U.S. House members form LGBT Equality caucus

[terrya]

I like this idea. This could help make it easier to push LGBT legislation...such as ENDA, the Matthew Shepard Act, etc, through Congress. I'm pleased that my great Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, is a part of the caucus. :-)

U.S. House Members Form First Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus

U.S. representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Barney Frank (D-Mass.) announced today the formation of the LGBT Equality Caucus. The 52-member bipartisan group, which includes two Republicans, marks the nation’s first congressional caucus with the express purpose of advancing equal rights for LGBT people, repealing discriminatory laws and educating lawmakers on gay issues. Baldwin and Frank, both openly gay, cochair the caucus.

Baldwin told The Advocate that the caucus’s primary concern this session is “to educate and prepare for major legislative victories” once a supportive commander in chief steps in the White House. Specifically, she referenced the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). President Bush had threatened to veto both, but neither made it to his desk.

Baldwin also noted the significance of launching the caucus with bipartisan support. “We have to have the most effective communication possible with both sides,” she said. “Our Republican charter members will be great at educating and being role models for their side of the aisle.”

The two Republican charter members are Connecticut’s Chris Shays and Florida’s Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, but others are expected to join this week. Shays agreed that forming the LGBT Equality Caucus is pivotal in educating fellow lawmakers. But he sees another reason why this particular caucus will be successful. Unlike most caucuses, which are helmed by a Republican and a Democratic cochair, “in this case, you have two cochairs who happen to be one gay and one lesbian -- individuals who have experienced the very discrimination we’re talking about.” That, he said, will show other lawmakers firsthand that being gay is not a threat to the social fabric of the country.



http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid55304.asp

[LeftCoast]

1. Whoa.

Things are really changing quickly. This is awesome news!

[MuseRider]

2. I do not see my Congress critter.

She OWES me this, she promised me she would be good to the GLBT community. She had better come through. I will do my best to get her on this, we can exert quite a lot of pressure these days because we have built our reputation up greatly.

Yay Dennis Kucinich. Would it not be nice to not have to worry about your rights with your Presidential Candidate? Too bad.

OK, I am done. Going away again. I just had to tell you we will be putting pressure to get ours on there.

[terrya]

4. Thank you.

This is a chance to put her money where her mouth is, so to speak.

:thumbsup:

[Creideiki]

6. Woohoo! Mine is there!

I apologize for consistently misspelling her name. Bad 'Dog! :spank:

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. I don't see Jim McDermott either

I would expect my representative to be there, and he isn't. I will have to contact his office and make inquiries.

Added: I just contacted Rep. McDermott's office via his contact web page, with a polite inquiry as to whether he will be joining the caucus as an active member. If anyone cares, I will post again when (if) I hear back from his staffers.

[terrya]

8. Please post when you hear from his staffers.

Jim McDermott always struck me as someone who is supportive of the LGBT community. I hope he joins the caucus.

[TechBear_Seattle]

29. I heard back from McDermott

His response:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the newly formed Congressional LGBT Caucus. I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with me on this issue.

I was added as a member of the Congressional LGBT Caucus after its launch on June 4th, which is why my membership was not reflected in the news article you referenced. Please be assured that I am committed to the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well being for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Again, thank you for contacting me. My office is always open to you.

:loveya:

[terrya]

30. Fantastic!

Good for Congressman McDermott! :thumbsup:

[MuseRider]

31. Great news!

Good job. I have not heard back yet. I will call her office next week if I do not hear back.

:applause:

[Mabus]

14. I'll call my friends too

Plus, now that I'm in the area I can go talk to her and her staff in person.

[MuseRider]

16. YAY Mabus!

I was thinking of sending this to you in case you did not see it. A personal visit would be great. Has she made any comment about the DP in Lawrence? It would be nice to have a comment from her even though she has nothing to do with it. Let her know that there was a big push to get the DP law in Lawrence over ruled and a law passed that would have prevented it anywhere in Kansas. We beat it back but it could come back next year and a comment would be very nice and her inclusion on this committee would lend her voice more weight on these issues. If nothing else she might be able to influence minds of her constituents and they might make the call to their state rep and give us a little more backing.

[Mabus]

18. I know a number of people who held fundraisers for her are GLBT supporters

I will talk to them and have them talk to Nancy. The more people we can get to call her the more impact it will have. Even better, one of my best buddy's ex-wife is coming to town this summer. I believe she is bringing her partner with her for a conference. I'll talk to him and I'll also have him talk to his ex.

Between your friends in Topeka and my friends in Lawrence we'll be hitting two of Nan's big voting bases that helped her get into office. She's got to listen to that if she wants support this fall.

[MuseRider]

23. I also used

being Vice Chair of the Kansas Equality Coalition as a strength (club). She knows she got help from people outside her district that were KEC members and she knows that is partly from my conversation with her and my advocating her position on GLBT issues back to them.

Truthfully, I think if she makes a pure decision she will sign on to this but I worry that she might make a political decision regarding her re-election and not do it.

[MNBrewer]

3. My Rep. is on the list

Keith Ellison, the first muslim to be elected to Congress.

[johnnypneumatic]

5. What's Ileana doing there, she's a rubber stamp repub

85% of the time votes with *
http://www.votetaddeo.com/index.php?src=news&srctype=detail&category=Latest%20News&refno=74

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. 7 D-N.Y

go new york!!!

[MuseRider]

10. I just sent an email

to my Congresswoman's office. I will post when I hear back. She is good about responding and I would wager she will consider joining this wonderful group although I can't say for certain that she will. I do know her heart is in the right place on a personal level on these issues but considering her constituency she is sometimes a little hesitant although I am not sure she needs to be. I will keep up the pressure and ask for more help with this.

[GodlessBiker]

11. So did I. We'll see.

[ruggerson]

12. You are consistently amazing

n/t :)

[terrya]

13. You're the best. Thank you so much.

:hug:

[MuseRider]

15. Did you post this in GD?

I think that there are many people who may not see this on the Greatest Page or may not feel free to come into this forum who would be happy to see this news and anxious to contact their Congress person.

It takes a tiny amount of time to send a note or make a call. Certainly this is important enough for most people to take that time. There is so much potential for forward movement with a group like this on the inside. I am very encouraged by this news.

[terrya]

17. No, but I'll so now. Thanks!

[Mabus]

20. I just posted the article on my facebook page

I'll follow-up by contacting my friends directly and getting them mobilized.

[JackBeck]

19. Oh boy, was I way off about Rob Andrews.

He just ran against Lautenberg for his Senate seat and got framed as a Bushie in the adverts.

Looking more closely at the Caucus, though, it's wonderful to see the diversity among the members. Another point each of us can present any time someone drags out that tired "LGBT rights have nothing in common with the fight for African American civil rights".

[terrya]

21. I agree.

The only Muslim member of the House is in that caucus.

I can think of a couple of African-American Illinois House members who could be members of that caucus...Bobby Rush and Jesse Jackson, Jr. Both have superb records on our issues.

[MNBrewer]

22. I believe that there are now two muslim members of the House now

But I could be wrong.

[MuseRider]

24. I can add

that it is very good to have Republicans involved. I have been very surprised that much of our support in Kansas comes from the moderate Republicans. Being a non partisan organization I have been able to look nonjudgmentally at the political support and I am encouraged. If we can get the Right Fundies in the minority we will be in good shape.

[MuseRider]

25. Go K&R this in GD!

Edit to add link to make it easier to find :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3401736

[MuseRider]

26. Gonna bump this up

for Monday morning.

[bigscott]

27. My email

I am not the most eloquent person out there but I sent Rep Courtney this email -
Peace


Rep Courtney: I noticed you were not yet a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. I hope this is because you just have not had the chance to sign up! I am sure you are supportive of equal rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons. I am sure you know we do not want special rights, we want EQUAL rights. And I am sure you know the only "homosexual agenda" is to be allowed to live our lives and raise our families without fear of discrimination. The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is the perfect forum for advocating equal rights for all LGBT persons!

I am looking forward to supporting your re-election in the fall.

kind regards

Scott:hi:

[terrya]

28. I think that email is perfect.

:-)

:hi: