Kansas Bill Would Pay Students A $2,500 Bounty To Hunt For Trans People In Bathrooms

Kansas is now on deck to be the first state to pass a sweeping anti-transgender bill.

The post Kansas Bill Would Pay Students A $2,500 Bounty To Hunt For Trans People In Bathrooms appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/03/22/3762490/kansas-transgender-ransom-bathrooms/

Join “I am Jazz” Reading to Show Support for Transgender Youth

HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program is joining with the National Education Association (NEA) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) to hold community readings of I Am Jazz across the country on April 28, 2016.

Last year, legal threats from an anti-LGBTQ hate group forced a school in Mount Horeb, WI, to cancel plans to support a transgender student by reading I Am Jazz,  a children’s book about transgender youth co-written by Jazz Jennings, an HRC Youth Ambassador and Jessica Herthel. Following the cancellation, the local community rallied, holding a reading at the local library that drew a crowd of more than 600 attendees––mostly parents with their children––all to show their support for one transgender student.

“A courageous group of parents and teachers stood up for love and have inspired a new wave of organizing,” explained Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC’s Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. “In January, parents, teachers and other allies held readings in dozens of schools, libraries and churches around the country –– from California to Texas to Missouri to Washington, D.C. We’ve had interest from all over and so we are mobilizing in even more communities for readings of I Am Jazz to show solidarity with transgender youth wherever they may be.”

HRC announced the program earlier this year at Time to THRIVE. 

“Over the last several years NCAC has seen a rise in complaints against and challenges to LGBT books, theatre and art across the country in a quest to censor and silence LGBT voices and stories in schools and libraries,” said Sarah Hoffman, Youth Free Expression Program Manager National Coalition Against Censorship. “And yet we are heartened that for every one of those challenges there are more and more people standing up for their right to speak and read freely. We are proud to be part of the nationwide day of reading of I Am Jazz and work with our partners to encourage the freedom to read.”

HRC, the NEA and the NCAC urge all communities and allies all across the nation to sign up for the national day of action. These readings – in schools, libraries, bookstores, even your own home – will help increase understanding and build more inclusive environments for young people who need to know they are welcomed and loved. 

“The National Education Association is excited to be a partner in the I am Jazz community readings,” said NEA Director for Human and Civil Rights Rocio Inclan. “These community gatherings will provide a forum for understanding the challenges transgender students face, and give them the support they need. Our schools must be a place where all students are valued and affirmed for who they are. I encourage educators across the country to get involved with this timely and vitally important effort.”

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, school counselor, advocate, librarian, administrator or community member, we hope you’ll join us in showing your support for transgender youth and educating your community. Sign-up to organize your own reading and download an organizing kit at www.hrc.org/IAmJazz. 

“Transgender children and youth are being targeted by anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and hate groups,” Maxwell continued. “Now, more than ever, they need to hear from adults who support and affirm them and help others understand who they are. And that can be as simple as sitting down for story time and opening a children’s book.”

For more information on how you can host your own reading and to download our discussion guide, visit www.hrc.org/IAmJazz.

For more information on supporting transgender children and youth, visit www.hrc.org/trans-youth.

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#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: March 22, 2016

MPAA ‘CONFIDENT’ THAT HB 757 WILL NOT BECOME LAW IN GEORGIA: Yesterday, an official of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Vans Stevenson, said that the group was “confident” that Georgia’s new Indiana-style “license to discriminate” bill, HB 757, would not become law. The news comes after Saturday’s HRC Gala in Los Angeles where HRC President Chad Griffin called on leaders in Hollywood to stop productions in Georgia if Governor Nathan Deal doesn’t veto the bill. According to the state of Georgia, which offers major tax incentives for entertainment companies to film in the state, at least 248 film and television productions were shot in Georgia during the state’s 2015 fiscal year. This resulted in at least $1.7 billion in direct spending as well as more than 100 new businesses relocating to or expanding in Georgia to support these activities. Weeks ago, Governor Deal said he would reject any legislation that would allow for discrimination in the state. He has until May 3 to decide whether to veto this bill, sign it, or to allow it to become law without his signature. The MPAA is the latest in a long list of organizations putting pressure on the Governor to do the right thing. Just last week, Apple, the Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks released statements condemning HB 757 and in their statement, the NFL raised concerns about Georgia jeopardizing the state’s ability to host a Super Bowl if the law is enacted. More here: bit.ly/1pZACfg

THE ROLE OF BUSINESSES IN THE FIGHT TO BEAT BACK HB 757: The New York Times takes an in-depth look into the business community’s mounting opposition to Georgia’s atrocious legislation. So far, almost 500 companies, including Salesforce, Twitter, AT&T, Delta and UPS have joined Georgia Prospers, a coalition committed to ensuring that Georgia remains open to all, and dozens of others have specifically denounced the legislation. If signed, HB 757 would undermine 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. In reality, no religious organization or clergy is required to sanction or perform any same-sex marriage under any federal or state law. With Governor Deal likely feeling the pressure to veto, opponents of equality such as the bill’s sponsor State Senator Josh McKoon are already warning that the battle will be far from over if it’s defeated in April. McKoon says, “If the governor did make the decision to veto the bill, that most definitely does not end the debate. The faith community is not just going to say, ‘Oh well. He vetoed the bill. Let’s pack up and go home.’ It becomes more intense in 2017.” Read the full piece here: nyti.ms/22C9CQY

NEW VIDEO SERIES FOR TRANS EMPOWERMENT: The first video in a new series from TransTech Social Enterprises, “Let’s Talk About The T,” premiered online yesterday. The series, which is sponsored by HRC’s Foundation, features a diverse cast of transgender people talking about their experiences and some of the challenges they face. “We are shifting power back into the hands of trans people,” said TransTech Founder and CEO Angelica Ross. “Instead of others speaking for us, we are speaking for ourselves.’Let’s Talk About The T!’ is a project about trans people that was created, filmed and produced by trans people and it shows how to create more authentic representation by empowering trans people to tell their own stories.” The first video in the series talks about personal safety and new videos will premiere weekly for the next three weeks on other topics. Watch here: transtechsocial.org/talk

STATE SNAPSHOT

ON WEDNESDAY, NORTH CAROLINA TO HOLD HOLD IRRESPONSIBLE SPECIAL SESSION TO REPEAL CHARLOTTE’S LGBT PROTECTIONS: Republican leaders in the North Carolina Legislature are taking the outrageous step of calling a special session–which would cost a whopping $42,000 a day–for tomorrow to undermine Charlotte’s recently passed non-discrimination ordinance. HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse responded to the shameful news saying, “The people of Charlotte elected a pro-equality mayor and a pro-equality majority to the City Council. Those leaders decided that it was in the best interest of Charlotte to provide local protections for the residents and visitors in their community. This attempt to strip away local control from Charlotte is a slap in the face to the people of Charlotte and the democratic process. We urge all fair-minded North Carolinians to let their elected officials know that they should stay out of Charlotte’s business and focus on the real issues that voters all across the state actually care about.” Last month, by a 7-4 vote, and with the strong support of newly elected Mayor Jennifer Roberts, the Charlotte City Council advanced city-wide non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations. Since the ordinance passed, dozens of North Carolina lawmakers have spoken out against the measure making baseless claims about the transgender community, referring to the ordinance as a “public safety” and “privacy” issue. The ordinance is set to go into effect on April 1. More here: bit.ly/25ijSA7

LEGISLATIVE ASSAULT ON TRANSGENDER STUDENTS CONTINUES IN TENNESSEE TODAY: Today, the Tennessee House will be hearing HB 2414 – an outrageous bill targeting transgender students in public elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as those in public universities. The measure seeks to force transgender students to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity. Fair-minded Tennesseans; major national child welfare, medical, and education groups; the Tennessee Equality Project; and HRC have been pleading with lawmakers to abandon the discriminatory measure. The proposal is very similar to an appalling bill vetoed recently by Republican South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has expressed concern that the discriminatory, unconstitutional measure would compromise the state’s billions of dollars in federal funding for its schools and universities. His spokesperson also said the governor “trusts our teachers and local school boards to make necessary accommodations” for transgender students. HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow responded to the vote saying, “Governor Haslam is exactly right: this vicious legislation would needlessly jeopardize billions in federal funding for Tennessee’s schools and universities, and would strip away the ability of local administrators and teachers to do the right thing for students in their communities. There are more than 10,000 transgender students in Tennessee–and they shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences of a discriminatory law that will lead to even higher rates of harassment, bullying, and even suicide.”

AROUND THE WORLD

WORLD PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION TO CONDEMN “CONVERSION THERAPY”: BuzzFeed has reported that the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) is poised to release a statement denouncing the harmful and discredited practice of “conversion therapy.” With over 200,000 members in over 118 countries, the WPA is the largest international association of psychiatrists. The statement, obtained by BuzzFeed, reads in part, “There is no sound scientific evidence that innate sexual orientation can be changed….Furthermore, so-called treatments of homosexuality can create a setting in which prejudice and discrimination flourish, and they can be potentially harmful. The provision of any intervention purporting to ‘treat’ something that is not a disorder is wholly unethical.”WPA says that fighting the stigma and discrimination against LGBT people is part of its mission, and remains committed to advocating for equal rights. More here: bzfd.it/1RhES0h

MEANWHILE… HALF OF EUROPE’S DOCTORS THINK BEING LGBT IS A DISEASE?: That’s according to a new study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Through interviews with medical and healthcare providers in 19 member states, including nations such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, the FRA found that half of doctors still consider being LGBT to be a disease. Additionally, being gay was disturbingly referred to as something that you “catch” or as a “plague” by some. Researchers found that negative social attitudes still prevailed and health professionals were ignorant of the health issues that many people in the LGBT community faced. Agency Director Michael O’Flaherty said in a statement that “LGBT people have the same rights to education, to healthcare and to be treated equally as everyone else. They too have the right to live their life in dignity, free from fear and discrimination…. [the findings] underscore the need for the EU and its Member States to empower public officials to act on their duty to deliver high quality service to help end the suffering many LGBT people experience.” Read the study here: bit.ly/1pH8k9j

GEORGIA MPs LAUNCH PROCEEDINGS TO BAN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: The Georgian parliament is moving forward with a plan to ban marriage equality via constitutional amendment likely some time this year. Last week, Georgian members of Parliament voted in favor of commissioning a 15-member committee that will hold discussions and public hearings, as well as oversee the formal process required before legislation is actually debated and voted on in Parliament. Currently, Article 36 the Georgia’s Constitution states: “Marriage shall be based upon equality of rights and free will of spouses,” and Georgia law already defines marriage to be between a man and a woman.  The proposed constitutional amendment would change the language to “Marriage, which is a voluntary union of a woman and a man with the purpose of creating a family, shall be based on equal rights of spouses.” According to Civil.Ge, Support of at least 113 lawmakers in 150-member Parliament is needed for passing of a constitutional amendment. It has to be adopted with three hearings during two separate sessions with an interval of at least three months. Not cool Georgia. More here: bit.ly/1U4t8Uz

READING RAINBOW

The Washington Post predicts what Pope Francis’ new position on divorced and LGBT Catholics might be…The New York Times Editorial Board urges Senate Republicans to #DoYourJob… BuzzFeed highlights a discrimination suit brought by a trans woman against a blood bank… The Associated Press meets a transgender inmate who’s transitioning against the odds… The Advocate asks a mother of a hate crime victim her thoughts… Mashable looks at the ways Myanmar uses the “darkness law” to harass the transgender community… Medical Daily breaks down the communication barriers between LGBTQ patients of color and the medical community… The New York Times shares the story of the Bronx Trans Collective, a drop-in center… The Sacramento Bee points out the ways Justice Antonin Scalia furthered LGBT rights… The Advocate profiles a brave trans woman who lived her truth during the turbulent 1950s and 1960s… and the Associated Press delves into the uptick in anti-LGBT remarks by public officials in Indonesia.

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!

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Hate Group Masquerading As Pediatricians Attacks Transgender Youth

A group masquerading as a medical authority wants parents and schools to reject transgender kids.

The post Hate Group Masquerading As Pediatricians Attacks Transgender Youth appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/03/22/3762261/pediatrician-hate-group/

HRC, Equality NC Blast North Carolina Special Session to Overturn Charlotte Ordinance

Today, HRC and Equality North Carolina blasted the leaders of the North Carolina legislature for taking the outrageous step of calling a costly special session for this Wednesday to undermine Charlotte’s recently passed non-discrimination ordinance.

“It is absolutely shameful that North Carolina lawmakers are going to waste taxpayer dollars trying to strip local control from the city of Charlotte and its citizens. Worse yet, they’re doing so to advance discrimination and put North Carolina on the wrong side of history,” said Marty Rouse, National Field Director for the Human Rights Campaign.  “The people of Charlotte elected a pro-equality mayor and a pro-equality majority to the City Council. Those leaders decided that it was in the best interest of Charlotte to provide local protections for the residents and visitors in their community.  This attempt to strip away local control from Charlotte is a slap in the face to the people of Charlotte and the democratic process. We urge all fair-minded North Carolinians to let their elected officials know that they should stay out of Charlotte’s business and focus on the real issues that voters all across the state actually care about.”

“Tonight the North Carolina General Assembly has let us know loud and clear that it does not understand the priorities of North Carolina,”said Equality North Carolina Executive Director Chris Sgro. “Speaker Moore and Senator Berger have said that they will come back into session later this week to consider legislation which would overturn non-discrimination protections across the state. This special session will cost $42,000 per day — more than the average starting salary for a teacher in North Carolina. That waste of taxpayer money is negligent. 200+ cities across the country including Myrtle Beach and Columbia, South Carolina, have already enacted protections which mirror Charlotte. In none of these cities have these protections created a public safety risk, to indicate otherwise is a lie. This is an act of political theatre and at this point Governor McCrory must stand up and be what we expect from an executive and reject any legislation that comes out of this special session.”

Last month, by a 7-4 vote, and with the strong support of newly elected Mayor Jennifer Roberts, the Charlotte City Council advanced city-wide non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations, despite the threat of state intervention by Republican Governor Pat McCrory. Since the ordinance passed, dozens of North Carolina lawmakers have spoken out against the measure making baseless claims about the transgender community, referring to the ordinance as a “public safety” and “privacy” issue. With the General Assembly scheduled to reconvene on April 25, and the ordinance set to go into effect on April 1, House Speaker Tim Moore rallied support in both chambers for this special session to undermine these crucial protections. According to reports, the state’s most recent special session to address redistricting cost taxpayers $42,000 a day, a hefty price tag that is also expected for this special session.

In a scathing editorial published just before the City Council’s vote, the Charlotte Observer rightfully took the Governor to task for his abhorrent hypocrisy on LGBT issues. Throughout his career Gov. McCrory has been an outspoken opponent of government entities meddling in local affairs, but has now threatened state action to forbid cities from enacting LGBT non-discrimination ordinances. His likely gubernatorial challenger, Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, who has been criticized for refusing to overturn the order, has alreadycalled on state lawmakers to stop intervening in Charlotte’s local matters and prioritize issues that “help North Carolina families and  help public education.”

Prior to last month’s vote, Charlotte remained one of the largest cities in the country without a law explicitly protecting LGBT residents and visitors from discrimination. Last November, TurnOut! Charlotte successfully helped elect a pro-equality majority to the the Charlotte City Council, a move which cleared the way for last month’s victory.

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