CM Hall sent this dispatch from Washington, where she is presumably gearing up for the National Equality March on October 11.

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Greetings HRC friends! CM Hall here, Political Chair for HRC Oregon and SW Washington. Just wanted to send an update.

Several of the HRC Oregon leaders are here in DC this weekend–it’s a monumental weekend, as you likely know with National Coming Out Day this Sunday.

In advance of that, the HRC Oregon Board of Governors–Todd Canon, Wendy Blenning, Michael Long, John Leonard and myself are all here lobbying for equality, along with HRC Board of Directors member, Terry Bean and John’s partner, Wiley Parsons. Today we met with staff and elected Members of the Senate and the House and it was a HUGE success.

We met with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley personally. Senator Wyden has always been a staunch supporter and vocal champion for our equality in the US Senate. Senator Merkley’s record for our equality has been outstanding in Oregon (he’s receiving Basic Rights Oregon’s annual award this weekend at their Dinner while we’re here!). Our meeting with Senator Merkley even included a discussion of how he will now be the lead on moving ENDA through the Senate, bestowed that honor by Senator Kennedy’s staff. How lucky we are that we have these trailblazers in our state?!

We also met with Congressman David Wu and Earl Blumenauer. They both have 100% ratings from HRC in their Congressional Scorecard (http://www.hrc.org/about_us/7194.htm). We are so LUCKY to have all these leaders advocating our equality and taking the lead on our right to be equal by co-sponsoring important legislation.

We also met with Congressman Kurt Schrader and he is a freshman. It’s been great to see him acclimate to the esteemed office of Representative. He is taking a lead role in co-sponsoring the ENDA (Employment NonDiscrimination Act) within the House. Congressman DeFazio and Congressman Baird were unable to meet due to floor votes, but we met with their staff who were great to talk with and insightful about the Member’s legislative priorities and how our equality is among them.

The aforementioned list are folks we in the Pacific Northwest feel more confident calling our allies, champions, and torchbearers for our equality. We have struggled to build a meaningful relationship with Congressman Greg Walden, who represents Eastern, Central, and Southern Oregon and until this year, had not yet had an opportunity to meet with him personally. Now sure, one time I boarded a plane and passed him on my way to my seat and happened to be wearing a Vote Equality ’08 shirt and made eye contact with him while pointing to my shirt, and we’d even managed to corner him in the Capitol cafeteria one year when we just couldn’t seem to get a meeting with him, but today…today we met WITH Representative Walden!!!!! It was HUGE. A 30 minute meeting, which is a long time on the Hill to meet with a Member. He was personable, thoughtful, candid, and friendly. And…it was progress. We fronted 2 key pieces of legislation–ENDA and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell–the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. Now, could we get firm commitments from him? Not that easy. We’re not there yet. But we did open a door. And…we need your help to keep that door open. It’s easy to live in Oregon and feel we’re advanced much on our agenda, but it’s still legal to be fired if you’re lesbian, gay, bi, or trans in nearly 40 states. Building a relationship with Congressman Walden and his staffers–and telling our stories—especially if you live—or have friends and family who live in his district–is key to our success, albeit, likely slow, but I am remaining optimistic!

This weekend hopes to be filled with much excitement. You have likely heard that Saturday night’s HRC National Dinner is sold out and will feature President Barack Obama, the cast of Glee, and Lady Gaga–who will also be at the National Equality March on Sunday! YES! And the first-ever Edward Kennedy award will be given to Dennis and Judy Shepard too.

So…stay tuned, I may post again this weekend, but wanted to give you all an inside peek at today. Thanks for your support as stakeholders, leaders, and activists. And Happy National Coming Out Day (this Sunday!)

Cheers!
~CM

Oh, and if you’re still reading this, we heard that Matthew McConnaughey was on the Hill today too–no idea what he was lobbying on—LGBT equality, perhaps??? Not sure that was the reason, but super fun for whomever may have spotted that eye candy!

Tags: politics