NOM Summer for Marriage bus tour a "sham" says HRC

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today challenged the National Organization for Marriage's "Summer for Marriage" bus tour, saying it's nothing more than legal and rhetorical posturing in its campaign to keep its donor base secret.

“The bus tour is a total sham, plain and simple,” said Fred Sainz, HRC’s vice president of communications. “NOM’s highly-touted bus tour is less about so-called ‘traditional marriage’ and more about creating an elaborate and cynical stunt. NOM rolled out a summer of nationwide events in order to draw lawful protesters, all so that NOM and its allies can pepper ongoing lawsuits challenging public disclosure laws with made-up stories of harassment. This unprecedented victimization crusade is the lowest denominator of political activism, and it won’t fly.”
NOM issued a press release last Friday saying that LGBT supporters have “approached and threatened children,” engaged in “bullying tactics” and committed acts of harassment. However, according to HRC, NOM’s uncorroborated claims belie legitimate local media reports demonstrating that pro-equality supporters, which have vastly outnumbered NOM’s faithful, have been civil. NOM has yet to document any illegal activity or actual harassment, despite the presence of law enforcement at all the events.

Sainz concludes: “The bread crumbs of their deceit are clear. Let’s add it all up: NOM and its allies are making a last-ditch legal stand in Washington and Maine that they should be specially entitled to hide their political activities, and they’re saying that harassment and intimidation should provide them this cover. At the same time, Brian Brown schedules a series of virtually unattended weekday afternoon events hoping for counter-protests that they can then use as evidence of harassment and intimidation. Why else would NOM execute such half-hearted non-events and then completely subjugate its so-called ‘pro-marriage’ message in favor of devoting its energies almost exclusively to condemning lawful protesters?”

HRC Calls on Nation’s Hospitals to Implement LGBT Non-Discrimination Policies Now

The Human Rights Campaign today called on healthcare facilities across the United States to adopt fully-inclusive non-discrimination policies now to protect the rights of LGBT patients. The appeal comes on the heels of a letter from Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to the nation’s hospital associations, urging them to implement fully-inclusive patient visitation policies before the formal rulemaking process is complete later this year. This landmark policy change follows a recent announcement from the Joint Commission – the largest hospital accrediting body in the nation – that it will soon require hospitals to adopt non-discrimination policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. HRC provides healthcare facilities with resources such as model language and information on best practices to assist them in updating their policies.

“For far too long, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and their families have faced discrimination in hospitals, and this unequal treatment has caused real harm. These announcements from the Joint Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services signal that the time has come for hospitals across America to open the door to full healthcare equality,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We strongly support Secretary Sebelius in her conviction that there is no reason to wait for formal regulations to be drafted in order to adopt these policies. HRC is committed to assisting our nation’s healthcare facilities in implementing fully-inclusive non-discrimination policies now.”

“I would appreciate your voluntary support for the intent of the Presidential memorandum by encouraging your members to review policies they may currently have in place and adopt and enforce patient-centered visitation policies, as contemplated by the President, to the extent that they have not done so already,” said Secretary Sebelius in her letter. “Your actions could spare many patients the pain of being separated from a loved one during an admission to a hospital – often one of the most anxious times in their lives.”

The Human Rights Campaign has worked with healthcare facilities to evaluate and update policies for LGBT patients and their families through the HRC Foundation’s annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The HEI rates hospitals on the basis of four main policy areas: patient non-discrimination policies, visitation rights, cultural competency training, and employment non-discrimination. Among the findings in the HEI 2010, released on June 7, was that 93 percent of 200 of the nation’s largest healthcare facilities do not have fully inclusive non-discrimination policies for LGBT patients. For more information, go to www.hrc.org/hei.

HRC praises Supreme Court nomination

HRC today hailed President Obama’s selection of United States Solicitor General Elena Kagan as the nominee for the opening on the United States Supreme Court created by the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens.

“We applaud President Obama for choosing Elena Kagan to become our nation’s next U.S. Supreme Court Justice,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “The U.S. Supreme Court decides cases that intimately affect the lives of all Americans. We are confident that Elena Kagan has a demonstrated understanding and commitment to protecting the liberty and equality of all Americans, including LGBT Americans.”

Mile High Gala 2010 a big, sold-out success!

The Mile High Gala, HRC Colorado's annual dinner and auction in support of GLBT equality, took place Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Exdo and was a big, sold-out success!

I attended as a guest of Out Front Colorado and had myself a gay old time.

This was Mile High Gala/Exdo empty.

And this was Mile High Gala/Exdo full.

Mayor John Hickenlooper and Senator Michael Bennet were there.

My old friend Senator Pat Steadman was looking supercute.

As were 'Real World Washington D.C's' adorable Mike Manning and his equally adorable bf Tyler.

Here's the Out Front Colorado gang.

And here's Mile High Gala sponsor Purple Avocado's Adam Thodey (in his signature top hat) and Eric Alva, the gay soldier who was the first American injured in the Iraq War.

Wacky Chris Parente did a great job as emcee.

And that was the Mile High Gala in a nutshell.

HRC's comments on APA's proposed transgender changes

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization, submitted comment yesterday on the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) proposed changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, pressing the APA to do more to eliminate the stigma transgender Americans face. The public comment phase of the review process ended April 20.

“Upon reviewing the APA’s proposed revisions, it appears that they no longer consider gender identity that differs from birth sex to be a basis for psychiatric diagnosis,” said HRC Associate Director of Diversity Allyson Robinson. “By focusing instead on the experience of incongruence, an often distressing conflict between a person’s physical characteristics and their sense of gender identity, the APA has made an important step toward the destigmatization of transgender lives.”

While affirming this shift, HRC President Joe Solmonese pressed the APA to do more. “These diagnostic categories are frequently used by opponents of equality to deny basic civil rights to transgender Americans, and in that way become a significant source of emotional distress themselves,” said Solmonese. “The APA must address this heinous practice and do more to empower mental health professionals as they seek to heal the damage caused by stigma, bias, and prejudice.”

HRC also called in its commentary for the complete removal of “transvestic disorder,” which pathologizes male-to-female cross-dressing, from the final DSM-5 document. “The persistence of this archaic category contradicts the positive shift the APA made with gender incongruence and tacitly affirms an understanding of gender based in sexism, not science,” said Solmonese.

The proposed changes are slated to go into effect in 2013.

HRC calls new Don't Ask, Don't Tell regulations a 'positive step'

HRC today called the Department of Defense’s new “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” regulations “a positive step on the road to repeal this year." The new regulations released by Defense Secretary Robert Gates will raise the bar for investigations and discharges under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

"These new regulationsare a positive step toward repeal of the discriminatory 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law this year,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese (left). "Congress must continue to move forward with legislative action to repeal the law this year while the Pentagon continues its work to determine how to best implement that repeal. Two branches of government can and should work concurrently toward repeal. There is no reason for Congress to wait for the details on implementation when Secretary Gates and the President have made it clear that this law should be repealed."

The new regulations will raise the level of the commander authorized to initiate a discharge investigation, revise the threshold for credible information and third-party allegations, and protect disclosure to medical and psychological personnel and for other non-military purposes.

"Our community is doing the hard work of lobbying members of Congress and making sure the grassroots pressure is on for repeal," continued Solmonese. "With health insurance reform passed and a successful conclusion reached, now is the time for more visible and aggressive leadership from the White House to push for a vote this year."

Military leaders, including Secretary Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, recognize that DADT is a failed law and support its repeal. Before the Senate Armed Services Committee last month, Secretary Gates announced, “the question before us is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we best prepare for it.” In addition at that hearing, Adm. Mullen testified that “allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do."

HRC honors 305 Major U.S. Employers as 2010's “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality”

HRC honored 305 employers as its 2010 ‘Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality' at the Sixth Annual LGBT Workplace Awards Seminar and Reception held last night. The event, hosted by Time Warner and held at the Time Warner Center in New York City, featured Don Lemon, Anchor and Reporter for CNN and special guest Tim Gunn, Chief Creative Officer for Liz Claiborne, Inc. and host of the Lifetime Network show 'Project Runway.' 

“We’re happy to honor these companies who have taken strong actions that constitutes tangible, significant civil rights progress,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “With our recent launch of our ‘Best Places to Work’ iPhone application and with other resources coming soon, anyone, anywhere at anytime will be able to find out how a company ranks on LGBT inclusion.  By mandating equal opportunity in hiring, ensuring equal compensation through medical and family benefits, and promoting informed work forces and equal work places, these companies continue to push progress forward.  The federal law has to catch up.”

Companies receiving the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” distinction scored 100 percent on the HRC Foundation’s 2010 Corporate Equality Index, the national standard evaluating policies, practices and diversity efforts relating to LGBT workers.  

Fred Sainz joins HRC from Gill Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC)today announced the appointment of local resident Fred Sainz (left) to the newly created position of Vice President of Communications & Marketing which reports directly to the president.

"In this rapidly changing and often volatile political environment, HRC must continue to both prod and persuade in our mission to improve the lives of LGBT people across the country," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "And often a key component in changing hearts and minds or moving recalcitrant elected officials is an aggressive and creative communications strategy. In addition to his broad professional skills, Fred Sainz brings deep political instincts and a commitment to LGBT equality that will enhance our work. We're thrilled to have him join our senior team."

A first-generation Cuban American, Sainz has been Vice President of Communications & Marketing of the Denver-based Gill Foundation for the last two years.

"I am honored to join the first-rate team of professionals at HRC who have done so much to move an LGBT equality agenda forward," said Sainz. "HRC is the pinnacle of LGBT activism, but we must move mountains in a volatile time, both in Washington and across the country, and communicating our agenda effectively and creatively will be critical to our success."

EndtheLies.org takes on the Traditional Values Coalition

EndtheLies.org, a website confronting lies and distortions repeatedly used to defeat LGBT equality measures, now features Traditional Values Coalition’s recent action alert to its members where they claimed that ENDA would mean children will be taught by “men dressed as women” and forced "to learn about bizarre sexual practices.”

“The Traditional Values Coalition has reached a new low, by both dehumanizing hardworking, dedicated educators who are transgender and flat out lying about the impact of basic workplace protections for our community,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This is further evidence that the Traditional Values Coalition will use any tactic, including lies and smears, to stand in the way of basic fairness. Concocting wholly unfounded threats to our children to serve a political agenda is not consistent with traditional values.”

Lieberman introduces legislation to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Senator Joseph Lieberman today introduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 in the U.S. Senate. The bill would repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, which prohibits lesbians and gays from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), an Iraq War veteran and a former paratrooper in the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division, is the lead sponsor of similar legislation in the U.S House of Representatives.

“By introducing the first bill to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in the Senate, Senator Lieberman is continuing the momentum to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “His introduction of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 is a bold, patriotic move that will long be remembered as key to removing the stain of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law from the U.S. code. Over the last few weeks, military leaders have made it clear that repeal of the failed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law must happen. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an expert on national security, Senator Lieberman’s leadership in the fight to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is critical to achieving repeal this year.”

Military leaders, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, recognize that DADT is a failed law and support its repeal. Former Vice President and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney also recently came out for repeal by stating, “When the chiefs come forward and say, ‘We think we can do it,’ then it strikes me as it’s time to reconsider the policy, and I think Adm. Mullen said that.” Moreover, former supports of the law, such as General Colin Powell, former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General John M. Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have all indicated their support for repealing DADT as well.

Grassroots support to repeal Don't Ask, Don't tell is growing

Last week, HRC launched a national action alert and announced details of its ongoing campaign to repeal the law that hurts military readiness and national security while putting American soldiers fighting overseas at risk. Focusing on key states where congressional support for repeal is critical, HRC dispatched field staff to five states – Florida, Indiana, Nebraska, Virginia and West Virginia, with other states to follow in the months ahead. HRC is also asking members and supporters to sign up and to join the growing network of supporters to repeal DADT.

Rep. Murphy, an Iraq War veteran and a former paratrooper in the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division, is the lead sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283), the Housebill to repeal the DADT law. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) is expected to introduce a Senate bill to repeal DADT soon. More than 13,500 Americans have been denied the ability to serve – including more than 800 specialists with vital skills like Arabic linguists.

Military leaders, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, recognize that DADT is a failed law and support its repeal. Former Vice President and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney also recently came out for repeal by stating, “When the chiefs come forward and say, ‘We think we can do it,’ then it strikes me as it’s time to reconsider the policy, and I think Adm. Mullen said that.”

HRC announces scholarships for gay students

The Human Rights Campaign today announced the launch of the second year of the “Generation Equality Scholarships” for LGBT and allied students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the fight for queer equality. The scholarships are part of HRC Foundation’s Youth and Campus Outreach Program, which aims to provide tools, facilitate connections and empower young people to fight for LGBT equality on campus and beyond. To apply for the Generation Equality Scholarships, or to learn about last year’s recipients, visit: www.hrc.org/geneqscholarship.

“We’re excited to once again be able to provide exceptional students with the funding that they need and deserve. All too often, LGBT students face obstacles in the pursuit of education, whether it be from a lack of family support or negative experiences in the classroom or on campus,” said Candace Gingrich-Jones, Associate Director of the HRC Foundation's Youth and Campus Outreach Program. “The more than 1,000 applications we received last year for the Generation Equality Scholarships not only illustrated the social and economic barriers queer young people today face, but also just how committed they are to making LGBT equality a reality within their schools, communities and country.”

More info after the jump.

This year, the HRC Foundation will be awarding one $2,000 scholarship in each of the following categories:
• First-year students
• Returning four-year school students
• Returning community college students

Priority will be given to applicants who:
• Self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or an ally
• Have applied to or are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education
• Have demonstrated a commitment or contribution to the LGBT community
• Are in good academic standing
• Have demonstrated need for financial assistance

The application deadline for academic year 2010-2011 is April 16, 2010. Finalists will be notified in early- to mid-May and will be asked to submit additional materials. Scholarship recipients will be announced in mid- to late-June.

In addition to these scholarships, the Youth and Campus Outreach Program provides a comprehensive online database of more than 220 other scholarships available to LGBT and allied students. The list, which includes national, statewide and school-specific scholarships, was created to ensure that students committed to the fight for LGBT equality can reach and benefit from institutions of higher education. To view the online database, visit: www.hrc.org/scholarships.

Clay Aiken to speak at HRC Carolinas gala

Clay Aiken will return to Raleigh, N.C., to speak at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas gala alongside lesbian actress Meredith Baxter.

The pop star, who was given a politically focused speech to read, instead prepared his own remarks. "My goal is to be hopeful, that it's time for everyone to have equal rights," Aiken said.

Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell now

HRC is looking for current and former service members and their loved ones to take their Don't Ask, Don't Tell survey to help repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell now.

DC Marriage Law Closer to Reality as Court Rejects Opponents’ Injunction Request

With D.C.’s same-sex marriage law expected to take effect on March 3rd, marriage equality opponents have stepped up their efforts to try to halt the law’s implementation by forcing a public referendum. Today, opponents went to court seeking a preliminary injunction, which would have stayed the effective date of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Act of 2009.

After hearing from both sides, Judge Holeman tentatively denied the motion from the bench, ruling that the court lacked the power “to usurp the legislative process,” that opponents did not establish a substantial likelihood of success on the merits and that they would not suffer irreparable harm if the law were to take effect as scheduled.

Read more at HRCBackstory.org.

Want to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell? Stop paying for it, says Sen. Gillibrand

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., announced at a Human Rights Campaign dinner last Saturday night that she plans to attach an amendment to the defense budget to curtail further spending on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. 

"I don't think another man or woman should be dismissed from the military, and I think the quickest way to do that is to cut off funding for the implementation of the policy," Gillibrand said.

Stuff to Buy: Heart hoody by HRC and Alex & Chloe

HRC has collaborated with LA-based designers Alex & Chloe on a limited-edition hoody to celebrate the universal power of love and raise awareness for LGBT Equality.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Alex & Chloe hoody is available at HRC's online store.

State-by-state: Gay legislation across the USA

HRC today released a comprehensive state-by-state report detailing LGBT-related legislation in 2009 and an outlook for 2010.  The report indicates that despite disappointments in 2009, we witnessed a banner year for positive legislation affecting the LGBT community with as many positive bills passed this past year as in 2007 and 2008 combined.  The report also details expectations for 2010 with the fight for marriage equality and relationship recognition now focused on Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, and Rhode Island and continued state and local efforts to protect LGBT employees. 

“While the road is never easy, we look ahead to 2010 with renewed dedication in the fight for equality,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “We will continue to work closely with state LGBT groups and our allies to secure these much-needed advancements.  As the midterm elections heat up, we must remain focused on the many state legislators who stood with us by continuing to support them and also remember those who stood in the way.”

HRC: Demand Equality in 2010

Tomorrow marks the end of what HRC says is their most important fundraising campaign of the year. HRC is looking for 2,010 people to become first-time HRC members by tomorrow to provide the strength they need to demand equality in 2010.

NOM placing robo-calls to defeat gay rights supporter Coakley?

Leaders in the LGBT community today responded sharply to reports that the National Organization of Marriage (NOM) placed thousands of robo-calls to Massachusetts voters on Saturday, urging them to defeat “radical” Martha Coakley because of her support of same-sex marriage. MassEquality and the Human Rights campaign were joined by Congressman Barney Frank and State Representative Carl Sciortino in decrying the use of this divisive strategy to attempt to elect Brown.

“Voters deserve to know that this out-of-state extremist group is using anti-gay rhetoric to try to influence the election by attacking the thousands of gay families who live and work in our state,” said Scott Gortikov, Executive Director of MassEquality.

“Make no mistake -- Scott Brown is an anti-equality candidate showing his true colors by aligning his election prospects with the National Organization for Marriage. NOM wouldn't be calling into Massachusetts if it weren't convinced that Brown will continue to be his anti-equality record in the Senate," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign.

"It’s important for people to know about the underground right-wing campaign Scott Brown is running,” said Congressman Barney Frank. “His plan is to benefit from the support of the most active, extreme conservatives while he falsely portrays himself as a moderate.”

“Scott Brown needs to come clean on his relationship with these far right extremists like the National Organization for Marriage,” said State Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Somerville).

According to reports, the robocalls asked voters if they support same-sex marriage. Only those who oppose same-sex marriage heard the second part of the call, strongly urging a vote for Brown.

The National Organization for Marriage is a controversial organization which was formed in 2007 to promote Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage amendment passed in California in 2008. Since its formation, NOM has run anti-gay ads nationwide and, most recently, it was the largest single contributor to the recent successful effort in Maine to invalidate the state’s same-sex marriage law.