Summer of Action

Now that Labor Day is behind us and Congress is back in session, we wanted to give you an update on how we worked to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community from the ground up this summer.

We participated in Pride events across the country – marching in parades, recruiting volunteers and urging people to take action. And we were there for New York City pride to celebrate marriage equality in the Empire State. The  Task Force was proud to be part of the effort, as staff helped organize the nightly phone banks, attended press conferences and spoke out for the passage of the bill.

During the debt debate we took action to prevent cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. We also joined with the American Dream Movement to end the war on the middle class and the poor in this country, and to stand up for our  civil rights. Continuing our support for workers rights, we stood in solidarity with the 45,000 Verizon workers who went on strike and told Verizon to stop bullying its workers.

We joined Immigration Equality to fight for Bradford Wells & Anthony Makk and every LGBT family, telling President Obama and Secretary Napolitano to stop separating our families! And we visited our members of Congress when they were in-district during the August recess, and urged them to co-sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

In Los Angeles, the Task Force is working with Gender Justice LA to run the Los Angeles Trans Leadership Academy. The curriculum-based leadership development program for trans and genderqueer community members teaches political analysis, spiritual connection, advocacy skills, media proficiency and leadership styles. It runs one weekend a month for 6 months: from July to December of 2011.

We are also working with Equality North Carolina to fight against the “anti-LGBT amendment” in their state. This harmful amendment would ban same-sex marriage, prohibit civil unions and nullify domestic partnership benefits.

Equality North Carolina still needs your help to make sure this amendment does not get onto the ballot. All you have to do is sign up for a shift to make phone calls. You can even do it right from your own house — all you need is a phone and a computer, and anyone from across the country can join the fight.