Act Queer! Teleconference: Healthcare Agenda for the LGBTQ Community
This is the first of a new monthly teleconference series called Act Queer! QEJ has started as a part of our national public education work. The purpose of Act Queer! is to connect grassroots LGBTQ racial and economic justice organizations with national queer and/or allied coalitions and organizations to share information and strategies on racial and economic justice issues.
Our May 21, 2009 teleconference was on what the healthcare debate means for queer communities.
To hear the each presenter, press play on the audio player. Read materials from each presenter just below the audio player.
Katie Gjertson, AFL-CIO Health Care Reform Now. Reviews the timeline of the upcoming health care bill, how the plan is likely to be structured, Labor’s role in reform and their position on H.R. 676 (the universal coverage bill also in Congress).
Health Care for America Now June 25 Lobby Day Flyer
AFL-CIO Health Care Reform talking Points
Eesha Pandit, MergerWatch/Raising Women’s Voices. The fight to protect reproductive health access in the health care reform, how reproductive justice issues in the legislation also impact LGBTQ folks, and grassroots efforts to impact the healthcare debate.
Materials from Raising Women’s Voices:
Principles for Quality, Affordable Health Care for All
Rebecca Fox, National Coalition on LGBT Health. LGBT inclusion in healthcare reform, and the strategies being used to ensure LGBT issues are included in reform, expanding definition of family for coverage, and advocacy for transgender specific care.
Materials from National Coalition on LGBT Health:
Guiding Principles for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Inclusion in Healthcare Reform
Ajamu Sankofa, Private Health Insurance Must Go Coalition. Focuses on the history of a single-payer system, fallacies of the so-called public/private option and that the Conyers plan and Sanders plan are the plans that would end the crisis.
Materials from Private Health Insurance Must Go:
Recent Bill Moyers Show on Single-Payer Health Care Debate (video)
April 2009 Protest: Your Ass Isn’t Covered (Youtube Video)
If you have questions, comments, or know of other resources or events related to this topic, please feel free to post in the comments section!
QEJ’s Amazingly Queer Race Launches May 30
What is it?
The 3rd Annual Amazingly Queer Race for Economic Justice is a fundraising event benefiting Queers for Economic Justice. It takes place on May 30, 2009 in New York, NY.
A Race? Are you people serious?
Yes, quite. But think more “crazy, reality-show-themed challenges” and less “26 mile, train-for-6-months, charity marathon”. The race is a competitive, clue-based scavenger hunt across New York City for a great cause: fighting poverty and homelessness in the LGBT community. Nurture your inner child, challenge your friends and co-workers, and have fun while supporting the community and drawing some good karma.
How does it work?
Participants compete in 2-person teams. After gathering at a central point in the city, each teams is given a series of clues leading to fun challenges at points throughout NYC. Prizes are awarded for challenge winners, costumes and a grand prize for the team that crosses the finish-line first. There’s also a dance party afterward for the racers and our friends.
We ask each participant to raise $250 dollars to participate in the race – don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds. We’ll provide you with an online fundraising page and everything you need to raise your contribution with a few clicks and minimal headache. In the last 2 years, friends, family, local businesses and organizations have given generously to support racers. And no one who makes a good faith effort to raise the minimum contribution will be turned away.
5/17: Come Celebrate Jay’s Birthday!!!
Jay Toole’s Belated Birthday Bash
(and Shelter Project Fundraiser)
Sunday, May 17th from 3 - 8 PM
Sycamore Bar
1112 Cortelyou Road. Brooklyn, NY.
(Q Train to Cortelyou)
Fun for the whole family (yes, bring the kids)!
There will be food, games, and most importantly JAY!
There will be a suggested donation and an auction to benefit the Queers for Economic Justice Shelter Project!
RSVP to Emily Davison at davisonemily@gmail.com