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

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (picture, left to right: Nancy Pelosi, Joe Solmonese and Judy Shepard) , was honored by Human Rights Campaign 2007 National Equality Award at the HRC’s Eleventh Annual National Dinner in Washington, D.C. on October 6. Nancy Pelosi has consistently voted in keeping with the principle of assuring equality for gays and lesbians. In 1996, she was one of only 67 representatives to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act. In 1999, she voted against banning adoption by gays within the District of Columbia. In 2004 and 2006, she voted against the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment, which would amend the Constitution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Watch Nancy Pelosi at the HRC’s 11th Annual National Dinner receiving the HRC National Equality Award.


Source Human Rights Campaign

In anticipation National Coming Out Day on October 11th, the Human Rights Campaign has released a video asking, "What inspires you about living openly and honestly?" This year is an important hallmark, as National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, 2007, falls on the 20th anniversary of the 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington, and the unfurling of the AIDS Quilt on the National Mall. HRC and Outzonetv.com, a subsidiary of Bravo, are encouraging others to film their answers to the question posed in the video and submit them as part of an online video project in celebration of National Coming Out Day. OutzoneTV.com will feature stories from Bravo celebrities including Tim Gunn, Daniel Vosovic, Ted Allen, William Sledd, and others. To learn more, visit outzonetv.com.
This year’s National Coming Out Day, themed "Talk About It," builds on the successes of years past. Information about how to create and submit a video, here. Watch HRC National Coming Out Day 2007 video...


Source Human Rights Campaign

The U.S. Senate passed the Matthew Shepard Act, Thursday, September 27. The legislation expands federal hate crimes laws to include violence based upon sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability. It provides new resources to local law enforcement officials to address these types of crimes, and allows for federal intervention when local officials do not fulfill their responsibilities in this area. The measure was sponsored by Senators Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) and Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) and passed the Senate 60 votes to 39. President Bush, through a spokesman, has threatened to veto the legislation as "unnecessary".
"Today's Senate vote sends a bold and unmistakable message that violent crimes committed in the name of hate must end," said Judy and Dennis Shepard, parents of the late Matthew Shepard, the gay Wyoming college student who was killed in 1998 (read previous posts). "The Matthew Shepard Act is an essential step to erasing hate in America and we are humbled that it bears our son's name. It has been almost nine years since Matthew was taken from us. This bill is a fitting tribute to his memory and to all of those who have lost their lives to hate." Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said, "Today, the U.S. Senate has sent a clear message to every corner of our country that we will no longer turn a blind eye to anti-gay violence in America. Congress has taken a historic step forward and moved our country closer to the realization that all Americans, including the GLBT community, are part of the fabric of our nation." HRC has long pushed for the legislation. Solmonese urged Bush to sign it. Watch Joe Solmonese's video...


Source The Bay Area Reporter

Yesterday night, six candidates, including the front-runner, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton; and her closest challengers, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, were jockeying to firm up support among gay and lesbian voters, one of the party's more active and reliable voting blocs. One candidate, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, got caught up in the most tense moment of the evening when he was asked whether he believes people are born gay or whether it is a choice. "It's a choice," he said. Richardson released a statement moments after the event, saying that he had misunderstood the question and that he does not believe people choose to be gay.
Throughout the two-hour event, sponsored by Human Rights Campaign and televised live on Logo, the candidates at turns answered questions from a panel, spoke confidently but also stepped gingerly around the edges of charged topics such as same-sex marriage. The panelists tried to draw out Clinton, Obama, Edwards and Richardson on their opposition to expanding the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples. None of them budged, all saying instead that they think gays and lesbians should be afforded the rights of married couples through civil unions. Only Ohio Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, both spoke strongly in favor of gay marriage. Watch Mike Gravel (top left), Barack Obama (top right), Hillary Clinton (bottom left) and John Edwards (bottom right)...




Indeed, none of the candidates made any notable departures from the well-established and nearly identical positions they have carved out. In questionnaires completed before the event, the candidates - including Sens. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, who did not attend - all said, for example, that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt. They also supported legislation pending in the Senate that would expand the definition of hate crimes to include those motivated by a victim's sexual orientation and gender.

Source Los Angeles Times & Logo