No Discrimination Against Palestinian Refugees in Gaza

Amnesty International USA
No Discrimination Against Palestinian Refugees in Gaza

On March 6, 2009, Senator Kyl (R-WI) introduced an amendment to the Omnibus bill that would deny Palestinian refugees from Gaza resettlement protection. The US is not likely to resettle this population in 2009, and therefore, the amendment is not only discriminatory but also unnecessary. Contrary to 30 years of extending protection to refugees on the basis of need, the Kyl amendment seeks to discriminate against an entire group based on nationality alone. Tell your Senator that this discriminatory amendment must be defeated.

Take Action! Send your Congress person a message via Amnesty International USA

The 17th Annual Houston Transgender Unity Banquet - May 2, 2009

The 17th Annual Houston Transgender Unity Banquet - May 2, 2009

2009 Press Release!

The Houston Transgender Unity Committee has opened ticket sales for the annual Houston Transgender Unity Banquet, which will be held on Saturday, May 2, at the Sheraton Brookhollow (3000 North Loop West), 6:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. Tickets are $50 in advance ($60 at the door) and can be purchased through Ticketweb at the Unity Committee website, www.htuc.org. Tickets are also available at Vanity: A Trans-formation Studio (1440 Yale, 832/767-3252), the Heights boutique.

Proceeds from Unity Banquet ticket sales support the Peggy Rudd Transgender Scholarship Fund. The Unity Committee will present two scholarships at the banquet to trans-identified students pursuing higher education. The Rudd Scholarship application is available at the Unity Committee website. The application deadline is March 16.

Scott Turner Schofield, the Atlanta-based transgender performance artist, is the 2009 Unity Banquet keynote speaker. During the banquet, representatives from other local transgender groups will make presentations about their work. These groups include Helping TransGenders Anonymous, STAG/Some Transgenders Are Guys, Transgender Foundation for America TG Center, Tau Chi chapter of Tri-Ess, the Society for the Second Self, and Texas Association for Transsexual Support,

Unity Banquet sponsors (as of February 19) are Charles Armstrong Investments, Houston GLBT Political Caucus, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, Phyllis Randolph Frye, Zukowski Center for Plastic Surgery, Denise O’Doherty, and Legacy Community Health Services.

Unity Banquet sponsorships are available at a range of levels, from $75 to $2,000 to underwrite the Brenda Thomas Education Table, named in honor of Thomas (1943-2006), the activist and educator and longtime Unity Committee executive director. Interested individuals and companies may contact the committee via www.htuc.org.

A silent auction held during the banquet will raise additional funds to support Unity Committee programs.

The Houston Transgender Unity Committee is the nonprofit consortium of area trans organizations. In addition to the Unity Banquet, Unity Committee projects include Unity Month in April and Transgender Day of Remembrance in November. Committee representatives frequently speak to schools, businesses, and organizations.