Wednesday, August 4th, marked the historic day of overturning the anti-gay Proposition 8 in California, and witness an act of restorative justice to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the United States. Yet, at the same time we want to bring to your attention the suffering of LGBT communities in Iran and Sudan.
The US District Court in California has affirmed that the human rights and moral equality of LGBTQ Americans are protected by the American Constitution, while a young Iranian man, with a lawyer who has disappeared, waits to see if he will be hanged for an alleged sexual assault against a man who has reversed the charges against him. (More details)
And while Ebrahim Hamidi waits to hear if he will die, 19 men from Northern Sudan have each received 30 public lashings for wearing women's clothes while at a private party. They had no trial and we don't know where they are.
(More details)
All these punishments for people being who they are, loving who they love - for not conforming to gender stereotypes. Men are tortured, imprisoned, and facing execution.
At the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO), we continue to be your voice for LGBTQ/SOGI human rights at the UN. We hope that you might consider taking the time to contact your elected officials and speak to your friends about these human rights issues. Please raise awareness as you celebrate, being mindful that there are friends elsewhere where the struggle is great and the consequences for being who they are severe.
With your support, the UU-UNO works daily to address violations against LGBT people around the world. Our letters to the Iranian, Sudanese and American ambassadors reflect our mission to decriminalize homosexuality and advocate for LGBT lives.
We will continue to keep you informed of our work.
In the meantime, take a minute to send a quick thank you letter to the plaintiff couples who decided to stand on the of love when told they and their relationships were not equal or worthy of recognition.
In peace,
Rev. Patricia Ackerman
Geronimo D. Desumala, III
LGBT/SOGI Human Rights Program
Visit the UU UNO website for more information and to make donations to their efforts.
While many cities have their events in late June, to commerate the June 27th Stonewall Riots in NYC, Dallas's parade is the third week of September to mark the short-lived repeal of the Texas sodomy law. For the past three years, around 150 people from the NTAUUS congregations have joined together for a unified presence.
We are proceeding with plans for this year, with thousands of handheld fans to distribute, and other new elements. Please mark the date on your calendar, and make plans to join us.
For more information, contact Daniel Polk or Heidi Snelgrove, or visit dallastavernguild.org/parade_info.asp.
Visit our photo albums for more images from the past Pride Parades!
Click here to download (445KB PDF)
and print your own signs to carry in the parade!
Twenty-four to choose from!
Just The FAQs
Where does it happen?
The parade route goes from Cedar Springs at Douglas to Lee Park, (Turtle Creek Blvd at Hall.)
It is just over one mile in length.
What time?
The parade starts at 2:00, and it takes 30-45 minutes to get to Lee Park. The staging area closes to vehicles at noon, so there may be a block or two of walking to get to us. We have been assigned position #31 in the parade out of over ninety entries.
What about parking?
Good question- it's scarce, and carpooling is definitely recommended. Unless you get there before noon for one of the precious street spots, some area businesses let people use their lots or garages, for $5-10 per car. The easiest option, with door-to-door service courtesy of LGUU, is to park by First Unitarian and ride our deluxe shuttle vans. Parking near the church (4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas) is available at the Highland Park shopping Plaza (NW Corner of Mockingbird and Preston).
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, hat/sunscreen, and your hat or umbrella. Also, your congregation's sign or banner, and materials for the booth in Lee Park. Bring Water Bottles!
Some Reminders:
As we gather, please help keep the center lane clear for vehicles, and remember that we will be right outside people's front doors; we need to pick up all trash.
When we start in the parade, please keep moving, and follow all directions from the security officers; there will be cross traffic on Oak Lawn Avenue.
IGNORE THE PROTESTORS. They need only the slightest bit of reaction to think they are being effective, but may go away if they get no attention.
If you do arrive early, you might walk around and look at other floats, or check out the cheer squad beginning at 1:15, at one of the judging stations along the route.
ACLU of Texas Takes on State Board of Education Curriculum Controversy
Admission is free and open to the public.
When: Sept. 15, 7:00 pm.
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff
3839 W. Kiest Boulevard, Dallas TX 75233
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas Executive Director Terri Burke
will address the State Board of Education's recent abuse of its authority,
including the efforts of some members to insert personal ideology into
curriculum content. She will also discuss issues of importance to voters in the
upcoming State Board elections in November; Q&A session to follow.
Burke will draw on information gathered in the ACLU of Texas report, "The
Texas State Board of Education: A Case of Abuse of Power" issued last May.
This event is co-sponsored by the ACLU of Texas and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff.
For further information or press inquiries contact Jan Brubaker at(214) 907-9812
The NTAUUS Social Action Network (SANe) builds on individual congregations' social action efforts and combines those efforts for greater impact.
Communication among the North Texas congregations is achieved through a discussion forum available here.
NTAUUS has created our own system for distributing news about special events and activities sponsored by our congregations' Social Action Ministries and by other Social Action & Justice Organizations:
Click on the RSS button to deliver this feed to your desktop.
Here are direct links to the Social Action website pages of some of our congregations.
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