Facebook Responds to Criticism of 'Real Name' Policy — With Real Change

It’s the biggest change at Facebook since the social network introduced a wide variety of gender identifiers in recognition of the non-conforming users who don’t fit the traditional binary. 

Facebook announced Friday its “real name” policy — which led to drag queens, drag kinds, transgender users and others who used aliases to be reported — is being changed, reported Gay Star News.

The new format, according to VP of Growth for Facebook, Alex Schultz, is for users to be able to use the names they’re known by, to friends, to family and fans. 

“We also understand the challenges for many transgender people when it comes to formally changing one’s name,” Schultz wrote.

“That’s why we’re making changes now and in the future, and will continue to engage with you and all who are committed to looking after the most vulnerable people using our product.”

Facebook will now allow users to provide details on why they’ve chosen a certain name for their account if it’s not their legal name. 

Facebook will now allow users who are flagged for using a possibly inauthentic name to be able to get back into their locked accounts more easily.

And the burden of proof will now be placed upon the people who flag a name as fake, according to Schultz. Those reporting an allegedly fake name will have to provide some evidence, in an effort to prevent trolling, a frequent complaint among trans users. 

“We are deeply invested in making [this policy] better,’ Schultz wrote. 
“I’ve seen first hand how people – including LGBT people – can be bullied online by people using fake or impersonating accounts.”

But the policy won’t be totally scrapped. Facebook’s “authentic identity” policy will be maintained. Schulz has said it reduces trolling by making people accountable for their actions online.

“When people use the name others know them by, they are more accountable for what they say, making it more difficult to hide behind an anonymous name to harass, bully, spam or scam someone else,” said Schulz.

Earlier this month, organizations including the ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation wrote an open letter to Facebook, asking for the policy to be changed to 
“provide equal treatment and protection for all who use and depend on Facebook as central platform for online expression and communication.”

“It’s a balance to get this right,” Schultz wrote in reply. “We want to find a line that minimizes bullying but maximizes the potential for people to be their authentic selves on Facebook.”

Dawn Ennis

www.advocate.com/transgender/2015/11/01/facebook-responds-criticism-real-name-policy-real-change

Open Question: Please tell me that the introduction of Ned Wynert in Assassin's Creed: Syndicate does not mean that there will be more LGBT characters?
in future games. I love the series and want to be able to play future games without having to see homosexual characters in them.

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20151101124642AA58MpJ

HRC Houston & NAACP-Houston Fight for HERO

HRC and the NAACP- Houston Branch are leading partners of the Houston Unites coalition that is the campaign working to secure a “Yes on Proposition 1” vote.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-houston-naacp-houston-fight-for-hero?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

New Zealand’s Rugby Team Perform ‘Haka’ After Winning World Cup: WATCH

At the Rugby World Cup final in London yesterday, the New Zealand All Blacks performed two hakas, traditional Māori “war dances”, that mesmerized audiences in the stadium and watching from around the globe.

Video of the first haka performed before the game has racked up nearly 600,000 views on YouTube since it was posted online. After defeating Australia in the Cup final at Twickenham Stadium in London, the All Blacks performed a second celebratory haka.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: 

On an occasion such as this, with the All Blacks becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups, one Haka was never going to be enough. After going with their ‘Kapa O Panga’ Haka before their 34-17 win over the Wallabies at Twickenham, New Zealand celebrated in style with a traditional ‘Ka Mate’ Haka after claiming the William Webb Ellis Cup. The silverware was laid out on the ground in front as the All Blacks paid tribute to their fans as well as six of their departing players, including inspirational captain Richie McCaw and five-eighth Dan Carter, whose brilliant boot helped them to victory. It was an emotional moment after the All Blacks cemented their place as the best team in rugby and one of the greatest in world sport.

PRI adds: 

The haka is generally thought of as way to spook and intimidate opponents, and New Zealand did triumph 34-17 over Australia. But the haka most commonly performed by the All Blacks, the Ka Mate, has an entirely different meaning if you consider the lyrics.

The song was composed by Te Rauparaha, war leader of the Ngāti Toa tribe, after he hid in a food storage pit to hide from his enemies.

“That certain haka is actually about being victories because the person who composed it, he was actually being hunted at the time by a rival tribe. That haka was actually a haka of celebration that he was still alive,” says Paraone Gloyne, a well-known haka dance performer, teacher and composer.

Also described as an ancestral war cry, or a “challenge,” haka has its own vocabulary and traditions.

Watch both hakas, below:

These hakas were certainly stunning. Though they don’t quite top this wet, shirtless haka performed in the rain back in 2014.

The post New Zealand’s Rugby Team Perform ‘Haka’ After Winning World Cup: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Sean Mandell

New Zealand’s Rugby Team Perform ‘Haka’ After Winning World Cup: WATCH

Open Question: Could someone please sum up donald trump's opinion on major issues?
I am not american and I am not really keen on your politics, still I d like to know what is this trump fuss about.
why does he seem to be so popular?
what are his stances on taxation, TTIP, foreign affairs, abortion, LGBT rights, immigration, religious freedom, weapon regulamentation and so forth?
by the way, which other candidates do you deem to be likely to win?

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20151101102143AAFT728

Re-Energized in Houston

Griffin re-energized the Houston HRC Steering Committee and volunteer base with his remarks regarding HRC’s commitment to protecting equality for all Houstonians.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/re-energized-in-houston?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Graham Norton Explains ‘Nutscaping’ to Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller: WATCH

Have you heard of nutscaping?

This meme of sorts has garnered a bit of attention on the internet and Graham Norton decided to explain the phenomenon to his unsuspecting guests Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, both of whom had had never heard of it before. Explained Norton, “What you do is, you’re out and about, you see a wonder of nature, beautiful scenery, a landscape as ’twere, and then you nutscape it…you drop your testicles into the picture.”

But as Norton points out, a picture paints a thousand words so why not examine the evidence? He then showed Cooper and Miller several nutscapes which elicited some LOL-worthy commentary from Miller such as “That’s not a nut that’s an eclipse” and “He’s got to get that checked.”

Watch as Norton, Cooper and Miller explore this latest gift from the internet, below:

The post Graham Norton Explains ‘Nutscaping’ to Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Sean Mandell

Graham Norton Explains ‘Nutscaping’ to Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller: WATCH

The Gay Billionaire Backing Marco Rubio For President

The gay man who records show gave more money to Republican political candidates and causes than anyone else in America has reportedly thrown his support to the campaign of Marco Rubio.

Paul Singer is a billionaire hedge fund manager and major Republican donor from New York who has donated more than $10 million to marriage equality work over the past decade. His son and son-in-law married in Massachusetts in 2009.

The New York Times, which reported Friday it obtained a copy of a letter sent by Paul Singer to fellow campaign donors, called his decision to support the U.S. Senator from Florida one “that could swing millions of dollars in contributions behind Mr. Rubio at a critical point in the Republican nominating battle.”

The big loser, reported The Times, is former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who himself admitted to another lackluster performance in last week’s GOP debate. 

Singer’s letter calls Rubio the only Republican in the running who can “navigate this complex primary process, and still be in a position to defeat” Hillary Rodham Clinton in a head to head battle next year. 

The Times reported that in his letter, Singer praised Rubio’s optimism, his experience as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his persuasive campaign style. 

“He is accustomed to thinking about American foreign policy as a responsible policy maker,” the letter from Singer stated. “He is ready to be an informed and assertive decision-maker.”

A spokesman for Rubio told The Times the candidate welcomed the endorsement: “We know we have a lot of work to do before Marco wins the nomination, but clearly this moves us in the right direction.”

Dawn Ennis

www.advocate.com/election/2015/11/01/gay-billionaire-backing-marco-rubio-president