Renna Communications

GREEN CHIMNEYS, SCO FAMILY OF SERVICES LAUNCH NEW APPROACH TO WORK WITH FAMILIES OF LGBTQ YOUTH; EVENT AT LGBT CENTER JANUARY 10

If you would like more information or to RSVP as media, please contact cathy@rennacommunications.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR JAN. 10, 2012

CONTACT: Cathy Renna, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com

GREEN CHIMNEYS, SCO FAMILY OF SERVICES LAUNCH NEW APPROACH TO WORK WITH FAMILIES OF LGBTQ YOUTH; EVENT AT LGBT CENTER JANUARY 10

WHAT: On the evening of Tuesday, January 10, New York’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center will host an event titled Families: The Missing Link in Reducing Risk & Promoting Well-Being of LGBT Youth. This event, convened by Green Chimneys and SCO, will be a community forum on a groundbreaking new approach to working with families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth to solve the tragic problem of family rejection of these youth that results in homelessness, family disruption and serious related health and mental health problems.

UCLA’S WILLIAMS INSTITUTE RELEASES NEW STUDY FINDING 44% OF LGB PEOPLE AND 66% TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN UTAH REPORT EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

Press Release
For Immediate Release

January 18, 2011

Media Contacts:
Clifford Rosky, clifford.rosky@law.utah.edu, (801) 581-7352

Christy Mallory, mallory@law.ucla.edu, (310) 794-9469

LOS ANGELES – Today, the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law released a new research study providing evidence of employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Utah. The study analyzes data from a 2010 survey conducted by Equality Utah, the state’s first survey on employment discrimination against LGBT Utahns. The study shows that substantial percentages of LGBT people in Utah have experienced discrimination and continue to fear discrimination in the workplace.

CAROLYN WAGNER, LGBT ADVOCATE AND CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER, DIES AFTER DECADES OF ACTIVISM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES UNITED AGAINST HATE (FUAH) AND FRIENDS OF CAROLYN WAGNER:

“On January 18, 2011 the world lost a civil rights pioneer and strong voice for equality. Carolyn Wagner fought every day to create a world where equality would become a reality for all, no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity, race or life circumstances. Her path in life was difficult but she never wavered in her dedication and love for the many communities she advocated so powerfully for until she took her last breath. Nothing could ever stop her from fighting for her family, her friends and her community. Plenty of people tried to stop her, but never with any success. Carolyn’s heart, mind and arms were always open and we will miss her powerful embrace, we know her legacy will never die as long as we carry the spirit of her love within us, and take action with as much courage, humor, and wisdom as she did. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and children and the hundreds and thousands of people whose lives she touched. She will always be with us.”

Bill Wagner said: “Carolyn will be remembered as an activist and civil rights hero to many, but for me she was simply the love of my life, my best friend and an amazing mother to our children. I will miss her beautiful smile, her raucous and infectious laugh and most of all her loving heart. “

MARINES COMMANDANT SENDS STRONG SIGNAL OF INCLUSION OF GAYS AND LESBIANS

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CONTACT: Cathy Renna, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com

MARINES COMMANDANT SENDS STRONG SIGNAL OF INCLUSION OF GAYS AND LESBIANS

Santa Barbara, Calif. (January 30, 2011) – The following statement can be attributed to Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, concerning the January 28 release of a video featuring Marine Commandant General James Amos and Sergeant Major Carlton Kent. The video may be viewed at the following URL, with a transcript below.

http://www.marines.mil/news/pages/marinestv.aspx?pid=d9p4g5vJWiQll4bLGacNt1d1BTDx1vus

“General Amos’ video statement to the Marines shows that he is keeping his promise to lead the implementation of openly gay and lesbian service personally. The General’s statement is unambiguous that he ‘value[s] the diversity’ of all Marines, whether they are straight or gay. The signal this video sends to all troops is profound: the Marines are now setting the pace to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ for all military branches.”

GROUNDBREAKING STUDY FINDS PERVASIVE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL MATERIALS, CONTACT: Cathy Renna, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com

GROUNDBREAKING STUDY FINDS PERVASIVE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – February 4, 2011 – The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) today released a comprehensive new report, “Injustice at Every Turn,” revealing the depth of discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming people in a wide range of areas, including education, health care, employment, and housing. The study, based on the results from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey (NTDS), was based on responses from over 6,450 participants. The NTDS is the first large-scale national study of discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming Americans, and paints a more complete picture than any prior research to date.

Transgender Activists Face Multiple Challenges

David Crary | Associated Press | February 4, 2011

Many transgender Americans face intolerance in almost every aspect of their lives, contributing to high levels of homelessness, unemployment and despair, according to a comprehensive survey being released Friday.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality say their survey of 6,450 transgender people is the largest of its kind. It details discrimination encountered “at every turn”  in childhood homes, in schools and workplaces, at stores and hotels, at the hands of doctors, judges, landlords and police.

“Their lives are just a crapshoot,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the task force. “They don’t know from one interaction to the next whether they will be treated with respect and dignity. It’s not the way people should be living their day-to-day life.”

Injustice at Every Turn

Mara Keisling | Huffington Post | February 4, 2011

Until now, we haven’t really known just how bad it is or how strong we are.

As we release the findings from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, the levels of discrimination documented are shocking for two reasons — first, they so clearly chronicle the incredible devastation that occurs in the lives of people who are discriminated against. But second, they also shows the incredible resiliency of people so marginalized, but so determined. I wonder if Americans still realize that this kind of prejudice continues to flourish in our country. And that yet another group of people stands strong in the face of it, waiting for recognition.

SOULFORCE PRAISES UGANDAN BISHOP'S DENUNCIATION OF RELIGIOUS HOMOPHOBIA

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CONTACT: Cathy Renna, 917-717-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com

Soulforce Executive Director Rev. Dr. Cindi Love today released this statement in response to Bishop Christopher Senyonjo’s letter to Archbishop Rowan Williams and the Anglican Communion. The letter, which called for the “demoli[tion] of all forms of institutional homophobia,” can be viewed on Soulforce’s site here.

UGANDAN BISHOP CHRISTOPHER SENYONJO BREAKS SILENCE ON MURDER OF DAVID KATO

This letter comes as a Congressional Briefing on Violence Against Sexual Minorities in Uganda is scheduled for this Friday, February 11, 2011 from 10:00am – 11:00am at 2168 Rayburn House Office Building (RHOB) and more and more international attention is directed at the death of David Kato and the connections between U.S. evangelicals and the persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Uganda.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 9, 2011

Contact:

Cathy Renna, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com
Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, aogle@stpaulsfoundation.com, 949 338 8830

FOR A COPY OF THE FULL LETTER GO TO SOULFORCE.ORG

The Rt. Rev. Christopher Senyonjo, retired Anglican bishop of West Buganda issued his first public statement today on the recent murder of human rights advocate David Kato. The bishop worked with Kato through Integrity Uganda and the Civil Society Coalition (composed of 34 human rights organizations including the St. Paul’s Centre for Reconciliation and Equality, headed by the bishop). Both men were pictured on the front page of the controversial Ugandan tabloid “Rolling Stone” where the names and addresses of leading LGBT Ugandans and allies were exposed and called for their execution. Kato was one of the plaintiffs in the case that successfully brought a court injunction to stop the paper’s publication.

HRC & Soulforce to Pastor Lou Engle: Stop Exporting Hate to Uganda in the Name of Religion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2011

Soulforce contact: Cathy Renna | cathy@rennacommunications.com | 917-757-6123
HRC contact: Michael Cole-Schwartz | michael.cole-schwartz@hrc.org | 202-716-1651

Organizations to hold vigil and deliver 70,000 petition signatures to Rev. Engle calling on him to engage in dialog on anti-LGBT sentiment in Uganda

KANSAS CITY – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, in partnership with Soulforce, a civil rights organization seeking freedom from religious and political oppression of LGBTQQ people, will hold a vigil outside the International House of Prayer in Kansas City on Sunday, February 20, and ask fundamentalist pastor Lou Engle to abandon his hateful and dangerous anti-LGBT rhetoric and actions. Prior to the brutal murder of Ugandan civil rights leader David Kato, Engle called LGBT people a threat to Uganda. Engle has publicly defended the Ugandan government’s efforts to pass the “Kill the Gays” bill, a measure that would have made homosexuality a capital crime.

GAY GROUPS TO MEET WITH PASTOR LOU ENGLE, PRESENTED 70K PETITIONS AT VIGIL 2/20 IN KANSAS CITY

FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS CONTACT CATHY@RENNACOMMUNICATIONS.COM OR NATHAN@RENNACOMMUNICATIONS.COM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOULFORCE CONTACT: Cathy Renna, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com

HRC CONTACT: Michael Cole-Schwartz, 202-716-1651, michael.cole-schwartz@hrc.org

GAY UGANDANS, AMERICAN ALLIES TO LOU ENGLE: TIME HAS COME TO STAND AGAINST HATRED IN UGANDA

FEBRUARY 22, 2011 – KANSAS CITY – On Sunday, February 20th, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, in partnership with Soulforce, a civil rights organization seeking freedom from religious and political oppression of LGBTQQ people, held a vigil outside fundamentalist pastor Lou Engle’s International House of Prayer.

The vigil was held in protest of Engle’s anti-LGBT rhetoric, which has played a key role in escalating the climate of anti-gay hatred in Uganda that most recently led to the murder of leading gay activist David Kato. More than 70,000 people have signed a petition asking Engle to immediately halt such rhetoric, and to travel to Uganda to denounce the criminalization of homosexuality. Immediately after the vigil, a group including Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, Executive Director of Soulforce, and Moses Kushaba, a gay Ugandan forced to flee the country and seek asylum in the United States, delivered this petition to leading members of Engle’s staff. Engle has agreed to meet with Rev. Love, Kushaba, and other allies at a date to be determined.

WILLIAMS INSTITUTE’S BRAD SEARS AND NAN HUNTER AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW ON DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DOMA DECISION

Media Availability
For Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Contact:
Cathy Renna, Renna Communications, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommuncations.com

WILLIAMS INSTITUTE’S BRAD SEARS AND NAN HUNTER AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW ON DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DOMA DECISION

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Department of Justice will no longer defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) against challenges in court. While the Obama administration has always been officially opposed to DOMA, the Department of Justice has previously defended Section 3, which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, in multiple cases. In light of this development, the Williams Institute, a leading think tank on LGBT issues, has made its Executive Director R. Bradley Sears and Legal Director Nan Hunter available for interviews.

PALETTE FUND ANNOUNCES 2011 GRANTEES

New York, NY – March 2, 2011 – Today, The Palette Fund, a philanthropic organization honoring the legacy of the late Rand Harlan Skolnick by emphasizing collaborative grantmaking and programming centered around human rights and education, announced its 2011 slate of grantees. This year’s grantees comprise a wide variety of organizations in each of The Palette Fund’s three program areas: Nutrition and Wellness; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Youth; and Patient Navigation. These organizations will collectively receive grants totaling approximately $800,000, to be distributed over the course of 2011. A complete list of the 2011 grantees, with descriptions, is below.

Said Terrence Meck, President and Executive Director of The Palette Fund: “From schools and homes to hospitals and homeless shelters, this year’s grantees impact almost every sector of our society. There could be no better testament to Rand’s legacy than the collective work of these organizations, which will be greatly enriched through our funding. Our grantees are moving us closer to a world in which obesity is far less of a risk; where LGBT youth can live their lives safely while being who they are; and where patients facing difficult medical decisions can more easily navigate the complex web of medical programs, options, and facilities.”

WILLIAMS INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES RICHARD TAYLOR LAW TEACHING FELLOW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Renna, cathy@rennacommunications.com, 917-757-6123

Scholar Luke Boso to Explore Legal Issues Surrounding Queer Identity in Rural Communities

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 8, 2011 – Today, The Williams Institute, a leading think tank dedicated to the field of sexual orientation and gender identity-related law and public policy, announced that UCLA School of Law graduate Luke Boso will be the Institute’s Richard Taylor Law Teaching Fellow.

In this newly endowed position at the Williams Institute, Luke will be part of the two-year Law Teaching Fellowship program that prepares young scholars for academic careers in sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. Specifically, Luke’s research will focus primarily on queer identity in rural communities.

UCLA-Based Think Tank on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Policy Marks 10 Years of Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Renna, cathy@rennacommunications.com, 917-717-6123

10th Anniversary Gala to Feature Rep. Judy Chu, U.S. Census Director Robert Groves, More

WHAT:

The Williams Institute, a leading legal and public policy think tank addressing issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, will hold a 10th Anniversary Celebration as part of its Annual Update Conference. The conference will be held April 7-9, 2011 at the UCLA School of Law.

Highlights of this year’s conference include keynotes by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32) and U.S. Census Director Robert M. Groves, as well as expert panels on employment discrimination, parenting, health disparities, same-sex marriage and social movements.