Wednesday, May 26, 2010

April-May 2010 E-Newsletter

This is a copy of our April-May 2010 E-Newsletter.  In addition to updates on events, functions, and action alerts, our monthly e-newsletter is delivered via e-mail to more than 20,000 supporters, friends, and activists.  To sign up to receive e-updates from Equality Pennsylvania click HERE (or copy and paste the following link into your web browser: http://eqfed.org/center4civilrights/join.html?r=U7se5ndaQEB3E).

 

In this Issue:

1.  Welcome, Ted! Our new Executive Director, Ted Martin set to begin June 1
2.  Anti-bullying bill to be introduced shortly! How can you get involved?
3.  TAKE ACTION: Support comprehensive sexual-education reform in Pennsylvania!
4.  We're looking for law students and lawyers who'd like to help promote equality and conduct legal research
5.  CALENDAR: Upcoming events, conferences, and opportunities to get involved!
            May 21: Mazzoni Center's 30th Anniversary Gala in Atlantic City with Diana Ross
            May 22: Harrisburg and Central PA friendraiser to support EqualityPA
            June 3-5: Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference
            June 5: Philadelphia Latino Pride (volunteer with us!)
            June 6-13: Pittsburgh Pride (volunteer with us!)
            June 12: 2010 Philadelphia Dyke March
            June 13: Philadelphia Pride Day (volunteer with us!)
            June 19: Lancaster Pride (volunteer with us!)



Ted Martin set to begin work as Executive Director on June 1: Please join us in welcoming our new Executive Director, Ted Martin to the EqualityPA family! Ted hails from Camp Hill, just outside of Harrisburg where he lives with his husband.
     Ted comes to EqualityPA after an extensive career in politics and non-profit management, working for nearly a decade in the US House of Representatives, to a stint as an executive director running Harrisubrg's architectural preservation organization, to his current role as Executive Director of Economic Development Marketing with the Department of Community and Economic Development. He also serves as president of the board of The LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central PA and has been deeply involved in the central Pennsylvania LGBT community throughout his career.
     Ted will work primarily out of our Harrisburg office, though will work office hours in our Philadelphia office, as well. We look forward to continuing to work toward full equality for all Pennsylvanians under his leadership.  Welcome, Ted!

     To view the press release about Ted's arrival, click HERE.
  
Three Democratic PA State Representatives unveil comprehensive anti-bullying legislation: In Harrisburg on May 10, State Reps. Rick Taylor and Tim Briggs, both Democrats of Montgomery County, joined by Rep. Bryan Lentz, Democrat of Delaware County, unveiled legislation they will introduce in coming weeks to strengthen bullying policies in Pennsylvania's public schools.
     Taylor and Briggs’ legislation would amend Pennsylvania's school code by expanding the language on bullying policy to apply it to incidences of harassment, intimidation and cyberbullying. In addition, the legislation would delineate to school administrators what actions they must take to provide notice and opportunities to report incidents, remedies for victims and harassment and bullying prevention training.
     EqualityPA along with more than 40 other members of the Value All Families Coalition (VAFC) have voiced support for this bill and will actively work to pass it through the PA House of Representatives.  Contact Mason at mlane@equalitypa.org to find out how you can get involved.

    To view the full story about the bill, as reported on the EqualityPA Blog, click HERE.


TAKE ACTION: Support comprehensive sexual-education reform in Pennsylvania: For too long, Pennsylvania’s LGBT youth have been shut out of sex education courses in many of the commonwealth’s public schools.
     Equality Pennsylvania is proud to be a member of a coalition that’s working to change that.  Pennsylvanians for Responsible Sex Education, or PARSE, has been working for more than a year to get House Bill 1163, the Healthy Youth Act, passed through the state legislature.
     Now is the time to take action on this essential legislation.  Contact your State Representative now and tell him or her that you support the Healthy Youth Act!

     Click HERE to access the Action Alert and send a letter to your State Representative.

Attention law students and attorneys: We're looking for law students and attorneys to donate a few hours to conduct legal research for a project we're working on this Summer.  If you think you may be interested, please contact Mason by e-mail at mlane@equalitypa.org or by phone (215) 731-1447 x18. 
    
     We can offer pro bono hours for law students seeking to fulfill pro bono requirements.

EqualityPA CALENDAR (items in red are coming up THIS WEEKEND!):  
              WHEN: Friday May 21
                  WHERE: Caesars Atlantic City
                                2100 Pacific Avenue
                                Atlantic City NJ, 08401
                  WHAT: Our firends at the Mazzoni Center invite you to spend the night with Diana Ross at the Shore! Celebrate three decades of outstanding service to the LGBT Community at Mazzoni's 30th anniversary gala in Atlantic City, on Friday, May 21, 2010.
     See the one and only Diana Ross live in concert at Caesars Atlantic City - and enjoy an exclusive champagne toast with Diana after the show! The concert starts at 9 p.m. Friday, followed by the champagne toast with Diana. The after party kicks off at 10 p.m. in the oceanfront Diamond Lounge, with open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Stay over and enjoy a festive Saturday brunch with live entertainment at 10 a.m. in the Diamond Lounge.
                 
                   Click here for more information and to purchase tickets!  Or call 215.563.0652, ext. 222 or 275.
                  WHEN: Saturday May 22, 7:00-9:00pm
                  WHERE: The Mantis Collective Gallery
                                    1306 N. 3rd Street
                                    Harrisburg, PA 17102
                  WHAT: Fundraiser/Friendraiser to support EqualityPA hosted by board members Synged Briddell, Chris Gatesman, Lauren Barr, and our new Executive Director, Ted Martin. Light refreshments and wine will be served. Hosts are asked to donate $100 and attendees are asked to donate $30.  Other suggested contribution levels are $50, $100, $250, and $500. To RSVP, e-mail Ted at theo65@aol.com.
                 
                  Click here to view the flyer!
                  Click here to view the event and RSVP on Facebook!
                 WHEN: Thursday June 3 to Saturday June 5
                 WHERE: Pennsylvania Convention Center
                 WHAT: The Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference (PTHC) was founded in 2002 by a group of transgender activists, allies, and service providers. Now in its ninth year, PTHC proudly offers a space for transgender people and our allies, families, and providers to come together to re-envision what health means for transgender people.
                    

  • June 5: Philadelphia Latino Pride
                 WHEN: Saturday June 5, 2:00pm
                 WHERE: Between 5th and Jefferson Streets
                 WHAT: Live performances, music, giveaways and much more abound between 5th and Jefferson Streets in North Philadelphia at the 3rd Annual Latino Pride Festival.  The festival is dedicated to the memory of Latino community leader Sr. Joaquin Rivera.
     **EqualityPA is looking for volunteers in the Philadelphia area to help us table at the Latino Pride Festival on Saturday, June 5.  If interested, contact Mason at mlane@equalitypa.org or call (215) 731-1447 x18.** 
                 WHEN: Friday June 4 to Sunday June 13
                 WHERE: Variable, click here for schedule of events.
                 WHAT: Pride is a celebration of diversity in the Pittsburgh region, a celebration of who we are, where we have been and, most importantly, where we are going. This year you’ll find many fantastic events starting with the kick-off rally featuring activist Cleve Jones, to the Pub Crawl, to Pride in the Street featuring R&B superstar Deborah Cox, and culminating with the Pride March and day-long family friendly PrideFest.
     **EqualityPA is looking for volunteers in the Pittsburgh area to help us table at PrideFest on Sunday, June 13.  If interested, contact Mason at mlane@equalitypa.org or call (215) 731-1447 x18.**
                
                 Click here for more information!
                 WHEN: Saturday June 12, 3:00pm
                 WHERE: Kahn Park (11th and Pine Streets)
                 WHAT: From the PDM facebook event site: "The Philly Dyke March is not a parade. It's a march, a protest, a movement. It’s a statement that as ‘dykes’ we must organize ourselves to fight for our visibility, our rights, and against the injustices we face in our society. The Dyke March is also a celebration of who we are, who we love, and the diversity amongst our community. We welcome Dykes of all races, sizes, ages, abilities, socio-economic statuses, gender presentations, and sexualities. And if you love women but aren’t too comfortable with the term ‘Dyke’, we welcome you too! We also welcome our allies to join us in the park or cheer for us along the parade route!"
                
                 Click here for more information!
                 WHEN: Sunday June 13
                 WHERE: Click here for the parade route and more information
                 WHAT: From PhillyPride.org: "The first official Pride Parade was organized in an impromptu fashion at the end of the 1980s and was intended to coincide with rally planned by the Lesbian and Gay Task Force at Love Park. It was so successful that community members met and started an organization (Lesbian & Gay Pride of the Delaware Valley, Inc.) whose goal was to produce a parade and festival at Penn's Landing each year to continue the community outreach and visibility that was achieved with that one rally. That organization evolved into what we know today as Philly Pride Presents. And that first rally grew into the largest celebration of LGBT pride in the region, now attracting over 25,000 people each year."
     **EqualityPA is looking for volunteers in the Philadelphia area to help us table at PrideDay on Sunday, June 13.  If interested, contact Mason at mlane@equalitypa.org or call (215) 731-1447 x18.**
               
                  Click here for more information!
                 WHEN: Saturday June 19
                 WHERE: Buchanan Park (Behind F&M College)
                 WHAT: This outdoor festival features an array of local talented entertainment, varied vendor offerings from arts and crafts to pride regalia, and a full menu of food offerings. The Lancaster Pride Festival celebrates the lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans-gendered, Inter-sexed and Questioning folks as well as their Allies.
     **EqualityPA is looking for volunteers in the Lancaster area to help us table at the Lancaster Pride Festival on Saturday, June 19.  If interested, contact Mason at mlane@equalitypa.org or call (215) 731-1447 x18.**
                
                  Click here for more information!
              
Equality Pennsylvania's mission is to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Pennsylvania through coalition-building, advocacy, education and policy reform.

 

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Harrisburg and Central PA friendraiser for EqualityPA

Honesty is the best policy, right?

So is it right to fire someone for living their lives honestly and openly
as a member of the LGBT Community?

Of course it isn’t, but in Pennsylvania it is perfectly legal to do just that.

If this fact astonishes and offends you like it does us, then
join us in supporting the only statewide organization fighting
to change that injustice.



Syngred Briddell, Chris Gatesman,

Ted Martin and Lauren Barr

Cordially invite you to support




Founded in 1996 as the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, Equality Pennsylvania (Equality PA) has a long and rich history as the only organization in the Commonwealth advocating exclusively for the rights of LGBT Pennsylvanians!

Saturday, May 22, 2010
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

Light Refreshment and Wine

The Mantis Collective Gallery
1306 N. 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102

Hosts $100
Attendees $30

Suggested contributions: $50 $100 $250 $500

RSVP to Ted Martin at Theo65@aol.com


Contributions are payable to: EqualityAdvocatesPennsylvania 
If you cannot attend but would like to make a contribution to support EqualityPA, you may mail a check payable to: “EqualityAdvocatesPennsylvania” to:
221 N. Front St., 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101
OR
1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 605 Philadelphia, PA 19107
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Taylor, Briggs seek to strengthen bullying prevention policies in Pa. schools

State Reps. Rick Taylor and Tim Briggs, both D-Montgomery, joined by Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, unveiled legislation they are introducing to strengthen bullying policies in Pennsylvania's public schools during a news conference at Radnor Middle School.


"No child should feel so hopeless that they would take their own life as a result of bullying, especially on a school's watch, Taylor said."This trend is becoming too predominant in Pennsylvania schools. The racially-motivated attacks on Asian-American students at South Philadelphia High School received national attention," Taylor said. "It is the intent of this legislation to empower students and teachers by providing them with the appropriate tools to address and control bullying and its dangerous ramifications."

Taylor and Briggs’ legislation would amend Pennsylvania's school code by expanding the language on bullying policy to apply it to incidences of harassment, intimidation and cyberbullying. In addition, the legislation would delineate to school administrators what actions they must take to provide notice and opportunities to report incidents, remedies for victims and harassment and bullying prevention training.

John Halligan, whose son Ryan committed suicide as a result of being bullied, was at the school giving a presentation to students about the dangers of bullying. Halligan has made it his life's mission to educate students, parents, and teachers throughout the nation about bullying, and is visiting several schools in Pennsylvania.

"I am very impressed with this effort to improve the bullying prevention law in Pennsylvania," said Halligan. "State laws are a necessary component of combating the issue, but unless schools follow through to see them carried out, then the words of those laws are only worth the paper they are printed on."

"Every child in Pennsylvania has the right to learn in an environment free from bullying and harassment and where they feel safe," Briggs said. "Bullying causes major stress for its victims and can have far-reaching effects on their emotional health, well-being and educational success. We need to proactively address this issue in Pennsylvania schools before we hear stories like those in the news more frequently."

The legislation also would require the Department of Education to routinely review bullying policies and report its findings to the General Assembly. It also would make schools' access to state grants through the Safe Schools program contingent upon approval of their bullying policies and compliance with reporting procedures.

"It’s often said that kids can say the meanest things, and because of public outrage about victims like Ryan Halligan, we are hoping to receive strong support and quick movement on this legislation," Lentz said. "Sadly, bullies do not realize the long-term ramifications their actions have on their victims, and they often are also suffering from emotional problems themselves. Children on the receiving end of that abuse are usually too embarrassed, scared or lack the self-esteem to stand up for themselves and tell an adult. We cannot let children turn into a silent punching bag."

Taylor and Briggs are seeking co-sponsors on the legislation, which they plan to formally introduce in coming weeks.
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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Join us in Scranton, PA!

Please join us for an OUTRAGEOUS night of friendraising!


Tomorrow Evening!

Friday, May 14th
5-9 pm

Wine/Beer, Cheese, Music, and Fun!
(Monetary donations will be welcomed!)

Outrageous & Anthology Books
515 Center Street
Scranton, PA
18503

(570)341-1443

outrageousonline@gmail.com

Equality Pennsylvania remains the preeminent LGBT advocacy organization for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and works collaboratively to establish a comprehensive network of individuals and organizations united in securing equal civil rights for the LGBT community.

Founded 15 years ago as the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights and later growing into Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, Equality Pennsylvania is the only organization in the Commonwealth advocating in Harrisburg and across the state exclusively for the rights of LGBT Pennsylvanians.

Hosted by Board Members:  Joyce Avila, Jeff Brauer, and Paul Nardone
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

We've just named TED MARTIN our new Executive Director

Harrisburg – Equality Pennsylvania (EqualityPA), the only organization advocating exclusively for the rights of the Commonwealth’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens, today announced the appointment of Ted Martin as its new Executive Director. Martin, who lives with his husband in Camp Hill outside of Harrisburg, will begin the position on June 1, 2010.

“After an extensive national search that lasted several months, the Search Committee and Board of Directors chose Ted because his talents were exceptional and uncommon, his commitment to equality profound and his passion for the work infectious,” explained Board president, Brian Sims of Philadelphia. “And while we know that as an organization we have much to do to ensure that EqualityPA more fully becomes a representative of our entire statewide constituency, the Board has full confidence that Ted is the perfect person to help us meet that challenge.”

Martin comes to the position after an extensive career in politics and non-profit management. From nearly ten years with the US House of Representatives, to a stint as an executive director running Harrisburg’s architectural preservation organization, Historic Harrisburg Association, to his current role with the Department of Community and Economic Development as the Executive Director of Economic Development Marketing, his career has been marked by building successful organizations from the ground up.

He has also been deeply involved with the Central Pa LGBT community where he has led the LGBT business association and the board of the LGBT youth group, Common Roads. He currently serves as president of the board of The LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central PA. In early 2009, Martin successfully presided over the merger of Common Roads and the Community Center Coalition.

“I can’t think of a more incredible opportunity for me to serve than this,” Martin said. “It really is an honor. I have a great Board of Directors full of committed and smart people, terrific staff and wonderful volunteers and I feel very lucky that the skills needed to make this a success have been sharpened by what I have done in the past.” In fact, Sims pointed to this very fact as one major reason why Martin’s candidacy was successful. “It really wasn’t lost on us that in his working life, Ted has been a successful communicator, administrator, advocate and coalition-builder. These are all going to be vitally necessary strengths Ted is going to have to call on as we move the organization forward,” Sims remarked.

Martin also recognizes the unique challenges he and the organization face. “I know that in the coming months this job is going to involve equal amounts of listening and talking. I intend to get out into the state to hear what the members of the LGBT Community want and expect of EqualityPA, and I am hopeful that this will only be the beginning of an ongoing conversation. That, in and of itself, is a huge task,” he explained, “but this conversation will be central to our long term goal of making the Commonwealth’s LGBT community a real force in politics and policymaking.”

Martin will be based in EqualityPA’s Harrisburg Office, with office hours in their Philadelphia location. The organization is currently in discussions to open an additional office in the Commonwealth.

Founded in 1996 as the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, the mission of EqualityPA is to achieve equality for LGBT Pennsylvanians through legislative and policy changes, education and outreach. It is estimated that EqualityPA’s various activities have reached over 25,000 people throughout the Commonwealth.
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