Queer Rally in Pittsburgh 1/10
Posted January 8, 2009 by mary_tremonte in Events
photo by heather mull from rally in response to prop 8 on november 15, 2008
When: Saturday, January 10, 2009
Time: 2 PM – 4 PM
Where: Schenley Quad, Oakland (near the libraries – same place as last time)
What: This is a rally, not a march.
Who: Bring your friends, family, kids, grandmas, neighbors, queer and straight alike. Bring your banners and your signs.
Who is Speaking: Emcee Gab Bonesso, Reverend Janet Edwards, Sandra Telep from Pride at Work, LGBTQ ally John McIntire and more. We are looking for speakers who may want to talk about their experiences of discrimination in these areas. Email lance historycat101(at)aol.com if you would like to speak.
Why: Because there are several upcoming moments to get LGBTQ-positive legislation passed on both the County and State levels. This time, we aren't just protesting a negative situation – we are mobilizing to get a positive outcome for everyone.
This is the follow up event to the very successful November "Anti-Prop 8" rally organized in a complete grassroots way, this rally focuses on the national DOMA law which President-Elect Obama promised to repeat AND the upcoming vote by Allegheny County Council to expand civil rights protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations to residents of Allegheny County who are part of the LGBTQ community (sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression). This rally is really for the whole community – from marriage advocates to working class queers who worry about job security and being able to find a decent place to live without being harassed. This is about L-G-B-T and Q. And the entire heterosexual community who benefit from a more just and fair community.
ACTION ADVISORY
Allegheny County Non-Discrimination Ordinance Meeting
January 15th at 5:00 P.M.
Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh
4th Floor in the Gold Room.
Did you know that in Allegheny County it is legal to fire someone from
their job simply because that person may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or
transgender? It unfortunately is true, and happens all too often. On
January 15th we need your support to end this discrimination, and help
pass a county-wide non-discrimination ordinance that would protect all
LGBT people.
This past summer, Councilwoman Amanda Green introduced legislation
prohibiting discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and
gender identity or expression in employment, housing and public
accommodations.
Take action now by asking your Council person to support Ordinance
4201-08, a county-wide non-discrimination ordinance.
We also need to show Allegheny County Council that their constituents
support fairness for all people. A hearing for public comment on this
ordinance will take place on January 15th at 5:00 p.m. at the
Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh on the 4th
floor Gold Room.
The American Family Association of Pennsylvania has mobilized their
membership against this ordinance, and we need to show Council members
the broad-based support this bill has. This organization is not even
based in Allegheny County and they think that they know best how we
should take care of our own. Let us illustrate to them that they are
sorely wrong about the good people of our county.
Please take a moment to e-mail your council member, and attend this
hearing. It is vital that we bring in as many people to stand up so
that our voices may be heard!
Things you may want to focus on:
• While Pittsburgh's residents and visitors are covered by a local
ordinance, LGBT people can be discriminated against without any
recourse by simply crossing the city line into Allegheny County. The
lack of uniform policy across the region also leads to confusion for
LGBT people and employers, landlords and businesses.
• Thirteen Pennsylvania municipalities have already enacted civil
rights laws including protections based on sexual orientation and
gender identity or expression. These municipalities are Allentown,
Easton, Erie County, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lansdowne, New Hope,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Swarthmore, West Chester and York.
State College also has an ordinance that only covers sexual
orientation discrimination in housing.
• Various organizations across the region, both LGBT and allied,
support this important ordinance. The Value All Families Coalition
works to support this type of legislation at the regional and state
level, and is comprised of LGBT organizations, civil rights groups,
labor unions and religious organizations, among others.
Please join us by writing to your councilperson. Let them know that
you think it is important and fair to protect LGBT people (and all
people) from being fired, thrown out of their homes, or refused
services, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender
identity or expression. Your voice is especially important if you have
been the victim of this type of discrimination. If you have
encountered something like this, please email
info(at)pittsburghpridespace.com and we can help you get your story told.
Rest assured, the extremists are already targeting members of Allegheny County Council supporting this legislation. Turning out another 500 people in mid-January will send a very strong message about how much we value these rights. This isn't about party affiliation or special rights. It is about equality and fairness.
Please spread the word so we can maximize turnout. Blog about it. Pass this along to email lists, friends, facebook/myspace groups and whomever you think might be interested. You'll be receiving updates in the coming days from Steel City Stonewall Democrats, Marriage Equality of SW PA, PFLAG, Steel City Stonewall and more on the actual county ordinance. At the rally, you'll get specific information on how to help on that specific issue.
This is about equality and we need your support. Put January 10 on you calendar. Then grab some coffee with friends after the rally and figure out how you be part of the impact.
For more details, check out the article in this week's City Paper by Marty Levine, the Steel City Stonewall website (www.steel-city.org) and various local blogs, including 2 Political Junkies, The Pittsburgh Comet and Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents. Information is also available at several national blogs including PageOneQ, Pam's House Blend, LezGetReal and DailyKOS.
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