The Tonys Deliver Much-Needed Joy In The Wake Of Orlando Tragedy

It’s been a difficult couple of days. At times like these, it can be hard to know where to turn for consolation, to connect, to make sense of tragedy. But last night, the Tony Awards did their best to bring everyone together and express their grief at the shooting, and their hope for the future.

The show started with host James Corden speaking about acceptance: “Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality, and gender is equal, embraced, and loved,” he said. “Hate will never win.”

Before the tragedy, Corden told reporters that his opening number for the Tonys would be directed to “the theater kid who lives in Michigan or Nebraska, who just dreams of being on a stage.”

Various other celebrities spoke about the tragedy as well. “When something bad happens we have three choices: we let it define us, we let it destroy us or we let it strengthen us,” said Frank Langella. “I’m standing in a room of the most generous human beings on Earth and we will be with you every step of the way.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda had a lengthy soliloquy prepared about the power of love. His show won 11 awards last night, coming close to the record set by another post-disaster ceremony: the 12 Tonys won by The Producers.

“Tonight our joy is tinged with sorrow,” said Barbra Streisand, “but we’re here to celebrate Broadway and the beauty that artistry can bring into this world.”

Corden joked of the ceremony, “It is so diverse that Donald Trump has threatened to build a wall around this theater.”

Then again, some moments fell a bit flat. CBS used the show as an opportunity to promote some upcoming TV shows, a bizarre mismatch that just felt tasteless. At other points, presenters who talked for too long had their mics switched off — including Jessica Lange, which is unthinkable.

Overall, though, it was a bit of perfect timing that the Tonys (aka The Hamilton Awards) were this weekend. The pain of the shooting is still raw, but by talking and singing and dancing through the pain, we can begin to process the feelings and move forward.

Watch the opening number below:

Here’s Lin-Manuel Miranda’s moving acceptance speech:

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Thousands Crowd London Streets, Break Into Song for Orlando Victims – WATCH

Thousands of people flooded the streets of London on Monday to remember and honor the victims of Sunday’s mass shooting at gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida.

Photos and videos of the vigil poured in on social media, with many people using the hashtags #LoveWins and #OrlandoUnited.

At one point, the massive crowd broke out into song, singing a somber and emotional rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s iconic tune, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

.@LdnGMC @pinksingers and massive #sohovigil crowd singing A Bridge over Troubled Water. Moving. #Orlando #lovewins pic.twitter.com/N2cNQnZElW

— FCO FLAGG (@FCOflagg) June 13, 2016

Just amazing. Like a bridge over troubled water singing out and proud In old Compton Street #Orlando #lovewins pic.twitter.com/wr245ufp9t

— Gemma Oaten (@gemmaoaten) June 13, 2016

We remember that nobody should leave home on a Saturday night never to return because of who they are pic.twitter.com/LrepZvFRqZ

— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) June 13, 2016

Other songs were sung as well.

Mass singalong at #SohoVigil after everyone observes a silence for #Orlando victims. Street completely full. @LBC pic.twitter.com/Q8VcHIOdmG

— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) June 13, 2016

Rainbow-colored balloons were also released in honor of the victims. YouTuber RiyadhK captured the moment:

49 balloons released for the Orlando victims. Incredibly emotional moment #OrlandoUnited #SohoVigil pic.twitter.com/zbO8hnoNq5

— Riyadh Khalaf (@RiyadhK) June 13, 2016

Soho This Evening #LoveIsLove #SohoVigil #Soho pic.twitter.com/HxOZmVWnUH

— George Kimm (@GeorgeKimm) June 13, 2016

49 balloons released in to the sky for each of the victims at #SohoVigil. @LBC #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/9BTmkGQffB

— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) June 13, 2016

A moment of silence was also held at the vigil, which was so deafening reporter Connor Gillies said, “you could have heard a pin drop.”

You could have heard a pin drop. Thousands fall silent at #SohoVigil for the #Orlando victims. @LBC pic.twitter.com/L3w32GYABt

— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) June 13, 2016

Singer Shura posted a video of the vigil, giving a bird’s-eye view of the huge crowd gathered.

This is for Orlando. 🌈💕🌈💕 pic.twitter.com/fsYqauLzSL

— shura (@weareshura) June 13, 2016

London Mayor Sadiq Khan was seen at the vigil.

Politicians from all parties stand shoulder to shoulder here at #SohoVigil as crowd sings Bridge Over Troubled Water pic.twitter.com/FzV9zDX1qX

— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) June 13, 2016

You can see more photos and videos of the stunning vigil, below.

Amazing scenes of solidarity with #Orlando in Old Compton Street #SohoVigil #soho pic.twitter.com/pAtWivZX9J

— Adam Courtney (@FulHamBushChron) June 13, 2016

Thousands of people are united in solidarity for Orlando. Love will triumph over hate. #SohoVigil pic.twitter.com/mlEIK0XIjw

— George Aylett (@GeorgeAylett) June 13, 2016

Old Compton Street right about now #SohoVigil pic.twitter.com/oUtpqeDT4o

— Charlie Banks (@TheCharlieBanks) June 13, 2016

Crowds of thousands gathering in London’s Soho for #OrlandoUnited vigil. #SohoVigil pic.twitter.com/DSeE1ZrrPM

— Riyadh Khalaf (@RiyadhK) June 13, 2016

The post Thousands Crowd London Streets, Break Into Song for Orlando Victims – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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Hillary Clinton Invokes Stonewall and Laramie in Address on Orlando Terror Attack – WATCH

Hillary Clinton addressed the terrorist attack at the Orlando gay nightclub Pulse at a rally in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, underscoring the grave impact the attack has had on the LGBT community. Clinton invoked memories of the Stonewall Riots in New York and the murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming as anti-LGBT antecedents to the attack in Orlando, the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11.

In a somber speech, Clinton said, “Today is not a day for politics. On Sunday, Americans woke up to a nightmare that has become mind-numbingly familiar.” She characterized the killer responsible for the attack as “a madmen” who was “consumed by rage against LGBT Americans and by extension the openness and diversity that defines our American way of life.”

Clinton mourned the “many lives he viciously cut short, many of them young people just starting out in their lives.” She said all of the victims “had one thing in common: they all had a lot more to give.” Clinton added, “This is a moment when all Americans need to stand together.”

Clinton told the group assembled, “The horror never fades. The murder of innocent people breaks our hearts, tears at our sense of security and makes us furious.” She then added, “The Orlando terrorist may be dead but the virus that poisoned his mind is very much alive.”

Clinton declared that hatred must be defeated with, among other things, “pride in our country and our values.” Clinton appeared to add special emphasis on the word “pride” as she delivered her speech.

Said Clinton, “The terrorist in Orlando targeted LGBT Americans out of hatred and bigotry. And an attack on any American is an attack on all Americans.”

Clinton went on to reiterate the sentiments she shared in the immediate wake of the attacks, telling those assembled, “To all the LGBT people grieving today in Florida and across our country. You have millions of allies who will always have your back. And I am one of them. From Stonewall to Laramie, and now Orlando. We’ve seen too many examples of how the struggle to live freely openly and without fear has been met by violence. We have to stand together, be proud together.”

She added, “There is no better rebuke to the terrorists and all those that hate” than our free and open society.

Watch the full speech, below.

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Anti-LGBT Demagogues Clueless About Own Roles In Anti-LGBT Violence

Longtime opponents of LGBT rights were quick to blame the gunman’s “radical Islamic” ideology, but were notably silent on the role their own hateful rhetoric has played.

The post Anti-LGBT Demagogues Clueless About Own Roles In Anti-LGBT Violence appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/13/3787717/anti-lgbt-demagogues-blame-radical-islam/

Apple WWDC Opens With A Moment Of Silence For Orlando Victims

“We celebrate our diversity. We know that it makes us stronger, and moves everyone forward.”

The post Apple WWDC Opens With A Moment Of Silence For Orlando Victims appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/06/13/3787904/apple-moment-of-silence-orlando-shooting/

Ways to Help in the Wake of the Orlando Nightclub Shooting

Yesterday, our nation woke up to devastating news about a shooting at a nightclub serving the LGBTQ community in Orlando, Florida. The attack of terror and hate claimed the lives of 49 people and 53 others were injured.

While this horrific incident shocked the world, now is the time to come together and to show our support for those affected by this horrible tragedy. Here are ways to support the victims and their families:

1. Attend a Vigil: Vigils are taking place across the nation to mourn those lost. Find a vigil near your at WeAreOrlando.org.

2. Help Families in Need: Equality Florida set up a GoFundMe to help the victims’ families. Click here to donate.

3. Support Your LGBTQ and Allied Loved Ones: Check-in with your LGBTQ and allied friends and family and assure them of your love and support. “During this, their darkest hour, we as a nation must be their strength,” HRC President Chad Griffin said. “We must be their comfort.”

4. Donate Blood: There is an urgent need for O Negative, O Positive and AB Plasma blood donors.To find a donation center or Big Red Bus near you visit www.oneblood.org or call 1.888.9.Donate. 
   Important note: There continues to be a ban preventing men who have sex with men from donating life-saving blood. We are committed to ending this policy, based neither in science nor medicine.

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Images

www.hrc.org/blog/ways-to-help-in-the-wake-of-the-orlando-nightclub-shooting?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

State Department Hosts Webchat on LGBTI Rights with Judy Shepard

Tomorrow, the U.S. Department of State will host a global webchat featuring Special Envoy Randy Berry and human rights activist Judy Shepard on the issues LGBTI people face around the world and hate crime prevention. The webchat follows the tragic shooting at an Orlando nightclub serving the LGBTQ community. Berry is the first ever Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons. Shepard is the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was attacked in a brutal hate crime in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. Matthew, who was just 21-years-old, died five days after the attack.

The interactive webchat will also focus on how the U.S. government and advocacy organizations can engage around LGBTI rights and the power of storytelling.

Emmy-winning filmmaker Michele Josue will also join the discussion. Josue directed the documentary Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine, which tells the personal story of the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard.

Together, the group will share their perspectives on preventing hate crimes, creating dialogue and encouraging inclusion of LGBTI communities around the world.

Sadly, hate crimes and discrimination affect the lives of many LGBTI persons around the world, most recently in Orlando. More than 20 percent of hate crimes reported nationally in 2014 targeted people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to the most recent FBI statistics available. This reporting undercounts the number of hate crimes that are committed in the United States due in part because of non-mandatory reporting requirements. A recent investigation by the Associated Press found that more than 2,700 city police and county sheriff’s departments across the country had not reported a single hate crime to the FBI for the past six years, representing about 17 percent of these law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The federal hate crimes law, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, was signed into law in 2009. The law gives the Department of Justice the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes where a perpetrator has selected a victim because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, among other characteristics. However, most hate crimes are prosecuted at the state level. Unfortunately, 15 states lack LGBT-inclusive hate crime laws. Five states (Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Wyoming) don’t have laws addressing the scourge of hate crimes.

In some countries, being identified as LGBTI can lead to imprisonment or even death.

Learn more about hate crimes and the laws in your state here and don’t forget to join the webchat tomorrow, Tuesday, June 14, at 10:00 a.m. EDT at www.Share.America.gov/LGBTIchat.

Judy Shepard has served on the HRC Board of Directors since 2001 and has appeared at HRC Foundation’s Time to THRIVE conference. Judy and her husband, Dennis, have travelled around the world connecting with LGBTQ activists and how to build support among allies and effective campaigns against hate violence. Read a recent op-ed from Shepard and HRC President Chad Griffin on the epidemic of the violence against transgender women here.

www.hrc.org/blog/state-department-hosts-webchat-on-lgbti-rights-with-judy-shepard?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Celebrities share messages of support on social media #WeAreOrlando

www.glaad.org/blog/celebrities-share-messages-support-social-media-weareorlando

PHOTOS: Los Angeles Refuses To Let Acts Of Terror Dampen Its Pride

Despite heavy hearts and threats of violence, Los Angeles still hosted its annual Pride celebration as scheduled last weekend, and the crowds turned out in record numbers to show their solidarity with the victims in Orlando.

Related: BREAKING: Man With Assault Weapons, Possible Explosives Arrested En Route To L.A. Pride

Pride goers in L.A. had a clear message for all the antigay extremists in the world: Absolutely nothing will stop us from living our lives openly, loving who we want freely and celebrating and supporting our community without fear or shame.

Scroll down for powerful images from last weekend’s Los Angeles Pride celebration…

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