DA Global LGBTQ+ Caucus Leadership:
News
April LGBTQ+ Newsletter
April 26, 2022
Editorial: The Gay Agenda for 2022
by Martha McDevitt-Pugh, DA LGBTQ+ Global Caucus vice chair
The DAUK LGBTQ+ Caucus kicked off this election year with a discussion of “The Gay Agenda" for 2022.
During the webinar, we heard from Sam Alleman, LGBTQ+ Coalitions Director at the DNC, to hear about measures the Biden Administration has taken to advance protections for LGBTQ+ people. These efforts started with signing executive orders on LGBTQ+ rights within hours of taking the oath of office — including preventing and combating discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation and the whole-of-government initiative establishing efforts to advance equity and justice for communities who have been left behind, underserved, or discriminated against by federal policies, laws, and programs, including LGBTQ+ communities. They also included lifting the ban on transgender military service and providing Americans with same-sex partners with an equal pathway to registering their children born abroad as U.S. citizens.
I joined Alleman to speak about the state of play across the country — and the role each of us has to play in advancing LGBTQ+ rights ahead of the midterm elections. The event was moderated by Caroline Ruchonnet and organized by DAUK LGBTQ+ Caucus chair Austin Allaire.
Republican state legislatures across the country have been targeting some of society’s most vulnerable — LGBTQ+ youth. Nearly 240 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been filed in the first three months of 2022 alone, half of them targeting transgender people. From Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill to Iowa’s new anti-trans sports law, we are seeing Republicans enact a hateful, bigoted agenda which jeopardizes the hard-won progress of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ issues are expected to be highlighted throughout the 2022 election cycle, making it critical that Democrats use the opportunity to speak to the issues. Relational organizing will be more important than ever — checking in with friends and family to find out if they’re registered and ready to vote.
The panel noted that getting out the vote in the 2022 midterms is as important as it was in 2018 and 2020, when Democrats took power in the House, Senate and won the presidency. With Democrats Abroad mobilizing voters in all 50 states, DA is a good partner for the DNC and the DNC LGBTQ Caucus, to bring attention to local and state issues while encouraging Americans overseas to vote. U.S. democracy itself is at stake.
If you missed it, you can watch the event here.
(Let us know what you think about anything you read in the Newsletter. Or let us know if there’s something we should cover. Email us your feedback to [email protected].)
March LGBTQ+ Newsletter
March 19, 2022
Editorial: Doing what we can in a time of war
by Irene Chriss, associate editor
Biden’s State of the Union address was not just front-loaded with calls to challenge Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but it also delivered a bold and unequivocal message for LGBTQ+ Americans.
“And for our LGBTQ+ Americans, let’s finally get the bipartisan Equality Act to my desk. The onslaught of state laws targeting transgender Americans and their families is simply wrong,” Biden said. “… I’ll always have your back as your president, so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential.”
Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD reacted, “The state of our union is only as strong as our action and commitment to ensure no marginalized person is left behind. LGBTQ voters are more motivated than ever to hold elected officials accountable in the midterms.”
The Equality Act continues to languish in the Senate due to inadequate Republican support. This underscores the importance of your vote in the midterm elections, and it’s easy to register online and receive an online ballot. Just go to https://www.votefromabroad.org/request/your-information for more information.
On the Ukrainian front, “All Americans should leave Ukraine,” Biden told NBC News, adding that he could not risk a clash with Russian troops that might trigger a broader military engagement. Biden insisted he would not use the military to extract anyone trapped by a Russian attack. According to a New York Times article, Biden officials made clear that the 2021 Kabul airlift was “unique” and U.S. officials would not rescue its citizens who remain in Ukraine.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in a recent interview with a Ukrainian television station, said this decision had been made “out of an abundance of precaution.”
“It’s the prudent thing to do,” Blinken added, “because my personal responsibility is the safety and security of our people.”
If Kyiv falls, those who remain might be at particular risk of persecution. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations office in Geneva warns that Russia has plans to kill or round up journalists, activists, minorities, dissidents, and LGBTQ Ukrainians to be placed in camps.
The U.S. has no requirements for the approximately nine million Americans living abroad to declare where they live, reported State Department spokesperson Ned Price. Despite not knowing how many American residents are in Ukraine, we do know they are in peril and no rescuers will be coming for those who stayed behind.
Organizations from the grassroots to the international level are taking steps to protect refugees who face additional layers of danger. A word of caution: While mass grassroots efforts can surface overnight, there is also a potential for scams. Do your research. Verify the organizations’ non-profit Form 990 or check social media accounts to see if they’ve posted any receipts of how they’re using people’s money.
Some resources have been provided by reputable publications such as the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post.
Here are some others:
- Doctors Without Borders, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/news-stories/story/ukraine-we-are-calling-respect-human-life
- The International Rescue Committee, https://www.rescue.org/topic/ukraine-crisis
- Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross provides assistance to those in Ukraine, https://www.icrc.org/en/where-we-work/europe-central-asia/ukraine
- U.N. Crisis Relief, https://crisisrelief.un.org/ukraine-crisis
- The World Food Program, the U.N.’s anti-hunger humanitarian organization, has launched emergency relief operations in Ukraine and surrounding border countries, https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-ramps-food-operation-ukraine-and-warns-worlds-hungry-cannot-afford-another-conflict
- Outright is supporting fifteen LGBTQ+ non-profits dealing with refugees in the region. Testimonials: https://outrightinternational.org/ukraine
- TGEU is handling 300 trans cases in Ukraine (https://tgeu.org/support-ukraine)
-
LGBTQ+ Ukrainians in America (https://qua.community/)
- Immigration Equality is supporting Ukrainians to obtain asylum in the US (https://immigrationequality.org/get-involved/give/)
-
Rainbow Railroad provides plane tickets and does advocacy (https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/)
- ORAM advocates and provides safehouses, including Berlin (https://www.oramrefugee.org/)
Do you have a story to tell about a Ukrainian relative or yourself? If you wish to share your story, email [email protected]. Any information, including your name, will not be published. Rather, all comments with be synthesized into an overview to keep our members safe and our readers informed.
(Let us know what you think about anything you read in the Newsletter. Or let us know if there’s something we should cover. Email us your feedback to [email protected].)
Upcoming Events
Saturday, July 02, 2022 at 10:30 AM Time · 50 rsvps
Join DAUK and the LGBTQ+ Caucus for Pride in London
After several years off due to the pandemic, London Pride is back and better than ever to celebrate 50 years of Pride in London!
The LGBTQ+ Caucus is looking forward to repping our community and our Party in the Parade, and we are looking for volunteers to join us!
If you are interested in putting on some walking shoes and Pride colours to join us in the Parade, please RSVP and we will contact you with details on times and meet up locations once they are set.
Day-of logistics
10:30a |
DAUK Check-in - Please RSVP for the location in Central London (accessible via Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Bond Street Underground stations) - maximum 50 marchers Check-in, distribute wristbands, eat breakfast, make signs, apply glitter, safety briefing (dos and don’ts) |
11:15a |
DAUK group walks to Pedestrian Entry 1 |
11:30a |
Arrive at Pedestrian Entry 1 |
–– Wait up to 90 minutes in production area, all subsequent timings approximate —- |
|
c. 1:00p |
Begin down parade route Parade route: https://prideinlondon.org/parade/map/ |
c. 3:00p |
Dispersal on Whitehall |
Friday, July 15, 2022 at 03:00 PM through July 18, 2022 Time · 14 rsvps
Frankfurt CSD/Pride 2022
June is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBTQ) Pride Month to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and work to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for the LGBTQ community. In June of 1969, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment, and persecution LGBT Americans were commonly subjected to. This uprising marks the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBT Americans. 2022 marks the 53rd anniversary of the June 1969 Stonewall Riots. This year is also the 30th Anniversary of Christopher Street Day (CSD) Frankfurt.
The Frankfurt Chapter and the Wiesbaden-Mainz Chapter will be setting up an information stand for the duration of the event and walking in the CSD Parade on Saturday to show our support.
Come help us find Americans living overseas and get them to help us with next year's voting efforts! We'll need help on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday times to be determined. We will also need people to walk in the parade.
Further details will follow. Please RSVP to the event if you’re interested in attending, and you will receive the link to the signup sheet.
Join Democrats Abroad on Saturday, 17 July, as we take to the streets to celebrate love and pride!
Parade Route
Parade Details:
- 11:30 Meet up and get ready for the start. Stay posted for exact meet-up information.
- 12:10 Official Opening of the 2022 CSD.
- 12:30 is the official start of the parade.
- Bring your friends and family. This is a serious cause but a really fun event! Be colorful, be celebratory, and just be yourself.
- It would be good to bring your own water and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- If you RSVP, you will be informed of the latest information.
This event is so much fun, so come on out and be a part of it!