BALDWIN CALLS OUT REPUBLICANS ON THEIR HYPOCRISY SAYS, “FOCUS ON JOBS, NOT RESTRICTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS!” Washington DC - Saying she wanted to force her the new majority that this Congress would focus even if the result is a serious permanent health Republican colleagues to “focus on jobs and not on creating jobs and bolstering the economy, this condition that could shorten her life. on restricting women’s rights,” Congresswoman bill that we are considering today fails to deliver this This intrusive legislation would also allow pub - Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) attempted to amend an ex - promise. In fact, this bill could further exacerbate lic hospitals to refuse to take the steps neces - treme measure she opposes that would limit a the problem by causing millions of vulnerable sary to save a woman’s life and allow states to woman’s rights and endanger her health. Americans and small businesses to face a tax in - deny Medicaid coverage to prevent life-long dis - In a House Health Subcommittee mark-up crease…If there’s one message I’ve heard loud abilities. And, it would give insurance compa - Friday, February 11, Baldwin offered an amend - and clear from my colleagues on the other side of nies more power over what women can and ment to the Republican-sponsored H.R. 358, the the aisle, it’s that tax hikes result in jobs lost.” cannot do with their own health care dollars. “Protect Life Act,” so that the bill could not take Ruling it non-germane, Republicans avoided Calling the measure “extreme, disrespectful effect if it increased taxes on individuals or small a vote on Baldwin’s amendment and passed the to women, and intrusive,” Baldwin told her col - businesses. bill that would cut off millions of women from the leagues, “Enough is enough. It’s time for the Re - To shine a light on Republicans’ hypocrisy, Bald - private health care they already have and limit publican majority to respect women’s choices win told her colleagues, “Despite promises from the ability of a woman to get the care she needs, and focus on restoring our economy.” MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR SIGNS ORDER PROTECTING TRANSGENDER STATE EMPLOYEES TRANSGENDER DISCRIMINATION EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS Washington DC- Massachusetts Governor in today’s developments, including Massachu - ple, have the opportunity to make a living and Deval Patrick has issued two executive orders, setts Transgender Political Coalition, MassEqual - provide for themselves and their families. And numbers 526 & 527, which extend nondiscrimi - ity and the entire transgender equal rights coalition we are grateful to the National Gay and Lesbian nation protections to state employees on the for their efforts to secure this executive order. We Task Force for providing research and re - basis of gender identity and expression, and urge the Massachusetts state legislature to move sources, sometimes on a dime, to help us get to apply to all state agencies and programs, as well quickly to pass the Transgender Equal Rights Bill this historic day in Massachusetts.” as businesses that contract with the state. to extend these basic protections to all workers in Injustice At Every Turn: A Report of the The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Massachusetts.” National Transgender Discrimination Survey provided technical assistance to Massachusetts Gunner Scott, Executive Director Massachu - Today’s executive order is followed by the recent Equality and Massachusetts Transgender Polit - setts Transgender Political Coalition said, “Gov - release of the National Center for Transgender ical Coalition in their effort to secure this order. ernor Patrick’s executive order is a great step Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Rea Carey, Executive Director National Gay towards equality for transgender individuals and Force’s groundbreaking study, Injustice At Every and Lesbian Task Force stated, “We commend we still need to extend these protections to all Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Dis - Governor Deval Patrick for today’s historic transgender members of Massachusetts. Our crimination Survey, which documents the perva - achievement in ensuring that all state employees, hope is that the legislature will pass the Trans - sive and devastating discrimination faced by regardless of gender identity and expression, are gender Equal Rights Bill quickly this session.” transgender and gender non-conforming people equally protected from discrimination under the Kara Suffredini, MassEquality Executive Di - throughout the country, including the finding that law. We applaud the Commonwealth’s continued rector added, “Governor Patrick is a true cham - nationally, over one quarter (26 percent) of trans - commitment to equal opportunity and inclusion in pion for the LGBT community, and we applaud gender and gender non-conforming people have its state workplaces, as well as services, pro - the critical first step he has taken with this order lost a job because of their gender identity/expres - grams and contracts. This is a tremendous step toward creating a Commonwealth where all sion. Massachusetts-specific data from the national forward. We would like to thank everyone involved hardworking people, including transgender peo - survey was also recently made publicly available. WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH BEGINNER BALLROOM CLINIC-THURSDAY, MARCH 3 LESSONS OFFERED FOR Milwaukee - Women Veterans Health Clinic - Sponsored by Vets Do SAME-SEX COUPLES Ask Do Tell, Inc. and partnered by the LGBT Center of Milwaukee is hav - Milwaukee - Melissa Dexter a local professional ballroom/Latin dance ing a free health clinic targeting women veterans afraid to use the VA or instructor has started Milwaukee's only LGBT/Same-Sex Ballroom/Latin not eligible to use the VA. The clinic will be held March 3rd,2011 from 12 Dance Classes. The classes are every Friday night at 7:00 pm at The Noon until 4 pm and is open to women veterans plus their partners of - Delaware House 2499 S. Delaware Avenue in the Bay View neighbor - fering free basic services. The event will be held at 252 E Highland Ave. hood. Cost is $10 per class or $35 for the month. in Milwaukee between Market and Water Streets “It is studio policy in most dance studios to not allow same-sex cou - Included will be free HIV and STD testing, free blood pressure and di - ples to dance/take lessons together. Instead, they are split, and put to - abetes testing, information on MST and IPV and free counseling, refer - gether with an opposite sex partner. My studio, and myself wanted to ral for breast and cervical cancer screening (those that are uninsured or create a safe, open minded environment for LGBT/same-sex people to underinsured may be eligible for free mammograms), and much more. learn the beautiful art of ballroom dancing,” explains Ms Dexter. There is no charge for the event and we'll have healthy food provided by Lacking funds for extensive advertising, Melissa is reaching out to participating vendors and door prizes. LGBT community groups to help get the word out. Quest contacted Ms All women veterans are encourage to participate in this FREE clinic. Dexter and asked her if she was affiaited with any of the groups being contacted. Her response vial email , “I am not affiliated with any LGBT A NIGHT AT THE MOULIN ROUGE group. This is mission I took on after teaching in different studios, even Madison - Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus announcesA NIGHTAT THE Gay owned studios that discouraged same-sex lessons because of the MOULIN ROUGE, their 2011 Cabaret, 7 pm March 5 & 6, at the West comfort levels of more conservative students, and from myself simply Side Club, 437 S. Junction Road (County Hwy M), in Madison, WI. The having many friends in the LGBT community that showed an interest in risqué Moulin Rouge was known for the can-can and has been popular - learning to dance, but not having a venue for it. ized in numerous films. Only a few days left to get tickets for an evening The classes are brand new and as of today there are no intermediate of engaging entertainment. $40 Saturday, $35 Sunday – includes cham - classes. Ms Dexter however added, “If there were a demand for LGBT pagne toast, hors d’oeuvres and dessert tables catered by QueenAnne’s intermediate/advanced ballroom, I will certainly supply it. In the mean Catering, and a cash bar. Ticket sales end around March 4. Contact Ken time, I teach full time mainly private lessons, and same-sex couples are Forney at 608-445-6767 for reservations, and visit www.perfecthar - welcome just as anyone is. monymchorus.org . The 7 pm classes cover two dances a month, then at the beginning A NIGHT AT THE MOULIN ROUGE features both solo and small of the month two new dances are chosen. “For example this month we ensemble work by chorus members. A silent auction will include nu - are learning Tango, and Cha-Cha. Next month will be Waltz, and Rumba, merous items that will be hard to resist. Items include a vacation at says Ms Dexter. a weekend home on Lake Wisconsin. Cash or check only. Queen The Delaware House website is www.delaware-house.com There Anne’s Catering, frequently voted the Best of Madison, will provide are 3 full time, professional instructors ( includin Mellisa Dexter) and the food. They will provide an extensive array of heavy appetizers and other half of the building is home to many independent businesses. desserts. Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus is South-central Wisconsin’s gay and gay-friendly men’s chorus, now in its thirteenth (13th) season. Perfect Harmony is a member of GALA Choruses. Perfect Harmony commissions new music as well as performing a wide range of clas - sic and newer challenging choral music. BOY GEORGE / CULTURE CLUB REUNION, TOUR AND ALBUM IN HONOR OF THE BAND’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY New York City - Boy George appeared Select quotes from the Boy George-Larry Flick SiriusXM OutQ interview: February 8 on Larry Flick’s Sirius XM SIRIUS XM’S LARRY FLICK: I OutQ show The Morning Jolt and con - know we only have a few minutes firmed that his legendary British 80s British with you left and I have to ask you 80’s band Culture Club will reunite, tour one more question....I would be and do a new album in honor of their 30th remiss if I did not follow up on all anniversary in 2011 .