LGBT: We Demand Equality!

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Why We Need a Grassroots Movement Demanding LGBT Equality and How To Build It

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Tuesday * Dec. 8 * 7PM

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UMass Campus Center Room 803

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In most states, for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people:

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It's legal to be fired because of your sexuality or gender identity;

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Same sex marriage is illegal, and where it's allowed couples are denied over 1,000 federal benefits including immigration equality;

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LGBT people face discrimination in housing; gay men may not give blood.

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In addition LGBT people may not serve openly in the military, the largest employer in the USA.

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Come to the first Western Mass meeting of Equality Across America to find out why we need a grassroots movement demanding full federal equality and how we can build it.

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RSVP on Facebook.

Equality Across America Event Planning Meeting

Sunday * Nov. 22 * 5-6pm

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UMass Student Union 423A

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(same as last week...see directions below or call 617-851-5354)

Last week we met and founded a chapter of Equality Across America, with representatives/support from Mt. Holyoke, UMass (including GEO union members), Hampshire, Elms College, Smith, and workers in the area.

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We decided to form a chapter of EAA with two points of unity/demands:

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(1) Full federal equality for LGBT people

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(2) A principled stand against all forms of oppression

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We are planning a meeting for Dec. 8 where our goals will be to spread the word about the state of LGBT inequality, and make the case for a movement to win full equality under the law.

Please join us to get involved in planning our kick-off meeting and to share ideas for other things we should get involved with...and bring friends!!!

Western Mass. Equality Across America Founding Meeting

Sunday * Nov. 15 * 5pm

UMass - Amherst * Student Union 420a (next to WEB Dubois Library, a red brick skyscraper)

(ISO Office...enter, take a right and go up the stairs, go right down the hall, and then around the corner and we're on the left...call 617-851-5354 if you need directions)

We brought 150 people from Western Mass down to the National Equality March to demand full equality now. Since then, we've been meeting and are continuing to organize to win full equality for LGBT people.

Thousands of people around the country are doing the same thing, and it's important that we work together to learn from each other, collaborate, and grow.

Equality Across America, which was formed out of organizing for the march, is a grassroots network of activists from across the country who share one demand: full equality for LGBT people NOW! We refuse to compromise or wait, because as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "wait" almost always means "never."

The politicians aren't going to give us our rights; we need to demand them.

Several people who've been involved in the organizing so far have expressed interest in doing this, so, let's meet, officially found our chapter of Equality Across America, and plan our debut so that we can let others know we exist and encourage them to get involved!

Everyone who agrees that we need full civil equality, which includes marriage equality, an end to employment discrimination, the right to serve openly in the military, the right to give blood, and equal protection under the law is welcome!

HATE CRIMES

Come to a meeting today

Tuesday, at 7:30 PM

at Hampshire College

Franklin Patterson Hall

(take a left at the stop sign by the main entrance...follow the signs, and park in the small visitor lot nearby). We will be discussing an event to raise awareness about instances of hate, both physical and verbal, specific instances and the general climate, as a way to stand up and also to reach out...while our organizing has a focus on LGBTQ oppression and equality, we are looking to make connections with others facing similar issues. I hope to see you there! RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=200988401250&index=1

EMERGENCY ACTION

***Protest Maine's Repeal of Same-sex Marriage***

***TODAY, Wednesday 11/4/09, 6pm***

***City Hall, Main Street, Northampton***


Voters, in a mid-term election on November 3 in Maine overturned same-sex marriage.

This is a defeat, but I hope that we can turn our frustration and anger into the determination necessary to continue to organize for full equality on the federal level, which would make votes like these irrelevant.

We should be firm in the just demand that a slim majority of voters (and given turnout of 50% or so, that's just 25% of eligible voters) should not be able to strip a minority group of their rights.

No state has the right to deny its citizens equality, and we can and must press for full civil equality for LGBT people on the federal level.

I am reminded of a line from the letter Joe Hill, the great labor songwriter and member of the Industrial Workers of the World, wrote to this comrade Big Bill Haywood shortly before he was executed in 1915 for a crime he didn't commit, in an attempt by the state of Utah to silence his powerful voice for liberation:

"Don't waste any time in mourning. Organize..."

Despite this setback in Maine, history remains on our side; we must not give up, but keep moving forward.

Pam H, a local fighter for equality, has called a protest at Northampton City Hall at 6pm tonight. We will will be there, and I encourage all of you to come out as well. Now is not the time to mourn this in isolation; it is the time to come together, share our outrage, and talk about the next steps on the road to federal equality.

Next Meeting 11/3/09 * 7:30PM

Teach-in/Barney Frank Protest Planning

Tuesday * Nov. 3 * 7:30PM

UMass Student Union * Dukes Room

Join us for a meeting as we continue to plan a teach-in and work out details for our protest of Barney Frank to demand that he stands for full equality!

To get to the Dukes Room, enter the Student Union through the main entrance and go straight. Take a left down the corridor just before the Ballroom, and you'll find the room there.

RSVP on Facebook.

Join our group on Facebook.