Human Rights Campaign Atlanta chapter hosts meeting tonight at Amsterdam Atlanta
The Atlanta chapter of the Human Rights Campaign announced today that director and producer Lee Daniels has joined the speaking line-up for this year's Atlanta Gala Dinner on May 14.
Daniels, who directed Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, will join Academy Award-winning actress Mo'Nique, who will receive the organization's Ally for Equality Award at the dinner. Mo'Nique won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Precious.
According to HRC:
Daniels' background is filled with bold stories as real and gritty as the narratives from the films he creates. By the age of 21, Daniels had founded and was running his own health care agency, providing nurses to private homes and hospitals; he was simultaneously trying to be a screenwriter. After selling his health care business and giving up screenwriting, Daniels began managing actors such as Loretta Divine, Michael Shannon, Natasha Kinsky, and Aishwarya Rai. He turned to producing as a natural result of trying to find and create great material for his clients; the organic leap to directing came soon after. Daniels received the HRC National Visibility Award this past October at the HRC National Dinner in Washington, DC.
The Human Rights Campaign is calling on supporters to contact their representatives in Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
The Respect for Marriage Act, introduced this week by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and sponsored by more than 100 House members, will repeal DOMA, the 1996 law that restricts federal recognition of marriage to one man and one woman.
According to the HRC:
“The Defense of Marriage Act is denying tens of thousands of legally married lesbian and gay couples across the country more than 1,000 federal protections they deserve. These federal protections of marriage include Social Security survivors' benefits, family and medical leave, equal compensation as federal employees, and immigration rights, among others.”
The director of an Atlanta HIV agency and an activist who fought to overturn "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will be honored at this year's Human Rights Campaign Atlanta Gala Dinner, set for May 14.
Jeff Cleghorn, a retired Army major and Atlanta attorney, will receive the Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award from HRC. As a staff member and now board member with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Cleghorn worked to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on openly gay soldiers.
In December, Cleghorn was one of at least four Atlantans invited to the White House to see President Barack Obama sign legislation that will repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique will receive the “Ally for Equality” award that the 2011 Human Rights Campaign Atlanta Gala Dinner.
According to the HRC:
The Ally for Equality Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate time, energy and a whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people. This award is given to allies outside the LGBT community who stand up on behalf of equality for all Americans. Recipients have shown a commitment to making America a place where LGBT people can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, in the community and in the media. The awards presented at the Human Rights Campaign gala dinners are the highest honor the organization bestows in the area of achieving equality for LGBT people.
Mo’Nique, a former Queen of Comedy, shot to national prominence last year after her portrayal of the abusive mother in "Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire."
President Obama says Section 3 of Defense of Marriage Act 'unconstitutional'
The Human Rights Campaign is reporting that the Obama administration will stop its defense of Section 3 the "Defense of Marriage Act," the federal law that denies rights to legally married same-sex couples as well as allowing states to not recognize gay marriage.
“This is a monumental decision for the thousands of same-sex couples and their families who want nothing more than the same rights and dignity afforded to other married couples,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese in a press release. “As the President has stated previously, DOMA unfairly discriminates against Americans and we applaud him for fulfilling his oath to defend critical constitutional principles.”
The Washington Post is also reporting the news.
Gay rights organization hosts fundraiser today at Midtown Bowl
The HRC Atlanta Steering Committee is gearing up for a busy season, with its popular Bowling for Equality set for Feb. 26 and ticket sales underway for the signature Atlanta HRC Dinner in May.
The Atlanta Steering Committee is the local affiliate of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay rights group. The 11th annual Bowling for Equality features bowling in “waves” from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. DJ Shane V will spin.
“The bowling event is first and foremost a fun event for every bowling level. We call it a tournament and certainly some teams get competitive with each other, but the majority of people to have a good time and support the work of HRC,” says Ed Patterson, spokesperson for the Atlanta Steering Committee.
The Human Rights Campaign’s “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality” video series has been a big hit on the web. Notable celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Moby, Julianne Moore, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others have participated in the campaign, but yesterday, HRC posted to YouTube what might its most important endorsement yet – Joan Rivers!
“All New Yorkers believe in fairness. That’s why we should support marriage equality,” Rivers says in the video. “For goodness sakes, come on guys!”