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.
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: Caesa
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
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.
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June 3-5: Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference
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.
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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.**
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June 4-13: Pittsburgh Pride Week
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.**
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June 12: 2010 Philly Dyke March
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!"
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June 13: Philadelphia Pride Day
WHEN: Sunday June 13
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.**
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June 19: Lancaster Pride Festival
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.**
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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