Dear PFLAG Members, Families and Friends,
Please join us on Thursday, August 13, 7:15 pm, on Zoom. (I have not yet heard from BJBE, however, I am not sure many of us are comfortable meeting in person as yet.)
Here is the direct link to our August Zoom meeting from computer, smartphone or tablet (be sure you have Zoom installed on your device):
Meeting ID: 955 7095 7528
Passcode: please email pflagdeerfield@pflagillinois.org in advance of the meeting to receive the passcode
Phone number for audio only: 312-626-6799
We are excited to have Mike Ziri, Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, as our August guest speaker. Mike is a veteran in legislative affairs and a former Springfield elected official. Mike spearheads an aggressive legislative agenda in Springfield, builds and strengthens relationships with officials and political leaders throughout the state and in Washington, D.C., and develops policy initiatives. He also staffs the election-related activities of the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee. Joining Equality Illinois in January 2015, Mike brought to the organization seven years of experience working for the Illinois state government, capped by a position as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. His previous positions included legislative liaison for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, legislative analyst in Gov. Pat Quinn’s office, and legal assistant for the EPA.
Mike will talk with us about LGBTQ-affirming legislation that was introduced in Springfield in early 2020 and the results of the state legislature’s emergency legislative session in late May. He will also discuss the outcome of the US Supreme Court cases, including the 3 LGBTQ workplace non-discrimination cases decided in June 2020. Mike will identify ways for members to be engaged in ongoing policy work and the upcoming 2020 general election.
And just to keep it interesting, we asked Mike to comment on the confluence of the Global Pandemic, recent Supreme Court decisions, Civil Unrest, and the upcoming Elections as well as talk about how COVID-19 has impacted his work.
Barbara and I have known Mike for quite a while, as he is often a guest at our PFLAG Northern Illinois Council Meetings that take place quarterly. He has a wealth of information and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
We hope to see you on Zoom on the 13th!
Do not miss the August 2020 issue of Open Doors. Just click on this link:
https://www.pflagil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/August-2020-OD.pdf
We hope to see you on Zoom on the 13th!
Please read the Take Action portion of Policy Matters from PFLAG National, below. If you decide to become a paid member of PFLAG, you will be getting monthly emails filled with information and more opportunities for advocacy. We will tell you more about our yearly membership drive at our meeting.
Most Sincerely,
Sue & Barbara
Please consider becoming a paid member of PFLAG if you are not already. Your donation helps provide services, education and opportunities to support our local communities. You can join at the PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois website https://www.pflagillinois.org/product/pflag-deerfield-membership/. It’s that easy!
TAKE ACTION
Tell your Senators: Honor free and fair elections in the next COVID-19 stimulus package; include the Voting Rights Restoration Act.
COVID-19 relief funding is stalled in the Senate, and we need your help. Tell your Senators we’re watching and expect responsible action promptly. That includes funding states so that they can hold free and fair elections while also keeping voters safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how to take action:
• Find your Senators, and call them. [If they are not available, give the message to the staffer who answers, and be sure to thank them!]
• On the call, give your NAME, ADDRESS, ZIP CODE, and PHONE NUMBER and share the following PFLAG message:
I’m calling as your constituent and as a member/supporter of PFLAG. I urge you to include the Voting Rights Restoration Act and election provisions in the next COVID-19 stimulus package. Voters have the right to be safe, and that includes promoting public health and public safety connected to this election season.
Thank you for taking action!
