|
feature
MOBILISE!
We are all activists and progress depends on us
Published Thursday, 19-Aug-2010 in issue 1182
It has been a long two weeks for most of us who were hoping that maybe this time we would end the month with the same fundamental rights as all other citizens. Unfortunately that is not what happened. However, it will. While our patience wears thin it is hard to understand, since Prop 8 is unconstitutional, why we have to wait any longer than we already have. Ten years, with a possible three more to go! This has become beyond ridiculous! So what can we as a community do to learn from this and how can we take this rage and hurt and move in a positive direction. I’ll tell you how - we can become closer as a community, regroup and become active participants for our rights.
This does not mean that we have to go out of our way that much or spend money and time we might not have in this tough economy. Every single one of us has something to offer to each other and the community. We are all activists in our own right. It takes everyone from the volunteers at The Center who set up chairs, to the loud individuals willing to lead marches in the streets, to the business man or woman who comes out to co-workers, to the gay parent or child who states that the word “faggot” or “that’s so gay” isn’t ok to say. It takes standing up when it is unfashionable to do so. It is the conversation you have with another that makes them re-think what they believe and who they are as GLBT people. While the tide is turning and our rights are closer than ever, we must all pull together and do our part. The opposition is not only determined, they are outright crazy!
We have to become more involved and organized as a community and as individuals serving that community. Whatever it is that you can do, from donating time or money or just being who you are and not hiding, you are important to the community you belong to. So, now is the time to demand, not ask for our rights. Listed are some of the best organizations who are doing everything they can to ensure GLBT rights. Some are local while others are state or national. Explore what is around you and what you can bring to the table and most importantly MOBILISE!
NOH8
On November 4 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of action within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.
The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest.
Nearly two years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 5,500 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military and law enforcement personnel, newlyweds, artists, celebrities, and many more.
The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, appearing on various local and national news programs and publications. The images are currently being used on various social networking sites to spread the message of equality, predominantly Facebook and Twitter. Eventually the images are expected to be compiled for a large-scale media campaign.
Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for Marriage Equality and anti-discrimination on a global level through an educational and interactive media campaign.
Contact
General Information:
Store / Product Question: store@noh8campaign.com
Press Inquiries:
Donations
The donations raised will be used toward the expansion and operation of the campaign. This includes bringing the campaign to other cities around the country and the future launch of our growing media arsenal across various mediums. Donations can be made at http://www.noh8campaign.com/article/donate.
Volunteer opportunities
Follow the NOH8 Campaign for open shoots. Get your picture taken in support of marriage equality and help stop the hate.
Equality California
Building a State of Equality
Since it was founded in 1998, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation.
Improving the Lives of GLBT Californians
EQCA works to achieve equality and secure legal protections for GLBT people. To improve the lives of GLBT Californians, EQCA sponsors legislation and coordinates efforts to ensure its passage, lobbies legislators and other policy makers, builds coalitions, develops community strength and empowers individuals and other organizations to engage in the political process.
Creating a Strong California
In the past decade, EQCA has successfully passed more than 60 pieces of civil rights legislation for the GLBT community – more than any other statewide GLBT organization in the nation.
Working in partnership with California’s GLBT Legislative Caucus, EQCA is committed to building a better future for all Californians by protecting youth, strengthening families and empowering communities. Each year at the Capitol, EQCA monitors thousands of bills and leads the state’s efforts to defeat legislation that could have a negative impact on GLBT Californians and their families.
Defending GLBT Rights and Protections
EQCA, on behalf of its members, is an organizational plaintiff in the historic lawsuit asking the California Supreme Court to strike down state law that bars same-gender couples from marriage. In court, EQCA has also successfully defended California’s domestic partnership laws and related state policies that have been implemented in response to EQCA-sponsored legislation
Volunteer opportunities
Phone bank, office work, door-to-door canvass, internships
Volunteer contact
San Diego Field Office
4506 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92116
Phone: 619.280.4000
Fax: 619.280.4060
Donations
Made at www.eqca.org/donate
Californians are still denied equal rights just because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Your donation will help EQCA fight for equality in the State Capitol and build support in communities across the state. Cash or gift registries are also accepted.
Freedom to Marry
Founded in 2003 by Evan Wolfson, one of America’s leading civil rights advocates and lawyers, Freedom to Marry is a non-partisan, not-for-profit 501c(3) organization.
Freedom to Marry is the leading campaign group working to win marriage nationwide. We partner with a diverse range of organizations and supporters across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from the responsibilities, protections and commitment of marriage.
Freedom to Marry is:
Building a nationwide majority for marriage by educating the public about why marriage matters.
Working to win marriage in more states by providing support and resources to state and local efforts.
Promoting nationwide progress by empowering supporters – regardless of sexual orientation – to take effective action.
Freedom to Marry fills four principal roles in the marriage movement. They are a: catalyst driving the national debate on the freedom to marry.
They have a grassroots network of activists building support for marriage online and on the ground. There is a strategy and messaging center providing support to local, state, and national allies in addition to a funding engine helping to fuel the marriage movement nationwide.
Donations
Donations can be made at www.freedomtomarry.org. Help build a majority for marriage. Your donation will help fund the work they do every day to make marriage equality a reality in America.
Take Action
Sign the Pledge and help build a Majority for Marriage: Sign your name to the Freedom to Marry pledge supporting marriage rights for all Americans.
Ask Your Elected Officials to Stand Up for Marriage
Your elected officials need to know that their constituents insist on Marriage Equality for all Americans. Use this simple tool to send a letter to your elected officials urging them to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act.
Donate
Make a secure contribution to Freedom to Marry. Your donation will be used to fund the research and fieldwork we do all over the country to help make marriage equality a reality.
Start a Conversation
Starting conversations with friends or family members is perhaps the most important thing you can do to help build a Majority for Marriage. Use this tool to spread the word about how important the Freedom to Marry is, and share it on Facebook and Twitter.
Share Your Story
Whether you have legally married or still don’t have the right to in your state - stand up and share your personal story with the Freedom to Marry community.
Contact
Freedom to Marry, Main Office
116 West 23rd St, Ste 500
New York, NY 10011
phone: 212.851.8418
fax: 646.375.2069
Harvey Milk Foundation
Harvey and Our Vision
Harvey Milk’s dream for a better tomorrow filled with the hope for equality and a world without hate guides the Foundation. Harvey Milk’s ground breaking election in 1978 as one of the world’s first openly gay elected officials-and its most visible one- symbolized the freedom to live life with authenticity to millions of GLBT women and men around the world.
Harvey served less than a year in public office before his brutal assassination but his life profoundly changed a city, state, nation and a global community. His courage, passion and sense of justice rocked a country and stirred the very core of a put down and pushed out community, bringing forward new hope and a new vision of freedom.
As a start up not-for-profit organization, the program goals are large and bold and are to empower local, regional, national and global organizations to fully realize the power of Harvey Milks story, style and collaborative relationship building. The Foundation, through Harvey’s dream for a just tomorrow, envisions governments that celebrate the rich and universally empowering diversity of humanity, where all individuals – gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, the young, the disabled – all who had been excluded can fully participate in all societal rights without exception.
Harvey’s inspiring life has been the subject and inspiration for Academy award wining films (1984 The Times of Harvey Milk and 2009 Milk), operas, and books including children’s books, plays, music, awards, proclamations and starting in 2010, an annual official governmental day of recognition.
Harvey showed us all what one person, standing up loudly and clearly, against a fierce societal fear and prejudice can accomplish. He created a rich and vivid message of hope and an enduring dream, teaching us how to create our own and leaving them for us to realize.
Mission and foundation history
The Harvey B. Milk Foundation was established by Harvey’s nephew Stuart Milk, who like Harvey has chosen to speak out as an openly gay advocate for not only the GLBT community but the collective communities of people who remain marginalized or diminished by inequality in the law as well as societal inequality. Although Stuart was just 17 years old when his uncle was assassinated in public office, he has continued to spread around the globe the conversations, stories and messages that Harvey shared with him.
In discussions held with the family and close Harvey allies including Harvey’s campaign manger and political aide -Anne Kronenberg, the concept of the Milk Foundation was born. Harvey believed broad public education and dialogue was paramount to his life’s work as a civil rights leader and, as if riding on Harvey’s shoulders, the Milk Foundation seeks to inspire individuals, communities and organizations to carry on his values in a timeless vision for a better world.
From targeted scholarship programs to supporting cross cultural discussions; from working to harmonize and share best advocacy practices on a global level to Harvey’s very unique but critical focus on building a foundation for societal change through face to face conversation with communities that have traditionally opposed GLBT equality. The foundation works to realize a dream that Harvey began and that is up to all of us to create.
Stuart Milk has worked diligently to bring forward the story of his uncle, successfully collaborating with Milk day legislation sponsors Senator Leno and the California Statewide Equality Organization, EQCA, to have every May 22 permanently celebrated as Harvey Milk Recognition Day throughout California. In giving Stuart the 2009 Equality Champion Award, EQCA Director Geoff Kors said, “no one represents the legacy of Harvey Milk better then his nephew who worked tirelessly to personally get the support needed from Ambassadors, Senators, Democrats and Republicans- resulting in having the Milk Day bill being signed into law”.
Stuart Milk along with Anne Kronenberg, have traveled to nearly every corner of the world spreading Harvey’s struggle for justice, equality, and civil rights. The vital work of the Foundation Harvey inspired, like his life story, is resonating stronger each day around the globe, bringing us that much closer to the dream of full un-qualified equality.
For more information visit:
The Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
Ever since its founding in 1980, HRC has led the way in promoting fairness for GLBT Americans. HRC’s board has long been one of the top forces behind the organization’s success.
The Human Rights Campaign’s staff works tirelessly to ensure progress toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.
Volunteering opportunities
Volunteering with HRC begins and ends with one person—you! When you volunteer with HRC, you help educate the public about critical issues, mobilize your community to take action, expand the voice and visibility of the GLBT community, help to change hearts and minds and bolster a nationwide effort to end hate and discrimination.
Take the next step! Contact the HRC volunteer team, locally in San Diego, to learn about ways you can get involved. Visit: http://sandiego.hrc.org/contact
The San Diego Democratic Club
A Chapter of National Stonewall Democrats
The mission of the San Diego Democratic Club is to secure for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people the equal human rights guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution of the United States; to foster the ideals of the Democratic Party; to contribute to the Party’s growth and influence.
The San Diego Democratic Club supports the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) families in the life of San Diego, of the State of California, and of every state in the nation. They are committed to leading the fight to end discrimination on the basis real or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, and gender identity or its expression.
Volunteer opportunities
For more information on volunteering for the San Diego Democratic Club please visit:http://www.sddemoclub.org/?page=volunteer
The Center San Diego
The mission of The San Diego GLBT Community Center is to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and HIV communities by providing activities, programs, and services that:
* Create community,
* Empower community members,
* Provide essential resources,
* Advocate for civil and human rights, and
* Embrace, promote and support our cultural diversity.
Volunteering opportunities
Make a real difference in your community. Volunteer at The Center! There are so many ways to get involved you are sure to find a volunteer position that’s right for you.
|
|
Copyright © 2003-2025 Uptown Publications
