Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth: Current News
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2010-08-20T21:21:39+01:00
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2010-08-20T22:21:38+01:00
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David Kilmnick Invited to White House for President Obama's Pride Month Celebration
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LI GLBT Services Network CEO David Kilmnick was recently invited to the White House for a reception celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.
LI GLBT Services Network CEO David Kilmnick was recently invited to the White House for a reception celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. President Obama recently declared June "LGBT Pride Month," and urged Americans to "renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists."<br />
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Kilmnick received the invitation for the June 22nd event a few weeks ago and is ecstatic to be included in this special event. "It's an honor to be asked to attend this important event. We have worked real hard over the last 17 years building a strong community and movement on Long Island through LIGALY, The Center, SAGE-LI and Equality Long Island. By extending this invitation, President Obama is acknowledging the important role of LGBT youth, adults, families and seniors who live in the suburban and rural regions of the United States,” said Kilmnick, “I am thrilled, humbled and honored to represent Long Island at this historic reception.”<br />
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Kilmnick will join approximately 100 other guests from around the country including celebrities, elected officials and movement leaders.
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2010-04-06T20:19:05+01:00
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Be Counted in the 2010 Census
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Have you completed your census form yet?
<img width="185" height="105" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/Census2010_Red(2).jpg" alt="" />The 2010 Census is currently underway, with many Americans sending in their completed survey over the past 3 weeks. The Long Island GLBT Services Network is partnering with the US Census bureau to ensure that the GLBT Community is counted. We are encouraging all our members to complete the form and mail it back. The 10 questions on the Census provide important information about the US population and determines how funding for vital services (including those provided by LIGALY, The Center and SAGE-LI) are distributed.<br />
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There are a number of ways to ensure that LGBT people and families are included in the Census. LIGALY, The Center and SAGE-LI are also working with the OUR FAMILIES COUNT partnership to promote the Census. Their website has important information on how LGBT people can fill out the Census to ensure more accurate representation: <a href="http://ourfamiliescount.org/">http://www.ourfamiliescount.org/</a><br />
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If you have questions about completing your Census form, call us at 631.665.2300 or visit www.2010.census.gov. <br />
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<a href="http://2010.census.gov/2010census/">http://2010.census.gov/2010census/</a>
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2010-02-12T16:58:16+01:00
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NEWSDAY: Ads on LIRR Target African American Homophobia
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2/11/10: Newsday's story about LIGALY and The Center's new social marketing campaign.
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<strong><a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/ads-on-lirr-target-african-american-homophobia-1.1754892">Click here to read the full story (subscription required).</a></strong><br />
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2010-02-04T16:35:00+01:00
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WPIX 11: Ad Campaign Promoting Gay Acceptance Hits Long Island
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WPIX Channel 11 Covers LIGALY and The Center's new Social Marketing Campaign
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LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (WPIX) - You won't see the mancrunch.com commercial during the Super Bowl, since the ad promoting a gay dating service was rejected. However, if you travel the roads or rails on Long Island, chances are you will see advertising promoting gay acceptance.<br />
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The ads started popping up a week ago and more are on the way. The messages on the advertisements read, "I am Gay, and this is where I play."<br />
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The posters and billboards are the first of their kind on Long Island. The campaign is meant to raise awareness and prevent homophobia.<br />
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Long Island Gay and Lesbian youth or LIGALY, paid $37,000 on the ads that are on Nassau County MTA buses and on Long Island Railroad station platforms.<br />
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"This is very positive," LIGALY CEO David Kilmnick told PIX News. "This is about where we live, where we pay our taxes. This is where we play in terms of basketball and other things and it's a very positive campaign."<br />
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So far, there hasn't been a single complaint according to LIGALY CEO David Kilmnick. He says they have been flooded with positive calls which is the purpose.<br />
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Kilmnick is disappointed the national spot during the Super Bowl -- the most watched sporting events in the country -- was pulled.<br />
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"I think we have seen far worse," said Kilmnick. "Woman are objectified to no end and they have no problem with that. Meanwhile, an ad that shows twp men who may meet each other and fall in love ... there is something wrong with that?"<br />
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Only time will tell if these ads draw ire on Long Island.<br />
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A spokesman for the LIRR says they reviewed the ads and found they comply with its standards.<br />
Copyright © 2010, WPIX-TV<br />
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<strong>LEARN MORE ABOUT THE "WE ARE PART OF YOU CAMPAIGN <a href="/content.php?pgID=571">HERE.</a></strong>
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2010-02-04T16:29:58+01:00
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Sen. Gillibrand Statement for Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
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First Congressional Hearing Since Discriminatory Policy Was Established 17 Years Ago.<br />
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Sen. Gillibrand Helping Lead the Charge in the Senate to Immediately Repeal the Policy.
Washington, D.C. – Today, as the Senate Armed Service Committee holds the first hearing on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy since it was first established 17 years ago, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement. Senator Gillibrand is helping lead the charge in the Senate to repeal the unjust, harmful policy that undercuts the civil rights of some of America’s bravest men and women, and weakens America’s national security. <br />
Chairman Levin, Senator McCain, distinguished Members of the Committee; I appreciate your leadership in hosting this important hearing today. <br />
James Madison once said, “Equal laws protecting equal rights... the best guarantee of loyalty & love of country.”<br />
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Lesbian and Gay servicemen and women have been serving in our armed forces bravely while being denied the full equality they deserve. Since 1993, more than 13,500 American troops have been discharged from the military under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), at an estimated cost of over $400 million. Those discharges include more than 800 specialists with skills deemed mission critical by the U.S. military, including at least 323 linguists, approximately 10% of foreign language speakers, 59 of which specialized in Arabic, and at least nine of which specialized in Farsi, the official language of Iran. Among these specialists were pilots, engineers, doctors, nurses, and combat medics, all of which the military has faced shortfalls of in recent years. <br />
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These brave Americans were not discharged because of poor performance, but rather because of their sexual orientation.<br />
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According to a recent study by the Williams Institute, an estimated 66,000 lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are serving in the US military. According to data provided by the Department of Defense, discharges under Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps declined to 428 in 2009 from 619 the previous year. This represents a 65% drop since 2001, the highest number on record.<br />
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In a time of war, discharges have decreased, even as anecdotal evidence strongly suggests larger numbers of lesbian and gay service members are serving openly. Despite the current law, individual commanders are deciding to retain otherwise qualified personnel. <br />
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Why is this the case? Because the Armed Forces is experiencing shortfalls in several types of mission-critical personnel, especially in the midst of fighting ongoing wars, and is losing additional trained and highly qualified personnel under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It has been estimated that the U.S. military loses more than 4,000 gay and lesbian military personnel each year, which it would have otherwise retained, had the service members been able to be open about their sexual orientation, and that more than 40,000 recruits might join if the ban is lifted. Commanders on the ground believe what many of us strongly believe—it’s time to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.<br />
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In a January 2007 Op-Ed article published in The New York Times, General John M. Shalikashvili, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when the policy was enacted, stated that his opinion was that Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be repealed. He argued that due to the U.S. military being stretched thin by its current deployments in the Middle East, the Armed Forces need to accept every American who is willing and able to serve. Last week I was proud to share another statement from General Shalikashvili, 1 of only 17 people in the country’s history to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, calling for an end to this failed policy. In his statement he said:<br />
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“When I was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, my support of the current policy was based on my belief that implementing a change in the rules would have been too burdensome for our troops and commanders at the time.<br />
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“The concern among many at that time, was that letting people who were openly gay serve would lower morale, harm recruitment and undermine unit cohesion. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was seen as a useful measure that allowed time to pass while our culture continued to evolve. The question before us now is whether enough time has gone by to give this policy serious reconsideration. I believe that it has.”<br />
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Twenty-five foreign militaries now let gays serve openly, including our closest ally, Britain. I sit on the Foreign Relations Committee and I am acutely aware that most of our allies – Israel, Britain, France, 22 of 26 NATO nations in all – allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly and I believe the American military should follow suit. At a time when our nation is fighting two wars, and with increased national security threats, we can ill afford this loss of personnel and talent in our national defense. Our military is the best in the world. Once gay and lesbian service members are allowed to serve openly, our military will still be the best in the world.<br />
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As we look at the path that has brought us to this hearing today, regarding how best to repeal the Don’t ask, Don’t Tell policy, I am reminded of several leaders in the fight to allow openly gay service members into the Armed Forces.<br />
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One is then West Point Cadet, Lt. Alexander Raggio. In his 2006 award winning thesis he stated:<br />
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“The military should abandon the false acceptance of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and allow the open service of homosexuals immediately.” <br />
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And he added, “Current policy cannot be rationally explained except as a reflection of the personal prejudices of those who create and enforce it and, rationalized by faulty logic and double standards.”<br />
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These steps towards equality are our duty. I strongly believe that equality is an inalienable American right – and should not be ascribed based on gender or race, religion or sexual orientation or gender identity. America must lead by example when it comes to equality and justice. Freedom from discrimination is a basic right that all Americans should enjoy. Lifting the ban on Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not only necessary for realizing equality, but it's necessary for ensuring that our armed forces remain the best in the world. <br />
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Pepe Johnson, a former Sergeant, U.S. Army sums up the moral imperative on why we have to change this policy. Every day this policy remains we ask these soldiers to lie about who they are, Pepe said “Honesty and integrity are everything in the army. I felt if I was lying, I didn't have it. I wasn't serving with integrity. I felt trapped. Lying is not the way of the Army -- I felt I was violating regulation.<br />
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“During the three years I served I only wanted to be all I could be - to borrow the old recruiting slogan - but Don't Ask, Don't Tell forced me to be something other than what I was. And that's not consistent with the Army's Values: 'Leaders are honest to others by not presenting themselves or their actions as anything other than what they are, remaining committed to the truth.' (FM 6-22, Army Leadership) As long as Don't Ask, Don't Tell exists, there is a hole in the integrity of the entire military.”<br />
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We must recognize that human dignity and respect are part and parcel of who we were as Americans – male or female, African American or Caucasian, Gay or Straight, Bisexual or Transgender. <br />
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We must ensure that our armed forces are fully prepared with the best resources we can muster. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is a threat to our men and women in uniform and our national security. We cannot afford to handicap our efforts because of ignorance or hatred. <br />
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This policy is wrong for our national security and inconsistent with the moral foundation upon which our country was founded. It is critically important for this Congress to take up President Obama’s call to permanently end the ban on LGBT Americans serving in our armed services. We will strengthen America - both militarily and morally -- by repealing this discriminatory policy.
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2010-01-27T03:59:14+01:00
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LIGALY and The Center Launch Social Marketing Campaign
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LIGALY and The Center will Launch the First GLBT- Focused Campaign on the Long Island Railroad and Buses starting February 1.
<p>In recognition of <strong>Black History</strong> month, LIGALY and The Center will launch a new 8-week Social Marketing Campaign on Monday, February 1st designed to adddress homophobia in African American and Black Communities. </p>
<p>The <strong>"We Are Part of You"</strong> Campaign includes posters in many Long Island Railroad trains and on platforms, Long Island Buses, and a railroad trestle crossing Sunrise Highway in West Babylon. </p>
<p>The campaign was made possible through a grant from the New York State Department of Health's AIDS Institute.</p>
You can see images of the campaign below:<br />
<img src="/images/uploads/Image/LIGLY%2021x33%20Ball.jpg" alt="" /><br />
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<img src="/images/uploads/Image/LIGLY%2021x33%20Din.jpg" alt="" /><br />
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<img alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/LIGLY%2021x33%20Church.jpg" />
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2009-12-16T20:10:32+01:00
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A Letter from Congressman Steve Israel
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Congressman Steve Israel wrote this letter to the Long Island GLBT Community regarding the Long Island Town Hall on Marriage Equality
<img width="500" height="647" src="/images/uploads/Image/SteveIsraelLetter.jpg" alt="" />
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2009-07-22T17:27:17+01:00
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David Kilmnick Appointed to Suffolk Hate Crimes Task Force
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Newly created taskforce will work to improve the County's reponse to bias-crime
<font size="2"><img width="190" height="190" align="left" alt="" src="/images/uploads/Image/David109x109.jpg" />The Suffolk County Legislature has appointed Network CEO David Kilmnick to it's newly-created Suffolk County Hate Crimes Taskforce. Chaired by Leg. DuWayne Gregory, the 12-member Taskforce includes government and community leaders who will develop recommendations and strategies for better addressing--and ultimately decreasing--bias motivated crime in Suffolk County. <br />
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LIGALY, The Center and SAGE-LI have spent a great deal of time working with victims, law enforcement personnel and the community in the wake of a recent rash of anti-GLBT hate crimes on Long Island in the past few months. Kilmnick's appointment to the the Taskforce will ensure that needs of the GLBT community are part of the larger strategy to ensure that Suffolk County is a safe place for all people.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.longislandwins.com/policy_watch/suffolk_county_immigration_policy/weds_hate_crime_task_force_mee.php?tr=y&auid=5098526">Read a blog post from Long Island Wins about the 1st Taskforce meeting>></a></strong></font>
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2009-07-22T17:09:35+01:00
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Newsday Awards $20,000 grant to LIGALY
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Grant to support LIGALY's groundbreaking work in schools on Long Island.
<img width="190" height="190" align="right" src="/images/uploads/Image/NewsdayPic.jpg" alt="" /><font size="2">LIGALY was awarded a $20,000 grant from Newsday Charities, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, to support its nationally recognized Safe Schools Initiative. The Safe Schools Initiative is comprised of seven programs that create safer and more supportive schools for GLBT students, educators, and families on Long Island.<br />
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LIGALY's Safe Schools Initiative organizes tens of thousands of students and educators across Long Island each year to raise awareness, decrease anti-GLBT bullying and build youth leadership. A big thanks is extended to Newsday Charities for continuing to support safer and more supportive schools for GLBT youth!</font>