FEMA not allowed to aid gay families. Donate 2 Hurricane Katrina LGBT Fund

[Ian David]

Katrina Delivers Second Blow To Gay Families
by Fidel Ortega 365Gay.com Miami Bureau

Posted: September 1, 2005 5:00 pm ET

(Dallas, Texas) Recovering from the devastation of hurricane Katrina may be particularly difficult for same-sex couples who are not recognized in any of the three states directly hit by the storm or in those states where refugees have fled.

Louisiana has a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and prevents the state from recognizing any legal status for common-law relationships, domestic partnerships or civil unions. Mississippi and Alabama both have defense of marriage acts which also deny rights to gay and lesbian couples.

The Federal Defense of Marriage Act prevents FEMA from providing any relief in the form of family benefits to same-sex couples.

The laws also will directly impact gay and lesbian families where one partner has died as a result of the hurricane.

Federal DOMA bars Social Security survivor benefits. State benefits would also be denied.

More:
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/09/090105nolaGay.htm




YOU CAN HELP LGBT FAMILIES AND YOUTH IMPACTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA

Dear Family Pride Members and Supporters,

In Hurricane Katrina, Mother Nature provided an awesome reminder of her power, and the power of the indomitable spirit of our fellow Americans.

The complete destruction of cities, towns and neighborhoods in the poorest states in our union, and the complete loss of everything for so many, is almost unfathomable. I’m sure you’re aware that thousands of families have absolutely nothing to go home to and hundreds more people are still looking for their families.

We are awed and humbled by the spirit of community that has emerged in our country in countless ways over the past few days; and we honor the courage and hope shown by so many who are still suffering.

In the face of their strength – now is the time to act.

In partnership with many organizations around the country, the Family Pride Coalition and our partners have launched the “Hurricane Katrina LGBT Relief Fund” to ensure that LGBT youth and families, among the most vulnerable members of our community, receive the critical support they need to regain stability in their lives.

The next few days are critical. No amount is too small to make a difference.

Outstanding national partners are working together to support this effort and are listed below. More groups are joining all the time.

You can invest in this life-saving effort right now at http://www.nyacyouth.org/.

Contributions to the fund are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed under law and will support humanitarian relief for LGBTQ youth and families from the devastated areas. These funds will be distributed directly to local organizations in the best position to ensure strategic and high-impact disbursement of the emergency funds.

As a first step, on Tues., Sept. 6 the Houston Area Teen Coalition of Homosexuals (H.A.T.C.H.) and Montrose Counseling Center will host one of a series of special support groups for the refugees to help them manage their stress, grief and fear.

Find out more about the impact of your gift in the coming weeks on a new blog on the NYAC website. Thank you for your investment today in protecting and restoring the lives of LGBTQ families and young people.

We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS (more are being added)

Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)
http://www.colage.org

Equality Federation
http://www.federationlgbt.org

Family Pride Coalition
http://www.familypride.org

Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization
http://www.mautnerproject.org

National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Centers (NALGBTCC)
http://www.lgbtcenters.org

National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)
http://www.nbjcoalition.org

National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
http://www.nctequality.org

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP)
http://www.ncavp.org

National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)
http://www.nyacyouth.org

The Family Pride Coalition is the only national non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to securing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents and their families.

By becoming a member of the Family Pride Coalition you have the opportunity to dramatically affect the lives of LGBT parents and their families. Please join the Family Pride Coalition today by filling out our online membership form by clicking http://www.familypride.org/joinus.htm.

[katsy]

1. Is this for fucking real??

What fucking century do I live in?

What fucking country am I in?

This is unbelievable. Thanks 4 the links. I'm going to email your news to cnn.

[Ian David]

2. Here's another couple of agencies that are helping

Also consider donating to:
Secular Humanist Aid and Relief Effort

An urgent memo from Paul Kurtz, Chairman of the Center for Inquiry:

Please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Donate today!

We are deeply distressed by the terrible tragedy caused by Hurricane Katrina. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and many are without power or water. Unknown numbers of people remain trapped in New Orleans, and emergency response teams are overwhelmed. The Center for Inquiry and its affiliated organizations have launched an initiative to raise charitable funds for the area. We encourage all humanists, skeptics and rationalists to step forward and make a contribution through SHARE, the Secular Humanist Aid and Relief Effort.

All donations to SHARE from this campaign will go to AmeriCares for the benefit of victims of Hurricane Katrina. AmeriCares is a nonprofit aid and relief organization that coordinates distribution of medical supplies in response to natural disasters and for long-term humanitarian assistance programs. AmeriCares maintains stocks of emergency medical supplies and works with corporate donors to get needed supplies to disaster areas. They provide blankets, disaster relief supplies, vaccines, diapers, water purifers, tents, food, and other emergency items. AmeriCares also has an extremely low overhead, so donations go directly to help those in need.

More:
https://secure.ga3.org/05/donate_to_help_katrina_victims


Humanists support disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

You may opt to have 5% of your donation go toward the creation of the Humanist Charities. All contributions are tax deductible.

Please fill in the following information to make a contribution to Hurricane Katrina relief and the creation of Humanist Charities.

If you wish to participate in this program, you can donate online through the AHA�s form on this page.

Go to:
https://www.americanhumanist.org/secure/humanistcharities.php


The American Humanist Association
http://www.americanhumanist.org/about /

[Boomer]

3. Rainbow Relief

http://www.rainbowrelief.org/index.php

I just posted a spare room available. Our local job opportunities so we could help someone get back on their feet.

[sakabatou]

4. Discrimination in recovery? WTF?!