FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION THROWS THE ‘LEFT OUT PARTY: A GENDERFUL GAYLA’ ACROSS THE STREET FROM HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DINNER

ELECTED OFFICIALS, INCLUDING FORMER KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND L.A. MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA, BOYCOTT HRC GALA AND SUPPORT INCLUSIVE ENDA

July 26, 2008

Today, a coalition of queer progressive organizations will hold “The Left OUT Party: A Genderful Gayla,” an alternative to the Human Rights Campaign’s annual fundraising dinner in San Francisco. The Left OUT Party will be held outside of the Westin St. Francis hotel on the west side of Union Square, and will feature performers, live bands, speakers, and “Human Rights Heroes” award recipients all showing their support for federal non-discrimination legislation including protections for both gender identity and sexual orientation.

Last fall, the Human Rights Campaign actively worked with members of Congress to strip gender identity protections from a bill that would add sexual orientation to the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). This tactic was opposed by over 350 local, statewide and national LGBT advocacy organizations, including every single other leading national LGBT organization. In response, several San Francisco local elected officials announced their decision to boycott the HRC fundraising dinner. Most notably, slated dinner keynote Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, has decided to cancel his speech after pressure from local labor and LGBT leaders.

As a counterparty that celebrates inclusion in the LGBT community, the Left OUT Party will educate HRC gala attendees about the urgent need for an inclusive ENDA. Local heroes, including California State Assemblymember Mark Leno, San Francisco Police Commission President Theresa Sparks, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Tim Paulson from the SF Labor Council will receive “Human Rights Heroes” awards honoring their leadership in advancing inclusive LGBT rights.

Party attendees will enjoy performances by live bands, drag queens, cheerleaders, and burlesque dancers. Sponsoring organizations of the Left OUT Party included Pride at Work, And Castro For All, the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, the Trans March, the SF Labor Council, the Queer Youth Organizing Project, and the Lou Sullivan Society/FTM International.