End Bigotry in Venango County: From the Berkshires to the Oil Region

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

From the Berkshires to the Oil Region

Submitted by Anon.

Similar to the Oil Region of Northwestern Pennsylvania, the Berkshire Region of Western Massachusetts is a post-industrial-age area rich in history, with glorious architecture and tremendous natural beauty.

Welcoming to all, including GLBT people, the Berkshire Region has become an incredible center of art and tourism.

Perhaps the story of one its towns, North Adams, remarkably similar to Oil City, could provide some inspiration:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Adams,_Massachusetts

http://www.morningsonmaplestreet.com/aboutnorthadams.html

PS - There is NO American Family Association affiliate opposing cultural or economic progress in Massachusetts.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: Well that about sums it up.

It's been shown over and again that communities that promote art and human diversity thrive.

These Republicans who pound on the Bible of Fiscal Conservatism ignore this basic fact.

If you are intolerant of people, it hurts business.

If your every word is an edict from God, no one wants to do business with you.; July 9, 2008 at 8:38 AM

Principles for Equality

FULL CIVIL RIGHTS GOALS

Being united by common principles and engaging in united action, we will strive to achieve the following goals:

1.DIGNITY AND EQUALITY. Every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person has inherent dignity and worth, and has the right to live free of discrimination and harassment.

2.FAMILY. Every LGBT person has the right to a family without legal barriers to immigration, civil marriage or raising children.

3.ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. Every LGBT person has the right to economic opportunity free from discrimination in employment, public housing, accommodation, public facilities, credit, and federally funded programs and activities.

4.EDUCATION. Every LGBT child and youth has the right to an education that is affirming, inclusive and free from bullying.

5.NATIONAL SECURITY. Every LGBT person should have the opportunity to serve our country openly and equally in our military and foreign service.

6.CRIME. Every LGBT person should enjoy life protected against bias crimes.

7.HEALTH CARE. Every person should have access to affordable, high quality, and culturally competent health care without discrimination.

The following eight guiding principles underlie our call to action. In order to achieve full civil rights now, we avow:

1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.

2.We will not leave any part of our community behind.

3.Separate is never equal.

4.Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights.

5.The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue.

6.Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged.

7.Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised.

8.Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.

CALL TO ACTION

1.We demand that government officials act now to achieve full civil rights without delay.

2.Our organizations and individuals need to develop a collaborative and revolutionary new organizing model that mobilizes millions of supporters through emerging web and phone technologies.

3.All LGBT individuals must accept personal responsibility to do everything within their power for equality and should get involved in the movement by volunteering, giving and being out.

4.We will hold elected officials and our organizations accountable for being transparent and achieving full civil rights by active participation when possible and active opposition when necessary.

5.Our allies need to be proactive in public support for full civil rights.

6.Every government measure that quantifies the US citizenry must permit LGBT individuals to self-identify and be counted in every way citizens are counted.

7.We demand that the media present LGBT lives in fair, accurate and objective ways that neither include nor give credence to unsubstantiated, discriminatory claims and opinions.

To join the growing chorus of Americans speaking in unison that now is the time to provide full civil rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens, CLICK HERE.

End Bigotry in Venango County

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

From the Berkshires to the Oil Region

1 comment:

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