tag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:/blogs/can-newsletters?p=1LGBT ActionLink News2023-09-29T09:27:25-07:00ActionLink: The Center Action Networkfalsetag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/72805652023-09-29T09:27:25-07:002023-10-16T07:52:12-07:00CenterLink's Statement on the Potential Government Shutdown <p>"Like most nonprofits, a government shutdown could have serious effects on the operations of LGBTQ centers, whose health, counseling, and educational services are vital to local communities," said Denise Spivak, CEO of Centerlink. "Some centers could see a lapse in payments and grants as well as other crucial government resources. Further, centers that provide food pantries and other basic-needs assistance would be greatly impacted by the increased need by community members whose assistance benefits are affected. It is our sincere hope, for these and so many other reasons, that a shutdown is averted."</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/72443572023-07-19T13:08:56-07:002023-08-02T10:18:36-07:00CenterLink's Statement on Defunding LGBTQ Community Centers<p><span style="color:rgb(43,44,48);"><i><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/285455/4c8bc2c93f478b9c9ecc44ecc0b560d939de8dc7/original/statement-defunding-graphic.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />House Republicans voted on July 18, 2023 to eliminate funding to three LGBTQ community centers during a tense House Appropriations </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4104634-house-republicans-eliminate-funding-to-lgbtq-community-centers-after-tense-hearing/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:rgb(43,44,48);"><i>subcommittee meeting</i></span></a><span style="color:rgb(43,44,48);"><i>. </i></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"> “Stripping funding from LGBTQ community centers - organizations that offer vital programming to ensure that members of vulnerable populations feel safe, connected, and empowered - is unconscionable and dangerous," said Denise Spivak, CEO of CenterLink. </span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">"LGBTQ Americans need the services that community centers provide now more than ever. We stand with our centers in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and across this country, in advocating for EVERY American's right to live authentically and safely, free from discrimination and hate."</span></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/72351872023-06-30T09:57:46-07:002023-06-30T10:09:18-07:00Supreme Court decision undermines protections for LGBTQ people<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/285455/5e9b4ea5aab92a6823d8839f9f6ea8cd2d23f331/original/creative-303-case-draft.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />"While today's Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative vs Elenis is extremely disappointing, the narrow decision does not strike down all anti-discrimination protections," said Denise Spivak, CEO of CenterLink.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">"Unfortunately, today’s decision does undermine the civil rights laws that protect all of us from discrimination in our daily lives, and in recent years, the Supreme Court has issued a series of decisions that make this country less safe for LGBTQ people, women, and people of color. </span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">CenterLink and our member centers will continue working within our communities to ensure freedom and inclusion for everyone."</span></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/72345732023-06-21T12:00:00-07:002023-06-29T09:17:16-07:00CenterLink Supports Reintroduction of Equality Act<div class="XbIp4 jmmB7 GNqVo yxtKT allowTextSelection" style="border-width:0px;color:var(--neutralDark);cursor:auto;font-family:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-optical-sizing:inherit;font-size:15px;font-stretch:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-variation-settings:inherit;font-weight:400;line-height:inherit;margin:12px 16px 0px 52px;outline:0px;overflow-y:auto;padding:0px 0px 2px;user-select:text;vertical-align:baseline;will-change:scroll-position;" role="region" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Message body"><div style="border-width:0px;color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;" visiblity="visible"><div style="border-width:0px;color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><div style="border-width:0px;color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;" dir="ltr"><div style="border-width:0px;color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><div style="border-width:0px;color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;" dir="ltr">
<div style="border-width:0px;color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><span style="color:black;">"Today, as lawmakers reintroduce the Equality Act into Congress, LGBTQ community centers across the country are working to bring awareness to the importance of federal nondiscrimination protections,”said Denise Spivak, CenterLink CEO. </span></div>
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<span style="color:black;">“America is supposed to be the land of opportunity, but around half of LGBTQ Americans live in places where they can be denied housing, employment, or services simply because of who they are. The Equality Act would help ensure that LGBTQ Americans could live their lives without the fear of discrimination or harassment and we implore all members of Congress to work tirelessly to get this passed once and for all.”</span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/285455/2eb87fecfb37566db0f3a71ff9f93ef6a66655cb/original/copy-of-equality-act-2023-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br> </div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/72108352023-05-17T12:29:25-07:002023-06-29T09:06:07-07:00CenterLink's statement on Gov. DeSantis signing anti-LGBTQ legislation into law<div style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;color:rgb(36, 36, 36);font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-optical-sizing:inherit;font-size:15px;font-stretch:inherit;font-style:normal;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variation-settings:inherit;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:inherit;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'>
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<i>Statement from Denise Spivak, CEO of CenterLink, The Community of LGBTQ Centers, a Florida-based nonprofit, on Governor DeSantis signing several pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation into law:</i><br> </div>
<div style="border-width:0px;color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">“These extreme and blatantly anti-LGBTQ bills fly in the face of American values and will only serve to hurt Floridians, endanger our youth, damage our economy, and make the state synonymous with hate. If Governor DeSantis truly cared about all the people of Florida he wouldn't have signed any of these discriminatory bills.”</div>
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<a class="no-pjax" href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flsenate.gov%2FSession%2FBill%2F2023%2F254&data=05%7C01%7Ctanya%40lgbtcenters.org%7C533674e44a854c87748508db56fde38e%7Ce38eafabc4e64bfc916684c5e90f0e4d%7C0%7C0%7C638199420673315101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=axFUgMLon3n0tt19tVg8cXh4Nm9WRFHkFREJSHG2r3s%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="VerificationFailed" originalsrc="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/254" shash="QMN46aq4D5iZq85639h40l9wzIFYdPSRig42T+MEVncsdpkfEsVvPwWOyxf6b2gvkMOLaT9kkhh0ecDkvINwWqVgwThSs+CKyLrUTIFREa4b+lR13aC1+yXwRrTypLJD3iE6lZaqZO/c2rESipbwCCdXGW7vJ9GTUIqK1nfi3Kk=" data-loopstyle="link" title="" data-linkindex="2"><strong>SB 254</strong></a><strong> GAC Ban</strong>: criminalizes all GAC for minors and grandfathers current minors in. Criminalizes the vast majority of adult care. It also legalizes the kidnapping of trans youth by unaffirming parents by granting emergency jurisdiction for trans youth “at risk” of receiving GAC.</li>
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<a class="no-pjax" href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flsenate.gov%2FSession%2FBill%2F2023%2F1521&data=05%7C01%7Ctanya%40lgbtcenters.org%7C533674e44a854c87748508db56fde38e%7Ce38eafabc4e64bfc916684c5e90f0e4d%7C0%7C0%7C638199420673315101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=k%2BUTPMsxebIOj7tGT0qamwEyVDLePQPxE86YBhKGxBU%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="VerificationFailed" originalsrc="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1521" shash="D9kbofFLYwuTyo6ONh+INPvc0PJdg/n1XjPIMqMx9Pf2hNRB7sQ1muZ50fTnXPS8wiAA8EVYHfa6Vkkw1pZf7l4KL1Mwqh7NU/pwAhPTl1XkUpvlRmDXY/G1/uorQCTvggA0X1N96bgKI714tzJkHxd0Rfp3fpjuxkFf162xu4I=" data-loopstyle="link" title="" data-linkindex="3"><strong>HB 1521</strong></a><strong> trans bathroom ban</strong>: criminalizes trans people using the bathroom if asked to leave. Does not apply to private businesses but does apply to government owned buildings such as airports, convention centers, stadiums, state parks, beaches etc. Places could face revocation of operating licenses for not enforcing or lawsuits by the state AG. Applies to all educational facilities including state colleges and private universities</li>
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<a class="no-pjax" href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flsenate.gov%2FSession%2FBill%2F2023%2F1069&data=05%7C01%7Ctanya%40lgbtcenters.org%7C533674e44a854c87748508db56fde38e%7Ce38eafabc4e64bfc916684c5e90f0e4d%7C0%7C0%7C638199420673315101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bW8Eq%2F8X%2Fh05YnCR002YKlDUYJCLy7yf5beglTWqBcw%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="VerificationFailed" originalsrc="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1069" shash="bPnXimPyXt9UEoj2QaXzr30+PDhGarvFKDxCA1epTYUd8MBSMt79Kqvsj4cSoLeBrSElj4Pel3GVfEzCR2cc6pgyCrHGVWhEYIbi7SX5t8nJQtuGWqhJB7PgObIBPmHf9dKFBni6kbjsoG1qVcdvB3TbNeZMI9hwXJP4p2da2Gw=" data-loopstyle="link" title="" data-linkindex="4"><strong>HB 1069</strong></a><strong> Don’t Say Gay expansion: </strong>Expands Don’t Say Gay to 8<sup>th</sup> grade and to all private schools. The prior law was already expanded to 12<sup>th</sup> grade via administrative rules by the Florida Department of Education.</li>
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<a class="no-pjax" href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flsenate.gov%2FSession%2FBill%2F2023%2F1438&data=05%7C01%7Ctanya%40lgbtcenters.org%7C533674e44a854c87748508db56fde38e%7Ce38eafabc4e64bfc916684c5e90f0e4d%7C0%7C0%7C638199420673315101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wrHv59irqiHJhMEQZouAPEUn82KLp3qDfppa7ZuL%2Bs4%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="VerificationFailed" originalsrc="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1438" shash="ikeHjqX2yFc/KmMaJ+ZeB2lm2qWMtJeTXtM6Zyzidlcj1021EorvkCFO2TRyK62b0+J/DQlUDE3ZalCnOgRKfZ2DNpt68Sfs+IFCbhS4kZWYcUE2rx5gOx2LToUmIZ/XgvhqOv8rqdZNVCzQ/7XVch8Kw5xF4W7oOCPnfgObttA=" data-loopstyle="link" title="" data-linkindex="5"><strong>SB 1438</strong></a><strong> Drag/Pride Permit Ban:</strong> this bans drag through vague and obscure language that bans “adult oriented performances.” Notably, this provides criminal penalties for any public official that approves a permit for an event that features drag. This will likely result in cancellations and refusals to approve pride event permits. Additionally, this empowers the state to use administrative agencies to target venues as DeSantis has already done.</li>
</ul>
</div>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/72051692023-05-09T07:51:41-07:002023-05-11T13:41:27-07:002023 Has Seen Record Numbers of Anti-LGBTQ Bills and We've Had Enough<h3><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.washingtonblade.com/2023/05/09/joint-letter-denouncing-anti-lgbtq-bills/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><strong>Washington Blade article</strong></a></h3><p>For years, anti-LGBTQ bills have been on the ballot in statehouses around the country, but in<br>2023 the legislation - both in volume and appalling measures - has reached a fever pitch.</p><p>State lawmakers have introduced more anti-LGBTQ legislation this year than in the previous<br>five years combined. With 470 anti-LGBTQ bills on state dockets, and 362 of them specifically<br>attacking the transgender community, LGBTQ people are literally fighting for their lives.</p><p>These bills enforce discriminatory bathroom bans, censor drag shows or even make them<br>illegal, stop transgender students from participating in sporting activities at school, force<br>teachers to out students, eliminate school curriculum around LGBTQ and racial issues, attempt<br>to allow states to put restrictions on same-sex marriages, erase LGBTQ people from schools<br>and public life, and prevent transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming care or even<br>force them to detransition. Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Dakota, Utah,<br>Iowa, Indiana and Georgia have already passed laws denying transgender youth the medically<br>necessary care they need, and other states are likely to follow.</p><p>CenterLink’s member centers have always and will continue to provide vital resources for their<br>communities. LGBTQ centers remain a place where people can go for a wide range of critical,<br>life-saving services. These centers collectively serve over 51,800 people each week, or nearly<br>2.7 million people per year. Nearly all LGBTQ centers engage in advocacy, public policy, and<br>civic engagement across a wide variety of issues affecting the LGBTQ community. And despite<br>almost three quarters of centers having experienced anti-LGBTQ threats or harassment over<br>the past two years, the community of LGBTQ centers has remained stalwart in their missions.</p><p>CenterLink and its extensive network of member centers are stepping up to create a powerful,<br>united front to push back against the wave of hateful legislation targeting the LGBTQ<br>community. We are calling on people across the country to get involved:</p><ul>
<li>
<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.lgbtqcenters.org/LGBTCenters" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">Find your local LGBTQ community center</a> and support their services by volunteering or<br>making a donation.</li>
<li>
<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.vote.org/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">Make sure you're registered</a>, then when the time comes, vote for lawmakers who support equality for all Americans.</li>
</ul><p>We, the undersigned centers, denounce the tidal wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation that lawmakers<br>are hurling at our community. We continue to stand united as safe havens for LGBTQ people<br>and as pillars against hate and discrimination. We will not relent until these attacks stop and<br>LGBTQ people are treated fairly and equally under the law.</p><p><span><strong>CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers</strong></span><br><span>1ENC PRIDE</span><br><span>Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio</span><br><span>Affirmations</span><br><span>Akron AIDS Collaborative</span><br><span>All Under One Roof LGBT Advocates of Southeastern Idaho</span><br><span>Attic Youth Center</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>BAGLY (Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth)</span><br><span>Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice</span><br><span>Bergen County LGBTQ Alliance</span><br><span>Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center</span><br><span>Borderland Rainbow Center</span><br><span>Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Center</span><br><span>Brave Space Alliance</span><br><span>Brooklyn Community Pride Center</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>CAMP Rehoboth, Inc.</span><br><span>Capitol Area Reentry Program Inc.</span><br><span>Caribbean Equality Project</span><br><span>Caroline Pride, LLC</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Center On Halsted</span><br><span>Central Valley Pride</span><br><span>Centre LGBT+</span><br><span>Centro Comunitario LGBTT de PR</span><br><span>Charlotte Trans Health</span><br><span>Coastal Bend Pride Center</span><br><span>CoastPride</span><br><span>Colors+</span><br><span>Community Awareness Network for a Drug-free Life and Environment</span><br><span>Compass LGBTQ Community Center</span><br><span>Covenant House of WV</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Dallas Hope Charities</span><br><span>Delmarva Pride Center</span><br><span>Diversity Center of Oklahoma Inc</span><br><span>Diversity Collective Ventura County</span><br><span>Diversity Richmond</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Eastern PA Trans Equity Project</span><br><span>Equality Community Center</span><br><span>Equitas Health</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Fabulous Arts Foundation</span><br><span>FAIRNY (Fairness Alliance and Information Resources of New York Inc</span><br><span>Fem Alliance Uganda</span><br><span>Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>GenderNexus</span><br><span>Grand Rapids Pride Center</span><br><span>Great Lakes Bay Pride</span><br><span>Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center</span><br><span>Harriet Hancock Center Foundation</span><br><span>Have A Gay Day</span><br><span>Health Equity Alliance for LGBTQ New Mexicans (HEAL Plus NM)</span><br><span>Henderson Equality Center</span><br><span>Hetrick-Martin Institute</span><br><span>High Impacto</span><br><span>Hot Springs Pride Alliance</span><br><span>Hudson Pride Center</span><br><span>Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>I Am Human Foundation</span><br><span>Identity Health Clinic</span><br><span>inclusion tennessee</span><br><span>Indiana Youth Group (IYG)</span><br><span>Inside Out Youth Services</span><br><span>JASMYN, Inc.</span><br><span>Jim Toy Community Center</span><br><span>Kaleidoscope Youth Center</span><br><span>Knox Pride</span><br><span>Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition</span><br><span>Latino Equality Alliance</span><br><span>Lexington Pride Center</span><br><span>LGBT Center of Raleigh</span><br><span>LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin</span><br><span>LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland</span><br><span>LGBT Community Network</span><br><span>LGBT Detroit</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>LGBT Life Center</span><br><span>LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc.</span><br><span>LGBT+ Family & Games</span><br><span>LGBTQ Center at UNF</span><br><span>LGBTQ Center OC</span><br><span>LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast</span><br><span>LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada</span><br><span>LGBTQ+ Family Connections Centers Inc</span><br><span>LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay</span><br><span>LGBTQ Support and Social Group USA</span><br><span>LIAM Foundation</span><br><span>Live Out Loud</span><br><span>Long Island LGBT Center</span><br><span>Los Angeles LGBT Center</span><br><span>Louisville Youth Group</span><br><span>LOVE ON A MISSION</span><br><span>LYRIC SF</span><br><span>Magic City Acceptance Center</span><br><span>Maven Youth</span><br><span>MiGen - Michigan LGBTQ+ Elders Network</span><br><span>Montgomery Pride United/ Bayard Rustin Community Center</span><br><span>Mountain Pride</span><br><span>Muncie OUTreach LGBTQ+ Center</span><br><span>Naper Pride Inc</span><br><span>Naples Pride</span><br><span>New York LGBT Network</span><br><span>North County LGBTQ Resource Center</span><br><span>North Shore Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth (NAGLY)</span><br><span>North Star LGBT Community Center</span><br><span>Oakland LGBTQ Community Center</span><br><span>Oasis Youth Center</span><br><span>Ogden Pride</span><br><span>Omaha ForUs</span><br><span>One In Long Beach, Inc. dba The LGBTQ Center Long Beach</span><br><span>One Iowa</span><br><span>one-n-ten</span><br><span>Open Table United Church of Christ</span><br><span>Our Family Coalition</span><br><span>Our Spot KC</span><br><span>Out Boulder County</span><br><span>Out in the Open</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>OutMemphis</span><br><span>OUT MetroWest</span><br><span>Out On The Lakeshore</span><br><span>OutCenter Southwest Michigan</span><br><span>OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center</span><br><span>Outright Vermont</span><br><span>Pacific Center for Human Growth</span><br><span>Pacific Pride Foundation</span><br><span>Phoenix Center</span><br><span>Pittsburgh Equality Center</span><br><span>Planned Parenthood Keystone</span><br><span>Positive Images LGBTQIA+ Center</span><br><span>Positive Women’s Network Alabama</span><br><span>Power Safe Place Resource Center of Virginia</span><br><span>Pride Center of Staten Island</span><br><span>Pride Center of Terre Haute Inc.</span><br><span>Pride Center San Antonio</span><br><span>Pride Center West Texas</span><br><span>Pride Community and Education Center of the Tricities</span><br><span>Pride Community Center of North Central Florida</span><br><span>Pride Community Center, Inc (Brazos Valley, Texas)</span><br><span>Pride Link</span><br><span>Pridelines</span><br><span>Prism Counseling & Community Services</span><br><span>PRISM FL, Inc</span><br><span>Prism United</span><br><span>Project Pride SRQ</span><br><span>PWN Greater Houston</span><br><span>Quad Citians Affirming Diversity (QCAD)</span><br><span>Queens LGBT Center</span><br><span>Queer Asterisk</span><br><span>Queer Worsk</span><br><span>Queermunity Collaborative</span><br><span>QUEERSPACE collective</span><br><span>Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County</span><br><span>Rainbow Connections ATX, part of Family Eldercare</span><br><span>Rainbow Families DC</span><br><span>Rainbow Labs</span><br><span>Rainbow Pride Youth Aaliance</span><br><span>Rainbow Rose Center</span><br><span>Resource Center</span><br><span>Roanoke Diversity Center</span><br><span>Rockland County Pride Center</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Sacramento LGBT Community Center</span><br><span>SAGE-Long Island</span><br><span>Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth</span><br><span>San Diego Pride</span><br><span>San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ+ Center</span><br><span>San Mateo County Pride Center</span><br><span>Seacoast Outright</span><br><span>Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center</span><br><span>SF LGBT Center</span><br><span>Shenandoah LGBTQ Center</span><br><span>Shoals Diversity Center</span><br><span>Side by Side</span><br><span>SMYAL</span><br><span>SOJOURN: Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity</span><br><span>South Bay LGBTQ Center</span><br><span>Spencer Pride, Inc.</span><br><span>St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline</span><br><span>Stand with Trans</span><br><span>Stonewall Alliance of Chico</span><br><span>Stonewall Columbus, Inc</span><br><span>SunServe</span><br><span>Sussex Pride / TransLiance</span><br><span>Tasha's House</span><br><span>The Atlanta Pride Committee</span><br><span>The Center on Colfax, Denver, CO</span><br><span>The Center Project</span><br><span>The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection</span><br><span>The Cortland LGBTQ Center</span><br><span>The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County</span><br><span>The Equality Crew</span><br><span>The Fresno Spectrum Center</span><br><span>The Gala Pride and Diversity Center</span><br><span>The LGBT Center of Greater Reading</span><br><span>The LGBTQ Center (South Bend, IN)</span><br><span>The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert</span><br><span>The LIAM Foundation</span><br><span>The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center</span><br><span>The New Haven Pride Center</span><br><span>The Pride Center at Equality Park</span><br><span>The Reunion Project</span><br><span>The SMART Ride</span><br><span>The Source LGBT+ Center</span><br><span>The Spahr Center</span><br><span>The Welcome Project PA / SAGA Community Center</span><br><span>Time Out Youth</span><br><span>Trans Families</span><br><span>Transformation Project</span><br><span>Transgender Awareness Alliance</span><br><span>Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico</span><br><span>Transgender Resource, Education and Enrichment Services-TREES, Inc.</span><br><span>Transinclusive Group</span><br><span>TransNewYork</span><br><span>Triangle Community Center</span><br><span>Uniting Pride of Champaign County</span><br><span>Unity House</span><br><span>Uplift Outreach Center</span><br><span>Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance (UGLA)</span><br><span>Us Giving Richmond Connections</span><br><span>Utah Pride Center</span><br><span>Washington County Gay Straight Alliance, Inc.</span><br><span>Waves Ahead Puerto Rico</span><br><span>We Are Family</span><br><span>Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center</span><br><span>William Way LGBT Community Center</span><br><span>Youth Oasis</span><br><span>Youth Outlook</span><br><span>Youth OUTright</span><br><span>Youth Pride, Inc.</span><br><span>Zebra Youth</span><o:p></o:p></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/71939702023-04-21T10:15:00-07:002023-06-29T09:13:11-07:00CenterLink Leaves Twitter<p>CenterLink has made the decision to deactivate our Twitter accounts immediately due to Twitter quietly removing its longstanding policy aimed at protecting transgender people from targeted misgendering and deadnaming. </p><p>The practice of targeted misgendering and deadnaming is considered a form of hate speech. Social media companies must commit to fostering safe environments for LGBTQ people, not removing policies protecting them. </p><p>Over the past few months, the Twitter landscape has become an unsafe platform for LGBTQ and BIPOC people to use. Anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ tweets have greatly increased, as well as anti-Black and antisemitic tweets that are published under the guise of bringing "free speech" back to the platform. Additionally, Twitter owner Elon Musk recently promoted an anti-trans tweet about the recent Nashville Covenant School shooting, which is the latest in a series of transphobic tweets. </p><p>Purposeful communication requires an honest and transparent dialogue in spaces that respect our lived experiences and honor everyone’s safety. Rolling back LGBTQ safety pulls Twitter out of synch with TikTok, Pinterest, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram), which all maintain policies to protect users at a time when anti-transgender and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is at an all-time high. </p><p>With more than 430 pieces of legislation targeting healthcare, education, public places and services, and drag performers or entertainment, 2023 is on pace to be a record-setting year for state legislation targeting LGBTQ adults and youth. </p><p>Now is a time to lift up the voices of those who are most vulnerable and most marginalized, and to take a stand against those whose actions are quite the opposite. The direction Twitter has taken does not align with CenterLink’s mission or values. Effective immediately, we have left the Twitter platform. You can still find us on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.facebook.com/CenterLink" data-link-type="url">Facebook</a>, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.instagram.com/lgbtcenterlink/" data-link-type="url">Instagram</a>, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/centerlink/mycompany/" data-link-type="url">LinkedIn</a> and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/@LGBTCenterLink" data-link-type="url">YouTube</a>, and we look forward to connecting with you on those platforms.</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/71221682022-12-13T09:49:01-07:002022-12-13T14:43:44-07:00Respect For Marriage Act Signed Into Law<p>December 13th, 2022 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink’s Statement on the Signing of the Respect for Marriage Act</strong></p>
<p>Today President Biden signed into law a bipartisan bill that will protect same-sex and interracial marriages with a celebration at the White House that included many LGBTQ+ community center leaders. </p>
<p>The <strong>Respect for Marriage Act </strong>is an important bill that will do two primary things. First, it repeals DOMA and gets this anti-marriage federal law off the books. It will require the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed. Second, the bill will guarantee that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill will not require a state to issue a marriage license contrary to state law. </p>
<p>Passing the Respect for Marriage Act is a crucial step toward protecting LGBTQ+ couples and to ensure the dignity, stability and ongoing protection that marriage affords to families and children. Like the freedom to marry, a majority of Americans support measures that protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in all aspects of daily life. CenterLink will continue to work to ensure that the momentum we’re seeing for the freedom to marry is carried over into ongoing efforts to secure federal nondiscrimination protections for all Americans.</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/71080782022-11-20T11:00:00-07:002022-12-13T09:52:35-07:00 In response to the mass shooting at Club Q<p>November 20th, 2022 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink's Statement on the Shooting at Club Q</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>CenterLink is heartbroken by last night’s deadly shooting at an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs. We mourn for those whose lives were taken, and our hearts are with their families and friends, those who survived the attack, and the Colorado community. </p>
<p>Please see the statement from One Colorado <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://one-colorado.org/new/shooting-in-colorado-springs-lgbtq-club/?fbclid=IwAR1xjlmKWhnSDqVVDefcevdvezmTTL2_IJNTjSAbXZXGqYL8OA4xDXj376A" target="_blank">here</a> and <a contents="follow" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/onecolorado" target="_blank">follow</a> One Colorado for more information.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/285455/a1053f56d573a3d90e4b7d0a236e03d3f1b3709e/original/111.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/70986502022-11-09T09:39:12-07:002022-11-09T09:40:26-07:00LGBTQ+ 2022 Midterm Election Results<p>It was a long night, and we still don't know all of the election results, but here's what we do know: the LGBTQ+ community showed up at the polls and on the ballots! </p>
<p>According to a recent <a contents="report" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/new-report-lgbtq-voters-becoming-one-of-the-fastest-growing-voting-blocs-in-the-country-projected-to-represent-nearly-one-fifth-of-voters-by-2040-and-fundamentally-reshape-american-electoral-landscape?link_id=1&can_id=d90c309ac9b5a0fa50d294d0b1cdf0b2&source=email-lgbtq-elections-summary&email_referrer=&email_subject=lgbtq-elections-summary" target="_blank">report</a> by the Human Rights Campaign, in the 2022 Midterm election, LGBTQ+ identified people accounted for one-in ten (11.3%) people in the voting eligible population in the United States. By 2030 approximately one-in-seven voters will identify as LGBTQ+. </p>
<p>For the <a contents="first time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/historic-first-lgbtq-americans-will-ballot-50-states-rcna54107?link_id=2&can_id=d90c309ac9b5a0fa50d294d0b1cdf0b2&source=email-lgbtq-elections-summary&email_referrer=&email_subject=lgbtq-elections-summary" target="_blank">first time</a> in the nation's history, Americans from all 50 states and the District of Columbia had the opportunity to elect an LGBTQ+ person to public office during the 2022 elections. Some noteworthy statistics: </p>
<ul> <li>According to early exit polling, LGBTQ+ voters turned out in larger numbers than in previous midterm elections and supported pro-equality candidates in high numbers. </li> <li>Voters in Massachusetts elected their first openly lesbian governor - Maura Healey. </li> <li>In Vermont, Becca Balint is the first woman and the first lesbian from the state to head to Congress. </li> <li>Jared Polis claimed victory in Colorado, becoming the first openly gay man to be elected then re-elected to a governorship in the US. </li> <li>Maryland elected Wes More as their first Black governor. He is also a strong LGBTQ+ ally. </li> <li>Numerous transgender and non-binary people were elected to public office, including Sarah McBride as a state senator in Delaware, and James Rosener, who became the first trans man elected to any state legislature. He now represents New Hampshire’s 22nd state House District, Ward 8. </li> <li>In a special election earlier this year, Keturah Herron became the first out LGBTQ+ person ever elected to the Kentucky State House. In the midterms, Herron ran for reelection unopposed. </li> <li>Christian Manuel-Hayes and Venton Jones have become the first out Black LGBTQ+ men ever elected to the Texas state legislature. </li> <li>Jason Hoskins has the distinction of being the first out LGBTQ+ person of color elected to Michigan’s state legislature. </li>
</ul>
<p>We know that state legislatures will continue to try to pass anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. But your votes for representatives who support equality for ALL Americans is a strong reminder that LGBTQ+ people exist everywhere, and we will continue to work toward nondiscrimination protections in every aspect of our lives.</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/70791722022-10-11T09:48:15-07:002022-11-02T13:13:17-07:00Center Leader Heads to Washington D.C.<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers extends congratulations to Adrian Shanker, executive director of the Spahr Center in Marin County, California, who has been appointed as Senior Adviser on LGBTQI+ Health Equity in the office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, currently led by Dr. Rachel Levine. </p>
<p>Adrian previously served the current administration as a volunteer member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. He became the executive director of the Spahr Center in April of 2022. Prior to that, he founded the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown PA; where he served as executive director for more than seven years. He has also authored two books focused on LGBTQ health. </p>
<p>“Adrian has had tremendous impact in the communities where he has led centers and has demonstrated a consistent and passionate focus on LGBTQ health” said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. “In this new role, Adrian will continue to be a strong advocate for the health of the LGBTQI+ community and support the Biden administration’s efforts to advance health equity.”</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/70940122022-08-02T13:00:00-07:002022-11-02T13:13:17-07:00Over 150 LGBTQ+ Community Centers Sign On<p>August 2nd, 2022</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky </p>
<p>Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention </p>
<p>1600 Clifton Road </p>
<p>Atlanta, GA 30329-4027 </p>
<p>Dear Dr. Walensky, </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers and the member centers signed below are writing to request assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the rise of the hMPXV virus is of immediate concern to the LGBTQ+ community. </p>
<p>We request that the CDC supports our community and our varied efforts to combat this virus by: </p>
<ul> <li>Providing funding that can be distributed to LGBTQ+ community centers who are on the ground daily educating, vaccinating, and treating patients. By funding trusted messenger organizations such as LGBTQ+ community centers, we will be able to further educate our communities about hMPXV and assist local public health agencies in vaccine promotion for higher-risk community members, as our centers did with the COVID-19 vaccine and continue to do when addressing HIV/AIDS.</li> <li>Increasing the number of available vaccines. We know that there is a scarcity of hMPXV vaccines available and recognize the progress made to produce 800k more doses in collaboration with the FDA. But as this virus continues to spread, our community must be prepared, and part of that preparation includes having enough vaccines for those who need them.</li> <li>Expanding testing and increasing patient access to testing. While the CDC has recently begun shipping hMPXV tests to five of the largest commercial labs across the country, increasing availability is critical. County public health agencies and the community-based organizations they partner with are in desperate need of sufficient testing for all those at risk of contracting hMPXV.</li> <li>Collecting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data throughout the duration of the outbreak. The collection of SOGI data is a critical step in systematically documenting and addressing health disparities affecting LGBTQ+ persons.</li> <li>Releasing clear and consistent data so that everyone throughout the US is able to understand the outbreak and make informed decisions on how to protect themselves. </li>
</ul>
<p>While public health departments are still investigating transmissions, both the World Health Organization and the CDC have expressed concern that a significant majority of confirmed transmissions have been between transgender women, gay and bisexual men, as well as men who have sex with men (MSM). LGBTQ+ community centers are uniquely situated to support those at risk because we operate within the very communities where the virus is currently spreading. </p>
<p>LGBTQ+ centers are already working to help limit the spread and protect impacted individuals and communities. From holding hMPXV testing and vaccination clinics to writing letters to their local lawmakers asking for support to collaborating with the White House to hold an informational webinar; LGBTQ+ community centers are taking on the difficult task of serving those affected by this virus. Local community centers serving LGBTQ+ people provide vital information, education, and health services to over 58,000 people each week. Despite the fact that many of our centers are consistently underfunded, their reach is vast, and their commitment unwavering to ensure that their communities are protected and served. </p>
<p>While the CDC claims to be doing the work necessary to contain the virus through vaccination and the spread of education, as of August 3rd, 2022, the United States has recorded 6,300 cases across fifty jurisdictions - some of the highest case numbers in the world. This is concerning as we have seen through experience with HIV/AIDS just how much the LGBTQ+ community has suffered. </p>
<p>We implore that our requests for the protection of our communities not be left unheard. We implore the CDC to step up and protect this country’s most vulnerable populations by taking significant actions toward stopping the spread of the hMPXV virus. </p>
<p>Sincerely, </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio </p>
<p>All Under One Roof LGBT Advocates of Southeastern Idaho </p>
<p>Atlanta Pride Committee </p>
<p>Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice </p>
<p>Bayard Rustin Community Center </p>
<p>Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center </p>
<p>Boston Alliance of LGBTQ Youth (BAGLY) </p>
<p>Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center </p>
<p>Bridges United </p>
<p>Brooklyn Community Pride Center </p>
<p>CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. </p>
<p>Caribbean Equality Project [CEP] </p>
<p>Center on Halsted </p>
<p>Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation </p>
<p>Compton's Table, Inc </p>
<p>Dakota OutRight </p>
<p>Delmarva Pride Center </p>
<p>Diversity Center of Oklahoma Inc. </p>
<p>Diversity Richmond </p>
<p>EDGE New Jersey </p>
<p>Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains </p>
<p>Equality Community Center </p>
<p>Equitas Health (Ohio) </p>
<p>First City Pride Center </p>
<p>Gay City: Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center </p>
<p>GenderNexus </p>
<p>Grand Rapids Pride Center </p>
<p>Great Lakes Bay Pride </p>
<p>Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center </p>
<p>Hamptons LGBT Center </p>
<p>Heartland Equality </p>
<p>Henderson Equality Center </p>
<p>Hetrick-Martin Institute </p>
<p>HIGH IMPACTO </p>
<p>Hudson Pride Center </p>
<p>Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center </p>
<p>Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation </p>
<p>I Am Human Foundation </p>
<p>Identity Health Clinic </p>
<p>Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center </p>
<p>Indiana Youth Group </p>
<p>Inside Out Youth Services </p>
<p>Institute for LGBT Health </p>
<p>JASMYN </p>
<p>Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition </p>
<p>Latino Equality Alliance </p>
<p>Lexington Pride Center </p>
<p>LGBT Center of Greater Reading </p>
<p>LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin </p>
<p>LGBT Detroit </p>
<p>LGBT Life Center </p>
<p>LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. </p>
<p>LGBTQ Center at UNF </p>
<p>LGBTQ Center OC </p>
<p>LGBTQ Community Center of Southern Nevada </p>
<p>LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay </p>
<p>LGBTQ+ youth programs at Planned Parenthood Keystone </p>
<p>Long Island LGBT Center (LGBT Network) </p>
<p>Los Angeles LGBT Center </p>
<p>LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation Information Center) </p>
<p>Merced Pride Center </p>
<p>MoPride Center </p>
<p>Muncie OUTreach </p>
<p>Naper Pride </p>
<p>New Haven Pride Center </p>
<p>New York LGBT Network </p>
<p>Newark Ohio Pride Coalition </p>
<p>NorCal OUTreach Project </p>
<p>North County LGBTQ Resource Center </p>
<p>North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ+ Youth (NAGLY) </p>
<p>Oakland LBGTQ Community Center </p>
<p>One In Long Beach, Inc. dba The LGBTQ Center Long Beach </p>
<p>one-n-ten </p>
<p>Onslow county lgbtq community center </p>
<p>Our Center </p>
<p>Our Family Coalition </p>
<p>Out Boulder County </p>
<p>Out in the Open </p>
<p>Out On The Lakeshore </p>
<p>OutCenter Southwest Michigan </p>
<p>OutFront Kalamazoo </p>
<p>OUTMemphis </p>
<p>Outright Vermont </p>
<p>Pacific Center for Human Growth </p>
<p>Pacific Pride Foundation </p>
<p>Pizza Klatch </p>
<p>Pomona Pride Center, Inc. </p>
<p>Power Safe Place Resource Center of Virginia </p>
<p>Pride Center of Staten Island </p>
<p>Pride Center of Terre Haute Inc. </p>
<p>Pride Center of Vermont </p>
<p>Pride Center San Antonio </p>
<p>Pride Community and Education Center of the Tricities </p>
<p>Pride Community Center </p>
<p>Pride Community Center of North Central Florida </p>
<p>Pride Community Center of the Tricities </p>
<p>Pride Community Center, Inc </p>
<p>Pride Link </p>
<p>Pridelines </p>
<p>PRISM FL, Inc </p>
<p>Queens LGBT Center </p>
<p>QWELL Community Foundation </p>
<p>Rainbow Center </p>
<p>Rainbow Families </p>
<p>Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance </p>
<p>Rainbow Rose Center </p>
<p>Resource Center </p>
<p>Rockland County Pride Center </p>
<p>SAGA Community Center </p>
<p>San Diego LGBT Pride </p>
<p>SCV Pride Center </p>
<p>SF LGBT Center </p>
<p>Shenandoah LGBTQ Center </p>
<p>Side by Side </p>
<p>SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) </p>
<p>SOJOURN: Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity </p>
<p>South Bay LGBTQ Center </p>
<p>Southwest Center </p>
<p>Spencer Pride commUnity center </p>
<p>St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline </p>
<p>Stand with Trans </p>
<p>Stonewall Alliance of Chico </p>
<p>Stonewall Columbus </p>
<p>Sussex Pride </p>
<p>Terros Health HIV/STI Prevention </p>
<p>The Center on Colfax </p>
<p>The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection </p>
<p>The DC Center for the LGBT Community </p>
<p>The Episcopal Parish of All Saints' Church & St. George's Chapel </p>
<p>The Fresno Spectrum Center </p>
<p>The Greater Dayton LGBT Center </p>
<p>The Human Rights Alliance </p>
<p>The LGBTQ Center (South Bend, IN) </p>
<p>The LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast </p>
<p>The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert </p>
<p>The LIAM Foundation </p>
<p>the Montrose Center </p>
<p>The Pride Center at Equality Park </p>
<p>The San Diego LGBT Community Center </p>
<p>The Source LGBT+ Center </p>
<p>The Spahr Center </p>
<p>Time Out Youth </p>
<p>Transcend the Binary </p>
<p>Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico </p>
<p>Transinclusive Group </p>
<p>TransOhio </p>
<p>Triangle Community Center </p>
<p>Uniting Pride of Champaign County </p>
<p>Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance (UGLA) </p>
<p>Utah Pride Center </p>
<p>Washington County Gay Straight Alliance, Inc. </p>
<p>Waves Ahead Puerto Rico </p>
<p>We Are Family </p>
<p>Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center </p>
<p>William Way LGBT Community Center </p>
<p>Youth Oasis </p>
<p>Youth OUTright</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/70008482022-06-24T08:09:20-07:002022-06-29T09:32:18-07:00CenterLink Responds to Supreme Court Ruling Overturning Roe v. Wade<p>June 24th, 2022 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink’s Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision: </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization </strong></p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale, FL</strong> - We should all be able to make the personal health care decisions that impact our lives, health, and futures. But today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a shattering blow to the right to access abortion in the U.S., leaving even more people struggling to obtain the essential health care they need. Never before has this Court rolled back a right the American people have relied on for half a century. </p>
<p>The Court’s opinion is impactful in the worst way possible. The repercussions will be deadly. Pregnant people will be forced to carry pregnancies against their will, risking their health and their lives. Nearly half of the women of reproductive age in the United States, and more people who can become pregnant, live in the 26 states that will likely move to ban abortion, meaning more than 36 million people will feel the effects of this decision. </p>
<p>The implications will also be disproportionate, felt most acutely by Black, Latino, and Indigenous people, immigrants, people living with low incomes, and people in rural areas — communities that historically already face barriers to abortion access due to systemic racism and discrimination. </p>
<p>Reproductive rights are LGBTQ+ rights. This decision will have devastating consequences for LGBTQ+ people – including queer people, non-binary people, bisexual and pansexual women, and transgender men, who all need safe access to reproductive care. </p>
<p>Abortion access is just one of several fundamental rights currently under attack, including our right to privacy and body autonomy guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, intertwined with our right to liberty in which Roe v. Wade was grounded. It raises concerns about the Court’s ability to dismantle other rights related to LGBTQ+ families, because this is also the Amendment upon which the rights gained by LGBTQ+ people rest, including the right to marry. </p>
<p>“The court’s opinion is appalling and unprecedented and is a dangerous assault to not only the right to terminate a pregnancy, but also to other constitutional rights involving privacy, liberty, and autonomy, ” said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. “At a time when there are hundreds of pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation that have been introduced, or in some cases passed, in states across the country, we need to ensure that every person has access to the care they need, and the power to control their own body and life. We as a nation, and as human beings, deserve judges and elected officials - at all levels of government - who believe that as well.” </p>
<p>Decades of attacks have left abortion rights in the U.S hanging by a thread. Today that thread was cut, but we are not defeated. We will keep working until every person, no matter where they live, how much money they make, or how they identify, has the freedom to make their own decisions about their lives and futures. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/69945432022-06-15T10:23:14-07:002022-06-15T11:08:20-07:00CenterLink Applauds Pride Month Executive Order<p>June 15th, 2022</p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink Applauds Pride Month Executive Order</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale, FL</strong> - Today President Biden signed a historic <a contents="Executive Order" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/15/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-sign-historic-executive-order-advancing-lgbtqi-equality-during-pride-month/" target="_blank">Executive Order</a> advancing LGBTQ+ rights during Pride Month. This Order directs federal agencies to take new steps to protect and support LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, including: </p>
<p>• Addressing harmful state legislative attacks against children and families </p>
<p>• Preventing so-called “conversion therapy” </p>
<p>• Safeguarding health care and preventing youth suicide </p>
<p>• Launching a new initiative to protect foster youth and prevent homelessness </p>
<p>These are historic actions that build on the progress we have made in advancing equality. CenterLink applauds these actions, and we continue to work alongside our LGBTQ+ community center members and national partners in supporting the administration’s efforts to bring equality to all Americans.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/69291122022-02-28T13:00:00-07:002022-03-22T12:04:41-07:00240 Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills In 37 States<p>According to our partners at the Equality Federation, there are 240 anti-LGBTQ+ bills active in 37 states across the country so far in 2022, with about half of them targeting transgender people specifically.</p>
<p>The barrage of legislation includes bills that would restrict LGBTQ+ issues in school curriculums, permit religious exemptions to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, and limit trans people’s ability to play sports, use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity, and receive gender-affirming health care.</p>
<p>Want more details on state-specific bills in your state and across the country? <strong>Check out the <a contents="interactive maps" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.equalityfederation.org/state-legislation" target="_blank">interactive maps</a> that the Equality Federation has created.</strong></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/69072292022-02-25T10:09:51-07:002022-02-25T10:11:48-07:00CenterLink Applauds President Biden’s Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court<p>February 25, 2022</p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO</p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers</p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024</p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>For Immediate Release</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink Applauds President Biden’s Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court</strong></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - President Joe Biden today announced his nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">A top jurist with strong experience on the federal bench, Judge Jackson is currently serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Judge Jackson has shown dedication to standing up for the civil and human rights of all Americans. She has broad experience across the legal profession as a federal appellate judge, a federal district court judge, a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, an attorney in private practice, and as a federal public defender. She has been confirmed by the Senate on a bipartisan basis three times – most recently last year for her current seat. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">CenterLink applauds President Biden’s historic nomination of Judge Brown and remains encouraged by the Administration’s commitment to appointing diverse, qualified, and fair-minded jurists who will ensure the justice system works as it is intended to, for every American citizen.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><em>### </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org</em></span></p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/67898082021-10-28T15:00:50-07:002021-10-28T15:00:50-07:00CenterLink Supports Passage of Robust Build Back Better Law<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>STATEMENT BY LGBTQI+ ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF A ROBUST BUILD BACK BETTER LAW</strong></p>
<p>Released by: Family Equality, Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Equality California, the Equality Federation, FORGE, Inc., GLSEN, the Hispanic Federation, the Modern Military Association of America, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, Oasis Legal Services, and Silver State Equality</p>
<p>Today the White House released its Build Back Better framework that includes critical supports for our LGBTQI+ families. We urge all members of Congress to work to add additional urgently needed elements including paid leave, lower prescription drug costs, inclusion of immigrant children, and immigration reform to the framework, and to vote to pass Build Back Better into law as soon as possible to help our families recover from the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>The investments in the Build Back Better framework will help ensure that our families receive critical supports that allow them to return to the workforce while caring for themselves and family members, including:</p>
<ul> <li>Universal preschool for all 3 and 4 year olds.</li> <li>Making the tax break provided to the lowest-income families through the child tax credit (CTC) permanent, continuing expanded CTC monthly payments to families which have already reduced child poverty by nearly half over the next year, and extending the Earned Income Tax Credit to around 17 million low-wage workers.</li> <li>Affordable high quality child care, ensuring that families pay no more than 7 percent of their income on child care and expanding care to about 20 million children per year</li> <li>More affordable in-home care for older adults and people with disabilities, while supporting workers providing this care.</li> <li>Making housing more affordable for families and individuals by investing in long-term rental assistance, repairing public housing, and building new affordable housing.</li> <li>Investments in immigration reform to reduce backlogs, expand legal representation, and make the asylum system and border processing more efficient and humane.</li> <li>Critical supports for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum.</li> <li>Investments in workforce development and equity in college education by raising the maximum pell grant and providing supports to historically black colleges & universities, hispanic & minority serving institutions, and tribal colleges and universities.</li> <li>Expanding health care coverage to millions, by extending Medicaid to 4 million low income families and individuals, and expanding Medicare to cover hearing benefits.</li> <li>Creating jobs and advancing environmental justice through investments in clean energy and sustainability which prioritize disadvantaged communities.</li> <li>Fully paying for these investments in our communities by ensuring that the ultra-wealthy and large corporations pay more of their fair share of taxes.</li>
</ul>
<p>LGBTQI+ families and individuals, particularly families and individuals of color, experienced disproportionately higher rates of poverty compared to our non-LGBTQI+ counterparts, even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. These inequities were compounded by the effects of the pandemic with nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ households facing job or wage disruption. Build Back Better invests in strengthening the middle class and providing supports to low-wage workers - a segment of the workforce where LGBTQI+ individuals are over represented.</p>
<p>Additionally, we urge Congress to continue advocating for LGBTQI+ families and the LGBTQI+ community by adding the elements below to the bill, and passing Build Back Better as soon as possible:</p>
<ul> <li>Permanent, comprehensive, and inclusive paid family and medical leave that includes caring for chosen family, reflecting the paid leave provided to federal workers for over fifty years.</li> <li>Including immigrant children in the Child Tax Credit, by restoring the CTC to children with ITINs.</li> <li>A long-overdue pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.</li> <li>Lowering the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and expanding medicare coverage for vision and dental health.</li> <li>Ensuring equitable access by LGBTQI+ people and families to BBB programs by including sexual orientation and gender identity in programs’ data collection.</li> <li>Ensuring that workforce development and small business programs serve the most economically marginalized, including transgender people. Workforce and small business development programs should include LGBTQI+-competent and affirming training, policies, and procedures, and address the particular barriers that the most economically marginalized communities experience in entering, remaining in, and advancing in the workforce, including women, people of color, transgender people, people with disabilities, and formerly incarcerated people.</li>
</ul>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/67468462021-09-15T11:53:46-07:002021-09-15T11:53:46-07:00CenterLink submits Letter of Support in California LGBTQ Elders Case<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: Denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink Submits Amicus Letter in Support of California LGBTQ Elders Case</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale - </strong>Today CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers along with the undersigned [California LGBTQ] organizations submitted <a contents="this letter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oKqTQnjtczJ6NriTuCVZH2EFHNdvBBSOMp3dI_0EBgE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">this letter</a> in support of the petition for review of the decision in <a contents="Taking Offense v. State of California." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ebar.com/news/latest_news/308861" target="_blank">Taking Offense v. State of California.</a></p>
<p>Review of this decision is necessary to ensure the health and safety of LGBTQ seniors. The 2017 law known as SB219 was designed to protect older LGBTQ residents in nursing homes and was explicitly intended to protect against discrimination or mistreatment based on residents’ sexual orientation or gender identity. What the court failed to realize in this decision is that refusing to utilize proper pronouns when addressing a person not only denies their dignity, but study after study has shown that transgender people who are misgendered face alarming and life-threatening rates of depression and suicidal behavior.</p>
<p>CenterLink also submitted an Amicus Curiae Letter in support of California State Attorney General Rob Bonta's petition of review.</p>
<p>State and national LGBTQ+ organizations like community centers have seen firsthand the harmful effects of misgendering someone who identifies as transgender or nonbinary. LGBTQ+ seniors deserve protection. SB219 is a crucial tool to help ensure equitable care in long-term care facilities. We stand with the California State Attorney General in defending this vital law.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery.</em></p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/66621222021-06-17T11:06:47-07:002022-01-07T12:31:02-07:00CenterLink Reacts to Supreme Court's Decision on Fulton v. City of Philadelphia Case<p>The U.S. Supreme Court has just issued its opinion in the Fulton v Philadelphia case. </p>
<p>The Court issued a narrow ruling against the City for preventing a Catholic social services agency from participating in a foster care program due to the organization’s discrimination against same-sex couples. <strong>This was based on specific language in the City of Philadelphia’s contract that authorized individualized exemptions for a provider, and the court’s decision did not create a broad license to discriminate on the basis of religious freedom. </strong> The ruling leaves intact the broader principle that governments can require contractors, including religious agencies, to comply with nondiscrimination laws - including those that protect same-sex married couples - when providing taxpayer-funded social services. </p>
<p>“This case is an important reminder of the countless ways that LGBTQ Americans, people of color, women, people of minority faiths and others still face discrimination across our country,” said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. “That’s why CenterLink is calling on Congress to pass federal nondiscrimination protections. Because no one should have to live in fear of discrimination simply because of who they are.”</p>
<p>Federal nondiscrimination protections would ensure that LGBTQ people can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home. They have broad support across lines of political party, faith traditions, and geography; with 83 percent of Americans saying they favor LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections. </p>
<p><strong>Join us tonight at our <a contents="#DecisionDay Rally" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.decisionday.org/" target="_blank">#DecisionDay Rally</a> at 7PM Eastern, where we’ll gather as a community to hear from amazing speakers and performers. Immediately after the rally will be a <a contents="#Decision Day Town Hall" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.decisionday.org/" target="_blank">#Decision Day Town Hall</a> which will feature an expert panel providing analysis of the opinion, how it will affect our lives going forward, and what kind of work still needs to be done.</strong></p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/66889732021-06-15T09:00:00-07:002022-01-07T12:28:48-07:00Pride Month Means Voting YES On Equality<p>Happy Pride! </p>
<p>We're celebrating by staying focused on passing federal nondiscrimination protections. Because what better way to commemorate Pride than by fully protecting all Americans from discrimination? </p>
<p>Pride month is our biggest opportunity yet to engage the LGBTQ community and allies in helping to get this critical legislation passed, which is why we’re asking you to contact your Senators and tell them to VOTE YES TO EQUALITY! </p>
<p>The urgency here is real. Discrimination is still commonplace for LGBTQ Americans, and in 29 states, LGBTQ people are at risk of being refused housing or denied services simply because of who they are. Full federal nondiscrimination protections would ensure that all Americans can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home. </p>
<p><a contents="Take action today by contacting your Senators by email or phone" data-link-label="Equality Act" data-link-type="page" href="/equality-act" target="_blank">Take action today by contacting your Senators by email or phone</a>. It's so easy - just a few clicks will get it done. You can even record a 30-second video! Simply follow the prompts.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/285455/8446edaad4522b276d7e650faba659caae044bab/original/222.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/65575782021-02-25T14:29:43-07:002021-04-19T10:36:48-07:00Equality Act Passes in House with Strong Bipartisan Support<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: Denise@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Equality Act Passes in House with Strong Bipartisan Support </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Senators Must Now Prioritize LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Protections </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale</strong> - CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers applauds the U.S. House of Representatives’ quick passage today of the Equality Act, a landmark federal law that would protect LGBTQ Americans in virtually all areas of daily life. </p>
<p>The bill would amend existing civil rights laws to explicitly ban LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit, jury service, and other areas, and explicitly extend sex discrimination protections to public accommodations and federally funded programs. </p>
<p>A companion bill was introduced into the Senate on February 23rd. </p>
<p>“Strong bipartisan support of nondiscrimination protections is yet another sign that America is ready for comprehensive LGBTQ protections,” said Denise Spivak, CenterLink CEO. “We are one step closer to getting this important piece of legislation signed into law.” </p>
<p>LGBTQ people continue to face discrimination in their daily lives. A recent study found one in three LGBTQ Americans facing discrimination in the previous year, including three in five transgender Americans. Currently, half of all LGBTQ people live in the 29 states that still lack comprehensive statewide laws. </p>
<p>The Equality Act would ensure that all LGBTQ Americans can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home. It has broad and deep support across lines of political party, faith traditions, and geography, with 83 percent of Americans saying they favor LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections, including 68 percent of Republicans and a majority in every state in the country. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery.</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/65515562021-02-16T09:00:00-07:002022-01-07T12:24:40-07:00CenterLink Calls on Congress to Pass Federal Nondiscrimination Protections<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: Denise@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink Calls on Congress to Pass Federal Nondiscrimination Protections</strong></h4>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale</strong> - As lawmakers reintroduce the federal nondiscrimination protections into Congress today, CenterLink along with LGBTQ community centers across the country are working to bring awareness to the importance of having these protections in place. </p>
<p>While many assume that LGBTQ-inclusive laws already exist, the reality is that the patchwork of protections is unsustainable and leaves many people behind. LGBTQ people continue to experience high rates of discrimination in housing, employment, health care, and public spaces. Legal protections vary from state to state, with 29 states still lacking comprehensive nondiscrimination laws. </p>
<p>For most people in the United States, these protections make sense and are long overdue. A 2020 poll found that 8 out of 10 people support the passage of nondiscrimination laws. This legislation is common-sense bipartisan legislation that will update federal law to include enduring protections for over 13 million LGBTQ Americans across every aspect of their lives. </p>
<p>“Protecting people from discrimination, including people who identify as LGBTQ, is about treating others as we want to, and deserve to be treated. Nobody should have to live in fear of discrimination simply because of who they are,” said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. “LGBTQ people are part of every aspect of our lives – our friends, neighbors, family, coworkers… They should be entitled to the same benefits that every other citizen is – whether it’s having access to a place to live, being served by a business or government office, or earning a living. Discrimination of any kind has no place in our society, and we must work to ensure that it is neither sanctioned nor ignored.” </p>
<p>Passing LGBTQ+ federal nondiscrimination protections will help to ensure that all Americans can provide for themselves and their families, meet their obligations, and build a better life. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery.</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/65310532021-01-26T11:33:43-07:002021-04-19T10:35:13-07:00CenterLink 2021 Advocacy Priorities<p><strong>Pass the Equality Act</strong> to ensure explicit comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ+ people. The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and the jury system. </p>
<ul> <li>In 27 states, LGBTQ+ people are at risk of being refused housing or denied services simply because of who they are. </li> <li>72 percent of Americans think these protections should be in place. The legislation was introduced in 2019 with support from hundreds of lawmakers, businesses, and more than 180 national and statewide organizations. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Pass the Do No Harm Act: </strong>The Do No Harm Act clarifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is intended to protect religious freedom without allowing the infliction of harm on other people. In 1993, Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). RFRA has since been distorted to permit discrimination against vulnerable and historically marginalized populations. The Do No Harm Act would amend RFRA in order to restore the original intent of the legislation by specifically exempting areas of law where RFRA has been used to bypass federal protections. </p>
<ul> <li>Individuals and businesses have utilized RFRA as a way to discriminate or to impose their religious beliefs on others. </li> <li>In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, in which the Justices were asked to decide whether requiring a corporation to provide insurance coverage that includes contraception under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a “substantial burden” on the corporation with religious objections, and whether corporations are covered by RFRA. The Court ruled that closely held for-profit corporations are exempt from complying with the ACA contraception mandate based on the company’s religious belief under RFRA. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Find a path to citizenship for DACA/DREAMERS</strong>: There are an estimated 81,000 LGBTQ+ Dreamers in the U.S., including 39,000 who have participated in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) according to the Williams Institute. </p>
<ul> <li>LGBTQ+ immigrants often face unique challenges due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. </li> <li>In 69 countries, same-sex sexual activity is a criminal act that results in isolation, imprisonment, and in some countries; even the death penalty. </li> <li>LGBTQ+ immigrants have been known to suffer horrific abuse while in immigration detention centers due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Restore and Expand Trans Rights:</strong> The previous Administration was particularly harsh on rescinding or diminishing the rights of people who identify as transgender. </p>
<ul> <li>
<em><strong>**Rescinded on January 25, 2021 by Executive Order.**</strong></em> Rescind the trans military ban. Transgender individuals are about twice as likely as all adults in the U.S. to have served their country in the armed forces. Estimates suggest that approximately 15,500 transgender individuals are serving on active duty or in the Guard or Reserve forces. There are an estimated 134,300 transgender individuals who are veterans or are retired from Guard or Reserve service </li> <li>Restore Inclusive Implementation of the Equal Access Rule. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed revisions to the Equal Access regulation—a housing protection that prohibits discrimination in all HUD funded programs including rental assistance, emergency shelters, and FHA loan programs. These revisions specifically target transgender people seeking critical emergency shelter. They would allow shelters receiving taxpayer dollars to turn transgender people away entirely or provide unsafe housing. </li> <li>Ensure incarcerated transgender individuals are safely housed. The Federal Bureau of Prisons rolled back a policy that allowed incarcerated transgender people to be housed consistent with their gender identity. With transgender people experiencing sexual assault at dramatically higher rates than average, this decision only puts them at further risk of assault. </li> <li>Establish an interagency working group to address anti-transgender violence. Rates of violence against transgender people have reached epidemic proportions. This epidemic disproportionately impacts Black and Brown transgender women, who comprise approximately 4 in 5 of all anti-transgender homicides. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ensure LGBTQ+ youth are protected:</strong> LGBTQ+ youth often face disparities compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. LGBTQ+ youth represent as much as 40% of the homeless youth population in the United States. Research has shown that LGBTQ+ youth report significantly higher rates of having seriously considered suicide. Overall, more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year. </p>
<ul> <li>Prohibit the practice of conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is based on the outdated and false notion that being LGBTQ+ is a mental illness that should be cured, despite all major medical associations’ agreement that LGBTQ+ identities are a normal variant of human nature. Conversion therapy is widely opposed by prominent professional medical associations including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. </li> <li>Ensure the enforcement of LGBTQ+ students’ rights under Title IX. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs. The scope of Title IX’s sex discrimination provisions have traditionally been interpreted in accordance with Title VII, which the Supreme Court has held includes sexual orientation and gender identity. However, in 2017 the Departments of Education and Justice eliminated Obama-era guidance clarifying that schools must treat transgender students consistent with their identity. This encourages school officials to permit harassment of transgender students, deny access to facilities consistent with gender identity, and refuse to use correct names and pronouns— all inflicting emotional harm. </li> <li>Provide and enforce nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ children, parents, and families utilizing adoption and foster care services. The Every Child Deserves a Family Act will again be introduced this year. This is a federal bill that promotes the best interests of all foster children. It prohibits federally funded child welfare service providers from discriminating against children, families, and individuals based on religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and marital status. The bill also bans conversion therapy for children receiving or participating in federally funded child welfare programs or services. </li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Other Policy Priorities</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Establish uniform data collection standards:</strong> incorporation of sexual orientation and gender identity into federal surveys. One of the largest problems in LGBTQ data collection is the lack of uniformity in both what questions are asked relating to SOGI and how these questions are presented. The collection of accurate, complete data is essential to ensure that federal programs and policies are meeting the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. </p>
<p><strong>Protect religious liberty and civil rights for all Americans.</strong> Freedom of religion is important but should never be used as a license to discriminate by infringing on the civil rights of others. Adverse impacts are felt most deeply and disproportionately by women, religious minorities, and LGBTQ+ people. To ensure equal treatment for these communities, it is imperative that the new administration take immediate action to rescind and replace the previous administration’s executive order, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty”. And, in conjunction, the administration should direct all agencies to review and reconsider all rules, guidance, regulations, and other harmful policies that perpetuate this type of discrimination. </p>
<p><strong>Address health disparities and inequities</strong>. All people who need medical care should be able to see their doctor without worrying about being mistreated, harassed, or denied service outright. The new administration must reverse harmful rules that perpetuate or widen health disparities and inequities including prohibiting federal agencies, contractors, and grantees from offering diversity, equity, and inclusion training, the rollback of anti-discrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act’s Section 1557, the rules and regulations permitting overly broad religious and moral exemptions from providing contraception and the rollback of various nursing home regulations. </p>
<p><strong>Appoint openly-LGBTQ+ justices, judges, executive officials, and ambassadors.</strong> The federal judiciary, executive offices, and ambassadorships should reflect the diversity of the country. The appointment of openly-LGBTQ+ individuals sends a vitally important message to the LGBTQ+ community, including youth, about their equal ability to serve their country at the highest levels of government. </p>
<p><strong>End discrimination against gay and bisexual blood donors</strong>. Largely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amended the deferral on blood donation for gay and bisexual men from one-year to three months. This change, however, continues to effectively bar the vast majority of gay and bisexual men from becoming blood donors irrespective of their risk for HIV. HHS should adopt a policy based in sound science that assesses all potential donors based on their engagement in risky behavior, not on sexual orientation. </p>
<p><strong>Create a roadmap for a national HIV/AIDS strategy. </strong> HIV continues to be a significant public health crisis in this country. Recent data reveal that approximately 1.2 million people are living with HIV. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) make up the greatest share of new HIV diagnoses. Transgender people have experienced marked increases in HIV diagnoses; and Black and African American and Latino and Hispanic communities continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV.</p>
<p><strong>Support HIV Decriminalization Laws:</strong> HIV criminalization is the wrongful use of one’s HIV positive status in a criminal prosecution, either under “HIV specific” criminal laws or under general criminal statutes, when charges or punishments are heightened simply because the person charged has HIV. About 2/3rds have “HIV-specific” statutes that result in prosecutions of PLHIV for having sexual contact without being able to prove they disclosed their HIV positive status in advance.</p>
<p><strong>Protect LGBTQ+ older adults: </strong>Fully implement the 2020 Older Americans Act. Many LGBTQ+ older adults have experienced stigma and discrimination throughout their lives and encounter unique challenges to healthy aging. This legislation requires that state and local departments of aging are held accountable for engaging in outreach to LGBTQ+ older people who are in need of services, as well as for participating in data collection and reporting on the needs of this population.</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/65300282021-01-25T10:34:07-07:002021-04-19T10:46:40-07:00CenterLink Celebrates President Biden's End To The Transgender Military Ban<p>January 25, 2021 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: Denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<p> </p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink Celebrates President Biden’s End to the Transgender Military Ban </strong></h4>
<p>This morning President Biden ensured that transgender Americans will be able to serve their country with pride, eliminating the trans military ban enacted by the previous administration. </p>
<p>Allowing qualified transgender citizens to serve openly will make the United States stronger and safer. Transgender servicemembers deserve the same respect and gratitude due to anyone who is willing to put their life on their line for their fellow Americans. </p>
<p>The ban was a vivid illustration of the discrimination that many transgender Americans experience all too often. Despite this step forward, LGBTQ+ individuals remain vulnerable to discrimination in other areas of life because of insufficient nondiscrimination protections. It is time to pass federal legislation providing comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for all LGBTQ+ Americans, like the Equality Act. </p>
<p>While today’s action is a giant leap toward equality, CenterLink and our 260+ member centers will continue to work with the current administration and lawmakers to ensure the entire LGBTQ+ community will be able to live free of discrimination in all areas of life. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery.</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/65262002021-01-20T18:12:29-07:002021-04-19T10:46:54-07:00President Biden Issues LGBTQ Executive Order On First Day In Office<p>January 20th, 2021 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </strong></h4>
<p>Immediately after taking the Oath of Office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing federal agencies to implement the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic Bostock v. Clayton County decision. The ruling declared anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, thus illegal in the workplace under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It has wide-reaching implications, setting a precedence in all laws against sex discrimination. </p>
<p>The executive order will also instruct agencies to take lawful steps to make sure that federal anti-discrimination statutes that cover sex discrimination prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, further protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ persons. </p>
<p>In addition to the executive order expanding on the Bostock decision, President Biden also announced executive actions to work toward advancing racial equity, to reverse the Muslim travel ban, and to protect DREAMers. </p>
<p>“This administration is acting quickly to ensure issues that are significant to our country – including those affecting the LGBTQ+ community – are addressed”, said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. “Today’s actions indicate that this administration will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We look forward to the day when comprehensive federal protections like the ones outlined in the Equality Act are signed into law”. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/65250402021-01-19T13:03:14-07:002021-04-19T10:47:08-07:00CenterLink Applauds Nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine<p>January 19th, 2021 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </strong></h4>
<p>President-Elect Joe Biden today announced his nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Levine would be the first openly transgender person appointed to a federal position and approved by the U.S. Senate. </p>
<p>Dr. Levine is currently serving as Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where she has been heading up the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also takes on the role of Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine. </p>
<p>“Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic — no matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability — and meet the public health needs of our country in this critical moment and beyond,” said President-Elect Biden in today’s statement. </p>
<p>CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak said, “CenterLink applauds the Administration’s nomination or Dr. Levine, whose expertise and experience make her highly qualified for this position. Her nomination is groundbreaking and her ability to speak to the health needs of our diverse country is strong. We encourage the Senate to confirm Dr. Levine.” </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/64637952020-10-26T15:47:49-07:002021-04-19T10:33:04-07:00CenterLink and Texas LGBTQ+ Community Centers Denounce State Agencies for Stripping Explicit Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBTQ+ Texans<p>CenterLink, along with 6 LGBTQ+ community centers in Texas condemn a recent proposal to strip explicit protections against discrimination by state-licensed social workers against clients. </p>
<p>Driven by Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners voted unanimously to change a section of its code of conduct that establishes when a social worker may refuse to serve someone. The code will no longer prohibit social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. </p>
<p>LGBTQ+ Texans lack the most basic protections against discrimination under state law and already struggle to find healthcare that is affordable and culturally competent. This new proposal allows Texans who identify as LGBTQ+ to be turned away or dissuaded from accessing necessary mental health and medical resources. At a time when so many people require these services to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare protections should be strengthened, not taken away. </p>
<p>Removing explicit nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Texans from the social workers code of conduct puts an already vulnerable community at an even higher risk. A comprehensive new study by the Center for American Progress found that many LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination in their access to critical health care. The study reports that 15 percent of LGBTQ+ Americans, including 3 in 10 transgender individuals, have postponed or avoided medical treatment because of discrimination. </p>
<p>According to the 2020 LGBTQ Community Center Survey Report published by Movement Advancement Project in October, more than two-thirds (67%) of participating centers provide direct mental health services, such as counseling, peer-led programs, or support groups. LGBTQ+ community centers in Texas could experience an influx of clients seeking services because of this discriminatory new rule and are already operating under financial and staffing constraints due to the pandemic. </p>
<p>“This action is incredibly irresponsible,” said Denise Spivak, CEO of CenterLink. “Social workers are dedicated to serving those most in need, but the Governor’s action once again sends the message that LGBTQ individuals should not expect to be treated equally when looking for support. Shame on you Governor Abbott.” </p>
<p>LGBTQ+ community centers across the country collectively serve over 58,300 individuals in a typical week and refer nearly 25,000 individuals per week to other agencies or providers for services and assistance. In Dallas alone, more than 62,000 people access services offered at the Resource Center each year. </p>
<p>The Center – Pride Center San Antonio serves the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities by connecting them and their families to community resources and organizations related to health, wellness, support, education, activities, and advocacy. "It is our top priority to improve the quality of life and life outcomes for all LGBTQ+ people. Without affirming mental health spaces, LGBTQIA+ youth and adults are more likely to suffer and worse — they are at greater risk of self-harm. By removing sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, and disability from the social work code, LGBTQ+ folks will face additional obstacles in accessing competent and affirming care with the dignity and respect they deserve." Robert Salcido, Jr., Executive Director, Pride Center San Antonio </p>
<p>Because LGBTQ+ persons face numerous health disparities compared to the general population, the Montrose Center in Houston has embraced an integrated care model with one-stop access to behavioral health and support services, adult primary care and psychiatry, and free wellness programs that empower individuals to proactively participate in their own care. </p>
<p>"The Montrose Center employees 22 social workers providing behavioral health and care coordination services. The codification of discrimination in the social work rules is exactly why the Center was founded to serve primarily LGBTQ+ consumers in 1978 to offer a safe and affirming option for care. Given that Texas does not protect all of its residents with statewide protections, it is imperative that an essential service such as behavioral health be protected through rules. We have seen all too often what happens when someone vulnerable and in trauma seeks services from a provider who is not affirming of their life. It only deepens the trauma. That is not what social work is about." Ann J Robison, PhD, Executive Director of the Montrose Center, Houston </p>
<p>Social workers already have the ability to decline to provide services to a client based on their competencies and training. They should not be able to discriminate based on selective personal values. To intentionally expose LGBTQ+ people in Texas to more discrimination and less access to support is unconscionable and unethical. </p>
<p><strong>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </strong></p>
<p><strong>Resource Center </strong></p>
<p><strong>The Center - Pride Center San Antonio </strong></p>
<p><strong>The Montrose Center </strong></p>
<p><strong>Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation </strong></p>
<p><strong>Pride Community Center, Inc. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Open Arms Rape Crisis Center & LGBT+ Services</strong></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/64419682020-09-24T10:35:08-07:002021-04-19T10:32:12-07:00CenterLink Denounces Racial Sensitivity Training Ban<p>September 24th, 2020</p>
<p><br><strong>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </strong><br>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers <br>Phone: 954-765-6024 <br>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>Recently President Trump <a contents="instructed federal agencies" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/M-20-34.pdf" target="_blank">instructed federal agencies</a> to end racial sensitivity trainings that address topics like white privilege and critical race theory, calling them "divisive, anti -American propaganda." The trainings cited include references to white privilege and racism. </p>
<p>This week, the administration has <a contents="expanded that ban" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-combating-race-sex-stereotyping/" target="_blank">expanded that ban</a> to contractors doing business with the federal government and those receiving grant funds. It mandates that contractors with the federal government will not have “workplace training that inculcates in its employees any form of race or sex stereotyping or any form of race or sex scapegoating”.</p>
<p>“Americans should be taught to take PRIDE in our Great Country, and if you don’t, there’s nothing in it for you!” Trump tweeted this Tuesday after announcing the executive order. These new rules are part of broader initiatives to revise American history as part of the Administration’s 1776 Commission, designed to encourage educators to gloss over issues like systemic racism and slavery while teaching history in our schools. </p>
<p><br>CenterLink strongly opposes these bans and supports ongoing national conversations and trainings focused on important societal issues like police brutality, racial equity, and equality. “Systemic racism is still rampant today,” said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. “It is embedded in our schools, health care facilities, places of work, and the criminal justice system. Sexism, homophobia, and transphobia prevail as well. Prohibiting education and discussion about, much less rejecting the relevance and importance of any or all these issues, does not mean that they don’t exist. Much the opposite – it serves to validate and to divide, and it perpetuates a culture of otherism and discrimination that is unhealthy, unequal, and untenable. CenterLink will continue to work with our partners and our national network of LGBTQ+ centers and the communities they serve to bring an end to racism, discrimination, and injustice.” </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### <br>CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/64351312020-09-16T10:15:10-07:002021-04-19T10:32:02-07:00ActionLink Mourns The Loss of Henry van Ameringen<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/285455/8478765c4fd9b82f2b1bbc798ee30f438972dd74/original/henry.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><span class="font_regular">ActionLink mourns the loss of longtime friend and supporter Henry van Ameringen, who passed away on September 9th at the age of 90. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">For over half a century, Henry’s generosity touched hundreds of organizations and all ages of the LGBT community, from homeless youth seeking shelter to older adults wishing to age with dignity. He was an unmatched champion of the battle for LGBT equality, bringing much-needed funding to the community in times of great need. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Henry was one of ActionLink’s first and most passionate supporters, and we will miss sharing our successes and challenges with him in monthly email conversations. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He is survived by his spouse, T. Eric Galloway, and six nieces and nephews. Rest In Power, Henry.</span></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/63915232020-07-23T18:25:26-07:002021-04-19T10:29:44-07:00CenterLink Opposes Proposed HUD Rule That Will Harm Transgender Americans<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Today the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) proposed a change that removes protections for transgender people under the Equal Access Rule. This rule protects LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in HUD-funded services, and a 2016 update was created explicitly to protect transgender people from discrimination in homeless shelters. </p>
<p>By removing these protections, shelters and programs that receive or operate using HUD grants are now able to ignore nondiscrimination protections for transgender people, leaving them vulnerable to being denied shelter and forced out onto the streets. Shelters and their programs are often life-saving for trans people who have been rejected by their families.</p>
<p>"Transgender people already face widespread discrimination in all aspects of life", said Denise Spivak, CenterLink's CEO. "One in five transgender individuals have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, and a disproportionate number of homeless youth identify as transgender. We will do whatever we can to ensure this repugnant rule doesn't go into effect."</p>
<p>This proposed roll-back would allow widespread discrimination when trans people need help the most, when facing becoming unhoused. The current regulations provide safety in HUD-funded programs, and this proposed rule change would only leave trans people less safe and more at risk, especially during a global health crisis. </p>
<p>Every American should have access to safe shelter free of discrimination. The protections of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Access Rule are more important now than ever. The government’s enforcement should be aligned with the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision that sex discrimination includes sexual orientation and gender identity. </p>
<p>Individuals and organizations can submit a comment in opposition to this proposal by visiting <a contents="www.lgbtactionlink.org" data-link-label="Oppose HUD's New Rule" data-link-type="page" href="/oppose-hud-s-new-rule" target="_blank">www.lgbtactionlink.org</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org.</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/63539022020-06-15T08:59:56-07:002021-04-19T10:28:59-07:00CenterLink Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Affirming LGBTQ+ Employees’ Rights<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024</p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </strong></p>
<p>At a time of national demonstrations in support of Black lives and against systemic racism and during a national health crisis, it is heartening to have good news from the Supreme Court. The decision handed down by the Court today affirms and emphasizes the importance of Americans coming together for the good of the nation and all its people. The Supreme Court has ruled that companies do not have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. This historic decision says that LGBTQ+ people are, and should be, protected from discrimination under federal law. And while this is welcome news, the reality is that we still have much to do. </p>
<p>Changes to Section 1557 of the Health Care Rights Law last Friday <a contents="rolling back healthcare protections" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lgbtactionlink.org/latest-news/blog/denying-lgbtq-people-health-care" target="_blank">rolling back healthcare protections</a> for transgender people, as well as the pervasive racism that continues to exist across our country, demonstrate the long road we still have ahead to end discrimination. </p>
<p>There are still critical gaps in our federal non‐discrimination laws. It is still legal for federally funded entities including hospitals, colleges, and adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. It is also legal for stores, restaurants, and hotels to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community in certain situations. </p>
<p>“Comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ+ people are about basic human needs. They ensure everyday Americans are able to earn a living, be safe in their communities, serve their country, receive medical care, and take care of the ones they love,” said Denise Spivak, CenterLink’s CEO. </p>
<p>CenterLink calls on Congress to pass full federal non‐discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and to continue working toward true equality for ALL people. </p>
<p>At 4pm PT / 7pm ET, CenterLink will join a virtual national rally with other LGBTQ+ leaders from across the country and those who led the fight for these cases. Immediately after the rally, a panel of experts will discuss the court's opinion and offer analysis of its potential effects. The public is welcome to attend both events. Learn more at <a contents="www.decisionday.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.decisionday.org/" target="_blank">www.decisionday.org</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org.</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/63515042020-06-12T14:30:28-07:002021-04-19T10:28:44-07:00Denying LGBTQ+ People Health Care<p> </p>
<div>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO</div>
<div> </div>
<div>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Phone: 954.388.0621</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org</div>
<div> </div>
<div>June 12, 2020</div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<div> </div>
<div>Today, in the midst of a global health pandemic, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized devastating changes to the Health Care Rights Law, also known as Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The changes remove anti-discrimination protections in health care for LGBTQ+ people, women, people with limited English proficiency, people with disabilities, and more. The removal of these protections encourages health care workers, medical facilities, and health insurance companies that receive federal funding to refuse to provide health care services to the LGBTQ+ community, among others.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Everyone should be able to see a doctor without worrying about being mistreated or denied service outright. LGBTQ+ people already face disturbing rates of health care discrimination—from harassment and humiliation by providers to being turned away by hospitals, pharmacists, and doctors. As the nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic, there could not be a more disgraceful time to allow the denial of medical care based on who you are. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>“No one in the health care industry should ever be encouraged to pick and choose whom they serve. Fear of discrimination and harassment keeps many LGBTQ+ people from seeking the care they need, and this administration exacerbates the problem by consistently eliminating discrimination protections”, said Denise Spivak, CenterLink CEO.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This administration emboldens providers, insurance companies, hospitals, and others to discriminate against patients. CenterLink calls upon all health care providers to commit to rejecting this type of discrimination, and to protect every patient’s right to comprehensive health care.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>If you or someone you know is experiencing trauma due to health care discrimination, visit <a href="http://www.https://www.lgbtcenters.org/" target="_blank">lgbtcenters.org</a> to find your local LGBTQ+ community center for support.</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="text-align: center;">###</em></p>
<p><em style="text-align: center;">CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. The organization plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org.</em></p>
<div> </div>
<hr><p><a href="https://lgbtactionlink.org/" target="_blank"><img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/410/036/original/Website.png" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" style="width: 100%; max-width: 100px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="100" /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CenterActionNetwork/" target="_blank"><img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/410/037/original/facebook.png" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" style="width: 100%; max-width: 100px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="100" /></a><a href="https://twitter.com/LGBTActionLink" target="_blank"><img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/410/038/original/twitter.png" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" style="width: 100%; max-width: 100px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="100" /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lgbtactionlink/" target="_blank"><img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/410/039/original/Instagram.png" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" style="width: 100%; max-width: 100px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="100" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/63422842020-06-04T16:20:00-07:002021-04-19T10:28:34-07:00CenterLink's Statement on Racial Injustice: Black Lives Matter<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/285455/87685dcd8a7755b830e53878c8e2524c359d8b88/original/actionlink-attrib-trans-600.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>As Pride month begins, we acknowledge that LGBTQ+ history is firmly rooted in protesting against police violence and abuse. The Stonewall Uprising started in the early hours of June 28, 1969, when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City. The raid turned into six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement, led by transgender and queer people of color. It served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world. </p>
<p>We understand what it means to be forced to push back against a culture that tells us we are less than equal. While CenterLink has made significant progress in committing to being more equitable, diverse, and inclusive, we recognize that to fully support the Black Lives Matter movement we must do more. </p>
<p>CenterLink, along with over 500 other LGBTQ+ organizations, recently signed on to a statement condemning racial violence. There are many recent tragedies that serve as a reminder of why we must speak out when hate, violence, and systemic racism claim lives – in this case, Black lives. </p>
<ul> <li>George Floyd pleading for air as a Minneapolis, MN police officer kneeled on his neck and slowly drained the life from his body. </li> <li>Breonna Taylor dying after Louisville, KY police kicked down her door and shot her eight times while she slept. </li> <li>Ahmaud Arbery being murdered at the hands of white vigilantes in Brunswick, GA as he jogged through a predominantly white neighborhood. </li> <li>At least 11 people losing their lives during this week’s protests seeking justice for George Floyd, many of them Black. </li> <li>Transgender people – Black transgender people in particular – are far too often the victims of violence. In 2020 alone at least 12 members of the trans community have been killed: Dustin Parker, Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, Yampi Méndez Arocho, Monika Diamond, Lexi, Johanna Metzger, Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos, Layla Pelaez Sánchez, Penélope Díaz Ramírez, Nina Pop, Helle Jae O’Regan, and, most recently, Tony McDade. </li>
</ul>
<p>These are just the people we know of. There are countless other Black lives lost due to violence and systemic racism. </p>
<p>While awareness is important, it is not a substitute for action. CenterLink and other LGBTQ+ organizations must utilize our platforms and resources to help communities overcome racist challenges. We must support Black organizational leadership, including LGBTQ+ community centers led by Black CEOs and Executive Directors. We must stand in solidarity with communities of color and engage in activism that will bring change. </p>
<p>CenterLink has made a commitment to include racial equity into our work. We will continue to make our platform available for the people who need to be heard. We will provide resources for our community centers to encourage them to educate, mobilize, and engage in racial justice matters. We will engage in active listening and amplify the messages of Black-led community center leaders. And we will continue to hold ourselves accountable to these promises. We know these actions are a small piece of what is needed to bring lasting change – there is much work to be done. </p>
<p>Protests are a powerful way to be heard and being heard is just the beginning. We have an opportunity and an obligation to take additional action by voting for lawmakers who support equality and fight against racism at the national, state, and local levels. These elected officials have a direct impact on social justice issues in our communities. To move our country forward and bring lasting change, it is vital that we raise awareness in the streets and cast our ballots at the polls. </p>
<p>Black Lives Matter. CenterLink stands in solidarity with the Black community and will continue to work with our international network of LGBTQ+ centers and the communities they serve to fight to end racism and injustice.</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/63080302020-05-07T11:34:18-07:002021-04-19T10:27:58-07:00Title IX Rules To Put LGBTQ+ Students At Risk<p>In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Administration should be prioritizing resources and relief for students and schools, it is instead taking action to make schools less safe. A new set of rules will weaken Title IX’s protections against sexual harassment in schools. When the rules were originally proposed in 2018, the Department of Education received over 125,000 public comments in response, with the majority of people voicing opposition. Then in March of 2020, CenterLink joined more than 200 other organizations and schools in signing a letter to the US Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget urging them to delay finalizing the rules during the COVID-19 national emergency. That request was ignored. The rules are scheduled to take effect on August 14th, 2020 but will be challenged in the courts. </p>
<p>If allowed to take effect, they will:</p>
<ul> <li>Require an unnecessarily demanding burden of proof from the survivor, discouraging students from reporting sexual assault and other forms of sexual harassment. </li> <li>Mandate schools to begin an investigation of assault or harassment with the presumption that no incident actually occurred, making it seem as if the survivor could be lying. </li> <li>Make it harder for students who have experienced sexual assault or harassment to come forward if the incident occurs outside of a school program or activity, even if the student shares a class with or is taught by their assailant. </li> <li>Excuse colleges and universities from taking action if a student asks an advisor, coach, or professor for help to address sexual harassment. </li> <li>Give religious schools a license to discriminate on the basis of sex without any notice to students or the Department of Education. The school will only need to claim a religious exemption after they are under investigation for violating Title IX. </li>
</ul>
<p>This is especially concerning for the for the LGBTQ+ community. Research has found that allegations of harassment appeared more frequently in Title IX complaints based on LGBTQ+ identity than in the general population, with nearly 76 percent of such complaints alleging sexual or gender harassment. </p>
<p>For those who want to learn more about organizing within their communities around opposing the rules, join <span style="display: none;"> </span><strong><a contents="Know Your IX" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/learn-more-and-fight-back-against-devos-new-rules?source=direct_link&&link_id=1&can_id=d90c309ac9b5a0fa50d294d0b1cdf0b2&email_referrer=email_797535&email_subject=_breaking-the-final-title-ix-rule-is-here-and-itshow-should-i-put-it-horrifying" target="_blank">Know Your IX</a></strong> for a webinar on Thursday, May 7th at 4:30pm EST.</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/62827792020-04-15T07:30:00-07:002021-04-19T10:27:47-07:00160+ LGBT Community Centers Ask Congress For COVID Relief Funding<p>Media Contact: Denise Spivak, Interim CEO </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers </p>
<p>Phone: 954.388.0621 </p>
<p>Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org </p>
<p>April 15th, 2020</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>It has been several weeks since Congress passed the first stimulus package, and leadership in both the Senate and the House are planning to add new resources to assist hundreds of thousands of organizations and individuals who face financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>
<p>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers is bringing attention to its 250+ community center members, who provide vital information, education, and social and health services to almost 40,000 people each week, or over 1.9 million people annually. <a contents="A letter&nbsp;signed by over 160 LGBT&nbsp;community centers " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T9EvEIaGSg5Jnvtzkxh1PULYDL5B7HvaN42M217PYMI/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">A letter signed by over 160 LGBT community centers </a>was sent to House and Senate leaders today, asking them to include nonprofits who serve the LGBT population in future relief packages. </p>
<p>The first stimulus package was a good start toward recognizing and addressing the needs nonprofits face now, but the reality is that more will be necessary. There is an even greater demand for organizations such as LGBT centers to provide ongoing services to the most vulnerable populations within their communities. “Centers across the nation continue to offer food, medical care, housing, and other basic necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic”, said CenterLink Interim CEO Denise Spivak. “At this moment, the need for services has never been greater.” There is, and will be for months to come, a critical need for the support that is best provided by hundreds of LGBT organizations, big and small. Congress must include additional funding in future stimulus packages in order for LGBT centers to continue to provide life-saving services to communities. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>### </em></p>
<p><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. The organization plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org.</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/62821172020-04-14T09:58:57-07:002021-04-19T10:27:29-07:00Rock The Vote Youth Ambassadors Wanted<p>Our partners at Rock the Vote are seeking energetic, enthusiastic, and motivated young adults who are passionate about volunteering and mobilizing their peers to vote and volunteer. The organization is launching its <a href="https://www.rockthevote.org/about-rock-the-vote/careers/rock-the-vote-ambassadors/" target="_blank">first-ever relational organizing program</a> and is in search of exceptional volunteers to join a cohort of like-minded young adults from across the country to help implement this program.</p>
<p>Ambassadors will receive advanced voter registration and mobilization training; exclusive briefings and research; networking and professional development opportunities; and access to information and resources to deploy relational organizing tactics. Ambassadors will be granted access to a free relational organizing app for their mobile phones, through which they will build relationships with friends and classmates and track progress toward voter registration and volunteer goals.</p>
<p><strong>If you or someone you know would like to apply visit <a href="https://www.rockthevote.org/about-rock-the-vote/careers/rock-the-vote-ambassadors/" target="_blank">ROCK THE VOTE</a> for more information.</strong></p>
<p><em>**They are looking for a diverse applicant pool. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons from low-income and working class backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.rockthevote.org/about-rock-the-vote/careers/rock-the-vote-ambassadors/" target="_blank"><img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/390/870/original/Rock_The_Vote_(2).png" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="" style="width: 100%; max-width: 820px; display: block; margin: auto;" width="820" /></a></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/63846292020-03-23T10:55:00-07:002021-04-19T10:26:33-07:00COVID-19 Information for the LGBTQ+ Community<p>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. Learn more from the <a contents="Center for Disease Control" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf" target="_blank">Center for Disease Control</a>. </p>
<p><a contents="CenterLink's directory of LGBTQ+&nbsp;community centers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.lgbtcenters.org/LGBTCenters" target="_blank">CenterLink's directory of LGBTQ+ community centers</a>. (Do not walk in to a community center if you are sick or have been exposed) </p>
<p><a contents="Gay &amp; Lesbian Medical Association's directory of LGBTQ+-friendly medical providers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=939" target="_blank">Gay & Lesbian Medical Association's directory of LGBTQ+-friendly medical providers</a> </p>
<p><a contents="The Coronavirus (COVID-19): What trans people need to know&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://transequality.org/covid19" target="_blank">The Coronavirus (COVID-19): What trans people need to know </a></p>
<p><a contents="Prepare for COVID-19: tips and resources for LGBTQ+ elders and those living with HIV" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/resource.cfm?r=990&fbclid=IwAR0oX8ukG6btDYKEPLUN5WJIPCnxZyAWC4hrxk6e25R9IeJQUeLKTvvTlL0" target="_blank">Prepare for COVID-19: tips and resources for LGBTQ+ elders and those living with HIV</a> </p>
<p><a contents="The LGBTQ+ community may be particularly vulnerable&nbsp;to coronavirus pandemic&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/18/lgbtq-coronavirus-community-vulnerable-covid-19-pandemic/2863813001/" target="_blank">The LGBTQ+ community may be particularly vulnerable to coronavirus pandemic </a></p>
<p><a contents="Financial assistance and employee rights&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://transequality.org/covid19/resources" target="_blank">Financial assistance and employee rights </a></p>
<p><a contents="Including nonprofits in a COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus package is necessary" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationalassembly.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Include-Nonprofits-in-Coronavirus-Package.pdf" target="_blank">Including nonprofits in a COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus package is necessary</a></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/61547402020-01-23T12:43:55-07:002021-04-19T10:24:55-07:002020 Legislative Priorities Webinar for LGBTQ Community Centers<p>As the 2020 legislative session begins, ActionLink wants your center to be familiar with national policies that will be affecting your work.</p>
<p>Terry Stone and I cordially invite you to attend our "2020 LGBTQ Legislative Priorities" webinar. Confirmed speakers include policy and advocacy experts from Center for American Progress, National Center for Transgender Equality, and Movement Advancement Project. There will be time for your questions at the end of the webinar. RSVP today:</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1237778917473263883" target="_blank">ActionLink Presents: 2020 Legislative Priorities</a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thursday, Jan 30, 2020</strong></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>11:00 AM PST / 2:00 PM EST</strong></h3>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p><em><strong>Tanya Tassi</strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br> <br> </p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/59673522019-11-20T14:58:20-07:002021-04-19T10:24:19-07:00CenterLink chosen as top ten finalist for Stand For Your Mission Award<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://lgbtactionlink.org/" target="_blank"><img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/344/522/original/For_standing_by_our_mission.png" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="" style="width: 100%; max-width: 750px; display: block; margin: auto;" width="750" /></a></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<div><strong>Earlier this year, BoardSource announced that it was accepting submissions for the 2019 Stand for Your Mission Award — a chance for nonprofit boards all over the country to show how they have used advocacy to advance their missions and help their communities. <a href="https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/and-the-finalists-for-the-2019-stand-for-your-mission-award-are-" target="_blank">We are proud be one of the ten finalists!</a></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong>In 2017, LGBTQ community centers across the nation partnered with CenterLink to form ActionLink: The Center Action Network. Since then, we've advocated for LGBTQ equality alongside national coalitions, community centers, and their members. We've seen success despite an administration that is generally not LGBTQ-friendly. <strong><em>We could not do this work without you.</em></strong> As the holiday season approaches, we want to say thank you for your continued support and tenacity. Together we will continue to make a difference.</strong></div>
<p><strong>Sincerely,</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/344/531/original/Terry_Tanya_Signature_FINAL.PNG" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" style="width: 100%; max-width: 110px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="110" /></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/60043202019-11-01T14:40:00-07:002019-12-11T15:36:30-07:00Open Enrollment Begins<p>It's open enrollment season again! <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">HealthCare.Gov</a> is open for business and ready to help you find health insurance that meets your needs and your budget. Health plans and prices change every year—and the amount of financial help you can get may change too. It’s time to check out your options and find the plan that’s right for you. <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">HealthCare.Gov</a> is the only place to go to ensure you're getting affordable, comprehensive coverage.</p>
<p>It's important to note that nothing has changed when it comes to LGBTQ people being protected from discrimination when it comes to health care and health insurance, and coverage continues to improve for trans people. <strong>Section 1557’s nondiscrimination protections currently remain in place</strong>. You should never face discrimination in a health care setting simply for being who you are. To get free, in-person assistance from someone who understands LGBTQ-specific issues, use OUT2Enroll's locator tool: <a href="http://www.out2enroll.org/enrollment-help" target="_blank">http://www.out2enroll.org/enrollment-help</a>.</p>
<p>The final deadline to enroll for coverage in 2020 is December 15th, but you can beat the rush by getting started now at <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">HealthCare.Gov.</a></p>
<p>** Some states with their own marketplaces may have extended their open enrollment periods, but the dates vary—please double check the enrollment deadline for your state’s marketplace. **</p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/59504382019-10-08T09:35:00-07:002021-04-19T10:22:22-07:00Our Day In Court - Title VII Arguments<figure><p> </p></figure>
<div>Media Contact: Terry Stone, Center Action Network Director</div>
<div>CenterLink</div>
<div>Phone: 954.314.8394</div>
<div>Email: terry@lgbtcenters.org</div>
<hr><p> </p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h3>
<p> </p>
<p>The Supreme Court today heard oral arguments in three cases to determine if Title VII allows for LGBTQ workers to have federal civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. A decision is expected by June 2020.</p>
<p>This is a pivotal moment for our community. While discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity is currently a violation of federal laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex, our community still lacks comprehensive, explicit federal protections in many aspects of daily life.</p>
<p>Earlier this year CenterLink joined 57 other civil rights organizations in filing a “friend of the court” brief in support of upholding Title VII protections for LGBTQ people. Additionally, over 150 LGBTQ community centers across the country continue to urge Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would provide national, consistent non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in all aspects of life. <a href="https://lgbtactionlink.org/equality-act" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Read more about our work around the Equality Act here</a>.</p>
<p><em><strong>The ability to be treated with dignity and respect should never depend on who you are, who you love, or what zip code you call home</strong></em>.</p>
<hr><div style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>###</em></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/58601632019-08-14T11:30:00-07:002021-04-19T10:21:17-07:00Your LGBTQ Community Centers<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Fort Lauderdale, August 14, 2019</strong></p>
<div> </div>
<div>Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker CEO</div>
<div>CenterLink</div>
<div>Phone: <a href="tel:(954)%20765%206024" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">954.765.6024</a>
</div>
<div>Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">For Immediate Release</h2>
<div>Today marks the end of the comment period on the new rules proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will jeopardize the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations such as the LGBTQ community. The proposed regulation focuses on Section 1557 of the Health Care Rights Law, a part of the Affordable Care Act that bans gender discrimination. The proposal would erase all reference to protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, sex stereotyping, and gender identity.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers strongly opposes the newly proposed regulation, and, working with a coalition of national, state and local organizations, <strong><em>has generated over 132,400 comments to HHS in opposition to the new rules.</em></strong>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"LGBTQ community centers provide services and referral resources daily to thousands of individuals across our country," said <strong>Lora L. Tucker, CEO of CenterLink</strong>. "Centers and their constituents have loudly spoken out against the new HHS rules. The rules promote discrimination and will harm many in our community who need access to basic care."</div>
<p>Proposing a rule that would gut the Health Care Rights Law is the latest of many attempts the Trump-Pence Administration has made to undermine and threaten access to healthcare to those who need it most.</p>
<p>A patient’s health should always come first. CenterLink and the 250+ LGBTQ community centers who belong to our network will continue to advocate for patients who are medically underserved and help to ensure that the LGBTQ community has access to health care that is free from discrimination or bias.</p>
<div> </div>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/58129412019-07-03T13:19:05-07:002021-04-19T08:48:06-07:00Title VII Amicus Brief<p>For Immediate Release: July 3rd, 2019 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CenterLink Signs on to Title VII Amicus Brief</strong></p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale - </strong>The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and 57 other civil rights organizations filed a “friend of the court” brief today in a trio of cases before the Supreme Court. These cases examine whether employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.</p>
<p>CenterLink submitted a statement of interest along with other LGBTQ organizations across the country. More than 200 major U.S. corporations submitted a separate brief to the Supreme Court, arguing that excluding sexual orientation and gender identity from federal civil rights law “would undermine the nation’s business interests.” Amazon, American Airlines, Bank of America, Ben & Jerry’s, Coca-Cola, Domino’s Pizza, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Nike, Starbucks, Viacom, the Walt Disney Co. and Xerox are among the companies supporting nationwide employment protections for LGBTQ people.</p>
<p>The three cases before the Court are Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia; R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes, Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda. These combined cases will be heard by the Supreme Court next term, which begins in October 2019. The amicus brief in its entirety is available <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/briefs/Lawyers%20Committee%20and%20Leadership%20Conference%20Title%20VII%20Amicus%20Brief.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">###</p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/58062102019-06-27T11:44:44-07:002021-04-19T10:18:24-07:00Supreme Court's ruling on Citizenship Question on the 2020 Census<p>For Immediate Release: June 27th, 2019 </p>
<p>Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Supreme Court's ruling on Citizenship Question on the 2020 Census</strong></h2>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale </strong>- The Supreme Court today decided to block the inclusion of an untested citizenship question to the 2020 Census. This confirms that widespread concern about the administration’s political motives was heard.</p>
<p>We applaud the Supreme Court’s decision, and the decision to include, for the first time ever, a question about same- or opposite-sex married or unmarried partnerships on the 2020 Census. But there is still work to be done. The Census does not explicitly ask about gender identity or sexual orientation. And although the goal of the Census is to count everyone living in the U.S., certain populations are inevitably under-counted including LGBTQ people, people of color, people who are experiencing homelessness, and people living in rural areas.</p>
<p><strong>The LGBTQ population must be accurately represented on the 2020 Census</strong> to ensure that the allocation of $675 billion dollars in federal funds per year to programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and Section 8 Housing is properly allocated. Additionally, seats for the House of Representatives are assigned based on population sizes determined in the census count.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court’s decision today demonstrates a continued commitment to protecting the interests of all communities. 16 million people were not counted in the 2010 Census. To ensure fair access to democracy and social services funding, let's make sure the LGBTQ community is accurately represented in 2020. <a contents="Learn more here" data-link-label="2020 Census" data-link-type="page" href="/2020-census" style="" target="_blank">Learn more about the upcoming census here.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>###</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/57798582019-06-05T11:58:20-07:002021-04-19T10:18:08-07:00Every Child Deserves A Family Act<p> </p>
<p><strong>For Immediate Release: June 5th, 2019</strong></p>
<p>Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024 </p>
<p>Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Every Child Deserves a Family Act Introduced Today by Congressman John Lewis (D-GA-5) in the U.S. House</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale </strong>- CenterLink welcomes the bipartisan introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family (ECDF) Act of 2019 in the U.S. House of Representatives, and thanks Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) for his dedicated leadership on behalf of youth in the child welfare system and prospective adoptive and foster parents and families touched by child welfare services. The companion Senate bill, led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), will be introduced soon. </p>
<p>There are over 123,000 children in our foster care system who are currently waiting to be adopted yet less than half of these children will find their forever families in the next year. Discriminatory practices in states that allow foster care and adoption agencies to turn away qualified parents because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or marital status deny these children the loving homes they deserve. Passage of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act will end this discrimination and open more homes to children.</p>
<p>The Every Child Deserves a Family Act will also improve services to youth who identify as LGBTQ. It prohibits taxpayer-funded adoption, foster care and child welfare agencies from discriminating against children, families, and individuals based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and marital status. Additionally, the bill bans conversion therapy in foster care and adoption agencies.</p>
<p>The ECDF Act affirms the core American value of equality for all and protects LGBTQ families from discrimination in child welfare systems. Congress must uphold the will of the American people by passing the Every Child Deserves a Family Act. CenterLink stands with the over 500 child welfare, faith, civil rights, and LGBTQ organizations who form the Every Child Deserves a Family Campaign, which seeks to end discrimination in foster care, adoption, and child welfare, and to promote affirming care for all foster youth.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>###</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/57709652019-05-28T10:02:11-07:002019-07-24T12:24:24-07:00Put Patients First<p><strong>For Immediate Release: May 28th, 2019 </strong></p>
<p>Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker</p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024</p>
<p>Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>New Proposal Could Limit LGBTQ Health Care Access</strong></h2>
<p> </p>
<p>Ft. Lauderdale - <span style="color:null;">On Friday May 24, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new regulation that if finalized, would severely threaten LGBTQ people’s access to all forms of health care. </span></p>
<p>The proposed regulation focuses on Section 1557 of the Health Care Rights Law, a part of the Affordable Care Act that bans gender discrimination. The proposal would erase all reference to protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, sex stereotyping, and gender identity. S<span style="color:null;">ection 1557 was created to ensure the LGBTQ community and other vulnerable populations have equal access to health insurance, health care, and comprehensive treatment.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:null;">LGBTQ people face disturbing rates of health care discrimination including harassment and denials of care, and often avoid doctor’s offices out of fear of discrimination. <strong> Lora Tucker, CenterLink CEO states, "LGBTQ community centers are already working to overcome health care barriers and stigmas within their communities. This atrocious policy will significantly increase the time centers spend helping individuals find alternative, LGBTQ-affirming care."</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:null;">The proposed rule has not gone into effect yet. There will be a 60-day public comment period. Center Action Network urges you to submit a comment or share your story of discrimination in a health care setting. </span><a contents="Click here to get started" data-link-label="Health Care Discrimination" data-link-type="page" href="/health-care-discrimination" target="_blank"><span style="color:null;">Click here to get started</span></a><span style="color:null;">.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">###</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/57580052019-05-17T09:25:24-07:002019-05-28T10:12:19-07:00House Passage of the Equality Act<p><strong>For Immediate Release: May 17th, 2019 </strong></p>
<p>Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker</p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024</p>
<p>Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>House Passage of the Equality Act </strong></h2>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Washington</strong> - The House of Representatives today passed the Equality Act, a historic moment marking the first time a chamber of Congress has approved comprehensive federal protections for the LGBTQ community. </p>
<p>The Equality Act would provide national, consistent non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in all aspects of life, amending current civil right laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ community and strengthen non-discrimination protections for women and other minorities. </p>
<p>The bi-partisan bill known as H.R. 5 received unprecedented support with over 240 co-sponsors and hundreds of businesses and national organizations urging their lawmakers to pass this crucial legislation. Seven out of ten Americans believe federal non-discrimination protections should be in place. </p>
<p>Over 150 LGBTQ community centers signed on to CenterLink’s letter endorsing the Equality Act. “Many operate with limited staff and finances, yet centers across the nation spent hours advocating for the bill by holding letter writing campaigns, lobbying their representatives, sharing client stories of discrimination, and engaging in outreach within their communities. Centers are the hearts of their communities and they are making a significant difference in the fight for equality,” <strong>said CenterLink Chief Executive Officer, Lora L. Tucker.</strong> </p>
<p>Today we took an important step toward giving LGBTQ Americans the ability to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, feel safe in their communities, serve their country, and take care of the ones they love. A similar bill has been filed in the Senate, and we urge their leadership to allow it to move forward. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>###</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/57456832019-05-07T07:00:50-07:002019-07-24T12:23:52-07:00150+ LGBTQ Centers Sign On<p><strong>For Immediate Release: May 7, 2019 </strong></p>
<p>Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker </p>
<p>Phone: 954-765-6024</p>
<p>Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org</p>
<p> </p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>150+ LGBTQ Community Centers Nationwide Sign CenterLink Letter</strong></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Urging Congress to Pass the Equality Act </strong></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><strong>WASHINGTON </strong>– Today, over 150 LGBTQ Community Centers sent a letter to Leader Pelosi urging Congress to pass H.R. 5, the Equality Act. The letter, signed by 151 centers from 40 states across the nation, DC and Puerto Rico, was organized by Center Action Network (CAN) -- a division of CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers. The Equality Act would provide consistent federal non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in all aspects of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, federally funded programs, public spaces, and jury service. It would amend current civil right laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ community and strengthen non-discrimination protections for women and other minorities. The letter and signatories can be found <a contents="here" data-link-label="Equality Act" data-link-type="page" href="/equality-act" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p>“Centers around the nation are the bedrocks and the hearts of their communities -- and often the line of first defense for those who have faced real and persistent discrimination because they are LGBTQ. The centers that have signed this letter help thousands of LGBTQ Americans every single day -- many of these folks have no other resources or protections available to them. In a majority of states, the people we serve are at risk of being fired, denied housing, or turned away from a business because of who they are and who they love,”<strong> said CenterLink Chief Executive Officer, Lora L. Tucker</strong>. “Congress must act and pass these protections now so that LGBTQ people from coast to coast are free to live authentically in any state or zip code they call home.” </p>
<p>Despite improved federal laws, discrimination continues to be a problem for LGBTQ people across the country. Nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ Americans report having experienced discrimination in their everyday lives. In 30 states, LGBTQ people are at risk of being fired, refused housing, denied a home loan, or being turned away from a business simply because of who they are. </p>
<p>LGBTQ community centers serve 40,550 people every week. Many operate in areas where there are no other LGBTQ resources and work with a limited staff and budget. Yet 79% of centers spend time referring clients to LGBTQ-friendly businesses, 33% offer employment counseling or training, and 66% assist clients in finding LGBTQ-friendly attorneys. For decades, community centers have been working with and for the LGBTQ community to fight discrimination. With passage of the Equality Act, community centers will finally have federal protections in place to assist them as they advocate for their constituents and work toward lived equality.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>###</em></p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/57404042019-05-02T11:16:38-07:002021-04-19T10:16:08-07:00HHS Announces Final Conscience Rule <p>Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) finalized the issuance of a new religious conscience rule. Despite receiving over 200,000 comments opposing changes to the original rule, the administration has officially given health care providers the green light to deny care and critical services because of their own personal beliefs.<strong> A patient's health should ALWAYS come first</strong>. Millions of Americans, including women and the LGBTQ population, are now at risk of being denied access to reproductive care and other basic health services.</p>
<p>Freedom of religion is important, which is why it is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. However, religious freedom should not give anyone the right to discriminate or to hurt others. And existing laws already allow health care providers to put their religious beliefs before patient care. This rule is dangerous and discriminatory.</p>
<p>#PutPatientsFirst</p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/57296502019-04-23T12:37:54-07:002021-04-19T10:15:54-07:00Supreme Court and Title VII<p>The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether employment discrimination laws apply to the LGBTQ community. The Court has accepted three cases including that of Aimee Stephens, who was fired from a Michigan funeral home as she began living openly as a female; and Gerald Lynn Bostock, who worked as a child-welfare services coordinator in the state of Georgia and was fired after joining a gay softball league.</p>
<p>The issue is whether Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, protects LGBTQ people from job discrimination. Title VII does not specifically mention sexual orientation or transgender status, but federal appeals courts in several states have ruled recently that LGBTQ employees are entitled to protection from discrimination. The Court will hear the cases in October of this year, with a decision likely to be announced by June 2020.</p>
<p>In 30 states, LGBTQ people are at risk of being fired, refused housing or denied services simply because of who they are. Today, if an LGBTQ person were to drive from Maine to California, their rights would literally change dozens of times. The Equality Act would provide national, consistent non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in all aspects of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, federally funded programs, public spaces, and jury service. It would amend current civil right laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ community and strengthen non-discrimination protections for women and other minorities.</p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="Learn more about the Equality Act and send your representatives a message urging them to support it." data-link-label="Equality Act" data-link-type="page" href="/equality-act" target="_blank">Learn more about the Equality Act and send your representatives a message urging them to support it.</a></span></p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/56787962019-03-13T08:38:58-07:002021-04-19T10:15:06-07:00Implementing Trump’s Transgender Military Ban<h3><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/285455/87685dcd8a7755b830e53878c8e2524c359d8b88/original/actionlink-attrib-trans-600.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></h3>
<h3><strong>CAN's Statement In Response To DOD Guidelines For Implementing Trump’s Transgender Military Ban</strong></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>In another spiteful assault on the transgender community , the Trump administration has instructed the Armed Services to begin discharging transgender service members effective April 12. </p>
<p>“This is another blatant attack on what ultimately makes our military the strongest in the world. Serving our country has nothing to do with race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and everything to do with believing in our Constitution, the one thing that makes us all uniquely American,“ said Lora Tucker, CEO of CenterLink. </p>
<p>Today, close to 15,000 transgender troops proudly serve in the military, and President Trump’s ban has been denounced by former military leaders, Members of Congress from both parties, and the American Medical Association. This announcement by the administration reverses those gains and ignores that progress. There is no legitimate reason for this action, only hate at its darkest levels, and we must demand that it stop.</p>ActionLink: The Center Action Networktag:lgbtactionlink.org,2005:Post/56762282019-03-11T10:27:08-07:002021-04-19T10:14:53-07:00Do No Harm and SNAP Under Attack<p> </p>
<p><strong>Do No Harm:</strong> In late February, the Do No Harm Act <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/congressional-democrats-reintroduce-do-no-harm-act-n978101" target="_blank">was reintroduced</a> into Congress to amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993. Originally passed as a response to a Supreme Court case which undermined the rights of religious minorities, in recent years interpretations of RFRA has been used to deny health care coverage for employees, claim exemptions to civil rights law, and impede justice in child labor and abuse cases.</p>
<p>The Do No Harm Act would clarify that no one can seek religious exemption from laws guaranteeing fundamental civil and legal rights. This bill would restore the original intent of RFRA, and ensure that religious freedom is only used as a shield to protect individuals from discrimination, including the LGBTQ community.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/do-no-harm-act?source=direct_link&" target="_blank">Do you have one minute to send your Senators a letter urging them to support the Do No Harm Act?</a></strong></p>
<hr><p><strong>Gender-Inclusive Education: </strong> We are excited to partner with Gender Spectrum on their release of a <a href="https://www.genderspectrum.org/blog/gender-inclusive-puberty-and-health-education/" target="_blank">groundbreaking document</a>, “Principles of Gender-Inclusive Puberty and Health Education.” Using these principles, educators can help students learn accurate information about gender and health.</p>
<p>Without access to gender-inclusive education, many students are left to believe that they are alone as they struggle to make sense of rapidly changing bodies and feelings. Nowhere is this potential for feeling alone and invisible more prevalent than among transgender and other gender expansive students. <strong><em>All young people have a right to accurate information to make healthy, informed decisions about their bodies and their relationships</em></strong>. Beyond their own unique development, this includes understanding the diversity of human experiences they will encounter as adults. These principles are life-affirming for all students, and life-saving for some.</p>
<div><strong><a href="https://www.genderspectrum.org/blog/gender-inclusive-puberty-and-health-education/#parents" target="_blank">Ask your school district about gender-inclusive puberty education today.</a></strong></div>
<hr><p><strong>SNAP:</strong> In a major victory for advocates and low-income families, representatives on May 18 rejected the House Farm Bill, legislation that included deep cuts and harmful changes to SNAP. Now the administration has proposed a rule that would time-limit food benefits for unemployed and underemployed people who can’t document sufficient weekly work hours. Under the rule, these recipients would only be able to receive three months of benefits every three years because states would have far less flexibility to waive the time limits for areas with limited employment opportunities. Anti-hunger advocates estimate the rule would cause 755,000 to lose benefits.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.frac.org/timelimitcomments" target="_blank">CenterLink and other advocacy groups are requesting you submit comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in opposition to the rule before the deadline of April 2.</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>ActionLink: The Center Action Network