|
Advocating
for EQUAL civil rights . . .
. . . for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered
(GLBT) loved ones is a key component of our PFLAG
mission. We
must all continue to
educate and advocate
within our local community, outwardly to the rest of our state, and
with our local, state, and federal representatives about the
issues which adversely impact our GLBT loved ones. We must
do so to help create a
society that goes beyond mere tolerance and acceptance to a
nation where the God-given diversity that exists among us all is
recognized, embraced, and celebrated. Unfortunately, there is much work left to be
accomplished in this area. You can most certainly help us
in these efforts -- and you
don't even have to be a PFLAG member to do so!
Let's Work
Together
to
'Move Equality Forward .
. .'
|
Q.
How Do I Begin To
Make A Difference --
What Should I Do
FIRST?
A.
Get informed:
SUBSCRIBE
to these four FREE email lists!
Why?
*
* A
better option:
JOIN
these groups & help support their vital
missions!
Q.
After Subscribing To Those Email Lists,
What Should I Do
NEXT?
A.
Get active:
ACT
when requested . . . and on your own! Why?
Q. What
ELSE
Can I Do?
A.
PLENTY!
First, we can't emphasize enough how
important it is to vote -- and to
vote often:
-
REGISTER TO VOTE.
You can
register here, right now, online
(for AZ residents)
-
VOTE!
See
our 'Take Action' sidebar (to
the right) to find out who your
candidates are.
-
CONNECT. Interested in local
GLBT-friendly political
organizations? Check these
out!
Also, here are 10 simple things
(from
PFLAG National) that you can do to
make a difference:
|
|
10 Simple Things
YOU
Can Do To Make A
Difference |
|
1. |
JOIN.
Become a
member of
PFLAG and join with hundreds of thousands of caring and committed people from all walks of life,
including those
with GLBT loved
ones (plus GLBT
people too!) and
straight allies
who just want to
see EQUAL
civil rights for
everyone,
all working
together to end
discrimination against GLBT individuals, couples, and families. |
|
2. |
TEACH.
If you are a
parent, teach your
children that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual is simply another means of expressing love.
Teach them that
being
transgender is
simply an effort
to match up
someone's
"outsides" with
what they truly
are "inside". |
|
3. |
CONFIRM. If one of your
family members is GLBT (or "questioning"), be sure to let them know that you love them
just the way they are. You may think they know -- but do they? |
|
4. |
REFRAIN. Don't tell
anti-GLBT jokes. If you do, you'll help perpetuate the stereotypes about
GLBT
individuals. |
|
5. |
READ. Read our
PFLAG
literature and find out more about what it is really like to be a
GLBT
individual in our society. |
|
6. |
BE 'OUT'.
This applies to
straight
people just
as much as to
GLBT people. Be open with
others about having GLBT friends or family members (or being GLBT). Secrecy
breeds shame. |
|
7. |
CONFRONT. If you overhear
someone making an anti-GLBT comment, let them know (in a pleasant,
friendly manner) that you don't agree or
approve. |
|
8. |
COMMUNICATE.
Contact
local, state, or
federal
representatives to
protest any anti-GLBT
bills or legislation as you become aware of it,
or to support
GLBT-positive
bills or
legislation.
It's
important that
they hear from
you either
way! |
|
9. |
BE HONEST. Encourage
open and
honest discussion of
GLBT issues in your
home, workplace and
church
(yes, church!). |
|
10. |
TAKE A STAND.
Stand with those
who believe that discrimination against anyone is a crime against humanity --
TAKE A STAND WITH PFLAG! |
|
|
|
|
 "In
the End,
we will remember
not the words
of our enemies,
but the silence
of our friends."
-
Martin Luther King Jr. -
|
|
"Never doubt
that a small group
of thoughtful,
committed citizens
can change the world;
indeed,
it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead -
|
|
To contact:
Your federal representatives:
Your state
representatives:
The local &
national media:
Speak Out with Your Vote:
Find Your Candidates:
|
|
"Great
spirits
have always faced
violent
protest
from mediocre minds."
-
Albert Einstein -
|
|
|
RELATED ADVOCACY NEWS
. . .
|
|
Note: We include many news
stories below from
365gay.com.
Unfortunately (for us), they've
just relaunched a new version of
their website which has made
many of our links below
inoperable. We are aware
of this issue and will work to
replace the inoperable links as
soon as possible.
|
General
Information:
Domestic
Partner Benefits:
ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination
Act):
PFLAG Phoenix is a proud
member of
UnitedENDA.org!
Hate Crimes Bill:
Marriage Rights:
Note: With so much happening in
multiple states regarding same-sex
marriage and/or civil union legislation,
we can't possibly post all updates here.
Therefore, we've only included news
updates that we consider having
potential for the most impact on these
rights.
Military Service & The "Don't Ask, Don't
Tell" Policy:
Transgender Rights:
|
|
Advocacy-Related Resources
. . . |
|
|
|
