Yes on K8; Comedienne Kate Clinton

Listen up as Equality Arizona Radio recalls their favorite moments with comedienne and friend Kate Clinton. Including never before released insight from Kate! Click here to listen now. Don't forget Kate is stopping into Phoenix Saturday, November 7th on her Yes on K8 tour! Click here to purchase tickets!

History in the Making

As President Obama today signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the following 29 organizations issued this joint statement:

History in the Making

It took much too long, more than a decade. And it came at too great a price: the brutal killings of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. are just two among the thousands of crimes motivated by hate and bigotry.

But this week, the president put pen to paper and fulfilled a campaign promise, the signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, extending the federal hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity along with race, religion, gender, national origin and disability. Our deepest hope and strong belief is that this new law will save lives. Now, lawmakers and the president have made an imperative statement to the country and the world: Our nation will no longer tolerate hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

We have worked long and hard for this and its passage is historic.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there are nearly 8,000 hate crime-related incidents annually, and more than 1,200 of those incidents involve violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And even more alarming, while the overall occurrence of hate crimes is declining nationally, hate crimes against LGBT people have been increasing. This year alone, we saw hate crimes trials in the brutal killings of two transgender women, Angie Zapata and Lateisha Green.

As a result of this legislation, if local jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Justice Department can now step in. And that’s why the LGBT community never stopped working for this historic day.

This legislation not only has practical value, but is a symbol of our progress. It is the first time in the nation’s history that Congress has passed explicit protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We could not have reached this moment without the powerful support of our allies who stood with us every step of the way. We are deeply grateful to civil rights, civic, faith and disability rights groups, as well as law enforcement and district attorney organizations that worked side by side with the LGBT advocates. We are equally thankful to Congress, President Obama and members of his administration for passing and signing this bill into law.

While today we celebrate this marker of progress, we must recognize it as only one of the building blocks to full equality and demand that it be just a first step toward equal treatment under federal law in all areas of our lives. And we must focus on the next step.

The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act provides us with an opportunity. We must use this moment to educate and keep the momentum going so that we can continue to make progress on the local, state and federal levels. Yes, legislation takes a long time — often years of work. Yet, our community is on the cusp of passing much-needed protections.

This week, we call upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, families and allies to take this opportunity of increased media and public attention on hate crimes to educate co-workers, classmates, neighbors, family members and friends about our lives, and about why we need not only their friendship and love, but their vocal support for a more just and equal America for LGBT people. If your members of Congress voted in support of hate crimes legislation, call them and thank them. Then ask them to be there for us again when the vote turns to workplace nondiscrimination, military service and partnership rights.

With your help and our collective pressure, equality is within reach.

When talking about the need for hate crimes legislation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “The time for debate is over.”

She was right.

Just as the time has finally come for stronger hate crime protections, it is also time to pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and ensure that health care, economic policy and immigration reform incorporate the needs of LGBT people.

The time for debate is over.

Signed by: Jo Kenny, AFL-CIO Pride at Work, Terry Stone, Centerlink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Gabe Javier, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA, Toni Broaddus, Equality Federation*, Jennifer Chrisler, Family Equality Council, Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry, Lee Swislow, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Rebecca Allison, M.D., Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, Chuck Wolfe, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Eliza Byard, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Marjorie Hill, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign, Rachel Tiven, Immigration Equality, Earl Fowlkes, International Federation of Black Prides, Kevin M. Cathcart, Lambda Legal, Leslie Calman, Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization, Sharon Lettman, National Black Justice Coalition, Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality, Justin Nelson, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Rea Carey, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Paul Kawata, National Minority AIDS Council, Kyle Bailey, National Stonewall Democrats, Greg Varnum, National Youth Advocacy Coalition, Sharon Stapel, New York Anti-Violence Project, Jody Michael Huckaby, PFLAG National, Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Michael Adams, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

*Equality Arizona is a proud member of the Equality Federation and are proud of all the individuals and organizations involved.

From the Equality Federation

Is there a Single, One-Stop, Equality for All, Federal Solution?

I’ve been hearing a lot of talk lately about this idea that we should demand a single federal solution for equality. I’ve heard it from donors, I’ve heard it from Equality March organizers, and I’ve heard it from angry lgbt Americans.

Much as that sounds like a great idea, equality is not going to happen that way.

A single federal solution is simply not possible. Here’s why.

1. The separation of powers between the federal and state governments means that states reserve all the powers not granted to the federal government by the Constitution. This means that states hold the power to regulate marriage and family matters, a power upon which the federal government has been loathe to intrude. When the federal government does act, it must rely upon constitutional protections (like equal protection or the right to due process) as grounds for regulating state rules or behaviors. And while the federal government also may use the power of the purse (tying highway funds to higher age limits for buying alcohol, for example), it is unlikely to impose new rules that don’t already have support or precedent in the states.
   


2. No historical precedent exists. Now, this does not mean that we couldn’t or shouldn’t try to create a new precedent. But it would be an uphill struggle. We could not do it in the courts (where cases are based on actual circumstances of individuals and must generally be limited to the most narrow, specific ruling available to resolve the litigated issues). We would have to do it legislatively. But see #4. Achieving equality for women or black Americans – the movements we most often look to for inspiration – did not happen with the passage of a single law covering voting rights, equal pay, status as property of whites/men, employment discrimination, housing rights, health disparities, and so on. Inequality breeds a whole range of harms, and to try to address all of them in one bill would fail to adequately address each of them. See #3. You think the health care legislation is complex?
   


3. Politics requires compromise. We may not like it, we may believe that equality should brook no compromise, but the fact remains that political maneuvering for power is how our democracy is implemented every single day. We can rail against it, or we can educate ourselves about how to navigate through the egos and fear tactics and cynicism and favor trading and all the rest so that we can actually achieve the change we seek. We must understand that politicians do not lead, they follow. Demonstrations and marches are important because they increase our visibility and force politicians to think about our issues. But we still have to get votes for our legislation. Unfortunately, the courageous politician is an exceedingly rare creature. Add to that the politics in our own movement. Plenty of folks love or hate particular leaders in the movement (especially those who lead movement organizations), but guess what? Those leaders are simply a microcosm of the larger community and we, too, have intense disagreements about which strategies are best or where we should prioritize the allocation of resources. So compromise is required in our own community in order to move forward.
   


4. We can’t amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This is a proposal I’ve heard many times, and on the face of it I think it’s a great idea. Why wouldn’t we add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to a bill that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin? It’s a brilliant and simple strategy! Unfortunately, it’s really not. The fact is, civil rights laws passed after this great Act have been subject to attempts (many successful) to water down the kinds of protections they provide. So, for example, we have a pretty big religious exemption in ENDA that many of us don’t like but that we know we have to include if we are going to move this bill forward at all. And if we tried to amend the Civil Rights Act, we would certainly see amendments and exemptions to our simple, brilliant proposal that would actually weaken the law. Because of this, some of our strongest allies in the civil rights community could not and would not support us in trying to amend this law. And if leaders in the civil rights community actively opposed us in this approach, we would simply be unable to get the votes we needed to pass our proposal. So – we could try doing this, but it is not really a promising use of our resources or political capital.
   


5. Existing proposed legislation has momentum now and multiple bills are already lined up for passage. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is currently moving through Congress and, if we all do our part, it should pass this year. Hate crimes legislation has had a hard road but it will also pass soon. The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is inching forward and I expect to see it happen next year, hopefully in the spring. We are actively building support right now for immigration law reforms to end discrimination against lgbt families, as well as laws to extend domestic partner benefits to federal employees and to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act(DOMA). Even if you think I’m wrong about everything else I’ve said here, this is not the time to abandon legislation that our community has been working on for years.
   


6. Assuming, for the sake of argument, that we actually could pass an all-purpose federal equality law, we will still need state laws to truly achieve equality. ENDA will be a great step forward for our community, and it will protect millions of American currently protected under no other laws. But it won’t actually cover everyone. Small businesses, for example, will mostly be exempt from ENDA based on the size of their staff. In most states with employment protections, more businesses are required to comply so millions of workers not covered by federal law are actually covered by state law. And even if we repeal DOMA, we still have to get marriage in as many states as we can if we are to have any hope of winning a court challenge to the constitutionality of state DOMA’s. In the American version of government, state and federal legislation may pass independently, but its impact is most often felt in the application of an interconnected web of laws.

In this country, democracy works in something of a circular pattern. Big social issues aren’t tackled first in our nation’s capital. Instead, they bubble up from our local communities, where the harms are closer to home and citizens can work to get their local governments to address those harms. State government action often follows, learning and improving upon strategies already implemented locally, and expanding protections across the entire state. When enough states have addressed a particular issue, the national understanding of that issue will begin to shift, so a critical mass of policy changes or a social tipping point is reached. Then we see the federal government begin to take action. Finally, the action at the federal level will reach back down to the state and local level in places where we have been unable to make local and state policy changes.

Or, a law is passed and the courts must rule it constitutional or not. The legislature may have to take action again. Or litigation is filed, and the outcome of that case may spur action by the voters. That’s the beautiful thing about democracy – there are many approaches we can take to changing public policy. Of course, that means we may also be attacked on any level (witness Kalamazoo, Maine, Washington state, and Congress generally).

My point is simply this. We will not achieve equality by abandoning our work at any level of the political process. We must continue to increase the pressure to achieve the promise of equality under the law at all levels and in all branches of government. There is no magic bullet. Our strategy must be focused while also casting a very large net. And that’s how we will finally achieve equal protection under the law.

Runners Gender is Questioned and Publicly Walked Down “Gender-Row”

Eighteen year old South African track athlete Caster Semenya has been spotlighted in the news for the past few weeks but the highlights read a very different story than her 800 Meter Dash time while participating in the world championships. The IAAF, International Association of Athletics Federation, demanded a test before Semenya could claim her gold medal.

According to a 2000 Journal of the American Medical Association article over 11,000 women competing over a span of five Olympics have had their gender brought into question. Twenty-seven of which were found to have genetic “gender” disorders. Many experts worry about the psychological consequences of such public coverage after the suicide attempt of a female athlete who tested male just two years prior. One of Semenya’s coaches quit out of shame for lying to her about what she was being tested for, he told her she was taking a doping test.

This story however does end well, upon Semenya’s return home her fellow South Africans rally in support of her and promise they will not allow her gold medal to be taken from her. President of Athletics South Africa even resigned from the IAAF to show his disapproval for the way in which Semenya was treated.

It is important to remember that gender is socially constructed and cannot be tested for. Semenya fell short of the gender expectations of the IAAF and so her actual sex was tested for. The stereotypes of gender do not solely affect those who identify as transgender. The protection of one’s gender identity and expression is something all can benefit from.

Sent(a)Mental Project: A Memorial to GLBTIQA Suicide

Sent(a)Mental Studios in Denver, Colorado empowers at-risk youth through the encouragement and discovery of their own creative talents. The studio also houses The Sent(a)Mental Project: A Memorial to GLBTIQA Suicide is a collection of creative works about, by, or for individuals or groups affected by suicide.

The goal of this memorial project is to bring visibility and awareness to those lost within the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersexed, queer, and allied(GLBTIQA) community to suicide and mental health. The project provides and opportunity and safe space for psychiatric and suicide survivors to have their voices heard as well as loved ones share the stories of those who have been lost.

The driving force behind the Sent(a)Mental Studio and Memorial to GLBTIQA Suicide Project is Dylan Scholinski. Scholinski is no stranger to the stigmas of mental health placed on the GLBTIQA community and the harm that they can cause. In his biography, The Last Time I Wore a Dress, he shares his experience of being institutionalized for being an inappropriate female as a teenager. He now advocates for psychiatric survivors, many of whom do not share their stories out of fear and shame. Equality Arizona would like to thank Dylan Scholinski work within the mental and GLBTIQA arena.

There are many ways to get involved and help out Sent(a)Mental Studios and Sent(a)Mental Project: A Memorial to GLBTIQA Suicide, donating art supplies, making donations, and submitting content for the Memorial to GLBTIQA Suicide Project. Also, Dylan Scholinski and The Sent(a)Mental Project: A Memorial to GLBTIQA Suicide are coming to Arizona! Dylan Scholinski will be speaking at Chandler-Gilbert Community College Tuesday, October 7th at 7:00PM in the Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public, The Sent(a)Mental Project: A Memorial to GLBTIQA Suicide will be on exhibit starting October 6th in the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Library and will be on display until November 13th.

The Kinsey Sicks

The Kinsey Sicks has built a reputation for being America’s Favorite Dragapella Quartet with their a cappella singing, sharp satire and over-the-top drag. They have performed at performing arts centers, music venues and comedy festivals in over forty states in the fifteen years they have been around. They have performed in all venues including the legendary Studio 54 in New York with their Off-Broadway Hit "DRAGAPELLA! Starring the Kinsey Sicks." From movies to recordings to television there isn’t much the Kinsey Sicks hasn’t done.

"The Kinsey Sicks will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart. These four musicians-actors-writers-composers-drag queens are wickedly gay, and man, can they sing! Completely a capella, their material is intelligent and scathingly funny. Their lyrical parodies of well known songs will have you rolling ... geniously hilarious ... excellent original tunes ... brilliant. With
their impeccable timing, precise harmonies, and cultural savvy, the Kinseys represent fabulous, satirical queer humor at its finest."

In Los Angeles Magazine

The Kinsey Sicks was accidentally discovered in 1993 while attending a Bette Midler concert in San Francisco. A group of friends got all dolled up as the Andrews Sisters with the assumption that they would be among many other drag queens. Upon arrival they quickly realized aside from Bette there they were the only queens in the place. After being approached to perform at an upcoming event, and realizing they all actually in fact had backgrounds in music, The Kinsey Sicks was formed.

The founders of the Kinsey Sicks have experience that passes well beyond the world of female impersonators. Ben Schatz, performing as Rachel, is a civil rights lawyer from Harvard University authored Clinton’s HIV policy and was creator of the first ever national AIDS legal project. He also served as a presidential advisor on HIV issues as well as the Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. Irwin Keller, performing as Winnie, another lawyer as well as linguist out of the University of Chicago authored the city’s gay rights ordinance passed in 1989 and was a director of the AIDS Legal Referral Panel of the San Francisco Bay Area. Their newly joined and talented members Jeff Manabat started performing with the group in 2004 as Trixie in 2004 and Spencer Brown joined in 2008 as Trampolina.

Equality Arizona is proud to announce the Kinsey Sicks are coming to Arizona. Friday, September 25th the residents of Phoenix, Arizona will be able to experience the amazing performances put on by the Kinsey Sicks at The Chandler Center for the Performing Arts! Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Equality Arizona and Human Rights Campaign applaud Mayor Bob Jackson and the City of Casa Grande for issuing a LGBT Supportive Proclamation

Casa Grande, AZ- Equality Arizona and Human Rights Campaign applaud Mayor Bob Jackson and the City of Casa Grande for issuing a Proclamation in support of National Coming Out Day October 11, 2009.

“We are proud to support the work of Equality Arizona’s Casa Grande Equality Team as they create a strong partnership with the City of Casa Grande,” said Barbara McCullough-Jones, Executive Director of Equality Arizona. “By developing meaningful relationships with elected officials in their home town, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and allies from all walks are creating a safer Arizona for our community to live, work and visit.”

“We are thrilled that the City of Casa Grande, AZ is recognizing the importance of coming out. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is stronger when we can safely be open and honest about our lives, and when we are supported by our elected officials and neighbors. We encourage members the Casa Grande LGBT community and their allies to celebrate this Declaration by talking to your family and friends about the importance of equality and fairness for our community,” said HRC president Joe Solmonese.

The Proclamation states, “educating our community about the diversity of our City is essential to overcoming stigma and discrimination; …we recognize the value of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people that live, work and play in our city as essential to sound economic growth”

“The City of Casa Grande realizes it is in the best interest of all of our citizens to celebrate the diversity of our city and is eager to continue working with the Casa Grande Equality Team. The first step of this partnership is this Proclamation in support of National Coming Out Day, and we look forward to a long partnership,” said Deputy City Manager Larry Rains.

One Community Networking Forum

Monday August 10th
4:30 to 7pm
Embassy Suites Resort
2630 E Camelback Road
Phoenix

Gay and lesbian buying power is estimated at $759 billion this year. Tap into this powerful emerging market at the One Community Networking Forum. One Community Networking Forum is dedicated to bringing gay, lesbian and allied business professionals together to celebrate diversity, build new business networking opportunities and create stronger business and personal relationships.

The One Community Networking Forum benefits Equality Arizona!

Register here:
https://one-community.us/pages/OC-Events

Boys R Us: Breaking Down Gender Barriers

Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn breaks down the barriers of gender roles and stereotypes with the help of Dante and Rachel, founder and marketer of hit gender performers Boys R Us. Boys R Us will be hosting the 11th annual International Drag King Community Extravaganza in Tucson, Arizona this fall! Hear about the shifting views of gender and the affect it’s having on the LGBT community and beyond.

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Horse Rescue

Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn saddles up with founder Kimberly Meagher and volunteer coordinator Skip of the Wildhorse Ranch Rescue. Get the low down on the growing number of homeless and abandoned horses and how the LGBT community has chipped in to bail the homeless horses out.

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Celebrate Michele- A Cancer Fundraiser

Join us for a Night of Celebratory Mayhem as Night Club Forbidden is transformed to become Studio 54 for a night of dancers, music, Sisters, Michele's Birthday Party/Cancer Fund Raiser, Pudding Shots, Raffle, Auction and MORE!

Celebrate Michele is a fundraiser for Michele deLaFreniere, a well-known activist and leader in the lgbt community and former member of the Scottsdale Human Relations Commission. Michele was diagnosed with liver and bone cancer this spring. It has now spread to her brain and lungs. Representatives from every segment of the community have come together to organize this fundraiser which is sponsored by Tom and Roberta Anderson of Forbidden. This is an event not to be missed!

The party kicks off Saturday, July 18th at 7:00PM with a $5 suggested donation at the door at Night Club Forbidden located at 6820 E. 5th Ave in Scottsdale and is going all night long.

LGBT Seniors

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi investigates the lives of LGBT seniors with Deidra and Garen Bagdasarian of newly founded Bliss Senior Care Homes in Mesa, Arizona. Get the latest on what is changing with assisted living and the current stats on the treatment of LGBT Seniors. Also, hear what folks are saying about SAGE, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders, a segment produced by Farm House Studios.

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LGBT Athletes and Sports

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi talks with various LGBT and LGBT friendly sports teams from around the valley. Being an LGBT identified athlete makes it hard at times to participate in any mainstream sport. Hear clips from ABC News about the changing attitudes towards “out” professional athletes and the project one man has started in hopes of changing hearts and minds about LGBT teammates.



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Art and Sol Photography Releases the 2009 Equality Arizona Awards Dinner Photos

Art & Sol Photography is proud to show their support for Equality Arizona and LGBT equality at home and the world over! They proudly offer elegant portraiture and dynamic event and commercial photography with style and unique perspective.

Mention Stand Together and we'll donate 25% of your package price to Equality Arizona! Click here to order your 2009 Equality Arizona Dinner photos today!

Budget or Bust!

We are hours away from the ONE deadline the Legislature is constitutionally obligated to meet. The House republicans are still in caucus about the budget. Nothing released yet, you can watch the proceedings live at http://www.azleg.gov/, click watch live proceedings.

Meanwhile, over in the Senate: The Senate Rules Committee rejected the measure that would refer a temporary sales-tax hike to the ballot. The 1-5 vote was a serious monkey wrench in the whole process with less than 14 hours left before the deadline to enact a budget for fiscal 2010.

In case you haven’t been following the progress until now, last night the budget bills were all re-referred from the Senate Appropriations Committee to the Senate Education Committee. This morning Republican Senators Gould, Harper and Steve Pierce all voted against the first general appropriation bill along with the one Democrat who was present, Paula Aboud, defeating the main budget bill.

In Senate Education, the various budget bills passed along a party-line vote. The Republicans voted in support (Senators Huppenthal, Linda Gray, Paton and Sylvia Allen). The Democrats opposed the budget (Senators Aboud, Landrum-Taylor and Lopez).

There are still not enough Republican votes to pass the sales tax referral. The Governor has publically stated that if the budget gets sent to her without the sales tax referral, then she will veto the entire budget package.

Please take a moment and take our survey about the Legislature. Tell us what you think.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=s4ZUK4PNe3i9q8Tb2Hj_2fcw_3d_3d

Phoenix City Council Voting for District 3 Replacement

The Phoenix City Council will be announcing the replacement of Councilwoman Maria Baier of District 3 by 2:00PM today. Among those being considered to fill the vacated seat until the special election in November are Mr. Jim Mapstead and Mr. Jon Altmann. Equality Arizona is staying in contact with the Phoenix Council and will release an update once a decision is made.

Kings for a Cause

Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn is introduced to the underground world of male impersonators, better known as drag kings, with the Emeritus Mister King of the Desert USofA Male Impersonator Anson Reign. Anson has utilized his new title to organize Kings for a Cause, a nationwide series of drag shows from troupes all over the United States to raise funds to be divided between local and national LGBT organizations.

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Homicide; Phoenix PD Looking for Witnesses

Twenty-Nine year old Steward Bryant was killed at approximately 3:43AM on Saturday, June 6th at 4800 North 7th Avenue in Phoenix. He was last seen at Charlie’s Bar located at 727 West Camelback Road. Police are asking for those with any information to call Silent Witness and are offering an award of up to $1,000 for any information leading up to the arrest and/or indictment of this crime. Silent Witness can be reached at 480.948.6377 or toll free at 1.800.343.TIPS. If you have any information about the Steward Bryant homicide please contact Silent Witness immediately.

Inclusive ENDA Introduced! Ask your Representative to Become a Cosponsor!

This week, Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - which would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.   

The bill was introduced by a group of bi-partisan Representatives and it is important that you contact your legislator to become a cosponsor as well. Becoming a cosponsor shows that the Representative will stand firm with our community and helps build momentum for the bill’s passage.

In DC, make their phone ring!

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code). Tell them:

I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I would like him/her to become a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. Can you tell me whether or not Representative _______has cosponsored the bill?

 

Let us know you took action, email info@equalityarizona.org after you’ve made the call.

You can also email your representative by clicking here.

For more information please visit www.unitedenda.org

One Community

Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn talks with One Community co-founder Angela Hughey about the meaning of community. Find out what community members, businesses, and organizations can do to step up to the plate when it comes to helping the LGBT community. Click here to download the podcast or listen now!

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Transgender Youth

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi talks with Kim Pearson of Trans Youth Family Allies (TYFA) about their work in advocating for the rights and welfare of transgender youth. Click here to download the podcast.

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HIV/AIDS Among the Latino and Chicano Population

Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn talks about the spread of HIV/AIDS among the Latino and Chicano population with guests RJ Shannon of the Arizona Department of Health Services and Cathy Torrez-Paddock of TERROS. Hear their stories working with the Latino, Chicano, and African American populations and their struggles to find preexisting leaders within these communities who are willing to step up and fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Click here to download the podcast.

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Marriage Equality Rally and March

Marriage Equality, a national organization, is planning a rally and march Tuesday, March 26th from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Participants meet on the South West corner of Camelback at 7th Avenue in downtown Phoenix and will be marching to Camelback and Central. All are welcome to participate in rallying for Marriage Equality and please bring your signs, candles, flags and t-shirts!

Please park in the former Target parking lot on the northwest corner of Camelback at 7th Avenue unless you plan to patronize Charlie's before and/or after this event.

Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board Meeting

On Wednesday, May 27th from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Mesa City Council Chambers on 57 East 1st Street in Mesa. On the agenda is a discussion regarding Domestic Partnership Registry followed by a vote deciding whether the work around this issue conducted by the Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board will continue. Community support is welcomed and encouraged!

Financial and Legal Planning

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi talks with Certified Financial Planner Melissa Myers and Attorney at Law Michael Tucker. Get the latest on financial and legal planning and protections for LGBT families.

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California Supreme Court Ruling Issued

The California Supreme Court just ruled 6-1 that Proposition 8 will be upheld, but the 18,000 marriage licenses that were issued to same sex couples during the time they were legal will be honored and remain legal marriages in California. By upholding Prop 8, the Court has diminished its legacy as a champion of equality. No minority group should have to defend its right to equality at the ballot. The Court’s decision jeopardizes every minority group in California.

Since the vote on Prop 8, and since this suit was filed in November of last year, there has been a tidal wave of momentum in favor of full equality. Six states now embrace marriage equality for same-sex couples, and several more are on the horizon. California is no longer a leader on the issue of marriage equality. Despite this decision, the tide is turning across the country, as more and more states recognize the right of LGBT people and our families to be treated equally under the law.

We are relieved the Court protected couples who married before November 5. The presence of thousands of married same-sex couples across California will show those who don’t yet know us that marriage strengthens families and communities and threatens no one. Every day, here in Arizona, we are telling our stories to our friends and neighbors. We will continue to do that because we believe that every family in every state deserves the protection of the law.

“The decision handed down today is bittersweet,” said Barbara McCullough-Jones, Executive Director of Equality Arizona. “While we celebrate the decision regarding those 18,000 marriages, we must remember that all families deserve equality and the ability to take care of each other in every state."

Click here to learn more from our sister organization Equality California.

Take Action! Oppose HB 2357 and Keep Schools Safe for All

HB 2357 claims to protect the religious freedom of K through 12 students in Arizona. The constitutional rights of every student in this state are already protected. Our students have the right to free speech and expression; this includes religious expression as well. There is no age restriction on free speech. Our state budget has such a huge deficit already, why stress it more by wasting money protecting freedoms that are already protected?

HB 2357 as currently written opens the door for school’s anti-harassment, anti-bullying, or non-discrimination policies to be overthrown. Those who are in support of the bill insist that HB 2357 is not intended to restrict school officials but only meant to clarify existing laws. If that is the truth, why consider this bill at all?

Now is not the time for meaningless clarifications that will in fact change nothing. Our education system is stressed as it is with no state budget in sight.

Although though the Senate is not currently hearing bills now is the time to send a strong message to defeat HB 2357 and prevent it from making it to the floor. Let your State Senator know that you stand with Equality Arizona and the Anti Defamation League in opposition to HB 2357. Take action now, let your State Senator know where you stand!

New Podcast Highlighting Voices of the Desert

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi meets the newly out mixed chorus Voices of the Desert. Founding Artistic Director Ron Casola, Chorus President Michael Shuey, and singer and board member Sandi McCullough-Jones discuss about the music they are making as well as the outreach to those outside of the LGBT community.

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Sustainability and Environment Podcast

Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn talks with Colin Tetreault Master of Arts Student at Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability. Get informed about steps you can take to improve our environment and work towards a much brighter future. Click here to suscribe to the Equality Arizona Radio podcast.

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Financial and Legal Planning for LGBT Families

People always ask why we as advisers are constantly bugging them about getting their financial and legal affairs in order. We always reply, well, that's what you pay us for--to nag you. Actually, in all seriousness, people are busier than ever these days. We all have a lot of competing demands on our time. As advisers, we can help people use their time efficiently to implement financial strategies for savings or retirement, and make sure all the necessary paperwork is in place to protect their loved ones.

In this economy, it's especially important to seek advice on financial matters. People are more likely than ever to make investment decisions based on emotion, rather than based on following through with a well-considered plan. We could say that this approach applies to legal protections as well. When people are worried about a shrinking economy and its effect on their standard of living, they're less likely to prioritize planning to protect their families and loved ones. Their good intentions of implementing wills and powers of attorney somehow never get carried out. But it's precisely in times like these when such planning is most important. As advisers, we'll help our clients keep a clear head and keep their eye on their goals.

As always, there are changes in financial practices and in the law that people need to know about. They may be asking “what do I do now?” with my investments and financial plan. People want to know about the changes in the laws around various parts of the country regarding same-sex marriages, second-parent adoptions, domestic partnerships, and other issues of concern to our community. We designed our upcoming workshop on Wednesday, May 6th specifically to address these issues and to give people an opportunity to ask their own questions about financial and legal planning matters in this changing environment. It gives us great joy to help people focus on important plans and protections to put in place to further their future goals. Also, with so much misinformation circulating around in the media and elsewhere, we're happy to help people stop worrying about issues that turn out to be unimportant.

Please join us for a free workshop on Wednesday, May 6th from 7:00PM to 8:30PM at the Hilton Suites on 10 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix. For more information or to RSVP, call Kristine Cheney at 602.604.6216.

We hope to see you there and to help protect you and your family legally and financially in these harsh economic times,


Melissa A. Myers, CFP®, CLU
Camelback Retirement Planners/Commonwealth financial network
2720 E. Camelback Road, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602.424.7503
602.424.7520 fax

HR 1913 Passes the House

HR 1913 (The Matthew Shepard Act) was passed today by an impressive margin sending a strong statement about equality and inclusiveness for all communities. This bill will allow prosecution of violent crimes based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. It is the first fully inclusive bill to be introduced during this Session. The fate of the bill now rests in the hands of the Senate. Powerful speeches flooded the floor of the house today. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) spoke of the importance of “tolerance, equality and justice.” Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Florida) declared "people need not live in fear because of who they are.” “Hate crimes are an assault on people’s dignity and humanity” stated Rep. Joseph Cao (R-Louisiana). These statements echoed the support for this legislation that is shared by nearly 300 civil rights, education, religious, religious organizations and thirty one state Attorneys General.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, H.R. 1913, when passed will:

• Extend existing federal protections to include "gender identity, sexual orientation, gender and disability"
  
• Allow the Justice Department to assist in hate crime investigations at the local level when local law enforcement is unable or unwilling to fully address these crimes
  
• Mandate that the FBI begin tracking hate crimes based on actual or perceived gender identity
  
• Remove limitations that narrowly define hate crimes to violence committed while a person is accessing a federally protected activity, such as voting.
  

Want more information? Check out the links below for more resources.

More information about this legislation, search for Bill HB 1913.
Information about hate crimes here in Arizona.
Hate crime research.

“For the Bible Tells Me So” Making an Appearance in Yuma and Sedona

Equality Arizona has been proudly collaborating with First Fun Features, to bring the awarding winning documentary “For the Bible Tells Me So” to the state of Arizona. Equality Arizona is working to bridge the gap between the religious and lgbt community through education and the life experiences shared in this award winning documentary.

We are excited to announce showings in Sedona on Wednesday, May 6th at 7:00PM and Yuma, Saturday May 16th at 5:00PM. These showings were made possible with the help and cooperation of the Sedona Public Library, The Amancio Project, Yuma County Gay Rights Meetup and VISIONS – A Place of Spirit.

In Sedona, the film will be shown at the Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Rd Sedona, AZ, doors open at 6:30PM and the film begins at 7:00PM. The Yuma screening will be held at VISIONS – A Place of Spirit, 447 S Main Street, in historic downtown Yuma with doors open at 4:30PM and film at 5:00PM.

Screenings will be followed by an open and frank discussion with faith and community leaders about the impact and implications of the film and how this divide might be bridged in Arizona.

Click here to RSVP for a screening. All are welcome with an open mind and a $5 suggested donation to help cover costs. We hope you will attend and help us bridge the divide!

Comedy & Improv Show, Featuring Vickie Shaw & Jennie McNulty

The Prescott Pride Center and QsquaredYouth are pleased to present a night of stand-up comedy and improv with A-list comedians Vickie Shaw and Jennie McNulty. Vickie and Jennie will perform separate stand-up sets and then join forces to engage the audience in some hilarious improv fun. We guarantee you'll be laughing out loud when this pair of sensational comics hits the stage. Both women were recently voted into the Top 10 Funniest Lesbians in America!

Vickie Shaw is in a comedy class by herself. Her style is slow-paced (she's southern), incredibly endearing (she's southern), and sharp (don't mess with her-she's southern). Vickie has starred in her own one-woman show on MTV Network's LOGO channel and in the award-winning film, "Laughing Matters More." She's been featured on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and has headlined comedy shows and pride events across the country.

Jennie McNulty can currently be seen on the LOGO channel's comedy special, "One Night Stand-Up." She's a regular at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas and performs nightly in Provincetown over the summer. Jennie has headlined at comedy clubs throughout the US and Canada and has even entertained US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tickets for Vickie and Jennie's Prescott show are $20 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/, (877) 278-4842 or at the Prescott Pride Center (cash/check only), 111 Josephine Street, Prescott, AZ, (928) 445-8800. This performance contains mature themes, so parental discretion is advised.

For more information on the comedy show, please contact the Prescott Pride Center at (928) 445-8800 or QsquaredYouth at (928) 713-7722. To learn more about the comics, visit http://www.vickieshaw.com/ and http://www.jenniemcnulty.com/. For bookings or interviews, call Taylor Santo at (408) 202-5564.

Thanks and we hope to see you there,

The Prescott Pride Center and QsquaredYouth

The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi digs deep into the harassment and bullying faced by lgbt students with co-chair of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network of Phoenix, Matthew Heil. Hear discussions on the recent suicides of two lgbt students due to bullying and the launching of GLSEN’s new Think B4 You Speak Campaign. Listen to the podcast on Podbean!

My Easter visit with President Obama

When then Senator Obama visited Arizona during the Presidential Democratic primary I had the opportunity to meet him during a VIP event. My 80 year old Mom was spending the day at work with me so I took her along. He made a predicable stump speech before going out to greet the thousands of supporters awaiting his arrival. During the gathering after he finished his remarks Sen. Obama fielded a few questions from our small group. They were predictable “softball questions” on immigration, the economy, education and health care. Raising my hand I got the last question. Mom holds her breath.

I simply asked, “Senator Obama, if you are elected President would you invite LGBT families onto the White House lawn for the Easter egg roll?” Honestly, he was surprised by my simple question, as were the others in the room. You see, Mom and I were invited guests to a gathering of predominately African-American community and religious leaders. What came next gave me hope that he “got it”.

Obama said, “You mean they aren’t invited now?” I said, “No sir we are not and frankly it’s not just the lawn we have been shut out of when it comes to the way our country disrespects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.” Obama then took that opportunity to do what he did so many other times during the campaign. He took what could have easily been a yes or no answer and spoke directly to the religious leaders about their voice and personal responsibility to say there is no room in our communities for discrimination. I had hoped his comments of inclusion, respect for all families and taking care of each other would motivate those in the room to defeat Prop 102 and of course, if he won the Presidency would actually pass federal policy that mattered.

One dream lost, I’m waiting to see how the rest of the story turns out.

On the drive home, Mom said, “he is a nice young man – and handsome.” She then asked what I thought of Obama and the way he answered my question. I simply said he knows how to work a room that’s for sure – but I will still vote for Hillary.

By the way, Obama eventually did say “yes” he would ensure LGBT families are part of the White House Easter celebration. Thank you, Mr. President for keeping your word to Mrs. Jones’ little girl…who really does like Easter egg hunts.

posted by Barbara McCullough-Jones