Friday State Sweep

Equality North Carolina's executive director, Ian Palmquist, was invited to the White House for a reception honoring Pride Month.


The Tennessee Equality Project's Grand Divisions blog discusses two types of incremental progress for LGBT equality, what we gain and what we lose.

Equality Florida and the ACLU will give a joint town hall and training on adoption, June 18 and 19.

Election Day revealed support for LGBT and pro-equality candidates in California, reports Equality California. Nearly all of their endorsed candidates won their primary fights.

TransOhio lists some of the presenters for their upcoming 3rd Annual TransOhio Transgender & Ally Symposium, August 13 - 15, 2010.

And


Empire State Pride Agenda emphasizes the importance of straight allies in the workplace through their Pride in My Workplace program.

A reading of the Prop. 8 trial transcripts will be performed June 18 and 19 at the Brody Theater in Portland. 25% of the proceeds will go to benefit Basic Rights Oregon. read on

Week-End Roundup

TransOhio asks us all to help the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition pass the Transgender Rights Bill in the MA state legislature.

Equality North Carolina is collecting stories to make healthcare fair for LGBT people.

Fair Wisconsin holds a faith panel next week.

Inland Empire PFLAG president on Equality California's Marriage Equality Roundtable.

Basic Rights Oregon does the right thing on racial justice, invites everyone to the table.

The Tennessee Equality Project fights for sane sexual health education.

Empire state Pride Agenda sweeps the internet and finds some interesting LGBT content.

The Miami Beach Commission supports the Uniting American Families Act, according to Equality Florida, a bill that helps same-sex families stay together in the USA.
read on

State Roundup

TransOhio posts a call for works on transmasculine sexuality.

Indiana Equality posts a video on why it's time for a change.

If you missed National LGBT Health Awareness Week, read about it on Equality North Carolina's blog.

Equality Maryland follows the attempt of a House representative to impeach Attorney General Gansler for Gansler's opinion supporting marriage equality.

Equality California meditates on Cesar Chavez' legacy to all of us.

Empire State Pride Agenda swept the blogs last week.

Equality Florida urges members to take action to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" by signing on to a letter to Senator Bill Nelson.

And the Federation made it possible for thirteen LGBT families from across the country to take part in the White House Easter Egg Roll!
read on

Friday Wrapup

Tennessee's Grand Division blog thinks about activism.

Want to phone bank for ENDA? TransOhio tells you how.

Equality North Carolina discusses Lambda Legal's latest report on health care for LGBT people. (Spoiler: it's not good.)

Empire State Pride Agenda gives an update on GENDA campaign.

Equality California posts the thoughts of a volunteer field worker.

Equality Florida covers the weird "family-friendly" film bill out of Tallahassee.

Indiana Equality has some upcoming media trainings. read on

Midweek Roundup

Equality Maryland celebrates marriage equality in nearby DC.

Empire State Pride Agenda's news sweep catches Harold Ford's decision to drop out of senate race.

TransOhio puts out a call for scholars to develop research on LGBTQI issues in education.

Basic Rights Oregon takes a stand against racism and police violence.

Equality North Carolina looks at changes in public attitudes towards lesbians and gay men in the military.

In Michigan Michigan Equality and Triangle Foundation announce their merger.

Equality Florida covers pressure on state to repeal anti-gay adoption laws. read on

Friday Roundup

This is Indiana Equality's weekend of Love is Equal dinners.

TransOhio is sponsoring the film City of Borders at the 34th Cleveland International Film Festival.

Equality North Carolina celebrates SAGE's new federal grant and ambitious new initiatives.

Basic Rights Oregon calls our attention to two strong trainings coming up soon.

And Tennessee's Grand Division has an interesting quote of the day. read on

Friday State Roundup

TransOhio's February newsletter is available online.

Equality California remembers Lawrence King in the second anniversary of his murder.

Basic Rights Oregon offers an anti-racism toolkit for LGBT equality organizations and activists.

Equality Florida launches the Council of 1000.


And Equality North Carolina tell you how to oppose DADT. read on

A Meditation on AIDS and Silences

Though World AIDS Day ended a week ago, there's no end to the ways that the disease, treatments, and policies have affected our communities. And there are silences around HIV/AIDS that the LGBT communities have yet to break. From Federation member,Gunner Scott ED of Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. read on

Basic Rights Oregon's New Campaign: Increasing Health Care for Transgender Oregonians

After months of careful research and analysis from our Trans Policy Working Group, and after hearing from transgender and allied Oregonians from across the state, the team of volunteers leading this effort has selected a campaign for transgender justice: increasing access to health care for transgender Oregonians.

Why health care? Because transgender, genderqueer and gender nonconforming Oregonians face serious barriers to accessing appropriate, affordable care:


* It’s common practice in Oregon to deny health care to transgender Oregonians just because of their identity. In fact, the vast majority of health care plans specifically exclude transition-related health care—so transgender Oregonians can’t access hormones, surgery, counseling and other critical care.
* Many health care providers have little or no experience treating transgender patients, making it extraordinarily difficult for many transpeople to find appropriate care—and leaving many doctors and nurses unsure of how best to treat their patients.

These factors leave many transgender Oregonians with insufficient health care, and with tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills to pay out of pocket—simply because of their gender identity. It’s tough enough for anyone to get health care. No one should be denied care just because of their identity.

That’s why Basic Rights Oregon will work to increase access to trans-inclusive health care plans, and work with health care providers to increase their knowledge and comfort in treating transgender, genderqueer and gender nonconforming patients.

For more about barriers to health care for transgender Oregonians, read Issues in Trans Justice: Health Care on the Basic Rights Oregon blog. And stay tuned to our blog & enews for updates and opportunities to get involved! read on