HRC - Prop 8 Proponents Ask Supreme Court to Reverse Ninth Circuit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2012

Prop 8 Proponents Ask Supreme Court to Reverse Ninth Circuit

Petition Seeks to Preserve Discrimination Against Gay and Lesbian Couples in California

Washington – Today, the proponents of California’s Proposition 8, the amendment to the California Constitution that stripped marriage equality from loving, committed gay and lesbian couples, formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the February decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Perry v. Brown holding that the amendment violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws. The Perry case was brought by the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER).


Yesterday, HRC highlighted tax documents that demonstrate the millions of dollars the proponents have spent, through the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund, in a losing effort to preserve this discriminatory measure. 


“Despite losses in two federal courts and millions of dollars wasted, the proponents of Proposition 8 persist in their effort to hurt California families,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “Even if the Supreme Court decides to review the Ninth Circuit’s decision, I am confident that they will come to the same conclusion as the judges, appointed by Democrats and Republicans, who have heard the case before them: Prop 8 simply cannot stand.” Griffin is the co-founder of AFER and remains a board member.


The U.S Supreme Court is expected to decide this fall whether it will hear arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 8.


READ AFER’s PRESS RELEASE HERE:  http://www.afer.org/media/u-s-supreme-court-asked-to-hear-proposition-8-case/

READ PROPONENTS’ PETITION FOR CERTIORARI HERE: www.afer.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2012-07-31-Proponents-Petition-for-Certiorari.pdf

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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HRC - Marriage Equality to Be Included in Democratic Party Platform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 30, 2012

Marriage Equality to Be Included in Democratic Party Platform

Party platform drafting committee unanimously approves language endorsing marriage equality

Washington – Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded the Democratic Party platform drafting committee for approving language that adds support for marriage equality to the Party’s platform.  The language must now be ratified by the full platform committee and then by the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this September.


“Like Americans from all walks of life, the Democratic Party has recognized that committed and loving gay and lesbian couples deserve the right to have their relationships respected as equal under the law,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “I believe that one day very soon the platforms of both major parties will include similar language on this issue. There is no more American value than honoring and protecting one’s family.”


Support for marriage equality has risen quickly and consistently over the last decade, with 53 percent of Americans now supporting marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.  According to a recent Gallup poll, 70 percent of young voters aged 18-34 support marriage equality and a Public Religion Research Institute poll puts support at 49 percent among younger Republicans (Millenials).  58 percent of all Independent voters support marriage for gays and lesbians, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll. 


On Friday, HRC’s Legislative Director Allison Herwitt testified before the committee, advocating for the inclusion of language in the platform that supported marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, as well as other pro-LGBT equality issues.  Sources within the Party, including Rep. Barney Frank, who sits on the Party platform drafting committee, have stated that the language was adopted after a unanimous vote.


The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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HRC Protests Chick-fil-A Food Truck

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2012

HRC Protests Chick-fil-A Food Truck

Dozens of equality supporters amass outside of downtown D.C. food truck to protest Chick-fil-A’s anti-LGBT donations

Washington – The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization – staged a protest outside of a Chick-fil-A food truck in downtown Washington, D.C. today. Nearly 30 HRC supporters gathered in front of the food truck to pass out fact sheets to customers and raise awareness about the millions of dollars the company has donated to anti-LGBT organizations.


Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy has embraced his fast food chain’s anti-LGBT discriminatory donations, declaring “guilty as charged” when questioned about them in a recent interview and even saying that supporting marriage equality was akin to “inviting God’s judgment on our nation.”


“HRC is sending a loud and clear message to Chick-fil-A: we will not rest until your consumers know that you take their money and hand it over to groups that actively work to demonize LGBT people,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “Consumers should have all the facts about Chick-fil-A’s anti-LGBT history, and then make informed decisions about whether they want to continue to support a business that proudly touts its connections to discriminatory groups. Organizations and elected officials from the Jim Henson Company to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino have already spoken out against Chick-fil-A’s practices – we look forward to hearing other fair-minded companies and organizations follow suit.”


Late last week, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino released a letter explaining why he could not support Chick-fil-A in his city; Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel soon followed suit and agreed that Chick-fil-A’s discriminatory practices didn’t have a place in Chicago. The Jim Henson Company also has severed business ties with Chick-fil-A.


Pictures from today’s protest are available via HRC’s Flickr stream.


The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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WCMH - NBC - Short North Businesses Raided For Bath Salts, Synthetic Drugs

Agents execute six raids in a bath salt investigation, including three Short North-area businesses.

The story is here

COLUMBUS, Ohio --

Agents execute six raids in a bath salt investigation, including three Short North-area businesses.

The Garden, The Chamber, and The Joint, all along North High Street were raided Wednesday morning.

Law enforcement told NBC4 that the businesses are allegedly selling bath salts, synthetic cocaine and synthetic marijuana.

NBC4's Mike Bowersock reported that Thomas Smith was arrested Wednesday morning. He owns three of the businesses involved.

Smith was charged with a felony count of permitting drug abuse.

Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott referred to the businesses as head shops, and said he is trying to get the stores closed as a public nuisance.

The three other locations targeted include a home, the S&K Market at 127 E. 5^th St., and Lefthand Distribution LLC at 6969 Worthington-Galena Rd.

The raids are being conducted by the sheriff's office, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Italian Villagers - "Don't Get Towed" flyering volunteers needed!

"Don't Get Towed" flyering volunteers needed! Italian Villagers, Street sweeping in our neighborhood will occur Wednesday, August 15, and Tuesday, August 21. In preparation, we will put reminder flyers on cars on Sunday, August 12. I am looking for some volunteers who are able to place flyers on car windshields that morning before 10 AM. We aim for that time-frame because most cars are still parked. The time commitment would be approximately 1 hour, and you choose exactly when that morning you flyer your assigned area. Please let them know if you are interested by emailing me at italianvillage@shortnorthblockwatch.org by this Friday at 12PM.

YouTube: "8": A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality

Streamed live on Mar 3, 2012 by AmericanEqualRights

Featuring an all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Kevin Bacon and others, "8" is a play written by Academy Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and directed by acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner. It is a powerful account of the case filed by the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) in the U.S. District Court in 2010 to overturn Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that eliminated the rights of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. Framed around the trial's historic closing arguments in June 2010, 8 provides an intimate look what unfolded when the issue of same-sex marriage was on trial.

American Foundation for Equal Rights
Website: http://www.AFER.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanEqualRights
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/after

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World at Goodale Park Friday Night

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World at Goodale Park Friday Night Help us kick off the 4th season of Screen on the Green tomorrow evening with "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." The movie begins at sundown on a 30-foot screen at the softball diamond in the Southwest corner of the park, and will be preceded by a half hour of classic cartoons.  Tweet And Go Seek will host a scavenger hunt in the park before the film, with seven hidden collectible art tiles in honor of the film's Seven Evil Exes. Those who find the tiles will win prizes from local businesses. Follow @tweetandgoseek on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for details. Food trucks will sell refreshments, as organized by Food Fort Columbus.  Remember to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and flashlights.  There are no rain dates.  Screen on the Green is made possible through organization and major funding by the Short North Civic Association, with additional funding by the Short North Foundation, Gateway Film Center and ComFest. RSVP Here on Facebook We're also showing "Steel Magnolias" on Aug. 17th, and "The Sound of Music" on Sept. 21st.  More information can be found online at facebook.com/shortnorthcivic/events              The Colors Run through the Short North When: This Saturday, July 21st, 9am-Noon. What: A 5K walk/run where participants wear white shirts and organizers throw brightly colored powder at the walkers at four color stations (powder is a safe corn starch product) Where: From Arena District, North on Park, West on Buttles, North on Dennison through Victorian Village to 4th, then East to and South along High Street to Downtown (see map for details) Estimated Attendance: 12,000-15,000 Parking and Traffic Flow will be affected: ·  All vehicular traffic within the defined loop will be halted while walkers remain on the course. Victorian Village residents within the loop will not be able to exit the loop until the walkers have passed (most likely 9AM to 11AM). ·  The west-most two lanes of High Street will be closed for the walkers ·  The east-most lane will remain available for parking ·  The two remaining center lanes will be split with one traveling south and the other north ·  All traffic heading north from downtown will be diverted east or west prior to reaching Spring Street ·  Parking lots on the west side of High Street will not be accessible from 9AM to noon ·  ** Note: all employees or delivery trucks wishing to park or make deliveries on the west side of High must plan to do so either prior to 8:45AM or after noon Organizers will follow the last participant with a street sweeper and power washer to clean up the dust. For More information, visit their Website, Facebook or Youtube Short North Summer & Sidewalk Sale This once-a-year event showcases shops from the entire shopping district that are slashing their prices to move older inventory ahead of new fall merchandise. The summer sale runs Friday thru Sunday (July 20-22), highlighted by the Super Sidwalk Sale, Saturday 9am-2pm Visit the Facebook Event Page, follow deals on Twitter @ShortNorth #SidewalkSale and online at www.shortnorth.org July SNCA Meeting Please join us on this evening, Thursday, July 19th, 7-8pm at the Goodale Park Shelter House Caretaker's Residence as we resume our regularly scheduled monthly meetings, open to area residents and businesses interested in learning about and taking an active role in their neighborhood's ongoing development, issues and programming. Become a member of the Short North Civic Association The SNCA welcomes all area homeowners, renters, business owners, and employees to become members. Annual SNCA memberships cost $25 for individuals, $50 per household, and $75 for businesses. They can be purchased by visiting the link below.  JOIN TODAY!

Besa Launches in Columbus: Dynamic Searching & $1,000 for your Columbus cause!

Besa Launches in Columbus: Dynamic Searching & $1,000 for your Columbus cause!

Besa is Live!

The first phase of Besa is now live! If you are associated with a Franklin County nonprofit, log in and claim your organization's profile! We're giving away a $1,000 donation to a participating charity.

More on Besa 

We are a non-profit organization devoted to promoting social welfare in Columbus, OH, with a focus on the younger segments of our community.  Our goal is to bring a new level of social engagement to the people and organizations that make up our vibrant city. We accomplish this by means of an easily searchable and interactive website that connects people to causes and organizations.  Key features include:

• A dynamic database of 1,600 Columbus based charities
• Profiles of causes and their impact on the community at large
• A feedback tool that empowers donors, volunteers, advocates and benefactors to share personal experiences of community engagement.
• Volunteer opportunities via a partnership with the HandsOn Central Ohio.

Click here to update your nonprofit profile.


Like Besa on Facebook

Site Invents Moving Pro-LGBT Obama Speech for 'Legalize Love' Campaign

LegalizeLove.com is attempting to give away 100,000 pro-Obama bumper stickers.

The advocate story is here

A good message is one that sticks. And that's the case with new "Legalize Love" bumper stickers touting Obama's reelection and his support for marriage equality.

A group plans to giveaway 100,000 free "Legalize Love" bumper stickers via its website with the "o" in "love" replaced by the Obama 2012 campaign logo.

To promote the giveaway, the website produced a video spot that edits together excerpts about LGBT rights from Obama's speeches. The final product sounds like a powerful stump speech that the president hasn't actually delivered. And lesbian and gay couples from all walks of life recite it in unison with him.

The first 10,000 bumper stickers are already accounted for, and the founders hope to raise money for more — which includes a word makeover for "Legalize Love" tank tops, wristbands with "Love" printed on them, and buttons with the message, "I do support marriage equality."

“The President is sticking up for our families and our free 'Legalize Love' Obama bumper stickers are our way of literally ‘sticking up’ for him in this tight election,” said Eduardo Cisneros, who co-directed the video spot with his boyfriend Luke Montgomery. “The LegalizeLove.com website and campaign video are our way of saying ‘I do’ to his re-election. It’s all about bumpers for Barack.”

Columbus Dispatch - Home sales in Columbus area, Ohio up in June

By  Jacob Kanclerz

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday July 19, 2012 1:02 PM

The story is here

Home sales in the Columbus area and Ohio as a whole ticked upward again in June. 

Sales statewide last month numbered 11,246, up 10.6 percent from June 2011 sales of 10,165, according to the Ohio Association of Realtors. 

The 12-month sales increase streak was the first since December 2004 to November 2005, said Robert Miller, president of the Ohio Association of Realtors. 

“It’s apparent that we’ve begun to overcome the challenges stemming from the economic collapse of 2008 and have made strides in building a solid foundation for having a sustainable, growing marketplace going forward,” he said in a statement. 

In central Ohio, home sales reached 2,429, 18.1 percent higher than June 2011 totals of 2,056. Sales for the first six months this year were up 10.2 percent to 10,473 from 9,507 during the same period last year. 

Home prices rose as well. 

In central Ohio, the median price of a home sold in June was $155,250, 15 percent higher than the June 2011 median price of $135,000. 

The number of homes up for sale, 12,053, is at its lowest total since 2003, according to the Columbus Board of Realtors. 

“With the steady decrease in inventory over the last two years, and increased buyer interest, we’re back to more balanced market levels,” said Jim Coridan, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors, in a news release today. 

Realtors expect the sales surge to continue, recent surveys show. 

According to the Housing Market Confidence Index, a survey put out by the Ohio Association of Realtors, 87 percent of Ohio Realtors who responded have moderate to strong expectations for the market in the next six months. 

For central Ohio, 96 percent of local Realtors have moderate to strong expectations for the market in the next six months. 

Columbus Dispatch - Graffiti mars recently repaired Goodale Park fountain

The story is here

By  Mark Ferenchik  and  Rebecca McKinsey

Tuesday July 17, 2012 3:20 PM

The tagger who hit the Goodale Park fountain Monday night or Tuesday morning was trying to be clever: “Marriage is for people who never forget??” 

First, the fountain resembles a concrete wedding cake. Second, two elephants grace the top. 

It was signed “Scottsdale Yonkler.” 

The graffiti mars some good news for park enthusiasts. The pond finally seems to be holding water after its latest fix, following 10 futile months when nothing seemed to work. The leak had plagued the pond since the Friends of Goodale Park installed the fountain. 

City workers removed the tags today. 

That’s not the only notable city landmark that has been marred recently. 

On July 8, taggers hit the mural of birds in the underpass beneath Indianola Avenue in the Glen Echo ravine area. 

The mural of blue jays, chickadees and cardinals that Short North artist Clint Davidson painstakingly created was, ironically, designed to thwart graffiti. 

“It is definitely disappointing but it’s not totally surprising,” said Tim Lai, a local architect and co-founder of ALTernative, the local nonprofit neighborhood-improvement group that commissioned the mural. 

His group cleaned up the tags two days later. 

ALTernative paid for the repairs. But if this continues, Lai said the group might have to raise more money to keep up with taggers. 

“We do talk about installing some kind of security camera ... to help discourage people,” Lai said. 

In 2007, the city trained two temporary security cameras into the underpass to try to nab taggers in the act. 

HRC Statement on Boy Scouts’ Refusal to Revisit Anti-Gay Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2012

Paul Guequierre

HRC Statement on Boy Scouts’ Refusal to Revisit Anti-Gay Policy

WASHINGTON – Leaders of the Boy Scouts of America today affirmed their ban on gay scouts and leaders after conducting a secret two-year review.  Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin released the following statement in response:


“This is a missed opportunity of colossal proportions.  With the country moving toward inclusion, the leaders of the Boy Scouts of America have instead sent a message to young people that only some of them are valued.  These adults could have taught the next generation of leaders the value of respect, yet they’ve chosen to teach division and intolerance.”


The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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CBS - Obama sings "Happy Birthday" to supporter in Ohio (Adam Hoover)

The story is here

(CBS News) Nodding to his venue, President Obama on Monday led an Ohio crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to a supporter during a campaign event at the Cincinnati Music Hall.

"I have to tell you, there's no concert tonight," the president told the audience at the beginning of his town hall. "Michelle has told me I should not be singing in public all the time," he continued, but gesturing to a newly 18-year-old supporter named Adam in the audience, added, "It's 'Happy Birthday!'" He then proceeded to lead the audience in song - in what sounded to be slightly higher than his preferred vocal range.

As the audience applauded after the spontaneous ballad, the president remarked, "There was a concert after all!" 

His crooning comes the same day as a new Romney campaign web video pokes fun at the president's last high-profile singing moment, when he sang "Let's Stay Together" at the Apollo back in January, accusing Mr. Obama of "political payoffs" at the expense of the middle class.

And Romney's video comes on the heels of an Obama campaign TV ad that uses Romney's rendition of "America the Beautiful" as the background to criticize the Republican's offshore assets and connection to Bain Capital, which outsourced jobs out of the U.S.

Columbus Dispatch - 'Glee' star Chris Colfer to visit The Book Loft

'Glee' star Chris Colfer to visit The Book Loft in Columbus

By: Susannah Elliott

The Columbus Dispatch - July 13, 2012 09:43 AM

The story is here

Chris Colfer, who plays Kurt Hummel on Fox's Glee, has been pretty busy outside of starring in one of the most popular shows on TV.

Colfer also stars in the upcoming movie Struck By Lightning, which he wrote and produced, and recently adapted a pilot for the Disney Channel. But he'll be visiting The Book Loft in German Village at 7 p.m. on July 28 to promote his first children's book, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.

Colfer will be signing copies of his book, which fans must preorder for a ticket to the event. The Book Loft is a cramped, maze-like shop, so space will be limited, and fans probably should act quickly.


Books and event tickets can be preordered by calling The Book Loft at 614-464-1774.

Notes from The Book Loft:

Each customer is limited to 3 signed copies.

Chris is autographing only. There will be no personalizations. 

Only his book will be autographed. Sorry, no Glee memorabilia.

Posed photographs with Chris are not permitted and should not be requested.

ODP Chairman Applauds Selection of Governor Strickland to Head Democrats' National Platform Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2012

Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern Applauds Selection of Governor Strickland to Head Democrats' National Platform Committee

Strickland to Chair Platform Drafting Committee for National Convention

COLUMBUS, OHIO - In response to the selection of former Governor Ted Strickland as Chair of the Platform Drafting Committee tasked with writing the Democratic Party’s national platform, Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern released the following statement:

“Ted Strickland personifies the principles of the Democratic Party and is a perfect choice to represent the interests and values of hard working men and women all over the country as we draw closer to our national convention in Charlotte. As Governor, Strickland laid the foundation to help launch Ohio’s recovery nearly two and a half years ago, showing that we can be successful while standing up for the rights and economic opportunity of working families, women, the lgbt community, minorities, and everyone in between.

"As the President’s national campaign co-chairman, former Governor Ted Strickland has continued to travel the country and the state of Ohio, pressing the case why we must re-elect Barack Obama to secure a future where hard work pays off and everyone gets a fair shot. In my opinion, there is no one better prepared to draft our Party's platform and communicate Democrats' commitment to the people of America than Ted Strickland.”

BACKGROUND FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE:


The Platform Drafting Committee will be chaired by former Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio. Named to serve as members on the committee are former U.S. Representative Tony Coelho, Tino Cuellar, U.S. Representative Barney Frank, Donna Harris-Aikens, Colin Kahl, Nancy Keenan, Heather Kendall Miller, Thea Lee, U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, Susan Ness, Mayor Michael Nutter, Carlos Odio, former U.S. Representative Robert Wexler and Christen Young. Serving as ex-officio members are Governor Deval Patrick, DNC Secretary Alice Germond, and Tom Wheeler.

The Committee is accepting requests to testify and written testimony via online portal at www.democrats.org/platform. All submissions must be received prior to 5pm EST on Friday, July, 20, 2012 and will be provided to the Drafting Committee.

The full Platform Committee will meet August 10-12, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. At this meeting, members will discuss the draft Platform and will have the opportunity to submit new proposed amendments to the draft, which need to be approved by a majority of the Committee voting and present. The Platform will then be presented to Convention delegates in Charlotte.

For more information: http://www.democrats.org/news/press/democratic_national_committee_and_obama_for_america_announce_2012_conventio

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Columbus Dispatch - Refilled pond at Goodale Park holding water

Refilled pond at Goodale Park holding water

By  Pamela Engel

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday July 12, 2012 7:14 AM

The story is here

After 10 frustrating months of ruined weddings, spoiled photographs and finger-pointing, the leaky pond at Goodale Park seems to be holding water.

“It was embarrassing that it was drained for as long as it was,” said Jacob Sternberg, a 37-year-old banker who lives nearby and visits the park a few times a week.

City Recreation and Parks officials and volunteers say they have finally conquered the leak that has troubled the pond since the Friends of Goodale Park had a 750,000-pound fountain installed last year.

In April, the city spent $144,600 to line the bottom of the pond with a clay called bentonite in hopes of stopping the leak.

When that didn’t work, Friends of Goodale Park stepped in and paid Procon Professional Construction Services $8,500 to install a rubberized lining around the base of the fountain last month.

The pond was filled from a fire hydrant on June 29 and seems to be holding, said Terri Leist, a recreation and parks spokeswoman.

For now, the fountain, topped by two elephants that spout water, remains dry.Leist said the city is working with a contractor to increase the amount of water pumped once the fountain is turned on.

Sternberg questioned whether the fountain was even worth it in the first place. “It’s very bland and boring-looking. There’s no color,” he said.

Liam Curran, a 26-year-old teaching assistant from Bexley, sympathized with city officials and park volunteers.

“It’s frustrating for them, I’m sure, just like it’s frustrating for us.”

On Tuesday afternoon, the water level was several inches below the top edge of the pond. The recent heat caused some water to evaporate, Leist said.

Officials still aren’t sure exactly what the source of the leak was, however, she said.

SAGE and HRC Applaud the Obama Administration for Taking Steps to Improve the Health of all Older Americans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2012
HRC Contact: Paul Guequierre
SAGE Contact: Judy Evans

Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) and HRC Applaud the Obama Administration for Taking Steps to Improve the Health of all Older Americans

The Administration on Aging announces it will issue guidance to the Aging Network allowing them to define populations of greatest social need based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

[Washington, DC] The Administration on Aging (AoA) today announced that it would release important new guidance that empowers AoA-funded aging providers to consider lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults as a population of “greatest social need”—paving the way for increased services that can significantly improve their health and well-being. The Human Rights Campaign and Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) partnered to urge AoA to provide this guidance.


"SAGE applauds this critically important step taken by the Administration on Aging to recognize that LGBT older people have acute needs and to ensure that services are available to meet those needs," said Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE. "We look forward to working with the Administration on Aging to continue to improve the availability of appropriate services to LGBT elders across the country."


“This step brings much-needed attention to the unique needs of LGBT older adults, and the urgent actions we must all take to preserve their dignity,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “AoA’s actions today are a crucial step toward ensuring that this generation has equal access to the services and resources that they deserve.  HRC applauds AoA for its leadership, and we will look forward to working with them through implementation.”


The FAQ guidance clarifies that the current definition of “greatest social need” in the Older Americans Act—the country's leading vehicle for funding and delivering services to older people nationwide—allows communities to identify populations in their service area that experience isolation for cultural, social or geographic reasons.  The guidance provides specific examples of these populations, including increased need based on sexual orientation and gender identity.


LGBT older adults are at an increased risk for social isolation, experience poor health and health access, and face higher poverty rates than other seniors. Despite this increased need, this group is less likely to seek federal assistance and healthcare due to actual and perceived discrimination.  This FAQ guidance allows the aging networks that serve LGBT older adults and receive AoA funding to consider this vulnerable population as one with a “greatest social need.”  This designation will encourage Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to include LGBT older adults when prioritizing funding, engaging in outreach, evaluating unmet needs and collecting data.


This announcement is the latest action taken by the AoA to address LGBT elders’ unique needs. In January 2010, SAGE received a historic grant from the Administration on Aging to establish the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging (lgbtagingcenter.org), the country’s only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to LGBT older adults. With a wealth of multimedia resources for aging providers, the National Resource Center will be a key resource for AAAs as they implement the guidance.

• Read the announcement from the Administration on Aging: [URL]
• Learn more about the Older Americans Act and LGBT older adults: www.sageusa.org/oaapolicybrief
• Read HRC’s Issue Brief on aging issues: www.hrc.org/resources/entry/hrc-issue-brief-aging

SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older adults and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT older people, and provides training for aging providers and LGBT organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. With offices in New York City, Washington, DC and Chicago, SAGE coordinates a growing network of 23 local SAGE affiliates in 17 states and the District of Columbia. 


Learn more at sageusa.org and lgbtagingcenter.org.


The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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