The Human Rights Campaign's Ellen Kahn

We are so proud to present our guest this week, Ellen Kahn, the Director of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Family Project, where she provides national leadership and expertise in public education and advocacy efforts to achieve full equality for LGBT families. Under Ellen’s leadership, the Family Project has launched three highly successful, innovative programs that promote fair and inclusive policies and practices; All Children—All Families; Welcoming Schools; and the Healthcare Equality Index. 

In addition, Ellen serves as President of the Board of Directors of Rainbow Families DC, the capital area’s support and education organization for LGBT-headed families.  Ellen received her B.S. from Temple University and her M.S.S. from the Bryn Mawr College School of Social Work and Social Research. Ellen lives with her partner and their two daughters in Silver Spring, MD.

While Equality advocates can rejoice over marriage rights gains in growing numbers of states, as well as the recent Supreme Court decisions on DOMA and Proposition 8, these victories only underscore how much work remains to be done. Workplace and adoption discrimination is still legal in many states, and internationally, some countries are cracking down harder than ever before on their LGBTQ citizens, notably Russia, which has passed numerous anti-gay laws and bars adoptions to any country that permits same-sex marriage. With Russia hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, what kind of message does it send if countries do nothing to protest these human rights violations?

Post your comments and questions below, and join us for this very important discussion. And as usual, there will be Adam Lambert news and music!!