Gay & Lesbian women
Action Fund vows to continue fighting attempts to prohibit same-sex couples from securing marriage equality in California
April 24, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT:
Roberta Sklar, Communications Director
(Office)
(Cell)
rsklar@theTaskForce.org
Right-wing groups submit signatures in hopes of placing
same-sex marriage ban on November ballot
WASHINGTON, April 24 — Right-wing groups today submitted petition signatures in an attempt to place an initiative on California’s November ballot that would ban same-sex marriage. It will be several weeks before it is known whether the measure has actually qualified for the ballot. If it does, and ultimately passes, the state Constitution would be amended to ban same-sex couples from marrying in the Golden State for generations.
Statement by Rea Carey, Acting Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“This mean-spirited attack is out of touch with the ideals of most Californians, who are known for being fair-minded and respecting and valuing personal freedoms. This initiative is an affront to them, to the thousands of families who will be personally and irrevocably affected if this discriminatory amendment is enshrined in the state Constitution, and to the core American principle of fairness.
“The Task Force Action Fund is committed to ensuring this injustice does not occur, and we will continue working shoulder to shoulder with Equality for All and our other local partners to defeat this amendment if it advances.”
More about the Task Force’s work in California:
The Task Force Action Fund has been an integral partner in a coalition campaign known as Equality for All, the statewide campaign formed to defeat any anti-LGBT ballot measure in California. Together, the groups have responded to this attack by setting up offices and hiring field staff to organize an unprecedented volunteer-driven campaign to educate voters and encourage them not to sign the petitions. The Task Force Action Fund contributed significantly to the effort, including:
- Loaning its four full-time organizers based in the Task Force's California office to lead field efforts in regions around the state.
- Contributing $70,000 in cash to support the campaign's operations.
- Dedicating an additional four Task Force organizers to provide on-the-ground support in California.
The voter education effort significantly slowed down the opposition’s signature-gathering activity. In the final two weeks of the campaign, measure proponents repeatedly e-mailed their base to complain about Equality for All’s impact on their efforts.
Get involved today
The Task Force Action Fund and Equality for All are continuing to prepare to defeat the possible November initiative. To find out more about how you can help, visit Equality for All at www.equalityforall.com.
courtesy of the airforce.org
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, founded in 1974 as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. The Task Force Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund are not tax deductible.
Parenting & Family
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals pursue different paths to parenthood. Some have children through the use of reproductive technology such as donor insemination or surrogacy, while others adopt or become foster parents. Some LGBT people have children from previous heterosexual relationships. While our families deserve the same legal protections and social support granted to married opposite-sex couples and their children, they have few protections and, in some places, are even banned from adopting or becoming foster parents.
Why it Matters:
Prohibitions on same-sex marriage and a widespread lack of nondiscrimination protections leave LGBT families particularly vulnerable both economically and socially. In addition, efforts by anti-LGBT forces to ban lesbian and gay people from becoming adoptive or foster parents poses a great threat to our community. It is imperative stand against those who would deny our community the fundamental right to raise and protect our families.
Why We’re Doing:
- The Task Force’s Public Policy & Government Affairs team is working hard on Capitol Hill for federal nondiscrimination protections for our community.
- We work shoulder to shoulder with local LGBT rights advocates to pass state and local nondiscrimination laws through our trainings, fieldwork, financial support and our efforts to bolster the infrastructure of our state organizations fighting for equality for our families.
- We work with state and local activists to defeat anti-LGBT family recognition amendments.
- We provide research and talking points on parenting to counter extremist lies about our families.
What You Can Do:
Get involved! Learn how at our Activist Center.
Support the work of the Task Force.
courtesy of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Gay Rights Bill Passes Oregon HouseWednesday, April 18, 2007
SALEM, Ore. — Same-sex couples would receive the same benefits as married couples, and gays and lesbians would be protected against discrimination under bills approved Tuesday by the Oregon House.
The Senate is expected to pass the two bills and Gov. Ted Kulongoski plans to sign both. The first bill would enable same-sex couples to enter into contractual relationships that grant them the same benefits offered to married couples under state law. The bill refers to the relationships as "domestic partnerships." Oregon would join Vermont, Connecticut, California and New Jersey in offering civil unions or domestic partnerships to same-sex couples. Massachusetts allows gay couples to marry. Hawaii extends certain spousal rights to same-sex couples, along with cohabitating heterosexual pairs. The Washington Legislature last week approved a limited domestic partnership bill that's expected to be signed into law soon. A national gay rights group called the Oregon vote part of a larger movement by state lawmakers to provide recognition for gay and lesbian couples. "The country seems to be taking a fresh look at this issue," said Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry. An opponent of the bill, state Rep. Dennis Richardson, said a fairer approach would be to allow a more limited range of marriage-style benefits to two people who live together. "This bill is in fact marriage by another name," Richardson said. The other bill that passed Tuesday would ban discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people in employment, housing and access to public accommodations. If it passes, Oregon would become one of 18 states with laws banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.
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The information contained on the HealthyMinds.org Web site is not intended as, and is not, a substitute for
professional medical advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with your treating physician.
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Lesbian issues
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Women usually question whether they are heterosexual (‘straight’) or lesbian when they realise they are feeling attracted to other women. Lesbians usually say their main physical, emotional and sexual feelings are for women. Many women report they have lesbian experiences or feelings but do not think of themselves as lesbians.
There is no real explanation as to why some women are lesbians and others are not. Although there is no right or wrong answer to the question, two of the possible reasons suggested by researchers are:
How do I know if I am lesbian? There is no questionnaire or test you can complete that will tell you whether you are lesbian or not. If you are a lesbian you may:
Can you tell if a woman is a lesbian? You probably won’t know if a woman is gay until she tells you. There is no way you can tell whether a woman is a lesbian just by looking at her. The way people dress is about their personal identity, not their sexuality. Telling people you are lesbian Before you decide to come out you should consider who you will tell and what their reaction may be. Coming out is a long process. Be prepared for both positive and negative reactions. For some people, coming out is a positive step. For others, it is an unnecessary complication. Lesbian relationships The major difference between lesbian and straight relationships is that there are two women, instead of a man and a woman. Lesbian women fall in love and form committed relationships. Like all relationships, there will be both good and bad times. There are no rules you have to follow in lesbian relationships. Everyone is free to make up their own rules. Becoming sexually active Before you have sex you should make sure:
Getting further information You can get more information from:
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| You might also be interested in: Bisexuality. Emergency numbers - who to call in a crisis. Gay and lesbian issues - discrimination. Gay male issues. Want to know more? Go to More information for support groups, related links and references. This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:  (Logo links to further information)
 Last updated: February 2008 |
courtesy of Better Better health
Media educators Larry Gross and George Gerbner argue that the media participate in the "symbolic annihilation" of gays and lesbians by negatively stereotyping them (often consigning them to the margins of entertainment media, playing either "colourful" and "flamboyant" characters or dangerous psychopaths), by rarely portraying them realistically, or by not portraying them at all.
Gross and Gerbner argue that the commercial structure of the mass media limits the opportunity for representing diverse characters. Too often networks and film companies shy away from portraying gays and lesbians for fear of alienating or offending advertisers, investors, and audiences.
This section addresses the portrayal of gays and lesbians in news, advertising and entertainment media. It also examines homophobia in the media, and provides examples of gay-positive media.
