This time they are turning up the heat, urging their members to contact the governor asking him to veto EQCA’s legislation–authored by Senator Mark Leno–to honor my uncle, Harvey Milk.
The governor needs to see a groundswell of support for legislation to honor one of our movement’s greatest heroes, Harvey Milk. Please sign the petition today!
This morning, EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors will be joined by Senator Leno and Dustin Lance Black, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of the movie “Milk,” to give testimony before the Senate Education Committee urging the passage of this legislation that pays tribute to the sacrifices Harvey made to advance equality.
Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill saying that my uncle was a figure of only local significance. Since then, millions have seen how important my uncle was to the LGBT rights movement – and how he inspired so many to fight for what is right.
Please sign the petition to Governor Schwarzenegger and urge him to sign the Harvey Milk Day bill. You can even add in a special message about what Harvey Milk means to you.
The deadline is fast approaching. All the petitions will be delivered to the Governor on May 22, my uncle’s birthday.
Warmly,
Stuart Millk
Watch Senator Mark Leno, EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors and Dustin Lance Black, the award-wining screen-writer of Milk, testify at the Senate Education Committee for the Harvey Milk Day legislation.
Watch on Cal Channel >
Join the Facebook rally!
5/6/09
Be One in A Million Governor Schwarzenegger | Honor Harvey Milk
The same group, motivated by fear and hate, who brought us Prop 8 is at it again with a new target.
There is no excuse for failing to protect Texas school children.
Bullying & harassment are not rites of passage; they are serious problems.
Children are being bullied to death.
When will the madness stop?
In 2007, the anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying "Corinne's Law" was introduced in the Texas Legislature by Rep. Harold Dutton and supported by Equality Texas.
The bill died on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives for lack of action.
Children are being bullied to death.
When will the madness stop?
In 2007, the anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying "Corinne's Law" was introduced in the Texas Legislature by Rep. Harold Dutton and supported by Equality Texas.
The bill died on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives for lack of action.
YOU can help stop the madness.
Urge passage of House Bill 1323 by Rep. Mark Strama.
Take Action. Ask your representative to vote FOR HB 1323. Help stop the madness.
Tell me more
Send this message to:
Your Representative (if you live in Texas)
Talking Points
House Bill 1323 will not end bullying and harassment in Texas schools.
It is, however, a step toward acknowledging the existence of serious problems and initiating steps to deal with them.
HB 1323:
Expands the definition of bullying by including bullying by electronic means such as computers, cell phones, text messaging, and instant messaging;
Expands the current definition of bullying to include incidents that occur off school property if the communication is likely to cause a disruption to the educational environment of a campus;
Provides for the movement of the bully to another classroom or campus, at the discretion of school administation. Currently, the victim is required to move to another classroom or campus;
Expands the mandatory sexual harassment policy that school districts are required to have to include bullying.
Requires notification of the parents or guardians of both the victim and the student who is bullying or sexually harassing another student;
Expands the state's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) reporting requirement to include incidents of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. Includes a requirement to report if incidents were a result of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.
Send this message to:
Your Representative (if you live in Texas)
Talking Points
House Bill 1323 will not end bullying and harassment in Texas schools.
It is, however, a step toward acknowledging the existence of serious problems and initiating steps to deal with them.
HB 1323:
Expands the definition of bullying by including bullying by electronic means such as computers, cell phones, text messaging, and instant messaging;
Expands the current definition of bullying to include incidents that occur off school property if the communication is likely to cause a disruption to the educational environment of a campus;
Provides for the movement of the bully to another classroom or campus, at the discretion of school administation. Currently, the victim is required to move to another classroom or campus;
Expands the mandatory sexual harassment policy that school districts are required to have to include bullying.
Requires notification of the parents or guardians of both the victim and the student who is bullying or sexually harassing another student;
Expands the state's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) reporting requirement to include incidents of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. Includes a requirement to report if incidents were a result of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.
Subject:
Dear [ Decision Maker ],
(Edit Letter Below)I live in your district and you are my state representative. I am writing to ask you to vote FOR Representative Mark Strama's Anti-Bullying Bill - HB 1323.
There is no excuse for failing to protect Texas school children. Bullying and harassment are not rites of passage. Our children are being bullied and cyberbullied to death.
When will this madness stop?
HB 1323 expands the definition of bullying by including bullying by electronic means such as computers, cell phones, text messaging, and instant messaging.
HB 1323 expands the current definition of bullying to include incidents that occur off school property if the communication is likely to cause a disruption to the educational environment of a campus.
HB 1323 provides for the movement of the bully to another classroom or campus, at the discretion of school administation. Currently, the victim is required to move to another classroom or campus.
HB 1323 expands the mandatory sexual harassment policy that school districts are required to have to include bullying.
HB 1323 requires notification of the parents or guardians of both the victim and the student who is bullying or sexually harassing another student.
HB 1323 expands the state's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) reporting requirement to include incidents of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment.
We can stop this madness. I urge you to support and vote for House Bill 1323 by Representative Strama.
Sincerely,[Your name] [Your address]
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5/2/09
Urge the state of New Hampshire to allow same-sex Marriage
Urge the state of New Hampshire to allow same-sex couples to share fully in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of civil marriage.
HB436 is close to going to the governor.
He is undecided as to what to do .
His personal feeling is against marriage equality, but he represents the people and if enough people call and ask him to support marriage equality we believe he will put his personal feeling aside and sign the bill.
CALL GOVERNOR LYNCH
(603)271-2121
TELL HIM TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY, HB436
Next Steps
The bill must go back to the house so that they may approve the changes made by the Senate. This will happen Wednesday. It then moves on to the Governor.
Actions needed
1) We must collect thousands of signatures on our equality petition. Please click here to help collect signatures. Return these signatures to us.
2) Write a letter to the editor click here
3) Spread the word click here
Pro LGBT Obama Vanishing Act | 1st 100 Days
Has Obama used our LGBT community for political fodder and now quietly kicked the cannon so as to let the flotsam float away?
At Bilereco Project Author Alex Blaze's article "White House website de-gayed" presents some very disturbing information. Well worth the click..
My personal take is Obama is a politician, nothing more, nothing less. I'm involved as an ally with the ACLU and have been made very aware that Obama's political promises are only as good as the vigil that watches and the magnitude of the responds to his inaction.
On the web
planetransgender Obama : Torture is NOT Tolerated by America
LGBT Organizational Spotlight | TransMentors International
TransMentors International is a non-profit organization which provides aid, support and assistance to Trans-identified individuals.
We are committed to the health and well-being of all members of our diverse community. For more information, please visit our website at
http://www.transmentors.org/ .
Donations to TMII are processed through Arizona Missions, and are used for pursuing the mission and vision of TMII.
Donations to the cause benefit: Arizona Missions, Inc. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Facebook page :
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/251741/11123646?m=9808e230
5/1/09
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (located at The Bridge) Transgender Policy
POLICY OF NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL TREATMENT
MDHA has a non-discriminatory policy of respect for all people without regard to their race, ancestry, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, mental disability, physical disability, age, marital status, or other arbitrary characteristics. It is our goal to provide equal treatment of all homeless people seeking our services.
Discrimination is prohibited in all aspects of employment and housing practices, and MDHA is committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect. It is our intent to provide a welcoming atmosphere to all, in a physically and emotionally safe environment. MDHA will not tolerate the threat or acts of violence nor harassment based on discriminatory practices. MDHA appreciates the value of diversity and embraces all persons seeking services at any of our facilities.
As a provider of services for the homeless, MDHA recognizes that people living without housing have the right to decent, safe, affordable and appropriate housing and services, without regard to their physical attributes or protected status.
In as such, MDHA has adopted a new standard operating procedure that addresses gender perception and gender identity issues.
Please see attached policy.Policy for Accommodations of Transgender Persons*
I. Policy of Non-Discrimination [A policy of Respect]
A. Respect
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA) has a policy of respect for all people, including transgender people. The policy is to respect the gender of each person as they self-identify it. For example, if someone says she is a woman, she is a woman. A person’s gender does not depend on whether or not they have had surgery or other medical treatments. Employees should not require that guests or residents remove gendered clothing.
Employees must never tell others a guest’s or resident’s transgender status because it is confidential, and because if others know a person is transgender, he or she may be subject to additional discrimination, harassment or even assault.
B. Non-Discrimination
MDHA has a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender. Gender means a person's actual sex or perceived sex and includes a person's perceived identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with a person's sex at birth. [“Gender” refers to actual or perceived sex and includes a person's identity, appearance, expression, or behavior whether or not that identity, appearance, expression, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's assigned sex at birth.
Issues relating to non-discrimination shall be made clear in recruiting, informational materials, and orientation sessions. Physically safe, secure, and appropriate space with a welcoming, emotionally safe atmosphere shall be available to all persons at MDHA.
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance is committed to ending discrimination. MDHA will not allow violence or harassment. MDHA is committed to the appreciation of the value of diversity, including diversity of gender identity.
C. Pronoun Use
Employees must display a basic respect for transgender men and women and ensure that others do so as well. This means asking transgender individuals what name or names they prefer to be called.
MDHA will refer to a transgender female as “she” when talking to the guest/resident, and use that pronoun in reports or other documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case. If the individual is presenting and living as a female (regardless of surgical status), mark the person as female (“F”) on documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case and refer to the person as “she” in the narrative. Do not refer to the person as “he” in the report, or when talking to the transgender guest/resident. This will be done out of respect to the transgender individual.
MDHA will refer to a transgender male as "he" when talking to the guest/resident, and use that pronoun in reports or other documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case. If the individual is presenting and living as a male (regardless of surgical status), mark the person as male (“M”) on documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case and refer to the person as “he” in the narrative. Do not refer to the person as “she” in the report, or when talking to the transgender guest/resident. This will be done out of respect to the transgender individual.
II. Eligibility for Services
The services at MDHA are made fully available to transgender men/women who live their lives “24/7” (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) or “full time”. In other words, such transgender persons who would otherwise qualify for services based upon objective criteria will be extended or denied services just as any other person would be. It shall make no difference whether or not the transgender man/woman has had or intends to have genital surgery (“sex reassignment surgery”), only that the transgender person lives his/her life as a man/woman. No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress, or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him or her by the Constitution or laws of the United States because of the other person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation, or because he or she perceives that the other person has one or more of those characteristics.
III. Provision of Services
MDHA will provide transgender men/women who are accepted for services with the same range of professional services available to other guest/residents that we serve. Discriminatory and prejudice-motivated [bias] comments and other behavior, which creates a hostile environment on the part of Employees, volunteers, and other residents, will not be tolerated. Harassment of all kinds is prohibited. If guests/residents are harassing any person, including a transgender person, Employees must make sure that it stops. This policy is to be uniformly enforced whether the guest/resident is openly transgender or whether the guest/resident is thought to be transgender but has not disclosed their status.
A. Hiring for Employees and Volunteer Positions
MDHA will add “gender” or “gender identity” to its list of classes protected from discrimination in the agency’s hiring and volunteer retention practices. In other words, candidates for Employees and volunteer positions will not be discriminated against on the basis of their gender or gender identity, and transgender candidates will be given the same consideration as other candidates.
B. Accessibility of Physical Accommodations
MDHA will make appropriate bathroom and bedroom facilities as well as changing areas available to transgender guest/residents.
People who identify as women are to be housed with the women and use the women’s showers and bathrooms. Transgender women shall have the same access to bathrooms, showers, changing areas, and bedrooms as persons assigned female at birth.
People who identify as men are to be housed with the men and use the men’s showers and bathrooms. Transgender men shall have the same access to bathrooms, showers, changing areas, and bedrooms as persons assigned male at birth.
People who do not clearly identify as male or female are to be housed in and use the bathrooms and showers in whichever section they feel safest. If this bothers the other residents of that section, Employees should patiently explain to those residents that the person is not a threat to them and that they should be respected.
Special accommodations may be made for transgender men/women who have not had genital surgery (“sex reassignment surgery”). They are considered “non-operative” or “pre-operative”. Transgender men (who have a vagina or breasts) or transgender women (who have a penis) may share bathrooms, bedrooms, and changing areas with birth assigned women/men if there are stalls, latching or locking doors, curtains, or other devices that provide them and other guest/residents with privacy (that is, prevent public exposure of genitals) when nudity is required. If such privacy is not available, reasonable attempts shall be made to provide alternate accommodations such as single bedrooms or alternate times to change or bathe. {Texas Law states: “Every person who willfully and lewdly, either: 1. Exposes his person, or the private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where there are present other persons to be offender or annoyed thereby… Is guilty of a misdemeanor.”}
IV. Posting and Distribution of Policies
MDHA shall publicly post non-discrimination policies for both employment and guest/resident services and shall distribute them to Employees as well as to volunteers and guests/residents. Written copies of these policies should be made available to anyone who request them or who might benefit from familiarizing or re-familiarizing themselves with them, including Employees, volunteers, and guest/residents. Cultural competent training’s on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender issues may also be an appropriate and helpful way to help everyone understand the importance of these policies to the agency’s mission and well being.
V. A commitment to Increasing Cultural Competence
MDHA will continue to assess its cultural competence in providing assistance to transgender men/women.
MDHA will continue to increase its knowledge of the transgender community through ongoing Employees and volunteer trainings.
MDHA will appoint an individual or a team of individuals to develop expertise on assisting transgender women/men who will be available to consult with other Employees about agency policies and clinical issues related to the needs and experiences of transgender guests/residents.
In addition to providing the full range of professional services made available by MDHA, transgender guests/residents will be linked with transgender community services that may better address their needs as transgender persons, and MDHA will work effectively with these community providers, utilizing a collaborating care management model.
MDHA will extend community education and outreach services to transgender guest/residents as it does to others groups of marginalized guests/residents.
VI. A Commitment to Record-Keeping and Statistics Tracking
MDHA will keep track of how many openly transgender-identified persons request and are provided our services. These statistics will include basic demographic information such as age, ethnicity, and annual income. To ensure effective information gathering, MDHA will review screening and intake procedures to make certain they are culturally competent with regard to transgender persons.
MDHA has a non-discriminatory policy of respect for all people without regard to their race, ancestry, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, mental disability, physical disability, age, marital status, or other arbitrary characteristics. It is our goal to provide equal treatment of all homeless people seeking our services.
Discrimination is prohibited in all aspects of employment and housing practices, and MDHA is committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect. It is our intent to provide a welcoming atmosphere to all, in a physically and emotionally safe environment. MDHA will not tolerate the threat or acts of violence nor harassment based on discriminatory practices. MDHA appreciates the value of diversity and embraces all persons seeking services at any of our facilities.
As a provider of services for the homeless, MDHA recognizes that people living without housing have the right to decent, safe, affordable and appropriate housing and services, without regard to their physical attributes or protected status.
In as such, MDHA has adopted a new standard operating procedure that addresses gender perception and gender identity issues.
Please see attached policy.Policy for Accommodations of Transgender Persons*
I. Policy of Non-Discrimination [A policy of Respect]
A. Respect
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA) has a policy of respect for all people, including transgender people. The policy is to respect the gender of each person as they self-identify it. For example, if someone says she is a woman, she is a woman. A person’s gender does not depend on whether or not they have had surgery or other medical treatments. Employees should not require that guests or residents remove gendered clothing.
Employees must never tell others a guest’s or resident’s transgender status because it is confidential, and because if others know a person is transgender, he or she may be subject to additional discrimination, harassment or even assault.
B. Non-Discrimination
MDHA has a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender. Gender means a person's actual sex or perceived sex and includes a person's perceived identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with a person's sex at birth. [“Gender” refers to actual or perceived sex and includes a person's identity, appearance, expression, or behavior whether or not that identity, appearance, expression, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's assigned sex at birth.
Issues relating to non-discrimination shall be made clear in recruiting, informational materials, and orientation sessions. Physically safe, secure, and appropriate space with a welcoming, emotionally safe atmosphere shall be available to all persons at MDHA.
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance is committed to ending discrimination. MDHA will not allow violence or harassment. MDHA is committed to the appreciation of the value of diversity, including diversity of gender identity.
C. Pronoun Use
Employees must display a basic respect for transgender men and women and ensure that others do so as well. This means asking transgender individuals what name or names they prefer to be called.
MDHA will refer to a transgender female as “she” when talking to the guest/resident, and use that pronoun in reports or other documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case. If the individual is presenting and living as a female (regardless of surgical status), mark the person as female (“F”) on documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case and refer to the person as “she” in the narrative. Do not refer to the person as “he” in the report, or when talking to the transgender guest/resident. This will be done out of respect to the transgender individual.
MDHA will refer to a transgender male as "he" when talking to the guest/resident, and use that pronoun in reports or other documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case. If the individual is presenting and living as a male (regardless of surgical status), mark the person as male (“M”) on documents relating to the transgender guest/resident’s case and refer to the person as “he” in the narrative. Do not refer to the person as “she” in the report, or when talking to the transgender guest/resident. This will be done out of respect to the transgender individual.
II. Eligibility for Services
The services at MDHA are made fully available to transgender men/women who live their lives “24/7” (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) or “full time”. In other words, such transgender persons who would otherwise qualify for services based upon objective criteria will be extended or denied services just as any other person would be. It shall make no difference whether or not the transgender man/woman has had or intends to have genital surgery (“sex reassignment surgery”), only that the transgender person lives his/her life as a man/woman. No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress, or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him or her by the Constitution or laws of the United States because of the other person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation, or because he or she perceives that the other person has one or more of those characteristics.
III. Provision of Services
MDHA will provide transgender men/women who are accepted for services with the same range of professional services available to other guest/residents that we serve. Discriminatory and prejudice-motivated [bias] comments and other behavior, which creates a hostile environment on the part of Employees, volunteers, and other residents, will not be tolerated. Harassment of all kinds is prohibited. If guests/residents are harassing any person, including a transgender person, Employees must make sure that it stops. This policy is to be uniformly enforced whether the guest/resident is openly transgender or whether the guest/resident is thought to be transgender but has not disclosed their status.
A. Hiring for Employees and Volunteer Positions
MDHA will add “gender” or “gender identity” to its list of classes protected from discrimination in the agency’s hiring and volunteer retention practices. In other words, candidates for Employees and volunteer positions will not be discriminated against on the basis of their gender or gender identity, and transgender candidates will be given the same consideration as other candidates.
B. Accessibility of Physical Accommodations
MDHA will make appropriate bathroom and bedroom facilities as well as changing areas available to transgender guest/residents.
People who identify as women are to be housed with the women and use the women’s showers and bathrooms. Transgender women shall have the same access to bathrooms, showers, changing areas, and bedrooms as persons assigned female at birth.
People who identify as men are to be housed with the men and use the men’s showers and bathrooms. Transgender men shall have the same access to bathrooms, showers, changing areas, and bedrooms as persons assigned male at birth.
People who do not clearly identify as male or female are to be housed in and use the bathrooms and showers in whichever section they feel safest. If this bothers the other residents of that section, Employees should patiently explain to those residents that the person is not a threat to them and that they should be respected.
Special accommodations may be made for transgender men/women who have not had genital surgery (“sex reassignment surgery”). They are considered “non-operative” or “pre-operative”. Transgender men (who have a vagina or breasts) or transgender women (who have a penis) may share bathrooms, bedrooms, and changing areas with birth assigned women/men if there are stalls, latching or locking doors, curtains, or other devices that provide them and other guest/residents with privacy (that is, prevent public exposure of genitals) when nudity is required. If such privacy is not available, reasonable attempts shall be made to provide alternate accommodations such as single bedrooms or alternate times to change or bathe. {Texas Law states: “Every person who willfully and lewdly, either: 1. Exposes his person, or the private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where there are present other persons to be offender or annoyed thereby… Is guilty of a misdemeanor.”}
IV. Posting and Distribution of Policies
MDHA shall publicly post non-discrimination policies for both employment and guest/resident services and shall distribute them to Employees as well as to volunteers and guests/residents. Written copies of these policies should be made available to anyone who request them or who might benefit from familiarizing or re-familiarizing themselves with them, including Employees, volunteers, and guest/residents. Cultural competent training’s on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender issues may also be an appropriate and helpful way to help everyone understand the importance of these policies to the agency’s mission and well being.
V. A commitment to Increasing Cultural Competence
MDHA will continue to assess its cultural competence in providing assistance to transgender men/women.
MDHA will continue to increase its knowledge of the transgender community through ongoing Employees and volunteer trainings.
MDHA will appoint an individual or a team of individuals to develop expertise on assisting transgender women/men who will be available to consult with other Employees about agency policies and clinical issues related to the needs and experiences of transgender guests/residents.
In addition to providing the full range of professional services made available by MDHA, transgender guests/residents will be linked with transgender community services that may better address their needs as transgender persons, and MDHA will work effectively with these community providers, utilizing a collaborating care management model.
MDHA will extend community education and outreach services to transgender guest/residents as it does to others groups of marginalized guests/residents.
VI. A Commitment to Record-Keeping and Statistics Tracking
MDHA will keep track of how many openly transgender-identified persons request and are provided our services. These statistics will include basic demographic information such as age, ethnicity, and annual income. To ensure effective information gathering, MDHA will review screening and intake procedures to make certain they are culturally competent with regard to transgender persons.
Homeless Transgender in Dallas | Is There Somewhere To Go?
According to Jay Dunn, manager of the city owned shelter the 'Bridge', in our first conversation, this question had never been a issue much less ever been asked.
But according to one employee of the Bridge that I interviewed, who stated rather matter of factly, that regardless of input from the guest on intake, Bridge Staff determined what gender to address him/her with and regardless of the resultant danger, routinely decided what facilities the guest would use to sleep and shower.
That was not be surprising to me as there was no formal written policy requiring staff training, guest awareness or facility availability for transgender people.
Since 2002 the city of Dallas has had a ordinance that requires transgender people be treated fairly in housing, employment and public accommodations. So I began attempting to establish contact with Fair Housing Office - Human Rights Compliance City of Dallas, which is tasked with enforcing this ordinance. After a month Karen Boudreaux returned my calls. She introduced herself as the city manager who "signed the checks" for the bridge. A meeting was scheduled with city managers and outreach workers, The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance(MDHA), and the group I represent, the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies(DTAA).
The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance(MDHA) Bridge management was a no show, much to the chagrin of Karen Boudreaux but we held our meeting non the less.
During the meeting it was agreed that the need for a written transgender policy existed and that this issue had been addressed previously but not followed up on. There was a absence of a transgender policy after the city had taken over the bridge and contracted to the MDHA when a out of state management company, which had used it's own policy, was no longer managing the Bridge.
After repeated phone calls and emails I was later contacted by Jay Dunn, manager of the Bridge. Mr. Dunn assured me that at the bridge, regardless of the fact there was no written policy, transgender people were being treated according to city ordinance 46 and that in fact, no written policy was needed.
Mr. Dunn eventually did eventually agree to produce a written policy and did so in April 2009.
The new Bridge policy is a model of inclusiveness for transgender homeless and if the procedure is implemented, and a regiment of training is occurring, the bridge could be a safe emergency shelter for homeless transgender people.
I may soon verify that in person.
I have been living by the good graces of friends since February and am in severe financial straits due to the economic downturn. I will continue to try and find employment, write and advocate but may have to see in person if someone is............
Homeless Transgender in Dallas | Is there Somewhere safe To Go?
*****************
Dallas city ordinance 02-1506; ORDINANCE NO. 24927
Item 54.
An ordinance amending Chapter 15B of, and adding Chapter 46 to, the Dallas City Code, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in City of Dallas contracts; to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations; to provide a complaint, investigation, conciliation, and enforcement process; to provide exceptions; to define terms; and to provide a criminal penalty of not less than $200 or more than $500 - $168,706 - Financing: Currrent Funds (subject to annual appropriations - includes incremental costs of $14,988 and reallocated personnel costs of $153,718) [02-1506; ORDINANCE NO. 24927; APPROVED]
Fair Housing Office - Human Rights Compliance
DEFINITIONS
Sexual Orientation – means an individual’s real or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or transgender.
MDHA
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (located at The Bridge) Transgender Policy
The National Gay and Lesbian Task force report : 'Transitioning our shelters: A guide to making homeless shelters safe for transgender people'
On the web
Man of Austin Death of Jennifer Gale Brings Austin’s Transgender Homeless into Spotlight
SF ChronicleShelters slowly adapt to help transgender homeless
Dallas Voice Bridge shelter puts policy on trans homeless in writing
But according to one employee of the Bridge that I interviewed, who stated rather matter of factly, that regardless of input from the guest on intake, Bridge Staff determined what gender to address him/her with and regardless of the resultant danger, routinely decided what facilities the guest would use to sleep and shower.
That was not be surprising to me as there was no formal written policy requiring staff training, guest awareness or facility availability for transgender people.
Since 2002 the city of Dallas has had a ordinance that requires transgender people be treated fairly in housing, employment and public accommodations. So I began attempting to establish contact with Fair Housing Office - Human Rights Compliance City of Dallas, which is tasked with enforcing this ordinance. After a month Karen Boudreaux returned my calls. She introduced herself as the city manager who "signed the checks" for the bridge. A meeting was scheduled with city managers and outreach workers, The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance(MDHA), and the group I represent, the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies(DTAA).
The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance(MDHA) Bridge management was a no show, much to the chagrin of Karen Boudreaux but we held our meeting non the less.
During the meeting it was agreed that the need for a written transgender policy existed and that this issue had been addressed previously but not followed up on. There was a absence of a transgender policy after the city had taken over the bridge and contracted to the MDHA when a out of state management company, which had used it's own policy, was no longer managing the Bridge.
After repeated phone calls and emails I was later contacted by Jay Dunn, manager of the Bridge. Mr. Dunn assured me that at the bridge, regardless of the fact there was no written policy, transgender people were being treated according to city ordinance 46 and that in fact, no written policy was needed.
Mr. Dunn eventually did eventually agree to produce a written policy and did so in April 2009.
The new Bridge policy is a model of inclusiveness for transgender homeless and if the procedure is implemented, and a regiment of training is occurring, the bridge could be a safe emergency shelter for homeless transgender people.
I may soon verify that in person.
I have been living by the good graces of friends since February and am in severe financial straits due to the economic downturn. I will continue to try and find employment, write and advocate but may have to see in person if someone is............
Homeless Transgender in Dallas | Is there Somewhere safe To Go?
*****************
Dallas city ordinance 02-1506; ORDINANCE NO. 24927
Item 54.
An ordinance amending Chapter 15B of, and adding Chapter 46 to, the Dallas City Code, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in City of Dallas contracts; to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations; to provide a complaint, investigation, conciliation, and enforcement process; to provide exceptions; to define terms; and to provide a criminal penalty of not less than $200 or more than $500 - $168,706 - Financing: Currrent Funds (subject to annual appropriations - includes incremental costs of $14,988 and reallocated personnel costs of $153,718) [02-1506; ORDINANCE NO. 24927; APPROVED]
Fair Housing Office - Human Rights Compliance
DEFINITIONS
Sexual Orientation – means an individual’s real or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or transgender.
MDHA
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (located at The Bridge) Transgender Policy
The National Gay and Lesbian Task force report : 'Transitioning our shelters: A guide to making homeless shelters safe for transgender people'
On the web
Man of Austin Death of Jennifer Gale Brings Austin’s Transgender Homeless into Spotlight
SF ChronicleShelters slowly adapt to help transgender homeless
Dallas Voice Bridge shelter puts policy on trans homeless in writing
4/30/09
NGblog: Judy Shepard on Rachel Maddow/MSNBC
NGblog: Judy Shepard on Rachel Maddow/MSNBC 9pm EST
I want to watch this. Foxx(R) NC tirade against naming human rigts bills "Mathew Shepard" in honor of Judy's son has brought new energy that helped to pass the House version HR(1913.) It is now in the Senate Judiciary committee waiting recommendations as S.909 with a final destination at the White House where President Obama promised to sign it.
Thanks NG Blog
I want to watch this. Foxx(R) NC tirade against naming human rigts bills "Mathew Shepard" in honor of Judy's son has brought new energy that helped to pass the House version HR(1913.) It is now in the Senate Judiciary committee waiting recommendations as S.909 with a final destination at the White House where President Obama promised to sign it.
Thanks NG Blog
4/29/09
Republican Congresswoman Foxx (NC) calls Matthew Shepard's brutal murder "a hoax."
Republican Congresswoman Foxx(R)NC said continuing to name a hate crimes bill "The Mathew Shepard Act" is a hoax becuse she said everyone knows he was robbed.
Mathew Shepard's mother was reported to be in the gallery.
Source You Tube Comentary:
"The House Republican chosen to lead the charge against including women, people with disabilities, and gays in America's already-existing hate crimes law - existing law already counts violent crime based on the race, religion or national origin of the victim as a "hate crime" - just referred on the US House floor to Matthew Shepard's murder as "a hoax." Her name is Virginia Foxx, and she's from, of course, North Carolina. At what point will Republicans stop letting their party be lead by bigots and extremists?"
Hate Crimes Bill Passes House of Representatives
April 29, 2009
Source NCTE
Today the United States House of Representatives voted 249 to 175 in favor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H. R. 1913), moving one step closer to the passage of the first federal law to include gender identity and transgender people in a positive way. This bill would add sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to the categories included in existing federal hate crimes law and would allow local governments who are unable or unwilling to address hate crimes to receive assistance from the federal government.
"This is a great day for America," commented Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, "as we make a clear statement that all lives are valuable and that no one deserves to be targeted for violence just because they are transgender. It is vital that we make it absolutely clear that violence motivated by bias is not tolerated in our country, because while this is a victory, the true victory will come when everyone is genuinely free from violence and discrimination. That's what we are working for."
Transgender people continue to be disproportionately targeted for bias motivated violence and thirteen states and Washington, DC have laws which include transgender people in state hate crimes laws.
What you can do
Contact your Senators' offices and ask for their support for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, S.909, which was introduced yesterday by Senator Edward Kennedy.
NCTE
On the web
Dallas Voice Blog "Instant Tea" Hate Crimes bill passes in the House
NH Senate Democrats Destroyed Transgender Rights
The New Hampshire Senate voted unanimously against transgender rights while simintaiously Senate democrates issued statements condemning the statements made by the opponents of transgender rights bill.
"That sounds like bullshit to me." ~kelli Busey
The Democrates were the ones using the oppositions "POTTY POLITICS" as the REASON they did NOT support the bill.
Now these same democrats have been made to be accountable and they are squirming.
'POTTY POLITICS' = 'TRANS PANIC'
********************************
Source The Boston Herald
"The Senate voted unanimously today to kill the bill, but only after
Democrats condemned what they said were distortions by opponents."
"Republicans called it the "bathroom bill" based on the argument it
would open all bathrooms to both men and women, putting women and
children at risk in women’s rooms."
"Supporters said that amounted to painting a straightforward
anti-discrimination bill as something it wasn’t. They said it would
protect a vulnerable group who identify with the gender opposite of
their birth."
4/28/09
Letter From Transgender Faith Leaders in Support of an Inclusive Federal Hate Crimes Bill(HR1913)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dear Decision-maker,
We the under-signed support an inclusive federal hate crimes bill (HR 1913) because we think it is good for the community to take seriously crimes such as the brutal murder of Angie Zapata in Colorado this past year. Reflecting upon the past weeks of Allen Andrade’s court trial, we are grateful for responsible investigators, prosecutors, and a jury who invalidated a harmful and re-victimizing “trans-panic” defense. No one is responsible for their own beating, bashing or killing. When some people are especially targeted for being different or for being queer, it makes sense that the community will act to especially protect them.
We wish that such a law could have protected Angie before her death. But in reality a great number of supports in a community are needed to reduce our vulnerability – namely, social and economic justice for all.
The ‘guilty’ verdict reached in a court of law dignified, but could never repair, the value of Angie’s life and the gravity of her loss. Yet, our experience in ministries that work toward nonviolent alternatives, reintegration and rehabilitation of offenders does not allow us to believe we can achieve safety by disposing of people behind bars. They are still with us. They are still part of us. We will be praying for the gay men and transgender inmates who face violence while they serve their time, who may even be serving their time in the same facilities as Allen Andrade. We will be praying for Allen as well, now cut off from the prospect of wholeness and reintegration with his community.
We who lead faith traditions hold to a story of justice that does not end with retribution, but rather with restoration. In the struggle against violence and deprivation, we applaud not only the work of the National Center for Transgender Equality to raise specific issues like hate crimes law, but also the work of Senator Webb (S.714) in raising a commission to address a general issue: criminal justice reform. It is high time.
We support legislation today that honors human dignity and possibility. Diversity is a fact of God’s creation -- except for poverty, which is our own creation. Where there is personal or systemic hate and disregard, we urge lawmakers to respond. Not only with indignation but with moral imagination.
Sincerely,
•The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot (Commerce City, CO)
United Church of Christ
•Nicole Garcia (Louisville, CO)
Transgender Representative, Lutherans Concerned/North America
•Mr. Barb Greve (Hamden, CT)
Co-Founder, Transgender Religious Professional Unitarian Universalists Together
•Rabbi Levi Alter (Malibu, CA)
President, Female-To-Male International (Human Rights Gender Non-Discrimination Organization)
•The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge (Allston, MA)
Priest, St. Luke's and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Co-Chair Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, TransEpiscopal
•The Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek (Spring Arbor, MI),
Co-Director of Michigan Equality
•Chris Paige (Philadelphia, PA)
Founder, TransFaith Online
•Seth Donovan (Denver, CO)
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Full Inclusion Committee
•The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison (Salt Lake City, UT)
South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society
•Barbara Satin (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN)
Executive Council, United Church of Christ and Institute of Welcoming Resources and Faithworks Associate of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
•Noach Dzmura (Berkeley, CA)
Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
•Senior Minister Carmarion D. Anderson (Dallas, TX)
Living Faith Covenant Church
•Minister Monica Joy Cross (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Angel Celeste Collie (Chapel Hill, NC)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Rabbi Elliot Kukla (San Francisco, CA)
•The Rev. Megan Rohrer (San Francisco, CA)
Director, The Welcome Ministry
•Richard Juang (Cambridge, MA)
Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
•Rebecca Anne Allison, MD (Phoenix, AZ)
President-Elect, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. Pat Conover (Silver Spring, MD)
Minister, United Church of Christ
Steward, Seekers Church
•The Rev. Allyson Robinson (Gaithersburg, MD)
Associate Director of Diversity, Human Rights Campaign, Alliance of Baptists
•Jakob Hero (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Kate Bowman (Denver, CO)
Board Chair, The Gender Identity Center of Colorado
•The Rev. Vicky Kolakowski (Berkeley, CA)
New Spirit Community Church
•The Rev. Paul Langston-Daley (Glendale, AZ)
Minister, West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
•The Rev. Michelle Hansen, S.T.M., M.Div. (Waterbury CT)
Episcopal Priest (Retired), TransEpiscopal, Treasurer and Moderator of the Twenty Club
•Aidan Dunn (San Francisco, CA)
Stanford University
•Joanne Herman (Boston, MA)
Old South Church, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. G Green (Kenosha, WI)
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
•Ari Lev Fornari (Boston, MA)
Rabbinical Student
•Diane DeLap (Wilmington, MA)
Co-Spokesperson, Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns
•The Rev. Sarah J. Flynn (Burlington, VT)
All Souls Ministry, American Catholic Church of New England
•The Rev. Dr. Erin K. Swenson (Atlanta, GA)
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Presbyterian Church, USA
•The Rev. Sky Anderson (San Jose, CA)
Minister of Community Life, M.C.C. (Metropolitan Community Church)
•The Rt. Rev. Dr. Lynn Elizabeth Walker (Brooklyn, NY)
Orthodox Catholic Church of America
•Kelli Anne Busey (Dallas, TX)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Dr. Virginia Ramey Mollenkott (Paterson, NJ)
Professor Emeritus at William Paterson University and founding memer of the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus
•Mycroft Masada Holmes (Boston, MA)
Co-Chair, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
Chair, Keshet Transgender Working Group (TWiG)
•The Rev. Rik Fire (Warminster, PA)
Ecumenicon Fellowship
•The Rev. Laurie J. Auffant (Lowell, MA)
Unitarian Universalist Association
•Reuben Zellman (San Francisco, CA)
•Stephanie C. Battaglino (Cliffside Park, NJ)
Commissioner, The Oasis - the LGBTi Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, NJ
•Donna M. Cartwright (Baltimore, MD)
TransEpiscopal
•Kate Bornstein (New York City, NY)
Buddhist
•Woody Camacho (San José, CA)
The Metropolitan Community Church of San José
•The Rev. Jay Wilson (San Fransisco, CA)
The Welcome Ministry & Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries
•Jeremiah Gold-Hopton (Atlanta, GA)
Worship Ministry, Northwest (Atlanta) UU Congregation
•Randall E. Klein (Walnut Creek, CA)
Founder, Light in the Closet Ministry, Hillside Covenant Church
•The Rev. Jake Kopmeier (St. Petersburg, FL)
King of Peace MCC
•Jake Nash (Cleveland, OH)
Minister of Worship, Emmanuel Fellowship Church
Executive Director, TranFamily of Cleveland
•Lauryn Farris (San Antonio, TX)
Lay Leader, United Church of Christ
President, San Antonio Gender Association
•Joni Christian (Kent, OH)
Visionary Kent UCC
•Elder Andrea' V. Boisseau AIS (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Sara Herwig (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Alanna Block-Butler (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
Institutions are included for identification purposes only.
Dear Decision-maker,
We the under-signed support an inclusive federal hate crimes bill (HR 1913) because we think it is good for the community to take seriously crimes such as the brutal murder of Angie Zapata in Colorado this past year. Reflecting upon the past weeks of Allen Andrade’s court trial, we are grateful for responsible investigators, prosecutors, and a jury who invalidated a harmful and re-victimizing “trans-panic” defense. No one is responsible for their own beating, bashing or killing. When some people are especially targeted for being different or for being queer, it makes sense that the community will act to especially protect them.
We wish that such a law could have protected Angie before her death. But in reality a great number of supports in a community are needed to reduce our vulnerability – namely, social and economic justice for all.
The ‘guilty’ verdict reached in a court of law dignified, but could never repair, the value of Angie’s life and the gravity of her loss. Yet, our experience in ministries that work toward nonviolent alternatives, reintegration and rehabilitation of offenders does not allow us to believe we can achieve safety by disposing of people behind bars. They are still with us. They are still part of us. We will be praying for the gay men and transgender inmates who face violence while they serve their time, who may even be serving their time in the same facilities as Allen Andrade. We will be praying for Allen as well, now cut off from the prospect of wholeness and reintegration with his community.
We who lead faith traditions hold to a story of justice that does not end with retribution, but rather with restoration. In the struggle against violence and deprivation, we applaud not only the work of the National Center for Transgender Equality to raise specific issues like hate crimes law, but also the work of Senator Webb (S.714) in raising a commission to address a general issue: criminal justice reform. It is high time.
We support legislation today that honors human dignity and possibility. Diversity is a fact of God’s creation -- except for poverty, which is our own creation. Where there is personal or systemic hate and disregard, we urge lawmakers to respond. Not only with indignation but with moral imagination.
Sincerely,
•The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot (Commerce City, CO)
United Church of Christ
•Nicole Garcia (Louisville, CO)
Transgender Representative, Lutherans Concerned/North America
•Mr. Barb Greve (Hamden, CT)
Co-Founder, Transgender Religious Professional Unitarian Universalists Together
•Rabbi Levi Alter (Malibu, CA)
President, Female-To-Male International (Human Rights Gender Non-Discrimination Organization)
•The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge (Allston, MA)
Priest, St. Luke's and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Co-Chair Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, TransEpiscopal
•The Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek (Spring Arbor, MI),
Co-Director of Michigan Equality
•Chris Paige (Philadelphia, PA)
Founder, TransFaith Online
•Seth Donovan (Denver, CO)
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Full Inclusion Committee
•The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison (Salt Lake City, UT)
South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society
•Barbara Satin (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN)
Executive Council, United Church of Christ and Institute of Welcoming Resources and Faithworks Associate of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
•Noach Dzmura (Berkeley, CA)
Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
•Senior Minister Carmarion D. Anderson (Dallas, TX)
Living Faith Covenant Church
•Minister Monica Joy Cross (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Angel Celeste Collie (Chapel Hill, NC)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Rabbi Elliot Kukla (San Francisco, CA)
•The Rev. Megan Rohrer (San Francisco, CA)
Director, The Welcome Ministry
•Richard Juang (Cambridge, MA)
Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
•Rebecca Anne Allison, MD (Phoenix, AZ)
President-Elect, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. Pat Conover (Silver Spring, MD)
Minister, United Church of Christ
Steward, Seekers Church
•The Rev. Allyson Robinson (Gaithersburg, MD)
Associate Director of Diversity, Human Rights Campaign, Alliance of Baptists
•Jakob Hero (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Kate Bowman (Denver, CO)
Board Chair, The Gender Identity Center of Colorado
•The Rev. Vicky Kolakowski (Berkeley, CA)
New Spirit Community Church
•The Rev. Paul Langston-Daley (Glendale, AZ)
Minister, West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
•The Rev. Michelle Hansen, S.T.M., M.Div. (Waterbury CT)
Episcopal Priest (Retired), TransEpiscopal, Treasurer and Moderator of the Twenty Club
•Aidan Dunn (San Francisco, CA)
Stanford University
•Joanne Herman (Boston, MA)
Old South Church, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. G Green (Kenosha, WI)
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
•Ari Lev Fornari (Boston, MA)
Rabbinical Student
•Diane DeLap (Wilmington, MA)
Co-Spokesperson, Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns
•The Rev. Sarah J. Flynn (Burlington, VT)
All Souls Ministry, American Catholic Church of New England
•The Rev. Dr. Erin K. Swenson (Atlanta, GA)
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Presbyterian Church, USA
•The Rev. Sky Anderson (San Jose, CA)
Minister of Community Life, M.C.C. (Metropolitan Community Church)
•The Rt. Rev. Dr. Lynn Elizabeth Walker (Brooklyn, NY)
Orthodox Catholic Church of America
•Kelli Anne Busey (Dallas, TX)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Dr. Virginia Ramey Mollenkott (Paterson, NJ)
Professor Emeritus at William Paterson University and founding memer of the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus
•Mycroft Masada Holmes (Boston, MA)
Co-Chair, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
Chair, Keshet Transgender Working Group (TWiG)
•The Rev. Rik Fire (Warminster, PA)
Ecumenicon Fellowship
•The Rev. Laurie J. Auffant (Lowell, MA)
Unitarian Universalist Association
•Reuben Zellman (San Francisco, CA)
•Stephanie C. Battaglino (Cliffside Park, NJ)
Commissioner, The Oasis - the LGBTi Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, NJ
•Donna M. Cartwright (Baltimore, MD)
TransEpiscopal
•Kate Bornstein (New York City, NY)
Buddhist
•Woody Camacho (San José, CA)
The Metropolitan Community Church of San José
•The Rev. Jay Wilson (San Fransisco, CA)
The Welcome Ministry & Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries
•Jeremiah Gold-Hopton (Atlanta, GA)
Worship Ministry, Northwest (Atlanta) UU Congregation
•Randall E. Klein (Walnut Creek, CA)
Founder, Light in the Closet Ministry, Hillside Covenant Church
•The Rev. Jake Kopmeier (St. Petersburg, FL)
King of Peace MCC
•Jake Nash (Cleveland, OH)
Minister of Worship, Emmanuel Fellowship Church
Executive Director, TranFamily of Cleveland
•Lauryn Farris (San Antonio, TX)
Lay Leader, United Church of Christ
President, San Antonio Gender Association
•Joni Christian (Kent, OH)
Visionary Kent UCC
•Elder Andrea' V. Boisseau AIS (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Sara Herwig (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Alanna Block-Butler (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
Institutions are included for identification purposes only.
Carta para los Legisladores
CARTA PARA LOS LEGISLADORES
DE LIDERES RELIGIOSOS TRANSGENERO
EN APOYO A LA PROPUESTA DE LEY
EN CONTRA DE CRIMENES DE ODIO
Apreciado/a Legislador/a:
Nosotros, los que hemos firmado esta carta, apoyamos la propuesta de Ley Federal En Contra De Los Crimenes de Odio (HR 1913), porque pensamos
que refleja una protección justa para nuestra comunidad. Es necesario tomar en serio esta clase de crimenes tan graves y brutales como el de Angie Zapata en Colorado el año pasado. Agradecemos sinceramente que en el juicio contra Allen Andrade, tanto los investigadores, como los abogados del Distrito, al igual que el jurado; invalidaron cualquier defensa basada en “pánico contra transgéneros”. No se le puede hacer responsable a una persona de su propio maltrato, por sufrir violencia en contra de si mismo o hasta de ser asesinado simple y sencillamente por su identidad, o por ser ‘diferente’ a la mayorÃa. Lo justo, lo correcto y lo humano es precisamente protejer a estas personas.
Hubieramos querido que una Ley como la HR 1913, hubiera existido desde antes y hubiera protegido a Angie de ser asesinada. La realidad es de que necesitan dar su apoyo al resto de la comunidad para mantener la seguridad y protección de nuestra gente. Es necesaria una justicia social y económica para todos.
El veredicto de “culpable” que el jurado dictamino, dignifica y da respeto a la memoria de Angie, pero lamentablemente no compenza el valor de su vida y el dolor que nos ha causado su muerte. La experiencia que nos ha dado el trabajar en el ministerio basado en la no violencia, reintegración y rehabilitación de los ofensores nos ha demostrado que el hecho de ponerlos por un tiempo en las cárceles no nos garantiza la seguridad que necesitamos, siguen estando con nosotros una parte de nuestra comunidad. Seguiremos orando por todas las personas gay y transgénero que lamentablemente siguen afrentando violencia mientras están encarcelados, por otros que quizás estén en la misma cárcel que Allen Andrade. Oraremos también por el propio Allen a quien se le ha negado la oportunidad de rehabilitarse para vivir en integridad como parte de la comunidad.
En nuestras tradiciones de vivir con fe y de luchar contra la opresión, la historia sagrada no termina en violencia ni retribución sino en justicia y restauración. Aplaudimos y apoyamos el trabajo de justicia, dignidad e igualdad que el CENTRO NACIONAL DE IGUALDAD PARA LOS TRANSGENERO hace, asà como la propuesta de ley HR 1913. Igualmente aplaudimos y apoyamos el trabajo del Senador Webb (S.714) de crear una comisión hacia la reforma del sistema de justicia correccional. En buena hora.
Apoyamos hoy a los legisladores que honran con igualdad, la dignidad y las posibilidades del ser humano. La diversidad es una Creación de Dios, excepto la pobreza; porque ‘esa’ es nuestra propia creación. Donde haya odio y falta de respeto personal o institucional, urgimos a nuestros lÃderes en Washington que respondan no tan solo con indignación, pero tambien con imaginación moral.
Sinceramente,
•The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot (Commerce City, CO)
United Church of Christ
•Nicole Garcia (Louisville, CO)
Transgender Representative, Lutherans Concerned/North America
•Mr. Barb Greve (Hamden, CT)
Co-Founder, Transgender Religious Professional Unitarian Universalists Together
•Rabbi Levi Alter (Malibu, CA)
President, Female-To-Male International (Human Rights Gender Non-Discrimination Organization)
•The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge (Allston, MA)
Priest, St. Luke's and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Co-Chair Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, TransEpiscopal
•The Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek (Spring Arbor, MI),
Co-Director of Michigan Equality
•Chris Paige (Philadelphia, PA)
Founder, TransFaith Online
•Seth Donovan (Denver, CO)
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Full Inclusion Committee
•The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison (Salt Lake City, UT)
South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society
•Barbara Satin (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN)
Executive Council, United Church of Christ and Institute of Welcoming Resources and Faithworks Associate of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
•Noach Dzmura (Berkeley, CA)
Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
•Senior Minister Carmarion D. Anderson (Dallas, TX)
Living Faith Covenant Church
•Minister Monica Joy Cross (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Angel Celeste Collie (Chapel Hill, NC)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Rabbi Elliot Kukla (San Francisco, CA)
•The Rev. Megan Rohrer (San Francisco, CA)
Director, The Welcome Ministry
•Richard Juang (Cambridge, MA)
Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
•Rebecca Anne Allison, MD (Phoenix, AZ)
President-Elect, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. Pat Conover (Silver Spring, MD)
Minister, United Church of Christ
Steward, Seekers Church
•The Rev. Allyson Robinson (Gaithersburg, MD)
Associate Director of Diversity, Human Rights Campaign, Alliance of Baptists
•Jakob Hero (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Kate Bowman (Denver, CO)
Board Chair, The Gender Identity Center of Colorado
•The Rev. Vicky Kolakowski (Berkeley, CA)
New Spirit Community Church
•The Rev. Paul Langston-Daley (Glendale, AZ)
Minister, West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
•The Rev. Michelle Hansen, S.T.M., M.Div. (Waterbury CT)
Episcopal Priest (Retired), TransEpiscopal, Treasurer and Moderator of the Twenty Club
•Aidan Dunn (San Francisco, CA)
Stanford University
•Joanne Herman (Boston, MA)
Old South Church, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. G Green (Kenosha, WI)
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
•Ari Lev Fornari (Boston, MA)
Rabbinical Student
•Diane DeLap (Wilmington, MA)
Co-Spokesperson, Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns
•The Rev. Sarah J. Flynn (Burlington, VT)
All Souls Ministry, American Catholic Church of New England
•The Rev. Dr. Erin K. Swenson (Atlanta, GA)
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Presbyterian Church, USA
•The Rev. Sky Anderson (San Jose, CA)
Minister of Community Life, M.C.C. (Metropolitan Community Church)
•The Rt. Rev. Dr. Lynn Elizabeth Walker (Brooklyn, NY)
Orthodox Catholic Church of America
•Kelli Anne Busey (Dallas, TX)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Dr. Virginia Ramey Mollenkott (Paterson, NJ)
Professor Emeritus at William Paterson University and founding memer of the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus
•Mycroft Masada Holmes (Boston, MA)
Co-Chair, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
Chair, Keshet Transgender Working Group (TWiG)
•The Rev. Rik Fire (Warminster, PA)
Ecumenicon Fellowship
•The Rev. Laurie J. Auffant (Lowell, MA)
Unitarian Universalist Association
•Reuben Zellman (San Francisco, CA)
•Stephanie C. Battaglino (Cliffside Park, NJ)
Commissioner, The Oasis - the LGBTi Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, NJ
•Donna M. Cartwright (Baltimore, MD)
TransEpiscopal
•Kate Bornstein (New York City, NY)
Buddhist
•Woody Camacho (San José, CA)
The Metropolitan Community Church of San José
•The Rev. Jay Wilson (San Fransisco, CA)
The Welcome Ministry & Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries
•Jeremiah Gold-Hopton (Atlanta, GA)
Worship Ministry, Northwest (Atlanta) UU Congregation
•Randall E. Klein (Walnut Creek, CA)
Founder, Light in the Closet Ministry, Hillside Covenant Church
•The Rev. Jake Kopmeier (St. Petersburg, FL)
King of Peace MCC
•Jake Nash (Cleveland, OH)
Minister of Worship, Emmanuel Fellowship Church
Executive Director, TranFamily of Cleveland
•Lauryn Farris (San Antonio, TX)
Lay Leader, United Church of Christ
President, San Antonio Gender Association
•Joni Christian (Kent, OH)
Visionary Kent UCC
•Elder Andrea' V. Boisseau AIS (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Sara Herwig (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Alanna Block-Butler (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
Institutions are included for identification purposes only.
DE LIDERES RELIGIOSOS TRANSGENERO
EN APOYO A LA PROPUESTA DE LEY
EN CONTRA DE CRIMENES DE ODIO
Apreciado/a Legislador/a:
Nosotros, los que hemos firmado esta carta, apoyamos la propuesta de Ley Federal En Contra De Los Crimenes de Odio (HR 1913), porque pensamos
que refleja una protección justa para nuestra comunidad. Es necesario tomar en serio esta clase de crimenes tan graves y brutales como el de Angie Zapata en Colorado el año pasado. Agradecemos sinceramente que en el juicio contra Allen Andrade, tanto los investigadores, como los abogados del Distrito, al igual que el jurado; invalidaron cualquier defensa basada en “pánico contra transgéneros”. No se le puede hacer responsable a una persona de su propio maltrato, por sufrir violencia en contra de si mismo o hasta de ser asesinado simple y sencillamente por su identidad, o por ser ‘diferente’ a la mayorÃa. Lo justo, lo correcto y lo humano es precisamente protejer a estas personas.
Hubieramos querido que una Ley como la HR 1913, hubiera existido desde antes y hubiera protegido a Angie de ser asesinada. La realidad es de que necesitan dar su apoyo al resto de la comunidad para mantener la seguridad y protección de nuestra gente. Es necesaria una justicia social y económica para todos.
El veredicto de “culpable” que el jurado dictamino, dignifica y da respeto a la memoria de Angie, pero lamentablemente no compenza el valor de su vida y el dolor que nos ha causado su muerte. La experiencia que nos ha dado el trabajar en el ministerio basado en la no violencia, reintegración y rehabilitación de los ofensores nos ha demostrado que el hecho de ponerlos por un tiempo en las cárceles no nos garantiza la seguridad que necesitamos, siguen estando con nosotros una parte de nuestra comunidad. Seguiremos orando por todas las personas gay y transgénero que lamentablemente siguen afrentando violencia mientras están encarcelados, por otros que quizás estén en la misma cárcel que Allen Andrade. Oraremos también por el propio Allen a quien se le ha negado la oportunidad de rehabilitarse para vivir en integridad como parte de la comunidad.
En nuestras tradiciones de vivir con fe y de luchar contra la opresión, la historia sagrada no termina en violencia ni retribución sino en justicia y restauración. Aplaudimos y apoyamos el trabajo de justicia, dignidad e igualdad que el CENTRO NACIONAL DE IGUALDAD PARA LOS TRANSGENERO hace, asà como la propuesta de ley HR 1913. Igualmente aplaudimos y apoyamos el trabajo del Senador Webb (S.714) de crear una comisión hacia la reforma del sistema de justicia correccional. En buena hora.
Apoyamos hoy a los legisladores que honran con igualdad, la dignidad y las posibilidades del ser humano. La diversidad es una Creación de Dios, excepto la pobreza; porque ‘esa’ es nuestra propia creación. Donde haya odio y falta de respeto personal o institucional, urgimos a nuestros lÃderes en Washington que respondan no tan solo con indignación, pero tambien con imaginación moral.
Sinceramente,
•The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot (Commerce City, CO)
United Church of Christ
•Nicole Garcia (Louisville, CO)
Transgender Representative, Lutherans Concerned/North America
•Mr. Barb Greve (Hamden, CT)
Co-Founder, Transgender Religious Professional Unitarian Universalists Together
•Rabbi Levi Alter (Malibu, CA)
President, Female-To-Male International (Human Rights Gender Non-Discrimination Organization)
•The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge (Allston, MA)
Priest, St. Luke's and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Co-Chair Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, TransEpiscopal
•The Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek (Spring Arbor, MI),
Co-Director of Michigan Equality
•Chris Paige (Philadelphia, PA)
Founder, TransFaith Online
•Seth Donovan (Denver, CO)
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Full Inclusion Committee
•The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison (Salt Lake City, UT)
South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society
•Barbara Satin (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN)
Executive Council, United Church of Christ and Institute of Welcoming Resources and Faithworks Associate of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
•Noach Dzmura (Berkeley, CA)
Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
•Senior Minister Carmarion D. Anderson (Dallas, TX)
Living Faith Covenant Church
•Minister Monica Joy Cross (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Angel Celeste Collie (Chapel Hill, NC)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Rabbi Elliot Kukla (San Francisco, CA)
•The Rev. Megan Rohrer (San Francisco, CA)
Director, The Welcome Ministry
•Richard Juang (Cambridge, MA)
Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
•Rebecca Anne Allison, MD (Phoenix, AZ)
President-Elect, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. Pat Conover (Silver Spring, MD)
Minister, United Church of Christ
Steward, Seekers Church
•The Rev. Allyson Robinson (Gaithersburg, MD)
Associate Director of Diversity, Human Rights Campaign, Alliance of Baptists
•Jakob Hero (Berkeley, CA)
Pacific School of Religion
•Kate Bowman (Denver, CO)
Board Chair, The Gender Identity Center of Colorado
•The Rev. Vicky Kolakowski (Berkeley, CA)
New Spirit Community Church
•The Rev. Paul Langston-Daley (Glendale, AZ)
Minister, West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
•The Rev. Michelle Hansen, S.T.M., M.Div. (Waterbury CT)
Episcopal Priest (Retired), TransEpiscopal, Treasurer and Moderator of the Twenty Club
•Aidan Dunn (San Francisco, CA)
Stanford University
•Joanne Herman (Boston, MA)
Old South Church, United Church of Christ
•The Rev. G Green (Kenosha, WI)
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
•Ari Lev Fornari (Boston, MA)
Rabbinical Student
•Diane DeLap (Wilmington, MA)
Co-Spokesperson, Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns
•The Rev. Sarah J. Flynn (Burlington, VT)
All Souls Ministry, American Catholic Church of New England
•The Rev. Dr. Erin K. Swenson (Atlanta, GA)
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Presbyterian Church, USA
•The Rev. Sky Anderson (San Jose, CA)
Minister of Community Life, M.C.C. (Metropolitan Community Church)
•The Rt. Rev. Dr. Lynn Elizabeth Walker (Brooklyn, NY)
Orthodox Catholic Church of America
•Kelli Anne Busey (Dallas, TX)
Metropolitan Community Church
•Dr. Virginia Ramey Mollenkott (Paterson, NJ)
Professor Emeritus at William Paterson University and founding memer of the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus
•Mycroft Masada Holmes (Boston, MA)
Co-Chair, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality
Chair, Keshet Transgender Working Group (TWiG)
•The Rev. Rik Fire (Warminster, PA)
Ecumenicon Fellowship
•The Rev. Laurie J. Auffant (Lowell, MA)
Unitarian Universalist Association
•Reuben Zellman (San Francisco, CA)
•Stephanie C. Battaglino (Cliffside Park, NJ)
Commissioner, The Oasis - the LGBTi Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, NJ
•Donna M. Cartwright (Baltimore, MD)
TransEpiscopal
•Kate Bornstein (New York City, NY)
Buddhist
•Woody Camacho (San José, CA)
The Metropolitan Community Church of San José
•The Rev. Jay Wilson (San Fransisco, CA)
The Welcome Ministry & Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries
•Jeremiah Gold-Hopton (Atlanta, GA)
Worship Ministry, Northwest (Atlanta) UU Congregation
•Randall E. Klein (Walnut Creek, CA)
Founder, Light in the Closet Ministry, Hillside Covenant Church
•The Rev. Jake Kopmeier (St. Petersburg, FL)
King of Peace MCC
•Jake Nash (Cleveland, OH)
Minister of Worship, Emmanuel Fellowship Church
Executive Director, TranFamily of Cleveland
•Lauryn Farris (San Antonio, TX)
Lay Leader, United Church of Christ
President, San Antonio Gender Association
•Joni Christian (Kent, OH)
Visionary Kent UCC
•Elder Andrea' V. Boisseau AIS (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Sara Herwig (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
•Elder Alanna Block-Butler (Waltham, MA)
First Presbyterian Church Of Waltham
Institutions are included for identification purposes only.
Transgender faith leaders lobby for hate crime legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – Dozens of transgender religious leaders converged on legislators today in Washington D.C. to deliver a joint letter in support of hate crimes legislation and against the history of violence against transgender people. The House of Representatives is expected to vote soon on HR 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act which has the goal of helping local officials handle the demands of hate crimes investigations.
The full letter was released to the media at a press conference on Tuesday, April 28, at the Foundry United Methodist Church in northwest Washington D.C. where transgender faith leaders spoke out for both protection of transgender people, who are often targeted for hate crimes, as well as for reform of the criminal justice system that favors incarceration over education.
The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot said, “Lawmakers and judicial authorities need to bring moral imagination to the problem of hate crimes. If people are taught to hate and dehumanize transgender people, they can also be taught to be respectful.”
The full letter from transgender religious leaders reflected on the recent murder of Angie Zapata in Colorado:
The ‘guilty’ verdict reached in a court of law dignified, but could never repair, the value of Angie’s life and the gravity of her loss. Yet, our experience in ministries that work toward nonviolent alternatives reintegration and rehabilitation of offenders does not allow us to believe we can achieve safety by disposing of people behind bars.
Nicole Garcia, transgender representative for Lutherans Concerned, North America said, “The recent murder of Angie Zapata galvanized transgender religious leaders. As people of faith we hold to a story of justice, not violence; a story of restoration, not retribution. Hundreds of transgender persons have been murdered and that must stop. All of us must open our eyes to our beautifully diverse world. It is time for transgender people of faith to be seen and heard. It is time for a season of respect.”
Himschoot, a United Church of Christ minister, initiated the statement in support of hate crimes legislation and full human rights of transgender people. The statement was signed by fifty faith leaders—many of whom attended the lobbying day and delivered the statement to members of the Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
Transgender faith leaders spoke to decision makers about the poverty that comes with prejudice and employment discrimination. Encouraging the resources and reliability of federal protection everywhere, they spoke highly of officials in Colorado who resisted the so-called “trans panic defense” as an excuse for murdering transgender people.
We are grateful for responsible investigators, prosecutors, and a jury who invalidated a harmful and re-victimizing “trans-panic” defense. No one is responsible for their own beating, bashing or killing.
Garcia said, “I don’t live in fear anymore. I live with hope. I live to educate and help people realize that we are all human beings with feelings, family and faith. We all matter. I pray that Angie’s family finds some peace and consolation in the guilty verdict. I pray for Allen Andrade. His life will now be a series of prison cells for years to come. I hope he finds peace as well.”
••Letter from Transgender Religious Leaders to Legislators in Support of a Inclusive Hate Crimes Bill (Tuesday, April 28, 2009)
•Call to Action:From Fear to Hope by Nicole Garcia
•Special Thanks
For further information, please consider these resources.
•NCTE Fact Sheet on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act (H.R. 1913)
•GLAAD Resource Kit on the Angie Zapata Murder
•HRC Fight the Hate website
The Transgender Religious Leaders Network is an emerging collaboration of transgender-identified religious and spiritual leaders, connecting to support one another and collaborate on diverse projects.
The full letter was released to the media at a press conference on Tuesday, April 28, at the Foundry United Methodist Church in northwest Washington D.C. where transgender faith leaders spoke out for both protection of transgender people, who are often targeted for hate crimes, as well as for reform of the criminal justice system that favors incarceration over education.
The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot said, “Lawmakers and judicial authorities need to bring moral imagination to the problem of hate crimes. If people are taught to hate and dehumanize transgender people, they can also be taught to be respectful.”
The full letter from transgender religious leaders reflected on the recent murder of Angie Zapata in Colorado:
The ‘guilty’ verdict reached in a court of law dignified, but could never repair, the value of Angie’s life and the gravity of her loss. Yet, our experience in ministries that work toward nonviolent alternatives reintegration and rehabilitation of offenders does not allow us to believe we can achieve safety by disposing of people behind bars.
Nicole Garcia, transgender representative for Lutherans Concerned, North America said, “The recent murder of Angie Zapata galvanized transgender religious leaders. As people of faith we hold to a story of justice, not violence; a story of restoration, not retribution. Hundreds of transgender persons have been murdered and that must stop. All of us must open our eyes to our beautifully diverse world. It is time for transgender people of faith to be seen and heard. It is time for a season of respect.”
Himschoot, a United Church of Christ minister, initiated the statement in support of hate crimes legislation and full human rights of transgender people. The statement was signed by fifty faith leaders—many of whom attended the lobbying day and delivered the statement to members of the Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
Transgender faith leaders spoke to decision makers about the poverty that comes with prejudice and employment discrimination. Encouraging the resources and reliability of federal protection everywhere, they spoke highly of officials in Colorado who resisted the so-called “trans panic defense” as an excuse for murdering transgender people.
We are grateful for responsible investigators, prosecutors, and a jury who invalidated a harmful and re-victimizing “trans-panic” defense. No one is responsible for their own beating, bashing or killing.
Garcia said, “I don’t live in fear anymore. I live with hope. I live to educate and help people realize that we are all human beings with feelings, family and faith. We all matter. I pray that Angie’s family finds some peace and consolation in the guilty verdict. I pray for Allen Andrade. His life will now be a series of prison cells for years to come. I hope he finds peace as well.”
••Letter from Transgender Religious Leaders to Legislators in Support of a Inclusive Hate Crimes Bill (Tuesday, April 28, 2009)
•Call to Action:From Fear to Hope by Nicole Garcia
•Special Thanks
For further information, please consider these resources.
•NCTE Fact Sheet on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act (H.R. 1913)
•GLAAD Resource Kit on the Angie Zapata Murder
•HRC Fight the Hate website
The Transgender Religious Leaders Network is an emerging collaboration of transgender-identified religious and spiritual leaders, connecting to support one another and collaborate on diverse projects.
4/27/09
Call Today! Support Hate Crimes Legislation Today!
Call Your Representatives Today in Support of Hate Crimes Legislation!
The House is preparing to vote on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act - H.R. 1913 as early as this week. As you know, the bill would give the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the victim is chosen because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
When introducing the bill, Representative Conyers stated that the legislation "provides a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our nation. These are crimes that shock and shame our national conscience. They should be subject to comprehensive federal law enforcement assistance and prosecution."
Hate crimes impacts all of our loved ones and H.R. 1913 is needed to ensure that all of our families and friends have the right to be safe and free from physical harm and intimidation.
Call Your Representative Today and Share Your Support!
Representatives need to know you support H.R. 1913 as they plan to vote on the bill. We urge you to call them now using our toll-free number, 866-346-4611, and encourage them to support this critical legislation as they prepare to vote. Our opposition continues to barrage representatives with messages of fear and hate - please take advantage of this time to reach out to their representatives and show your support. Please take action by clicking here, and help us address the violence our LGBT loved ones face.
The House is preparing to vote on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act - H.R. 1913 as early as this week. As you know, the bill would give the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the victim is chosen because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
When introducing the bill, Representative Conyers stated that the legislation "provides a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our nation. These are crimes that shock and shame our national conscience. They should be subject to comprehensive federal law enforcement assistance and prosecution."
Hate crimes impacts all of our loved ones and H.R. 1913 is needed to ensure that all of our families and friends have the right to be safe and free from physical harm and intimidation.
Call Your Representative Today and Share Your Support!
Representatives need to know you support H.R. 1913 as they plan to vote on the bill. We urge you to call them now using our toll-free number, 866-346-4611, and encourage them to support this critical legislation as they prepare to vote. Our opposition continues to barrage representatives with messages of fear and hate - please take advantage of this time to reach out to their representatives and show your support. Please take action by clicking here, and help us address the violence our LGBT loved ones face.
4/24/09
PFLAG Takes Action To Pass HR(1913) The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913) would add sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to existing federal hate crimes laws. It would also strengthen enforcement of these laws by allowing the US Department of Justice to assist local authorities in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes cases. The bill is identical to the hate crimes legislation passed by the House of Representatives in 2007 and is transgender-inclusive. It was reintroduced on April 2nd, 2009 by Representative John Conyers (D-MI) along with 42 original co-sponsors. When introducing the bill, Representative Conyers stated that "law enforcement authorities and civic leaders have learned that a failure to address the problem of bias crime can cause a seemingly isolated incident to fester into widespread tension that can damage the social fabric of the wider community. Hate Crimes legislation is a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our nation. These are crimes that shock and shame our national conscience. They should be subject to comprehensive federal law enforcement assistance and prosecution." To weigh in, and voice your support for hate crimes legislation, click here and send a message to your elected representative. Be sure to identify yourself as a PFLAG member, and to specifically ask your elected representative to co-sponsor this legislation. Then, ask your friends, neighbors and family members to email and express their support, too. When you contact your Member of Congress, please remember to highlight some of these important points:
• Current Law is Inadequate. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Hate Crimes statistics, crimes motivated by hate against a person based on their sexual orientation make up the third largest category of hate crimes behind race and religion, and yet current federal hate crimes laws only provide protections based on race, religion and national origin.
• The Bill Honors the First Amendment. The legislation only prohibits criminal actions, and does not include speech. To further ensure that there is no confusion on what the bill covers and does not, an amendment was adopted that explicitly states that conduct protected under the First Amendment – free expression and free exercise clauses – Is not subject to prosecution (this includes religious speech).
• Support for this Bill is Widespread. This legislation has attracted the support of over 210 civil rights, education, religious and civic organizations. Virtually every major law enforcement organization in the country has endorsed the bill – including the International Association of chiefs of police, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the Police Executive Research Forum and 31 state Attorneys General.
Whether you’re a parent, a friend, a family member or LGBT yourself, we know you share our outrage that more than 1,000 hate crimes against LGBT Americans are reported to the FBI each year! It’s an outrage that more than 10 years after the high-profile death of Matthew Shephard, Congress has still not passed federal legislation to help law enforcement properly prosecute these crimes. That’s why it’s time for us to take a stand today. Join PFLAG in calling on Congress to pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The time has come to bring enact this long-overdue law. If you have any questions regarding this information, please be sure to contact us.
Soulforce and MCC in NYC calling on the Vatican!
Soulforce and MCCNY at Vatican Embassy from mcc nyc on Vimeo.
SPRING 2009 CATHOLIC ACTION
Please join us this spring in calling on the Vatican to support the safety and well being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We are working to gain support from the Roman Catholic Church for the United Nations Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
Download the text of the declaration
Read some of the actions and statements of the Roman Catholic Church
You can join the growing group of local leaders organizing solidarity actions where they live. We will work with you to support efforts in your hometown. All are welcome at any experience level. If you are interested in being a local leader or a participant, click here for a list of participating cities, ideas for action and contact information.
With questions or feedback about the campaign, please contact:Haven Herrin at Haven@Soulforce.org or Kara Speltz at Kara@Soulforce.org
Soulforce.org
New Hampshire Senate Democrats DISCRACE AMERICA No Hope for Granite State Transgender Bill
By Kelli Anne Busey April 24, 2009
Toilet politics revisited in New Hampshire.
Once again the worst of America has surfaced. Cronyism and demagoguery at its worst.
The only thing that angers me more than a civilian who makes a living by lieing about hard working Americans are politicians who use these fear mongers lies to lend credence to bigotry.
The Democrats in New Hampshire's Senate judiciary found a way to slink to a new low and shirked their public responsibilities by lending credence to lies with there public office's.
Transgender people were pleading with the Senate Judiciary Committee, relating horrifying stories of discrimination, only to have the democrates on the committee give credence to the testimony of Kevin Smith's TWO alleged incidences of POTTY politics and effectively throwing away transgender people.
The Judiciary Committee voted unanimously against giving transgender people hope.
********************
Source The Nashua Telegraph "Senate panel nixes transgender bill"
"Kevin Smith of Cornerstone Policy Research, a conservative activist group, disagreed and offered 'media reports' about two incidents in Philadelphia and Maryland."
(Cornerstone apparently was all that the democrates needed to be dissuaded from pursuing justice.)
"Senate Democrats admitted the coordinated campaign from the Republican State Committee and socially conservative groups to label this as the "bathroom bill" condemned its approval this year."
"I think going forward, because it has so much baggage attached to it right now, it is probably best the bill is ITL," said Sen. Beth Reynolds, D-Plymouth, referring to inexpedient to legislate, the equivalent of killing it."
********************
What media report is Smith offering?
I know of one incident in Maryland when a member of a group fighting transgender rights manufactured a story. Her HUSBAND cross dressed and ran thru the woman's dressing room of an exclusive Gaithersburg health club(where the democrats go) When the absurdity of this ploy was exposed she perjured herself by allowing another person to accept responsibility for that outrage! The club owner herself doubted the validity of her entire story, but the police failed to even show any interest.
Is that the 'Maryland' media report smith is aware of? Is that what the 'baggage' Reynolds and the democrats are throwing away human rights because of?
Throw those lousy democrats out and take the rest of the trash with you.
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