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Daily Archives: November 4, 2015
In Wake of HERO Defeat, Glee Among Opponents as Supporters Weigh Options
In Wake of HERO Defeat, Glee Among Opponents as Supporters Weigh Options
Although the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance lost at the ballot box Tuesday, the fight for equal rights in the city is far from over, according to supporters of the ordinance and Mayor Annise Parker, who is in her last days as Houston’s first openly gay leader (due to term limits).
“I guarantee that justice in Houston will prevail,” Parker said Tuesday night, CBS News reports. “This ordinance, you have not seen the last of. We’re united. We will prevail.”
Those who did win the battle, if not the war, were glib. Antigay Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was over the moon when he addressed the cheering opponents of HERO Tuesday night and specifically attacked Parker, according to Towleroad:
“I’m disappointed that the mayor could not be gracious tonight. I’m disappointed that in her waning hours of being in office she still divisive. But mayor, you are wrong. And the people of Texas spoke up in Houston and made it very clear that this is not the kind of city that they want to live in. And I hope those in public office in other party as we move forward understand that when it comes to common sense and common decency and what is right in our church and our families that we will not accept anyone telling us that wrong is right.”
Patrick was one of the leaders in the charge against HERO, posting an anti-trans video on Facebook and spreading lies about transgender women and what HERO would do: “It’s about letting men in women’s locker rooms and bathrooms,” he said.
“I’m so proud of the voters of this city who turned out in record numbers, two out of three,” Patrick said Tuesday night, “telling those who supported this, including Hillary Clinton, that you’re out of touch with America, you’re out of touch with you’re own party, you’re out of touch with common sense, you’re out of touch with common decency, and I’m glad Houston led tonight to end this constant political correctness attack on what we know in our heart and our gut as Americans is not right.”
Reaction from pro-LGBT advocacy groups was swift.
“This loss is a wake-up call that despite remarkable progress for LGBT equality, we must never become complacent in the face of injustice,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO and president of GLAAD. “The vote in Houston shows that LGBT Americans still have a long way to go to secure basic protections and enjoy the same acceptance that others take for granted. The ugly fearmongering that led to this result does not represent the values of most Americans who believe firmly in fairness.”
A joint statement was issued by the coalition partners that make up Houston Unites, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Equality Texas, NAACP Houston Branch, Texas Freedom Network, Freedom for All Americans, and the Human Rights Campaign:
“We are disappointed with today’s outcome, but our work to secure nondiscrimination protections for all hard-working Houstonians will continue. No one should have to live with the specter of discrimination hanging over them. Everyone should have the freedom to work hard, earn a decent living and provide for themselves and their families. Although Houston won’t yet join the 200 other cities that have similar nondiscrimination measures, the fight continues. We will continue telling the stories of Houstonians whose lives would be better off because of HERO — including people of color, people of faith, veterans who have served our country, women, and gay and transgender people. We’ve learned some important lessons, as well. We have to continue sharing our stories so that more Houstonians know what HERO is really about and aren’t susceptible to the ugliest of smear campaigns run by the opposition. And we must remember that all of us are stronger when we stand together, speaking up with one voice for protections like those in HERO, rather than allowing those who oppose fairness and equality to divide us.”
HRC president Chad Griffin went one step further, writing to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, requesting an emergency meeting in the wake of HERO’s defeat. The two most important words in that letter: Super Bowl.
“With Houston slated to host Super Bowl LI in 2017, we are writing to request an emergency meeting about the urgent need for a nondiscrimination ordinance in this city that will ensure the thousands of employees, contractors and attendees at this event will be fully protected under the law. The Super Bowl will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Houston, and attract attention from across the nation and around the world. Commissioner Goodell, you have emphasized the NFL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, respect and fairness. Out of that commitment we hope you will work with us to find a path forward in Houston. Finding a path to nondiscrimination protections that ensure all Houstonians are treated equally and fairly remains our crucial and urgent mission. … If the Super Bowl is to remain in Houston, these protections need to be in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all those participating.”
There’s already a petition to move the event unless Houston reinstates HERO, USA Today reports. Ben Douthett started the petition on Change.org, and it reads in part, “By pulling the game from Houston, the NFL can demonstrate its commitment to equality, freedom and justice in a truly meaningful way.
“It should be noted that this move would by no means be without precedent. In 1991, the NFL revoked the 1991 Super Bowl from Tempe, Arizona after that state’s voters rejected a proposal recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”
At press time, the petition had more than 1,100 signatures.
In the run-up to Tuesday’s vote, The Washington Post reported Houston business leaders warned that as a consequence of HERO’s defeat, the city should expect conventions and other big businesses to boycott, things that would affect the city in a concrete way. Mayor Parker hinted at the threat of that kind of economic impact Tuesday night.
“I fear that this will have stained Houston’s reputation as a tolerant, welcoming, global city,” said Parker Tuesday night. “I absolutely fear that there will be a direct economic backlash as a result of this ordinance going into defeat and that’s sad for Houston.”
Houston attorney and HERO supporter John LaRue told ABC News he’s heard the “rumblings of boycotts” and that although supporters were “in shell shock,” they are preparing for more concrete next steps.
“We’re planning to create a voluntary system and group made of people who, while not obligated by City Hall, will still choose to enforce HERO’s protections in their businesses.”
Watch Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s speech to opponents of HERO, below.
Dawn Ennis
www.advocate.com/election/2015/11/04/wake-hero-defeat-glee-among-opponents-supporters-weigh-options
24 Hours After Legalizing Discrimination, Houston Is Already Feeling The Backlash
24 Hours After Legalizing Discrimination, Houston Is Already Feeling The Backlash
Houston, we definitely have a problem.
Less than 24 hours after the citizens of Houston voted to legalize discrimination by doing away with the city’s non-discrimination ordinance, H-Town is already facing backlash.
First, OutSports reports that the College Football Championships of 2018, 2019 and 2020, all of which Houston had been bidding for, were just awarded to Atlanta, San Francisco and New Orleans — three cities that offer non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people.
Whether or not the decision to exclude Houston was a result of yesterday’s vote is not entirely clear, as the College Football Championships didn’t directly comment on the matter, but many have noted that the timing of the announcement as being “interesting.”
Second, there are “rumblings” that the 2017 SuperBowl, which is scheduled to happen in Houston, may be being moved to a different city.
“The Super Bowl is slated to come in 2017,” Houston attorney John LaRue, who helped lead the campaign to support HERO, told ABC News. “There are rumblings of plans to ask the NFL to move and go elsewhere in support of LGBT people and other groups [the non-discrimination law] would have protected.”
Sadly, Houston’s openly gay mayor, Annise Parker, doesn’t seem the least bit surprised by any of this. After the election results were announced last night, she told the media: “I fear that this will have stained Houston’s reputation as a tolerant, welcoming, global city. I absolutely fear that there will be a direct economic backlash as a result of this ordinance going into defeat and that’s sad for Houston.”
Looks like those fears will be coming true.
Related: Trans Women Using Women’s Bathrooms Is “Filthy,” “Disgusting” Say Texas Republicans
Graham Gremore
Michael Rizzi Has a Problem. He’s Addicted to Saying ‘Yaaass’ – WATCH
Michael Rizzi Has a Problem. He’s Addicted to Saying ‘Yaaass’ – WATCH
You all know someone with a problem, but could you be the one with the problem?
Michael Rizzi comes clean about his strange addiction. He can’t stop saying ‘yaaass’. And it keeps his boyfriend up all night.
“I ‘yaaass’ all day every day whether I am cooking, brushing my teeth, even when I’m in the shower. According to my boyfriend I even ‘yaaass’ when I’m sleeping.”
The post Michael Rizzi Has a Problem. He’s Addicted to Saying ‘Yaaass’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Andy Towle
Michael Rizzi Has a Problem. He’s Addicted to Saying ‘Yaaass’ – WATCH
Cartoon Lovers
WATCH: Rick Santorum Says Support for Trans Youth Encourages 'Gender Confusion'
WATCH: Rick Santorum Says Support for Trans Youth Encourages 'Gender Confusion'
Support for transgender youth, in Rick Santorum’s mind, introduces dangerous “gender confusion” to children and even encourages it, the Republican presidential hopeful told a conservative talk show host Tuesday.
On The Steve Malzberg Show, which runs on right-wing outlet Newsmax TV, the host mentioned the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (which residents voted Tuesday to repeal after opponents ran a campaign casting transgender people as predators) and a Department of Education ruling that a suburban Chicago school district had discriminated against a transgender high-school girl by denying her access to facilities designated for females. “Is this totally out of hand?” Malzberg asked Santorum, after referring to the Illinois youth as “a boy” and trans people as “transgenders.”
“I don’t know why children at that age — why this is even an issue, the idea that we are introducing this type of real dangerous confusion for young people at this early age,” Santorum replied. “Do we really care about what we’re doing to millions of children who don’t have gender confusion and basically introducing the subject and saying, ‘Maybe you should, maybe this is something you should start thinking about at age 7.’ I mean, this is really dangerous, and it’s going too far because it is having an impact on not just folks who may be in a difficult situation at an early age but many who would never have been in that situation but now are being confronted with it.”
Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, is a longtime opponent of LGBT equality, but some on the right apparent consider him insufficiently anti-trans, as he had to backpedal earlier this year after expressing support for Caitlyn Jenner. “If he says he’s a woman, then he’s a woman,” Santorum said at a conservative conference in Iowa in May, shortly after Jenner came out as a transgender woman (but was still going by Bruce and using male pronouns). “My responsibility as a human being is to love and accept everybody. Not to criticize people for who they are.”
About a week later, on a New Hampshire radio show, Santorum “clarified” his comments. “If Bruce Jenner says he’s a woman, then I’m not going to argue with him,” the candidate said. “I know what obviously and biologically he is. That doesn’t change by himself identifying himself. His genetics and DNA isn’t changing, but out of respect, as you said, I’m not going to argue if Bruce Jenner’s a woman with Bruce Jenner. I’m going to treat him with dignity and respect, and that’s what I said.”
Watch a clip from The Steve Malzberg Show below, courtesy of Right Wing Watch.
Trudy Ring
Documentary Explores The Reality Of Being Black And Gay In The Church
Documentary Explores The Reality Of Being Black And Gay In The Church
This week, BET premiered a documentary that shows the experiences of being queer and black in the church and explores LGBTQ individuals of faith navigating religious communities that provide support and belonging for one identity, but may reject the other.
The film, titled “Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church,” looks at the intersection of black and queer identities that has grown more visible in the last year as black LGBTQ individuals and their narratives have entered the mainstream, from reality TV to scripted dramas and magazine covers.
Clay Cane, the creator and producer of the film, told The Huffington Post about his inspiration for the documentary. “With ‘Holler: Being Black and Gay in the Church’ my intent was to put the narrative in the hands of black LGBT folk in the church, and to hear their stories,” he said.
Cane, a first-time filmmaker, has addressed the issue of LGBTQ identity within the black church community as a journalist for The Advocate, Gawker, and other media outlets.
According to Cane, the documentary gives a voice to marginalized queer communities and exposes the effect of what he calls “spiritual violence,” or using a religion as a method to control or oppress someone.
“My other purpose in doing this [documentary] is that I wanted to point out that theological violence and spiritual violence are just as damaging as emotional abuse and as physical abuse.”
Cane said that the sensitive nature of the film made it challenging to find participants to share their experiences. Most of the subjects he met in a youth homeless shelter, many of whom were kicked out of their homes because of their families’ religious beliefs.
“I think when you watch this doc you realize there’s more to be done, but they’re not these LGBT tragedies,” he said. “You’ll see that these are survivors, and they’re resilient and most of them have not lost their faith.”
For Cane, the history of the black church and its significance in communities of color complicates the relationship to the institution or black queer communities, particularly in terms of cultural belonging.
“I think for a lot of black gay men or those who identify as gay that for most of us you have some connection to the church in some way,” Cane said. “The black church, for a lot of African-Americans, it’s our roots.”
According to Cane cultural definitions of black masculinity are influenced by racism, which creates a culturally specific form of homophobia.“The intersection of the church and of black masculinity and of racism creates a pot of complicated reasons why there’s this misperception of black folks being more homophobic,” he said.
Cane is adamant that homophobia isn’t exclusive to the black community either. “Homophobia is not black thing or a black church thing,” Cane said. “It’s a worldwide epidemic, but I wanted to the experience of black LGBT folks in the church.”
For Cane the documentary is less about pointing out the divide between the LGBTQ community and the black church, instead it focuses on the connection. And though the film does not offer a magic wand solution, Cane believes it will further the conversation by challenging people to question their beliefs.
“I’m not asking for perfection; I’m asking for progress,” Cane said. “The more we keep going forward I think we’ll see that.”
Also On HuffPost:
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Open Question: Why are Jehovah Witnesses so Homophobic? LGBT people deserve the love of god just as much as anyone else?
Open Question: Why are Jehovah Witnesses so Homophobic? LGBT people deserve the love of god just as much as anyone else?
Michael Has A Problem. He Is Addicted To YAAAAAASS. This Is His Story.
Michael Has A Problem. He Is Addicted To YAAAAAASS. This Is His Story.
It starts innocently enough.
Sharp new fade? Yaas.
That amazing Halloween look last weekend? Yaass!
An upcoming vacation to Mexico? YAASS Mama!!
But yaass has a dark, ugly side (besides just being annoying when used to react to any and all life situations). And nobody’s talking about it.
Here, YouTuber Michael Rizzi bravely shares his struggle:
Dan Tracer
News: Gus Kenworthy, Russia, Ben Carson, Equality Act, Mormons, Spencer Stone
News: Gus Kenworthy, Russia, Ben Carson, Equality Act, Mormons, Spencer Stone
> When Gus met Elton: “Hanging out with the rocket man himself!”
> New U.S. and U.K. intelligence suggests the Russian plane that crashed in the Sinai peninsula was brought down by an ISIS bomb: “British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said his government believes there is a “significant possibility” that an explosive device caused the crash. And a Middle East source briefed on intelligence matters also said it appears likely someone placed a bomb aboard the aircraft…’There is a definite feeling it was an explosive device planted in luggage or somewhere on the plane,’ the official said, stressing that no formal conclusion had been reached by the U.S. intelligence community.”
> Trevor Noah undergoes emergency appendectomy.
> Ohio voters reject initiative that would have legalized recreational marijuana (and made former Boy Band-er Nick Lachey a marijuana kingpin).
> Do you want to be an astronaut? NASA is hiring.
> The opposite of Movember: Daniel Radcliffe buzzes off all his hair.
> First look at Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them starring Eddie Redmayne.
> Luke Evans takes over Jared Leto’s role in adaptation of thriller novel The Girl on the Train.
> Ben Carson thinks that the Pyramids were built by Joseph to store grain.
> Philadelphia makes Office of LGBT Affairs a permanent institution: “The office is responsiblefor working on policies that aid the LGBT community and promote equality and diversity.”
> Manclaim this mancape for yourself.
> Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius pens op-ed arguing the Equality Act will need support from big business to pass: “We can’t do this without the support of the business community, which was vital throughout the marriage equality fight and will be no less necessary going forward. I therefore call on American businesses to support the passage of the Equality Act in the United States Congress. Introduced in the House in July and currently in committee, the act would update federal civil rights legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity as legally protected statuses. More than 60% of Americans don’t realize that these protections don’t already exist, and it’s past time they did.”
> New Pew poll shows that 36% of Mormons say society should be accepting of homosexuality compared to 24% in 2007.
> Police make arrest in stabbing of French train hero Spencer Stone. Stone was attacked last month after leaving a gay nightclub in Sacramento: “James Tran, 28, was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing Spencer Stone, 23, during a fight downtown early Oct. 8, police said. The fight broke out after member of Tran’s group used a cell phone to take video of women in Stone’s group, a police official told NBC News.”
> Keystone Pipeline review will not be paused; President Obama said to likely reject.
> Five hour standoff with gunman in San Diego ends peacefully with no fatalities.
> Fox News doesn’t get why you’re excited about the Star Wars movie.
> U.S. Senate panel probing Turing Pharmaceuticals and its CEO Martin Shrekli over price gouging.
> Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is sworn in, announces gender-equal cabinet “because it’s 2015.”
The post News: Gus Kenworthy, Russia, Ben Carson, Equality Act, Mormons, Spencer Stone appeared first on Towleroad.
Sean Mandell
News: Gus Kenworthy, Russia, Ben Carson, Equality Act, Mormons, Spencer Stone
