A Letter From The Chair
February 2008

Last month, Louisiana concluded our presidential primary with top vote getter’s Republican, Mike Huckabee and Democrat, Barak Obama. Though the Republican nomination will go to John McCain, the Democratic nomination is still in question. In less than a year, our new president will take office and his/her policies will begin to directly affect our lives in so many ways. The President of the United States may steer our country in a more conservative, moderate or progressive/liberal path and we could find that the freedoms we presently enjoy as Americans may become expanded or possibly diminished.

Every year we have some kind of elections in our region. The Forum For Equality is dedicated to promoting good government, eradicating discrimination and protecting the civil rights of the LGBT community in Louisiana. Our members are asked to participate in the election process and just as important, is our participation in the legislative process.

As they say, all politics are local, so we must remember that each of us can play a role in the future of our community, our state or our nation. On the evening of Feb. 9 , I was pleased to learn that I along with several other Forum members had just been elected to the Orleans Parish Executive Committee. The Republican or Democratic OPEC’s are the state party’s local representatives, responsible for endorsing candidates. Several Forum members were elected to the Republican and Democrat State Central Committee’s (the leadership and rule making body of each political party in the state).

Now beginning my 5th four year term on OPEC, I have again been entrusted with the important responsibility of choosing the best candidate for my party’s endorsement for public office. I have taken my position seriously and over the past 16 years, I’ve stood on street corners with candidates, walked door to door passing out flyers, worked on phone banks, put out signs on Election Day and donated financially. I think I have done just about anything you can think of in hopes of electing fair-minded individuals with integrity who have a desire and the willingness to try to improve our city and state.

Our new Governor, Jindal has completed his special session on ethics. The outcome was very exciting for Louisianan’s because a message is being broadcast throughout the country that says we’re no longer going to accept corruption and "business as usual". Finally, we’ve made it to the top of one of the "good lists".

When the 2008 legislative session begins in Baton Rouge on March 3oth, Forum members will begin to actively engage in the process of trying to pass legislation which will prevent discrimination in the workplace, based solely on sexual orientation. We think, and we’re hoping a majority of the legislators agree that it isn’t fair to be able to fire an employee, just because they are gay. If you agree, we ask that you participate in this process to help us change the laws in our state.

Please contact the Forum office to join our efforts. You will have an interesting, educational, possibly frustrating and hopefully rewarding experience and you will come away with the understanding of how much impact one person, one group or one community can have on our political process.

Respectfully,
Dr. Marc Behar
Chairman, Forum For Equality