In the News:

Democrats 2008: Déjà vu, all over again?
Shower of Stoles Project on display this month
Task Force applauds unions’ efforts
      supporting grocery workers
Los Angeles Leadership Awards kickoff draws crowd
Job opportunities at the Task Force

Democrats 2008: Déjà vu, all over again?

“We deserve and we must demand from the Democratic 2008 presidential candidates the simple and straightforward statement that our humanity requires full respect and fair treatment by all and, further, an equally simple and straightforward condemnation of those who seek to use our lives for political gain. This needs to be said in front of all audiences — not just in front of us.”
— Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc.

[ Read and respond to the full commentary ]

Shower of Stoles Project on display this month

“The Shower of Stoles Project bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own intolerance and unjust policies.”
— Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Program Director, Institute for Welcoming Resources

The Shower of Stoles Project, a collection of more than 1,000 liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of LGBT people of faith, will be on display at the Ninth National Reconciling Convocation of the Reconciling United Methodists on Aug. 2–5 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and the Tenth Biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Aug. 6–11 at Navy Pier in Chicago, Ill. This is the first time since 2003 that the complete collection will be on view for the public.

[ Read the press release ]
[ View an online exhibition of the Shower of Stoles ]
[ Learn more about the Task Force’s Institute for Welcoming Resources ]

Task Force applauds unions’ efforts supporting grocery workers

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force applauds United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324 for working to secure a new contract for grocery workers in Southern California. On July 22, union members overwhelmingly voted to ratify the contract agreement with Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons.

The contract includes a wage increase, opportunities for newer employees and a decrease in the waiting period for health benefits. Equally important, the broad-based organizing campaign that overcame the chains’ intransigence — involving churches, the media and door-to-door public education — will be a model for future successes nationwide.

[ Read the Task Force’s congratulatory letter to the union ]
[ Learn more about the contract ]

Los Angeles Leadership Awards kickoff draws crowd

Yesterday, in fabulous Bel Air, Calif., nearly 70 people, including honoree Christine Chavez (pictured, third from left), joined the Task Force for our kick-off reception for this year’s Los Angeles Leadership Awards. Many thanks to Paul Colichman, president of here! TV, and his partner David Millbern, who hosted the reception at their beautiful home. Special thanks to those who signed on as sponsors of the Leadership Awards: Task Force board member Andrew Ogilvie and partner Cary Davidson are now Gold sponsors and Stuart Leviton & Herb Schultz have become Bronze sponsors.

The Los Angeles Leadership Awards will take place the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Along with Ms. Chavez, the Task Force is proud to be honoring Judy Chu of the California State Board of Equalization. To sign up as a sponsor or a table captain or to purchase a ticket to what will be an inspiring afternoon, go to www.theTaskForce.org/lala or contact Lindsay Bubar, special events manager, at lbubar@theTaskForce.org.

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:

New Media Communications Associate
Policy Institute Director

Applications now being accepted!

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