PETITION FOR TEXAS

THE FOLLOWING IS THE PETITION THAT I PROPOSE FOR ALL TEXANS WHO WISH TO IMPROVE THEIR STATE (IT WILL ALSO WORK FOR OTHER STATES):


DEAR SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE____________________,

I, (NAME)__________________________________,
RESIDING AT THE ADDRESS OF , (ADDRESS)__________________________________,
ATTEST THAT I AM YOUR CONSTITUENT.

I AM SIGNING THIS PETITION TO IMPRESS UPON YOU MY CONVICTION THAT PERSONS BELONGING TO THE GAY, LESBIAN, BI-SEXUAL, AND TRANS-GENDER COMMUNITY, HENCEFORTH REFERRED TO AS THE GLBT COMMUNITY, ARE DESERVING OF ALL THE RIGHTS THAT SHOULD BE RESPECTED UNIVERSALLY.

I SUPPORT, GENERALLY, LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ENSURE GLBT INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN SUCH THINGS AS EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, VISITATION, MARRIAGE AND ADOPTION RIGHTS.

MORE BROADLY, I AM OF THE CONVICTION THAT RIGHTS THAT ARE ENJOYED BY SOME, SHOULD BE ENSURED FOR ALL. AND THAT NO GROUP SHOULD BE UNDULY EXCLUDED FROM THE RIGHTS NECESSARY TO ALLOW FOR THE PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, AND THE BETTERMENT OF ONE'S FAMILY (USING THE BROADER DEFINITION OF THE WORD).

MY SIGNATURE AFFIXED HERE:________________________
DATE:_______________


THE GLBT PETITION FACE BOOK PAGE.

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas

P.O. Box 12905, Austin, TX 78711-2905, T 512.478.7300 F 512.478.7303 www.aclutx.org

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Community Leaders Networking Group

This message was e-mailed to me from The Caucus:

These are the dates for the Community Leaders Networking Group (the new name for the Futures Conference Working Group):

* Saturday, April 11
* Saturday, July 11
* Saturday,October 10



The times are 1-5 p.m. Meeting are held at the GLBT Community Center, 3400 Montrose Blvd., Suite 207. Free parking is available in the garage adjacent to the 3400 Montrose building.

As always, we invite people to join us at any point in the afternoon. We realize that there is always too much too do and too little time. This Community Leaders Networking Group, originally designated the Futures Conference Working Group, was first convened and hosted by the Housotn GLBT Community Center in January 2006 to follow up on resolutions presented at the Conference on Houston's LGBTI Future, which was held in June 2005.

The Community Leaders Networking Group is open to everyone in the community. Over the past two years, the quarterly meeting has evolved into an opportunity for community leaders, activists, and advocates to meet in an informal setting and discuss community issues and ideas and to share information on their respective organizations. With the May 2008 meeting, the Community Center changed the name to the Community Leaders Networking Group to better reflect the direction of the meetings. The Community Center continues to organize and host this meeting four times a year. Conversation at the quarterly meetings tends to be free-wheeling and is largely determined by the individuals who attend. An RSVP is not required, but I appreciate receiving a heads-up from people who plan to attend.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

From the Caucus Meeting, Feb 4


For Immediate Release
February 4, 2009


Contact: Kris Banks, President
281-797-1507
kbanks@thecaucus.org
Beth Tudor, Marketing and Communication Chair
713-410-3511
btudor@thecaucus.org

HGLBTPC PAC ENDORSES ANNISE PARKER FOR MAYOR

HOUSTON – City Controller Annise Parker earned an early endorsement in the race for Mayor of Houston from the Houston Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Political Caucus tonight.

"Annise Parker is the most qualified candidate to lead Houston as our
nation struggles through a severe economic crisis," said Caucus
President Kris Banks. "Like the rest of our city, the Houston GLBT
community is bracing for tough times in the coming months and years.
We need a steady, experienced hand to guide us.'

"Parker's proven leadership and record of fiscal responsibility and
sound economic policy will ensure that Houston can continue to fund
our most important priorities – public safety, stronger neighborhoods,
infrastructure and quality city services.'

"With this endorsement, our members send a strong message:
Qualifications matter now, more than ever. And no one is more
qualified than Annise Parker to lead our city though tough economic
times."

TheCaucus

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

A Message from The Caucus




Houston GLBT Political Caucus
Mailing: PO Box 66664 | Houston TX 77266-6664
Office: 1915Commonwealth @ Welch, Suite 104 | Houston TX 77006-1841
713-521-1000 | fax: 309-423-7531 | theCaucus.org


The following message was e-mailed to me:







On February 4, please join the Caucus as we endorse our candidate for the next mayor of Houston!

Screened candidates include City Controller Annise Parker, former City Attorney Gene Locke and City Council Member Peter Brown. In our organization, the membership decides who we will support, so make sure your voice is heard by turning out to our endorsement meeting. Also, hear some exciting new plans for the Caucus over the next year.

There will be a reception prior to the meeting starting at 6:30 pm. Come by early to socialize and grab a bite to eat.



Havens Center, 1827 W. Alabama, Houston 77098




Remember: The meeting will be held at:
Havens Center, 1827 W. Alabama!

Also:











Lobby Day, March 2nd

Don't miss this opportunity to share your concerns and your lives with the Texas lawmakers elected to represent you.

Join us Sunday, March 1st for an Opening Reception in Austin. Details TBA.

Monday, March 2nd Schedule:

8 – 9am Breakfast & Check-In

9am Press conference -South Steps

9:30am Photo Opportunity - South Steps

10 – 11am Lobby Training (Capitol Extension Auditorium, Room E1.004)

11am – 12pm Team Lobby Visits

12 – 1pm Lunch provided by Equality Texas, Capitol City Men's Chorus Performance in the Rotunda

1 – 3pm Finish team lobby visits and visit your legislator

3 – 4pm Thank you letters and debrief





Tea Party

"Indeed, the rightward tilt of the state's GOP electorate permitted another Tea Party insurgent to mount a respectable run without serving as a spoiler to Perry's similarly themed campaign. Debra Medina, a darling of the far right, recently made headlines for questioning the government's involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but came in with about the same 16 percent showing that polls registered prior to her gaffe. -http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100304/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1213


The rightward slant of the Republican party in Texas portends ill for its citizens and residents alike. A state already gerrymandered to the Republican's advantage, allowing a comfortable margin for incompetence, is being pulled toward a radical part of the political spectrum.

The Tea Party rejects any workable form of federalism where the Federal government plays a necessarily central role in funding large projects, such as roads and dams, and provides funding for necessary functions, such as public education.

"But by the time Republican voters went to the polls here in a primary on Tuesday, the political ground had shifted under Senator Hutchison, who lost in a three-way race to Mr. Perry." -link to NY Times Article.

The Tea Party candidates posit themselves as outsiders. But, Rick Perry has been governor for over 10 years.

http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/


If you really want change, elect someone who hasn't been governor for 10 years. Bill White handily beat several other Democratic challengers, and, Bill White doesn't have to hide under a false agenda.

The Tea Party is a mis-informed tax revolt married to a wild-eyed dream of secession. All States require federal money to complete big projects because this is the tax money not hijacked by regional petty thievery, and, back-stabbing. It provides the wealth to the communities too poor to educate their own children or pave their own streets. And it provides a necessary counterweight to local lapses in judgment.

Don't leave the future of Texas in the hands of a movement that would send us back into the Dark Ages; where a decent education is a luxury, and a decent life is a far-off dream. This is the movement that would deny you your unemployment benefits. In fact, Governor Perry already has.

Capitol Building -Austin

State Capitol Complex:
11th and Congress.
Parking at the intersection's southeast Corner, and 1500 block of Congress.
Larger than any other state capitol.

Texas Employment Law

"Texas employment law does NOT prohibit workplace discrimination and/or termination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status." -Equality Texas


"The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), federal legislation that would add sexual orientation as a protected class against discrimination, has been proposed but failed in the past few years. But it is expected that President Obama and the a stronger Democratic majority in Congress will pass and enact the law in 2009." -HRHero.com

http://www.hrhero.com/topics/sex_discrimination.html

Texas Travel and Leisure Blog

Check out my website:
Texas Travel and Leisure Blog
It has articles on travel and leisure in Texas. Also, information pertaining to equality.
Enjoy!