Two LGBT actions took place Thursday, one on each coast: a rally and protest in DC against Don't Ask Don't Tell, and a San Francisco sit-in and national call-in for ENDA, the 'don't fire me for being gay' bill that is stalled in committee. Both actions are connected to GetEQUAL.org, "a movement of everyday people dedicated to full equality" that includes Will Phillips, the 10 year old boy who refuses to say the pledge until LGBT people have equal rights.
First, Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo handcuffed themselves to the White House to protest Obama's failure to act on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell:
On the west coast, GetEQUAL is holding a peaceful sit-in at Pelosi's SF office until she agrees to move ENDA forward, and supporting the protest with a nationwide call-in:
"Can you call Speaker Pelosi's office right now and demand that ENDA (HR 3017) come to the floor for a vote? 202.225.4965."
"A majority of Congress supports this bill to stop job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but promises to bring it to a vote last fall were broken several times," writes Jillian Weiss for GetEQUAL. "We have visited, called and written Congress by the thousands, and have been ignored... This 'tyrrany of the majority' must stop. Nonviolent direct action is relevant and needed and it's happening now."
"ENDA is important because studies show that LGBT workers endure high unemployment, underemployment and harassment. We have to lie and hide in order to get and keep a job. In 30 states across America, there is no law against firing someone based on his or her sexual orientation, and the same is true in 38 states for gender identity."
"Ask Police Officer Michael Carney of Springfield, Massachusetts, who testified before Congress about the harassment he had to endure in the station house before being fired. Ask Vandy Beth Glenn of Atlanta, Georgia, who told Congress about being fired from her job as a proofreader with the Georgia legislature because she is transgender. This has gone on long enough."
Shoot, ask the LGBT people in Anchorage who worked hard to get job and housing protections last year only to have Mayor Sullivan veto Ordinance 64 - his first of several unpopular vetoes. Please call Speaker Pelosi today, then join GetEQUAL:
I join with others who are ready to take bold action to demand equality for LGBTQ people. I will not accept excuses, delays, compromises, or empty promises, and I will hold accountable any person or organization who stands in the way. I will push back, rise up, and speak out against all forms of discrimination that plague our community.
"The mission at GetEQUAL is simple: to create a movement of everyday people—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and straight—who are dedicated to bringing about full legal and social equality. We believe there are millions of Americans who are tired of waiting and are ready to act. Our goal is to serve and grow this constituency by helping them take strategic, coordinated, bold action to demand equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way."
"We know it will take all of us working together to reach our goals, so we seek to create a broad and inclusive community. GetEQUAL will bring together people of every sex, gender, race, class, age, ability, look, religion, family status, or citizenship; those who can contribute in small ways, and those who are able to put themselves on the line. United, we can build a more powerful movement to demand change. We invite you to join us, and ask your friends and family to do the same."
Watch 10-year-old Will Phillips of West Fork, Arkansas, talk about how we all need to take risks and get in a little trouble if we want to achieve full equality for LGBTQ people:
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