Puerto Rico Gay Marriage Ruling

In the string of national marriage equality backlash United States District Judge Juan Pérez Gímenez recently ruled that since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States & not a state, that the historic Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision by the U.S. Supreme Court does not apply to the Commonwealth. The National LGBTQ Task Force is describing this homophobic & anti-marriage equality ruling by a Puerto Rican-based U.S. federal judge as “bizarre & controversial” to say the least. Victoria Rodriguez-Roldan, Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Justice Director stated, "Judge Pérez Gímenez's bizarre & controversial ruling runs at variance with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which has been issuing marriage licenses since the historic Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling, alongside the other states & territories of the nation. It also flies in the face of the United States Constitution & the fact that Supreme Court rulings apply to the whole of the United States & territories. We look forward to Judge Pérez Gímenez’s ruling being almost certainly overturned by the U.S. First Circuit in Boston. Of course, this judicial attempt at defying the Supreme Court could have been avoided if the Commonwealth Legislature itself had acted on the multiple bills that had been brought before it that would amend Article 68 of the Civil Code — the same-gender marriage ban — to make it compatible with Obergefell by defining marriage in a gender neutral fashion.”
For More Info: thetaskforce.org
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March Madness & LGBT Diversity

As NCAA March Madness begins Campus Pride, Soulforce & a coalition of over 80 lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender, sports, religious & youth advocacy groups have signed a letter calling on NCAA to divest from all religious-based institutions who have made Title IX requests to discriminate against LGBTQ youth. The NCAA has long held as core values a commitment to diversity & inclusion of all people regardless of sexual orientation & gender identity. Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride stated, “Religion-based bigotry is the basis for the vast majority of prejudice & discrimination LGBTQ people face, especially young people. The NCAA cannot stand for this outright discrimination among its member institutions & we urge them to take action to ensure an inclusive sports culture that is safe & fair for all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” Jordyn Sun, National Campus Organizer at Soulforce added, “As people of faith or spirit, we call upon the NCAA to act on its stated values as an LGBTQ inclusive organization & divest from these schools who are willfully & intentionally creating unsafe environments for LGBTQ students. No athlete should play sports under the specter of fear and discrimination. Instead, these schools should simply follow the law.” LGBTQ young people face high rates of harassment & violence, especially transgender youth & LGBTQ youth of color. The Title IX waiver allows campus administrators to deny transgender students admission, usage of public accommodations & protections against anti-LGBTQ actions from students & faculty all based on a student’s gender identity.
For More Info: campuspride.org
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International Women's Day 2016

International Women's Day (IWD) celebrated on March 8th was originally called International Working Women's Day & started as a Socialist political event combining the culture of many countries, primarily in Europe, especially those in the Soviet Bloc. The earliest Women’s Day observance in the USA was held on February 28th 1909 in New York organized by the Socialist Party of America in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Every year there’s a theme & this year it’s "Pledging For Parity" asking that every man & women take a pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender equality whether to help women & girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect & value difference, develop more inclusive & flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton stated, “Equal pay is not yet equal. A woman makes 77 cents on a dollar & women of color make 67 cents. We feel so passionately about this because we are not only running for office, but we each, in our own way, have lived it. We have seen it. We have understood the pain & the injustice that has come because of race, because of gender. And it's imperative that we make it very clear that each of us will address these issues.” Gloria Steinem concluded “If you say, I'm for equal pay, that's a reform. But if you say. I'm a feminist, that's a transformation of society.”
For More Info: internationalwomensday.com
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Alabama Lesbian Supreme Win

The United States Supreme Court reversed an Alabama Supreme Court decision refusing to recognize a lesbian mother’s prior adoption of her three children in Georgia. This summary reversal restores V.L. full rights as an adoptive parent. The adoptive mother, V. L. stated, “I am overjoyed that the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Alabama court decision. I have been my children’s mother in every way for their whole lives. I thought that adopting them meant that we would be able to be together always. When the Alabama court said my adoption was invalid & I wasn’t their mother, I didn’t think I could go on. The Supreme Court has done what’s right for my family.” Cathy Sakimura National Center for Lesbian Rights Family Law Director who is representing V.L. added, “The Supreme Court’s reversal of Alabama’s unprecedented decision to void an adoption from another state is a victory not only for our client but for thousands of adopted families. No adoptive parent or child should have to face the uncertainty & loss of being separated years after their adoption just because another state’s court disagrees with the law that was applied in their adoption.” In addition to the National Center for Lesbian Rights, V.L is represented by Adam Unikowsky & Paul Smith of Jenner & Block & Alabama attorneys Heather Fann of Boyd, Fernambucq, Dunn & Fann, P.C. & Traci Vella of Vella & King, Attorneys at Law.
For More Info: nclrights.org
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Black Lesbian Conference 2016

Beyond Bold & Brave is presenting the “The Evolution of Our Community” Black Lesbian Conference 2016 that takes place on March 25th and 26th in Harlem. BLC 2016 aims to unite transgender & cisgender lesbians of Black/African-descent & their allies of various ages, socio-economic, educational & life work histories. The goal of the conference is to responsibly & honestly discuss & address important issues & concerns in a respectful, welcoming & authentic environment. This is the first black lesbian conference ever to be held in Harlem & the first event of its type in New York City in over thirty years. The Conference is hosted by the Barnard Center for Research on Women (BCRW) & will open on Friday, March 25th at the Barnard’s Diana Center. The featured keynote address will be given by Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, CEO of the Joseph Addabbo Health Center in New York. Dr. Hill’s decades of pioneering LGBTQ public health work includes her appointment by Mayor David Dinkins as the first Director of the Mayor's Office for the Lesbian & Gay Community, Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of HIV/AIDS at the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; and CEO of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC). The Conference will continue on Saturday, March 26th with panels & workshops on a variety of topics including: The State of our Black Lesbian Community: An Intergenerational Perspective, Black Lesbian Poets: Bringing the Political to The Page & Stage, Whole Health & Wellness For LGBTQ Transgender & Cisgender Women, What Does It Mean to Draw A Line?: Black Lesbian Separation as Respite From Oppression, Black Lesbian Community Activism: From the 70’s to Now & Black Lesbian Youth & Their Experiences With Homelessness & Gender Roles.
For More Info: alum.barnard.edu
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GLAAD To Honor Demi Lovato

GLAAD announced that multi-platinum selling recording artist Demi Lovato will be honored at their 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on April 2nd. Lovato will receive GLAAD's Vanguard Award presented to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality & acceptance. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, “Demi Lovato has consistently used her platform as a successful artist to send messages of acceptance & support to LGBT people everywhere. She is an extraordinary ally who is committed to helping young people embrace who they are & live the lives they love.” Lovato has consistently shown her commitment to LGBT youth participating as an ambassador for GLAAD's annual anti-bullying campaign Spirit Day wearing purple to show her support for LGBT youth. During a world tour Lovato recorded a message for LGBT fans in Latin America, offering support & urging bullying victims to use the resources of Todo Mejora, the It Gets Better Project's Chilean affiliate. Previous Vanguard Award honorees include Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Kristin Chenoweth, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, Antonio Banderas, Drew Barrymore, Janet Jackson & Sharon Stone. For the first time in nearly a decade the GLAAD Media Awards will be televised exclusively on Logo in a one-hour special premiering Monday, April 4 at 10PM ET/PT. The New York GLAAD Media Awards ceremony will take place May 14th at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC & OUTTAKE VOICES™ will be on the Red Carpet reporting all the celebrity dish.
For More Info & Tix: glaad.org
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San Francisco Equality Awards

Equality California will honor U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, actor & activist George Takei, businessperson & philanthropist Kathy Levinson & former San Francisco Supervisor & civic leader Bevan Dufty at the 2016 San Francisco Equality Awards for their extraordinary service to the LGBT community. The awards will take place on Saturday, April 2nd at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square. Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California stated, “House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi truly sets the standard for everything an LGBT ally should be. She was one of the first members of Congress to not just oppose LGBT discrimination, but to openly advocate for us, long before it was politically safe or expedient to support our community. She has never wavered in her advocacy for the LGBT community. The boldness of her support on the national stage has helped ease the way for the enormous progress we have made since then at every level of government. George Takei has served as an example & role model, not only for the LGBT community but for everyone seeking to live an open, engaged & authentic life. Throughout his life, George has refused to accept anything other than full equality for LGBT people, for immigrants & for all disadvantaged communities. His dignity, humor & commitment to social justice has made him one of our community’s leaders & most prominent voices. His warmth & courage are an inspiration to all of us.”
For Info & Tix: eqca.org
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