Get Involved with the Pride Agenda in 2009!

Whether you’ve followed the work of the Empire State Pride Agenda for years or are just now hearing from us for the first time, one thing’s for sure: your support has never been so crucial in our fight for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers.

Over the past several years, our community has done the work necessary to gain the support in the New York State Assembly to pass the marriage equality bill, transgender non-discrimination bill (the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, or GENDA), and a bill to protect LGBT youth in schools (the Dignity for All Students Act). While all three of these bills have passed the Assembly—including the historic first-time passage of marriage equality in 2007 and GENDA in 2008—the legislation was stopped short at the door of the New York State Senate.

This year—largely because of our community’s efforts in the 2008 elections—New York for the first time ever has a pro-LGBT Majority in the State Senate, and with the new Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith in support of our issues and Governor David Paterson promising to sign these bills into law, we are finally poised to achieve our goals and win big in 2009.

In order to do it, we need you to stay involved and make your voice heard!

You’ll be hearing from us often this year with updates on our work and ways for you to get plugged into efforts to pass these pieces of legislation and win LGBT equality here in New York State. Right now, you can:

• Register for Equality & Justice Day. E&J Day is our statewide lobbying day in Albany when we demonstrate the power of our community to our elected officials. Last year we had 1100 participants, and this year on April 28, we’ll need our biggest turnout ever to get our community’s most important bills passed in both the Assembly and the Senate!
• Attend one of our advocacy/training events. Across the state, we’re holding meetings and training sessions to help you get engaged and make a difference to LGBT people in your area!  This calendar is updated at the beginning of every month. Get involved near you!
• Consider making a gift to the Pride Agenda. Your contribution, big or small, makes our work possible during this crucial year.

In addition to staying updated by e-mail, you can join our Facebook fan page, read our blog “The Agenda,” and watch our videos on our YouTube channel. Also, don’t forget to tell your friends about the Pride Agenda!

Thanks for your support and dedication to winning equality and justice for LGBT New Yorkers. We look forward to keeping you informed so that we can win in 2009!