Yes on K8; Comedienne Kate Clinton

Listen up as Equality Arizona Radio recalls their favorite moments with comedienne and friend Kate Clinton. Including never before released insight from Kate! Click here to listen now. Don’t forget Kate is stopping into Phoenix Saturday, November 7th on her Yes on K8 tour! Click here to purchase tickets!

History in the Making

As President Obama today signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the following 29 organizations issued this joint statement:

History in the Making

It took much too long, more than a decade. And it came at too great a price: the brutal killings of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. are just two among the thousands of crimes motivated by hate and bigotry.

But this week, the president put pen to paper and fulfilled a campaign promise, the signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, extending the federal hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity along with race, religion, gender, national origin and disability. Our deepest hope and strong belief is that this new law will save lives. Now, lawmakers and the president have made an imperative statement to the country and the world: Our nation will no longer tolerate hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

We have worked long and hard for this and its passage is historic.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there are nearly 8,000 hate crime-related incidents annually, and more than 1,200 of those incidents involve violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And even more alarming, while the overall occurrence of hate crimes is declining nationally, hate crimes against LGBT people have been increasing. This year alone, we saw hate crimes trials in the brutal killings of two transgender women, Angie Zapata and Lateisha Green.

As a result of this legislation, if local jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Justice Department can now step in. And that’s why the LGBT community never stopped working for this historic day.

This legislation not only has practical value, but is a symbol of our progress. It is the first time in the nation’s history that Congress has passed explicit protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We could not have reached this moment without the powerful support of our allies who stood with us every step of the way. We are deeply grateful to civil rights, civic, faith and disability rights groups, as well as law enforcement and district attorney organizations that worked side by side with the LGBT advocates. We are equally thankful to Congress, President Obama and members of his administration for passing and signing this bill into law.

While today we celebrate this marker of progress, we must recognize it as only one of the building blocks to full equality and demand that it be just a first step toward equal treatment under federal law in all areas of our lives. And we must focus on the next step.

The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act provides us with an opportunity. We must use this moment to educate and keep the momentum going so that we can continue to make progress on the local, state and federal levels. Yes, legislation takes a long time — often years of work. Yet, our community is on the cusp of passing much-needed protections.

This week, we call upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, families and allies to take this opportunity of increased media and public attention on hate crimes to educate co-workers, classmates, neighbors, family members and friends about our lives, and about why we need not only their friendship and love, but their vocal support for a more just and equal America for LGBT people. If your members of Congress voted in support of hate crimes legislation, call them and thank them. Then ask them to be there for us again when the vote turns to workplace nondiscrimination, military service and partnership rights.

With your help and our collective pressure, equality is within reach.

When talking about the need for hate crimes legislation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “The time for debate is over.”

She was right.

Just as the time has finally come for stronger hate crime protections, it is also time to pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and ensure that health care, economic policy and immigration reform incorporate the needs of LGBT people.

The time for debate is over.

Signed by: Jo Kenny, AFL-CIO Pride at Work, Terry Stone, Centerlink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Gabe Javier, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA, Toni Broaddus, Equality Federation*, Jennifer Chrisler, Family Equality Council, Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry, Lee Swislow, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Rebecca Allison, M.D., Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, Chuck Wolfe, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Eliza Byard, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Marjorie Hill, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign, Rachel Tiven, Immigration Equality, Earl Fowlkes, International Federation of Black Prides, Kevin M. Cathcart, Lambda Legal, Leslie Calman, Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization, Sharon Lettman, National Black Justice Coalition, Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality, Justin Nelson, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Rea Carey, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Paul Kawata, National Minority AIDS Council, Kyle Bailey, National Stonewall Democrats, Greg Varnum, National Youth Advocacy Coalition, Sharon Stapel, New York Anti-Violence Project, Jody Michael Huckaby, PFLAG National, Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Michael Adams, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

*Equality Arizona is a proud member of the Equality Federation and are proud of all the individuals and organizations involved.

The Kinsey Sicks

The Kinsey Sicks has built a reputation for being America’s Favorite Dragapella Quartet with their a cappella singing, sharp satire and over-the-top drag. They have performed at performing arts centers, music venues and comedy festivals in over forty states in the fifteen years they have been around. They have performed in all venues including the legendary Studio 54 in New York with their Off-Broadway Hit “DRAGAPELLA! Starring the Kinsey Sicks.” From movies to recordings to television there isn’t much the Kinsey Sicks hasn’t done. 

“The Kinsey Sicks will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart. These four musicians-actors-writers-composers-drag queens are wickedly gay, and man, can they sing! Completely a capella, their material is intelligent and scathingly funny. Their lyrical parodies of well known songs will have you rolling … geniously hilarious … excellent original tunes … brilliant. With their impeccable timing, precise harmonies, and cultural savvy, the Kinseys represent fabulous, satirical queer humor at its finest.”
In Los Angeles Magazine

The Kinsey Sicks was accidentally discovered in 1993 while attending a Bette Midler concert in San Francisco. A group of friends got all dolled up as the Andrews Sisters with the assumption that they would be among many other drag queens. Upon arrival they quickly realized aside from Bette there they were the only queens in the place. After being approached to perform at an upcoming event, and realizing they all actually in fact had backgrounds in music, The Kinsey Sicks was formed.

The founders of the Kinsey Sicks have experience that passes well beyond the world of female impersonators. Ben Schatz, performing as Rachel, is a civil rights lawyer from Harvard University authored Clinton’s HIV policy and was creator of the first ever national AIDS legal project. He also served as a presidential advisor on HIV issues as well as the Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. Irwin Keller, performing as Winnie, another lawyer as well as linguist out of the University of Chicago authored the city’s gay rights ordinance passed in 1989 and was a director of the AIDS Legal Referral Panel of the San Francisco Bay Area. Their newly joined and talented members Jeff Manabat started performing with the group in 2004 as Trixie in 2004 and Spencer Brown joined in 2008 as Trampolina.

Equality Arizona is proud to announce the Kinsey Sicks are coming to Arizona. Friday, September 25^th the residents of Phoenix, Arizona will be able to experience the amazing performances put on by the Kinsey Sicks at The Chandler Center for the Performing Arts! Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Equality Arizona and Human Rights Campaign applaud Mayor Bob Jackson and the City of Casa Grande for issuing a LGBT Supportive Proclamation

Casa Grande, AZ- Equality Arizona and Human Rights Campaign applaud Mayor Bob Jackson and the City of Casa Grande for issuing a Proclamation in support of National Coming Out Day October 11, 2009.

“We are proud to support the work of Equality Arizona’s Casa Grande Equality Team as they create a strong partnership with the City of Casa Grande,” said Barbara McCullough-Jones, Executive Director of Equality Arizona.  “By developing meaningful relationships with elected officials in their home town, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and allies from all walks are creating a safer Arizona for our community to live, work and visit.”

“We are thrilled that the City of Casa Grande, AZ is recognizing the importance of coming out.  The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is stronger when we can safely be open and honest about our lives, and when we are supported by our elected officials and neighbors. We encourage members the Casa Grande LGBT community and their allies to celebrate this Declaration by talking to your family and friends about the importance of equality and fairness for our community,” said HRC president Joe Solmonese.

The Proclamation states, “educating our community about the diversity of our City is essential to overcoming stigma and discrimination; …we recognize the value of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people that live, work and play in our city as essential to sound economic growth”

“The City of Casa Grande realizes it is in the best interest of all of our citizens to celebrate the diversity of our city and is eager to continue working with the Casa Grande Equality Team.  The first step of this partnership is this Proclamation in support of National Coming Out Day, and we look forward to a long partnership,” said Deputy City Manager Larry Rains.

Boys R Us: Breaking Down Gender Barriers

Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn breaks down the barriers of gender roles and stereotypes with the help of Dante and Rachel, founder and marketer of hit gender performers Boys R Us. Boys R Us will be hosting the 11th annual International Drag King Community Extravaganza in Tucson, Arizona this fall! Hear about the shifting views of gender and the affect it’s having on the LGBT community and beyond. Listen now!

LGBT Seniors

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi investigates the lives of LGBT seniors with Deidra and Garen Bagdasarian of newly founded Bliss Senior Care Homes in Mesa, Arizona. Get the latest on what is changing with assisted living and the current stats on the treatment of LGBT Seniors. Also, hear what folks are saying about SAGE, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders, a segment produced by Farm House Studios.  Click here to listen!

LGBT Athletes & Sports

Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi talks with various LGBT and LGBT friendly sports teams from around the valley. Being an LGBT identified athlete makes it hard at times to participate in any mainstream sport. Hear clips from ABC News about the changing attitudes towards “out” professional athletes and the project one man has started in hopes of changing hearts and minds about LGBT teammates. Click here to listen in.

Budget or Bust!

We are hours away from the ONE deadline the Legislature is constitutionally obligated to meet. The House republicans are still in caucus about the budget.  Nothing released yet, you can watch the proceedings live at www.azleg.gov, click watch live proceedings.

Meanwhile, over in the Senate: The Senate Rules Committee rejected the measure that would refer a temporary sales-tax hike to the ballot. The 1-5 vote was a serious monkey wrench in the whole process with less than 14 hours left before the deadline to enact a budget for fiscal 2010.

In case you haven’t been following the progress until now, last night the budget bills were all re-referred from the Senate Appropriations Committee to the Senate Education Committee. This morning Republican Senators Gould, Harper and Steve Pierce all voted against the first general appropriation bill along with the one Democrat who was present, Paula Aboud, defeating the main budget bill. 

In Senate Education, the various budget bills passed along a party-line vote.  The Republicans voted in support (Senators Huppenthal, Linda Gray, Paton and Sylvia Allen).  The Democrats opposed the budget (Senators Aboud, Landrum-Taylor and Lopez).

There are still not enough Republican votes to pass the sales tax referral.  The Governor has publically stated that if the budget gets sent to her without the sales tax referral, then she will veto the entire budget package.

Please take a moment and take our survey about the Legislature.  Tell us what you think.

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=s4ZUK4PNe3i9q8Tb2Hj_2fcw_3d_3d

Phoenix City Council Voting for District 3 Replacement

The Phoenix City Council will be announcing the replacement of Councilwoman Maria Baier of District 3 by 2:00PM today. Among those being considered to fill the vacated seat until the special election in November are Mr. Jim Mapstead and Mr. Jon Altmann. Equality Arizona is staying in contact with the Phoenix Council and will release an update once a decision is made.

Homicide; Phoenix PD Looking for Witnesses

Twenty-Nine year old Steward Bryant was killed at approximately 3:43AM on Saturday, June 6^th at 4800 North 7^th Avenue in Phoenix. He was last seen at Charlie’s Bar located at 727 West Camelback Road. Police are asking for those with any information to call Silent Witness and are offering an award of up to $1,000 for any information leading up to the arrest and/or indictment of this crime. Silent Witness can be reached at 480.948.6377 or toll free at 1.800.343.TIPS. If you have any information about the Steward Bryant homicide please contact Silent Witness immediately.