Practice Spirit Do Justice Ohio Power Summit

A Leadership Training for All People of Faith
Fairlawn West, United Church of Christ, 2095 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44313
4 pm Friday, October 24 -- 4 pm Sunday, October 26
Special Clergy Session 9 am -- 3 pm, Friday, October 24                                         
                                                    
                                                   
Come and be part of an inspiring statewide community of faith to support LGBTQ inclusion! In Ohio, the state legislature will be considering a vote on statewide protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.                        

This training will prepare over 200 people of faith to make a bold impact within their congregations for LGBTQ justice; to educate people about the harms caused to LGBTQ people by discrimination; and, to ready their congregations, we'll train lay leaders and clergy how to build relationships with legislators around Ohio.

REGISTER NOW!
(http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=9oIMJSOtGgILJSNCH&s=gkJWKcNULlJSK2MKJqG&m=gqKNJ0OEKeLLL6J)                                                 

Training topics are both for people at the beginning of their welcoming journey and for those who have been on the path for a while. These include:                        

--Why is transgender justice key to an LGBTQ welcoming movement of faith?                            
 
--How can we increase our skills and knowledge about transgender people's needs in our congregations and in public life to become the best allies we can be?                            
 
--Understand and use conversations with people you know to lift up listening as a spiritual practice within individual conversations and learn how people you know feel about LGBTQ inclusion.                            
 
--Learn how to be a congregational leader and effectively develop teams of people to advance LGBTQ justice through strategic key activities including: educational conversations, visibility, letter-writing to legislators, letters to the editor, relationship building with questioning legislators and non-welcoming people of faith.                            
   
--Clergy facilitation includes media training, writing op eds, sermons about the harms caused to LGBTQ people and the need for redress and visibility.                            
 
--From idea to event: clear and effective action steps planning, including inspiring invitations.                            
 
--The Ohio Faith Council and the Equality Ohio Education Fund faith organizer will deliver a campaign update on the work toward a statewide non-discrimination law.                                                                          

Logistics:
--Our training site is Fairlawn West, United Church of Christ, 2095 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44313

--Meals provided: Friday dinner, Sat & Sun cold breakfasts and lunches

--Materials include a participator list, all training materials and a next steps work plan template

--Training fee is $100.00. Scholarships are available and we encourage you to request one.

--Request a Scholarship
(http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=chKSK1MFIjLRL2PPG&s=gkJWKcNULlJSK2MKJqG&m=gqKNJ0OEKeLLL6J)

--Gas stipends will be offered for people who request them.

--Our preferred hotel is the Holiday Inn, 4073 Medina Rd, Akron, OH 44333. The hotel is 7-10 minutes away from the training. Call Tami Mahoney, 330.666.4422 to make a reservation.

--Limited community housing will be offered, so please request that on the registration form.                        


For More Information:

Call or text Kathleen Campisano, 202-577-3139; kcampisano@thetaskforce.org.                        


Sponsoring faith organizations include:
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources, Integrity Episcopalians, More Light Presbyterians, Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ, Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation, Reconciling Ministries Network, Equality Ohio Education Fund, the Ohio Faith Council, the Overbrook Foundation, the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, and Believe OUT LOUD.                         


The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force builds the power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community from the ground up. The Task Force is the country's premier social justice organization fighting to improve the lives of LGBT people, and working to create positive, lasting change and opportunity for all. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task Force are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. (C) National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. 1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. Phone 202.393.5177. Fax 202.393.2241. TTY 202.393.2284. theTaskForce@theTaskForce.org.                                                                                                                  

                                                                
BUILD POWER     TAKE ACTION     CREATE CHANGE   
(http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fuLYLaNRKmKXJcO2E&s=gkJWKcNULlJSK2MKJqG&m=gqKNJ0OEKeLLL6J)

Message from The Task Force on Opposing ENDA

We hope by now you have seen news reports about the Task Force's decision to oppose the current version of the Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA). I walk through our reasoning in this Op-Ed in The Advocate (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=8nJHIOOpFdIEILMzD&s=bpKMLXOAIgKIJNMqElH&m=esIKKZPIKgJQIdI) and encourage you to read it.

It was not a decision we made lightly. We have appreciated hearing from so many of you through social media, phone calls and e-mails, expressing support for doing the right thing regarding ENDA's broad religious exemption.

We simply couldn't continue to endorse a piece of legislation that -- especially in the light of the Supreme Court's recent Hobby Lobby ruling -- contains a huge loophole to discriminate against LGBT employees. The overwhelming majority of people across this country believe that employers shouldn't have a free pass to discriminate. Millions of people of faith believe that discrimination is immoral. That's why we took the stand we took -- to ensure that in the end we get the protections we have fought for and deserve.

We believe LGBT people deserve the same protections modeled on the language that's in Title VII of the landmark federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. This language contains protections and a reasonable religious accommodation. Equality is equality.

Please keep sharing your feedback with us as we intensify the fight for legislation that really provides the employment protections LGBT people deserve.

My best,
Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund


PS: Read more about our decision to oppose ENDA in an Advocate Op-Ed here (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bqKNJXPBIgLKKVPMF&s=bpKMLXOAIgKIJNMqElH&m=esIKKZPIKgJQIdI).

DONATE
(http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=etITK6MNKjKQI5OZE&s=bpKMLXOAIgKIJNMqElH&m=esIKKZPIKgJQIdI)

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund builds the grassroots political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The Task Force Action Fund does this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation, and works to pass pro-LGBT legislation and other progressive initiatives. The Task Force Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to the Task Force Action Fund are not tax-deductible. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, 1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C., 20005. Phone 202.393.5177. TTY 202.393.2284.

BUILD POWER TAKE ACTION CREATE CHANGE
(http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hmKZKfNZImIWKfNcG&s=bpKMLXOAIgKIJNMqElH&m=esIKKZPIKgJQIdI)

Give Out on May 9!

Posted at http://giveout.razoo.com/giving_events/giveout13/home Reposted at
On May 9th we invite you to be part of history and participate in the 1st national Give OUT Day.

Give OUT Day is a new national initiative that will engage hundreds of organizations and mobilize thousands of people on a single day across the country to give in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer community. It is a chance for LGBTQ groups large and small, to work across the wide range of issues and activities that matter to the LGBTQ community from sports to policy change, families to the arts. It is a chance for members of the LGBTQ community and our many allies to stand up and show our support for our community together on one day. It is a chance to make history, we hope you’ll join us!

When: 24 hours starting at 12 am EST on Thursday, May 9, 2013

How: Donate online through GiveOUTDay.org to support the LGBTQ community. Just search below by group name, keyword, city or zip code. (Want to preschedule? Begin your donation now and from the section "Make this donation occur" select "On a giving day.")

Click “Receive updates and reminders” below and get all the details as planning for Give OUT Day moves forward.

If you are part of an LGBTQ organization, click “Register your nonprofit” below to claim your page on the Give OUT Day website and take advantage of this new opportunity to engage supporters.

Support Student Non-Discrimination Act

We have all seen tragic headlines like this: Student Commits Suicide over Homophobic Slurs. School Cancels Prom over Lesbian Couple. Parents of Gay Teen Say Bullying Caused Death.

Students who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are especially at risk for bullying and harassment at school. Every day, students across the country endure the devastating impacts of this kind of bullying; sinking academic performance, health risks, and dropping out.

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex, but did you know there is no federal law prohibiting LGBT discrimination in schools? You can help provide a safe learning environment for all students.

Make a call today and ask your Senators to co-sponsor an important piece of legislation, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, to prevent LGBT discrimination in K-12 public schools. It's easy. Dial (202) 224-3121 TODAY and ask to be connected to your Senators' offices.
• Hello, my name is ______ and I am calling from _______.
• Today is National Gay-Straight Alliance Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the work of Gay-Straight Alliances in schools around the country.
• 9 out of 10 LGBT students are harassed or bullied at school. Schools aren't doing enough to protect them. LGBT kids are skipping school, dropping out, and they are committing suicide.
• I am calling to ask Senator ______ to honor Gay Straight Alliance Day by co-sponsoring the Student Non-Discrimination Act.
• SNDA prohibits LGBT discrimination in schools. Right now there is no such right for LGBT students.
• Will Senator ______ co-sponsor the SNDA?
That's it! Then, call (202) 224-3121 again and ask to be connected to your other Senator's office and leave the same message.

The National Women's Law Center and our partners are participating in this important call-in day to help put a stop to discrimination for LGBT students. Please take a moment to help us today by calling (202) 224-3121. Every call is important, and every call makes a difference.

Thank you for your support!
Posted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com

We Say Gay: Tennessee kids fight bill that would prohibit discussing homosexuality in school

Cory Doctorow at 5:34 AM Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 Posted at Boing-boing, one of my favorite sites, http://www.boingboing.net/2011/04/28/we-say-gay-tennessee.html/ & reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com/

Mary Robinette Kowal sez, "Tennessee is trying to pass bill SB0049. The "Don't Say Gay" bill would prohibit speaking about homosexuality at middle schools and elementary schools, while talking about heterosexuality would be fine ('(2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no public elementary or middle school shall provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.') Kids at my nephew's high school protesting it. The bill goes to vote tomorrow."

We say gay for the students who won't be able to. This site is dedicated to fight against the Tennessee state bill SB0049 (Don't say gay bill), which would make it a misdemeanor to talk about homosexuality in grades bellow 9th. That is an obvious insult to our first amendment rights to free speech as well as it is a major blow to those young people who are shunned by their own parents for being gay and soon will not be able to talk to their school about it.

On this site we have collected some facts about the bill. We check and update the site daily or as updates about the bill come in. If you would like to sign the petition against this bill or help the fight just email me at wesaygay@gmail.com
We Say Gay (Thanks, MaryRobinette!)