Lay Led Groups Rainbow EqUUality Advocates
Hold the Date – Tues May 12th!
UUs Raise Their Voices in the Public Square
UUPLAN Lobby Day 2009
We will gather at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 118 State St., Harrisburg, from 10:30 to noon.
Two speakers will prepare us for our lobby visits: Jake Kaskey, policy and outreach coordinator for Equality Advocates PA (speaking on HB 300) and Barry Frieson, public affairs manager, Pennsylvania Public Health Access Network (PHAN).
We are asking those attending the lobby day to set up appointments with their legislators. The Capitol Switchboard (717-787-2121) can connect you with your representative and senator. If you need to research who these people are, you can do so at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/.
Urgency around HB300
State Rep. Jeff Pyle, R-Ford City, argues that homosexuality and gender orientation already are addressed in the Human Relations Act. "I would consider homosexuality a creed, and as such it's already protected," said Pyle. "I read (House Bill 300) as giving advantage to people who aren't heterosexual." Pyle said his offices have received more than 400 e-mails from constituents about the bill; he said only four are in favor.
State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, said he and his Butler County district agree with Pyle. "I think it's a direct attack on family values by people who just want to force their sinful choices on the rest of us," Metcalfe said. "I think for somebody to choose the lifestyle of a homosexual, that's their choice," he said. "This shouldn't be considered a civil right. These individuals want special rights.
Bolton Winpenny, a Central PA LGBT journalist, recently had a conversation with Susan Helm, a Republican who represents the area just north of Harrisburg. She said she believes HB 300 is well-intended, but she thinks the law is little more than a step toward same-sex marriage. She also fears that the law will have little to no effect. She receives e-mails 50 to 1 from her constituents asking her to vote NO on HB 300 because they fear it will lead to same-sex marriage.
Sheryl M. Delozier, another Republican from Central PA has told members of my congregation, “I don’t believe anyone should not be hired or fired based on their sexual preference. My concern is that this bill as written will have unintended consequences to our private religious institutions. It is not government’s role to mandate a private religious institution to hire an individual who is against the teachings of the institution.”
UUPLAN Board member, Tom DeWall talked with Rep. Dan Frankel (prime sponsor of HB 300) and his staff person, Gabe Speece. They are postponing a request to bring HB 300 out of the Appropriations Committee until they can secure more votes. Dan figures they will need around 12 Republicans because not all Democrats will support it. They hope to get the bill to the floor by June. When Tom told them of our planned lobby day May 12, they were glad to hear of it. They said the other side is working this issue hard. They will also be glad for any feedback we can give them about House members' responses. Although we are not likely to change the minds of folks like Pyle and Metcalfe, folks like Helm and Delozier need to hear from us. Tom believes meetings with moderate Republicans will be key.
Health Care
Tom also talked to Rep. Dan Frankel about the adultBasic expansion bill. It still has not been introduced. Dan said it is because of concerns about funding. It is probably tied up in the Governor's negotiations with legislators over the budget. More and more members of our congregations and families are now unemployed – we need to make sure representatives know our concerns about this issue as well!
For more information, contact Alanna Berger, alannaberger@hotmail.com
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Rainbow EqUUality Advocates (formerly Freedom to Marry) Lay Led Ministry was originally to educate ourselves, our congregation, and our community about all aspects of the right to marry, and explore ways to let it be known that this ministry supports the right of same sex couples to marry. However, in Pennsylvania, gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals currently lack equal rights in employment, lending, housing and public accommodations; in addition, only those lucky enough to have enlightened employers have access to health care benefits for domestic partners. Although we will continue to advocate for marriage equality, we must focus our efforts on equal rights in these crucial areas first.
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The decision to form such a Lay Led Ministry at UCH was inspired in part by the historical support of the UUA for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, and Transgendered persons (http://www.uua.org/news/2004/freedomtomarry/), the fact that the UCH is a Welcoming Congregation (http://www.uua.org/obgltc/wcp/wc1expln.html) and finally, President Sinkford's Freedom to Marry initiatives (http://www.uua.org/giving/ftmfund.html)
See us on YouTube!
View photos from the Freedom to Marry Rally in Harrisburg on Valentine's Day 2006!
View photos from Pridefest 2006!Visit Silent Witnesses of Central PA, or contact Alanna Berger if you would like to help.