Politics – Page 8 – David Mariner

Anti-Trans Discrimination in Retail Stores

November 24, 2016May 9, 2016 by David Mariner

A new report published by the Equal Rights Center takes a closer look at the discrimination transgender women face in retail stores. The pilot project was conducted in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Utilizing ‘secret shoppers’, or ‘testers’, the study compared the experiences of transgender women and cisgender women. Some of these tester pairs were African American and some of the pairs were White. This made it possible to also see differences on treatment based on race.

The results will not be suprising to anyone who is familiar with the experiences of Transgender Women.

In 75% of the tests conducted, the transgender tester experienced at least one type of adverse differential treatment and service. The adverse differential treatment included differences in the quality, quantity, and content of the service provided to the testers.

African American transgender testers faced higher rates of verbal harassment and other forms of negative interactions than their white peers. In the jurisdictions with nondiscrimination protectiosn (DC, MD) the white transgender tester experienced significantly less negative interactions (19%) than the African American transgender tester (81%). In the jurisdiction lacking nondiscrimination protections (VA) the African American transgender tester experienced a negative interaction in 57% of the tests, while the white transgender testers experiences negative interactions in 43% of the tests.

This study is a sobering reminder that legislation is needed at the federal level to prohibit public accomodation discriminationcbased on gender identity and expression. Still, passing a law is a beginning, not an end. As this study shows us this kind of discrimination continues even in a place like the District of Columbia, which has strong laws supporting the Transgender community. Legislation has to be coupled with active enforcement of the law. It is also crucial that retail employees are educated about the rights of their transgender community. Further, it is crucial that transgender and gender variant indivduals themselves understand their rights and how to report discrimination when it happens.

Read the entire report here to learn more:

Download the Report

Strict Voter ID Laws Impose Added Costs for Transgender Voters

June 6, 2016April 6, 2016 by David Mariner

Transgender people may experience barriers to voting at the polls in states with strict voter identification laws if there are inconsistencies between their ID, voter registration information, and appearance, according to a new report by Taylor N.T. Brown, Policy Analyst, and Jody Herman, Scholar of Public Policy, from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.

To help ensure the ability to vote on a regular ballot at the polls, transgender people who have transitioned to live in a gender different from their sex assigned at birth must update their gender marker and photo on their photo ID. However, these updates cost time and money, and transgender people uniquely bear the costs.

The study, “Voter ID Laws and Their Added Costs for Transgender Voters,” examined the additional costs of strict voter ID laws for transgender people in 10 states and described the procedures transgender people must follow to update their photo ID to help ensure their ability to vote on a regular ballot at the polls.

“These strict photo ID laws are onerous burdens for many groups of individuals who may not have acceptable photo identification,” Brown said. “Yet, there are additional costs and burdens of these strict laws that specifically impact transgender people’s ability to vote at the polls.”

Key findings from the report include:

• Fees associated with updating photo ID with a change of gender can range from $8 to $358. There are additional costs connected with obtaining court orders, proof of identity and citizenship, documentation of medical treatment, and other required documents.

• Some states only allow individuals to update their IDs after receiving transition-related surgery, regardless of whether they need any surgery as part of their transition.

• Among transgender people who have transitioned from their sex assigned at birth, an estimated 27 percent have not updated any ID to accurately reflect their gender.

Click here for the full report.

NCAA: Divest From Campuses Requesting Discriminatory Religious Title IX Waivers

May 19, 2016April 5, 2016 by David Mariner

Led by Campus Pride and Soulforce, a coalition of over 70 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ), sports, religious and youth advocacy groups have signed on to a letter calling on NCAA to divest from all religious-based institutions who have made Title IX requests to discriminate against LGBTQ youth. The NCAA has long held as core values a commitment to diversity and inclusion of all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

A list of the organizations can be found online and includes: The Los Angeles LGBT Center, GLAAD, The Tyler Clementi Foundation, Transathlete.com, PFLAG, The National Center for Lesbian Rights and dozens of others.

“Religion-based bigotry is the basis for the vast majority of prejudice and discrimination LGBTQ people face, especially young people,” said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride. “The NCAA cannot stand for this outright discrimination among its member institutions and we urge them to take action to ensure an inclusive sports culture that is safe and fair for all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” Windmeyer concluded.

Campus Pride has kept a record of schools that have made these requests on its “Shame List,” calling out the religion-based bigotry online. There are currently fifty-nine religious-based colleges and universities on the list. The requests grew in response to the Department of Education decision in 2014 to include transgender students under Title IX protections. The Alliance Defending Freedom and other anti-LGBTQ groups actively solicited these requests from religious-based campuses the last two years.

“As people of faith or spirit, we call upon the NCAA to act on its stated values as an LGBTQ inclusive organization and divest from these schools who are willfully and intentionally creating unsafe environments for LGBTQ students,” said Jordyn Sun, National Campus Organizer at Soulforce. “No athlete should play sports under the specter of fear and discrimination. Instead, these schools should simply follow the law,” concluded Sun.

LGBTQ young people face high rates of harassment and violence, especially transgender youth and LGBTQ youth of color. The Title IX waiver allows campus administrators to deny transgender students admission, usage of public accommodations, and protections against anti-LGBTQ actions from students and faculty – all based on a student’s gender identity.

“The NCAA has stated that they hope those of all sexual orientations and gender identities speak out against ‘all forms of prejudice targeted toward our LGBTQ student-athletes and colleagues,” said Windmeyer. “Now is the time for the NCAA to put those words into action and only allow campuses that support their values to participate in NCAA sports.”

Stand with Officer Justin Markiewicz

December 4, 2016March 4, 2016 by David Mariner

Justin Markiewicz has been an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC since May of 2006. In 2010 he was detailed to the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit. From 2010 to 2015 Justin worked closely with members of the LGBT community to ensure they received equal police services. In 2015 he was selected as a Capital Pride Hero for his work with the LGBT community.

In 2014 Justin was forced to file a complaint against the Captain who managed the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit for repeated homophobic remarks. The police department failed to respond correctly and immediately after he made his complaint Justin began to be retaliated against. He was denied overtime, subjected to unfair discipline, and suspended. MPD failed to properly investigate the homophobic remarks Justin was subjected to and as many as 8 months after the complaint the Police Department was continuing to refer to Justin as the same homophobic name on official police documents. Ultimately Justin was forced to leave the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit and return to patrol in the 6th Police District in September 2015.

This is not the first time this has happened. As we speak, Officer Christopher Lilly is also in a legal fight with the Metropolitan Police Department because they did not address the anti-LGBT harassment and discrimination he experienced from the MPD. This has to stop

Currently Justin is in a costly legal battle with the Police Department. Ultimately he hopes that at the end of the battle MPD will take complaints made my LGBT officers seriously and protect them from future retaliation and harassment.

Justin has already had to pay for thousands of dollars of legal expenses out of his own pocket, not to mention lost work time. He can’t continue this fight without you. Now is the time to stand with Justin.

As friends of Justin we are coming together to show him our support. As members of the LGBT community we greatly appreciate the sacrifices Justin has made. By standing up for himself, he is standing up for all LGBT officers and for all of us who strive for equal opportunities for everyone in the District of Columbia.

Please join us in supporting Officer Justin Markiewicz .

gofundme.com/standwithjustin

United We Dream Unveils Largest Survey of LGBTQ Immigrant Community

June 1, 2016February 11, 2016 by David Mariner

United We Dream Report on LGBTQ Immigrants

United We Dream, the national network of immigrant youth, has just released its “No More Closets” report, the largest national survey of the LGBTQ immigrant community ever conducted.

The report tells the collective and individual stories of some 461 individuals who self identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and who are either born outside of the United States or are U.S.-born citizens with foreign-born parents. The survey was conducted in late 2015 both online and through individual interviews.

The report uncovers high levels of discrimination and harassment in employment, healthcare, housing and education and a distrust of law enforcement among this highly resilient population.

“With this survey, we aim to both tell our stories to policymakers as well as to the young people in our communities who are struggling that they are not alone and that together we can turn our shared struggle and power into the change we seek,” said Carlos Padilla, National Coordinator of United We Dream’s Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project. “In fact, some of our nation’s leading change makers are LGBTQ immigrant youth – out of great struggle can come great strength.”

Among the findings:

73.4 percent of respondents say that their income either doesn’t cover or just barely covers their living expenses. Only 26.6 percent report earning enough to live comfortably
About half say they have experienced discrimination at school because of their sexual orientation
41 percent have no health insurance, significantly higher than the general LGBTQ population
46 percent said they have hid or lied about their sexual orientation or gender identity to a health care provider because of fear
Nearly half of all respondents say they are afraid to deal with police because of their immigration status or sexual identity.

Survey architect and report author Zenen Jaimes Perez, Policy & Advocacy Analyst for United We Dream, added, “The patterns of discrimination, lack of healthcare and harassment uncovered by this report are heartbreaking but the countless stories of resistance and hope are inspiring. We hope that this report is just the beginning of research into a community determined to live authentically despite the odds.”

In addition to the survey data, the report also includes several individual testimonies of LGBTQ immigrant leaders themselves including this one from Bianey Garcia of New York City:

“Coming out for me was not about visibility, it was about survival and about being able to share my strength with other youth who continue to remain in the shadows and in fear as undocumented and LGBTQ. As a transgender immigrant woman, being out and counted is a critical step so other people in my community can feel safe.”

Download the entire report here. You can also use these great graphics below to help spread the word.

These Older Adults are the New Voice of Statewide Nondiscrimination Campaign

December 4, 2016October 30, 2015 by David Mariner

“We remember how scary it felt to be afraid to be ourselves for fear of losing our jobs.” Charlotte and Chrissie share their story of living with, and later overcoming, discrimination after Chrissie’s employers adopted anti-discrimination protections. As Charlotte said of her wife, “…she is very much herself, finally, after all these years.” In hopes of igniting a conversation, SAGE has joined forces with Equality PA and the Centerfor American Progress in promoting a new “Campaign for Fairness,” featuring the voices of our LGBT elders fighting for justice.

New Guide to Supporting LGBT Asylum Seekers

November 24, 2016October 21, 2015 by David Mariner

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation in partnership with the LGBT Freedom and Asylum Network (LGBT-FAN), and the National LGBTQ Task Force, recently announced an essential new guide, Stronger Together: a Guide to Supporting LGBT Asylum Seekers, during an event at HRC’s Equality Center.

Stronger Together provides crucial advice and guidance to service providers working with LGBT asylum seekers coming to the United States in search of better, safer lives. The work of Center Global is featured prominently in the report. Center Global, a program of the DC Center for the LGBT Community, supports LGBT asylum seekers and refugees in the District of Columbia.

Every year, thousands of LGBT people flee to the United States (U.S.) from home countries where they face persecution and violence because of who they are or whom they love. However, once arriving in the US, LGBT asylum seekers frequently face the daunting task of building new lives in what can be an unfamiliar and often hostile environment.

Asylum seekers who are LGBT often face barriers that others do not. They may continue to face homophobia or transphobia, often arrive in the U.S.without family support, and may be rejected or ignored by organizations that might be helpful to non-LGBT asylum seekers. Even well-meaning individuals could inadvertently undermine the wellbeing of LGBT asylum seekers by providing incorrect or inappropriate advice. Stronger Together offers service providers information on how best to help newcomers adjust, including advising on employment counseling, access to housing, and where to seek legal representation. The guide focuses on assisting service providers in empowering LGBT asylum seekers.

“LGBTQI asylum seekers and asylees should be leaders in this work. They are experts on their own stories and needs, and can use their expertise to serve their own community.” said Nikilas Mawanda, a Ugandan activist and asylee who also contributed to Stronger Together.

“It is wonderful that people in the U.S. want to support LGBT asylum seekers” said SiobhÃ¡n McGuirk, Stronger Together co-author. “It is important that this movement develops in ways that respect the diversity, agency, and views of LGBT asylum seekers and asylees, while also contributing to the wider immigration justice movement. Stronger Together reflects that aim. Over a hundred people contributed to this project, including LGBT asylum seekers and asylees, service providers, lawyers, researchers, and activists.”

The situation for LGBT people around the world varies widely. As LGBT equality advances in some places, people continue to suffer from discrimination, persecution and violence around the world.

– An estimated five percent of U.S. asylum claims are based on persecution of sexual orientation or gender identity, suggesting that the U.S. would have received 4,802 applications citing anti-LGBT persecution in 2014.
– In 10 countries worldwide, same-sex activity is punishable by death, and 75 countries criminalize same-sex relationships. Hundreds of transgender individuals have been brutally murdered in the last year.
– In a growing number of countries, governments have sought to silence equality advocates and organizations with so-called “anti-propaganda” laws and legislation.

To read the full report click on this link: Stronger Together: A Guide to Supporting LGBT Asylum Seekers.

LGBT Equality: 5 State Strategies to Move us Forward

January 10, 2016December 17, 2014 by David Mariner

This past week saw a significant shift in strategy on the federal level for LGBT equality. After more than a decade of striving to pass the Employment Non Discrimination Act, and following the lead of local grassroots LGBT activists, National LGBT organizations switched to a new strategy: comprehensive LGBT Non-Discrimination Protections.

And even as consensus built around the Senator Jeff Merkley’s plans to introduce a Comprehensive LGBT Non-Discrimination Bill, the realities of the current political climate on the hill made everyone wonder if passing anything on the federal level would be possible.

Mara Keisling was quoted in Time as saying there is ‘no clear path’ to moving the legislation forward. Get Equal reported that some LGBT insiders believed passing such a bill would take at least another decade.

Even with the vast resources thrown at the federal level, what we can expect to accomplish this year, or for that matter, the next five years, is hazy at best.

On the other hand investments of time and resources at the state level have much stronger potential for payout in the short term. Here are some of the state strategies that have already begun to improve the lives of LGBT individuals in some states, and have great potential to be replicated in states across the country.

State Strategy: End New HIV Infections

In 2010 , gay an bisexual men accounted for 63% of estimated new HIV infections in the United states. A sobering statistic, but the numbers are even more alarming when you look at gay and bisexual men of color.

While HIV/AIDS has not been a high-priority for many LGBT organizations, perhaps nothing would have a bigger impact on the lives of gay an bisexual men than ending new HIV infections; and New York State is making a plan to do exactly that. Better yet, it’s a plan you can replicate in your state.

The end of the AIDS epidemic in New York will occur when the total number of new HIV infections has fallen below the number of HIV-related deaths. Governor Cuomo and local HIV/AIDS activists have a three point plan to get this done.

Identifying persons with HIV who remain undiagnosed and linking them to health care;
Linking and retaining persons diagnosed with HIV to health care and getting them on anti-HIV therapy to maximize HIV virus suppression so they remain healthy and prevent further transmission; and
Providing access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk persons to keep them HIV negative.

Learn more about the plan on the Housing Works Blog, and take part in the campaign to #EndAIDS2020 in your state.

State Strategy: End Conversion Therapy

Few practices hurt LGBT youth more than attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity through so-called conversion therapy, which can cause depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is taking action to end this practice once and for all. State legislation has already been passed in California, New Jersey, and Washington DC. Reach out to NCLR to see how you can help make your state next.

Learn more about the campaign to end Conversion Therapy

State Strategy: End Healthcare Discrimination

In February Mayor Vince Gray took steps to prohibit discrimination in health insurance based on gender identity and expression. This means health insurance companies in the District must offer all appropriate care, including hormone treatment and gender confirmation surgeries. New York State has also taken similar measures. As a District resident, I am extremely proud of my Mayor for this groundbreaking work, and for the amazing folks who worked on this important issue.

The truth is, however, that every state can and should implement transgender inclusive healthcare coverage, and if it is not on the agenda in your state, you have a tremendous opportunity to be the person that makes this a priority.

State Strategy: Pass State Anti-Bullying Laws

GLSEN has model state anti-bullying legislation that has already been successful in many states. Versions of this legislation has been passed in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington as well as the District of Columbia.

If this law has been passed in your state, learn more about how it is being implemented to protect LGBT students in schools. If it hasn’t yet passed in your state, take action to make it happen.

Download this model state anti-bullying and harassment from GLSEN

Additional Anti-Bullying resources from GLSEN

State Strategy: Pass State Anti-Discrimination Laws in the South

While we are working for full federal equality in employment, housing, and public accommodation, we can continue to work for the same at the state level.

It is important to note that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has now stated that transgender discrimination is sex discrimination, and while there are legal challenges to this decision, this information needs to be disseminated more broadly in our community.

It should not be used, however, as an excuse to exclude the transgender community from any state bills. Already some have tried to use this decision to argue that we should focus on passing state laws addressing employment discrimination based on sexual orientation but not gender identity/expression. Whatever happens with EEOC rulings down the road (which could actually be expanded to include gays and lesbians) state laws offer an important level of protection and have the opportunity to address the issues not covered by the EEOC decision, namely discrimination in housing and public accommodation.

Of all the states which do not currently have these protections, this year the spotlight is on three being targeted by the Human Rights Campaign’s Project One America. The spotlight is on the Project One America states, Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. This is due in no small part to the unprecedented amount of money HRC will pour into these states. With a three year budget of $8.5 million and a dedicated staff of 20, this is the biggest ever investment being made in the south.

Of course, it’s important that you understand what the laws are in your state are. Check out these state equality maps, if you are unsure.

Learn more about Project One America

It all starts with your statewide LGBT organization

If these campaigns have piqued your curiosity, or if you’re ready to take action, the place to start is your statewide LGBT advocacy group. The Equality Federation is a great place to start. Equality Federation is the strategic partner and movement builder to state-based organizations winning equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Visit the Equality Federation website to connect with the LGBT advocacy group doing work in your state and get started today.

LGBTQ Organizations Open Letter: From Ferguson to True Freedom

January 23, 2016December 11, 2014 by David Mariner

LGBT Community Response to Ferguson and NYC

Words cannot begin to describe the depth of feeling we all share about the unfolding tragedies in Ferguson and New York City. Words cannot relieve the suffering of Michael Brown and Eric Garner’s loved ones nor can words alone salve the pain nor quell the anger of millions. It’s action we need and we need it now.

As LGBTQ national organizations, we proudly stand in solidarity with the civil rights organizations and local activists — including the actions of an amazing, fierce, brilliant cadre of youth leaders, many of whom are queer identified — in demanding fundamental systemic change that tackles the root causes of racial and economic injustices once and for all. From political accountability for the deaths of Michael and Eric to the immediate passage of federal legislation that completely bans racial profiling across this land to ensuring that local police departments are representative and fair arbiters of safety and protection for everyone and who — through their actions — are continually working to earn the trust, confidence and respect of the entire community.

We too must speak louder than words and take more action — to change more hearts and minds and fight even harder for the policies and practices that make statements such as this one obsolete.

We urge you to:

Join the March Against Police Violence in Washington, called by the National Action Network, on Saturday December 13th, 10:30am;
Organize and participate in peaceful protests in cities across the nation;
Attend public meetings in your city or town to show your support or share your experience with elected officials; and
Create your own actions for change in person and online — at home, at school, at work, in the corridors of power, and in places of worship.

Everyone, everywhere in our nation can do more to end racism and racial injustice. Everyone, from the Department of Justice that must do more to deliver justice for the Brown and Garner families to the high school principal who could do more to engage and educate students about racism and the need for justice.

Even those of us who have devoted our lives to this cause need to redouble our efforts to reach out to more people — including those people who are on the wrong side of this issue.

If we as a nation are to end racism and racial injustice once and for all, everyone must be part of an ongoing and sustainable process of change — a process that builds on all the progress we’ve made, a process that aims to recruit everyone, and a process with the specific mission of delivering lived equality, justice, and freedom for all.

American Civil Liberties Union
Believe Out Loud
Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT
The BiCast
BiNet USA
Bisexual Organizing Project
Bisexual Leadership Roundtable
Bisexual Resource Center
Campus Pride
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Center For Black Equity
COLAGE
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
Equality Federation
Family Equality Council
The Fellowship Global (Pastor Joseph Tolton)
The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (Bishop Yvette Flunder)
Freedom to Marry
Gay Men’s Health Crisis
GLAAD
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network
Harvey Milk Foundation
Higher Education T* Circle Advisory Board
Human Rights Campaign
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Lambda Legal
MAP
Marriage Equality USA
More Light Presbyterians
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
National LGBTQ Task Force
National Minority AIDS Council
The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
Nehirim
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
PFLAG National
Pride at Work, AFL-CIO
The Pride Network
Reconciling Ministries Network
SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders)
Trans People of Color Coalition
The Trevor Project

LGBT Asylum Group Expands Scope & Changes Name

January 11, 2016December 11, 2014 by David Mariner

A recent Associated Press story reveals LGBT people from around the world are seeking asylum in the United States in growing numbers. For example, asylum seekers from Russia are up 34%; many are LGBT persons fearing for their lives. The diversity of groups supporting LGBT asylum seekers is also growing. To reflect this reality, the LGBT Faith and Asylum Network announced a name change, today. It is now the LGBT Freedom and Asylum Network.

LGBT-FAN launched in January 2014 with a congressional briefing and a working retreat. Leaders from around the country, including asylum seekers and asylees, have worked since 2012 to build a core of support and to solidify their mission. The group’s new name reflects the collaborative style of LGBT-FAN, its commitment to LGBT people of all faiths or no faith, and the coalition’s diverse membership. Ironically, while much of the persecution against LGBT people globally is driven by religion, much of the work to help LGBT asylum seekers in the U.S. is led by groups such as Chicago’s Broadway United Methodist Church and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).
LGBT-FAN supports direct-service groups, educates the wider community, and operates a charitable fund to give grants for direct services. The network advocates for the U.S. Government to protect LGBT asylum seekers, and works to support asylum seekers who face the brunt of punitive US immigration policies which deny them legal representation or
any means of support while they wait for months for officials to decide on their asylum applications.
At the heart of LGBT-FAN are a growing number of grassroots efforts that provide basic necessities such as housing to LGBT asylum seekers, most of whom are not legally able to hold employment for at least six months after filing their
asylum applications. These organizations include:
• Chicago LGBT Asylum Support Program (CLASP) (Chicago, IL)
• Center for Integration and Courageous Living (Chicago, IL)
• Freedom House (Detroit, MI)
• Housing Works (New York, NY)
• Better Together coalition (New York, NY)
• The First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco (San Francisco Bay Area, CA)
• LGBTQI Bay Area Asylum Coalition (San Francisco Bay Area, CA)
• Center Global, a program of the DC Center for the LGBT Community (Washington, DC)
• The LGBT Asylum Support Task Force (Worcester, MA)

According to LGBT-FAN Coordinator Max Niedzwiecki, “The work of the LGBT Freedom and Asylum Network is increasingly important. Laws in more than 80 countries subject LGBT people to prison, torture, and abuse. Some flee their homes and come to the US seeking safety. Once here, they need shelter, a welcoming community, food, and warm clothes. More than the basics, many want guidance to attain their goals, and feel empowered to join advocacy efforts for LGBT rights worldwide, and immigrant rights here in the US. Many of us are recognizing the shared responsibility to reach out to them.”

LGBT-FAN is partnering with the National LGBTQ Task Force to produce the first-ever guide for best practices when working with this population, and with Funders for LGBTQ Issues to educate foundation staff about LGBT asylum seekers.