During Equality California's (EQCA's) Los Angeles Awards Dinner, I had an opportunity to listen to award winner Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) speak, and had a brief opportunity to sit down with her.
When I arrived at the dinner, her name was very familiar, but I just couldn't place it. But when she was introduced, and then spoke, I was a bit taken aback with awe.
I don't get taken aback with awe very much in my life anymore, so it's a big deal to me when I do. Tears actually welled up in my eyes when I realized who she was, and why her name was familiar to me. So let me tell you why I knew her name.
California Assemblymember John Perez (D-Los Angeles/46th District) introduced Rep. Chu. He reminded us that in 2002, Rep. Chu introduced AB 2651, the Foster Youth: Sexual Orientation and Religious Affiliation bill. 
First the religious right labeled the bill the "Homosexual Foster Care Bill," later to rename it the "Transsexual Foster Care Bill." Governor Gray Davis (D-CA) vetoed the bill, Assemblymember Perez told us, because then Assemblymember Chu wouldn't remove transgender youth
The Foster Youth Anti-Discrimination Act was reintroduced in 2003 as AB 458. Transgender youth were included, and Gov. Davis signed that bill, in what folk like me perceived to be because he was pandering to the LGBT community -- due to the then pending recall against him.
The point I took away from that fight, back then, was that our Democratic Assembly -- especially Assemblymember Judy Chu -- would not leave anyone behind. And, the people she would not leave behind were lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who likely would never have an opportunity to vote to reelect her to the State Assembly. As a trans woman, I was sure -- am sure -- she wouldn't leave anyone behind.
Now, as of July 16th, she is a California Congresswoman, representing the 32nd District. She is the first Chinese-American Woman ever to serve in Congress, winning a special election for the seat.
In her acceptance speech for the EQCA Award, Congresswoman Chu (D-CA32) mentioned hate crimes. She drew the parallel between Kenny Chiu and Matthew Sheppard:
Kenny Chiu was a 17 year old Taiwanese American who was stabbed to death 26 times in the driveway of his own home by his neo-nazi neighbor just for being Asian American. Matthew Shepherd was only 21 years old when he was dragged from a bar, beaten, tied to a split-rail fence like a scarecrow and left to die in the cold of the night--- just for being gay.I cannot fight for the civil rights of one group without fighting for the civil rights of the other. Things will not change until people stand up and say strongly and unflinchingly that we will not tolerate making anybody in this state a second class citizen.
It was moving.
This is where I get to talk about what a horrible interviewer I was that night. I had a chance to interview her after she received the award, 
and frankly I spent my time that I had to interview her to fawn over her...to tell her how much I appreciated her work for transgender people and transgender youth when she was an Assemblymember.
In my one serious question for Rep. Chu, I asked what message she would want to share with the Pam's House Blend audience. She told me two things. One was that she that didn't have a federal hate crime law (Matthew Sheppard Act) and an employment non-discrimination law (ENDA) that included lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people to be "ridiculous" to her, and that she planned to continuetinue to fight for the rights of all people.
I don't doubt it for a minute.
Honestly, I can't thank Equality California enough for honoring California's newest congresswoman. Congresswoman Chu is a politician of whom I can say -- with genuine heartfelt feeling -- so deserved the recognition she received this past weekend.
Photographs of Congresswoman Judy Chu and Autumn Sandeen by Karen Ocamb of In/Frontiers Magazine.
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Further Reading:
* The Advocate: Gala Raises Cash, Awards Equality Heroes
More info and a copy of the draft resolution are below the fold.
The resolution would also have the city manager examine ways of encouraging companies seeking economic development loans, tax breaks or other incentives to have non-discrimination policies and offer domestic partner benefits to their employees. Council Member Morrison told the Austin American Statesman that this could be done by asking such companies about any domestic partner benefits program of policies they have on their application, but disregarding the response to that question when making a decision upon the application. The manager would also be required to report back to the council with suggestio ns for monitoring companies for compliance with the non-discrimination policies. The new rules would only affect contracts valued at $50,000 or more, the threshold for contract approval by the city council.
Morrison and Spelman also wants to provide help to companies that need to write such a policy in order to comply with the changes. Under the resolution, the city will come up with a model non-discrimination policy that companies can adopt. Said Morrison, "If anyone needs help putting one together we can certainly help them with that."
The resolution, as submitted to the council is as follows:
WHEREAS, the state and federal government do not currently provide protections against discrimination against an individual based on sexual orientation or gender identity; andWHEREAS, it is a value of the City of Austin to be an open and inclusive city for all of its citizens, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)LGBT); and
WHEREAS, in 1992, the City of Austin passed an Ordinance creating Chapter 7-4, now codified as Chapter 5-4 (Discrimination in Employment by City Contractors) of the City Code to prohibit discrimination in employment by City Contractors, including discrimination against an individual based on sexual orientation or gender identity (added in Ord. 20040610-7); and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2006, City of Austin voters amended the City Charter to allow domestic partner benefits for City employees; and
WHEREAS, the City encourages and wants to attract companies that provide non-discrimination policies that include both sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as provide domestic partner benefits to their LGBT employees and their families; and
WHEREAS, in 1992 the Austin City Council also passed an ordinance declaring that it is the policy of the City to provide opportunity for each person to obtain employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability, and the Human Resources Department is currently reviewing the City's personnel policies and other internal guidelines, including the City's Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination statements; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN:
That the City Manager is directed to amend the City's Standard Terms and Conditions used in competitive procurements required by state law: (1) to require a copy of the contractor's employment non-discrimination policy when applying for City contracting opportunities and (2) to specify that non-compliance with Chapter 5-4 will terminate a contract and may hinder a contractor's eligibility for future contracts until deemed compliant with Chapter 5-4.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
To assist contractors with this administrative change, the City Manager shall prepare a model non-discriminatory policy for use by City contractors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the City Manager is directed to review and amend all economic development loan programs and incentives, such as the Economic Development Business Information Forms, to encourage Domestic Partner benefits and non-discrimination policies including sexual orientation and gender identity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
The City Manager is directed to review the City's current compliance processes related to contractor non-discrimination and report back to council on changes that would ensure more effective compliance monitoring.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
The City Manager is directed to report to council on the Human Resources Department's review of the City's personnel policies and other internal guidelines related to non-discrimination for sexual orientation and gender identity.
news links on the proposal:
Austin Business Journal: City of Austin considers giving more teeth to non-discrimination policy
News 8 Austin: City could toughen nondiscrimination requirement
Austin American-Statesman: City may require contractors to prove they have nondiscrimination policy
It's been a rough couple of years for South Carolinians: Their governor disappeared for a week then admitted to an affair that he wouldn't shut up about, one of their senators quoted Steve Urkel while trying to make a serious political point, their representative to the Miss Teen USA contest gave the dumbest answer in pageant history, one of their GOP activist compared Michelle Obama to a gorilla, and now they've become the poster children for sex with horses.
When: August 22nd from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Where: Cascades Gateway Park in Salem
BRO Staff iateway Park in Salem
BRO Staff in Attendence: Juan
www.GayTalkRadio.org
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