New Book Highlights Experience of Black Transgender Youth

In 2008, 14-year-old Brandon McInerney shot his classmate Larry King, a 15-year-old gender non-conforming and Black student, in Oxnard, California.

While the horrific crime occurred almost a decade ago, the lessons from the case, such as the intersection of race and gender and the impact of bullying, prejudice and intolerance from peers and teachers, still ring true today.

“Gender-and-race hate cannot be disentangled,” Ken Corbett, author of A Murder Over a Girl: Justice, Gender, Junior High, told The Atlantic in the fall of 2015. “We see evidence of this in the 20 trans women who’ve been murdered this year in the U.S., 18 of whom were women of color. We see evidence of this in the ways in which black bodies are always precarious, always at risk of death, especially black adolescent boy bodies, and how that risk is routinely denied by white supremacy.”

Corbett followed this case closely, examining not only the personal lives of the two protagonists, but also the school and community they grew up in.

“Living gender, especially as it blooms in adolescence, brings forth a host of emotions and counter-emotions or defenses,” Corbett said. “When a group of people, such as schoolteachers, cannot consider those emotions, cannot discuss what is being felt and thought about gender, cannot learn together, then gender expansiveness can be felt as too much, and reactive discipline short-circuits any building of community.”

Over the past several years, new conversations around gender have been emerging across the nation. Increased visibility of children and youth whose gender identities and expressions challenge conventional understanding is teaching us that gender is not that simple.

As a consequence, many of society’s practices, policies and institutions are failing to meet the needs of the young people they intend to serve. Perhaps most disheartening, these shortcomings are revealed in the degree to which many youth — particularly those who do not fit our more traditional ideas about gender — feel marginalized, unsafe and less hopeful.

HRC’s groundbreaking survey of over 10,000 LGBT-identified youth found that a mere four percent of gender-expansive youth reported being “very happy.” Additionally, 44 percent of gender-expansive youth strongly agreed that would need to move to another city or town to really feel accepted. Only 28 percent strongly agreed that things would get better.

From creating an inclusive learning environment for students, to understanding the challenges and resiliency of LGBTQ youth, there is more we can all do to support LGBTQ youth at home, in school and in our community. To learn more, click here.

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HRC President Chad Griffin Joins Georgia Unites in Delivering Over 75,000 Petitions to Governor

Yesterday, HRC President Chad Griffin joined Georgia Unites Against Discrimination at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta to deliver more than 75,000 email petitions to Governor Nathan Deal in opposition to the so-called “First Amendment Defense Act” (HB 757).

Georgia Unites Against Discrimination, a project of the Human Rights Campaign and Georgia Equality, has been on the ground, mobilizing supporters to fight back against HB 757 and eight other pieces of dangerous anti-LGBT legislation being considered by the legislature.

The 75,000 email petitions were the culmination of months of campaigning to stop legislation that promotes discrimination against LGBT Georgians under the guise of ‘religious freedom.’ HB 757, one of the most dangerous bills, would allow taxpayer-funded organizations to discriminate and refuse services to same-sex couples, among others.

Before the petition delivery, a press conference was held on the steps of the Georgia Capitol where HRC’s Griffin was joined by Georgia Equality’s Executive Director Jeff Graham, and Former State Representative and Regional Director of Lambda Legal Simone Bell.

“There is no religious freedom crisis in this country today…There is a freedom crisis for LGBT people,” said Griffin.  

“Over the past few months, we’ve seen some legislators and organizations here in Georgia push for legislation that would open the door to discrimination against gay and transgender Georgians, unmarried couples, single parents and women,” said Graham.

“The only reason why Georgia would not pass a civil rights bill that includes those protections would be a lack of political will and courage, and a refusal to stand on the right side of history,” said Bell ending her remarks with a warning to legislators, “Georgia, the world is watching.”

After remarks, nearly 75 supporters, including clergy, business, and community leaders, marched to Governor Deal’s office and delivered over 30 boxes containing the 75,000 petitions in opposition to HB 757.

Following the petition delivery, Griffin was joined by Graham and Bell for a national press call with media outlets in which collectively, the coalition leaders called upon Governor Deal to show “true leadership” and veto HB 757 and other dangerous anti-LGBT legislation that would discriminate against LGBT Georgians and harm the economy if any of these bills reach his desk.

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#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: March 3, 2016

NEW YORK TIMES SHINES A LIGHT ON RELIGIOUS REFUSAL BILLS: This morning, the New York Times takes a closer look at the uptick of anti-LGBT “religious liberty” bills being introduced at the state level — many in response to the Obergefell decision last June. Georgia is in the spotlight for advancing H.B. 757, a First Amendment Defense Act, that would allow taxpayer-funded organizations to discriminate against and refuse services to both same-sex and unmarried couples, but dozens of other states are weighing similar bills. But as the Times says, businesses have come out forcefully against these efforts, joining LGBT organizations working to make this type of legislation “politically toxic.” In fact, another religious refusal bill just died in West Virginia last night. Read the piece here: nyti.ms/1RK8ZPY

WAPO: A REPUBLICAN’S HEROIC REJECTION OF TRANSGENDER DISCRIMINATION: In its latest editorial, the Washington Post commends South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard for vetoing H.B.1008 — discriminatory legislation that attacked the fundamental dignity and rights of transgender children by forcing them to use bathroom facilities inconsistent with their gender identities. The Post writes, “Not only did Mr. Daugaard make clear that the measure mandated a solution to a problem that did not exist, but the Republican showed his commitment to local control, a bedrock principle of his party. His well-reasoned actions should serve as an example to lawmakers in other states where opportunistic politicians are targeting transgender people with legislation built on prejudice and false fears.” With a similar bill up for consideration in Tennessee, we can only hope that lawmakers take a page out of Daugaard’s book. More here: wapo.st/1LBiHVN

BUSINESSES TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR LACK OF PREJUDICE: This morning, HRC President Chad Griffin joined NYU Law Professor Kenji Yoshino and Marriott International President Arne Sorenson in New York City to get down to business at the Economist Pride and Prejudice event. The topic? How businesses are putting forth ethical models for LGBT inclusion at home and abroad, and how these models can influence governments. Businesses across the country are stepping out of the boardroom and into the public square, as we’ve seen across the globe with companies like Marriott and the World Bank speaking out against anti-LGBT bills and practices, limiting their businesses in these areas as a way to influence governments to do right by their LGBT citizens. Read more about the event here: bit.ly/1Tb7GwL and watch a livefeed here: on.fb.me/1oS7i9y

#NOTONEMORE: ADVOCATES MOURN THE DEATH OF DEMARKIS STANSBERRY: Earlier this week, LGBT advocates learned that Demarkis Stansberry, a 30-year-old transgender man from Baton Rouge, LA, was fatally shot last Saturday. Nicholas Matthews, an acquaintance of Stansberry, turned himself into police later that day to confess to the shooting. The first two months of 2016 have tragically been marked with deadly violence against transgender people, particularly transgender people of color, continuing a disturbing trend. In addition to the fatal stabbing of Maya Young last week and the fatal shooting of Monica Loera, two other transgender people of color, Veronica Banks Cano of San Antonio and Nino Acox Jackson of Dallas, also died in recent weeks under suspicious circumstances. And in January, 24-year-old Kayden Clarke, a transgender man from Arizona, was shot and killed by police in his home, after they responded to a call that Kayden was threatening suicide.These tragic deaths are part of a larger epidemic of violence against transgender people, which led HRC and the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC) to publish a report last year on factors contributing to anti-transgender violence, including poverty, racism, housing and job discrimination, barriers to accessing healthcare and emergency shelter services. HRC and TPOCC continue to call on policymakers and advocates to make meaningful changes to stop the violence, which claimed at least 21 victims last year, the vast majority of whom were transgender women of color. For more information on addressing anti-transgender violence, visit hrc.org/trans-violence

HRC AND THE BISEXUAL RESOURCE CENTER CELEBRATES BISEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH: This March, HRC joins the Bisexual Resource Center (BRC) and other bisexal community advocates in celebrating the third annual Bisexual Health Awareness Month. This year’s focus is on bi+ (e.g. bisexual, fluid, no label, pansexual, queer) youth. “Bisexual+ youth, who encompass a diverse spectrum of sexual identities…experience higher rates of suicidality, substance use, bullying and sexual violence compared to their gay, lesbian and straight peers,” BRC explains. “They are also less likely to be connected with programs and services, both at school and in their local community, that can best support them.” These disparities among bi+ youth translate into further disparities among bi+ adults, particularly when it comes to health. In partnership with BRC, BiNetUSA and the Bisexual Organizing Project, the HRC Foundation’s issue brief, Health Disparities Among Bisexual People, highlighted these disparities, which include higher rates of cancer, heart disease and obesity, and higher rates of HPV and other sexual health issues, likely stemming from a lack of access to preventative care and not being out to medical providers. According to The Williams Institute, 39 percent of bisexual men and 33 percent of bisexual women reported not disclosing their sexual orientation to any medical provider, compared to only 13 percent of gay men and 10 percent of lesbians who chose not to disclose. Learn more about Bisexual Health Awareness Month at bihealthmonth.org

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE: And Scott Lively is the perpetual villain. The man who has blamed the LGBT community for the Holocaust and is currently facing a civil suit for crimes against humanity, is back with another zinger. According to Lively, the fact that society accepts LGBT people is “a dress rehearsal” for the end of days. If watching loving and committed same-sex couples finally experience the joy of marriage, and schools fight back against the bullying of LGBT students is just the dress rehearsal, we cannot wait to see the real show! Bring on full equality. More here: bit.ly/1LW8q16

STATE SNAPSHOT

WEST VIRGINIA SENATE REJECTS DISCRIMINATORY ANTI-LGBT BILL: In a bipartisan vote of 7-27 last night, the West Virginia Senate failed to advance H.B. 4012, a shameful anti-LGBT Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), that would put LGBT people — and West Virginians of all walks of life — at risk of discrimination. Local business groups across the state — Generation West Virginia and the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce — have all spoken out against the bill, saying that it would hurt the state’s economy and expose businesses to unnecessary lawsuits. Employers like AT&T, Marriott and the NCAA also signaled their opposition to the bill, and newspapers like the Charleston Gazette-Mail and Register-Herald have editorialized against H.B. 4012. HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow responded to the bill with a call for LGBT inclusive non-discrimination protections saying: “For one day at least, West Virginia is spared from legislation that would increase the likelihood of unacceptable discrimination and a flood of expensive legal challenges. Unfortunately, despite today’s events, more work lies ahead. LGBT West Virginians still remain at risk for being fired or denied a job because of who they are, or whom they love.” The nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found that a 54 percent majority of West Virginians oppose a RFRA bill (like H.B. 4012) that would allow small business owners to deny services to LGBT people — even for religious reasons — and that a 60 percent majority of West Virginians support protecting LGBT people against discrimination in employment, housing and access to public places. More here: bit.ly/1TaJ0EE

DESPITE SOUTH DAKOTA, LEGISLATIVE ASSAULT ON TRANS KIDS SET TO CONTINUE IN TENNESSEE: Despite the veto of a similar bill in South Dakota earlier this week, on Tuesday, the Tennessee House Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee is scheduled to hear HB 2414 – a bill that would prevent transgender students from accessing restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. If passed into law, it would put Tennessee schools and universities at risk of litigation and loss of federal funds under Title IX, forcing them to choose between state and federal law. Several major national child welfare, medical, and education groups have strongly condemned this type of discriminatory legislation that would further marginalize transgender students. School districts around the country are successfully meeting the needs of their transgender students without incident, and so, in the words of South Dakota Gov. Daugaard, the similar bill in his state “does not address any pressing issue concerning the school districts…” HRC and the Tennessee Equality Project are calling on the Subcommittee to abandon the bill that is an attack on the dignity and rights of transgender students. More here: bit.ly/1WVtdaY

ALABAMA SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILL ALLOWING CHILD WELFARE ORGS TO DISCRIMINATION: Yesterday, by a 6-1 vote, an Alabama Senate Committee advanced a discriminatory bill that would allow licensed, state-funded childcare service providers — such as adoption and foster care agencies — to discriminate in the provision of care to LGBT children and against LGBT prospective adoptive and foster parents. Religion could be used as an excuse to disregard the best interest of children and turn away qualified parents and families who the agency has a religious objection to. This would include LGBT couples, interfaith couples, single parents and even married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced. Director of HRC’s Project One America Ben Needham, blasted the bill saying, “[D]espite the estimated 5,000 children in Alabama’s foster care system, lawmakers in the Senate have proved that they would rather enshrine legal, taxpayer-funded discrimination into state law than give children in need the best chance of finding a loving home. Religious organizations are entitled to their views, but taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to pay for discriminatory or abusive care. Alabama is better than this bill, and we urge fair-minded lawmakers in the Senate to reject it, and focus on legislation that gives every child the hope of a bright future.” Chief executives from major child advocacy organizations denounced S.B.204 in a letter that was hand delivered to Senate members on Tuesday. Read their letter here: bit.ly/1LyFGAM and learn more here: bit.ly/1oZFaSx

GEORGIA GOVERNOR RECEIVES 75,000 PETITIONS AGAINST ANTI-LGBT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BILL: On Wednesday, LGBT activists led by Jeff Graham, Chad Griffin, and Simone Bell delivered over 75,000 petitions to Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal expressing their disgust with the anti-LGBT “religious freedom” bill, H.B. 757. Emphasizing the overwhelming opposition to the bill, the signers of the petition pleaded with Gov. Deal to stop the legislation from becoming law. H.B. 757 would allow agencies to discriminate against LGBT people based on religious beliefs. More here: bit.ly/1VR06W9

BIGOTRY BY ANY OTHER NAME: Kentucky State Representative Joseph M. Fischer has a brilliant new plan to undermine marriage equality (if you couldn’t tell, we’re being sarcastic). His 454-page iliad aims to redefine marriage…like we haven’t heard that one before. This time, Rep. Fischer claims that marriage equality is fiiiiiiine, but that it should be illegal for same-sex couples to enter “matrimony.” Also part of his plan? To effectively ctrl+F every law in Kentucky’s history and replace “marriage” with “matrimony.” Excuse us while we politely cover up our laughter. More here: bit.ly/1TpfKKT

OK UPDATE: OKLAHOMA’S SLATE OF HATE DOWN FROM 27 TO 2: In Oklahoma’s 2016 legislative session, an unprecedented 27 anti-LGBT bills were before the Oklahoma legislature. But we have good and bad news. The good news is that after defeating several bills with the help of fair-minded legislators from both sides of the aisle, a procedural deadline has left just two bills alive. The bad news is that one of the remaining bills, H.B. 2428, would give religiously-affiliated adoptions agencies a right to discriminate against same-sex couples. Yesterday, over 60 citizens from across Oklahoma took part in a lobby day and visited with their legislators, focusing on HB 2428. Ryan Rowe, Associate Regional Field Director for HRC joined Denise Brogan-Kator, State Policy Director for the Family Equality Council, in delivering letters to House leadership from leading attorneys and national child welfare organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, on the damage this legislation could have on Oklahoma children and families. More here: bit.ly/1ORhuEi

UTAH SENATE FAILS TO ADVANCE LGBT-INCLUSIVE HATE CRIMES LAW: In a disappointing vote yesterday, the Utah Senate rejected commonsense legislation that would have strengthened the state’s current hate crimes law. S.B. 107 / S.J.R. 13 would have added critical, new protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s hate crime laws and updated the current statute to more clearly define what constitutes a hate crime. State law enforcement agencies would also have been required to collect data on hate crimes committed on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The Senate gave preliminary approval to the measure before it was killed yesterday. Fifteen states, including Utah, do not currently have hate crimes law that explicitly protect the LGBT community. More here: bit.ly/1VRghTm

NO TAKE-BACKS!: A Georgia State Republican spoke out against a bill he introduced after an LGBT-inclusive amendment was added. Sen. Hunter Hill introduced legislation that would protect Georgia’s state employees from discrimination “or any reason other than that of individual merit, performance, qualifications,or noncompliance with standards of presentation.” However, he quickly changed his mind on the matter when a Senate panel added protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity to the bill. The next day, Sen. Hill took to the floor to withdraw the bill, despite previously saying that the original bill would protect LGBT Georgians. His reasoning? He didn’t want to “create additional special classes” for people. You can’t make this stuff up. More here: bit.ly/21Ejbl8

AROUND THE WORLD

THE TIDE IS TURNING ON THE PINK SAND OF THE SEYCHELLES: Don’t pack your bags just yet, but the Seychelles’s cabinet ministers have taken a really important step towards decriminalizing same-sex relations. The parliament will now need to vote on this decision by the ministers before it can go into effect. Advocates hope this is a step towards greater equality for the Island nation’s LGBT people. In up to 10 countries worldwide, same-sex activity is punishable by death, and 75 countries criminalize same-sex relationships. Let’s hope the Seychelles will be removed from that list ASAP. More here: bit.ly/1po8p1o

SCHOOL, NOODLES & INDONESIA: The increase in anti-LGBT rhetoric in Indonesia is approaching a fever pitch. Yesterday, the Mayor of Tangerang proposed increasing the hours of the school day, He argued that keeping kids in school will stop them from being LGBT. This is the same man who argued that the consumption of instant noodles makes babies LGBT. But it isn’t all bad news. The Indonesian conference of bishops has had enough, and has asked the government to stop the anti-LGBT hate. More here: bit.ly/1TrxyF9 and bit.ly/1RselNp

READING RAINBOW

The Guardian looks at the pro-LGBT message the United Nations heard during a Broadway visit earlier this week… Washington Blade profiles the LGBT advocates from Kyrgyzstan visiting the U.S. this week… Huffington Post previews a new documentary series about the transgender revolutionaries that have paved the way… the Advocate looks at the anti-LGBT extremists on Ted Cruz’s ‘religious liberty’ panel… Jackson Free Press dives into LGBTQ youth homelessness in Florida… Right Wing Watch points out that Ben Carson seriously called “gay rights” a “communist plot against America”…. Fast Company highlights the lack of protections for LGBT Americans in the workplace…. and the Advocate gives us to latest on the rejected equal marriage referendum in Slovenia.

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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HRC Partners with Univision Arizona to Provide Televised Phone Bank on LGBT Resources

Post submitted by Alec Thomson, HRC Regional Field Organizer

Last week, HRC partnered with Univision Arizona to produce a televised phone bank that provided viewers with information and resources about LGBT issues. Univision reporters covered various LGBT related topics throughout the newscast and volunteers were at the ready to answer questions from call-in viewers.

Topics such as LGBT discrimination, coming out and LGBTQ youth homelessness were discussed on the confidential phone calls. HRC and Univision made sure the right people were there to provide quality information to viewers on LGBT issues. Phone volunteers joined HRC from organizations including One n Ten, ACLU, PFLAG, Competitive Arizona, LUCHA, Phoenix Police and local faith leaders.

The phone bank was broadcast across the entire state and generated dozens of phone calls over the course of the two-hour event. This collaboration between HRC and Univision delivered a message that there are supportive community resources available for LGBT people and their families across Arizona.

If you are interested in getting involved in HRC’s work in Arizona, contact HRC Regional Field Organizer Alec Thomson at [email protected].

Click here to find resources that are relevant to the Latino/a LGBT community.

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