In the News:

Moral values focus of Commonwealth Club
      of California panel
Los Angeles Leadership Awards a success
Miami Recognition Dinner on November 4
       to honor leaders and allies
New report presents progressive vision
       of reproductive health
Task Force event in San Francisco on October 23
Communities of faith
A Night to Create Change on November 11
In the states: Maryland

Moral values focus of Commonwealth Club of California panel

Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman, the Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder and National Religious Leadership Roundtable member Christian de la Huerta were featured at a Sept. 28 panel discussion at the Commonwealth Club of California, where they discussed reclaiming moral values.

"We're either in this for all of us, or we're not." — Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman

[ Read the Bay Area Reporter's coverage of the event ]

Los Angeles Leadership Awards a success

On a sunny California Sunday, more than 350 Task Force supporters gathered for the 17th Annual Los Angeles Leadership Awards. The day began with people socializing in the garden of the Beverly Hills Hotel over cocktails and a silent auction and culminated in an inspiring, diverse and exhilarating awards brunch. We were proud to honor Alice Huffman, president of the California State Council of the NAACP; Sen. Barbara Boxer; and Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, co-writers and -directors of Quinceañera. Talk of full equality, marriage and collaboration with allies brought home the message that all progressive organizations need to work together to make real change. Many attendees represented ally organizations and unions, including event sponsors Planned Parenthood, SEIU United Healthcare Workers, the SEIU CA State Council and United Teachers of Los Angeles. The Oct. 8 event was our largest in Los Angeles to date. We greatly appreciate all of our sponsors and attendees who made the event possible.

Miami Recognition Dinner on November 4 to honor leaders and allies

"[Opposition to same-sex marriage] is couched in much of the same language as opposition to interracial marriage once was: 'This will destroy the moral fiber of the country, and it will undermine existing, established institutions and organizations.' — It was bogus then, and it's bogus now."

With statements like this one, made in 2004, the NAACP's Julian Bond (pictured) has been one of the most powerful voices for equality for more than four decades. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is proud to present him with the 2006 National Leadership Award on Nov. 4 at the Miami Recognition Dinner, presented by Merrill Lynch. The 2006 Miami Herald Humanitarian Award will be presented to local luminary Bob Cole, and TWN will receive the 2006 Community Service Award.

New report presents progressive vision of reproductive health

A new Center for American Progress report titled More than a Choice: A Progressive Vision for Reproductive Health and Rights includes issues specific to same-sex couples and freedom of gender expression. The publication also cites the Task Force Policy Institute's publication Transgender Equality: A Handbook for Activists and Policymakers.

Task Force event in San Francisco on October 23

Join us for this free event at CAV Wine Bar & Kitchen and hear a campaign update from Task Force Organizing & Training Director Thalia Zepatos (pictured). Light hors d’oeuvres provided by CAV. Please RSVP to Todd Kimmelman at 310.855.7383 or tkimmelman@theTaskForce.org.

Communities of faith

The 2006 Unity Fellowship Church Convocation was held in Los Angeles last week. As part of the gathering, the Youth and Young Adult Summit, co-sponsored by the Task Force, focused on addressing issues of homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction and HIV/AIDS from a perspective of faith and the gospel. Representing the Task Force was the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel (pictured), who introduced the Youth and Young Adult Summit and presented a workshop titled The Bible and Homosexuality.

A Night to Create Change on November 11

Sign up to host a fund-raiser for the Task Force and be part of this nationwide night of parties.

In the states: Maryland

The Fourth Annual Equality Maryland Jazz Brunch is slated for Sunday, Oct. 22. Billy Porter is a featured performer at this event, which benefits Task Force capacity building partner Equality Maryland.

[ Purchase tickets or get more information ]

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