Local News

Update: This screenings of "8: The Mormon Proposition" at the Cleveland Film Festival have been canceled. To follow the film, visit the blog at  8themormonproposition.blogspot.com. 

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WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released the following statement today from HRC President Joe Solmonese:  Read More »

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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