NGLTF Follows Thru:
Calls on Clinton for Action,
TGs Included
Washington, DC.. February 4, 1996
In his upcoming State of the Union
address, the President will set forth his agenda for the next year. The
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today released a report calling
for
bolder action and leadership from a second Clinton Administration on gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. [Summary below.]
The report "A Call for Presidential Action: A Blueprint on Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Issues," urges the Administration to ensure that
gays
are woven into the fabric of our society as equal partners, once and for
all.
"We urge bolder action and leadership from the Administration to assure that gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons are treated with fairness and
compassion," said Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of NGLTF. While there
are a
number of issues addressed in the report, Lobel noted civil rights, family
and
youth issues are of highest priority for the Task Force. "The lack of legal
recognition for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships means
parents can and do lose custody of their children because of their sexual
orientation or gender identity," said Lobel.
The report calls for White House action to ban discrimination based on
sexual
orientation and gender identity; increased government action in the face of
increasing hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
people;
protection for gay youth, who are at higher risks for suicide and violence;
and
ending the continuing witch hunts against gays in the military.
"This Administration must address the attacks on our civil rights, on our
youth
and on our families," noted Helen Gonzales, NGLTF Public Policy Director and
author of the report. "The President should set a high moral tone of
fairness
and justice for all Americans, both through his actions and his words," said
Gonzales.
For copies of the report, please contact Tracey Conaty at 202/332-6483
extension
3303. It is also available at Task Force Online, NGLTF 's web site at
http:// www.ngltf.org.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a progressive organization that
has
supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since
1973.
Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every
major
initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to
strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state
level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change.
Report Summany:
A CALL FOR PRESIDENTIAL ACTION:
A BLUEPRINT ON GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES
Overview and Highlights
As the Clinton Administration's second term begins, it is important to set
out
objective markers by which we and the Administration can gauge progress over the
next four years. This report identifies the challenges and opportunities on gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues which this Administration will have to
address. Specific actions are recommended and we strongly urge the
Administration to exercise moral leadership in addressing these challenges.
The issues and the actions we seek have one common theme: fairness. What
we
seek is a life where everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their sexual
orientation or gender identity. NGLTF, in concert with its national and
local
allies, works on these issues, with special priority focused on those
related to
our civil rights, families and youth.
The report calls for: White House action to ban discrimination based on
sexual
orientation and gender identity; more targeted government action in the face of
continuing hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
people;
protection for gay youth, who are at higher risks for suicide and violence;
and
ending the continuing witch hunts against gays in the military.Listed below
are
some of the specific recommendations included in this report:
Appointments
Appoint qualified openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
persons
within the Administration;
Direct all federal agencies, including independent agencies which
receive
federal funds, to adopt, publicize and enforce non-discrimination policies
which
include sexual orientation and gender identity;
Civil Rights
Continue to strongly support legislation to end discrimination
against
the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, including
legislation
prohibiting workplace discrimination;
Stand up against proposals to scapegoat immigrants, gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender people, and the poor;
Health
Fully fund AIDS research, prevention, health care and housing
initiatives;
Work with Congress to lift the ban on the use of federal funds for
syringe availability programs;
Families
Oppose efforts to deny foster care, adoption or custody of children
by
gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals;
Oppose further efforts to stigmatize or deny recognition of gay,
lesbian,
bisexual and transgender families;
Youth
Urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S.
Department of Education to address violence against youth, including gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth as a health and safety issue;
Oppose efforts to ban public schools from providing factual
information
on homosexuality;
Hate Crimes
Provide sufficient funds for a federally-led effort to assist local
communities in reducing hate crime violence;
Speak out against hate crimes, including crimes based on actual or
perceived sexual orientation;
The Military
Stop the questioning of orientation and the witch hunts of suspected
gay
service members;
Stop the lesbian-baiting of women who rebuff men's sexual advances or who
seek to report sexual harassment and abuse in the military.
As the President noted in his Inaugural speech, "[t]he promise of America
was
born in the 18th century out of the bold conviction that we are all created
equal." Unfortunately, for many Americans, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender individuals, that promise has not yet been fulfilled. Over the
next
four years, however, the President will have the opportunity to help make
this
dream of equality more of a reality for all Americans, regardless of our
race,
ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or gender
identity.
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