In the News:

Task Force: Unprecedented series of gains coast to coast
      for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
Task Force applauds House passage of federal
      hate crimes legislation
OutSpoken Blog: ‘Pit Bull President’ positions
      poisoned pen
Uniting American Families Act introduced in Congress
DC Leadership Awards draws hundreds

Task Force: Unprecedented series of gains coast to coast for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

The 2007 state legislative season has been the most productive in the history of the LGBT rights movement and, as a result, for the first time more than half the U.S. population will live in jurisdictions that outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, according to an analysis of Census data and current laws released this week by the Task Force.

In addition, nearly 40 percent of the population will now live in jurisdictions that protect transgender people from discrimination — a sevenfold increase since 2000 — and one-fifth of all Americans will live in states that offer same-sex couples broad rights under state law, a more than eightfold increase since 2004. The Task Force said the 2006 elections and years of dogged work at the grassroots level were responsible for the surge in legislation.

[ Read our press release ]
[ Download accompanying graphs ]

Task Force applauds House passage of federal hate crimes legislation

“[T]he U.S. House of Representatives said clearly and unequivocally that the people of this country reject and condemn all forms of hate violence, including crimes motivated by hatred of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, women and people with disabilities. The importance of this cannot be overstated, particularly in light of the venomous defamation campaign that has been waged against the bill by right-wing forces.”
— Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

[ Read our full release ]

OutSpoken Blog: ‘Pit Bull President’ positions poisoned pen

“As Bush’s house of cards tumbles all around him, his minions in the White House suggest that he will veto the just-passed hate crimes bill. Bush, frustrated and infuriated that a Democratic Congress now calls him to account for spinning the world into a big ole mess in the Middle East, twirls his veto pen over a bill seeking to bring a measure of justice to victims of hate crimes.”
— Sue Hyde, Director of Creating Change, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

[ Read and respond to the full blog ]

Uniting American Families Act introduced in Congress

The Uniting American Families Act was introduced in Congress on May 8. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding “permanent partner” next to “spouse” and provide the same immigration procedures for same-sex partners as currently exist for immediate relatives of United States citizens.

“Immigration policy in the United States is supposed to be based on the principle of bringing and keeping families together. Yet this country’s refusal to treat some families — same-sex families — equally means that thousands of binational families are kept separated or are forced to live in exile. It is yet another way the U.S. government discriminates against same-sex families, and it is long past time for such discrimination to stop. We urge swift passage of this legislation.”
— Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

[ Read our statement ]

DC Leadership Awards draws hundreds

More than 400 people turned out May 5 for our annual DC Leadership Awards at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. From the VIP reception to the silent auction to the closing moments, it was an empowering evening. Mary Kay Henry, international executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), accepted the Leadership Award on behalf of the union. She emphasized the linkage among all equality struggles, as exemplified by SEIU’s inclusion of LGBT families in its fight for the dignity of all workers.

Patrik-Ian Polk (pictured), executive producer of Noah’s Arc, reminded us that the personal is political. Comedian Karen Williams, the evening’s emcee, received a warm “welcome back” from our audience — and gales of laughter. Many thanks to the steering committee, sponsors and attendees for making this such a great event. (Photo credit: Rudy K Photography)

Please also check out YouTube for video coverage of the impassioned speech made by the Rev. James Forbes of the renowned Riverside Church at our recent New York Leadership Awards. Enjoy!

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