A History Quiz On The LGBT Community

Founded in New York City in March 1987, ACT UP is an all-volunteer organization which has had chapters in all major U.S. cities as well as in Paris, London, and Sydney.

First ACT UP Demonstration
Wall Street - March 24, 1987

In 1987, outraged by the government's mismanagement of the AIDS crisis, concerned individuals united to form the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP). ACT UP's first demonstration takes place three weeks later on March 24th 1987 on Wall Street, the financial center, to protest the profiteering of pharmaceutical companies (especially Burroughs Wellcome, manufacturer of AZT). Seventeen people are arrested. Shortly after the demonstration, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces it will shorten its drug approval process by two years. ACT UP is still a strong force today, completely run by volunteers with zero paid staff.

Sources:

http://www.actupny.org

In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that barring same-sex couples from civil marriage was unconstitutional. The Senate then asked the Court for an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of a proposed law that would bar same-sex couples from civil marriage but would create civil unions as a parallel institution, with all the same benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities under law. In February, the Court answered, "segregating same-sex unions from opposite-sex unions cannot possibly be held rationally to advance or preserve" the governmental aim of encouraging "stable adult relationships for the good of the individual and of the community, especially its children." Under this decision, the state of Massachusetts began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples in May 2004.

Sources:

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
http://www.ncsl.org/IssuesResearch/HumanServices/SameSexMarriage/tabid/16430/Default.aspx

HRC is the largest national LGBT nonprofit organization that specifically lobbies for pro-LGBT legislation on Capitol Hill, and has successfully moved bills through Congress. Completely supported by private and community donations from fundraisers like the Black Tie Dinner in Dallas, TX each year, HRC reportedly earned more than $8.5 million in contributions in fiscal year 2008.

The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force also lobbies on Capitol Hill and has successfully moved legislation through Congress for more than three decades, founded in 1973.

HRC 2008 Annual Earnings: $10,523,834

Task Force 2008 Annual Earnings: $7,315,915

Sources:

http://www.hrc.org

http://www.thetaskforce.org

http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?partner=justgivews&ein=52-1481896

http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?partner=justgivews&ein=52-1624852

If passed, ENDA will protect all gays, lesbians and bisexuals from unlawful termination from employment based on sexual orientation. However, bill does NOT include transgender persons. In 2008, HRC endorsed ENDA, consequently causing uproar in the transgender community. Many transgender advocates protested HRC events in 2008 and urged the organization to reconsider its endorsement until the bill is re-written to include the 'T' in LGBT.

After Barack Obama became President of the United States of America, the Administration released the following statement in support of a fully inclusive ENDA:

"President Obama also continues to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity."

Sources:

White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil_rights/

Edge Publications Boston
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=82437

Although the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Equality California advocate for pro-LGBT legislation, these nonprofit organizations do not directly represent individuals in court as attornies.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas.

Lambda Legal’s law reform, policy, and education work encompasses a wide range of areas, including federal and state constitutional law issues; discrimination in employment, benefits, housing, insurance, schools, foster care, juvenile detention, and other areas; harassment and violence; anti-LGBT ballot initiatives; access to healthcare and HIV-related treatments; child custody, visitation and adoption; relationship protections, including the freedom to marry; and discrimination based upon gender identity and sex-stereotyping. Lambda Legal has been involved in many Supreme Court cases, including Lawrence v. Texas, Morse v. Frederick, Garrett v. University of Alabama Board of Trustees, Dale v. Boy Scouts of America, Troxel v. Granville, Romer v. Evans, and Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin v. Southworth.

Lambda Legal is currently the retained law firm in the case "Robyn Tyler vs. The State of California." The case is one of three filings against California in an effort to deem Proposition 8 as unconstitutional. Although, Tyler was one of 30,000 same sex couples who were "grandfathered" in and allowed to keep her marriage license (after the California state Senate upheld Proposition 8 in a recent appeal), Tyler is suing the state on behalf of all LGBT persons who are currently denied the right to marry.

Sources:

California Judicial Branch
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/S168047.PDF

Lambda Legal
http://www.lambdalegal.com

Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org

Equality California
http://www.eqca.org

Although New York recognizes same sex marriages from other states, NY legislation still does not allow same sex couples to lawfully marry. The current Governor, David Patterson, is a longtime supporter of LGBT civil rights and has recently introduced a bill to legalize same sex marriage in New York. The bill was scheduled to be voted on before the Senate's 2008-2009 session ended on Tuesday, June 23. However, due to a sudden coup staged by Republican Senators on June 8 causing the Democrats to cease all activities and the GOP leader to step down, the Senate is was "hung" with a tied 31 to 31 vote - unable to pass bi-partisan legislature until June 9, 2009 when Democrats regained power. As of July 20, 2009, the Senate still has not voted on the same sex marriage bill.

To help fund the fight for same sex marriage legislation in New York, Bitchy Teez.com is donating proceeds from the sale of a '40 Years of Pride' t-shirt to Empire State Pride Agenda. Get the shirt at http://www.bitchyteez.com.

Sources:

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
http://www.ncsl.org/IssuesResearch/HumanServices/SameSexMarriage/tabid/16430/Default.aspx

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/nyregion/10albany.html

Anything But Straight Advocacy Network
http://anythingbutstraight.blogspot.com/2009/06/ny-same-sex-marriage-bill-up-for-vote.html