2008 Academy Award winning screenwriter (“Milk”), Dustin Lance Black, writer of “8” will fly to New Orleans to attend a pre-performance cocktail party benefiting NO/AIDS, Project Lazarus, PFLAG, HRC and Forum For Equality.  He will also lead a question and answer session at the conclusion of the performance.  Everything is in place however sponsors are needed.

• Performance: Sunday April 21^st, 2013 7:00 pm (Doors open 6:00 pm)
• Location: Civic Theatre (newly refurbished) – 510 O’Keefe (off Poydras)
• Ticket prices: $15 (age 25 & under-2^nd balcony) $30 (1^st balcony) & $50 (orchestra)
• Pre-performance cocktail party 5:00-6:30 pm with Dustin Lance Black: $100 (includes reserved orchestra section seating)

 Sponsorship Levels:

$500: Listing in program; listing on social media sites; co-host of cocktail party & 4 tickets to cocktail party; reserved front orchestra section seating

 $1,000 Listing in program; listing on websites; co-host of cocktail party & 8 tickets to cocktail party; reserved front orchestra seating; listing on board at venue; public recognition at performance

 $2,500 Listing in program; listing on websites; co-host and 15 tickets to cocktail party; reserved best front orchestra seating; listing on board at venue; name on promo/marketing materials & special public recognition / thanked as the evenings main sponsor at the start of the event.

Performance ticket sales benefit Forum For Equality. We know this performance will garner a great deal of publicity and attention and we would like our top sponsors to be recognized for making this production possible.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you would consider becoming a sponsor of “8”.  We will be glad to provide you with any additional information that you desire.

SarahJane Brady
Director Forum For Equality
(504) 569-9156

Please mail sponsorship checks to:
Forum For Equality, 336 Lafayette St  #200, New Orleans, LA 70130

We went to the Capitol with a number of partners and allies to advocate for the Louisiana Fair Employment Act (HB 85).

Forum For Equality, Louisiana Trans Advocates and Louisiana Progress all had representatives speak eloquently on the need for non-discrimination protections in public employment. AFL-CIO, AARP and Louisiana ACLU were also there in support of the measure. As we move forward in the fight for equality, we build more allies and more support. Join us as we spring Louisiana forward!  

Representative Austin Badon, author of HB 85, spoke about how all hard-working employees should have the chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. That no one should live in fear that they can be fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance nor should our state risk losing the best and brightest to other states that value diversity.

We are sincerely thankful for Rep. Badon, author of the Louisiana Fair Employment Act (HB 85), who made strong arguments on the importance and need for employment non-discrimination protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression for state workers. Please take a minute to thank Rep. Badon for his courageous support. He is an invaluable ally in our pursuit to protect and establish the rights of LGBT Louisianans. You can thank Rep. Badon and those who voted in support of HB 85 by clicking here.It only takes a minute, and your appreciation speak volumes to those that stand with us.

As always, you are a vital piece in building a state of equality here in Louisiana. Thank you, and as always please contact me with any questions or interests in how you can be involved in springing Louisiana forward.

Southern Rep Theatre and Forum For Equality presents
American Foundation for Equal Rights and Broadway Impact’s
“8″
a staged reading (featuring a local cast) based on California’s Prop 8 courtroom testimony, journalist records and media interviews
by Dustin Lance Black
2008 Academy Award winning screenwriter of “Milk”

ONE NIGHT ONLY – Sunday, April 21^st

Civic Theatre
510 O’Keefe Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Doors Open 6:00pm; Curtain 7:00pm
Talkback with Dustin Lance Black following the show

Tickets range from $15-100

Tickets can be purchased at the door!

(Online Tickets Sales is now closed)

Cocktail Reception with Dustin Lance Black  5:00-6:30  -  $100 includes
reserved orchestra section seating tickets
benefiting HRC, NO/AIDS, PFLAG, Project Lazarus and Forum For Equality.

MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ATTEND

Thank you to all of our Sponsors:

$5,000: Wells Fargo – Larry Best & Kory Chatelain
$2,500: Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith APLC
Mike Hollis & Marty Brantley
$500: Xavier J. Angel, ChFC, CLTC – Baker Donelson Law Firm -
Lee Adler & Robert Marks – Dr. Michael Armani & Steven Burt - Dr. Marc Behar – Derrin Bergeron -
Dr. Jody Gates & Marilyn McConnell – Dr. John Estrada - Cathy Fournier – John Hill & John Weimer – Henry Lambert & Carey Bond  – Helen R Malin
Jonathan Wallick & Marjorie Esman, In Memory of Dr. Mollie M. Wallick

Would you like to sponsor the “8″?
More information here on the benefits and levels of sponsorship available!

More Information on “8″ the play see Wikipedia

Forum For Equality needs you to join us in the fight for LGBT workers’ rights in Louisiana at the state and local levels. We want to know if you can help us spring FORWARD, so that we can seize the incredible opportunities that lie ahead. Can you help us prepare for the legislative session with a gift of $5, $10 or $50? What we have accomplished in the last 20 years is nothing compared to what we can do, together, in the next 5 years.

Did you know that Louisiana state law still allows public and private employers to discriminate against their workers based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression? Our work with PACE on the groundbreaking Be Fair Shreveport campaign has been changing hearts and minds in Northwest Louisiana. And, if passed, the Louisiana Fair Employment Act (House Bill 85) will, for the first time, further protect the 80,000 public sector employees from fear of discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. As the legislative session approaches, chip in to help us meet our fundraising goal of $10,000 before it begins on April 8th.  Any size gift will help, chip in what you can.

We can move this state forward by leaps and bounds!
Here is how you can be a part of the movement:

1. Donate!  Chip in what you can – every dollar brings us closer to our $10,000 goal!
2. Take the Louisiana Public Employees Survey!
3. Tell to your legislator you support the Louisiana Fair Employment Act!

Let’s spring FORWARD!

This billboard has been turning heads and making the news in Shreveport this past month. The ads are produced by Be Fair Shreveport, a joint project of Forum For Equality and People Acting for Change and Equality (PACE). Be Fair Shreveport (BFS) is about building and supporting the values of fairness and diversity in the workplace, while inspiring economic development and creativity in our community.

In fact, this is the second round of billboards presented by Be Fair Shreveport promoting fairness in the workplace. The ads have been designed by Lewis Kalmbach, a Shreveport public relations expert and are in 12 locations around the community. Needless to say, this joint project has been getting attention in Shreveport! We are excited to see such great coverage of our message. Click here to see a report from KTBS on our second round of billboards. 

We know we can move Shreveport forward because our efforts are already working. But to continue our work, we need your help. Please support BFS by making a donation today. You will be helping make one of the fastest growing creative centers in Louisiana a more equitable and welcoming place for the LGBT community and businesses alike! Click here to make a donation to the BFS project. Please enter “BFS” in the notes section to have your donations be directed to this specific project.

Be Fair Shreveport is a way to educate the private sector and regional companies about the power and productivity of diversity and inclusion. By visiting www.BeFairShreveport.org you can learn about the research, tools, and information to build a stronger and more supportive workplace.

FORUM FOR EQUALITY APPLAUDS ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AND ITS OUTGOING PRESIDENT

On Tuesday, the Orleans Parish School Board considered and unanimously passed a tough new amendment to the school system’s anti-bullying policy, a ban on teaching creationism and intelligent design in science classes, and a ban on revisionist history books for the classroom. The measures were introduced by outgoing President Thomas Robichaux, who also serves as a board member of the Forum for Equality Louisiana,

“The Forum for Equality applauds the entire Orleans Parish School Board, and especially OPSB President Thomas Robichaux,  for taking these important steps that protect students, and ensure that they are taught science and accurate history in school” said  Randy Evans, Political Director of Forum for Equality Louisiana.

The tough new amendment to the school system’s anti-bullying policy provides that teachers will be disciplined if they do not take action against bullying. News of the new policies have received considerable and positive attention on national websites including Reddit.com, the Huffington Post, and Politico.com.   Robichaux said that he received over one thousand “thank you” faxes and emails in the two days since the story first broke.  “The response has been overwhelming,” he said.

Zac Kopplin, the Rice University student who has been a major advocate for the repeal of the misnamed Louisiana Science Education Act, and who spoke on behalf of the new policies, said he estimates that there were over one million hits on the various online articles, and that was before such mainstream press picked up on it, with The Advocate and WWLTV both doing stories on the new policies in the past day.  The Huffington Post alone has over 1,100 comments to the story as of today.

Fellow School Board member Woody Koppel, who also served as President for 2 years, praised Robichaux’s drive.  “For four years, Thomas [Robichaux] has been pushing for tougher and tougher anti-bullying policies and fighting to improve our curricula.  I am very pleased to support his efforts in this area and help guarantee our children are taught real science in a safe environment.  No one should be surprised that he pushed to have these policies passed while he is still President.  It is exactly in keeping with his long-term advocacy for improved education and equality for all.”

Robichaux is leaving the school board after serving one term.  When he came into office four years ago, he became the first openly gay elected official in Louisiana.  The Forum for Equality congratulates and thanks Thomas Robichaux for his public service and advocacy on behalf of students everywhere.

Hot Music, Strong Drinks, Good Food, and Equal Rights For All

January 6, 2012
5 pm – 9 pm
Pam Butler and Jimmy Fahrenholtz’s home
2824 Ursulines Ave, Mid City, New Orleans

Open admission & open bar
$40 suggested donation includes annual membership
Bring your friends and make new ones!
Costumes highly encouraged

For more information click here or email SarahJane Brady, Managing Director at sarahjane.brady@forumforequality.com.

Forum For Equality Political Action Committee  is a Louisiana PAC committed to improving and protecting the rights of LGBT people. Commensurate with the mission of the Forum For Equality Louisiana, the PAC is dedicated to the establishment of a society free from discrimination and the support of good government. FFE PAC has been issuing endorsements in elections, participating in governmental reform, and working to pass legislation at the local, state and national levels for twenty-two years. Endorsements are performed at open meetings of the membership of the Forum For Equality Louisiana and its PAC.  Become a member of the Forum For Equality Louisiana by filling our secure online membership form here.

Forum For Equality PAC Endorsements for December 8, 2012 Election

Greater Baton Rouge Area:

To become aware of endorsement meetings, current endorsements, and/or become a member of our interviewing committee contact:

SarahJane Brady
Managing Director
504-569-9156
sarahjane.brady@forumforequality.com

PAC endorsements October 2nd, 2010

PAC endorsements November 2nd, 2010

2012 Forum For Equality Chairs’ Award: Patrick Lee

Civil-rights attorney & award-winning theatrical producer Patrick’s Lee’s commitment to human rights, AIDS activism & philanthropic causes began 31 years ago, with the diagnosis of his best friend, James Guyer, as having a mysterious form of “gay cancer” called GRID (Gay Related Immuno Deficiency), and weeks later being formally identified as AIDS Case No. 101 in the United States. James’ death six months later marked the beginning of the epidemic that swept across the gay community with terrifying speed throughout the 1980′s, claiming tens of thousands of lives and decimating a generation.

These years were marked by silence & fear: fear of infection, discrimination, bigotry, prejudice, hatred, and ultimately, ostracization. Police Departments equipped officers with special masks and gloves for use when dealing with “a suspected AIDS patient.” Landlords legally evicted persons with AIDS citing “public health concerns,” and the Social Security Administration quietly began interviewing AIDS disability claimants by phone rather than face to face.

As the decade drew to a close, fear and silence evolved into passion and advocacy, and like many others, he began fighting back against both AIDS and the prejudices surrounding it. In 1988, while living in Los Angeles, Patrick became a volunteer and ardent supporter of the Foundation for Educational Research, a neighborhood-based gay charitable group which sponsored the annual weekend fundraiser Labor Day LA. He and friends began producing the five-day event in 1990, and it quickly became one of the premiere AIDS fund raisers in the country. Patrick garnered worldwide attention & respect for the organization in 1992, when he persuaded Princess Diana to accept the Foundation’s International Humanitarian Award, the first public expression of her commitment & dedication to AIDS awareness & the gay community.

Following the death of his partner Andrew John Kruzich in 2003, Patrick established the Andy Kruzich Memorial Fund at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, benefiting the New Orleans Gay & Lesbian Community, most recently enabling realization of the New Orleans AIDS Memorial as a principal benefactor & sustaining donor. In October, 2005, five weeks after Hurricane Katrina, Patrick gathered & presented some of the nation’s greatest musical talents to appear on Broadway in HEARTSONG, The Concert, a benefit for New Orleans, which he reprised with the legendary Tommy Tune in 2007′s From Broadway With Love.

In November, 2005, using folding chairs, 3 spotlights, and sound comprised of a PA system & 2 CD players, Patrick & co-producers mounted Chris Rose’s One Dead in Attic at the Contemporary Arts Center, which was subsequently nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

In 2010, Patrick was instrumental in the realization of the New Orleans AIDS Memorial by naming the Andy Kruzich Memorial Fund as a principal benefactor & sustaining donor.