12/9/09

Tell Congress: No More Delays, Pass ENDA Now!


LGBT AMERICANS OUTRAGED AT DELAY IN BASIC JOB RIGHTS

In light of continuing delays in the House of Representatives, we must state clearly and unequivocally: Passing basic job protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people must happen now. At a time when our government is deeply focused on the critical issue of employment, it is inexcusable to delay action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Each and every job lost to prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity needlessly compounds the unemployment challenges facing our nation. We call on Congress for the immediate passage of ENDA.

For decades now, we have called upon Congress to pass legislation to address the basic right of LGBT people to work free from discrimination at our jobs, and now Congress tells us we must wait another year. In 29 states, it remains legal to fire people based on sexual orientation and in 38 states, discrimination based on gender identity remains legal. In failing to take swift action to pass ENDA, our government allows unfettered bigotry to go unchecked, leading to the loss of jobs, fear in the workplace, economic instability, and personal hardship, while allowing employers to lose competent experienced workers. ENDA is urgently needed by our communities.

The majority of Americans consistently state their support for employment protections and voters have affirmed similar state and local measures. There is absolutely no reason for Congress to continue to delay this non-controversial bill or drop LGBT issues to the bottom of their agenda. We will not be denied basic rights any longer. Nothing is more important than protecting peoples' jobs so ENDA must pass now. Further delays are absolutely unacceptable.

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LA Gay and Lesbian Center Homeless Youth Need You This Christmas

A speical message from Jane Lynch

Serving on the Board of Directors of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is one of the things I'm most proud of in my life. I do it because there are still far too many people—especially young people—who are harassed, abused or abandoned because of who they are. That's why I'm asking you to join me in making an urgent donation to the Gay & Lesbian Center today.

This year the demand for the Center's services for homeless LGBT youth doubled. More than 900 youth routinely depended on the Center for warm meals, a safe place to stay, clothing, counseling and much more.


Unfortunately, as the demand has increased, donations have fallen. At a time when young LGBT people need us more than ever, the Center is facing a $79,000 budget gap in private donations.Let me assure you, whatever you give will be put right to use to help young people like Theresa. This 17-year old recently told us, "If I weren't here at the Center, I would probably be in jail or dead."That's why the Gay & Lesbian Center is so important. Nothing matters more than getting young people off the streets and giving them the compassionate support they deserve. Won't you give what you can to support our efforts?


Though we've already expanded our services by adding 6 emergency beds and expanding the hours at our Jeff Griffith Youth Center, we're still struggling to .meet the increased demand from homeless LGBT youth.We're also seeing an increase in the number of people with HIV/AIDS who have lost their jobs and health insurance—and who are turning to the Center for free and low-cost medical care.That's why we need your help. We can't do this alone.


Your gift today is absolutely critical—we must close this funding gap to meet the needs of the more than 20,000 people who depend on the Center month after month. Please help us close the gap and keep our LGBT safety net strong by making a generous, tax-deductible gift today.A gift of just $35 will provide another day's worth of services for a homeless youth at our drop-in center; $75 will give a young person one night's shelter from the streets. Whatever you can give will make a vital difference, especially at this time of year.There are thousands of LGBT kids out there right now with nowhere else to turn. Please join me in giving them a safe place to turn this holiday season by making a generous gift today.

Affirmation Declaration: Shine Jesus Shine Set our Hearts on Fire

I have loved this song from the first time we sung it. Now it takes on a special meaning as we join together in the "Affirmation Declaration"that all people are worthy of loveingkindness in the face of mounting opposition to our belonging in providence by the signers of the "Manhattan Declaration".



Set our hearts on fire as we sign the "Affirmation Declaration"

Christian Affirmation Declaration Refutes Infamous Manhattan declaration


The Affirmation Declaration is a statement that expresses the convictions of Christians all over the world. It was written in response to the now famous Manhattan Declaration, to correct egregious errors contained in the document, errors that have been preached in the pulpits of many local churches for far too long.
With the growing notoriety and support for the Manhattan Declaration, our Affirmation Declaration reflects an urgent need to respond to the portion of the Manhattan Declaration dealing with issues related to sexual orientation—specifically, homosexuality and same-sex marriage. We strongly disagree with the contention that same-sex attractions and the oft-resulting romantic activities are immoral.
Because of the large number of people affected by this serious issue one way or the other, we felt it expedient to respond formally, both by submitting our Declaration to the drafters of the Manhattan Declaration, as well as by releasing our Declaration to the public, allowing Christians to show their support for love and affirmation, just as so many have shown their support for the propagation of false doctrines of oppression and inequality against the GLBTI (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Intersex) community.
We also desire to let the world know that not all Christians are locked in what we believe to be an ancient worldview regarding homosexuality. We want to give people hope—hope to know that God loves them just as they are; hope to know that their gay loved ones are not destined for Hell; hope to know that although some Christian churches will never accept them or their same-sex unions, a great many will.
May the signatures we garner serve as a fire that will never burn out, lighting the way through the darkness of bad theology, and setting Christ's Church back on the right track as it relates to matters of sexual and gender orientation, and gender identity.

Sign The DeclarationSpread The Fire
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 13:34-35

12/7/09

McDonald's tells applicant Zikerria Bellamy: "We do not hire faggots."



TLDEF press relese

New York, New York — Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today filed a Complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations against an Orlando McDonald's restaurant for refusing to hire 17-year-old Zikerria Bellamy because she is transgender.

On July 10, 2009, Ms. Bellamy applied online for a job at a McDonald’s restaurant in Orlando, Florida. On July 28, after managers at McDonald’s learned that Zikerria is transgender, she received a voicemail message from one of the managers telling her, "You will not get hired. We do not hire faggots." She was never allowed to interview for a job. Read the press release at transgenderlegal.org

12/3/09

Belize: Protect Student Jose Garcia from Discrimination and Expulsion


Join the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) in calling on the Ministry of Education of Belize and other authorities to take legal action to ensure that Jose Garcia is not prevented from attending school because of his sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression and to protect him from harassment and discrimination.
Expelled!
On October 1 and 5, 2009, Jose Garcia, a 19-year-old student at Baptist School of Adult and Continuing Education in Belmopan, Belize, received letters from the school threatening to dismiss him is because "he acts like a girl," "dresses effeminately," "uses the female bathroom," and "carries a purse as his school bag." On October 20, Jose received a letter from the school principal, Norman Willacey, asking that Jose withdraw from the school and seek counseling. Later, he told Jose, "You have me so embarrassed. I don't want to see you here in the compound. If you [don't] leave right now I will call the police!"
Authorities seem to be unwilling to act to protect Jose Garcia's right to education. The Public Information Officer of Belmopan, Arlette Gomez, has stated that it is their aim to ensure that Mr. Garcia's constitutional rights are not being infringed upon and that the guidelines of the Education Act and Rules are being followed. The Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, has also stated that the school is "bound to follow the constitution, otherwise anybody can take them to court." Nonetheless, the Minister has offered no concrete protection for Jose Garcia, stating that "it is a Baptist High School, there is not much the Ministry can do."
"I am not hurting anybody because of the way I dress."- José García
Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in education systems is a serious problem all over the world that has not been addressed at all. Harassment, mistreatment, violence, and other human rights violations threaten students' physical or emotional well-being, influence how well students do in school, make it difficult for students to achieve their career goals, and excludes thousands of students all over the world entirely from education systems.
All people have the right to education under international human rights law without discrimination based on, and taking into account sexual orientation and gender identity (Yogyakarta Principle 16). Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention against Discrimination in Education, all of which Belize is party to, ensure the right to education of all. Additionally, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and the ICESCR are explicitly interpreted to include protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity (Human Rights Committee: Toonen v. Australia; Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment 20; Committee Against Torture General Comment 2).
Furthermore, the right to education without discrimination exists in Belize law as well. The preamble to the Belize Constitution states that "a just system should be ensured to provide for education and health on the basis of equality," and the Education Act dictates that "[s]chools shall be free of gender, racial and other biases (Art. 25 (2))." Jose Garcia's rights to education and non-discrimination under international and Belize law are being violated by his expulsion, threatening all other rights underpinned by equal access to education, including his right to work, to housing, and to health.

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Please send your letters to:
Sr. Patrick Faber
Minister of Educationemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=moeducation.moes@gmail.com
Sr. Wilfred Elrington
Attorney Generalemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=agministrybze@yahoo.com
Sr. Elvin Pender
Minister of Youth, Sports, Information and Broadcastingemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@pressoffice.gov.bz
Sr. Simeon Lopez
Mayor of Belmopanemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bmpcitco@btl.net
Sra. Arlette Gomez
Public Information Officer of Belmopanemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Arlette.gomez@moe.gov.bz
Please send a copy to:
Caleb Orozco
UNIBAMemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=orozco.caleb@gmail.com
Fernando D'Elio
IGLHRCemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=fdelio@iglhrc.orgemail: http://us.mc456.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=communications+action.alert@iglhrc.org
Sample Letter
Mr. Patrick FaberMinister of Education of Belize
Minister Faber:
I am writing to express my deep concern over the expulsion of Jose Garcia, a 19-year-old student, from Baptist School of Adult and Continuing Education in Belmopan on October 30, 2009 because of his perceived gender identity and sexual orientation. I call on you to protect his and all students' right to education without bias or discrimination.
All people have the right to education, under international human rights law, without discrimination based on, and taking into account sexual orientation and gender identity (Yogyakarta Principle 16). Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention against Discrimination in Education (CDE), all of to which Belize is a party, ensure the right to education to all. Additionally, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and the ICESCR are explicitly interpreted to include protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity (Human Rights Committee: Toonen v. Australia; Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment 20; Committee Against Torture, General Comment 2).
The right to education without discrimination exists in Belize law as well. The preamble to the Belize Constitution states that "a just system should be ensured to provide for education and health on the basis of equality" and the Education Act dictates that "[s]chools shall be free of gender, racial and other biases (Art. 25 (2))." Jose Garcia was threatened and expelled by his school simply because he was perceived to be too "feminine" with no remedy or protection. A bias-free educational system cannot support such discrimination.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in educational systems is a serious problem that needs to be addressed at all levels. Harassment, mistreatment, violence, and other human rights violations threaten students' physical or emotional well-being, influence how well students do in school, make it difficult for students to achieve their career goals, and excludes thousands of students all over the world entirely from education systems.
We respectfully request that:
The state ensure that Jose Garcia can return to his school or any other where he feels safe and protected from harassment and discrimination to complete his education.
The state lead and conduct programs and campaigns to sensitize principals, teachers, students, and others involved into the education system on the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity as well as discrimination based on those grounds, to allow all young people to learn a tolerant, non-discriminatory environment.
We trust you will treat this request with the attention it deserves.
Sincerely,
Name:Organization:Country:E-mail address:
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