GetEQUAL Bringing Some Muscle To Non-Discrimination Action

GetEQUAL vowed to start slow but then increase intensity in its protests against President Obama's rejection of an executive order prohibiting anti-LGBT discrimination among federal contractors.

The White House says Obama wants to focus on a national ENDA, but, like other activists, GetEQUAL thinks the president can accomplish both, or should at least try.

The Washington Post's Greg Sargent reports:

You may recall that during the battle over don’t ask don’t tell, a gay rights group called GetEQUAL got lots of press coverage for its civil disobedience against the White House over the issue. Images of activists chained to the White House fence or getting taken away in handcuffs gained wide circulation.

Now the group is about to launch a similar campaign against the Obama campaign over the executive order, which has been a priority for gay advocates ever since Obama took office.

GetEQUAL’s managing director, Heather Cronk, tells me that in the next few weeks, the group will start staging actions against Obama For America offices throughout the country. The actions will begin with small gestures and will escalate over time.

“We’ll certainly be doing potentially arrestable actions at the White House,” Cronk tells me, confirming that the group has raised money in the six figures from gay donors to finance the actions.

Something tells me Mr. Obama is going to have a long, hot summer full of pro-equality action. Lucky him.

Police Shut Down Gay Rights March in Jackson, Mississippi

(photo GetEqual Facebook)

A march for LGBT rights in Jackson, Mississippi was shut down by police yesterday, the Clarion Ledger reports:

The participants had intended to walk along city sidewalks from Cups in Fondren to the Capitol steps, said Fondren March for Equality organizer Bob Gilchrist. However, Sgt. James McGowan said Gilchrist failed to secure liability insurance or any documentation to release the city from liability.

“We tried to work with them as much as we could,” McGowan said.

If the proper permit procedure had been completed, “we would have given them an escort to the Capitol,” he said.

Activist group GetEqual says they were intimidated:

The primary organizer of the march, Bob Gilchrist, had organized the event on Facebook, and was expecting a large crowd for the march. The permit was denied even though event organizers were finalizing details to secure required liability insurance. When informed by police that the permit had been denied, those assembled for the march quickly changed plans under the threat of arrest if they were to proceed.

“Mississippi is notorious for basic human rights violations,” said Bob Gilchrist, the event organizer. ”It’s a shame that, in 2012, the state is still maintaining that reputation.”

Zach Magee, a Mississippi native who helped with the organizing behind the march, said, “I can’t believe the state is still maintaining a campaign of fear and intimidation to oppress state residents. Mississippians organized this march and Mississippians were going to attend this march — if the police can’t maintain safety while also permitting gay Mississippians’ freedom of speech, then I don’t know why they’re in the business of law enforcement.”

More GetEqual Protests And Breaking Fast At Rick Perry's Prayer Event (Video)

The pro-LGBT activists from GetEqual Texas braved the Houston sun yesterday to protest outside Reliant Stadium, where Governor Rick Perry and thousands of Evangelicals were holding an unabashedly political "day of prayer," "The Response."

Yesterday I posted video from GetEqual's faux funeral procession for people who have lost their lives to homo-and-transphobia, but the group posted some more videos of their protest that you might enjoy watching. Think the prayer event's anti-gay organizers, like the American Family Association and Family Research Council, got the message?

Also, on a related note, Joe.My.God shared some video from the local Texas Tribune's report, which includes some interesting information: though event participants were meant to fast, many of them snacked on nachos and hot dogs at the stadium's foot courts.

Oh, and Governor Perry had dinner plans later in the night, but vowed to keep his "fast" through the gathering.

Watch those videos, AFTER THE JUMP...

LGBT Groups to Protest Obama's Manhattan Visit, Fundraiser

LGBT activist groups GetEQUAL, Queer Rising, and Join The Impact are planning to protest outside the New York Sheraton tomorrow where Obama is attending an LGBT fundraiser.

From their joint press release:

Today, GetEQUAL -- a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization -- and Queer Rising -- a New York based grassroots queer equality organization -- and Join the Impact -- a national LGBT civil rights organization -- announced plans to demonstrate for full LGBT equality, scheduled to take place at 5:30 pm (ET) tomorrow, Thursday, June 23rd, 2011...

“A Demonstration for Full LGBT Equality” will take place just outside of the perimeter of the largest LGBT fundraising event this election season with proceeds going to assist the re-election campaign of the “still-evolving on marriage equality candidate,” President Barack Obama.

The protest is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm.

Say the groups:

"With the outcome of the New York State Senate vote on the Marriage Equality Act expected any moment, supporters and allies from the LGBT community will gather together in their call for full LGBT equality now. With the majority of Americans now supporting the extension of marriage rights, there is no reason to delay or deny full equality to ALL LGBT Americans any longer. While the fight for full LGBT equality continues, we remind our leaders that without government support and protections the LGBT community is at greater risk for hate crimes, bullying, suicides and homelessness. We expect our elected officials to do the right thing by protecting the civil liberties of their entire constituency. Attendees are encouraged to bring candles for a vigil and to demonstrate their passion and claim to full equality – win, lose or no vote on New York’s Marriage Equality Act."

Former Senate Candidate Jim Neal and Two Others Arrested for Gay Rights Protest at NC Legislature

Following a "Rally for Equality" of about 200 people outside the North Carolina legislature this afternoon, three protesters were arrested after bursting into the House chamber and chanting while it was in session, the News Observer reports:

Arrested on charges of disorderly conduct were James Weatherly Neal, Angel Chandler and Mary Beth Counce. Neal, a Chapel Hill businessman, ran for senate as an openly gay candidate in 2008.

General Assembly Police Chief Jeff Weaver said they were being booked into the Wake County jail in dowtown Raleigh late this afternoon. Further information about their ages and where they live was not immediately available.

Witnesses said three to five people were involved, some shouting “Liberty and justice for all!” House Speaker Thom Tillis repeatedly banged his gavel, but kept the session running after the momentary disruption.

The protesters were with the activist group GetEQUAL.

The North Carolina General Assembly is considering two bills that would amend the state's Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and prevent businesses and municipalities from offering domestic partnerships, while nullifying benefits that already exist.

Ian Palmquist of Equality NC, a gay-rights group, issued a statement to the paper: "While we share the protesters' passion for equal rights, we cannot condone today's disruption of the House session."

Watch video of the rally and protest, AFTER THE JUMP...

Watch: GetEQUAL Confronts NOM's Maggie Gallagher Before 'Defending Marriage' Hearing

Activist group GetEQUAL confronted National Organization for Marriage chair Maggie Gallagher before today's "Defending Marriage hearing to present her with the "First Annual Anita Bryant Award for Unbridled and Unparalleled Bigotry."

Watch (and see a copy of the certificate they presented), AFTER THE JUMP...

I'll post video of the actual hearing if I can find it.