My god, I cannot keep up with the news.  I used to let a lot of national issues pass by, but the Obam Administration's DOJ legal brief comparing same sex marriage to incest ... we need to pay closer attention.

Pam's House Blend has the story and the full letter.

Here are the Pennsylvania elected officials who stood up to bigotry and FOR the troops.

House Members
Robert Brady (D-PA-1)
Chaka Fattah (D-PA-2)
Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA-3)
Jason Altmire (D-PA-4)
Glenn Thompson (R-PA-5)
Jim Gerlach (R-PA-6)
Joe Sestak (D-PA-7)
Patrick Murphy (D-PA-8)
Bill Shuster (R-PA-9)
Christopher Carney (D-PA-10)
Paul Kanjorski (D-PA-11)
John Murtha (D-PA-12)
Allyson Schwartz (D-PA-13)
Mike Doyle (D-PA-14)
Charles Dent (R-PA-15)
Joseph Pitts (R-PA-16)
Tim Holden (D-PA-17)
Tim Murphy (R-PA-18)
Todd Platts (R-PA-19)

Well, that's underwhelming, isn't it?  Punishing LGBTQ servicemembers for being gay is wrong. President Obama and Congress have been playing volleyball on this issue.  He says it requires Congressional action.  They say he can issue an executive order.  This letter apparently focuses on HOW the policy is administered through the Department of Defense. 

We'll see what response this generates.  Meanwhile, go back to the post below this one and call about ENDA.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph! 

We got a lot going on that impacts us on local, statewide and national levels.  Lots of calls to action.  Try not to feel overwhelmed or besieged.  Instead, this gives you a lot of opportunities to make an impact, most with a simple series of phone calls.  I'm going to try and lay it out for you.

This is not in order of importance, just timeliness.  Do what moves you (please do it all is what I really mean).

1  Senator John Eichelberger's outrageous comment "We are allowing them to exist" in reference to LGBTQ persons.  If you think Pennsylvania's elected officials should not get to determine if you or your loved one exist, then please contact you State Senator today and let them know what you think about this comment.  We deserve an apology.  You must demand it.  If you feel particularly inspired, call or email other local prominent Democrats and ask them to put pressure on their Senate colleagues.  If Sally Kern of Oklahoma could draw a response, why not this in our very own backyard?  Someone must step up to champion us.

2.  HB 300.  PA Representative Dan Frankel needs your help.  There's a special focus on State Representative Harry Readshaw's district (Brentwood/Mt. Oliver/Southside).  Click on the link to find out if that is you.  Regardless, you need to follow up with your Representative and encourage/thank them with regard to support of this legislation. 

3.  Allegheny County Human Relations Act.  The vote could come on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.  Be at the County Bldg by 4:30 PM that afternoon.  The last hearing drew a record setting crowd of 150 people. Let's bring 200 to this one.  And PLEASE call your Council Representative.  If you can prompt five people in your district to call this week, you can impact this vote. 

4.  ENDA.  Two major pushes.  One is the need to talk with three PA Congresspersons about their position.  The more "pro" calls they get, the better.  The second need is to get our Congressional Representatives to cosponsor the legislation. 

5. Luke Ravenstahl's LGBT Advisory Committee.  On Friday, April 24, the Mayor's Deputy Chief of Staff Kristen Baginski told us that they were in touch with potential members and would announce when that process was complete.  That was almost two months ago.  You can email her to ask how many more months (it has been 7 since it was announced) will be needed to form the committee that will advise the Mayor on LGBT issues.  You could mention the significant issues outlined above as proof that we really can't afford to wait too much longer.  Her email is: Kristen.Baginski@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

6.  Democratic National Committee.  In response to some of the most outrageous anti-gay rhetoric emerging from the White House since Bush, gay folks are "shutting down the ATM" to the DNC.  If you donate to the ACDC or the DNC or other Democratic wings, I'd encourage you to contact them and tell them that there will be no more donations until there is positive movement.  Your money is probably better invested in candidates who are good on our/your issues. 

Seriously, what has the ACDC done for our community?  They had one forum two years ago and that was that.  There's been no forward movement on anything discussed at that meeting.  There's been no visible outreach or support or endorsement of the County legislation. No financial support of Steel City (that I can identify). 

I know that most of you don't donate to the party directly, but think about it.  Some folks with sizable bank accounts do financially support the party endorsed candidates, creating an illusion of buy in by the larger community. 

Wrong. If there are so many boycotts nationally, why shouldn't we try that tactic locally?  Spur our allies to skip the fundraisers until something gets done.  Just a thought. It probably will just show that we have no clout and they don't care we think.  Or what I think.  :-)

Or maybe we need to shake the tree a little bit and let candidates and the party know that they don't "get" our donations without producing results. 

7.  I'm falling back on my repetition that you should join and become active with Steel City Stonewall Democrats. I was at their monthly meeting last week and it was fascinating.  The conversation was fierce and the opinions strong (albeit civil).  You can really make an impact on the organization's direction just by showing up and putting your views on the table.  You can also make an impact by volunteering.  If you are frustrated that you don't get email notices or facebook updates frequently enough to keep you informed and help you plan, join the communications/web committee and take some ownership of that task.  A lot of things you can do from home with a computer or a cell phone. 

If you do nothing on this list, please join Stonewall (national is pulling sponsorships of DNC events).

A few years ago, I had the privilege of breaking ground (I think) with the first liveblog of a City Council hearing.  That meeting involved the Pittsburgh Police Department's internal domestic violence staff policy.  You have to scroll down a bit to see the posts, but here they are.

There's an oft repeated mantra that domestic calls are among the most dangerous for police officers.  What is failing in the translation is the reality of how much more dangerous they are for the victims.  Once the scene is secured, the danger to the police is greatly reduced.  The danger for the victim?  Well, it often increases. Abusers aren't likely to retaliate against an armed copy.  Guess who they will retaliate against?

Not difficult to imagine.  Well for me, it isn't difficult.  For the police??  Read this http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09158/975486-53.stm#ixzz0HlxjbFWg&C

Here's a fact you should get a bit outraged about.  This happened in Zone 2.  The Commander of Zone 2, George, Trosky, the man who made the decision not to handle this arrest with any competency, was once accused of domestic violence charges.  The charges were withdrawn as is often the case.  You would think the resulting backlash would encourage Commander Trosky to be attentive to these matters.

If you want to secure a more just and effective response from the police, you might consider the CPRB meeting on Tuesday.

The wonderful group of women who volunteered to help change the Pgh. Police Dept?s internal DV staff policy has come back together. They willll hold a press conference right before the CPRB?s meeting.

The case involves both city and county government, we hope women from throughout Allegheny County will join us:

Date: Tuesday, June 23
Location: 2201 Wylie Ave
Press Conference: 5:30 p.m.
CPRB meeting: 6 p.m.

The ENDA folks are asking Pennsylvanians in the following Congressional districts.  Do you have time to make a call today?

Jason Altmire (PA), Christopher Carney (PA), John Murtha (PA),

"Does the Congressman support a fully inclusive ENDA, which includes sexual orientation AND gender identity and gender expression?"

The number for Congress is: 202-224-3121.

Not sure who represents you? Apologies in advance for the different formats.  FYI - you can find a map of the Pennsyvlania Congressional Districts here.

Altmire

Murtha (sorry I can't find a good map)

Part of Allegheny County consisting of the Township of East Deer Ward 2, Forward Ward 3 and the Borough of Tarentum.

Part of Armstrong County consisting of the Townships of Bethel, Burrell, Gilpin, Kiskiminetas, Manor, North Buffalo - East, Parks, Plumcreek, South Bend and South Buffalo District Eastern, and the Boroughs of Apollo, Elderton, Ford City, Ford Cliff, Freeport, Kittanning, Leechburg, Manorville and North Apollo.

Part of Cambria County consisting of the City of Johnstown; the Townships of Adams, Barr, Blacklick, Cambria, Conemaugh, Cresson, Croyle, East Carroll, East Taylor, Jackson, Lower Yoder, Middle Taylor, Munster, Portage, Richland, Stonycreek, Summerhill, Upper Yoder, Washington, West Carroll and West Taylor; and the Boroughs of Brownstown, Carrolltown, Cassandra, Cresson, Daisytown, Dale, East Conemaugh, Ebensburg, Ehrenfeld, Ferndale, Franklin, Geistown, Lilly, Lorain, Nanty Glo, Portage, Sankertown, Scalp Level, South Fork, Southmont, Susquehanna - North, Summerhill, Vintondale, Westmont and Wilmore.

Part of Fayette County consisting of the Cities of Connellsville Ward Ward 1, 2, 3 and 6, and Uniontown; the Townships of Brownsville, Bullskin, Dunbar Districts 2, 3 and 4, Franklin, Georges Districts 3 and 4, German, Jefferson, Lower Tyrone, Luzerne, Menallen, North Union Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5, Perry, Redstone, Saltlick, South Union Districts 1 and 2, Springhill District 2, Upper Tyrone and Washington; and the Boroughs of Belle Vernon, Brownsville, Dawson, Dunbar, Everson, Fayette City, Masontown, Newell, Perryopolis, Point Marion and Vanderbilt.

All of Greene County.

Part of Indiana County consisting of the Townships of Cherryhill, Pine and White Districts 1 and 2, and the Boroughs of Clymer and Indiana Districts 2 and 3.

Part of Somerset County consisting of the Townships of Conemaugh, Jefferson, Jenner, Lincoln, Middlecreek, Paint and Quemahoning, and the Boroughs of Benson, Boswell, Hooversville, Jennerstown, Paint, Seven Springs, Stoystown and Windber.

Part of Washington County consisting of the Cities of Monongahela and Washington and the Townships of Canton, Carroll Districts 2, 3 and 5, Chartiers Districts 3, 5, 6 and 7, East Bethlehem, Fallowfield Districts 1, 2 and 4, North Bethlehem, North Strabane Districts 2, and 3 (only blocks 3016, 3017, 4004, 4005, 4006, 4007, 4011, 4012, 4013 and 4015 of tract 745100), Somerset, South Strabane Districts 2, 4 and 5, Union, West Bethlehem; and West Pike Run and the Boroughs of Allenport, Beallsville, Bentleyville, California, Canonsburg Wards 2 and 3 (Division 1), Centerville, Charleroi Districts 1, 3 and 4, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, East Washington District 2, Elco, Ellsworth, Finleyville, Houston, Long Branch, Marianna, New Eagle, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight and West Brownsville.

And part of Westmoreland County consisting of the Cities of Arnold, Latrobe, Lower Burrell, Monessen and New Kensington and the Townships of Allegheny, Bell, Derry districts Alters, Brandenville, Cokeville, Cooperstown, Kingston, Loyalhanna, Millwood, New Derry, Peanut, Saxman, Scalp Level, and Simpsons, Derry, East Huntingdon District Bessemer, Fairfield, Hempfield Districts Bovard, Hannastown and Luxor, Loyalhanna, Mount Pleasant Districts Bridgeport, Duncan, Heccla, Laurel Run, Mammoth, Spring Garden, United and Westmoreland, Rostraver, Salem Districts Hugus and Mechlings, Sewickley Districts East Herminie, Lowber, Rillton, Sewickley and West Herminie, South Huntingdon Districts Jacobs Creek, Mineral, Port Royal, Wayne, Wyano and Yukon, St. Clair, Unity Districts Crabtree, Dorothy, Lloydsville, Pleasant Unity and Mutual , Upper Burrell and Washington Districts North Washington and Paulton; and the Boroughs of Avonmore, Bolivar, Derry, East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Mount Pleasant, New Alexandria, New Florence, North Belle Vernon, Oklahoma, Scottdale, Seward, Smithton, Vandergrift, West Leechburg and West Newton.

Christopher Carney

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