 Los Angeles Times | Larry Johnson's father: Son's use of gay slur is unacceptable USA Today Larry Johnson's father said he was angry and shocked by his son's use of gay slurs with reporters inside the Chiefs locker room on Monday. ... Chiefs' Larry Johnson apologizes for gay slur Chiefs Bar Johnson for a Gay Slur Gay Rights Group Welcomes Larry Johnson Apology |
 Washington Post | In Aftermath of Prop 8, San Francisco Fights for Gay Marriage in Maine San Francisco Chronicle ... across the country as it could on Tuesday night and urged San Francisco residents to support its efforts to defeat a state measure to end gay marriage. ... Focus of Gay-Marriage Fight Is Maine Gay marriage law draws warning in Maine Group Funding Gay Marriage Repeal Campaign Loses Court Fight |
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 The Associated Press | Obama signs Hate Crimes Bill â€" First LGBT legislation passed on Federal level Examiner.com This marks the first time that we as a nation have explicitly protected the LGBT community in the law. And this law sends a loud message that perpetrators ... LGBT March at White House Tomorrow The Federal Hate Crimes Act and Texas President Barack Obama Signs Hate Crimes Legislation Into Law |
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GLBT History Month Icon For October 27th: Yves Saint Laurent Just Out Noted internationally for blurring traditional gender roles in fashion, designer Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) emerges today as yet another formidable GLBT ... |
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Steve Rothaus MiamiHerald.com The demonstration is organized by Equality Forum, a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. ... Steve Rothaus |
Statement by PFLAG National Executive Directory Jody M. Huckaby
Dear PFLAG Family & Friends,
Thanks to you and thousands of other dedicated activists, today marks a historic event for our LGBT loved ones, as President Obama has signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. I was proud to represent you at the White House earlier today to mark the first federal law ever that includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories.
This law represents a victory more than ten years in the making, and would never have happened without the commitment, outreach, and support of PFLAG members and friends like you, who are at the heart of all that we do. Along with Judy, Dennis, and Logan Shepard, many other families were on hand at the signing to remember the LGBT loved ones who inspired this law and to stand together against violence motivated by hate.
We know that this expanded hate crimes law is a tremendous step forward, but it is only a single step and there are many more to take. We are not resting on this victory. In fact, PFLAG is already working hard to continue moving equality forward, focusing on upcoming legislative priorities such as passing ENDA and repealing DOMA and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
I hope each of you will celebrate today’s victory and then support PFLAG as we move onward, toward the next victory in our commitment to moving equality forward.
Sincerely,
Jody M. Huckaby
PFLAG National Executive Director
The Advocate is reporting that President Barack Obama will sign the hate-crimes measure into law today at 2:30 p.m. and will host a White House reception to commemorate the law's enactment at 6:05 p.m.
At the signing the president will be joined in the Rose Garden by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, members of Congress, and relatives of Matthew Shepard (his mother and father, Judy and Dennis, and his brother, Logan) and James Byrd Jr. (his sisters Betty Byrd Boatner and Louvon Harris), fris), for whom the hate-crimes measure is named.
Later on Wednesday, the president will hold a reception in the East Room of the White House beginning about 6:05 p.m. to commemorate the enactment of the hate-crimes law. Attending will be Atty. Gen. Eric Holder and a broad spectrum of civil rights leaders, including LGBT advocates.
President Obama is expected to deliver brief remarks at both events.
At the signing the president will be joined in the Rose Garden by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, members of Congress, and relatives of Matthew Shepard (his mother and father, Judy and Dennis, and his brother, Logan) and James Byrd Jr. (his sisters Betty Byrd Boatner and Louvon Harris), fris), for whom the hate-crimes measure is named.
Later on Wednesday, the president will hold a reception in the East Room of the White House beginning about 6:05 p.m. to commemorate the enactment of the hate-crimes law. Attending will be Atty. Gen. Eric Holder and a broad spectrum of civil rights leaders, including LGBT advocates.
President Obama is expected to deliver brief remarks at both events.
Annette Gross, PFLAG Indianapolis
Today's guest post comes to us from Annette Gross [pictured, above] of PFLAG Indianapolis.On October 11, 2009, I had the opportunity to attend the March for Equality in Washington, D.C. When I first heard about the March, I knew I had to be a part of this historical coming-together of GLBT people and straight allies.
The night before the March, I attended the National PFLAG Board Meeting. After the meeting was over, we adjourned to a bar in the hotel to watch President Obama speak at the HRC Dinner. Much to our surprise, President Obama spoke about the formation of PFLAG. Along with Jody Huckaby, PFLAG Executive Director, we huddled around the TV and cheered as the president spoke about the good work of our organization.
Sunday proved to be a lovely, sunny day, perfect for marching. Along with Janet Fox from Silver Spring, Maryland and Judi Egbert from Muncie, Indiana, we took the train to D.C. While on the train, we saw other people riding to the March. There was a party atmosphere on the train and I felt that I was part of something historic.
We didn’t know how many people would attend. As we ascended up to street level, we saw thousands of people waiting to march. We had to look for the “purple balloons†â€" t â€" this is where we would meet our fellow PFLAG parents. I met parents from D.C. as well as from New York and Boston. Despite having to wait an hour until the March began, we chatted with these PFLAGers and took photos.
Eventually, we began to walk. I had never been in such a large gathering before. Everyone was in such a good mood and as I walked, I felt grateful to be able to show my support for my gay son and my GLBT friends. As we walked along, our route took us to the front of the White House. This was a wonderful photo opportunity. I was hoping that President Obama might be watching us. I wanted him to see the large outpouring of love and support for the GLBT community as we walked by.
Finally we reached the Capitol. My feet were aching and I just wanted to sit down. I joined other marchers who sat on the grass and on ledges. We could hear the speakers through loudspeakers. Right after we arrived at the Capitol, Judy Shepherd spoke. The first thing she did was ask the crowd to smile as she took a photo. Judy’s message was that we all have to participate and tell our stories. We need to educate ourselves and vote.
As I looked around me and saw thousands of people who came to D.C. to be part of this gathering, I was aware that despite the party atmosphere, there was a serious side to the March. I realized that when we go back home, we have to work even harder to educate our friends, families, co-workers and neighbors. We have to speak to our legislators and urge them to vote for the repeal of DOMA and DADT. We have to urge them to vote for ENDA.
There is a lot of work to do. The March was a catalyst that hopefully will energize us all. I hope that the momentum keeps going. I feel so grateful that I could be a part of this huge gathering. I feel grateful that I could march with other PFLAG parents who want equal rights for our children. Our task is not easy, but it is extremely important. I think we’re all up for it. As Lt. Dan Choi said in his speech, “Asking is over â€" we will tell. Silence is not a strategy. My plan for today and my plan tomorrow and my plan forever is to tell, is to tell, and we will tell, we will tell, we will tell.â€
-Annette Gross, PFLAG Indianapolis
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