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There's a lot of things to work and volunteer for. I've been interested in several issues, most recently gay rights. But that isn't the only issue to be worried oub. I have links to many organizations that help in several areas.
Since I am gay, this is of course the issue I'm most concerned about these days. I'll start with the local stuff.
In Chicago, there is the Illinois Federation for Human Rights and AIDS Walk Chicago.
The IFHR is the gay rights lobby in Illinois. They are very active in working toward improving gay rights statewide, including a major day of lobbying to get a statewide law for the legal protection of gays and lesbians.
AIDS Walk Chicago is one of the largest fundraisers for HIV/AIDS care and education in Chicago. They are currently gearing up for this year's walk in September and they can use all the volunteers they can get. Contact them to see about leading a team for the Walk or other areas where they can use some help.
There is also the Howard Brown Health Center, the largest gay and lesbian health care center in the Midwest. They offer treatment and HIV testing. See what else they have to offer at this link.
In Indiana, there is work being done at both the local and state level.
Statewide, there is Justice, Inc., which is actually one of the oldest gay lobbies in the nation at over 20 years old. They focus on education and lobbying in state government for gay and HIV issues. They also lend support to local Hoosier groups that are working toward amending human rights ordinances.
On local level, there are several very active groups. One that has just had a victory is the Tri-State Alliance for Gays and Lesbians based in Evansville, in the southwestern Corner of the state. They recently were able to get the city-county joint human rights commission to recommend adding sexual orientation to both the city and Vandeburgh County's ordinances. Now with it going to the two governemnts, they need all the help they can get. Check them out and see what you can do.
Greater Lafayette has Citizens for Civil Rights. This is a coalition of groups, individuals and churches in the northern Indiana. They have successfully fought off an attempt to take sexual orientation on Lafayette's ordinance. Check out their page to see what else they're working on.
On the national level, we have several groups and allies. The largest of theses is the Human Rights Campaign. This national lobby's web page has links to local and national groups, publications, daily news, AIDS resouces and allies in our fight for equal rights. You can also link up directly with your representative to tell them how you feel about gay rights.
One of the oldest is the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. They support gay and lesbian candidates across the country and lobby the U.S. Congress directly. Go here to see how to join and help.
The American Civil Liberties Union has been a major ally in fighting for gay rights. Contact them to see how you can support them.
Another ally is the National Organziation of Women, the original feminist organization (and no, feminism is not a dirty word). Contact them to see about joining and seeing what they have planned for the year.
The best way to fight the far right is to keep an eye on them. Fair warning: looking at these sites will piss you off.
-- God Hates Fags - Run by Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church in Witchita, Kansas. This is far and away the most hateful. They regularly send out hostile faxes and picket the funerals of gay rights and HIV activists like Randy Shilts and Pedro Zamora. Most recently the picketed in Chesterton, Indiana (where a teacher posted a poster that said that gays and lesbians were a part of society) and Frank Sinatra's funeral. No, the Chairman is not gay, but Phelps said that his music created a permissiveness that allowed gays to flourish.
-- Christian Coalition - Despite recent political and finacial problems, this is still a very powerful group that needs watching.
-- Eagle Forum - This is Phyllis Schafley's organization. She has maintained a stance against gays and lesbians even after her own son came out of the closet. Family values?
-- Traditional Values Coalition - Similar to the Christian Coalition that has been gaining power as the CC goes down. Keep an eye on these guys.
-- Family Research Council - I keep seeing this group get quoted whenever we actually get a victory. I guess it's for a "balanced" story.
This was an issue I was active in through high school and my first couple of years in college. Though I focus more on gay rights now, this is still an issue I care about.
The Greenpeace is one of the most activist groups around. This international organization has their own navy. They have literally gone head to head with whalers, nuclear power and governments. Even with recent cutbacks, they are a force to be reckoned with.
The Nature Conservancy is a different kind of environmental group. Where the SC lobbies and Greenpeace protests, these guys just buy the land where there is still something to be saved. They save the earth one acre at a time. Contact them and see how you can help.
I found most of these sites at Terre Star. This was a really cool site that links to all sorts of groups. Check it out to see what else you can find.
This is a growing issue as more governments try to control what goes online. Even here in the U.S., we have to fight to protect free speech. These links will let you know how you can help.
-- Institute for Alternative Journalism - This is a non-profit organization supporting independent and alternative journalism. They have links to a weekly web journal on the media, an alternative news service and the Strategic Progressive Network. They provide technical assistance to community organizations and and teaches them how to deal with the media.
-- Free Speech Online - A coalition working to protect free speech on the Internet.
-- Free Speech Journal - A web journal about free speech.
-- Electronic Frontier Foundation - A member of Free Speech Online, it's one of the most active groups protecting free speech on the Web.
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