Here's the scoop ... there's going to be a BIG QUEER RALLY on Saturday, January 10 from 2 - 4 PM at the Schenley Quad in Oakland (near the libraries). This is a follow up event to the Join the Impact rally in early November which turned out nearly 500 people.
The focus of the rally is twofold. The national goal is to bring attention to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as a tie-in to the Proposition 8 issue. Locally, however, we are much more concerned about the upcoming public hearing to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in the Allegheny County Human Relations Act. That hearing date is set for January 15, 2009 and has been the focus of vigorous attack by the rightwing (see previous posts).
So please spread the word about the big queer rally. Tell your friends and family. Bring signs. Bring the kids. Bring your grandma. Just be there and be present as part of the message that EVERYONE deserves equality and fairness.
The event emcee is local comedian and actor Gab Bonesso. Confirmed speakers include long-time LGBT ally and media pundit, John McIntire. Other leaders from the faith community, the political world, the local business community and individuals who wish to share their stories of being discriminated against in the workplace, in housing or in public because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. If you would like to be a speaker, please email me sue @ sitnscoop.com and I'll hook you up with the appropriate folks on the organizing committee.
We cannot sit back in our comfortable, warm homes on January 10 and let other people stand up for us. We cannot be "Prop 8ed" here in Allegheny County. Be there and be part of the solution.
