Special Inauguration Edition

Task Force responds to President Obama’s inauguration speech
Bishop Robinson’s exclusion from HBO coverage ‘profoundly
      disappointing and disturbing’
Task Force commemorates King’s legacy
      and historic inauguration
On heels of inauguration, thousands of LGBT rights advocates
      to gather next week in Denver

Task Force responds to President Obama’s inauguration speech

“In his speech, the president spoke of our nation’s need to reaffirm its enduring spirit and ‘carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea ... [the] promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.’

“Our country has made significant strides in advancing this ‘noble idea’ toward full-fledged reality, but we’re not there yet. Too many people continue to face discrimination and hardship. As President Obama assumes the role of America’s foremost leader, we call upon him to fulfill the promise of a nation where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are recognized and valued as part of this country’s strength, spirit and solution.“
—Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey

[ Read the full statement ]
[ Read media coverage: Washington Blade, San Francisco Chronicle, Daily News ]

Bishop Robinson’s exclusion from HBO coverage ‘profoundly disappointing and disturbing’

The Task Force responded to the exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson from HBO’s televised coverage of Sunday’s “We Are One” inaugural event.

“It is profoundly disappointing and disturbing that HBO viewers did not have the opportunity to watch Bishop Robinson, a genuine hero to so many in our community and others around the globe, give his powerful prayer at Sunday’s ‘We Are One’ inaugural event. Our nation becomes better and stronger when given the chance to hear from the diversity of its people. This did not happen with Bishop Robinson, and absolutely should have.”
—Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey

[ Read the full statement ]
[ Read media coverage ]

Task Force commemorates King’s legacy and historic inauguration

The Task Force marked the federal holiday on Monday honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the historic inauguration of the country’s first black president.

“Our annual celebration of Dr. King’s birthday is particularly meaningful this year. For as we commemorate the life of an unparalleled freedom fighter, a man who stood firmly for all Americans being judged by the ‘content of our character,’ we are on the precipice of realizing a large part of Dr. King’s vaunted dream.“
—Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey

On heels of inauguration, thousands of LGBT rights advocates to gather next week in Denver

On the heels of the presidential inauguration, more than 2,000 LGBT rights advocates will converge on Denver next week to strategize on how to advance LGBT rights in 2009. A key focus will be on how to advance LGBT equality at the state and local levels, including how to organize to defeat statewide anti-LGBT initiatives and advance the freedom to marry. Learn more about that here. The Task Force-convened National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change is the largest annual gathering of LGBT rights activists in the nation.

[ Get conference details and register ]

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