have the opportunity to enjoy hearing and learning from well-known speakers on issues within the Trans community, as well as attend educational workshops to enlighten you on the day-to-day lives of Trans men, women and youth.

Speakers on Saturday include Donna Rose (Trans Activist) Dr. Rebecca Allison (DrBecky.com), Allyson Robinson (HRC), and Kim Pearson (TransYouth Family Allies).
Speaker for the Saturday Dinner will be Arizona's own Rep. Kyrsten Sinema.
Saturday night brings another great performance by Peterson, this time with his play " Transfigurations- Transgressing Gender in the Bible".
Sunday morning, wake up to a inclusive and welcome service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, followed by an All-Ages Trans & Allies community picnic, complete with an MC and Entertainment, games for the kids and adults, and the chance to interact with the many people within our diverse community.

Download our Event Flyer. (pdf)

Download Peterson Toscano's Flyer. (pdf)

Israeli Haredi extremists 'Gay Youth center volunteers " “should be forced to face a firing squad.”

[Israel society can be very secretive and at the time of publication I have not been able to obtain a copy of the original note nor have I found the web site the original note was reported to have appeared on.]

A purported anonymously written note by a member of a haredi Jewish Ultra Orthodox sect defaming LGBT people supposedly appeared on the mystery web site Tzofer.com.

The Tzofer author Yisrael Artzi was interviewed by Uri Blau a correspondent for the Haaretz newspaper. Yisrael Artzi said he did not know who wrote the original note that appeared on the Tzofer web site, but that he concurred with the notes content and intent.

Yisrael Artzi went on to say that homosexuals "are worse than beasts, at least a beast knows it's [homosexuality] wrong, or not natural" and that the managers of the J'lem youth center “should be forced to face a firing squad.”

In response to the murders the The Jerusalem Post reports that the J'lem gay center hired armed guard and asked retribution of 500,000 in damages from Tzofer.

This hateful note gives religious creedence to hate and is enabling to people who only need a nudge to commit violence and murder against LGBTIQ people.

By Kelli Busey/planetransgender/tags: "you talking to me?, The nut falls close to the tree"

On the web;
wikipedia.org Halacha
Dictonary.com haredi
Wiki Tzofer.com< wiki
Wiki Kelli Busey
Haaretz.com Haredi writer: Gays should be forced to face firing squad
The Jerusalem Post J'lem gay center hires armed guard
Advocate.com Advocate.com

Transgender Sanam Cricket Team Win First Game

Source Advocate.com
"A cricket team made up of hijras -- the common term for South Asia's "third sex" population, many of whom identify as female -- played its first official match in Pakistan, scoring 65 runs to beat a local men’s team, reports the BBC."

"Sanam XI ("sanam" means "beloved" in Urdu) beat the Olympians men’s cricket club in an exhibition game in Sukkur, in southern Pakistan."

In the AWESOME column it goes:D

Oestrogenix "Go Fly Slow"

Oestrogenix "Go Fly Slow"

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Approves Pro LGBT Statement ~ Vote on Hiring LGBT Clergy Friday!

By Kelli Busey/planetransgender

In a close vote the ELCA Assembly Adopts 'Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust'

The ELCA approved a Statement on human sexuality that is being celebrated Interdenominationally as a leap towards positive inclusion of all people in faith. The statement is intended to guide the Lutheran Church in America. An excerpt from the 34 page statement reads....."this church also will attend to the need for equal protection, equal opportunities and equal responsibilities under the law, and just treatment for those with varied sexual orientation and gender identity."

Source: INFORUM
"Wednesday’s vote sets the stage for a bigger debate Friday, when delegates will discuss a proposal that would allow ELCA congregations to hire people in committed same-sex relationships as clergy."

On the web

Source: Lutherans in favor of LGBT equality gather at ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis

Source: Minnesota Independent.comNinety-five Lutherans come out during ELCA vote on gay pastors

Source: U.S. Catholic.org Gays and the ELCA

Lexie Cannes Exciting Transgender Positive Indie Film

Lexie Cannes" is a COMPLETED indie feature film that is part romance, part mystery, part social statement and nearly always a complex exploration of a transgendered woman's relationship to the world that surrounds her.
Filmed with a dizzying array of imagery, emotions, and dialogue, "Lexie Cannes" promises to be a great artistic contribution to our TG community. Spread the word about this film! Thank you!





-Richard Propes, The Independent Critic Reviewer". . ."Lexie Cannes" is a uniquely written and photographed film that almost taunts the audience with a dizzying array of imagery, emotions, dialogue (mostly spoken in American Sign Language) and grainy, mind-altering cinematography . . ."

-Brian Morton, Rogue Cinema Reviewer"Lexie Cannes looks amazing, Lexie is deaf, so the movie is told from the perspective of a deaf person, which is a very interesting point of view, there is sound in the movie, but when the characters speak, it's largely with sign language and is subtitled. The story is a good one . . ."

Lexie Cannes facebook

www.LexieCannes.com

Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead Offers weak Apology to Victims of Police Brutality

By Kelli Anne Busey,

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexed and Questioning community were offered an apology for the police brutality during the raid on the Rainbow Lounge. Many in the community wonder about the timing and value of Chief Halsteads apology and do not aggree with opinion being expressed in this video. We are also wondering why this apology has taken so long to be made.


Source NBCDFW

We are also wondering why Mayor Moncrief asked the Texas Attorney General to conduct a independent investigation and why the Attorneys Generals office took so long to reply.
What Happens in Ft. Worth Isn’t Staying There.

Clearly a Mayor of a major city would know or be advised that the attorney general would refuse such a request.

I would like to know why it took the attorney Generals office so long to respond.

We would like to know if the FBI was asked to investigate as the Attorney General suggested and what the FBI's response is.

I would like to know why it took two weeks for Mayor Moncrief to hold a public forum were the Rainbow Lounge incident could be discussed and why Mayor Moncrief was surprised when the LGBT community would not wait until the wee hours to discuss police brutality.

Yes Mayor Moncrief you may have to throw QueerLiberaction members out of council meetings again if you beat us, falsely arrest us, trample on our civil rights ND THEN ATTEMPT TO IGNORE US.
Gay Activists Kicked out of Council Hearing on Rainbow Lounge Raid.

Mayor Moncrief must be held accountable for the actions of men and woman who are empowered by the city to up hold the law.
Fort Worth TABC Supervisor steps down in wake of Rainbow Lounge Raid

The police chiefs apology IS weak. The officers who decided to wear unauthorized uniforms and beat up American citizens must be fired and arrested for breaching criminal and civilian law.

Rainbow Lounge Raid Rally at Tarrant County Courthouse


Top Blog Sites 'Police Brutality'

Dwight R. DeLee receives max of 25 years for shooting death of Lateisha Green

TLDEF Statement on Sentencing in Lateisha Green Trial

"NEW YORK, NY - The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today welcomed Judge William Walsh's sentencing of convicted killer Dwight R. DeLee to the maximum term of 25 years in prison in connection with the shooting death of Lateisha Green. Green, a 22-year-old African American transgender woman was shot and killed by DeLee on Nov. 14, 2008 in Syracuse, NY. On July 17, a 12-member jury found 20-year-old DeLee guilty of manslaughter in the first degree as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon. DeLee's conviction for committing a hate crime is the first involving the death of a transgender person in New York State. It is only the second such conviction in United States history. In addition to the sentence for manslaughter, DeLee was sentenced to a concurrent term of 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison on the weapon possession conviction."

"Today, a measure of justice has been delivered for Lateisha Green and her family with the imposition of the maximum sentence for this crime," said TLDEF Executive Director and attorney Michael Silverman. "While nothing can make up for the loss Lateisha's family has suffered, this sentence helps to bring some closure to Lateisha's family. The sentence sends a clear message that violence targeted at transgender people will be heavily penalized."

"Silverman has been working with the family since Lateisha's death in November. He was on the ground in Syracuse throughout the trial working closely with Lateisha's family. TLDEF collaborated with its sister organizations, including the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Empire State Pride Agenda and the Rainbow Alliance of Central New York."

"Transgender Americans continue to face a serious risk of violence and discrimination. African American transgender women are at particularly high risk," added Silverman. "Neither New York State law nor federal law includes gender identity or expression as hate crime categories and that sends a dangerous message that it is acceptable to leave part of our community vulnerable to hateful acts of violence simply because of who they are. We call upon our state and federal lawmakers to ensure adoption of transgender-inclusive legislation that will protect everyone regardless of their gender identity and gender expression."

Following the sentencing, Lateisha Green's family released this statement:

"Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that violence motivated by anti-transgender bias is unacceptable and wrong. It affects everyone in a community and it has left many hurt and distraught. We can only hope that Teish’s story will prevent any more loss of life simply because someone is different."

"It has been a little over nine months since Teish was taken away from us. On November 14, 2008, Dwight DeLee aimed a rifle and shot Teish. All it took was one bullet to pierce her heart. That one bullet ended Teish’s life and all of the possibilities that could have been a part of her future."

"That one bullet took away our brave and beloved family member and friend. But it also pierced our hearts and left us all feeling fearful, sad and angry. All of our hopes and dreams that we had for Teish were taken away from us simply because Teish was transgender. One bullet shattered all of our lives."

"Every possibility for Teish slipped away when Dwight DeLee shot and killed her. But today’s sentencing by the judge has left us to believe that new possibilities have replaced old ones. A possibility to begin a conversation for reconciliation and understanding in Syracuse. A possibility to pass state and federal laws that would protect everyone from this kind of violence. A possibility to share Teish’s story so that nobody will ever have to know the feeling of losing a child because of that child's gender identity."

"We want to thank everyone who supported our family during this difficult process and helped us to share Teish’s story. No legal proceeding can provide full closure for us. But we know that closure will come into our hearts as we continue to share this story with the world. We can only hope that more conversations about Teish and her life will prevent another bullet from taking another life. Though Teish left us 9 months ago, she has given us all the possibility to work towards a better tomorrow.
Thank you."

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund

Transgender & Flying? Gender Matching ID Now Required for Domestic Flights

Gender and Date of Birth Now Required Information for domestic flights

Washington, DC, August 17, 2009-The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rolled out a new phase of their Secure Flight program over the weekend. Passengers will now be required to provide their birth date and gender when they book an airline ticket as part of a move to help distinguish passengers from those on the government's "watch list" (often called the "no-fly" list).

NCTE has issued a new FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the Secure Flight program and its impact on transgender people. The resource includes information about how to navigate the new process, particularly if you have identification that does not match your gender presentation. NCTE firmly supports the right of transgender people to maintain our privacy and to travel freely.

NCTE has been engaged in ongoing work with TSA and administration officials about the Secure Flight program. There appears to be no chance of having the requirement of listing gender lifted; however, we will continue to work on how the policy is implemented in order to minimize the negative impacts. We are also monitoring the impact on transgender travelers. If you encounter difficulties when you travel, please contact us as 202-903-0112 and let us know. We may be able to provide you with assistance and the information can also help us as we work with TSA to help prevent future problems.

You can read more information in the New York Times about the Secure Flight Program.

***************************************************************

About NCTE The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. By empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization.
http://www.nctequality.org/

LGBT & Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal or Presbyterian? Progressive Inclusive or exclusive dogma.

LGBT people are in a struggle that is part of the continuum. As long as one person is different from another there will be those in power who's fulfillment will come from excluding others.

Source New Jersey On-Line

* The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (4.7 million members), whose weeklong meeting in Minneapolis begins today will vote on whether non-celibate gay people can be ordained as Lutheran clergy, and on a statement saying same-gendered relationships have a place in the church.

* In July, the United Methodist News Service announced that the United Methodist Church (11 million members, 8 million of whom are Americans) is on track, based on early voting results, to reject an amendment that would let any professed Christian become a church member. Conservative opponents viewed the proposed change as implicit acceptance of homosexuality.

* Last month, the Episcopal Church USA (2.1 million members) rescinded a moratorium on electing gay bishops, a moratorium imposed under Anglican pressure three years after Robinson's election. It also said clergy can bless same-sex unions.

* In June, the Presbyterian Church USA (2.3 million members) announced the rejection of an amendment that would have let non-celibate gay people become clergy.

.John 6:58
The bread that comes down from heaven isn't like what your ancestors ate. They died, but whoever eats this bread will live forever.
John 6:57-59 (in Context) John 6 (Whole Chapter)

Thanks to walking with Intergrity for posting this.

walking with integrity.blogspot

Sentencing Tomorrow in Lateisha Green Trial

Source: Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund

On July 17, Dwight R. DeLee was convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of 22-year-old Lateisha Green in Syracuse, New York. Tomorrow, DeLee will be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison for his role in the killing. TLDEF staff members are currently en route to Syracuse. We'll once again be blogging and posting Twitter and Facebook updates about developments on the ground at the sentencing.

The image you see in this message is from Essence magazine's recent coverage of Lateisha's story. When we first began working with Lateisha's family after her death last year, they asked us to help ensure that her death would not be in vain, and that people would learn something from their tragic loss. We're very proud - and Lateisha's family is very proud - that Essence has chosen to feature Lateisha's story. Essence occupies a special place in the hearts of millions of Black women. Since it was launched in 1970, Essence has become a cultural institution in the African-American community. By speaking out about Lateisha's story, Lateisha's family is connecting with audiences that might otherwise never have heard about her life or death as a transgender woman. From the Associated Press to the Los Angeles Times, and now to Essence, Lateisha's story is touching the hearts and minds of millions of people who probably knew very little about the continuing violence that affects the daily lives of transgender, lesbian, gay and bisexual people. We're grateful to Lateisha's family for speaking out, and we're grateful to our friends at GLAAD, whose expertise helped to keep this story alive for millions of people.

If you're not familiar with Lateisha's story, you can learn about it by reading the following articles and blog postings on our web site. They're chock full of information, photos and videos, and we think they're well worth your time:

The Lateisha Green Murder: Violence Against Transgender People Resource Kit (4 pages);
The Lateisha Green Murder Trial: Sunday Blog Post;
The Lateisha Green Murder Trial: Monday Blog Post;
The Lateisha Green Murder Trial: Tuesday Blog Post;
The Lateisha Green Murder Trial: Wednesday Blog Post;
The Lateisha Green Murder Trial: Thursday Blog Post;
The Lateisha Green Murder Trial: Final Trial Blog Post;
and
TLDEF Statement On Verdict In Lateisha Green Trial.

Show Your SupportPlease continue to send personal notes of encouragement to Lateisha’s family during this difficult time. You can email correspondence by clicking here. We can't guarantee the family will be able to reply to your emails, but we know that they'll read them and that they appreciate everyone's support. Please write!

Stay InformedFor final updates from the sentencing, stay tuned to all of the following sources:our website;TLDEF on Twitter;the “Justice for Teish” Facebook page; andGLAAD on Twitter.

As a final note, thank you for your support of the work we've been doing on this case. Your notes of encouragement motivate us to pursue our work for equal rights. We always welcome your input, and encourage you to continue to contact us. Thank you.

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression, and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing and public policy efforts.

Slaughter of IRAQ Gay and Transgender Unchallenged Human Rights Watch

August 17, 2009 the Human Rights Watch (HRW) published "They Want Us Exterminated" Murder, Torture, Sexual Orientation and Gender in Iraq

AP Press Human Rights Watch: Iraqi gays tortured and killed

"BAGHDAD (AP) -- Militiamen are torturing and killing gay Iraqi men with impunity in a systematic campaign that has spread from Baghdad to several other cities, a prominent human rights group said in a report."

"Murders are committed with impunity, admonitory in intent, with corpses dumped in garbage or hung as warnings on the street," the 67-page report said.

"Reliable numbers weren't available, Human Rights Watch said, blaming a combination of the failure of authorities to investigate such crimes and the stigma preventing families from reporting the deaths. But it cited a well-informed U.N. official as saying in April that the death toll was probably "in the hundreds."

Russian Punk Rock Band PTVP Rage's Alone Against The Machine

In modern day Russia all dissent has been quashed. Human Rights activists shot dead with a single small caliber round quietly dropping them within a mile of Red Square.



All except PTVP (the Last Tanks in Paris) of Saint Petersburg who's lyrics shout for the freedoms once tasted and so cruelly stolen by Putin.

On the web

Russian punk rockers rage against the Putin machine

Twitter RT @queah1 "Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose. Superstition and dogmatism cannot confine it." ~John Adams

Rev. Manish Mishra speaks about the Gender Inclusive Enda at the HRC Clergy Call 2009

Rev. Manish Mishra has traveled extensively throughout the world, living in India, Oman, Finland, and for brief periods in Switzerland. This international exposure gave him the opportunity to live in countries where Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity have helped define the cultures. He brings this multi-religious appreciation to his ministry, and draws on a variety of faith traditions and narratives in his preaching and worship.

I stand before you as a Unitarian Universalist minister in the Tampa Bay region of Florida who has witnessed firsthand, and been deeply troubled by, a question that cuts to the very core of who we are as Americans, and that question is this: do we have the right to fire people from the workplace for factors other than merit? Can we fire people just because we feel like it?

The answer should seem obvious — we are a country that values hard work, and believes in rewarding hard work. People who are doing a good job should be able to keep their job. And, yet, this commonly held understanding is not our reality. We need look no further than to former Largo, Florida City Manager Susan Stanton for proof of this fact.

In February of 2007, Stanton was identified by The Saint Petersburg Times as being in the midst of a gender reassignment process. Stanton had served Largo faithfully and well for over 14 years, with strong job evaluations, and in fact earning a pay increase in the preceding year. Upon this story breaking, Largo City Commissioners called for an emergency hearing, and subsequently voted to fire Stanton, explaining that ‘the public had lost confidence’ in her.

What had we, the public, lost confidence in…? Was it Stanton…? Or was it our own ability to work side-by-side with individuals who are vastly different from us? Was it our commitment to judge people on the merit and quality of their work, and not the basis of identity? Yes, Largo faced a crisis of confidence, not in Stanton, but in the American dream.

I am not transgender, and I don’t consider myself to be an activist on transgender issues: I am an activist when it comes to human dignity. We are all activists when it comes to human dignity because we all know how we would want to be treated ourselves — with compassion and respect, with openness and understanding, with the ability to work hard and be rewarded for it.

Employment discrimination is alive and well, but we mustn’t tolerate it, we musn’t be complicit with it. Rather, we must live boldly, giving witness to our most deeply held values. Now is such a time. I call on our Congress to take action in supporting the dignity of every working American.

HRC Clergy Call 2009

Mormon's victims from supporting Prop 8 ?

By Kelli Busey
Is the Latter Day Saints (LDS) or (Mormons) experiencing a backlash from its misogynistic hypocritical support of Prop 8 or are they the victims of the times?

>snip<

Source AP Gay marriage fight, `kiss-ins' smack Mormon image

"Church representatives don't discuss public relations strategies or challenges publicly, but at a semiannual conference in April, church President Thomas S. Monson seemed to be clearly feeling a post-Prop. 8 sting."

"In an era of "shifting moral footings," Monson said, "those who attempt to safeguard those footings are often ridiculed, picketed and persecuted."

>snip<

Like many religions the LDS claim to love the sinner and hate the sin. This is more than don't ask don't tell from a church will allow us membership as long as we do not engage in any same sex relationship. The LDS has proven it believes 'the end justifies the means". The LDS will then misinform, misdirect and attempt to obscure the truths about its participtation in efforts that are clearly in violation of the obtruse laws that so poorly define the church and state.

But unlike many other religions the LDS does not have a clean cut mainstream image that is supported by a worldwide following. The LDS has a history of supporting of child farm camps, tax evasion, polygamy and marriages between fully grown men and minor females.

So now the LDS is feeling the lash-back from pouring millions of dollars into a law that strips the most basic of human dignities, civil marriage from LGBT people. The LDS is experencing the results of a religion that forced it's religious views on the general public. The LDS is feeling the anger not just LGBT people but former members who once would have defended the LDS with unquestioned loyality.

This should be a learning experience for all religions that cross the line of civil rights to impose their religious beliefs. People universally will rebel against oppression. People will leave diocese's en mass. No religion is impervious to this truth.

After all, we are all just human.

Transgender Woman Raped and Beaten In Trinidad Colorado

By Kelli Busey
planetransgender

Long regarded as a haven for people consulting and recovering from sexual reassignment survey (SRS) the Trinidad Motor INN was the scene of a brutal rape and attempted homicide according to the Pueblo Chieftain.

According to the victim a man who's advances were turned down in the hotel lobby forced his way into the victims motel room later that evening. The perpetrator allegedly then forced the victim to perform sexual acts all the while yelling hate slurs at her. Afterwards the perpetrator used a wooden coat hanger to sodomize the victim and attempted to murder her first by drowning and failing that, electrocution.

The police have been questioning a person of interest who matched the victims description and are waiting on the crime lab to return the results.

Marci Bowers a surgeon who performs Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) in Trinidad Colorado web site had this posted. "Tuesday, August 04, 2009 - A Note from Dr. Bowers Office and Staff
Some of you may have heard about the alleged rape and assault of a transgender individual in Trinidad in July."

"It's all pretty horrific no matter which way it reads, but it's a complicated situation. This woman was not in town for surgery or to accompany someone else - she came to town with no money, no plan, fairly desperate for surgery - the local homeless services put her up in a hotel and Dr. Bowers scheduled a consult because she came all that way. The fact that the alleged perpetrator has not been arrested at this point indicates that the police are not exactly sure what happened."

"Robin just wants to pass along that, even though she and Janet at the office are pretty upset and shook up about this, that it's not a simple "random act of violence" - that there may have been some history here (the alleged perpetrator may have connected with the victim in Denver). Bottom line - it's been pretty difficult to sort out what actually happened."

"So if you are headed out to Trinidad - please do take standard safety and travel precautions. But do know that this is not something that has happened in town in recent memory, nor is it something likely to recur."

Also on the web

examiner.com Transexual Woman Brutally Attacked In Colorado

Anyone who has experienced hate violence can report it to the Colorado Anti-Violence Program at 888-557-4441.

Texas Driver License Gender Marker Change

Transitioning visibly in Texas.

Going 'full time' and competing a year long 'real life experience' as required by some surgeons before surgically correcting your genitalia to properly reflect your gender (SRS) is nearly impossible without your driver licence first being corrected to indicate your proper gender.

The proper gender marker allowed me the peace of mind to use the correct restroom which despite my anxiety and preconceptions turned out to be a true blessing.

I changed my name and gender marker in 2007. I did this in Fort Worth which is in Tarrant County. I needed to be a resident of Tarrant county and have a letter from my therapist and a supporting letter from my endocrinologist stating I was on HRT.

I retained a lawyer for my change. I have since successfully walked another MTF threw this painless process.

I have friends in Austin and Houston who have had similar experiences. I have friends who reside outside those counties who have been allowed the name change but denied the gender marker change.

It is imperative to do it right the first time. I have heard people say that second attempts to change there gender marker after a name change meant meeting additional requirements.

What a person was born with between their legs is a sexual organ. You were born with a gender identity that can not be surgically operated on and needs to be the focus during your driver license gender marker change.

If you would like help or if you have questions please feel free to email me and I will try to give you helpful advice and contact names.

Good luck,
Kelli Anne Busey
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies (DTAA)
kelli@yahoo.com

LGBT LiberAction's QUEER LOVE FEST 2009

DALLAS KISS IN!

ON SATURDAY AUGUST 15th AT I PM THE DALLAS LGBT COMMUNITY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL KISS IN. THE KISS IN WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE WEST END AT LAMAR AND ELM IN THE ROSA PARKS PLAZA.

Set for 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 15 our Queer love fest is to include women kissing women, men kissing men, free queer hugs, signs, placards and even a Queer kissing booth!

If you haven’t met that special someone yet, maybe lady luck will smile upon you when you win one of our fabulous prizes while playing our Queer kiss-in games, and of course meeting the love of your life too! There will be something for everyone whether it’s sporting the wonderful Queer kissing booth, smoochin’ yo honey or handing out flyers and Queer chocolate kisses to passers by.

So often our voices are silenced because of our sexuality. We are bullied and beaten into the closet. By holding a queer kiss-in we are asserting our right in a very celebratory and fun way to unabashedly love someone of the same gender.

So come OUT, and Share some LOVE!

For more info please visit: www.queerliberaction.org
Queer LiberAction lgbtliberaction@gmail.com

Boss Demanded Pictures of Genitalia Employee Refused and Fired!

This almost to bizarre to be true.

Unfortunately for transgender people this is the profanity of reality.

A transgender woman was fired after refusing to show pictures to prove she had sexual reassignment surgery {SRS) to her employer.

Lets brake this down to digestible bites.

You go to work a Xtra Mart Monday morning and John the station owner tells you to give him pictures of your Virgina or Penis or whatever is between your legs.

"OK" you respond "No problem" and go into the bathroom and snap some pictures on your Cell phone.

I Don't think so. Not just hell no but Huck No.

Full story at the PGN-The Philadelphia Gay News. Phila gay news.http://bit.ly/rYDkA

Center For Artistic Revolution~Arkansas Contact Our Legislators

A message from the Center for Artistic Revolution.

Arkansas is a key state in the fight for ENDA!

There are three votes in play here. Please call them today to ask for their support.

Senator Mark Pryor, a Democrat, though fairly conservative on many issues, voted for the hate crimes bill. Please call him at 501-324-6336 to support S 1584.

Senator Blanche Lincoln, also a Democrat, has cosponsored a previous bill with sexual orientation and gender identity, and voted for the hate crimes bill. Please call her at 501-375-2993 to support S 1584.

Representative Vic Snyder, also a Democrat, voted yes on the hate crimes bill and on ENDA in 2007. According to Wikipedia, while in the Arkansas legislature, Snyder stepped into one of his earliest legislative controversies when he attempted to repeal the state's aged "Sodomy Laws". Ultimately, however, his efforts failed, and the sodomy laws stayed in effect until the state Supreme Court struck it down in Jegley v. Picado in March 2001. Please call him at 501-324-5941 to support HR 3017.The other three Arkansas Representatives, Marion Berry, John Boozman, and Mike Ross, all voted against ENDA in 2007.

Representative Marion Berry (D - 01) 202-225-4076 Representative John Boozman (R - 03) 202-225-4301 Representative Mike Ross (D - 04) 202-225-3772

Thanks to The Bilericio Project

ENDA For The Record : Key Senate Supporters and LGBT Statements

Kelli Anne Busey
August 13, 2009

Transgender people have come to dread/rejoice the nearly annual introduction of gender inclusive ENDA bills.

Like Charlie Brown we have ENDA'ed up on our backs the past decade after Lucy steals the Football. Immobile we were then compelled to endure the attempted revisionism and assimilation efforts by the same organizations and politicians who had made grandiose statements of support only to stand by and quietly as we lay bleeding on the sidewalk of life.

Graphic but true. So here are some statements of the key people involved in introducing and supporting S. 1584 in 2009.

Just for the record.

Senator Kennedy;

"The promise of America will never be fulfilled as long as justice is denied to even one among us. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act brings us closer to fulfilling that promise for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens. I'm proud to join Senators Merkley, Collins and Snowe in introducing this important legislation," said Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

HRC;
"We are thrilled the Senate has introduced, for the first time, an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that will protect the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We applaud the leadership of Senators Merkley, Collins, Kennedy and Snowe and look forward to working with them to pass these critical protections," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

LCCR;
"The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights strongly supports ENDA. We believe that civil rights should be measured by a single yardstick, which means that workers should be hired or fired based on performance and qualifications, not on immutable characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For too many Americans, this principle has little meaning, and this long overdue legislation will finally close a major gap in our nation's civil rights laws," said Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR).

NCTE;
"We are so pleased that Senators Merkley, Collins, Kennedy and Snowe continue to take a lead role in advancing the rights of LGBT people. This bill will ensure that protections against workplace discrimination are extended to all Americans including the transgender community. There is no reason why people should lose their livelihood because of who they are. This bill is a major step toward fairness," said Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

NGLTF;
"ENDA reflects the core US values of fairness and ensuring everyone is allowed to participate on a level playing field in the workplace. People recognize that our nation as a whole benefits when everyone is allowed to contribute their talents and skills, free from discrimination, which is all ENDA seeks to do," said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund.

Task Force ~ We never backed down from our Transgender Inclusive ENDA commitments [unlike some others who have]

The ENDA heat has been turned up!

The Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund's latest fund raising effort is being led by 'L' Word's Daniela Sea who played Moira Sweeney a woman who transitioned into Max Sweeney, a transgender man, who had this to say.......

>Snip<

..."And the Task Force is one of the few organizations that will always fight for the “T” in LGBT. They won’t back down. They won’t compromise to get a bill passed that doesn’t include protections for trans folks."

>Snip<

You won't get a argument from me on that count.

Please support the Task Force as they do the indispensable grass roots ground up hard work that will get ENDA passed!

The Task Force Action Fund

Text of S. 1584: Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009

This version: Introduced in Senate. This is the original text of the bill as it was written by its sponsor and submitted to the Senate for consideration. This is the latest version of the bill available as of Aug 13, 2009 on the GovTrack.US website.

S 1584 IS

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1584

To prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 5, 2009

Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. BROWN, Mr. BURRIS, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. CASEY, Mr. DODD, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. FRANKEN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. KERRY, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. KOHL, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. REED, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. SCHUMER, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. WYDEN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL

To prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009’.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act are--

(1) to address the history and widespread pattern of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by private sector employers and local, State, and Federal government employers;

(2) to provide a comprehensive Federal prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, including meaningful and effective remedies for any such discrimination; and

(3) to invoke congressional powers, including the powers to enforce the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, and to regulate interstate commerce and provide for the general welfare pursuant to section 8 of article I of the Constitution, in order to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

We love Lucie: The Life of a transgender woman in Arkansas

A huge transgender hug go's out to the Arkansas Times of Little Rock for it's heartfelt and sensitive story about being transgender in the bible belt."They loved Lucie"

Pictured right Lucille Marie Hamilton
September 30, 1988 - July 12, 2009

Also hugged is the organization CAR Center for Artistic Revolution. CAR is a 501(c)(3)-sponsored statewide organization that strives for Fairness and Equality for ALL Arkansans. CAR works from the analysis that all oppression is interconnected and seeks to dismantle oppression and build community through education, organizing, advocacy, and cultural work.

Today Facebook's Inclusive ENDA sent me its daily Legislator of the day and it was Arkansas!

These three legislators have a history of voting yes on LGBT affirmative issues. Please call them and express your support of ENDA.

Senator Mark Pryor, a Democrat, though fairly conservative on many issues, voted for the hate crimes bill. Please call him at 501-324-6336 to support S 1584.

Senator Blanche Lincoln, also a Democrat, has cosponsored a previous bill with sexual orientation and gender identity, and voted for the hate crimes bill. Please call her at 501-375-2993 to support S 1584.

Representative Vic Snyder, also a Democrat, voted yes on the hate crimes bill and on ENDA in 2007. According to Wikipedia, while in the Arkansas legislature, Snyder stepped into one of his earliest legislative controversies when he attempted to repeal the state's aged "Sodomy Laws". Ultimately, however, his efforts failed, and the sodomy laws stayed in effect until the state Supreme Court struck it down in Jegley v. Picado in March 2001. Please call him at 501-324-5941 to support HR 3017.

The other three Arkansas Representatives, Marion Berry, John Boozman, and Mike Ross, all voted against ENDA in 2007.

Representative Marion Berry (D - 01) 202-225-4076 Representative John Boozman (R - 03) 202-225-4301 Representative Mike Ross (D - 04) 202-225-3772


Facebook Legislator of the day

Source The Bilerico Project

Women in Congo - Weapons of War

"As seen on 60 Minutes: Women for Women International reports from DR Congo in concert with Anderson Cooper's piece for 60 Minutes, "War Against Women" featuring Women for Women International's program in the DR Congo. Also, please watch "The Greatest Silence" trailer and the film which features our Congo program as well. www.womenforwomen.org"

Gender Advocacy in its purest form. Woman helping Woman to raise themselves above the hell of war. To empower woman. To build lives that make there children proud and strong.

Jimmy Lee Deans Attacker, Bobby Singleton's trial starts August 24

Stand in Solidaidy with our brothers and sisters.

Monday, August 24, 2009
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Frank Crowley Courts Building
Street: 133 N. Industrial Blvd
City/Town: Dallas, TX
Facebook "Justice For Jimmy

The trial for Bobby Singleton, one of two men who brutally beat and robbed Jimmy Dean in the early morning hours of July 17th, 2008 is set to begin Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 10am.
Jimmy was attacked by two men near his home on Throckmorton Street in Dallas' "Gayborhood." He was beaten in the head with the butt of a gun and repeatedly punched and kicked in the head and face, crushing his jaw and cheekbone. According to witnesses, the two assailants, Jonathan Gunter and Bobby Singleton yelled homophobic and anti gay slurs as they carried out the attack. The suspects told police that they specifically targeted a gay man, because they "believed he would be easier to rob."
Equality March Texas is asking the LGBTQA Community of Dallas to stand with Jimmy by attending the proceedings against Bobby Singleton. We must show Texas that we stand united against hate crimes, but more importantly we must show Jimmy that his community stands united behind him!

UPDATE!
HEY GUYS! This will probably be a 3-4 day trial and we really want people there for Jimmy's testimony, the closing remarks, verdict, and sentencing portions of the trial. Once we get a tentative schedule, we will pass the information on to you guys! Just keep some time cleared on your calendar for the week of the 24th! Any time you can spare, to show support, would be greatly appreciated by Jimmy. I'm sure he's pretty scared to face the man who crushed his face, so seeing supportive peeps from the LGBTQA community will be helpful. GRACIAS!

Illinois Family Institute: all Christians are morally obligated to "fight homosexuals"

By Kelli Anne Busey
August 11, 2009

The 'Illinois Family Institute' is engaging in a revisionist campaign to shame all Christians into opposing GLBT people for Christians past failures and specifically the Church's purported silence and complicity with Nazi's during the holocaust.

Source: 'Opposing Views' By Laurie Higgins, IFI DSA | Illinois Family Institute"Church Should Fight Homosexuality Like It Did Nazism"

**********

The Illinois Family Institute is erroneously equating the past failure of all Christians to vigorously support women's and people of color's civil rights and for turning a blind eye to the holocaust to the Churches favorable response to the present day progress of the Christian GLBT equality movement.

You can make a difference!

Source: Change.org

"The Crowne Plaza O'Hare is scheduled to host a Fall 2009 conference by the Illinois Family Institute, a radical conservative group that has compared homosexuality to nazism and slavery, and urges Christian Churches to combat LGBT people as if they were nazis. Urge the Crowne Plaza O'Hare to refuse to host this conference. Part of the Crowne Plaza's anti-discrimination policy includes a pledge not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Letting a group hold a conference in your facilities that actively compares homosexuality to nazism is completely contrary to that pledge."

Source: InterContinetal Hotels Group

Corporate responsibility / Our people / Our responsibilities "We recruit and promote individuals based solely on their suitability for the job without discriminating on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status or disability unrelated to the role. In some countries these principles may be modified by national legal requirements on affirmative action."

There is a petition available for you to ask that InterContinental Groups Franchisee Crowne Hotel social impact reflects it's corporate responsibility.

Voice your opposition to the Illinois Family Institutes's conference at the Crowne Plaza O'Hara fall 2009.

Petition Text;

>snip<

"On October 6, the Crowne Plaza O'Hare is scheduled to host a conference by the Illinois Family Institute, a conservative, anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) organization that has recently compared homosexuality to nazism, and has urged people to fight against LGBT people as if they were nazis or slaveholders themselves. This type of politics is not something that should be supported by the Crowne Plaza O'Hare."

"While I respect the right of political organizations to stake out positions on certain social issues, I feel that the Illinois Family Institute has gone too far by comparing homosexuality to nazism, and threatens to damage the reputation of the Crowne Plaza O'Hare. In past instances, the Illinois Family Institute has also attacked LGBT parents, LGBT churchgoers, and has supported efforts to "convert" LGBT people using tactics that have been roundly denounced by mainstream psychological and public health organizations."

"Please reconsider your decision to allow the Illinois Family Institute to host its October conference at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare. Hosting conferences from organizations that stake out political positions on issues is one thing; but hosting conferences from organizations that compare homosexuality to nazism and urges people to fight back against LGBT people is dangerous, and in the worst interests of your LGBT staff and your LGBT customers."

End of text

>snip<

Click here to for the petition site

Faith leaders applaud APA resolution

MEDIA CONTACT:


Pedro Julio Serrano
Communications Coordinator
(Office) 646.358.1479
(Cell) 787.602.5954
pserrano@theTaskForce.org


Faith leaders applaud APA resolution


WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 — The National Religious Leadership Roundtable, convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, responded to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) resolution, adopted at the organization’s annual convention, that states that mental health professionals should avoid telling clients that they can change sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments.


Statement by the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel
National Religious Leadership Roundtable


“The American Psychological Association has clearly articulated that ‘reparative therapies’ don’t work, in fact they can be very harmful. This resolution is welcomed news for all who support the full humanity, morality and worth of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, especially those of us who do so because of our religious understandings.

“At the Task Force, we have worked with more than 3,400 congregations to create environments that are supportive and affirming of LGBT people. In addition to these, there are many, many supporters of LGBT people within many religious traditions, even those whose official policy is anti-LGBT. This is important because, while it may be the most psychologically healthy move for some to leave their religious denomination of birth, for others, faith, family, ethnicity, race and culture are inextricably linked and leaving is not an option. For these folks, finding those allies and supporters within their tradition is critical to spiritual and mental health.

“Additionally, the report makes some important statements about the relationship between science and religion. Being deeply religious does not necessarily mean being anti-LGBT. In fact, this report shows that religious practice and belief can and does translate into support for LGBT people. The truth is that religion and science do not have to be opposed to one another. In fact, science can be an enormously important tool for understanding the grandeur and wonder of God’s creation. In this case, science helps us understand more fully the gift of sexuality — one of God’s greatest gifts.”

Read the release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force