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Networking and a Musical! |
You are invited to attend this months Social and Business Networking* cocktail party on Thursday, July 9, 2009 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Inn on Broadway, 26 Broadway St. Rochester 14607. An RSVP is not necessary, but would be helpful to the chef for preparing the complimentary appetizers. (to: rsvp@gayalliance.org)
This month's social is the opening act of 2009 Rochester Pride; at 7:30 that evening it is the Upstate New York premiere of ZANNA DON'T. -- "A Musical Fairy Tale," where everyone is LGBT, or are they? Do you suppose there may be some closeted heterosexuals in the mix? - That evenings performance includes a "Meet the Cast Dessert Reception" following the show for a $5.00 donation to Pride. For tickets to the show and reception, call 585-415-4747 or visit www.everyonestheatre.com
(*Created for those who miss the former Rochester Business Forum socials. Currently, no dues/ no cover/ just good social conversation in a casual atmosphere.) |
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ACTION NEEDED BY LGBT AND ALLIES
On Tuesday, June 30, 2009 a military board told Lt. Dan Choi -- an Iraq War veteran and Arabic linguist -- that it was recommending his discharge from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the US military "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy.
Despite this setback, Lt. Choi is not giving up. Bolstered by more than 300,000 signatures to letters of support calling for the repeal of DADT, Dan is now taking his fight to repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to Congress.
Dan needs your help as soon as possible. The sooner DADT is repealed, the sooner he can return to service.
Below is a link to a letter addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Lt. Choi is going to personally deliver. The letter is being launched on Lt. Choi's behalf by the Courage Campaign, Knights Out and the Service Members Legal Defense Network.
Encourage Speaker Pelosi to show leadership now and speak publicly in favor of current legislation in Congress that would repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Nearly 60,000 people, signed Lt. Choi's letter in just a few days. Consider signing it and urge your friends to do the same? Just click on the link below to add your name:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT |
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Internation Pride News 2009 |
THE WORLD AS STONEWALL TURNS 40
By William Urich
From:
International Association of Pride Organizers
Your Rights, Our Rights, Human Rights
www.interpride.org
When Moscow again attempted to have their Pride on May 16th, 2009 despite the ban, the messages out of Russia indicated that 40 people were arrested. Those 40 people were arrested in the violence of yet another failed attempt to encourage human rights equality in Russia. What a fitting number: one arrest at Moscow Pride for each anniversary year of the Stonewall Riots.
It is ironic that this year, Moscow was host to the (heavily gay) Eurovision Song event. Moscow officials wanted this Eurovision event to show how far the country has come since the fall of the totalitarian Soviet Union, primarily in the area of Human Rights. However, once again and for the fourth consecutive year, Mayor Yuri Luzhkov banned a peaceful Pride assembly resulting in the fore mentioned forty arrests. What Moscow’s government has shown us about the state of human rights in Russia as the world watched? How far they’ve come, indeed.
Similarly in Budapset, Chisinau faced a similar rejection of Pride by their governing officials once again. Budapest continues to face discrimination against Pride attempts. Queers in Sofia have gone so far as to keep their Pride event a secret in efforts to minimize the anti-gay activity that is surely expected in Bulgaria’s capital city.
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Mayor Duffy Takes Stand on Marriage |
Gay New Yorkers deserve right to marry
May 24, 2009
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King Jr.
The state Assembly recently passed a bill that provides same-sex couples the same opportunity to enter into civil marriages as opposite-sex couples. The state Senate will now take up the measure, and I am urging its passage.
While I have no say in this vote, this is not the time to hide our opinions and our positions.
I was raised in a deeply religious family. In fact, my mother was actually a Catholic nun for a time. I am well aware of the Church's teachings. I hold my faith and the Bible dear. But I also cherish our Constitution. To me, this is not about my faith in God. It is about equal rights for all.
As police chief and now as mayor, I have spent my career upholding our Constitution to ensure all citizens are not denied their rights because of who they are.
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2009 Rochester Pride Weekend
July 17, 18, 19
Rochester is the gayest place in the state-- outside of New York City-- and this year there will again be an entire weekend of Pride events worthy of our strong, vibrant, diverse and fabulous LGBT and allied communities. The board, staff, and wonderful team of volunteers with the Gay Alliance, are preparing an amazing Rochester Pride Weekend 2009 with a wide variety of events with plenty of reasons to go out and celebrate. We still need a lot of help, would you like to volunteer? Call: 585-244-8640 x20
Pride Kickoff July 17, 2009 7-10:00pm Strathallan Hotel
Pride Parade Saturday July 18, 2009 4pm step off on Park Avenue
Pride Festival Saturday July 18, 2009 5:30-10pm Auditorium Center Parking Lot (Prince and College Streets)
Pride Picnic Sunday July 19, 2009 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Genesee Valley Park
For information, to purchase tickets, or to volunteer for Pride follow the link in the banner at the top of the page, or go to www.RochesterPride.com
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How to Get Married in Canada |
Now that New York State must recognize marriage licenses deemed legal outside New York, find out how to get married in Canada. This link will take you to detailed information, drawbacks, advantages, and steps. http://www.gayalliance.org/images/canadianmarriage_faq.pdf
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