Initiative: Fairness

NOTE: OUR BLOG IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED

2006-03-25T14:39:00.000-06:00

I:F now has a website! Thus, we will no longer be updating this blog. Check our our website at www.mglcc.org/if.

Integrity-Memphis and MGLCC’s Initiative: Fairness sponsor celebration of Freedom to Marry Week (Feb. 12-18)

2006-01-19T06:32:00.000-06:00

The Memphis chapter of Integrity, Inc., and MGLCC's Initiative: Fairness (I:F) of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center invite the community of Memphis and Shelby County to a special Freedom to Marry Celebration at 6 p.m. on February 13th in McClure Hall at Grace St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 1720 Peabody Avenue. This event will feature the highly-acclaimed documentary film, Tying the Knot: the union that’s dividing America and offer an opportunity to learn more about organized opposition to the marriage amendment referendum that will appear on Tennessee’s November 2006 ballot. Local Memphians featured in the film will be present to meet those who attend. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided.

Tying the Knot highlights the vulnerabilities faced by many gay couples who are without civil marriage rights in our country. Can you imagine losing a beloved spouse and then having the love for your spouse put on trial? When a bank robber's bullet ended the life of Tampa, Florida police officer Lois Marrero, her wife of 13 years, Mickie, was honored as her surviving spouse but denied all pension benefits. When Sam, an Oklahoma rancher, lost his beloved husband of 22 years, long-estranged cousins of his late spouse tried to lay claim to everything Sam had. As Mickie and Sam's lives were put on trial, they were forced to confront the tragic reality that in the eyes of the law their marriages meant nothing. From an historical trip to the Middle Ages, to activists storming the Manhattan marriage bureau in 1971, Tying the Knot digs deeply into the past and present to uncover the meaning of civil marriage in America today.
Integrity, Inc. is an advocacy group whose mission is to be a witness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the Episcopal Church and to the world. Initiative:Fairness, the political committee of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center, aspires to inform, unite, and inspire the Memphis lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered community, in a non-partisan, and non-threatening environment, to become more politically aware of issues and processes affecting our community.

Donations for Initiative:Fairness will be accepted at this event.

TEP "Lobbying 101" Training Session in Memphis - Hosted by I:F

2006-01-19T06:26:00.000-06:00

Tennessee Equality Project, a statewide GLBT rights organization, is partnering with Initiative: Fairness to present “Lobbying 101” on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

Lobbying 101 is designed to prepare citizens to lobby their members of the Tennessee General Assembly at TEP’s “Advancing Equality Day on the Hill” in Nashville on February 21. “We trained over 50 citizen lobbyists from Memphis, Knoxville, and Nashville last year to work for equality in the 2005 General Assembly,” said TEP board spokesman Chris Sanders. “Their work helped beat back the tide of anti-gay legislation introduced last year. We urge the Memphis GLBT and allied community to come to this session and learn how to advocate effectively for equality with our lawmakers.”

Tommy Simmons of Initiative: Fairness invited TEP to present the training. “We are glad to deepen our partnership with TEP,” notes Simmons. “We both realize that citizens from all parts of Tennessee have to be involved if we are going to advance fairness for the GLBT community.”

Media contact: Chris Sanders, (615) 390-5252 or ChristopherSanders@Yahoo.com .

I:F Meets With Mr. Leon Gray

2005-11-09T19:49:00.000-06:00

I:F invited Leon Gray, host of The Leon Gray Show on Progressive Talk AM 680, to an informal discussion at the community center on Thursday, November 3, 2005. The on-air invitation from I:F followed a week of controversial comments about tolerance and civil rights made by Mr. Gray on both his web log and call-in radio show.

Mr. Gray, two of his regular callers, various members of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian community and heterosexual allies attended the meeting. The dialogue addressed issues of social and spiritual identity, civil rights and equality, and social progress. After the very open and honest discussion, members of I:F agreed that it was a very positive and productive experience.

Initiative: Fairness will continue its mission to inform the Memphis LGBT community on Local, State and National issues; educate public officials and figures; and unite the Mid-South LGBT community.

For more information, contact Tommy Simmons (901-409-5655) or Katie Messmer (901-497-5093), I:F co-chairs, at if@mglcc.org.

Memphis Chosen as Lambda Legal Focus Community

2005-10-31T21:09:00.000-06:00

The board of directors of the MGLCC is proud to announce that we have been contacted by Lambda Legal and have been informed that Memphis, TN has been chosen as a 2006 focus community by that organization.

In the months ahead, our community will receive assistance from Lambda Legal in the areas of their four strategic objectives: Employment discrimination, Marriage equality, Safe Schools and Judicial freedoms.

Len Piechowski, MGLCC President states, “Last week I had a lengthy conference call with one of Lambda Legal’s Senior Research Associates, Ms. Asha Leon. She is planning a visit to Memphis in December or January to meet with our community leaders from all of the various Memphis GLBT groups. The MGLCC will serve as a focal point to organize communication between leaders of all of our community organizations and Lambda. What a tremendous opportunity for us all!”

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) Makes Memphis Launch at MGLCC – Hosted by I:F

2005-08-30T22:15:00.000-05:00

Tennessee Equality Project. Makes Memphis Launch at MGLCC – Hosted by I:F.

The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), a group formed in 2004 to advance the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in Tennessee, will make its Memphis launch on September 16 at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. The event will take place as part of the Friday evening Q Café and will be hosted by Initiative: Fairness (I:F) – the political committee of the MGLCC.

The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a performance by acoustical guitarist David Brookings, followed by remarks from TEP President Randy Cox and TEP lobbyist Jenny Ford. At 8:00 p.m. Q Café continues with an opportunity for guests to learn more about TEP.

The launch takes place on the eve of the popular Cooper-Young Festival that takes place annually in midtown Memphis and just over a year before the proposed amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman appears on the November 2006 ballot.

Already active in Middle and East Tennessee, TEP is timing its Memphis launch to reach the widest possible audience. “The involvement of the Memphis community is vital to our efforts to advance equality in Tennessee,” notes TEP President Randy Cox. Memphis has the energy and the talent that we need to achieve success in the General Assembly and to fight the discriminatory marriage amendment.”

For more information about the Tennessee Equality Project, visit www.tnep.org.

For more information about Initiative: Fairness, visit www.initiativefairness.blogspot.com
or www.mglcc.org/if.

I:F @ Cooper-Young Festival

2005-08-22T19:55:00.000-05:00

Meet your friends at I:F during this year's
Cooper-Young Festival!

ALL DAY - Saturday, September 17

I:F will have a table set up inside MGLCC (892 So. Cooper). So, stop by and say "hello" while your at the Festival.

We will have information available about upcoming events and initiatives we will be working on in the coming months.

See you there!

2008 March On Washington

2005-08-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

Robin Tyler of DontAmend.com is calling for a 2008 GLBT March on Washington. Ms. Tyler was instrumental in organizing previous national GLBT marches in 1993, 1987, 1979 - all in DC.

Here's part of her take:

"THIS MARCH MUST be built on an entirely different basis than the last few marches. In this march, there must be a litmus test: either support full legal equality for LGBT people, including the equal right to marry, or be prepared to catch hell, regardless of your party affiliation."

Read her call to action HERE.

No March on Washington will be successful without a grassroots movement. Thus, I:F has formed a relationship with Andy Thayer - National Action Coordinator of DontAmend.com to organize the Memphis effort. Attend an I:F meeting and check this blog for furture updates.

CBN Interview. Re: LIA

2005-07-15T19:07:00.000-05:00

Click HERE to read the interview from the "Christian" Broadcasting Network with Zack's father, Joe Stark.

Funny how the local group that most recently brought this subject to light is not mentioned in the article. The group is none other than QUEER ACTION COALITION. Click on their name to find out what incredible work they are doing! Keep up the great work QAC!

Now, back to the CBN article. Here's a nice quote:

"To me it's not what's right and what's left, it's what's right and what's wrong,” Joe said. “My wife and I will stand by that 'till the day we die, as far as homosexuality is not in God's plan – it's wrong."
----Joe Stark

While visiting the CBN website, check out other enlightening articles such as:

Is Homosexuality Genetic or an Evil Force that Plays Mind Games with People?

and

Ex-Gay Encourages the Church to Welcome the Sexually Broken

TEP Meets with Nashville Police Chief Serpas

2005-07-14T19:00:00.000-05:00

Many of you are aware of the Nashville Scene article, entitled "Policing Gays". This piece raised a lot of questions within the Nashville LGBT community regarding their relationship with the Metro Police Department.

After having met with Chief Serpas and several others from Nashville Metro Police, TEP has arranged for an informal town hall meeting to discuss this issue and others. If you are in the Nashville area next Monday evening, check it out:

Monday, July 18
6:00 PM at
PLAY DanceBar
1519 Church Street
Nashville

Peterson Toscano's Gay.Com Article on LIA

2005-07-04T10:27:00.000-05:00

Former Memphian, Peterson Toscano, has written an article for Gay.Com regarding the recent LIA events.

Check it out.

There is a previous article on Gay.Com regarding the protests. Click HERE for more.

Tennessee Opens NEW Probe of "Ex-Gay" Facility

2005-07-02T20:53:00.000-05:00

The Washington Blade is reporting that the State of Tennessee is opening a new probe of Love In Action. The Tennessee Department of Health has sent a letter to Love in Action notifying the group that it is suspected of operating illegally, according to Andrea Turner, communications director for the department.

Read more HERE.

Wendy Thomas Article in the CA: SBC fears of gays in schools oveblown

2005-06-23T05:41:00.000-05:00

Today's CA contains a timely article from Wendy Thomas on the Southern Baptist Convention. The convention, which was held in Nashville, ended Wednesday. The SBC fear of our "gay agenda" is the topic.

To send Wendy your thanks or comments, here's her contact info:

thomasw@commercialappeal.com
(901) 529-5896

Here's the LINK to the article and below is the copy/paste.

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Not so good news from the Southern Baptists' annual national convention, which ended Wednesday in Nashville.

A proposal that Southern Baptist parents see if public schools are promoting the gay agenda -- and if so, yank their kids out of those educational dens of iniquity -- got further than Pat Robertson would at a Gay Pride Parade.

Although it was watered down somewhat by the time it was made official, the resolution still claims public schools promote homosexuality with "offensive materials and programs." But Southern Baptist parents can leave their children in public schools, at least for now.

Public schools don't turn kids gay any more than Christian schools turn students into tongue-talking televangelists. Most Christians know this.

Except for the proposal's chief proponent, Houston attorney Bruce Shortt.

"For those who care to investigate, homosexual activists with their agenda are moving through the public schools like freight trains," he told The Associated Press.

So that's the noise I hear when I visit public schools. I thought it was the bell to change classes, or maybe teachers teaching, but it was the gay train, trucking in copies of the gay agenda.

But don't look for posters in school hallways screaming, "Be Gay! It's The Cool Way!" These agenda pushers are sneakier than that.

"Much of this is deceptively labeled as anti-bullying, diversity, safe schools, AIDS/HIV awareness," Shortt said.

I thought anti-bullying meant schools encouraged students not to smack the snot out of classmates who are different.

Diversity usually means promoting acceptance of ethnic differences, or able-bodied/ disabled differences, or native/foreign-born differences, and even (here's where some Southern Baptists get all bothered) sexual identity differences.

Safe schools, that's metal detectors and no-tolerance policies for fighting and bringing in guns, right? That movement was fueled by school shootings like Columbine (where, by the way, the shooters were straight), not by sightings of Tinky Winky.

HIV/AIDS awareness is nothing more than lessons on helping our children avoid contracting a fatal disease.

That's exactly what gay activists want us to think, Shortt says. They're pulling the pashmina wool over our eyes with their code words for the gay agenda.

Funny thing is, none of my gay friends or relatives have a copy of that elusive agenda.

Sure, they talk about wanting the rights all Americans have, and they complain about how last century those Adam/Eve/Steve chants are.

When feeling particularly shunned, sometimes my gay friends and relatives point out how much their life is like mine -- dog walking, paper-reading, trash-emptying, church-going.

There's nothing sinister in the desire of gay and straight people that we all be treated fairly and with respect.

That's not an agenda, that's a God-given right.

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Guest Blogger - Len Piechowski, President of MGLCC

2005-06-20T19:02:00.000-05:00

Occasionally, we will have a Guest Blogger post their thoughts on this blog. Our very first blogger on the I:F blog is none other than the President of MGLCC, Len Piechowski. Here's a great read from Len.

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Back in November, I was in a state of despair. Sure, the results of the national elections had that effect on a lot of us! But I slowly began to sense that it wasn’t simply that. I slowly felt the need to take a hard look at myself and at my community. And when I did, I had to admit that there was another cause for my sadness. And it was really scary. I admitted that the glbtq community (my community that I deeply love) was failing. We were not being successful in our attempts to stem the horrifying developments that were, and still are, going on in the USA (the country that I also deeply love). Then I had to further admit that not only were we failing, but that in our frustration, we were even resorting to divisiveness, hate-rhetoric, and even partisan name-calling within our own community. I forced myself to ponder our very own participation in the same evils of intolerance that we are so quick to criticize in our enemies! And so I finally had to ask, “how can we ever hope to succeed by fanning the flames of already unparalleled levels of hatred?”

But that was then and this is now.

I’m very excited to see I:F rise out of the despair many of us Memphis glbtq’s have felt! I:F is such a positive alternative … one that is multi-partisan and constructive instead of exclusionist and infantile. No, we’re not going to flee to Canada. No, we will not live in denial and pretend “there, there, everything will be okay.” No, we will not cower in fear nor will we back down from the enormous challenges facing us! But through I:F we will meet those challenges head on, using a well-thought-out-confrontational-strategy that builds up … but refuses to tear down. A strategy that will make us and our straight supporters successful!

Tommy and Katie … you’re the best. Thanks for giving me hope again!

TEP Legislative Update (A Memphis Focus)

2005-06-20T06:22:00.000-05:00

Below is the latest TEP Legislative Update from our friends in Nashville. Read the Update...it is fantastic! If you have not joined TEP, please consider doing so, today.

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Dear TEP Members and Friends,

Do you think the FBI has a division charged with coming up with salacious names- Operation Tennessee Waltz? Enough said.

As a lobbyist, May 26th was a saddening day. I arrived at the Legislative Plaza at 7:45 AM planning to attend a Senate Finance Committee hearing scheduled at 8:30. There was something strange in the air, but that is not unusual during the last days of session. I knew some of the things going on behind the scenes and the feelings were tense: a last minute effort to get a pay raise for the state employees was being pushed and the Republicans (and some Democrats) were in a face off the governor over TennCare.

After standing aside and observing, I tracked down a senior legislative aide and asked what was going on. Her face was drawn and she shot me a terse response, "Ward's (Crutchfield) been arrested and they're looking for Ford." It was that simple. What I was unaware of while standing and watching the madness unfold was that the Plaza was swarming with FBI guys. Yes, they do blend in. I looked at my watch and it was 7:55. It was going to be a hell of a day.

Fellow members and friends, the events leading up to May 26th and those to follow are laying the groundwork for our next few legislative years. Later this summer, there will be a special election in Memphis for Kathryn Bowers' House seat vacated when she was elected State Senator. During the same election, John Ford's seat will be up for grabs with a field too large to count. Ford's sister, Ophelia is running for the seat and has the hands on campaign management of former Congressman Harold Ford, Sr., father of seating Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. Other viable candidates who've announced or are considering the run are House members Henri Brooks, Barbara Cooper and John Deberry.

Without getting into personalities, I will tell you we lost a consistent vote in the Senate with John Ford's resignation. And in the House, we've lost strong support and a vote since Kathryn Bowers has moved to the Senate. Some individuals vying for Ford's Senate seat have proven records, on one side or the other, regarding GLBT issues. Those campaigning for Bowers' old House seat are new to State level politics and their positions on GLBT issues are currently unknown.

Summer is a time to relax and enjoy. This summer, however, I personally ask you to also be vigil and stay informed. Go on the Internet and read the Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Flyer. Follow the politics and action in Memphis. While the city may be across the state from your home, I can promise the candidates being considered by Memphis voters have the ability to change your life and those you love with a simple, "aye or nay".

Have a pleasant and safe summer.

Sincerely,
Jenny Ford
TEP Lobbyist and Member

I:F Formation - Official Press Release

2005-06-17T13:34:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MGLCC forms new political group

The Board of Directors of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center passed a resolution creating Initiative: Fairness (I:F), a political committee and subset of MGLCC. “I:F aspires to be a non-partisan voice of solidarity that supports fairness and equality in legislation affecting the Memphis LGBT community,” said Tommy Simmons, co-chair of I:F.

Resulting from community-wide meetings held after the 2004 Presidential election, I:F operates under very strict guidelines from the IRS. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the MGLCC is allowed to work for the passage or defeat of a particular piece of legislation; however, it is prohibited from endorsing or protesting the election of a particular candidate. In addition, the MGLCC must adhere to regulations governing the amount of time and money devoted to political activities.

Community members can choose three levels of participation with I:F – voting membership, non-voting membership, and passive involvement via I:F’s email distribution list.

For more information about Initiative: Fairness visit our website at www.mglcc.org/if or email co-chairs Katie Messmer and Tommy Simmons at if@mglcc.org.

The Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) working to create a better future for the GLBT community in the Mid-South. It offers an array of diverse GLBT services by utilizing the talents, energy and resources of its members and surrounding community.

Celebrate Memphis Black Pride - This Weekend

2005-06-16T15:17:00.000-05:00

Memphis Black Pride is proud to announce "Ten Years of Service".

Memphis Black Pride was formed in 1995 to serve the needs of LGBT people of African descent within the Memphis community.

Through advocacy, education, coalition building programs and other activities, MBP creates unity, pride, empowerment, and positive visibility resulting in a strong community voice.

This year's activities include:

*special events
*seminars
*entertainers - from around the country
*annual picnic
*step-off dance competition.

For additional information: http://www.memphisblackpride.com/

Do's and Don'ts of I:F

2005-06-16T15:01:00.000-05:00

Since I:F is a political committee of MGLCC and MGLCC is a non-profit with a 501c3 status, I:F is required by law to function differently than political organizations that are not non-profit. If these guidelines are not followed, the non-profit status of MGLCC could be jeopardized.

What follows is a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” that must be followed. I:F members (Voting and Non-Voting) are required by MGLCC to adhere to these guidelines. These members must sign this document and present it to the committee Chair(s) before membership can be granted.

1) I:F may not participate or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

2) I:F may not participate in activities that encourage people to vote for or against a particular candidate, even on the basis of nonpartisan criteria. Thus, voting guides and similar vehicles are prohibited.

3) I:F members can participate, as private citizens, in a political campaign for or against a candidate, but not as a spokesperson of I:F.

4) I:F members who speak or write in their individual capacity are encouraged to clearly indicate that their comments are personal and not intended to represent the views of I:F or MGLCC.

5) Public office holders may be invited to attend or speak at I:F committee meetings, but they must be present only in a non-candidate capacity and may not mention his or her candidacy or the election, nor should I:F members present. In addition, no campaigning can occur in connection with the candidate’s attendance. It is not necessary for I:F to provide equal access to all political candidates, in this case.

6) I:F may sell, trade, or rent it’s membership lists to others, including candidates. However, all candidates must be aware of the opportunity. To stay within the law, I:F must be paid fair value in return.

7) I:F may hold meetings on public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, I:F may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational material, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing MGLCC’s tax-exempt status.

8) I:F may hold Public Forums, but if the forum is operated to show bias for or against any candidate, then the forum would be a prohibited campaign activity.

9) I:F may conduct activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives. However, this should be conducted in a strictly non-partisan manner.

10) I:F may respond to requests by legislative bodies or committees to provide information about a certain piece of legislation. This is not considered lobbying. The response by I:F must be disseminated to the entire body requesting the response.

11) Additions to the “Do’s and Don’ts of I:F” are inevitable. Voting and Non-Voting Members must sign the revised guidelines and submit the documentation to the I:F Chair(s). This must be completed within 60 days after the revisions have been approved by the MGLCC Board.

Membership in I:F

2005-06-16T14:58:00.000-05:00

Participation in I:F is open to anyone espousing the values of I:F. There are three levels of participation. Two are levels of direct involvement - Voting and Non-Voting Membership. The third is a level of passive involvement - inclusion on the I:F Distribution List.

Voting Member

Requirements for Voting Members are more stringent than Non-Voting. Voting Members get things done. Thus, they are expected to attend most committee meetings and events. In addition, they are expected to be the communications conduit to the others groups and organizations in which they interact.

Requirements include:
1) Inclusion on the Distribution List
2) Signed agreement of the “Do’s and Don’ts” of this committee
3) Communication to others of events and actions of I:F
4) Regular attendance at committee meetings. Three unexcused absences (absences in which you do not tell anyone on the committee of your absence) in a six-month period will revert a member to Non-Voting status.
5) Regular participation in I:F events and actions
6) Membership in MGLCC

Non-Voting Member

The requirements for Non-Voting members are purposefully lax. The main purpose of a Non-Voting member is to foster communication throughout the community.

Requirements include:
1) Inclusion on the Distribution List
2) Signed agreement of the “Do’s and Don’ts” of this committee
3) Communication to others of events and actions of I:F

Requirements do not include:
1) Regular attendance at committee meetings
2) Regular participation in I:F events and actions
3) Membership in MGLCC

Non-Voting members can become Voting Members by expressing such intention to the committee Chair(s).

Removal of Voting and Non-Voting Members

Voting and Non-Voting Members will be removed from all aspects of I:F as a result of the following:
1) Request from the member to the committee Chair(s)
2) Upon violation of the “Do’s and Don’ts” of I:F. The Voting Members will determine whether the member’s action(s) constitute a violation. A majority vote of the Voting Members will remove the Member.
3) For Non-Voting Members, if the member has not participated in events or actions nor attended committee meetings for an extended period of time (determined, ad hoc, by the Voting Members), the committee Chair(s) may contact the Non-Voting Member and ask if the member desires to be removed from the committee.
4) For Voting Members, see Requirements #4 under Voting Member Requirements.

Distribution List

The I:F Distribution List consists of individuals who would like to be kept abreast of events and actions of I:F.

The I:F Chair(s) will occasionally review the Distribution List to verify individuals interest in remaining on the list.

Anyone deemed to be abusing the information sent to the Distribution List will be removed by a majority vote of the committee.

Distribution List individuals are not required to sign the “Do’s and Don’ts of I:F”, but must be cognizant of these guidelines. Thus, these individuals will be sent the Standard Operating Procedures document upon request to be added to the Distribution List.

Government Regulations, I:F, and MGLCC

2005-06-16T14:55:00.000-05:00

It is a popular misunderstanding that non-profits cannot have some form of political activity. It is perfectly legal, and highly appropriate, for a non-profit to work for the passage (or defeat) of a particular piece of legislation. However, working for the election (or defeat) of a particular candidate, at any level, is strictly prohibited and the cause for MGLCC to lose its tax-exempt status.

Financially, as a non-profit organization, MGLCC cannot attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities. Per IRS regulations, if MGLCC exceeds the amount stated under sub-section 4911 of Section 501c3 statues, MGLCC would be subject to an excise tax. If expenditures exceed the permitted amounts by more than 50% over a 4-year period, MGLCC may lose its exempt status.

As of March 2005, sub-section 4911 states the amount MGLCC can spend on political activity cannot exceed 20% of total annual expenditures of the organization. This is based on an annual MGLCC budget of less than $500,000. I:F was formed to utilize and adhere to these guidelines.

MGLCC will use IRS Form 5768 (Election / Revocation of Election by an Eligible Section 501c3 Organization to Make Expenditures to Influence Legislation) to report expenditures for political activity.

Record keeping must be kept not only of the amount of money spent on lobbying activity, but the amount of time spent, too. IRS Form 990 will be used to document this. The IRS considers a variety of factors, including the time devoted by volunteer workers and the expenditures devoted by MGLCC to lobbying activities.

Explanation of I:F

2005-06-16T14:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Initiative: Fairness (I:F)

I:F is the political committee of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

I:F was born out of community-wide meetings held as a result of the 2004 Presidential elections. The I:F name was endorsed, and committee officially created by the Board of Directors of MGLCC, in March 2005.

I:F aspires to inform, unite, and inspire the Memphis Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trangendered (LGBT) community, in a non-partisan and non-threatening environment, to become more politically aware of issues and processes affecting our community.

I:F achieves this by educating the LGBT community on local, State, and National issues. In addition, I:F brings awareness to public officials of LGBT concerns. Unification of the Memphis LGBT community is possible when all are informed and work together for common causes. At this juncture, inspiration will inevitably follow.