The Backlash Against HB2 Hasn’t Convinced North Carolina’s Lawmakers To Change It
The Republicans responsible for HB2 see the backlash against their discriminatory law — and don’t care.
The post The Backlash Against HB2 Hasn’t Convinced North Carolina’s Lawmakers To Change It appeared first on ThinkProgress.
thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/04/27/3773242/north-carolina-republicans-double-down/
Teachable Moment: Turing Should Listen to Pharma Company, Reverse Price Hikes on Daraprim
Today HRC released the following statement after the CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals indicated in testimony before the Senate Aging Committee that its strategy to hike drug prices was a mistake.
“Today’s testimony is a reminder that too many people living with HIV still face far too many barriers when it comes to accessing the care they need,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “Today, the CEO of Valeant said what Martin Shkreli refused to — that massive overnight price hikes for vulnerable patients are completely indefensible. Because when companies like Turing jack up the price of drugs, it means reduced access and higher costs for patients and taxpayers. Turing needs to restore the price of Daraprim across the board for all patients and other pharmaceutical companies should take note”
NPR News reported earlier this year how executives inside Turing celebrated their decision to hike the price of Daraprim — which is used by pregnant women and people living with HIV. NPR reported that, “Company officials went into celebration mode,” according to emails uncovered by congressional investigators. The emails also show how Turing plotted to cynically pit insurance companies against HIV/AIDS patients in order to maintain the 5000 percent cost increase.
HRC has called for Turing to restore the price for all patients to the previous price of $13.50. At HRC’s urging, the the New York attorney general began investigating whether Turing Pharmaceuticals may have violated antitrust laws by limiting distribution of a drug that is essential to the lives of medically vulnerable people.
In addition, HRC sent letters to Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chair of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, seeking an investigation into the actions of Turing Pharmaceuticals, which increased the price of Daraprim overnight from $13.50 to $750 per tablet.
The letters also called for an inquiry into Turing’s acquisition of Daraprim, the pricing strategy for the drug, investments made to bring the drug to market, the impact of that strategy on patient access, and the increased cost to federally-funded health programs. And they requested a hearing on formulary and tiering structure for prescription medications offered through health exchanges.
Tennessee governor signs bill allowing refusal of mental health care for LGBT people
GLAAD
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today signed a bill allowing medical professionals to refuse mental health services to LGBT patients. This follows weeks of outreach and statements urging him to veto by GLAAD, LGBT organizations, business leaders, and leaders of the country music industry.
“Denying anyone vital mental health services simply because they’re LGBT isn’t just outrageous, it’s outright dangerous,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “What’s clear, however, is that legislative attacks that target LGBT people are bad for business. Sadly, the bedrock of Tennessee’s economy – the record companies of Nashville – remained silent throughout the fight to pass this discriminatory law. It’s time that they join the growing chorus of Americans demanding an end to discrimination.”
GLAAD was in Nashville earlier this month with the Tennessee Equality Project, actor and musician Chris Carmack, singer-songwriter and producer Desmond Child, and Tennessee-based LGBT advocates to urge the governor to veto both the counseling bill, as well as an anti-transgender bill that was ultimately defeated in the legislature.
In addition, music industry leaders Ty Herndon, Miley Cyrus, ASCAP President Paul Williams, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and performing rights company SESAC all spoke out against the bills.
www.glaad.org/blog/tennessee-governor-signs-bill-allowing-refusal-mental-health-care-lgbt-people
TCM Film Fest: Divas, Closets, and Politics
A conversation with Faye Dunaway, glimpses of a closeted era, and strangely prescient films about politics and media are among the highlights of this year’s fest.
www.advocate.com/film/2016/4/27/tcm-film-fest-divas-closets-and-politics
Dennis Hastert sentenced to 15 months in jail – sex abuse victim speaks out
The former Speaker of the US House of Representatives was sentenced in Chicago today to 15 months in prison for a multi-million dollar hush money scheme created to cover up allegations of sexual abuse.
Dennis Hastert was called a ‘serial child molester’ by Judge Thomas M. Durkin who also ordered the former lawmaker to undergo sex offender treatment and imposed a $250,000 fine which will go to crime victims fund.
Hastert, 74, admitted to agreeing to pay his one-time student $3.5 million then lying to federal authorities about the bank withdrawals related to the payments.
Hastert apologized in court and said he accepted the sentence, according to the Associated Press.
The former student, known only as Individual A is legal filings, had received $1.7 million in payments from Hastert and this week sued the former high school teacher and wrestling coach for the balance.
Four victims in all are part of the federal complaint against Hastert who could not be prosecuted for the molestation because of statute of limitation laws.
Another of the four victims in the criminal and the sister of a victim spoke at the sentencing.
Scott Cross, identified only as Individual D by prosecutors, said he decided to speak out because Hastert had reached out to his lawmaker brother – former Illinois House Republican leader Tom Cross – for a letter of support.
Scott Cross, 53, was on the Yorkville High School wrestling team in the 1970s and said in court that Hastert fondled him on a locker room table after practice.
Tom Cross released a statement Wednesday saying the family is proud Scott had ‘the courage to relive this very painful part of his life” so justice could be done.’
Hastert was the longest-serving Republican speaker and was second in the line of succession to the US presidency.
The post Dennis Hastert sentenced to 15 months in jail – sex abuse victim speaks out appeared first on Gay Star News.
www.gaystarnews.com/article/dennis-hastert-sentenced-15-months-jail-sex-abuse-victim-speaks/
Firm With Rainbow Logo Refuses To Design Rainbow Logo For Gay-Friendly Church
When St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, an LGBTQ-friendly congregation in Fargo, contacted Custom Graphics, Inc. about creating a custom logo for them, they weren’t expecting the response they received.
“Everyone was on board,” Adam Johnston, a member of the church, tells the Bismark Tribune. “They were really excited about it. And then within a week, we get an email saying, ‘Nope, we’re done. We’re not doing it.’”
Related: Arkansas Man Freaks Out At NBC Rainbow Logo, But The Joke Is On Him
The church had requested the logo be in rainbow colors, which Custom Graphics’ general manager Zach Paxton found inappropriate.
“The business was declined respectfully,” he explains. “I didn’t mean any offense by it or anything like that.”
Paxton told the church he refused to design a logo that promoted what he described as “the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement,” adding that he had “no problem” printing signs, decals or banners for the church, but “trying to come up with a logo and help them come up with ways to promote their agenda” was where he drew the line.
Ironically, however, Custom Graphics’ own logo is in big, bright, gay rainbow colors:
State Rep. Joshua Boschee, the state’s first openly gay lawmaker, says this case is yet another example of why North Dakota needs a law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“We don’t allow businesses to say that they’re not going to design a graphic for someone who is Muslim or someone who is disabled or someone that’s a single parent,” he said, adding that discrimination is “not a North Dakota value.”
Last session, Boschee sponsored a bill outlawing discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations such as businesses based on sexual orientation. Unfortunately, the bill was defeated. He is now encouraging St. Mark’s Lutheran Church to file an official complaint with the state Department of Labor and Human Rights.
No word yet on how the church plans to proceed.
Related: Transit Employee Refuses To Drive Rainbow Bus That Supports A “Radical Sexual Movement”
Missouri Lawmakers Defeat Anti-LGBT ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill
Missouri’s anti-LGBT ‘religious freedom’ bill has been defeated in the state legislature.
Senate Joint Resolution 39 (SJR 39) failed to get a majority in favor of advancing it out of the Emerging Issues Committee.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports:
Republican Reps. Anne Zerr of St. Charles, Caleb Rowden of Columbia and Jim Hansen of Frankford joined with the committee’s three Democrats. With a tie 6-6 vote, the measure’s tumultuous journey through the Missouri Legislature is probably over.
The resolution, if approved by voters, would have granted greater legal protections under the Missouri constitution to clergy and wedding vendors who decline to participate in a same-sex wedding.
Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, who sponsored the proposal, issued a statement indicating the measure was dead.
“I am deeply disappointed that Missourians will not have the opportunity to vote on protecting religious freedom. Seven weeks ago, the Missouri Senate stood strong through the longest filibuster in state history and voted 23–7 to advance SJR 39. Today, House members caved to pressure from special interests and killed the religious freedom amendment. It is wrong that Missouri voters will be denied a voice in the decision-making process.”
House Minority Leader Jacob Hummel (D) said of the bill’s defeat,
“The ultimate issue here is whether our state constitution protects all Missourians or grants special rights to some to detriment of others. In the years to come, I am confident today’s action will be remembered as being on the right side of history.”
The post Missouri Lawmakers Defeat Anti-LGBT ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill appeared first on Towleroad.
Breaking News: Missouri House Committee Votes Down Radical Anti-LGBT SJR 39
Today, HRC hailed the Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee for voting down Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 39 – a measure that sought to enshrine state-sanctioned discrimination against LGBT people and their families into the Missouri Constitution. The extreme resolution would have led to a ballot measure that proposes to allow individuals, organizations, and businesses to use religion as a legal excuse to discriminate against LGBT people by broadly redefining the definition of religious organizations.
“We thank the House committee for listening to the overwhelming chorus of fair-minded Missourians, business leaders, and civil rights advocates who demanded they oppose this radical legislation that threatens severe harm to the entire state,” said JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President for Policy & Political Affairs. “However, even with this vote today, we must remain diligent to ensure this discriminatory legislation does not move in any other way during the final two weeks of the legislative session.”
The opposition to SJR 39 was overwhelming. More than 60 leading CEOs and business executives signed onto an open letter urging lawmakers to stop the proposal that would have extreme negative consequences for Missouri’s economy, and numerous companies including Dow Chemical Company and Monsanto spoke out. In addition, SJR 39 has received widespread condemnation from fair-minded Missourians and civic leaders throughout the state, including Governor Jay Nixon, the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the St. Louis Regional Chamber. The St. Louis Regional Chamber said the proposal is “counter to MO values & will have negative economic consequences.” Both Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders also spoke out against the resolution.
SJR 39 went far beyond protecting the right of free exercise of one’s religion, opening the door to discrimination against same-sex couples, their families, and those who love them.
For example, if SJR 39 had been voted into law, LGBT people and their families could have suddenly found themselves at risk of being denied many basic services. Taxpayer-funded foster care providers and adoption agencies could have refused to place children in need of loving homes with same-sex couples. Taxpayer-funded homeless shelters could have turned away LGBT couples and their families. Businesses could have also used it as cover to refuse to provide goods or services to same-sex couples. And, the measure could have undermined existing LGBT non-discrimination protections passed at the local level, including in cities like Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
While SJR 39 has been defeated, Missouri still lacks explicit, statewide non-discrimination protections for LGBT people.
Everything You Need to Know About Primary Results in Under 60 Seconds
www.advocate.com/election/2016/4/27/everything-you-need-know-about-primary-results-under-60-seconds
JPMorgan Chase named as ‘Best-of-the-Best’ US corporation for diversity
Household name brands were among the winners last night at a new awards event organized by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC).
The event, which took place at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC, saw JPMorgan Chase & Co. awarded the top honor of 2016 NBIC Diversity Corporation of the Year. The TIAA Contingent Worker Diversity Program – which tackles the lack of ethnic/racial, generational and gender diversity among staffing suppliers – was honored as NBIC Program or Initiative of the Year.
Responding to the win, JPMorgan Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon told CNBC: ‘We’re proud of this recognition by NBIC. People are our most important asset and enable our long-term growth and success. Maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive is not only the smart thing to do — it’s the right thing to do.’
Public sectors honorees included Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader, and former US Congressman and primary sponsor of the Disabilities Act, Tony Coelho. Also present was TV’s original Wonder Woman, actress Lynda Carter, who talked about her commitment to championing equal rights.
Speaking @ the #BotB16 #NBIC Best of the Best Awards honoring @NancyPelosi and Congressman Tony Coelho! pic.twitter.com/vMQjNIwLlG
— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) April 27, 2016
‘The Best-of-the-Best designation is the top corporate honor bestowed for commitments to America’s diverse employees and business owners, which includes LGBT, people of color, women, and people with disabilities,’ said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson in a statement.
‘This designation is not easily earned, making it all the more prized.
‘By recognizing these industry leaders and the policymakers who collaborate with them as the Best-of-the-Best, we are creating a better future for all diverse communities in business. Together we reaffirm our common, ongoing mission to improve business inclusion among Fortune 500 corporations and government agencies nationwide.’
The ‘Best of the Best’ accolade is awarded to those corporates that have performed well in a range of diversity indexes.
To be considered, organizations were required to submit a detailed survey and answer questions on such topics as supplier diversity initiatives and employee resource groups. The NBIC committee also took note of ratings scored on the HRC Corporate Equality Index, Diversity Inc’s Top 50 and other indexes.
The NGLCC formed the National Business Inclusion Consortium in 2011 as a coalition of diversity advocates. Other organizations involved include the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, U.S Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce and National Black Justice Coalition, among others.
Jonathan Lovitz, NGLCC Vice President of External Affairs, told Gay Star Business, that the evening had been one of the most inspiring nights of his career.
‘The room cheered for Leader Nancy Pelosi, who broke the highest glass ceiling in Congress as our first female Speaker of the House. The room was moved to tears by Congressman Tony Cohelo, lead author the America’s with Disabilities Act— who is both openly gay and successfully battling epilepsy. And we all wanted to twirl with joy like Wonder Woman when Lynda Carter discussed her support for LGBT and women’s causes.
‘The room was simply electric! I cannot wait to see this event continue to grow year after year.’
Attendees at the ‘Best of the Best’ Washington DC reception
The post JPMorgan Chase named as ‘Best-of-the-Best’ US corporation for diversity appeared first on Gay Star News.
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