We will not settle

Dear Task Force Supporter, "We are all part of the American family." That's what President Obama said in last night's State of the Union address. We absolutely agree with this statement and believe that the government must make good on this promise. The president said, "At stake is whether new jobs and industries take root in this country, or somewhere else. It's whether the hard work and industry of our people is rewarded." >  The reality is LGBT people can still be fired or denied employment for nothing other than their gender identity or orientation. Our community needs job protection. The president said, "We measure progress by the success of our people… By the opportunities for a better life that we pass on to our children." >  The reality is our families are treated like second-class citizens without access to marriage and all the rights that come with it, including taking care of our children and our partners. These injustices place an even greater economic burden on LGBT people in already difficult economic times. If the president is really serious about improving the lives of all people, he needs to address our exclusion from economic security. We face discrimination every day at work, when we file our taxes, when we create families. He must provide leadership to end this discrimination and bring us fully into the "the American family." Speak out on the Task Force's Facebook page and tell us how you want the LGBT community included in the president's vision for the future. From job protections to marriage recognition to the protection of health care and social security benefits — what will it take to make you and your family — all LGBT people — equally part of the American family the president described. The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was an important step in achieving equality for our brave servicemembers, but we won't stop there. Not when transgender people are still excluded from serving their country. Not when LGBT youth are bullied and harassed. Not when families are torn apart. We will continue to push the Obama administration to make progress on the full range of issues that affect LGBT people and our families. We are part of the American family and we will not settle for less. Be part of the conversation on Facebook and share your American dreams on how we can move forward together.    Sincerely, Rea Carey, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task Force are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. ©  2010 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. 1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. Phone 202.393.5177. Fax 202.393.2241. TTY 202.393.2284. theTaskForce@theTaskForce.org.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
202.393.5177
www.thetaskforce.org
www.thetaskforceblog.org

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