Outfront MN Email Blast: The 2008 Elections from a GLBT Perspective

The 2008 Elections from a GLBT Perspective

State Elections: Yesterday's election preserved a fair-minded majority in the Minnesota House, which means that in 2009 and 2010 the legislature will remain in the hands of those who generally support GLBT-friendly legislation. Unfortunately, House elections did not produce a veto-proof majority and some strong GLBT allies lost their races for re-election.

OutFront Minnesota Action endorsed 64 candidates. 54 of them won - for an 84% success rate! We look forward to working with new and returning House members in the coming 2009 session who support equality.

OutFront Minnesota Action is disappointed about the lawmakers who strongly supported justice and equality for all -- who lost their races:

Representative Shelley Madore (DFL) from Apple Valley
Representative Ken Tschumper (DFL) from La Crescent
Representative Sandy Wollschlager (DFL) from Red Wing
Representative Ron Erhardt (Ind) from Edina

Here's the breakdown of the landscape at the legislature:

51% of the current make up of the House votes for GLBT equality over 50% of the time.
43% of the House votes for GLBT equality 100% of the time.
24% of the current make-up of the House votes against GLBT equality 100% of the time. In 2006, 33% of the House voted against GLBT equality all of the time and in 2004 that number was near 50%.
Minnesota worked with TakeAction Minnesota and choice, labor, economic justice and environmental groups to get fair-minded candidates elected to the House.

Coalition work that was successful:

Mike Obermueller (DFL) defeated incumbent Representative Lynn Wardlow (R) in Eagan. Representative Wardlow never voted to maintain or enact GLBT rights legislation.
Gail Kulick Jackson (DFL) defeated incumbent Representative Sondra Erickson (R) in the Princeton area. Representative Erickson never voted to maintain or enact GLBT rights legislation and worked to promote discrimination.
Jerry Newton (DFL) won the seat vacated by Representative Kathy Tingelstad (R) in Andover.
Representative Jeremy Kalin was re-elected for his second term. Representative Kalin voted for legislation to help end discrimination against same-sex couples and has the dedication, knowledge and leadership to continue working to improve our roads, schools, health care, and the economy so that all Minnesotans do better in the years to come.
Judicial elections: Both of the Minnesota Supreme Court candidates which OutFront Minnesota Action rated as acceptable won their re-elections - Justices Paul Anderson and Lori Skjerven Gildea....as well as a Minnesota Court of Appeals judge rated acceptable - Judge Teri Stoneburner.

For more information on the district judicial races, visit OutFront Minnesota Action.

Ballot Initiatives: Sadly, anti-equality measures in a number of states have passed. But while supporters of GLBT equality around the country mourn the losses, we must be vigilant in continuing the work for justice in our communities in Minnesota and beyond.

California – A constitutional amendment to ban marriage for same-sex couples is winning 52% to 48% with 92% of the precincts reporting. GLBT equality supporters are asking the state to continue counting the over three to four million votes that have not been counted before issuing the results of the election.
Florida – A constitutional amendment banning marriage and all legal protection for same-sex couples passed 62% to 38%
Arizona – A constitutional amendment banning marriage for same-sex couples passed 57% to 43%
Arkansas – A ballot initiative banning adoption and foster care for all unmarried couples passed 57% to 43%
Connecticut – A ballot initiative to call a constitutional convention failed 60% to 40%. Convening a constitutional convention was seen as an attempt to re-write the constitution to include a ban on marriage equality, in light of last months' favorable court ruling allowing same-sex couples to marry. Connecticut has set November 12th as the first day same-sex couples can marry in that state.
In Iowa, the state Supreme Court hears oral arguments December 9th on that state's marriage equality case.
Presidential Election: While OutFront Minnesota Action does not endorse candidates for federal office, we believe President-elect Barack Obama will be a positive elected official for GLBT people. President-elect Obama included GLBT people in his acceptance speech and supports federal legislation including hate crime and employment protections as well as other measures that will help our families do better. He plans to keep GLBT people and families in mind when creating policy solutions for our country.

As with every election, supporters of justice and fairness must celebrate the wins and mourn the losses for a couple of days before we continue our organizing work for change. As we look ahead to the next few years in Minnesota, we know that with your dedication and hard work, we can make Minnesota a more just state for GLBT people. Please join OutFront Minnesota in making the dreams of a better future for GLBT people a reality in our communities and throughout the state. Together we can move the movement for GLBT equality ahead!

For more information: Visit OutFront Minnesota Action for a complete rundown of results


For information on GLBT candidates' races across the US: Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund


For detailed information on all Minnesota races: Minnesota Secretary of State's office

Statewide Photo Contest Announced by MN Tobacco-free Lavender Communities

Living Tobacco-free LGBT: A Picture of Health

Statewide Photo Contest Announced by MN Tobacco-free Lavender Communities

According to recent studies, members of the broader LGBT population are 40-70% more likely to smoke than non-LGBT persons. And, LGBT youth are taking up smoking at an alarming rate. In fact, a recent national survey found that 45% of females and 35% of males smoke compared with 29% of straight youth surveyed.

Why? Many psycho-social factors figure into the trend. First, LGBT persons, especially youth, find themselves part of a consumer niche tobacco companies target with advertising. Second, they face higher levels of social stress which can lead to the desire to smoke and many LGBT organizations and events gain much needed financial support and funding from tobacco companies which stipulate that their products be promoted in exchange for funding.

“But there is another untold story. It is one that’s more positive and affirming,” Rainbow Health Initiative’s [RHI] Director of Programs, Loretta Worthington—the lead agency for MN Tobacco-free Lavender Communities [TLC.] “Often times, LGBT persons are portrayed as a community more at-risk for substance abuse, hate crimes, depression, STDs and so forth. And while those statistics are very real and cannot be ignored we also are a community filled with positive role models for tobacco-free, healthy lifestyles,” she adds.

That’s why TLC is announcing—in time for the annual Gay American Smoke Out held in conjunction with this year’s American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out. November 18—a photo contest called, Living Tobacco-free LGBT: A Picture of Health. “We want LGBT Minnesotans to submit photos depicting healthy living in our communities so that more of us will see positive role models that reinforce a more affirming narrative about us as individuals and as a larger community,” says Worthington.

Judges will then select winning entries to be used on the organization’s website, in a photography book and other products and publications. For more information on the contest visit, www.MNTLC.org and click on the photo contest page.

*Rainbow Health Initiative is the lead agency for MN Tobacco-free Lavender Communities.

This project is funded by MN Tobacco-free Lavender Communities

PFUND SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR 2009-20010 SCHOOL YEAR

PFUND SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR 2009-20010 SCHOOL YEAR

Leading Upper Midwest LGBT foundation makes $50,000 available to LGBT students

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 20, 2008 – PFund, the only Minnesota foundation dedicated exclusively to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, today announced it has more than $50,000 for scholarships to be awarded for the 2009-2010 school year. This marks the largest annual award pool in PFund’s over 20-year history.

Scholarships are available to high school, graduate and undergraduate students in both public and private schools, who are LGBT or allies. Awards are based on the students’ efforts to advance awareness and support of LGBT issues and their ability to spur visibility and dialogue in their communities. Service to their LGBT and allied communities is a key consideration.

Interested students can access the application form online at http://www.pfundonline.org/pdf/PFundScholApp.pdf. The deadline for applications is February 1, 2009. Following are some of the available scholarships:

• The Gilligan Pospisil scholarship for a student who has experienced homelessness and/or is working to alleviate homelessness, or a student in the field of social and economic justice
• Miriam Weinstein peace and justice education award for a student from a religious, racial or ethnic minority who has shown a commitment to peace and social justice issues. Preference given to someone majoring in education.
• Manahan-Bohan award for a lesbian student from Madelia, Minn. area or from rural Minnesota.
• PF Engineering scholarship for a LGBT student in the fields of engineering, physics or chemistry.
• Wellness award for a LGBT student studying chemical dependency counseling or in recovery.
• Meuwissen-Werb award for an out LGBT or intersex student with demonstrated leadership abilities in fostering respect between LGBTI and straight communities.
• Southeast Minnesota LGBT student award.

· Mankato State University Award for an outstanding GLBT student attending Mankato State University.

• Carey/Taylor award for a student pursuing a degree in instrumental music performance.
• Haynes/Hettinga scholarship for an African-American or Native American student.
• Howard Liebhaber Human Rights award for a student committed to alleviating oppression, and who works for social change.
• Linde-Ostrander Leadership scholarship to a GLBTQ student demonstrating leadership in bridging differences between GLBTQ and straight communities.
• Holland-Federhart scholarship for an openly GLBT student in performing arts or the arts
• Dr. Tom Knabel scholarship for a high school student who excels at choral singing or musical instrument performance.
• Blue Earth Area High School scholarship for graduating seniors.
• Quorum scholarship for a student leader with entrepreneurial spirit who works for equality.

Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000.

“More than just money, PFund scholarships are a vote of confidence, encouragement and appreciation,” said Gregory Grinley, executive director of PFund. “Can any of us have too much of that?”

As a foundation doing community based philanthropy, PFund scholarships are determined by a committee made up of the broad range of LGBT and allied communities it supports. The 25 member committee consists of both PFund trustees and community members; each offering a unique perspective to contribute to the process.

About PFund

Established in 1987 as Philanthrofund Foundation in Minneapolis when four friends pooled $2,000, PFund is now supported by thousands of individuals in dozens of states who have created a vibrant and vital community foundation that is a catalyst for equality. PFund is one of only a handful of foundations in the nation created specifically by and for LGBT communities. It provides grants to emerging non-profit organizations, awards scholarships, develops leaders and inspires giving. Today PFund manages $1.3 million in assets, enjoying the support of committed donors and dedicated volunteers from LGBT and allied communities.

http://www.PFundOnline.org.