Anti-Gay Congressman: ‘It Matters’ That Gays Were Targeted In Orlando
King once said same-sex marriage would lead to people being able to marry their lawnmowers.
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Recordamos/We Remember #Orlando
Today, we continue to mourn those lost in Orlando and remember the lives of the many — almost all LGBTQ Latinx people — who were taken far too soon. This is what we currently know about the victims.
Hoy, seguimos llorando las perdidas en Orlando y recordando las vidas de los muchos – Casi todo/as Latinx LGBTQ – cuales vidas han terminado muy pronto. Esto es lo que actualmente sabemos
www.hrc.org/blog/recordamos-we-remember-orlando?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: June 15, 2016
Today, we continue to mourn those lost in Orlando. Last night, HRC President Chad Griffin memorialized those lost in a series of messages on Twitter, releasing an image of each victim every minute for 49 minutes. As the nation reels from the tragedy, we’ll continue to stand alongside fellow advocates to pay tribute to their lives and work tirelessly to ensure such tragedies do not continue to plague our future.
NYT: “THE CORROSIVE POLITICS THAT THREATEN LGBT AMERICANS”: In a powerful editorial, The Corrosive Politics that Threaten LGBT Americans, The New York Times Editorial Board details the onslaught of legislative attacks on the LGBTQ community — including more than 200 discriminatory bills proposed in 34 states — since nationwide marriage equality was affirmed. Trump gets special mention, along with NC Gov. Pat McCrory, for championing and enabling discriminatory laws that drive hatred toward LGBTQ people. “The 49 people killed in Orlando were victims of a terrorist attack. But they also need to be remembered as casualties of a society where hate has deep roots,” The Times Editorial Board wrote.
JACKSON CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE NDO: Last night — in a 7 to 0 vote — the Jackson Mississippi City Council voted to advance city-wide non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, public accommodations and employment. The landmark measure also expands the city’s hate crimes statute to include tougher penalties for perpetrators who commit crimes motivated by the victim’s real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. More from HRC.
WHILE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND NATION MOURN ORLANDO VICTIMS, NC ANTI-EQUALITY ACTIVISTS CHEERLEAD FOR DISCRIMINATION: Yesterday, only two days after the deadly attack in Orlando targeting LGBTQ people — almost all Latinx — anti-equality activists in North Carolina continued pressing their support for the deeply discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ HB2 law. “Have they no shame? Have they no empathy,” asked HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. “It is unconscionable that as the nation mourns the 49 victims of the horrific massacre in Orlando, anti-equality activists in North Carolina are urging lawmakers to support one of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ laws in the country.” HB2 must be repealed in full, now.
WITH “FRIENDS” LIKE DONALD TRUMP…: Despite the fact that presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump would rollback LGBTQ equality if elected, he absurdly claimed to be the “real friend” of the LGBTQ community earlier this week. Sad. In the wake of the Orlando massacre, perpetrated by an American-born shooter, Trump also renewed his racist call for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. Said HRC President Chad Griffin: “…it’s shameful and disgusting what Donald Trump did today and what he said today and I hope he says not another word about it.”
CATHOLIC BISHOP SAYS CHURCH “BREEDS CONTEMPT” FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE: In a stunning essay for The Washington Post, St. Petersburg, Fla., Bishop Robert Lynch said religion, including his own, must shoulder some of the blame for planting the seed of anti-LGBTQ animus that can ultimately lead to violence. “Those women and men who were mowed down Sunday were all made in the image and likeness of God,” he wrote. “We teach that. We should believe that. We must stand for that.” HRC President Chad Griffin called Lynch’s remarks “brave and big-hearted Catholic leadership during this difficult time.”
#MyBloodIsAsGoodAsYours — DEMS CALL ON FDA TO END BLOOD DONATION BAN: A decades-old LGBTQ issue has come to the forefront following the Pulse nightclub shooting — out-dated policies banning men who have sex with men from blood donation. Until last year, any man who had sex with another man was banned from giving blood for life. Last year the FDA reduced this lifetime ban to 12 months. In practice, for many sexually active gay and bisexual men this remains to be an effective lifetime ban. Rep. Jared Polis, (D-Colo.) of the LGBT Equality Caucus, calls the ban “morally bankrupt” and “contrary to the goal of public health.” The American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers agree. More from The Hill.
STATE DEPARTMENT HOSTS WEBCHAT ON LGBTI RIGHTS WITH JUDY SHEPARD: Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State hosted a global webchat featuring Randy Berry, Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons, and human rights activist Judy Shepard on hate crime prevention and issues LGBTI people face around the world. More from HRC.
READING RAINBOW
The Washington Post shares the story of a gay Chinese man, who alleges that a government-run hospital drugged and beat him in attempt to “cure” him; Prince William is the first royal to appear on the cover of an LGBTQ magazine; Yahoo spotlights Ukraine’s first LGBTQ Pride march; ABC News highlights an organization providing comfort dogs (in the form of adorable golden retrievers) to those affected by the Orlando shooting; The Washington Post provides a guide to help readers comfort scared or grieving LGBTQ loved ones; Southern Maryland News Net covers a transgender veteran’s speech at a U.S. Navy LGBTQ event; The Washington Post discusses how in the aftermath of the Orlando attack, the outpouring of support shows how far we’ve come on LGBTQ equality; The Associated Press gives us the latest on lawsuits pending against Mississippi’s HB1523; and PennLive highlights the efforts to move the Pennsylvania Fairness Act to the House floor.
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-june-15-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Officials Finally Explain 3-Hour Delay to Reach Victims (Video)
www.advocate.com/crime/2016/6/15/officials-finally-explain-3-hour-delay-reach-victims-video
Man Arrested After Vowing To ‘Come Back Orlando Style’ To ‘Take His 50’ At NY Queer Bar
Bushwick’s Happy Fun Hideaway is the only expressly queer bar in the area; a self-consciously funky space with a tropical fever decor serving up Frito Pie, pinball machines, kitsch films like Liquid Sky and Masters of the Universe, and an endless rotation of left-field music. On weekends, the place is a shoulder-to-shoulder squash of newly-out twenty-somethings, many making their first awkward forays into gay bars and New York nightlife in general.
Related: Club Bouncer & War Veteran Saved Dozens of Lives in Orlando Shooting
But if any fun was hidden away on Monday evening, it apparently wasn’t on the premises. Around 11:15 pm, as the bar teemed with a shellshocked crowd — many of whom had just returned from the Stonewall Inn vigil — an extremely intoxicated man threatened to “come back Orlando style” after getting into a drunken scuffle with the bouncer.
According to The New York Daily News, 40-year-old Justin Rice was throwing back cocktails with his girlfriend when the two of them began loudly arguing. An unnamed bouncer, 34, told the couple to chill out. When that didn’t help matters, he threw Rice out of the bar.
Related: Nick Jonas Accused Of ‘Queer-Baiting’ At New York Vigil For Orlando
“You fucking faggots,” Rice screamed. “I’m going to shoot this place up and get my fifty just like Orlando, Florida. I’m going to come back Orlando-style!”
Rice, after managing to hit the bouncer and throw a metal bucket filled with sand at him, was eventually restrained until the police arrived.
The bouncer only suffered minor injuries and bruises.
Rice has been charged with aggravated harassment and assault.
PHOTOS: Instagram Users Respond To Orlando Tragedy In Beautiful And Creative Ways
The nation is still reeling over what happened the tragedy in Orlando. But now that the initial shock is starting to wear off, people have begun channeling their grief in many different ways. Candlelight vigils, memorial ceremonies and marches honoring the 49 victims are happening in cities across the country. Many involved have also taken to social media to share photos from those events, as well as post personal artwork and imagery to show their support for the victims and families involved.
Scroll down to see the ways people on Instagram are showing solidarity with Orlando…
Stephen Colbert Diagrams Trump’s Response to the Orlando Massacre: WATCH
Stephen Colbert had a lot to say about Donald Trump’s response this week to the Orlando massacre. Colbert’s revealing diagrams, however, speak for themselves.
Watch:
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Teacher Accused of Anti-Gay Rant in Wake of Orlando Attack Says Account Was Hacked – VIDEO
Last month, we told you how Ali Chaney (above), a gay 13-year-old student in Texas, was sent home from school for wearing a T-shirt that read: “Some people are gay. Get over it.”
On Monday, a teacher allegedly sent Ali’s mother, Cassie Watson, a Facebook message (right) suggesting that Sunday’s terror attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando shows administrators at SC Lee Junior High School in Copperas Cove made the correct decision.
“In light of the Orlando incident wear (sic) all gay people were openly slaughtered, I wonder if you’d still let your daughter wear the t-shirt to school that caused public controversy and may have subjected her to possible harm by others?” the teacher wrote. “Being gay isn’t a crime but publicly forcing your opinion upon others, and to do it through your child at school, will always be offensive to others.”
KCEN-TV has chosen not to identify the teacher, who reportedly works at a local elementary school. The station reports that while district administrators are aware of the message, it’s unclear whether they are investigating.
“I would hate to ruin somebody’s career over a simple message,” Watson told KCEN. “But, if this is how she truly feels, and there is a possibility that she could be teaching our young kids these lessons, then I absolutely believe that she may need to find a new profession.”
On Tuesday, the unidentified teacher sent KCEN a statement alleging that her Facebook account had been hacked.
“My FB account was hacked yesterday and I was not responsible for the message sent to the lady causing her to believe that her child would be harmed. It took several attempts to delete the account after notifying FB that my account had been hacked. I have lived my life protecting the rights of others and being an advocate for ALL children. I’m saddened that a hacker can cause such negativity and division among so many people. Please give my sincerest apology to this woman and her child. Thank you.”
Watson told the station she doesn’t believe the message was the work of a hacker.
Watch KCEN’s report below.
kcentv.com – KCEN HD – Waco, Temple, and Killeen
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Hillary Clinton, DC Primary, #TwoMenKissing, Omar Mateen, Pete’s Dragon, Trent Reznor: NEWS
#TWOMENKISSING. Art from Brian Kenny.
THE END, FOR NOW. Hillary Clinton wins Washington DC primary, meets with Sanders: “Hillary Clinton formally concluded the U.S. Democratic presidential race on Tuesday with a win in the District of Columbia primary, then turned her focus to uniting the party during a 90-minute private meeting with defeated rival Bernie Sanders….Both camps described the meeting as “positive” and said the two noted their shared commitment to stopping Trump and pursuing issues such as raising the minimum wage, eliminating undisclosed money in politics, making college affordable and making healthcare coverage more accessible.”
ORLANDO. Tampa Bay Rays will donate Pride night proceeds to Orlando victims: “Beginning this morning, all open seats to Friday’s Rays-San Francisco Giants 7:10 p.m. game at Tropicana Field will be available for $5 with 100 percent of proceeds benefitting the Pulse Victims Fund (gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund), set up for the families of the victims.”
OMAR MATEEN. Orlando killer visited gay chat rooms. “Investigators don’t know whether he visited the chat rooms for personal reasons or for surveillance before carrying out the brutal attack early Sunday at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 people and wounding more than 50 others.”
ITAY HOD. Did self-hatred drive Mateen?
PULSE. Straight Pulse bartender returns to cover Orlando massacre as AP videographer: “As a cash-strapped college student at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, I was more than willing to try something outside the box to earn good money. Taking that job selling shots of alcohol was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The gay community virtually adopted me and eased my college expenses with its generosity. It feels surreal to now be a member of the news media covering the massacre at Pulse. I’ve focused my camera on countless murder scenes and tragic stories, and I rarely get emotional. I use my lens to distance me and keep work separate from real life.”
POSSIBLE SECOND TARGET. Mateen sent Facebook friend request to owner of Orlando gay club Revere: “When I didn’t accept (the Facebook friend request), I looked through his friends first and rejected it. In doing that, I looked — a few of his friends were just Arabic writing and I didn’t even know. It was just nothing that would relate to an LGBT club. It just didn’t make sense.”
JOINT MUSLIM STATEMENT. Leading Muslims speak out: “On behalf of the American Muslim community, we, the undersigned, want to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the barbaric assault that occurred early yesterday morning at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, Florida. We unequivocally say that such an act of hate-fueled violence has no place in any faith, including Islam. As people of faith, we believe that all human beings have the right to safety and security and that each and every human life is inviolable.”
ELLEN PAGE. Speaks out on Orlando.
FLORENCE WELCH. Sends her thoughts to Orlando. “Say my name and every color illuminates. We are shining, and we will never be afraid again.”
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. City Council passes landmark LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance. “As the LGBTQ community grapples with the horrific massacre in Orlando, it is truly encouraging to see the Jackson City Council taking decisive action to protect and affirm the rights of all their citizens,” said HRC Mississippi State Director Rob Hill. “Discrimination and hate have no place in Jackson, and everyone, regardless of who they are, should have the legal right to feel safe in their community. We thank Councilman Tyrone Hendrix for his continued leadership on issues of equality, and are confident that the Council’s actions will serve as an example to communities across the country.”
NARB. Nick Jonas explains.
PILOTS. Louis CK explains why he’s voting for Hillary. It’s like if you were on a plane and you wanted to choose a pilot. You have one person, Hillary, who says, “Here’s my license. Here’s all the thousands of flights that I’ve flown. Here’s planes I’ve flown in really difficult situations. I’ve had some good flights and some bad flights, but I’ve been flying for a very long time, and I know exactly how this plane works.” Then you’ve got Bernie, who says, “Everyone should get a ride right to their house with this plane.” “Well, how are you going to do that?” “I just think we should. It’s only fair that everyone gets to use the plane equally.” And then Trump says, “I’m going to fly so well. You’re not going to believe how good I’m going to fly this plane, and by the way, Hillary never flew a plane in her life.” “She did, and we have pictures.” “No, she never did it.” It’s insane.
FORMAT WAR. Apple’s Trent Reznor blasts YouTube: “Personally, I find YouTube’s business to be very disingenuous. It is built on the backs of free, stolen content and that’s how they got that big. I think any free-tiered service is not fair. It’s making their numbers and getting them a big IPO and it is built on the back of my work and that of my peers. That’s how I feel about it. Strongly. We’re trying to build a platform that provides an alternative – where you can get paid and an artist can control where their [content] goes.”
PETE’S DRAGON. A trailer for the remake.
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