Please share this information with your friends, family and group members
Senate Bill 1250, the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment,” would write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the Pennsylvania constitution by denying them marriage rights, civil unions or other equivalents to marriage. The language of the proposed bill could even take away existing rights from unmarried straight couples.
This bill has passed the Judiciary Committee by a 10–4 vote and soon will be passed to the Appropriations Committee. Now is the time to end discrimination against GLBT families and stop SB 1250 in its tracks. Join the fight for equal status, under the law, for unmarried families and say no to SB 1250. Make your voice heard Sunday, April 27, 2008 at the Rally to Defeat Senate Bill 1250.
Held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster
538 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster
Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 2–4pm
• Hear guest speakers from Lancaster County and around the State
• Send a Red Card to your elected officials asking them to vote no on SB 1250
• Sign the petition to stop SB 1250 from moving forward
• Join the Marriage Equality Team, taking our cause directly to the Senate in Harrisburg
• Meet with local community leaders
• Learn how to set up meetings with elected officials and let them know why it’s important to vote no on SB 1250
• Join political action groups to elect officials who will oppose SB 1250
Red Card Campaign
The main focus of this event is to ask our elected officials to VOTE NO on SB 1250. Red postcards with the slogan “Equal Rights Include Marriage,” and a letter to elected officials on the back, will be available for you to sign at the rally. Postcards will be collected and delivered by the Marriage Equality Team directly to the Senate in Harrisburg.
If you would like more information on the rally, would like to volunteer or would like to be included on the speaker’s list, please visit www.rainbowrosecommunity.org or contact us at info@rainbowrosecommunity.org.
Rally sponsored by
Rainbow Rose Community – www.rainbowrosecommunity.org
Lancaster Pride 2008 – www.lancasterpride2008.org
Rainbow EqUUality Advocates – http://www.harrisburguu.org/Lay-Led/freedom2marry.asp
Central PA League of Humane Voters – www.lohvpa.org
Interweave, Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster – www.icanfixphotos.com/interweave/interweave.html
Vision of Hope Metropolitan Community Church – www.visionofhopemcc.org
Showing posts with label LGBT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LGBT. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Legacy of Matthew Shepard
Date: 04/03/2008Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Multipurpose Room, Student Memorial Center, Millersville University
Through her national speaking program, Judy Shepard shares Matthew's values of respect and dignity for others. She is determined to make a difference - to do what she can to ensure that no other parent will have to endure what she has. Judy speaks to audiences nationwide about what they can do to make their schools and communities more accepting of everyone, regardless of sex, national origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. This program has been presented to over one million people at colleges, high schools, universities, churches, businesses and symposiums worldwide.
The talk will be held in the Student Memorial Center - Multipurpose Room. It is free and open to the public.
Contact Info:
Claire Leidig
Email - clleidig@marauder.millersville.edu
Monday, March 10, 2008
Why We Oppose the Marriage Protection Amendment
Marriage Equality
Marriage is a commitment. It is about creating a family. It is also about rights and responsibilities. Marriage is about sharing, love, trust and compromise. Two adults who make this personal decision to form a life-long commitment should not be denied the right to marry the person they want to marry just because they are gay or lesbian.
Gay and lesbian Pennsylvanians are our neighbors, co-workers, and friends. They pay taxes and serve our communities. They raise children and volunteer with civic organizations. They simply desire the same rights, responsibilities and protections as all other Pennsylvanians.
Denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry will adversely impact their legal rights in pension, health insurance, hospital visitations, and inheritance that heterosexual couples enjoy.
Today we look back with disbelief that there was a time in American when we did not allow marriage between Catholics and Protestants or between blacks and whites. Unfortunately our laws continue to deny the right to marry to adults who are gay or lesbian. We should not support this kind of discrimination.
People are not being asked to change their religious beliefs and nobody is trying to force any clergy person to perform same-sex weddings. There are many things about modern society that some religious organizations do not endorse. Yet, as a society we are governed by laws and not by religious beliefs.
Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment
Same-sex couples are already denied the right to marry in Pennsylvania. This amendment is unnecessary, unwise and divisive.
With all of the problems that the Pennsylvania Senate should be addressing, it is disturbing that some of the members would spend time and resources to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to make an unnecessary pronouncement about marriage.
The proposed amendment could take away existing legal protections for committed long-term couples and their children, as well as limit other types of relationship recognition. It would also prohibit civil unions.
According to recent polling data, Pennsylvanians statewide support civil unions for lesbian and gay couples by a margin of support of 65% to 27%, or more than two to one. (November 2007, Susquehanna Polling and Research)
Marriage is a commitment. It is about creating a family. It is also about rights and responsibilities. Marriage is about sharing, love, trust and compromise. Two adults who make this personal decision to form a life-long commitment should not be denied the right to marry the person they want to marry just because they are gay or lesbian.
Gay and lesbian Pennsylvanians are our neighbors, co-workers, and friends. They pay taxes and serve our communities. They raise children and volunteer with civic organizations. They simply desire the same rights, responsibilities and protections as all other Pennsylvanians.
Denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry will adversely impact their legal rights in pension, health insurance, hospital visitations, and inheritance that heterosexual couples enjoy.
Today we look back with disbelief that there was a time in American when we did not allow marriage between Catholics and Protestants or between blacks and whites. Unfortunately our laws continue to deny the right to marry to adults who are gay or lesbian. We should not support this kind of discrimination.
People are not being asked to change their religious beliefs and nobody is trying to force any clergy person to perform same-sex weddings. There are many things about modern society that some religious organizations do not endorse. Yet, as a society we are governed by laws and not by religious beliefs.
Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment
Same-sex couples are already denied the right to marry in Pennsylvania. This amendment is unnecessary, unwise and divisive.
With all of the problems that the Pennsylvania Senate should be addressing, it is disturbing that some of the members would spend time and resources to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to make an unnecessary pronouncement about marriage.
The proposed amendment could take away existing legal protections for committed long-term couples and their children, as well as limit other types of relationship recognition. It would also prohibit civil unions.
According to recent polling data, Pennsylvanians statewide support civil unions for lesbian and gay couples by a margin of support of 65% to 27%, or more than two to one. (November 2007, Susquehanna Polling and Research)
Remarks From Stephen Glassman
Chairman of The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
My Friends:
I am deeply sorry due to a scheduling conflict not to be with you today at your rally in support of full equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pennsylvanians. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is one of the oldest and largest agencies of its kind in the nation and is charged with eradicating discrimination and bias for minorities and women throughout the Commonwealth. Our eleven Commissioners, Democrats and Republicans alike, have unanimously supported the addition of "sexual orientation and gender identity" to our state civil rights statutes for a number of years.
Currently, we are advocating for the successful passage of House Bill 1400 and Senate Bill 761 which would add these two protected classes to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act which our agency enforces. We have worked hard for the last five years under my Chairmanship to assist local jurisdictions throughout the state in establishing their own human relations commissions and to pass their own non-discrimination ordinances. We have partnered in this important initiative with Equality Advocates PA and I am proud to say that today there are 14 cities, counties, towns, and boroughs with these local laws in place including the City of Lancaster.
Now, we are under assault by a group of small minded individuals and organizations who want to further limit our rights as LGBT people by denying us the ability to legally protect our partners and our families. I am personally offended by the notion that anyone should have to suffer in silence as a second class citizen in the state of Pennsylvania while being forced to live with limited rights and restricted options. We deserve full equality, we demand full equality, and we will achieve full equality with your support and involvement. Please join our effort to amend our state non-discrimination laws and to fight this misguided attempt to amend our constitution to exclude us from full participation in the democratic process. Together, we must defeat Senate Bill 1250 by telling our elected officials that nothing less than full equality should be acceptable to anyone who claims to love Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Today, there is an insidious campaign underway to enshrine discrimination into our state constitution by denying the fundamental right to marry to LGBT Pennsylvanians. Nothing is more sacred than the right to determine one's own life partner, to publicly proclaim that love and that relationship before friends and family, and to participate in the numerous rights and responsibilities that are accorded to married persons at the state and federal level. Our very happiness depends upon our ability to love and marry the person of our choosing and to raise our children free from the fear that our relationships will not be recognized.
There is only one kind of marriage in this country whether it is for opposite sex couples, same sex couples, religiously different couples, or mixed race couples. There is no "straight marriage", "gay marriage", or "mixed marriage"; there is simply MARRIAGE. It must become a Civil Right in America to enjoy the benefits of Civil Marriage no matter who you are.
Today, here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you are standing together to say NO to bigotry and bias, YES to the recognition of our relationships, and NO WAY to the passage of Senate Bill 1250! I am with you in spirit, if not in person, and am working hard every day to ensure that fairness and equality will prevail in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for all who choose to live or travel through this beautiful state.
We WILL prevail in this struggle for equality. It may not be today, and it may not be tomorrow. But ultimately we will prevail. It is inevitable that we will win this campaign for our freedom and our rights because our cause is just, our opposition is rooted in irrational prejudice, and our very lives are hanging in the balance. In 25 years we will look back on these culture wars and wonder how we ever rationalized the denial of rights to LGBT people. That will be a wonderful time for those who live to see it. But for those of us living through this war of dueling ideologies in 2008 it feels like we are engaged in a bitter battle indeed.
This is your call to action! This is your time to get involved and speak out! This is your time to make a difference by standing up for equality and justice for LGBT Pennsylvanians by letting your legislators know that you will settle for nothing less.
My Friends:
I am deeply sorry due to a scheduling conflict not to be with you today at your rally in support of full equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pennsylvanians. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is one of the oldest and largest agencies of its kind in the nation and is charged with eradicating discrimination and bias for minorities and women throughout the Commonwealth. Our eleven Commissioners, Democrats and Republicans alike, have unanimously supported the addition of "sexual orientation and gender identity" to our state civil rights statutes for a number of years.
Currently, we are advocating for the successful passage of House Bill 1400 and Senate Bill 761 which would add these two protected classes to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act which our agency enforces. We have worked hard for the last five years under my Chairmanship to assist local jurisdictions throughout the state in establishing their own human relations commissions and to pass their own non-discrimination ordinances. We have partnered in this important initiative with Equality Advocates PA and I am proud to say that today there are 14 cities, counties, towns, and boroughs with these local laws in place including the City of Lancaster.
Now, we are under assault by a group of small minded individuals and organizations who want to further limit our rights as LGBT people by denying us the ability to legally protect our partners and our families. I am personally offended by the notion that anyone should have to suffer in silence as a second class citizen in the state of Pennsylvania while being forced to live with limited rights and restricted options. We deserve full equality, we demand full equality, and we will achieve full equality with your support and involvement. Please join our effort to amend our state non-discrimination laws and to fight this misguided attempt to amend our constitution to exclude us from full participation in the democratic process. Together, we must defeat Senate Bill 1250 by telling our elected officials that nothing less than full equality should be acceptable to anyone who claims to love Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Today, there is an insidious campaign underway to enshrine discrimination into our state constitution by denying the fundamental right to marry to LGBT Pennsylvanians. Nothing is more sacred than the right to determine one's own life partner, to publicly proclaim that love and that relationship before friends and family, and to participate in the numerous rights and responsibilities that are accorded to married persons at the state and federal level. Our very happiness depends upon our ability to love and marry the person of our choosing and to raise our children free from the fear that our relationships will not be recognized.
There is only one kind of marriage in this country whether it is for opposite sex couples, same sex couples, religiously different couples, or mixed race couples. There is no "straight marriage", "gay marriage", or "mixed marriage"; there is simply MARRIAGE. It must become a Civil Right in America to enjoy the benefits of Civil Marriage no matter who you are.
Today, here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you are standing together to say NO to bigotry and bias, YES to the recognition of our relationships, and NO WAY to the passage of Senate Bill 1250! I am with you in spirit, if not in person, and am working hard every day to ensure that fairness and equality will prevail in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for all who choose to live or travel through this beautiful state.
We WILL prevail in this struggle for equality. It may not be today, and it may not be tomorrow. But ultimately we will prevail. It is inevitable that we will win this campaign for our freedom and our rights because our cause is just, our opposition is rooted in irrational prejudice, and our very lives are hanging in the balance. In 25 years we will look back on these culture wars and wonder how we ever rationalized the denial of rights to LGBT people. That will be a wonderful time for those who live to see it. But for those of us living through this war of dueling ideologies in 2008 it feels like we are engaged in a bitter battle indeed.
This is your call to action! This is your time to get involved and speak out! This is your time to make a difference by standing up for equality and justice for LGBT Pennsylvanians by letting your legislators know that you will settle for nothing less.
How to Set-Up a Meeting with Your Legislator
The most effective way to influence your legislators is by meeting with them face-to-face!
First, you need to find out who your State Representative and State Senator is:
Click on the “Find Your Legislator” link on Equality Advocates website, http://equalitypa.org. When you enter your address, the site will provide all of your legislators’ names.
For state legislators, click on the state link and then click on the name of your state representative’s name. The next page provides their contact information.
Now that you know who represents you in Harrisburg, you need to call them to set-up a meeting to discuss either non-discrimination legislation or the Marriage Protection Amendment.
To schedule a local appointment, call the district office phone number. To schedule a capitol appointment, call the Harrisburg office. When legislators are not in session, it is usually easiest to schedule an appointment in their district office.
When you make the call, ask for your legislator’s scheduler. Be prepared to give the scheduler a bill number or the name of the legislation or issue you would like to discuss with your legislator. For example, “I would like to meet with Representative Smith to discuss supporting House Bill 1400, a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Pennsylvanians from discrimination,” or “I would like to meet with Senator Smith to discuss Senate Bill 1250, the ‘Marriage Protection Amendment.’”
The scheduler will try to find a time that is convenient for both you and the legislator. Please be flexible when you try to schedule an appointment. Legislators have many meetings and their availability may be limited – remember to be polite, but persistent about scheduling a meeting.
Prior to attending the meeting, you can review talking points on the bill which can be downloaded from the front-page of our website. If you want to discuss the meeting further, just call Jake at (215) 731-1447 ext. 14.
Good luck and remember, the legislator is your elected official and works for you!
First, you need to find out who your State Representative and State Senator is:
Click on the “Find Your Legislator” link on Equality Advocates website, http://equalitypa.org. When you enter your address, the site will provide all of your legislators’ names.
For state legislators, click on the state link and then click on the name of your state representative’s name. The next page provides their contact information.
Now that you know who represents you in Harrisburg, you need to call them to set-up a meeting to discuss either non-discrimination legislation or the Marriage Protection Amendment.
To schedule a local appointment, call the district office phone number. To schedule a capitol appointment, call the Harrisburg office. When legislators are not in session, it is usually easiest to schedule an appointment in their district office.
When you make the call, ask for your legislator’s scheduler. Be prepared to give the scheduler a bill number or the name of the legislation or issue you would like to discuss with your legislator. For example, “I would like to meet with Representative Smith to discuss supporting House Bill 1400, a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Pennsylvanians from discrimination,” or “I would like to meet with Senator Smith to discuss Senate Bill 1250, the ‘Marriage Protection Amendment.’”
The scheduler will try to find a time that is convenient for both you and the legislator. Please be flexible when you try to schedule an appointment. Legislators have many meetings and their availability may be limited – remember to be polite, but persistent about scheduling a meeting.
Prior to attending the meeting, you can review talking points on the bill which can be downloaded from the front-page of our website. If you want to discuss the meeting further, just call Jake at (215) 731-1447 ext. 14.
Good luck and remember, the legislator is your elected official and works for you!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Join us at the Marriage Amendment Rally to Defeat SB 1250
Please share this information with your friends, family and group members
Senate Bill 1250, the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment,” would write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the Pennsylvania constitution by denying them marriage rights, civil unions or other equivalents to marriage.
Join the fight for equal status, under the law, for unmarried families and say no to SB 1250. Make your voice heard Sunday, 9 March 2008 at the Marriage Amendment Rally to defeat SB 1250.
Held at the Underground Multi-purpose room at the
Lancaster County Democratic Committee Headquarters
53 North Duke Street, Lancaster
Sunday, 9 March 2008, 2–4pm
• petition signing
• letter writing campaign
• meet with local leaders
• voter registration
The main focus of this event is to ask our elected officials to VOTE NO on SB 1250. We will be collecting signed letters of opposition to the bill, and delivering them to officials. Please fill out and bring your signed letter with you to the rally. Links to find your elected officials and letter templates can be found at www.rainbowrosecommunity.org
If you plan on attending the rally, would like to volunteer for the event or would like to be included on the speaker’s list, please email info@rainbowrosecommunity.org.
www.rainbowrosecommunity.org
info@rainbowrosecommunity.org
(717) 380-1071
Information on the rally, links to information on GLBT rights, sample letters and more can be found at the web site.
Senate Bill 1250, the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment,” would write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the Pennsylvania constitution by denying them marriage rights, civil unions or other equivalents to marriage.
Join the fight for equal status, under the law, for unmarried families and say no to SB 1250. Make your voice heard Sunday, 9 March 2008 at the Marriage Amendment Rally to defeat SB 1250.
Held at the Underground Multi-purpose room at the
Lancaster County Democratic Committee Headquarters
53 North Duke Street, Lancaster
Sunday, 9 March 2008, 2–4pm
• petition signing
• letter writing campaign
• meet with local leaders
• voter registration
The main focus of this event is to ask our elected officials to VOTE NO on SB 1250. We will be collecting signed letters of opposition to the bill, and delivering them to officials. Please fill out and bring your signed letter with you to the rally. Links to find your elected officials and letter templates can be found at www.rainbowrosecommunity.org
If you plan on attending the rally, would like to volunteer for the event or would like to be included on the speaker’s list, please email info@rainbowrosecommunity.org.
www.rainbowrosecommunity.org
info@rainbowrosecommunity.org
(717) 380-1071
Information on the rally, links to information on GLBT rights, sample letters and more can be found at the web site.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Lancaster group says no to Senate Bill 1250
Will hold rally to defeat so-called ‘Marriage Protection Amendment’
Rainbow Rose Community, a local human rights group, announced plans today to hold a marriage amendment rally in opposition to Senate Bill 1250, the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment.” This amendment, sponsored by local Senators Michael Brubaker (R) and Gibson Armstrong (R), would write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the Pennsylvania constitution by denying them marriage rights, civil unions or other equivalents to marriage.
The planned event will be held at the Lancaster County Democratic Committee Headquarters, located at 53 North Duke Street, on Sunday, March 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The rally will include petition signing, a letter writing campaign, information on how to meet with local representatives and voter registration. Several speakers from the local community and statewide have been invited to talk about SB 1250 and other issues concerning GLBT rights. Among invited guests are Stephen Glassman, chairperson of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Stacy Sobel, executive director of Equality Advocates Pennsylvania; and Lois Herr, executive director of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee.
Information on the rally, links to information on GLBT rights, sample letters and more can be found at www.rainbowrosecommunity.org. Email inquiries can be sent to info@rainbowrosecommunity.org.
Rainbow Rose Community, a local human rights group, announced plans today to hold a marriage amendment rally in opposition to Senate Bill 1250, the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment.” This amendment, sponsored by local Senators Michael Brubaker (R) and Gibson Armstrong (R), would write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the Pennsylvania constitution by denying them marriage rights, civil unions or other equivalents to marriage.
The planned event will be held at the Lancaster County Democratic Committee Headquarters, located at 53 North Duke Street, on Sunday, March 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The rally will include petition signing, a letter writing campaign, information on how to meet with local representatives and voter registration. Several speakers from the local community and statewide have been invited to talk about SB 1250 and other issues concerning GLBT rights. Among invited guests are Stephen Glassman, chairperson of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Stacy Sobel, executive director of Equality Advocates Pennsylvania; and Lois Herr, executive director of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee.
Information on the rally, links to information on GLBT rights, sample letters and more can be found at www.rainbowrosecommunity.org. Email inquiries can be sent to info@rainbowrosecommunity.org.
Rainbow Rose Community: Vision and Mission Statement
Rainbow Rose Community is a non-profit {501(c)3 status pending} service organization, comprised of individuals, groups, businesses and organizations, dedicated to building safe, inclusive communities in Lancaster, York and surrounding counties.
Rainbow Rose Community exists to strengthen the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community by building a network comprising all segments of the community.
Understanding that diversity is a foundation of community and individual well-being, Rainbow Rose Community provides opportunities for positive visibility and safe environments that permit expressions of diverse perspectives, with an emphasis on acceptance and valuing individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Rainbow Rose Community strives to cooperate with support and social service agencies and programs that support the LGBT Community in Central PA and operates the Web Site www.RainbowRoseCommunity.org, a centralized resource of LGBT supportive businesses and organizations.
Rainbow Rose Community seeks to:
• create opportunities for integrating and promoting visibility for the LGBT Community;
• provide safe opportunities and venues for people to celebrate their sexual orientations and gender identities;
• foster the support and development of community groups;
• promote Human and Civil Rights;
• work against prejudice and discrimination;
• promote harmony among the community-at-large; and
• foster the economic growth of the area.
Rainbow Rose Community works toward these ends through activities such as:
• supporting an annual Lancaster Pride Arts and Entertainment Festival;
• planning and implementing a month-long series of events each October to observe GLBT History Month and Coming Out Day;
• partnering with corporations and community groups for education, outreach and other purposes;
• networking resources and information by publishing an annual resource guide, Web Site and newsletter;
• donating funds, staff and other resources to community groups or programs when possible.
Sample List of Rainbow Rose Community members
• Individuals
• Schools/Colleges/Universities
• Businesses
• Religious Affiliated Organizations
• Foundations
• Financial Organizations
Rainbow Rose Community exists to strengthen the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community by building a network comprising all segments of the community.
Understanding that diversity is a foundation of community and individual well-being, Rainbow Rose Community provides opportunities for positive visibility and safe environments that permit expressions of diverse perspectives, with an emphasis on acceptance and valuing individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Rainbow Rose Community strives to cooperate with support and social service agencies and programs that support the LGBT Community in Central PA and operates the Web Site www.RainbowRoseCommunity.org, a centralized resource of LGBT supportive businesses and organizations.
Rainbow Rose Community seeks to:
• create opportunities for integrating and promoting visibility for the LGBT Community;
• provide safe opportunities and venues for people to celebrate their sexual orientations and gender identities;
• foster the support and development of community groups;
• promote Human and Civil Rights;
• work against prejudice and discrimination;
• promote harmony among the community-at-large; and
• foster the economic growth of the area.
Rainbow Rose Community works toward these ends through activities such as:
• supporting an annual Lancaster Pride Arts and Entertainment Festival;
• planning and implementing a month-long series of events each October to observe GLBT History Month and Coming Out Day;
• partnering with corporations and community groups for education, outreach and other purposes;
• networking resources and information by publishing an annual resource guide, Web Site and newsletter;
• donating funds, staff and other resources to community groups or programs when possible.
Sample List of Rainbow Rose Community members
• Individuals
• Schools/Colleges/Universities
• Businesses
• Religious Affiliated Organizations
• Foundations
• Financial Organizations
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