The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Update


In the News: Task Force challenges Holsinger pick to become U.S. surgeon general Task Force blasts self-proclaimed family values senator for blatant hypocrisy NRLR speaks out against Lutheran church decision to remove gay pastor From the Long View podcast: Finding an uncomfortable balance Upcoming events Job opportunities at the Task Force
Task Force challenges Holsinger pick to become U.S. surgeon general Congressional testimony by a former U.S. surgeon general who says Bush administration pressured him to suppress important public health reports is additional cause for concern. “Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona’s profoundly disturbing testimony yesterday underscores why Dr. James W. Holsinger has been nominated to succeed him: The Bush administration not only expects but demands that right-wing ideology and partisan politics triumph over science and they know Dr. Holsinger will compliantly deliver.” — Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman [ Read the full statement ] [ Read and respond to our OutSpoken Blog entry on the topic ]
Task Force blasts self-proclaimed family values senator for blatant hypocrisy Sen. David Vitter, R-La. (pictured), who has built his political career around “family values” and railed against same-sex marriage, has admitted to “a very serious sin in my past” after his telephone number appeared among those associated with an escort service operated by the so-called “D.C. Madam.” “It is the pinnacle of hypocrisy for Senator Vitter to be thundering about ‘family values’ and the ‘sanctity of marriage’ and doing everything possible to deny the freedom to marry to same-sex couples while apparently paying for sex behind his wife’s back. If his wife and family want to forgive him, fine, but this far surpasses a personal transgression. He owes all Americans, particularly those of us who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, an apology.” — Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman [ Read the full statement ]
NRLR speaks out against Lutheran church decision to remove gay pastor The Task Force’s National Religious Leadership Roundtable condemned the July 2 decision by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Committee on Appeals to immediately remove the Rev. Bradley Schmeling from the clergy roster because he has a same-sex partner. [ Read the statement ]
From the Long View podcast: Finding an uncomfortable balance In the final episode of From the Long View: LGBT Elders and Experts Speak, John Otto (pictured), a Seattle-based activist and privacy and documentation program manager at the National Center for Transgender Equality, talks about self-advocacy, how being a transitioned man can complicate having aging parents and the ways in which insurance and government policies affect transgender men’s experience of aging. From the Long View is a five-part podcast featuring members of the first-ever National LGBT Aging Roundtable, convened earlier this year by the Task Force. For photos, transcripts and downloadable MP3s, check out www.theTaskForce.org/podcast. [ Listen to the interview or read the transcript now ]
Upcoming events The Los Angeles Leadership Awards (LALA) is quickly approaching! To become a sponsor or table captain, purchase tickets, or buy a program ad please visit www.theTaskForce.org/lala. The LALA kickoff is coming up on July 31. If you would like to attend or receive more information, please e-mail Lindsay Bubar, special events manager, at lbubar@theTaskForce.org. Ascension Party, a wonderful dance party on the Fire Island Pines beach takes place this year Aug. 17–19. And to make it even better, it’s a benefit for the Task Force. Get all the details at the Ascension Party site. In the meantime, if you need more information, contact Janice Thom, director of special events, at 646.358.1467.
Job opportunities at the Task Force Want to put your skills and talents to use to help advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality? If so, check out the current job openings at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: Administrative Associate E-Philanthropy Manager New Media Communications Associate Policy Institute Director Senior Field Organizer Applications now being accepted!

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