Many of you are aware that the passage of CA's Propostion 8 on Nov. 4 ignited a firestorm of activism among members of the LGBTQ and straight allies. At this point, there is a lot of momentum toward increasing public visibility of the need for marriage equality and raising public awareness that this is a civil rights issue. To that end, JoinTheImpact.com organized nationwide protests at city halls a few weeks ago; we had 2,000-3,000 people attend here in Austin.
Now, Join The Impact is organizing a canned food drive that will specifically support faith-based food banks in cities nationwide. The goal of this is to demonstrate, in a meaningful, community-building way, that the LGBTQ community and supporters have a positive impact on our city - specifically to some folks who might still be a little skeptical.
I get really excited about initiatives that build bridges among different faith communities and other groups, so I was disappointed to see that no one had signed up to organize the Austin chapter of this effort. So... I signed up! However, we need tons of help.
- First of all, please check out the details on the national website.
- Then, join our Austin facebook page and invite anyone you think might be interested.
*** We especially need business/bars/etc. that can volunteer to put out a box for collection.
- We also need a location to store items collected until the donation day on 12/20, and someone with a truck who can help deliver on that day.
- Most of all at this stage, we need publicity! Blog, twitter, and email this to everyone you know. Once it gets off the ground, I'll be harping on all of you to donate cans - hopefully along with a small army of volunteers. :-)
Back when I was at UT, I was co-director of the (then) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, & Ally Affairs Agency of Student Government at the University of Texas at Austin (GLBTAAASGUTA). It's now the Queer Students Alliance but regardless of that, one of the ongoing issues that we tried to tackle or at least get moving again was the problem of Domestic Partner benefits at UT.
The charge has been taken up again, with a report issues to put numbers and facts to the argument.
Daily Texan: Hundreds rallied at the Texas Union Patio for the event organized by UT's Pride and Equity Faculty Staff Association, which represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender University employees. UT does not provide health care benefits to non-spousal dependents or employees with same-sex partners on the grounds that Texas law prohibits such extensions.
The association presented a 70-page report on the lack of domestic partner benefits to the administration in April, but in August, UT President William Powers and lawyers from the UT System and University told the organization they were not in a position to help employees seeking extended partner benefits
A broad coalition of administration, faculty, and political supporters were there, including the University's State Representative Elliott Naishtat.
Naishtat said that of the many rallies hosted by the GLBT community at UT that he had attended, this was the best-attended.
"In order to draw the best and brightest faculty, staff and researchers to the University of Texas and to retain and recruit them, the University has to be competitive with other colleges and universities," Naishtat said.
...
At UT, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender faculty's health care packages offer $8,000 less in compensation than packages offered to straight, married faculty, according to the report.
"They're being discriminated against simply because they aren't married," Naishtat said. "So providing equal benefits is necessary and fundamental to meeting UT's commitment to diversity."
Naishtat said a bill that will be drafted for the 2009 Texas legislative session would eliminate the legal issues that hinder UT from extending benefits.
If passed, the bill will alter the language in the section of the Texas Constitution that prohibits UT from providing benefits to same-sex partners of employees. The insurance code states that the University can only provide benefits to a dependent, whom the code defines as a spouse. Naishtat's bill will add the phrase "or other qualified individual," and UT could then define who may be included in this category of individuals.
Off the Kuff noted some highlights from the main report which just go to show how simple, cheap, and logical equality would be on this issue. Seriously, members who oppose this in the legislature need to realize that they this isn't a "values" debate about ones feelings about same sex partners, but about making Texas' flagship school and system competitive with our peer education institutions.
In 2006 the Pride and Equity Faculty/Staff Association (PEFSA) was established as a University Resource Group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees at The University of Texas at Austin. As a result of concerns regarding workplace equity for GLBT faculty and staff, a PEFSA subcommittee was formed. The committee conducted research, benchmarked peer institutions, and interviewed faculty and staff on campus. After this yearlong study, the committee produced a 70 page report containing questions and answers regarding domestic partner benefits (DPB). The following summarizes the major findings of the report and the recommendations by PEFSA to the President of UT Austin.
Findings
1. UT Austin does not provide benefits to partners of faculty and staff members unless the relationship qualifies as a "marriage" according to Texas law. The consequences are an inequity in compensation and an inherent message that domestic partners are 'less than.' As a result, UT Austin is losing faculty and staff.
Recruitment and retention: Tenured faculty and seasoned staff are leaving the University and potential hires are declining offers from UT due to the lack of benefits for Domestic Partners.
Equity: Research indicates that a married employee enjoys significantly greater overall compensation than their non-married counterpart even though both perform identical work. The estimated difference in compensation for a faculty member earning $80,000 per year is $8,108.
Diversity: Because UT Austin does not offer DBP it undermines both its own non-discrimination policy and its ability to create and foster a diverse workforce.
2. The estimated cost to UT Austin to add DPB is .0058 of the current budget amount for health insurance expenditures.
3. Although Texas has a constitutional amendment limiting the definition of marriage to one man and one woman, other universities with similar state laws offer DPB to their faculty and staff.
4. The Board of Regents is not prohibited from providing DPB and is obligated under the Texas Education Code and Texas Insurance Code to provide benefits competitive with those offered by peer institutions and businesses with whom UT competes for employees.
8 out of 10 peer institutions provide DPB
304 universities including all Ivy League schools offer DPB
After a showing of support from the community, through emails and phone calls, we have shown that the community determines "community standards." The Bryan-College Station Eagle has made the decision to publish the wedding announcement of Robles-Scroggs in the Sunday edition of the Eagle. The announcement will be on the "wedding announcements" page, and will probably be found on the right side and lower half of the page.
Paul Robles and John Scroggs of College Station, Texas, were married on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, in a small ceremony in the city courthouse located in San Francisco, California. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. James Rosenheim of Bryan, Texas, and witnessed by Ms. Ginny Lowe of Loveland, Colorado. Both Mr. Robles and Mr. Scroggs have lived in the Bryan/College Station area for nearly 20 years, both having attended and currently work for Texas A&M University. Mr. Robles is the son of Dolores Robles and the late Frank Robles of Victoria, Texas. Mr. Scroggs is the son of John W. Scroggs and Eulia Rae Scroggs of Corpus Christi, Texas.
The absolute truth is that the United States military is the only employer in the United States that is allowed to openly discriminate based on sexual orientation. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a policy that needs to be changed, and the time for change is now.
I am looking for people who would be willing to collaborate with me in an attempt to continue a project very similar to the round-up of gay rights legislative, judicial, and executive bodies on the federal, and state/provincial levels in the US, and even the rest of the world, as very comprehensively done by Bill Myers. You can see one of the latest versions of it available on the web here, courtesy of The Wayback Machine. I could especially use someone to keep track of events in Texas as they happen.
After decades of fighting for equality in the face of discrimination, the LGBT community recognizes, perhaps more profoundly than anyone, the "fierce urgency of now." We long for transformational change. We deeply desire a united country, where we can share openly and honestly with our neighbors. That is why the Houston GLBT Political Caucus is proud to join the unprecedented, diverse, hope driven coalition that is emerging across this nation to elect Senator Barack Obama President of the United States.
Despite overwhelming schedules, both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama had the humility to answer all of our tough questions, fulfilling the same process that every candidate, from precinct chair to U.S. Senator, had to complete in order to secure our endorsement. After engaging in these historic conversations, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus board has voted to endorse Barack Obama:
• Focused on Victory: Through our presidential screening process, Barack Obama and his campaign demonstrated that he's a strong campaigner with a compelling message and superior organization. As with every primary election, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus is intensely focused on victory. Our goal is to enact specific policies that include employment non-discrimination, judicial fairness for LGBT families, and marriage equality. We stand with Barack Obama because we feel he is best positioned to enable us to achieve these goals. We are confident in his ability to win the general election. The Caucus has endorsed over 40 progressive candidates in Harris County, and we believe that Barack Obama's nomination will help us win these crucial local races.
• Joining a Historic Coalition: The LGBT craves unity with our neighbors. Barack Obama has inspired young people all over this country, and we want to stand with next generation. Barack Obama has reached out to rural voters better than any progressive candidate in recent memory, and we are deeply gratified to finally join hands with our heart-land neighbors. Barack Obama has become the voice for immigrants, people of all races, workers, farmers, and the creative-class. From H.I.V. /AIDs to worker's rights, the LGBT community shares the needs and issues of minorities, people from every corner of this nation, and we trust Obama will deliver the change we all need.
• A President for Every American Family: The Caucus Screening committee had a very substantive conversation with Barack Obama. In his answers, Obama proved that he has a keen insight into LGBT issues, constitutional law, and civil rights. We know he is listening to us, and we trust that a President Obama will be a leader for all of America's families, including LGBT families.
The process of vetting and endorsing candidates is arduous and sometimes contentious, but when the GLBT community commits itself, works together, and, most importantly, when we speak out about our needs and our vision for the future of Houston, we win!
The Caucus was victorious in 16 of the 17 races in which we endorsed in the November general election and December runoff election, including the city council race for District D which encompasses the Montrose Area. Unofficial canvass reports from Harris County had Adams winning Montrose by about 800 total votes, receiving 88% of the vote in those precincts. The Caucus orchestrated an unprecedented get out the vote campaign that paid off big time. The GLBT Caucus also endorsed Jolanda Jones, At-Large 5 and James Rodriguez, District I for Houston City Council. With the election of this new generation of progressive, equality focused city leaders, the Caucus looks forward to helping Houston City Council move forward in granting equal rights to GLBT citizens.
Now that all the votes have been counted and things have turned out so well, I think we should acknowledge how important this election was for our organization. We grew this fall. Our screening committee invested a lot of time investigating the HISD bond. We took a big risk, being the first the civic organization to endorse the proposal, but our activism made the difference. Just like in Wanda Adam's race, Montrose and the GLBT block vote provided, in large part, the margin of victory.
I think Caucus President Jennifer Rene Pool said it best: "We are not a special interest group; we are a general interest group. That is why we endorsed in the HISD, county, and state bond elections as well. Our focus is on cleaner air, better public schools, increasing public safety, and electing quality progressive candidates. We want a better Houston for our families, and that starts by electing the best candidates."
Seven Straight Nights is a series of events sponsored by Atticus Circle and Soulforce. It will consist of a coordinated campaign of overnight vigils led by straight allies of the GLBT community. It will sweep across capital cities (though, it looks like we in Texas have 2 events!) throughout the nation during the week of October 7 - 13, 2007, gaining momentum in the national media as more states participate in the event.
The Young Democrats of America convention provides ample learning experiences for all parties involved, but it also provides ample partying after the convention convenes for the day. The nightlife is always part of a good convention and provides some quality schmoozing time.
In a very warm room, both emotionally and temperature wise, Dallas’s finest GLBT activists crammed in to listen to an ally. I was very impressed to find that Mr. Noriega is a strong supporter of the gay community and has no problem stating so. During his speech he laid out why he should be our next Senator and what would change on his watch. In reference to the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, the Afghanistan war veteran said, “I didn’t once look to my left or to my right on Jalalabad Road and worry about my fellow soldiers’ sexual orientation. My only worry was if they could fire their weapon.”
I had a chance to speak with Mr. Noriega for a few moments before his next event and I asked him if there was one thing he did not say in his speech or that he hasn’t said that needs to out in the blogosphere what it would be. “Happy birthday to my wife Melissa. I love you and I am sorry I didn’t get the chance to wish you well on your birthday,” sincerely stated the Representative, with the hopes of being let out of the dog house. Of course we had a second conversation which was a little more serious. “I am very flattered,” he said when I asked how much influence the campaign to draft him to run for Senate had on his decision.
I also had the chance to sit down with a small group of folks, which included Democratic candidate for US Congressional District 4, Glen Melancon, and automated calling guru, Ron Turner. Mr. Melancon told me is running again in 2008 against Congressman Ralph Hall so he can keep the momentum from 2006 going. Later in our conversation he said we needed to “get out the simple message of ‘the government serves you’ [the voter].”
Killing time in the “gayborhood” is quite easy, and something I had to do with two hours between events. Discussing life and events with the previously mentioned group took up a good chunk of time for me. Another hour was spent eating a deliciously prepared Brazilian chicken sandwich at Café Brazil. There is nothing quite like a large sub roll to soak up your whiskey sours from Bronx.
The 10 o’clock hour rolled around and I rolled my humidity laden body over to the nightclub Havana. The Stonewall Democrats hosted a mixer for the GLBT caucus of the Young Democrats of America. I met back up with Jesse, Arturo, and new friend Shannon Williamson. A much larger crowd enjoyed drinks and a buffet as Dallas’s finest gay officials took the floor to say a few words, as we watched from the big kids table. Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Dallas County Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons, and County Judge Jim Foster were all mingling with youngsters from around the country. Former Mayor Pro Tem John Loza welcomed “all of ya’ll to Dallas” and made sure to point out that having as many gay officials as the city does that it springs hope that Dallas will continue its claim as the “lavender heart of Texas.” My new colleague Shannon said she thought that “momentum was building” for the community, as well as for the social event we were witnessing. As a former Green Party member, she did seem disappointed we were stuck with our two party system in this country, but also realized that joining forced with Democrats was the right thing to do at this time in her life.
Throughout the evening, I learned in addition to my own endeavor of forming the Stonewall Democrats of Denton County this August, Paul Tran would also be attempting to form a Stonewall Young Democrats group at the University of North Texas in Denton, and Kris Banks just started a Stonewall Young Democrats of Houston. The youth movement is strong in this country, and especially strong among the gay community in Texas, as evident by last evening’s events.
Pictures from the Noriega event can be found here.
