Daily Archives: August 1, 2015
LGBT Groups Stand With Planned Parenthood Against Right-wing Push to Defund Group
LGBT Groups Stand With Planned Parenthood Against Right-wing Push to Defund Group
LGBT groups are standing with Planned Parenthood as the reproductive health organization faces a new barrage of attacks from right-wing activists and lawmakers.
Republicans in Congress are calling for the group to be defunded after the right-wing Center for Medical Progress released secretly recorded, heavily edited videos allegedly showing the illegal sale of fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood maintains it follows all laws and ethical guidelines, but CNN reports the controversy could now lead to a government shutdown in October.
Abortions account for only about 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services, and the organization is hugely beneficial to the LGBT community. Planned Parenthood tests both men and women for sexually transmitted diseases. It also provides cancer screening, birth control, sex education, and even hormone therapy for transgender patients.
Which is why it isn’t surprising that LGBT groups issued statements this week in support of the organization.
From Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force:
“Why should LGBTQ people care about Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health providers? Because LGBTQ people use birth control, have abortions, get tested for HIV, get screened for breast and cervical cancers, and use fertility treatments – and many people receive those services through Planned Parenthood. We also recognize that those who attack organizations such as Planned Parenthood have a view that disavows empowered decisions about our reproductive health and LGBTQ people’s empowered decisions about how to build our own families.
“Finally, we all need reproductive rights and justice because our respective hard won legal rights as LGBTQ and as a reproductive rights movements, respectively, have long been intertwined through Supreme Court decisions going back over 40 years. From Roe v. Wade, to last year’s Hobby Lobby ruling, to the successful marriage decision this summer, our ability to live our lives fully and to not be discriminated against are dependent on each other’s progress. Reproductive health is an LGBTQ issue,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.
From Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights:
“NCLR stands with Planned Parenthood at this time of unrelenting assaults. The specious allegations being leveled against this critical network of health centers are nothing more than a transparent attack on the ability of all people to receive compassionate, non-judgmental reproductive and preventive health care.
“Planned Parenthood health centers and other reproductive health care clinics, in addition to providing essential family planning and abortion care, are often the only source of care for many in underserved and vulnerable communities. For many LGBTQ people, who experience stigma and discrimination in the health care system, the specially trained staff and tailored programs – including services for transgender people – offered at these clinics are a lifeline.
“When the U.S. Supreme Court affirms our fundamental rights, it is often the beginning, rather than the end, of the struggle. As it has been for reproductive rights, so will it be for full LGBTQ equality. As an organization committed to securing the rights of LGBTQ people, the fight for full reproductive freedom is our fight too.”
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT group, hasn’t issued a press release, but JoDee Winterhof, HRC’s vice president for policy and political affairs, wrote in a blog post:
Right now, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the target of an intense, politically-motivated smear campaign–fueled by misinformation and potentially illegal tactics–and it’s being driven by an extremist group that seeks to not only attack our fundamental right to access quality health care, but undermines our basic dignity as Americans.
PPFA provides vital medical services to many in the LGBT community–including routine examinations, pre-natal care, cancer screenings, HIV and STI testing, and contraceptive services, among other reproductive health care services. Not only that, but they are strong allies in the fight for full LGBT equality–including supporting the recently introduced Equality Act and other legislative priorities. The organization also joins HRC in strongly advocating for comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive sex education for our nation’s young people.
While some opponents of women’s rights and LGBT rights in Congress gear up again to try and defund this vital organization, we stand with PPFA.
Watch Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards’ official response to the controversy below.
The post LGBT Groups Stand With Planned Parenthood Against Right-wing Push to Defund Group appeared first on Towleroad.
John Wright
LGBT Groups Stand With Planned Parenthood Against Right-wing Push to Defund Group
Liverpool Pride 2015
Here are the 17 best pictures from the Brighton Pride parade
Here are the 17 best pictures from the Brighton Pride parade
Over 160,000 lined the streets of Brighton and paraded in one of the UK’s biggest Pride events today (1 August).
While there was a 90 minute delay, thanks to a bomb scare that was quickly dealt with, it didn’t dampen spirits.
George Montague, at 92 who calls himself the ‘oldest gay in the village’, married his partner Somchai Phukkhlai yesterday (31 July).
‘If we could have, we would have married 20 years ago when we met! It feels no different being married, but we’re doing it to promote gay marriage!’ Montague told Gay Star News.
Phukkhlai added: ‘It’s great that same-sex marriage is here, even for couples like us that don’t need it. It shows that gay marriage is an important part of life.’
And with a message to everyone in Brighton: ‘Enjoy Pride as much as we are!’
1. Lots of people from different walks of life came to celebrate.
2. Whether you were a nurse in a hospice…
3. Or working for the NHS.
4. Some came from their bank…
5. While others were humble butlers.
5. People came for the drinking…
6. Or the swimming in the sea…
7. But mostly, people were just here to be themselves.
8. Whether you’re an activist…
9. Or celebrating progress made…
10. Or being proud of their own personal journeys…
11. Everyone felt welcome. That included baboons…
12. Chickens…
13. Dogs….
14. Or little monsters, it didn’t matter. Everyone was here for a good time.
15. So whether you were there to party…
16. Everyone knew that, at the end of the day, they were celebrating uniqueness, identity…
17. But most of all love.
The post Here are the 17 best pictures from the Brighton Pride parade appeared first on Gay Star News.
Joe Morgan
www.gaystarnews.com/article/here-are-the-17-best-pictures-from-the-brighton-pride-parade/
The Need for Full Federal LGBT Equality: Jury Service and Federal Funding
The Need for Full Federal LGBT Equality: Jury Service and Federal Funding
Last week, HRC was proud to endorse The Equality Act, a comprehensive federal non-discrimination law.
HRC.org
Sachin Bhatt Teases His Rod, Cristiano Ronaldo Can Handle A Lot Of Meat
Sachin Bhatt Teases His Rod, Cristiano Ronaldo Can Handle A Lot Of Meat
This week, Mean Girls stars Daniel Franzese and Jonathan Bennett reunited for a special fundraising screening, Chris Hemsworth’s giant penis was a topic of conversation and Sam Smith copped to sometimes feeling guilty for the freedom of being openly gay. Here’s what happened recently on Instagram:
Russell Tovey took in some of that sunshine for which London is so renowned.
A photo posted by Russelltovey (@russelltovey) on Jul 19, 2015 at 8:12am PDT
Ricky Martin sported an interesting new look.
NOW. Regram by @tattooselection A photo posted by Ricky (@ricky_martin) on Jul 30, 2015 at 1:03am PDT
Cazwell went looking for some fresh meat.
A photo posted by CAZWELL (@cazwellnyc) on Jul 29, 2015 at 8:17pm PDT
Mario Lopez made some fuzzy new friends.
Help NBC4 #ClearTheShelters on Aug. 15th! Info at Cleartheshelters.com #JulioAndJuanita A photo posted by Mario Lopez (@mariolopezextra) on Jul 29, 2015 at 9:57am PDT
Show us your rod curtain rod, Sachin Bhatt.
Honestly, I’m just hanging by a rod. A curtain rod. Bathroom selfie. Don’t judge. ?? #laugh #funny? #no? #understood #ok
A photo posted by S a c h i n B h a ? ? (@sachinbhatt) on Jul 30, 2015 at 7:19am PDT
Ronan Farrow is crushing on it with this guy.
Crushing it with A&R extraordinaire @itsilva. ? A photo posted by ronanfarrow (@ronanfarrow) on Jul 28, 2015 at 8:50pm PDT
We can handle it, Luke Casey.
Full frontal… Please you’re not ready for a full frontal
A photo posted by @luke_casey on Jul 19, 2015 at 9:31am PDT
Luke Evans and Josh Gad had to cuddle to keep warm.
@joshgad been a real pleasure. Until we meet again. Xxx #BATB #gaston&lefouforever A photo posted by thereallukevans (@thereallukevans) on Jul 29, 2015 at 8:09am PDT
Becky is still chasing Uncle Jesse.
Running from birthday woman!! @loriloughlin
A photo posted by John Stamos (@johnstamos) on Jul 28, 2015 at 6:25pm PDT
Did Drake just discover sexting?
A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Jul 30, 2015 at 8:02pm PDT
We hope someone applied sunscreen to Terry Miller‘s booty.
A photo posted by Terry Miller (@terrysphots) on Jul 30, 2015 at 8:55pm PDT
The Wolverine Hugh Jackman isn’t phased by a little cold weather.
What winter?! A photo posted by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on Jul 30, 2015 at 6:18pm PDT
Steve Grand, we’ll bet Baltimore is just as excited to see you, even fully clothed.
Baltimore got me all excited like… A photo posted by Steve Grand (@stevegrandmusic) on Jul 27, 2015 at 11:35am PDT
Hey Arnold, we’re OK with you going all Terminator of the good dentist.
A photo posted by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger) on Jul 30, 2015 at 12:21pm PDT
That time the King of Horror met the King of Cockteasing.
A photo posted by James Franco (@jamesfrancotv) on Jul 28, 2015 at 2:29pm PDT
Cristiano Ronaldo can handle a lot of meat.
A photo posted by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) on Jul 31, 2015 at 4:34am PDT
Who knew Arnie and Joe Manganiello were this tight?
A photo posted by Joe Manganiello (@joemanganiello) on Jul 30, 2015 at 8:32am PDT
Zac Efron and Adam DeVine compared tongues.
A photo posted by Zac Efron (@zacefron) on Jul 27, 2015 at 4:27pm PDT
Jeremy Kinser
What Does the Trans Community Think of Caitlyn Jenner’s New Reality Series ‘I Am Cait’? – VIDEO REVIEW
What Does the Trans Community Think of Caitlyn Jenner’s New Reality Series ‘I Am Cait’? – VIDEO REVIEW
If you were one of the nearly 4 million viewers who caught the premiere of Caitlyn Jenner’s docu-series I Am Cait last Sunday, you’ll recall the episode opening with Jenner revealing that the responsibilities of representing the transgender community in the public eye weigh heavily on her.
“We don’t want people dying over this. We don’t want people murdered over this stuff. What a responsibility I have towards this community. Am I going to do everything right? Am I going to say the right things? Do I project the right image?”
ThinkProgress had similar questions and concerns about the E! series and decided to bring together three trans people and one ally to watch the premiere and share their thoughts.
Find out what they liked and disliked about the I Am Cait premiere in the revealing video below:
The post What Does the Trans Community Think of Caitlyn Jenner’s New Reality Series ‘I Am Cait’? – VIDEO REVIEW appeared first on Towleroad.
Kyler Geoffroy
Enjoying the Pride Parade
Staten Island Man: I Was Victim of Antigay Police Attack
Staten Island Man: I Was Victim of Antigay Police Attack
Louis Falcone says police brutally beat him and hurled antigay slurs at him.
1 – Name:
tw-line
Daniel Reynolds
www.advocate.com/crime/2015/08/01/staten-island-man-i-was-victim-antigay-police-attack
25 Things Your Girlfriends Do For You Like No One Else Can
25 Things Your Girlfriends Do For You Like No One Else Can
August 1 is National Girlfriends Day, which is the perfect excuse to celebrate the magical goodness that is female friendship.
Whether you and your friends are just like Tina and Amy, look up to Nicki and Bey, or roll deep with a Bridesmaids-like crew, there’s not doubt that your crew brings incredible things into your life.
Here are 25 things girlfriends do that make life a whole lot better:
1. Instantly decode your Facebook statuses, tweets and Instagram photos to figure out whether your posts are genuine, ironic or cries for help.
2. Give you their last hair tie.
3. Share moments of total indulgence, revelry and abandon with you like you’re queens of some magical land.
4. Validate your irrational fears — because sometimes small furry animals are more creepy than cute, OK?
5. Trash talk a really sh*tty ex without making you feel terrible for dating him or her in the first place.
6. Distract you from your bad day with funny self-deprecating stories about hookups gone awry, or really awkward office encounters.
7. Come up with ingenious fashion fixes, like stapling your dress back together when a snap breaks while you’re out to dinner.
8. Start enjoyable dance circles at even the worst of parties.
9. Retake that selfie three times because your hair just didn’t look right in it.
10. Hang out with you in the bathroom while you fix your hair or avoid whatever event you’re supposed to be attending.
11. Insist that you borrow clothing when you decide last-minute that you HATE what you’re wearing.
12. Convince you to go to that super fun party — even when you feel way to too lazy to go.
13. Reassure you that it’s OK to stay home instead of going to that super fun party you were too lazy to go to.
14. Remember your dog’s birthday.
15. Hold your hair back when you’ve had too much to drink.
16. Always point out when a cute guy has “liked” or doubled tapped one of your posts.
17. Rescue you from anyone, anywhere, at any time.
18. Remind you eating that cupcake/cheesecake/hunk of chocolate the size and shape of Ryan Gosling won’t kill you.
19. Literally pick you up and feed you when you’re going through a hard time.
20. Make you feel better about watching a bad TV show most people have never heard of — because they’re right next to you watching it, too.
21. Always show up for the big, important stuff.
22. Come up with awesome friend dates to distract you from that guy or girl who didn’t text you back.
23. Advise on which swimsuit you should buy based on the 17 pictures you texted from the dressing room.
24. Tell you you’re beautiful on days when they can tell you don’t feel beautiful at all.
25. Call you “sister.”
What’s the best thing your girlfriends do for you? Comment below, or tweet @HuffPostWomen!
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