The Week in Review

New Jersey Gay Marriage Bill
Last night the New Jersey state Sentate Judiciary Committee voted 7 to 6 to hand down a bill to the full Senate that would legalize gay marriage in NJ. The legislation was scheduled to head to the full Senate today, Thursday, December 10th, but has been delayed due to fear that the bill does not have enough votes. According to gay365.com, "Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts has not committed to posting the bill." Let's just hope that we can get enough Senate votes to pass it before time runs out in January.

Annise Parker the first Openly Gay Mayor of Houston, TX?
Annise Parker has been facing a lot of opposition from anti-LGBT forces in her race to become Mayor of Houston. Yet polls show she has a slight lead over her opponent and this weekend could become Houston, TX's first openly gay mayor. Parker and her life partner, Kathy Hubbard, have been together for almost 20 years and have two children. (Click here for more information about the opposition she's been facing.)

Comprehensive Sex Education in Pennsylvania?
A new bill in the Pennsylvania legislature would flip the 'opt-out' for sex education. The current policy "allows parents an opt-out if, for religious or other reasons, they'd prefer their kids don't get comprehensive education" (examiner.com). This comprehensive education includes information on birth control and pregnancy prevention as well as how to prevent sexually transmitted infections. "The new bill, sponsored by Represenatative Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, would require public schools to notify parents if the sex-ed curriculum teaches only abstinence when it comes to preventing pregnancy and the spread of disease" (examiner.com).

This bill is something we should all push for. Current abstinence-only education overlooks and ignores those in the LGBT community and puts all young persons at a disadvantage. According to examiner.com, "abstinence-only education programs have been proven to have no effect at all on the sexual activity of teenagers who participate in them." This means that while teenagers are still having sex, they are uninformed on how to protect themselves from disease and pregnancy.
 

Another Loss for Marriage Equality

Yesterday, quite unfortunately, the New York State Senate voted down a bill that would have ended marriage discrimination in their state. Both the ACLU and the HRC expressed their disappointment in the state senate's failure to legalize same-sex marriages, the vote being 38 to 24 against.

This is a disappointment not only for New Yorkers and for the equal marriage rights movement in general, but also specifically for those in New Jersey who had been hoping that similar legislation would come up in the state congress. According to 365gay.com, "It’s going to help cement defeat for gay marriage in New Jersey, and  [could] get a whole bunch of politicians in New Hampshire who voted for gay marriage this year pretty nervous when they come up for election.”

The fact is that as all these equal marriage movements are defeated, it gets harder and harder for others states to have success. The passing of issue 1 in Maine and now the defeat of equal marriage in New York are creating painful disappointment in the LGBT community.

But there is hope. According to NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman, "this is only a temporary setback in our campaign to protect all New York families. The majority of New Yorkers support fair marriage laws that protect lesbian and gay families, and the day will come when we achieve that goal."

If there is hope in New York, than there is hope in New Jersey, and there is hope across the country. There will come a day when the goal of equality for the LGBT community is achieved. But we must hold on and keep strong until that day comes.

Sources: 
ACLU Website:  "NYCLU: Senate's Failure to Pass Marriage is Disappointing..."
365gay.com: Gay-marriage opponents welcome NY bill’s defeat

HRC Website: New York Senate Rejects Marriage Bill for Same-Sex Couples

Washington D.C. Council Votes to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage!

Good news out of the District of Columbia today as the D.C. Council voted 11-2 to pass a bill legalizing marriage for same-sex couples within the District!

The bill must still be voted on once more by the D.C. Council--which is schedule to take place in two weeks, December 15--before it can be sent to Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has pledged to sign it into law.  According to the District's legislative protocols, the U.S. Congress has a thirty day window to review the bill, but both chambers (House and Senate) and the President's signature are required to repeal any bill passed by the Council.  

If the bill passes as expected, it should go into effect as early as February or March, and Washington D.C. will join Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, and Massachusetts in allowing same-sex marriage.

5 Elections to Watch

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Now it's time to get back to work.

Even though the majority of elections were decided on November 3, there are still five races important to the LGBT community headed to run-off elections.  The Victory Fund has endorsed five openly LGBT candidates still running for public office in Houston, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia:

Annise Parker:  Houston will become the largest U.S. city ever to elect an openly LGBT mayor if she wins this incredibly close runoff election.

Alex Wan:  Alex is well-positioned to become the first openly gay man and first Asian-American ever elected to office in Atlanta.

Simone Bell:  Simone will become the first openly lesbian Africa-American elected to a state legislature in the U.S. if she wins this race for the Georgia State House.

Sue Lovell:  Sue is an at-large member of the Houston City Council who's been open and honest about her sexual orientation for years, and because of that she's been a strong voice for equality in Houston city government.  She's running for her third and final two-year term. 

Lane Lewis:  Lane hopes to join Sue on the Houston City Council and add his expertise as former teacher, appointed official and civic activist.

One Year Out: 2010 PA Governor's Race

With less than 348 days until Pennsylvania voters go to the polls on Tuesday, November 2 to elect the next Governor, and just under 6 months before the Primary in May, EQPA has a brief update on the players in the 2010 PA Governor's race. (click each candidates' name to be directed to their campaign website. Incumbent party is listed first. Details courtesy of Politics1.com)

Democrats:

Chris Doherty - Mayor of Scranton
Joe Hoeffel - Montgomery County Commissioner, Former U.S. Congressman and '04 U.S. Senate Candidate
Tom Knox - Businessman and '07 Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate
Dan Onorato - Allegheny County Executive, former Pittsburgh City Councilman
Jack Wagner - State Auditor General, Former State Senator, Former Pittsburgh Council President

Republicans:

Tom Corbett - Attorney General, Former U.S. Attorney
Jim Gerlach - Congressman, Former State Senator and Representative
Robert Allen Mansfield - Businessman
Sam Rohrer - State Representative, Businessman

Independents:

Rich Gordon - Truck Driver, Former Businessman, and Retired Port Authority Worker

Early polling data can be found here and here.

Needless to say, the race is pretty crowded as of now. As Primary season heats up early next year, however, expect several weaker players to drop out. EQPA will try and give more in-depth analysis as the candidates' positions and views on issues important to the LGBT community become clearer.

A Vote on the Hate Crimes Bill!

Just this morning the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to PASS HB745, to amend the Title 18 Ethnic Intimidations Act to define crimes against "actual or perceived ... sexual orientation, or gender identity" as ethnic intimidation, a.k.a. hate crimes!

The bill was passed with 18 yea votes, which is more than we had anticipated! (Compared to only 8 no votes.) The form letters that you folks signed surely helped the vote! Thanks to all those who signed letters and to all those volunteers that helped us get them addressed and sent out.

We are one step closer to having a Hate Crimes bill that protects victims of violence on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The next step is for the bill to be put before the whole House for a vote.

We'll continue to send out the form letters we have to encourage representatives to bring it to a vote and vote YES. If you would like to contact your house representative to encourage them to do so yourself, you can find your representative HERE by entering your address into the "look up your legislator" link on our website.

Poll Results Look Promising

Good news in nearby Massachusetts, polls are showing support for passing legislation to protect transgender people. According to the GLAD website: "A new poll shows that 76% of Massachusetts voters, including 81% of women, support passing a law prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in employment, housing, and public accommodations." This number was higher than anticipated and it's an important factor in getting a non-discrimination bill passed.

This is good news for Pennsylvanians too. Generally, the more states that pass non-discrimination bills the easier it will be to pass one in our own congress. Plus, the more studies that show people are for protecting the LGBT community from discrimination the more evidence we have on our side to help create policies that protect us all!

What the House Health Care Bill Means for LGBT Americans

This past weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives completed the first step to passing health care reform with the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act by a vote of 220 to 215.

While the bill is controversial on a number of fronts, it does contain key provisions protecting LGBT citizens and families:

- Health Disparities
- Unequal Taxation of Domestic Partner Benefits
- Early Treatment for HIV under Medicaid
- Comprehensive Sex Education
- Non-discrimination

Click HERE for the Human Rights Campaign's breakdown of these provisions.

The bill now moves to the Senate for debate and possibly a vote. Check back with EQPA for further updates and news as health care reform moves forward.

The Week in LGBT News

Happy Friday, everyone! This week brought much success to the LGBT trenches with over 50 LGBT candidates elected to public office across the country. Here in Pennsylvania, all six LGBT candidates up for election were elected to office.

Philadelphia's Common Pleas Court candidate Dan Anders, the first openly gay judge appointed by Governor Ed Rendell in 2007, was elected to the court for the first time last night. Also in Philadelphia, Municipal Court Judge candidate Dawn Segal won. And finally, Harrisburg City Councilman Dan Miller was elected Harrisburg City Controller, Sharyn Keiser was elected New Hope Councilmember, Karl Marking was elected to the Coatesville City Council, and Lori Schreiber was elected to the Abington Township Commission last night.

Click here for a complete listing of LGBT candidates and their election results across the country.

In national news, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held hearings this week on the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The committee posted the full text of their hearings.

Find your local Senator here, and tell them to SUPPORT the federal ENDA.

Also, Governor Patterson of New York has put gay marriage on the agenda for the Empire State's special legislative session.

While most commentators and pundits will be talking about the gay marriage setback in Maine in the days and weeks to come, we must never forget that marriage equality is not the ONLY problem facing LGBT Americans and Pennsylvanians. Employment discrimination, health care, schoolyard bullying, hate crimes, and equal protection in public accomodations are all areas in which LGBT Pennsylvanians have a vested interest.

Remember: the Maine legislature passed LGBT non-discrimination FOUR times before the voters let it stand. We'll be back in Maine, and we will win.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once wrote, "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it curves toward justice."

We need to continue our efforts to make sure that it does.

Voters Uphold Equality for LGBT Citizens As Openly-Gay Candidates Win Across the Country, Six Openly-Gay Candidates Win across Pennsylvania

*This is a Press Release. Further in-depth analysis including coverage of election contests of note across the country will be posted shortly*

Voters in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Washington State yesterday upheld legislation that provides equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as dozens of openly-gay candidates were voted into elected office across the country. With voters, at times overwhelming, supporting pro-equality issues and candidates, local municipalities and states across the country continue their movement toward providing full equality for LGBT people.

“With last night's overwhelming victory in the heartland of America, and openly-gay candidates running and winning races from all parts of the country, it is undeniable that Americans every day grow more accepting and welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people no matter which part of the country you live in,” said Jake Kaskey, Policy and Programs Director for Equality Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania's leading LGBT advocacy organization. “Thousands of people voted for equality and fairness yesterday, and together continued to create stronger and more welcoming cities and states across America.”

Sixty-five percent of Kalamazoo voters approved Ordinance 1856 which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The ordinance originally passed the city commission in late 2008 but was challenged by opponents with a petition drive.

Openly-gay candidates also found success at the polls, as 50 openly-gay candidates won their election last night, including six in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia's Common Pleas Court candidate Dan Anders, the first openly gay judge appointed by Governor Ed Rendell in 2007, was elected to the court for the first time last night. Also in Philadelphia, Municipal Court Judge candidate Dawn Segal won. Finally, Harrisburg City Councilman Dan Miller was elected Harrisburg City Controller, Sharyn Keiser was elected New Hope Councilmember, Karl Marking was elected to the Coatesville City Council, and Lori Schreiber was elected to the Abington Township Commission last night. Other historic elections for openly-gay candidates occurred in: Houston, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; St. Petersburg, Florida; Akron, Ohio; and Maplewood, Minnesota, among other places.

“Those who care about equality saw self-identified LGBT candidates and voters reaffirm their commitment to equal rights across the country and throughout Pennsylvania” Kaskey said. “It’s time the Pennsylvania legislature recognizes that basic protections for everyone, and equality for all people, is something our citizens demand from its government.”

Although ballots are still being counted, voters in Washington State will likely pass Referendum 71 which reaffirms the state's domestic partnership law passed earlier this year that expands the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses. Voters are currently approving Referendum 71 by a 51.13 to 48.87% margin. Voters in Maine, however, reversed a law that provided marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples last night by a three-point margin.

As openly gay candidates found success with voters, the one Reading city councilmen who voted against prohibiting discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity or expression earlier this year in Reading. Stephen Fuhs, the lone dissenting vote against expanding discrimination protections to LGBT people, lost his reelection campaign yesterday. Reading became the 16th municipality in Pennsylvania to protect LGBT citizens from discrimination with a 6-1 vote in September.

"Love Conquers Hate!"

Hey everyone!

Yesterday history was made when President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law!

Finally, after more than ten years since Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming college student who was brutally murdered in an act of hate violence in 1998, and James Byrd, an African-American man who was dragged to death in Jasper, Texas an inclusive hate crimes bill has been passed. According to the HRC website, "the new law gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability."

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese commented, “Today’s signing of the first major piece of civil rights legislation to protect LGBT Americans represents a historic milestone in the inevitable march towards equality. Although this is a major step in fighting the scourge of hate violence, it is not the end of the road. As a community, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to changing not only laws but also hearts and minds."

Let's remember folks, our work is not yet done, so let's keep on making history!

Hello Bloggers

Just wanted to post a short introduction of myself.

I'm Mer Holman, an intern here at Equality Advocates. I work in the policy department on things like outreach, research, policy, volunteer organizing and coalition work.

I am usually very busy here at Equality Advocates working on projects like developing and expanding the Value All Families Coalition and organizing form letters to be sent out to your state representatives and senators on issues like Hate Crimes legislation, House Bill 300 and opposing the Marriage Protection Amendment.

I am looking forward to getting involved with volunteers and working towards progressive and inclusive legislation!

Real Good Week!

Happy Friday, everyone! This has been a pretty good week for LGBTers across America.

First, HUD announced widespread policy changes to include LGBT Americans and end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in HUD programs.

Then, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to establish a national resource center to assist communities in providing much-needed resources to older LGBT Americans.

And now, the Senate has voted 68-29 to pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act! All the bill needs is President Obama's signature and IT IS LAW!

HOO to the RAY! Progress is marching on! One of our over 1,400 fans on our facebook fan page said it best: "the baby steps are getting a little bigger."

Let's keep this momentum going, we've got more work to do!

Letter from the Executive Director

Friends,

I want to let all of you know about an exciting new development at Equality Advocates Pennsylvania (“EAP”). In the course of restructuring EAP, about which Board President Brian Sims has written to you before, EAP’s Board determined it was necessary to make some fundamental decisions and changes.

The first decision was to expand the Board into a truly state-wide and diversified Board, an ongoing process that has so far added members from Pittsburgh, Lackawanna County and Bloomsburg and anticipates doubling in size over the next three months. The second decision was to bring this organization into alignment with other states’ equality organizations that have as their missions education, advocacy, and policy reform to achieve state equality goals. That means focusing EAP on education and creating Equality Pennsylvania as the advocacy and legislative lobbying entity in Pennsylvania. That also means establishing offices in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg to do the state-wide work with field officers and lobbying efforts. Equality Pennsylvania has been formed and an announcement about new offices will be made shortly.

The third decision and the reason for this letter is that EAP’s Board decided it is time for the direct legal services that EAP has delivered to the LGBT population to be housed at and delivered by a another organization. After much exploration, it became clear that Mazzoni Center, which serves the health needs of the LGBT population, is the logical place to offer legal services to the population it already serves. Mazzoni Center has agreed to expand its services and mission to include a Legal Services Department, utilizing the same personnel as now utilized by EAP, thereby ensuring the continuous availability to the LGBT community of the highest quality legal services that has always characterized EAP’s Legal Services Department. Legal service needs outside of the greater Philadelphia area will be handled by the Mazzoni Center in the same manner as EAP did, mostly by utilizing its referral base of cooperating attorneys.

Both organizations will work toward a smooth transition over the next several months.

In speaking with local foundations and funders and national funding sources, I have been heartened by their favorable reception of the decision to relocate legal services delivery as well as the other organizational changes being made here.

Naturally, expansion and contraction of organizations present both challenges and opportunities. It is an exciting time to be immersed in equality work in Pennsylvania and I am honored to be entrusted with operating the preeminent Pennsylvania equality organization as we move into its next phase. We need your moral, financial and volunteer support as never before and be assured that we will be contacting you for all three in the near future.


Sincerely yours,

Lynn G. Zeitlin, Esq.

Executive Director
Equality Advocates Pennsylvania

Dead Heat in Maine!

There appears to be some good news about the Maine Peoples' Veto--a ballot initiative attempting to overturn the marriage equality law that passed earlier this year. According to a poll reported in Bay Windows, New Englands' largest LGBT newspaper, 51.8% of "likely" voters say they will vote "No" on measure 1, with just under 43% saying they will vote "Yes." Great news for those of us following the "No on 1" campaign to protect marriage equality in Maine!

With general polls in Maine opening on November 3 (early voting begins October 26), however, blogger "Joe. My. God." cites a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling that shows a 48-48% tie with 4% undecided.

Regardless of which poll is accurate, the only poll that matters is the one taken on Nov. 3. So if you live in Maine and aren't already, get involved, get out the vote, and help support marriage equality!

In more local news, if you live or will be in Philly tomorrow night at 6:00pm, don't forget to come by EQPA's October Philadelphia Volunteer Night, Part 2! at our offices in Center City at 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605. As usual, FREE food, great company, and bumpin' music will be provided! Hope to see you there!

"Out in the Silence" to be screened at PLGFF!

Last month, EQPA partnered with filmmaker Joe Wilson to help stage screenings of his ground-breaking documentary "Out in the Silence", which tells the story of a Pennsylvania teen's struggle to come out and fight bigotry and prejudice in his small, rural PA town.

The film was screened at the first-ever Pennsylvania Equality Summit in State College, PA on September 26. And with the opening of the 24th Annual Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival today, "Out in the Silence" will have another opportunity to share this poignant and emotional story of strength and courage.



"Out in the Silence" will be shown this Tuesday, October 20th at CMU in the McConomy Auditorium. Admission is FREE!

Hello!

Hey, I'm Mason, the Eastern PA Field Organizer for Equality PA and I, along with some of the other staff members in the EQPA office will be regularly blogging about the goings-on in the LGBT-rights scene in PA.

With state legislators finally passing a budget and returning to work, EQPA will be working tirelessly to bring full equality to LGBT Pennsylvanians. In Pennsylvania it is STILL LEGAL to be fired from one's job simply because of one's sexual orientation or gender identity! That's why we are still fighting to pass HB300, which would end discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, among others.

Check back for regular updates as the legislative session progresses.

Support Equality at Our October Philadelphia Volunteer Night!

Did you know that in Pennsylvania it is STILL LEGAL to be fired from your job simply because of your sexual orientation or gender identity?

Join us tomorrow on Thursday night from 6:00-8:00pm at our Philadelphia offices (1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605) for our October Philadelphia Volunteer Night!

OUTfest was a huge success this past Sunday! We collected over 1,000 form letters urging our PA legislators to deliver full equality to LGBT Pennsylvanians. Join fellow activists and community members for a night of FREE food, great company, and tireless ADVOCACY!

Click HERE to RSVP. Or send an e-mail to Mason at mlane@equalitypa.org

If you've already RSVP'd, we'll see you then, and if you're on the fence, we need your support more than ever as we are still fighting to pass House Bill 300, which would finally expand non-discrimination coverage to Pennsylvanians on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and we are working to make sure that our legislators don't write discrimination into our state constitution with an amendment banning same-sex marriage.

So join us tomorrow night, 6:00pm at the Equality Pennsylvania offices at 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605 in Center City, Philadelphia!

Get INVOLVED! Get ENGAGED! ADVOCATE for EQUALITY!

Volunteer for Equality PA at Philly OUTfest!

For those not attending the National Equality March, come join us at OutFest, this Sunday, October 11, as we work toward equality for the LGBT community! We need volunteers to staff our table throughout the day to collect petition letters in support of LGBT-friendly legislation.

We need volunteers for four 2-hour shifts throughout the day: 10:00am-12:00pm, 12:00-2:00pm, 2:00-4:00pm and 4:00-6:00pm.

If you can volunteer at our table, please contact Mason at PolicyEA@gmail.com or at (215) 731-1447 ext. 18 to sign up for a shift. Please be sure to include your full name, phone number, and the shift that you are interested in working.

For more information, click HERE.

Welcome to the Equality Pennsylvania Blog!

Welcome to the Equality PA Blog! Check back here for regular updates about what's going on at Equality Pennsylvania and how YOU can get involved and support LGBT rights across the Commonwealth!

In the meantime, check out our Facebook Fan Page and become a fan to support LGBT equality!

And for more information about Equality Pennsylvania, visit: http://www.equalitypa.org