Take Action for Equality

In 1996, Bob Barr wrote the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). When the bill became law, the federal government and all federal agencies were prohibited from extending any federal marriage-based benefits, privileges and rights to same-sex couples.

Thirteen years later, Bob Barr came to admit that he made a mistake with DOMA.

Ask President Obama and Congress to overturn DOMA. »

Right now, same-sex couples are denied tax, pension, visitation, inheritance and legal standing rights granted to opposite-sex couples. Overturning DOMA would end these discriminatory practices and mitigate the damage caused by anti-gay ballot measures.

If the author of DOMA says he made a mistake, shouldn't Congress at least take a second look and consider repealing DOMA? Please act today to bring hope to LGBT couples and ask for DOMA's repeal. »

Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnDo/zJdj/YwmS

FIGHT HATE: Tell Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Act

From Human Rights Campaign

A law protecting all of our citizens against senseless hate violence is long overdue. Two years ago, radical right-wing groups and George W. Bush's veto threat blocked the Matthew Shepard Act, which would outlaw hate crimes based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. But now the bill is back.

Tell Congress we need the Matthew Shepard Act to help ensure safety and security for ALL people.



TAKE ACTION NOW!

Help Secure Marriage Equality in the Northeast!

 Please email and/ or phone legislators in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island TODAY! Urge them to vote YES for marriage equality. Separate email addresses with commas in order to send a message out to multiple legislators.

Maine House

http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/e_mail.htm

Maine Senate

http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/email/maillst.htm

http://www4.egov.nh.gov/governor/goveforms/comments.asp



New Hampshire House

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/housemembersemail.aspx

New Hampshire Senate

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/senatemembers.asp



New York Senate

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/Senatorbio.nsf/Public_MemberEmail?openform

New York Assembly

http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=email



Rhode Island Senate

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/SenEmailListDistrict.asp

Rhode Island House

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/RepEmailListDistrict.asp 

Protect Marriage Equality - Answer the Lies

From Equality for All - Facebook Group:

The National Organization for Marriage, an anti-LGBT rights group opposed to marriage equality, has launched a nationwide campaign featuring misleading and false claims related to the religious implications of same-sex marriage legislation. The group has created anti-marriage equality radio ads and hopes to raise money to begin airing television ads. Described as the “Religious Liberty Ad Campaign,” the ads falsely and outlandishly warns that “religious groups may be denied the use of parks and other public facilities, unless they endorse gay marriage.”

One of the advertisements features an individual who says, “I’m a California doctor who must choose between my faith and my job.” Here is the misleading and irresponsible ad:



This same group is currently targeting key members of the Iowa House of Representatives – activating its members nationwide – encouraging them to introduce legislation to put a constitutional amendment banning marriage by same-sex couples on the ballot to be voted on by Iowans.

We are asking you to contact these same individuals and counter these messages. As health professionals, you can counter the distorted facts and misinformation with evidence firmly rooted in science.

You can include the following message:

I am writing to urge you to oppose HJR 6, also know as the Iowa Marriage Amendment.

This measure seeks to place a constitutional amendment that would seek to restrict marriage rights for same-sex couples. I believe in public policy driven by science, not ideology. As a health professional, I can tell you that the science is unambiguous in this regard -- denial of marriage rights to gay men and lesbians can negatively impact their health as well as the well-being of their children.

I encourage you to review the scientific research on this matter. You can go to www.glma.org/marriageequality to download a report, Same-Sex Marriage and Health, which includes detailed citations to published research on the issue.

Sincerely,

Please send this information to the following members of the Iowa House of Representatives:

Quirk, Brian (D) - Assistant Minority Leader

Bukta, Polly (D) - Speaker Pro Tempore of the House

Murphy, Patrick (D) - Speaker of the House

Abdul-Samad, Ako (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

McCarthy, Kevin (D) - House Majority Leader

Mascher, Mary (D) - Minority Whip

Gayman, Elesha (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Whitaker, John (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Reasoner, Michael (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Misleading NYT ad on Prop 8 - fight back!

from the Human Rights Campaign

I opened The New York Times last Friday to find a full-page ad that is the ultimate demonstration of what our community is going to face moving forward.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty purchased the ad to blame supporters of equality for "violence and intimidation" directed towards the Mormon Church and its members in the aftermath of Prop. 8's passage. We all know these claims are, at the very least, exaggerations, and at worst, outright falsehoods.

We're going to see this as we work toward marriage equality and fight to enact federal hate crimes legislation: the other side can only win by telling lies about us.

It's time for us to stand up for the truth. Join members of the HRC Religion Council in forcefully responding to this despicable ad.

HRC has gathered the voices of clergy members from all faiths to respond to the false suggestion that there is an organized attempt to foment mob intimidation and violence toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in response to their support for Prop. 8.

When did the LDS Church become the victim?

This is the same church that conducted a national broadcast to every temple, calling on members to organize and write checks to the Prop. 8 campaign. The same church whose members donated more than half of the $40 million behind Prop. 8, even though California Mormons represent just 2 percent of the state's population. The same church that continues to spend exorbitant sums to mislead the public and attempt to transform its image. Yes, it's the same church.

Anti-LGBT groups have spread mistruths to defeat us and it's what they are going to keep doing. And I think we've all had enough of it.

Send your message to The New York Times – we'll also forward a copy to the Becket Fund to make sure they know we're fighting back against their lies.

We need look no further than the key victories we achieved during the elections to know that when we band together, we can win.

Light Up the Night for Equality - Dec. 20

On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a nation-wide demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector.

Peaceful candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again - for EVERYONE.

Find out what’s happening in your city.

WE NEED ORGANIZERS!

Interested in putting together a Light Up the Night event or Food Drive in your town?

Add your contact info to our form and add info about the event to your city’s page.

Do Something to Fight AIDS!

Today is World AIDS Day!

Today, the 1st of December is commemorated as World AIDS Day, a day when individuals and organizations from across the globe come together to call attention to the global AIDS epidemic. This year marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. While progress has been made in the past 20 years, there remains much more to be done.

Youth at the 2008 AIDS Conference in Mexico City
This year’s World AIDS Day theme is ‘Lead-Empower-Deliver.’ IPPF Member Associations from across Latin America and the Caribbean are doing just that on this important day. In particular, they’ve helped galvanize youth to lead, empower, and deliver information and education to their peers. Here are some examples of activities happening around the region today:

In Honduras, which has the highest prevalence of HIV in Central America, youth volunteers will be reaching out to their peers in public fairs in city plazas and parks. Using a mobile kiosk, they will provide information and condom demonstrations, and make referrals to the ASHONPLAFA clinic for HIV and STI tests.


Youth at a soccer match in Peru, promoting the use of condoms
Our Member Association in Peru, INPARRES, will kick off a five-day campaign, promoted in the local newspaper, to offer counseling and rapid HIV tests, especially to young people. The team estimates that they will reach more than 1000 individuals in these five days alone.

In El Salvador, youth volunteers will be stationed at intersections near the Salvadorian Demographic Association’s clinic in San Salvador, distributing prevention and testing information to vehicle drivers stopped at stoplights.

In the Caribbean – which has the world’s second highest-prevalence of HIV after sub-Saharan Africa– our Member Associations also plan to engage in educational and referral activities. Our Member Association in Haiti will conduct an ‘Open House Day,’ where radio messages promote HIV testing services for young people. Last year the Profamil clinic in the town of Jacmel provided more than 75 tests to young people on World AIDS Day alone.

Profamil clinic in Jacmel
Our Jamaican Member Association, FAMPLAN and the Youth Advocacy Movement, Y.A.M. Jamaica will be hosting a Health Fair, targeting the tourism sector. Tourism is a mainstay of the Jamaican economy so working with people who work in the industry is an excellent way to reach young professionals on the island. The Health Fair will be hosted at FAMPLAN's Headquarters on December 6th. Y.A.M. members will go to the communities of St. Ann on that day to give out condoms, brochures and to also promote VCT services.

IPPF/WHR maintains its commitment to HIV not only on World AIDS, but as one of the pillars of all work in sexual and reproductive health. In particular, Member Associations are reaching out to and serving key youth populations. In Trinidad & Tobago for example, the Member Association is working with young sex workers in Port of Spain, training and empowering them to serve as peer educators and improving the accessibility of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services to meet their particular needs. Profamilia, the Colombian Member Association, continues its leadership in the area of youth and HIV, having established the country’s first center for Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) youth, which not only provides tailored sexual and reproductive health services, but also creates a safe community space for sexually diverse young people. The Member Association in Guyana holds self-help and support groups for young people living with HIV, which has had a great impact on its members who experience frequent stigma and discrimination in their own communities.

You have a part to play in ending the epidemic: DO SOMETHING!

READ more information about IPPF/WHR’s work in HIV by reading the publication Youth Sexuality: Confronting HIV/AIDS. The publication highlights various local and regional projects and partnerships as well as the integration of HIV into youth Sexual and Reproductive Health programs. Some highlights of the publication include our work with youth that live and work on the streets in Bolivia, HIV prevention for youth via our mobile health units, MEXFAM's condonerias - a condom store that serves as an erotic and creative space, Jamaica's new Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing promotional activities and Suriname's public condom dispensers. Click this link to download the publication.

GET INVOLVED in World AIDS Day by visiting: http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Get-Involved

KNOW YOUR STATUS. Find out where you can get tested for HIV:

In the USA visit www.hivtest.org

In the USA and Canada visit the AIDS/STD Helplines at www.thebody.com/index/hotlines.html

In the United Kingdom visit http://www.fpa.org.uk/finder/

Anywhere else in the world – contact your health-care provider, who will be able to tell you the nearest place where you can be tested.

LEAD - EMPOWER - DELIVER - GET INVOLVED!

Next Steps: Fighting Prop 8

from Human Rights Campaign

Marriage Equality Fight Continues

The California Supreme Court announced that it would take up the lawsuit to overturn California's discriminatory Prop. 8. While we are awaiting the outcome of that lawsuit, HRC is addressing the root causes of the Election Day loss by making the case for equality with people of all faiths and backgrounds. That work includes:

• Participating in a broad gathering of faith leaders in LA next week to formulate a plan moving forward.


• Encouraging our California members to help organize or and participate in townhall meetings across the state in the coming months. Contact meeting organizers near you »


• Organizing LGBT people of faith to come out in their religious communities. Find out how you can participate »


• Getting our message out to living rooms across America with HRC President Joe Solmonese's appearance on "Dr. Phil" tomorrow. Get details on the show »


• Building on our Election Day successes, which have opened up new doors for marriage equality in key states, especially the Northeast.

Fight for Marriage Equality

The passage of discriminatory initiatives in California, Arizona and Florida has ignited the passion of thousands. You and thousands of others have already pledged to keep your anger and passion alive. Now ask everyone you know to join you in working for justice until equality is the law of the land.

take action »

Day Without a Gay

Gay people and our allies are compassionate, sensitive, caring, mobilized, and programmed for success. A day without gays would be tragic because it would be a day without love.


On December 10, 2008 the gay community will take a historic stance against hatred by donating love to a variety of different causes.


On December 10, you are encouraged not to call in sick to work. You are encouraged to call in "gay"--and donate your time to service!

http://www.daywithoutagay.org/

Revoke Mormon Church's Tax-Exempt Privilege!

From http://lds501c3.wordpress.com/

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the “Mormon” or LDS Church) has gone too far in promoting the 2008 California Proposition 8, which would claims to amend the California state constitution to define marriage as one man and one woman in order to supersede a state supreme court opinion issued earlier this year. [Whether the proposition was a lawful amendment or a revision that cannot legally be made by a voter initiative remains an open question.]

Section 501(c)(3) of US Code Title 26, which governs tax-exempt organizations, reads (emphasis added):

(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

(The “otherwise provided” clause does not apply, as the LDS Church, being a church, is a disqualified entity as described in subsection (h).)

The LDS church, through inciting its members to donate time and means to support Proposition 8 (resulting in millions of dollars of cash contributions from its members and countless volunteer hours), and in-kind campaign contributions to a group that supports Proposition 8, has now made a substantial part of its activities attempting to influence legislation.

You can help! Send the IRS an official complaint about the LDS Church’s activities, either by email, fax or US Mail.

1. Prepare a copy of the Official LDS Prop. 8 Letter read in all LDS churches in California on 29 June 2008.


2. Prepare one or more other articles of your choice (you can use these links, or do your own research) showing the LDS Church’s substantial activities attempting to influence this legislation.


3. Prepare this Pre-Filled IRS Form 13909 and add your personal information, or fill out a Blank IRS Form 13909 from scratch with the information in the pre-filled form (these links and an alternative filled form are copied below in RESOURCES.)


4. Don’t forget to date your referral at the top and include your submitter information. If you are a member of the Church, you may wish to check the box marked “I am concerned that I might face retaliation or retribution if my identity is disclosed.”


5. Send it to the IRS, either by:
   * Email: Prepare your documents as PDF’s or web links, and send your complaint form with supporting documentation toeoclass@irs.gov.
   * Fax: fax your documents to (214) 413-5415
   * Mail: mail your documents to
   IRS EO Classification
   Mail Code 4910DAL
   1100 Commerce Street
   Dallas TX 75242-1198

NO ON CALIFORNIA'S PROP 8!

From No on Prop 8:

If lies don't work, then maybe threats and blackmail will.

Yesterday, donors and supporters of Equality California began receiving threatening letters for their support of the statewide organizations efforts to protect LGBT youth and seniors from the "Yes on 8" campaign leadership.

These letters threatened to "expose" the donors listed on Equality California's website if they don't donate to the "Yes on 8" campaign and refrain from supporting LGBT equality in the future.

That's how low the other side is willing to go.

In any other circumstance I would characterize this despicable strategy as sad -- but we are in the fight of lives here in California.

So, will you stand with us? Will you make a donation to support equality?

Will you show that you won't be intimidated by their threats or lies?

Make a donation today to show the other side that we will not go back to the closet of inequality.

The letter, sent on their campaign letterhead, was signed by four members of the group's executive committee and suggests our donors withdraw their support for their own good. It demands an equivalent donation or else:

"Were you to elect not to donate comparably, it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage. You would leave us no other reasonable assumption. The names of any companies...that choose not to donate...to ProtectMarriage.com...will be published.

...We will contact you shortly to discuss your contribution."

This outrageous attempt to raise money by using threats reveals their true agenda: permanently to harm the LGBT community, our organizations, our allies and our supporters.

Donate now and send a message to the other side -- We reject your effort to intimidate us, and we reject your shameful lies. We will fight to protect our freedom.

Fight for CA Equality, Wherever You Are!

Think of it this way, if bigots succeed in taking away thousands of legal marriages through the Nov. 4 vote, it puts a target on every legally married gay couple in the nation... and ensures that the rest of us will continue to be second-class citizens in America. This is not a California issue -- this directly involves ALL interested in justice for all under civil law.

From Mass Equality, but pay attention and help even if you are from outside of Massachusetts:

In just three weeks, voters in California will make a historic decision -- whether or not to take away gay marriage. And the polls are not looking good: if the vote were held today, we'd lose 47 percent to 42 percent.

I am asking you today to join me in helping our friends in California with your money and with your volunteer time.

Make no mistake: California is ground zero in the struggle for marriage equality. Losing this vote would be a monumental setback.

Why are we losing? Because the anti-gay right has raised $25.4 million - that's 10 million dollars more than our side. They are using this advantage to broadcast lies 24/7 up and down the state of California.

When I saw their newest ad, I was outraged. They point directly at Massachusetts, saying that schools will be forced to teach second-graders that "boys can marry boys." It's the worst kind of fear-mongering...and it works.

With less than a month before the election, our side must get on the air now to respond and swing votes back to our side.

When we were in the heart of our battles here, donors from California contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now it is our turn. Give here, and our friends in California will know that it came from us in Massachusetts. I just stretched and gave more than I thought I ever would. Can you join me and do the same?

We also need your time.You can make a difference in California without leaving Massachusetts or even your own home. We can train you to make phone calls to California voters from home, using call sheets or computer enabled dialing programs. Even an hour or two can make a difference.

Why phonebank? Because voters are more influenced by personal, unique conversations than by any other form of voter contact. From your own home, you can have the conversations with California voters that will make the difference on November 4th. It's that simple.

For more information or to sign up to make calls from home to defeat Prop 8, contact Ryan Brown or call 617-878-2309.

Without help combating our opponents lies, California will lose. But together, we can make the difference. There's only three weeks left. Please take action today.

Stop Right-wing "War on Data"

From People for the American Way

The Bush administration's at it again -- denying reality that doesn't fit its political agenda (as it's done with global warming, the war, the economy and so much more).

The press this week reported on an offensive protocol by the Census Bureau for how it intends to handle married same-sex couples during the 2010 Census. The Bureau will NOT count legally married gay couples as married, and will instead EDIT the data submitted by married gay couples to change their status to "unmarried partners."

Please sign on to our petition to the Census Bureau urging them not to do this.

Sadly, supporters of the Census Bureau's actions may hide behind a federal law, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act ("DOMA"), and argue that the federal government doesn't recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. But a number of states and other countries do, and gay and lesbian couples who are legally married are, in fact, just that -- married.

So the policy -- besides being highly offensive -- would lead to the reporting of inaccurate demographic data, completely contrary to the Bureau's mission and goals!

Please sign on to our petition now telling the Census Bureau to do its job and collect and report ACCURATE data about all Americans, including married same-sex couples.

Officials at the Census Bureau seem to be in denial, but here's an inconvenient truth for them: gay families exist. No matter what the Census says, gay couples who are legally married ARE married.

Please join the petition now and then ask your friends to do the same.


-- Your Allies at People For the American Way

P.S. We wanted to share with you the irony of the US Census Bureau's own mission statement:

"Our Mission -- The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly. We are guided on this mission by our strong and capable workforce, our readiness to innovate, and our abiding commitment to our customers."

Quality data? Commitment to their customers? Guess that doesn't apply to gay families...

ALERT: Stand for an Inclusive ENDA!

From National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

Last week, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their friends — just like you — delivered an uncompromising message to Congress: Vote for an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that protects all LGBT people (H.R. 2015), and don’t settle for a substitute bill that leaves some people behind (H.R. 3685).

Congress heard you and postponed a vote on a substitute bill. But we expect a new vote to be scheduled soon — maybe as soon as next week. There is no time to waste!

We know why it’s so critical that transgender people be included in ENDA. One-third of transgender people report facing employment discrimination at some time in their life. And you can’t separate discrimination against transgender people from discrimination against the rest of our community. For example, many gay and bisexual men get taunted for “acting like a girl.” Many lesbians are criticized for “being too butch.” We all face anti-transgender bias, even if we don’t identify as transgender ourselves.

Congress is listening to us and is making up its mind about which bill to move forward — a bill that provides protections based on gender identity or a bill that does not. Your representative needs to hear from you, and needs to hear our message loud and clear.

Please, right now, make a phone call to your representative. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121. An operator will connect you with your representative’s office. When a staff person answers, tell them:

“I’m a constituent and I am calling about one bill I support and another I oppose. I support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 2015, which protects all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. However, I urge you to oppose any motion or amendment that would strip out transgender protections, or any bill without transgender protections (such as H.R. 3685). We are one community and we want to move forward with one bill that protects all of us. Thank you.”

Click here to send an e-mail to your representative.

Click for a list of U.S. House members.