GetEqual Statement on the Passing of Fred Phelps Sr.

For Immediate Release: March 20, 2014

Media Contact: Heather Cronk, heather@getequal.org, 202-491-7240

GetEQUAL Statement on Passing of Fred Phelps, Sr.

WASHINGTON, DC — Early this morning, Fred Phelps Sr., founder of Westboro Baptist Church, died in hospice care. GetEQUAL — a national social justice organization working toward the full equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Americans — issued the following statement in response to this news:

Fred Phelps Sr. passed away this morning, and we lift up his humanity especially as we know that his family is grieving his loss. Mr. Phelps caused very real pain and trauma for thousands of Americans, especially for those in the LGBTQ community but also for the families of fallen service members. It is our hope that those hurt by his words and actions will find healing. It is our hope that his family will one day find space in their hearts to recognize the humanity of LGBTQ individuals. And it is our hope that people across the United States commit or re-commit themselves to working toward equality and justice for all as a lasting legacy of Mr. Phelps’ life.

There will always be those who are so in pain themselves that they feel compelled to inflict pain on others. We re-commit ourselves today to loving those who hate us. We re-commit ourselves today to seeing the humanity in those who cannot or will not see it in us. And we re-commit ourselves today to working toward an America that is free of that pain — an America in which LGBTQ folks can live and love openly. On this day, we stand with our LGBTQ sisters and brothers across the country to say, with certainty, that we see that day over the horizon and that we will work until our hands bleed to bring about that day with a deep and abiding urgency.

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Email from GetEqualNC

Hi everyone,

Tomorrow President Obama will be in the Raleigh area to promote his new business plan to get people back to work. 

Yesterday and today we LGBT North Carolinians had a rude awakening about our own protections in this state when the House and Senate both passed the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment that will be on the May 2012 ballot.

We are trying to organize, last minute I know, an action tomorrow at the Obama event to ask Obama to evolve already on marriage equality.  It is perfect timing to hold our president accountable and ask him to speak up against the bigotry we are facing from our elected representatives.

If you can go please email me asap or call me at (number removed)  We will be arranging rides from Asheville and if you are in the Raleigh area we will have a designated meeting spot.

This will NOT be an arrestable action.  It will be a bold action to simply ask the President of the United States to stand for us in our time of need.

I hope to hear from you!

Thanks,

Angel Chandler

GetEQUAL NC

Angel Chandler [angel@getequalnc.org]

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GetEQUAL releases statement about alleged West Asheville hate crime

FULL STATEMENT from ANGEL CHANDLER, STATE ORGANIZER FOR GETEQUAL, SENT TO ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

I was alarmed to read about the hate crime that took place in Asheville this week. I am more alarmed at the, at best, lack of judgment and, at worst, outright discrimination the police officer showed in failing to interview witnesses and failing to file a report. I am further outraged by the fact that reports say this officer is carrying out regular duties while an internal investigation takes place. This is especially concerning due to the recent history of inappropriate and criminal behavior Asheville Police Department officers and employees have shown; behavior ranging from evidence missing to sexual harassment. What is even more troubling is the lack of response I have seen from you.

LGBT individuals face hate crime on a daily basis in this country and hate crimes have been on the rise in North Carolina over the past year. Outside of Raleigh a gay couple's home was burned down; in Eastern North Carolina a young gay man was beaten severely; now in Asheville we have someone beaten due to his perceived sexual orientation and an officer continuing his duties without any restrictions who violated protocol and jeopardized catching the perpetrator. I hope this isn't indicative of a bigger problem in the police department and the offices who oversee the department. But given the department's many problems and failure to appropriately handle those problems, I can't be sure of that.

As the North Carolina State Organizer for GetEQUAL I would like to know the plans for holding this officer accountable, getting him off the streets, and making sure that this kind of violation of a victim's rights does not happen again.

I would suggest an LGBT Liaison be appointed at the Asheville Police Department (I called and was informed there was not one); a statement be put out by the Council and Mayor's office condemning the action, or lack thereof, of the officer; and a report on the internal practices of the Asheville Police Department regarding LGBT issues and hate crimes with areas targeted for improvement.

GetEQUAL believes in holding people in power accountable, despite political party affiliation, to make sure we are represented, treated equally, and protected. We plan on this being a focus in coming weeks. The more attention you give this the less of an issue we will have to make it. I would much prefer this be dealt with appropriately and attentively allowing us to focus on other pressing matters surrounding equality for all citizens of this state and country.

I know some of you are advocates for LGBT equality and that is appreciated. I know dealing with the internal workings of the police department is most likely murky and difficult. But it is time those who are supposed to be leaders take the lead. That would be you.

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The Blame Game; lack of thought,

Can you believe this one,

Wrong Kind of Numbers

But North Carolina appeared this weekend on another “Top 10″ list. And no, it wasn’t Letterman.  No, according to the good folks at AlterNet, NC is among The 10 Craziest State Legislatures In America.  Can you just feel your pride swelling?

This dubious distinction comes right on the heels of North Carolina being listed not once, not twice, but three times on the top 14 list of The Worst Bills of 2011 by the Progressive States Network. When I speak to colleagues in other states, the well-meaning, yet incredibly depressing, phrase that comes up most often is “Well, at least you’re in North Carolina.”

How nice we are being the laughing stock of the country, thanks to Tillis and Berger and a few select others in the NCGA.. How one might ask, well Tillis wild claims that his office payroll was lower then the last speaker of the house. I wonder was this before are after 27% raises that were handed out to his staff, while state employee haven’t been given a raise in 3 or more years. On the other side of the building we have Berger who is trying to create a district for his son..

Then again could it be the lost of teachers over a damn penny tax..

Then there this, lets cut the Capital Police budget so we can make State building less secure, while we take that money and add more security the to the NCGA to keep those citizens out that don’t like what we doing.We just can’t work with these citizens telling us how to do our jobs from the gallery or standing up to us on the house floor.

Tell you want I really love is hos these idiots use 9/11 for everything and the children.

Several disruptions by protesters this year in the House chamber highlighted security challenges, Brock said Friday. A legislative complex with largely unfettered access during normal business hours is not responsible for citizens and school groups that visit regularly, Brock said.

Yet these are same ignoramus, that cut the school budgets so much that I’m sure these types of school educational field trip will be history..

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Ok I must have been asleep.

Just when did Dan Savage become a part of GetEqual??

This is how I found out about this. (photo credit out.com) also link are not active.

Can someone tell me when this happen. I must have been asleep at the keyboard once again and miss this major event.. I love what GetEqual does and I’m trying to start a group here in Eastern NC..

I have my own personal feeling about Dan, which I won’t go into here. Also its bad enough that one board member has a very question past and current actions that should be address. However having Dan a spoke person for GetEqual

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LGBT Activists Glitter Bachmann to Protest Anti-Gay Rhetoric

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2011

Media Contact: Rachel E. B. Lang, 612-600-0277

LGBT Activists Glitter Bachmann to Protest Anti-Gay Rhetoric

Confront Bachmann With Connection to “You Can Run, But You Cannot Hide” Ministry

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Following a speech in her home state, pro-LGBT activists added Michele Bachmann to the list of Republican presidential candidates who have been “glittered” to draw attention to their grave and hurtful anti-gay rhetoric.

Shortly after a speech at the RightOnline conference, pro-LGBT activist Rachel E. B. Lang approached Bachmann, threw glitter in the air, and said, “You can run, but you cannot hide! Keep your hate out of our Constitution!” — a reference to the “You Can Run But You Cannot Hide” ministry for which Bachmann has helped raise money [1] and to a proposed ban on same-sex marriage in Minnesota. The ministry, a brainchild of rabidly anti-gay Bradley Dean, charges thousands of dollars to speak at public school assemblies and evangelize young people based on a shocking and offensive anti-gay program.

Bradlee Dean, the ministry’s founder and chief evangelist, was invited to give the opening prayer during the recent Minnesota legislative session that considered putting an anti-gay marriage amendment on the 2012 ballot. The prayer was so offensive that it was denounced by both Republicans and Democrats, and the house chaplain was asked to give another prayer immediately afterward. The ministry often charges thousands of dollars to speak at public school assemblies, which have routinely drawn criticism for its over-the-top evangelism and have even caused school principals to call follow-up assemblies to apologize to students. [2]

Bachmann has a long history of anti-gay rhetoric [3] and mainstream media outlets are starting to pick up on her extremist viewpoints. [4]

“My response to Michele Bachmann’s hateful and anti-gay rhetoric was light-hearted, but these issues are very serious,” said Minnesota resident Rachel E. B. Lang, today’s glitterer. “Bachmann’s support of groups like You Can Run But You Cannot Hide show exactly how extremist she is — she in no way represents the values of Minnesota and certainly does not represent the values of America.”

Lang is straight and a lawyer in Minneapolis, and has several gay family members, including her mother and her 75-year-old uncle who recently married his 75-year-old same-sex partner in Iowa.

“As long as Michele Bachmann and other out-of-touch politicians are attacking my family and limiting my freedom, there will be more and more glitterings across the country,” said Lang. “Today I welcomed Bachmann into the Glitter Hall of Fame and, until these politicians stop their anti-gay attacks on families like mine, people will continue to stand up for equality and the freedom to love whoever they want.”

REFERENCE:

[1] http://minnesotaindependent.com/45902/michele-bachmann-to-fundraise-for-controversial-ministry

[2] http://minnesotaindependent.com/2652/because-god-said-youth-ministry-uses-deception-to-gain-access-to-public-schools

[3] http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/michele-bachmanns-top-ten-anti-gay-quotes/politics/2011/06/02/21233

[4] http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/14/michele-bachmanns-unrivaled-extremism-gay-rights-to-religion.html

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Open Letter to Equality NC

Angel Chandler

North Carolina State Organizer, GetEQUAL NC

Asheville, NC

June 7, 2011

Ian Palmquist

Director, Equality NC

Raleigh, NC

Mr. Palmquist:

I was disappointed to see Equality NC attacking a small group of grassroots LGBT activists for our action on 6-2-11 in Raleigh. I was one of the three activists arrested for entering the House of Representatives floor and chanting “Liberty and Justice for all North Carolinians” along with my partner of 14 years, Mary Counce, and Jim Neal. Your statements regarding our action were divisive, demeaning, and damaged our organizations ability to work together for the goal of equality. It not only damaged a potential working relationship between our two organizations, it also created a riff in the LGBT community that was harmful and unnecessary.

At GetEQUAL NC, we believe in working with every organization towards the goal of equality, despite differences in beliefs regarding tactics. Working in a way that doesn’t insult other organizations is important to our community and helps to build a stronger coalition. Insults, blame, and shame will only have one result: division and conflict. Unity between organizations, regardless of differences in tactics and direction, will make our community stronger and the movement more efficient. Unfortunately, Equality NC did not choose a path that represented professionalism and unity.

I understand from your statements to the press that Equality NC disagrees with our action. I only wish that as a leader of a state-wide LGBT rights organization, you had reached out to me, also a leader of a state-wide organization, before the rally or at least before your damning statements.

The statement released by Equality NC spoke of the willingness to partner with other groups. I have reached out to Equality NC many times, but have never received the “partnership” that you mentioned. I have emailed and spoken to members of EQNC staff, asking to sit down and talk about how our organizations could work together for the good of equality in North Carolina, was promised meetings, but never saw a result. Maybe if we had been able to sit down and discuss the issues at hand, you would have a better understanding of our goals, mission, and tactics and vice-versa.

Unfortunately, instead of offering the partnership so passionately mentioned in your statement, Equality NC has impeded our efforts on multiple occasions, which not only serves to strengthen the opposition and weaken our community, it emboldens our legislators to codify our second-class status.

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