Statement by Attorney Vickie Henry Before The Massachusetts Commission on GLBT Youth
GLAD presented testimony June 20 before the MA Commission on GLBT Youth panel addressing the needs of youth across the state. Here is an excerpt from the testimony presented by Senior Attorney Vickie Henry, who leads GLAD’s Youth Initiative:
Chairman Lipkin and Members of the Committee:
As the leader of GLAD’s youth work, I have had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of youth across the Commonwealth, from Boston to Pittsfield to Salem to Hyannis to Holyoke and more. GLAD has been co-presenting a Got Rights? workshop for students with youth from BAGLY, The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth. I have been able to speak directly with these young people as well as GSA advisors and teachers about what they need and how schools and the law can do better by our youth. I have also spoken to youth who experienced our foster care system. The theme of this testimony is that adults can and must do better – we need to enact stronger laws and we need the adults charged with implementing those laws to set the tone that the Commonwealth, its agencies, and the school districts within it support LGBTQ youth and will not permit discrimination against them.
Key Points From the Testimony:
- Out-of-Home Youth Need Safe Shelter
- LGBTQ Youth Need Transparency and Accountability From Schools When They Report Bullying
- LGBTQ Youth Need Advocates in Every School, Not Just in the Statehouse
- Creating a Positive School Climate Will Not Only Protect Youth From Bullying, But Also Improve Academic Performance
Read the full testimony here.
Supporting House Bill 2277, “An Act Relative to Safe Harbor for Exploited Children”
GLAD is part of a coalition working to pass HB 2277, better known as the “human trafficking bill.” Read attorney Ashley Dunn’s testimony to learn the potential impact of this legislation on homeless LGBTQ youth.
Read attorney Ashley Dunn’s testimony
Public hearing for HB 6599: An Act Concerning Discrimination
The Connecticut Judiciary Committee Public Hearing on HB 6599: An Act Concerning Discrimination took place on March 21, 2011.
If passed, HB 6599: An Act Concerning Discrimination will add gender identity and gender expression to CT non-discrimination law.
Jennifer Levi, GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project Director, was among the many who testified in support of the bill. You can read Jennifer’s testimony here.
You can watch video of the hearing at CT-N and see photos of some of those testifying from the Rainbow Times
For more information about the bill and to get involved, visit ctEquality.org
New Hampshire: Ask Senator Gregg to Support ENDA
On Thursday, November 5, the federal Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) will receive an important hearing in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Without passage of ENDA, no federal legislation explicitly prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg sits on the HELP committee, but has not yet declared his support for ENDA. Now is the time to contact Senator Gregg and let him know how crucial this legislation is for LGBT citizens in New Hampshire and across the U.S.
Call (202-224-3324) or email Senator Gregg today and remind him that no qualified employee should be denied workplace opportunities simply because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
For more information and talking points on ENDA, visit www.unitedenda.org
Why do we need an employment non discrimination act that includes sexual orientation and gender identity?
Watch this video:
GLAD’s Mary Bonauto Testifies in Support of Maine Anti-Discrimination Regulations
GLAD Civil Rights Project Director Mary Bonauto today presented testimony in favor of proposed regulations for implementing Maine’s ant-discrimination law. The law, ratified by voters in 2005, provides protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and education. The regulations are significant in providing a working definition of gender identity and gender expression.
Testimony and Reports from the NH Commission on Civil Rights
Testimony and Reports from the NH Commission on the Civil Rights, Responsibilities, Laws and Legal Obligations Related to Same-Sex Unions
Entire Minority Report [pdf]
GLAD’s Testimony [pdf]
Professor Barbara Cox Testimony [pdf]
Dr. Marshall Forstein Testimony [pdf] and Attachments [pdf] [14 MB]
Dr. Ellen Perrin Testimony [pdf]
Economist Lee Badgett Testimony [pdf]
Professor Nancy Cott Testimony [pdf]
Steve Varnum Testimony [pdf]
Susan Hassan, Esq. Testimony [pdf]