Southern (Carolina) Pride - Spartanburg's First

by ENC intern Hillary Waugh

With all of the recent media attention focusing on South Carolina’s governor, I wanted to take the opportunity to share some exciting, albeit less scandalous, news regarding our neighbors to the South. This past weekend, Spartanburg, South Carolina hosted their first Pride march. I attended the event to help conduct interviews of those present for a dissertation project (not my own) and was absolutely floored by the experience.

The march, held June 20, 2009, began at the Unitarian Universalist church, weaving through downtown, before returning to the church’s grounds for the festival, which included speakers, musicians, and vendors. Many folks I spoke with were amazed by the turnout, with an estimated 400 people participating in the march. Several participants mentioned being apprehensive to be a part of the march, saying that they were unsure about whether they would be met with violence on the part of protestors.

As far as I saw, the protestors, of whom there were an estimated 300, did not resort to physical acts to deter participants. Protestors were relegated to the sidewalks, where they held sometimes clever, often religiously-inspired signs condemning the march and LGBT individuals in general.

One of the things I found most interesting was that many of the people who organized and participated in the day’s events identify as straight allies. Throughout my conversations, a lot of them said that they did this to work toward social justice and civil rights for the LGBT community, and also because they were more able to do so without risking their livelihoods. It was an incredible show of support, and reminded me once again of the necessity for straight allies.

While the tension between participants and protestors was palpable, the day was celebratory and joyful in nature. The event itself successfully increased LGBT visibility and was a huge step for residents of South Carolina’s Upstate.

Many kudos to Upstate Pride, the group behind the march, as well as to the hundreds of LGBT and ally participants who made their presence known. Plans are already underway for next year’s march. I hope that this is just the first of many successful Pride events in Spartanburg, and that it helps to create a more inclusive climate for LGBT individuals in the region.

Equality in the News: June 20 - 26, 2009

As you have probably already heard, the School Violence Prevention Act PASSED on Tuesday by one vote in the House! This is, as you can probably guess, incredible news for young people in North Carolina and a victory for the LGBT community. This is the first LGBT-inclusive bill to be signed into NC state law and our state becomes the only one in the South to include gender identity in a protective law. What a profound accomplishment.

We must also mention that the Healthy Youth Act passed the Senate 25-21. Though not the original, stronger version, this bill is a great first step in equipping our young people with knowledge to make informed decisions when it comes to sex. More on that below.

We also wanted to say a quick 'thank you' to our talented volunteer and supporter, Daniel Wiggins, who designed the flashy new logo for each week's "In the News" installment.

Without further ado - here's the really good news:

School Violence Prevention Act

• First things first, please take a look at this awesome inside scoop on how the bill got passed, written by our Executive Director and legislative rockstar, Ian Palmquist.
• News14, our state's 24-hour news channel, has an article and video on the bill's success, featuring Ian Palmquist and a great ally, Linda Griffin, who's son will be more protected as a result of the bill's passage.
• After the first vote, the News & Observer ran a front page banner headline Tuesday: "House votes to protect gay kids." The article's failure to make clear the bill protects against all bullying wasn't too helpful as we fought to keep votes for the final vote Tuesday.
  
• As we've seen through the process of trying to get this bill passed, personal stories are of utmost importance in convincing weary legislators of the need for this legislation. Check out the Charlotte Observer's take on our victory, and be sure to read on about Mark James, a student who felt the effects of bullying.
• Greensboro's News & Record mentions how we join only 11 other states with similar protections for making all students safer.
• The Hickory Daily Record was quick to provide an editorial of support of the SVPA after it passed - better late than never!
• Coverage was all over the state - from Western, NC, at GoBlueRidge.net, who noted the bullying bill's success to Eastern NC, where the Rocky Mount Telegram shares news of the win (and a bit about the Healthy Youth Act).
• Our friends at Q-Notes, who graciously helped us spread the word and gain support when the bill was in trouble, has great coverage of the bill and the debate at Monday and Tuesday's votes. They also discuss what's going on with the Healthy Youth Act.
• The Human Rights Campaign's Back Story Blog congratulated us on the landmark victory this week.
  
• GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, applauded our efforts on their official website. GLSEN is the leading national organization advocating for safe schools for LGBT students.
• Awesome blog Feministing mentions our victory with a personal story.
  
• 365Gay, an LGBT-blog, also picked up the story and dished just a little bit on the right-wing effort to get harsh, violent punishments incorporated in the bill.
  
• OutImpact of Wilmington has an awesome article which includes a list of how the Representatives voted. See if your legislator supports protecting all students!
• The work continues - though this is a huge victory, it's also a chance for the misinformed to spread misconceptions and lies. Take, for example, the Beaufort Observer's online edition, which posted an article (editorial?) on the bullying bill. Keep those letters to the editor coming - especially to combat false "reporting" like this!
• We can't forget to mention Pam's House Blend and her coverage of the SVPA. She has brought so much attention and awareness about this bill, and we must thank her for her advocacy and support!
  
• Last week, before the bill was passed, there were ridiculous attempts of connecting being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to being a pedophile, incestuous, or any other number of sexual disorders. As we all know, this fundamentally isn't true and it's outrageous that our lawmakers can make such false claims. Check out the Progressive Pulse's awesome categorical debunking of every one of those falsehoods.
• Last, and certainly not least, we urge you to read IndyWeek's transcript of the eloquent speech in support of the School Violence Prevention Act from Wake County Rep. Darren Jackson.

On a personal note - I attended the second reading and vote and watched the debate, and it was absolutely stunning to see the strong advocates in support of this bill in action - advocates like Rep. Haire, Rep. Cotham, Rep. Adams (my very own), Rep. Parmon, and of course, Rep. Glazier (and on the Senate side - Sen. Julia Boseman). Their words inspired me and made me feel like LGBT people indeed have thoughtful supporters in Raleigh. I've sent my legislators a thank you for their support - you can look yours up too and either thank them, or press them for real answers as to why they didn't support this important bill.

Healthy Youth Act

• The Fayetteville Observer has an extensive article about the Sex-Ed bill's success in the Senate on Tuesday, and an article ahead of yesterday's House vote.
• Asheville's Citizen-Times also features a story on the Healthy Youth Act's final passage and a quote from supportive legislator Susan Fisher.
• The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the bill is ready to be signed by Gov. Perdue.
  
• WRAL has an editorial in support of more choices for parents when it comes to their child's sex-eductaion.

Other news...

• Just wanted to mention briefly that Equality NC received 3 awards from Q-Notes' reader-decided "QList" - best of the Carolinas awards. Find out what we won. Congratulations to Ian, and Board Members Addison Ore and Mike Nelson for their awards, as well!

Phew! I knew it was going to be a busy week when victory was declared on Tuesday - and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Enjoy your weekend!

On a personal note - It has been an honor working with the small, dedicated and powerful staff of Equality NC to get this bill passed. It's also been an eye-opening journey as I traveled across the state, gathering and listening to stories of people who have felt the affects of bullying. I know that this victory will be seen for years to come in the halls of schools in North Carolina - all of which just got a little bit safer. Congratulations, Equality NC!

Charlotte Area -- Take Action! Don't Be Left 'Speechless'

I recently spoke with one of ENC's supporters - a straight ally, yay, you rock! - about the recent airing of a misleading, antigay infomercial that was shown in the Charlotte TV market a couple of days ago.

"Speechless: Silencing the Christians," was produced by the American Family Association (one of those groups who give Christians a bad, bad, bad name) and it's chock full of venom and lies against LGBT folk.

You can see the whole awful, inflammatory, defamatory video over on Pam's House Blend.

glaadBLOG also caught this and has some great information on it.

If you live in an area served by WJZY, the CW affiliate for the Charlotte area, then I urge you to contact them to complain about the show. (Obviously it's better if you've seen some of it!) It was broadcast this past Saturday night from 9-10 pm.

WJZY-TV (The CW)- Charlotte, North Carolina

Joe Heaton, Programming Manager
(704) 944-3340
jheaton@wjzy.com

Will Davis
Vice President and General Manager
(704) 944-3305

The company's standard line is "It's a paid airtime slot, and groups with a different viewpoint are welcome to produce their own video and buy airtime." (Of course, if this video talked about Jews, or Muslims, or African-Americans the same way it talks about gay folks, I daresay the TV station wouldn't be quite as sanguine about it. The fact that it's a screed against a segment of their viewers should be enough.)

When you contact them, be polite but firm. Let them know that you object to their programming choice because it's hatemongering and that you are concerned that an out-of-state group is trying to foster an environment of hostility and fear in your community. Your opinion will be noted.

Then let them know you plan to share your POV and concerns with some of their advertisers.

And then do it.

And then write a letter to the editor of your local paper.

It's all about the benjamins. If you create any kind of stir around their ad revenues, they'll think twice before showing programs that attack a portion of their viewing populace.

If Heather has two mommies, what happens on Father's Day?

This exact question came up recently in the Triangle Families online discussion group. (This is a Yahoo group for gay parents and their kids and allies around the NC Triangle area.) One women's kid's teacher asked which mother should get the Father's Day gift they made in class.

Now, it sounds like the teacher was well intentioned and was sincerely trying to understand the best way to handle things and be respectful of the child and family. Unfortunately, it also sounds like the teacher went about it in the worst way possible, i.e., along the lines of "which of you is the husband?"

If you're a gay parent, you've been in this situation, in one way or another. This is yet another way that our difference makes life just a bit harder for us.

The thing that I thought was most interesting about the online and offline discussions that took place around this issue, though, was the variety of ways different families handled this.

Now, basically everyone agreed that talking to the teacher - and laying the groundwork ahead of time whenever possible - is good. (It's always best to be open and matter-of-fact, and to invite questions, discussion, and communication.)

As it turns out, some lesbian couples did, in fact, have one partner get Father's Day presents and the other get Mother's Day gifts. Ditto for gay male couples. Some gay male couples asked for two gifts on Father's Day and nothing on Mother's Day. (Some asked that Mother's Day gifts go to a grandmother or an aunt or the teacher.)

This discussion also brought up the variety of families, gay and straight, that exist. In addition to the usual (to us!) two-mom or two-dad families, you also have the single parent, the time-sharing parents and their respective spouse/partner, the multiple step-parents, the foster parents and bio-parents, the former foster parents, the bio-mom who's still involved after the open adoption, etc.

This isn't just an issue for LGBT families - this is an issue for any family that's different from the mainstream. The more awareness we have about the diversity of all families, the better.

[For the record, for our Father's Day, Kid gave us each a little rock with google eyes made up to look like each of us, i.e., Craig's had yarn for hair and mine was bald. Awww! It was sooo cute and touching! He's my heart! Also, I continue to love his grade-school teachers for their thoughtfulness. And on Mother's Day he made something for Grams.

That's how we handle it, but each family is different. Regardless, we'd all be better off with more asking and more telling. Awareness=education=acceptance.]

Equality in the News: June 12 - June 19, 2009

It's been a tumultuous week for Equality! Nationally, President Obama has come under fire for the questionable brief regarding a federal lawsuit challenging the Defense of Marriage Act. Interestingly, he signed a memorandum this week extending some partner benefits for federal employees. A good start, but we need more.

On the local level, we've seen a lot of action with the School Violence Prevention Act and the Healthy Youth Act. Though it passed committee this week, the SVPA has come under fire from a legislator who is actively persuading other legislators to vote 'no' based on misinformation. As we've seen with the legislature - anything can and will happen, and it's up to us to keep the pressure on our representatives to vote for this important bill. E-mails are great, but personal phone calls are even better if you can - and you can look up who your legislator is and how to contact them here. Here's your weekly news roundup:

• To find out more about the School Violence Prevention Act's roller coaster ride this week, check out Q-Notes story on the events.
• The Fayetteville Observer has the story on how the bullying bill passed it's committee hearing, preparing it for the first of two votes by the House of Representatives on Monday, June 22.
  
• A big reason why we've seen votes in jeopardy this week are because of Rep. Paul Stam's irresponsible and untrue statements at the committee hearing about sexual orientation in the DSM-IV. BlueNC has a must-read about the blatant lies and how damaging they've been to the support for this bill - which, let us remind you, is supported by a strong majority of North Carolinians across party lines.
  
• Charlotte's Creative Loafing blog covers the even morereprehensible comments made by Rep. Paul Stam about same-sex parenting at the committee hearing. Seems like he's modeling his leadership style after the late, not-so-great Jesse Helms.
• OutImpact in Wilmington calls its readers to action for the School Violence Prevention Act and includes great talking points for talking to your legislators or friends about the bill.
• Raleigh's News & Observer wrote about the SVPA's progress and included an anecdote of a mother who removed her child with autism from school because educators blamed him for bullying he received. This bill is meant to protect all students!
• The Fayetteville Observer has the goods on the Healthy Youth Act action for this week. It will be voted on! Keep your calls and e-mails of support coming, folks!
  
• Speaking of allies, the Daily Tar Heel has the story about how some of our supporters organized Boomtown Live, a concert event held to benefit Equality NC. Thank you!

As we're seeing on a national level (and state level), keeping the pressure on our elected officials with impassioned voices of reason is the way to equality. It can get frustrating at times, but we urge you to keep the incredible work towards progress alive by having your voices heard until there's no need. Imagine it - a state of equality, a country where we're all treated equally. It's within our reach - just keep at it!

We look forward to giving you some great news (cross your fingers!) about the School Violence Prevention Act after its vote next week - keep the phone calls and e-mails coming! And enjoy your weekend!

Calling for Equality

Guest post from Equality NC Intern Hillary Waugh.

Today, Equality NC Fellow, Seth, and I spent the afternoon making phone calls. Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of speaking on the telephone, especially with so many other forms of technology available. However, today’s calls were important, since we were speaking with individuals associated with Equality North Carolina.

The School Violence Prevention Act (SVPA) has faced a good amount of trouble within the House of Representatives, with several representatives potentially changing their “yes” vote on the bill to a “no.” The vote count on this legislation has been close from the start, so any changes can be damaging. Since these vote changes are relatively last minute, we wanted to make sure as many supporters of the bill in these districts are aware that their representatives’ votes are on the fence.

The vote on the SVPA has been pushed back to next week, and we were tasked with getting in contact with as many people in these districts as possible. While Equality NC has been sending email messages and action letters, sometimes an even more personal form of contact can make a big impact.

Although I was initially apprehensive about cold calling those from our mailing list, I was extremely pleased with the responses we received. Everyone we spoke with either had already taken action by emailing and/or calling their representatives, or was willing to do so. Many also said they would pass the word on to their families and friends living in the area to make sure their support is heard here in Raleigh.

Nearly all of these individuals thanked us for the work we were doing, which was extremely inspiring. I thanked them in return, since showing their support of the SVPA to their representatives can do much more than any of the phone calls that Seth and I made. I am reminded that while we are doing worthwhile work here, others across the state that are inspired to take action on behalf of Equality NC do the greatest work by responding to emails and action requests, calling your legislators, and talking about issues that are important to LGBT North Carolinians.

So if you received a phone call from either Seth or myself, or have taken any action on behalf of Equality NC, thank you so much for all that you do in creating equality for all.

Boomtown Raises Local Awareness

by ENC intern Graham Hunter

Last Friday, Chapel Hill students came together to show their support for LGBT rights in the first ever Boomtown showcase. The rock and hip-hop concert, organized by college students Alison Bryan and Jonathan Gedney, was designed to spread awareness of important social issues (this year’s theme being LGBT rights) as well as promote local musical talent. Ticket sales from the concert were donated to Equality NC and Lambda Legal.

Approximately sixty individuals came out for the event, which stayed strong into the night despite some ominous lightning and hints of rain.

In addition to fund-raising, the event provided a wonderful opportunity to spread the good word about Equality NC and its efforts with the School Violence Prevention Act. Many of the people that we met had never heard of Equality NC but were very supportive to our cause. A few individuals were shocked that North Carolina did not already have such anti-bullying legislation on the books, which only goes to show the greater need for visibility and information. At the end of the night, we had a few more postcards to add to our already expansive number and hopefully a few more allies.

The Boomtown showcase was a venue by the youth, for the youth. The most rewarding part of the night was to see youth actively confronting social problems and working toward greater understanding and equality. The notion of “change” (like its conservative cousin, “maverick”) may be a hackneyed phrase by now, but I have to believe that its frequent use only highlights its necessity.

As the struggle for LGBT rights extends into the coming years, today’s youth must be willing to take up the mantle of their forebearers. The fight for tomorrow’s change starts today. Boomtown showed that a growing number of youth are becoming more involved in LGBT issues and are willing to fight for that change.