Transgender Young Adults. And Parents.

Spread the word:

Tony Ferraiolo is co-Founder of the Jim Collins Foundation. 
He is the subject of thee film A Self-Made Man.
He is included in the New Yorker magazine profile About A Boy.

Greatness walks among us.

Dear Mr President

Dear Mr. President,

We write with deep concern over a growing trend of laws and proposed legislation targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Africa. These laws, combined with the growing public vitriol by government officials and the media, threaten to usher in an era of widespread oppression of the LGBT community in many African countries. We believe the enforcement of these laws would be a human rights abuse in violation of the standards set forth in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Already this year, both Nigeria and Uganda have enacted laws that impose harsh penalties for homosexual activity and activism on behalf of LGBT people. Despite strong opposition from the United States and many other nations, Nigeria enacted the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act in January, and one month later, Uganda’s President signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Act. In Nigeria, the legislation immediately triggered an outbreak of violent anti-gay attacks.

As you know, Uganda and Nigeria are among the countries eligible for AGOA, which has allowed for duty-free treatment of certain imports from sub-Saharan African countries since 2000. Congress passed this law with a clear intention to make the benefits of this non-reciprocal agreement contingent on these countries’ commitment to human rights. AGOA states that a country is only eligible for preferential trade status if that country “does not engage in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”

The jurisprudence in the area of international human rights supports respect of sexual orientation and gender identity as human rights. We therefore ask that your Administration review Nigeria and Uganda’s eligibility for AGOA’s trade preference and, if it is determined that those countries are not “making continual progress” in meeting the statute’s requirements, that you take steps to revoke AGOA eligibility to Nigeria and Uganda in accordance with 19 U.S. C. §2466a(a)(3). We believe that the discriminatory anti-LGBT laws in those countries represent a clear violation of human rights and hope that the interagency process charged with AGOA’s annual review will make this recommendation. We further ask that you not restore eligibility until these beneficiary countries have taken steps to eliminate harsh penalties for LGBT persons.

As the International Trade Commission (ITC) correctly stated when AGOA was first passed, “Congress never intended AGOA to be a blank check for all African countries, without regard to performance. It was meant to offer tangible incentives for African governments to improve their political and economic governance, not to underwrite poor policies.” Some of the leaders who promote the benefits of AGOA in their respective countries, including Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, are the same leaders now presiding over the deterioration of LGBT rights in Africa. By revoking AGOA eligibility, the United States will be sending a clear message that countries must choose between enjoying the benefits of AGOA and violating the human rights of LGBT individuals. We thank you for your attention to this matter and urge you to act swiftly.

Sincerely,

Christopher S. Murphy

United States Senator

Tammy Baldwin

United States Senator

Martin Heinrich

United States Senator

Richard Blumenthal

United States Senator

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator

Al Franken

United States Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand

United States Senator

Edward Markey

United States Senator

Sherrod Brown

United States Senator

Mark E. Udall

United States Senator

NoH8

No Hate? How Great!
In response to the Russian "crackdown" these photos in support of freedom of speech and lifestyle were posted:

Check out the full story here
Hat Tip to CT News Junkie, of course

PRIDE FLAG RAISED AT GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE

I am Proud to live in Connecticut.
I am Proud to have come from California.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today directed the LGBT Pride flag to be flown over the Governor’s Residence in Hartford in recognition of the Supreme Court decision to overturn the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

###

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2013

Contact: Juliet Manalan

Juliet.Manalan@ct.gov

860-524-7314 (office)

860-770-8298 (cell)

GLAD to have Met You

Thank you Lee Swislow   Dear Tessa, My friend and colleague Lee Swislow has overseen GLAD with skill, finesse, and vision since 2005. Lee Swislow will retire as GLAD's Executive Director when she turns 65 next April. Lee will celebrate her 65th birthday next April, and when she does, she will also embark on a new adventure: retirement. Lee has led GLAD to major advances in LGBT rights, from the spread of marriage equality across New England to spearheading the fight to bring down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, to winning the right of transgender people to deduct transition-related medical expenses from their taxes, to name only a few recent victories. And if you've had the opportunity to talk to Lee over the past eight years, you know that she brings incredible wisdom, patience, and passion to her role in guiding GLAD's critical work. As I work with my fellow board members to plan a thoughtful search for our next Executive Director, I am both sad to see Lee go and excited for the future. Our next leader will guide GLAD into a new era, as we attack ongoing and vitally important issues, such as transgender rights, the quality of life of LGBTQ youth and elders, ending the scourge of HIV, and so much more. I know we will find exactly the right person to lead GLAD's next phase. And with the work of our dedicated, talented staff - and your invaluable ongoing support - we will continue our strong and steady progress toward our shared goal of equal justice under law for all. Fortunately, we have several more months to benefit from Lee's stellar leadership, and ample opportunity to express our gratitude for her years of incredible service. Please join me in thanking Lee for all she's done for GLAD and for our community - and in wishing her well as she prepares for this next adventure. Sincerely,   Dianne Phillips President, Board of Directors Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders

Paid Fellowships - LGBT Organizing

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has announced a great opportunity for this summer -

Fellows receive a living expenses stipend of $500 per week. The Fellowship runs for 10 weeks, from Monday, June 10, 2013 through Friday, August 16, 2013. This year potential placement cities are New York City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland, Oregon and Washington DC.

 Love Organizing? Apply Now

"The Task Force Academy Fellowship taught me that I was capable of doing things I never imagined I could do.  I learned I had the power to help other people realize their own potential to be leaders.  If you want to learn how to build a big team of people, develop leaders, and are serious about building the power of the LGBT movement, this Fellowship is for you!"
– Anj Chaudhry, 2012 Task Force Organizing Fellow (now Lead Organizer, OutFront Minnesota)

This isn’t your average fellowship — this is your chance to create change! The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Academy Fellowship provides the first-hand real-world experience, mentoring from long-time movement organizers and leaders and the support you need to become a professional organizer.

Fellows receive a living expenses stipend of $500 per week. This summer’s Fellowship runs from June 10, 2013 through Friday, August 16, 2013. Application must be submitted by Friday April 19, 2013 — APPLY TODAY! __________________________________________________________________
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) 2013 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.