Category Archives: National

President Obama endorses same-sex marriage

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Sifting through the names of US presidents who have openly supported same-sex marriage while in office, there should be only one name that pops up: Barack Obama.

On May 9, President Obama sat down with a previously scheduled interview with ABC News correspondent Robin Roberts to discuss aspects of his presidency, his policies and – to the world’s surprise – his views of same-sex marriage, offering a personal and heartfelt endorsement of equality.

“There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently,” Obama said. “It doesn’t make sense to them and, frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.”

The change of heart comes days after Vice President Joe Biden was asked about his own views on same-sex marriage on Meet the Press, responding by saying that he was “comfortable” with giving gay couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts, but hesitated to say that the president was supportive.

“I can’t speak to that; I don’t know the answer to that,” Biden said.

Officially reversing his previously “evolving” stance on same-sex marriage, Obama later issued a statement declaring his support and pitching the new stance as a means for fundraising, emphasizing that he has “always been adamant that gay and lebsian Americans should be treated fairly and equally.”

This new policy follows the Obama Administration’s repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy prohibiting the participation of openly gay and lesbian citizens in the US Armed Forces, as well as the administration’s endorsement of several acts in favor of same-sex rights. Such endorsements come at a time where the Democratic Party and its constituents are pushing for equal rights, leading many to question whether or not this is merely an election-year ploy.

Politics aside, Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act all point to a shift in rights and protections for LGBTQ community members. We’re eager to see what legislation President Obama might attempt if re-elected for another term.

This post was written by Nathan Mart, a junior at South Western High School and proud LGBTQ activist as a leader of his school’s Diversity Club.

 

 

 

The White House for Safe Schools

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Last Friday during the Day of Silence, the White House came forward to support both the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Nondiscrimination Act. This is a HUGE development. Check out the press release I wrote for PSEC for more information on the legislation and why this matters. Awesome step forward, White House!!


White House Supports Safe Schools Bills for LGBT Students

WH Endorses PA Sen.’s Anti-Bullying Legislation and the Student Non-Discrimination Act

HARRISBURG, PA— On Friday, April 20, the White House has come forward to support two key pieces of legislation to protect and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in schools across the nation. The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) commends The White House’s bold statement in support of Pennsyvlania’s US Senator Bob Casey’s Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) as well as the Student Nondiscrimination Act (SNDA).

The Safe Schools Improvement Act would provide a required enumerated bullying policy in every public school district across the county. This enumeration would protection to students regardless of their real or perceived race, color, national origin, disability, sex, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. Additionally, this bill would add reporting requirements, mandating that every school district receiving federal funding comply with completing a needs assessment as well as biennial reports and evaluation.

The Student Nondiscrimination Act is a bill that actively provides protection for LGBT youth and gives them an outlet to pursue any discrimination they face in schools. This bill would provide federal protection for LGBT youth and allow them to seek remedies for any discrimination they face.

There are currently five Pennsylvania cosponsors of SNDA in the House and four Pennsylvania cosponsors for SSIA. Please see the attached maps for more information on the bi-partisan bills. At this time, Pennsylvania state law prescribes no such requirements for safe schools as SSIA or SNDA would put into place.

“I am proud of the Obama Administration for making a commitment to providing safe schools to students across the country,” said PSEC Deputy Director Joy Horner. “The Student Nondiscrimination Act provides crucial protection that LGBT students need in school districts across the country. The Administration’s support of these bills marks a key stamp of approval and continues to highlight the need for making schools a safer place for all – including LGBT students.”

PSEC has worked over the past year very seriously on these bills. PSEC student leaders from across the state have met multiple times with both of Pennsylvania’s US Senators offices in Pennsylvania and in Washington, DC specifically on SSIA and SNDA. PSEC continues to encourage fellow Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey to support the pair of legislative landmarks. Pennsylvania youth are energized by this promising endorsement, especially as the LGBT community commemorated the National Day of Silence the day the announcement was made.

“The Day of Silence is all about speaking up and making our voices heard – it seems The White House has heard our silence and noise, and we hope Congress will follow suit,” said PSEC Executive Director Jason Goodman.

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The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) is PA’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth organization working towards safe schools and communities for all.
www.pennsec.org

Gov. Ridge Supports Gay Tolerance

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Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, of Allegheny County, spoke at the Federal Enforcement Security Foundation awards gala Tuesday night in New York City.  Following his tenure as the first Director of the Department of Homeland Security, Gov. Ridge continues significant involvement in politics and homeland security advocacy.

During the award event, Gov. Ridge stated the following remarks (via The Wall Street Journal Blog):

“I think, as a party, we sometimes come across as very judgmental and very self-righteous, and that doesn’t play well to a lot of people,” he said. “Not just on political grounds, but in terms of the culture. We accept diversity in many different ways, and we need to be more clear about that and careful to express that.”

In particular, Ridge urged a more expansive approach to what he termed “the gay community,” noting that increased familiarity with gay people tends to lead to less judgmental politics. “I think that’s the right way to be,” he said. “Younger Americans on both sides of the aisle are saying, ‘Live and let live.’ ”

Asked about same-sex marriage, Ridge said he had no particular point of view. “It’s one of those situations where I’d leave it up to the state.”

11-year old West Virginia boy completes suicide

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We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Dalton Walker, an 11-year old sixth grader from Princeton, West Virginia. Family and friends reported to NBC’s WVVA that he took his life in response to unchecked excessive school bullying. There are few details relased to the public at this time because the school board is currently conducting an investigation – but just a few days following a town hall meeting did take place down in Mercer County. via WVVA

Youth at White House LGBT Conference

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From First White House LGBT Conference

PHILADELPHIA – Leaders of the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) attended the first-ever White House LGBT Conference on Feb. 16. The conference focused on LGBTQ health and was hosted at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

The gathering featured a keynote address by Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius and an invigorating opening speech by openly-gay Director of the Office of Personnel Management John Berry. Notably, it is also the first-ever open forum for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to hear directly from LGBTQ community leaders and contributors.

“The goal of these conferences is to talk about some of the work that we’re doing that might be of interest to you in health,” Sebelius said. “But it’s also a real opportunity … to listen, to have you share your ideas and your challenges and your struggles with us because that really helps us inform our policy each and every day.”

Sebelius and a panel of administration officials pointed to key sections of the Affordable Care Act, set to go into effect in 2014, which directly impact the everyday lives of LGBTQ community members. One such provision includes a bold block preventing federally-funded hospitals from denying visitation rights to same-sex partners, with another provision denying insurance companies the privilege of discriminating against LGBTQ customers.

The administration also mentioned efforts to include sexual orientation in upcoming national health surveys and pushes from President Obama to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

PSEC Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman (pictured) was able to challenge HHS officials about LGBTQ youth engagement in setting public health policy. PSEC leaders were noticed as the youngest attendees at the conference of more than 300 community leaders and health advocates.

PSEC supports the Obama administration’s strong efforts to communicate with LGBTQ community members, and hopes to continue its involvement with HHS in standing against discrimination and promoting awareness of health concerns in the LGBTQ community going forward.

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PA Youth at Nationals!

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PSEC Leaders attend NGLTF’s Creating Change Conference

Baltimore, MD: Last week from January 25-29, 2012, 22 PSEC youth leaders from across the state were in Baltimore for the 24th National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference. Over 2,700 organizers and community leaders attended the primer national conference on LGBTQ equality – including 60+ Pennsylvania youth from nearly a dozen colleges and universities. PSEC sent the largest delegation from Pennsylvania – with each student representing PSEC hailing from a different county. Every PSEC delegate was selected for extraordinary leadership in their communities. The group included a high school GSA President who supported a screening of Out in the Silence last week near York, Nina Santiago of Indiana University of PA – who made national news last fall when her professor made homophobic comments in class, and youth members of organizations including GLSEN Pittsburgh and the Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia.

On Saturday, PSEC joined GLSEN and other statewide LGBTQ safe schools advocates (from MassEquality, Empire State Pride Agenda, Fairness West Virginia, and GLSEN CT) for a panel on safe schools legislation. Later in the afternoon, PSEC held its own session on building a youth-led movement. Over 60 youth and adult allies attended for an engaging session on historical and practical frameworks for youth-led work in the LGBTQ equality movement. While the LGBTQ equality movement is seen as currently dominated by adult leadership – the session focused on youth driven work from the suffrage and civil rights movements – and how the LGBTQ equality movement should embrace authentic youth leadership. PSEC presented the only session of this kind at the conference on youth-led organizing – as PSEC is only of only a few youth-led LGBTQ organizations in the nation at this time. PSEC also hosted a Pennsylvania Youth Caucus as a safe space for youth from Pennsylvania to meet and network on Saturday.

Creating Change is a highly enriching and educational experience for leaders in the LGBTQ equality movement and communities. Jason Landau Goodman, PSEC Executive Director, said that sending the PSEC delegation to Creating Change was “a highly important investment in Pennsylvania LGBTQ youth leadership.” Creating Change has not taken place in the northeast United States in over a decade. Next year, the conference will take place in Atlanta, Georgia.

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