Indiana Equality

HRC Regional Field Director

If you know anyone who has the qualifications required for this Regional Field Director position please encourage them to apply. If you have any questions feel free to inquire here. 

Regional Field Director

Position Description:                       Regional Field Director
Reporting Line:                               Deputy Field Director
Department:                                    Field
Location:                                         HRC Headquarters, Washington, DC
Staff Tier Level:                              Director (of a Program)
Service Employees Int’l Union:       Not Covered
FLSA Classification:                        Exempt
Salary Range:                                 $60,000-$90,000 (based on experience)

Position Summary:

The Regional Field Director is a regular, full-time position who reports to the Deputy Field Director and is based in Washington, DC. 

HRC’s Field Team includes three Regional Field Directors, each responsible for developing and implementing HRC’s field activities in a multi-state region of approximately 15 states.  For their region, the Regional Field Director works with the Deputy Field Director and the National Field Director to maintain and expand HRC’s ability to mobilize grassroots advocacy on behalf of federal and state LGBT legislative priorities and design and implement grassroots electoral and campaign strategies in support of federal and state candidates, and ballot initiatives, in the region.  The Regional Field Director will increase HRC’s visibility and presence in the region and improve contacts with other state and local LGBT organizations.

LGBT Organizations Warn that Lawsuits Could Set Back Progress on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

From the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Gay Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Equality Federation, Freedom to Marry, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 27, 2008

CONTACT:  Paul Cates, (212) 549-2568, pcates@aclu.org

 

NEW YORK – In response to the California Supreme Court decision allowing Prop 8 to stand, four LGBT legal organizations and five other leading national LGBT groups are reminding the LGBT community that ill-timed lawsuits could set the fight for marriage back.  The groups released a new publication, “Why the ballot box and not the courts should be the next step on marriage in California.”  This publication discourages people from bringing premature lawsuits based on the federal Constitution because, without more groundwork, the U.S. Supreme Court likely is not yet ready to rule that same-sex couples cannot be barred from marriage.  The groups also revised “Make Change, Not Lawsuits,” which was released after the California Supreme Court decision ending the ban on marriage for same-sex couples in California.  This publication encourages couples who have legally married to ask friends, neighbors and institutions to honor their marriages, but discourages people from bringing lawsuits. 

 

“Why the ballot box and not the courts should be the next step on marriage in California” 

“Make Change, Not Lawsuits” 

California's Prop 8 Decision

By now, you have no doubt heard about the California Supreme Court's decision upholding Proposition 8 and affirming the validity of the 18,000 marriages performed between the Court's groundbreaking decision last year and the passage of Proposition 8.

Despite this decision, the tide is turning across the country.  Every day, more and more Americans support equality for LGBT persons and their families.   This decision will not stand.  As more people learn about how discrimination hurts families, Indiana Equality is confident that voters in California and across the country will do the right thing.

Indiana Equality will support our LGBT brothers and sisters in California when they use the electoral process and go back to the ballot to overturn Proposition 8.

So how does this affect things in Indiana?  While Indiana’s proposed Marriage Discrimination Amendment died during 2009 session of the Indiana General Assembly, it is highly likely that this issue will be raised again in 2010. Please watch the Indiana Equality website and blog for additional information and analysis.

Indiana Equality continues to be at the forefront - working to pass Civil Rights and Bias Crimes protections, and is committed to fighting the discriminatory “Marriage” amendment if introduced in 2010.  Together we can achieve equality for all Hoosiers.

Fort Wayne Pride

From Fort Wayne Pride's website

FORT WAYNE PRIDE

July 24-25 Headwater’s Park East

For over a decade, Fort Wayne Pride has been bringing the spirit of diversity to downtown Fort Wayne, IN.  Our focus is to put on events, including the Pride Festival in July, to bring together the GLBT community and their straight allies.  We aim to increase understanding, awareness and education throughout Northeast Indiana.  Over the years we have grown into a community known festival and we are one of the Midwest’s fastest growing Prides! 

Fort Wayne Pride is always looking for sponsors,vendors and volunteers to help make our event successful!   

Check out this year’s entertainers.  Become ourMyspace Friend!

Indy Pride

From Indy Pride, Inc. website:

In 2009, Circle City IN Pride has expanded to more than a week of activities starting on Saturday, June 6th and continuing through Sunday, June 14th! From a Bag Ladies Show to the Tea Dance and the Pride Skate to a once in a lifetime benefit staring the cast of the touring company of Wicked, there is literally something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, a number of the events like the Community Picnic, Pride of Indy Band Concert, and the Parade & Festival itself are free and open to the public. Check out the Calendar of Events for All the Information!

For those interested in doing more than just participating in the fun, we are still accepting applications for vendorsand parade entrants, and of course, as Circle City IN Pride expands, then so does the need for even more volunteersto make sure that we can make sure we provide the best experience possible.

Evansville Pride Picnic

From Tri-State Alliance: Pride Picnic is June 7 Evansville Indiana The 29th Annual TSA Pride Picnic will be held from 12 noon—6pm at Evansville Burdette Park.  (Directions here) This is the largest and longest continuing LGBT event in our region. Please put this date on your calendar and plan to attend an afternoon of food, volleyball and fellowship! Call Wally at 812-480-0204 or wallypaynter@aol.com  for sponsorship or for further information.

 

http://www.tsagl.org/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=367&z=1

NW Indiana Rainbow Days ''bringing us all together"

2nd Gay Pride Parade

"Free to be, Me"

 

Date:  June 6th, 2009

Location:   25th Ave. & Adams St.(**going west)

(Gary, Indiana)

Time:       12noon

 

~~With the Gay Pride Picnic to follow, at Marquette Park in the  Miller section of Gary, Indiana.~~

 

http://www.nwirainbowdays.bravehost.com/index.html

 

Please email with any questions, suggestions and/or comments? Please, contact us at:

Tyona      yonalady@yahoo.com

Cheryl      bossladay@sbcglobal.net

Indiana Equality Pride Event volunteer opportunities

It’s Not a Job.  It’s an Adventure (well, sort of)
See the USA in your Chevrolet (maybe Indiana in your used car?)
Be All that You Can Be (if you can work around Don't Ask, Don't Tell)

Indiana Equality Pride Event volunteer opportunities
(that's the ticket!)

The Indiana Equality Field Operations Committee is seeking volunteers to attend several upcoming Pride events across Indiana:

• Saturday, June 6th – Northwest Indiana Pride Parade (Gary)
• Saturday, June 6th – Spencer Pride
• Sunday, June 7th – Evansville Pride
• Saturday, June 13th – Circle City Pride (Indianapolis)
• Saturday, June 20: Kentuckiana Pride (Louisville)
• Saturday, June 27 - Rainbow Richmond Pride Picnic
• Saturday, July 25 - Fort Wayne Pride
• Saturday/Sunday, August 1-2 - Northalsted Market Days (Chicago)

This is a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and to advance the cause of equality for all Hoosiers.

If you are interesting in helping, please contact Indiana Equality at ieinfo@indianaequality.org or call (888) 567-0750.

Field Operations Update

From John Clower, Indiana Equality Field Operations

Terre Haute is on the move. And LGBT Hoosiers are likely to benefit.

In response to a disturbing string of bias incidents in Terre Haute over the past several years—among them, an arson that destroyed the C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust museum, repeated vandalism of an interracial couple’s property, and a noose hung in a tree on the Indiana State University campus—the ISU community and Terre Haute NAACP spearheaded community dialogues and urged politicians to address the issue of bias crimes.

In the fall of 2007, former ISU President Lloyd Benjamin encouraged students to circulate a petition about the need for a state bias-crime law. And last August, the Terre Haute City Council became the first—and, so far, only—city council in Indiana to pass a resolution urging the General Assembly to pass bias-crime legislation. It read as follows: “Resolved: That the City of Terre Haute hereby urges the State of Indiana to adopt hate crimes legislation to prohibit crimes that are committed against individuals or groups on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation, and to prosecute those who are engaged in or encourage such harmful activity in the State of Indiana. The City of Terre Haute hereby pledges its assistance to the State of Indiana to take any steps necessary to achieve this goal.”

This past month, the Terre Haute community once again did itself proud with a well-organized, well-attended, wide-ranging Human Rights Day event at ISU. Among the several workshops presented was one on gay marriage led by ISU administrator Dr. Matt Pearcey. Three different LGBT advocacy organizations staffed tables at the event: Indiana Equality, Terre Haute PFLAG, and Advocates for Equality.

The latter group is a fairly new action-oriented spin-off from the long-established LGBT student organization at ISU, now called LGBTQS Alliance. The Terre Haute PFLAG chapter is new and has been attracting scores of attendees. Hosted by the local Unitarian church, it is one of several that have popped up around the country recently—probably in response to the national marriage-rights battle, according to national PFLAG.

The will is there and the infrastructure is in place for Terre Haute to do impressive things on the civil-rights front. Stay tuned.

What's IE Been Up To Lately?

UPDATE: Kate Clinton and Indiana Equality on April 3rd
 
Sponsorship of Kate Clinton’s Indianapolis appearance was a great fit for Indiana Equality. Thanks to the producer, Branching OUT Productions, for letting our organization take such a prominent role in bring the talents of Kate Clinton to Indiana.
 
More than 750 devoted fans of Kate Clinton attended the performance, and most indicated their support of Indiana Equality by participating in our door prize drawing. Kate was masterful as she picked apart those powerful positions that stand in the way of equality for all LGBT citizens as well as tying in the important work of Indiana Equality here regionally and locally.
 
Thanks go to the Indiana Equality board members, volunteers and supporters that made this great night a success. Thank you to all that attended the special pre-show VIP event where guests could meet and talk to Kate one-on-one.
 
Look for information on more quality Indiana Equality events happening this summer and fall in further editions of this newsletter.

Host An IE House Party and Help Us Achieve Equality For All Hoosiers!
 
It can be a simple after-work gathering or a more elaborate dinner event. When you decide to host an Indiana Equality house party, we will work closely with you by providing all of the promotional materials and tools you need to be successful. We will also provide a friendly politician to speak about LGBT issues in Indiana and a speaker from Indiana Equality. All you have to do is provide a place for the party and invite your friends, family and co-workers!
 
House parties raise valuable money for IE. These funds will be used to pay for our baseline expenses such as polling data, Statehouse lobbying, staffing needs, and upgrading our technical capabilities to achieve Equality here in the Hoosier state. For more information and a copy of the “IE House Party Kit” please e-mail us at ieinfo@indianaequality.org .