Gay Men's Chorus message
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Gay Men's Chorus messageSan Francisco Gay Men's Chorus With all of the depressing posts and social media attention regarding attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans, this is a refreshing change. It's a message for those working against gender equality. Take four minutes to watch this uplifting, clever video.
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LGBTQ+ Adults Do Not Feel SafeData for Progress
This article shares the results of polling results from among the LGBTQ+ population. Data for Progress is a progressive think tank and polling firm arming movements with the tools they need to fight for a more equitable future. The LGBTQ+ community in America is increasingly experiencing discrimination and political attacks on its rights. This year alone, nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures nationwide, and at least 75 of these bills have been signed into law. As a result, many LGBTQ+ Americans feel unsafe in their communities and neglected by elected officials. Recent polling from Data for Progress shows that LGBTQ+ adults nationally are greatly impacted by anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric in the U.S. Particularly, LGBTQ+ adults feel unheard and unprotected by the Democratic Party, which is the party that the community strongly prefers. We find that LGBTQ+ adults have felt a change, with 47 percent saying that society has become less safe for the LGBTQ+ community in the past few years. More than half of respondents ages 55-64 (52 percent) and 65+ (53 percent) believe that America has become less safe. The article includes graphs of polling results that are titled:
PACG Webmaster NOH8 (No Hate) Campaign photo shoot After Action ReportCivil Rights and Gender Equity Forums PACG was happy to co-sponsor the NOH8 Campaign photo shoot to kick of Pride month in the Quad Cities. Over 80 people showed up to receive a NOH8 tattoo and have their picture taken as an act of solidarity for all those who feel hate in this world. Participants will receive a link to their photos. The NOH8 campaign is a non-profit organization that promotes and raises awareness for marriage and human equality, as well as anti-discrimination and anti-bullying. Those from the national NOH8 (pictured below) were very pleased with the turnout. A big "thank you!" to PACG co-founder, Cath Bolkcom, for the pictures of our friends. These are not the final images from the photo shoot. For our local participants - we would LOVE to publish your final NOH8 image on our website and social media platforms. Please contact our Webmaster and Office Manager with your photos. Thanks for participating in this fun event. Happy Pride Month everyone! Allison Ambrose HRC declares National State of Emergency for LGBTQ+ AmericansHuman Rights Campaign (HRC)
Human Rights Campaign has worked for 40 years to create the most powerful movement for equality in the US. They have now declared a National State of Emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans, stating: We have officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States for the first time following an unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults sweeping state houses this year. More than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been signed into law this year alone, more than doubling last year’s number, which was previously the worst year on record. Our community is in danger, but we won't stop fighting back — not now, not ever. Their State of LGBTQ+ Rights chart describes the status of the following in each of the 50 states:
HRC encourages you to "know before you go." We must push back on legislators who are voting for these hateful, exclusionary laws. PACG Webmaster The Class of 2023 will not be bullied!Sioux City Journal on Twitter Patrick Baughman, valedictorian of Sioux City West High School’s class of 2023, ends his speech with a declaration for trans rights and against "banned books" during graduation. Click here to see his speech.
PACG Webmaster Iowa schools may never recover from 2023 legislative sessionFrom Bleeding Heartland
Two Republican trifectas, 50 years apart, reshaped Iowa's K-12 schools. But whereas the legislature and Governor Robert Ray put public education on a more equitable, better funded path during the early 1970s, this year's legislative session left public schools underfunded and unable to meet the needs of many marginalized students. Governor Kim Reynolds capped a devastating year for Iowa's schools on May 26, when she signed seven education-related bills, including two that will impose many new restrictions while lowering standards for educators and curriculum. ...The governor claimed Iowa's new education landscape "puts parents in the driver's seat." But the majority of parents won't benefit from the new laws. ...More than 90 percent of Iowa students attend public schools. Even if all of their parents wanted to switch to a private school, there would not be enough openings—especially for students with disabilities or those who need individualized education plans. Dozens of Iowa counties don't contain a single private school, making education savings accounts useless for most residents, unless they want to select a 100 percent virtual option. ...In addition, many private schools have jacked up tuition since Reynolds signed the voucher bill. So private school will remain unattainable for many low-income families who may genuinely need state assistance. The majority of the education savings account money would need to be spent on tuition, leaving little left over for other qualifying expenses like textbooks or tutoring. (Families must foot the whole bill for transportation to and from school, which is not a qualifying expense.) ...Advocates for LGBTQ Iowans condemned the new laws in statements published in full below. One Iowa's executive director Courtney Reyes said of Senate File 496, "Like many other centerpieces of the Governor’s agenda, this legislation will harm an already vulnerable group of children and will benefit no one..." Read the full article here. PACG Webmaster Unity Pride Parade |
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