The Americans for Truth about Homosexuality are concerned that HR 2015 would force a gender confusion revolution for bathrooms for businesses. Then they quote Congressman Barney Frank before his more recent conversion to our side:

“There are workplace situations — communal showers, for example — when the demands of the transgender community fly in the face of conventional norms and therefore would not pass in any Congress. I’ve talked with transgender activists and what they want — and what we will be forced to defend — is for people with penises who identify as women to be able to shower with other women.” Congressman Barney Frank

Remember, for those of you in San Francisco, there’s a 24-hour vigil in front of the Federal Building (450 Golden Gate) beginning at 8 am Monday October 1.

I wanted to highlight Susan Stryker’s comment on the dropping of transgender protections from ENDA, because I haven’t seen it anywhere else, and I know that people are always interested in what she has to say.

-Read the letter from over 20 National LGBT organizations that oppose the current version of ENDA that excludes transgender people.

-The Board of HRC is meeting tomorrow to discuss the most recent developments. Of course the Executive Director of HRC promised a group of transgender people two weeks ago that HRC would oppose ENDA unless it included gender identity.

-SF Pride at Work is sponsoring a 24 hour vigil starting at 8AM in front of Pelosi’s office.

-Click here to read Nadine Smith’s blog on “Don’t Fear the Whip Count.”

-Or her other blog called ” A Moment of Truth.”

For those who would argue incrementalism:
“Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others.” ~ Coretta Scott King

We need your help. Without you, we cannot prevail. Will you be on the right side of history with us? Join us Monday morning at a vigil at Pelosi’s office at 8AM. It will be a 24 hour vigil so you can stop by at any point but for sure join us at 8AM before you go to work.

Congressman Barney Frank and the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, are attempting to scuttle a trans-inclusive the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by introducing a separate bill covering sexual orientation only, as well as a token bill on gender identity. The vote is Tuesday in the Labor Committee so act now to stop this divisive tactic.

Dear friends,
Today was the first day that I sat on the Executive Board of the National Pride at Work. Nearly 30 lesbian and gay labor leaders from across the country sit on the board. Only two of us are transgender, Donna Cartwright and myself. Today I was so proud to be a member of this Board. Today, without hesitation, before Donna and I said a word, almost the entire Executive Board decided to oppose the new version of ENDA that dropped transgender protections from the bill.
The Board also almost unanimously decided to picket the Speaker at the next HRC dinner in Washington D.C. next week. All I can say is that last night I was hopeful that my gay male brothers and lesbian sisters would rise up against this very calculated and divisive decision. I am happy to report that my hopes were realized today. Moreover, all the people in my life that I care about got it. They all have been allies and I hope that are trans folks across the country have had the same experience as I where my allies, my friends, and my chosen family have all rallied against this divisive tactic and opposed the current version of ENDA. Even more, groups like the National Center for Lesbian Rights and many other LGBT groups have also come out in opposition.
Please read below for the details of another decision that the National Board made. Over the next week, we will be contacting labor leaders across the country to contact Pelosi’s office to urge her to reconsider this decision. Clearly, it was a mistake but it isn’t too late to change it. History books will look back at this moment and I hope that she and you are on the right side of this question. Please let others know about the picket and urge organizations that you are part of to join us in this effort. If that doesn’t work, then we will be picketing her at the HRC Gala next week in D.C. Many are considering flying out to join our brothers and sisters in D.C. Hope you can make it or make your voice heard on this important decision. Read the email from the National Board below for details on the picket.
Best,
Robert

Hi everyone, the Kids In Need grants have extended their deadline to October 30. They are relatively easy to complete. All you need is the district’s

Employee Identification Number (which is also your school’s EIN). For those who are SFUSD schools, our EIN number is: 94-6000416

1. The Lexus Foundation - Environmental Challenge,
environmentalchallenge@scholastic.com

Application Date:
November 5, 2007 - water
December 5, 2007 - air
January 7, 2008 - climate

Award Amount: $3000 each for the sixteen winning teams for each challenge (eight middle school and eight high school teams).

Eligible Applicants: Middle and high school students

In one of the opening football games of the AAA Division, Lowell High School won 51-14 against Washington High School.

Much of the Cardinals’ success was due to Bismark Navarro, who was the key player of four of the Cardinals’ scoring runs. Nate Banks ran two of the Cardinals’ touchdowns.

Washington’s De’mon Jones scored in the first quarter and Danny Zhang in the fourth quarter.

Bismark Navarro was the leading rusher with 164 yards with Nate Banks with 103 yards.

This year, the SFUSD held its Parent Convention at John O’Connell High School at 19th and Folsolm. The only board member in attendance was Eric Mar.

The seminar included a great workshop series on site councils, talking with teachers, parents’ rights and getting more parents involved at the school. All of the seminars were co-sponsored by Parents for Public Schools.

Carlos Garcia, the new superintendent, spoke to the entire crowd. He started with “Everyone think that I have all of the answers. But I’m just Carlos…I’m the luckiest man in the world because I work with kids.”

Click here to see what HRC President Joe Solmonese said about ENDA on September 14, 2007. He said HRC would oppose ENDA unless it included gender identity. I’m told the first statement by Joe was filmed in front of a transgender audience.

Watch the youtube and then read Joe’s flip-flop position as of yesterday.

During this entire campaign to win an inclusive ENDA, we have been guided by the principle of trying to achieve the end result the fastest way possible. Without question, that result has been—and continues to be—an inclusive ENDA that covers the entire GLBT community. We will continue to use that as our benchmark as we move forward in this process.