Washington, DC, August 17, 2009-The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rolled out a new phase of their Secure Flight program over the weekend. Passengers will now be required to provide their birth date and gender when they book an airline ticket as part of a move to help distinguish passengers from those on the government’s “watch list” (often called the “no-fly” list).

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has issued a new FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)about the Secure Flight program and its impact on transgender people. The resource includes information about how to navigate the new process, particularly if you have identification that does not match your gender presentation. NCTE firmly supports the right of transgender people to maintain our privacy and to travel freely.

NCTE has been engaged in ongoing work with TSA and administration officials about the Secure Flight program. There appears to be no chance of having the requirement of listing gender lifted; however, we will continue to work on how the policy is implemented in order to minimize the negative impacts. We are also monitoring the impact on transgender travelers.   If you encounter difficulties when you travel, please contact us as 202-903-0112 and let us know. We may be able to provide you with assistance and the information can also help us as we work with TSA to help prevent future problems.

You can read more information in the New York Times about the Secure Flight Program.

Six Flags New England is proud to offer the 2nd Annual Out In the Park Private Party. Music, Entertainment, Rides & Friends await you at Out In The Park, an exclusive event for the Gay and Lesbian Community as well as friends, family, and supporters. All are welcome to attend. Event tickets are required to attend Out In The Park.

http://www.outinthepark.info/

In 29 states, it’s still legal to fire someone because they’re gay; in 38 states it is legal to fire someone for being transgender.

Thousands of hardworking lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans have lost their livelihoods simply because of who they are. HRC is working to end this bitter injustice by passing a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a federal bill that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees simply based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Washington, DC, August 5, 2009— A fully inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced today in the Senate with bipartisan support. Senator Jeff Merkley (OR-D), joined by Senators Susan Collins (ME-R), Olympia Snowe (ME-R) and Edward M. Kennedy (MA-D), introduced the bill, which would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Our goal with this legislation is clear and simple,” stated Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. “Hardworking transgender people deserve the right to go to work without the fear of being arbitrarily fired. We want to apply for a job and be confident that we’ll be evaluated based on our qualifications. Our work should be judged on our skills and our expertise, the same as everyone else. ENDA is simply about basic equality in the workplace and freedom from discrimination.”

From the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC from 4/30/2009 in response to Representative Virginia Foxx’s (R-N.C.) testimony on the house floor denying that Matthew Shepard was killed because he was gay.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/30508882#30508882

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has announced launch of Clergy Call 2009, a year-long educational effort to facilitate faith-based mobilization within congregations and local communities. During 2009, HRC will support faith-based trainings throughout the country with a particular targeted emphasis on transgender education in 40 communities. The trainings will lead into the national Clergy Call event May 4-5, 2009 and will propel faith leaders to organize and advocate locally for GLBT equality.

The theme for Clergy Call 2009, “Moving from Acceptance to Advocacy,” reflects the vision of a faith-based movement for GLBT equality built from the ground up: in local churches, synagogues, mosques. The series of trainings will utilize HRC’s faith-based Transgender Curriculum and Online Resource written by transgender religious educators and edited by Rev. Chris Glaser. The curriculum will also include an accessible biblical piece, “Gender Identity and the Bible.”

Clergy Call will take place May 4-5, 2009 in Washington, DC. For the first day we will learn from one another and diverse national leaders about the current public policy issues facing the LGBT community, how to enhance the welcoming nature of our congregations, and build broad clergy coalitions to achieve justice for all. The evening will conclude with powerful interfaith service. Day two we will ascend to Capitol Hill to advocate for justice and equality in our nation’s laws.

http://www.hrc.org/issues/religion/9194.htm

We talk to Father Gerard Zabik, a member of the Greek Orthodox church and an accountant, about his work in the community and his opinions on recent news stories condeming the LGBT community. Gary has been with his significant other for 25 years and talks about his experience being gay and a Greek Orthodox priest. He talks about the importance of support from family and friends, but warns against insulating yourself from life by only surrounding yourself with the community.

 nlcTrans 13 [55:55m]: Download (372)

We sit down and talk with Fr. Russ about faith as a member of a minority group.  There have been many incidents in the last several weeks to test one’s faith.  The Catholic and Orthodox chruches have made or supported incendiary statements including the Holy See’s denouncement of the U.N.’s attempt to decriminalize homosexual acts among it’s member states.   The UN sees it as a human rights issue.  The Vatican disagreed.  We have a spirited conversation about the culpability of religous groups who make these statements, and the people who follow those religious leaders.  

 nlcTrans 1/6/2009 [53:16m]: Download (387)