Last Chance to Support QEJ in 2009!
Dear QEJ Supporter,
We know that April 15th seems like a long way off. But your 2009 deductions end tomorrow night! It’s not too late to make a tax deductible gift to QEJ — one that will fuel our social justice work in 2010. We’ve made major advances this year in our campaign work locally and in raising the visibility of economic justice issues for queers nationally. There is much more work to do to ensure that working class, poor and low-income LGBT people receive justice in our society, but we’re hoping to continue to organize, and to make our communities visible in the LGBT movement, and in broader progressive movements across the country.
QEJ has always taken difficult and principled stances on issues that are sometimes unpopular with some elements of the LGBT community. Members of our board and staff have sometimes come under harsh criticism from bloggers or movement leaders for being divisive, reverse racists, complainers who aren’t realistic or practical in our idea of social change. We organize on the issues that are important to our base–that’s our queer agenda.
That is why we coordinate support groups for queer and trans people in the shelter system. That is why we organize queer and trans people on welfare to advocate for better welfare policies that expand access for trans and gender nonconforming people. That is why we organized a national mobilization of LGBT organizations to push for the inclusion of the public option in federal health care reform. Your donations help us continue to work on the issues that prioritize the lives of queer people at the margins of our movement.
Though we’re being told that we’re pulling out of the recession in 2010, we know that poor and working class queer people will still be unemployed and discriminated against at the welfare office, working in jobs with low wages, no health care for themselves or their families, and unable to take sick days without fear of being fired. After the economy recovers, our work will not be complete.
Won’t you make an end-of year donation to support true economic justice?
All of us at QEJ thank you for the support you’ve shown us over the years, and we wish you and yours a Happy New Year!
In struggle,
Kenyon Farrow
Act Queer! Teleconference: A Year in Queer Politics
From the passage of Prop 8 in California to the passage of the Matthew Shepard Act, the national LGBT political agenda has gained significant momentum. Will the explosion in LGBT policy on the national radar represent a movement towards queer liberation? What’s are there more progressive policy wins possible on the horizon for progressive queers?
Our December 17, 2009 teleconference served as a 2009 queer policy wrap-up.
To hear each presenter, press play on the audio player. Read materials from each presenter just below the audio player.
Andrea Ritchie, Attorney, (New York) discusses hate crimes and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Act.
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- Sylvia Rivera Law Project Statement on Matthew Shepherd/James Byrd, Jr. Act.
Nicky Grist, Alternatives to Marriage Project, (Brooklyn, NY) discusses relationship recognition policies.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
- Alternatives to Marriage Project – Blog (Same-Sex Marriage Section)
- Fact Sheet – New York Hospital Rights for Partners
Karina Claudio, Gays and Lesbians of Bushwick Empowered, (Brooklyn, NY) discusses trans unemployment and the Employment Nondiscrimination Act.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Robert Espinoza, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, (New York) discusses racial equality in LGBT philanthropy.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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!
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 research, organizing and advocacy.
Support a New Queer Agenda in 2010
Dear Friend,
You and I both know that the economic crisis is not getting better for many low-income and working class people–including queer and transgender folks–any time soon. Queers for Economic Justice is the leading LGBTQ organization working to address the economy’s impact on our communities. We need your continued support to ensure QEJ’s critical work. So far, we’ve raised about $3,000 from people who believe in QEJ’s vision of economic justice. If you’ve given to QEJ already, THANK YOU! If not, please help us reach our $10,000 fundraising goal by December 31.
At this critical time, we ask that you consider making a tax-deductible gift of $100 to make QEJ’s vision a reality. Gifts of any size are appreciated and go a long way to ensure QEJ’s cutting-edge work. Or become a QEJ monthly sustainer by giving $10, $25, or $50 a month to be charged to your debit or credit card. Small gifts overtime add up to make a big difference for economic justice! Thank you for considering QEJ.
With your support, here’s what you can expect from QEJ in 2010:
• A new focus on the economic crisis and its impact on LGBT communities with a spring institute on LGBTQ people and the economic crisis, monthly political education teleconferences and a series of fact sheets on queers and the economy–all to put forth our communities’ needs.
• The national release of QEJ’s groundbreaking report and educational documentary about low-income queer and trans people in NYC detailing research findings on the lesser known experiences of these communities. These tools will be used to educate allied communities and policy makers.
• A campaign to end violence against LGBTQ People in NYC homeless shelters. We’ll be drawing on our six years of experience organizing shelter residents to tackle the increasing violence homeless queer and trans people face by creating a resource guide and offering trainings to shelter staff.
As the new Executive Director of QEJ, I am thrilled to be working alongside my colleagues, Jay Toole and Reina Gossett to make next year an even bigger year for QEJ’s work. But we cannot do so without your generosity. Please join us in our efforts by making your gift today.
Remember, when you give to QEJ, you are making a commitment to justice for all queers, despite their income, race, ability, legal status, or gender identity. On behalf of QEJ’s staff, board, and constituents, thank you for your consideration.
Towards a more just world in 2010,
Kenyon Farrow
Executive Director
Please Support QEJ’s Work by Making a Donation
Dear Friend,
Thanks to you and QEJ’s many other supporters, 2009 will go down in history as a signature year in LGBT politics. But not for the reasons you may think. While there were major policies that passed in states and at the federal level that largely benefit the mainstream LGBTQ community, Queers for Economic Justice organized and agitated for a new vision for LGBTQ communities and pushed a new progressive queer agenda:
· Mobilized and led a coalition of national queer organizations to insert a queer voice—our community’s concerns—into the national healthcare debate;
· Produced a groundbreaking report highlighting the lesser known experiences of low-income queer and trans New Yorkers and a companion educational documentary–both to be released in winter 2010.
· Implemented creative “Know Your Rights” trainings on violence and conflict in New York City shelters and facilitated several 10-week support groups for LGBTQ homeless shelter residents
We are also pleased to share with you our recent decision to hire Kenyon Farrow to lead the organization as our next Executive Director! Kenyon’s longstanding commitment to economic justice for poor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people is a keystone to our growing organization. Please join us in welcoming Kenyon in the coming year.
THANK YOU for helping QEJ advance issues that impact low-income and working class LGBTQ people in New York City and across the country.
As a QEJ supporter, we know you understand the importance of this work and share with us QEJ’s vision: all deserve to the right to be able to have our basic needs taken care of, to fully express our love and desire, free from poverty or violence. We deserve a right not to equality, but to just society for all people.
We both know that even after the right to marriage is won, or hate crimes statues pass, poor and working class queers will continue to face economic hardships. We have to continue to fight to remind the world that queer people are poor, we are people of color, we are immigrants, we have disabilities, and maybe we don’t want to be just like you! QEJ cannot do this without your continued support.
At this critical time, we ask that you consider making a gift of $100 to make QEJ’s vision a reality. Gifts of all sizes are appreciated and will go a long way to further QEJ’s further work on behalf of sexual and gender liberation and economic justice.
As you can imagine, we have much more work to do. In 2010, with your support, QEJ will continue its commitment to economic justice by:
· Embarking on a NYC-wide campaign to stop violence against queer and trans people in NYC’s shelter system.
· Developing a resource guide for homeless shelter staff on best practices for serving LGBT clients, and providing trainings to shelter staff.
· Releasing and distributing the Welfare Warriors Survey and Documentary nationwide.
- Launching a new partnership with the Center for Popular Economics for the 2010 “Act Queer” teleconference series to be a popular education tool on the economy for queer organizers, and a spring weeklong institute on the economy and queer communities.
· Presenting a new Class Institute at the 2010 Creating Change Conference, to educate national queer leaders and activists on the intersections of race, class, gender and disability.
· Working with our queer ally organizations to impact the 2010 US Social Forum in Detroit, MI, and to host a national gathering with local queer organizers in Detroit.
Please consider making a special year-end gift of $100 to QEJ to make this work possible! Donations can be made online on our website at www.q4ej.org/donate.
On behalf of our members, our constituents, our staff and board, we want to thank you for your generous support. When you give to QEJ, you are making a commitment to justice for all queers, despite their income, race, ability, legal status, or gender identity. Thank you!
That is QEJ’s work. Thank you for joining us in this the struggle.
Towards a brighter New Year,
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Emily Davison |
Amber Hollibaugh |
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Board Chair |
Founding Board Member |
P.S. Consider becoming a QEJ monthly sustainer, by donating $10, $25, $50 or whatever you can per month to QEJ, to be drawn from your debit or credit card. Small gifts over a period of time can add up to make a huge difference for sexual and gender liberation and economic justice! www.q4ej.org/donate.
Dec 17: Act Queer! Teleconference: The Year in Queer Politics
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Queers for Economic Justice would like for you to join us on a national conference call to discuss 2009′s queer politial agenda as part of our ongoing monthly series on racial & economic justice issues that impact poor/low-income, people of color, disabled, LGBTQ communities. From the passage of Prop 8 in California to the passage of the Matthew Shepard Act, the national LGBT political agenda has gained significant momentum. Will the explosion in LGBT policy on the national radar represent a movement towards queer liberation? What’s are there more progressive policy wins possible on the horizon for progressive queers? JOIN THE CALL TO FIND OUT! Please RSVP to this call. Supporting materials will be sent out in advance to those who RSVP. Thursday, December 17, 2009 2pm-3:30pm EST/11am-12:30pm PST Conference Call # (712) 432-0600 Password: 751219# Presenters include: Nicky Grist, Alternatives to Marriage Project (Relationship recognition policy) Robert Espinoza, Funders for LGBTQ Issues (Racial Equity in LGBT Philanthropy) Karina Claudio, Gays and Lesbians of Bushwick Empowered (Trans Unemployment & Employment Non Discrimination Act) Gabriel Arkles, Sylvia Rivera Law Project (Hate Crimes & Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Act) This call is the 7th of a new monthly series called in our national coalition-building work called Act Queer! The purpose of the Act Queer! teleconference series 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. |
Kenyon Farrow Named Executive Director of Queers for Economic Justice
Contact: Miriam Yeung, 917.306.4404, miriamwyeung@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenyon Farrow Named Executive Director
of Queers for Economic Justice
“Visionary Leadership for the Queer Left”
New York, NY – The Board of Directors of Queers for Economic Justice is pleased to announce the unanimous selection of Kenyon Farrow as the next Executive Director of Queers for Economic Justice (QEJ). QEJ is a progressive non-profit organization committed to promoting economic justice in a context of sexual and gender liberation.
“The QEJ family is thrilled to continue to have the dynamic leadership of Kenyon,” said Emily Davison, chair of the Board of QEJ. “His longstanding commitment to economic justice for poor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people is a keystone to our growing organization.”
“Kenyon’s work on building a national progressive queer left movement that includes the lived experiences and expressed needs of queer people living in poverty is the exact tool we need to lift true queer liberation out of the usual back and forth of the mainstream gay culture war,” said Amber Hollibaugh, board member and a founder of QEJ.
Kenyon has served as the interim Executive Director of QEJ since the departure of Joseph DeFilippis in July of 2009, after joining the staff in 2008 as the National Public Education Director. Originally from Cleveland, OH, Kenyon has spent the last ten years working as an organizer, public education specialist, and communications expert around HIV/AIDS, prisons, policing, anti-queer violence, and racial and economic justice.
“I am thrilled to be working with QEJ as we move in new and exciting directions, says Farrow. “The current economic crisis has shifted the attention of the nation, and QEJ will continue organize low-income and working class queers who have been left out of the mainstream movement for a long time.” Farrow is no stranger to racial and economic justice work. Prior to joining the staff of QEJ, Kenyon worked at Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP), the New York State Black Gay Network and as the Southern Region Coordinator with Critical Resistance. He was one of the drafters of QEJ’s Beyond Marriage statement in 2006.
“It has been my great privilege to work with Kenyon for the past several years. He is a smart, progressive, articulate and strategic leader in our community already, and he is exactly the leadership that QEJ needs now to continue to grow. I am delighted that he is my successor” said Joseph N. DeFilippis, QEJ’s founding Executive Director.
Kenyon is also the co-editor of “Letters From Young Activists: Today’s Rebels Speak Out” (Nation Books 2005) and the forthcoming “A New Queer Agenda (NYU Press).” His work has appeared in publications such as Bilerico.com, theGrio.com, AfterElton.com, Black Commentator, Left Turn, POZ, The Indypendent, City Limits, and in the anthology, “Spirited: Affirming the Soul of Black Lesbian and Gay Identity (Red Bone Press 2006).” He has been honored as one of the “Movers and Shakers” in HIV/AIDS Activism in the African-American Community by The Body.com, and was named as one of Out Magazine’s Out 100 for 2008.
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