Our GSA Invitation to State Capitol for SB:100 Rally

Our GSA members were asked to speak at the State Capitol, again, and our representative was one of a handful of speakers supporting Senate Bill 100 which would extend housing and employment protection to LGBT citizens and those merely perceived to be LGBT. Four GSA members were able to attend this mid-day event. (Thank you!)

Link: Saysia Taylor got the event rolling by singing Katy Perry's "Roar." 

(Link to Lyrics)

Links to media coverage:

Fox 13 News - video and short article

4Utah - video and article

Deseret News - article and 27 photos

Times Union - article and 6 photos

Our rep's speech:

I'm [     ] and I am a part - perhaps a small part - of the Gay-Straight Alliance club in [    ]. I'm sort-of like the unofficial bouncer, due to my height; and the unofficial LGBT+ historian, due to my fascination with everything historical. Though, most of the credit for starting the GSA should go to the notable students who fought fiercely for the club's institution: students like [   ], [   ], [   ], and [   ], among others; the faculty advisers: [   ] and [   ]; and the official club mom: [   ]; I like to think that I am a small but important part in our small but growing club.

When our GSA first was coalescing little more than a year ago, [historically] we faced an uphill battle against the ingrained prejudices at the heart of Utah county. Prior to our current club’s foundation there were many attempts at establishing a GSA. Though their teachers supported them, multiple times were the requisite signatures and club constitutions obtained in order to be approved as an official club. Multiple times were these very signatures and constitutions lost, misplaced, or invalidated on a technicality. And multiple times were the GSA member hopefuls forced to wait yet another year to start anew, as the deadline for club registration had passed in our school district.

When the efforts to start the GSA succeeded last year partially due to a change in administration and the changing tides of history, we knew there would be a tough time gaining the favor of our classmates. Indeed, when we put up signs and posters throughout our school to try and spread the word of our new club, many were torn down, drawn on, or otherwise vandalized by prejudiced individuals, as what might be expected coming from Utah county.

But, after our first wave of posters, and progressing thereafter exponentially, most who once possessed a hate within their hearts for our club became more and more ambivalent and apathetic towards our club's existence. And those who were once on-the-fence regarding the GSA, became more and more accepting and promoting of the club. Though we are still a long way away from the goal of complete equality for all and the elimination of all forms of hate and discrimination, we have nevertheless made significant strides toward fighting inequality in our school and neighborhood.

Despite the local success of our GSA, we impact only a small area in Utah, let alone the U.S. or the World. Which is why larger-scale, affirmative, juridical actions desperately need to be taken to end discrimination of all kinds. Just as our club of no more than twenty people influence the culture of a school of two thousand, so-too will Utah's population of two million be influenced by a couple thousand determined volunteers.

The suffix "anti" is from the Greek for "against." Which is why anyone who is against the unjust discrimination of people - people just like everyone else, ought to be for the "Anti"-discrimination bill. I want to live in a country - and a world for that matter - in which everyone is "Anti"-discrimination. I want to live in a world where everyone can safely enjoy the comforts and security of indoors; where everyone is judged in their workplace by the quality of their work, and the content of their character; and everyone is equal under the gaze of the law. In order to accomplish this noble and worthy goal, all of us need to let all our voices be heard. Only then can we end discrimination.

The Capitol 13 invite you to return to the Utah State Capitol, “Louder Than a Lion!” Wednesday March 5th, at 12:30pm in the Rotunda. 

72 percent of Utahns support a statewide nondiscrimination bill, yet Senate leadership has decided that they will not hear SB100. We’ve posted notes, we’ve emailed, we’ve lobbied, we’ve had town halls, heck, some of us have even been arrested! 

They remain unmoved. 

How do we win equal protection for all LGBT Utahns? We joyfully raise our voice and shake loose the dome! Join us on March 5th as we send a message to the Legislature that Utah’s indefatigable LGBT family is here to stay! 

“You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder gonna shake the ground!” 

Speakers will include members of The Capitol 13, Equality Utah, the American Fork GSA and Senator Jim Dabakis. 

Bring your love, bring your family, bring your voice. 

ROAR! 

We stand as One Utah, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL.

Image Credit: abstract dot desktopnexus dot com

Our GSA Invitation to the State Capitol for Compassionate Conversation Event

Last Thursday, our faculty advisor received the following letter from Equality Utah:

Hey [    ], looks like you just can’t get rid of me! Ha. So, Senator Dabakis is hosting a “Compassionate Conversation” next week to help share the stories of LGBT people and their allies to some of his republican colleagues at the legislature. He specifically wanted me to reach out again and invite the [   ] GSA and its advisors to be in the room and hopefully share a little of why building welcoming spaces in our state is so important.

The meeting is next Wednesday @ 6pm in the Capitol. Would you and some of your students want to come down and attend?

Please let me know.

A

With Senator Dabakis
I wish our whole group could have gone.

This was a very special invitation to a historic event. There were about 12 people invited to speak, and our GSA student was one of them! Three of our faculty advisors, 5 GSA members, and I attended. It was wonderful and up-lifting. The stories of discrimination were heartbreaking, but the opportunity to be heard was heart-healing. 

These are great souls. I would be proud
to be any of their moms.

Here is a link for the testimonies: Equality Utah

These are links of local news coverage of the event:
sltrib - article, photos
Fox13 - article, video
2KUTV - article, video
ksl - article, video
ABC4Utah - article, video

And I'd like to add this link of my friend Ellen's post about last night, how it lifted her, and her positive impression of Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox.  >> "Utah State Senate Testimony Session."

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE A HISTORIC OCCASION-A JOURNEY OF 1000 MILES STARTS WITH A SINGLE STEP.  Senators Steve Urquhart and Jim Dabakis will host the first ever conversation between the LGBTQ Community and Utah State Leaders. The Lt Governor of the State of Utah, Assistant Attorney General, the President of the Senate, legislative leadership, members of the House and Senate will gather to listen to the testimonies of twelve honored LGBTQ Utahns from every part of the state.

Our GSA Invitation to Equality Utah's Freedom Brunch

February 15, 2014, Equality Utah hosted a Freedom Brunch in the State Capitol Rotunda. Senator Dabakis was impressed with the letters from our GSA students regarding SB100 and invited them to sit with him and speak at the brunch. The students and faculty advisor had a wonderful time. They reported during the following GSA meeting that audience members were crying during their talks and gave them a standing ovation. I'm so proud of them!

Senator Steve Urquhart & Senator Jim Dabakis request the pleasure of your company at Equality Utah's 1st Annual Freedom Brunch & Silent Auction.

Housing and Workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Utahns is a real and pervasive problem in our state. It robs hardworking, law abiding Utahns of the basic opportunity and freedom to earn a living, shelter their families, and contribute to society.

The Utah Legislature decided in a closed door meeting NOT to consider SB100 this session. This bill would have ended unfair workplace & housing discrimination in our state. The reason given for stifling debate on the Senate floor is concern that legislators might make comments that would show "animus" toward gay and transgender Utahns. We can't think of a better reason why a non-discrimination bill is so critically needed in our state. We will not continue to ask legislators for their permission or their consent. 2014 must be the year to change the face of the Utah legislature and elect pro-equality candidates who are willing to represent the true heart of our state. Join us NEXT Saturday for our inaugural Freedom Brunch. All proceeds directly fund Equality Utah PAC efforts to elect pro-equality candidates.

We will not rest until all Utahns have the freedom to work, the freedom to live and the freedom to marry.

Come witness the inner workings of the local movement towards full equality and meet the people making the headlines this legislative session. We invite you to join us for this history making event happening right in the heat of the 2014 legislative session.

Join us for this landmark inaugural event as we bring together both sides of the aisle in the name of Equality and Opportunity for all Utahns. Enjoy a decadent brunch in the spectacular Utah State Capitol Rotunda, and take this opportunity to get to know your equality endorsed elected officials in-person.

Your ticket gets you a five star brunch & silent auction, as well as a behind the scenes look into this year's legislative session and strategy. 

Image Credit: Zazzle dot com

To Our GSA Students, From Senator Valentine

Update: Sen. Valentine voted to not even consider the bill this session. (Sen. Urquhart was the only one who voted to look at the bill. This is the 6th year this bill has been proposed and ignored). These senators are not representing the people (70% polled are for it). Makes me wonder who they are representing. Here's an article from today, 2-7-14: HERE.

Last week, GSA students wrote to our local legislator, Senator Valentine, asking him to read and consider Utah SB 100. You can read the letters HERE.

Senator Valentine respectfully responded to the students. I am disappointed, however, that he doesn't separate housing and employment discrimination from the gay-marriage debate (his is stance on it, btw, shows that he believes that the majority should be allowed to determine minority rights*). He also doesn't seem to have taken the time to educate himself about what transgender is. I want to believe that if he understood, his letter would be much different. But I am grateful that he responded to them.

If you could make sure that {    } and {    } receive this letter, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Dear {    } and {     },

Thank you for your input about SB100, Antidiscrimination Amendments.

As your legislator, I share your concern about this issue and understand your strong feelings about it.

Judge Shelby’s decision is a reaction by the Judicial Branch of government to policy decisions already made by Utah’s Legislature and the people of Utah.  The Utah Legislature strongly supports traditional marriage for the state of Utah:  it submitted Amendment 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a legal union between and man and a woman, to the voters; and it has enacted laws implementing that definition.  The voters, by enacting Amendment 3 as Article I, Section 29 of Utah’s Constitution, also emphatically adopted that definition of marriage for all of the citizens of the state of Utah.

I am concerned about the unintended consequences of SB100. No one condones hate driven discrimination, but there are provisions in this Bill that are problematic, such as defining and protecting “gender identity” (without regard to birth) and “sexual orientation” (actual or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual). These and other provisions contained in SB100 cause me grave concern about the legitimacy of this legislation. With the backdrop of the challenge to our constitution, it is premature to take up consideration of such far reaching legislation.

It is also important to separate this issue from the people involved.  As your legislator, I respect our gay and lesbian citizens and their families and understand their commitment to their beliefs.  I would urge you, and all the members of our community, to actively show respect for everyone involved with this issue, regardless of their position or their comments.

Thank you for interest in this, and other, issues of importance to the state of Utah and its citizens. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your legislator.

Respectfully,

Senator John Valentine

Last thought: "It is also important to separate this issue from the people involved." -- Hm. IMO, there has been too much separation between this issue and the people involved. This issue is about people and affects them greatly. But, I suppose he could be trying to say to not let his differing opinion about this one issue make you think he's not a good leader in other areas. 

image credit: sonsoflibertytees dot com

*2-5-14: A response to Utah's brief to the 10th Circuit: "While it is generally conceded that the teachings of the LDS Church have traditionally contributed to the stability of Utah's families … it is wrong for the State to serve as the enforcer of Mormon teachings - even if a majority of the citizens in this state are Mormon. It is further wrong - and unconstitutional - to use such teachings in order to deny civil rights to a minority of citizens of this state." 

GSA Students Worry About Their Future in Utah and Support SB 100

Update: These letters have generated invitations from Senator Dabakis and Equality Utah: Freedom Brunch post and Compassionate Conversations post.

Currently in Utah, it is okay to fire or evict someone merely for being LGBTQ or just perceived as being LGBTQ. They could be model employees or residents but lose their home and right to make a living based on orientation and identity. SB 100 will change the anti-discrimination amendments to include LGBT protection. Religious institutions, small businesses with less-than 15 employees, and landlords with less than 5 units are exempt from the bill; they may continue discriminating. Link to bill at end of post.

GSA students concerned with their futures write to our local senator:

1/26/14

Senator Valentine,

I am [a member] of the Gay-Straight Alliance at American Fork High School, and I just wanted to write a letter showing my support of SB 100. This bill is so important for me and other people like me.

School has always been a top priority for me, and I've worked really hard. I graduate this year, and I look forward to going to college, moving out, getting a job, but the thought that I could be fired because I'm bisexual is very worrisome.

Like I said, this bill is important, and I really think it needs to be passed. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sincerely,

(name)

_______________________________________________________________

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter in support of SB 100. Utah law already prohibits workplace and housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy/childbirth, age, national origin, or disability, and I feel that it is completely fair that sexual-orientation and gender identity are added to this list. There is no reason to discriminate against anyone, and especially not through housing and in the workplace. I do not feel that there is any reason to oppose this addition to the anti-discrimination amendments. If anything, it is a completely necessary addition.  The amendments themselves are there to prevent any sort of discrimination and because there is now a very present need for an addition, it is completely reasonable to update these amendments so that they can further protect all Utah citizens from discrimination in the workplace and housing.

As a student of American fork High School, a straight ally, and [member] of the first ever Gay-Straight Alliance of AFHS, I would love to see this addition be added for all of my friends who in the very near future have to face theses challenges. It's discouraging to think that these people I know and love can be fired and evicted merely on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identification. They are all wonderful people who deserve to have their rights protected, too. I would love to see the day when the LGBTQ+ community is truly given the equal rights that the rest of us US citizens are given, and here, an addition to the anti-discrimination amendments in the state of Utah is definitely a step in the right direction.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for everything that you are doing to better our state. God bless.

Sincerely,
(name), Senior

______________________________________________________________

Senator Valentine,

My name is {   }, I'm a senior in high school, I have a solid 3.0 GPA, I'm {a member} of the first official GSA (gay - straight alliance) in the Alpine School District, and I've been openly identified as "gay" for the past three and a half years. I always knew that I was gay, no one influenced my decision, because it wasn't a decision. Now you have a decision; you have the biggest influence on passing the SB-100 bill. It's a very scary thought that if this bill isn't passed, I could lose my apartment when I get one, if I get one, and that I could potentially lose my job solely because I am gay.

Being 18, openly gay, and a very proud resident of Utah, I say, "Hear me," as well as all the others out there who fear the same thing I do. In all respect and in the best way possible, please, sign the SB-100 bill. Time will heal a bigoted heart, love for all will heal the wounds inflicted by the many years of struggle, but a decision to make it okay for employers to turn away an LGBT+ human being from a job or a place to live will never be forgotten.

All WE can hope for is that you sign the bill. Either way, you'll end up with upset people, and for that I apologize, but at the end of the day people -- whether straight, gay, or bi, lesbian, transgendered, or questioning -- are people. As I always say: When we're all dead, what's it gonna matter what our sexuality was? We're all essentially just flesh with brains and feelings. No human should fear for their future. Thank you for hearing what I have to say and have a wonderful day.

______________________________________________________________________

To read SB 100, click >> HERE.
To read State Senator Urquhart's short follow-up blog post re this bill, click >> HERE.