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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.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
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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