WATCH: North Carolina Pastor Tells Gay Grads They're Going To Hell
‘This is bullying,’ said one parent shocked that a North Carolina pastor would deliver a fire-and-brimstone message to graduating seniors.
Dawn Ennis
www.advocate.com/youth/2015/06/03/watch-north-carolina-pastor-tells-gay-grads-theyre-going-hell
My Connection to Caitlyn Jenner
I met Caitlyn Jenner back when the name was Bruce Jenner. I was a high-level discus thrower living in San Jose. Back then, if you were a thrower, you lived in San Jose. Track was a serious sport in that area.
It was a phenomenal atmosphere to be a part of. On a day-to-day basis I could go to the training area and be throwing beside Wolfgang Schmidt of Germany or Mac Wilkins, the U.S. Gold Medal winner from the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In fact, my roommate at the time was a guy named Mike Buncic who represented the US in the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992.
With all these incredible athletes around, it was impossible not to progress.
Jenner lived in the San Jose area as well. She hosted her own track meet: The Bruce Jenner Invitational at San Jose City College. It was at this meet in 1984 where I threw what would turn out to be the furthest discus throw of my career. It was not unusual to get twenty thousand people to watch a track meet at the time.
Roughly eight years earlier I watched — like much of the world – as Jenner came across the finish line of the 1500 meter final event of the Decathlon in Montreal to win the gold medal. To put this achievement in perspective: The results Jenner posted in the majority of her events would have let her win virtually any local college-level track meet, against any entire team… by herself.
Someone handed her a small American flag after she finished and that image ended up on the Wheaties cereal box. You can’t plan those moments out any better.
Her success was part of the reason I transitioned to track and field after my hockey career came to a screeching halt as a goalie at Malden Catholic High School (MA). MC was great at hockey… I was not, so it was on to track.
When I went up to the awards booth after my big throw, there was Jenner — the legend — just hanging out being the celebrity. Still presenting as male, she was “Classic California man,” with the long hair and physique one would expect. It was a highlight of my career.
Unfortunately, most people only know Caitlyn for her more recent celebrity status as part of the Kardashian train wreck… I mean, TV show.
My daughter texted me a photo of the cover of Vanity Fair with Caitlyn on the cover. At first, I had no idea who it was. Was she sending me this because her friend’s name was Caitlyn? Was there a caption I couldn’t read? When I opened it up and saw the full photo along with the magazine headline I was floored.
Caitlyn looks great! I can say that with all honesty.
I cannot image the bravery it took to go through a change like this under such massive scrutiny. Every moment chronicled. Even Caitlyn’s Wikipedia page has already been updated.
Unfortunately, Caitlyn’s success and personal story may only serve as additional fodder to prolong the misery that is Keeping Up With the Kardashians series. Never have so many profited so much from the presence of one woman’s famous derriere! Please make it stop…
Truth be told, the most talented individual on the cast was a man relegated to “back-burner” minor character status. This year, Caitlyn will turn 66 years old. Looking fit and no longer a minor story.
I was trying to find a way to segue this into a fitness thing… what could the point be?
Be your own person?
Take care of yourself because you never know when you will be on a magazine cover?
Hmmm…
I guess the only real point is that people can show strength under a multitude of difficult situations. Just keep going and you will eventually find the support you need.
Good luck Caitlyn.
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
HRC’s Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion work is never at an end.
HRC.org
www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrcs-commitment-to-diversity-inclusion?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Iowa’s Pride Picnic Is Being Catered By… Chick-Fil-A?
The proudly antigay fast food restaurant Chick-fil A is suffering from an identity crisis when it comes to its official stance on gay rights.
As you may remember, the fried chicken chain came under fire in 2012 after its CEO, Dan Cathy, said he was “guilty as charged” when it came to his company’s reported support of “traditional” understandings of family and the “Biblical family unit.”
Related: Chick-fil-A CEO Sorry For Talking About Marriage Equality, But Not For What He Said
But Cathy has been unable to reign in his franchises. A Chick-fil-A in Coralville, IA, announced that it will be providing 200 sandwiches and sides to Iowa City Pride’s annual picnic on June 19. Gratis.
Pride officials approached the franchise owner, Adam Donius, about getting involved after he sponsored a different event last year.
“We offered him different ways that he could contribute and be part of our Pride, help us build community,” Jewell Amos, chair of Iowa City Pride, told KCRG News. “He said that he totally believes in building community. So he was like, sure.”
And this isn’t the first time a franchise owner has taken a vastly different stance from Cathy. Last year, a Chick-fil-A in Hollywood, CA, hosted a fundraiser for LGBT youth. And in 2013, a Chick-fil-A in Rancho Cucamonga, CA donated food to a rally for marriage equality.
We have to say, until now the thought of Chick-fil-A sponsoring an official Pride event seemed about as likely as one the restaurant’s biggest supporters, Bryan Fischer, coming out as gay…
On second thought.
Related: Bryan Fischer Can’t Stop Talking About Guys Humping Other Guys
Graham Gremore
REPORT: HRC Is a ‘White Men’s Club’ With Major Diversity Problems
In an internal report commissioned by HRC and obtained by BuzzFeed, employees of the nation’s largest LGBT rights group described the organization as a “judgmental”, “homogenous”, “exclusionary” and “sexist” “white men’s club.” The report indicates that HRC values and promotes white, male individuals who are perceived as masculine over those that are female, transgender or feminine-identified.
“One of the most frequent concerns that rose was the sense of an organizational culture rooted in a white, masculine orientation which is judgmental of all those who don’t fit that mold,” the report states in summarizing its survey findings. “Disparate treatment toward women and those with ‘soft skills’ was frequently cited by staff — both men and women — and there is a sense that if you operate outside of that orientation, you will not be successful at HRC.”
That perception is also borne out in the experience of minority employees, according to the report, summarizing survey responses at one point as follows: “More than half of multiracial and Latino people and 83% of genderqueer people feel they are not treated equally based on their identity.”
From the focus groups, the report details criticism from younger staff and female staff about their contributions not being valued. In a listing of comments made, one staffer said, “Younger staff in particular are exploited and not rewarded financially.” Another said, “Straight women and lesbians get sexist treatment from gay men at HRC.”
Also according to the report, “1 in 5 staff believe ‘diversity and inclusion’ is not a necessary part of the group’s work and values.” Moreover, there exists a “general perception…that current diversity efforts are not working and that there’s a lack of diversity understanding broadly.”
Transgender employees face surprising hurdles at HRC, with the report stating that transgender persons are “frequently misgendered with the wrong pronouns, after repeated corrections.”
HRC President Chad Griffin responded to the report noting that the organization is already “aggressively” pursuing ways to improve its workplace environment:
“Like many organizations and companies throughout our country, HRC has embarked on a thoughtful and comprehensive diversity and inclusion effort with the goals of better representing the communities we serve — and hiring, nurturing and retaining a workforce that not only looks like America but feels respected and appreciated for the hard work they do every day.” […]
“As we fully anticipated, the report flagged problem areas that the organization has already begun to tackle aggressively,” Griffin said in his statement. “We’ll continue to address them, one by one, as any serious organization recognizing these challenges would.”
You can read more excerpts from the report over at BuzzFeed.
Sean Mandell
I'm Deaf and Gay — And That's Totally Okay
Ever since I can remember, I have identified as gay.
No internal confusion, no coming-out horror story. My label as a gay male, while it came with understandable insecurities, never greatly interfered with my daily life. I might even call myself lucky in that sense. However, a deep part of me never felt truly comfortable among the large heterosexual population surrounding me. Strike one.
Now, throw another curveball that is widely but falsely seen as a debilitating condition: being Deaf. Strike two.
I grew up with the idea that I had two strikes against me. I have had to face discrimination from all directions: hearing, Deaf, straight, and gay. The straight and hearing worlds require no explanation. In the gay world, guys have shied away from me because of my immersion in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture, a concept so unfamiliar to most. In the Deaf community, I have sometimes felt unwelcome for not being “Deaf enough” because I wear a cochlear implant to hear.
While most people have interacted with members of a minority group, very few have insight into the challenges of being a “double-minority.” Many double-minority members have few places where they feel truly welcome. I spent most of my high school years in a vain search for friends and partners who shared my DNA. The gene pool of Deaf and gay individuals was a null set.
At the beginning of high school, my Deaf aunt, who I have always looked up to as a role model, sat me down and signed to me, “Connor, I don’t want to discourage you but the chances of you dating and marrying a hearing partner are incredibly slim. I went through it all, and I just want to warn you.”
I took what she said as gospel, and I saw the future that I had envisioned for myself crumble before my eyes. My aunt had crushed my hopes of finding the perfect guy. I calculated that my prospects of finding a Deaf, gay and overall compatible partner were limited to about 0.01 percent of the population.
Though I continued to hold my head up high, the burden of the labels that I wore grew heavier throughout my high school years. Every time I went out on a date, I feared the moments that I would have to hide behind a false nod and smile because I could not hear the guy. I worried about mumblers and guys who were impossible to lip-read because they did not move their mouths when they talked. And, worst of all, I agonized over the thought that my Deafness would prove to be a burden for others and push everyone away from me, one by one. It wasn’t until I hit college that I realized how wrong my aunt was.
I realized that my aunt was born in a time when very limited technology was available to empower her in a hearing world. Back then, ASL was stigmatized, and Deaf people were more isolated from mainstream society. She was not able to function in the hearing world nearly as well as I do. I realized that no two people, regardless of the minority groups they are a part of, have the same experiences — everyone can be “cool” and “unique” with high self-esteem.
I could have the best of both the hearing and Deaf worlds.
With this discovery came the realization that guys, regardless of their hearing ability, were also unique. Some do not bat an eye at other Deaf guys, while others are interested in Deaf culture and who I am as a person. I was on some quixotic quest to find the perfect match and the only person stopping me was, well, me.
Maybe attending such an open-minded university opened my eyes and made me realize this. Or the fact that I got lucky with such supportive people around me. At college, while I admit that not every guy I meet is open to my deafness and that it is still difficult to communicate with people at times, I feel much more accepted. In the gay world, many guys now embrace my Deafness. I have spread awareness of Deaf culture and ASL to many of my hearing friends, who actually think that I am “cool” and “unique.” On top of that, one of my best friends at college is Deaf.
Being a part of both the Deaf and LGBT communities has opened up my world immensely, affording me opportunities to meet a lot of amazing people I would not have otherwise met. People I know find this hard to believe when I tell them that, if I could hit the reset button and choose my sexual orientation and hearing ability, I cannot say that I would choose to be hearing and straight. My special experiences, which few other people have shared, have built my character and made me a stronger individual — one more able to empathize with others and value diversity. Those two strikes that I thought I had were really blessings in disguise.
So here is my message, and I realize it is easier said than done: Hang in there — no matter what minority groups you identify with and how alone you may sometimes feel. With patience and support, you will eventually find somewhere in the world, and nothing will be greater than feeling that sense of belonging — and trust me, it will be worth the wait.
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Father of Bisexual Teenager Who Died by Suicide: 'It’s The Worst Pain You Can Ever Imagine'
William Kizer lost his son last weekend to suicide. He says the 16-year-old had been bullied for years, and school administrators failed to take action.
Eliel Cruz
Reno Adds Transgender-Inclusive Health Benefits for City Employees
As work begins on the 2015 Municipal Equality Index, which will be released later this year, cities across the country are continuing to pave the path to full equality.
HRC.org
Adidas Shows Some Love With A Pride Redesign Of Iconic Sneakers
If you’ve ever attended one of the world’s major Pride celebrations (if you need some 2015 tips we’ve got you covered), you know the rainbow carnage of glitter, faux-feather boas, flags and fans that can be left over after the last float has rolled by. While it may present a bit of a cleanup issue, it’s a beautiful thing knowing thousands of strangers just came together to express pride in who they are.
So it is perhaps fitting that adidas has released a new line of their classic sneakers that look like they’ve been jumping around in a big gay pride puddle.
‘The Pride Pack’ features the adidas Stan Smith, the adidas Superstar (the classic shell-fronted sneaker) and the adidas Adilette (flip flop/sandal).
“In 1969, violent riots erupted on the streets of New York City after police raided the Stone Wall Inn, unjustly targeting the gay community. The #Superstar was also released that year and is now redesigned to remember all those who fought for equality,” the brand posted on Instagram.
A portion of the Pride Pack’s sales will be donated to adidas’ “hometown neighbor, Portland’s New Avenues for Youth, a local advocacy group that helps empower homeless and LGBT youth to build life skills for a successful future.”
The sneakers will hit select stores beginning June 6.
Dan Tracer
Out NYC Hotel Owners Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass Face Anti-Gay Discrimination Lawsuit: VIDEO
Out NYC Hotel owners Ian Reisner (below right) and Mati Weiderpass – who faced a backlash in April after hosting an intimate “fireside chat” with anti-gay Senator Ted Cruz – are facing employee lawsuits based on sexual orientation and gender identity, reports The Advocate.
Four former and current employees claim KTCHN and XL Nightclub – both located within Out NYC – in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards and New York City and state law, failed to pay for overtime work and withheld part of their tips.
James Stress and Donald Shorter say they were the only two “men working at KTCHN who outwardly presented as feminine at work and who did not adhere to masculine stereotypes.”
They allege that the discrimination began when a KTCHN manager implemented a new policy on attire and grooming. The policy reads:
“Attire/Grooming — Please come to work properly dressed and be prepared to start your shift when you clock in. If you do not have proper attire i.e. black uniform shirt or black apron, they can be purchased in the office, BUT do not allow this to become a trend. Also, please keep excessive makeup and nail polish to a minimum gentlemen. The only acceptable time for gentlemen to wear makeup or nail polish will be for Sunday Brunch during Haus of Mimosa.”
The suit alleges that the policy caused Shorter and Stress to suffer “severe mental anguish and emotional distress, including, but not limited to, depression, humiliation, embarrassment, stress and anxiety, loss of self-esteem and self-confidence, and emotional pain and suffering.”
It also claims that “KTCHN’s management unlawfully pooled and distributed the accumulated credit card tips from each shift to KTCHN wait staff solely at the discretion of the on-duty KTCHN manager.” Additionally, it alleges that staff weren’t paid overtime, or time and a half, when their work exceeded 40 hours a week.
Reisner has admitted to making a donation to the Cruz campaign despite previously denying such claims.
KTCHN and XL have not responded to The Advocate’s request for comments.
In case you’re not up to speed on Reisner and Weiderpass’s meeting with Ted Cruz, check out a report, AFTER THE JUMP… (warning: auto-play)
Ian Reisner, one of the two gay hoteliers who hosted Cruz, said no checks were cut to the Senator. Not true t.co/M5biQNv1eM
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) May 29, 2015
Jim Redmond
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