Just in time for the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, Human Rights Campaign Foundation released its 2009 Buying for Equality guide. The guide is aimed at helping consumers businesses and brands that support the LGBT community. It includes listings from a record 260 companies that received a perfect 100 percent score on the 2009 Corporate Equality Index, an annual report on company policies related to diversity & inclusion training, non-discrimination policies and access to healthcare for LGBT employees and their families. With the economy as it is, the need to ensure that every dollar spent counts has never been more important. Download a copy of the guide here.

Joe Solmonese urges you to tell your friends and family why marriage matters: "While HRC is working on many fronts to fight California's Prop. 8 and promote marriage equality across the U.S., I have a task for you today: talk to your family and tell them why marriage equality matters to you. The conversation may be easy, or it may be hard. But in the wake of Prop. 8, a dialogue to change hearts and minds has never been more important. You might want to talk about the person you love. Or about why it's so important for straight allies to support marriage equality. One conversation at a time, America is changing and will continue to change. If we want equality to be the law of the land sooner rather than later, each one of us – LGBT or straight – must now answer the challenge by sitting down with our family and friends, educating them and listening to them in return. If you need more inspiration, if you need a place to start, HRC has developed four e-cards that you can send to friends and family to get the conversation going." Visit HRC here.

Senator Hillary Clinton and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign President, spoke this week-end at 2008 HRC National Dinner in Washington. U.S. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Biden, was previously scheduled to deliver the keynote address but released a public statement cancelling his weekend political campaign activities due to the illness of his wife Jill Biden's mother. Senator Hillary Clinton has graciously offered to appear by satellite live from California to offer remarks. Watch videos...

The Coming Out Project helps GLBT, as well as straight-supportive people live openly and talk about their support for equality at home, at work and in their communities each and every day. "In this crucial election year, National Coming Out Day is a chance for you to make a difference. When you Come Out, you can change the hearts and minds of those in your life; when you Come Out to Vote, you can change the whole country", says the Human Rights Campaign. "We have the right to live our lives openly and honestly and to walk down our streets without fear of hate. We have the right to equality and to live free of discrimination. We have the right to have a voice in our government. How do we gain and protect these rights? We have the right to vote. Your vote is your voice. America needs to hear you! Vote!" Watch an HRC's video with Perez Hilton and other notable LGBT people discussing the importance of living openly and honestly...



Learn more on HRC's website.

Human Rights Campaign has released a comprehensive report on Senator John McCain's record on GLBT Issues. The report contradicts McCain as independent, moderate and suggests similar track on GLBT issues as current presidency. HRC endorses Senator Barack Obama in his bid to become president of the United States. Watch HRC's video on McCain opposing the interests of the Gay Community.

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) lobbying group and political action committee in the United States, reminds that it is crucial to support candidates who support LGBT equality: "2008 is the rarest of opportunities - an election year in which we could finally win fair-minded majorities in state legislatures and both houses of Congress, and elect a President who supports equality. Help make 2008 the Year to Win by pledging to vote for fair-minded candidates up and down the ticket and asking your friends and family to do the same. Because it is time to end the reign of bigotry and discrimination in our government... Because LGBT Americans deserve equality in the workplace, the health care system, the religious community, and the laws that shape our family lives... Because hate is not an acceptable response to diversity... Pledge to vote for candidates who will say YES to fairness and equality for all Americans." Learn more on Equality For All in the 2008 elections here.

Source Human Rights Campaign

The True Colors Tour is back for more this summer with an exciting new lineup of legendary and up-and-coming artists. Produced in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, the 26-city North American tour is presented by Logo in support of the newly created True Colors Fund of the Stonewall Community Foundation. The tour kicks off Gay & Lesbian Pride Month today at Boston's Bank of America Pavilion. The True Colors Tour was conceived by Cyndi Lauper, stemming from her desire to give back to the community for the love and support they have given her throughout her career. True Colors Tour, May 31 - July 5. See 2008 Tour Schedule here...

Source True Colors & Logo

Buying a cup of coffee? Filling up your gas tank? Booking a flight for that dream vacation? Every day, you make decisions about whom to support in corporate America. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Buying for Equality can help you easily support companies that support equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. Ratings in Buying for Equality are based on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual report card, the Corporate Equality Index. A record 195 companies scored 100 percent on this year’s report, which is a significant increase from the 138 companies that earned a perfect score last year. Every day, from enhanced domestic partner benefits to transgender inclusion in non-discrimination policies, we are seeing a revolution in the American workplace. Last year, more than 250,000 people used Buying for Equality to make informed choices about their purchases. This year, you can do your part to support fair-minded businesses by requesting or downloading Buying for Equality 2008.

Source Human Rights Campaign

U.S. House-Senate conferees confirmed last Thursday that the Matthew Shepard Act, which had passed the Senate as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill, would be removed from the final version of the bill. This announcement was made after House Leadership’s whipping the vote count on the conference report concluded there were not enough votes for passage of the bill if it included the hate crimes provision. Inclusion of the hate crimes provision in the final version of the bill fell victim in the House to challenges from opponents of hate crimes as well as unrelated concerns regarding Iraq-related provisions of the bill. The hate crimes veto threat issued by the White House and organized opposition by House Republican Leadership cost significant numbers of votes on the right. Iraq-related provisions that many progressive Democrats opposed cost votes on the left. Moderate Democrats, many of whom voted for the hate crimes bill in May, did not want to test the President’s veto threat and risk a delay in increased pay for military personnel. All of these factors resulted in insufficient votes to secure passage of the bill with the hate crimes provision. "Today’s decision is deeply disappointing, especially given the historic passage of hate crimes legislation through both Houses of Congress this year. After more than ten years and several successful bipartisan votes, it is heartbreaking to fall short this close to the finish line," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. "However, we are not giving up on efforts to find another legislative vehicle, in the second half of this Congress, to move the Matthew Shepard Act." In a press release, Judy and Dennis Shepard, Matthew’s parents, said, “We are truly dismayed to find that Congress now will put aside its leadership on passage of federal hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. At this time of year that fills us all with hope for humankind, we are sad to find that a Congressional majority of each House who have already adopted the Matthew Shepard Act cannot yet come together."

Source The Human Rights Campaign

Out Magazine will honor the 100 most influential people in gay culture at the annual 2007 Out 100 Awards on Friday, November 9 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Tori Spelling and Tim Gunn will host this 13th annual gala along with a special musical performance by the legendary Chaka Kahn. In its special December issue, Out recognizes the 100 most influential people in gay culture with a special list spanning categories such as film, music, fashion, performance, television, visual arts, media, politics, authors, and business. The star-studded Out 100 will also unveil five celebrities and influencers being recognized for their commitment to their crafts and gay rights, including Lifetime Achievement, Entertainer of the Year, Stylemaker of the Year, Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year. "It's a tribute to those who have fought to make a positive impact in the culture at large, and a reflection of how far our community has come," said Aaron Hicklin, Out magazine's editor in chief. Out began revealing the 100 award winners online including Joe Solmonese (HRC), Ari Gold, Marc Almond, John Waters, John Amaechi, Demarco Majors, Ivri Lider, Perez Hilton (see François Rousseau's pictures below) and portraits of all 100 honorees will feature in the December/January issue of Out.



Source Out