Advocacy | Awareness | Action

“I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope that I could live my life openly as who I am.”

Dustin Lance Black is a screenwriter, director and producer. In 2009, he received an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Milk,” about openly gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk. 

Black grew up in a devout Mormon household in San Antonio, Texas. After his mother remarried, he moved to Salinas, California. As a young boy, Black knew he was gay. He believed he would be “hurt and brought down” because of it and that he was going to hell. He says his “acute awareness” of his sexual orientation made him gloomy and sometimes suicidal.

In high school he fostered a love of the dramatic arts and began working on theatrical productions. He enrolled at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and graduated with honors. In 2000, he wrote and directed two gay-themed films, “The Journey of Jared Price” and “Something Close to Heaven.” Black was the only Mormon writer for the HBO series about polygamy, “Big Love,” for which he received two Writers Guild of America Awards.

Captivated by the story of Harvey Milk, Black researched Milk’s life for three years, culminating in a screenplay. Academy Award-nominated director Gus Van Sant signed on with the project. In 2009, “Milk” received eight Academy Award nominations and won two. Black received an Oscar for his screenplay and Sean Penn won for best actor.

Black’s recent works include the screenplay for “Pedro,” profiling AIDS activist and MTV personality Pedro Zamora. He is the screenwriter for “J. Edgar,” a film about FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

In 2009, Black topped The Advocate’s list of the “Forty under 40” most influential openly gay people. He is an outspoken LGBT activist, serving on the boards of The Trevor Project and the American Foundation for Equal Rights. Black frequently speaks about gay rights to college students across the country.

He resides in Los Angeles

“Each time we act against discrimination, we add a ring of life to the American tree of liberty.”

John Berry is the director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). He is the highest-ranking openly gay federal employee in U.S. history.

Born in Rockville, Maryland, Berry is the son of two federal government employees. His father served in the U.S. Marine Corps and his mother worked for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Berry earned his Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Maryland and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. His first federal government job was as legislative director for U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer. Thereafter, he served as deputy assistant secretary for law enforcement at the U.S. Treasury Department.

After two years as director of government relations at the Smithsonian Institution, Berry was appointed assistant secretary for policy, management and budget at the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Clinton administration.

Prior to joining the Obama administration, Berry pursued his interest in environmental conservation as the director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and subsequently as director of the National Zoo.

In 2009, President Obama appointed Berry to his current position, where he is responsible for recruiting, hiring and benefits policies for 1.9 million federal employees.

With Berry’s appointment came accolades from the LGBT and mainstream communities. “The selection of John Berry is a meaningful step forward for the LGBT community,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Humans Rights Campaign. John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, described Berry as the “perfect choice for the OPM. He’s smart, courageous, and has all the right experience in policy and in politics.”

In 2009, Berry served as the keynote speaker for the International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference in San Francisco.

One of the few Americans to stand on both the North and South Poles, Berry’s government career has taken him around the globe and literally to the ends of the earth. There is a mountain in Antarctica named after him: the Berry Bastion.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 01, 2011 Remarks by the President at the Human Rights Campaign’s Annual National Dinner
Washington Convention Center

Washington, D.C.

7:26 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. It is great to be back. (Applause.) I see a lot of friends in the house. I appreciate the chance to join you tonight. I also took a trip out to California last week, where I held some productive bilateral talks with your leader, Lady Gaga. (Laughter.) She was wearing 16-inch heels. (Laughter.) She was eight feet tall. (Laughter.) It was a little intimidating.

Now, I don’t want to give a long speech. Cyndi Lauper is in the house. I can’t compete with that. (Applause.) But I wanted to come here tonight, first of all, to personally thank Joe for his outstanding years of leadership at HRC. (Applause.) What he has accomplished at the helm of this organization has been remarkable, and I want to thank all of you for the support that you’ve shown this organization and for your commitment to a simple idea: Every single American — gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender — every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty simple proposition. (Applause.)

Now, I don’t have to tell you that we have a ways to go in that struggle. I don’t have to tell you how many are still denied their basic rights — Americans who are still made to feel like second-class citizens, who have to live a lie to keep their jobs, or who are afraid to walk the street, or down the hall at school. Many of you have devoted your lives to the cause of equality. So you know what we have to do; we’ve got more work ahead of us.

But we can also be proud of the progress we’ve made these past two and a half years. Think about it. (Applause.) Two years ago, I stood at this podium, in this room, before many of you, and I made a pledge. I said I would never counsel patience; that it wasn’t right to tell you to be patient any more than it was right for others to tell African Americans to be patient in the fight for equal rights a half century ago. (Applause.) But what I also said, that while it might take time –- more time than anyone would like -– we are going to make progress; we are going to succeed; we are going to build a more perfect union.

And so, let’s see what happened. I met with Judy Shepard. I promised her we would pass a hate crimes bill named for her son, Matthew. And with the help of my dear friend Ted Kennedy we got it done. Because it should never be dangerous — (applause) — you should never have to look over your shoulder — to be gay in the United States of America. That’s why we got it done. (Applause.)

I met with Janice Langbehn, who was barred from the bedside of the woman she loved as she lay dying. And I told her that we were going to put a stop to this discrimination. And you know what? We got it done. I issued an order so that any hospital in America that accepts Medicare or Medicaid -– and that means just about every hospital -– has to treat gay partners just as they do straight partners. Because nobody should have to produce a legal contract to hold the hand of the person that they love. We got that done. (Applause.)

I said that we would lift that HIV travel ban — we got that done. (Applause.) We put in place the first comprehensive national strategy to fight HIV/AIDS. (Applause.)

Many questioned whether we’d succeed in repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell.” And, yes, it took two years to get the repeal through Congress. (Applause.) We had to hold a coalition together. We had to keep up the pressure. We took some flak along the way. (Applause.) But with the help of HRC, we got it done. And “don’t ask, don’t tell” is history. (Applause.) And all over the world, there are men and women serving this country just as they always have — with honor and courage and discipline and valor. We got it done. (Applause.) We got that done. All around the world, you’ve got gays and lesbians who are serving, and the only difference is now they can put up a family photo. (Laughter.) No one has to live a lie to serve the country they love.

I vowed to keep up the fight against the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. There’s a bill to repeal this discriminatory law in Congress, and I want to see that passed. But until we reach that day, my administration is no longer defending DOMA in the courts. I believe the law runs counter to the Constitution, and it’s time for it to end once and for all. It should join “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the history books. (Applause.)

So, yes, we have more work to do. And after so many years — even decades — of inaction you’ve got every right to push against the slow pace of change. But make no mistake — I want people to feel encouraged here — we are making change. We’re making real and lasting change. We can be proud of the progress we’ve already made.

And I’m going to continue to fight alongside you. And I don’t just mean in your role, by the way, as advocates for equality. You’re also moms and dads who care about the schools your children go to. (Applause.) You’re also students figuring out how to pay for college. You’re also folks who are worried about the economy and whether or not your partner or husband or wife will be able to find a job. And you’re Americans who want this country to succeed and prosper, and who are tired of the gridlock and the vicious partisanship, and are sick of the Washington games. Those are your fights, too, HRC. (Applause.)

So I’m going to need your help. I need your help to fight for equality, to pass a repeal of DOMA, to pass an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill so that being gay is never again a fireable offense in America. (Applause.) And I don’t have to tell you, there are those who don’t want to just stand in our way but want to turn the clock back; who want to return to the days when gay people couldn’t serve their country openly; who reject the progress that we’ve made; who, as we speak, are looking to enshrine discrimination into state laws and constitutions — efforts that we’ve got to work hard to oppose, because that’s not what America should be about.

We’re not about restricting rights and restricting opportunity. We’re about opening up rights and opening up opportunity — (applause) — and treating each other generously and with love and respect. (Applause.)

And together, we also have to keep sending a message to every young person in this country who might feel alone or afraid because they’re gay or transgender — who may be getting picked on or pushed around because they’re different. We’ve got to make sure they know that there are adults they can talk to; that they are never alone; that there is a whole world waiting for them filled with possibility. That’s why we held a summit at the White House on bullying. That’s why we’re going to continue to focus on this issue. (Applause.) This isn’t just “kids being kids.” It’s wrong. It’s destructive. It’s never acceptable. And I want all those kids to know that the President and the First Lady is standing right by them every inch of the way. (Applause.) I want them to know that we love them and care about them, and they’re not by themselves. That’s what I want them to know. (Applause.)

Now, I also need your help in the broader fight to get this economy back on track. You may have heard, I introduced a bill called the American Jobs Act. (Applause.) It’s been almost three weeks since I sent it up to Congress. That’s three weeks longer than it should have taken to pass this common-sense bill. (Applause.) This is a bill filled with ideas that both parties have supported — tax breaks for companies that hire veterans; road projects; school renovations; putting construction crews back to work rebuilding America; tax cuts for middle-class families so they can make ends meet and spend a little more at local stores and restaurants that need the business.

Now, you may have heard me say this a few times before — I’ll say it again: Pass the bill. (Applause.) Enough gridlock. Enough delay. Enough politics. Pass this bill. Put this country back to work. (Applause.) HRC, you know how Congress works. I’m counting on you to have my back. Go out there and get them to pass this bill. (Applause.) Let’s put America back to work.

Now, ultimately, these debates we’re having are about more than just politics; they’re more about — they’re about more than the polls and the pundits, and who’s up and who’s down. This is a contest of values. That’s what’s at stake here. This is a fundamental debate about who we are as a nation.

I don’t believe — we don’t believe — in a small America, where we let our roads crumble, we let our schools fall apart, where we stand by while teachers are laid off and science labs are shut down, and kids are dropping out.

We believe in a big America, an America that invests in the future — that invests in schools and highways and research and technology — the things that have helped make our economy the envy of the world.

We don’t believe in a small America, where we meet our fiscal responsibilities by abdicating every other responsibility we have, and where we just divvy up the government as tax breaks for those who need them the least, where we abandon the commitment we’ve made to seniors though Medicare and Social Security, and we say to somebody looking for work, or a student who needs a college loan, or a middle-class family with a child who’s disabled, that “You’re on your own.” That’s not who we are.

We believe in a big America, an America where everybody has got a fair shot, and everyone pays their fair share. An America where we value success and the idea that anyone can make it in this country. But also an America that does — in which everyone does their part — including the wealthiest Americans, including the biggest corporations — to deal with the deficits that threaten our future. (Applause.)

We don’t believe in a small America. We don’t believe in the kind of smallness that says it’s okay for a stage full of political leaders — one of whom could end up being the President of the United States — being silent when an American soldier is booed. (Applause.) We don’t believe in that. We don’t believe in standing silent when that happens. (Applause.) We don’t believe in them being silent since. (Applause.) You want to be Commander-in-Chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States, even when it’s not politically convenient. (Applause.)

We don’t believe in a small America. We believe in a big America — a tolerant America, a just America, an equal America — that values the service of every patriot. (Applause.) We believe in an America where we’re all in it together, and we see the good in one another, and we live up to a creed that is as old as our founding: E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. And that includes everybody. That’s what we believe. That’s what we’re going to be fighting for. (Applause.)

I am confident that’s what the American people believe in. (Applause.) I’m confident because of the changes we’ve achieved these past two and a half years -– the progress that some folks said was impossible. (Applause.) And I’m hopeful — I am hopeful –

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Fired up!

THE PRESIDENT: I’m fired up, too. (Laughter.) I am hopeful — (applause) — I am hopeful — I am still hopeful, because of a deeper shift that we’re seeing; a transformation not only written into our laws, but woven into the fabric of our society.

It’s progress led not by Washington but by ordinary citizens, who are propelled not just by politics but by love and friendship and a sense of mutual regard. (Applause.) It’s playing out in legislatures like New York, and courtrooms and in the ballot box. But it’s also happening around water coolers and at the Thanksgiving table, and on Facebook and Twitter, and at PTA meetings and potluck dinners, and church socials and VFW Halls.

It happens when a father realizes he doesn’t just love his daughter, but also her wife. (Applause.) It happens when a soldier tells his unit that he’s gay, and they tell him they knew it all along and they didn’t care, because he was the toughest guy in the unit. (Applause.) It happens when a video sparks a movement to let every single young person know they’re not alone, and things will get better. It happens when people look past their ultimately minor differences to see themselves in the hopes and struggles of their fellow human beings. That’s where change is happening. (Applause.)

And that’s not just the story of the gay rights movement. That’s the story of America — (applause) — the slow, inexorable march towards a more perfect union. (Applause.) You are contributing to that story, and I’m confident we can continue to write another chapter together.

Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. (Applause.)

Arkansas Times reports on the new statement by Benton County State Representative Donna Hutchinson from Bella Vista. Residents of House District 98 (Bella Vista, Pea Ridge) are encouraged to call or write her about her careless and offensive statement. 

Donna.Hutchinson@arkansashouse.org
479-283-2165

Here is the NWA Center for Equality’s response to Rep. Hutchinson’s statement. Below you will find her full statement. 

Contact:  Kyle Smith                                                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President, Board of Directors
NWA Center for Equality
479.966.9014
ksmith@nwaequality.org

Center responds to anti-LGBT statement from Rep. Hutchinson
 Benton County Representative Asked To Apologize

Fayetteville, Ark. (June 24, 2011) – The NWA Center for Equality condemns the recent statement from Rep. Donna Hutchinson of Bella Vista vilifying gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Arkansans.  In Rep. Hutchinson’s attempt to protect funding for the worthy cause of therapeutic foster homes, she attacked make-believe programs within the Arkansas Department of Human Services.  Her statements incorrectly referred to “the most wasteful of all programs — those that help gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual feel better about themselves.” 

DHS has clearly stated that there are no such programs in Arkansas.  Rep. Hutchinson admitted she had done no research in developing a list of programs that she would cut in order to maintain funding for therapeutic foster care homes.  Her use of LGBT Arkansans as scapegoats is not even based on any real government actions.  Rep. Hutchinson’s comments amount to an attack on the LGBT people of Arkansas by setting up an “us” versus “them” situation.  Ignoring real possible solutions, she created a fake problem to fight instead.

Her statement also suggests that LGBT Arkansans have made a decision to be in what she describes as a “sad situation.”  Beyond the offensiveness of suggesting that the lives of thousands of LGBT Arkansans are “sad”, her assertion that people choose their sexual orientation or gender identity is false and dangerous.  The scientific community and the American Psychological Association has long agreed that sexual orientation is not a choice and all efforts to change one’s sexuality have been debunked as bad science and possibly even harmful.

Rep. Hutchinson needed a group of Arkansans to vilify and the LGBT community is too easy a target for some to resist.  Her choice to pit the LGBT community against foster children is untenable. Her hypocrisy of claiming to defend the most vulnerable while her comments alienate very vulnerable LGBT youth in Arkansas is despicable.

In Gov. Beebe’s words, this is demagoguery. Her comments do not serve her LGBT constituents who need full equality under the law, nor does it help the children of Arkansas who struggle with bullying in schools.  Neither do they attempt to fix the funding issue of therapeutic foster homes. Rep. Hutchinson owes the LGBT community of Arkansas an apology and her district a better effort to solve problems like an adult rather than blaming someone else.

 The NWA Center for Equality is a grassroots support and advocacy movement to achieve equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community in NWA.

 # # #

Rep. Donna Hutchinson’s full statement:

There he goes again playing the “Scrooge game”. Governor Beebe just cut in half the funds for therapeutic foster care. As long as I have been in politics I should not be surprised when politicians use the most innocent and vulnerable as pawns in political games. Governors and presidents tend to use the “Scrooge game” whenever they want more funds or to complain about tax cuts. I predicted this would happen when I introduced HB1768 which declared the state couldn’t dismiss employees who have direct contact with the public if funds become tight. That’s how the game is played. Governments never cut management or politically powerful but always those dealing with the public directly so voters will feel the pain directly and demand more funds/tax increase. OR governors cut those who have little political power as foster care.

Democrats may give speeches about caring for the poor and down trodden, but Governor Beebe doesn’t mind cutting funds if it helps his cause which is “See, I told you we shouldn’t have passed so many tax cuts.” Beebe is a #1 Scrooge. Foster care children are wards of the state; they have no place to go for funds. They should be the very last program to cut—but in a Beebe administration, foster children are the first.

Without doing any research I can think of numerous programs that could have been cut in the DHS budget. These are programs which are supposed to help adults overcome negative lifestyles. Gambling, alcohol & drug use, and the most wasteful of all programs—those that help Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual feel better about themselves.

Adults may go to outlets other than government to get help—foster children can not.

Adults made decisions which landed them in these sad situations—foster children did not. They are in foster care because parents made bad decisions.

If Governor Beebe doesn’t restore funds to the foster care therapeutic families, I will put a hold on the entire department and just sit there until he does. Thank God for the Fiscal Session.

Governor Beebe’s approach is shameful and an embarrassment to the entire state.

All these statements are on the record.

Donna Hutchinson
State Representative
District 98

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

The NWA Center for Equality remembers all the work Carolyn Wagner did to make sure the world was a safe place for all people, especially youth.  We mourn her passing, but vow to continue her mission.  Countless youth have stories to share about Carolyn.  Here is one of them.  This “It Gets Better” video came from a man who was directly impacted by the work of Carolyn.

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

October 27, 2010

Media Contact:
Raymond Sweet, Board President
Phone: 479-445-7553
Email: rsweet@nwacenterforequality.org

The NWA Center for Equality joins a growing number of Arkansans calling for the resignation of Clint McCance of the Midland School District in Independence County.  His recent comments regarding the bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students and related suicides are unacceptable and are a threat to the wellbeing of students not only in his district but around the state of Arkansas.

In light of recent youth suicides that were influenced by bullying at schools, Mr. McCance’s comments go beyond being merely insensitive.  As an elected official his conduct in forums like Facebook and his cheering on of youth suicide and death from HIV/AIDS are issues of public concern and are dangerous to the students of Arkansas.

The Arkansas Constitution calls for suitable public education for all the people of Arkansas. The State of Arkansas cannot possibly achieve this constitutional mandate while an elected official tasked with managing education in Midland School District is so cavalierly dismissing the lives of their students and seeking to oppress them.

The Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators specifically identifies “engaging in harassing behavior on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion or disability” as unethical conduct.  Though a school board member is not an “educator”, state law directs them to obey district policy and to visit classrooms while students are present.  A school board member is not merely an official hiring a superintendent and producing an annual audit; he or she has direct influence, access and responsibility to Arkansas students.

Though the decision to remove Mr. McCance is ultimately up to the voters of Midland School District, we urge his colleagues and community to protect all Arkansas students by calling for his immediate resignation.

#########

Since 2006 the NWA Center for Equality has been serving and advocating for the lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and straight ally population of Northwest Arkansas.  As a nonprofit community center we provide a safe and supportive space for community groups and programs serving the LGBTQ community.  Our support programs include outreach, education, peer-to-peer support groups, HIV/AIDS prevention, and social gatherings.  We advocate for full legal rights and social equality in our local communities and beyond.

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

Today the USCCB (United States Conference and Catholic Bishops) and NAE (National Association of Evangelicals) launched their campaigns to support comprehensive immigration reform.   Bishop Wester, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, stated, “We believe that all governments, not only the U.S., should look at their immigration laws and reform them in a manner which respects basic human rights.”[i] On the surface, this appears to be a resounding victory for immigration reform advocates as religious leaders may be the key to conservative support, but there is one major catch to this grand gesture made by the Church:  they are demanding same-sex rights be stripped from the comprehensive immigration reform framework .

UAFA (Uniting American Families Act, H.R. 1024) was introduced to the House as a standalone bill in February 2009 and currently has 122 co-sponsors (all of whom are Democrats).[ii] UAFA provides provisions for U.S. citizens to petition legal status for their same-sex partners, something which is not allowed under current law.  In April, Sen Schumer, Sen Reid, Sen Menendez, Sen Durbin, Sen Feinstein and Sen Leahy introduced a framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).  This framework included UAFA and would help an estimated 36,000 LGBT immigrants currently facing separation and deportation.

Read more…

Vote?  Again?  Why?

Elections aren’t over until the fat lady (or the Arkansas Secretary of State) sings.  Candidates for each party’s general election must win their primary with a majority of votes.  Several state and Congressional races will go to a runoff on June 8th to determine the winners that will go on to the general election in November.  Confusing?  Let the Arkansas Secretary of State tell you about it.

Republican voters will chose a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses Northwest Arkansas.  Democratic voters will chose a candidates for U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, and Land Commissioner.

Why should you vote?

Read more…

You have seen the commercials, liked the candidate pages on Facebook, and chatted with friends about this year’s Arkansas Preferential Primary on May 18, but have you taken the time to go vote?  We often speak of the buying power of the LGBTQ community, but the political power is just as important.

State and national political leaders make decisions that directly affect the LGBTQ community.  On the state level, legislators propose and vote on the legalization of same-sex marriage and the implementation of civil unions, while judicial leaders overturn discriminatory ballot initiatives such as Act One.  On the national level, Senate and House leaders sponsor and vote on LGBTQ-centered laws such as the United American Families Act, the passage of a comprehensive federal LGBTQ anti-discrimination statute, repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and the list goes on. Read more…

Harvey Milk was born May 22, 1930. He was the first openly gay office holder in America and the first gay man to be elected to public office in California. He was an important political figure and avid GLBT activist.

Beyond his political achievements, his words are what have impacted the lives of so many. In a time when equality was nearly nonexistent, Harvey Milk was incapable of accepting separation. His loving and inviting personality and values have inspired so many of us, even today. Nearly 32 years after his assassination, Harvey still lives in us. Read more…