In the News:

In the papal pocket — Benedict XVI and the press
Host committee co-chairs named for 2009 National
      Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change
OutSpoken Blog: Inspired in Miami-Dade
D.C. Leadership Awards just around the corner!
Standing courageously In the Eye of the Storm

In the papal pocket — Benedict XVI and the press

“We have learned over the years that there is simply no competing for media attention with the bulletproof Popemobile and the crowds of faithful. Protests and press conferences, women-led liturgies and other educational events take place before the man arrives with the hope that the press, looking for filler until the visit begins, might attend to them. By the time the papal masses and ceremonial meetings begin, the voices of dissent are long since forgotten by those who might offer more substantive coverage.”
— Mary Hunt, Ph.D., National Religious Leadership Roundtable Member

Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit to the United States garnered massive media attention. Mary Hunt of the Task Force’s National Religious Leadership Roundtable shared her thoughts about the coverage in this Article of Faith, originally published by ReligionDispatches.

[ Read more here ]

Host committee co-chairs named for 2009 National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change

The Task Force announces the appointment of four seasoned community leaders — Anthony Aragon, Hope Wisneski, Gus Spheeris and Morris Price — to serve as co-chairs of the Denver-based host committee for the 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. The conference, produced by the Task Force, will take place in Denver, Colo., Jan. 28–Feb. 1, 2009.

[ Read the press release ]

OutSpoken Blog: Inspired in Miami-Dade

The Miami-Dade County Economic Development and Human Services Committee last week voted 3 to 1 to send the Domestic Partners and Family Health Coverage Ordinance out of committee for review and final vote before the entire Miami-Dade County Commission. The final reading and vote is currently expected to take place on May 6, and the measure is expected to pass.

“Walking into the commission chamber, I felt like I had stumbled into the secret sanctuary of a super-hero team — many of the stalwarts of the Miami-Dade LGBT community were there. Over 75 people showed up to speak for the ordinance. The opposition was represented by six people who looked like they had lemons for breakfast.”
— Michael Bath, Task Force Special Events Manager based in Miami

[ Read the full blog post ]

D.C. Leadership Awards just around the corner!

Join us on Saturday, May 3, for the 2008 D.C. Leadership Awards! This year’s event honors AARP and its Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Daniela Sea (Max) of The L Word, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt and Us Helping Us. Held at the gorgeous Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., and emceed by the hilarious Bob Smith, the 2008 D.C. Leadership Awards promises to be an unforgettable evening!

[ Get details and tickets here ]

Standing courageously In the Eye of the Storm

Episcopalian Bishop V. Gene Robinson (pictured), who was a featured speaker at the Task Force’s 2008 National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, will be signing copies of In the Eye of the Storm, his timely, courageous and revealing personal memoir. In 2003, Robinson was elected as the bishop of New Hampshire — the first openly gay man to be called to serve in such a position. The election has sparked a storm of controversy that has polarized religious opinion on five continents and still rages on five years later.

In his memoir, Robinson reflects on his journey of faith, his life experiences, the concerns that matter most to him as a bishop and the controversy that has rocked the church he loves and to which he is committed. He will be signing copies on Thursday, April 24, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the Holy Apostles Episcopal Parish, located at 296 Ninth Avenue (at 28 Street) in New York, N.Y. The event is co-sponsored by the General Theological Seminary.

Photo credit: andrewpotterphoto.com

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