Following are news briefs related to local and national responses to the tragedies on the East Coast last week:
Sangat /Chicago, a South Asian Les/Bi/Gay, Trans organization and support group which includes East Indians, Pakistanis, Bangla Deshis, Sri Lankans, Nepalese, and the rest of South Asians from all faiths...Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Jews...issued a statement condemning the terrorism. "We pray for the people [ who ] died ... and for those who survived. We are standing with our American brothers and sisters. Let us all pray for peace," stated Viru Joshi, Ifti Nasim, and Altaf Khan.
In Chicago, Good Shepherd Parish Metropolitan Community Church and Summerdale Community Church UCC held a candlelight vigil and Prayer Service Sept. 14, and their services Sunday also focused on the events. The services of most GLBT churches, synagogues and other worship places addressed the attacks.
Chicago's Run & Walk for AIDS will replace its originally scheduled sunrise service with an interfaith "United We Stand" service at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23, at Grant Park's Museum Campus at Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Rd.
The Lesbian Community Cancer Project postponed its Sunday, Sept. 16 "Cruising 6" benefit until Saturday, Oct. 20, same time and still on the Odyssey Cruise Ship, sailing from Navy Pier. All tickets will be honored at that event. For details, call ( 773 ) 561-4662. The following statement was made by LCCP Executive Director Jessica Halem: "The mission of LCCP is too important to not have complete focus and attention at our event. There are women struggling every day and we are here for them every day...that hasn't changed. We are an organization committed to changing this world...one lesbian at a time. Our message, our work, our clients, our programs, our spirit is too important to not find the right time to have this event."
The following letter was written by Chicago-area military activist Cari Bausone, 3rd Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, 1955-1959: "35,000 National Guard reservists are currently being called upon to defend our country in this hour of need and many more will probably be called upon before closure, following the monstrous attack on our nation. An assault on our freedoms. The CIA the FBI and all our investigative agencies are in a state of alert. As lesbians and gays we are most likely 10% of those killed and injured in the World Trade Buildings N.Y.C. disaster. We are also probably 10% of those asked to defend and serve in the effort to squash the perpetrators of these violent acts. To serve in the military effort. One minute please ... Gays in the military? An agency of our government that legally discriminates against lesbians and gays. Remember Col. Powell ... 'gays have no place in the military.' Remember...the percent of lesbians and gays kicked out of the military before Tuesday. Remember ...when CIA and FBI investigated private citizens in the Mattachine Society, One and the Daughters of Bilitis. I remember...those investigations, the hours, the days, the weeks being investigated by the CIA for being 'suspected' of being a lesbian in the Navy. Is this the time to make changes? To make sure we are desired and respected as lesbians and gays in the military and other agencies?"
Berlin Nightclub is collecting donations for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund. Berlin was founded in the spirit of diversity and continues to be a place "where people of all races, religions, and sexual orientations can dance, drink, and celebrate."
Dignity/USA stated: "We extend our deepest sympathy to all of those who have lost people they love, or who are still waiting in desperate hope for word. In particular, we extend condolences to the loved ones of Fr. Mychal Judge, NY Fire Department Chaplain, who was a longtime member of Dignity, and to all our members and friends who have been directly impacted by these events. ... We are outraged by the comments of Rev. Jerry Falwell and Rev. Pat Robertson, who blame gay men and lesbians for helping to cause this terrorism. Expressions of fanaticism and hate only serve to escalate violence and are totally inappropriate, especially at this time. We also reject any notion that God allowed this to happen as a sign of disfavor with our nation."
The following is a statement by Richard L. Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans: "Gay and lesbian Americans across the nation are united today. In the face of defending our nation together, all differences fall away, and all other issues pale in comparison. We are one nation, we are brothers and sisters in one united gay and lesbian community, and we won't be divided. Now is the time to join together behind our President and our government in defense of our nation."
The National Stonewall Democrats declared "we are united with all Americans, in full support of our President and the Congress, to work for peace, justice and reconciliation. This week's tragedy truly asks all of us to come together as a people to bury our dead, to comfort and heal all families, and to rebuild this strong nation. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans also have paid with their lives and their honor, and we join in saluting their sacrifices and those of every American who suffered ... ."
Amnesty International USA called on all Americans to focus their efforts on helping the victims and families and to refrain from scapegoating any individuals. In response to reports that Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, and others have been the victims of violent and non-violent attacks, including death threats, Amnesty International urges individuals and police to refrain from discrimination and attacks, whether violent or nonviolent, on citizens and residents of the U.S. on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin or appearance, whether actual or perceived.
A statement from feminists of Afghanistan: RAWA is the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, a feminist organization of Afghan women mostly in exile. "The people of Afghanistan have nothing to do with Osama and his accomplices. ... RAWA stands with the rest of the world in expressing our sorrow and condemnation for this barbaric act of violence and terror. RAWA had already warned that the United States should not support the most treacherous, most criminal, most anti-democracy and anti-women Islamic fundamentalist parties because after both the Jehadi and the Taliban have committed every possible type of heinous crimes against our people, they would feel no shame in committing such crimes against the American people whom they consider 'infidel.' ... But unfortunately we must say that it was the government of the United States who supported Pakistani dictator Gen. Zia-ul Haq in creating thousands of religious schools from which the germs of Taliban emerged. In the similar way, as is clear to all, Osama Bin Laden has been the blue-eyed boy of CIA. But what is more painful is that American politicians have not drawn a lesson from their pro-fundamentalist policies in our country and are still supporting this or that fundamentalist band or leader."
