NCLR Hails Massachusetts Victoryn

Give Same-Sex Couples the Same Immigration Rights!

Fairness for All Families Coalition Growing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                    

Contact:  Damien Filer, Campaign Manager - (850) 212-1858             

Fairness for All Families Coalition Growing

Prominent Florida Leaders, Organizations Join Campaign to Oppose

So-called ‘Marriage Amendment’

St. Petersburg, FL – A diverse group of Florida leaders have joined Fairness for All Families – the campaign to oppose a constitutional amendment slated for the 2008 ballot that could strip away employee benefits while barring the passage of future measures to help Florida families.

New members of the campaign’s honorary board of directors include:  U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Bentley Lipscomb and Florida NAACP President Adora Obi Nweze.  These prominent Floridians will help guide a growing group of leaders that includes Florida Alliance for Retired Americans Secretary Barbara A. DeVane, Civic Concern Executive Director Pamela Burch Fort, Managing Director and Creative Director of Parsons-Wilson Gregory Wilson, Florida Consumer Action Network Executive Director Bill Newton, National NAACP board member Leon Russell, ACLU of Florida LGBT Advocacy Project Director Robert F. Rosenwald, Jr. and Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith.

“This measure could jeopardize health care and other employment benefits that many seniors and their families rely upon across the state,” said Lipscomb. 

In addition to broadening its leadership base, the campaign has recently been endorsed by the Florida branches and affiliates of leading national civil rights organizations such as the ACLU, NAACP and Florida NOW.  These organizations join a diverse and growing coalition of seniors, business leaders, consumer groups and social justice organizations working together to oppose the effort to take away benefits and enshrine discrimination in Florida’s constitution.

“Everyone should stand against this attempt to make discrimination part of our state constitution,” said Nweze.  “Why strip away health and partnership benefits already provided by many local governments and companies across the state?” she asked.

More than 8,000 public and private employers nationwide – including almost half of the Fortune 500 companies – offer health care benefits to employee’s domestic partners or spouses.

“This amendment threatens the legal protections and benefits of families across Florida,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.  “I am honored to work with the campaign to ensure this attack on Florida families doesn’t become part of our constitution.

At the guidance of my attorney, I have declined to speak out until now about my arrest and brutal treatment by Largo police and the utterly false statements included in the police reports. I have certainly wanted to talk. It is very difficult to remain silent in the face of injustice, and now that these outrageous charges have been dropped, I think it is very important to speak.

But first I want to express the extraordinary gratitude I feel to the people throughout this community, this state and across the country who have written letters of support and sent words of encouragement. I am thankful to the ACLU for providing legal counsel and to the many witnesses who stepped forward to describe the violent actions of the Largo police and refute their fabricated justification for the arrest.

I know that others who have been wrongly arrested under similar circumstances and treated even more brutally do not always have access to dedicated attorneys or the broad support of a community rallying behind them.

Friends in law enforcement tell me this happens all the time. An officer loses his temper, begins an unjustified arrest and then adds a false "resisting with violence" felony charge to cover their actions. The costs to the individual treated this way are outrageous: physical injury, emotional distress, a public assault on their character, the possibility of being sentenced to 5 years in prison, loss of their right to vote, and exorbitant costs for legal representation. Without the ACLU, I would have mortgaged my home to pay the cost of fighting these charges all the way.

When the charges are dropped, the victim is supposed to be so bathed in relief and eager to put a painful chapter behind them that there are no consequences for the officer who has abused his authority.

So let me say now that I believe this was an ugly act intended to intimidate people exercising our first amendment rights by an officer who disagreed with our message. How else to explain the rage and the violence of the arrest? Within moments of handing a piece of paper with the words "Don't Discriminate" to a person who asked me for it, I was grabbed, my wrists and arms twisted to near breaking behind my back. I was shoved down a hallway, banged against a wall and slammed to the ground.

I believe the people at the hearing who followed the police as they took me away and the photographer who snapped a picture of four officers kneeling on me as I was pinned to the ground may have saved me from greater harm.

I am proud that Equality Florida members and community supporters did not bow to intimidation nor respond in kind to the ugliness shown by Largo police at the first meeting. We showed up in even greater numbers at the second hearing and held firm to a commitment to non-violent social change and to speaking up when discrimination and bigotry show themselves in our midst.

I attended and spoke at that second hearing and the atmosphere was different. The officer who arrested me and the others who slammed me around were nowhere to be seen. In their place were fire marshals and police officers who dealt respectfully with those gathered.

The rules where posted at every doorway and when a student was asked not to hold a sign in the council chambers and asked "Why?" an officer briefly explained the policy.

I do not expect police to be perfect, unfailingly polite or without emotion. I know there are dangers and tough judgment calls law enforcement officers face constantly. But when you wear a badge and carry a gun and have the power to use physical force and to take away an individuals freedom, you must be held to a standard that does not allow that extraordinary power to become license to abuse. You may not use that authority to silence dissent or to bully those whose opinions are not your own.

At moments like these police departments habitually close ranks and blindly back an officer no matter how wrong. But there is another way. Los Angeles police appear to be dealing seriously with the apparent misconduct caught on video of officers beating and taunting peaceful demonstrators.

Largo police should throw out the cliched responses. They owe the community the level of professionalism they displayed during the second hearing, not the arrogance and brutality shown at the first one. A public apology is a good way to start.

5/8/2007

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) reintroduced the Uniting American Families Act today into the U.S. Congress. The bill would allow citizens and legal residents in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partner for immigration purposes.

Tell Congress to pass the UAFA.

"Dividing loving families, simply because they are gay or lesbian, is un-American," says Immigration Equality Director Rachel B. Tiven. "We call on Congress to end the very real separation that thousands of same-sex couples and their families must endure because of this unequal treatment by our immigration system."

Now that the bill has been reintroduced, we need your help to make it succeed! Take these three simple steps:

1. Write to your member of Congress and tell your elected officials that your family counts!
2. After taking action, make sure you report back to us so we can follow up with the offices you've contacted.
3. Finally, make sure you stay current on UAFA's progress by reading our new blog.

Joe Solmonese
President, Human Rights Campaign

This week, like many lawmakers on Capitol Hill, we are turning our attention to the issue of immigration reform. On Tuesday, Congressman Jerry Nadler, D-New York, and Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, introduced the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). This legislation would allow citizens and legal residents in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes. We congratulate the two lawmakers on their leadership. And we are looking forward to working with Immigration Equality (http://www.immigrationequality.org/) and our other coalition allies on this issue.  (You can send a message to your elected officals about the legislation by clicking here).

One of the key supporters of the UAFA is Congressman Chris Shays, R-Connecticut. The congressman continues to distinguish himself, this term, as an outspoken GOP leader for GLBT equality. Last week, the Washington Blade ran an interesting front page profile, looking at how Congressman Shays' views have evolved over the last decade. (To see the article, click here.) He and a handful of other Republicans are continuing to serve as an increasingly important voice of inclusion in the new minority on Capitol Hill.

Speaking of the need for inclusion, our rightwing opponents haven't relented for one moment since our historic victory on the hate crimes bill last Thursday. And, the saddest part of all is that they lie, distort, and mislead again and again with absolutely no shame. One anti-equality activist even called the legislation "the most dangerous bill in the country." Another pulled the "homosexual/transgender panic" scare tactic out of her playbook, announcing that, under the law, a man could no longer defend himself from unwanted advances from a transexual without the risk of being charged with a hate crime. While these activists' rhetoric is ridiculous, their national infrastructure and power still remain daunting. Last week, they swamped Capitol Hill with calls and letters and may have even won over some last-minute wavering votes. We are going to have to be ready for their next round of irresponsible lobbying when the Senate takes up the Matthew Shepard Act.

We, however, do have great citizen-lobbyists telling the truth all the time. And one group that will be walking the halls of Congress, next Tuesday, is over 120 members and supporters of the National Center for Transgender Equality. With the first ever transgender inclusive version of ENDA now introduced, it is vitally important that transgender members of our community tell their personal stories and educate lawmakers. A special training for the NCTE Lobby Day will take place at the HRC Equality Forum on this Monday and then the lobbying and a rally will take place the next day. If you'd like to learn more about the great work of NCTE, check out: http://www.nctequality.org/.

In the states, this week, we had a disappointing setback in Minnesota, where Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would have empowered local municipalities to offer domestic partner benefits. I know that our friends at OutFront Minnesota will continue to move forward after this setback and keep up their great work.  Meanwhile, in Oregon, it was an amazing week as Governor Ted Kulongoski signed the state's new domestic partnership and non-discrimination laws; the Governor has an impressive record of over 30 years of supporting GLBT civil rights. He was joined at the signing ceremony by a former Oregon governor, Barbara Roberts, who also is a former HRC Board Member.

Finally, with Mother's Day almost here, why not try something different this year? I have a suggestion. Skip the flowers and...ok, wait, don't skip the flowers (I don't want to get blamed!) but instead add a HRC membership along with your card. It's a creative way to make the world a safer and more equal place for all moms all across the country. (Click here for more information.)

May 1 (May Day) marks the official celebration of workers in many parts of the world, but this year we've set aside another day in May to call attention to workplace issues in America. The date is May 15, and the event is Clock In for Equality, the first-ever national day of action to support workplace fairness for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people living with HIV. Thousands of people across the country will take part.

Lambda Legal is coordinating the national effort and hosting seven flagship events around the country. Staff and our partner organizations will be at the State Capitol in Atlanta, the GLBT Chamber of Commerce in Dallas, DowAgrosciences in Indianapolis, the UCLA Labor Center in Los Angeles and other key locations. We have also signed up over 160 groups and 1,200 individuals, representing LGBT and HIV-affected people and allies in every state, to stand up for workplace fairness on May 15, even if simply by wearing a button or sticker to work.

Clock In for Equality could not be coming at a better time. A few weeks ago, lawmakers re-introduced the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and many people have already started lobbying in earnest to finally pass a national law that would protect people from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

But equally important to having a law is our ability to enforce it. Help us make a law that works for us. Send a letter to your senators and representative urging them to pass ENDA. And take a day to help us raise awareness about workplace discrimination. The date is May 15, and the event is Clock In for Equality. Please join us.

The New York Sun

May 8, 2007

House Passes Safe Schools Bill After Sponsor Affirms LGBT Inclusion 

Senate Version Held Hostage by
One Jacksonville Senator 

On Tuesday, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bullying prevention bill by a vote of 110 to 1 after the sponsor affirmed that the bill requires schools to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

The bill must now be approved in the Senate before it is signed into law by the Governor.

Click on the link to the right to view an exchange that represents perhaps the first time the words "sexual orientation and gender identity" have ever been uttered together in the House Chamber.

The absence of specific prohibitions in the bill made the statements from the House floor vital to ensure that the legislative intent of protecting LGBT students is clear.

This Bill is on Life Support and Needs Your Immediate Help!

The bill, called the Jeffery Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, has passed two Senate Committees and Sen. Stephen Wise (R - Jacksonville), who chairs the final committee to hear the bill, is vowing to kill it by refusing to bring the bill up for a vote. This despite a previous commitment to hear the bill that Sen. Wise made to the six-year-old brother of Jeffery Johnston, a Lee County teenager who killed himself in the wake of relentless homophobic bullying.  

Four Things You Can Do

2 - Call Governor Crist:  850-488-7146
Governor Crist has publicly stated his support for this bill and can use the power of his office to allow a Senate vote. 

Tell Gov. Crist:
  A) State leaders must address the epidemic of bullying in Florida schools and the violence it sparks. 
   As Governor, he must do everything in his power to allow a vote on the Jeffery Johnston Stand Up for All Students Bill.

3 - Call Senate President Ken Pruitt:  850-487-5088
The Senate President has the power to withdraw a bill from a committee and bring it to the Senate floor for an up-or-down vote by the full Senate. 

  Tell Senate President Pruitt:
  A) One person should not be allowed to subvert the democratic process by killing the school safety bill, SB-114.
   As Senate President, we call on him to ensure that the Jeffery Johnston Stand Up for All Students Bill receives a vote by the full Senate.

(Dallas, February 2, 2007) — This morning in Dallas, Lambda Legal unveiled its plans for ‘Clock In For Equality’ — a national day of action for workplace fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers, and workers living with HIV.

“Of the over 5,000 calls our national help desk hotline received last year, the rights of LGBT employees was far and away the most common concern raised by our callers,” said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal.“ ’Clock In For Equality’ is Lambda Legal’s response to a very real need our community has identified: creating and maintaining discrimination-free workplaces for all employees.”

Even though the latest Gallup Poll from May 2006 shows that 89% of Americans believe that discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation is wrong, there is still no federal law that forbids it and a majority of the states still lack laws to protect against such discrimination.

On Tuesday, May 15, 2007 workers from coast-to-coast will participate in activities that aim to advance basic nondiscrimination measures to rid the workplace of discrimination so all employees can be free to do their jobs. Lambda Legal is working with local groups nationwide to plan simultaneous activities including advocating for nondiscrimination policies to protect LGBT workers and workers living with HIV, supporting a bill or local ordinance that will protect all LGBT workers and workers with HIV from workplace discrimination, and holding educational forums on harassment-free workplaces. Lambda Legal is partnering with local groups as diverse as farm workers to Ernst & Young’s and Levi Strauss & Company’s LGBT employee associations in cities across the country to produce events and forums aimed at making the work environment places where all employees have the opportunity to do their jobs free of harassment.

For more information about “Clock In for Equality” please visit www.lambdalegal.org/clockin.

Modern Medicine Trumps Archaic Law

After the New York City Administration for Children’s Services tried to deny sex reassignment surgery to Mariah L., a transgender woman, a judge called its logic “irrational and unreasonable” and last month ordered the agency to provide the service. Mariah has been in the care of ACS since she was 10 years old. When she was 18, she was diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder, and multiple experts determined that sex reassignment surgery was necessary for her. ACS argued that the surgery was “controversial, risky and experimental.” Lambda Legal submitted a friend-of-the-court brief arguing against this logic and the New York Appellate Court agreed with us saying ACS’s decision was “based on archaic law and out-of-date medical diagnosis and technologies.”

Alimony Win for Transgender Man

Last week, a Florida judge upheld alimony for Julio Roberto Silverwolf, a transgender man, after his
ex-husband had tried to stop payments. After the couple divorced in 2004, Silverwolf’s underwent sex reassignment surgery and his
ex-husband argued that the procedure was the legal equivalent of Silverwolf death and therefore ended his alimony obligation. The judge rejected this argument and ordered that the alimony continue. At the same time, the judge also cited a 2004 precedent holding that a transgender individual’s post-transition sex is not recognized for marriage purposes under Florida law — an unfortunate decision for the transgender community in the state.

Good Parenting Wins the Day
In a recent victory, J.R.V., a gay man, was awarded joint custody of his three children after his ex-wife (the children’s mother) claimed that his “homosexual lifestyle” had negative effects on the children. A trial court judge in Virginia had found that J.R.V. was a loving and fit parent and granted both parents joint custody. A.O.V. argued that the father should not have joint custody, or that greater restrictions had to be imposed on J.R.V.’s partner. The trial court and appellate court both rejected A.O.V.’s arguments, and J.R.V. continues to have joint custody of his children.

Take Time During Tax Time
April is tax time and a great opportunity to review your financial life plans and take the steps you can to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected. Since same-sex relationships are not respected by the federal government or by many state and local jurisdictions, people in same-sex relationships potentially are subject to higher taxes and may need to take additional steps to try and protect their rights. Single people also need to take similar precautions. Read more about the life planning topics and strategies you should discuss with your attorney, financial planner or accountant.

A Right to Be Protected
Darrin Ellis and David Arriaga were in a committed relationship for five and a half years and decided to register as domestic partners in California. Ellis believed the couple had taken the necessary steps, finding out only when they separated that they were not validly registered. Different-sex couples who believe they were married, but for some reason were not, are protected and can receive a fair division of the couple’s property. A trial court ruled that Ellis is not entitled to the same protection. Lambda Legal appealed this ruling, arguing that domestic partners need to be treated like married spouses in California.

Big Laughs, Great Prizes, New Deadline
This month in Lambda Legal’s “Life Without Fair Courts,” a man is arrested for exhibiting and distributing contraceptives to people who are not married. This is the fourth installment of our monthly alternate reality cartoon series depicting what life would be like if courts had not upheld the Constitution in past landmark cases. What do the courts mean to you? Enter Lambda Legal’s “Life Without Fair Courts” illustration contest, with Prism Comics and media sponsor The Advocate, for a chance to win two roundtrip tickets from American Airlines and to show off your talent. The contest entry deadline has been extended to April 16 so get your friends involved and don’t forget to submit your cartoon!

Dear Friend,

It’s hard to believe that it’s already April.  This month is going to be an exciting and historic one for us, particularly when it comes to action on hate crimes legislation.  Very soon, the Senate companion bill to H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, will be introduced by Senators Ted Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, and Gordon Smith, R-Oregon.  In addition, on April 17th, we will be holding our lobby day for faith leaders, HRC’s Clergy Call for Justice and Equality (www.hrc.org/clergycall). 

It should be no surprise, therefore, that anti-GLBT zealots are desperately trying to stop momentum on this important legislation.  Some, such as the Family Research Council, have even resorted to lying.  They are making the absurd argument that the bill would effectively criminalize people’s thoughts.  And, they conveniently ignore the fact that we have 40 years of judicial history to disprove this red herring.  (click here to read our press release)  This is actually really good news for us.  The more disingenuous and shriller the Religious Right becomes, the less effective they are.  It also certainly doesn’t help their cause that former American Family Association lawyer, Joe Murray, is taking them to task in a thoughtful new op-ed on the subject. (To read his article, click here)

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, President Bush weighed in on the military’s ban on out soldiers.  He sidestepped the question of whether he thought homosexuality was immoral, but he did call the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” statute “good policy.”  He clearly doesn’t appreciate the undue and discriminatory burden this places on gay and lesbian soldiers, nor how this government-sanctioned deception undermines our military’s effectiveness.  Despite his comments, we are continuing to build support for the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  Be sure to check and see if your representative is a supporter of the legislation.  (Click here to find the list of Representatives supporting the Military Readiness Enhancement Act) 

Across the states this week, we have had a mixed, but mostly positive set of results.  In Maryland, an effort to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex couples from marrying failed, but, unfortunately, so did an effort to pass a transgender non-discrimination bill.  And, in Indiana, an effort in the state House of Representatives to ban recognition of our relationships also failed. (Last fall, HRC funneled significant financial and staff resources to move the Indiana legislature towards a more fair-minded majority and it’s great to see how that strategic investment is paying off.) 

In Connecticut, the debate to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples continues after last week’s state legislative hearing.  The New York Times (click here to read their op-ed) endorsed the legislation and more heroes in this effort emerged, including state legislator, Toni Walker, a straight African American ally.  (Watch her very powerful testimony, courtesy of Love Makes A Family, here)  Finally, New Hampshire is getting closer to passing a civil union law after the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly endorsed the legislation, 243-129. The state Senate must now move on the bill.  (New Hampshire was also a targeted state where we invested significant resources to create a more GLBT-friendly political environment.)

Switching from politics to sports, I’m happy to report that, while the Final Four may be over, our recent panel on homophobia in sports continues to get great media coverage.  If you’d like to hear what our Coming Out Project spokesman, John Amaechi, told the NCAA Atlanta audience, as well as what Billy Bean, Joey Fisher, David Kopay, Terri O’Connell and Esera Tuaolo had to say, be sure to check out the clips on YouTube. (Watch the clip here)

Finally, I have an important and exciting staff change to announce.  Earlier this week, Betsy Pursell accepted the position as HRC’s new Vice President of Public Education and Outreach. Formerly our Director of Foundation Relations, Betsy brings 26 years of academic and non-profit management experience to her new job.  Overseeing many of our programs, including our Religion and Faith program, our Workplace program, and our Family program, she will have her hands full.  We are excited to have her on-board in this new capacity.

That’s all for this week.  Have a great weekend!

Joe Solmonese
President, Human Rights Campaign

P.S. Listeners to our radio show, please make a note: next week, we are moving permanently to XM Channel 120 from Channel 200.  Mary Breslauer and I will still have our live regular spot, however, on Monday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. EST.  And, this week, you won’t want to miss the show!  We will be talking to legendary independent filmmaker John Waters, as well as prize-winning author Mark Doty, The Politico's Jeanne Cummings, and openly gay Arkansas Representative Kathy Webb.

Our Vigil for Ryan Keith Skipper

New York, NY-- March 22, 2007 The U.S. House of Representatives today introduced the STRIVE Act, a bill designed to overhaul the U.S. immigration system. The bill, introduced by U.S. Representatives Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ) is a step toward reform, but does not address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive immigrants.

“This bill falls short of providing equal justice for all immigrants,” states Rachel B. Tiven, Executive Director of Immigration Equality. “Basic protections for gay and HIV-positive immigrants continue to be denied.” Currently, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident cannot sponsor their same-sex partner for immigration benefits. Additionally, HIV-positive individuals are barred from entering the United States and can obtain a green card only in limited circumstances.

U.S. immigration policy is based on the principle of family unification, and two-thirds of all green cards are provided on this basis. The STRIVE bill ensures that many immigrant families will be able to remain together and not be torn apart by inhumane immigration laws, the bill however, fails LGBT families.

Representative Gutierrez cosponsored the Uniting American Families Act, Immigration Equality’s family fairness legislation, in the last session of Congress. Immigration Equality held private meetings with Representative Flake in the lead-up to the STRIVE Act’s introduction to urge that fairness for LGBT immigrants be added to the bill. Despite these efforts, LGBT families continue to be shut out of immigration reform, and targeted as part of efforts to clamp down on immigrants in the U.S.

Immigration Equality addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of U.S. immigration laws on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV- positive immigrants, their families and loved ones.