Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth: Current News
http://ligaly.org/news.php
2012-01-04T16:11:57+01:00
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2012-01-04T17:11:57+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
2012 LI GLBT Conference Registration Opens
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=187
Community members can now register for the 17th Annual Long Island GLBT Conference taking place on March 15, 2012 at Stony Brook University. The theme of this year's Conference is “Speak Up, Speak Out: End the Violence of Silence.”
<img width="250" vspace="4" height="125" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/2012-Conference-Logo-(with-date).jpg" alt="" />Registration is now open for the 2012 Long Island GLBT Conference on March 15th at Stony Brook University. Early bird rates of $10 for students, $50 for adults and $20 for seniors will be available until February 16th.<br />
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The annual Long Island GLBT Conference is Long Island’s only GLBT-specific conference that seeks to educate and empower students, educators, health and human service providers, and other members of the community to address the needs of GLBT people throughout the lifespan in their schools and communities.<br />
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The theme of the 17th Annual Long Island GLBT Conference is “Speak Up, Speak Out: End the Violence of Silence.” The purpose of this theme is to empower attendees to give voice to ending the bullying, harassment, violence, lack of GLBT-inclusive sexual health education, and the lack of inclusion of GLBT people face. Attendees will gain information and skills to implement strategies that create safer, healthier and more equitable learning, living, and working environments for GLBT people.<br />
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<div align="right"><a target="_blank" href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/Ticketing?view=Tickets&id=100341&JServSessionIdr004=vyspso3s43.app334b"><strong>Register for The Conference >></strong></a><br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=351"><strong>Read the workshop descriptions >></strong></a></div>
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2012-01-04T17:08:04+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
New in 2012: Pride in the Arts
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=188
The Network is kicking off 2012 with a new initiative to bring GLBT themed creative arts to Long Island and promote emerging GLBT artists — Pride in the Arts (PITA).
<img width="250" vspace="4" hspace="6" height="163" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/PITAenews.png" alt="" /><a href="http://liglbtnetwork.org/content.php?pgID=902"><strong>Pride in the Arts (PITA)</strong></a> is a new initiative for The Network with a dual purpose. First, it aims to foster and promote new and emerging GLBT artists by featuring their work to a community of peers, with the aim of establishing or increasing their following and notoriety. <br />
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Second, the program provides increased access to GLBT-themed and -produced art and exposure to various creative disciplines for the broader GLBT community of Long Island. <br />
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Through a series of regular openings, performances and exhibitions throughout the year, PITA will increase on-site and off-site opportunities for community members interested in the arts and establish an important means of support for GLBT artists and The Network. <br />
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If you are interested in learning more about Pride in the Arts, or would like to be involved in upcoming PITA programming, please contact Craig Wiley, Director of Community Initiatives, at cwiley@liglbtnetwork.org or 516.323.0011 x 108.
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2012-01-03T18:47:43+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Network CEO Responds to Anti-Gay Rick Perry Ad
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=186
Network CEO David Kilmnick was recently on New 12 Long Island to respond to Rick Perry's anti-gay ad released ahead of the Iowa primary.
Last month, Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry released <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAJNntoRgA"><strong>an ad in Iowa</strong></a> criticizing the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and suggested that it was a part of a "war on religion." The Network's CEO, David Kilmnick was interviewed by News 12 to provide his perspective. Watch the clip below:<br />
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2011-11-09T17:17:46+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth joins Combined Federal Campaign
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=185
Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) is proud to partner with the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) offering a way for government employees to support the GLBT community.
<img width="200" hspace="8" height="109" align="right" alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/cfc.jpg" /> <strong>CFC</strong> is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign. The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. <br />
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If the postal service, Federal government, or military employs you, a friend, family member, or your colleagues, your donations can be directly routed to our organization to help provide invaluable resources to so many young people on Long Island.<br />
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Make your pledge through the CFC today by selecting CFC #35699.<br />
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2011-10-31T16:20:06+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
LIGALY Launches Long Island Gay Parent Teacher Association
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=184
LIGALY's ground breaking new initiative, the Long Island Gay Parent Teacher Association was featured in Newsday on October 31st, 2011
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2011-10-27T20:42:17+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Best Buy Children's Foundation Supports Technology and a Safe Space for GLBT Youth
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=183
Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) received a $6,000 grant from Best Buy Children’s Foundation in support of LIGALY’s CyberCenter.
<img width="311" hspace="5" height="220" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/BBCF_logo_3.jpg" alt="" />LIGALY's CyberCenter is a 12-station computer center located within The Center at Bay Shore that provides a safe space for GLBT youth to access computers and the Internet, and help youth build life skills around technology. With these skills, youth will be better prepared for college and/or employment, and subsequently have a greater likelihood of overall success in life. This includes a higher likelihood of a attaining a college degree and obtaining higher earnings.<br />
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Read more about LIGALY’s CyberCenter <strong><a href="javascript:void(0);/*1319743808367*/">here</a>.</strong> LIGALY thanks Best Buy Children’s Foundation for its support!
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2011-09-01T03:17:51+01:00
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Network Signs Lease for Nassau Center
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=182
The Long Island GLBT Services Network will be opening a second GLBT Community Center on Garden City this October.
<font size="2" face="Arial"><a href="/content.php?pgID=824"><img width="250" vspace="8" hspace="8" height="286" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/SideImage.jpg" alt="" /></a>It is with great pleasure to announce that The Long Island GLBT Services Network will be opening a GLBT community center in Nassau County - <em><strong>The Center at Garden City! </strong></em><br />
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The Center at Garden City is an 8,800 square-foot suite within a modern glass building adjacent to Roosevelt Field Mall on Ring Road. This new facility will support an expansion of services for the GLBT community and their families, and also serve as Long Island's second GLBT community center. <br />
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The Center at Garden City will complement The Center at Bay Shore, which has served as Long Island's only GLBT community center for the past 16 years and will continue to serve GLBT communities living in Suffolk County. <strong>With the need for services increasing exponentially (500% over the last 10 years), The Network needs the support of people like you to open and sustain The Center at Garden City.</strong><br />
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The Center at Garden City will:<br />
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<li><font size="2" face="Arial">Allow the Network to expand its work to end homophobia and transphobia on Long Island, provide a home and a safe space for Long Island's GLBT community, and to advocate for equality.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial">Provide another safe space for GLBT youth, and empower more GLBT and straight-ally youth to create change in their schools and communities.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial">Build a larger and more accessible community for GLBT adults and families through social, cultural, arts and health programming.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial">Provide GLBT seniors ages 50+ with even more activities that build supportive networks.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial">Make the services provided by LIGALY, The Center and SAGE-LI accessible to tens of thousands of more people.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial">The opening of The Center at Garden City makes The Network only one of three GLBT community centers nationally to operate multiple service sites thereby marking a significant milestone in the GLBT community center movement. Additionally, The Network is the 6th largest GLBT community center in the country with respect to annual budget and number of staff. </font></li>
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The Center at Garden City will officially open in October 2011, and we will be spending the next two months renovating and transforming the space into a state-of-the-art facility for Long Island’s GLBT community – <strong><a href="/content.php?pgID=827">you can see a floor plan here.</a></strong> However, we cannot do this without your help. <br />
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Please join The Campaign for Nassau County today so that the GLBT community, especially youth, have access to a safe and supportive space. There are four ways that you can join and provide support:<br />
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<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><a href="/content.php?pgID=835"><strong>Sponsor a Room</strong></a> – Support The Center at Garden City by sponsoring a room within the new facility. Your sponsorship will be recognized with a plaque featuring your name. </font><strong><a href="/content.php?pgID=835"><br />
Learn more about naming opportunities>></a></strong><br />
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<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1720&1720.donation=form1">Become a Sustaining Donor</a></strong> – Sustaining Donors make a minimum $50 monthly donation, with total gifts ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.<br />
</font><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1720&1720.donation=form1"><strong>Become a sustaining donor now>></strong></a><br />
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<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1724&1724.donation=form1"><strong>The $33.33 Program</strong></a> – The Network seeks 250 committed people to donate just $33.33 per month for 30 months, for a total contribution of $1,000 towards The Center at Garden City. This group of 250 donors will collectively help to raise $250,000!</font><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1724&1724.donation=form1"><strong><br />
Join the $33.33 program>>
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<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1740&1740.donation=form1"><strong>Make a One-Time Donation</strong></a> – Every dollar helps us keep the doors of The Center at Garden City open</font><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1740&1740.donation=form1">.<br />
<strong>Make a one-time donation now>></strong></a><br />
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</strong>Please join The Campaign for Nassau County today to make our services and programs accessible to more GLBT people and their families. If you have any questions, please contact the Development Department at 631.665.2300.</font><br />
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Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to seeing you at our Grand Opening in October!
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2011-09-01T03:17:34+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Long Island High School Refuses to Allow Student to Bring Same-Sex Date to Prom
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=177
A Long Island school is discriminating against one of its students by refusing to allow her to bring a same-sex date to the schools senior prom.
<strong>May 16, 2011<br />
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
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Contact:<br />
</strong>James Fallarino, Public Affairs Director<br />
Office: 631.665.2300<br />
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<div align="center"><font size="4"><strong>The Worst Bullies of Them All: </strong><br />
<strong>Long Island High School Refuses to Allow Student to Bring Same-Sex Date to Prom</strong></font><br />
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Bay Shore, NY - Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) is outraged about blatant discrimination that is taking place at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic High School in Huntington, NY. The school is discriminating against one of its students by refusing to allow her to bring a same-sex date to the schools senior prom. Angelina Lange is a senior at St. Anthony’s and first approached her school principal about bringing her girlfriend to the school’s prom back in March. After repeated conversations with the principal and other school administrators, her request was denied based on what the school considers to be inconsistent with it’s Catholic teachings. <br />
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“It’s absolutely ludicrous and really insane of the school to be doing that,” said David Kilmnick, Chief Executive Officer of LIGALY. “It’s blatant discrimination. That’s not what any place of faith should be doing. It’s destructive and it’s discriminatory.” Kilmnick continued, “We have to put an end to all discrimination and all bullying, bullying in this instance is done by the adults and the school administrators—and they need to be held just as accountable and liable as we would hold the young students who would do this.”<br />
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Since 2001, LIGALY has hosted a prom for GLBT young people and their friends to attend without fear of discrimination or bullying. This year’s prom will be held on Thursday, June 16th at The Thatched Cottage in Centerport. <a href="/content.php?pgID=775 "><strong>Click here to learn more about the LIGALY Prom.</strong></a><br />
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“As long as GLBT students like Angelina continue to face discrimination by their schools or do not feel safe attending their own prom, we will make sure that GLBT youth on Long Island have a space to mark this important rite of passage with pride in their identities,” said Kilmnick. <br />
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<div align="center">Founded in 1993, Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest organizations solely dedicated to serving the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students, their families and their support systems. LIGALY’s innovative programs work to end homophobia on Long Island, provide a home and a safe space for GLBT youth, and advocate for equality.<br />
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2011-09-01T03:15:33+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Meet the New LIGALY Staff
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=175
LIGALY recently brought on five new staff members for its HIV, STD and sexual health programming.
With new programs that work to address HIV, STD's and other sexual health needs for GLBT young people, LIGALY recently brought on four new staff members. They include:<br />
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<img width="80" height="105" align="left" src="/images/uploads/Image/MikeC.jpg" alt="" /><strong>Michael Chiappone, LMSW</strong><br />
Director of Prevention and Youth Services<br />
<a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=776"><strong>Read Michael's Bio</strong></a><br />
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<strong><img width="80" height="105" align="left" src="/images/uploads/Image/Lambert.jpg" alt="" /> Lambert Liu</strong><br />
HIV Prevention Case Manager<br />
<a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=752"><strong> Read Lambert's Bio</strong></a><br />
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<strong><img width="80" height="110" align="left" alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/KimM.jpg" />Kimmberly Marrero</strong><br />
Pride Empowerment Project Coordinator - Suffolk County<br />
<a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=772"><strong> Read Kimmberly's Bio</strong></a><br />
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<strong><img width="80" height="112" align="left" alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/geneat.jpg" />Genéa Thomas</strong><br />
Pride Empowerment Project Coordinator - Nassau County<br />
<a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=773"><strong> Read Genéa's Bio</strong></a><br />
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<img width="80" height="107" align="left" src="/images/uploads/Image/LeeT.jpg" alt="" /><strong>Lee Thorpe, Jr.</strong><br />
Program Assistant<br />
<a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=774"><strong>Read Lee's Bio</strong><br />
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2011-09-01T03:15:19+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Rally at Sen. Skelos
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=181
<font size="2" face="Arial">Long Island Gay Community Demands
 Vote on Marriage Equality Act </font><font size="2"><br />
<em><font face="Arial">Rally at Senate Majority Leader’s LI Office – June 24th at 12:30pm</font></em></font>
<font face="Arial"><font size="3"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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June 24, 2011</strong></font><br />
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Contact: David Kilmnick, PhD, MSW, Chief Executive Officer, 631-665-2300<br />
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<div align="center"><font face="Arial"><strong><font size="4">Long Island Gay Community Demands
 Vote on Marriage Equality Act </font></strong></font><br />
<em><font face="Arial"><strong><font size="4">Rally at Senate Majority Leader’s LI Office – June 24th at 12:30pm</font></strong></font></em></div>
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<p class="NoParagraphStyle" style="line-height:normal;mso-hyphenate:none"><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong>Bay Shore, NY - </strong>Get to business and take the vote: Long Island same-sex marriage advocates are tired of waiting for the Senate to take action and will demand that the New York State Senate bring the Marriage Equality Act to a vote in a rally will be held today, Friday, June 24th at 12:30pm in front of Senator Dean Skelos’ district office in Rockville Centre.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-hyphenate:none;mso-layout-grid-align:
none;text-autospace:none;vertical-align:middle"><font size="2" face="Arial">“This issue has been put off for far too long,” said David Kilmnick, CEO of The Long Island GLBT Services Network, “GLBT families cannot go one more day being treated as second class citizens in our great state and country. All the signs say that this bill would pass if brought to the floor of the Senate. By refusing to bring this bill to the floor, Senate Republicans and Majority Leader Skelos are playing politics with the lives of thousands of GLBT families.”</font></p>
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<strong>WHAT: </strong> Rally to Bring Marriage Equality Act to Senate Floor<br />
<strong>WHEN:</strong> Friday, June 24th, 2011, 12:30pm<br />
<strong>WHERE: </strong> 55 Front St, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 (North of the Rockville Center LIRR Station)<br />
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<font face="Arial">The Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Services Network is an association of five non-profit organizations that serve Long Island’s GLBT Community throughout the lifespan – Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY), The Long Island GLBT Community Center (The Center) and Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders – Long Island (SAGE-LI), The East End Gay Organization (EEGO) and Equality Long Island (EQLI). Together, each organization is working to end homophobia, provide a home and a safe space for Long Island’s GLBT Community and advocate for equality under the law. </font></em></div>
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text/html
2011-06-21T19:43:17+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
The Network Welcomes Donaldsons Subaru as its Exclusive Subaru Dealer
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=180
The Long Island GLBT Services Network is pleased to announce Donaldsons Subaru as The Network’s Exclusive Subaru Dealer.
<img width="400" vspace="8" hspace="8" height="280" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/6_21Headline-Donaldsons.jpg" alt="" />The Long Island GLBT Services Network is pleased to announce Donaldsons Subaru as The Network’s Exclusive Subaru Dealer. Donaldsons Subaru has contributed $10,000 as a Corporate Partner, and joins the 140+ members of the Partners in Pride business program in supporting The Network. Cristina Notaro, Director of Business Development at Donaldsons Subaru, explains, “Donaldsons Subaru is excited to partner with The Network to support their efforts in education, equality, and empowerment, and to offer their members professional service, quality vehicles and, of course, great pricing.”<br />
<br />
Donaldsons Subaru, located at 5700 Sunrise Highway in Sayville, is the Signature Subaru Dealership on Long Island, and has been selling and servicing automobiles in the Long Island area since 1955. Donaldsons Subaru features an award winning service department and offers 24/7 drop off and pick-up. Visit the Donaldsons Subaru listing in the <a href="/directory.php?pgID=156">Long Island GLBT Business Directory here</a>.<br />
<br />
Partners in Pride is the business networking and advertising program of the Long Island GLBT Services Network that connects GLBT-friendly businesses with GLBT consumers, and helps GLBT-friendly businesses network. Learn more about the Partners in Pride Business Program here and its connections to over 10,000 GLBT households on Long Island.
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2011-06-02T23:19:49+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
LIGALY Recieves UJA Grant for New Initiative Targeting Jewish Communities
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=178
LIGALY recently received a grant from The United Jewish Appeal (UJA) to launch an innovative new project, The Aleph Project (TAP) for Jewish GLBT Youth and their families. TAP will engage Synagogues and Jewish Community Centers (JCC) across Long Island to sustain connections of GLBT youth to Jewish life and experience through activities that provide a safe space, increase supports, and help youth to successfully integrate their GLBT and Jewish identities into one whole person. <br />
<br />
LIGALY is now hiring a new full-time position, Jewish Outreach and Education Coordinator to implement TAP. Read the position description and how to apply by<strong> <a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=100#joec">clicking here</a>. </strong><br />
<br />
LIGALY thanks UJA for their generous support!
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2011-05-03T21:49:05+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Newsday Charities Supports LIGALY's Ant-Bullying Work
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=176
LIGALY recently received a $25,000 grant from Newsday Charities, a fund of the McCormick Foundation
<img width="311" height="206" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/NewsdayCharities.JPG" alt="" />Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) recently received a $25,000 grant from Newsday Charities, a fund of the McCormick Foundation in support of the Safe Schools Inititiative that works to address anti-GLBT bullying in schools. <br />
<br />
LIGALY’s Safe Schools Initiative is a multi-faceted program that works to create safer and more supportive schools for GLBT youth. The program delivers anti-bullying workshops in classroom settings, trains teachers to prevent bullying, helps students establish and sustain gay-straight alliance (GSA) clubs to provide safe spaces, and to implement school-based awareness campaigns.<br />
<br />
Pictured from left to right are Fred Groser, Newsday Publisher; Dale Cole, Newsday Community Affairs Project Manager; David Kilmnick, LIGALY Chief Executive Officer; Robert Vitelli, LIGALY Chief Operating Officer and Paul Fleishman, Newsday Vice President of Public Affairs.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=75"><strong>Read more about LIGALY’s Safe Schools Initiative>></strong></a><br />
<br />
LIGALY thanks Newsday Charities for its continued support!
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text/html
2011-03-29T17:30:03+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Robert Vitelli Named Network Chief Operating Officer
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=174
Long-time Network staffmember Robert Vitelli has been appointment Chief Operating Officer of The Network.
<img width="135" hspace="6" height="204" border="0" align="right" alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/RoberBioPic.gif" />The Long Island GLBT Services Network has appointed long-time staff member Robert Vitelli, MA as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Robert oversees all Network programs, fundraising and development, personnel recruitment, contract management, and budget planning.<br />
<br />
Robert began working at LIGALY in 2001 and has served in a variety of capacities at the organization, including community educator, organizer and project director. From 2005-2011, Robert served at The Network’s first Director of Development, raising more than $5 million for the organization through grants, special events, and giving campaigns. Additionally, Robert launched a number of new initiatives, including the <a href="/content.php?pgID=124">Partners in Pride</a> business program and The Long Island GLBT Expo. <br />
<br />
A search is currently underway for a seasoned development professional to serve as The Network’s next Director of Development. The search is being conducted by national recruitment firm McCormack and Associates. <strong><a href="http://ligaly.org/images/uploads/File/LIGLBTNetwork_Dir_of_Development_Recruitment_Profile%20.pdf">Learn more about the position and application instructions by downloading the recruitment profile here.</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="/content.php?pgID=381">Read Robert's Bio>></a></strong>
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text/html
2011-03-21T18:19:29+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
EEGO Community Update
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=173
EEGO will host a Community Update to share what we have learned and discuss next steps as we work to expand services and programs for the GLBT community on the East End
After two very successful East End Community Forums, as well as numerous meetings and discussions with other East End stakeholders, EEGO will host a Community Update to share what we have learned and discuss next steps. <br />
<br />
<strong>WHEN: </strong> Thursday, April 7th, 2011, 7:00pm<br />
<br />
<strong>WHERE:</strong> Bridgehampton National Bank Community Meeting Room, 2200 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 directions<br />
<br />
<strong>WHO SHOULD ATTEND: </strong> Any East End resident interesting in hearing about our plans to expand services for the GLBT Community in Eastern Long Island. <br />
<br />
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by <a href="http://ligaly.convio.net/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1920">clicking here.</a><br />
<br />
For more information, call 631.665.2300 or email info@eego.org
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2011-03-21T18:15:55+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
EEGO Advisory Board Meeting
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=172
EEGO will hold it's first EEGO Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, March 24th in Bridgehampton
Are you a full or part-time East End resident and looking to become an active and vocal participant in EEGO activities? If so, you would be the perfect addition to the EEGO Advisory Board!<br />
<br />
The East End Gay Organization is looking for new members to join the EEGO Advisory Board, which meets periodically to help guide and direct programming for GLBT people on the East End. <br />
<br />
The next meeting of the EEGO Advisory Board will be held on:<br />
Thursday, March 24th, 6:00-7:00pm<br />
Bridgehampton National Bank<br />
2200 Montauk Highway<br />
Bridgehampton, NY 11932<br />
<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2200+Montauk+Highway,+Bridgehampton,+NY+11932&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=38.826758,92.724609&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=2200+Montauk+Hwy,+Bridgehampton,+Suffolk,+New+York+11976&t=h&z=16"><em>directions</em></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ligaly/site/SSurvey?JServSessionIdr004=w4kmr552o6.app332b&SURVEY_ID=1720&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS">Click here to sign-up for the EEGO Advisory Board</a><br />
<br />
For more information or if you have any questions, please call 631-665-2300 or email info@eego.org.
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2011-03-16T21:14:13+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Bank of America Supports LIGALY Anti-Bullying Efforts
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=171
LIGALY was awarded the Elena M. Perez Award at the annual Bank of America Neighborhood Builders event.
<strong></strong><img width="300" hspace="8" height="214" align="right" alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/BankofAmericaGrant.jpg" />LIGALY was awarded the Elena M. Perez Award at the annual Bank of America Neighborhood Builders event. The award pays tribute to Ms. Perez who was Bank of America’s Long Island community relations officer, and who also served on the LIGALY Board of Directors in its early years. The award included a special $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support LIGALY’s Safe Schools Initiative that works to address anti-GLBT bullying in local schools.<br />
<br />
LIGALY’s Safe Schools Initiative is a multi-faceted program that works to create safer and more supportive schools for GLBT youth. The program delivers anti-bullying workshops in classroom settings, trains teachers to prevent bullying, helps students establish and sustain gay-straight alliance (GSA) clubs to provide safe spaces, and to implement school-based awareness campaigns.<br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=75">Read more about LIGALY’s Safe Schools Initiative>></a></strong><br />
<br />
LIGALY thanks Bank of America for its continued support as LIGALY’s longest standing corporate supporter since 1998.
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text/html
2011-02-23T21:15:32+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Sen. Gillibrand Praises Obama Administration's Decisions to No Longer Defend DOMA in Court
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=170
United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY): “The Time for Congress to Repeal DOMA is Now”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
Wednesday, February 23, 2011<br />
Contact: Bethany Lesser, (202) 224-3873 <br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong>GILLIBRAND PRAISES OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION TO NO LONGER DEFEND DOMA IN COURT</strong><br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="center"><em>Gillibrand: “The Time for Congress to Repeal DOMA is Now” </em><br />
</div>
<br />
Washington D.C. – After U.S. Attorney General Holder’s announcement today that the Department of Justice, at the instruction of President Obama, will no longer defend Section 3 of Defense of Marriage Act lawsuits in court, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a leading voice in the Senate to repeal DOMA, released the following statement: <br />
<br />
“Sexual orientation discrimination has no place in American law. I commend the Obama administration for upholding this American value today by concluding this statute is unconstitutional. <br />
<br />
“The fact is that history is moving in a direction that ensures gay and lesbian couples are offered the same basic rights as everyone else – the right to get married, start a family and receive the full benefits that come with it, and be counted the same as everyone else. I look forward to the day when New York and all states accept this basic principle of fairness. <br />
<br />
“The time for Congress to repeal DOMA is now, and I will work hard to make sure marriage equality becomes a reality for all.” <br />
<br />
Repealing the Defense of Marriage Act would extend over 1,000 federal rights and hundreds of additional state rights to lesbian and gay couples who are married in states that allow gay marriage – rights including medical treatment and hospital visitation; medical proxy; inheritance; tax benefits; employee benefits for families, including health and life insurance, bereavement, sick leave, child rights and custodial protection, among many others. These rights would also have the potential to be provided to married gay and lesbian couples living in New York, which recognizes out-of-state marriages. <br />
<br />
Senator Gillibrand believes lesbian and gay couples deserve the same rights, responsibilities, benefits and obligation that opposite sex married couples have – and that come only through marriage equality. Senator Gillibrand is committed to ensuring the same basic rights for everyone, and that’s why she’s working to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. <br />
<div align="center"># # # <br />
</div>
<div align="center"> </div>
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2011-01-31T17:44:04+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Gay Straight Alliance Approved After Student Rally
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=169
Students working with LIGALY to form a GSA at Valley Stream South High School have been successful in their effort.
<em>From LIHerald.com<br />
</em><font size="3" face="Arial"><strong>Gay-Straight Alliance Approved After Student Rally</strong></font><br />
By Andrew Hackmack<br />
<br />
Chanting “G-S-A! G-S-A!,” about 200 Valley Stream South High School students showed their support for a Gay-Straight Alliance chapter at an after-school rally on Jan. 20.<br />
<br />
Students packed Jedwood Place, just off school grounds, calling on administrators to allow the creation of the organization. As reported in last week’s Herald, a group of seniors claimed that Principal Maureen Henry not only denied the club, but did not think there was a problem with gay students being bullied. The ralliers held hand-made signs with slogans such as “G.S.A. all the way,” “Being gay is not a choice but homophobia is,” and “Straight but I don’t discriminate.”<br />
<br />
<table width="200" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="0" align="right" summary="">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe width="400" height="246" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4qrH-QGpqE?hd=1" type="text/html" class="youtube-player" title="YouTube video player"></iframe></td>
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David Kilmnick, the chief executive officer of Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY), called on school and district administrators to allow the club. Kilmnick said that seniors Joseph Kofler and Kelly Egan have been fighting for four months to start a Gay-Straight Alliance at the school. He commended the pair for their advocacy and said they are the kind of leaders that today’s youth need.<br />
<br />
Additionally, Kilmnick called some of Henry’s remarks to students “discriminatory and offensive,” referring to conversations Kofler and Egan had with Henry about the need for the club.<br />
<br />
Samantha Fredrickson, director of the Nassau Civil Liberties Union, said that a rally should not be necessary to convince school administrators that starting a Gay-Straight Alliance is “the right thing to do.” Fredrickson added that the school district could face legal challenges if it does not allow the club. “The courts have made it very clear that schools cannot reject a Gay-Straight Alliance club because they don’t like it,” she said.<br />
<br />
However, school officials questioned the need for the demonstration, saying that the club had been approved. The first meeting was held that afternoon, while the rally was in progress, according to interim Superintendent Dr. Richard Marsh. He said that he spoke to Henry that evening, and she reported that about 80 students turned out for the meeting.<br />
<br />
“I was really surprised they had the rally even though the club was approved,” Marsh said. “The club is up and running.”<br />
<br />
But Kilmnick had a different take. He said that if the club was approved and a first meeting was held, the students would have been there.<br />
<br />
Kofler said there was a gay and lesbian club that met that afternoon, but it wasn’t a Gay-Straight Alliance. However, Kofler and other club organizers met with Marsh this week and said that a Gay-Straight Alliance was officially approved and will begin meeting on Thursdays.<br />
<br />
Michelle Feltington, a junior, was one of many students who joined the rally. Holding a sign that read “GSA makes schools safe,” Feltington said she supported creation of the club because students are entitled to free speech and free expression.<br />
<br />
She said that the rally should show school administrators that the student body is behind the club. “I feel this will make a difference,” Feltington said.<br />
<br />
Senior Luca Negrino said he was happy to come out and show his support. He is friends with Egan, one of the students leading the push to start the club. “I’m straight,” he said, “but we’re all human, so we should be out here supporting each other.”<br />
<br />
The club, organizers said, will be open to all students, gay or straight. Gay-Straight Alliances are school clubs that welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and their friends, allies and faculty, according to information from LIGALY. The organization has helped to establish more than 90 chapters at high schools across Long Island.<br />
<br />
Kilmnick said that Kofler, Egan and other South High students who support the formation of a club have LIGALY’s full support. “They’re trying to do something positive,” he said. “It’s about creating education, awareness and support.”<br />
<br />
Egan and Kofler said they were both very pleased, and surprised, that nearly 20 percent of the student body turned out for the rally. And many students who didn’t attend shouted words of encouragement as they walked or drove by on their way home from school. “It’s great that we have this support from our fellow peers,” Egan said.<br />
<br />
Marsh said that Henry had supported a Gay-Straight Alliance two years ago, but only a few students had joined and it disbanded after they graduated. He said it is unusual for new clubs to start up in the middle of the year, which is why, this time around, Henry had suggested that the students join forces with the World of Differences Club, which has ideals that parallel those of the Gay-Straight Alliance.<br />
<br />
“I understand that they wanted their own identity,” Marsh said of deciding to approve the Gay-Straight Alliance after a meeting with the principal. “I felt it’s important, and Ms. Henry agreed with me. Even though it’s in the middle of the year, which is unusual to start a club, I said let’s do it.”
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2011-01-21T16:55:49+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Over 200 Students Rally to Demand GSA Approval At Valley Stream South High School
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=168
ALERT: Students say club has still not been approved
<br />
<br />
Bay Shore, NY January 20th, 2011, 8:00pm – After 4 months of running into roadblocks from their school administration, more than 200 students took to the streets to demand that a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club be approved immediately at Valley Stream South High School. The rally was organized by Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY).<br />
<br />
David Kilmnick, CEO of LIGALY, said not only should the GSA be approved immediately, but the schools principal, Maureen Henry, must be held accountable for her insensitive, appalling and homophobic response to the student organizers. In a meeting with student leaders in December 2010, Principal Henry justified the use of the word “faggot” when she told the students that when she was a teenager, she too used the word and it really doesn’t mean anything bad.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="345" frameborder="0" title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4qrH-QGpqE?hd=1" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br />
<br />
Joe Kofler and Kelly Egan, two seniors at the school and lead organizers of the proposed GSA at Valley Stream South, said that they were overwhelmed at the support shown by the more than 200 students that attended the rally and that they were even more energized now to continue the fight and make sure that a GSA is in place before they graduate.<br />
<br />
At the time of this release, some media outlets were reporting that the school had allowed the GSA to form and hold its first meeting on Thursday afternoon. However, school officials had not informed the student organizers of any such approval and no meeting took place. “If there was a GSA at Valley Stream South, the more than 200 students at the rally would have been at the club meeting, not standing outside the school demanding that the GSA be approved,” said Kilmnick.<br />
<br />
One of the student organizers was summoned into the school psychologist office earlier today and warned that if this “escalated” he would be banned from attending senior activities and coming back to the school after he graduates. LIGALY will continue to work with the Valley Stream South students and has brought on the local chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union to ensure that their rights are protected and the bullying and intimidation they are facing by school officials comes to an immediate halt.
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2011-01-20T17:36:13+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
Principal Bullying Students at Valley Stream South HS
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=167
Students and supporters to rally and protest January 20th - 3:15pm after principal refuses to allow a Gay-Straight Alliance to form.
<strong><img width="225" height="102" src="/images/uploads/Image/LIGALY-Logo-2008-words-on-the-right-side(1).jpg" alt="" /><br />
<br />
For Immediate Release</strong><br />
<br />
Media Contact: David Kilmnick, Chief Executive Officer, 631.665.2300<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><font size="4"><strong>PRINCIPAL BULLYING STUDENTS AT <br />
VALLEY STREAM SOUTH HS<br />
<font size="3">STUDENTS & SUPPORTERS TO RALLY & PROTEST JAN. 20th - 3pm</font></strong></font><br />
</div>
<br />
Bay Shore, NY – Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) along with dozens of students and supporters of a proposed Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club at Valley Stream South HS will hold a protest and rally in front of the school on Thursday, January 20 at 3:15pm to call on the bullying tactics of its school principal to stop. <br />
<br />
Valley Stream South High School students, who have been trying to form a GSA at the school since October 2010, have had their proposal rejected by the school’s principal Maureen Henry, despite following proper procedures and numerous discussions with Ms. Henry. When talking about why the club was important and sharing their own personal experiences of being bullied, including being called a “faggot”, Ms. Henry told the students that she too called people “faggots” when she was young and didn’t mean anything bad by it. <br />
<br />
Joseph Kofler, 17, one of the students organizing the club was shocked by the reaction, lack of support and felt Ms. Henry’s response was an endorsement of the bullying that takes place everyday in his school. Joseph says “this school really needs a GSA and not because it’s a ‘gay club’. In fact it’s the opposite of our goals, which is to bring about understanding and acceptance for all of our students. And I want to feel safe coming to school everyday and this club will help toward reaching these goals” said Kofler, a senior at the school.<br />
<br />
Kofler and other students circulated a petition signed by more than 300 students. “Ms. Henry must be living under a rock with her rejection of these students seeking to start this club, her appalling and homophobic response and her lack of awareness of the rampant bullying and suicides that have been taken place and garnering attention in the past year”, said David Kilmnick, CEO of LIGALY. “There are over 90 GSA’s that already exist in Long Island schools and by allowing a GSA for students to feel safer is not something revolutionary – in fact, the school is way behind the times and these brave students should be commended for trying to make a difference” said Kilmnick.<br />
<br />
The protest and rally will take place at 3:15pm outside the entrance of Valley Stream South High School, 135 Jedwood Place, Valley Stream, NY.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">###<br />
</div>
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2011-01-19T21:10:18+01:00
http://ligaly.org/
LIGALY Job Fairs
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=166
<font size="2"><span mce_style="font-size: 120%;" style="font-size: 120%;"><span mce_style="color: #373f76;" style="color: rgb(55, 63, 118);"><span mce_style="font-size: 80%;" style="font-size: 80%;"><span mce_style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span mce_style="color: #000000;" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">LIGALY is hosting 2 job fairs to give people an opportunity to apply in-person for 5 full-time job opportunities in the expansion of its teen sexuality & prevention services.</span></span></span></span></span></font>
LIGALY's recent grant awards to expand its teen sexuality and prevention services have resulted in the availability of new career opportunities at the organization.<br />
<br />
Five full-time positions are available and LIGALY will be holding job fairs on Wednesday, January 26th from 12:00-2:00pm and on January 27th from 6:00-8:00pm at The Center in Bay Shore. LIGALY is currently hiring for the following positions:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=100#DirPrevYouthServ">Director of Prevention and Youth Services</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=100#ProgCoorNass">Pride Empowerment Project Program Coordinator - Nassau County</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=100#ProgCoorSuff">Pride Empowerment Project Program Coordinator - Suffolk County</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=100#ProgramAsst">Pride Empowerment Project Program Assistant</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=100#CaseManager">HIV Prevention Case Manager</a></strong></li>
</ul>
To learn more about these opportunities and application procedures, <strong><a href="ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=100">click here.</a></strong>
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2011-01-10T16:51:53+01:00
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LIGALY Receives Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Grant
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=165
To launch a new program aimed at increasing family planning services and sexuality-related prevention for GLBT and allied youth on Long Island, LIGALY is now hiring for 4 full-time staff
LIGALY has been awarded a 5-year from The New York State Department of Health for a new program that will increase family planning services and sexuality-related prevention for GLBT and allied youth on Long Island. As a result of this award, LIGALY is hiring 4 new full-time staff.<br />
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<strong><a href="/content.php?pgID=100">Click here to read the job descriptions and to apply now>></a></strong>
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2011-01-10T16:45:27+01:00
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LIGALY presents "Bullied"
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=164
Join LIGALY, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington for a special presentation of the Teaching Tolerance documentary <em>Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case that Made History </em>on February 17th.
Join Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY), the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington for a special presentation of the Teaching Tolerance documentary Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case that Made History. Bullied tells the story of Jamie Nabozny, a gay youth who was tormented relentlessly throughout middle and high school and what he did to take a stand for school safety.<br />
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<a href="http://ligaly.org/content.php?pgID=723"><strong>Click to learn more>></strong></a>
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2011-01-10T16:38:04+01:00
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Now Accepting Workshop Proposals for the LI GLBT Conference
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=162
The Network is now accepting workshop proposals for the 16th Annual Long Island GLBT Conference will be held on Tuesday, March 15th at Stony Brook University
The Long Island GLBT Services Network presents The 16th Annual Long Island GLBT Conference on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 at Stony Brook University. Workshop proposals are now being accepted for The Conference with topics in the following subject areas: <br />
<ul>
<li>GLBT Youth</li>
<li>GLBT Families</li>
<li>GLBT Seniors</li>
<li>GLBT Communities of Color</li>
<li>School and Campus Organizing</li>
<li>Public Policy</li>
<li>Health and Human Services</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://liglbtnetwork.org/content.php?pgID=326">Click here to learn more, submit a workshop proposal or to register. </a>
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2010-12-02T19:01:41+01:00
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EEGO Joins The Long Island GLBT Services Network
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=161
The East End Gay Organization (EEGO) becomes the 5th member of The Long Island GLBT Services Network.
<span style="font-size: 100%;" mce_style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" mce_style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="mceItemHidden">The Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Services Network (The Network) is proud to announce the addition of the East End Gay Organization (EEGO) as the fifth and newest member of The Network’s family of organizations. <br />
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EEGO joins with Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY), The Long Island GLBT Community Center (The Center), Services and Advocacy for Elders-Long Island (SAGE-LI) and Equality Long Island (EQLI) as we continue to serve the GLBT community across the entire Long Island region. This new partnership is another step toward a larger, stronger, and more united GLBT community.<br />
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Created in 1977 to fight discrimination in Southampton, EEGO has continued to champion for GLBT rights on the East End for the past thirty years. As a member of The Network, EEGO will draw from the great influence in programs and advocacy that LIGALY, The Center and SAGE-LI have developed. <br />
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The addition of EEGO to The Network will expand the availability of programs and services to more Long Islanders. The Network, and in particular LIGALY and SAGE-LI, has always had a presence on Eastern Long Island, and this union will only deepen our contacts and relationships with schools, hospitals, businesses, elected officials and families of the five East End towns.<br />
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EEGO members will now have greater involvement in political advocacy and activism through The Network’s political advocacy group, Equality Long Island, thus expanding grassroots and community organizing in every town and village across Long Island. This benefits the entire Long Island region, from Mineola to Montauk as we continue the fight to win equality for our families. <br />
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With LIGALY, The Center, SAGE-LI, EQLI, and now EEGO, we promise to continue and expand our presence through education, social support and advocacy to fulfill The Network’s goals of ending homophobia, providing a home and safe space for the GLBT community, and advocating for equality. We are excited for this next step and believe this addition will create a more united front for the Long Island GLBT community.</span></span></span>
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2010-02-12T16:58:16+01:00
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NEWSDAY: Ads on LIRR Target African American Homophobia
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=141
2/11/10: Newsday's story about LIGALY and The Center's new social marketing campaign.
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<strong><a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/ads-on-lirr-target-african-american-homophobia-1.1754892">Click here to read the full story (subscription required).</a></strong><br />
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2010-02-04T16:35:00+01:00
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WPIX 11: Ad Campaign Promoting Gay Acceptance Hits Long Island
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=140
WPIX Channel 11 Covers LIGALY and The Center's new Social Marketing Campaign
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LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (WPIX) - You won't see the mancrunch.com commercial during the Super Bowl, since the ad promoting a gay dating service was rejected. However, if you travel the roads or rails on Long Island, chances are you will see advertising promoting gay acceptance.<br />
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The ads started popping up a week ago and more are on the way. The messages on the advertisements read, "I am Gay, and this is where I play."<br />
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The posters and billboards are the first of their kind on Long Island. The campaign is meant to raise awareness and prevent homophobia.<br />
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Long Island Gay and Lesbian youth or LIGALY, paid $37,000 on the ads that are on Nassau County MTA buses and on Long Island Railroad station platforms.<br />
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"This is very positive," LIGALY CEO David Kilmnick told PIX News. "This is about where we live, where we pay our taxes. This is where we play in terms of basketball and other things and it's a very positive campaign."<br />
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So far, there hasn't been a single complaint according to LIGALY CEO David Kilmnick. He says they have been flooded with positive calls which is the purpose.<br />
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Kilmnick is disappointed the national spot during the Super Bowl -- the most watched sporting events in the country -- was pulled.<br />
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"I think we have seen far worse," said Kilmnick. "Woman are objectified to no end and they have no problem with that. Meanwhile, an ad that shows twp men who may meet each other and fall in love ... there is something wrong with that?"<br />
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Only time will tell if these ads draw ire on Long Island.<br />
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A spokesman for the LIRR says they reviewed the ads and found they comply with its standards.<br />
Copyright © 2010, WPIX-TV<br />
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<strong>LEARN MORE ABOUT THE "WE ARE PART OF YOU CAMPAIGN <a href="/content.php?pgID=571">HERE.</a></strong>
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2010-02-04T16:29:58+01:00
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Sen. Gillibrand Statement for Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=139
First Congressional Hearing Since Discriminatory Policy Was Established 17 Years Ago.<br />
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Sen. Gillibrand Helping Lead the Charge in the Senate to Immediately Repeal the Policy.
Washington, D.C. – Today, as the Senate Armed Service Committee holds the first hearing on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy since it was first established 17 years ago, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement. Senator Gillibrand is helping lead the charge in the Senate to repeal the unjust, harmful policy that undercuts the civil rights of some of America’s bravest men and women, and weakens America’s national security. <br />
Chairman Levin, Senator McCain, distinguished Members of the Committee; I appreciate your leadership in hosting this important hearing today. <br />
James Madison once said, “Equal laws protecting equal rights... the best guarantee of loyalty & love of country.”<br />
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Lesbian and Gay servicemen and women have been serving in our armed forces bravely while being denied the full equality they deserve. Since 1993, more than 13,500 American troops have been discharged from the military under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), at an estimated cost of over $400 million. Those discharges include more than 800 specialists with skills deemed mission critical by the U.S. military, including at least 323 linguists, approximately 10% of foreign language speakers, 59 of which specialized in Arabic, and at least nine of which specialized in Farsi, the official language of Iran. Among these specialists were pilots, engineers, doctors, nurses, and combat medics, all of which the military has faced shortfalls of in recent years. <br />
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These brave Americans were not discharged because of poor performance, but rather because of their sexual orientation.<br />
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According to a recent study by the Williams Institute, an estimated 66,000 lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are serving in the US military. According to data provided by the Department of Defense, discharges under Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps declined to 428 in 2009 from 619 the previous year. This represents a 65% drop since 2001, the highest number on record.<br />
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In a time of war, discharges have decreased, even as anecdotal evidence strongly suggests larger numbers of lesbian and gay service members are serving openly. Despite the current law, individual commanders are deciding to retain otherwise qualified personnel. <br />
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Why is this the case? Because the Armed Forces is experiencing shortfalls in several types of mission-critical personnel, especially in the midst of fighting ongoing wars, and is losing additional trained and highly qualified personnel under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It has been estimated that the U.S. military loses more than 4,000 gay and lesbian military personnel each year, which it would have otherwise retained, had the service members been able to be open about their sexual orientation, and that more than 40,000 recruits might join if the ban is lifted. Commanders on the ground believe what many of us strongly believe—it’s time to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.<br />
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In a January 2007 Op-Ed article published in The New York Times, General John M. Shalikashvili, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when the policy was enacted, stated that his opinion was that Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be repealed. He argued that due to the U.S. military being stretched thin by its current deployments in the Middle East, the Armed Forces need to accept every American who is willing and able to serve. Last week I was proud to share another statement from General Shalikashvili, 1 of only 17 people in the country’s history to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, calling for an end to this failed policy. In his statement he said:<br />
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“When I was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, my support of the current policy was based on my belief that implementing a change in the rules would have been too burdensome for our troops and commanders at the time.<br />
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“The concern among many at that time, was that letting people who were openly gay serve would lower morale, harm recruitment and undermine unit cohesion. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was seen as a useful measure that allowed time to pass while our culture continued to evolve. The question before us now is whether enough time has gone by to give this policy serious reconsideration. I believe that it has.”<br />
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Twenty-five foreign militaries now let gays serve openly, including our closest ally, Britain. I sit on the Foreign Relations Committee and I am acutely aware that most of our allies – Israel, Britain, France, 22 of 26 NATO nations in all – allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly and I believe the American military should follow suit. At a time when our nation is fighting two wars, and with increased national security threats, we can ill afford this loss of personnel and talent in our national defense. Our military is the best in the world. Once gay and lesbian service members are allowed to serve openly, our military will still be the best in the world.<br />
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As we look at the path that has brought us to this hearing today, regarding how best to repeal the Don’t ask, Don’t Tell policy, I am reminded of several leaders in the fight to allow openly gay service members into the Armed Forces.<br />
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One is then West Point Cadet, Lt. Alexander Raggio. In his 2006 award winning thesis he stated:<br />
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“The military should abandon the false acceptance of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and allow the open service of homosexuals immediately.” <br />
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And he added, “Current policy cannot be rationally explained except as a reflection of the personal prejudices of those who create and enforce it and, rationalized by faulty logic and double standards.”<br />
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These steps towards equality are our duty. I strongly believe that equality is an inalienable American right – and should not be ascribed based on gender or race, religion or sexual orientation or gender identity. America must lead by example when it comes to equality and justice. Freedom from discrimination is a basic right that all Americans should enjoy. Lifting the ban on Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not only necessary for realizing equality, but it's necessary for ensuring that our armed forces remain the best in the world. <br />
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Pepe Johnson, a former Sergeant, U.S. Army sums up the moral imperative on why we have to change this policy. Every day this policy remains we ask these soldiers to lie about who they are, Pepe said “Honesty and integrity are everything in the army. I felt if I was lying, I didn't have it. I wasn't serving with integrity. I felt trapped. Lying is not the way of the Army -- I felt I was violating regulation.<br />
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“During the three years I served I only wanted to be all I could be - to borrow the old recruiting slogan - but Don't Ask, Don't Tell forced me to be something other than what I was. And that's not consistent with the Army's Values: 'Leaders are honest to others by not presenting themselves or their actions as anything other than what they are, remaining committed to the truth.' (FM 6-22, Army Leadership) As long as Don't Ask, Don't Tell exists, there is a hole in the integrity of the entire military.”<br />
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We must recognize that human dignity and respect are part and parcel of who we were as Americans – male or female, African American or Caucasian, Gay or Straight, Bisexual or Transgender. <br />
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We must ensure that our armed forces are fully prepared with the best resources we can muster. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is a threat to our men and women in uniform and our national security. We cannot afford to handicap our efforts because of ignorance or hatred. <br />
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This policy is wrong for our national security and inconsistent with the moral foundation upon which our country was founded. It is critically important for this Congress to take up President Obama’s call to permanently end the ban on LGBT Americans serving in our armed services. We will strengthen America - both militarily and morally -- by repealing this discriminatory policy.
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2010-01-27T03:59:14+01:00
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LIGALY and The Center Launch Social Marketing Campaign
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=138
LIGALY and The Center will Launch the First GLBT- Focused Campaign on the Long Island Railroad and Buses starting February 1.
<p>In recognition of <strong>Black History</strong> month, LIGALY and The Center will launch a new 8-week Social Marketing Campaign on Monday, February 1st designed to adddress homophobia in African American and Black Communities. </p>
<p>The <strong>"We Are Part of You"</strong> Campaign includes posters in many Long Island Railroad trains and on platforms, Long Island Buses, and a railroad trestle crossing Sunrise Highway in West Babylon. </p>
<p>The campaign was made possible through a grant from the New York State Department of Health's AIDS Institute.</p>
You can see images of the campaign below:<br />
<img src="/images/uploads/Image/LIGLY%2021x33%20Ball.jpg" alt="" /><br />
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<img src="/images/uploads/Image/LIGLY%2021x33%20Din.jpg" alt="" /><br />
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<img alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/LIGLY%2021x33%20Church.jpg" />
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2009-12-16T20:10:32+01:00
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A Letter from Congressman Steve Israel
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=136
Congressman Steve Israel wrote this letter to the Long Island GLBT Community regarding the Long Island Town Hall on Marriage Equality
<img width="500" height="647" src="/images/uploads/Image/SteveIsraelLetter.jpg" alt="" />
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2009-07-22T17:27:17+01:00
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David Kilmnick Appointed to Suffolk Hate Crimes Task Force
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=133
Newly created taskforce will work to improve the County's reponse to bias-crime
<font size="2"><img width="190" height="190" align="left" alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/David109x109.jpg" />The Suffolk County Legislature has appointed Network CEO David Kilmnick to it's newly-created Suffolk County Hate Crimes Taskforce. Chaired by Leg. DuWayne Gregory, the 12-member Taskforce includes government and community leaders who will develop recommendations and strategies for better addressing--and ultimately decreasing--bias motivated crime in Suffolk County. <br />
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LIGALY, The Center and SAGE-LI have spent a great deal of time working with victims, law enforcement personnel and the community in the wake of a recent rash of anti-GLBT hate crimes on Long Island in the past few months. Kilmnick's appointment to the the Taskforce will ensure that needs of the GLBT community are part of the larger strategy to ensure that Suffolk County is a safe place for all people.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.longislandwins.com/policy_watch/suffolk_county_immigration_policy/weds_hate_crime_task_force_mee.php?tr=y&auid=5098526">Read a blog post from Long Island Wins about the 1st Taskforce meeting>></a></strong></font>
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2009-07-22T17:09:35+01:00
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Newsday Awards $20,000 grant to LIGALY
http://ligaly.org/news.php?i=132
Grant to support LIGALY's groundbreaking work in schools on Long Island.
<img width="190" height="190" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/NewsdayPic.jpg" alt="" /><font size="2">LIGALY was awarded a $20,000 grant from Newsday Charities, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, to support its nationally recognized Safe Schools Initiative. The Safe Schools Initiative is comprised of seven programs that create safer and more supportive schools for GLBT students, educators, and families on Long Island.<br />
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LIGALY's Safe Schools Initiative organizes tens of thousands of students and educators across Long Island each year to raise awareness, decrease anti-GLBT bullying and build youth leadership. A big thanks is extended to Newsday Charities for continuing to support safer and more supportive schools for GLBT youth!</font>