It's nice to see such strong and direct action from one portion of the administration. (NYT):Labor Secretary Hilda Solis issued a warning letter to departmental employees late last week, after posters celebrating Gay Pride Month hanging in 35 department elevators since June 22 have been either defaced or removed altogether.The defaced and stolen posters will be replaced. One friend noted to me that "In his speech yesterday, the President was right to acknowledge that there are some who still feel that LGBT citizens don't deserve equal treatment. He probably didn't count on the fact that they work for him."In an e-mail message sent to the entire department, Ms. Solis, who helped found the House of Representative's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Caucus when she was in Congress, said she was outraged by the behavior.
"It appears, however, that some members of the Labor Department team have a different view, as it has come to my attention that most of the posters have been continually defaced or removed," Ms. Solis wrote. "On several occasions, even the poster frames have been torn completely off the elevator walls."
Solis's full letter is below the fold.
via Think Progress:
From: Secretary Hilda Solis
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 1:40 PM
Subject: Proud of PrideDear Colleagues:
On June 1st, I initiated an elevator poster campaign in the Frances Perkins Building, with the goal of recognizing department initiatives and accomplishments, and to share my thoughts and priorities with the entire DOL team. We are currently exploring ways to provide the same information to BLS and to our regional offices.
Something else far more important also happened on June 1st. The President issued a proclamation recognizing June as national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. I was excited to have an opportunity, through our poster campaign, to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of the LGBT community and affirm our commitment to all workers across the couthe country. The posters went up in the elevators on Monday.
As a founding member of the LGBT Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, I was particularly pleased to have the opportunity to be the first Secretary in the department's history to publicly recognize Pride Month. I am very proud of that.
It appears, however, that some members of the Labor Department team have a different view, as it has come to my attention that most of the posters have been continually defaced or removed. On several occasions, even the poster frames have been torn completely off the elevator walls.
My reaction to this news has ranged from disappointment to outrage.
I do not believe these actions represent the majority of our employees, so I refuse to let this situation define us. But I do want to make myself absolutely clear: Respect for others is non-negotiable at the U.S. Department of Labor.
As the enforcer of fair and safe workplaces across the country, each and every one of us must be committed to working with all employers and employees, no matter their race, color, religion or sexual orientation. And as colleagues, each and every one of us must embrace, value, and celebrate the contributions of the entire Labor Department family.
The posters will stay up until the end of the month, and will be replaced immediately if they are removed or destroyed. This is a small way to remind everyone here how I, and most of our colleagues, feel about this issue.
We will continue to recognize and celebrate diversity at the U.S. Department of Labor, through the posters in the elevators, as well as education initiatives, special observances and events. I would very much like to hear your suggestions and thoughts on how we do this, as well as how we constructively address this specific issue at the department.
As always, I appreciate your efforts on behalf of working people across the country. And I wish each and every one of you a very happy Pride Month.
Hilda L. Solis
U.S. Secretary of Labor
The speech wasn't anything really different from his campaign promises: repeal DADT and DOMA (legislatively), we need respect for each other, we're all equal, etc. It was more words with very little action to back it up. Yet part of me was moved by the President speaking these words from the White House, acknowledging us and our struggles. That's when I realized this reaction was part of what has given cover to our political leaders for years now, allowing them to lag behind the general public in regards to our rights and equality.
There was time when that speech might have been enough, but that time was years ago- beago- before out elected officials, marriage equality in some states, employment protections from top companies, and a general trend towards inclusion.
It was a speech for 1999, not 2009.
I think as a community we must take a long hard look at our own complicity with the inaction of our leaders.
We continue to have an old mindset that even mentioning our existence or issues is game changing. That's an old, outdated model that we need to get out of. Words and speeches are nice, but only when backed up by action.
This isn't just a issue with the President. It reaches all the way from top to bottom- the White House and the Democrats in the House and Senate, all the way to our local municipal leaders. We are happy with Pride proclamations or politicians marching in our parade, but don't hold their feet to the fire (or money from their coffers) when we need legislation passed and action taken.
Our country has been pushed forward on its views about LGBT people. We are more visible than ever before- so much so that mere words and nods in our direction are no longer enough.
By being happy with the words that come from our leaders, we allow them to remain just that: words. At a time when every mainstream media outlet covers the Stonewall Anniversary and pop culture shows like "The Colbert Report" give full episodes over to LGBT rights, we shouldn't be happy with mere mentions from politicians. We are part of America and its time we were treated as such.
That's why I think that anger and impatience is justified by our community. Like any under-served constituency, we need to make our voices heard and keep dragging our leaders in the right direction. This doesn't mean we need to make outlandish accusations against our leaders (no, I don't think Obama is a homophobe or bigot), but we need to point out their inaction and hold them to the promises they made.
We must bring them out of the past and into the present.
We are no longer in the shadows. We see the faces of tragedy that comes from hate crimes. We see brave men and women removed from service in the military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." We see it all - all the faces that are affected by the discrimination that comes from the highest levels of our government.
The one thing we aren't seeing much of, however, is action.
Stonewall Anniversary Poem
by Governor Barbara Roberts
From Stonewall to Salem, Across this whole nation We've marched and we've lobbied, Forty years in duration. For fairness, equality For dignity and rights For safety, and partners To turn on the lights. To come out of the darkness, Emerge from the closet, To rise above hatred And the bigots who cause it. The path has been long With hurdles and roadblocks But the future looks bright With adoptions and wedlocks. So on this eve of Stonewall We celebratl We celebrate gains We stand shoulder to shoulder For the work that remains. We thank all who have given, Taken risks, led the way Lesbian, Trans, Bi, Straight and Gay. So - lift up your glasses And your hearts - one and all As we toast our martyrs and heroes And the brave souls of Stonewall.
ENDA is being introduced tomorrow in the house! Our next step is to call Rep. Walden and ask himp>ENDA is being introduced tomorrow in the house! Our next step is to call Rep. Walden and ask him to be a cosponsor of ENDA. Below is a script to use. It is essential that we flood his lines to let him know how many of his constituents support ENDA! Once you've called, let me know what the staffer said and then ask all of your friends and family in the district to call as well!
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code). Tell them:
"I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I would like him/her to become a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. Can you tell me whether or not Representative _______ has cosponsored the bill?"
Subscribe to Reader feed
Subscribe to daily Email
No comments:
Post a Comment