HRC: CORPORATE EQUALITY INDEX
Dec 08th, 2011 03:27 PM By AdminThe following is from our friends at the Human Rights Campaign:
The Human Rights Campaign’s 2012 Corporate Equality Index chronicles a decade of progress in workplace equality. 2012 marks the first year of new more stringent criteria regarding transgender health benefits. 190 participants earned the top rating of 100 percent, evidence the CEI has helped transform the American workplace for the better over the past ten years.
The HRC’s CEI report, released each fall, provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Businesses rated 100% are recognized in our “Best Places to Work” list, and are invited to apply for the HRC Award for Workplace Equality Innovation. All consumer-oriented businesses are included in our “Buying for Equality” guide.
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- Learn more about the Corporate Equality Index
- Learn more about Workplace Discrimination
“IT’S TIME!” – A POWERFUL MARRIAGE EQUALITY VIDEO
Nov 28th, 2011 02:06 PM By AdminThe following is a powerful and poignant marriage equality video from GetUp!, an Australian equality organization:
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- Learn more about Marriage
CYNDI LAUPER & FRIENDS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS SPECIAL PRE-SALE
Oct 26th, 2011 05:13 PM By Admin
A CONCERT TO BENEFIT HOMELESS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER YOUTH
DECEMBER 4th, 2011 at NEW YORK CITY’S BEACON THEATRE
Special Appearances By: Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Lou Reed, Cassandra Wilson, Carson Kressley, Jon Secada, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming, Clay Aiken and more.
Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund, the organization behind the Give a Damn Campaign, today announced a star-studded benefit concert on December 4th at New York City’s historic Beacon Theatre to help raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness. “Home For the Holidays,” presented by Deutsche Bank, will feature a night of music from Cyndi as well as special appearances by Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Lou Reed, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Cassandra Wilson, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming and Clay Aiken.
Cyndi Lauper and the True Colors Fund are excited to extend a special pre-sale to Give a Damn Campaign members before tickets go on sale to the general public. The pre-sale runs from 10 am EST tomorrow, Thursday, October 27th until tomorrow night at 10 pm EST. The password you will need to make your purchase is DAMN.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS >>
“When I first learned that up to 40 percent of all homeless youth in this country identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender I was shocked and saddened,” says Cyndi Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund and Give a Damn Campaign. “For far too long homeless youth have not received the attention, resources and funding necessary to bring an end to this epidemic. My hope is that through this inspiring evening of music and comedy we can raise awareness and much needed funds to help these young people.”
Cyndi was inspired to help after meeting an extraordinary group of young homeless gay and transgender people several years ago. Already a longtime advocate for the LGBT community and equality, she co-founded the True Colors Fund in 2008 as a major step in this effort. Then, created the Give a Damn Campaign to raise awareness, especially among straight people, about the many issues, particularly youth homelessness, impacting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
100% of the net proceeds from “Home for the Holidays” will benefit the True Colors Fund so that Cyndi, the True Colors Fund and the Give a Damn Campaign can continue to further its work to help homeless LGBT youth.
In addition to Platinum Sponsor Deutsche Bank, other sponsors of “Home for the Holidays” include American Airlines, Creative Group and Van Gogh Vodka. Additional support is provided by the Human Rights Campaign.
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- Buy tickets to Home for the Holidays
- Learn more about Home for the Holidays
- Learn more about Youth | Homelessness
REMEMBERING MATTHEW SHEPARD
Oct 12th, 2011 02:36 PM By AdminThe following is a statement from Give a Damn Campaign founder Cyndi Lauper about the 13th Anniversary of the passing of Matthew Shepard as a result of a brutal hate crime in Laramie, WY.
Today is 13 years since Matthew Shepard’s death. His mother, father and brother, with the help of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, the Human Rights Campaign and President Barack Obama, worked tirelessly to make the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act, aka the Matthew Shepard Act, a reality in 2010. To all of them, as well as the people who worked on and supported the first True Colors Tour, all the people who contacted their senators and representatives urging them to push the hate crimes amendment through, and all of the countless others who got involved – I thank you.
I had stopped believing for a minute that anything could really change until I got involved and became inspired by people who volunteer endlessly to work for change when things aren’t right. I know we can still change the quality of life for all, for the better. Funny what I remember sometimes. I heard Judy Shepard say once that Matthew had wanted to go into to politics. I guess in a big way he did.
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- Learn more about Matthew and the Matthew Shepard Foundation
- Learn more about Hate Crimes
WHY CYNDI LAUPER GIVES A DAMN ABOUT HOMELESS YOUTH
Oct 11th, 2011 04:45 PM By AdminToday is National Coming Out Day! It is a time for all of us – straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender – to speak up about why we support equality. It is a time to let the people in your life know why you give a damn.
Give a Damn Campaign founder Cyndi Lauper wanted to share with you one of the reasons why she cares. It is an issue that has not received enough attention and resources. It is gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth experiencing homelessness.
In honor of National Coming Out Day, the Huffington Post posted an Op-Ed she wrote about why she gives a damn about helping these brave young people. Here is just the start of what she had to say:
Twenty to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, yet only 3 to 5 percent of the general population does the same. Shock was the first thing I felt when I heard this statistic, and then sadness that there are so many young people who are either thrown out of their homes or run away out of fear and despair because they are gay or transgender.
But, while the disproportionate numbers are disheartening, what really matters and makes a significant impact are the young people themselves, their struggles and their desire to live a life that they dream about and deserve to live…
Please take a moment to read her story and take action yourself. Share the post with your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter, or just forward this email, so they can get informed and get involved as well.
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- Read Cyndi’s Op-Ed
- Learn more about Youth | Homelessness
If we all join together we can make a difference.
DONATE YOUR FACEBOOK STATUS TODAY FOR NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
Oct 11th, 2011 11:21 AM By Admin
Today is National Coming Out Day!! Let the people in your life know that you are a supporter – straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender – of equality by donating your Facebook status. It is easy, our friends at the Human Rights Campaign have a very easy to use App to help you out.
Donate your Status
Share why gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality is important to you today by raising awareness on National Coming Out Day. Your courage to speak out – today and every day of the year – can spark countless conversations about equality and help change hearts and minds.
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CENSUS BUREAU RELEASES NUMBER OF SAME-SEX “MARRIED” COUPLES IN THE US
Sep 27th, 2011 04:19 PM By AdminAccording to The Washington Post:
“The Census Bureau reports there are 131,729 same-sex couples in the U.S. who say they’re married — the first-ever government count of this kind.
“The 2010 results show that about 20 percent of the estimated 646,464 gay couples in the country checked off ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ boxes on their census forms.
“The census tally of gay married couples is higher than the actual number of legal marriages, civil unions or domestic partnerships in the U.S. Gay marriage is now legal in six states and the District of Columbia, and one Census Bureau consultant put the number of legally recognized partnerships at 100,000.”
According to Bloomberg.com:
“The number of same-sex households in the U.S. rose to 646,464 in 2010, up from 594,391 a decade earlier, the U.S. Census Bureau said.”
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- Learn more about Marriage
NFL PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Sep 27th, 2011 12:24 PM By AdminAccording to the New York Daily News:
“The National Football League has formally prohibited discrimination against players based on sexual orientation, according to the new contract inked between players and owners.
“Among the additions made to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement this summer was the phrase, ’sexual orientation,’ in the section listing what owners and the NFL Player’s Association are forbidden to consider in their treatment of a player.
“The collective bargaining agreement was approved by the players Aug. 4.
“‘There will be no discrimination in any form against any player by the Management Council, any Club or by the NFLPA because of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or activity or lack of activity on behalf of the NFLPA,’ the new agreement reads, according to The Huffington Post, drawing from an earlier article by the website Wide Rights.”
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- Learn more about Workplace Discrimination
PARENTS OF JAMEY RODEMEYER INTERVIEWED ON TODAY
Sep 27th, 2011 12:02 PM By AdminThis morning, the parents of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, who recently took his life as a result of anti-gay bullying, were interviewed by Ann Curry on Today:
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NEW YORK CITY POLICE LOOK FOR HATE CRIME SUSPECT
Sep 26th, 2011 12:02 PM By AdminAccording to CBS News New York:
"STINKY" - SUSPECT IN HATE CRIME
“New York City police are searching for a suspect in an anti-gay sex assault and robbery in Brooklyn.
“Police say the 24-year-old victim was approached by a man who pretended to have a gun on Myrtle Avenue on Sept. 5. The suspect robbed his cell phone and asked about his sexual orientation.
“Police say the suspect berated the victim with anti-gay slurs– and then sexually assaulted him.
“The victim was taken to Woodhull Medical Center in stable condition.
“The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Julius Wright, also known as “Stinky.” Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.”
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- Learn more about Hate Crimes
