The Salt Lake Tribune posted some interesting statistics recently. Following the November approval by the Salt Lake City Council of a measure to ban bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing and the workplace, two out of three Utah resident now back workplace protections for LGBT workers and hospital visitation and inheritance rights for gay and lesbian couples. In the January before the measure, support was only at 56%. In fact, since the law changed, opposition to LGBT equal rights dropped from 40% to 23%.

Further, a majority of Mormons in Utah, which led the fight with Roman Catholics against Prop 8 in California in 2008, increased their approval and acceptance of gay/lesbian civil rights in their own state in less than a year by a range of 10% to 45%.

"This isn't a gradual change of attitudes. This is a fairly dramatic jump," says Matthew Burbank, chairman of the University of Utah's political science department. "Clearly, the fact that the LDS Church was officially endorsing this position had an impact on people."

The quote is from Paul Monette who lost his partner Roger Horwitz to AIDS. Those words are very much in my mind since I learned that the father of a friend 
suffered a massive heart attack on the 15th of January and died on the 21st.
She was floored when a high school friend contacted her to offer condolences. There had been no attempt by her surviving family to inform her of his condition or of his death. It was also from this friend that she learned that the service for her father was today.
Now, she not only has to deal with the sadness from losing her father but also with the anger at the decision by her mother and brother to exclude her from joining them in their grief.

The Legislative Session of 2009 was one of our community's best in the last 12 years!

Part of our success can be traced to our Equality Advocates. Throughout Louisiana, we had our members meet with, send emails to, and make phone calls to their legislators. Some even travelled to Baton Rouge for Lobby Days.

Our statewide advocacy and outreach activities are supported in part by a grant from the Tides Foundation’s State Equality Fund, a philanthropic partnership that includes the Evelyn and Walter Hass, Jr Fund, the Gill Foundation, and anonymous donors. We also extend thanks to our coalition partners, including ACLU of Louisiana, Acadiana PFLAG, Baton Rouge MCC, Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network, HRC, Louisiana Log Cabin Republicans, Louisiana Stonewall Democrats and PACE, who each assisted the Forum during the session and beyond.

I’m over how people talk about “the gays” as if we were some exotic species.

I’m over having my sister tell me that she’s got it worse because “at least people don’t constantly ask you when you’re getting married.”

I’m over my mom saying “just get over it, of course people act weird about something they don’t get.”

I’m over being told by my dad that he doesn’t see how people can have the “same kind of relationship” with adopted children.

I’m over how my brother finds those who really “shove it in your face” that they’re gay distasteful.

The United States has over 200,000 troops stationed in 144 countries and territories and 20,000 sailors and Marines on Navy ships. These troops were not drafted to serve; they are volunteers who join in the knowledge that they may be asked to lay down their lives so that the rest of us may live in peace.

Deployed service members have it especially hard during the holidays, as support networks outside the military are limited while overseas.  The conditions of war are difficult for every service member but the burdens faced by gays and lesbians are made worse by the policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

For Orleans Election to be Held on February 6, 2010

The Forum For Equality PAC, founded in 1989 and dedicated to good government and equal rights for all in Louisiana, has made endorsements in the Louisiana elections to be held on February 6, 2010.

The Forum For Equality PAC membership interviewed candidates on numerous topics including economic development, crime, government ethics, education, equal rights, and the rebuilding of our area. The candidates listed below have received the Forum For Equality PAC endorsement.  

Happy Holidays!  Join us in wishing the Governor and all of Louisiana's elected officials holiday greetings while introducing them to our LGBT families. The Forum For Equality joins fellow national and local lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender family groups throughout the country in launching a From Our Family to Yours campaign. In addition to spreading holiday cheer, the campaign will increase visibility and awareness about the need for state and federal protections for the LGBT community.

The past week was Transgender Awareness week. For the first time, New Orleans held a number of fascinating events throughout the week, instead of just holding a Day of Remembrance at the end of the week.

All of the events and activities were designed to raise awareness of transgender issues, to educate the public and remember those who were hurt or killed because of their gender identity. 

Yesterday was the Rally for Equality on the steps of City Hall. A number of local organizations came together on Saturday to speak on a number of issues facing the LGBT community and to provide resources for those who want to become more engaged in the movement. The topics ranged from Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to ENDA to Hate Crimes and Health Issues to Marriage Equality and Adoption. The event started with a moving a cappella version of ‘We Shall Overcome’ sung by the Big Easy MCC Praise Team. I spoke briefly about why we there:

Disheartened by the election results? Angered that we are still being denied full citizenship? Tired of enduring a barrage of lies and insults? Furious that your dignity and humanity has been attacked and undermined?

Don’t agonize...organize!

Come to the Rally For Equality at the New Orleans City Hall at noon on Saturday, November 7th.