From the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
In the News:
Battle continues over anti-transgender efforts in Montgomery County, Md.
With backing from Equality Maryland and the support of the Task Force Action Fund, a group of voters in Montgomery County, Md., filed suit late last week against the county Board of Elections, which just days earlier certified petitions from anti-LGBT activists seeking to overturn a law extending nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity. The Montgomery County Council unanimously passed the law last fall, but the certification of the petitions has prevented it from going into effect.
Volunteers (pictured) are continuing to converge on the Task Force headquarters in Washington, D.C., where they are poring over the 25,000-plus submitted signatures and finding flaws that might invalidate the signatures.
“We are confident the fair-minded people of Montgomery County will reject this hate-filled attempt to overturn a civil rights bill if forced to vote on the measure at the polls,” said Task Force Public Policy & Government Affairs Director Dave Noble. “But any effort to fraudulently put such a measure on the ballot must also be fought, and we stand side by side with Equality Maryland in making sure the county does a thorough review of every signature submitted to the Board of Elections.”
[ Get involved and learn more here ]
Garden State Equality recognizes United ENDA, Matt Foreman
Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman, Pride At Work’s Donna Cartwright and Barbra Casbar Siperstein, president of New Jersey Stonewall Democrats and vice chair of Garden State Equality, accepted the Visionary Award on behalf of United ENDA at Garden State Equality’s 2008 Legends Dinner on Saturday. Nearly 500 guests turned out for the sold-out event, including dozens of public officials and other dignitaries from across New Jersey and the nation.
United ENDA, a nationwide campaign established in fall 2007, is committed to securing a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.), one of the House members who courageously voted against ENDA because it excluded gender identity, presented the award. Foreman was also inducted into Garden State Equality’s Equality Hall of Fame for his longtime leadership on LGBT issues.
[ Learn more about Garden State Equality ]
Task Force to honor New York’s new governor
David A. Paterson, who was sworn in yesterday as New York’s 55th governor, will be honored at the Task Force’s New York Leadership Awards on April 7. Paterson, a staunch ally of the LGBT community, will receive our Leadership Award. You can learn more about Paterson’s support of LGBT issues here.
Also receiving Leadership Awards will be director John Waters and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The evening will feature performances by the legendary Debbie Harry, along with Miss Guy, and emcee Sabrina Matthews. All this and we’re saying goodbye to outgoing Executive Director Matt Foreman. And new this year — $150 tickets for cocktails and a view of the program on great big screens in the cocktail area. Don’t miss this great event.
Registration under way for AIDSWatch 2008
Online registration is now open for AIDSWatch 2008. The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) invites you to join hundreds of AIDS advocates from across the country who will be in Washington, D.C., on April 28–30 to speak to their elected officials with a strong voice, united in support of a solid federal commitment to AIDS programs.
AIDSWatch, a NAPWA project, is the largest annual constituent-based federal HIV/AIDS advocacy and education event in the U.S. Participants include people living with HIV and AIDS, their families, friends, care providers and other advocates.
Comments