The GLN Supplement

Retiring Blog

2010-04-03T15:26:00.001-05:00

Just to let any of you know who are following, this blog is being retired. Please check GLN's website for updated information.

Protest Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill - This Thursday

2009-12-07T19:01:00.001-06:00

Protest Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill

US Evangelical Gay Haters Paved the Way to Possible Death Penalty for Ugandan Gays

Thursday, December 10, 2009
Center on Halsted, Halsted & Waveland
6:30 to 7:30 PM

To coincide with International Human Rights Day, Gay Liberation Network is joining worldwide protests against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill now being debated in the Ugandan parliament.

The new Anti-Homosexuality Bill, if passed, threatens with life imprisonment or the death penalty anyone even alleged to be homosexual. Parents who don’t report their lesbian daughter or gay son to the authorities could face 3 years in prison. Teachers who don’t report lesbian or gay students face the same penalties. And landlords who give housing to a suspected homosexual risk 7 years imprisonment. Similarly, the Bill threatens to brutally punish anyone who works with the gay community in areas of HIV/AIDS activism or health care.

U.S. Evangelicals played a pivotal role in promoting the crisis by giving Ugandan gay haters the green light, when Infamous anti-gay activist Scott Lively, and Exodus International board member Don Schmierer spoke at an antigay seminar earlier this year, claiming that people can "pray away the gay," thereby blaming the victims for choosing a well deserved punishment. The right-wing Washington, DC outfit, The Family, has close ties to Ugandan legislative leaders. Moreover, anti-gay bigotry is a "Western import" into Africa -- almost all of the existing anti-gay laws in Africa are holdovers from the European colonial governments which dominated the continent in the 19th & 20th centuries.

We urge you to join us in this protest to condemn this appalling bill that seeks to eradicate LGBT people in Uganda. We also urge you to tell President Obama to condemn this proposed bill in the strongesi terms possible.

CALL THE WHITE HOUSE
TELL OBAMA TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS BILL: 202-456-1111

CALL THE UGANDAN AMBASSADOR
Perezi K. Kamunanwire
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
202-726 4758

For more information on US/Ugandan connection: http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2009/12/5195/

Link to this page: http://bit.ly/5zUCOS

GLN Calendar with links

2009-11-04T11:14:00.002-06:00

Wednesday, November 4 – Regular monthly organizing meeting of the Gay Liberation Network. Meeting starts promptly at 7 PM (we recommend that people arrive at 6:45 PM) at a NEW LOCATION -- Berger Park Fieldhouse -- 6205 N. Sheridan Road (corner of Granville Street & Sheridan Road). For more information call 773.209.1187 http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178091051004

Thursday, November 5 – 5:30 pm at the Thompson Center. Protest the results of the recent Maine vote to pass Proposition 1, a ballot measure that will take away the right of same-sex couples to marry in Maine. See the Fb event http://bit.ly/2DYx9z

Friday, November 13 – Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. You can watch past shows on GLN's new YouTube Channel. Just go to: http://www.youtube.com/gayliberation

Sunday, November 8 – Chicago Access Network TV broadcasts its coverage of the 11th Annual Matthew Shepard March for LGBT Freedom. 1:30 PM, Cable Channel 21 in Chicago.

Monday, November 9 – Chicago Access Network TV broadcasts its coverage of the 11th Annual Matthew Shepard March for LGBT Freedom. 9 AM, Cable Channel 19 in Chicago.

Tuesday, November 10 – GLN co-presents two films at Reeling, Chicago’s LGBT Film Fest. “City of Borders” and “Shunned” 9 PM at the Century Theatre, 2828 N. Clark Street. See http://www.gayliberation.net/home.html

Friday, November 13 – Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. You can watch past shows on GLN's new YouTube Channel. Just go to: http://www.youtube.com/gayliberation

Thursday, November 19 – PROTEST the continued employment of anti-gay cop Richard Fiorito by the Chicago Police Department. Attend the next meeting of the Chicago Police Board, 7 PM, Chicago Police Headquarters auditorium, 3510 S. Michigan Avenue (just a few blocks west of the 35th Street stop on the Red Line el). See Fb event http://bit.ly/pk4oD

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GLNChicago
Support GLN through PayPal: http://www.gayliberation.net/donate.html
Support GLN through buying merchandise: http://www.cafepress.com/gayliberation
GLN on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/gayliberation
GLN on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gayliberation/

URL to this page http://bit.ly/2ke6HP

Why GLN is Picketing Obama & HRC Tonight

2009-10-10T14:08:00.003-05:00

Why We are Picketing President Obama & HRC Saturday Night.... To Make Genuine Change, We Must Make Demands on BOTH Parties

(From GLN's Andy Thayer)

For too many years the LGBT movement has been the plaything of the Democratic Party. Courted for money and votes when they needed us, abused and disrespected once they’re in power.

Indeed, some of the worst attacks on our community have come when the Democrats controlled most of the levers of power.

Don’t Ask / Don’t Tell was introduced into Congress by none other than Barney Frank, and passed by a Democratic-controlled Congress and Bill Clinton. The Defense of Marriage Act was signed by Bill Clinton, who went on to boast about that fact with paid commercials run on rightwing Christian radio stations.

The only times we’ve gotten even minor concessions out of President Obama have been when we’ve loudly protested. Thus, when our community ripped the selection of pro-Prop 8 activist Rev. Rick Warren for Obama’s inauguration, the incoming administration hastily “balanced” him with gay Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson. And when LGBT activists raised a flurry of protest over the administration’s vicious, anti-gay brief in favor of DOMA, the administration hurriedly introduced some minor improvements in benefits for federal workers.

Clearly, making demands is the way to make civil rights gains. But rather than make demands of President Obama, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Equality March organizers evidently would rather placate him with speaking invitations so he can sooth us with flowery rhetoric while delivering next to nothing in practice. In doing so, they are giving a pro-gay cover to the President’s inaction on our issues, and implicitly telling Obama and his party that our community can be bought off very cheaply, say, with a fancy cocktail party and a few jobs for A-List gays.

HRC has been sucking in millions of dollars and building a fine headquarters filled with finely paid executives for years now, lobbying and cajoling the rich and powerful while winning practically no pro-LGBT legislation at the federal level. By contrast, street activist organizations like ACT UP in its heyday, with far fewer resources, won major gains like the Ryan White AIDS Care Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, in the teeth of opposition from the first Bush administration.

We don’t need this president coming to fancy banquets to tell LGBT people how much he loves us. We need him to tell the rest of America that he will push hard – and expend real political capital – to not only pass an inclusive ENDA, but to use the bully pulpit of the presidency to make sure that the pro equal-employment-rights message seeps into every town in America, thereby creating not just legal change but, more importantly, social change.

Some in our community continue to make excuses for President Obama – “give him more time” to help us, they say. But this ignores the fact that not only has the President backed away from many of his promises to the LGBT community, he has repeatedly stuck us with bone-headed moves like featuring anti-gay Rev Rick Warren at the inaugural. When he was an Illinois State Senator, he backed equal marriage rights. But on the eve of winning his U.S. Senate seat in a landslide victory, he junked his commitment to equality, saying that his “Christian beliefs” dictated that he oppose equal marriage rights. The cravenness of march organizers’ allegiance to the Democratic Party can be seen in their issuing a speaker’s invitation to a rally for legal equality to a man who opposes it for same sex couples. Even former Vice President Dick Cheney is far more progressive than Obama on the issue!

If we are going to make civil rights progress today we need to learn how previous generations have made sweeping gains. They did it not by becoming beholden to either party but by making demands on both parties. As the great anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglass put it, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.”

The picket will be at 6 PM, Saturday, October 10th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, on the northeast corner of Mt Vernon Place NW and 9th Street NW, Washington, DC.

Calendar with updated links

2009-09-23T08:48:00.001-05:00

Saturday, October 3 – March to Bring ALL the Troops Home NOW on the 8th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. March in President Obama's neighborhood to protest his escalation of the war. Assemble 1 PM at Harold Washington Park, northeast corner of 53rd Street and S. Hyde Park Drive, followed by a march near Obama's Hyde Park residence. For more info email CCAWR@aol.com. http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=283650845295&ref=nf

Tuesday, October 6 -- PROTEST against Illinois Family Institute banquet with anti-gay hater Mike Huckabee. Details forthcoming. For information, email LGBTliberation@aol.com

Wednesday, October 7 – Regular monthly organizing meeting of the Gay Liberation Network. 7 – 9 PM at a NEW LOCATION -- Berger Park Fieldhouse -- 6205 N. Sheridan Road (corner of Granville Street & Sheridan Road). For more information call 773.209.1187 http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148745119352

Friday, October 9 – Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. You can watch past shows on GLN's new YouTube Channel. Just go to: http://www.youtube.com/gayliberation

Saturday, October 10 -- Pro-LGBT picket of the White House -- 6 PM, Lafayette Park. Picket is co-sponsored by the Gay Liberation Network and Dallas's Queer Liberaction. See above notice for details on the themes of the protest. For information on low-cost transportation being organized by GLN to attend both the picket and the next day's Equality March, email us at LGBTliberation@aol.com with your name and telephone number. http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178973272784

Sunday, October 11 – Equality March on Washington. For more information, email LGBTliberation@aol.com

Saturday, October 17 -- New date for the 11th Annual Matthew Shepard March for LGBT Freedom. Our theme will be stopping Chicago Police violence and discrimination against our community. Rally in the 7-11 parking lot located at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe Streets (3407 N Halsted), followed by a march past Alderman Tunney's office and the 23rd District Chicago Police Station. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149902148248

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GLNChicago
Support GLN through PayPal: http://www.gayliberation.net/donate.html
Support GLN through buying merchandise: http://www.cafepress.com/gayliberation
GLN on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/gayliberation
GLN on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gayliberation/

GLN News--Update

2009-09-18T10:59:00.003-05:00

Call for a Pro-LGBT Picket of the White House
6 PM, Saturday, Oct. 10th
Lafayette Park (on H Street just north of the White House)

Many of us watched in disgust this past January as the homophobic Reverend Rick Warren was given an honored place at the inaugural festivities. It was as if a leader of the White Citizens Council had been invited to the White House.

After indignant complaints to the incoming administration about this homophobic slap in the face, what was our consolation prize? Openly gay Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson was invited to speak at a lesser inaugural event, as if "balancing" a bigot with a non-bigot was good enough. Then, for good measure – at the behest of the White House – Robinson wasn't televised (see http://www.gayliberation.net/opinion/2009/0122chicagod.html).

This homophobic behavior by the Obama White House has been repeated several times before and since:

** During the South Carolina primary, when his campaign featured rabidly anti-gay Gospel performer Donnie McClurkin at a major rally;

** With the quiet dropping of most pro-gay promises from the Obama website earlier this year – until a firestorm of protest forced them to return much of it;

** With the failure to rescind President Clinton's ban on HIV+ people traveling to the United States, and his ban on granting green cards and citizenship to HIV+ immigrants;

** With the unnecessary administration brief in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), with language worthy of the most vicious anti-gay bigot, making a mockery of his promise to repeal DOMA;

** With the statements by Obama that his "Christian beliefs" make him oppose equal marriage rights, as if the former Constitutional law scholar from the University of Chicago doesn't know anything about separation of church and state. Obama's homophobic statements were of course gleefully quoted to great effect by pro-Prop 8 forces in California;

** With the failure to blunt "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (DADT) by issuing a stop-loss order. Instead, he authorized surrogates to endlessly delay the junking of DADT, thereby breaking his promise to repeal it;

** While an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been reintroduced into Congress, President Obama has expended virtually no political capital in getting it or any other pro-gay measure passed.

The organizers of the Sunday, October 11th March on Washington have placed almost their entire focus on Congress (which will be out of town) and almost none on the President. Indeed, rather than making demands of the President, the official march website goes out of its way to praise "Obama's Mobile Messaging Team (for) Donating Services To The National Equality March"!

By targeting congressional districts and lobbying Congress in an effort to win legal equality, the organizers' strategy looks suspiciously like a drive to elect and re-elect Democrats in the 2010 bi-elections, rather than make uncompromising demands on this President and his Congress.

Their current focus on cajoling Congress and the President to do the right thing ignores a very basic fact – this approach has never won civil rights gains. While LGBT activists fawned over the last Democratic President, Bill Clinton repaid our love by giving us much of the crap bullet-pointed above. Like today, many of those anti-gay measures came while the Democrats controlled both houses of Congress plus the Presidency.

By contrast, uncompromising street protests led by ACT-UP and others gave us the Ryan White AIDS Care and the Americans With Disabilities Acts – despite a very reactionary political climate during the first Bush administration. An era of such protests – the 1960s – caused the radical change in consciousness among LGBT people which thereby gave birth to our modern LGBT movement.

The last thing we need today is to parrot "yes we can" chants, like we are cheerleading this president and his party. Instead, we must take as our maxim the quote from the great anti-slavery organizer Frederick Douglass: "Power concedes nothing without a demand. Never has, never will."

Therefore on October 10th we will be picketing the White House to demand that the most powerful politician in the world implement the many reforms that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans community needs. Please join us.

6 PM -- Saturday, October 10th
Lafayette Park (on H Street on the north side of the White House)

We also will be marching in the Sunday, October 11th march. We invite you to join us – just look for the big yellow banner that reads "President Obama – Keep Your #$^! Promises! Repeal DOMA, DADT"

For more information or to endorse this statement, please email the Gay Liberation Network in Chicago (LGBTliberation@aol.com) or Queer Liberaction in Dallas (LGBTliberaction@gmail.com).

* * * * * * * * *

Low cost van transportation from Chicago to DC and back (with lodging Saturday night) is being organized by the Gay Liberation Network. Cost of transportation and lodging is expected to be a bit over $100. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. If you are interested in this, please email LGBTliberation@aol.com as soon as possible to get details.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

11th Annual Matthew Shepard March is now Saturday, October 17th

This year's Matthew Shepard March for LGBT Freedom was originally moved to downtown Chicago and slated as a protest against the Chicago concert of "Kill Gays" performer Buju Banton on October 1st. Since we have been successful in canceling this concert, we have moved the march back to its traditional location in Boystown and Wrigleyville, with a new date of October 17th. Here are the details:

7 PM
Saturday, October 17
Halsted & Roscoe 7 - 11
3407 N Halsted

The annual Shepard March memorializes the 1998 lynching of the gay Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, who came to symbolize the vicious hatred and violence that many Americans still harbor against LGBT people.

Each year since our founding that same year, the Gay Liberation Network has sought to use the march to highlight not only anti-LGBT violence, but the hatred and violations of civil rights which fuel it. Each year we choose a contemporary theme which illustrates this. Our theme this year is demanding that the justice system in Chicago adequately deal with police officers who violate the civil rights of LGBT people.

In particular, we are demanding that the City take action against Officer Richard Fiorito -- the subject of 20 federal lawsuits charging him with framing, and sometimes beating LGBT motorists in the heart of the Boystwon entertainment district. We demand that the police department put him on desk duty until the internal and external charges against him are adjudicated. Furthermore, given the extensive evidence showing probable cause of criminal wrongdoing, we demand that the Cook County States Attorneys Office press criminal charges such as Obstruction of Justice and Aggravated Battery

More details about this year's Matthew Shepard March will be forthcoming soon. Until then, please hold the date -- Saturday, October 17th.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Since the Cancellation of Chicago Concert
of "Kill Gays" Singer Buju Banton,

Several More Victories!

Thanks to the work of LGBT activists around the nation, several more concerts of "kill gays" performer Buju Banton have been canceled since the cancellation of the concerts in Chicago and other major cities reported in the last GLN News.

Below we reprint two recent GLN press releases updating the progress made against this violent and dishonest homophobe, and give more reasons why gay and non-gay people should hope for the success of the campaign against him.

More Progress Against "Kill Gays" Performer Buju Banton

Viciously anti-gay performer Buju Banton has had his concerts in Columbus, OH, Cincinnati, OH and Minneapolis, MN canceled over the past few days, according to http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/, a website started by Gay Liberation Network webmaster Syd Stevens.

The cancellations come on the heels of shows nixed by AEG Live and Live Nation in Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, LA, San Francisco and Philadelphia (the Philadelphia concert went ahead under different auspices).

Buju Banton grusomely calls for the killing of gay people in the lyrics of his most well-known song, "Boom Bye Bye." When Jamaica's leading gay rights activist, Brian Williamson, was murdered in an apparent hate crime murdered in 2004, a Human Rights Watch researcher who went to the murder scene reported that a mob had gathered and was celebrating the murder by chanting the chorus to "Boom Bye Bye."

CancelBujuBanton.com is urging LGBT people and our allies to contact the concert promoters in Cincinnati, Columbus and Minneapolis to thank them for not helping promote Buju Banton's violent hate:

Cincinnati – Annie's – events@anniesentertainment.com
Columbus – PromoWest Productions – feedback@promowestlive.com
Minneapolis – First Avenue – nate@first-avenue.com

In an article entitled "Concert canceled after gays' protest," The Columbus Dispatch reported Saturday that "Taking issue with some content in the singer's music, several groups -- including Equality Ohio and Stonewall Democrats of Ohio -- circulated an e-mail yesterday urging people to voice their disapproval and shut down the show." That and postings on the Columbusunderground.com local news site led to a flurry of communications that apparently prompted the cancellations.

A full listing of the cities still hosting Buju Banton concerts, along with contact information for the venues, can be found at http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/

The national campaign to cancel Buju Banton's 2009 tour was initiated by Chicago's Gay Liberation Network (www.GayLiberation.net) in early August and energetically taken up by the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center and other activists around the nation. The international campaign against so-called "murder music" was initiated in the early 1990s by British gay activist Peter Tatchell and Jamaica's leading LGBT group, Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG).

* * * * * * * * *

More Victories Against Buju Banton Tour

LGBT organizers joyfully announced yesterday the cancellation of yet another Buju Banton concert in Salt Lake City, Utah and the forced venue change of a concert in Raleigh, NC.

This is in addition to show cancellations in Columbus, OH, Cincinnati and Minneapolis reported earlier this week (local news stories on the Salt Lake and Raleigh victories can be found at http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13344476 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekimS0NqULc). The Salt Lake City cancellation is particularly sweet given the conservative reputation of Utah and the city's role as headquarters for the anti-gay Mormon Church, which played a huge role in passing California's Proposition 8.

The Salt Lake cancellation was notable also for the fact that its owners -- unlike most other canceled venues -- issued a strong pro-gay message in tandem with the cancellation.

"When initially scheduling the Buju Banton event, we were unaware of his hateful anti-gay message," the venue's owner told the Salt Lake Tribune. "Upon further review, Urban Lounge has decided to cancel the event. We strive for peace and understanding in our community. We support the rights of all. We have made this decision on moral grounds."

Huge holes have now been punched in Buju Banton's U.S. tour. And even for those venues and promoters who persist in plowing forward with the concerts, there is a price they are paying in all the bad publicity and distraction of trying to do PR damage control.

Concert and organizing information is being coordinated through the http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/ website initiated by Gay Liberation Network webmaster Syd Stevens.

For those Buju Banton supporters who try to minimize or deflect the viciousness of his violent hatred of LGBT people, Florida pro-LGBT organizers have come up with a ready reply. They have re-posted on their part of the wetpaint site one of several YouTube videos of Buju Banton recently performing the "Boom Bye Bye" song in which he calls for using an uzi or pouring acid to kill gays. In this particular video he also boasts to the crowd, "There is no end to the war between me and faggots!" (To see the clip, go to http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/?mail=1129 and look below the list of Florida concert dates for a link to a video of him performing his song "Boom Bye Bye." It's difficult to understand him, except when he clearly says "There is no end to the war between me and faggots!" Included is the standard English translation and explanation of the lyrics).

For more information on the http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/ site, email sydstevens@gayliberation.net

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GLN Calendar

Sunday, September 20 -- Volunteer! to help publicize the 11th Annual Matthew Shepard March (Oct 17th) and the October 3rd anti-war march. We will be meeting at 3 PM at Nookies Restaurant, 3334 N. Halsted, today and then fan out through much of the city to distribute posters and flyers. No experience necessary! Call 773.209.1187 for more information.

Saturday, October 3 – March to Bring ALL the Troops Home NOW on the 8th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. March in President Obama's neighborhood to protest his escalation of the war. Assemble 1 PM at Harold Washington Park, northeast corner of 53rd Street and S. Hyde Park Drive, followed by a march near Obama's Hyde Park residence. For more info email CCAWR@aol.com

Tuesday, October 6 -- PROTEST against Illinois Family Institute banquet with anti-gay hater Mike Huckabee. Details forthcoming. For information, email LGBTliberation@aol.com

Wednesday, October 7 – Regular monthly organizing meeting of the Gay Liberation Network. 7 – 9 PM at a NEW LOCATION -- Berger Park Fieldhouse -- 6205 N. Sheridan Road (corner of Granville Street & Sheridan Road). For more information call 773.209.1187

Friday, October 9 – Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. You can watch past shows on GLN's new YouTube Channel. Just go to: www.youtube.com/gayliberation

Saturday, October 10 -- Pro-LGBT picket of the White House -- 6 PM, Lafayette Park. Picket is co-sponsored by the Gay Liberation Network and Dallas's Queer Liberaction. See above notice for details on the themes of the protest. For information on low-cost transportation being organized by GLN to attend both the picket and the next day's Equality March, email us at LGBTliberation@aol.com with your name and telephone number.

Sunday, October 11 – Equality March on Washington. For more information, email LGBTliberation@aol.com

Saturday, October 17 -- New date for the 11th Annual Matthew Shepard March for LGBT Freedom. Our theme will be stopping Chicago Police violence and discrimination against our community. Rally in the 7-11 parking lot located at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe Streets (3407 N Halsted), followed by a march past Alderman Tunney's office and the 23rd District Chicago Police Station. For details, see notice above.

URL to this page: http://bit.ly/4exSz

March against hate crimes and music that advocates violence against LGBTs - Oct 1

2009-08-24T23:05:00.005-05:00

On the evening of Thursday, October 1st, the House of Blues nightclub is slated to host a notorious gay-hating performer, Buju Banton, who openly calls for killing Lesbians and Gays in the lyrics of his songs. See info here: http://www.jamaicancaves.org/boom-bye-bye-lyrics.html

Please join us in protest! – Call the House of Blues to let them know how you feel about them hosting a musician who advocates killing Lesbians and Gays. Phone them at 312.923.2000 and demand that they cancel the concert.

Let's be clear: advocating murder is not "free speech."

House of Blues, part of the monopolistic "Live Nation" entertainment conglomerate, has faced protests before against its sponsorship of anti-gay "murder music," yet it persists in thinking that LGBT people should "tolerate" those who call for murdering us. You can call the Live Nation customer service line to complain at 800.431.3462 9 AM to 4 PM or email them at CustomerService@LiveNation.com. See GLN's open letter here.

House of Blues/Live Nation would never book Buju Banton if he advocated killing African Americans or Jews, and rightfully so. Why is it still OK with House of Blues to advocate murdering Lesbians and Gays? Why the double standard?

Please mark the date – Thursday, October 1st – to say NO to murder musicians in Chicago! We have moved our 11th annual Matthew Shepard March for LGBT Freedom from Boystown to downtown that night. We will assemble at the State of Illinois Building Plaza (northwest corner of Randolph & Clark Streets) at 5:30 PM and march on the House of Blues.

If between now and then the House of Blues cancels the concert, we will have a CELEBRATION and congratulate Live Nation for doing the right thing. If they go ahead with the murder music concert, we will take our PROTEST to the doors of House of Blues and call on everyone to BOYCOTT House of Blues / Live Nation going forward.

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the protest, please email GLN at LGBTliberation@aol.com.

URL to this page: http://bit.ly/A32mK

Demand answers from police at meetings Wednesday and Thursday

2009-08-24T22:58:00.002-05:00

Nineteen Lawsuits Against Him For False Charges Against LGBT People. Why is Officer Fiorito Still on the Street?

Please attend a pair of meetings next week at the police station, 3608 N. Halsted, to help demand answers:

7 PM, Wednesday, August 26th -- Meeting of the station's "LGBT Subcommittee"

6 PM, Thursday, August 27th – Meeting of the "District Advisory Committee"

* * * * * * * * * *

Police Officer Richard Fiorito has operated in the heart of the "Boystown" entertainment district and has allegedly targeted numerous Lesbian and Gay motorists for false DUI charges.

During the stops he allegedly berated the arrestees with anti-gay slurs and sometimes roughed them up. Some of his fellow officers had so little confidence in his arrests so they repeatedly advised arrestees that they could beat the charges if they got a good lawyer.

Besides giving vent to his anti-gay bias, Fiorito allegedly made the bogus arrests so that he could ring up overtime pay for court appearances. His fellow officers refer to him as an "overtime whore."

Last year Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored Fiorito for being among the state's highest writers of DUI tickets. But now they're apparently thinking better of it.

"These charges are disturbing on many levels," MADD grief therapist and victim advocate David Malham told Edge Chicago. "It is a crucial role that [police officers] are playing in stopping drunk drivers and saving lives. For [Fiorito] to diss his own role, turning [it] into a con is particularly egregious. Here he is, taking these accolades while pocketing extra pay and getting overtime for court appearances, fooling everyone into thinking that [he’s] a heroic figure, when really [he’s] just a con artist."

In just about any other occupation, such a track record would have gotten Fiorito fired long ago, and criminally prosecuted. So why is the Town Hall District – allegedly the city's most "gay sensitive" – allowing Fiorito to retain his policing powers while the charges are investigated?

Read more at:
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/police.false.dui.2.975041.html

See also:
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/police.setup.lawsuit.2.944463.html
http://www.queerty.com/chicago-cop-hit-with-7-federal-lawsuits-over-gay-harassment-20090403/
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20854
http://www.edgechicago.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc3=&id=89495

URL to this page: http://bit.ly/xz71E

Joliet Rally Update

2009-07-20T20:43:00.005-05:00

On Saturday afternoon about 30 people rallied in front of the Community Alliance and Action Network community center then marched through Joliet distributing fliers to passers by and chanting slogans such as "We're here, we're queer, we're fabulous, get used to us" and "Hey hey, ho ho, homophobia/transphobia's got to go." Upon arriving at the Will County Courthouse the group heard a variety of speakers address issues such as the Illinois civil union bill, changes needed on the federal level, support from communities of faith, and the work being done to provide safe schools.

Everyone was encouraged to visit http://tinyurl.com/JolietAA to see the Joliet Action Alert that provides important information about making necessary changes at the federal, state, and local levels.

Quite a few bloggers and some of the LGBT press posted information about our event in advance. A reporter from the Herald News of Joliet did initially attend the event, but apparently no interviews were conducted, and we have no sign that a story was written.

Ryan Kolodziej, a photographer from ChicagoPride.com was on hand and stayed with us for the entire event. His photographs are available for viewing and download here. An article was written about the event and is available on ChicagoPride.com's website. Some photos and captions were also published in the Windy City Times. See page 8 of the pdf.

More great pictures and video are available for viewing. Kevin Zolkiewicz has posted a highlights video as well as Rick Garcia's speech and Erica Chu's. See his photos as well as these from Ellen Howell. For those on Facebook, Veronica Dratz has also posted some photos.

Thanks again to everyone who made this event possible. Be sure to take action at http://tinyurl.com/JolietAA.

My Speech on Federal Change from the Joliet Rally

2009-07-18T18:59:00.002-05:00

I will have an update with links to pictures and video after they've been put online. In the mean time, I will say that we were a small group, but we were mighty. I hope this becomes an annual event, and perhaps we should have another one soon in Aurora to pressure Linda Chapa LaVia to vote yes on the Civil Unions bill.

Here's my speech on the kind of federal changes we need:

Many of us have been following the news on Prop 8 and been angry at how easily legislators, citizens, and courts can step on the rights of queer people. And because of all the protests and sit ins conducted in support of same-sex marriage, new states are legalizing same-sex marriage, and others such as ours are pushing to recognize those marriages and provide civil unions. But we must not accept separate as equal. Separate is not equal, and the marriage rights of LGBT people should not be left up to states and the whims of the majority. We need to call on our legislators and president Obama to act. We want marriage rights, and we want them now!

Obama has voiced his support of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which has allowed the federal government to skip out on recognizing same-sex marriages performed in states where it is legally performed. So great, Iowa is now performing same-sex marriages, but there are no federal benefits, and no shared tax returns for those couples. Obama has seen our increased activism and tried to appease us with small measures of support for the same-sex partners of federal employees. Not Good Enough!

We must be diligent in holding our public officials accountable to the promises they’ve made and to the needs we have. We have fliers with a url: http://tinyurl.com/JolietAA. At that link, you will find almost everything you need to contact your representatives and push for a more just government…all from the convenience of your computer.

We can’t always count on convenience though. Coming out to rallies like this is important. We must let our fellow citizens and our fellow voters know that these issues are important to us. Our identities and our political interests must be visible in our communities--otherwise homophobia and transphobia will never diminish.

With all the momentum over the Prop 8 protests and winning same-sex marriage in IA, VT, ME, and NH, we must remember that marriage is not the only thing on our agenda. We have so much to fight for.

One of the most basic pieces of federal legislation is an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act that would keep people from being fired based on their sexual orientation, gender-identity, or disability. Despite the fact that religious organizations would be exempted from such a law, we have had no success. George Bush threatened to veto such a bill, and even though Obama has voiced support, we must hold him as well as our legislators accountable. Voicing support does not equal working for the rights of LGBT people!

Let us not forget that a few years ago, ENDA came close to passing, but many of our supposedly LGBT lobbying organizations sacrificed the rights of trans-identified people in order to push for protections on the basis of sexual orientation alone. We must hold our community’s activist organizations accountable! We must stand together!

Specific protections need to be made for those employed by the US military. Over 360 Million dollars have been wasted and over 13,000 military careers ruined implementing the discriminatory and impractical “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. It is an insult to our Armed Forces that they are neither trusted nor expected to treat their fellow soldiers with respect and professionalism. And the recent murder of Seaman August Provost reveals how important it is to allow LGBT soldiers to be open about their identities and to be able to report harassment without fear of being fired. We must not tolerate the status quo!

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act that many of us have been encouraged to write to our representatives about would replace existing policies in order to protect soldiers based on their sexual orientation, but there are absolutely no measures taken to ensure soldiers are able to serve openly regardless of their gender-identity. We must act to change the status quo—even within our own LGBT activist networks! Will you stand up against inequality? We must stand together!

Joliet Rally Action Alert

2009-07-17T15:24:00.014-05:00

Take Action on the Federal Level:

We call on the Obama Administration and our legislative representatives to work to:

Pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act that insists that employees may not be fired on the basis of race, gender, gender-identification, or sexual orientation.

Click here to send a message asking your representative to become a cosponsor of an inclusive ENDA. Be sure to add that you want an inclusive measure that includes protections regardless of sexual orientation and gender-identification. Click here for information on why gender-identification is important.

BE SURE to tell them you want to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act with the provision that gender-identity is also included along with sexual orientation. See more about the policy changes needed to ensure protections for trans troops.

Repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and then allow soldiers to be soldiers on the basis of their merits, not their gender-identity or sexual orientation.

Click here to enter your address (next to the green button) and send a message to your congressional representatives about repealing DADT.

Click here to contact President Obama about repealing DADT.

Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act that has allowed the federal government and most states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legally performed.

Sign PFAW’s petition to Dump DOMA .

Click here to send a letter to your representative in support of the Uniting American Families Act, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.

Use this tool to find contact information about your representatives and tell them you want DOMA repealed.

Take Action on the State Level:

We call on House Representatives Tom Cross (84th District) and Emily Klunk-McAsey (85th District) to commit to voting yes on SB 1716, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act. We commend Jack McGuire (86th District) for committing to vote yes. We wish to send a strong message to Renee Kosel (81st District) that we will not tolerate the suppression of citizens’ rights.

We also wish to send a strong message to all our state and federal representatives that separate is not equal. Illinois civil unions would not be recognized in most states, and they do not ensure federal spousal benefits. We want equal rights for all US citizens regardless of sexual orientation.

We encourage you to call or write the following representatives and encourage them to support SB 1716 (HB 2234) and to fight for full marriage equality. Click here to link the ACLU’s tool for contacting your state representative. Just enter your address and hit send, but please remember to tell them you want marriage extended to same-sex couples.

Contact Tom Cross (has not committed to vote either way)

Springfield Office:
316 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
217-782-1331 - Telephone
217-782-3234 - Fax

District Office:
24047 W. Lockport St, Ste 213
Plainfield, IL 60544
815-254-0000 - Telephone
815-609-3994 - Fax

Contact Emily Klunk-McAsey (has not committed to vote either way)

Springfield Office:
252-W Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4179 Telephone
(217) 557-7204 - Fax

District Office:
16151 Weber Road
Suite 204
Crest Hill, IL 60403
(815) 588-0085 - Telephone
(815) 838-9460 - Fax

Contact Jack McGuire (intends to vote yes on civil unions)

Springfield Office:
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8090 - Telephone
(217) 524-1794 - Fax

District Office:
121 Springfield Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 730-8600 - Telephone
(815) 730-8121 - Fax
Will County

Contact Renee Kosel (promises to vote no on civil unions and same-sex marriage)

Springfield Office:
205-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0424 - Telephone
(217) 557-7249 - Fax

District Office:
19201 South LaGrange Rd.
Suite 204 B
Mokena, IL 60448
(708) 479-4200 - Telephone
(708) 479-7977 - Fax

For more information on Senate Bill 1716 (House Bill 2234), see this fact sheet.

To send a free fax to your Illinois representative in favor of the civil unions bill, click here. Remember to tell them you want marriage extended to same-sex couples..

Take Action on the Local Level:

We call on local citizens to work toward a culture of inclusivity that actively fights against homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, and classism. We call specifically for safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ people in public and private schools and within bodies of worship. Let’s all work together to create a just community that respects and supports all identities.

See this article on fighting racism and transphobia in the LGBT community.

See the Gay Straight Alliance for safe schools.

See the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.

See the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches, which will have updates for the Joliet and surrounding area shortly.

Come Out to Support LGBTQ Rights in Joliet This Saturday

2009-07-16T14:00:00.007-05:00

Queer Rights Rally in Joliet

This Saturday, July 18
2:00 PM
Meet at CAAN Community Center
68 N Chicago St. in Joliet, IL

Local activists from Chicago and the Joliet area are planning to hold a LGBTQ Rights Rally in Joliet in support of local, state, and federal changes that would ensure the civil rights of LGBTQ-identified citizens. Like late-May's "Meet in the Middle" anti-Prop 8 rally in Fresno, California, the aim is to take the equal rights message to more conservative sections of the state where it isn't often heard.

We're calling specifically on House Representatives Tom Cross (84th District) and Emily Klunk-McAsey (85th District) to commit to voting yes on SB 1716, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act. We commend Jack McGuire (86th District) for committing to vote yes and call on those living in the 81st District to tell Representative Renee Kosel of their indignation over her voiced opposition to the bill.

This event is a great opportunity to spend a Saturday afternoon giving visibility to LGBTQ activism where it's really needed. Invite your friends, and make a day of it. We want to have a real crowd pressing for recognition and acceptance in an area where Illinois representatives need the public pressure that this event will create. So make sure you're there!

We will meet at the CAAN Community Center, hear speakers address the issues of safe schools, affirming communities of faith, homophobia, transphobia, civil unions, the Defense of Marriage Act, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, then march through downtown Joliet and end our march at the Will County Courthouse.

People traveling from Chicago will be meeting just outside of the main entrance of the La Salle Street Metra Station (414 S. LaSalle Street) at 12:10 PM SHARP. Just look for the person holding the Pride Flag to meet up with us!

The Metra train leaves from Chicago's La Salle Street Station (414 South La Salle St) at 12:30 and gets to Joliet before 2. After the march, the train leaves Joliet at 4:24 PM and arrives in Chicago at 5:45 PM. Tickets are $5 for a weekend pass (good both ways and available from the counter or on the train). For more info, see the Metra schedule.

We need your help to get people to come out for this event!
*Post the event on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108413283495
*Send the info via listervs: copy and paste info from http://tinyurl.com/nqn9xo
*Tweet the info: RT @GLNChicago Support LGBTQ rights Sat 2PM, 68 N Chicago St in Joliet. Plus info on Metra contingent from Chicago http://tinyurl.com/nqn9xo

This event is co-sponsored by CAAN and GLN

TinyURL to this page: http://tinyurl.com/nqn9xo

Wheaton Protest Update

2009-07-16T13:35:00.006-05:00

Wheaton Protest Says
"Deliver Us From Exodus International"

An estimated 100 people came out to Tuesday night's protest against the anti-LGBTQ "Exodus International." That so many came out on a weekday night, many of them fighting suburban rush-hour traffic much of the way, is a real testament to people's commitment to speaking out against Exodus's "ex-gay" fraud.

Besides the Gay Liberation Network, some of the many groups represented included DuPage National Organization for Women, several PFLAG chapters, the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches, the DuPage County Green Party, Chicago Gender Society, the Stonewall Association, and Gay Recruiters of Bloomington, Indiana (sorry if we left anyone out!).

Check out pictures (Thanks to Linda Giovanna Zambanini).

View a video of the protest by Danny diCrispino of the Gay Liberation Network, and see three by Lillie and Linda of Gay Recruiters here: I, II, III. Kevin Zolkiewicz also has a video.

See page 8 of the Windy City Times for another article and more photos.

Tiny URL to this page: http://tinyurl.com/ma9v3u

"Ex-Gay" Fraud Invades Chicagoland (From GLN News)

2009-07-10T09:44:00.002-05:00

Exodus International -- which says it uses Christianity to "cure" people of homosexuality -- is holding its big annual convention next Tuesday in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, IL.

Exodus International's attempts to "change" LGBTQ people are psychiatric quackery. Every major, relevant professional association has denounced their efforts as potentially very damaging to the very people they claim to "help."

They say they "love" us, yet their fake attempts to change LGBTQ people into "ex-gays" is rooted in their hatred of us. They oppose all of our civil rights – equal employment, housing and access to public accommodations, and one of their board members even traveled to Uganda recently to endorse a vicious law which makes gay sex punishable by life imprisonment.

Besides GLN, DuPage NOW and the Stonewall Association also will be mobilizing for the protest. Please join us:

6:30 PM, Tuesday, July 14
500 College Street, Wheaton, IL

For those coming from Chicago, we'll be taking a commuter train as a group out to the protest.

To join us, meet at the Ogilvie Transportation Center, 500 W. Madison Street, to take the Metra Union Pacific West Line to Wheaton. Assemble on the second floor of the Ogilvie Transportation Center at 5:10 PM sharp, Tuesday on the 2nd floor. Just go up the escalators in the lobby and look for the rainbow flag. Cell phone contact is 773.209.1187

Press Release for Joliet 18 Action

2009-07-09T10:21:00.004-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Local Activists plan Queer Rights Rally in downtown Joliet

Chicago, Illinois – July 3, 2009 – Local activists from Chicago and the Joliet area are planning to hold a Queer Rights Rally in support of local, state, and federal changes that would ensure the civil rights of LGBTQ-identified citizens.

The rally and march through downtown Joliet is set for Saturday, July 18, 2009 and will highlight the need for the Obama administration to repeal the Defense Against Marriage Act and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discriminstion Act. The rally will also call upon Illinois representatives such as Tom Cross and Emily Klunk-McAsey to support SB1716, the bill that would grant some protections for same-sex couples in the form of civil unions.

The rally will focus not only on legislation on the state and federal level, but will also concentrate on the local needs of LGBTQ people in Joliet. Speakers will address such issues as safe schools, homophobia, and transphobia in the Joliet-area.

Rally-attendees will meet in downtown Joliet at the CAAN Community Center at 68 N Chicago St then march through downtown Joliet and end the Will County Courthouse. All are welcome to attend. Those traveling from Chicago for the event are encouraged to buy a 5-dollar weekend pass and catch the 12:30 Metra from the La Salle Street Station (414 South La Salle St).

This event is co-sponsored by Chicago’s Gay Liberation Network and Joliet’s Community Alliance and Action Network.

Queer Rights Rally in Joliet
Saturday, July 18, 2009
2:00 PM
Meet at CAAN Community Center
68 N Chicago St. in Joliet, IL

_______

More information on this event and others is available on GLN’s supplementary blog: http://gayliberationnetwork.blogspot.com/.

Contact:
Erica Chu
Gay Liberation Network

-END-

Link to this page: http://tinyurl.com/nr5lg5

GLN Monthly Planning Meeting

2009-06-26T17:39:00.003-05:00

If you'd like to get involved in organizing GLN events, please drop on by!

Items likely on the agenda:

Participation in National March on Washington
GLN live call-in show on CAN TV
Protest in Wheaton - July 14
Joliet equal marriage action - July 18
Obama's Broken Promises rally - To Be Decided

7 – 9 PM at Chicago's LGBT resource center
Gerber Hart Library
1127 W. Granville Street, Chicago
(just ½ block west of the "Granville" Red Line el stop).

For more information call 773.209.1187

Link to this entry: http://tinyurl.com/oaz2kc

Protest Exodus International

2009-06-26T16:33:00.008-05:00

From the GLN Website:

Big Anti-Gay Confab Coming to Chicagoland July 14th
Protest Anti-Gay Hate Disguised as Religious Faith

Exodus International is the nation's foremost organization claiming to use Christianity to turn LGBT people into "ex-gays."

And while they say they "love" us, their fake attempts to change gays into straights is rooted in their hatred of gay people. They oppose all civil rights for LGBT people – equal employment, housing and access to public accomodations, and one of their board members even traveled to Uganda recently to endorse a vicious law which makes gay sex punishable by life imprisonment.

Every major, relevant professional association has denounced Exodus's efforts as potentially very damaging to the very people Exodus claims to "help."

As the American Psychiatric Association notes: "The potential risks of 'reparative therapy' are great, including depression, anxiety and self destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self hatred already experienced by the patient. Many patients who have undergone 'reparative therapy' relate that they were inaccurately told that homosexuals are lonely, unhappy individuals who never achieve acceptance or satisfaction. The possibility that the person might achieve happiness and satisfying interpersonal relationships as a gay man or lesbian is not presented, nor are alternative approaches to dealing with the effects of societal stigmatization discussed." (see www.TruthWinsOut.org for more resources on the "ex-gay" movement).

Help us expose the "ex-gay" fraud! Help show young LGBT people that there is an alternative to the damaging quack "therapy" that Exodus International promotes.

The Gay Liberation Network is organizing a protest against the opening of Exodus International's big annual convention and we invite you to join us:

6:30 PM
Tuesday, July 14
Wheaton College
500 College Avenue
Wheaton, Illinois

GLN is organizing transportation from Chicago to the protest, and may be able to offer it from some suburban locations. If you need transportation or are willing to offer it, please email LGBTliberation@aol.com

Link to this entry: http://tinyurl.com/p38j7o

Join GLN at this Weekend's Pride Events!

2009-06-26T13:42:00.006-05:00

At 1 PM on Saturday, June 27 join us at this year's Dyke March – we will be meeting in the bank parking lot on the southwest corner of 18th Street and Halsted. Just look for the huge yellow banner reading:

A Chicago 'welcome' for Obama
KEEP YOUR @#$%! PROMISES!!!
Repeal DOMA, DADT

And on Sunday, June 28, join us for the Gay Pride Parade. We will be meeting at 11 AM at the corner of Barry and Halsted (approximately 3100 N Halsted). Again, just look for the big yellow banner or call 773.209.1187 (cell) if you have trouble finding us. Shortly before the parade begins we will be moving south about a block and a half to our parade line-up spot.

Do NOT try to drive there – budget extra time to arrive there due to the huge crowds. We will have a pick up truck for people to ride on if they can't walk the whole way. See you there!!

Link to this entry: http://tinyurl.com/p3gvml

A Few Upcoming Events

2009-06-12T10:47:00.007-05:00

Demonstration at Obama event - Monday (06/15)
President Obama will be in downtown Chicago Monday (06/15) speaking to the American Medical Association at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive. GLN will be working in cooperation with ANSWER to put together a protest demanding that he fulfill his promises (and a lot more) about ending wars abroad, repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, Don't Ask Don't Tell, and more. Given the time of day, even though our numbers won't be large, it is important that we be out there. The protesters should plan to gather at 10:30 AM. If you plan on coming out or if you can help with a possible banner (about DOMA and DADT), contact Andy at 773.209.1187.

Safe Schools Event by GenderJust – Monday (06/15)
Safe & Affirming Education Community Forum June 15th at 6pm at Lozano Library (1805 S Loomis). CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Ron Huberman, will be present to hear stories and student-initiated solutions as part of Gender JUST’s Safe & Affirming Education Campaign! Come out and show your support. See GenderJUST’s Fb event.

GLN Pride Contingent – Sunday, 06/28
March with the Gay Liberation Network in this year's Gay Pride Parade (June 28)! Other groups in support of LGBT rights are welcome to join us and represent their organizations, but please first contact us regarding themes for signs and banners. For more specific information, email Andy Thayer at LGBTLiberation@aol.com. This year we'll be meeting at 11 AM at the corner of Barry and Halsted. See my blog post or the Fb event for our contingent.

Join us at the Dyke March Saturday, 06/27
Plan on marching with us in this year's Dyke March (June 27) in Pilsen. More info on GLN’s contingent will be posted on our group page in the next couple weeks. For more information email LGBTliberation@aol.com or call 773.209.1187. See the general Dyke March Fb event.

Queer Rights Rally in Joliet – Saturday, 07/18
Mark your calendars for July 18th. The Gay Liberation Network will be working with Community Alliance and Action Network to sponsor a Queer Rights Rally in downtown Joliet to support local, state, and federal changes that would ensure the civil rights of LGBTQA folks. We hope to get a large group from Chicago to caravan and/or take the Metra. See my blog post or our Fb event and spread the word.

GLN is now on Twitter!

For more events, see our calendar on the Fb group page.

GLN Pride Parade Contingent

2009-06-11T00:10:00.005-05:00

March in this year's Gay Pride Parade with Chicago's LGBT direct action group, the Gay Liberation Network! GLN not only organizes for equal marriage rights but other LGBT rights, rights for other groups, and solidarity with every hue of our rainbow community.

This year our contingent will meet at 11 AM at the corner of Barry and Halsted. If you can come at 10, we would appreciate the help setting up our signs and flags. Costumes, homemade signs, and slogan T-shirts welcome. See the parade route here.

Other groups in support of LGBT rights are welcome to join us and represent their organizations, but please first contact us regarding themes for signs and banners. For more specific information, contact Andy Thayer at LGBTLiberation@aol.com

Sunday, June 28, 2009
11:00am
Corner of Barry Ave and Halsted St

Link to this entry: http://tinyurl.com/lv7fpv

Queer Rights Rally in Joliet

2009-06-10T00:34:00.015-05:00

Saturday, July 18, 2009
2:00 PM
Meet at CAAN Community Center
68 N Chicago St. in Joliet, IL

Chicago is not the only place where LGBTQA activism is needed. Come out to downtown Joliet for a Queer Rights Rally in support of local, state, and federal changes that would ensure the civil rights of LGBTQA folks.

This event is a great opportunity to spend a Saturday afternoon giving visibility to LGBTQA activism where it's really needed. Invite your friends, and make a day of it. We want to have a real crowd pressing for recognition and acceptance in an area where IL representatives need the public pressure that this event will create. So make sure you're there!

We will meet at the CAAN Community Center, hear speakers address the issues of safe schools, civil unions, the Defense of Marriage Act, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and Trans rights, then march through downtown Joliet and end our march at Joliet's City Hall.

We hope to get a large group from Chicago to caravan and/or take the Metra (rally location is 2 blocks from station). Don't be afraid of taking the Metra--it's over an hour one way, but it would be a great way to get to know other activists for LGBTQA rights.

If you are willing to drive, please contact Erica Chu through Facebook or email. The Metra train from Chicago's La Salle Street Station (414 South La Salle St) leaves at 12:30 and gets to Joliet before 2. After the march, the train leaves Joliet at 4:24 and arrives in Chicago at 5:45. Tickets are $5 for a weekend pass (good both ways and available from the counter or on the train). For more info, see the Metra schedule.

Gay Liberation Network (Chicago)
Website
Facebook Group

Community Alliance and Action Network (Joliet)
Website

Link to this entry: http://tinyurl.com/lb9v9h

Protest a Success, Civil Unions in IL?

2009-05-28T15:10:00.005-05:00

Thanks to all for your participation in the anti-Prop 8 protest Tuesday. For links to some of the media coverage, see the Facebook event page.

The Civil Unions bill has been passed by a House Committee and has been brought to the lineup of bills to be voted on before the end of the General Assembly’s session (May 31). Today, civil-unions opponent Rep. David Reis has filed query notes in an effort to slow down the bill, which could stall the vote until special session dates. Last year, the bill was not able to be voted on during the special session.

It’s so important we get stay in contact with our representatives in the House and Senate. Even if you’ve done so already, contact your representatives and tell them of your support for SB 1716, the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, and your desire that it be voted on immediately.

Click here to easily find your representatives and to send/edit an email. This is important for us all, but especially so for people residing in the west suburbs and outside Chicago. I would encourage you also to look up the Capitol Office number for your representative and leave them a message as time is of the essence.

If you’re from the 108th district and even if not, I’d also encourage you to call David Reis and tell him you want a vote immediately: 217-782-2087.

To stay updated on Chicago-area events, be sure to join the Facebook groups for the Gay Liberation Network (which is planning protest in Joliet July 18) and Join the Impact Chicago (which has a marriage forum event June 9). See links below.

Gay Liberation Network
Website
Facebook Group

Join the Impact Chicago
Website
Facebook Group

Protest Tonight

2009-05-26T13:31:00.003-05:00

At noon today, the California Supreme Court announced that with a vote of 6 to 1, Proposition 8 has been upheld. The fact that the 18,000 same-sex marriages performed before Election Day will stand is good news, but not good enough considering that Prop 8 took away the rights granted to queer folks in California.

Are you angry?

You should be because even though this is an issue specific to same-sex couples in California, the US Constitution is supposed to guarantee equal protection under the law for all citizens. Everyone has a vested interest in their civil rights and the upholding of the US Constitution.

Let’s send a loud message to the federal government and to the public that we stand for equality, and we want it NOW. Over a hundred other rallies will be taking place tonight to protest the decision on Prop 8. Will you be among them?

If you’re near Chicago, come out and be ready to march. Bring your signs, bring your voices, and bring your anger.

7:00 PM
Tuesday, May 26
in front of the Center on Halsted
3656 N Halsted St

See the Facebook event.
(for events tonight in more than 100 other cities, see http://www.DayOfDecision.org )

Even more important – please forward this message to every list serve you can. Facebook it, Twitter it, phone it – and be there!

---------------------------------------------------

"No civil rights movement has EVER lost. Never. It is not a matter of if our community will win full equal rights, including marriage. It is only a matter of when. But as in all civil rights movements, we will have to fight like hell for it."

-Robin Tyler, petitioner in the case to overturn Prop 8

Day of Decision Actions - Tuesday at 7 PM

2009-05-22T12:51:00.001-05:00

DAY OF DECISION ACTIONS TUESDAY NIGHT!!

We have just learned that the California Supreme Court will announce its decision on Proposition 8 onTuesday, May 26 at noon (10:00 AM PST).

Please plan on participating in the Day of Decision action:

7:00 PM
Tuesday, May 26
In Front of The Center on Halsted
3656 N. Halsted St

(for info on actions in other cities,
go to http://www.DayOfDecision.org )

Even more important – please forward this message to every list serve you can. Facebook it, twitter it, phone it – and be there!

Depending on what the court decides, we will either PROTEST or CELEBRATE. We will PROTEST if: The court upholds Prop 8, and invalidates the 18,000 same-sex marriage licenses that California already issued, or: The court upholds Prop 8, but upholds the 18,000 same-sex marriages already performed, which would be a cruel, but phyrric victory for equality.

We will CELEBRATE if: The court rejects Proposition 8 and says that same-sex couples are entitled to the marriage rights that heterosexual couples already have.

So call, email, Facebook, Twitter your friends – the DAY OF DECISION action, held in conjunction with the Chicago Chapter of JoinTheImpact is at 7 PM, Tuesday, May 26 in
front of the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted!

Behind the Scenes Story - Article by Andy May 17, 2009

2009-05-17T18:07:00.002-05:00

Full article and more photos by Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network is located here.

More photos and the first and second stories in this series are also available.

IDAHO Press Release - May 17, 2009

2009-05-17T06:50:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Chicago Protesters Observe International Day Against Homophobia, Local Activist Arrested in Moscow

Chicago, Illinois – May 17, 2009 – This year, May 17th is commemorated around the world as International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), a day on which LGBTQ people and their allies focus attention on the problems of anti-gay and anti-trans hate, discrimination, and violence.

This year, the Gay Liberation Network (GLN) is organizing Chicago’s IDAHO event as a protest against the Obama administration's continuing silence about rampant anti-gay violence in U.S.-occupied Iraq.

Credible reports of torture and murder now indicate that there is a wave of targeted violence against LGBTQs in that U.S.-occupied country, carried out with the tolerance if not encouragement of the Iraqi regime, which has itself executed at least a few people for being gay. The Obama administration has been silent about this violent homophobia, despite being a major prop to the Iraqi regime and a recent visit to Baghdad by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Originally set to take place outside the security perimeter of the Obama residence in Hyde Park, the protest was hurriedly moved to the Center on Halsted after the city revoked GLN’s permit late Friday. Cited was a provision of state law that prohibits protesting at a private residence. Although other demonstrations have occurred near Obama's residence, GLN felt that there wasn't time to mount a legal challenge to this latest denial of protest rights in Chicago.

GLN Co-Founder Andy Thayer traveled to Moscow to participate with Russian and Belarusian LGBTQ activists in Moscow’s IDAHO demonstration. Surrounded by the international press on Saturday, Thayer stated, “If democracy [and] the right to assemble is taken away from lesbian and gay people here in Russia, then other Russians have to fear for their own freedom. I’m with the Gay Liberation Network in Chicago, and I’m proud to be here, part of this demonstration.” Barely able to finish his sentence, he was dragged away by riot police and taken into custody. He was later released without charges.

In an email written to friends and family early this morning, Thayer indicated that he was uninjured and in good spirits. “I am very proud of the action led by our Russian and Belarusian friends. Together they are making a better world for all of us,” Thayer said. He did, however, also indicate that he worried about the legal actions that may be taken against his fellow demonstrators.

In recognition of IDAHO, Thayer also brought attention to the severe treatment of LGBTQ people around the world, citing the protests planned for today in Chicago and San Francisco, aimed at influencing the Obama administration to speak up about the recent human rights violations against LGBTQs in Iraq.

Letter from Andy, May 17, 2009

2009-05-17T04:43:00.001-05:00

Sunday, May 17 -- 1:10 PM Moscow time

To my family & friends –

Yesterday I was taken into Russian custody without injury for several hours but then released without charges. I have finally just gotten internet access and I apologize for any worry this delay in writing you may have caused.

Some of my Russian friends have not been so lucky. As of this writing, we know of no serious physical injuries to them, but as some of you may have seen on news coverage of the action, at the very start of our non -violent protest we were violently attacked by the Russian OMOH cops (their equivalent of SWAT police).

Again, fortunately there is no news of serious injuries at this time, but in contrast to previous actions, Nikolai Baev and few other Moscow Pride leaders, are both still being held on a series of charges that we still don't have full clarity on yet. Nikolai Alekseev, Moscow Pride's foremost leader who also faced a battery of charges, was just released 40 minutes ago and is en route to the flat where I'm staying at tonight.

Both Nikolais appeared to be without injury when we were transported to the police station in a Russian squadrol yesterday afternoon, but Alekseev was separated from all the rest of us, which caused us great worry. Alekseev's lawyer came from St. Petersburg and is assisting the remaining arrestees. We hope to have more information about our Russian friends before I leave for the airport Monday morning and am out of contact while in transit back to the States.

After some initial, very worrying reports about the situations of our Belorussia friends, I'm happy to report that all of them were finally released at around midnight last nigh t.

I am very proud of the action led by our Russian and Belorussian friends. Together they are making a better world for all of us.

If you would like to help them or other lesbian and gay activists doing courageous work in very difficult circumstances, I would urge you to make donations to the following two groups:

Moscow Pride and Iraqi LGBT

Unfortunately it is not clear from their website (mostly in Russian) how to donate to Moscow Pride and I do not have information on how to donate to our Belorussian friends, who will be hosting next year's Slavic Pride in Minsk. I will hopefully be getting this information shortly, and will pass it on.

Today (Sunday, May 17) as many of you know, the Gay Liberation Network in Chicago and activists in San Francisco are commemorating International Day Against Homophobia by focusing on the desperate situation faced by LGBT people in Iraq. Credible reports of tortures and murders now indicate that there is a wave of targeted violence against gays in that U.S.-occupied country, carried out with the tolerance if not encouragement of the Iraqi regime, which has itself executed at least a few people for being gay. The Obama administration has been silent about this violent homophobia, despite being a major prop to the Iraqi regime and a recent visit to Baghdad by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Donations to Iraqi LGBT are urgently needed to fund safe-houses for Iraqi gays who otherwise face murder on the streets of their own cities. Just go to the PayPal button on their website, http://iraqilgbtuk.blogspot.com/, and write a check payable to "Iraqi LGBT" and mail it to the following address:

Iraqi Lgbt
22 Notting Hill Gate
Unit 111
London,W11 3JE
United Kingdom

Thayer Released 17:50, May 16, 2009

2009-05-17T04:34:00.002-05:00

Excerpts from UK Gay News.

May 16, 2009, Moscow time

17.50: American activist Andy Thayer has been released from police custody. Only one Russian acticvist has been released so far - she said she told the police she is a journalist.

15:15: Reports say that Andy Theyer is still in police custody. It appear that Peter Tatchell is one of the few activists released. He is currently 'doing the rounds' with the media. There is no news on Nikolai Alekseev

14:30: Belarusian Embassy in Moscow has refused to give assistance to the Belarusian agay activists who were detained by police. Peter Tatchell is safe and has been released. He has confirmed the violent tactics ujsed by the police.

13:30: Amid the confusion over who was arrested, it is confirmed that Andy Thayer, the American gay rights activist is in police custody.

12:50: All activists have now been arrested - about 40 in all. Arrests were made while giving interviews to the media. Journalists are still at the scene. All activists have been arrested while giving interviews. Western diplomats are watching the situation.

12:40: Nikolai Alekseev is brutally arrested in front of 35 journalists.

12:30: 20 LGBT arrested by anti-riot police while they were marching in the direction of the Moscow State University. They pulled out flags and crowd of jouirnalists followed them. Police to immeditaely arrested them. Peter Tatchell among the first to be arrested.

Chicago Activist arrested at Moscow Pride March - May 16, 2009

2009-05-16T16:48:00.001-05:00

Co-Founder of Chicago’s Gay Liberation Network, Andy Thayer has been arrested by riot police at Moscow’s gay rights march.

He said the following just before his arrest: “If ... the right to assemble is taken away from lesbian and gay people here in Russia, then other Russians have to fear for their own freedom” and “I’m with the Gay Liberation Network in Chicago and I’m proud to be here, part of this demonstration.”

Watch the video of his comments and arrest:

We need to come out with a strong voice in support of Andy and LGBT rights from Moscow to Iraq to right here in the US. Make sure you come to the International Day Against Homophobia protest tomorrow in front of the Center on Halstead. Get there early (there’s a Cubs game that day).

2:00 PM, Sunday, May 17^th (get there early!)

Outside the Center on Halsted

3656 N Halsted

See the Facebook event.

For further information on this event, contact Erica Chu at ericachu@msn.com

GLN Co-Founder Arrested at Moscow Gay Rights March

2009-05-16T15:22:00.000-05:00

Andy Thayer has been arrested by riot police at Moscow’s gay rights march. He is reported to have said the following just before his arrest: “If ... the right to assemble is taken away from lesbian and gay people here in Russia, then other Russians have to fear for their own freedom” and “I’m with the Gay Liberation Network in Chicago and I’m proud to be here, part of this demonstration.” We need to come out with a strong voice in support of Andy and LGBT rights from Moscow to Iraq to right here in the US. Make sure you come to the International Day Against Homophobia protest tomorrow in front of the Center on Halstead. Get there early (there’s a Cubs game that day).

2:00 PM, Sunday, May 17th (get there early!)
Outside the Center on Halsted
3656 N Halsted

There is a sign-making party tonight from 7:30-9:30 PM at 1343 N. Campbell Apt. 2F. Call Mark at 805.816.7959 for more info.

See more information on the story at the following links:
The Los Angeles Times
The Telegraph
Associated Press: First Article and Pictures, Video, Second article
National Public Radio
Euronews.net
ITN News

Last-Minute Location Change (to Center on Halsted) for Sunday’s Protest

2009-05-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow’s the day, ya’ll…for the Gay Liberation Network’s protest focusing on Obama's Failure to Denounce Rampant Anti-Gay Violence in Iraq.

May 17th is commemorated around the world as International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), a day on which LGBT people and our allies focus attention on the problems of anti-gay hate, discrimination and violence. GLN is organizing Chicago's IDAHO event as a protest against the Obama administration's continuing silence about rampant anti-gay violence in U.S.-occupied Iraq. We encourage everyone to bring signs that draw attention to the need to fight homophobia and transphobia across the globe--especially in Iraq. Feel free, however, to include statistics or profiles regarding any country.

*Because the city revoked our permit at the last minute, the protest location has been changed to the Center on Halsted. There is a Cubs game going on Sunday, so this will give our protest increased visibility. But that means more traffic and less parking. Budget extra time so you get there at 1:45 PM.*

We look forward to seeing you there!

2:00 PM, Sunday, May 17th (get there early!)
Outside the Center on Halsted
3656 N Halsted

City Revokes rally permit at last minute - May 15, 2009

2009-05-15T10:42:00.000-05:00

The following article was written by Bob Schwartz and is in the public domain: http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/86633/index.php

Protest Oppression of Gays in Iraq, Russia This Sunday

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) Protest: Stop the Murder of Iraqi Gays! Tell Russian Authorities to Permit Gay Pride In Moscow!

-NEW LOCATION-
CENTER ON HALSTED
HALSTED AT WAVELAND
Sunday, May 17 at 2 PM

Although a permit had been issued for a protest at President Obama's Hyde Park reisdence, late on Friday afternoon, the Law Department of the City of Chicago determined that our May 17 protest cannot take place at Obama's Chicago residence. Cited was a provision of state law that prohibits protesting at a private residence. Although other demonstrations have occurred near Obama's residence, it was felt that there wasn't time to mount a legal challenge to this latest denial of protest rights in Chicago.

[Our attorney in the Lawyer's Guild, Chicago Chapter, will be notified of this development as it is necessary that protest access to Obama's Chicago residence must be maintained.]

With a virtual guarantee of greater visibility perhaps off-setting symbolic value of a rally outside Obama's Chicago residence, the demonstration for Iraqi LGBTs will take place at the Center on Halsted, 801 West Waveland (at Halsted) at 2 PM.

Those planning to attend the protest are urged to arrive by 1:45 PM and need to know that a Chicago Cubs game is being played that day at Wrigley Field, thereby putting the squeeze on parking. Public transportation is advised.

__________________________________
Protest Focuses on Obama's Failure to Denounce Rampant Anti-Gay Violence in Iraq.

May 17th is commemorated around the world as International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), a day on which LGBT people and our allies focus attention on the problems of anti-gay hate, discrimination and violence.

This year in Chicago, the Gay Liberation Network (GLN) is organizing the city's IDAHO event as a protest against the Obama administration's continuing silence about rampant anti-gay violence in U.S.-occupied Iraq.

Threats Mount Against Gay Pride in Moscow - Article by Andy, May 15, 2009

2009-05-15T08:51:00.001-05:00

Full article and pictures by Andy Thayer available here.

The first story in this series is also available.

PHOTOS By Andy Thayer / Gay Liberation Network

1. Strategy session
2. Nikolai Alekseev confers with fellow activists

Gay Pride in Moscow - Report from Andy, May 14, 2009

2009-05-15T07:55:00.002-05:00

Full article and photos by Andy Thayer is available here.

PHOTOS by Andy Thayer / Gay Liberation Network
1. Peter Tatchell, Britain's foremost LGBT rights campaigner, on the coach to today's Slavic Pride conference
2. On the bus to Slavic Pride

Letter from Andy: May 13, 2009 - Arrives in Moscow

2009-05-15T05:33:00.000-05:00

To:
Subject: [GLN Organizers] Safely in Moscow -- please pass this on to others
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 18:57:14 -0400
From: lgbtliberation@aol.com

Hi everyone,

I'm happy to say that earlier this evening I was able to enter the country without incident, as have Peter Tatchell and a few other internationals.

On Tuesday a lesbian couple attempted to get married at the State Registry Office and were denied, but a ton of press from around the world picked up the story, including the New York Times. Tonight as I accompanied Slavic Pride organizer Nikolai Alexeyev, his two cell phones were ringing constantly with calls from reporters, and we went to Red Square where he did interviews with a Finnish daily newspaper and a Slovenian paper. There has been tons of press because Eurovision is as huge here (bigger, actually) than American Idol is in the U.S., and so we're getting the "straight" reporters on the gay rights angle and the entertainment reporters as well.

Also on Tuesday the City of Moscow granted a permit for anti-gay forces to march on that day -- there was no word on how many actually participated, if any, as there was no press about it. Earlier today (actually, Wednesday), the City also formally rejected our application to march. The Moscow Chief of Police has threatened to arrest everyone who marches. So after pissing off the Deputy Chief of the Chicago Police Department's Central Business District, but getting acquitted last week, I'll probably soon have the opportunity to piss off police chiefs on two continents.

Moscow Pride is this Saturday, though for understandable reasons, we are keeping mum about exactly how that will take place.

I'll try to file a fuller report tomorrow night. Pic of me in Red Square is attached : )

Andy

GLN live call-in show on CAN TV - May 30, 2008

2009-05-15T03:46:00.000-05:00

Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, once a month on Friday 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago.

Original air date: May 30, 2008. With hosts Andy Thayer & Bob Schwartz.

Gay rights activists in Russia attempt to hold the third annual Moscow Pride event after two years of violence, police arrests, and an anti-gay mayor denying the right to assemble.

Two upcoming events

2009-05-10T14:38:00.000-05:00

1 IDAHo

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is coming up on Sunday, May 17th. Events are planned across the world to observe this important day, and in Chicago we will gather at 2:00 PM near Obama’s Hyde Park residence, which is at Hyde Park Boulevard (51st Street) and Greenwood. Though we had originally intended to focus our attention on Poland, because of the increase in violence against LGBTQ folks in Iraq, we have decided to focus our attention there.

Despite the human rights violations by such a close U.S. ally, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made no public protest about this situation during her visit to Baghdad two weeks ago. Over the past few weeks there have been protests in New York and San Francisco which have gotten quite a bit of press, despite the small size of the protests. We in Chicago are uniquely positioned to add even more pressure. When we hold our IDAHO event near Obama's residence in Hyde Park, we could help force his administration to finally speak out about human rights violations by a close U.S. ally.

At our rally, statements will be made regarding the situations of LGBTQ folks in Iraq as well as other parts of the world. Our goal is to raise awareness about the continuing international problem of anti-LGBTQ violence and discrimination, often aided by governments closely allied with the US.

We encourage everyone to bring signs that draw attention to the need to fight homophobia and transphobia across the globe--especially in Iraq. Feel free, however, to include statistics or profiles regarding any country.

More info is available on the Facebook event page.

2 Day of Decision Rally [Date: TBA]

The California Supreme Court will announce their decision regarding the legality of Proposition 8 any weekday between now and June 3rd. The night that it releases its decision, we will meet for either a PROTEST or a CELEBRATION at 7 PM in front of the Center on Halsted (3656 N Halsted) followed by a march.

We will be sending out an announcement of the court’s intention to announce their decision (which will likely only be 24 hours in advance), but it’s important to make people aware of the event in advance. You can also sign up to receive a text message alert when the court announces that it will have a ruling the next day. This will cue you in to the fact our rally will take place the evening the decision is announced. You can sign up on the National Center for Lesbian Rights website.

If the decision is against us, we cannot passively accept this broadside against our rights and humanity. If the decision is in our favor, we need to trumpet this victory far and wide, with the aim of using its positive momentum to spread equal marriage rights here to Illinois. Locally this action is cosponsored by GLN and the Chicago Join the Impact chapter. More information is available on the Facebook event page.

trial update, GLN meeting

2009-05-04T14:02:00.000-05:00

Be aware that the opening remarks for Andy's trial have been moved to an earlier time: They start tomorrow at 11:30 and will continue on into the afternoon. More info at the event: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64076963536

I won't be sending out Facebook invitations for the GLN planning meeting (This Wednesday at 7), but I encourage you to RSVP yourself at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=76493238757#/event.php?eid=76493238757

3 Reminders and an updated calendar

2009-04-29T15:32:00.000-05:00

May Day March this Friday!
10 AM, Friday, May 1st
southwest corner of Union Park (near the corner of Washington & Ashland)

Join us this Friday for a united contingent of at least nine LGBT groups in this year's huge May Day march for immigrants' and workers' rights. We will meeting at 10 AM, Friday, May 1st in the southwest corner of Union Park (near the corner of Washington & Ashland). Union Park is easily accessible by the "Ashland" stop on the Green Line el, which stops at the north side of the park. Just look for the Pride flags when you get there, and you'll find us! A march to Federal Plaza in the Loop begins at approximately 11:30 AM.

A central demand of the march will be unconditional legalization of undocumented immigrants. Prior to a few years ago when the Lawrence v. Texas Supreme Court decision declared sodomy laws unconstitutional, LGBT people were "illegal" in a number of states, and this was used to justify a whole number of discriminatory measures against us. Today, the "illegal" status of many immigrants is used to justify a whole host of discriminatory practices against them. Worse, while banks soak up billions of tax payer bailout dollars, far right forces, many of them also long-time opponents of LGBT rights, are attempting to scapegoat immigrants for the economic crisis we are in. Help say "no" to this bigotry and discrimination. Please join us in the united LGBT contingent in Friday's march. Besides the Gay Liberation Network, other LGBT groups participating in Friday's march are: akabaka, Amigas Latinas, the Association of Latino Men for Action (ALMA), the Chicago Dyke March Collective, Gender JUST, Orgullo en Accion, Queer Transformative Justice Working Group, Transformative Law Project of Illinois (TJLP-IL).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Felony Trial for GLN's Andy Thayer
Tuesday, May 5th, 3:00 PM

Please Join Us at the Trial!! This is a very political case, with top brass of the Chicago Police Department, including the Deputy Commander of the Central Business District, targeting Andy for ridiculous charges based upon his anti-war and anti-police brutality activism. If found guilty, he faces up to seven years in prison and $25,000 fines. Andy's jury trial begins at approximately 3 PM [note the revised time], Tuesday, May 5 in Judge Haberkorn's courtroom (Room 107) at the Cook County Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie. "The Bush 4" co-defendants would greatly appreciate your attendance at the trial.

Approximately $6000 is still needed for Andy's defense – anything you can give is much appreciated. Checks can be made payable to "8th Day Center for Justice" (write "Bush Protesters Legal Defense" in the memo section) and mail to:
8th Day Center For Justice
Attn: Bush Protesters Legal Defense
205 W. Monroe Street, 5th floor
Chicago, IL 60606

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Day of Decision" Action in Response to California Supreme Court's
Ruling on Prop 8 is ANY DAY NOW!
A rally will be held at 7PM at the Center on Halsted the day the decision comes down (which is anytime in the next 35 days)

To sign up for a reminder 24 hours in advance of event, RSVP to the Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52734056600#/event.php?eid=60384087002

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GLN Calendar

DAY OF DECISION – ANY DAY NOW (whatever day the California court releases its decision on Prop 8). 7 PM, outside of the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Street. Be “on call” for coming to the rally. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52734056600#/event.php?eid=60384087002

Friday, May 1 – May Day March for immigrants' and workers' rights. Each year the Gay Liberation Network and other groups have had an LGBT contingent in this huge march. The event begins with a 10 AM rally in Union Park (corner of Ashland Avenue & Lake Street – right by the "Ashland" Green Line el stop), followed by a noon march to Federal Plaza. More info about the LGBT contingent will be forthcoming soon. http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=56905826580

Tuesday, May 5 – Trial of GLN's Andy Thayer. GLN's Andy Thayer, facing felony charges for a January 2008 protest against then-President Bush (yeah, him again). Pack the courtroom to ensure a fair trial and/or help raise funds for his legal defense. http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64076963536

Wednesday, May 6 – Regular monthly organizing meeting of the Gay Liberation Network. If you'd like to get involved in organizing against Prop 8 and more, please drop on by! 7 – 9 PM at Chicago's LGBT resource center, Gerber Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville Street, Chicago (just ½ block west of the "Granville" Red Line el stop). For more information call 773.209.1187. http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?success=1&picture&eid=76493238757&new&m=1#/event.php?eid=76493238757

Friday, May 8 – Gay Liberation Network live call-in show on CAN TV, 6:30-6:55 PM on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. You can watch past shows on GLN's new YouTube Channel. Just go to: http://www.youtube.com/gayliberation

Saturday, May 9 – Alt Q Festival at the Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 PM at 4544 N Lincoln Ave. For tickets go to http://oldtownschool.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=167400 or call the Old Town School box office at 773-728-6000. Chicago's premier LGBT music event of the year, AND a benefit for the Gay Liberation Network!!

Sunday, May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). IDAHO is a day designated for LGBT people around the world to highlight discrimination by governments abroad. Started in a Europe a few years ago, IDAHO spread to the United States last year, and is celebrated on the anniversary of the day that the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of psychiatric disorders. – Because of a huge upturn in murders of gays in Iraq, our protest has been moved to the area just outside the security perimeter for President Obama's Hyde Park residence. Our protest will be at 2 PM at 51st & Greenwood, Chicago and will focus on the deadly situation facing LGBT people in U.S.-occupied Iraq. More information about the protest will be forthcoming in another email blast in a few days. http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=65684623382

Valentine's Day

2009-04-09T23:29:00.000-05:00

Please remember that Saturday, February 14th is the next big GLN event.

The Freedom to Marry Protest is set for Valentine’s Day beginning at 11:00 AM across the street from Daley Plaza (118 N. Clark Street). Bring your signs, dress up in wedding attire if you want, but make sure you're there and that you invite your friends.

We need help canvasing campuses and neighborhoods. Contact Nik (630.205.5025) or Andy (773.209.1187) to volunteer.

More information is available on the event page: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52734056600#/event.php?eid=123437705110

Let's stay energized

2009-04-08T23:20:00.000-05:00

We offer congratulations to Iowa and Vermont for their recent inclusion of same-sex couples in civil marriage rights. Join the Impact Chicago is organizing an impromptu rally to celebrate the Iowa and Vermont Victories. It is scheduled for this Thursday (tomorrow) at 5:00 PM. More info is available here: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=68754489915 Remember though that these victories are not guarantees of equal marriage rights even in those states.

As you are well aware, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) allows the federal government not to recognize marriages between same-sex couples even in places where it is recognized by the state government. It also allows all other states to refuse to recognize such marriages.

A new ad campaign has been launched in Iowa to try to amend that state’s constitution. Want to feel scared, see the site for the National Organization for (restricting) Marriage: http://www.youtube.com/user/NationForMarriage (see the latest commercial, and there’s a link to their site here). This is a national organization that was also at work in the battle over Prop 8 in California.

** All this to say, despite these minor victories, there is still a whole lot of work left to do. **

We don’t know when the California Supreme Court will announce its ruling on the legality of Proposition 8 or the thousands of same-sex marriages that were conducted before Prop 8 passed. Many have predicted that the outcome will not be favorable, so it is vital that we prepare ourselves to rally together the night it is announced and voice our grievances. Even if there is victory in California, what about Illinois? That’s why we must rally. There are Day of Decision demonstrations planned in many locations throughout the country for 7PM the night the court announces its ruling. More information on the national call for Day of Decision rallies is available here: http://www.dayofdecision.com/

Because the exact date will only be known 24-hours in advance, we are asking everyone to be “on call” for the rally by RSVPing to the Facebook event. In Chicago, we will meet at the Center on Halsted at 7 PM the evening the ruling is announced. See the Facebook event: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=60384087002

You can also sign up to receive a text message alert when it is announced that the court will have a ruling the next day. This will cue you in to the fact our rally will take place the following evening. You can sign up on the National Center for Lesbian Rights website: http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nclr_getinvolved_mobilealerts

Felony Trial for GLN's Andy Thayer Set for Tuesday, May 5

2009-03-27T23:22:00.000-05:00

The felony trial of GLN co-founder Andy Thayer has been re-set a few times now, but we're reasonably confident that the judge's latest date for the trial will indeed finally go forward as scheduled. The trial will begin with jury selection on the morning of Tuesday, May 5th, with opening arguments that afternoon at the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, Room 107. The Fb event has been updated.

Thayer was originally charged with a host of misdemeanor charges, plus two felony charges of aggravated battery on a police officer. Due to a procedural error by the prosecuting attorneys, they were forced to choose between either pursuing the misdemeanor charges against Thayer, or the felony counts. They chose the felony counts. So GLN's Thayer is going on trial May 5th on charges that potentially carry a potential penalty of 7 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

Please show your support by showing up at the Skokie courthouse the afternoon of Tuesday, May 5th when the opening arguments of Thayer's trial will be held. Thank you.

Funds are still urgently needed for Thayer's legal defense. If you can contribute, even a little bit, it will be very much appreciated. Only about $3000 of the $10,000 in legal fees have thus far been collected. To contribute to the legal defense fund, please write a check payable to "8th Day Center for Justice" (the fiscal sponsor for Thayer's legal defense fund), write "Bush Protesters Legal Defense" in the memo section of the check and mail it to:

8th Day Center for Justice
205 W. Monroe Street, 5th floor
Chicago, IL 60606

For more background on Thayer's case, see:
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/80846/index.php, http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/81500/index.php and http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/83868/index.php

Short Notice: Event Tonight

2009-03-23T23:22:00.000-05:00

TONIGHT we will be addressing Peter LaBarbera's hate speech with our own 1st Amendment-protected speech. More information on LaBarbera and his radical hate speech can be found at the end of this message.

If you can join us for the protest, we'll be at the Christian Liberty Academy, 502 Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights at 6:30 PM (LaBarbera's event begins @ 7).

For those coming from the Chicago, there's a train leaving the Ogilvy Center (Canal and Madison) at 5:23 PM getting into Arlington Heights at 6:15 PM (GLNers will be meeting in the 2nd floor lobby of the Ogilvy Center before getting on the train). The "Christian Academy" is a short walk from the Arlington Heights train station. If you would like to meet up with us at the protest, call the cell # 773.209.1187

I hope some of you can join us despite the extremely late notice.
Thanks!

______

Illinois's #1 Anti-Gay Bigot
To Hold Public Meeting Tonight (Monday)
Let's crash his party!

Peter LaBarbera has long been active in far right wing organizing:
– as an operative with Concerned Women for America (an anti-women's rights group)
– then as Executive Director of the Illinois Family Institute, an outfit labeled a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center (see http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/hate.jsp#s=IL)
– and now with his Americans for Truth About Homosexuality.

With his breathless "undercover" reports about International Mr. Leather and other events, LaBarbera's obsession about gay sex has become legendary in political circles. His "activism" would be laughable if it wasn't also dangerous -- LaBarbera was the principal proponent of the two failed attempts to get anti-gay initiatives on the Illinois ballot.

*** Appearing last year on the far-right Matt Barber program with lunatic legislator Rep. Sally "homosexuals are worse than terrorism" Kern of Oklahoma, he said that the gay lobby "threatens America and threatens children."

*** Addressing the increasing pogromist atmosphere against LGBT people in Uganda, he said "At AFTAH, we preach Christian mercy and have denounced Talibanesque capital punishment for homosexuals in countries like Iran. But we also believe that if states and localities here in America (and governments abroad) wish to ban sodomy, they have every right to do so..." Sorta like saying, "We oppose Herr Hitler's violence against Jews, but his laws are okay."

*** Talking about John Berry, the new head of the federal government's Office of Personnel Management, he said "So, what we have is sort of a subversive -- if you could call it that -- homosexual activist, and now he's going to have an even much more visible and powerful role at OPM, which is a very powerful job in Washington."

Tomorrow

2009-03-08T23:23:00.000-05:00

See you all tomorrow at 1:30 at the Circuit Court of Cook County at 3150 W Flournoy St (just off Kedzie-Homan blue line) for the Marriage Equality 7's court appearance.

Be aware that you may not be allowed in the court room, and the action in the court room may in fact be brief. But come a little early, bring your signs and cheery faces, and let's send the message to the Cook County court staff that we take our civil rights very seriously.

See the Facebook event.

very important - please read

2009-02-28T23:25:00.000-06:00

I apologize for the number of announcements this week, but the two listed below are very important. Please read (and act).

__________________________

_____________
ILLINOIS CIVIL UNIONS BILL – PLEASE ACT NOW
_______________________________________

Thanks to our former governor, the civil unions bill that many expected to narrowly pass was knocked off the docket to make room for impeachment proceedings. Greg Harris has reintroduced the bill, so there’s a new bill number (HB2234) in a new legislative session, but now civil union supporters have lost important allies because of death and retirement. It is very important that we regain support for this bill.

Last year there was a Fb event that had a link to a free fax form where you just entered your name and address, and it sent a free fax to your State Rep saying you support the civil union bill. It turned out to be a huge success and they are now trying to beat the former record this time.

Even if you did this last year, RSVP to this event and follow the links to send a fax. Send it to all your Illinois-residing friends—this is especially important for those residing outside Chicago. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS, AND IT HAS VERY REAL, VERY TANGIBLE RESULTS. Let’s overwhelm our representatives’ offices with faxes that voice our support equal legal rights under Illinois law: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=70491645070 . Elected officials will not act unless they feel secure enough that their constituents would support their actions.

For more info on HB2234 Religious Freedom-Civil Unions, see this link: http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=2234&GAID=10&SessionID=76&LegID=44055

_________________________________________
CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4TH
_________________________________________

On March 5th, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case to repeal Proposition 8 and confirm that fundamental freedoms cannot be stripped from minorities by a popular vote. In over 20 cities across the state of California, candles will light up the streets the evening of March 4th in support of the marriages and benefits at stake in the LGBT community.

To maintain and increase visibility, we are moving this event to Chicago as well. The momentum and activism that has sprung from the blatant discrimination of Prop 8 is fueling the beginnings of a historic period in American history. Join us in creating solidarity with our Californian allies and show Chicago we're not leaving the streets until we have legislation RIGHT HERE.

When: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Where: Historic Water Tower - 800 N. Michigan
RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=54292259015&ref=mf

We will have candles available, but please feel free to bring your own.
Spread the word! Contact jointheimpactchicago@gmail.com for more info.

**PS, if you were thinking of attending the GLN monthly planning meeting for the first time, we encourage you to attend this event instead as there will be other planning meetings in the future

A few announcements

2009-02-23T23:25:00.000-06:00

* Some of you may be interested in attending the informative picket line outside the CPS board meeting at 125 S. Clark St. on February 25th, from 3:30 until 5:30 PM. The board will be deciding whether or not to close Peabody Elementary School. More info at the event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=56602817023

* Support Andy Thayer, one of Chicago's most dedicated activists. His trial is Tuesday, March 24 beginning at 10:00 AM, and he faces felony charges associated with an anti-war protest from January of 2008. PLEASE! Let’s pack the courtroom at 10:00 and send a message to the court and the witnesses that we want a fair trial. The charge carries a penalty of up to 7 years in prison and $25,000 fine. It is vital that we come out in support. More info at the event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64076963536

* Media updates from the Valentine’s Day protest and sit in are numerous and growing. See the updated list on the event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123437705110 . If you want to come out and support the “Chicago Marriage Equality 7” at their court date, see the event page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52734056600#/event.php?eid=63213488893

Thank You!

2009-02-16T23:27:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all who participated in, invited people to, and helped plan the actions that comprised Freedom to Marry Day--your presence and your work has made a big difference!

Be checking the Chicago-Area LGBTQA Liberation Network Facebook Group page for more events. Note that March 4th from 7-9 PM is the next GLN planning meeting.

Here are some links to media reports or videos and pictures. See especially the two YouTube videos for two perspectives on the protest at the Daley Center. Send me more as you find them and I\'ll update our group page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=52734056600&ref=ts).

Much love,
Erica Chu

__________________________

__________

Media attention for Chicago Freedom to Marry Day

Video from inside (including arrest)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P127n3Ocuzg

Video highlights of protest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpqdzetAUCE&fmt=18

ABC report on protest
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6658998

Press Release from GLN
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/85793/index.php

Electronic version of Print Media:
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20523

Blog posts
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/02/hundreds-protes.html
http://www.chicagopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/6876025
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9489
http://www.examiner.com/x-443-Chicago-Gay-Examiner~y2009m2d15-7-queer-activists-arrested-at-Marriage-Bureau-sitin
http://blog.radioleft.com/blog/_archives/2009/2/15/4093964.html
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/02/seven-arrests-at-chicago-marriage.html
http://www.windycitizen.com/chicago/politicscity-news/2009/02/freedom-to-marry-in-chicago-hundreds-rally-seven-arrested/

Photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gayliberation/

upcoming events

2009-01-14T23:30:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all who endured the snow, slush, and cold to march with us this past weekend. Please be aware of these upcoming events:

* This Saturday (Jan 17) at 1:00 PM at the Federal Plaza, there will be a big rally organized by the students of the Campus Antiwar Network. See the Fb event page at http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?sid=3d06e710120f1b669a7614b5de7993b8&eid=57063546927 . The rally is calling for:
-An immediate end to all ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids, which deports mothers and fathers from their families.
-An end to the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, because there is no such thing as a good war. Bring all the troops home now.
-A repeal of the "No Child Left Behind" Act, which is ruining our public education system and thus damaging the futures of our country's next generation.
-A repeal of the Prop 8 Defense of Marriage Act, which not only restricts marriage, but also withholds adoption and healthcare opportunities for queer couples.
-An end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

* Thursday, February 5th at 6:00 PM is Lambda Legal's ‘Freedom to Marry 2009’ Reception: A "Cause" for Celebration hosted at The National Museum of Mexican Art. The annual reception is one of many ways to engage the LGBT community, local allies, our families and friends in a public discourse about the importance of Marriage Equality. See the Fb event at http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47583896429 .

* Saturday, February 14th is the next big GLN event – The Freedom to Marry Protest is set for Valentine’s Day probably beginning at 11:00 AM. More information TBA. If you would like to help with this event, come to the Gay Liberation Network meeting on Feb.
4 from 7 to 9 PM at Chicago's LGBT resource center, Gerber Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville Street, Chicago (just ½ block west of the "Granville" Red Line el stop). Or contact Andy at LGBTliberation@aol.com.

Also, be sure to join the Fb group for Join the Impact Chicago http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54314233091 (Though we will continue to promote their events).

Protest this Saturday (Jan 10th 11AM and 11:30 AM)

2009-01-08T23:30:00.000-06:00

This is a reminder to join the GLN and Join the Impact for national protests against DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act, which allows the federal government and state governments to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages that are have been legally recognized elsewhere – for more info, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act).

Chicago’s protest against DOMA:
Saturday, January 10, 2008
11:30 AM (SHARP!)
State of Illinois Building
160 N. LaSalle (Clark and Randolph)

We will have a brief rally at Clark and Randolph; we’ll then march--most likely up State to Chicago, and down Michigan—so wear appropriate shoes! (For more info, see the Fb event http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=36586318839).

_____

We also urge you to come out early for a very brief rally to expose the hypocrisy of Hyatt in maintaining a strong marketing campaign directed toward gaining LGBT dollars yet NOT censuring Doug Manchester (owner of a Hyatt hotel in San Diego), who donated an early $125,000 to the Yes on 8 campaign. This event is sponsored by Equality Illinois. (For more info, contact Rick Garcia at rickgarcia60@cs.com).

Rally to Expose Hyatt’s Hypocrisy:
11:00 AM (SHARP!!!) at the Hyatt global headquarters
71 S. Wacker Dr. (near Monroe and Wacker)
Then walk the seven blocks to Clark and Randolph for the protest against DOMA

**************************

*************
Andy Thayer (of the GLN) on Obama and DOMA
***************************************

During his campaign, President-elect Obama pledged to repeal the hateful DOMA passed by his Democratic predecessor, President Bill Clinton. Our protest is to demand that he fulfill that pledge.

The truth is that Obama has made both pro-gay and anti-gay statements. The latter includes his infamous opposition to equal marriage rights for our community, citing his “Christian beliefs” for doing so. For the pro-Proposition 8 campaign, this was grist for the mill, which cynically used Obama’s opposition to full legal equality (while conveniently ignoring his low-profile opposition to Prop 8 and embrace of separate-but-equal civil unions) to defeat our side in that campaign.

Like with any politician, Obama is going to have to be pushed very hard if he is going to fulfill any of his progressive promises, including those to the gay community. If this pressure is not forthcoming, as it largely wasn’t during the 1990s and on Obama in the run up to this year’s election, then we will once again have a Democratic administration that comes into office with all sorts of wonderful paper promises, but which instead appeases the right wing. If there is no pressure from progressive forces, the whole political establishment will once again gallop to the right.

While some things are similar to the start of the Clinton years, some things are very different. Today the stakes are much higher. Any gains we win will have to be much harder fought than in the past. We will have to make demands of this administration if the LGBT community, or any community, is going to win anything over the next four years. So on January 10th please help us do that by attending Chicago’s part of the national demonstrations to demand that Obama fulfill his promise to repeal DOMA

Need more info or want to help out? Please email LGBTliberation@aol.com or call 773.209.1187

TOMORROW - Day Without Gays

2008-12-09T23:31:00.000-06:00

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Day Without Gays.

Do any of these that you can:

* STRIKE: Call in gay, shut down your business, take the day off.
* BOYCOTT: Don't buy anything or spend money.
* VOLUNTEER: see http://daywithoutagay.wetpaint.com/page/Illinois
* COMMUNICATE: Tell everyone that you support the boycott and why.
* PICKET: See the two opportunities below

-11 AM sharp at 118 N. Clark Street (across the street from Daley Plaza) for "Day Without a Gay."

-After our protest, join us as we gather together at 12 PM with Republic workers and their other allies at 231 S. LaSalle Street. See information below.

_______

Solidarity with Republic Workers

This year, in addition to anti-Prop 8 protests, a particularly dynamic labor struggle has exploded right on our doorstep. Union workers at Republic Windows and Doors have occupied their North Side factory in protest against their employer's unilateral closure on almost no notice, in violation of both state and federal laws. Republic workers' occupation appears to be the first U.S. workplace occupation since the Great Depression.

Republic claims it had to shut down because its main creditor, Bank of America, itself the recipient of a recent $25 billion government bail-out, failed to extend a line of credit. While that may be true as far as it goes, the Chicago Tribune and others have reported that there is plenty of evidence suggesting that Republic was stripping the firm of its most valuable assets preparatory to declaring itself bankrupt, only to then re-open as a non-union firm under a different name.

At 12 noon on Wednesday, just one hour after our equal marriage "Day Without a Gay" protest begins, labor rights supporters will be rallying nearby in front of the local Bank of America headquarters at 231 S. LaSalle Street. After our protest for equal marriage rights concludes at about noon, we will march as a group over to 231 S. LaSalle Street.

Our aim will be to show that many in the LGBT community understand that an injustice against anyone must be opposed by all people. Most LGBT people ourselves also have to work for a living and understand that we, along with the union workers at Republic, do not have anything in common with the "free market" corporate leaders who have soaked up billions in government bail-outs while giving nothing back to the community.
_______

At 7-9 PM tonight (Tuesday), Mark Almanza has generously offered his apartment for a poster making session for Wednesday's protest. The location is 1243 N. Campbell Street, Apt. 2F in Chicago (off of the #70 bus between Division and Potomac). If you are able to attend, please call Mark on his cell – 805-816-7959
________

"Day Without a Gay" was initiated by JoinTheImpact.com and the Gay Liberation Network. The event is co-sponsored by the following: Amigas Latinas; Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism; Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches; Hammerhard MediaWorks; International Socialist Organization; Kenosha-Racine LGBT Chamber of Commerce; Ifti Nasim, international gay activist and poet ; Pledge of Resistance; and, Sankofa Way

Dec. 10th is fast approaching

2008-12-04T23:33:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, December 10th is "A Day Without Gays"

Please be aware that the time of the protest on City Hall has changed to 11:00 AM-1:00PM. For more info, see the protest event page: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=41447655772

Remember to plan on not buying ANYTHING on Wednesday, December 10th (except your CTA fare). So plan ahead, get groceries, buy the posterboard the day before, and don't even buy a coke at 7-11 come next Wednesday! Gay dollars are green dollars, and maybe the media, the public, and Uncle Sam will finally make the connection.

If you haven't joined the Chicago-Area LGBTQA Liberation Network, be sure to so that you can stay informed on local political campaigns and events. And if you hear about something, pass the word! Post on the wall, discussion board, or message me.

Thanks for all your support,
Erica Chu

"Day without a Gay" and Continuing the Boycott of Cinemark

2008-11-27T23:33:00.000-06:00

In conjunction with "Day without a Gay," Representatives from Join the Impact Chicago are organizing a Protest for Equality at City Hall on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. See the Fb event for details and invite your friends:
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=41447655772

The boycott of Cinemark Theatres is ongoing. And so many people who would support the boycott simply don't know about it. It'd be great to have a very small group of people picketing (with information about other theaters) every Friday and Saturday evening at the busiest times (6:30-8:00 or so)...especially before showings of Milk after it opens. If you get a group of two or three together and plan to picket, post on the discussion board or write on the wall and invite the rest of us.
*There is at least one person interested in picketing on December 5th. Will you go too? See the discussion board for more info.

Tonight and tomorrow and tomorrow

2008-11-22T23:34:00.000-06:00

*Please be assured that messages to all group members will not be done often, but because we are just launching this group, I may be sending a couple more than usual.*

As you know, tonight is when we join the Gay Liberation Network and organizers from Join the Impact Chicago in picketing Century Theatre in Evanston. It begins at 5 pm, but we'll be there till late (till at least 8 pm, some are saying 11). Some organizers are calling for us to dress up
as movie stars or movie characters in order to make the protest more memorable. Here are some ideas: Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Keystone Cops, Hulk, Spiderman, Brokeback mountain cowboys, Carrie, Jason, Harry Potter, or Santa Claus.

Secondly, help us consolidate the gay rights movement on Facebook by building up the membership for the Chicago-Area LGBTQA Liberation Network Facebook Group. There were thousands of people at the rally on Novemeber 15th and even more who showed interest in the event on Facebook, so let's build up the group so that future events can be as successful. Right now we only have about 200 members, so...

**I encourage everyone to invite all their Chicago-area friends, which you can do by clicking "Invite People to Join" under the picture on the group's page. You can also post a link to your profile or paste it into your status. If you are an administrator for a Fb group or event (past or future), please link to us or message your members to ask them to join. If you are planning to start a Facebook event or group, I encourage you to contact me first, and hopefully we can work together by linking our events or "hosting" yours. Here's a link to the group: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52734056600

Our work is not just about Prop 8. National organizers are calling for intense activism until inauguration, but we of course will keep fighting for justice until we are all equal. Join with us by staying active (keep checking the group page for upcoming events and causes) and spreading the word.

Thanks for your help.