Week In Review 6/28-7/2

Hey readers! It's Friday yet again, which means today's blog brushes upon what was blogged about this week! On Monday we gave you information about two PA representatives (Representative Barbin and Representative Baker) and two PA senators ( Senator Baker and Senator Boscola). This week we also checked in with the lovely bunch of interns (myself, included) and looked at the anti-bullying bill that was passed in Illinois. We also posted how Wisconsin's Supreme Court upheld the ban on gay marriage in their state.

In addition, according to the New York Times Google, beginning yesterday, is adding pay to their gay and lesbian workers in order to cover a tax that same-sex couples have to pay when their partners receive domestic partner health benefits. The New York Times article can be found here!

Have a great 4th of July weekend, everyone!

Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Gay Marriage

The 2006 state constitutional amendment was upheld yesterday by a 7-0 ruling that put a ban on gay marriage in Wisconsin. According to the Associated Press, the Supreme Court "rejected the lawsuit that claimed the amendment violated a rule that limits referendum questions to a single subject. The lawsuit, filed by a voter opposed to the amendment, argued that gay marriage and civil unions were two different subjects." According to State Justice Michael Gableman both rulings generally preserve the legal status of marriage in the state as that between one man and one woman.

The Associated Press article can be found HERE.

Interns Spotlight

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

The interns and I have been super busy these past few weeks working on various projects. We've all been spending our days inputting data and working on our own assigned tasks. Greg, specifically, has been working on packets for SNAP (Student Network Across Pennsylvania). These present information to colleges to help them be more LGBT friendly and active in state and national politics regarding LGBT issues. This week he is also beginning to work with things related to the Value All Families Coalition.

For the past few days I've been working on Excel spreadsheets and have been keeping up with LGBT news to relay it to all of you! (Check out the previous blog posts and the Facebook/Twitter!)

Cheers!
-Rebecca

Illinois Passes Anti-Bullying Bill

On Sunday Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed an anti-bullying bill that included protection for LGBT students. The bill specifically mentions a list of attributes that are protected that includes gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The bill passed both the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly. In addition to Illinois, New York also passed a similar bill last week and will become the tenth state to enact this kind of law when Governor David Paterson signs the bill. These bills are similar to the bill currently in the Pennsylvania House, HB 2569. In this bill's definition of harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, and intimidation, students will be protected from "any written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication including, but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by a student's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry or ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, gender, gender identity and expression or other distinguishing personal characteristic or based on association with any such characteristic."

Source:
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=27081

2 Representatives and 2 Senators

Happy Monday, everyone!

Today we profiled four more of your state legislators: Representative Bryan Barbin, Representative Stephen Barrar, Senator Lisa Baker, and Senator Lisa Boscola.

Representative Bryan Barbin

Bryan Barbin is a Democrat who currently represents who currently represents Pennsylvania's 71st District. The 71st District includes Brownstown, Conemaugh, Daisytown, Dale, East Conemaugh, Ferndale, Franklin, Geistown, Johnstown, Lorain, Richland, Southmont, Stonycreek, and Westmont. He is a Member of the Consumer Affairs Committee, Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Gaming Oversight Committee, and the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. His voting record can be found HERE.

Representative Stephen Barrar

Representative Barrar is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 160th District, which is comprised of parts of Chester and Delaware counties. He is a Member of the Liquor Control Committee and is Chair of the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee. According to his website, "...Barrar has worked to make significant reforms to our election system, including the passage of legislation to guarantee that overseas military personnel are given the opportunity to have their absentee votes counted while they are actively defending the democratic system of government synonymous with America." His voting record can be found HERE.

Senator Lisa Baker

Senator Lisa Baker is a Republican who currently represents the 20th Senatorial District in Pennsylvania, which includes parts of Luzerne, Monroe, and Susquehanna counties and all of Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. She is a Member of the Aging and Youth Committee, Appropriations Committee, and the Public Health & Welfare Committee. She is also Vice Chair of the Communications and Technology Committee and Chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. According to her website she is dedicated to both Pennsylvania's veterans and is "leading the push for changes to the laws and procedures governing the juvenile justice system..." Senator Baker's voting record can be found HERE.

Senator Lisa Boscola

Senator Boscola is a Democrat who is currently representing Pennsylvania's 18th Senatorial District. This district is comprised of Lehigh, Northampton, and Monroe counties. she is a Member of the Appropriations Committee, Banding and Insurance Committee, Game and Fisheries Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Transportation Committee. She is also the Ranking Minority Member of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. According to her we4bsite, she is a life-long resident of the Lehigh Valley and "is intimately familiar with the issues that face her district and the people which she represents." Her voting record can be found HERE.

SOURCES
http://www.bryanbarbin.com/index.html
http://www.stevebarrar.com/bio.aspx
http://www.senatorbaker.com/profile.htm
http://www.senatorboscola.com/about_Lisa.htm
http://www.votesmart.org/official_five_categories.php?dist=bio.php
http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=57107
http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=10165
http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=102543

Week in Review

Happy Friday, everyone! This week we outlined four state legislators: Representative William Adolph, Representative Matthew Baker, Senator Richard Alloway, II, and Senator David G. Argall. We also wrote briefly about the LGBT event President Obama held on Tuesday, as well as the closing arguments for the Scouts trial in Philadelphia.

As reported in the Philadelphia Gay News and as posted on our Twitter yesterday, the verdict for the trail was delivered Wednesday. After the jury deliberated for seven hours they stated that when the city evicted the scouts from the city-owned building they did not discriminate against the Scouts. The jury also stated that the city did not violate its 14th Amendment right of equal protection. However, the jury was split on the council's declaration that its First Amendment right to free speech was infringed upon. According to the Philadelphia Gay News (Vol. 34 No. 26), “...the jury found that the city did not engage in viewpoint discrimination in seeking the eviction of the BSA council, but it placed an unconstitutional condition on the council’s free-speech rights by requesting fair-market rent or disavowal of the national policy banning gays.”

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Philadelphia Boy Scout Eviction Case

The final arguments were made Tuesday in the Philadelphia Boy Scout eviction case. The US District Court began deliberations on Wednesday to decide if the city of Philadelphia can force the scouts out of their city-owned offices because they will not reject the organization’s prohibition on homosexuals. In 2007 the city said that due to an anti-discrimination ordinance, the scouts would have to pay $200,000 a year to stay on the property. The scouts claim that this violated their right to due process and free speech. A comprehensive article on this can be found here.

Obama to Host LGBT Event Today

Today, Tuesday, June 21, 2010, President Obama will be hosting a LGBT event where he will speak to grass-roots gay activists at the White House. Vice-President Biden will also be in attendance along with Constance McMillen, a student from Mississippi who sued her high school after they canceled their prom rather than allowing McMillen to attend with her girlfriend. At this event there will be a ceremony honoring the contributions of LGBT Americans. Further reading about this event and Obama's response to the gay agenda can be found here.

First Spotlight on PA Legislators

Hey everyone! Today is officially the first day we're spotlighting both representatives and senators from Pennsylvania. Hopefully we'll be able to give your profiles on all of the senators and representatives by the end of the summer!

Representative William F. Adolph, Jr.

Representative Adolph is a Republican who represents the 165^th Legislative District in Delaware County. This district encompasses parts of the townships of Marple, Radnor, and Springfield and all of the Borough of Morton. He was first elected in 1988 and is now serving his 11^th term. Representative Adolph is a member of the Consumer Affairs and Rules Committees and is also Chair of the Professional Licensure. This year he was elected to serve as Republican Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. According to his website, “His legislative agenda has focused on the environment, economic development and job creation issues.” His voting record can be found HERE.

Representative Matthew Baker

Representative Matthew Baker is a Republican who is currently representing the 68^th Legislative District, which includes all of Tioga County and western Bradford County. He was first elected to the PA House in 1993 and is currently serving his ninth term. He is currently the Chair of the Heath and Human Services Committee. According to his website Baker “is a proud member of the communities he represents and is very active in local civic affairs. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Wellsboro, the Wellsboro Rotary Club, the Tioga County Development Corp., Charleson Valley Grange No. 54, and the Tioga County Tourist Promotion Agency. Baker is chairman of the Laurel Health Development Council and a member of the Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group.” His voting record can be found HERE.

Senator Richard Alloway, II

Senator Alloway is a Republican representing the 33^rd Senatorial District, which is composed of all Franklin and Adams Counties and portions of York County. He was first elected as state senator in 2008 and is currently serving his first term. He is a Member of the Aging and Youth Committee, Local Government Committee, and Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. He is also the Vice Chair of the Law and Justice Committee and the Chair of the Game and Fisheries Committee. His voting record can be found HERE.

Senator David G Argall

Senator Argall, a Republican, is currently representing the 29^th Senatorial District. This District includes all of Schuylkill County, and parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties. He was elected in March 2009 and is serving his first term in office. He is a member of the Appropriations Committee, Communications and Technology Committee, Education Committee, and Labor & Industry Committee. He is also the Vice Chair of the Urban Affairs and Housing Committee. According to his website, “Senator Argall’s top legislative priorities are promoting economic growth, reducing the property tax burden on homeowners and revitalizing our downtowns and industrial areas.” His voting record can be found HERE.

Sources:

http://www.williamadolph.com/bio.aspx

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=BS028152

http://www.repbaker.com/bio.aspx

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=BS028156

http://senatoralloway.com/profile.htm

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=102466

http://www.senatorargall.com/profile.htm

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=9078

Week In Review

Happy Friday everyone! This week at EqualityPA we interns were very busy with post-Philly and post-Pittsburgh Pride related tasks. We've had our hands full with the hundreds of form letters that we got signed in support of House Bill 300 and House Bill 745. Thanks again to everyone who signed a letter! Now we are busy researching for the new anti-bullying bill, HB 2569, and are getting prepared for Lancaster Pride this weekend.

Next week we will be posting about more PA Reps, about the Pride events going on in PA, about current events, and more!

Finally, you can be the first to hear Judge Walker's decision on the Prop 8 case by texting EQUAL to 69866 or by going to equalrightsfoundation.org!

Have a great weekend!

Prop 8 Trial Closing Arguements

Yesterday closing arguments were delivered in the Prop 8 trial going on in a federal courtroom in San Francisco. Charles Cooper delivered the closing for the defense, arguing that the fundamental purpose of marriage is to "channel" heterosexual couples into unions in which they raise their own biological children. While Ted Olson, the attorney for the prosecution, rejected the concept that same-sex marriage was an extreme departure from existing law.

When I found out that the closing arguments were yesterday, I immediately sent the American Federation for Equal Rights' tweets to my phone to keep as up to date as possible. In order to receive the latest news on the case, I would suggest following them on Twitter, as well! )@AmerEqualRights)

Also, to receive a comprehensive report of what happened in the courtroom yesterday, check out THIS article!

Meet the Interns!

As posted on our Facebook fan page, we, the summer interns, are going to be contributing a great deal to EqualityPA’s various social media sites. Below are the bios we wrote in order to introduce ourselves!

Justin Dunn

Hello to all the readers of the EqualityPA blog. My name is Justin Dunn. I am a 24 year old college student. I live in northeast Philadelphia. I am a proud newlywed and father. Currently, I am studying law and psychology at the community college of Philadelphia. In my spare time I try to do as much activism as I can. My main areas of interest and concern are the minority, glbt, and disabled communities. My goals with my activism are different with each area of it. As an African American, my goal on the minority side is to show that minorities can and should hold all types of positions in fields of study that typically dominated by non-minorities and in doing such we deserve the same pay respect and accolades that may come with such fields or jobs. My goal with my glbt activism is to fight for every single right that I can for the community until everyone has full equal rights. When I receive my paralegal certification and law degree, I hope to work as a paralegal/lawyer with a concentration in Glbt rights. As a disabled individual my goal with that side of my activism is to help the disabled in any way that I can, from fighting to get them jobs and to get them housing so that they can live independently. Currently I am working with equalitypa to advance the rights of the glbt community. I would love to work my way up through the organization and one day work for their legal department. If I don't end up working for their legal department, then I hope to work in the legal department for lambda, glaad or one of the many other glbt rights organizations.

Rebecca Feuerhammer

Hey! I already wrote a mini-bio at the beginning of the PA Prides post below, but I thought I should do a formal intro, as well! My name is Rebecca Feuerhammer and I am currently a rising junior at Bryn Mawr College. I’m a political science major, sociology minor with concentrations in US politics and legal studies. I am also a proud member of the Bryn Mawr Crew Team and next semester I will be studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I love hanging out at Borders, going to the theatre, sour patch kids, and updating my twitter!

Liz Ford

Hi My name is Elizabeth Ford and I am a rising senior at the University of Virginia. At schoolI have a weekly opinion column in the school newspaper and my favorite subject to write about is social issues. I came to work at Equality PA after being inspired my my role model Julian Bond's speach at the March for Equality in DC this past fall along with having him as a Professor in college that advocated why it was important for supporters of the Civil Rights movement to support the gay rights movement. I hope to use what I learn at EQPA to enhance my future in law, where I hope to offer my services to fight for civil rights issues.

Greg Storella

Hello! My name is Gregory Storella and I am a rising senior at Brandeis University, anticipating a BA in International Global Studies and French and Francophone Studies, as well as hopefully minors in Theater Arts and Gender Studies. I’m a native Pennsylvanian, born and raised in Media, PA. I began work with Equality Pennsylvania in May of this year, and expect to stay on until the end of summer when I return to school. In addition to my interest in LGBTQ activism, advocacy, and policy work, I really enjoy all types of performance art, especially dance. At school I choreograph and dance with many different dance groups, including Adagio and within the undergraduate theater community. Other random fun facts – I’m a Cancer, a red-head, and a twin!

I am excited to work with Equality Pennsylvania this summer with Rebecca, Justin, and Liz (my fellow interns), and Jason, Mason, and Joe!

Spotlight on Representative Briggs and Representative Taylor

This summer EqualityPA will be blogging about legislators (from both the Pennsylvania House and Senate) in order to give readers the opportunity to get to know their representatives!

Last week we blogged about House Bill 2569, the new anti-bullying bill that was introduced in the PA House of Representatives only last week. Therefore, this blog spotlights the two representatives that introduced the bill- Representative Tim Briggs and Representative Rick Taylor. Both are from Montgomery County and both are Democrats.

Representative Briggs represents the 149^th Legislative District in Montgomery County. This district includes part of Lower Merion Township, Upper Merion Township, and the Boroughs of West Conshohocken and Bridgeport. He currently is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Children and Youth Committee, Finance Committee, and the Secretary of the Local Government Committee. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Representative Briggs came into office in 2009 and since was a sponsor of one bill, HB 1, entitled Expanding Health Insurance, which was introduced May 21, 2009. He was also a co-sponsor of two bills, HB 1502, entitled Verification of Employee Eligibility in Relation to Public Works’ Contracts which was introduced June 2, 2009, and HB 1531, entitled The Taxing of Tobacco & Gambling for Other Public Goods, introduced May 26, 2009. According to his website, Representative Briggs “feels passionately that educating our children is the best investment in the future of the community and the economy. He also is dedicated to ensuring that high quality health care is affordable and accessible for every Pennsylvanian, and is especially concerned about improving women's health care. Tim considers himself an advocate for families and plans to focus on issues that affect Montgomery County families.” His voting record can be found HERE.

Representative Taylor represents the 151^st Legislative District in Montgomery County. His district consists of parts of Abington, Horsham, Lower Gwynedd, and Upper Dublin Townships as well as the Borough of Ambler. He is a member of the Finance Committee, Insurance Committee, and State Government Committee and is also Secretary of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee. After being elected into office in 2006, Representative Taylor was a sponsor of HB 1 entitled Expanding Health Insurance, which was introduced May 21, 2009. He also was a co-sponsor of HB 1202, entitled the Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act, which was introduced June 20, 2007. According to his website, Taylor’s legislative goals “include strengthening campaign finance laws, making college more affordable and accessible for students and protecting children and families by strengthening Megan’s Law in Pennsylvania.” His voting record can be found HERE.

SOURCES:

http://www.pahouse.com/briggs/bio.asp

http://www.pahouse.com/taylor/bio.asp

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=102595

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=60288

EqualityPA at Pennsylvania Prides 2010

Hey everyone! I'm Rebecca, a current intern at Equality PA, and am taking the reins of this blog for the summer! I am currently a rising junior at Bryn Mawr College and am majoring in Political Science. My hobbies include: following Philadelphia sports, being obsessed with everything theatre, eating, and going on adventures! I'm really excited to be blogging for EqualityPA and if there is anything in particular you want me to write about let me know by leaving a comment here, leaving a comment on our Facebook fan page, or by @ replying us on Twitter (@equalitypa)!

Now, as people reading this blog probably already know, this past weekend was both Philly and Pittsburgh Pride! Mason traveled to Pittsburgh to table in the Steel City while we, the lovely interns and Philly volunteers, manned the table in Philadelphia. What was our task of the day? Get form letters signed in support of House Bill 300 and House Bill 745, two extremely important pieces of legislation going through the PA House right now. And, thanks to all of the amazing people who signed them, we collected HUNDREDS of letters to send to PA State Reps. Thank you to everyone who filled them out!

Now, yesterday was my first time ever at Pride. From what others had told me I had a general idea of the awesomeness that is Philly Pride, but until yesterday I hadn't experienced it for myself. Therefore, I had very high expectations going into it- and they were definitely met (and then some)! I wasn't able to see the parade due to the fact that we were busy with the table, but the festival was fantastic! There were so many great people, lots of fabulous groups, and plenty of free stuff! I had an absolutely amazing time talking to everyone and walking around. My only complaint, really, is directed at Mother Nature. I did not approve of the excessive humidity or the rain, and my straightened hair was also not very pleased with the weather situation. However, even the damp day couldn't spoil my first, wonderful Philly Pride experience! I hope everyone else had as terrific a day as I did!

Anti-Bullying Bill Introduced!

Yesterday, June 8, 2010, House Bill 2569 was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to fortify the state's current anti-bullying policies. The bill was introduced by Representatives Rick Taylor and Tim Briggs, both Democrats from Montgomery County, with 22 co-sponsors. This legislation amends the states current code regarding bullying which was enacted in March 1949. Changes enacted by this bill will entail:

• expanding existing language on bullying
• outlining to school officials what actions to take in order to give students opportunities to report occurrences of bullying, solutions for victims, and harassment and bullying prevention training
• requiring the Department of Education to regularly evaluate bullying policies and to report its findings to the General Assembly
• making schools' right to use state grants through the safe schools program dependent upon approval of their bullying policies and compliance with reporting procedures.

In this bill's definition of harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, and intimidation, students will be protected from "any written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication including, but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by a student's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry or ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, gender, gender identity and expression or other distinguishing personal characteristic or based on association with any such characteristic."

The fact that this bill includes protection for students being bullied due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression is extremely important. 88% of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered students report to being victims of verbal abuse and 19% of all students report harassment due to perceived sexual orientation.

By strengthening the current anti-bullying policies, Pennsylvania's schools policies will be more clearly defined and will create a safer and better learning environment for all students!

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!)

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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.

  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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EqualityPA CALENDAR (items in red are coming up THIS WEEKEND!):  

• 
  
  May 21: Mazzoni Center's 30th Anniversary Gala in AC with Diana Ross!

              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.

• 
  
  May 22: Harrisburg and Central PA friendraiser to support EqualityPA

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

                  WHERE: The Mantis Collective Gallery

                                    1306 N. 3^rd 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!

• 
  
  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.

                    

                 Click here for more information and a complete schedule of events.

• 
  
  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.** 

• 
  
  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.**

                

                 Click here for more information!

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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!"

                

                 Click here for more information!

• 
  
  June 13: Philadelphia Pride Day

                 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!

• 
  
  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.**

                

                  Click here for more information!

              

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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.

 

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

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.

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

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.