Open Forum: The Effect of the Tea Party on LGBT America

The Tea Party Movement has been gaining a lot of attention in the mainstream media lately and has garnered some well known conservative endorsements. The premise of the Tea Party is to promote limited government, fiscal responsibility, and free market. While this philosophy is shared by millions of Americans, the movement has been under scrutiny by many for some of the more fringe elements present at these rallies who are promoting racism, ethnocentrism, sexism, and homophobia.

The Tea Party Movement seems to be split by those who are far-right conservatives with very oppressive ideas, and those who are libertarian and want less government but are more inclined to support civil liberties. This movement could potentially have a strong effect on the efforts of the LGBT community to attain equal status. On the one hand a far-right candidate could be devastating and set us back, but a libertarian candidate may change the landscape of some in the conservative movement on queer issues. The other potential outcome is that "Tea Party" or Libertarian candidates will take votes away from the Republican candidate making it easier for Democrats to be elected.

What do you make of the Tea Party Movement and how do you feel it will effect the broader LGBT community in the struggle for equality?

Instructional Census Video for the LGBT Community

For the first time ever the 2010 census will include information about same-sex couples. By law it is required to fill out how many people live in your household, and the information is due back by April 15th. Other information, although optional helps the government research, allocate funds to communities, and ensure fair electoral representation.

Same-sex couples will be able to indicate whether they are married on the form. It is not necessary to have a valid marriage license, if you consider yourselves a couple you can indicate this as such on the form. Transgender people should mark down the sex which corresponds with their gender identity.

Below is an instructional video released by the 2010 census for the LGBT community:

LGBT Community Responds to Haiti Earthquake

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Caribbean island nation of Haiti on Tuesday, January 12 and early estimates suggest the death toll could reach 100,000. There is widespread damage, hunger and lack of access to water and power. There are reports of hospitals having collapsed and damage to the capitals airport making it increasingly hard for aid groups to rescue victims and provide life saving supplies.

Please donate online at: http://www.rainbowfund.org/donate specify "Haiti"

Donate by check at: Rainbow World Fund, 4111 - 18th Street, Suite 5, San Francisco, CA 94114.

Photo courtsey of the United Nations Development Programme on Flickr.

Web Spotlight: GLBT Near Me

GLBT Near Me is a national resource database that helps people find local/national resources for the community. Type in your zip code to find GLBT/GLBT friendly support, social, youth, sports, houses of worship, etc in your community.

New Study Shows LGBT Population Suffers Higher Rates of Poverty

The Williams Institute of UCLA has released a new report that undertakes the first analysis of the poor and low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population. They find clear evidence that poverty is at least as common in the LGBT population as among heterosexual people and their families. This ground breaking study shatters a common stereotype that all gays and lesbians are affluent.

The report discusses various possible reasons for the economic disparity, ie: employment discrimination, lack of access to marriage, higher rates of uninsured, and less financial support from family members.

Main Findings:

• After adjusting for a range of family characteristics that help explain poverty, gay and lesbian couple families are significantly more likely to be poor than are heterosexual married couple families.

• Notably, lesbian couples and their families are much more likely to be poor than heterosexual couples and their families.

• Children in gay and lesbian couple households have poverty rates twice those of children in heterosexual married couple households.

• Within the LGB population, several groups are much more likely to be poor than others. African American people in same-sex couples and same-sex couples who live in rural areas are much more likely to be poor than white or urban same-sex couples.

• While a small percentage of all families receive government cash supports intended for poor and low-income families, we find that gay and lesbian individuals and couples are more likely to receive these supports than are heterosexuals.

Resources/Tips for helping out underprivileged queers:

Donate to Queers for Economic Justice or a local LGBT homeless shelter.

"Clothes are for closets" - donate some old clothes, or sheets, to an LGBT homeless center.

Donate some canned goods and products to a Queer community center that serves underprivileged LGBT people.

First LGBT Azerbaijani Website Created

The first organization serving the Azerbaijani LGBT community has been created.

The website will provide LGBT-related news, educational materials, fight homophobia in Azeri society including media, and serve as a forum for LGBT Azerbaijani people.

The web site will be available in three languages - Azeri, Russian, and English.

http://www.lgbt.az/

Guerilla Gay Bar San Diego

Guerilla Gay Bar San Diego is a new group that turns activism into a fun time. Once a month they choose an unsuspecting bar, that predominantly caters to straight folks, and they decide to go by the hoards and turn the bar into a gay friendly bar for the night.

It is empowering and fun for the community to show its strength as well as pick out new locations to party. It also gives the straight world a chance to see, mingle, and interact with the LGBT community on a personal level.

Sound fun? One night during the first week each month. Sign up.