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Jason Haas (New York, NY)

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Jason Haas became active in advocacy and political activism at a young age. He has served with civil rights and youth empowerment organizations as well as in the private sector, and holds a degree in government and communication. Enthusiastic to elect a president who would bring real change to the White House, Jason joined the Obama campaign well before the primaries, leading volunteers in several battleground states and in New York City as the Obama Pride Outreach Director. He served on the Obama for America staff throughout the general election as a Field Organizer in New York.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. --Margaret Mead

Building Support for Health Care Reform...

By Jason Haas - Aug 19th, 2009 at 5:45 pm EDT

Also listed in: 4 groups

...It's not easy, but Yes We Can.

Given the mob tactics and misinformation being spread by those who seek to profit from the sick and vulnerable, we must now stand up for those who cannot. We must talk to our neighbors, friends, co-workers, union members, family, and communities of faith to create real action on Health Care Reform today.

If you haven’t already, please visit OFA’s Health Care Action Center to find simple tools that will help you make a difference from home.

Also, join President Obama for a special strategy meeting on Health Care Reform this Thursday, Aug. 20 at 2:30pm Easterm Time.

And, for those of you who live near New York City, please join me this special event:

Unity Walk and Rally for Health Care Reform

Saturday, August 29, 2009 - 2 pm

NYC - Times Square

SIGN-UP HERE!

Health Care Reform Can't Wait!

State electeds and other guest speakers. Hosted by NYCforChange in partnership with Organizing for America, Obama supporter groups, and many more! We will show the nation that New Yorkers are UNITED in support of reform at this critical time before our Congress members go back to D.C. to vote on historic legislation.

Volunteers needed! Contact allie.feldman@gmail.com

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Get Involved in New York State!

By Jason Haas - Aug 28th, 2008 at 12:10 am EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Hey Team!

I'd like to (re-)introduce myself as a New York State Field Organizer. After serving Obama for America as an outreach volunteer over the past 16 months, I feel empowered and prepared to help bring home a win for Senator Obama -- and America -- on Election Day, November 4th.

The New York State staff looks forward to continue working with those who have called for positive change in their government and public institutions.

In the weeks to come, we will be training Deputy Field Organizers at Camp Obama who will then travel to battle ground states, register and activate voters, and run phone banks. You can apply to Camp Obama at ny.barackobama.com. If you are unable to relocate in the coming weeks, join the New York Action Team and learn how to get involved locally at ny.barackobama.com.

Together We Can!

Jason

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New York Blade Op-Ed (1/25/08)

By Jason Haas - Mar 24th, 2008 at 4:14 pm EDT

Also listed in: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Voters for Barack Obama | Official NY LGBT Volunteer and Activist Network

OPINION

Barack Obama Champions Gay Rights on the Campaign Trail

By Steven Nicks, with David Alport, Jason Haas, Peter Teague and Maxim Thorne
Friday, January 25, 2008

ON JAN. 20, THE eve of Martin Luther King Day, Sen. Barack Obama stood before Rev. King’s home church in Atlanta and proudly set forth his vision for achieving progressive change and unity in America. In that historic speech, Barack challenged his audience to examine their own prejudices. “If we are honest with ourselves,” he said, “we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King’s vision of a beloved community. We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them.” He continued:
“So let us say that on this day of all days, each of us carries with us the task of changing our hearts and minds. The division, the stereotypes, the scapegoating, the ease with which we blame our plight on others—all of this distracts us from the common challenges we face: war and poverty; injustice and inequality. We can no longer afford to build ourselves up by tearing someone else down. We can no longer afford to traffic in lies or fear or hate. It is the poison that we must purge from our politics; the wall that we must tear down before the hour grows too late.”

This extraordinary act—including the LGBT community in a message delivered in the very heartland of the Civil Rights Movement—was merely the latest chapter in Barack’s advocacy on behalf of LGBT Americans. Among all the candidates in this race, only Barack Obama included gays and lesbians as participants in the American Dream when announcing his decision to run for President. Only Barack has regularly talked about LGBT equality on the campaign trail, even when the audience was not LGBT-friendly. Barack has been changing hearts and minds, and the visibility he has given to LGBT equality is unprecedented.

Barack’s commitment to LGBT rights is also manifest in his record of accomplishment, which extends throughout his 11 years in public office on every issue of concern to our community. From relationships and families to workplace discrimination to bold policies on HIV/AIDS, the Senator’s commitment is unmatched by any candidate. He has proven that he has the character to stand up for principle when the going gets tough.

Barack has supported the complete, unqualified repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act since he was a candidate for Senate. He has taken stronger positions on dismantling Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and on fully inclusive workplace protections than any candidate in this race. Barack is a strong supporter of every major piece of LGBT legislation in Congress today, from fair tax treatment and equal immigration rights to domestic partner benefits for federal workers. In contrast to Barack’s leadership, we find it troubling that Sen. Hillary Clinton refuses to call for the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, legislation that was signed into law by then-President Clinton.

In Illinois, Obama sponsored a fully inclusive anti-discrimination law that included both sexual orientation and gender identity. A subsequent version of that bill was later enacted as the Illinois Human Rights Act, now one of the most progressive laws of its kind in the country. The U.S. House of Representatives was not able to pass a bill that included gender identity. Barack helped make it happen in Illinois.

FIGHTING THE SPREAD of HIV and securing fully funded, accessible treatment for people with HIV or AIDS have always been top priorities for Obama. He understands that the fight against HIV/AIDS requires an approach that is bold enough to set national standards and benchmarks for progress and deep enough to address the forces of poverty, racism, homophobia and unequal access to health care that all contribute to the spread of the disease. Barack has sponsored the Microbicide Development Act to fund research critical to combating HIV/AIDS in the United States and around the world. He spoke out on World AIDS Day to an audience of evangelical leaders at Saddleback Church, publicly disagreeing with the leaders in attendance who opposed condom distribution. Obama has always insisted that our approach to HIV/AIDS be guided by the expertise of scientists, health-care professionals and direct service providers who know what works, rather than by politics and ideology.

In Illinois, Barack worked to enact a law that authorizes licensed pharmacists to provide clean needles in small, controlled numbers, a reform that is credited with achieving dramatic declines in the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users. In Congress, he has supported efforts to lift the ban on federal funding for regulated needle exchange programs that are proven to work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Experience demonstrates that these programs save lives and protect the public without promoting illegal drug use, but getting them passed requires political courage. Barack has shown that courage.

This race presents a historic opportunity: the opportunity to elect a candidate who has stood up for LGBT equality boldly and courageously for his entire career in public office. His singular ability to inspire unity and support across communities is why we support Barack Obama. In 2008, we deserve nothing less.

Steven Nicks, managing Director of Fourth Sector Investments, has served as a member of HRC's Board of Governors and is an elected official in New York City, serving on the Democratic County Committee. He co-developed this opinion piece with the Obama NY Leadership team, including David Alport, Jason Haas, Peter Teague, and Maxim Thorne.

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Obama Endorsed by Four Gay Newspapers

By Jason Haas - Feb 2nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm EST

Also listed in: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Voters for Barack Obama | Official NY LGBT Volunteer and Activist Network

Obama Endorsed by Four Gay Newspapers
Written by Reed Kohler
WeNeedObama.blogspot.com

All across the country this week gay newspapers are endorsing Senator Barack Obama. In Newsweekly (Boston), Gay City News (New York), The Bay Times (San Francisco) and Southern Voice (Atlanta) all decided to back the first viable black presidential candidate. "If Obama is elected president, his principled willingness to advocate full repeal of DOMA - as opposed to Clinton's cautious pragmatism - will move the bar of gay rights farther forward, regardless of whether the actual repeal is accomplished under his tenure," wrote Laura Douglas-Brown, editor of Southern Voice.

This week Hillary Clinton received the backing of San Diego's gay and lesbian news source, The Gay and Lesbian Times, and has held an endorsement from The Washington Blade since late last year.

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Very excited!

By Jason Haas - Jun 14th, 2007 at 2:38 am EDT

Also listed in: Official NY LGBT Volunteer and Activist Network | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Voters for Barack Obama

Indeed, I am very excited to join Barack Obama because, like many of us, I believe his isn't just a political campaign, it's a Democratic movement in America. I believe I am supporting not just the efforts of a great leader, but I'm also laying the foundation for a country where hope, prosperity and freedom will abound.

Given my background working with diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and events, I chose to focus my efforts in organizing support within the LGBT community, and particularly in the young adult and people of color populations.

Please feel free to add me to your network of friends and colleagues. Send me your ideas about reaching out to the LGBT community including young voters, people of color and NYC residents. Share with me your ideas for social events and fundraisers. Chat with me about why you support Barack Obama.

And, stay tuned to this site and blog for more updates on how you can get involved in the Movement!

Best regards,

Jason

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