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Greetings,
Throughout Arizona we work to eliminate discrimination in public accomodations, housing and employment. Our success has been in both changing hearts and minds and enactment of positive public policy changes. Equality is achievable! Your support of $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or more is essential to our continued success. Please consider donating today. Our progress in Arizona is now being aided by President Obama. Equality Arizona is a proud member of the Equality Federation. Equality Federation is the national alliance of state-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organizations. The Federation works to achieve equality for lgbt people in every state and territory by building strong and sustainable statewide organizations in a state-based movement. Throughout the country states share best practices, ideas and connections that allow us to work collectively to effect policy that aid in our statewide movement to achieve equality. Today's email brought some good news for us all. Please read on and then consider making a donation today to Equality Arizona. ########## DATE: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 HHS to Create a National Resource Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced plans to establish the nation's first national resource center to assist communities across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Experts estimate that as many as 1.5 to 4 million LGBT individuals are age 60 and older. Agencies that provide services to older individuals may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the needs of this group of individuals. The new Resource Center for LGBT Elders will provide information, assistance and resources for both LGBT organizations and mainstream aging services providers at the state and community level to assist them in the development and provision of culturally sensitive supports and services. The LGBT Center will also be available to educate the LGBT community about the importance of planning ahead for future long term care needs. The LBGT Resource Center will help community-based organizations understand the unique needs and concerns of older LGBT individuals and assist them in implementing programs for local service providers, including providing help to LGBT caregivers who are providing care for an older partner with health or other challenges. The Administration on Aging will award a single Resource Center grant at approximately $250,000 per year, pending availability of funds. Eligible entities will include public-private nonprofit organizations with experience working on LGBT issues on a national level. The funding announcement for the Resource Center will be made available on the following website very soon. http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx ### Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press
materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news
Equality Arizona needs you TODAY!
HUD No. 09-206 FOR RELEASE Brian Sullivan Wednesday (202) 708-0685 October 21, 2009 http://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE INCLUSION OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY IN HUD PROGRAMS Commissions first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the renting and sale of housing WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a series of proposals to ensure that HUD's core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. "The evidence is clear that some are denied the opportunity to make housing choices in our nation based on who they are and that must end," said Donovan. "President Obama and I are determined that a qualified individual and family will not be denied housing choice based on sexual orientation or gender identity." The initiatives announced today will be a proposed rule that
will provide the opportunity for public comment. The proposed
rule will: In addition to issuance of proposed rule, HUD will commission the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. HUD expects to begin the regulatory process immediately. The LGBT discrimination study is similarly fast tracked. HUD undertook important research in 1977, 1989 and 2000 to study the impact of housing discrimination on the basis of race and color. It is believed that LGBT individuals and families may remain silent because in many local jurisdictions, they may have little or no legal recourse. HUD's study will examine housing discrimination based on Sexual orientation or gender identity. While there are no national assessments of LGBT housing discrimination, there are state and local studies that have shown this sort of bias. For example, Michigan's Fair Housing Centers found that nearly 30 percent of same-sex couples were treated differently when attempting to buy or rent a home (http://www.fhcmichigan.org/images/Arcus_web1.pdf). ### HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.
Thank you for your continued generous support! |
Equality Arizona fights everyday to secure,
protect and defend the rights and welfare of LGBT people in
Arizona. Primary to these concerns are public
accomodation, housing and employment protections. City by
city; county by county we work tirelessly to ensure equal
treatment for LGBT Arizonans. 
