Salesforce Calls on Governor Deal to Keep Georgia Open for Business

As the discriminatory HB 757 heads to the Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s desk, Salesforce is joining corporate leaders across the country in speaking out against the deplorable anti-LGBT legislation. The company announced today that it would substantially decrease its investment in Georgia should the bill become law. Their statement, which was released earlier this afternoon, reads:

“The legislation creates an environment of discrimination and makes the state of Georgia seem unwelcoming to same-sex couples and the LGBTQ community. We were encouraged by Governor Deal’s recent comments that he would veto any bill that allows the perception of discrimination and we are now calling on him to stand by his comments and move quickly to veto HB 757. If HB 757 is not vetoed and instead becomes law, Salesforce will have to reduce investments in Georgia, including moving the Salesforce Connections conference to a state that provides a more welcoming environment for the LGBTQ community.”

As it stands, this bill could allow a business owner or employee to refuse service to LGBT people. It could also undermine local non-discrimination ordinances that protect LGBT people, permit hospitals to refuse to provide medically necessary care and allow a taxpayer-funded service provider to discriminate by denying a job because of the applicant’s religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Governor Deal made clear weeks ago that he wouldn’t sign legislation that allows discrimination–now is the time for him to show Georgia and the nation that he means it. Take action now to urge Georgia Governor Deal to veto this bill.

www.hrc.org/blog/salesforce-calls-on-governor-deal-to-keep-georgia-open-for-business?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Ambassador Samantha Power Addresses HRC Staff, Members and Supporters

Last weekend, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power delivered an impassioned keynote at HRC’s Spring Equality Convention. Ambassador Power is a strong advocate for equality and has often used her position to advance LGBT equality efforts.

The Ambassador’s remarks on Saturday provided the narrative of how LGBT rights have gained salience within the Obama Administration, beginning with President Obama’s Presidential Memorandum in 2011.

“(The memorandum) made the struggle to end discrimination against LGBTI persons a central part of our government’s efforts to promote human rights around the world,” she said. “From fighting the criminalization of LGBTI status; to directing significant resources to empowering LGBTI groups abroad; to responding swiftly and meaningfully when governments have repressed LGBTI rights.”

She also articulated the many challenges that continue to plague the LGBT community around the world. Over 70 countries still criminalize same-sex activity or relationships and Ambassador Power called on the U.S. government and civil society to continue to spread the powerful message that LGBT rights are human rights, both at home and abroad.

Ambassador Power also called on HRC and other leading LGBT organizations to continue to partner with advocates around the world and to listen to local advocates on the ground.

“It is so crucial that groups like HRC take the expertise you’ve built over decades to train advocates in other countries who are facing daunting obstacles,” she explained. “Hearing from them how we can most effectively empower them to lead their own efforts to equality, always guided by the simple principle that it should never be too much to ask for everybody’s basic human rights to be respected; and that no one should be subjected to violence or discrimination just because of who they are.”

Notable guests, such as U.S. Special Envoy for the Rights of LGBTI Persons Randy Berry and National Security Council’s Director for Multilateral Affairs and LGBT Rights Curtis Reid, were in the audience. Ambassador Power highlighted the work of these two leaders, noting that Berry has traveled to 42 countries since being appointed and that Reid oversees the LGBTI portfolio at the National Security Council.

HRC thanks Ambassador Power for her leadership and looks forward to working with her to help expand LGBT equality abroad.

www.hrc.org/blog/ambassador-samantha-power-addresses-hrc-staff-members-and-supporters?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Watch the trailer for the Nigerian LGBT-themed film 'Hell or High Water'

www.glaad.org/blog/watch-trailer-nigerian-lgbt-themed-film-hell-or-high-water

Georgia House passes 'license to discriminate' bill. Will Governor Deal veto?

www.glaad.org/blog/georgia-house-passes-license-discriminate-bill-will-governor-deal-veto

#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: March 17, 2016

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON GEORGIA GOV. DEAL TO VETO ATROCIOUS ANTI-LGBT LEGISLATION: All eyes are on Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to veto HB 757, an outrageous anti-LGBT bill now headed to his desk. Yesterday — despite weeks of overwhelming opposition from voters, major businesses across the state, and advocates — the Georgia House voted to add additional provisions to the already-terrible legislation that would put LGBT people at increased risk of discrimination. The new provisions could also undermine local non-discrimination ordinances that protect LGBT people, permit hospitals to refuse to provide medically necessary care and allow a taxpayer-funded service provider to discriminate by denying a job because of the applicant’s religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. To make matters worse, the bill adds a so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (RFRA) exemption that would open the floodgates for discrimination under the pretense of religion. Moreover HB 757 now has even broader discriminatory provisions that give explicit cover to taxpayer-funded religious organizations choosing to discriminate. More here: on-ajc.com/1RmtRQC

SOUND SCARY? IT IS: This new law would open the door to discrimination against a wide array of Georgians. Here are just a few examples of how: (1) Taxpayer-funded adoption and foster care agencies could refuse to place children in desperate need of loving and caring homes with LGBT couples. (2) Homeless shelters could turn away unwed couples and their families. (3) Food pantries could turn away people of other faiths or even engage in race discrimination. (4) Drug counseling centers could refuse to hire a qualified LGBT therapist. In reality, no religious organization or clergy is required to sanction or perform same-sex marriage under any federal or state law.

AS DEAL DECIDES, MASSIVE CORPORATE OPPOSITION CONTINUES TO GROW: As the legislature has considered this horrific law, countless companies in Georgia and across the country have spoken out against the bill. Late last night, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce weighed in, urging Gov. Deal to veto HB 757. “This legislation is in conflict with the values of diversity and inclusion that Georgians hold dear and could erode Georgia’s hard-earned status as the No. 1 state for business,” the Chamber said. HRC and Georgia Unites delivered more than 75,000 email petitions to Georgia Governor Nathan Deal earlier this month. The petitions urge Governor Deal to veto HB 757 should it reach his desk. And in recent weeks companies like Coca-Cola, Dell, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Microsoft and Salesforce have all spoken out against the bill. While Governor deal has until early May to take action on the bill, as HRC President Chad Griffin made clear, “Anything other than a swift veto is only courting an Indiana-style backlash.” More here: abcn.ws/1R0bq25 and bit.ly/1RQB45H

TURING CEO RON TILLES ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY DEFENDING RECKLESS DARAPRIM PRICE HIKE: This morning, Ron Tilles, CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals — the drug company that has become synonymous with corporate greed — will testify before the Senate Aging Committee and attempt to defend Turing’s outrageous price hike on a lifesaving treatment for people with compromised immune systems. The last time we saw officials from Turing–including the odious, smirking Martin Shkreli–they were in front of the House Oversight Committee defending their 5,000 percent price hike of the live-saving drug Daraprim. Turing allegedly bought up the available supply of Daraprim in order to prevent a generic version from being made — and documents subpoenaed by Congress show that the company celebrated the profit they would make on monopolizing this crucial drug. It’s been 6 months since former CEO Martin Shkreli promised to lower the price–and we’ve seen ZERO action for current executives to return the price of the drug to it’s original price. HRC is live-tweeting today’s hearing. Take action and follow the conversation at #PeopleNotProfits.

ANTI-LGBT EXTREMIST TONY PERKINS CHOSEN AS DELEGATE FOR GOP CONVENTION: According to LGBTQ Nation, anti-LGBT extremist Tony Perkins has been selected as a delegate for the GOP convention to represent that state of Louisiana. “We may not know who will be representing the GOP at the Republican National Convention, but I know one person who will be representing Louisiana — me!,” Perkins, who is President of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council (FRC), shared in a press release. “I’ve been elected by the delegation to serve on the Republican Platform Committee, which is where some of the most significant debates over the party’s core values occur.” Perkins clearly has the ear of party leaders. Just this week, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) hosted Perkins on Capitol Hill for a briefing to promote the so-called First Amendment Defense Act — legislation that, under the guise of religious liberty, would allow nonprofit organizations and businesses contracting with the federal government to circumvent critical federal protections designed to protect same-sex couples and their families from harmful discrimination. As President of the FRC, Perkins has a history of discriminating against LGBT people. He authored the marriage section of the GOP’s 2012 party platform; claimed the LGBT community will cause a holocaust against Christians, has dramatically proclaimed that marriage equality will soon lead to a “revolution” that will “explode and just break this nation apart.” The FRC is deemed as an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and has spent years spewing anti-LGBT rhetoric and hate.

STATE SNAPSHOT

KANSAS HOUSE SENDS LEGISLATIVE ATTACK ON LGBTQ COLLEGE STUDENTS TO GOVERNOR’S DESK: Yesterday, the Kansas House of Representatives passed SB 175 — a bill that would put LGBT college students at even greater risk of discrimination on campuses across the state. The atrocious legislation — which now heads to anti-LGBT Sam Brownback’s desk–would force public universities to fund student organizations that discriminate by restricting their membership and denying LGBTQ students from participating under the guise of “religious beliefs.” If Gov. Brownback, who made headlines last year for his anti-LGBT executive order, signs the legislation, it would be the first stand-alone anti-LGBT bill signed into law in 2016. The bill jeopardizes non-discrimination policies that have already been put into place by many of Kansas’ educational institutions, including the Kansas Board of Regents and the University of Kansas. These policies require that student organizations which receive financial and other support from the school do not discriminate against students based on race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. SB 175 blows a hole right through them — and allows discrimination against any of these groups if one cites a “religious belief” as a justification. These policies are incredibly important because they allow all members of the student body to participate in student groups and prevent such groups from discriminating against students with state funding. More here: bit.ly/1U9ogy3 and bit.ly/1TQTt8z

CHILD WELFARE ADVOCATES OPPOSE NEBRASKA ANTI-LGBT ADOPTION BILL: Leading national child welfare agencies have issued a letter opposing a bill in the Nebraska Unicam, LB 975, which would enshrine discrimination into Nebraska law by allowing taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to reject prospective parents based on “the child placing agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs.” LB 975 would mean that an agency could turn away a range of Nebraskans seeking to adopt a child — from LGBT couples to interfaith couples, single parents or a married couple where one prospective parent had been previously divorced. The agencies, the Donaldson Adoption Institute, Voice for Adoption, North American Council on Adoptable Children and National Center on Adoption and Permanency, note that more than two decades of research showing that children raised by lesbian and gay foster parents fare as well as those raised by heterosexual parents and that qualified and eager parents should not be excluded because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Read the full letter here: bit.ly/1poGDBy

CHARLOTTE BUSINESSES ON-TRACK TO FOLLOW NEW ORDINANCE: Ahead of April 1, when the non-discrimination ordinance goes into effect, the Charlotte City Council is working to educate business owners about the new rules and regulations they must follow to make Charlotte more welcoming to all visitors and residents. Approved last month, the ordinance extends non-discrimination protections to the LGBT community in public accommodations, vehicles for hire and government contracting. City attorney Bob Hagemann told the Charlotte Observer that his team is working hard to debunk the transgender bathroom myth by referring to guidance by the federal government, but no businesses have said that they are not able to comply with the new law. More here: bit.ly/1RP4QYK

NEW TRANS ADVISORY COUNCIL FORMED IN LOS ANGELES: Earlier this week, the City of Los Angeles announced the launch a Transgender Advisory Council that according to the mayor’s office, will “advise the mayor, City Council, city staff and other elected officials on economic development, public safety and awareness, accessibility and other issues that impact the trans community in LA” The Council has nine members from a variety of backgrounds who will gather once a month to host public meetings: bit.ly/1VcNo5M

AROUND THE WORLD

BOTSWANAN COURT ALLOWS LGB GROUP TO LOBBY ANTI-EQUALITY LEGISLATION: The highest court in Botswana took a small step toward equality yesterday, as they rejected an attempt by the government to ban a LGB lobbying group. Prior to being heard before this court, a lower court ruled that the group, called the Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana, should have been allowed to lobby for changes in legislation directly affecting the community. This is a huge victory for the group, as same-sex relationships are illegal in the African country. More here: bit.ly/1Lr9Fe1

BLOOD OF THE IRISH: The Health Ministry of Northern Ireland is considering removing the lifetime ban on blood donation from gay and bisexual men. Just as a refresher, Northern Ireland is its own country and is also a part of the United Kingdom. While pro-LGBT advocates and lawmakers are taking strides towards greater equality and fighting discrimination, the nation does not have marriage equality. Reconsidering the blood ban is an important first step for LGBT equality in the country. More here: bit.ly/1RoupiH 

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!!: What is going on with marriage equality in Australia? TL:DR: nothing much more to report. After a week of political infighting and back and forth between the Labor and Green parties, it appears like a vote deciding when a marriage equality plebiscite (Australian for referendum) might happen has been delayed. At the same time, support for marriage equality is officially over 70 percent of the population. Supporters of marriage equality (again, a HUGE portion of the country) are wondering why the government is even considering a plebiscite which would cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, when they could, you know, just do their jobs and pass legislation. More here: bit.ly/1UCt1yq and bit.ly/1U9ic8G

READING RAINBOW

The Verge breaks down a study showing that Americans support LGBT parents adopting… The Advocate asks LGBT leaders their opinion of Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland for the US Supreme Court… DNAinfo Chicago reports on a new LGBT-focused health clinic in Englewood… ThinkProgress chronicles the battle of one Tennessee School district to keep their SGA running in light of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric from local parents… PinkNews applauds a new drop-in center for anti-LGBT hate crime survivors in Wales… The New Civil Rights Movement profiles Alex Cooper, a survivor of the dangerous and debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy”…. Cosmopolitan introduces us to Jaylon, an adorable boy who is specifically seeking LGBT parents… Buzzfeed gives us an overview of the horrific anti-LGBT backlash facing Ambassador Wally Brewster… Los Angeles Times meets a trans man breaking down barriers in Uzbekistan… Iceland Monitor looks at one group’s effort to bring marriage equality to the country… and Washington Blade tallies up the wins and loses of Virginia’s legislative session.

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to A.M. Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tip-sheet-march-17-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Anti-LGBT Extremist Tony Perkins Chosen as Delegate for GOP Convention

Anti-LGBT extremist Tony Perkins was selected as a delegate for the GOP convention to represent that state of Louisiana, according to LGBTQ Nation.

“We may not know who will be representing the GOP at the Republican National Convention, but I know one person who will be representing Louisiana — me!,” Perkins, who is President of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council (FRC), shared in a press release. “I’ve been elected by the delegation to serve on the Republican Platform Committee, which is where some of the most significant debates over the party’s core values occur.” 

Perkins clearly has the ear of party leaders. Just this week, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) hosted Perkins on Capitol Hill for a briefing to promote the so-called First Amendment Defense Act. This legislation, under the guise of religious liberty, would allow nonprofit organizations and businesses contracting with the federal government to circumvent critical federal protections designed to protect same-sex couples and their families from harmful discrimination.

As President of the FRC, Perkins has a history of discriminating against LGBT people. Perkins authored the marriage section of the GOP’s 2012 party platform, claimed the LGBT community will cause a holocaust against Christians, has dramatically proclaimed that marriage equality will soon lead to a “revolution” that will “explode and just break this nation apart” and even supported Ugandan legislation that would subject some LGBT people to prison.

The FRC is deemed as an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and has spent years spewing anti-LGBT rhetoric and hate.

Perkins most recently made headlines after joining Ted Cruz’s “Religious Liberty Advisory Council.” 

This is the second time Perkins will serve as a delegate. The convention will take place in July in Cleveland, Ohio.

To learn more about the FRC, check out some of their most extreme anti-LGBT positions and actions here.

www.hrc.org/blog/anti-lgbt-extremist-tony-perkins-chosen-as-delegate-for-gop-convention?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

To Mark Bisexual Health Awareness Month, HRC Issues Coming Out Guide for Bisexual People

Today, to mark Bisexual Health Awareness Month, HRC Foundation, in partnership with BiNet USA, the Bisexual Organizing Project, and the Bisexual Resource Center, released a guide to help bisexual people of all ages who are contemplating the important step of coming out.

“A Resource Guide to Coming Out As Bisexual” features the inspirational words of bisexual people who have come out and found community and fulfillment, as well as advice about the risks and rewards of coming out, and strategies for navigating real life coming out situations – from telling family and friends, to assessing whether a workplace would be supportive and safe.

The guide also provides advice for healthcare and school settings, and for finding an affirming and empowering community. With straightforward guidance, it offers bisexual people tools to help them come out and live life openly when they are secure, able and ready.

“Coming out can be daunting, no matter how you identify, but it can also lead to a more whole and open life, to having more genuine relationships, and to creating a supportive path for future generations,” said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC Senior Vice President for Programs, Research and Training. “We hope this important resource demystifies the coming out process for bisexual people by providing real life advice for managing the challenges ahead, and can be a resource for allies supporting bisexual friends, family members and others in their community.”

Surveys have shown that bisexual people are the largest group within the LGBT community: half of people who identify as LGB identify as bisexual. Yet bisexuals are far less likely than their gay and lesbian peers to be out, citing stereotypes, skepticism and pressure to “choose” one sexual orientation as reasons for staying in the closet.

“Now that more youth than ever are coming out as bi+ — bisexual, pansexual, queer, and free identifiers –this guide is a crucial tool. It will help bi+ youth know they are seen, appreciated, and supported,” said Kate Estrop and Heather Benjamin, co-presidents of the Bisexual Resource Center’s board.

“This guide is important for our bisexual+ community. Historically, there has been little information or support available outside of our community for those who attracted to more than one gender. This guide will reach a larger audience through HRC’s platform, and help individuals accept themselves and live openly. It will also help educate the world on the diversity of the bi+ community and the issues we face,” said Lynnette McFadzen, Secretary, BiNet USA Board of Directors.

The Resource Guide for Coming Out As Bisexual is the latest in a series of HRC coming out guides. More resources for bisexual people, including HRC Foundation’s Supporting and Caring for Our Bisexual Youth report, and its report on Health Disparities Among Bisexual People, can be found here.

www.hrc.org/blog/to-mark-bisexual-health-awareness-month-hrc-issues-coming-out-guide-for-bis?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed