Lady Gaga Supports Boycotting AZ's LAW SB1070 During The Monster Ball Tour in Phoenix 31 July 2010

From GETEQUAL: Your pressure, combined with some amazing on-the-ground organizing, created a moment in Arizona on Saturday night that was unforgettable.

Just before her Phoenix concert, Lady Gaga met with the two queer migrant youth who we introduced you to last week. They originally launched the petition asking Lady Gaga to speak out against the discriminatory SB 1070. [1] During that meeting, the youth talked with her about their lives -- and about the culture of fear that has been created for immigrants in Arizona.



Following that backstage meeting, Lady Gaga tweeted to more than five million followers, "Tonight we will continue to actively protest social and political injustices in Arizona. We will sing, we will stand up, + we will be heard."

She performed that night with "Stop SB 1070" written on her arm -- which Victor and Amelec had helped her paint on -- pausing in the middle of her show to denounce the bill and call on fans to "peacefully protest and speak against discrimination everywhere." After a mix of applause and boo's, she continued, "Without immigrants this country wouldn't have sh*t."

GetEQUAL was thrilled to be asked to be part of the organizing effort that helped create this opportunity, and are proud of Lady Gaga's ongoing commitment to stand up to legal and social discrimination. We will continue to support the work of the young organizers who created this conversation -- and others who stand at the intersection of LGBTQ and immigration issues.

We know that there is a lot of work left to do in educating people about the overlap between LGBTQ issues and immigration issues. GetEQUAL is committed to continuing the work of intersectional organizing, and we hope that you will join us.

Thank you for taking action -- we look forward to doing more work with you soon!

Get out! Get active! GetEQUAL!

Robin, Kip, Heather, Jay, and Michelle

Transgender Freaks and TDOR Ghoul's: "Ticked Off Tra$$ies With Knives" Commercial Halloween Debut

Ticked Off Tra##ies to be released to coincide with the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Luna's latest sacrilegious impiety intended to injure the living and further desecrate the memory of our transgender dead.

Film director Israel Luna apparently throwing his hands up in disgust after being protested at and turned down by one film festival after another, has opted for a early release, casting his latest failure into the cold November wind, hoping for a place in infamy but in reality simply allowing for it's sad demise along with the other forgettable halloween spook spoofs.

But Luna may never be forgotten or forgiven by the mothers of the murdered children he used to promote this horrendous atrocity. There will be many prayers for the cast during the Transgender Day of Remembrance that they be forgiven for there part in this, Luna's last futile attempt to enrage and humiliate the mothers who's lives were dedicated to loving and caring for their now long gone children.

Finally, Luna has taken the gloves off and officially declared what the transgender community has long known. This was confirmed by the releasing company Fangoria Entertainment's president who stated he is thrilled about Luna's choice of a "Halloween Season".

Israel Luna believes that transgender actress Crystal Summers and the rest of the cast of drag queens in his film are freaks and oddities, just disposable Halloween atrocities to laugh at and discard when Dead. Transgender people are just cold meat to Luna and nothing else.

God have mercy on you Israel Luna.

kelli anne Busey, 7/31/2010

Speaker Pelosi Misspeak confirms Two Edge Sword of Damocles's ENDA Demise

Nancy Pelosi confirmed the reason ENDA remains in committee by attempting to mislead us as to whom is actually denying us workplace equality and why.


Source: LGBT POV Netroots Transcript

Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "ENDA has been something that has been part of my being (?) since I went to the Congress. And then some years later, around 16 years ago, we finally had legislation that we could rally around. This is an absolute priority, not only for me personally, but for our House Democratic Caucus."

"Under the leadership of George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee which has primary jurisdiction, we have been working very hard to try to iron out some of the – to have some clarity of language that could dispel some opposition. This is something that has to be done. It’s so long overdue. It’s almost embarrassing to have to have to pass a bill to end discrimination in the workplace."

Moderator: Who’s blocking the passage of ENDA and whom should the netroots target?

Pelosi: Well, I think I would target in a positive way (audience rumbles) – this is America – show your appreciation for those who are with you, with us – encourage them to be not only a vote but a leader on the issue – persuader, the peer pressure that is there. Because I don’t think – I think that some of the opposition comes from those perhaps in the work, um – in the business community who may not understand the – how this can be practically accomplished. We think it can. I think that should be the least of it, when we’re talking about ending discrimination in our country.

Yes Speaker Pelosi it is embarrassing that you should offer up such a lame excuse and worst, try to offer up false hope that DADT might be repealed before the years end to placate the majority of the LGBT population. Even more embarrassing is your sacrificing of our minority on account of your worthless democrats.

But times have surely changed Speaker Pelosi. The entire LGBT community is fully committed to equality for each and everyone so a divide and conquer is a major fail.

We also full understand who exactly and why ENDA has failed to move out of committee and it's not because of business concerns. The democrats have once again show the spineless ignorant selves and bent to religious demagogues who have used there political clout to once again insure transgender people will not pee in peace.

The 'ENDA problem' is the legislators inability to wordsmith ENDA so that employers would be enabled to discriminate in a way that would not cause civil upheaval from the entire LGBT population. Remember Speaker we are one in purpose now.

Speaker Pelosi, we demand full equality THIS session. To do otherwise would truly be embarrassing for you.

Transgender Widow Nikki Araguz Press Conference after Court Hearing, Friday, July 23, 2010

Nikki Araguz Press Conference after Court Hearing, Friday, July 23, 2010.

Be sure to take note of the concerted media smear campaign the in-law's lawyers are engaged in.

Press Release: Widow Braves Hostile Court Proceedings:Houston, Texas
-- July 23, 2010 -- Jeers and public threats greeted Mrs. Nikki Araguz outside the Warton County Courthouse today. The Widow of Wharton County firefighter Captain Thomas Araguz, who was killed in the line of duty, was in court for the first hearing in a suit brought [...]http://www.tgctr.org/2010/07/24/nikki...

If you would like to help support Nikki in her hour of desperate need, donate to the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund. The TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund not only support Nikki's ongoing legal battle, it also provides for her day-to-day needs. Donations can be made online at http://tiny.cc/nikkisfund.

Additionally, donations may be sent to the Transgender Center at:Transgender Foundation of America604 PacificHouston, TX 77006Make checks payable to Transgender Foundation of America. Please make sure to note that the donation is for the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund.Nikki's FaceBook: http://tiny.cc/fb4nikki

Nikki's Email: Nikki.Araguz@tgctr.org

Transwidow Nikki Araguz and Attorney Phyllis Frye Video Response To Allegations of Deception

Nikki Araguz, the wife of the fallen Wharton firefighter, is being sued for her husbands death benefits by in laws on allegations that her husband didn't know she had a sex change and that her marriage wasn't legal. Nikki Araguz speaks out with her attorney Houston transgender activist Phyllis Frye.

Following the video links to help support this historic struggle for transgender equality!


Courtesy http://www.chron.com/video/?207639551001

This is from the Transgender Foundation of America
please forward to your list and ask them to forward to their lists.

Firefighter's TG Widow attacked as "same-sex" marriage

This is your opportunity to shape history and push forward equality for not only transgender Texans, but also for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans everywhere. Nikki Araguz needs your help.

Mrs. Nikki Araguz is the widow of a Wharton Co. fire fighter killed in the line of duty. In a compound tragedy, Mrs. Araguz’s in-laws are attempting to void her marriage, claiming that she is a transsexual woman and as such her marriage is unlawful and only they should inherit Mr. Araguz’s estate or benefit from his insurance and pension.

This will be a landmark case. We face a long legal battle which will likely reach the U.S. Supreme Court and will define future law on transgender recognition and same-sex marriage. If we are going to win and protect Nikki from the deplorable actions of her in-laws we will need the funds to stage a first rate legal defense.
This is a rare opportunity for each of us to influence the arc of history by donating to the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund. Every $1000 donation received puts us one step closer to justice for Nikki. Individual contributions at any level are appreciated, even those as little as five dollars. We also encourage you to use your influence to persuade capable people, organizations, and foundations to contribute at higher levels.

Mrs. Araguz is represented by Phyllis Randolph Frye, a longtime supporter and member of the Transgender Foundation of America (TFA) and a transgender pioneer in her own right.
You may drop off or send contributions to the TFA at:
Transgender Foundation of America
604 PacificHouston, TX 77006
Make checks payable to Transgender Foundation of America. Please make sure to note that the payment is for the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund.
Credit card contributions can be made using the following link:
www.tiny.cc/ nikkisfund
Further information on this case and other related information can be found at:
www.tglegal. com
www.liberatinglaw. com
www.tgctr.org

Thank you, and don’t forget to share this with everyone you know.
Transgender Foundation of America: Helpline: 713-520-8586Fax: 713-583-5400 TFA seeks to improve the quality of life for transgender people. TFA is a 501[c]3 nonprofit.TFA TG Center: http://tgctr. org TFA Facebook: http://www.facebook .com/pages/ TFA-Houston/ 106760432685591 TFA Twitter: http://twitter. com/tgcenterTFA Yelp: http://www.yelp. com/biz/transgen der-center- houston----- TransHouston. com is the Houston Area TG Community online.

Huff Post article

Friendfactor first social networking platform dedicated to straight and LGBT friends get basic legal freedoms, faster

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies Member of the World IGLHRC Collective: Our Proudest Moment

Europe solidaire sans frontières | planetransgender a place for everyone. No exceptions!

We at the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies(DTAA) were asked to sign a petition supporting the The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission(IGLHRC) efforts to obtain UN consultative status after Egypt blocked this request.

Having added our name to this effort we have been listed with the worlds most fearless human rights organizations. Now the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies which has members on nearly every continent can stand proudly with our members and announce to the world we are the DTAA, we are transgender and we are united sans frountieres in our struggle for full equality.

The list of petition signers of the IGLHRC collective to date. Please add your organization's name today!

Petition
To the Members and Observers of the United Nations Economic and Social Council:

Civil society is a vital partner in the work of the United Nations and the 2010 session of the UN ECOSOC presents an opportunity to support civil society voices. We urge you to support the application for NGO consultative status of the human rights organization, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and to prevent the unfair use of procedural measures to silence civil society.

Last month, certain Member States in the subsidiary NGO Committee presented a motion of “no action” on the call for a vote to decide on the consultative status application of IGLHRC. This no-action call was successful despite the fact that IGLHRC’s application has already been in the Committee process for three years and the organization has answered numerous questions and requests for information. The nature of the questions facing IGLHRC and various other statements made by some Member States indicated that this stalling tactic was motivated by the fact that IGLHRC’s human-rights work focuses on already marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

This is the first time this no-action procedure has been used to prevent the Committee from doing its work to make a recommendation on an application’s merits after an initial (and in this case extensive) review of the applying organization. This extraordinary use of the no-action motion to prevent the full ECOSOC from taking decisions on an NGOs application, where that NGO works on politically contentious issues or for unpopular minority groups, should not be allowed to stand. If left unchallenged, this could result in the regular use of such a procedure to block progress. This would subvert the purpose of the NGO sub-committee, deny the ECOSOC the opportunity to fulfill its function and would limit the access of vital civil society groups to contribute to the work of the UN.

We call on you to support IGLHRC’s application for consultative status at ECOSOC and to send a message to the NGO Committee that it must review all applications without discrimination.

Diversity of civil society at the United Nations is essential to respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all people and to achieving sustainable peace and human security. Please do not allow the voices of marginalized people to be silenced by discrimination and procedural roadblocks.

Sincerely, Organization Country Name ECOSOC Status


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sign the petition here: democracyinaction.org
or email us to add your name at ecosoc.communications suS iglhrc.org

IGLHRC · 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1505 · New York, NY 10038 phone: +1 (212) 430-6054 · fax: +1 (212) 430-6060 · www.iglhrc.org

Endorsing Organizations:

Aleanca LGBT Albania, Albania
Alternatives-Cameroun, Cameroon
Amnesty International
Amnesty International Australia, Australia
Arc International, Canada
Arc-en-ciel d’Afrique, Rwanda
Associacao Brasileira de Lesbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (ABGLT ), Brazil
Association de lutte contre le sida, Morocco
Associates for Global Change, United States of America
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
Australian Coalition for Equality, Australia
l’Autre Cercle Midi-Pyrénées, France
Blue Diamond Society, Nepal
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Canada
Catolicas pelo Direito de Decidir, Brasil
Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR), Spain
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States of America
Center for the Study of Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation, Germany
Center for Women’s Global Leadership, United States of America
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Malawi
Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights (CEPEHRG), Ghana
Centro De Investigacion Y Promoción Para América Central De Derechos Humanos, Costa Rica
Cero en Conducta, Argentina
Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL)
Comeout Australia, Australia
Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Mexico
Concertación Interamericana por los Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres, Costa Rica
Congo Action Now, United States of America
Conseil des ecoles catholiques de langue francaises centre est, Canada
Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA), India
Cultuur en Ontspannings-Centrum Netherlands (COC Netherlands), Netherlands
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies, United States of America
Demus, Estudio para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer, Peru
DignityUSA, United States of America
EEGO Foundation, United States of America
Eddoboozi Human Rights Defenders Network, Uganda
Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF), France
Evangelical Network, United States of America
Fiji Transgender Empowerment Project, Fiji
Foundation for AIDS Research, amfAR, United States of America
Foundation for Women, Thailand
Fraternidad Q, Mexico
Freedom and Roam Uganda, Uganda
freedom fighters for equality facebook, United Kingdom
Freedom House, United States of America
Frontline Defenders, Ireland
Fundaciòn Ecuatoriana Equidad, Ecuador
Gay and Lesbian Association Of Ghana, Ghana
Gay Japan News, Japan
GAYa NUSANTARA, Indonesia
Gays United for Peace and Solidarity, Philippines
Good Samaritan Community Based Health-Care Services, Uganda
Global Rights, United States of America
Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
Human Rights Foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand, New Zealand
Human Rights Initiative, Hungary
Human Rights Watch
Iglesia Catolica Antigua del Rio de la Plata en México
Ingersoll Gender Center, United States of America
International Alliance of Women, Austria
International Commission of Jurists
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), France
International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, United States of America
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association (ILGA)
International Service for Human Rights, Switzerland
International Union of Food workers, Switzerland
International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific, Malaysia
Interweave Continental, United States of America
Iranian Queer Organization - IRQO
Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees, Iran
Irish Raelian Movement, Ireland
Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), Jamaica
Kaos GL, Turkey
Kirklees Faiths Forum, United Kingdom
Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces, Malaysia
Lambda Wellness Project, United States of America
Larcher Group, Canada
Las Ramonas, organizacion de Feministas Jovenes, Paraguay
Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network, Colombia
Law and Rural Development, Thailand
Law, Race & Gender Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany LSVD, Germany
Liga Internacional de Mujeres por la Paz y la Libertad, (Limpal / WILPF), Colombia
Marriage Equality New York, United States of America
Metropolitan Community Churches
Movimiento Antidiscriminatorio de Liberacion, Argentina
MUTUAC (United Women Workers) – Mexico
Nash Mir Gay & Lesbian Center, Ukraine
New Light Metropolitan Community Church
Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Canada
Open Society Institute (OSI)
Opportunity Agenda, project of Tides Center, United States of America
Other Sheep MCC
OTRAM (org de travestis mendocinas), Argentina,
Organización de Transexuales por la Dignidad de la Diversidad, Chile
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, United States of America
OutRage!, LGBTI human rights movement, United Kingdom
Oxfam Novib, Netherlands
Patriots for Change, United States of America
Pride Hilo, a Registered Independent Student Organization at University of Hawaii, United States of America
PT Foundation, Malaysia
Public Service Alliance of Canada, Canada
Purity Affirmative Organisation For Transgender Health-Uganda
Running Amach’-Dublin LGBTQ Women’s Social Networking Club, Ireland
Safra Project, United Kingdom
Sao-Sao-ed Group, Thailand
Semillas. Sociedad Mexicana pro Derechos de la Mujer AC
Sexuality, Orientation, Gender Identity and health (SOGIAH), Uganda
Sexuality Policy Watch - Brazilian secretariat, Brazil
Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), Uganda
Si Jeunesse Savait, Democratic Republic of Congo
Spectrum Uganda Initiatives Inc, Uganda
Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RSFL), Sweden
Tanzania Lesbian Association, Tanzania
Therapy North, United Kingdom
Uganda Harmonised Rights Alliance (UHRA), Uganda
UK Gay News, United Kingdom
UK-CAB, United Kingdom
Unidad de Atención Sicológica, Sexológica y Educativa para el Crecimiento Personal, Mexico
Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, United States of America
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, United States of America Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee, Canada
Vida Plena Puebla, Mexico
WhyCantWeGetMarried.Com West Africa Chapter, Sierra Leone
Women for Women’s Human Rights (WWHR), Turkey
Women Living Under Muslim Law
Women’s Economic Council, United States of America
Women’s WORLD, United States of America
World Congress of GLBT Jews, United States of America

democracyinaction.org

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies

GET=EQUAL Should Add Mara Keisling to Congressional Blame List to ENDA lies

GET=EQUAL which recently forced ENDA and DADT back into the national spotlight by engaging in civil disobedience asked in a poll which legislative leaders should be held accountable. Not everyone believes our "allies" in DC should be blamed for this EPIC ENDA FAIL.

I think we should hold them accountable and I also beleive we should add Mara Keisling's name to that short list!

The Democrats HAD the ability to pass a FULLY inclusive ENDA in 2010. An ENDA that would have prohibited discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Instead the Democratic controlled house Labor and Education committee quibbled and debated secretly in committee behind closed doors. The only whiffs of information was passed by Congressman Barny Franks as he inexplicably defended the committees inaction.

A ENDA wolf in lambs clothing designed to mollify the weak transgender representation in DC who would gladly sacrifice our liberties for this law that would have had tiers designed to placate the democratic party, so embedded by the religious right, by codifying which bathroom you used dependent on an employer's subjective determination of your manhood or womanhood.

Mara Keisling adamantly denied that our liberties were being scapegoated. However, she did say that what was being discussed would be 'better than nothing". Better than nothing than what Mara? I will be damned in hell before I allow a man to dictate to me exactly how feminine I may be. And Mara, if this was not the discussion taking place in committee WHY did Enda not EVEN emerge from the House and Education committee after receiving it's second consecutive shinning recommendation from chairman Miller?

The ENDA Trojan horse in construction would have allowed the religious right to render this 'civil rights bill' useless by a erecting concrete barrier of prejudice within the walls of our nation. This law in writing was was defended by Mara Keisling of the National Center Transgender Equality who called myself and others as Idiot's and rumor mongers as we correctly identified from thousands of miles away the sickness of these Washington demagogues.

The Democrats were unable to write a discriminating civil rights law for crying out loud! The Democrats FAILED. They threw away this golden opportunity and with their own buffoonery enabled the emergence of the TEA party and empowering of it's big brother, the republican party. The November elections midterm elections may very well spell and end for ENDA for decades to come.

Most tragically Mara Keisling of the NCTE threw away our trust. She should be held accountable by GET=EQUAL because if the strategy she espouses will ever bare fruit which involves all of us working cohesively together we need transgender representation in DC that will do so in good faith.

Kelli Anne Busey | July 17, 2010

Drag Queen Sherry Vine "Your a Homo"

YOU'RE A HOMO
I KNOW THAT YOU ARE SCARED AND I KNOW THAT YOU LIKE TO HIDE IN YOUR SECRET WORLD BUT I JUST CAN'T LET YOU GET AWAY WITH IT ANYMORE. YOU'RE A HOMO
YOU LIKE YOUR SEX, IN PUBLIC TOILETS
SO NO ONE CAN SEE YOU, THEY CAN'T SEE YOU
OR AT THE PARK, IN THE BUSHES
BUT WHERE'S THAT WEDDING RING I SAW ON YOU
AND WHEN YOU VOTE AGAINST ME
FROM THE CAPITOL IN DC
CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU CREATE, A WORLD OF HATE
SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED, YOU'RE A HOMO
NO ONE TO BLAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
DON'T WANT NO MUFF, YOU LIKE THAT DICK
YOU ARE A LYING HYPOCRITE
SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED, YOU'RE A HOMO
YOU'RE A HOMO. HONEY, YOU'RE A HOMO
PLEASE. JUST STOP LYING. YOU'RE A HOMO. JUST COME OUT!
YOU SAY I'M SICK, I'M JUST A SINNER
BUT I AM NOT THE ONE MOLESTING BOYS
AND ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT YOU TORTURE
THEIR GHOSTS WILL FILL YOUR HEAD WITH DEAFENING NOISE
AND WHEN YOU USE RELIGION
AS A FRONT FOR OPPRESSION
CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU CREATE A WORLD OF HATE
CHORUS
THERE IS NO SHAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
NO ONE TO BLAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
LIFE'S JUST A GAME, YOU'RE A HOMO
I AM THE SAME, I'M A HOMO
THERE IS NO SHAME, I'M A HOMO
NO ONE TO BLAME, I'M A HOMO
SO SAY IT NOW, AND SAY IT LOUD
IT'S TIME TO LIVE OUT AND PROUD
I AM THE SAME, I'M A HOMO
sherryvine.com

B4 the 1st kiss: TELL your date you're transgender! What was GLAAD thinking?

Save a life! What was GLAAD thinking?

Before your first kiss make sure you tell your romantic interest about your being transgender and exactly what you have between your legs. Period. To do otherwise makes you culpable and at least in part responsible for your partners anger if they should react so when learning of your genitalia or history post kiss. If you are in it for a meaningful relationship honesty is the cornerstone.

What is GLAAD Thinking?

The New York Times in open public discourse recommends honesty, discretion and respect between perspective romantic partners even if the cisgender person feels rightfully mislead and Glaad objects

Open public discourse between cisgender people involving our emerging transgender community invites some unintentional misuse of language. However was that a typo by the New York Times "transgender ed" or a taunt aimed at GLAAD?

Are transgender people being used as a weapon welded by the NY Times and GLAAD? If this is so, in this instance, GLAAD needs to seriously reconsider it's motivation and the results of its actions on the transgender community. The same people it portends to champion.

Persecuting those like Cohen who did not strictly adhere to the guidebook hurts the transgender community by inhibiting dialogue and discourse. Wars are averted by discussion a good friend reminds me.

GLAAD What are you thinking?

Kelli Busey 7/13/2010

Presbyterians Move Closer to Ordaining GLBT Clergy Soulforce 11 arrested after Marriage Equality Inaction

National Presbyterians conference moves ahead on ordaining GLBT clergy but hedges on marriage equality. Soulforce civil disobedience after justice was once again denied for marriage equality ministries results in eleven faith activists arrested.

"After the press conference, the national body voted to remove all barriers to ordination for LGBT people. This action now goes to the 173 presbyteries for a vote. Half of the presbyteries must approve it before it becomes policy. Two years ago, the presbyteries came closer than ever to passing ordination equality. This vote will occur in the next nine months." Glaad Blog



I don't know if you have ever had a opportunity to attend a Soulforce direct action where people of intense faith gather to participate in changing history, but if you do it will forever change you.~kelli

Help The IGLHRC Gain UN Consultative Status: Add Your Organization in Support

Support the Fair Treatment of Civil Society at the UN

Dear Friends & Colleagues:

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission needs your support. Three years ago we applied to the UN for consultative status so that we can bring the voices and issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to the UN. We finally have a chance on during this session of ECOSOC in July to get this status.

But there are governments who are doing all they can to prevent this. We need as many Member States as possible to support us. You can help by asking your government to vote in our favour and by showing your organizations support through visiting http://tiny.cc/iglhrcECOSOC and adding your name to this letter to be sent to all Member States.

As the letter below explains, the sub-committee that makes recommendations to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this last May again prevented our application from being considered on its merits by the full ECOSOC. With the support of some Member States this measure to block us is being brought to the attention of ECOSOC and we are hoping that we will be able to move forward and be approved.

Please add your organization name today and send this email on to your lists.

Thank you for helping to ensure that the voices of civil society are not silenced by discrimination.

Cary Alan Johnson
Executive Director
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

This letter will be available in French and Spanish shortly. Please email ecosoc.communications@iglhrc.org if you would like to receive the translated versions.

** Petition **

To the Members and Observers of the United Nations Economic and Social Council:

Civil society is a vital partner in the work of the United Nations and the 2010 session of the UN ECOSOC presents an opportunity to support civil society voices. We urge you to support the application for NGO consultative status of the human rights organization, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and to prevent the unfair use of procedural measures to silence civil society.

Last month, certain Member States in the subsidiary NGO Committee presented a motion of "no action" on the call for a vote to decide on the consultative status application of IGLHRC. This no-action call was successful despite the fact that IGLHRC's application has already been in the Committee process for three years and the organization has answered numerous questions and requests for information. The nature of the questions facing IGLHRC and various other statements made by some Member States indicated that this stalling tactic was motivated by the fact that IGLHRC's human-rights work focuses on already marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

This is the first time this no-action procedure has been used to prevent the Committee from doing its work to make a recommendation on an application's merits after an initial (and in this case extensive) review of the applying organization. This extraordinary use of the no-action motion to prevent the full ECOSOC from taking decisions on an NGOs application, where that NGO works on politically contentious issues or for unpopular minority groups, should not be allowed to stand. If left unchallenged, this could result in the regular use of such a procedure to block progress. This would subvert the purpose of the NGO sub-committee, deny the ECOSOC the opportunity to fulfill its function and would limit the access of vital civil society groups to contribute to the work of the UN.

We call on you to support IGLHRC's application for consultative status at ECOSOC and to send a message to the NGO Committee that it must review all applications without discrimination.

Diversity of civil society at the United Nations is essential to respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all people and to achieving sustainable peace and human security. Please do not allow the voices of marginalized people to be silenced by discrimination and procedural roadblocks.

Sincerely,
Organization
Country Name
ECOSOC Status

Sign the petition here or email us to add your name at ecosoc.communications@iglhrc.org

IGLHRC · 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1505 · New York, NY 10038phone: +1 (212) 430-6054 · fax: +1 (212) 430-6060 · salsa.democracyinaction.org

LA Panel Convenes "Women Demanding Change Now : Gay Media Misrepresenting Transsexual Women