The Homosexual Agenda

[Kind-of-well-ok-really-stereotypical-but-still-kind-of-funny-and-hot picture via John Coulthart]

In honor of Ally Week (the week for awesome straight folks that support LGBTQ rights)

I wanted to share a comment from a Feministing article by VT Idealist.

Because it is awesome beyond words.

The homosexual agenda

8:00 - Networking reception and mingling with straight people. Coffee and pastries will be provided.

8:30 - Welcome and opeing remarks

9:00 - Initiation of America's youth into Teh Gay

10:15 - Break. Oppurtunity for lusting after straight people in sex-segrated bathrooms.

10:30 - Workshop: Using anti-discrimination laws for your advantage

11:30 - Destroying the sanctity of marriage

12:00 - Lunch and awards reception. Recognition for converting others.

1:00 - Workshop: How to make children ask their parents uncomfortable questions

2:00 - Marriage cermonies involving polygamy, incest, under age children, and/or animals. Because, hey, once you allow same sex marriage, the sky's the limit.

3:00 - Break

3:15 - Workshop: Flaunting your homosexuality

4:00 - Workshop: How to raise your children to be gay, too

5:15 - Cocktail reception

Reflections on a sign from the National Equality March

To those of you about to march, we salute you.

Picture via Twitter user mickjddc.

------------------

Today, in Washington, D.C., an estimated hundred thousand members of the LGBTQ community and their allies marched on our nation's Capitol to make their voices heard.

Their request is basic: full equality.

A tremendous number of pictures have been put up on Twitpic from the protesters themselves, some funny, some evidence of the incredible number of people marching today. The slogans and sign always funny and thoughtful.

Perhaps this one was the most striking. A mixed-race apparently heterosexual couple who came out in support held up a sign that read, "Our marriage was once illegal, too."

The oppression of women, blacks, and the LGBTQ community are often compared. During the primary election, people questioned who would be a more powerful symbol to put in office, a woman, or a black man?

I am done with the Oppression Olympics. No one wins. To pretend that there is no overlap, that there are no LGBTQ individuals of color, to think that any repression, harassment, and violent attacks can be treated in relative terms is not only unwise, it is hurtful.

Women's rights are human rights.
Civil rights are human rights.
Gay rights are human rights.

We believe we are all deserving of equal treatment before the law. Because we are human.

So let us not forget to stand together as we all push for human rights.

UPDATE:

The couple from the first picture have become e-famous! Congrats! You can check out Mike's blog here.

Donation Drive for the Ali Forney Center

The Hunter Women's Rights Coalition (HWRC/"Hunter Equality") is collecting donations starting today for The Ali Forney Center. A box is available already in the club room (Thomas Hunter Hall room 309).

Items We Always Need:

* Non-perishable foods
* Toiletries
* Cleaning supplies
* Office supplies
* Twin sheet sets
* Towels and wash cloths
* Socks, underwear and T-shirts
* School supplies and bookbags.

New clothing and new or "gently" used linens are appreciated.
This list from here.

About this organization, from their website:

"New York City can be a brutal place for homeless youth and tragically, many young lives have been destroyed. At AFC, we are making a difference by rescuing kids from the dangers of the streets and placing them into our safe, homelike environments. [...]

Ali Forney was a homeless queer teen who was forced to live on the streets of New York during the 1990s. Ali was dedicated to the safety of other homeless queer youth; he was a committed HIV prevention worker, and aggressively advocated that the NYPD investigate a series of murders of the homeless queer youth he had befriended. Ali was an inspiration to those who knew him.

In December of 1997, Ali was murdered on the streets. His tragic death called attention to the atrocious conditions for homeless LGBT youth in New York. Ali's murderer has never been identified."

Here is a link to our Facebook event. Thank you for any and all donations! Your help is always appreciated!

Can't change from gay to straight, says the American Psychological Association

The New York Times reports:

Psychologists Reject Gay ‘Therapy’
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 5, 2009

The American Psychological Association declared Wednesday that mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments.

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Through 7/26: Fresh Fruit Festival

Date: 07/09/09 through 07/26/09
Ages: All Ages - 212-352-3101
http://www.freshfruitfestival.com/

Description:

What is Fresh Fruit?

Yes, Fresh Fruit is a colorful and healthy snack. But it is also an inclusive International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Cultural & Arts Festival held in Manhattan each July! All Out Arts' and New Village Productions' Fresh Fruit Festival feeds the spiritual and artistic souls of the LGBT and artistic communities.

Fresh Fruit's mission is to share the LGBT community's unique perspective, creativity and diversity and to build links between the LGBT, local, national and international artistic communities as well as to the general public.

A nearly month-long celebration of the arts and culture that champions the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in song, theater, poetry, dance, and music. Taking place at various venues throughout the city, the festival will highlight an eclectic look at dance, featuring artist Ian Archer-Watters' comedic rendition of The Swan, a jazz performance at Joe's Pub, a series of plays and performances presented at the historic Hudson Guild Theater, a variety show at the Lincoln Center Barnes and Noble, and many more events.

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act & Single Payer Health Care

From: the NOW National Action Center

We know that NOW leaders and supporters across this country have been working hard for many years to pass two important pieces of legislation. This week we have a chance to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act and to raise our collective voices in support of Single Payer Health Care legislation. Please make these calls today.

Urgent: Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act

We need your help NOW more than ever to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA). Senator Leahy to offered the HCPA as an amendment to S. 1391, the FY 2010 Department of Defense Authorization bill today. Remember, the U.S. House passed this critical legislation and now we have to fight for passage in the U.S. Senate.

NOW is the time for action to help secure Senate approval.

Call today! Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and ask them to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Urgent: Single Payer on the Table in Energy and Commerce on Thursday

This Thursday, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) will introduce, in the Energy and Commerce Committee, an amendment that abolishes private insurance and creates a national single-payer system that would cover everyone. This amendment would substitute Rep. John Conyers' (D-MI) single-payer bill, HR 676, for the current Tri-Committee Health Reform Bill.

Call your U.S. House member and ask him or her to support Rep. Weiner's single payer amendment. The Congressional Switchboard can be reached, toll free at 800-473-6711.

Background:

HR 676 would institute a single payer health care system by expanding a greatly improved Medicare system to everyone residing in the U.S.

HR 676 would cover every person for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental, mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision care, hearing services including hearing aids, chiropractic, durable medical equipment, palliative care, and long term care.

HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save hundreds of billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry and HMOs.

In the current Congress, HR 676 has 85 co-sponsors in addition to Conyers . Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced SB 703, a single payer bill in the Senate.

Please make calls today on these important bills!

---

NOW.org | All NOW Actions | NOW Leaders Internal Site | Support NOW's work

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Help Make LGBTQ bias violence hate crimes

Senate to vote on hate crimes legislation
as soon as this Thursday
please make the call now!

We are merely steps from the finish line. Federal hate crimes legislation, as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill, may be up for vote in the Senate as soon as this Thursday but we need your voice now to make sure we win. Call your senators right now by filling out the form and urge them to pass comprehensive federal hate crimes legislation.

Thank you for taking action with the Task Force.

f you haven't yet, you can also:

* Help us spread the word about the congressional vote on hate crimes legislation.
* Consider making a small contribution to the Task Force Action Fund to help fund this and other campaigns for the LGBT community.

Thanks again for your commitment and generosity!

2009 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
Contact ActionFund@theTaskForceActionFund.org

Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)