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Newsletters
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Dear Friends of Human Rights: May, 2008
In NORMAN, Ward 2, vote May 13! That day there will be a runoff election in Norman for City Council Ward 2. We sent survey questionnaires to both candidates. Candidate Tom Kovach filled out and returned our questionnaire and received an excellent score of +29. The other candidate, Chebon Marshall, did not contact us or return our questionnaire so he receives a NR rating (no response).
Norman City Council: Ward 2 - South of W Main St from Berry Rd to I-35, & south of Imhoff Rd west of Chautauqua: +29 Tom Kovach NR Chebon Marshall
This is a non-partisan election, if you live in the district you may vote regardless of political party or "independent." You may also vote early on Friday or Monday at your county's Election Board.
Wherever you live, here's where to support this candidate, whose presence on the City Council can bring progress to Norman and to Oklahoma: Kovach for City Council PO Box 457 Norman OK 73070 405 / 701-0436 www.tomfor2.com Call two friends in the district to remind them to vote May 13! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Other Elections: Oklahoma County will vote May 13 on buying the General Motors plant for use by Tinker Air Force Base. Various other municipalities and districts will hold elections also. O.G.L.P.C. has not taken positions.
Hate Crimes: The State Legislature did not pass any of the Hate Crimes legislation submitted this year.
Support O.G.L.P.C.: We invite you to join O.G.L.P.C. (membership form). We'll use your contributions to send candidate ratings for both the primaries and general election.
Membership meetings are on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 at Neighborhood Alliance, on the southeast corner of NW 36th St and N Classen Blvd in Oklahoma City. Next meetings are May 12 and June 9.
LGBT Leadership Summit: Saturday, May 10, Oklahoma City. Sponsored by Cimarron Alliance Foundation - www.cimarronalliance.org
Pride events: Tulsa parade Saturday June 7, festival Saturday June 14 - www.tulsapride.org for more. Oklahoma City parade Friday June 20, festival Saturday-Sunday June 21-22 - okcpride.googlepages.com
Sincerely, Jeanne Flanigan, O.G.L.P.C. Co-Chair Paul R. Thompson, O.G.L.P.C. Co-Chair * * * * *
Past announcements: PFLAG-OKC, is sponsoring a rally and press conference at the Capitol Tuesday morning [3/18]. The rally is supported by National PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), The Peace House, Peace Institute and many, many more organizations. Rally at 11:30, Press conference starts at noon. Public parking lots are south of the capitol on Lincoln Blvd. (www.pflagokc.org) Oklahomans for Equality is sponsoring a Solidarity Vigil in Tulsa Tuesday evening [3/18]: Join us in honoring the support of our allies, hear words of comfort from local community leaders, and celebrate our diversity and oneness in a time of healing as we bridge to a journey of continued justice and equality for all Oklahomans. (www.okeq.org) Protest the outrageous anti-gay remarks of State Rep. Sally Kern - and the refusal of the Speaker of the House to denounce her! Oklahoma is in the national spotlight, but now for an ugly side. Come make your voices heard!
Presidential links, from February 2008 newsletter: Democrats: Hillary Clinton www.hillaryclinton.com Christopher J. Dodd * John Edwards * www.johnedwards.com Dennis J. Kucinich * Barack Obama www.barackobama.com Bill Richardson * Jim Rogers (MWC)
Republicans: Jerry R. Curry www.curryforamerica.com Daniel Gilbert www.wethepeopleforpresident.com Rudy Giuliani * www.joinrudy2008.com Mike Huckabee www.mikehuckabee.com Duncan Hunter * Alan L. Keyes www.alankeyes.com John McCain www.johnmccain.com Ron Paul www.ronpaul2008.com Mitt Romney www.mittromney.com
Democrats: The major candidates who have not withdrawn are Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama, both of whom are on record as being in favor of same-sex civil unions but not marriage, and both support meaningful hate-crimes laws with inclusion of LGB people (possibly not Ts however). The Human Rights Campaign has an analysis of Democrats at www.hrc.org/news/5207.htm.
Republicans: The major candidates still standing are former Governors Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, and Senator John McCain. None has expressed current support for same-sex unions or strengthening hate-crimes laws including LGBTs; Gov. Huckabee has seemed especially anti-gay lately. The Log Cabin Republicans have an analysis of candidates at online.logcabin.org/issues/elections_2008.html.
Another source of candidate information on HIV/AIDS and LGBT issues is a report by the Gay Men's Health Crisis of New York, at www.gmhc.org/policy/federal/pres_report.pdf.
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Useful notes from previous newsletters: What Districts Am I In? Call your county’s Election Board, or check these websites: for County Commissioner, select your County, then click on the box below "County Precinct Map" for City Council, select your City, click "View" - Council wards according to shadings on legend for School Board, select your County, then click on the box below "County School District Map" - School wards according to shadings on legend Can’t find my voter registration card? Go to your polling place; you may vote without the card if your name is on the list. If you aren’t on the list, ask the polling place official to call the Election Board to find out where you vote. WHY VOTE? Some of the candidates support us publicly, and we should thank them with our votes. Some support us when they’re not afraid of their constituents who want us dead. Some show outright contempt; others cover it with a thin politeness falsely called “family values.” We too are constituents, and we must use our power in the vote! Register to Vote: If you are not registered to vote at your current address, go to your old address for this election. To change your voter registration, go to any tag agency or your Election Board office, or check out the forms at www.state.ok.us/~elections/voterreg.html . Other Links: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: www.thetaskforce.org
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