Happy International Women's Day

Make a difference by celebrating, honoring and acting for full liberation for women. Annually, March 8th is International Women's Day. In particular queer women have been ignored by not only the broader global women's movement, but also within the LGBT movement. It is unacceptable that the Intl Women's Day website fails to acknowledge or mention lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women. All women regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression deserve full recognition, respect and equality, and with that in mind here is a video to celebrate the day as well as some queer-centric feminist links.



Lesbian.org - Promoting lesbian visibility on the internet.

National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) - Lesbian, feminist non-profit law firm.

The Mautner Project - The health organization for lesbian, bisexual, and trans women.

International Foundation for Gender Education - Advocating for freedom of gender expression and an understanding of all identities.

Lesbian Herstory Archives - A record and collection of documents, photographs and videos containing lesbian events.

Zuna Institute - National advocacy coalition for black lesbians.

To learn more about the day and to get involved goto http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Open Forum: Gay Civil Rights and The Bible

The Bible has long been used as a weapon against civil rights battles for African Americans and women, and on the contrary has also been used as a tool to empower and institute government reforms for minority groups.

The Bible has long been used to justify slavery and to subjugate women. Multiple verses can be pointed to in making any case that fits the philosophical view of the majority opinion.

Many religions and denominations are coming to see homosexuality as based in science and psychology and are rendering different interpretations of what it means to be gay. We are in the epicenter of a civil rights battle between secularists, those who believe church/state must be separate, and those who take the Bible at its literal word.

Verses in the Bible were ill interpreted to condone slavery of African-Americans, and the repression of women. As a society we are beginning to see that these groups are not to be treated as second class citizens and that they are fully capable of leading healthy, independent and productive lives.

Is it possible that the shift in religious views on homosexuality will change beyond the realms of progressive/liberal denominations? Will people come to see the authors of the Bible as having not referenced homosexuality, or how the verses have been misinterpreted, or will there always be some element of society that continue to point to religion as a basis for denying gay civil rights?

Bolivia to Vote on New Constitution With Protections for Women and Sexual Minorities

Bolivia will hold a nationwide referendum this Sunday for its constituents to decide whether to approve or reject a new version of the country's constitution.

The new constitution if enacted would create major changes with regards to women's rights, sexual/gender minorities, and religious liberties.

Article 66 of the new constitution says that, "Men and women are guaranteed the exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights."

Article 14, paragraph II, of the document states that: "The State prohibits and punishes all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

If enacted, Bolivia will declare through article 4 of the new constitution that the government adhere to no religion. The new constitution would ensure a protection of abortion rights, and extend protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It would be the first country in the world to include gender identity as part of their constitution.

The vote is this sunday, please urge the Bolivian President and Vice President to speak out in favor of the proposed constitution.

BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT
Sr. Evo Morales Ayma
email form - http://www.presidencia.gov.bo/presidente/cartas_presidente.asp

BOLIVIAN VICE PRESIDENT
Sr. Álvaro García
Pilot number: (591) (2) 2142000 - Fax: (591) (2) 2201211
Square: 7056 La Paz - Bolivia

Engendered's Rock for Rights - 1/18/09 Lincoln Center

Engendered is an annual, New York-based transnational arts and human rights festival that brings together the best in contemporary South Asian cinema, visual arts and performance to explore the complex realities of gender and sexuality in modern South Asia, especially at the intersection of ritual and religion. The festival is designed not only to raise awareness, but also act as a fulcrum to enter public dialogue, break silences and impact perceptions around issues of gendered identities, stereotyping, bias and sexual choice and further, how those issues relate to affirmation or violations of human rights, health rights and women's rights.

Tickets can be purchased through Jazz at Lincoln Center.