Hello, it’s your friend Susan E. Oser.

I am a member of the NFBPWC Michigan Affiliate and the BPW/Michigan Foundation Club. I am continuing as the LGBTQ+ liaison under the Advocacy Committee umbrella.

For my main job, I teach remotely for Carrot Global which is an English as a Second Language school based in South Korea (where I lived from 2000-2003.) Sometimes I do some part-time freelance writing/ editing.

I’m also a facilitator for a group called Scrambled Eggs which is an affiliate group of Transgender Michigan, a trans ally/ transgender support group where all are welcome to connect to resources, ask questions, and network. It is also a way for me to support my transgender partner who is also a BPW member. It’s an aspect of why I wanted to continue in my liaison role.

Here is some information on the group:

https://www.transcendthebinary.org/scrambledeggs/

https://www.transgendermichigan.org/chapters/southeast

For this next term, I hope I can integrate LGBTQ+ issues in collaboration with other committees and make sure there is more of this voice at the table. I will continue to inform you and make you aware of various organizations, issues, etc., that give voice to a community that is currently being silenced at the legislative level.

You will find more information about me in the JDEI Committee section, of which I am the newly appointed chair.

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ+

IMPORTANT LGBTQ+ HOTLINES & RESOURCES FOR ALLIES TOO

• 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States—donations welcome: https://tinyurl.com/3vdz89e5
• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344432
• TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): 800.246.7743
• Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People: https://tinyurl.com/ycy8eezz
• Journalist Resource Series: Guide for Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence: https://tinyurl.com/53cbmkj8
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan: 855-345-TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project: 866.488.7386

This month’s LGBTQ+ celebrations

• August 9: Gay Uncle Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gay-uncles-day/
• August 19: Trans Flag Day https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2025/08/13/transsocial-celebrates-trans-flag-day-august-19/
• August 20: Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day https://glaad.org/southern-hiv-aids-awareness-day-centering-equity-and-action-in-the-south/
• *August 24: Marsha P. Johnson’s Birthday https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson
• August 26: Women’s Equality Day https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/womens-equality-day
• August 28: Wear it Purple Day https://www.minus18.org.au/campaigns/wear-it-purple-day/
• August 30: National Faith HIV/AIDS Day https://aidsvu.org/resources/toolkits/national-faith-hiv-aids-awareness-day-toolkit-2024/

*Marsha P. Johnson was one of the most prominent figures of the gay rights  movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City. Always sporting a smile, Johnson was an important advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, those affected by HIV and AIDS, and gay and transgender rights.

The P? It stands for Pay It No Mind.

For more information on this brave and influential person, go to: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson

Next Steps for Equal Means Equal vs. Trump 

On March 24, 2026, the Equal Means Equal vs. Trump trial was held in the First Circuit Court in Boston, MA. The Honorable William G. Young presiding. This case was a challenge to the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA), 50 U.S.C. § 3801 et seq., which requires male citizens to register for the draft but bars women from doing so.

Previously, I provided a summary of that court case and, although it looked like Equal Means Equal had lost, they didn’t which gave them an opportunity to continue the discussion on an appeal.

Now we are coming into August and here is what the Equal Means Equal legal team has to say about what’s coming next. First, they were given a due date of August 3rd by which to provide all further documentation they will use to address their appeal.

The brief is straightforward and makes one basic point: If women are to be forced by the U.S. government to register for the draft and die on the front lines of battle alongside men, they should die with full legal equality. No woman should bleed to death in combat defending a constitution that subjugates her as a second-class citizen.

Their brief argues in favor of the ERA's validity and strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection doctrine, regardless of the ERA's passage. For these reasons and more, we need to keep talking about the Equal Rights Amendment.

We did just that at our NFBPWC Biennial. Please take a few minutes to read our newly elected Second VP of Advocacy, Barbara J. Davis’s, complete review of our successful ERA Summit. Couldn’t be prouder to be a member of the NFBPWC.

Remember, the ERA is ALREADY the law of the land

It is the 28th Amendment to the US Constitution, so passing it now is just a formality, not something needed to make it valid. President Biden’s action confirmed what we already knew – the amendment fully met all the constitutional requirements with Virginia’s ratification on January 27, 2020.

Time limits are arbitrary. Time limits are not mentioned as part of the amending process in the Constitution.

The fight is now about Awareness and Education. We must ensure that people know the ERA is the law of the land, already protecting people from gender-based discrimination in all aspects of life, from reproductive healthcare to workplace equality.

Remember, Women’s Equality Day is August 26th.

Search in your community for an event to attend or maybe start one on your own. You still have time to plan and provide information on this very important day.

I am hoping to attend the Alice Paul Institute’s Women’s Equality Day event on Saturday, August 22nd. I always enjoy visiting the historic home of this suffragist, activist, and political strategist who dedicated her life to gaining women’s equality. Learn more about her at the Alice Paul Institute.

Until next month, keep marching!!

Nancy Werner
Advocacy ERA

The ERA Summit on July 16th at the Biennial Conference has been rated a success.

Prior to the summit, a small but mighty group consisting of Barbara J. Davis, Juliann Doyle, Denise Robinson, Sher Singh, Kathy Telban, and Nancy Werner created the signs for members to carry during the march to the Capitol building.

Arlaine Rockey, legal advisor for Equal means Equal, the most effective ERA advocacy organization in the US, was the keynote speaker. She shared her experience using the Equal Rights Amendment as the base of her arguments for women in custody disputes. She provided each attendee a copy of the US Constitution so we have our rights at our fingertips. To learn more about Arlaine go to arlainerockey

Attendees were lead through a variety of questions about advocating for the ERA, engaging younger people in the movement, key talking points, and what stakeholders need to be engaged in to push the ERA forward. Each group reported the results of their discussion and time was provided to attendees for self-reflection and action planning.

The Advocacy Committee had selected North Carolina Senator Natalie Murdock and North Carolina Representative Julie von Haefen as ERA Champions for 2026. Josh Watkins represented von Haefen’s office to accept her award. He joined in the table discussions and spent time talking with attendees and accepting messages to take back to Representative von Haefen.

The Women’s Declaration of Independence p34 was read at the close of the meeting, followed by the singing of America is Beautiful with the ERA p33.

Many members then picked up the signs and walked to the State Capitol, where they read the Women’s Declaration of Independence and sang America is Beautiful with the ERA.

Members committed to reading the Women’s Declaration of Independence in their communities at City Council meetings, at State Capitol buildings, at school meetings, at BPW meetings, and at meetings of other civil organizations. Please read them at your meetings and post them on your social media sites as part of our ongoing campaign.

Appreciation for organizing this event goes to Barbara Bozeman, Barbara J. Davis, Emily VanVleck, and Nancy Werner. Thank you also goes to Kathy Telban for the scrolls including the Women’s Declaration of Independence and the song. And a special thank you to Nancy Werner for providing all the supplies for the sign-making crew.

Lyrics by Carol A. Bouldin on behalf of the ERA Publication Task Force

Original lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates Music composed by Samuel A. Ward

History is important.

It documents what we need to know and should know. On July 20, 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York, the first Women’s Rights Convention approved a Declaration of Sentiments. It was drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who modeled it after the Declaration of Independence as she declared the commitment to women’s rights.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men and women are created equal… In entering upon the great work before us, we anticipate no small amount of misconception, misrepresentation or ridicule.”

She covered it all, from property rights, protection in marriage and divorce, and the broadening of employment and educational opportunities.

I invite you to visit this site and spend some time with the many articles, images, and videos that share these important moments in the history of women’s fight to vote in America.

Although this first article was written by Arlene Balkansky on July 11, 2019, the information is still relevant. The only change is that this is the 106th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

Library of Congress Blogs

Now take a few moments and open the three other links. I enjoyed the timelines because they show the years that each step took to show progress in the American women’s rights movement. Years and more years.

Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote: a Major Library of Congress Exhibition

19th Amendment: Topics in Chronicling America

Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Topics in Chronicling America

Nancy Werner
Advocacy ERA

Part of what makes the position of LGBTQ+ Liaison unique is that this it allows a connection, thanks to the Advocacy Committee, to highlight issues of concern that perhaps some NFBPWC members may not be aware of. The series of articles I have written over the past few years have inspired presentations and collaborations with other committees on such issues as Transgender discrimination, Title IX, and more.

Articles on both the positives and negatives happening to this community in the United States today have been highlighted, along with special features illuminating monthly awareness dates, an LGBTQ+ organization of the month, different community flags, and more. You can look at past NFBPWC magazine’s here.

I hope you have gained some education, ideas, and inspiration about becoming a better ally through this section of the NFBPWC magazine not only in past years but also this year.

As long as we have to fight for our rights, it’s good to know we are not alone in our battles.

Good LGBTQ+ News

LGBTQ+ Pride Poems - https://tinyurl.com/utvrae6p

Unveiling the 2026 Curve Power List - https://tinyurl.com/bdh6dsj8

This month’s LGBTQ+ celebrations

• July is Disability Pride Month
• July 6: Omnisexual Visibility Day
• July 13: Lesbian Aunts Day
• July 14: Last day of International Nonbinary People’s Week
• July 14: International Nonbinary People’s Day
• July 16: International Drag Day
• July 21: Zero HIV Stigma

IMPORTANT LGBTQ+ HOTLINES & RESOURCES FOR ALLIES TOO

• 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States: https://tinyurl.com/3vdz89e5
• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344432
• TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): 800.246.7743
• Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People: https://tinyurl.com/ycy8eezz
• Journalist Resource Series: Guide for Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence: https://tinyurl.com/53cbmkj8
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan: 855-345-TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project: 866.488.7386

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ+

Whether you’ll be at the Biennial in-person or virtually, you do not want to miss the Kickoff Event—the NFBPWC Equal Rights Amendment Summit—on July 16th at 2:00 PM.

The important work of the Biennial General Assembly starts here, with an afternoon of advocacy dedicated to the Equal Rights Amendment.

The event brings together local activists and members from all over, including government and civil society representatives, all working to ensure the ERA is fully recognized and enshrined in the United States Constitution.

For two glorious hours we will network, exchange best practices, and strengthen our collective actions in the pursuit of constitutional equality.

Nancy Werner
Advocacy ERA

Part of what the LGBTQ+ liaison does is provide education and awareness about the community. The more you know, the better allies you can be.

Just a quick note and a heads up, Pride Month is only one month away. Please check out local pride events in our area.

With that in mind, if you’ve never been to one, I’d like to challenge you to attend at least one Pride Month event in your area—at least two if you have been to one before.

Email me about your experience—I know others will want to hear so I will put them in the June issue.

For Your Information:

PFLAG (https://pflag.org/) is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

For over 50 years, PFLAG has been where LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies have come together in pursuit of justice and affirmation—and always leading with love. What began as a letter, led to a march, which launched a meeting, and birthed a movement of millions.

Since our earliest days, PFLAG has been the connector for LGBTQ+ people with community, parents with resources, and allies with tools, bolstering the LGBTQ+ movement with strength, power, and love.

Some examples of materials you can find on their website:

• Guide to Being an Ally to Trans and Nonbinary People - https://tinyurl.com/bp7d4m6u
• Legislative Advocacy - https://pflag.org/resource/legislative-advocacy/

GOOD LGBTQ+ NEWS

• Support skyrockets for librarian who was fired for refusing to hide LGBTQ+ books from kids https://tinyurl.com/5n95aeae
• Now More Than Ever: The Importance of LGBTQ+ Activism. Time magazine just released its 100 Most Influential People for 2026. LGBTQ+ people appeared throughout. https://tinyurl.com/48fnpd6y
• Unveiling the 2026 Curve Power List https://www.curvemag.com/articles/unveiling-the-2026-curve-power-list/

If you have any information on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, if you’d like to help educate, or if you’d like to have a presentation at your local BPW, please contact Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org.

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ

IMPORTANT LGBTQ+ HOTLINES & RESOURCES FOR ALLIES TOO

• 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States—donations welcome: https://tinyurl.com/3vdz89e5
• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344432
• TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): 800.246.7743
• Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People: https://tinyurl.com/ycy8eezz
• Journalist Resource Series: Guide for Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence: https://tinyurl.com/53cbmkj8
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan: 855-345-TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project: 866.488.7386

The case of Equal Means Equal vs. Donald Trump

Just a short follow up on this case since I reported on it last month.

There is more here: https://equalmeansequalupdates.substack.com

There was some fantastic news out of PA as of 4/20/2026. 

Today the PA Commonwealth Court ruled 4-3 that the Equal Rights Amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution includes Medicaid coverage of abortion care as a “right.”

The PA Law that precluded any Medicaid coverage for reproductive health care was ruled unconstitutional and discriminatory. Governor Shapiro immediately said that a woman’s right to health care should not be based on her income.

The Women’s Law Project has been working this case (Allegheny Health Center v. Dept. of Human Services) for many years. This is a major victory not just here, but for other states, as it is a model case for abortion coverage since the overturning of Roe. The ruling authenticates a woman’s right to bodily “autonomy” under the PA ERA. (This information was shared by Lilly Gioia, PA Affiliate member and NFBPWC Advocacy member.  Thank  you Lilly.)

Driving the Vote for Equality is a 25-state national tour to secure Congressional recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment. We wrote about this at 

length a few months ago.

The event was inspired by  the  1916  suffrage drive of Alice Burke and Nell Richardson. This campaign, led by former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, deploys the restored Golden Flyer II — a replica of their original Saxon roadster — and is driving around the nation with the intent of collecting 1 million petition signatures and demanding that Congress act now. It is an initiative of ERA-NOW.org and Sign4ERA.org.

The ERA has been ratified by 38 states, meeting every constitutional requirement.

Yet it remains unrecognized, because opponents are using an arbitrary 1972 Congressional deadline to block its adoption. Until that barrier is removed and Congress affirms the ERA, women lack the constitutional protection that already exists for men.

Under Article V, this authority belongs to Congress and the states — not the President, not the courts. Constitutional scholars Laurence Tribe of Harvard and Erwin Chemerinsky of UC Berkeley confirm that once Congress affirms the ERA, no court can deny its status. Equality must be the law of the land for everyone.

In 1916, with the suffrage movement stalled, Alice Burke and Nell Richardson climbed into a gold Saxon roadster they named the “Golden Flyer” and drove 10,700 miles across 29 states. Backed by the National American Women’s Suffrage Association, they spoke in town squares and rallied crowds from coast to coast with one message: women deserve a voice. Four years later, the 19th Amendment was ratified. Persistence and organizing moved mountains

Please check out the path of the Golden Flyer II as it crosses the USA right now.

Keep on Marching.

Nancy Werner
Advocacy ERA

IMPORTANT LGBTQ+ HOTLINES & RESOURCES FOR ALLIES TOO

• 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States—donations welcome: https://tinyurl.com/3vdz89e5
• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344.7432
• TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline, youth serving youth through age 25: 800.246.7743
• Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People: https://tinyurl.com/ycy8eezz
• Journalist Resource Series: Guide for Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence: https://tinyurl.com/53cbmkj8
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan: 855.345.TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project: 866.488.7386

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ+

April in Action: Advocacy, Action and Impact

Happy spring BPW members! We’ve just wrapped up a hectic March in NYC with IFBPW’s Leader’s Summit and the 70th Commission of the Status of Women bringing thousands of gender advocates from around the world together. Moving into April, fresh off the tail of all this activity, has me re-energized and ready to take action.

Many of us are used to celebrating spring and Earth Day during April - it is a great time to think about sustainability and our environmental impact. I encourage our members to check out the ESD committee page and learn how to engage in their work. A sustainable future requires healthy communities, strong economies, and the full participation of women in every sector, from leadership and policy to science, technology, and education. Our work as advocates helps ensure that women’s voices are part of shaping that future.

From an advocacy lens, April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time  dedicated to raising awareness, supporting survivors, and strengthening prevention efforts. Sexual violence remains a serious issue affecting women in every community and workplace. Advocating for survivor-centered policies, supporting local organizations, and helping create safe and respectful professional environments are all ways we can contribute to meaningful change.

One of the most visible advocacy moments during the month is Denim Day, marked annually on the last Wednesday in April. Organized internationally by Peace Over Violence, Denim Day began after a controversial court ruling in Italy. The Supreme Court Justices ruled that because the victim was wearing tight denim jeans, there was no way the perpetrator could have removed them by himself, and therefore, the act must have been consensual. In response, activists encouraged people to wear denim as a symbol of protest against victim-blaming and sexual violence.

You can advocate by wearing denim on April 29th and posting a photo on social media - don’t forget to tag NFBPWC!

Later in the month, International Girls in ICT Day (April 23, 2026), led by the International Telecommunication Union, encourages girls and young women to explore careers in technology and digital innovation. Expanding access to these fields not only creates economic opportunity, but also ensures that the technologies shaping our future reflect the experiences and insights of women.

As advocates, we know that progress rarely comes from one action alone. It is built through many voices speaking up, mentoring a young woman exploring a new career path, supporting organizations that assist survivors of violence, participating in local environmental initiatives, or engaging policymakers on issues that affect women’s lives.

This April, I encourage each of you to find one way to take action. Wear denim in solidarity with survivors. Attend an Earth Day event. Mentor a young woman interested in science or technology. Share information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month in your community.

When we combine advocacy with awareness and action, we strengthen the impact of our work. Together we continue to build communities that are safer, more equitable, and more sustainable for women everywhere.

Nancy Werner
Advocacy ERA