http://equalitync.org The latest on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues and state politics in North Carolina. daily 1 2005-11-29T00:29:08Z http://equalitync.org/news1/20080811 8/11/2008 - The staff of Equality North Carolina returned on Sunday from the annual Summer Meeting of Equality Federation, the national alliance of state-based equality organizations. Participants included 120 leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights movement from 34 state organizations and 21 allied groups. The North Carolina delegation included Ian Palmquist, Kay Flaminio, Rebecca Mann, and Josh Wynne. No publisher ian 2008-08-11T19:10:32Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080718 7/18/2008 - In a letter to supporters, Executive Director Ian Palmquist provides an update on the end of the 2008 session. Despite having the votes, the School Violence Prevention Act died, though other important bills for the LGBT community passed this year. No publisher ian 2008-07-18T22:01:21Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080717 7/17/2008 - Equality North Carolina applauds the North Carolina House for passing a bill opposing implementation of the federal REAL ID Act. The federal law places arduous, unfunded requirements on the Division of Motor Vehicles and raises serious concerns for individual privacy. Equality NC opposes REAL ID due to its implications for transgender North Carolinians. No publisher ian 2008-07-18T01:54:25Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080716b 7/16/2008 - Equality North Carolina applauds the repeal of the Gift Tax, which unfairly discriminates against same-sex couples. The tax was repealed by the state budget, which Governor Easley signed today. The Gift Tax, a tax paid by the recipient of gifts of real and personal property, exempts gifts between spouses from any tax, and gives certain relatives a lower rate. Same-sex couples, who are denied recognition under North Carolina law, are treated as legal strangers and taxed at the highest rate. No publisher ian 2008-07-21T19:34:00Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080716 7/16/2008 - An overwhelming majority of North Carolinians, across party lines, support a provision to specifically protect children from bullying based on their sexual orientation, according to a poll released today by Public Policy Polling. 72% of those polled in a statewide survey conducted by Public Policy Polling expressed support for the provision. That includes 84% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 58% of Republicans in the state. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:37:13Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080710 7/10/2008 - Over the last few days, we've asked our supporters to let the legislature know why HB 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act matters. They've come through with hundreds of emails and so many moving stories and intelligent arguments. Here are a few highlights. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:37:49Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080708a 7/8/2008 - The School Violence Prevention Act is moving closer to passage with the House and Senate appointing members of a conference committee to negotiate differences between the chambers on this bill. Equality North Carolina is working to ensure that the committee restores important language to the bill that helps protect LGBT students from bullying and harassment. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:38:11Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080708 7/8/2008 - The legislature today approved a state budget for the new fiscal year that includes important provisions that benefit people living with HIV/AIDS. Equality North Carolina successfully lobbied for a provision in the budget that increases the eligibility level of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), allowing more low-income people to access the program. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:38:30Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080702b 7/9/2008 - Equality North Carolina applauds today's North Carolina House vote to reject the weakened Senate version of HB 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act. The anti-bullying bill will now be sent to a conference committee to work out the differences between the two chambers. Equality North Carolina and our allies will be working hard to ensure the conference committee agrees to a strong, inclusive bill. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:38:51Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080702 7/2/2008 - Right wing state representatives announced this morning that they have filed a bill that would add an anti-LGBT, anti-marriage amendment to the North Carolina constitution. Equality North Carolina is working with our allies to ensure the bill does not pass this session. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:39:23Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080701 7/1/2008 - Today the House Committee on Judiciary I, chaired by Rep. Deborah Ross, voted to send House Bill 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act, to the House floor with a recommendation not to concur with the weakened Senate version of the bill. Equality NC applauds the committee's action and is working to ensure the full House supports the recommendation when it votes on Wednesday. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:40:00Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080630 6/30/2008 - Tonight Rep. Deborah Ross announced that House Bill 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act will be considered in committee Tuesday. The full House could vote on whether to accept or reject the Senate's weakened and ineffective version of the bill as early as Wednesday. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:40:37Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/fundraising-for-the-2008-equality-conference-gala 6/26/2008 - Equality North Carolina development director Kay Flaminio and community volunteer Ronna Dornsife are the fundraising cochairs for this year’s equality conference & gala to be held Saturday, November 15, at Duke University in Durham (save the date if you haven’t already!). No publisher kay 2008-07-17T02:43:17Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/equality-nc-foundation-receives-grant-from-the-z. 6/25/2008 - Equality NC Foundation has received a grant of $35,000 from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, in support of our continuing efforts to strengthen our organizational capacity. The grant includes a requirement that we match the last $5,000 with new funds from other donors. We are deeply honored that the foundation supports our educational and advocacy work to improve the lives of LGBT North Carolinians. No publisher kay 2008-07-17T02:43:57Z News Item http://equalitync.org/news1/20080625 6/25/2008 - Mary Fant Donnan has secured the Democratic Party's nomination for Commissioner of Labor, winning 68 percent of the vote in yesterday's low-turnout runoff election. Donnan, who was endorsed by Equality NC PAC, will face the incumbent, Cherie Berry, in the November election. No publisher ian 2008-07-17T02:41:19Z News Item