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 Attacks & Advances at State/ Local Level Federation of Statewide LGBT Advocacy Organizations Meets Sharing Strategies, Resources and Energies in Columbus, Ohio |
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Compiled By GayToday
At least 12 cities, counties and states are expected to face ballot campaigns during the next year that seek to overturn civil rights laws, prevent any positive mention of homosexuality in public schools, ban same-sex marriage or outlaw domestic partner benefits. "This gathering has never been more crucial," said Nadine Smith, Co-chair for the Federation. "Our movement's most significant gains and our most relentless challenges are occurring increasingly at the state level. The Federation meetings provide a unique opportunity for state activists to share ideas, pool resources and have important strategic debates that move us forward." The Federation holds two national meetings each year. Members continuously communicate throughout the year on a host of issues being decided in state capitals including safe schools, family law, domestic partnership, hate violence, and the freedom to marry, among others. "Statewide activists left the conference energized and ready to face the fight back in the trenches," said Jeff Redfield of Stonewall Columbus, who was elected co-chair of the Federation during the three-day gathering. "The Federation really creates a great place for folks to get information and the support needed to keep up the fight." In addition to two national gatherings, the Federation has begun coordinating regional trainings to build a stronger base of support for state organizations. The regional meetings, known as Power Summits, are a joint effort between the Federation and its primary partner, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). The first Power Summit will be held in the Midwest in September and will draw state and local organizers from more than six states. A highlight of the Columbus meeting was a program entitled, "From the Front," which featured anecdotes and reports on key state legislative battles, and the strategies and lessons learned. This year's gathering featured a day-long, Skills-Building Training Institute sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign. The Institute featured updates on the latest research and polling, fundraising support, lobbying and election strategy. The Alliance for Justice provided a full day of one-on-one technical support to help organizations navigate the legal maze of nonprofit and political work.
In 1999, NGLTF and the Federation jointly produced Equality Begins at Home, a bold organizing initiative that featured lobby days, marches, and rallies in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, demanding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality. The 350 events held throughout the country dramatically energized statewide GLBT organizing. Attendees at the Columbus gathering included: Beth Bashert, Michigan Equality Eric Berman, Virginians for Justice Melvin Breedlove, Arkansas Equality Network Scott Britton, West Virginia Lesbian and Gay Coalition Donna Cartwright, Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey Michel Coconis, Columbus NOW Chris Daigle, Louisiana Lesbian and Gay PAC Mike Fitzpatrick, Action Wisconsin Scott Fearing, Outfront Minnesota Rick Galena, Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance David Garrity, Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance Steven Gavron, CT Women's Education and Legal Fund Stephen Glassman, Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition Michael Gordon, Citizens for Equal Protection Jean Harris, California Alliance for Pride and Equality Blake Humphries, Free State Justice (Md.) Mara Keisling, Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition Harry Knox, Georgia Equality Project Sean Kosofsky, Triangle Foundation (Michigan) Erin Leveton, Free State Justice (Maryland) Ross Levi, Empire State Pride Agenda John Little, United Gays & Lesbians of Wyoming, Inc. Beth Marschak, Virginians for Justice Beth McGuinn, New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Dan McNeely, Justice, Inc. (Indiana) Peter Medwick, ACLU-DE Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights Project Matt Nicholson, Kentucky Fairness Alliance Karl Olson, Pride Inc. Ian Palmquist, Equality NC Abraham Placencio, Coalition for Equality New Mexico Stratton Pollitzer, Equality Florida Jeff Redfield, Stonewall Columbus/Ohio Association of GLBT Community Centers Dan Ross, Action Wisconsin Stacy Roth, The LGBT Political Alliance of Western Massachusetts Anne Shelley, Arkansas Equality Network Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Miranda Stevens-Miller, It's Time Illinois Vernon Stokay, Arkansas Equality Network Kristine Williams, Citizens for Equal Protection Jeff Winrow, PROMO (Missouri) Doug Wortham, Unity Utah Jo Wyrick, Equality NC |
