7/12/10

Presbyterians Move Closer to Ordaining GLBT Clergy Soulforce 11 arrested after Marriage Equality Inaction

National Presbyterians conference moves ahead on ordaining GLBT clergy but hedges on marriage equality. Soulforce civil disobedience after justice was once again denied for marriage equality ministries results in eleven faith activists arrested.

"After the press conference, the national body voted to remove all barriers to ordination for LGBT people. This action now goes to the 173 presbyteries for a vote. Half of the presbyteries must approve it before it becomes policy. Two years ago, the presbyteries came closer than ever to passing ordination equality. This vote will occur in the next nine months." Glaad Blog



I don't know if you have ever had a opportunity to attend a Soulforce direct action where people of intense faith gather to participate in changing history, but if you do it will forever change you.~kelli

7/9/10

Help The IGLHRC Gain UN Consultative Status: Add Your Organization in Support


Support the Fair Treatment of Civil Society at the UN

Dear Friends & Colleagues:

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission needs your support. Three years ago we applied to the UN for consultative status so that we can bring the voices and issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to the UN. We finally have a chance on during this session of ECOSOC in July to get this status.

But there are governments who are doing all they can to prevent this. We need as many Member States as possible to support us. You can help by asking your government to vote in our favour and by showing your organizations support through visiting http://tiny.cc/iglhrcECOSOC and adding your name to this letter to be sent to all Member States.

As the letter below explains, the sub-committee that makes recommendations to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this last May again prevented our application from being considered on its merits by the full ECOSOC. With the support of some Member States this measure to block us is being brought to the attention of ECOSOC and we are hoping that we will be able to move forward and be approved.

Please add your organization name today and send this email on to your lists.

Thank you for helping to ensure that the voices of civil society are not silenced by discrimination.

Cary Alan Johnson
Executive Director
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

This letter will be available in French and Spanish shortly. Please email ecosoc.communications@iglhrc.org if you would like to receive the translated versions.

** Petition **

To the Members and Observers of the United Nations Economic and Social Council:

Civil society is a vital partner in the work of the United Nations and the 2010 session of the UN ECOSOC presents an opportunity to support civil society voices. We urge you to support the application for NGO consultative status of the human rights organization, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and to prevent the unfair use of procedural measures to silence civil society.

Last month, certain Member States in the subsidiary NGO Committee presented a motion of "no action" on the call for a vote to decide on the consultative status application of IGLHRC. This no-action call was successful despite the fact that IGLHRC's application has already been in the Committee process for three years and the organization has answered numerous questions and requests for information. The nature of the questions facing IGLHRC and various other statements made by some Member States indicated that this stalling tactic was motivated by the fact that IGLHRC's human-rights work focuses on already marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

This is the first time this no-action procedure has been used to prevent the Committee from doing its work to make a recommendation on an application's merits after an initial (and in this case extensive) review of the applying organization. This extraordinary use of the no-action motion to prevent the full ECOSOC from taking decisions on an NGOs application, where that NGO works on politically contentious issues or for unpopular minority groups, should not be allowed to stand. If left unchallenged, this could result in the regular use of such a procedure to block progress. This would subvert the purpose of the NGO sub-committee, deny the ECOSOC the opportunity to fulfill its function and would limit the access of vital civil society groups to contribute to the work of the UN.

We call on you to support IGLHRC's application for consultative status at ECOSOC and to send a message to the NGO Committee that it must review all applications without discrimination.

Diversity of civil society at the United Nations is essential to respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all people and to achieving sustainable peace and human security. Please do not allow the voices of marginalized people to be silenced by discrimination and procedural roadblocks.

Sincerely,
Organization
Country Name
ECOSOC Status

7/6/10

LA Panel Convenes "Women Demanding Change Now : Gay Media Misrepresenting Transsexual Women

Transgender Hormone Self Medicating Resources

Whether you are gender questioning, a old transgender hand suddenly denied access to hormones or just curious about changing the method you receive your HRT doses here are some of the alternative cost effective options.


Inhouse Pharmacy is now Four Corners Pharmacy

Yahoo group Do it yourself Hormones MTF great resource but be careful, its not MD advice.

Getting Blood work without costy DR visits Priviate MD Labs.com

Online Pharmacies Links to some online pharmacies

FTM Discussion and Support Groups TG/TS discussion and support groups that are FTM-specific

FTM Information and Resources Information and resources specific to FTM needs

General TG/TS Discussion and Support Groups Discussion and support groups for MTFs and FTMs

General TG/TS Information and Resources Information, news, and resources for all transgendered people

Injection Supplies Links to supplies

MTF Discussion and Support Groups TG/TS discussion and support groups that are MTF-specific

MTF Information and Resources Information and resources specific to MTF needs

7/2/10

"Hell Freezes Over" Counter protest of Westboro Baptist at the Resource Center Dallas


"Hell Freezes Over:” Westboro Baptist Church protest at Resource Center Dallas July 9 to become fundraiser for new ice machine(((brrrr))


Contact: Rafael McDonnell
RCD
(214) 528-0144

Resource Center Dallas is turning a scheduled protest the evening of July 9 (Friday) by members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church into a fundraiser to buy the Center a new ice machine. The church is known for its protests at military funerals, Jewish and Catholic places of worship, and organizations supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community among other locations.

“Our ice machine broke several months ago. We’ve had to get ice for our weekday hot meals program from our partners at Caven Enterprises and Cathedral of Hope, but it’s not a long-term solution,” said Bret Camp, associate executive director for health and medical services at the Center. “Replacing it is an unbudgeted capital expense in challenging economic times. Community groups and individuals have offered to help defray the expenses, but it will cost over $3000 to replace the ice machine with an energy-efficient, higher-capacity model.”

The Center is asking the North Texas community to donate an amount for each minute the protesters plan to picket both the Center and Beth El Binah, a mainstream Reform Jewish congregation with a longtime LGBT outreach that meets at the Center. For example, at a dollar a minute, the scheduled 30-minute protest from 6:15-6:45 pm on July 9 would lead to a $30 donation, or a 50 cent a minute commitment would lead to a $15 donation. Donations would first go to buying a new ice machine, with any money above and beyond that to the Center’s general operating funds.

“The protesters have been known to abandon their protests when they’re turned into a fundraiser,” Camp added. “Whether the church shows up or not, this is a way for the North Texas community to stand with us against hate and help us with a timely need.”

Church members are also planning protests at several other North Texas sites, including the Holocaust Museum in the Dallas West End, the Texas Jewish Post and Cathedral Guadalupe.

Since the early 1990’s, the Center’s hot meals program serves a nutritious lunch to more than 100 HIV-positive clients Monday through Friday. For more information or to donate, go to the Center’s website, www.rcdallas.org, and look for the banner ad “Hell Freezes Over—Donate to Counter-Protest Against Hate.”