thomascwaters.com

The linked blog post is by someone I follow on Twitter, and if you have been reading my blog, you won’t be surprised that I’m not very enthusiastic about the timing of the National March on Washington.  Here is my reply to his blog post:

Your blog post typifies what is so wrong about the timing and priorities for the March. “We need a National front…” and you honestly believe that a march will accomplish that?

Real change is needed in the political arena to be sure, but that will happen only when gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight people reach out to their elected officials – at all levels of government and demand that change directly. Those Arkansas senators and representatives aren’t changing their minds to support federal legislation just because a bunch of gays and lesbians, who have enough cash to get to Washington decided to have a March.

The GLBTQ communities make up about 10% of the population of the US, giver or take some. Not nearly enough on our own to simply demand change. All the time, talent, energy and resources currently going into a March would be better spent building strong bridges within al sorts of communities, including straight progressives, because until we have enough people actively calling for change, AND MAKING IT HAPPEN, we will continue to be frustrated at the amount of progress,

There is also something fundamentally flawed in the thinking that changes at the Federal level will make everything OK. Not to mention that this seems to be thoughts totally void of any recognition of the current state of Washington politics and the national political climate.

The March can definitely be a useful tool and have positive benefit, but be clear about what that can be. It can help energize a younger generation of activists. It can give some media attention to the issues important to the GLBTQ community, and it can help many feel as if they are part of a larger unified movement. These are all good goals and useful to achieve. but a March isn’t going to change the day to day life of that transgender kid in Arkansas.

2010/2012, The National Equality March & LGBT Priorities. | jaysays.com |.

The linked article is a very brief analysis concerning California and Marriage Equality:

So many of us had hoped beyond hope that our rallies, demonstrations and expressions of sadness and anger would have caused voters who voted yes to change their position. That is not the case.

On the one hand this can be evaluated to say that we have to wait until the number of people who support Marriage Equality rises about 50%. There was someone- thought it was  FiveThiirtyEight- but can’t find it now that proposed when there would be enough younger voters in various states, that Same-sex marriage would pass. This seems like a shaky proposal, since age alone may not be the predominant factor by which someone would vote to support same-sex marriage.

Another approach is to consider how the issue us framed. I did find a FiveThirtyEight post that discusses this quite nicely. This is a more empowering approach, but still the opposition will do their best to frame the issue in a way that best suits them. So it becomes a battle over framing as opposed to a dialogue over real issues.

Most likely the successful approach will involve some mixture of these strategies, not one or the other. But in any case, something else needs to be considered, and the above quote offers some valuable insight. Demonstrations and expression of emotions will not do the trick- they are a failing approach to change.  I’m not suggesting there is no place for either demonstrations or emotions. Both serve a purpose, but in both cases, these strategies impact an issue’s proponents more than the opponents. Demonstrations help energize your supporters and keep people motivated to do the real work of change. They do not in and of themselves cause the change.

So, what does cause change? Face to face conversations make change. What may be the lowest tech and most hands-on intensive strategy makes a difference. Every study taken, shows that when people know gay and lesbian people they are less likely to vote to restrict the rights of gays and lesbians. So the solution is easy. Gays and lesbians, and all of their supporters need to be making friends and having conversations with everyone else. We have to get intimate. It isn’t abut how loud we yell, or how many show up at a rally, or how much we spend to have TV ads. It is about building and developing relationships with everyone around us.

This holds true for most any civil right important to the GLBTQ communities. Because the more that real people know other equally real gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, the less likely they will be to restrict our rights. So how do we do this? How do we get to this type of being intimate?

First, we need to stop hiding in the closet. Whenever, and where ever we can safely be out, we need to be out. Seeking ways to increase the safety of being out is a critical first step. As simple as this sounds, however, hides the complexity of it. Safety is a difficult thing to concretely define. I know people who can not be fired because their company has a nondiscrimination policy, and yet they don’t want to come out at work. Here, the problem is with the person. The safety, or lack there of, is in their mind and not based on their situation. For others, being fired for being gay is a very real possibility.

Next, we must all stop being comfortable with the status quo. It may be easy to decide that you have “enough rights” to be happy, just as things are. This may be closely related the the issue of being out of the closet. A person may easily justify that s/he must accept things as they are or risk losing a safe environment. I tend to think this is not only short-sighted, but self-deceiving.

Another aspect of the status quo, is being too concerned only with the rights that impact you. I recently had an exchange with someone on Facebook. She was critical of the larger gay and lesbian community for not doing more for MarriageEquality in general. Another person in the dialogue, expressed that nondiscrimination protections were more important than marriage rights because they impact more people. The original person, claimed she didn’t care about transgender issues. We must see all of these rights as civil rights, and the success or failure on any of them impact the others.

Earlier I used the work “conversation” when in some regard, what I’m talking about is relationship. Not in the sense of who you date or hang out with, but in the broader sense. Do I talk to my neighbors, and do I talk to them about who I am and what is important to me? How about my co-workers, or the the wait staff of the establishments I visit? Where ever I interact with others, I have the possibility to have conversations/relationships. From the potentially closest to us- our families, to the least close, most transient interactions- there is always a place to make a difference ad help others know more about real gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

This work, unlike demonstrations and expressions of emotion will work.  Not in a day or any concrete time frame, but in an ongoing way, so that as the number of younger voters increase, all the pieces will be in place.

Equality California’s analysis: Majority of voters remain opposed to gay marriage – Last Word.

Resources:

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/06/how-to-get-63-of-americans-to-support.html

I am just sick that I’m not in Pittsburgh right now, in the middle of Netroots Nation. If there was a way to be in two places at the same  time, I need to know about it. How much I would have given, to be at Bill Clinton’s speech to watch real democracy in action. Or is that interaction? A blogger, Lane Hudson,  was preparing a question to ask Clinton, until it became clear that there would not be a time for questions. So he interrupted the speaker. Clinton made a dismissive comment about the recent town hall events, but in great democratic form, he asked the blogger to sit and he spoke directly to the questions, and tied it back into his speech overall. In the end there was no element of it which was like the republican orchestrated craziness at town hall events. And another highly respected person who has spoken emphatically about being against DADT and DOMA.

Clinton laid most of the blame for DADT on the activist community, saying that we didn’t give him any support in Congress, which may or may not be true. I tend to think it was, and it highlights how much our civil rights issues can not and should not be left up to the President alone. Almost like little children, we so often seek out the “person in charge at the top” and then think if we can get them to say the magic words, everything will be OK. but the reality is, our strategy must shift dramatically if we are going to achieve our goals of equal rights for everyone. There must continue to be a push to get the person at the top, on board, but the primary focus must sift in big ways to the legislative arms at all levels of government. This is why having everyone who supports equal rights contact their representatives and senators is crucial to any legislation.

Why is the average person so unwilling to get involved and helping to change our system to meet te needs of all?

I’m now off to learn about databases, and will continue wishing I were there in Pittsburgh.

Got a phone call this morning as it seems what I wrote last evening about what’s wrong with the county ordinance has caused some stir. It appears that what I wrote was both true and not true. So hopefully I’m clarify this a bit.  If I don’t clarify it enough, perhaps I’ll get another phone call.

It was true to say that the county ordinance allows religious organizations to discriminate based on gender, age, etc. However, these classes are protected under the state human relations commission, so a person would have a way to pursue a complaint if this was the case.

This is directly from the information published via email and on Facebook. I have bolded the text to which I was referring, but the non-bold issues are equally important:

The bill is not perfect. We have major concerns about an amendment (Section 215.31. “Definitions.” Sub-section H. Sub-paragraph 1) made to the bill in the Council’s Government Reform Committee (over the objections of Councilperson Green) on June 18. -This amendment allows religious organizations to discriminate, even if they receive County government funding. This is not allowed in the Pittsburgh ordinance and will make the protections of the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance weaker than the Pittsburgh ordinance.

-It allows for discrimination by religious organizations not only on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, but also on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, etc.

-The amendment sets up an inane and unconstitutional requirement that religious organizations document their homophobia and transphobia in order to be exempt from the ordinance. So, religious organizations that are BGLT friendly would have to comply with the ordinance while the homophobic organizations can discriminate against anybody for any reason.

-This amendment is potentially a harmful model for statewide non-discrimination legislation.

During my phone call, it was highlighted to me that there are 2 major concerns with the ordinance as it is right now:

1. Religious organizations that receive county funding are entitled to discriminate under the way the ordinance is currently written.
2. The amendment added makes a change only the second part of the ordinance (Section 215.31. “Definitions”) but does not change the first part (Section 215.30. “Purpose”)

Here is the wording of the the definitions section from the ordinance itself:

The following words, terms and phrases when used in this article shall be defined as follows, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

* * *

H.        Employer means any person who employs four (4) or more employees, exclusive of the parents, spouse or children of such person, including the County of Allegheny, its departments, boards, commissions and authorities, any other governmental agency within its jurisdiction, but excluding any religious, fraternal, charitable or sectarian organization which is not supported in whole or part by any County appropriations.

1.         For the purposes of this Article, the definition of “employer” shall not include any religious organization, regardless of number of employees or County funding, provided that such religious organization provides documentary evidence of its religious nature to the Human Relations Commission of the County of Allegheny, and avers in writing to the Commission that gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity constitute grounds for employment decisions under the fundamental tenets of the religion in question.  Documentary evidence of an entity’s religious nature may consist of articles of incorporation, a charter or other foundational document for the entity, documentary evidence of tax-exempt status as a religious institution under §501 of the Internal Revenue Code or any other applicable Pennsylvania or federal law, or any other documentary evidence deemed sufficient by the Commission.

* * *

On the positive side of this, what is happening right now shows a level of cooperation and a unified effort by local, regional, and state-wide groups that often does not exist. The fact that Steel City Stonewall Democrats, The Delta Foundation, and Equality Advocates PA all issued the same public notice yesterday is an illustration of the level of cooperation we are seeing in this regard. Yet, I don’t know, maybe it was the fact that I started my blog post saying I was wondering what went wrong and that I was writing against the ordinance as it is currently worded. The forces that be are working extremely hard to get this legislation passed and bring Allegheny County  up to the level of protections that Pittsburgh and 13 other municipalities across the state have. Are we going to get there with a vote on Wednesday?

One reason I specifically commented on the ability to discriminate based on age, gender, etc that the current wording allows, grows from having listened to attorneys talk about how companies take advantage of the disparity of protections as they currently are. Building such disparity into this ordinance just seems like a bad idea to me. However, I trust the hard working folks  who are pushing forward on this ordinance.

But it may be easier for most people to wrap their heads around the first issue- that religious organizations may get county funding but are still able to discriminate against you.  What do you think? ‘m all for protecting the rights on all sides of the issue. Religious liberty is as important as GLBTQ rights. But it is critical to look at where these intersect and how we the people, are impacted. If a religious organization wishes to discriminate against GLBTQ’s, that is fine with me, but it isn’t OK, that they can do it while receiving my money.

Support the various groups working so hard to get nondiscrimination protection, and be involved so that your best interests are being considered.

What can you do now?

Contact your County Council person and let them know that this amendment is a bad deal and should be stripped from the legislation before it passes. The Pittsburgh ordinance has worked fine for over 20 years- there is no reason to make these types of changes!

Contact:

County Executive Dan Onorato
Phone: (412) 350-6500 Fax: (412) 350-6512
executive@alleghenycounty.us

Your Council person.
http://eqfed.org/ct/A7S5cbE10412/

Ask them to remove the language from the proposed Human
Relations Ordinance that allows organizations that receive
County funding to discriminate.

Attend the meeting on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 @ 5PM (but come
early the room will be packed)

436 Grant Street
4th floor – Gold Room (room may be changed to accommodate large
numbers)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
If you wish, you may speak at the meeting on Wednesday. (You
must call ahead and put your name on a list to speak -
412.350.6490)

Last evening, I had the pleasure to sit down with DJ G and Carman of the G Spod and talk about queer politics. If that sounds boring, just tune into their show- it was wild. I think the world of both guys, and the show is awesome. If you aren’t a regular listener, come on and check them out. If you didn’t know it, Pittsburgh has been a hot bed for the podcast environment, and these guys have been in the thick of it for quite a while.

The G Spod is America’s Real Gay Podcast

I know Carman a bit better than G. I think our personalities and energy level are more similar, while G and my partner Brad are more alike, so it was great to have some time with the both of them. I should remember, but this morning I don’t- what episode it will be- but no matter, get listening to them now and you will hear it in a few weeks. and if you don’t care about hearing me, check it out for the music they play!

I haven’t been on many podcasts, and was really in awe watching them work. I also realized how much I’m used to writing instead of talking about all of this, and the changes needed for that medium. It was a “like duh!” moment for me as I got used to their interview style and approach. Also got me thinking about my message, and for me that has been pretty much all about PA HB 300. Like a mantra I keep saying, go out and set up a meeting with your legislator. sitting with these two guys reminded me that my message assumes a starting place. As a message, only some folks will be ready to accept that call to action. And that’s fine- every message assumes a starting point. but it got me thinking about the myriad places different people are in terms of political engagement. What message would I have for folks at some of the many other diverse starting points along the spectrum from totally unengaged to fervent activist? cool stuff to think about, and I will be writing more as I sort through ideas on this.

Last note about The G Spod for now, if you aren’t listening, check them out! Their website is linked above, and you can find them on iTunes. If there are other spots to find them, maybe G or Carman will leave a comment to this post. Their tag line says it all. “Real” is a good thing and they bring it. One of the biggest offenses done to us by our radical right opponents, is that they try and portray “the homosexual movement” as if it is this single,narrow, mind-set and we are all alike. but we aren’t. The GLBTQ community is as diverse and complex as anything, and we are better off with the slice of that called The G Spod.

Senators get 705,000-plus letters opposing ‘hate crimes’

Anyone who reads my blog regularly knows that I’m a major cheerleader for grassroots constituent advocacy. Making contact with your elected official is the single most important thing a person can do other than vote. but the linked article below demonstrates a bit about just what we are up against with our opposition. The article is specifically about national hate crimes legislation, but the opposition to any GLBTQ-related legislation is based on the same bigotry against homosexuality. They are doing everything in their power to stop any progress on any front whatsoever.

What I find so henious about this is the level of dishonesty involved:

“This could create a chilling effect on religious speech, connecting innocent expression of religious belief to acts of violence against individuals afforded special protections,” he wrote. “The criminalization of religious speech, such as speech against the practice of homosexuality, has already been seen in other countries with similar hate crimes legislation in place.”

Radio talk icon Rush Limbaugh has warned his audience about the advancing threat of “hate crimes” laws.

“Some people are going to be put in jail for things that they say,” he said. “Hate crime legislation. That’s where they determine what’s in your mind when you commit a crime. That’s when they decide what you were thinking … If you were thinking unapproved thoughts, that would make the crime you committed even worse.”

This is all, of course crazy if you look at the bill, and what it actually says. But the opposition will stop at nothing to maintain hatred and bigotry.

Numbers like 705, 000 letters sounds overwhelming. That may not be true either, but no matter how many letters were actually received, it isn’t a small number. It cold be easy to feel discouraged and wonder why bother. But in reality, now is the time we have to step it up even more. But I think we must make wise and strategic decision on where we put our time and energy. There is no area of civil rights legislation that is unimportant. We could go round and round trying to decide should we go for hate crimes, or nondiscrimination, or ending DADT, or [fill in the name of your favorite GLBTQ-related issue]. but the truth is we can’t do it all, all at once. So, can we look at it from the standpoint of where can we make real progress, and get the most bang for our buck?

I’m a big believer in working first, at the local and regional level, and then at the state level, for I think it is easier for the average person to have an impact in these areas. I am not a fan of the recent suggestions for a March on Washington for October. What are we going to do? Get 400,000-600,000 thousand people there and put on a show, and to what end?  Our opponents can get more letters to Washington that we can get bodies there! but I’m also willing to have my mind changed on Washington. I just don’t see a strategy, or any explanation of what the March will do. but I’m open to it.

There has never been a time where it was more important for every GLBTQ person to get involved in some way, shape, or form. Even the littlest of action is needed. but most importantly, we need thousands and thousands of gay, bi, lesbian, trans, queer and straight supporting people to get out there, and make a difference. Come out! Talk about the issues and how they impact you and the people you love. Advocate for legislation in your city, region, or state. Even at the National level. Know what is going on! Confront hatred and lies with facts and real information.

We will not achieve full equality over night, but failure to get involved and take action now may prolong the struggle indefinitely. When you look at what we are up against, we can only succeed if we are all in this one together.

Senators get 705,000-plus letters opposing ‘hate crimes’.

Blogger, Sue Kerr,  Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, and I have been exchanging some ideas about advocacy since she posted the other day. Sue expressed frustration that face to face meetings with legislators was difficult. I replied, and she has expanded on her thoughts on this.

My concern is that this is pushed to the forefront so much that is unintentionally perhaps excludes significant groups of people who simply do not have the privilege of taking a lunch meeting or a half-day vacation.

I don’t want to go into the entire Wednesday program, but I want to say, that no one is suggesting that face to face meetings is the only needed form of activism. The session is described:

GLTBQ Civil rights: How you can change government for your rights. A town hall forum and training session.

A groundswell of activity is happening across the country to provide GLBTQ Americans with their civil rights ranging from hate crimes and nondiscrimination legislation to marriage equality battles. There have been successes, setbacks, and many big hurdles to come. Allegheny County and Pennsylvania are in the middle of such battles, and your rights may be placed in jeopardy! If we are not successful now, it may be a long time before we have basic civil rights in employment, housing and public accommodations.

It is easy to think about democracy being about the right to cast a vote, but there are other ways that you can assure passage of needed        nondiscrimination legislation like PA HB 300 and the local county ordinance. Democracy is a participation activity! In this town hall forum, learn about the status of pending legislation and the things you can do to assure passage of these critical protections. You will leave with step-by-step ideas about how you can make a noticeable difference towards achieving equality.

Sue, did you possibly jump to some conclusion that this event was only about face to face meetings? The session isn’t in any way limited to talking about face-to-face meetings. So, I believe that anyone who is interested in affecting government for change can find something of value in this session.

I wonder if a fallacious “class” argument is being created here?

If the truth is that weekday meetings are what it takes, then acknowledge that our fate is in the hands of the more elite in our community and figure out how to make them accountable.  Perhaps dues to the member organizations could be lowered to allow more people to vote on the leaders?

For me the term “elite” is a red flag. A friend who busses tables at an economy restaurant, working the dinner shift. Is he a part of the elite? A young mother who works a factory line midnight shift. Is she part of the “elite?”  These are just hard working, real people, both capable of finding 15  to 30 minutes to meet with their legislator. To get caught up in a struggle of who can or cannot meet on a weekday really misses the real issue at hand.

I’m of the opinion (others may disagree with me) that each of us can use whatever opportunity we have (big or little) to make a difference. It isn’t about organization membership. It isn’t about having to meet some set of requirements. It is truly about having individuals find whatever way they can be involved, and then doing that. for some, just getting by takes all their time, energy and whatever they have to offer. However for very many more at whatever level of socioeconomic capabilities, they can affect change.

More however needs to be said about the notion of face to face meetings:

My comment is just meant to remind the organizers that a myopic approach will necessarily leave some people behind and urge them to be sensitive to the message they send with a “this the BEST way” approach, especially those are making good decisions for themselves and their families about getting involved.

I have written so much about this in my blog over time. The key to change in legislation comes by building relationships with your elected officials. Like how my representative Joe Preston suggested stopping by a few times a year to chat. Most legislators care about what their constituents want and want to know how the things they do in Harrisburg influence their daily lives. Now, how can the average person develop that relationship with their elected official? That’s the question worth answering! And that is the topic of the Wednesday event!

If you sit down and talk to legislators, especially at the state level, they will tell you that they are not influenced to vote for a bill by getting a mass email or mass text messages. These type of actions add noise to the discourse, but do little to assist a legislator in knowing how legislation impacts real people’s lives.  They are influenced by hearing from real people who are their constituents who are wiling to share their own story, and express how legislation will impact them. It isn’t some myopic organization that has decided this- it is the reality of being a legislator.

I was in a meeting with a state legislator with one of his constituents who is transgendered. I’m sure it was the first time, this legislator had ever heard someone say they were transgender. The first time they had knowingly shaken the hand of a trans person. and the first time they consciosly thanked a transperson for what they had to say.

Real people make a difference.

Thanks to Sue Kerr, Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, for her Pride Week post, and for her mention of 2 very important events happening this coming week. While the two events were not planned together, they provide 2 different perspectives from which to think about GLBTQ Rights, and the two events compliment each other nicely. For the Wednesday event, folks from 4 local organizations will be facilitating the event: Steel City Stonewall Democrats, Pittsburgh PFLAG, Women’s Law Project, and thomascwaters.com. Well, maybe my blog isn’t officially an organization, but you get the idea.

I want to comment however, on Sue’s commentary:

This could be useful for new-to-advocay persons.  Equality Advocates has conducted similar sessions in the past. My frustration with these events is that they gear people up for an activity which can be very difficult to pursue – face to face meetings with elected officials.  There’s also the historical lack of follow through.  These organizations are all very strapped for resources and do not (for various reasons) utilize new social media very well to mobilize the troops.  If you are a tech person, perhaps that’s how you can volunteer!  Set up a FB page with frequent status updates, get wall discussions going and send out email blasts profiling different legislators.  So go into this trainings with a very open mind as to how you can get involved.  Make your own opportunity.

Might I also add blogging as an opportunity?  There are not enough queer voices in the Burghosphere and, with all due respect, two out of three are white gay men.  Minority voices within the community should seize this opportunity to speak out loud.

Sue is right on the money that blogging is a great way to play a part and we need to bring more gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered voices to the blogosphere. Sure uses the phrase, Burghosphere, and that is a good one too. In my experience, many of my most loyal readers and commenters are not local, which is one of the most exciting parts of blogging. That others in many places can appreciate what you have to share. It isn’t hard to start blogging, and there is no time like the present to dig in. But this Fall, an opportunity that can help you get going in blogging or other types of Social Media, is Pittsburgh’s Podcamp, a free 2-day unconference where you can learn most everything you need to get your voice out there.

But I really disagree that face to face meetings with legislators is difficult. It is enormously easy, and even fun! All state representatives and senators make time to meet face to face with their constituents. PA representatives spend Thursdays and Fridays in their district specifically to facilitate these types of meetings and other responsibilities. A simple phone call is all it takes to get a meeting arranged.

Joe Preston is the state representative for my area, and I met with him about a month ago. He encouraged me to stop by to see him 2 or 3 times a year to catch up. Joe expressed that face to face meetings are extremely important to legislators, because it gives them a chance to hear directly from their constituents. He wishes more of his constituents would meet with him.

If there is a difficult part to it, it is that meetings are during regular business days, so people who work have to find a way to make that work out for them. I’m fortunate, that Joe’s office is quite close to where I work, and can schedule a 15 or 30 minute meeting on my lunch hour. I was also recently involved with a meeting with Joe Petrarca in Vandergrift. For me, this was important enough (and far enough from home) that I took a half day vacation. Thursdays and Fridays legislators are in the district offices. You can also meet with your elected official in Harrisburg on other days of the week, but that is much more difficult as they have many responsibilities including the House or Senate being in session. So, my suggestion is to go for the local office meeting.

Aside from this time issue, face to face meetings are extremely easy to pursue. In the town hall forum and training, you will get step by step instructions and assistance so that anyone can help to lobby your elected official for legislation that impacts your life and your community.

Lastly, I really want to echo Sue’s comment:  ”Make your own opportunity.” There is no one way to get involved in shaping your community. But it takes all of us getting involved in whatever way we can to make a difference!

GLTBQ Civil rights: How you can change government for your rights. A town hall forum and training session.

A groundswell of activity is happening across the country to provide GLBTQ Americans with their civil rights ranging from hate crimes and nondiscrimination legislation to marriage equality battles. There have been successes, setbacks, and many big hurdles to come. Allegheny County and Pennsylvania are in the middle of such battles, and your rights may be placed in jeopardy! If we are not successful now, it may be a long time before we have basic civil rights in employment, housing and public accommodations.

It is easy to think about democracy being about the right to cast a vote, but there are other ways that you can assure passage of needed        nondiscrimination legislation like PA HB 300 and the local county ordinance. Democracy is a participation activity! In this town hall forum, learn about the status of pending legislation and the things you can do to assure passage of these critical protections. You will leave with step-by-step ideas about how you can make a noticeable difference towards achieving equality.

This event is co-sponsored by Equality Advocates PA, Pittsburgh PFLAG, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, thomascwaters.com, and the Women’s Law Project.

Wednesday June 10, 2009, 7pm- 9pm

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church

304 Morewood Ave, Pgh, PA 15213

Contact: Thomas Waters, thomaswaters@mac.com,

http://thomascwaters.com, 412-400-8777

I have posted this, but in case you missed it:

The linked story is from yesterday, and is about a 9 year old boy who has organized a Marriage Equality rally!  Well worth reading! For all of my over-10-year-old readers: what’s up?  If this kid and decide to take action for something, how about the rest of us? My suggestion? While rallies can be useful, take some time to go and meet with your legislator, and get them on-board with whatever equal rights issue is on your radar. For me in Pennsylvania, it is HB 300. A bill to provide equal protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations by adding sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the existing state nondiscrimination protections.

Need to know how? http://thomascwaters.com/?p=1157

Denver Gay Culture Examiner: Denver third-grader shares his thoughts about the marriage equality rally he organized.