HRC Back Story

Human Rights Campaign Weekly Message for October 10

Joe Solmonese — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:50:05 -0400

Good afternoon,

There’s fantastic news out of Connecticut today: the state Supreme Court has made Connecticut the third state in the nation to recognize marriage equality!

This is a very proud day for Connecticut and a very proud day for every American who believes in the promise of equal rights for all. The Connecticut Supreme Court recognized that gay and lesbian couples who form committed relationships and loving families deserve the same level of respect afforded to straight couples. The court did its job by making clear that the state constitution guarantees the same rights and protections for everyone. This decision strengthens Connecticut families. We congratulate and commend the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Love Makes a Family, which worked closely with GLAD on this case, and, of course, the courageous plaintiff couples and their families who looked to the courts to vindicate their rights. [Special thanks to Jason Kelliher, our Greater New York Steering Committe Co-Chair, for sending us this great picture of the victory rally in Connecticut.]

The victory in Connecticut is thrilling and inspiring. But now we’ve got to redouble our work to defeat Proposition 8 in California. The elections are just 25 days away, and we’re at a critical juncture in the fight to protect marriage equality there.

Marriage Fight in California

The Yes on Prop. 8 operation has kicked its hateful campaign to enshrine discrimination into California’s constitution up a notch, and it’s going to take everything we have to stop them from turning back the clock on progress.

This campaign will be won or lost in the next three and half weeks. The other side is well-funded and well-organized. They’ve got more money than the Vote No on Prop. 8/Equality for All coalition, and they’re using it to run misleading ads that have helped them pull ahead in public opinion polling. The lead we once had has vanished.

Don’t sit by and let it happen. Rise up, take action, and urge your friends and family to do the same. We should all be very afraid of what defeat in California means for our community—and we should use that fear as fuel to stand up and demand equality.

Stop what you’re doing right now and donate to the Human Rights Campaign California Marriage PAC. Times are tough for everyone right now, but, quite simply, we can’t afford to lose this.

And while you’re coming out against Proposition 8, don’t forget that Saturday is National Coming Out Day.

National Coming Out Day

To celebrate, HRC has sponsored a contest in which individuals are invited to create a short video telling the world how they will come out and vote to make a difference in the hearts and minds of their friends, family, classmates, co-workers and country.

The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. and will have the opportunity to be on my XM radio show, “The Agenda with Joe Solmonese.” The winning video will be featured on HRC’s website, YouTube channel, Facebook and MySpace pages and the HRC Back Story blog at www.HRCBackStory.org. To learn more about the contest, visit www.hrc.org/ComingOutContest.

HRC also released a National Coming Out Day awareness video featuring Perez Hilton and other prominent LGBT individuals. View the video by clicking here.

10th Anniversary of Matthew Shepard's Death

This weekend also marks a somber occasion. On Sunday, October 12th, it will be ten years since the passing of Matthew Shepard. Matthew’s brutal murder brought national attention to the issue of hate crimes against the LGBT community and inspired his mother, Judy Shepard, to become a heroic activist for federal hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. A decade later, she’s still fighting.

Earlier this week, the CBS Early Show did a story on the ten year remembrance of Matthew’s tragic death and Judy was interviewed live for the segment. You can view it here. Read an AP story on the same subject here.

HRC's Cathy Nelson: A "CNN Hero"

On a happier note, our own Vice President of Development and Membership, Cathy Nelson, has been designated with the honor of CNN Hero. Cathy was nominated by HRC’s close friend and ally in the fight for LGBT equality, the inimitable Cyndi Lauper. Cathy’s Hero video aired Thursday during Larry King Live and will air again today on CNN Headline News between 8 and 9 pm, between 10 and 11 pm, and on Saturday morning between 1-2 am. You can also watch it online here.

Cathy and Cyndi worked closely to make the True Colors tours so successful, not only in entertaining the many thousands who came to the shows, but by motivating them to participate in the political process. Cathy’s been with HRC since 1989, and I can honestly say that I don’t know what the organization would be without her vision, her passion, and her inspired point of view. Congratulations, Cathy—we love you.

Have a great weekend!

Warmly,

HRC's Cathy Nelson is recognized by Cyndi Lauper, CNN as a "hero"

Chris Johnson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:35:00 -0400

It's not every day that our Cathy Nelson, HRC's Vice President of Development and Membership, will talk to the media about her tireless, behind-the-scenes work on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign and LGBT civil rights. In fact, it would ostensibly take someone as influential as a celebrity to nudge our camera-shy Cathy out of the background and in front of a CNN news crew to talk about her vast contributions to our organization and the LGBT movement.

And yet, that's exactly what happened.

While Cathy and the rest of the HRC crew were busy making waves at the Democratic Convention in August, CNN spent a few days following Cathy around for a profile segment to air on the network's "CNN Heroes" special tribute. (CNN also spent time with Cathy here in Washington, DC) "CNN Heroes" is an opportunity for celebrities to nominate their favorite unsung heroes for public recognition - and True Colors tour headliner Cyndi Lauper picked our own Cathy Nelson (WORK, Cyndi!):

"The fact that you can actually succeed and help people -- you really get that from her," she [Cyndi Lauper] said. "People like Cathy get all of us motivated."

And people like Cathy also embody the type of no-nonsense, consistent hard work that helps keep this organization successfully operating and able to make an meaningful impact in the lives of LGBT Americans across the country.

(Not to mention, I'm a big fan of her Candace Bergen-esque classic cropped pants and loafers she sports around the office...)

Watch the CNN report on Cyndi Lauper recognizing Cathy Nelson as her hero here:

Cathy's short-version CNN segment debuted last night (Thursday) during Larry King Live. Here's the schedule of when her full segment on "CNN Heroes" will air:

CNN USA:

SATURDAY (10/11) - 11A-12P, 5-6P

HEADLINE NEWS:

FRIDAY (10/10) - 7:30-8A, 2:30-3P, 8-9P/10-11P/1-2A

CNN INTERNATIONAL:

FRIDAY (10/10) - 2A, 7A, 12P, 8P

CNN en ESPANOL:

MONDAY (10/13) - Panorama Mundial 9pm

TUESDAY (10/14) - Al Dia 7am, Nuestro Mundo 2pm, Encuentro 6pm, Directo 7pm

SUNDAY - Mirador Mundial 7pm

HRC's Family Project Director Ellen Kahn says Arkansas adoption ruling is "significant beyond words."

Chris Johnson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:05:00 -0400

NOTE FROM CHRIS: In response to the Arkansas Department of Human Services moving to change its adoption rules, HRC's Family Project Director Ellen Kahn sent us a post discussing the significance of the decision and how she is continuing to work with family advocates to open the doors of adoption for same-sex parents through HRC's All Children—All Families initiative.

*******************************************************************

The decision by Arkansas’ Department of Human Services to change the rule about placing children with “unmarried” couples is significant beyond words.

In a state where conservative political forces have tried and failed numerous times to prevent LGBT people from becoming foster or adoptive parents, the issue is perhaps finally put to rest: the people in Arkansas who are mandated to find homes for children and youth in foster care have spoken. They have echoed what we already know: there is no longer a debate about “whether” LGBT people can be good parents, or whether we “should be” parents. Rather, the guiding principle is that every child have the right to a family who will love and support them unconditionally, and there is simply no reason to close the door to any potential family on the basis on sexual orientation (and gender identity, though the child welfare profession has not yet, uniformly, embraced the idea of trans people as parents).

We honor the leaders at Arkansas’ Department of Human Services who took a public position at a pivotal moment, just weeks before Arkansans will vote on a ballot measure that would, if passed, slam the door shut to hundreds of state’s foster children who might now wait another year, or two, or more before being matched with the family that is best for them—families that include unmarried straight couple and unmarried gay and lesbian couples.

Now we must hope (and do everything possible) to educate the good people of Arkansas to vote against the ballot measure, and with the powerful and important statement from DHS, the outcome seems more likely to be the best outcome for expanding the pool of families for the kids who are waiting.

HRC’s All Children—All Families initiative aims to expand the pool of families for children by promoting fairness for LGBT foster and adoptive parents, and by helping agencies become more welcoming, supportive and culturally competent when working with our community. We are profoundly grateful to have support from some of the nation’s leading child welfare experts who see the natural intersection between the LGBT community’s pursuit of creating families and raising children, and the need to insure that those of us who pursue foster or adoptive parenting are embraced and given the same opportunities as our straight counterparts to provide a loving, permanent home to a child.

The All Children—All Families initiative has received signed pledges from 30 agencies across the U.S., including some of the largest public agencies like Los Angeles County’s Division of Adoption and Permanency, Clark County Division of Child and Family Services (Nevada) the New Jersey Division of Child and Family Services. Learn more about these and other agencies and the various paths to parenthood at www.hrc.org/parenting.

[Photo: Ellen Kahn with the All Children—All Families advisory board.]

BREAKING: Connecticut Supreme Court rules in favor of marriage equality!

Chris Johnson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:29:45 -0400

BREAKING: The Connecticut Supreme Court announced this morning at 11:30 a.m. EST that it had ruled, in the case of Kerrigan et al. v. Commissioner of Public Health et al., that civil unions place gay and lesbian couples in an "inferior status," clearing the way for gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Here's the important part from the official court ruling (PDF):

We conclude that, in light of the history of pernicious discrimination faced by
gay men and lesbians, and because the institution of marriage carries with it a status and significance that the newly created classification of civil unions does not embody, the segregation of heterosexual and homosexual couples into separate institutions constitutes a cognizable harm.

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) responded with this statement:

I disagree with today’s State Supreme Court ruling but as governor, I will uphold it. I continue to believe that marriage is the union of a man and a woman.

I also believe that the historic civil union law that I proudly signed in 2005 is equitable and just. We were the first state to enact such a law through legislative action and not a court mandate.

The Supreme Court has spoken. I do not believe their voice reflects the majority of the people of Connecticut. However, I am also firmly convinced that attempts to reverse this decision – either legislatively or by amending the state Constitution – will not meet with success. I will therefore abide by the ruling.

A statement from the Human Rights Campaign is forthcoming...

******************************

**UPDATE** - Joe Solmonese issued this statement after the decision:

This is a very proud day for Connecticut and a very proud day for every American who believes in the promise of equal rights for all.

The Connecticut Supreme Court recognized that gay and lesbian couples who form committed relationships and loving families deserve the same level of respect afforded to straight couples. The court did its job by making clear that the state constitution guarantees the same rights and protections for everyone.

This decision strengthens Connecticut families. We congratulate and commend the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Love Makes a Family, which worked closely with GLAD on this case, and, of course, the courageous plaintiff couples and their families who looked to the courts to vindicate their rights.

HRC's full press release on the Connecticut Supreme Court ruling granting marriage equality is at HRC.org.

**UPDATE #2** - Connecticut State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R) issued this statement today:

While I believe these decisions are better left to elected representatives, it is ultimately the province of the State Supreme Court to interpret our constitution. The Court carried-out that responsibility today and ruled that the institution of marriage in Connecticut must include same sex couples. Whether people agree or disagree, we all need to respect the Court’s decision and abide by the ruling.