HRC Endorses Beto O’Rourke for U. S. Senate

HRC Endorsements

On April 11th, HRC endorsed Beto O’Rourke, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.  Other HRC endorsements include our very own Federal Club members:

• Julie Johnson, candidate for Texas House District 115 and
• Mark Phariss, candidate for Texas Senate District 8.

There may be additional endorsements after the May 22nd runoff.   We will publish a listing of all HRC endorsed candidates this summer.
 
While Beto, Mark and Julie are not in the upcoming run-offs, please keep these dates in mind.  Regardless of which candidate each of us supports in the run-offs, it is critical that we vote!
 

First Day of Early VotingMonday, May 14, 2018

Last Day to Apply by MailFriday, May 11, 2018

Last Day of Early VotingFriday, May 18, 2018

There is still time to volunteer to canvass, block walk, and/or phone bank for these worthy candidates. Monetary donations of any amount are also vital to all campaigns! 

HRC has Boots on the Ground in Texas

We sometimes hear that members feel all of their money goes to Washington, D.C. and Texas does not directly benefit.  During the past year, HRC has put seven field organizers across Texas who work to mobilize opposition to any anti-LGBTQ legislation.  Dallas has its own field organizer, Criss Ruiz, who lives in Dallas and heads up HRC’s involvement in getting fair-minded candidates elected to office. 
 
Even though the Texas legislature is not in session right now, HRC continues to work alongside Equality Texas, ACLU of Texas, Texas Freedom Network, the Transgender Education Network of Texas and others on the ground to battle against dangerous or harmful bills that attack the dignity of LGBTQ Texans. As a coalition, we will stand together, we will support and comfort one another, and we will continue to work together until we defeat every bill that discriminates against LGBTQ Texans. 
 
There are any number of ways that you can participate in the upcoming elections to ensure we are electing equality minded candidates. To learn more, go to HRC’s Equality Voter Action Center.

DFW Steering Committee Big Winner at HRC’s Equality Convention

Our DFW HRC Steering Committee snagged 9 individual awards and 8 community awards at the 2018 HRC Equality Convention held in Washington D.C. March 22-25.  For those who have never been to the HRC Equality Convention, it is held in March each year and is open to anyone who wants to learn more about HRC and how they can become more engaged.  There are a number of training tracks, luncheons with nationally recognized speakers and time to socialize and exchange ideas with community leaders across the country. 
 
The convention culminates with an Awards ceremony on Saturday evening where outstanding individuals and committees are recognized for their work throughout the year. Hats off to all who contributed!

Meet our HRC Dallas Ft. Worth Board of Directors

Just as we’ve highlighted some of the Steering Committee and Governing Committee members and Governors, this week we want to introduce the Directors who represent us.  Across the country there are approximately 55 directors with 4 representing DFW:  Morgan Cox, Anne Fay, Jim Harrison and Robb Webb.
 
HRC and the HRC Foundation each have a Board of Directors, which is the governing body of the respective organizations.  Members of the Boards of Directors are responsible for overseeing the organizations’ activities and to oversee the members’ interests. The responsibilities are carried out through the actions of certain Committee, examples of which are the Finance Committee, the Risk, Compliance and Audit Committee, and the Board Performance and Management Committee.
 
The primary board member duties are:
 1) a duty of care
2) a duty of loyalty
3) a duty of obedience
 
Members of the Board are responsible for the overall activities of the organization, but do not direct the day-to-day management of the organization, which is the responsibility of the HRC(F) staff.   The HRC(F) Boards meet three times a year: once in the Spring, once in the Summer and once in the Fall.

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Events

Fairway to Equality Kickoff Brunch
Sunday. April 29th 12pm – 3pm
Full Circle Tavern
1319 S Lamar St, Dallas, Texas 75215
Google Map

Federal Club Happy Hour
Thursday, May 17th
Padilla Gallery
2629 N. Stemmons Freeway, #104
Dallas, TX 75207
Google Map
 
HRC Mondays
Monday, May 28th
6:30pm at Chino Chinatown
3011 Gulden Lane #110
Dallas, TX 75212
Google Map
 
Thank you for your continued support! 
 
Yours in Equality,

DFW FEDERAL CLUB CO-CHAIRS
Linda Reyes-Hart and Nancy Caldwell
co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org

Last Chance to Get Your Tickets for Our Spring Luncheon

If you’re reading this email and you have not purchased your Spring Luncheon tickets, please do it now!

Our first 2018 luncheon is this Saturday, April 14 th , at the Tower Club in downtown Dallas. The luncheon features HRC guest speaker, Geoff J Wetrosky, Campaign Director of HRC Rising. HRC Rising is a new campaign to accelerate progress in states from coast- to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives. Also, this year the Black Tie Dinner Board of Directors selected eighteen North Texas beneficiaries plus one National beneficiary, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, to receive proceeds from this year's dinner. We will have Black Tie Dinner Car Raffle tickets for sale at the luncheon. You could be the proud owner of either a brand new 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 or GLC300, underwritten by Park Place Motorcars. Let’s show our support for an amazing cause. RSVP and get your tickets for the luncheon now. We look forward to seeing you there.

Our April Mixer is on a THURSDAY!

Don’t forget to mark your calendar. On Thursday, April 19, we are gathering at  Ross & Hall Beer Garten+Kitchen near Bryan Place for a Thursday Happy Hour. This is just one of a few changes you will see in the coming months as we respond to your feedback regarding our local events. Stop by and say hello. We would love to see you there.

Runnoffs May 22nd

We need another record turnout for the primary run-offs. There is still time to register if you have not done so already. Here are some critical dates:

Last Day to Register to Vote      Monday, April 23, 2018
First Day of Early Voting            Monday, May 14, 2018
Last Day to Apply by Mail          Friday, May 11, 2018
Last Day of Early Voting            Friday, May 18, 2018

We still have a lot of work to do to help those facing runoffs in May and elections in the Fall. Please make time to volunteer to canvass, block walk, and/or phone bank for these worthy candidates. Monetary donations of any amount are also vital to all three campaigns!

Fiscal 2019 Planning Retreat

This past weekend, your DFW Steering Committee leaders and volunteers attended our Fiscal 2019 Planning retreat. Kipp Colvin, Sr. Manager, Communities & Volunteer Relations from HRC National facilitated and led the retreat. Friday evening we met to discuss our goals, obstacles and challenges and Saturday we met to discuss our action plan. Thank you to Wilson Interiors for providing their new office space for our event. They were amazing hosts and also provided bagels, coffee and snacks throughout the day. If you have time to volunteer for an upcoming event, either planning an event or volunteering the day of, we would love to hear from you.

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Events

Spring Luncheon
Saturday, April 14 th
10:30 to 1:00 at the Tower Club
1601 Elm Street, 48th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets  | Google Map

Federal Club Happy Hour
Thursday, April 19 th
6P to 8P at Ross and Hall Beer Garten+Kitchen
3300 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
Event Details | Google Map

HRC Mondays
Monday, April 23 rd
6:30pm at Chino Chinatown
3011 Gulden Lane #110
Dallas, TX 75212
Event Details | Google Map

Thank you for your continued support!

Yours in Equality,

DFW FEDERAL CLUB CO-CHAIRS
Linda Reyes-Hart and Nancy Caldwell
co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org

Our Spring Luncheon is Just Around the Corner

Spring is in the Air!

Our first 2018 luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 14th, at the Tower Club in downtown Dallas. The luncheon features HRC guest speaker, Geoff J Wetrosky, Campaign Director of HRC Rising and Criss Ruiz, HRC Field Director, who will speak on political activities in Texas. Additionally, we will cover the Equality Convention held in Washington, D.C. in March and our local HRC fiscal 2019 goals.

You can RSVP through Facebook or Eventbrite. Look for your invitation in the mail this week.

Easter in the Park and Pooch Parade

This Sunday is Easter in the Park. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy this fun, annual event with friends. If you plan to attend look for our HRC Federal Club members Pio Vigil & Peter Storer.

You will find them on the main lawn by the parade starting line. Just look for the HRC flag and balloons. They will have bottled water and pooch and human treats too! Stop by and say hello.

Sunday, April 1 Easter in the Park
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Oak Lawn Park
3333 Turtle Creek Blvd
Dallas, TX 75219
Google Map

Our April Mixer is on a THURSDAY!!!

As indicated in an earlier newsletter, we are trying something new around our mixers. Starting with our April mixer and for most of the Spring and Summer this year, we are moving our mixers to Thursdays. On Thursday, April 19, we are gathering at Ross & Hall Beer Garten+Kitchen near Bryan Place. This is not a permanent change to our normal schedule but more of a trial run to see how it goes. We would love your feedback regarding this change.

Runoffs May 22nd

We need another record turnout for the primary run-offs. There is still time to register if you have not done so already. Here are some critical dates:

Last Day to Register to Vote:     Monday, April 23, 2018
First Day of Early Voting:            Monday, May 14, 2018
Last Day to Apply by Mail:          Friday, May 11, 2018
Last Day of Early Voting:            Friday, May 18, 2018

We still have a lot of work to do to help those facing runoffs in May and elections in the Fall. Please make time to volunteer to canvass, block walk, and/or phone bank for these worthy candidates. Monetary donations of any amount are also vital to all three campaigns!

Meet DFW's Steering Committee Co-Chair, Mary Hart

This week we introduce you to Mary Hart.

Mary has been involved with HRC for the past 4 years in a variety of roles.  In 2014 she joined the Federal Club Governing Committee (GC) coordinating monthly mixers. In 2015 she was the GC Recruiting Co-chair.  After serving two years on the GC, Mary shifted her focus to the Steering Committee -- to broaden her impact to the larger membership group.  She worked as Membership Outreach co-chair and was an integral part of the team that re-imagined the HerHRC event and helped raise over $17K for HRCs PAC. She also worked with other volunteers to help triple HRC’s General membership during 8 pride events. She’s served on the Fairway to Equality Golf Committee for two years and is now in her first year as Steering Committee Co-Chair.  She is a second-year member on the National Board of Governors.

Mary is a Dallas architect and Partner at Corgan. She loves to travel and hike with her wife Linda, ride her bike, work in her garden and spend time with their spoiled pets, Ginger & Benny.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, April 14th Spring Luncheon:
10:30AM to 1:00PM at the Tower Club
1601 Elm Street, 48th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
Google Map

Thursday, April 19th - Federal Club Happy Hour
6:00PM to 8:00PM at Ross and Hall Beer Garten+Kitchen
3300 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
Google Map

Thank you for your continued support!

Yours in Equality,

DFW FEDERAL CLUB CO-CHAIRS
Linda Reyes-Hart and Nancy Caldwell
co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org

The Primary Results are In!

March 6th Primary Results

Last week Texas had a record voter turnout for the primary elections. And although over 1 million Democratic voters turned out, 1.5 million Republican voters turned out as well.

Here are some highlights from the elections:

• Beto O’Rourke received 61.8% of the Democratic votes for U.S. Senate and will face Ted Cruz in the Fall.
• Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston businessman Andrew White will head into a runoff in May to secure the Democratic nomination for governor.

And, for the first time in Dallas’ HRC history, there are three HRC members in the mix:

• HRC endorsed candidate for State Senate District 8, Mark Phariss defeated Brian Chaput and will face Republican nominee Angela Paxton this fall.
• HRC endorsed candidate for State House District 115, Julie Johnson defeated Rock Bower in the primary and will face Republican incumbent Matt Rinaldi this fall.
• In U.S. House District 3, Lorie Burch will face Sam Johnson in a runoff on May 22nd.

Congratulations to Mark, Julie and Lorie.  We still have a lot of work to do to help those facing runoffs in May and elections in the Fall.  Please make time to volunteer to canvass, block walk, and/or phone bank for these worthy candidates. Monetary donations of any amount are also vital to all three campaigns!

Meet Shayom Ortiz

It may not be apparent to everyone how many people it takes to run the DFW Federal Club and Federal Club Council.Throughout this year we will spotlight Governing Committee members, as well as Governors and Directors in our newsletters.
 
This week we introduce you to Shayom Ortiz. Shayom has been an active member of HRC since 2015 committed to the mission of LGBTQ equality. Shayom is currently in his first year as an acting member of the Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors. He sits on the DFW Federal Club Governing Committee and is the Recruiting Chair. He also serves as the DFW Federal Club Council event co-chair.  

Professionally, Shayom is an anesthesiologist practicing in the DFW area for the last 9 years. Shayom and his fiancé, Josh Cox, enjoy scuba diving, relaxing on a beach with a cocktail, and spending time together with their two beautiful, but slightly spoiled baby dogs.

HRC’s  DFW Steering Committee News

This week we highlight the Fairway to Equality (FTE) committee. This year’s DFW FTE Co-Chairs, Elaine Dausy & Ingrid Duggan, along with their growing committee of volunteers are currently planning the 2018 festivities. The Fairway to Equality Golf Tournament has been around for over 20 years in Dallas. In the early 2000’s, it became an event for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and has grown to the big tournament weekend that it is today. To date, the DFW Calcutta and Tournament event has raised over $800,000 in proceeds for HRC and has provided a blueprint for HRC communities around the country. 
 
The 2018 FTE Calcutta and Tournament weekend and will be held in June.  Keep your eyes out for additional information regarding the kickoff party, sponsorship opportunities, team registration and more.  It’s never too early to start thinking about putting a team together!

If you’re interested in volunteering, let us know!

Planned Parenthood 2018 Annual Awards Luncheon

Friday, March 23rd is the 28th Dallas Annual Awards Luncheon. This signature event directly supports Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas' healthcare and education services for women, men and young people in North and Central Texas.  The keynote speaker this year will be Cynthia Nixon, an Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winner, and star of stage, screen, and television. If you would like to sponsor or purchase a ticket, click here!

Upcoming Events:

March 16  Mixer:
6P to 8P at Sallio Itallio
3232 McKinney Ave, Suite 150
Dallas, TX 75202
Google Map

March 22nd – 25th:  HRC Equality Convention in Washington, D.C.
A yearly conference where present and future leaders gather to exchange ideas on what’s going on in our communities across the country. 

March 24th – GLFD Green Tie for Green Haus
7P to 11P
GLFD Website for more Information
 
April 14th: Spring Luncheon
10:30 to 1:00 at the Tower Club
1601 Elm Street, 48th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
Google Maps

April 19th: Thursday Happy Hour
6P to 8P at Ross and Hall Beer Garten
3300 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
Google Maps

Yours in Equality,

DFW FEDERAL CLUB CO-CHAIRS
Linda Reyes-Hart and Nancy Caldwell
co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org

Politics and Progress

March 6th Primaries
Early voting is underway through March 2nd. Info here.
If you don’t vote early please make sure to vote on March 6th.

Meet the Folks Who Manage the DFW Federal Club Locally
It may not be apparent to everyone how many people it takes to run the DFW Federal Club and Federal Club Council.  Throughout this year we will spotlight Governing Committee members, as well as Governors and Directors in our newsletters. 
 
This week we introduce you to Chris Matta. Chris sits on the Federal Club Governing Committee and is the Member Services Chair.  Chris and his partner, Roland LaBerge, just celebrated their 2nd anniversary with the DFW Federal Club. Chris and Roland have been together for 3 years and have 5 children between them.  They reside in Plano…known as Oklahoma to some folks.  Chris is a sales person for Total Roofing & Reconstruction and Roland just celebrated his 21st year with Bank of America.  Their biggest accomplishment in 2017 was completing their first marathon. They ran in the Chicago Marathon's 40th Anniversary Race.

Big Change Are Coming in April
As many of you know, we’ve had monthly mixers on the third Friday of the month for a long, long time.  Starting in April, we will shake things up a bit and have our monthly Fed Club Happy Hours on different days but still during the 3rd week of each month.  March will be our usual 3rd Friday but April’s Happy Hour will move to Thursday, March 19th.  Mark your calendars and come out and celebrate "Thank God it’s Almost Friday" on April 19th. We know this is a big change so we will continue to remind you. We’d also love your feedback.  Please feel free to email the Federal Club Co-Chairs at cochairs@dfwfederalclub.org.

HRC’s  DFW Steering Committee’s
This week we highlight the Political Community Engagement Program which is charged with expanding HRC’s mission by reaching out to a variety of equality-minded people and organizations and expand our volunteer leadership base by sponsoring programs such as Equality Leaders for the 21st Century.
 
Our Political program connects the relationships built through our Foundation programs and the efforts needed to win at the ballot box, while supporting fair-minded politicians at the state and national levels.
 
Sam Tornabene is the chair and has been active in the political arena here for a number of years.  If you are interested in volunteering or learning more, please let us know.

Upcoming Events:
March 16  Mixer:
6P to 8P at Sallio Itallio
3232 McKinney Ave, Suite 150
Dallas, TX 75202
Google Map

March 22nd – 25th:  HRC Equality Convention in Washington, D.C.
A yearly conference where present and future leaders gather to exchange ideas on what’s going on in our communities across the country. 
 
March 24th – GLFD Green Tie for Green Haus
7P to 11P
GLFD Website for more Information
 
April 14th: Spring Luncheon
10:30 to 1:00 at the Tower Club
1601 Elm Street, 48th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
Google Maps

April 19th: Thursday Happy Hour
6P to 8P at Ross and Hall Beer Garten
3300 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
Google Maps

Blink and You Might Miss It

It’s hard to believe that January is almost over in our new year. If you blink you might miss some of the amazing work our area volunteers and members are doing.

Our Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service was a great success! On January 15, about 20 HRC volunteers helped out at the Family Place Resale Shop.  

The Family Place empowers victims of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for social change to stop family violence. The Family Place Resale Shop serves a vital role for their clients who often give up everything to flee for safety. Clients are provided with vouchers to purchase what they need at the Resale Shop so that they can start new lives. Our volunteers helped the staff at the Resale Shop with accepting donations, sorting merchandise, and displaying items for sale. Thank you to Pio, Tarun, Sam, Kim, Monica, Barry, Roland & so many others that took the time to support the Family Place.

For six nights over the last two weekends, a number of HRC volunteers, including Tarun Kapoor & Sam Tornabene assisted in the "See Us Now 2018" survey of homeless youth. Volunteers fanned out around Dallas County to ask questions about the conditions that homeless youth are facing and the services they need. We’ll share the report that is due out in April. 

The Youth First program at Resource Center launched its series of LGBTQ History discussions on January 24. HRC’s Sam Tornabene was the inaugural speaker.  Sam talked about the origins of the modern LGBT Civil Rights movement and the story behind Stonewall and the first Gay Pride celebration.  The LGBTQ History discussions will take place monthly. We’ll share upcoming topics and dates.

In case you missed it...

Our January mixer was a "chilly" blast! Pun intended. We had a great turnout at our first mixer hosted by Woody's.

Photos can be found on our Facebook Page. Thank you to Paul Jentz for capturing a great night!

And welcome to our new Federal Club Members - Pamela, Jonathan, David & Mace.

In political news, the Texas Primary election is coming up fast and we need you to get out and vote. Here are important dates to remember:

• February 5 — last day to register to vote in the primary. Registration FAQs here. Not sure you’re registered to vote in Texas? Go here for more information.
• February 20 - March 2— early voting. Info here
• March 6 — Primary Election Day

Remember, EVERY VOTE MATTERS! Get registered, get educated about the candidates, and get out and vote. And tell your friends to do the same!

On Feb 16 - 18, the HRC Foundation in partnership with the National Education Association and the American Counseling Association will host Time To THRIVE, the annual national conference  in Orlando, FL to promote safety, inclusion and well-being for LGBTQ youth. Did you know young LGBTQ people in America still face dramatically heightened rates of discrimination in school, at home and within their community. The impact of family rejection, bullying and the messages they hear about being LGBTQ weigh heavily on our youth. By engaging a broad audience of youth-serving professionals, including K-12 educators, mental health providers, pediatricians, religious leaders, recreational athletic coaches and youth development staff (Boys and Girls Club, YMCAs, scout leaders, etc.), we can create spaces in which LGBTQ youth are affirmed, supported and have the ability to thrive. If you’re interested in learning more about Time to Thrive, visit http://timetothrive.org/

Mark your calendar: Friday, February 16 is Chinese New Year and what better way to celebrate our next mixer than at one of our local favorite spots: Chino Chinatown. We hope to see you there.

Details below:

Chino Chinatown @ Trinity Groves
Friday, 2/16  6pm - 8pm
3011 Gulden Ln #110
Dallas, TX 75212
Google Map

Thank you for your continued support!

New Year--Same Mission

Happy New Year to all Dallas/Fort Worth Federal Club members. As we embark on a new year, we still have the same mission — to move us towards Full LGBTQ Equality.

On Saturday, January 6, 40 area volunteers met for our 2018 planning retreat. 30 Federal Club members attended including 9 Board of  Governors and 1 Board of Director. HRC’s Regional Field Director Criss Ruiz from Dallas and Federal Club Deputy Director, Casey Reever Whiting from Washington DC, were also in attendance. There was much enthusiasm in the room as we planned for a very busy year. 

Collectively, HRC DFW Steering Committee and the Federal Club manages and/or participates in approximately 50 events per year. From Federal Club monthly mixers and quarterly luncheons to our new monthly HRC Mondays, and annual fundraising events like Fairway to Equality and HerHRC, we have a very vibrant and active community. In addition to metro area Pride events, we also support pride events in Longview, San Angelo and Oklahoma. The planning session helped us align and set our goals for 2018. Thank you to everyone that participated. If you would like to learn more about getting involved, please reach out to co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org.

On January 10, HRC published their annual State Equality Index (SEI) Report, a comprehensive state-by-state report detailing statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ people and their families and placing states in one of four categories based on their pro- and anti-LGBTQ state laws. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia are in the highest-rated category, “Working Toward Innovative Equality”. Unfortunately, Texas is among Twenty-Seven states in the lowest-rated category “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality.” You can read more about Texas here. 

On a national front, HRC has begun recruiting 45 full-time political, field, grassroots organizing and volunteer engagement staff for “HRC Rising,” a bold, proactive grassroots campaign to accelerate progress in states from coast-to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives in 2018, 2020 and beyond.

As you can see, there is a lot of work to do. Thank you for your continued support that helps HRC do the vital work necessary to move us towards full equality.

To kick off our 2018 events, this Friday is our first monthly mixer at Woody's Dallas. We hope to see you there. Details below:

Woody's
Friday, 1/19 6pm - 8pm
4011 Cedar Springs Rd
Dallas, TX 95219

Google Map
 
Yours in Equality,
 
DFW FEDERAL CLUB CO-CHAIRS
Linda Reyes-Hart and Nancy Caldwell
co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org

My HRC Story

My name is Linda Reyes-Hart and this is my story.

Mary Hart and I met in 1990 when she was serving in the Army National Guard. Back then it was not okay for homosexuals to serve openly in the Armed Services. In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed into law "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." DADT defined homosexuality as "an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." The military was not allowed to ask if she was gay. So she didn't tell. We lived the majority of our first 20 years together in the closet.

During those years, Mary was deployed twice: in 2000 she served in Bosnia and in 2005 in Iraq. I always felt that I had it easier than she did during those deployments. I was at home, safe with family and friends. She was serving our country in the closet. She had no one to talk to about her feelings; about how much she loved and missed me. She had to keep it all to herself.  But it was something she had to do. She took an oath to serve our country and I 'secretly' took an oath to stand by her side.

Fast forward to 2009. Mary was asked to deploy once again, for the third time. This time her destination was Afghanistan. This time I was frightened more than ever.  Iraq was no cake walk but Afghanistan was going to be much harder. When Mary went to Afghanistan for a 3-week reconnaissance mission that year, I was more worried and scared for her safety than I was during the previous deployments. I knew it would be difficult for both of us. Then while training for that deployment she fell and tore her ACL. She was done. No more training. No more deployment. I thought "Yes! [fist pump], she doesn't have to go to Afghanistan.”

A short time later, near the end of 2010 with efforts led by President Barack Obama, DADT was repealed. We could finally live openly as a couple. Things were starting to take a turn for the better. That next year, Mary retired as a Lt. Colonel after serving 22 years in the US Army National Guard.

This is not where our story ends, but rather where our story really begins.

Since Mary retired from the military, we no longer had to worry about her career being jeopardized. We decided it was time to start fighting openly for our civil rights -- not just the right to marry but other rights we could be denied because we were gay. And it wasn't just about us. We wanted to help others. We couldn't sit by idly and watch others be discriminated against just because they were gay.

We decided to get involved and joined the Human Rights Campaign. We became members of the Federal Club and joined the DFW Governing Committee. Since joining, we've met some inspiring women and men who continue to fight for LGBTQ rights.

Today we have marriage equality. Now what?

Across our country, in some states there are nondiscrimination bills that would provide comprehensive protections for LGTBQ Americans. But in other states there are harmful anti-LGBT bills, religious exemption bills, bills pre-empting local protections, anti-transgender bills and other anti-LGBT bills.

The Human Rights Campaign, along with tens of thousands of advocates, works around the clock to lobby members of Congress on critical legislation that would greatly affect the lives of LGBTQ Americans. The Equality Act, introduced last year establishes explicit, permanent protections against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education and jury service. In essence, it would amend the Civil Rights act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

How can you help? I'm asking you to join me and Mary as we continue to fight for equal rights for all Americans. By joining the Federal Club for as little as $100 per month (only $3.29 per day), your ongoing pledge is a cost-effective way to contribute to HRC and ensures HRC has the resources for its legislative and advocacy work.

If you have questions about becoming a Federal Club member, please contact any of our local HRC leaders: Steve Wiscaver, Liz Rodriquez, Jaime Duggan or Barry Robertson or send an email to Member Services. I appreciate your support as we all fight for our Equal Rights!

Sincerely,

Linda Reyes-Hart

TCC Honors DFW Federal Club

DFW Federal Club is extremely honored to share with you Turtle Creek Chorale's upcoming concert series, Heroes.

We salute the heroes in our lives and our communities - those that have always been there, those that have changed the world and those that make a difference. For the first half, TCC will present musical “awards” to the people and organizations that have made our community what it is today. For the second half of the concert, we’ll present “Tyler’s Suite” honoring the legacy of Tyler Clementi.

Join us as Turtle Creek Chorale honors Federal Club as Heroes in our community!

HEROES presented by Turtle Creek Chorale
March 31-April 2 at 7:30 PM
Dallas City Performance Hall
Tickets available here or by calling 214-526-3214

When purchasing tickets use the promo code DFWFC and $5 of each ticket with be donated to our organization. 

We hope to see you all there!

2016 FEDERAL CLUB CO-CHAIRS
Liz Rodriguez & Steve Wiscaver

Volunteers for the 2016 FC Governing Committee

DFW Federal Club continues to lead the nation as one of the largest, most active and healthy HRC chapters. And we want you to help keep this success going by serving on our Governing Committee (GC). Here are some of the areas where we could use your talents:

EVENT COORDINATORS -- Help with our Luncheons, Holiday Party, Mixers, Women's Events, and many other events throughout the year

WRITERS/EDITORS -- Use your skills to help communicate with our members and other audiences about what FC is up to.

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS -- Design for the Web and for print materials

WEB SITE MASTERS-- Keep our on line communications up-to-date

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITERS -- Bring new members into DFW Federal Club

SPONSORSHIP SOLICITORS -- Help get sponsors for our events and activities

AND SO MUCH MORE!

We encourage each of you to seriously consider applying.  The application is not lengthy but it is critical.  We will then do one-on-one interviews to match open positions with applicants.  Interviews will take place during the month of November. Our goal is to have the committee set by the time we approach the holiday party and holiday season — so we are ready for the New Year. 

There is a lot of work that goes into being a member of the GC. But, we can tell you that it is one of most rewarding experiences you'll have ever had. And you will gain the satisfaction of knowing that you took another step and gave even more in the fight for equality that inspires us all. 
 

You can find the 2016 GC Application here. Please complete it and email it to co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org by November 6, 2015.

New Co-Chair Elected to Serve Federal Club for 2016-2017

Steve Wiscaver -- 2016-2017 FC Co-Chair

At the September FC Governing Committee meeting, Steve Wiscaver was elected as the new co-chair for DFW Federal Club for 2016-2017. He will replace Chris Lindsey as co-chair. DFW has a long line of outstanding leaders, and Steve is already known nationally for his work for the Human Rights Campaign.  

Steve has served on the Governing Committee for four years, beginning on the member services team setting up the monthly mixers. From there, he moved to co-chair of the Member Services Committee where he began a host of innovative programs to regularly reach out to new members, departing members and continuing members. Steve also led the Recruiting Committee prior to returning to Member Services this year.  
 
Last year, Steve served as one of the Holiday Party Chairs. He built a team that not only planned an outstanding event for last December at Arlington Hall, but had already chosen a venue for 2015 by the time we began our celebrations! He has already recruited the leaders who will be taking over the work he began as he starts his new role on January 1. Steve will serve a 2-year term; first with our current co-chair, Liz Rodriguez, followed by a new co-chair to be elected next fall.  
 
We know you all have met Steve at some point, but you can expect to see his face and name far more in the coming months. The local members of the National Board of Governors and Board of Directors have full faith in the future of DFW HRC, and the continued strong and vibrant leadership of Federal Club is a large part of that confidence. Next time you see Steve, congratulate him on being selected to be the next FC Co-Chair! 

Sign Up NOW to be a Sponsor for this Year's FC Holiday Party!

We want to make this year's FC Holiday party an affair to remember! As we reflect on all that has happened this year and the historic achievements realized by your hard work and generous support, we would really like to make the Holiday Party as amazing as the year was successful!.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available!  There are many levels and types of sponsorship that are available.  We would love to work with you on making your sponsorship and show of support for DFW Federal Club reflect your personal dedication to our work.

As always, we remain dedicated to being excellent stewards of your money. This is why we ask for sponsorship commitments early in our planning to be able to create our party responsibly. Depending on your level of sponsorship, you will receive recognition on printed materials and signage at the event as well as other perks. There will be an official sponsorship letter that will be mailed within the next couple of weeks providing further details. And you can find more information here. 

If you have any questions regarding sponsorships or volunteer opportunities, please contact John Golden at your earliest convenience.  He can be reached at (214) 984-8108 or by email at john_c.golden@yahoo.com.  

We look forward to seeing you and your guests as we celebrate the fire within us the evening of December 4th!

Our Fall Luncheon Will Celebrate All Y'All!!

Make plans now to join us for the FC Fall Luncheon on Saturday September 12. This luncheon will focus on Texas and all of the progress that we have been making in moving Texas toward equality for everyone! "Cuz in Texas, Y'All means ALL!

You'll get to hear from JoDee Winterhof, SVP for Policy and Political Affairs for HRC. JoDee leads HRC's  federal, state and local legislative, field and legal teams, while overseeing management of HRC’s political action committees and electoral engagement.The dress code for this luncheons "Business Casual -- Texas". So get your boots on and plan to join us at the Tower Club on September 12!

FC Fall Luncheon
Saturday September 12th 10:30 -- 12:30
Tower Club
Thanksgiving Tower | 48th Floor
1601 Elm St | Dallas 75201

Let's Show Houston that DFW Supports Equality!

Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which includes protects for the LGBT community, is under attack and will be on the ballot in November. HRC is fighting to make sure that we preserve equality for ALL Houstonians! 

HRC is proudly standing alongside other organizations in Texas to launch Houston Unites, a broad and diverse coalition of advocacy groups, civil rights organizations and others working together to defend the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO).  This is going to be a tough campaign, and, as LGBT and Allied Texans, we need to join in the fight and show Houston that we support equality for ALL.

Houston needs our help! As the election gets closer, we will be letting you know about opportunities to help! You may want to join a phone bank to call voters in Houston, or spend some time there canvassing or just call your friends who live there and encourage them and their friends to vote!

Learn more here. And find out how HRC is supporting equality in Houston here.

The Equality Act and What it Means for Texas

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow same-sex marriage nationwide, LGBT Americans still lack explicit protections in federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Here in Texas, LGBT couples can now legally marry. But they are still at risk of being fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes or denied services because of whom they love. At the same time, Transgender Texans confront severe and pervasive discrimination that affects their daily lives.

We can’t expect any action at the state level any time soon -- the Texas State Legislature doesn’t even meet again until January 2017!  But federal level protections can and should be put in place that would ensure that individuals couldn’t be fired, denied housing, or refused service based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Last week, the Equality Act was introduced in both houses of the US Congress. This legislation would extend Federal-level civil rights protections to include LGBT people.  And HRC is fighting to pass the Equality Act.

This legislation has a strong foundation. In addition to being the right thing to do, it also has the support of the American people. A survey of likely 2016 voters showed that 67% support a federal non-discrimination law. That support transcends party lines with 51% of Republicans, 72% of Independents and 80% of Democrats expressing their support.

It is time for comprehensive legislation that provides full equality for all LGBT Americans. We must continue to fight at the state and local levels to end anti-LGBT discrimination. Everyone in this country should have a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

With your continued support and dedication, we will someday celebrate full federal equality in the country from coast to coast. And even here in Texas!

Volunteers Needed!

FC Co-Chairs Liz Rodriguez and Chris Lindsey with speaker Jeydon Loredo at the FC Summer Luncheon
 

Are you interested in becoming a little more involved with DFW Federal Club? Do you have some time to volunteer to help with some of Federal Club's activities? If so, we would like to talk with you!

DFW Federal Club is the premiere HRC Federal Club in the nation, and we are proud that we can provide our members with so many opportunities to be a part of the movement for equality! And DFW Federal Club is very busy!  We host Monthly Mixers, Quarterly Luncheons, Special Events like Fairway to Equality and the Holiday Party, and much more.  

You may not realize this, but everything that Federal Club does is done by volunteers.  People who give their time, as well as their financial support, to make DFW Federal Club run as smoothly as it does. And it takes a lot of people to make it work.

That's why we are reaching out to you.  Here are some of the areas where we need your time and talents. 

Events -- Help us plan and stage events like the Monthly Mixers and the Quarterly Luncheons

Communications --  If you have Web design, social media or great writing skills, we could use your help in putting together the many communication pieces that we have.

Ambassadors -- The best spokespeople for Federal Club are you all, its members! Help us to engage potential new members and get them to join in supporting the work of HRC. We'll show you how!

What's in it for you? Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the success of HRC, while working with and getting to know a great group of people. You may even find that you want to become part of the Federal Club Governing Committee!
 
Let us know you specific areas of interest in volunteering and we will see if we have a match! Contact us at co-chairs@dfwfederalclub.org! We really appreciate your interest and hope to hear from you soon!

Have You Considered Serving on a Dallas City Board or Commission?

Do you live in Dallas? Are you looking for a way to become more involved in helping your neighbors, serving your neighborhood, and improving your city? Are you looking for a way to take a leadership role in the LGBT community while helping to increase diversity in City government to make sure LGBT voices are heard? Have you considered volunteering to serve on a city board or commission?
 
Dallas Gay & Lesbian Alliance will sponsor an informational session and training on Saturday, July 25 at the Resource Center Dallas, 2701 Reagan Street, Dallas.  This informational session will include an orientation in which a representative of the City Secretary's office will discuss the roles and responsibilities of the various boards and commissions as well as the application process.  This will be followed by a panel discussion by community leaders who have been city councilmembers, board members, commissioners, and activists who have worked with issues before boards and commissions.
 
Anyone is welcome to attend.  To RSVP please email davedoug99@yahoo.com. Please RSVP as soon as possible and include your interest and your address so that your information can be forwarded to your councilmember.  With the new council already sworn in and the new boards and commissions taking office in September councilmembers are looking now for people who are willing to serve.

Historic Marriage Ruling Generates Momentum for New Non-Discrimination Law

From the HRC Blog

In the week since the historic Supreme Court decision that established nationwide marriage equality, LGBT advocates across the country have spoken in unison about the need for federal non-discrimination legislation. The reason is clear: despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, LGBT Americans lack explicit protections in federal law that prohibit discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

“Even after this 50 state marriage victory at the Supreme Court, in most states in this country, a couple who gets married at 10 a.m. remain at risk of being fired from their jobs by noon and evicted from their home by 2 p.m. simply for posting their wedding photos on Facebook,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Transgender Americans remain disproportionately at-risk of facing discrimination--and even violence--in their daily lives. No one in our community should be at risk of being fired, evicted from their home, or denied services because of who they are or whom they love. There is an unacceptable patchwork of state-level protections for LGBT people, and more than half of LGBT Americans live in a state that lack fully-inclusive non-discrimination laws. The time has come in this country for full, federal equality, and nothing less. A federal non-discrimination bill will help finally ensure that all employees are hired, fired or promoted based on their performance. All LGBT Americans deserve a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families.” (Continue reading)

An Evening to Remember!

Congratulations to Federal Club Co-Chair Chris Lindsey and his husband, Scott Lindsey, on their not-to-be-believed wedding ceremony.  Not only is their marriage recognized by the State of Texas and the U.S. Government, it also got an extra stamp of approval from Jennifer Hudson! The ceremony took place at the W Hotel -- Victory and was part of HRC and W Hotel's "Turn it up for Change" program supporting marriage equality.  More here.

Celebrate Marriage Equality with Jim Obergefell and Chad Griffin!

Come to the Round Up Saloon on Cedar Springs on Monday June 29 at 6:00pm to celebrate with Jim and Chad.

Jim Obergefell, lead plaintiff in Obergefell v Hodges

Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the case that brought Marriage Equality to all fifty states, and HRC's President, Chad Griffin, will be here in Dallas to help us celebrate today's Supreme Court decision! Join us at the Round Up on Monday and meet the people who have made LGBT history! And you'll also hear about what's next for our movement

Today’s ruling makes perfectly clear that there is no legal or moral justification for standing in the path of marriage equality. State officials across the country must act swiftly to ensure that every obstacle to obtaining a marriage license is removed. To do anything less is a shameful attempt to cement their state on the wrong side of history.
 
But what’s also clear today is that our work isn’t done until every discriminatory law in this nation is wiped away.  The time has come in this country for comprehensive federal LGBT non-discrimination protections. We now have to work harder than ever before to pass a federal law to ensure that LGBT Americans are no longer at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services simply on the basis of the marriage license that they fought so hard to achieve.
 
We need to harness our momentum. Starting in this session of Congress, the Human Rights Campaign and our partners will lead the fight for a sweeping federal non-discrimination bill—legislation that seeks to protect LGBT people and their families from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, federal funding, education and jury service.
 
Our work is far from complete. As we saw in Indiana and Arkansas earlier this year, the opponents of equality will stop at nothing to enshrine discrimination into law, and we don’t believe for one second that this fight is over. Even with today’s ruling, tonight, somewhere in this country an LGBT young person will spend many sleepless hours feeling helpless and hopeless because of discrimination they face at school, in church, even around their own dinner table.
 
And we have been reminded once again over the past weeks that discrimination and the scourge of hate still live in this country. Progress for some is not progress for all, and we are even more committed than ever to ensuring that all citizens are equal. That all Americans receive justice. That we are all united.

Our job now is to guarantee that they can have true and lasting hope at last—and that they are fully protected from discrimination at the federal level and in the state that they call home.