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Taking a stand for ENDA in Boston By Madeline Burrows and Keegan O'Brien | May 24, 2010
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BOSTON--Approximately 50 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ)
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against "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) and for a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
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The rally was part of a national week of action leading up to Harvey Milk Day on May
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Activists, noting that Sen. Brown has been silent on DADT and ENDA since his February special election to the Senate, called on Brown to vocally support a repeal of DADT and to advocate for a trans-inclusive ENDA. The crowd--comprised predominantly of activists under the age of thirty--chanted "L-G-B-T, we demand equality!" and "Hey Brown, take a stand, equality is our demand!"
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While protesters kept the pressure on Brown from outside, activist Sue Hyde and two
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others met with Lydia Goldblatt, director of constituent services for Brown's office. In
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the 30-minute meeting, Hyde delivered information on DADT and ENDA as well as a
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pledge drafted by rally participants that asked Brown to advocate a repeal of DADT and a trans-inclusive ENDA this year.
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When Goldblatt declined to disclose Brown's position on the legislation, about 25
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activists prepared to sit-in in the office until further action was taken. Activists were told
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that only two or three people would be permitted to enter the office that afternoon. The group demanded that Goldblatt address the crowd outside.
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Taking a stand for ENDA in Boston | SocialistWorker.org
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people. Queer youth and straight allies noted that Goldblatt's response was cold and dismissive. After 10 minutes, Goldblatt announced that she did not have any more time to hear the concerns of the crowd, and promptly returned inside the building. Charlotte Heltai, a Brookline-based activist with Join the Impact Massachusetts and one
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of the organizers of the rally, said she felt that the way Goldblatt acted was "insulting"
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As Goldblatt retreated into the Federal building, the crowd chanted, "Show me what democracy looks like? This is what democracy looks like!" while pointing to the crowd of activists--and then "Show me what hypocrisy looks like? That is what hypocrisy looks
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Activists planned to reconvene on May 22--Harvey Milk Day--for a citywide rally for
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in Massachusetts and around the country as a whole. E-MAIL ALERTS Sign up for e-mail alerts from SocialistWorker.org. E-mail address:
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