FROM A NEWS RELEASE
'This is the dawn of a new political era of hope and engagement in the Life of this country. A new administration brings a promise for a sea change in the tenor of the national dialogue on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.'
— Rea Carey, Executive Director, NationalGay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund responds to the election of Barack Obama to become the 44th president of the United States.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
'This is the dawn of a new political era of hope and engagement in the life of this country. A new administration brings a promise for a sea change in the tenor of the national dialogue on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. For eight years, we have endured a hostile administration that treated us with contempt, rather than as part of the strength, talents and spirit of this country. It's long past time our country said goodbye to those destructive, divisive ways and ushers in an era in which each of us is encouraged and inspired to recognize our common humanity.
'Like all people in America, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are concerned with how the economic downturn will impact our families; like all people in America, we are worried about access to affordable health care; we too are devastated by the lives lost in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; like all people, we desire peace, and are deeply troubled that our nation's standing in the world has been diminished at a time when the world must work together to solve global problems.
'We know President-elect Obama is inheriting potent domestic and international challenges, but we also expect the new administration to follow-through with its often-voiced commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunity for all.
'We eagerly look forward to working with the new administration toward this end, and will be vigilant in ensuring our community is not left behind as the big problems of our time are discussed and decided.'
Issues the Task Force Action Fund looks to advance during an Obama administration : The Task Force Action Fund will be working withthe new administration and new Congress to advance several initiatives of particular relevance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) people. In Congress, we have already seen movement with hearings on transgender discrimination in the workplace and the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. The Task Force Action Fund will continue working toward passage of a strengthened and expanded federal hate crimes law, passage of an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and a repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' For the last eight years passage and enactment of these initiatives was difficult due to the ongoing veto threat from President Bush.
The Task Force Action Fund will also work to ensure that LGBT people are included in discussions about economic policies, health care and other major initiatives to be taken up in the next administration.
The Task Force Action Fund not only looks to advance equality for LGBT people, but also advance federal public policy in a manner that affects all the people living in America. Affordable housing, access to quality/affordable health care, equal pay, reproductive freedom, and racial and economic justice-related matters are among the critical issues the Task Force Action Fund tracks in federal policy.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, founded in 1974 as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. The Task Force Action Fund is a 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund are not tax deductible.
