Arson Committed On LGBT Pride Float In Anchorage

Media Covers Torched Gay Pride Float in Anchorage Just two days before a gay pride float was to appear in the annual Fourth of July parade in Anchorage, Alaska, it was torched in an apparent case of arson. The fire also destroyed the garage and damaged the home of Ken and Paula Butner – allies of the LGBT community who kept the float in a car tent in front of their garage. The float belonged to the Imperial Court of All Alaska, an organization supporting the gay community. Many in the community fear that this fire may be a hate crime. The Anchorage Fire Department has now concluded that the fire was deliberately set and has begun a criminal investigation in search of the arsonist. A fund was set up to help the Butners repair their home and rebuild their garage.  Their new garage will have  security cameras and will be big enough to store the float inside. The LGBT community of Anchorage immediately rallied and, with donations and support, built a new float in less than 48 hours that included burned pieces salvaged from the original. They named the new float Phoenix Rising, and it won the Grand Prize in the July Fourth parade. GLAAD is pleased with the way the media has covered this story. It has been on newscasts and blogs around the world, and the coverage has been overwhelmingly fair, accurate and inclusive. It is a great example of LGBT advocates being recognized and celebrated for their work. All involved  should be commended for giving this story the attention it deserves.  We’ll keep you posted on any new developments in the investigation.

Immigration And Transgender Do Go Together! Ask Tanya Bloomfield

After spending several months working in Northern Ireland before I transitioned, I can say I never felt safe in Belfast. There is a sense of unrest due to the "problems" of the past between the feuding religious/political/para-military groups. One cannot blame Tanya Bloomfield for not feeling safe there. Based on the following article, it appears she is contributing to Canadian society and would be an asset to the country. Being the eternal optimist, I hope she receives a fair hearing and is allowed to stay in her new country. On another note, I have been told being a Transgender person and illegal immigrant have nothing to do with each other based upon a recent post concerning the new immigration laws in Arizona and how said laws promote racial profiling. I mentioned in Facebook that it could be Transgender people they come after when the fascists are done with undocumented immigrants. Hmmm? ... Based on what this Facebook person said maybe Tanya Bloomfield should move quickly to Arizona where immigration and Transgender have nothing to do with each other and where, as the conservatives say, there will be no profiling. What say you? Irish transgender woman pleads for refugee status in Canada Fears attack if she is deported to her hometown of Belfast By CATHY HAYES , IrishCentral.com Staff Writer An Irish transgender woman is seeking refugee status in Canada as she fears she will be deported if she is sent back to her home town of Belfast. Tanya Bloomfield’s temporary residence permit expired last August and she could now face deportation if officials deny her refugee status. The transgender woman believes that her safety will be at risk if she returns to her hometown just outside Belfast. She said “There is well-documented evidence of homophobic attacks and I grew up there and it's just not a country I want to return to given that I'm transgendered because I'd be at risk. "I'm feeling really low. I think that's really where I'm at. My friends tell me this is just a bump ... so I have to keep pushing on." Her lawyer, Lee Cohen says that she will be deported immediately if the courts refuse her application for refugee status. Bloomfield, the owner of a computer company in Chester, Nova Scotia had a temporary residence permit until last August when it expired. Her applications for temporary work and residency permits have been denied over the last year. Having lived in Nova Scotia since 2006, where she has family and friends, she has integrated fully into the Canadian culture. Over the last four years she has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for as the sponsorship director for Halifax Pride. She also raised $3,000 last year when she rain a marathon in aid of a group serving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. "I just have to hope that at some point Canada immigration can see that I do nothing but contribute to Canadian society, Canadian culture, to the economy, to the employment market,” said Bloomfield. It is her hope that she can apply for permanent residency once she is granted refugee status. Original Article

The Reality Of Discrimination: Transgender People Tell Your Story

United ENDA launches new campaign Congress, media need to hear the reality of discrimination Quick Links Tell your story Visit our website at www.TransEquality.org NCTE's blogWe have lots of new activity on our blog        DONATE NOW Please make a contribution to support our work today. Click to Donate Join Our List July 30, 2010 What has the power to change hearts, minds and even laws? The impact of a human story.  Our real experiences help people understand who we are and why it is so important to end the discrimination we face. And, of course, personal stories have been very central to our meetings with lawmakers about the need to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and we need to continue to increase our impact. There is power in speaking out--both for those who hear and those who tell their truths.  The United ENDA coalition--where NCTE has been a consistent leader and active member--has launched a new campaign to compile even more stories of discrimination in the workplace faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and we need your help. If you have been discriminated against at work, please fill out our brief questionnaire and tell us about your experiences. Please pass it along to your friends and encourage others to fill it out. The more stories we collect, the more compelling a case we can make.  If you complete the questionnaire and you give your permission, you may be contacted for more details about your experiences. In some cases, we may be able to provide some resources or referrals to address the discrimination. No information will be released publicly without your permission and you can remain anonymous if you need to.  Help strengthen our collective efforts to pass ENDA and let your story be heard.  Please complete the questionnaire today and pass it along!  About NCTE The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. By empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization.

Congress Should Donate Big Oil's Political Donations To Save The Gulf

Tell Congress to Donate Their Oil Money to Save the Gulf It's a hard truth: Capping the Deepwater Horizon well and replacing BP's CEO won't clean up the Gulf. It won't bring back the endangered sea turtles or thousands of other wild animals in the Gulf now confirmed dead because of Big Oil's reckless disregard for our natural treasures. And itwon't curb the dangerous influence of BP and the rest of Big Oil on U.S. politics. But we can use our collective voice to fight back. As a first step, we've partnered with Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund to ask all U.S. representatives and senators to donate any and all campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry to support efforts to protect wildlife in the Gulf. Ask Congress to donate all Big Oil campaign contributions to support the Gulf cleanup > Big Oil's influence in Congress is toxic to the legislative process - like the oil now choking large swaths of the Gulf coast. Money-fueled political favors for the oil industry mean lax oversight of the industry, pollution and inaction on climate change that's threatening the very survival of some of our most beloved species. According to an analysis by the Washington Post: [T]he industry has among the biggest and most powerful contingents in Washington. Its influence has been on full display in the wake of the BP oil disaster: Proposals to enact new restrictions or curb oil use have stalled amid concerted Republican opposition and strong objections from Democrats in oil-producing states. For the sake of our wildlife, this corruption has to end. John McCain (R-AZ) holds the shameful title of biggest oil and gas money recipient of all time, followed by Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX). Collectively, these senators have taken nearly $6.5 million from oil and gas companies, so it's no coincidence that since 2006 each has voted for drilling in never-before drilled waters along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and  expanding drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and against protections for endangered polar bears in the Arctic. House members typically raise less money than senators. However, Joe Barton (R-TX) also ranks as an oil and gas heavy weight, raking in nearly $1.5 million. Not surprisingly, he too can be counted on to vote for more drilling and bigger handouts for oil companies. Dirty politics like this are why, together with Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, we're calling on Washington politicians to give their oil and gas donations to the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Save Our Seabirds. These groups, along with Defenders of Wildlife, are desperately working to scrape together enough funds for the years of work needed to adequately clean up the Gulf and restore habitat and rehabilitate wildlife threatened by Big Oil's recklessness. Send Washington a message: Big Oil's political contributions should help restore the Gulf - especially its wildlife >  Shouldn't the polluters - and the politicians who've enabled their recklessness - help foot the bill to save our Gulf wildlife? Please send your representative and senators a message right now >  Thanks for taking action, - The Change.org team in partnership with Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund

Virginia's Wayside Center For Popular Education: Get Organized

Léelo en Español! Welcome Party a Blast!! July 10 brought out over a hundred people to celebrate the birth of a new resource and organization in the fight for social justice. Folks traveled from DC, WV, MD, GA, NC, and all over VA to join in the festivities. The weekend provided ample time and healing space to rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit with friends new and old. Ideas were shared and relationships strengthened as people participated in popular education activities, game shares, a juggling workshop, tours, an inspiring rally, home-cooked meals, and swimming in Cove Creek. Special thanks to the speakers, interpreters, massage therapists, cooks, artists, child care providers, donors, organizers, builders, clean up crew, and EVERYONE who came to show their love and participate in the Welcome Party. Special thanks also to SONG co-director Caitlin Breedlove for choosing this day to announce the opening of SONG's Virginia organizer position. (Information on job opportunity will be available on their website in August.) Photos of the day 1, 2, 3. Couldn't make it to the Welcome Party? Donate here!(Please designate "Wayside Center" on the donation page.) Will YOU win the Wayside Cup?! The Wayside Cup is an activist field day where teams of 4-5 play each other in friendly competition to go for the gold! It will be an all day extravaganza to raise funds to build a meeting hall at Wayside that can fit 50 people. Form your team now to participate  Saturday, October 9!Each team makes a pledge to raise $500.00 for the Wayside Center. To register your team, send an email with the name of your team, your team captain and members to  info@waysidecenter.org Organizing Skills InstituteDec 10-12 We are excited to partner withTraining for Change to offer the Organizing Skills Institute. This three-day training will focus on the practical skills of organizing and explore our emotional blocks to accessing these skills. This training will also provide the opportunity for people to learn new tools and practice in a safe laboratory with their fellow organizers. Email Wayside staff for more info. Conversion to Greywater Septic This spring we've had many volunteers come out to help build and remodel the house, making it accessible for differently-abled folks. As part of our long-term land sustainability plan, our next goal is to rework the septic system to accommodate large events like the Welcome Party in July. We'll be incorporating an innovative and environmentally sustainable greywater design into this project, which will include building a wetlands to filter the greywater from sinks and showers. We'll need all the help we can get for the volunteer work weekends, so get in touch about coming out to help!info@waysidecenter.org or (434) 906-0421 additional upcoming trainings: *Student Organizer Weekend *Interpreting for Social Justice *Integral Healing Weekend

Call on Clear Channel to Take Responsibility for Jim Quinn’s Pattern of Ugly, Defamatory Attacks Against the LGBT Community

CALL TO ACTION: Call on Clear Channel to Take Responsibility for Jim Quinn’s Pattern of Ugly, Defamatory Attacks Against the LGBT Community Syndicated radio host perpetuates myth that "Pedophilia is far more rampant among the gay community than it is among the straight community." July 29, 2010- On the July 28 edition of Clear Channel’s nationally syndicated radio program The War Room with Quinn & Rose, host Jim Quinn made defamatory anti-gay comments while discussing a federal case in which a jury ruled that the city of Philadelphia could not bar a Boy Scouts chapter from city-owned property despite the organization’s anti-gay policy. During the conversation Quinn said: “You don’t send gay men and young boys out together, okay?” Quinn’s co-host Rose Tennent responded: “Most gay men have nothing to do with the young boys. Make sure that you understand that.”  But Quinn went on to insist: "But I would give you that pedophilia is far more rampant among the gay community than it is among the straight community.” The hosts continued to “debate” the topic for nearly three minutes. continue reading the Call to Action TELL CLEAR CHANNEL WHAT YOU THINK: TAKE ACTION NOW! Sign our petition which automatically sends an e-mail to Clear Channel executives! Contact Clear Channel GLAAD urges you to contact Clear Channel Communications and demand that the company stop supporting these rampant, defamatory attacks on gay people’s lives. Clear Channel is failing to live up to its diversity standards that clearly state: “Our ZERO TOLERANCE policy that prohibits discrimination extends beyond our employees, into each and every market in which we conduct business.” It is time for Clear Channel to stop enabling Jim Quinn’s troubling pattern of on-air abuse that creates a hostile climate and puts our community in harm’s way. Help spread the word on Twitter by posting the following tweet: RT @glaad: Act Now: Call on Clear Channel to take responsibility for Jim Quinn's attacks against the #LGBT community http://bit.ly/jquinn About GLAAD: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For the latest updates on GLAAD's work, join us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Stop Racial Profiling In Arizona

Don't let racial profiling spread. Sign the ACLU's petition to Gov. McDonnell and all other governors. You may have already heard that today a federal judge in Phoenix blocked the most egregious provisions of Arizona's racial profiling, "show me your papers" law from taking effect tomorrow. Many people have been working hard to stop this law from ever being enacted. And we still have a long way to go, but today's ruling is an important and critical first step. I can tell you from first-hand experience that the reactionary forces that have been pushing this law will stop at nothing to see it enacted. And they'll keep trying to spread their misguided tactics in statehouses across the nation. But, I also know that there are millions of people like you who care about justice, freedom and upholding the Constitution. That's why your voice is so critical. So, on the heels of this big victory today, help make sure the poisonous policy of racial profiling doesn't spread to other states. Tell Gov. McDonnell and all other governors that you won't tolerate unconstitutional racial profiling in your state or anywhere in the United States. Sign the ACLU's petition.  Today's ruling came after the judge heard arguments from the U.S. Department of Justice, the ACLU and our allies last week that irreparable harm would occur if Arizona's law is allowed to go into effect tomorrow. The judge agreed and recognized that the law would lead to the "intrusion of police presence into the lives of legally-present aliens (and even United States citizens), who will necessarily be swept up by [its requirements]." But today, we need you to take action. Let's make it clear that the unconstitutional "show me your papers" law does not belong in Arizona, or anywhere else people try to promote racial profiling. Sign the ACLU's petition to Gov. McDonnell and all other governors. Thanks for supporting our ongoing efforts to defeat this dangerous and unconstitutional approach in Arizona and for standing up against racial profiling all across America. Sincerely, Vivek Malhotra Advocacy and Policy Counsel ACLU P.S. This is our best chance to send a loud and clear message to governors across the country that what happens in Arizona, stops in Arizona. Sign the petition to Gov. McDonnell and all other governors, and we'll deliver your petition with thousands of others.

Update To Transgender Woman Denied Medical Care At Ball Memorial Hospital

In a recent post, Transsexual Woman Denied Emergency Health Care At Ball Memorial Hospital, Erin and Amanda Vaught's traumatic visit to the emergency room at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana was described in Erin's own words. The Vaughts were ridiculed and denied health care. Erin was never treated for coughing blood nor did a doctor see her. The Vaughts were made to feel less than human simply because Erin is a Transsexual woman. It remains to be seen what actions the hospital and its parent company, Clarian Health will take concerning the Vaught's discriminatory treatment by Ball's emergency room staff. As usual, actions will speak louder than words. Yesterday, July 28 Ball Memorial Hospital released the following announcement on their web site. BMH Committed to Respect Dignity and Courtesy For All 7/28/2010 Muncie - Ball Memorial Hospital is committed to providing care with respect, dignity and courtesy. This commitment is embodied in the Hospital’s Core Values of compassion, customer care/service, safety, quality, respect and integrity. All staff are trained to embrace and act in accordance with the Core Values in each interaction with patients, family members, co-workers, medical staff members and customers, and resources are dedicated to the provision of on-going professional development and training of all employees in an effort to continuously improve the delivery of health care. Recently, the Hospital has been made aware of certain electronic comments posted on the internet. These comments have been referred for internal review. And, should there be any merit to the concerns expressed in the comments, the Hospital will respond in the appropriate manner. The Hospital understands the importance of meeting the needs of the communities it serves and continues to strive for excellence in offering services, training and education to promote wellness and improve the health status of the people of East Central Indiana and surrounding areas. Click here to view the BMH Mission and Values Michael E. Haley, President, Ball Memorial Hospital, Inc.

Should the front row center seat in the White House press briefing room go to FOX News or NPR?

Should the front row center seat in the White House press briefing room go to FOX News or NPR? They'll decide next Monday Clicking here will add your name to this petition to the White House Correspondents Association: FOX News is a right-wing propaganda operation, not a legitimate news organization. Award the seat vacated by Helen Thomas to NPR, which has provided public interest coverage of the presidency and the White House for almost four decades.  Click here to add your name In just a few days, the White House Correspondents Association will decide which news organization will be awarded the seat recently vacated by Helen Thomas. The news organizations most actively vying for the seat are FOX, NPR and Bloomberg News. Tell the White House Correspondents Association: Give the best seat in the briefing room to NPR, not FOX! Click here and we will automatically add your name to our petition. FOX News is a right-wing propaganda outlet, not a legitimate news agency. In recent weeks the network has turned the volume up on its race-baiting political agenda. The media assault on Shirley Sherrod is just a latest in a series of racist and politically motivated attacks on targets like Van Jones, ACORN, and Eric Holder's Department of Justice. It's bad enough that we have to fight the constant smear campaigns and appeals to racial paranoia from FOX and the right-wing media. We can't let them have the best seat in the White House press briefing room and the legitimacy that it confers. Click here to add your name to our petition demanding that a representative of a legitimate news agency get Helen Thomas' White House briefing room seat, not a right-wing shill from FOX. NPR has had a full time White House correspondent since the 1970s. The public radio network regularly reaches 27 million listeners with its news programming. The Board of the White House Correspondents Association will make its final decision during its upcoming board meeting on Monday, August 2. So it's urgent that we take action on behalf of NPR now. Click here to automatically sign the petition. Tell the White House Correspondents Association: NPR deserves to be in the front row, FOX does not. Thank you for working for a better world. Becky Bond, Political Director CREDO Action from Working Assets For more information: NPR's letter to the White House Correspondents Association, July 14, 2010. NPR now vying for front-row White House seat, Yahoo News, July 19, 2010. Why is the Obama administration listening to right-wing smear merchants?, CREDO Action, July 29, 2010.

An Open Letter to the House Speaker on ENDA

An Open Letter to the House Speaker on  ENDA We are writing to express how extremely troubled we are that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has not yet been scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives. We believe a floor vote must be scheduled for ENDA immediately.   It would be devastating for LGBT workers for this Congress to not complete its work on ENDA before the end of this session.  ENDA would be historic in the number of LGBT people who would benefit from its passage. During this economic crisis, it is more important than ever to prohibit the often impoverishing effects of workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.   Most LGBT workers have no protections from workplace discrimination. ENDA would provide legal protection against discrimination nationally.  Over and over we have been promised that a vote would be scheduled on ENDA, and these promises have been repeatedly broken.  In 29 states, it is still legal to fire someone solely because they are lesbian, gay or bisexual.  And in 38 states it is legal to fire someone solely for being transgender.  The current version of the bill would outlaw discrimination on both sexual orientation and gender identity.   A 2006 study by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the Transgender Law Center found that 60 percent of transgender people in San Francisco earn less than $15,300 per year, only 25 percent have a full-time job and nearly 9 percent have no source of income.   Only 4 percent reported making more than $61,200, which is about the median income in the Bay Area.  More than half of local transgender people live in poverty, and 96 percent earn less than the median income. Forty percent of those surveyed don't even have a bank account.  What this study reveals is that even in a city that is considered a haven for the LGBT community, transgender workers face profound employment challenges and discrimination.     A 2007 meta-analysis from the Williams Institute of 50 studies of workplace discrimination against LGBT people found consistent evidence of bias in the workplace. The analysis found that up to 68 percent of LGBT people reported experiencing employment discrimination, and up to 17 percent said they had been fired or denied employment.   Public opinion polling shows that Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of making sure LGBT Americans get the same employment opportunities as everyone else.  In fact, the latest surveys shows that nearly 90% of Americans support workplace fairness for LGBT workers.   As you know, in a few weeks, Congress will finish it's legislative business for the year so that they can return to their districts to run for re-election. Last month at a LGBT Pride event, Congresswoman Jackie Spier announced to the LGBT community that not only would we not get ENDA before the end of the legislative session, that she did not think we would get it for five years because we won't have enough votes in Congress again to ensure passage. It is ironic that Congress plans on leaving town and going home to campaign for their own jobs while leaving thousands of LGBT workers without protections for the next five years.  When 90% of Americans support workplace fairness, it is challenging to believe that anyone fears a backlash from the voters.  The time to pass ENDA is now.  The American people support it, the politicians promised it.  No more broken promises. We demand that a vote be scheduled now. Sincerely, SF Pride at Work, One Struggle, One Fight, GetEqual, Harvey Milk Democratic Club, El/La, Transgender Law Center, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and National Pride at Work   About TLC The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. TLC uses direct legal services, education, community organizing and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. www.transgenderlawcenter.org