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Pedro Julio Serrano
Communications Coordinator
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(Cell) 787.602.5954
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Faith leaders applaud APA resolution
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 — The National Religious Leadership Roundtable, convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, responded to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) resolution, adopted at the organization’s annual convention, that states that mental health professionals should avoid telling clients that they can change sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments.
Statement by the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel
National Religious Leadership Roundtable
“The American Psychological Association has clearly articulated that ‘reparative therapies’ don’t work, in fact they can be very harmful. This resolution is welcomed news for all who support the full humanity, morality and worth of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, especially those of us who do so because of our religious understandings.
“At the Task Force, we have worked with more than 3,400 congregations to create environments that are supportive and affirming of LGBT people. In addition to these, there are many, many supporters of LGBT people within many religious traditions, even those whose official policy is anti-LGBT. This is important because, while it may be the most psychologically healthy move for some to leave their religious denomination of birth, for others, faith, family, ethnicity, race and culture are inextricably linked and leaving is not an option. For these folks, finding those allies and supporters within their tradition is critical to spiritual and mental health.
“Additionally, the report makes some important statements about the relationship between science and religion. Being deeply religious does not necessarily mean being anti-LGBT. In fact, this report shows that religious practice and belief can and does translate into support for LGBT people. The truth is that religion and science do not have to be opposed to one another. In fact, science can be an enormously important tool for understanding the grandeur and wonder of God’s creation. In this case, science helps us understand more fully the gift of sexuality — one of God’s greatest gifts.”
Read the release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
8/10/09
ENDA: Close, but more work needed August 10, 2009
ENDA: Close, but more work needed
We are coming into the second week of August, and support for ENDA among legislators is slowly inching up. Here's the status
.**HOUSE**In the House, where we need 218 yes votes, there are 171 confirmed yes, and another 36 who will probably vote yes, though they have not yet confirmed this, making a total of 207 likely yes votes. Not enough. 76 Representatives are unconfirmed either way, and these need to be persuaded by you. Yolu can see the spreadsheet with this info at http://www.facebook.com/l/;bit.ly/Q5YMJ
**SENATEIn the Senate, where we need 60 yes votes because of the likely Republic filibuster that requires 60 votes to stop, there are 46 confirmed yes votes, and another 11 likely yes votes, making a total of 57 likely yes votes. Not enough. 53 Senators are unconfirmed either way, and these need to be persuaded by you.
You can see the spreadsheet with this info at http://www.facebook.com/l/;bit.ly/14TDll
**WHAT YOU CAN DO**The key fight is going to be in the Senate. Please take whatever time you can to call the Senate swing votes, which you can find here: Senate - http://www.facebook.com/l/;bit.ly/45WGMc
Please post any information you have on our Wall so I can update the spreadsheet.
Thank you for your support of an inclusive ENDA.
Jillian
Co-Chair, Inclusive ENDA--------------------
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