Dear R. Zeke,
As a valued supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, we want to keep you informed with timely political updates, action alerts, event announcements and volunteer opportunities. But we are also committed to sending you only the type of information that you want. Let us know by clicking this link. CLICK HERE TO SELECT THE INFORMATION YOU WANT Whatever you decide, we hope you will enjoy the latest HRC Political Equality Update that follows.
Sincerely,
Seth Kilbourn
National Field Director
Winnie Stachelberg
Political Director
HRC Trains 20 Young People for Professional Campaign Work
A diverse group of 20 young and talented people from across the United States arrived in Washington on Aug. 19 for the first day of the Human Rights Campaign's Youth College for Campaign Training. The participants will learn all the key elements of winning a campaign. Workshops will include campaign management, field, media, messaging, fund raising, voter turnout, registration and more. The training also will focus on get-out-the-vote and field operations, including the planning and execution of a phone bank and precinct walking for a candidate.
At the end of the weeklong training, participants will travel to 19 of the most hotly contested campaigns — six races for U.S. Senate and 13 for U.S. House. Another participant will be working to ensure a pro-civil union majority in the Vermont Legislature. The participants become employees of each campaign, and the expenses are counted as in-kind contributions under federal election law.
This year's participants were chosen from 100-plus applicants — the most since HRC launched the program in 1996. The selected youth, ages 18 to 24, will expand on their outstanding backgrounds in campaign work, community organizing and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activism.
For more information on HRC's Youth College, visit: http://www.hrc.org/about/pac/ycapp.asp.
Nike Endorses ENDA, Sends Letters to Congress
Nike Inc. sent out several letters on July 15 to U.S. Senate and House leaders in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA, S. 1284; H.R. 2692). Lindsay Stewart, Nike's vice president, law and chief of staff, wrote letters on behalf of the Oregon-based company to each member of the state's congressional delegation thanking them for their support of ENDA or urging them to lend their support if they have not yet done so. Similar letters were also sent to lead sponsors in the Senate.
Nike scored a perfect 100 percent on the HRC Corporate Equality Index, a new tool that ranks America's largest companies on how they treat their GLBT employees and consumers. Nike was one of only 13 companies to receive a 100 percent rating on the 2002 index released Aug. 13.
For more information on the 2002 HRC Corporate Equality Index, visit: http://www.hrc.org/worknet/cei/.
Campaign 2002: Anti-Gay Attacks Heat Up in Primary
As the fall primaries grow near, opponents of fair-minded candidates are making some of the first anti-gay political attacks of the midterm elections. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Md., is under attack from his opponent in the upcoming primary for Maryland's 1st District. GOP challenger Dave Fischer criticized Gilchrest, who supports ENDA, for being "radically pro-choice" and "a strident supporter of gay rights and even gay adoption."
For more on the race, visit Politics 1 at: http://www.politics1.com/states.htm.
Be A Voice For Equality on Labor Day
In 38 states, it remains perfectly legal to fire gay men and lesbians from their jobs simply because of their sexual orientations. Congress should act now to end workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. Take time this Labor Day, Sept. 2, to send a free fax to your members of Congress urging them to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and to bring the bill up for a vote before Congress adjourns this year. You can also thank your members of Congress if they already support ENDA. Just visit http://www.hrc.org/actioncenter to send your free fax.
If you do not have plans for Labor Day, consider throwing an HRC house party! A house party is a great way to help HRC increase its voice and visibility. To learn more and to order your free HRC house party kit, visit http://www.hrc.org/volunteer/hparty/.
The Human Rights Campaign continues to work with state and local organizations on ballot initiatives that will be voted on this fall in Tacoma, Wash., Ypsilanti, Mich., and Dade County, Fla. For a full update on what HRC is doing, read the news release.
Alabama
Equality Alabama, a new statewide GLBT group, held its official kickoff and first annual meeting on Aug. 17. The group formed after members of Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Alabama, Equality Begins at Home of Central Alabama and other activists decided to combine their efforts to combat anti-GLBT rhetoric and to advance equality. As part of its kick-off weekend, the group held a press conference, a general business meeting and a sold-out banquet. Kylar Broadus, HRC's state legislative manager, spoke at the press conference and was a featured speaker at the banquet.
For more information, visit: http://www.equalityalabama.com.
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