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Sponsored by The Humanist Society of Metropolitan New York (HSMNY), The Corliss Lamont Chapter of the American Humanist Association (AHA), When: Thursday, Sep. 8, 6-9 PM presentation begins at 7PM Where:  Moonstruck East Restaurant,Upstairs, 449 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10016, at 31st Street. Sponsored by West Pinellas National Organization for Women When: Saturday, March 19, 2016, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Where: Unitarian Universalist Church - UU  2470 Nursery Rd., Clearwater, FL (between Belcher & US 19) Sponsored by First Coast Freethought Society  When: Monday, February 15, 2016 6:30-8:30PM Where: Buckman Bridge Unitarian Church, 8447 Manresa Ave, Jacksonville FL Sponsored by Institute for Science and Human Values When: Monday, February 08, 2016 Where: Calle 64 #350A por 37 y 39 97000 Col Centro Merida, Yuc Mexico Sponsored by New Orleans Secular Humanist Association   When: Saturday, January 16, 2016 4:00PM   Where: Jefferson Parrish Public Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Av. Metairie, LA Sponsored by Humanists of the Treasure Coast When: Sunday, January 10, 2016 10:30AM Where: Clarion Inn, 1200 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL Sponsored by Houston Area NOW When: Sunday, November 15, 2015 2:30-4:30PM Where: LGBTI Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street, 2nd Fl, Houston, TX Sponsored by Humanists of North Puget Sound When: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 6:00PM-8:00PM Where: Everett Public Library Activities Room, 2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA Sponsored by North Kitsap Unitarians When: Sunday, November 8, 2015 10:30-11:30AM Where: 700 NE Lincoln Road, Poulsbo, WA Sponsored by Central Florida Freethought Community When: Sunday, September 20, 2015 1:00PM-3:00PM Where: University Club, 841 North Park Ave, Winter Park FL Sponsored by Brevard County NOW When: Tuesday, July 14, 2015, 5:30-6:30PM Where: The Blue Cellar, 924 E. New Haven Ave, Melbourne FL    
"RFRA:  Religious Freedom or License to Discriminate?" Speaking Tour Toni Van Pelt, President of Institute for Science and Human Values Based on religious objections with increasing frequency, we are seeing individuals, businesses, organizations and institutions claiming a right to discriminate by refusing to provide services to women, LGBTI people and the disability community and by resorting to hiring discrimination. These are the same arguments that were used in the 1960s to oppose laws requiring integration in restaurants because of sincerely held beliefs that God wanted the races to be separate. We even saw some religiously affiliated universities refuse to admit students who engaged in interracial dating. Now the radical right is working to expand allowance of this discrimination for "moral" reasons. Imposing beliefs on others who do not share them goes against the very fiber and core of Secular Humanist, Feminist and shared American family values and principles. Ms Van Pelt will discuss the history of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and outline the damage it has done to date and the potential for future damage. She will also discuss ways you can help to stem the tide of religious special exemptions to the rule of the law and to assist and insist in the establishment of secular moral principles in American culture.  
Available Speakers
Stu Jordan
Toni Van Pelt
Vince Parr
Robert B. Tapp
D. J. Grothe
ISHV APPEARANCES
Toni Van Pelt is speaking at the Center for Inquiry-Tampa Bay When: Saturday, April 19, 2014 11:00am Where: Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library 11211 Countryway Blvd. Tampa, FL 33626-2624 The Secular Humanist Viewpoint Matters. To be taken seriously in the political arena, humanism must become known for its grassroots organizing. There are ways we are able to influence outcomes. The aim is to imprint humanistic values on humankind by advancing and maintaining a secular government and a civil society, a culture that is neutral when it comes to religion. Religion has been and continues to be infused within the government at a very rapid rate. It is like an ivy vine winding its way up and around each branch of government choking off science and reason. Local groups will bring acclaim to the movement as they are recognized by the media and government officials as participants in the democratic process.  
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Join Toni Van Pelt at the National Organization for Women 2016 Conference "Forward Feminism" as she presents: Freedom Under Attack: Protecting Real Religious Liberty is Radical and Imperative- Saturday, June 25, 2016 Religious liberty is a fundamental American principle; it belongs to each individual. Currently that freedom is under siege as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and its conservative allies attempt to redefine it as the right to protect their business interest at the expense of women, workers, LGBTQIA individuals, students and anyone who disagrees with them. Coalition for Liberty & Justice experts will examine the spurious arguments of the Catholic hierarchy and their allies who would use religion to distort constitutional protections, undermine equality, restrict access to important health care and other services for women, workers and LGBTQIA individuals and otherwise violate individuals’ conscience and civil rights. Moderator Glenn Northern – Domestic Program Senior Associate, Catholics for Choice, coordinating work of the Coalition for Liberty & Justice; CFC liaison with the media, the public and advocates for policies that protect what real religious liberty should mean in this country. Toni Van Pelt – President and Public Policy Director, Institute for Science and Human Values, Inc.; former Board Member, National Organization for Women; conducting a recent speaking tour of the U.S. to raise awareness and warn of the dangers of religious refusals being enacted into public law to elevate religious views above civil rights protections and other laws which permit discrimination against certain persons and groups. Candace Gibson – Policy Analyst/Legal Counsel, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health; represents interests of marginalized communities in policies which seek to limit access to citizenship, healthcare and other social services through public policy and law at the state and federal levels. When: Saturday, June 25, 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m Where: Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill • Address: 400 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, Bunker Hill Room