Miss Strong Goes to Washington

[UPDATE 9:00 a.m. June 23, 2010]

Charlene will be on the Dave Ross radio show today at 11:35 a.m. -- 97.3 FM [LISTEN HERE]

[UPDATE: 4:30 p.m. June 22, 2010]

Just out of her meeting with President Obama, Charlene Strong shared this with GSBA:

"President Obama was warm and engaging. Most importantly, he paid attention. He's extremely sincere and proud of the advances made on behalf of LGBT people and I believe he and his staff are serious about advancing equality for all American citizens."

Audrey Fleming (Kate's mom) on new rules for LGBT hospital visitation rights by memorandum: "On behalf of all mom's, I want to thank you Mr. President for signing the memorandum."

Note: Rahm Emanuel, the president's chief of staff was deeply impressed with Charlene and her story. He was key in making this White House meeting happen.

[Read More]

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Charlene Strong, whose personal story has become an example of courage in the face of inequality, will be in Washington, D.C. this week to continue her fight for the fundamental civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. In 2006, Charlene was prevented from making the most rudimentary of arrangements, or even being allowed to see her wife, as she lay dying in the hospital after flood waters rushed through their Seattle home. After Kate’s death, Charlene has become a tireless advocate for marriage equality and equal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families. This week she continues that fight as a living example of how inequality can adversely affect an American family, with a trip to the nation’s capitol where she will meet with government leaders and screen her award-winning documentary film, FOR MY WIFE.

“Our lives (LGBT people) are valuable and deserve a voice and full inclusion in the discussion of full equality,” Strong says. “My goal is to be that voice -- a voice that reaches out to say that this is the real story, the real pain and the real collateral damage of discrimination.”

Key Meetings:

Tuesday, June 22: White House reception with President Barack Obama (5 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 23: Meeting with U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)on Capitol Hill (12:15 p.m.)

Thursday, June 24: Washington premier screening of FOR MY WIFE, the award-winning documentary, UCDC, 1608 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington (6:30 p.m.)

Meetings will be streamed live at www.whitehouse.gov/live

In the News:

• The United States Supreme Court will rule this coming Thursday or Monday on a lawsuit challenging Washington state’s Public Records Act. This act instructs the state to release the names of people who sign petitions to place an issue up for a public vote. The lawsuit stems directly from that state’s Referendum 71 which reaffirmed legislation granting full-range domestic partnerships to same-sex committed couples for the first time in the U.S. by popular vote (2009).

• Last week, closing arguments were heard in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, better known as the Proposition 8 trial.

• The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) continue to make headlines.

Our Joe Mirabella has more at the Bilerico Project, click here to read more.