Why the FUCK is the Gay and Lesbian Task Force honoring Newsom?????
Last week at the NGLTF Leadership Awards Gavin Newsom was honored for his contributions to LGBT activism, specifically his work to get same-sex marriage passed in San Francisco.
His most infamous moment in the recent campaign was his 'Whether you like it or not' speech which was incorporated into one of the Yes On 8 ads, and has been credited as being a big factor in rousing hysteria to pass prop 8 (you can see it at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kKn5LNhNto). The idea that Gavin Newsom was even a benefit to No on 8 is largely debatable but in the meantime I'm left wondering why the thousands of queer people that he is negatively affecting with his budget cuts to public health and social service organizations are being ignored as he is being celebrated?
In 2008 hate crimes directed at LGBT folks have jumped 41%, a change thought to have it's roots in reactions to the same-sex marriage showdown - but CUAV - the queer anti-domestic violence and hate crimes advocacy, counseling, and organizing non-profit has had to cut many of it's staff and programs after Gavin Newsoms budget cuts. Some of the many organizations that have been severely affected by these changes have been Saint James Infirmary, Lyon Martin and Tom Waddell - which has had to entirely shut down it's urgent care program. Low income queer and trans folks make a huge percentage of the clients of these clinics, where do they go now? Gavin Newsom is going around bragging about bringing universal health care with Healthy SF, but what does health insurance matter when nobody can get seen?
So, my question is, to which gays and lesbians is Gavin Newsom an ally of? LGBTQQI folks are much more likely to be lower income than our straight and cisgendered counterparts. Young queers move here from less tolerant environments looking for shelter. SF has a high amount of our population who is HIV+, the majority of whom are gay men that need treatment and support and we all need prevention services to keep the incidence rate from skyrocketing during these difficult times. San Francisco has a responsibility to take care of it's residents, and cuts should not come from the public health budget before the salaries of government officials and other, less vital, programs are examined.
The NGLTF has it's priorities severely confused by endorsing wanna be governor Newsom, ignoring his classist policies - especially at this time while the majority of LGBTQQI folks have a lot more to think about in terms of surviving than saying 'I do'.
Please call NGLTF and ask them what where they thinking at
323.671.2400
or email Executive Director Rea Carey at: rcarey@theTaskForce.org
Or go straight to the source and ask our Mayor how expects to be governor when he's failing so badly already (415) 554-6141
gavin.newsom@sfgov.org
And join the Coalition to Save Public Health to stop our city from turning it's back on our poor : http://savepublichealth.wordpress.com/
Thank You!
His most infamous moment in the recent campaign was his 'Whether you like it or not' speech which was incorporated into one of the Yes On 8 ads, and has been credited as being a big factor in rousing hysteria to pass prop 8 (you can see it at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kKn5LNhNto). The idea that Gavin Newsom was even a benefit to No on 8 is largely debatable but in the meantime I'm left wondering why the thousands of queer people that he is negatively affecting with his budget cuts to public health and social service organizations are being ignored as he is being celebrated?
In 2008 hate crimes directed at LGBT folks have jumped 41%, a change thought to have it's roots in reactions to the same-sex marriage showdown - but CUAV - the queer anti-domestic violence and hate crimes advocacy, counseling, and organizing non-profit has had to cut many of it's staff and programs after Gavin Newsoms budget cuts. Some of the many organizations that have been severely affected by these changes have been Saint James Infirmary, Lyon Martin and Tom Waddell - which has had to entirely shut down it's urgent care program. Low income queer and trans folks make a huge percentage of the clients of these clinics, where do they go now? Gavin Newsom is going around bragging about bringing universal health care with Healthy SF, but what does health insurance matter when nobody can get seen?
So, my question is, to which gays and lesbians is Gavin Newsom an ally of? LGBTQQI folks are much more likely to be lower income than our straight and cisgendered counterparts. Young queers move here from less tolerant environments looking for shelter. SF has a high amount of our population who is HIV+, the majority of whom are gay men that need treatment and support and we all need prevention services to keep the incidence rate from skyrocketing during these difficult times. San Francisco has a responsibility to take care of it's residents, and cuts should not come from the public health budget before the salaries of government officials and other, less vital, programs are examined.
The NGLTF has it's priorities severely confused by endorsing wanna be governor Newsom, ignoring his classist policies - especially at this time while the majority of LGBTQQI folks have a lot more to think about in terms of surviving than saying 'I do'.
Please call NGLTF and ask them what where they thinking at
323.671.2400
or email Executive Director Rea Carey at: rcarey@theTaskForce.org
Or go straight to the source and ask our Mayor how expects to be governor when he's failing so badly already (415) 554-6141
gavin.newsom@sfgov.org
And join the Coalition to Save Public Health to stop our city from turning it's back on our poor : http://savepublichealth.wordpress.com/
Thank You!