Date: Mon, 8 Mar 99 20:29:08 -0500 From: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Subject: Op-Ed: Action with a Capital "A" ********************************************** NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE OPINION EDITORIAL Contact: Tracey Conaty, Communications Director 202-332-6483 ext. 3303 800-757-6476 pager tconaty@ngltf.org 2320 17TH Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-2702 http://www.ngltf.org ********************************************** WASHINGTON, DC---March 3, 1999-----The following is an opinion-editorial written by Kerry Lobel, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. This month's commentary about Equality Begins at Home, a week of actions during March 21-27, 1999 to highlight a national campaign to strengthen and unite the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities at the state level. For more information or a complete listing of the events of that week, please visit the web site at http://www.equalitybeginsathome.org. ACTION WITH A CAPITAL "A" Where will you be during the week of March 21 - 27, 1999? Will you be in Springfield or Sacramento? Cheyenne or Columbus? Jefferson City or Jackson? Austin or Albany? Boise or Birmingham? In just a matter of days, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in every state, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, will gather in their state capitals for an unprecedented display of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) visibility. With our friends and allies, we'll change America's political landscape forever and we'll reflect the reality that for the movement for social change, equality really does begin at home. The Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Statewide Political Organizations and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have planned the campaign, Equality Begins at Home from March 21 - 27, 1999. Over 250 events ranging from lobby days to prayer breakfasts to youth rallies are designed to put a face on our community. Never will we have gathered with so much force on so many fronts to build political infrastructure and to build momentum for change. And that change is going to happen in Columbia, Harrisburg, Trenton, Nashville, Hartford, and Lansing. Many of us have never been to our state capital. Some would be hard pressed to name the capitals of their neighboring states. Yet every day, decisions are made by legislators, governors, attorneys general, and other officials that affect our very lives. Most Americans live in states that allow discrimination based on sexual orientation, ban same-gender consensual sex, and do not consider violence against us a hate crime. Many states ban same-gender marriage, even though it is not legal in any state. More and more young people find their school groups and clubs the target of right-wing legislators whom understand the power that gay-straight alliances hold. Nearly every issue facing the GLBT movement today is played out in town councils, county boards, state legislatures and ballot measures. The decisions are made in Dover, Frankfort, Helena, Annapolis, Pierre, and Augusta. Our movement is growing stronger and more people are involved in their communities than ever before. This growth has brought many challenges. Today we find ourselves at the brink of making important decisions that will forever affect our futures. That's why during the week of March 21 - 27, I will be traveling with my NGLTF colleagues to state capitals across the country to participate in Equality Begins at Home. For some of us, the week provides an opportunity to plan an event for our workplace or house of worship. In increasing numbers, Equality Begins at Home affords us the choice of speaking out for ourselves for the first time. Our families, our colleagues, our friends, and our communities change their views about gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people when they come to know us. We know that our views of our own world change when we come to know ourselves as fully whole and authentic people. So where will you be during the week of March 21 - 27, 1999? Join me, my NGLTF colleagues, and our collective family in Oklahoma City, Olympia, Little Rock, Lincoln, Salem, San Juan, Trenton, and Tallahassee. I'll see you there! -30- _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.