Governor Tweets That Discrimination Is A ‘Texas Value’
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is parroting the anti-transgender myth that nondiscrimination protections will somehow enable sexual assault.
The post Governor Tweets That Discrimination Is A ‘Texas Value’ appeared first on ThinkProgress.
Zack Ford
thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/11/02/3718397/governor-tweets-that-discrimination-is-a-texas-value/
Why HERO Is Important for ALL LGBTQ People (VIDEO)
By Raymond Braun and Aaron Rhodes.
Have you heard of HERO, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance? If you’re part of the LGBTQ community — or anyone who believes that everyone deserves equal rights — then you should know what’s at stake in Texas this week.
Last year, the Houston City Council passed HERO as a means to level the playing field by protecting Houstonians from discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces like restaurants. It’s surprising to think that before this ordinance was passed, Houstonians had no local tool to address discrimination against people who are LGBTQ — but it’s true.
A few weeks ago, we flew to Houston, Texas to vlog all about the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance and why it’s so critically needed to ensure that a broad range of hardworking Houstonians — regardless of sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity and pregnancy — have the opportunity to earn a living, take care of their families, find housing and be served by businesses and government, without fear of discrimination. We traveled around Houston talking to volunteers and voters — and had some fun checking out local highlights in the process.
One of the things we love most about social media is the platform it offers to share ideas, build community and connect with others around the world. Through our YouTube channels, we strive to raise awareness about important issues and historic milestones, from the United States Supreme Court decision on marriage equality to the Ireland marriage referendum vote.
Neither of us are from Texas, so why is this issue so important to us? We believe that everyone has the right to reach their highest potential and live their lives free of discrimination. As members of the LGBTQ community, we want to support those in our community who do not have equal rights, whether in Houston or around the world. Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States (soon to become the third, by many accounts) and is considered a bellwether city for politics across the United States. Houston has an historic opportunity to set an example as a world class, cosmopolitan hub that celebrates diversity and supports all of its residents. If HERO passes, it sets yet another example that our country is continuing its momentous evolution towards equality for all. If it doesn’t pass, it could embolden people who are trying to roll back LGBTQ equality around the country. Even worse, it sends a message to every LGBTQ kid in Houston that they are still second-class citizens and not regarded as equal under the law. We can’t stand for that.
When we were in Houston, we were moved by the diverse stories and perspectives we heard. One volunteer talked about how she got involved with the campaign because her dad was fired for being gay, and another couple talked about how they spent their anniversary phone banking because they want their young son to grow up in a city where all Houstonians are protected and valued.
The people we met in Houston inspired us to continue advocating and using our voices to raise awareness. They were resilient, open minded, kind, hard working, good people — and the thought that they might wake up on Wednesday in a city that doesn’t regard them as equal is troubling and simply unacceptable.
Check out our Houston vlog, share it with your friends; and if you’re in Houston, be a hero and vote for HERO!
For three years, Raymond Braun led LGBT marketing and partnerships for YouTube, a role that he originated and that landed him on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list, iMedia top 25 Marketing Leaders and Innovators and Men’s Health “Gay Celebrities Roundtable.” In September 2015, he left his role at YouTube to start his own company, RWB Media, focused on LGBT marketing and community engagement. Keep in touch with Raymond on social media: @raymondbraun.
Aaron Rhodes (of The Rhodes Bros) is a YouTuber, LGBT activist, model and actor in the hit TV series Scream Queens. He rose to fame when his YouTube video, Twins Come Out To Dad, went viral, receiving more than 20 million views, landing him and his brother Austin on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and becoming the most viewed coming out video on YouTube.
Also on HuffPost:
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Open Question: Is Disliking Bisexuality Wrong (LGBT)?
My favourite actor for years was Marlon Brando, his performance in The Godfather is my favourite ever.
But i found out he was bisexual, i dont know if he can still be my favourite, i mean the whole cast of The Godfather is straight.
Compare Brando to straight actors like Matt Damon, Daniel Craig, Arnold Schwarzenegger who all love women, Brando cant compete.
At university i study film studies, even the teacher thinks it is weird i like Brando.
Is it wrong of me to not consider him my favourite anymore for being bisexual
Massachusetts Governor Yet to Stand in Support of Transgender Equality Bill
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has yet to take a stand on HB 1577 and SB 735, two bills in the Massachusetts House and Senate that would protect transgender people from discrimination in public spaces.
HRC.org
Chick-Fil-A Isn’t Antigay Enough For These Crazed Conservatives
A group of irate Christian extremists have launched a Change.org petition demanding an explanation from Chick-fil-A as to why the fast food chain is sponsoring Level Ground (which they mistakenly refer to as “On Level Ground”), an organization that hosts a yearly LGBTQ Christian film festival.
Related: Kirk Cameron Spent The Day Working The Chick-Fil-A Drive-Thru Window
“Per our research and findings, Chick-fil-A is a sponsor of ‘On Level Ground’ (www.OnLevelGround.org) which is ‘a movement’ that ‘creates space for dialogue about faith, gender, and sexuality through the arts,’” the petition reads.
It then goes on to attack Level Ground’s other sponsors, who petitioners feel “promote an agenda which is contrary to Chick-fil-A’s corporate stance on Christian values regarding marriage and stewardship.”
“In light of these findings, we ask that Chick-fil-A issues an official response regarding this sponsorship,” the petition demands.
Related: Jesus Has An Official Chicken… And It’s Chick-Fil-A (Naturally!), Fox News Host Claims
The petition has roughly 650 signatures and counting, with more than 100 new ones collected over the weekend, which is a little odd seeing as how Chick-fil-A issued its response three days ago.
In an email to the website Eater sent last Friday, the company explained that it’s not sponsoring any LGBTQ Christian film festivals. The sponsorship is from a single franchise owner in Nashville.
“The operators make decisions on local sponsorships,” Chick-fil-A told Eater.
Yet people continue signing the petition anyway. Go figure.
Related: Iowa’s Pride Picnic Is Being Catered By… Chick-Fil-A?
h/t: The New Civil Rights Movement
Graham Gremore
Sam Smith: ‘I’ve Never Had a Boyfriend’ – WATCH
Out gay British crooner Sam Smith opened up about his dating life in an interview while on the press tour for the new 007 film, Spectre.
You’ll recall Smith wrote the song “Writing’s On The Wall” for Spectre. Speaking with E! News, the 23 year-old revealed that he has never had a boyfriend:
“I’ve never had a boyfriend so I don’t really know any different, which I think is very lucky actually/ I’m still learning on what’s right and what’s normal in dates.”
“I think with anyone, you have to learn how to trust people and there’s different challenges and hurdles in my life now but I’m trying to remain as normal as I was before.”
Asked if he was ready for a relationship, Smith responded,
“Is anyone ready for a relationship? Who knows,” he shared. “I’ve been single for 23 years so I don’t know. It’s going to take something.”
Sam was previously linked romantically to Jonathan Zeizel, a dancer he met on the set of the music video for his song “Like I Can.” As far as we can tell, Smith never referred to Zeizel as his boyfriend, only as ‘someone he was seeing.’ Smith and Zeisel stopped seeing each other in January.
Watch below:
The post Sam Smith: ‘I’ve Never Had a Boyfriend’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Sean Mandell
Houston Ballot Measure At The Center Of Major LGBT Equality Fight
Houston has been thrust into the center of the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, with voters set to decide on a measure Tuesday that would provide anti-discrimination protections.
Prop. 1, known as Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance — or HERO, for short — is a broad civil rights measure that would protect people from discrimination on the basis of race, age, military status, disability and 11 other categories. (Religious organizations and institutions would be exempt from the requirements.) The protections for sexual orientation and gender identity have attracted the most attention and controversy.
Opponents of the measure are using the slogan “No men in women’s bathrooms.” They argue that men will take advantage of the transgender protections and invade “a safe space for women and girls,” in the words of one Houston-area pastor.
HOUSTON: Vote Texas values, not @HillaryClinton values. Vote NO on City of Houston Proposition 1. No men in women’s bathrooms.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 2, 2015
Conservative activists attempting to sink the ballot measure — dubbed the “bathroom ordinance” — have aggressively pushed this message. In August, they released a radio ad featuring an unidentified woman who said she was pregnant and worried about raising a child in the city.
“There are already federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination against pregnant women but this ordinance will allow men to freely go into women’s bathrooms, locker rooms and showers,” the woman in the ad said. “That is filthy, that is disgusting and that is unsafe.”
The most recent TV spot released by the anti-Prop. 1 coalition Campaign for Houston shows a man entering a bathroom stall with a young girl.
“Any man at any time could enter a woman’s bathroom simply by claiming to be a woman that day,” the narrator warns.
Houston Unites, the coalition advocating for Prop. 1, has called these claims “vulgar and grossly misleading.”
“Nothing in the equal rights ordinance changes the fact that it is — and always will be — illegal to enter a restroom to harm or harass other people,” the group said in response to the August radio ad. “And the ad leaves out the fact that the law protects tens of thousands of Houstonians from job discrimination based on their race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.”
Other Texas cities that have adopted LGBT protections have said they haven’t seen an increase in sexual assaults in women’s restrooms.
Prop. 1’s biggest backer is Houston Mayor Annise Parker (D), a lesbian who has been a vocal supporters LGBT rights and is in her final term in office. Parker has four adopted children — a son who is black and three daughters who are mixed race — and has noted that the ordinance would also affect them.
“It is personal, and it’s not only personal because of sexual orientation,” Parker told the Los Angeles Times.
The Houston city council narrowly approved the equal rights ordinance last year, but after a petition drive by anti-gay activists, the Texas Supreme Court ordered the city in July to either repeal it or put it on the November ballot.
The fight has attracted national attention, with Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both tweeting their support for the measure.
A society which proclaims human freedom as its goal, as we do, must work unceasingly to end discrimination against all people.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 29, 2015
No one should face discrimination for who they are or who they love—I support efforts for equality in Houston & beyond. #HERO #YesOnProp1 -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 29, 2015
A slew of celebrities, national companies and local businesses have also spoken out in favor of Prop. 1.
“Apple is proud to be a part of Houston with four stores that employ over 500 people,” the company said in a statement last week. “Our stores and our company are open to everyone, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they worship or who they love. Apple supports Proposition 1 as it sends a clear message that Houston is focused on a future of inclusion, diversity and continued prosperity.”
Many local businesses fear that the city could see a backlash if it rejects the measure, similar to what Indiana experienced when Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed an anti-gay “religious freedom” law. Pence eventually signed a revised version of the measure.
There is no federal law protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination, although a group of lawmakers introduced a bill in July that would provide comprehensive protections.
Early voting, which ended on Oct. 30, has been particularly strong in conservative and African-American areas, which political scientists note could be bad news for Prop. 1 supporters.
Also on HuffPost:
— 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.
Open Question: Why LGBT complain about discrimination so much ?
I wish they would just shut up. People don’t bully me usually because I keep my mouth shut and don’t bother anyone. LGBT are so desperate and determined to make everyone or most people to accept them in this generation it’s starting to get annoying. I prefer they just stay in the closet and shut up.
In the Final Hours to Get Out the Vote, Houston Clergy Gather in Support of Proposition 1
Today, faith leaders across denominations gathered outside of Grace Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, in demonstration of the broad religious support for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO).
HRC.org
Ever Wonder What It’s Like To Be Gay In A Black Church?
It’s a subject many still view as taboo: gay and lesbian members of the black church. In Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church, a new BET documentary, writer/producer Clay Cane visits Atlanta, Georgia to meet church members who have felt rejected by the church, such as Hannah, a 24-year-old living in a homeless shelter after being thrown out of her house for being a lesbian — and some who feel accepted, like Bishop Allen, who leads Visionary Church of Atlanta, an LGBT church.
The doc will premiere November 3. Watch the trailer below.
Jeremy Kinser
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