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UPDATE - May 7, 2009

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act is now in committee in the U.S. Senate as Senate Bill 909 (S. 909).

Please take a moment to call our Ohio Senators to ask them to vote "YES" on S. 909.

Senator Sherrod Brown (S. 909 co-sponsor). Please thank him for co-sponsoring! Capitol Hill office: (202) 224-2315

Senator George V. Voinovich, Capitol Hill office: (202) 224-3353

Then click here to report your call.

UPDATE - Monday, April 27, 2009

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act - HR 1913 is scheduled to go to a vote on the House floor this WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29.

Please call your Congressperson and ask them to vote YES on HR 1913 - The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.

Capitol Hill Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Ohio District 10: Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

Ohio District 11: Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge

Ohio District 14: Congressman Steven C. LaTourette

Ohio District 13: Congresswoman Betty Sutton

Ohio District 17: Congressman Tim Ryan

Ohio 111th Congress District map

The Cleveland Steering Committee asks all Northeast Ohioans to join us in urging Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act (HR 1913).

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act (HR 1913) is currently in the House of Representatives.  Please go to FightHateNow.org to ask your Congressperson to co-sponsor the bill and vote YES!

HR 1913 is named in honor of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in 1998 because he was gay. Matthew's mother, Judy Shepard, has recorded the video “Ten Years” as part of the effort to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.

“It’s been ten years since Judy Shepard lost her son Matthew and this video is a painful reminder that the federal government does not have the resources it needs to assist in prosecuting these horrific acts,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Since Matthew’s murder, tens of thousands of Americans have been victims of hateviolence and it’s time to give local law enforcement the tools to combat this scourge.”

Please help us pass this important legislation! Read More »

Over 500 HRC supporters packed the ballroom at the Cleveland InterContintental Hotel and Conference Center on Saturday evening, March 28, to enjoy an array of entertainment, guest speakers, and fine food in support of GLBT equality.

See more photos from the evening!

The event lived up to the theme "The Fine Art of Equality" with roaming performance artists from the SafMod Performance Ensemble and three dances by Cleveland's renowned Verb Ballets, including one world premiere.

Also entertaing the crowd were the Cleveland State University cheerleaders!

The 2009 HRC Cleveland Equality Award was presented to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and the Very. Rev. Tracey Lind and the 2009 Leadership Awards were presented to Case President Barbara Snyder and Deputy Provost Lynn Singer.

Beth Grant of "Sordid Lives" was introduced by her daughter, a young GLBT supporter from Southern California.  Grant entertained the crowd with anecdotes from her rich career.

We would like to especially thank our presenting sponsor for the event: Time Warner Cable.

HRC Board of Directors member from Cleveland, Jane Daroff, said of the event: "It was just one of the very best!! Thanks to everyone who helped to make it so."

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A strong contingent of Ohio HRC-supporters travelled to Washington, DC, in early March for the annual March Lobby Day.  There they met with Ohio Senators and Congressional Representatives or their staffs to discuss GLBT issues and upcoming legislative efforts.

Tim Downing, HRC Board of Directors member from Cleveland, said about the event: 

"It was truly inspiring to join almost 30 fellow HRC'ers from Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 2009 to lobby members of Congress from Ohio.  What an exciting day it was, meeting with Senator Brown, Congressman Kucinich, Congresswoman Kilroy, Congressman Driehaus and the senior staff of so many others!  While we still need to educate some of the members of the delegation, because of our lobbying efforts, the majority of the Ohio delegation now believes in LGBT equality, which is truly amazing, considering where were not so long ago."

Additional Lobby Day photos can be seen at the Web of HRC Columbus Steering Committee member Ray Lavoie.

Following Lobby Day, the weekend was filled with training seminars, discussion sessions, and a gala dinner on Saturday night attended by HRC leaders and members from around the country.

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Gather with us and thousands of women across the country at a party for equality as The L Word begins it's monumental last season. Like the Premere Party last year, this event will be full of fun and excitement! Check out our local events page for all the details. We expect to be packed. so RSVP now to save a spot for you and your friends! Watch an exclusive trailer at the official website for the HRC L-Word Premiere. As The L Word draws to a close, you can look forward to an exciting new women's event in 2010 called Revolution. Check back for more details coming soon!

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