Arizona Mayor Doesn't Want “Lacy-Drawered, Limp-Wristed” Gays in Military

Yuma Arizona's Mayor Al Krieger made offensive remarks at a Memorial Day event suggesting gay people are effeminate and weak and asserted that gay servicemembers can never do what tough veterans have done in the past.

The Mayor voiced his opposition to repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy by saying:

“I cannot believe a bunch of lacey-drawered, limp-wristed people could do what those men have done in the past.”

“We need solid, strong men to fight those battles. Not pacifists.”

He even went on to compare his stand with that of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, saying that he was principled and speaking from the heart.



The Mayor can be reached for comment at Alan.Krieger@YumaAz.gov

Sign the New Jersey Marriage Equality Open Letter!

The open letter in support of marriage equality has made big news across New Jersey state, prompting the legislature to promise to take up the issue this week. Over 200 influential democrats and ordinary citizens have signed the petition demanding marriage equality.

Please join with Mayor Cory Booker, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee to sign this petition to push lawmakers to vote on and approve marriage equality in NJ.

Houston Mayor Proclaims Trans Day

Houston Texas Mayor Bill White has proclaimed July 25th "Transgender Center Day" in honor of the organizations first year anniversary.

The daylong event included a barbecue, socializing, networking, and a brief program that was attended by local politicians and a state representative, who presented the center with proclamations and certificates.

The Transgender Center, one of the first of its kind in the country, has become a face for the trans community beyond Houston, advancing trans causes and issues in the state. It offers many services for trans people including support groups, workshops, health care, housing referrals, and community events (Advocate).

This is the kind of change and leadership we want to see from our elected officials.

Write, call, or email the Mayor to thank him for his bold and encouraging move.

Mayor Bill White
City of Houston
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251

Phone: 713.837.0311
mayor@cityofhouston.net

Anti-Gay Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle Replaced By Pro-LGBT Jack Seiler

Jack Seiler has won the position for Fort Lauderdale mayor in what looks to be a major shift in policy with regards to LGBT issues. The former mayor Jim Naugle was staunchly anti-gay accusing the gay population of high rates of public sex and promiscuity, when the actual police record showed very few arrests of gay people for such behavior, numbers on par with arrests of heterosexuals involved in such activities.

Jack Seiler was not endorsed by gay groups, there were 2 other openly gay candidates running, one was Earl Rynerson who was unfairly scrutinized by Fox News.

The shift in power appears to be positive with the new mayor saying "one can look to his 8 year record to see his support of the LGBT community," he goes on to say he strongly supports domestic partnerships and gay adoption rights, calling the idea that gay couples shouldn't be allowed to adopt "ridiculous."

Jack Seiler's message to the LGBT community:


Video of Jack Seiler addressing anti-gay Jim Naugle's comments:


http://jackseiler.com/

Get Fox News Out of the Bedroom!

Fox News has an article up on their front page about openly gay candidate Earl Rynerson who is campaigning to be the next mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida,

The "news" organization is right to bring up questions about his own fiscal problems, and other legal issues.

They have absolutely no right to promote fear based on his sexual orientation and his specific sexual practices so long as they are legal and consensual.

(Check out the news story here!)

SHAME ON FOX NEWS for gay-baiting and using fear tactics to promote their agenda.

Please click to contact Fox News Online and tell them to stop their blatant homophobic news coverage.

You can also contact Fox News via phone at: 1-888-369-4762.

NYC Restores Funds to Ali Forney Center

UPDATE: "Officials have restored funding for a drop-in center for homeless gay youth, a high-risk group for contracting HIV" (LGBT Youth News).

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11/5/08 - The Ali Forney Center is an LGBT homeless youth shelter that operates in New York City. Due to the current financial crisis in the economy, the local government has cut funding which is now threatening the existence of the project. The $600,000 the center receives annually in assistance is their only source of income.

Please call on Mayor Michael Bloomberg to restore funding to the Ali Forney Center by clicking here and copying and pasting the following text into the contact box provided on the form.

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

I am writing this to request your assistance in preventing the defunding of the Ali Forney Center's drop-in services to homeless LGBT youth. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has announced that in 2009 it will cease allocating HOPWA funds to the drop-in services of the Ali Forney Center, resulting in the defunding of New York City's only full time drop-in center for homeless LGBT youth. The closure of this program would create a terrible service gap for homeless LGBT youths and would put their lives at risk.

Of particular concern is the loss of HIV prevention, testing and treatment that would result from the center's closure. As recent studies have indicated that HIV is spreading most rapidly in Black and Latino men who have sex with men under the age of 30, the loss of the comprehensive and innovative HIV services at AFC's drop-in center would be catastrophic.

Please see to it that the HOPWA funds are restored, or that new funding is put in place to ensure the continuation of these invaluable services to the homeless LGBT youth of our City.

Please visit the Ali Forney Center website to donate any money, or to donate items such as food, clothing, and other items which may be useful to the center.

Mayor Gavin Newsom: "Reject Prop 8"

Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco is airing in a powerful new video urging us to vote NO on proposition 8. He is asking all of us to do our part to reject the marriage ban on same-sex couples. Tell your friends/family, blog, vote, text message, add a status update and let everyone know where you stand on marriage equality.

Los Angeles Mayor Donates and Fights Against Prop 8!

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has donated $25,000 to defeat the marriage amendment in California that seeks to take away the rights of same-sex couples. He also took his time out to send a state wide message urging people to defeat the measure.

Thank the mayor for supporting marriage equality and for making an effort to fight proposition 8.

mayor@lacity.org

200 North Spring Street, Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: (213) 978-0600
Fax: (213) 978-0750