thomascwaters.com: Recent Episodes
thomascwaters
This program is an audio broadcast linked to the blog, thomascwaters.com. A number of episodes were made in cooperation with Equality Partners of Western PA, a project of the Delta Foundation.
Pittsburgh PrideFest is an afternoon-long event where organizations and businesses have booths and many visit these following the Pride March. Additionally, PrideFest has entertainment, much of it local, which is often overlooked or overshadowed. My gues for this episode is Richard Parsakian, a long-time LGBTQ advocate and a volunteer who helps organize the entertainment at PrideFest.
When the Delta Foundation announced their headliner entertainer wass Iggy Azalea, many in the Western PA area were outraged and many LGBTQ persons of color felt especially alienated from Pittsburgh Pride. However, the selection of Azalea was just the last in a long list of incidents which leave many feeling as if the Delta Foundation doesn't care about the local LGBTQ community, but rather organizes Pride for white cis males alone. From the outrage came the organization of Roots Pride Pittsburgh.
My guest for this episode is Joy KMT, one of the co-organizers for the protest against Delta and the organizing effort to form Roots Pride Pittsburgh. We will talk about the Iggy controversy, and how a grassroots oriented Pride will serve Western PA's LGBTQAI com munity.
Here are some links for more about Roots Pride Pittsburgh:
Roots Pride Pittsburgh Event on Facebook
Protest Page on Facebook
this interview is a part of a larger series highlighting Pride activities in Pittsburgh. My guest for this episode is Tara Marie who is the co-founder and organizer of the upcoming Latin LGBTQ Pride event.
Here's the Facebook group for LGBTQ Pride Pittsburgh: https://www.facebook.com/events/718155584959626/
In this show, I will talk to Professor Anthony C. Infanti, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law about the two cases the US Supreme Court heard this past Spring regarding same-sex marriage. We will review the cases, and what each is about, and then discuss some of the options for what the Court may do in June when their decision is slated to be announced. There is mixed information out there that predicts that a decision may end all questions about the legality of same-sex marriage, but in reality, the decision may create more questions than it resolves. What may be answered, and what may be next for same-sex couples, especially those in Pennsylvania? How is each of the two decisions expected different? And are there questions that are of interest to law scholars, but that may mean anything practically to same-sex couples or their opponents? Lastly, I want to talk to Tony about how activism plays a role (or doesn't when it comes to the Supreme Court, and ask him to weigh in on the relationship of court decisions to legislative and other efforts for same-sex marriage.
The US Supreme Court will soon hear two appeals, both dealing with Same-sex marriage, and there is much speculation as to what rulings on these two cases mean, and specifically, how will they affect Pennsylvania. This is the first of a six part series looking at Marriage Equality and the Supreme Court. I will start the series, before the Court hears oral arguments and help articulate what the issues before the court are and how they impact Pennsylvania. After oral arguments have been made, we will revisit this question to see if the activity at the court offers any new perspectives. And lastly, after the court's decision is released, we will again revisit this to see what exactly the ruling may mean. My guests in the series will include individuals from the LGBT activist community as well as legal experts who can help us understand what will happen in the court, and then how it impacts real individual's lives.
As usual, my guest for this first Tuesday in the month program, is Ted Martin, Executive Director of Equality PA, a state-wide LGBT Rights organization. EQPA is both a 501C3 and a 501C4, and in that capacity has been working hard to get PA voters ready for the upcoming primary elections. Ted and I will talk about how they are doing that work, and what it means for voters who care about these progressive issues as well as for the state as a whole. And while there isn't a lot of LGBT-related actions in Harrisburg right now, there are many developments across the state. Ted and I will talk about how advocates for Equality, continue to push forward in 2011.
Few people in the state have their finger on the pulse of what is going on towards LBGT Equality like Ted Martin. He is a wonderful presenter and guest and you will be glad you tuned in to listen. As always, Ted and I will be happy to take your calls, questions or comments via the phone line, or the online chat.
A new bill in the Pennsylvania Senate is bad news in many ways, but it is especially bad news for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender youth. My guest in this program is Senator Daylin Leach who will join me to talk about this school voucher bill, and how it undermines our educational system, and especially harms LGBT youth by supporting schools which can discriminate so openly.
Senator Leach may be best know, in terms of LGBT issues, for introducing the 1st ever Same-sex marriage bill in last year's Senate, but he is a strong supporter of many progressive issues and LGBT issues more generally. Daylin is also an awesome speaker, and guest who will have much to share, and he will be a real joy for you, the listeners. As usual, you can listen live, participate in the on-line chat, or call in with your questions or comments.
I'm of the opinion, that there are many within the LGBT community, as well as outside of it, who don't really understand the "T" in LGBT. Some activists would rather just ignore the "B" and the "T" to move rights for Lesbians and Gays along, while others are adamant about the need to protect and seek equality for all of us. I believe underneath this divide is really a lack of understand about both the "T" and the "B" parts of the larger collective we call the LGBT community. This is my first stab at shedding some light on the subject. When we talk about equality and rights, these may just be letters, L, G, B, T, but in reality, there are real people behind these initials. I believe the more we get to know real people, the more we can understand and we can close that gap.
Too often, if you are a part of the LGBT community, there is an unspoken requirement that by default, you have to be fighting for equality for all of us, but no effort is taken to make we we all know about all of us. So, I will be doing a series of interviews with trans and Bi folks and help end some of that lack of understanding. I'll ask all those questions that may be in the back of your mind but you are afraid to speak up and ask. Nothing will be off the table. Some questions may seem obvious, and others may even seem offensive, but if they don't get put out there, we are never going to get very far and bridging the gaps within our community.
Every month, Ted Martin, Executive Director of Equality PA joins me for a conversation about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights/Issues in the State of Pennsylvania.
In this show, some of our topics for discussion will include: • Recent legislation introduced concerning same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships in PA; • what's the status of other LGBT legislation at the state level; • local activism across the state; • what's happening in Wisconsin, and if there is any connection to the struggle for LGBT rights; • recent DOJ changes to the defense of DOMA in the appeals processes in district 2 as well as other US districts- what does it mean for PA?
I'm sure it will be a lively and interesting discussion!
You can find out more about Equality PA: www.equalitypa.org
Adalheid Friunt joins me in this show to talk about a new LGBT group that has been started in Bedford PA, called the Queer Liberation Circle. Here is some info about the group.
Centered in Bedford County, PA, the QLC (pronounced "klik") provides desperately needed support and education for local lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans people, anyone falsely perceived as such, and the merely curious. Our work also includes spreading awareness of diversity and encouraging its acceptance in our area.
Our meetings are every second and fourth Thursday of each month @ 5:00 p.m. at 309 E. Pitt St., Bedford, PA 15522. We welcome anyone interested in working with us for a better world, and invite you to join us at our meetings.
Despite what many Pennsylvania politicians think, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender folks are everywhere across the state! Organizing like this group in Bedford, provides support and visibility. We can all make a difference and bring full Equality into being here in PA because of groups like this.
Want to know how to organize a group in your town? Listen in and find out how these folks got started!
Here are some links: QLC Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117230938322916
QLC website: http://queerliberationcircle.wordpress.com/
In this show, I'll interview Bruce Simpson, and out gay man running for Luzerne Co Council, here in Pennsylvania. This will be the first county council there since they adopted a home rule government. We have had such a governing system here in Allegheny County for a few years now. Bruce and I will talk about what led him to run for office, what it means to be an out gay man there, and put the call out for supporters who can help him.
Joining the program is Brian Sims. Brian who is board president for Equality PA, and involved as a member of the National Campaign Board at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. The Victory Fund helps to support LGBT candidates.
I'm also going to follow up at the end of the show, with Audrey Smith, of the group, Justice League: Activate! in State College PA about their "Weekend of Love" activities. That is,unless she is in jail. Tune in to find out what that is all about!
Info about Luzerne Co: http://www.luzernecounty.org/
Bruce Simpson's web site: http://simpsonforcouncil.org/
You can follow Bruce Simpson on twitter: @demcandidate
Info about the Victory Fund: http://www.victoryfund.org
On the first Tuesday of each month, Ted Martin from Equality PA joins me to talk about the state of all things LGBT political in Pennsylvania.
Here are some links for topics we covered on the show tonight: Equality PA: http://equalitypa.org SNAP: http://www.equalitypa.org/snap.html Equality Partners of Western PA Training in Erie: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196368787039875 Queer Look at the Bible blog and podcast: http://QLATB.com
While state-wide protections and recognitions for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Pennsylvanians seems far off, a number of rights and protections exist at the city, county or municipality level. My guests for this program will be Liz Bradbury and Adrian Shanker to talk about recent work in Allentown and Eason PA for domestic partnership benefits. Liz is the executive director, and Adrian is the vice president of the Pennsylvania Diversity Network.
We will learn about the PA Diversity Network, as well as talk specifically about these two communities, and what it takes to get domestic partnership benefits passed.
My guest for this show is Alan Bounville, who created a real stir within the LGBT activist community when he exercised an 11 day hunger strike. Some supported his actions while others felt it was too risky and ineffective. I'll talk with Alan, about the hunger strike as well as direct action more generally. What makes this the right time in the LGBT Rights struggle to begin taking more drastic steps, and how we will know if these actions are being successful.
On the first Tuesday of every month, my guest is Ted Martin, the Executive Director of Equality Pennsylvania. Ted and I touch base about what is happening in the area of LGBT Rights across the state. In this show, we discuss the Town Forums that Equality PA is sponsoring in conjunction with the HRC, and the ACLU; the upcoming Progressive Summit; and the future of anti-gay marriage legislation that may be facing Pennsylvania.
You can learn more about Equality PA at http://www.equalitypa.org/
In commemoration of World AIDS Day, I am welcoming Lisa Rohan, Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, to talk about her important research. A major focus for AIDS research has been on drugs to help people who are HIV positive, but another area of research is also critically important in the fight against the worldwide spread of HIV. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have been focusing on the development of vaginal and rectal products that can be applied prior to sexual intercourse to protect from the acquisition of HIV. One such product is a vaginal quick dissolve film which provides an economical, discreet, and easy to use dosage form for delivery of drugs intended for HIV prevention. We will talk about this work in relation to the spread of HIV. I'm also interested in learning from her, about how applicable these methods designed for male to female transmission, may be to prevent male to male transmission. As usual, we will take calls as well as questions via the online chat.
My guest for this show is Ted Martin, Executive Director for Equality PA, a statewide non-profit working for LGBT Equality in Pennsylvania. Having Ted on as a guest will become a monthly feature, so you can look for us to chat about once a month.
In this show, Ted will update everyone on what EQPA has been up to and what they feel are the next steps forward in any efforts for Equality legislation in Pennsylvania.
Ted became executive director earlier this year, and he is proving to be a sound leader and a real asset for these advocacy efforts here.
About Equality PA:
Our central goal is to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pennsylvanians through education and policy and legislative reform. More than a decade ago, Equality Pennsylvania was a volunteer-based organization. Today, we have full-time and part-time staff, more than a dozen policy interns each year, and many, many dedicated volunteers.
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Did you know that in most parts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania it is perfectly legal to be fired on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression?
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In only 17 of the state’s nearly 2,500 municipalities are anti-discrimination laws in effect to protect LGBT Pennsylvanians
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Further, there is currently no legal recourse for LGBT employees who are sexually harassed at work because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in most of the state.
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And of course, it is still illegal for same-sex couples in Pennsylvania to marry, denying them the state benefits of marriage
Since our founding, Equality Pennsylvania has worked to provide support and leadership to LGBT citizens living throughout the Commonwealth. Our educational and outreach activities have reached thousands of people, and we are working to change the LGBT civil rights landscape of Pennsylvania. You can find them on the web at www.equalitypa.org
The recent election has left everyone either startled or exuberant, depending upon your perspective. What will it mean however for the lives of real people and the policies and legislation within the State of Pennsylvania?
Tonight I have two fantastic guests to help sort out what the election results may mean for progressives in Pennsylvania, especially when it comes to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) LGBT issues. My guests are Jake Kaskey and Andrew Hoover.
Jake Kaskey, is the former Policy Director for Equality Advocates (now known as Equality PA), and one of the smartest guys I've ever met when it comes to community organizing. Jake has more energy often than 3 regular people and her is wealth of great information and innovative ideas. Pennsylvania is a better place to live today, because of the work Jake has been doing for some time.
Andy is the Legislative Director for the Pennsylvania ACLU, and is stationed in Harrisburg. He too, brings a wealth of knowledge as well as a passion for social justice. Andy's mark on the State is equally impressive, and the two have worked as a solid team on many issues.
I have enormous respect for both, and I look forward to a lively and interesting dialogue about Pennsylvania, the election, and what will happen next.
More about the ACLU: http://www.aclupa.org/ More about Jake Kaskey: http://about.me/jakekaskey
Host, Thomas C Waters interviews Audrey EqualityNow Smith, one of the group's organizers to learn about Justice League-Activate!, an LGBT direct action group from Central Pennsylvania. Direct action is seen as a next important wave in the battle for gay, lesbian, bisexual. and transgender rights. This group, while it hasn't been in existence long, has already been very prolific with actions and educational efforts. They are a good role model for other groups across Pennsylvania.
Thomas and audrey will also take calls as well as answer questions that come in via the on-line chat.
Equality Partners of Western PA was formed to help educate individuals across Western PA about the importance of LGBT rights, and to encourage gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight allies to become involved with the legislative process and seek equality for all Pennsylvanians.
In this episode, Jason will update us on some of his recent work as LGBT field organizer, and we will talk about the obstacles that hinder people from becoming more engaged in advocacy work.
In our inaugural broadcast, hosts Jason Crighton and Thomas C Waters talk about the organizing efforts of Equality Partners, especially in Potter County, where recently, Diane Gramley of the American Family Association of PA came in as a counter to the recent screening of the film, Out in the Silence. How do you do LGBTQ organizing in small towns and rural communities? Jason is learning, and will share ideas in this episode.
Equality Partners of Western PA is a project of the Delta Foundation, with the goal of assisting LGBTQ and allies to become engaged with the legislative process and seek progress on issues important to the LGBT community such as non-discrimination, anti-violence measures, and equal rights in all regards.
Thomas C Waters is the Advocacy Chair for the Delta Foundation, and also blogs at thomascwaters.com. Jason Crighton is the LGBT Field Organizer for Equality Partners.