Gay Families Invited to White House Easter Event
The Huffington Post reports that the “White House officials said that tickets for Monday’s Easter Egg Roll event were distributed to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations, but did not specify how many or to which ones. Representatives from Family Equality Council, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and other groups confirmed they were invited and encouraged to have their members participate.”
“The Obama administration actually reached out to us as an organization, and said we want gay families there, and they are an important part of the American family fabric,” said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Boston-based Family Equality Council, which is helping spearhead the effort to organize families to attend.
Chrisler said Tuesday she expects more than 100 gay and lesbian-headed families to take part in the egg roll.
This might not seem like a big deal but a little bit of recognition and validation goes along way. For once, we’re are being included. THIS is how you make progress.
Gay in the USA
OK. Here’s the scoop.
The Employment Non-Discrimination legislation failed in the WV legislature. While this is terribly disappointing, we need to keep our heads up and realize a few things.
1) We’ve successfully defeated a ban on gay marriage through an amendment to the West Virginia Constitution (amazing!). Thanks House of Delegates!
2) Vermont overrode the Governor’s veto on a bill allowing gay marriage! This victory is a FIRST in the United States wherein marriage was passed via the Legislative process (which is optimal) and not through a court decision.
3) The District of Columbia voted now to recognize gay marriages from other states!
While we’re all disappointed about WV ENDA, we’ve made significant progress towards toward validation and equality.
So, do you want to get involved? There are two groups in West Virginia that are leading the fight.
Statewide – Fairness West Virginia
Miss Pride & Mr. Pride Contestant Packet
Ok Ladies and Men.
Two events. Mr. Pride & Miss Pride. Are you in?
Miss Pride
Walker Theater @ the Clay Center
May 29th at 6pm
Mr. Pride
Broadway, Charleston
June 5th at 10pm
Download Contestant Packet
Click here to download the 2009 Contestant Packet (PDF file. Adobe Acrobat required)
SB238 Update- Gazette Online Chat With Del. Webster (D) Kanawha
Hello,
At 9:30 this morning Delegate Carrie Webster held a interactive chat session on the Charleston Gazette. Below are questions posed to her and her responses. These are verbatim as they were posted to the Gazette.
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9:37 |
[Comment From Charlie] |
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9:39 |
Delegate Carrie Webster: I am lead sponsor on House side and I do think it is imp issue – non discrimination policies and laws are business friendly. To me, its a very important piece of legislation and I will push vigorously for its passage. |
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9:40 |
[Comment From Amanda]
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On a more humorous note, Delegate Webster did take up the issue of the Barbie ban at the legislature
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10:07 |
[Comment From Derek] |
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10:10 |
Delegate Carrie Webster: I agree with you about other products that should be banned. However, I will point out, respectfully, that legislators, like citizens, are entitled to exercise their free speech, and in this instance, a legislator merely put a bill in that would ban something (i.e. Barbie). Truth be told, it probably took only 10 to 15 minutes to prepare that bill for introduction. No one ever planned to run it and it was the media that saw it and brought it to the public. If you look up bills that have been introduced, your jaw will drop. One requires a parenting class and certificate before one can get married, and that is mild compared to others. I regret the negative depiction but sexy sells these days.. |
Delegate Webster is the Chair of the Judiciary committee in the House of Delegates. She also represents district 31. Many consider district 31 to be the largest population center for GLBT West Virginians.
Speak Out-Talk to Delegate Webster
Carrie Webster, chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee and a Democrat from the House of Delegates 31st District in Charleston, will be online Wednesday morning with the Charleston Gazette to answer your questions about issues before the Legislature.
The live chat with Webster will begin at 9:30 a.m.
District 31 is commonly regarded as the “minority” district, as it was created to add racial and ethnic diversity to the legislature. Webster’s district is arguably the largest GLBT district in the state.
Come on out and ask Carrie a question.
The link is: http://www.wvgazette.com/Multimedia/chat/200903200356
Equality Night Hosted by Stephanie Michelle Williams 3/24
Miss Pride of West Virginia, Stephanie Michelle Williams
Join Stephanie Michelle for Equality Night at the Broadway! On Tuesday 3/24/09 from 7:30 to 9:30PM. In addition to a wonderful show you can meet community groups such as Rainbow Pride, West Virginia Foundation for Equality and others! Entertainers include Michelle St. James, Lora Beth, and Vikki Williams. Come on out for a wonderful time!
Miss Pride Benefit Show 3/28@ The Polo Club
- POLO PRIDE NIGHT!!
Miss Martina Dezera would like to announce that she will be performing with her girls at our Spring Huntington Benefit show! The funds from this show will go to the services provided by Rainbow Pride of West Virginia.
For a good time come out to the Polo Club on March 28th at 10PM!!
Entertainment includes Patricia Knight, Tearah Dezerea, Scottie Angel, Bubbles Beaucoup, and More!
Tonight at the Broadway
Covenant House is reaching out to the LGBT community this evening at The Broadway — encouraging LGBT individuals to stop smoking and offering them smoking cessation classes that are LGBT-friendly.
Throughout the U.S., people who are LGBT are more than twice as likely to smoke as the general population. Because of this – and because of its long history of addressing the health needs of the LGBT community – Covenant House is offering smoking cessation classes to the LGBT community and resources to stop smoking.
“When we think of the health risks that gay people face, we often just think of HIV,” said Amy Weintraub, Covenant House Executive Director. “But high smoking rates within the gay community pose a serious risk as well.”
Anyone interested in more information about this effort – or to sign up for smoking cessation classes – please call (304)344-8053 ext 35 or email jcrist@wvcovenanthouse.org.
Want to stop smoking? Covenant House Can Help.
Did you know members of the LGBT community smoke at rates that are more than twice as high as the general population??? Tobacco causes more deaths in the U.S. than HIV, illegal drugs, alcohol, car accidents, suicides, and murders COMBINED.
If you smoke and are considering quitting, please let the Covenant House help.
Step one: Take a quick information survey. We can help you QUIT once and for all!!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=YIAS_2faEU87THpNlTLxZ1WQ_3d_3d
Fight Discrimination- Tell the ACLU your story.
Being LGBT shouldn’t be a hazard to your employment or cause you to be denied housing or services from businesses like supermarkets or hardware stores. Help end unfairness by encouraging anyone you know who may have been discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity to complete our online survey at: http://www.aclu.org/fairnessforwv.