Indiana Equality

Love is Equal Dinners: Celebrating Five Years of Success

For five years now, folks from all over Central Indiana have gathered at the historic property known as Hill Place in Indianapolis to enjoy a wonderful meal, visit with friends and support Indiana Equality.

 

Hill Place, built in 1853 by John Fitch Hill and his wife Sarah, a great-niece of Daniel Boone, is also the home of Scott and Caran Keller.  The Kellers have graciously hosted the dinners which originally began as a two-night affair, and have since expanded into three and now four nights.  Scott Keller is a former Republican Indianapolis Councilor and current Indiana Equality Board member and Co-Chair of the Indiana Equality Political Action Committee

 

Learn. Lobby. Influence. 2010

By Randy Studt, Indiana Equality Action President

 

The annual State Equality Day Lobby session was held on a snowy Monday, February 15^th in the Conference Center of the ISTA Center.  The venue provided an excellent view of the Indiana Statehouse, where the group would spend its afternoon.

 

Indiana Equality Action was able to present information and training on the current topics before the Indiana General Assembly.  Chrystal Elliott Ratcliff of the NAACP presented IE's work to make sure that the Hate Crimes Reporting Law is fully enforced. 

 

Legislative Committee Chair Don Sherfick presented the history and current status of SJR 13 the Marriage Discrimination Amendment.  This topic would be the main issue for the lobbyists as they approached House members to encourage them to not hear the amendment.

 

Indiana Equality Action 2010 Legislative Review

The 2010 session of the Indiana General Assembly is now history. Working under the pressures of a national recession, reduced state revenues, and the need to address Indiana’s economy were the driving forces for this year. For Indiana LGBT citizens and allies, the session brought successes, disappointments, and promise for the future.

Working with key legislative friends and allies, Indiana Equality Action supported the introduction of legislation regarding medical decision making for unmarried couples, and ensuring hospital visitation rights.  The introduction of these proposals was a kick-off to educational and advocacy efforts to ensure greater protections for LGBT Hoosiers.

Health care consent:  Authored by State Representative Mary Ann Sullivan (Indianapolis), House Bill 1185 would have provided that an adult who shares an emotional, physical, and financial relationship with a patient similar to that of a spouse may consent to health care for an individual incapable of consenting if a health care representative has not been appointed.

Hospital visitation rights for domestic partners:  Senate Bill 192, proposed by State Senator Sue Errington (Muncie), would have ensured the hospital visitation rights with a patient by an individual who is in a domestic partnership with that patient.

Marriage Discrimination Amendment:  Once more there were proposals before the State Legislature to enact a Marriage Discrimination Amendment -- House Joint Resolutions 5 and 7 and Senate Joint Resolution 13.  Each proposal stated that “Only a marriage between one (1) man and one (1) woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.” While neither House resolution was considered in committee, Senate Joint Resolution 13 advanced through the Senate. Due in large part to your support and actions, the proposal to amend Indiana’s state constitution was stopped when the Indiana House of Representatives did not conduct a hearing on this discriminatory proposal.  Friends of fairness and equality generated nearly15,000 e-mails and letters to State Legislators urging them to reject SJR-13.

The Marriage Discrimination Amendment was advocated by Advance America, the American Family Association of Indiana, and the Indiana Family Institute. Even though Indiana has passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1997, a law that has been upheld by Indiana courts, these organizations pushed for enactment of an unnecessary and discriminatory amendment.  These proponents conducted press conferences, organized State House gatherings, and targeted legislative leadership with e-mail and letter campaigns.  And none of it worked!

How You Can Help Advance Equality for all Hoosiers

Make a contribution to support IE Action's advocacy and lobbying efforts via our website. Or you may make checks payable to "Indiana Equality Action" and mail to PO Box 20621, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220. Contributions or gifts to Indiana Equality Action are not tax deductible for charitable purposes.

Volunteer to help advance equality. You can be involved in many fashions, including serving as a Key Advocate for Equality, strategy development, and communications.  Contact us by sending an e-mail to info@indianaequalityaction.org or send mail to the above postal address.

Join the IE Action Center and assist with communications to our elected officials about supporting equal protection under the law for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Hoosiers. Go to the IE Action website to sign up to receive regular updates.

Watching out for the interests of LGBT Hoosiers across our state is an expensive task. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to Indiana Equality Action to help further our work. Please visit our secure website and make a contribution today to support this important advocacy for fairness and equality.

Join the Human Rights Campaign to Repeal 'Don’t Ask Don’t Tell' in the Hoosier State

Voices of Honor Event Announcement

In the fight to repeal the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, please join the Human Rights Campaign in Indianapolis for a special screening of “Ask Not” with guest speaker, Jarrod Chlapowski, HRC's Military Consultant. 

 “Ask Not” is a rare and compelling documentary film that explores the effects of the US military’s “Don’t’ Ask, Don’t Tell” law on lesbian and gay service members.  The film exposes the tangled political battles that led to the discriminatory law and examines the societal shifts that have occurred since its passage in 1993. 

Current and veteran gay soldiers reveal how “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” affects them during their tours of duty, as they struggle to maintain a double life, uncertain of whom they can trust.  The film also explores how gay veterans and youth organizers are turning to forms of personal activism to overturn the policy.

Voices of Honor Film Screening

Thursday, March 18, 2010 5:30p

University Place Hotel

(located on the IUPUI Campus) 

Please join our campaign to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” by attending this event and helping us organize veterans and equality minded supporters across the state of Indiana.

For more information or to RSVP please email Nick Veach at GanoNicholas.Veach@hrc.org or call (614) 264-5355. 

To learn more about how Hoosiers can join the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” please visit our website at www.hrc.org/repealdadt

Impacting the Judicial Nominations Process

You are invited to participate in an exciting training opportunity

STRATEGIC MEDIA CAMPAIGNS:

 IMPACTING THE JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS PROCESS

 Saturday, March 27, 2010

9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  

Location:

Planned Parenthood of Indiana

200 South Meridian Street, Suite 400, Indianapolis, IN 46225

RSVP to kmcintosh@afj.org

Breakfast and Lunch will be provided; No cost to attend

Decisions made by judges impact all of our lives.  We need judges who will uphold the Constitution and law to protect everyone, irrespective of money or power.  In order to ensure qualified and fair judges are appointed, we need strategic lobbying and grassroots activism, as well as strong and effective outreach to the media.  

 

This workshop is designed for legal experts, media and communications staffers, and activists who may be asked to respond to media inquiries regarding the nominations to the US Supreme Court, as well as other judicial vacancies.  The workshop will provide:

• Messages and information that may be helpful when responding to questions regarding judicial nominations; 

• Techniques to develop and refine media readiness strategies and tools for planning and implementing local and state-based media campaigns; 

• Tips on how to prepare for a television interview, including an opportunity to practice on camera and receive feedback; 

• An opportunity to discuss potential collaborative educational and advocacy activities with like-minded organizations.

Trainings will be conducted by staff from the Communications Consortium Media Center (CCMC), a nonprofit strategic communications organization based in Washington, D.C.  CCMC has worked on every controversial Supreme Court nomination since 1988.

Contact Sonia Santana, Director of Advocacy, Planned Parenthood of Indiana at (317)637-4178 or Kellye McIntosh, Associate Outreach Director, Alliance for Justice at (202)822-6070 with questions.

SPACE IS LIMITED -- PLEASE RSVP BY MARCH 24, 2010 

Community Media Training to Take Place on May 16th

On Sunday, May 16^th, community training will take place in Bloomington, Indiana.  This training will be open to anyone interested in gaining basic information and tools to work with the media while campaigning for LGBT civil rights. The training is being organized and presented by Indiana Equality and Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).  The training will last three hours.

If you are interested in attending, please contact me at dino@indianaequality.orgor make sure you are on Indiana Equality’s email list.  Further information on the training will be sent the first of April. 

Fort Wayne City Council Opts Out of Discussion

Tuesday’s vote prevents introduction of a proposal to add protections for transgender citizens to city’s human rights ordinance

In a stunning and rare move by members of the Fort Wayne City Council, a vote not to allow an introduction of a proposed amendment to the city’s human rights ordinance prevented discussion to even occur. 

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilor Karen Goldner, would have added gender identity/expression as a protected class in Fort Wayne.  The city already includes protections based on sexual orientation barring discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Introduction of an ordinance is a procedural vote and routinely passes to allow Councilors an opportunity to discuss the merits of the proposal.  Tuesday nights vote to prevent discussion suggests other motives may be behind the unparalleled action.

If the measure had been allowed to be introduced, the Council would have heard public testimony and conducted discussion at a following council meeting before taking a vote on the proposed ordinance.  Instead, five of the nine council members opted not to allow the measure to move forward, consequently ending discussion before it could take place.

Further evidence also suggests ulterior motives of those voting against the measure.  In particular, two Councilors cited a lack of evidence existed to support the ordinance.  Had they voted for its introduction, sufficient evidence would have been presented to demonstrate the need for such protections. 

Misinformation regarding enforceability of the ordinance was also cited by opponents.  The truth - the proposed ordinance provided for enforceability of the protections for transgender persons. 

Three distinct conclusions can be drawn from the actions taken by the Fort Wayne City Council.

• Opponents of equality remain ever vigilant in spreading their message of intolerance through misinformation, unsubstantiated claims and blatant dishonesty.  These tactics rely on fear and ignorance to perpetuate their agenda.
• The efforts undertaken by local supporters and supplemented by Indiana Equality had a measurable impact on members of The Council.   Although Councilors opted out of discussing the issue formally, at least some members expressed a willingness to continue a public dialogue on issues facing the transgender community.
• Perhaps most importantly, Indiana Equality and supporters must continue to engage with our friends, families, neighbors, coworkers and elected officials.  Education and your financial support is the key to dispelling the myths and misconceptions people have about gays, lesbians, bisexuals and especially those who are transgender.

 Despite this obvious setback, Indiana Equality is proud to have helped Fort Wayne supporters push for equal rights for all of its citizens. IE’s education and outreach initiatives will go on.  With your continued help, the fight for equality, justice and fairness for all Hoosiers will be won.

Indiana Equality would like to thank all of those who took action to support this ordinance. A special thank you to those who showed up at Tuesday’s meeting and shared your concerns and stories with Council members.

Indiana Equality also appreciates the support of Councilors Karen Goldner, Glynn Hines, Tim Pape and John Shoaff for voting in favor of introducing the ordinance. A special thank you to Councilor Goldner for spearheading this initiative. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to the LGBT community is greatly appreciated.

For local news coverage please see here.

Three Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Indiana Equality End Discrimination

• Encourage others to sign up to receive action alerts from Indiana Equality through our website.
• Become a Key Advocate. Learn more on our website.
• Make a financial commitment to ending discrimination through a tax-deductible donation to Indiana Equality.

Fort Wayne Needs Your Help ASAP!

If you have not already done so please urge the Fort Wayne City Council to included Gender Identity and Expression in the city's human rights ordinance. It takes less than a minute using IE's automated system:

 

Click Here to Take Action Now!

Fort Wayne City Councilor Plans to Introduce Gender Identity/Expression Ordinance to Local Human Rights Ordinance

 

We Need You to Show Your Support!

 

On March 9th, Fort Wayne City Councilor Karen Goldner will introduce an ordinance to add 'Gender Identity/Expression' to the local human rights ordinance as one of its protected classes. Opposition has come from the American Family Association of Indiana and the Indiana Family Institute, providing false and distorted information about transgender people played a major factor in delaying Goldner's efforts.
 
The Fort Wayne City Council needs to know that:

• You support this proposal that will help ensure that transgender individuals have equal access to the opportunity to make a living and to support themselves; providing protections against discrimination in employment, education, public accommodations and housing
• Education, not fear, is the key to teaching others about gender identity.  Groups in opposition to this ordinance use messages aimed to stimulate fear of transgender people by using untrue accusations or implications that transgender people are sexual predators, conjuring absurd scenarios involving bathroom and locker room encounters between innocent young girls and cross-dressing men
• This ordinance will not lead to an onslaught of frivolous lawsuits and there are no cases of that occurring in other jurisdictions.

 

Fort Wayne Needs Your Support

 

Please email the City Council members listed below.  Let them know that discrimination in Fort Wayne should not be tolerated and you urge them to vote in favor of adding gender identity/expression into the Fort Wayne human rights ordinance.  Please send your message as soon as possible.

 

Please Forward this Email on to Others!
Help us by forwarding this email on to friends and co-workers.  If the vote passes, Fort Wayne will become the third city in Indiana to include protections for both gender identity/expression and sexual orientation.

Click Here to Take Action Now

Comfort Food Mondays!

Aesop’s Tables presents:

 

Comfort Food Mondays!

March 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd & 29^th

 

Benefiting Indiana Equality

 

Every Monday in March, 15% of the proceeds from dinner sales will be donated to support Indiana Equality.

 

Stop by with your friends, family and coworkers to support Indiana Equality and enjoy Aesop’s Mediterranean twist on meat loaf, chicken potpie, stew and other favorite Comfort Foods!

 

Dinner hours are 5pm-9pm.

 

The mission of Indiana Equality (IE) is to end sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in Indiana.  Since 2003, IE has worked for inclusion, fairness, and equality for all Hoosiers and is the only statewide organization with the resources to secure the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Hoosiers. 

 

IE has a history of collaborating with a broad range of organizations supportive of enacting LGBT civil rights protections as well as the respect among policymakers and opinion leaders to secure those protections.

 

Discover how you can help end discrimination by logging onto our website: www.indianaequality.org

 

Aesop’s Tables - 600 Massachusetts Avenue

317-631-0055 – www.aesopstables.biz

Fort Wayne Needs Your Help!

Fort Wayne City Councilor Plans to Introduce Gender Identity/Expression Ordinance to Local Human Rights Ordinance

We Need You to Show Your Support!

On March 9th, Fort Wayne City Councilor Karen Goldner will introduce an ordinance to add 'Gender Identity/Expression' to the local human rights ordinance as one of its protected classes. Opposition has come from the American Family Association of Indiana and the Indiana Family Institute, providing false and distorted information about transgender people played a major factor in delaying Goldner's efforts.

The Fort Wayne City Council needs to know that:

• You support this proposal that will help ensure that transgender individuals have equal access to the opportunity to make a living and to support themselves; providing protections against discrimination in employment, education, public accommodations and housing
• Education, not fear, is the key to teaching others about gender identity.  Groups in opposition to this ordinance use messages aimed to stimulate fear of transgender people by using untrue accusations or implications that transgender people are sexual predators, conjuring absurd scenarios involving bathroom and locker room encounters between innocent young girls and cross-dressing men
• This ordinance will not lead to an onslaught of frivolous lawsuits and there are no cases of that occurring in other jurisdictions.

Fort Wayne Needs Your Support

Please email the City Council members listed below.  Let them know that discrimination in Fort Wayne should not be tolerated and you urge them to vote in favor of adding gender identity/expression into the Fort Wayne human rights ordinance.  Please send your message as soon as possible.

Please Forward this Email on to Others!

Help us by forwarding this email on to friends and co-workers.  If the vote passes, Fort Wayne will become the third city in Indiana to include protections for both gender identity/expression and sexual orientation.

Click Here to Take Action Now