Pride in Turkey Turns Violent After Getting Banned (Video)
www.advocate.com/pride/2016/6/28/pride-turkey-turns-violent-after-getting-banned-video
Daily Archives: June 28, 2016
Pulse Fundraiser Vendor
Pulse Fundraiser Vendor
Kilolo Jenkins posted a photo:
June 28 – July 12, 2016.
All donations will go directly to www.gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund
Equality Florida, the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.
Event will last for two weeks and close on July 12th.
Also participate in the auction! Free stuff, free time, free profile piccies all as prizes for the auctions!
Sources Are Seriously Questioning Whether Gay YouTube Star Was Actually Beaten In WeHo
Sources Are Seriously Questioning Whether Gay YouTube Star Was Actually Beaten In WeHo
Earlier today, we reported the alleged hate crime assault on Calum McSwiggan, the gay YouTube star.
Over the weekend, the British personality took to Facebook to share a photo of himself in the hospital, describing the event as “the worst night of my life.”
Related: Sadistic Antigay Frat Attack Turns Out To Be A Hoax
However, sources at West Hollywood’s Sheriff’s Station are strongly suggesting McSwiggan’s claims are not at all true.
WehoVille reports that Captain Holly Perez of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station said McSwiggan was examined in the parking lot of Pavilions grocery store on Santa Monica Boulevard, and saw absolutely no signs of injury at all.
Related: Five Gay Hoaxes That Had Us Fooled
McSwiggan reportedly informed the deputies that he left The Abbey nightclub with three men he didn’t know and was unable to identity, claiming to have been brutally beaten shortly after leaving the Robertson Boulevard bar at around 2:30am on Monday morning.
But as deputies questioned Pavilions security guards in the parking lot, they say they saw McSwiggan rip a rearview mirror off an automobile and scratch the paint on another car.
Captain Perez also says McSwiggan was seen trying to harm himself in the police station holding cell. That’s when he was taken to the hospital.
McSwiggan’s initial Facebook post reads:
Last night was the worst night of my life and I’m really struggling to find the words to talk about it. After one of the most wonderful weekends at VidCon we went out to a gay club to celebrate, and towards the end of the evening I was separated from my friends and beaten up by three guys. The authorities should have been there to help and protect me but instead they treated me like a second class citizen. With three broken teeth and six stitches in my forehead, I’ve never felt so terrified to be a gay man in the public eye… Right now I don’t feel that I’m in the right place to talk about this but I will be addressing this fully in the future.
We’ll keep you posted as more info emerges.
PHOTO: Straight Dutch TV Presenters Get Naked (And Intimate) To Fight Homophobia
PHOTO: Straight Dutch TV Presenters Get Naked (And Intimate) To Fight Homophobia
There are many ways to fight homophobia. Some choose to do it with nudity and awesomeness.
Today’s case in point: Jan Versteegh and Tim Hofman, co-hosts on the Dutch broadcasting network BNN, who have taken it upon themselves to strip down for L’Homo magazine’s June Issue (out now) to question people’s assumptions about masculinity and sexuality.
Related: Kiss This Handsome Model To Help Destroy A Stupid Myth About HIV
“I think we have done this for more open discussion of [homosexuality] than we necessarily want to be in a sheet with our bare ass,” says Tim. “That’s nice, but secondary.”
Related: The 10 Most Beautiful Brazilian Male Models On Instagram
“I hope we can show people that [it’s] just two [insultingly handsome] men on a picture,” Jan adds.
You can watch a behind-the-scenes clip of Jan and Tim photographed in Curaçao here:
Steve Grand: The Thirst Is Real – LOOK
Steve Grand: The Thirst Is Real – LOOK
Steve Grand made lemons out of lemonade recently when a planned recording session got cancelled. The singer turned a missed opportunity into a chance to relax, and unwind and inspire thirst.
The All-American Boy shared the below photo on Instagram Monday with the caption, “Recording session canceled for today. Please send your #thotsandprayers; that I may survive this very real thirst.”
Grand’s playful hashtag refers to the common slang, “thot” or “that hoe over there.”
PREVIOUSLY: Eli Lieb Thinks Steve Grand is ‘Dirty’, ‘Basic’, and ‘Grating’ – WATCH
Grand also recently covered Justin Bieber’s song, “Sorry.”
Watch and listen to that, below.
The post Steve Grand: The Thirst Is Real – LOOK appeared first on Towleroad.
BREAKING: North Carolina Lawmakers Double Down with “HB 2.0” Legislation
BREAKING: North Carolina Lawmakers Double Down with “HB 2.0” Legislation
Today, HRC and Equality NC blasted the leadership of the North Carolina House of Representatives for proposing legislation that doubles down on the state’s anti-LGBTQ law passed in March, known as HB2. The new proposal would continue some of the most vile aspects of the HB2, including the provision that has made it illegal for transgender people to access certain restrooms and other facilities, as well as a section that blocks localities from passing non-discrimination protections for their own residents and visitors.
“This is nothing more than ‘HB 2.0,’” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Anyone who cares about equality must reject this ridiculous proposal out of hand. This despicable bill would continue insidious policies targeting LGBTQ people for discrimination and do nothing to fix the mess HB2 created. It’s past time for North Carolina lawmakers to listen to the overwhelming chorus of voices from across North Carolina and around the country calling for full repeal of this hateful law.”
“Legislative leadership must stop digging their own hole ever deeper. North Carolina can’t afford it,” said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro. “This leaked draft is the result of another backroom deal that does nothing to fix the problems of HB2. We need to repeal HB2 immediately. The legislature cannot cut and run.”
The new proposal doubling down on HB2 does not address in any way the anti-LGBTQ discrimination perpetuated by the law and would not restore the ability of cities to pass LGBTQ inclusive non-discrimination ordinances. Appallingly, this proposal would still offensively and dangerously require the overwhelming majority of transgender people to use restrooms that don’t correspond with their gender identity.
The discriminatory proposal being offered by lawmakers today does not change the harmful status quo for nearly every transgender person in North Carolina. In fact, it would only allow access for a minority of transgender people in two states – Tennessee and Idaho — who may be living in North Carolina. According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, only 24 percent of transgender adults have birth certificates that correspond to their gender identities. Many states, including North Carolina, require transgender people to have gender reassignment surgery to update their birth certificates. However, only 33 percent of transgender people actually have gender reassignment surgery. This is due to a variety of factors – including but not limited to cost, age, health and medical needs, and access to skilled providers.
Momentum for repeal of HB2 has continued to grow since HB2 was rammed through the legislature and signed in under 12 hours on March 23. More than 185,000 signatures were previously delivered to Governor McCrory’s office, and more than 200 major CEOs and business leaders have signed an open letter calling for full repeal of HB2 — including many of North Carolina’s largest employers, like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, American Airlines, Replacements Ltd, RedHat, Biogen, and Mitchell Gold. Major film studios and corporations, from PayPal to Deutsche Bank, have stopped investments in the state because of the new law’s threat to employees and consumers. Artists including Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Dead & Company, and Cyndi Lauper have spoken out. Conventions have withdrawn from the state, taking substantial revenue with them, and the Charlotte Chamber said in May that HB2 has cost the Mecklenburg area alone $285 million and 1300 jobs. The NCAA also announced that it will no longer hold events, including the Final Four, in cities that do not have LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination laws.
HB 2 has eliminated existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and prevents such protections from being passed by cities in the future. In addition, the legislation prevents transgender students in public schools from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity. It also compels the same type of discrimination against transgender people to take place in publicly-owned buildings, including in public universities, major airports, and convention centers. Further, HB 2 revokes the ability to sue under state employment non-discrimination law on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, religion, national origin, and sex.
Equality NC is a statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians. For more information, please visit www.equalitync.org
An LGBTQ Jurisprudential Landmark: Twenty Years Since Romer v. Evans
An LGBTQ Jurisprudential Landmark: Twenty Years Since Romer v. Evans
Last month marked the 20th anniversary of Romer v. Evans, the landmark Supreme Court decision that laid the legal groundwork for some of our community’s biggest victories including US v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges. In Romer, the Supreme Court determined that a Colorado anti-gay voter referendum violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Several Colorado municipalities had passed protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the employment, housing, healthcare and other basic services. In response, in 1992 Colorado voters adopted Amendment 2 to the Colorado Constitution, which precluded these protections and any judicial, legislative or executive action designed to protect LGB people from discrimination. The Court ruled Amendment 2’s blatant targeting of LGB people for discrimination to be a clear violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
In addition to strengthening the legal foundation for LGBTQ civil rights in the Constitution under the 14th amendment, Romer also sent a powerful message to lawmakers and courts that homophobia, or as the court described it a “bare… desire to harm a politically unpopular group,” can never be a legitimate state interest.
The precedent that Romer created is clear. Hate must not be used as the basis for lawmaking. It illustrates the critically powerful role of the Court as designed by our nation’s founders to facilitate a genuine balance of powers within our democracy and to safeguard individuals from the so-called tyranny of the majority. As James Madison described in the 51st edition of the Federalist Papers, “It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure.”
Two decades after Romer, and over two centuries since the publication of the Federalist Papers these words remain frighteningly relevant. Today we can look back on what has been the most pro-equality administration in this nation’s history. Under President Obama’s leadership the federal government has implemented a myriad of federal protections in heatlhcare, employment, and housing. Many states and cities across the country now provide local protections as well. However, the anti-LGBTQ animus that fueled Amendment 2 in Colorado in 1996 continues to be a powerful force in American politics. As we have seen in North Carolina over the past months there are powerful forces transforming “bare animus” into state sanctioned bullying, particularly targeting transgender people.
The Constitution and Bill of Rights provide fundamental protections, and the Supreme Court was designed as the final arbiter and protectorate of these rights. The decision in Romer illustrates the system of checks and balances envisioned by our founders in action. It is sadly clear that there continues to be a pressing need for Constitutional safeguards to protect “politically unpopular” groups from the tyranny of the majority. However, these safeguards cannot work if one branch is held hostage by another. The future of the LGBTQ community and our quest for formal equality depends upon a fully functioning Supreme Court. Romer v. Evans created the infrastructure to end animus-based legislation, but we need nine Justices to truly build a future of equality.
HRC Arkansas Celebrates Marriage Equality Anniversary
HRC Arkansas Celebrates Marriage Equality Anniversary
Post submitted by James Rector, HRC Arkansas Field Organizer
Last Friday, 50 people joined HRC Arkansas in downtown Little Rock in celebration of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges one year ago.
In a historic 5-4 ruling on June 28, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that bans on marriage for same-sex couples are unconstitutional, paving the way for nationwide marriage equality.
Many individuals rallied around a cake that declared “Love Wins” to snap a quick photo. Attendees shared stories about where they were when they heard the ruling, and discussed the current climate post marriage equality in Arkansas.
Plaintiffs Angelia Frazier-Henson and her wife Kathy Henson were in attendance. Angelia briefly made remarks about their experience during the fight for marriage equality in the Natural State. She shared that marriage equality was only one milestone and urged individuals to continue the fight for full LGBTQ equality. Wes Givens also shared his experience of being on the steps of the Supreme Court when the decision was handed down. He remarked how the crowd celebrated for a full 20 minutes when the announcement was made.
For more information about HRC Arkansas and to get involved, contact [email protected] or like us on Facebook.
GLAAD partners with Jacksonville Coalition for Equality for day of advocacy
GLAAD partners with Jacksonville Coalition for Equality for day of advocacy
Ross Murray
Today, GLAAD is partnering with the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality (JCE) to advocate for the LGBT community and push toward accelerating acceptance in the state of Florida.
Ross Murray, Director of Programs – Global and U.S. South, is on the ground in Jacksonville meeting with local advocacy leaders and participating in conversations on what can be done to make Florida a safer, more inclusive, more equitable place for the LGBT community.
This morning, he appeared on First Coast Connect with Dan Merkan of JCE to discuss acceptance and nondiscrimination legislation in the U.S. South and GLAAD’s work in Florida after the Orlando attack. You can listen to the full appearance here.
Host Ryan Michael Benk, Ross Murray and Dan Merkan of JCE (left to right).
This afternoon, Ross–who is a deaconal minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America–gathered with numerous faith leaders in the Jacksonville area, representing a diverse range of faith tradtions to discuss what religious communities can do to advocate for and support the LGBT community. They also honored the victims and survivors of the attack on Pulse Orlando through prayer and reflection.
Ross Murray addresses the crouwd at faith leaders lunch.
Faith leaders in Jacksonville come together for lunch, prayer, and discussion.
Latrall Simon leads the group in prayer for the victims of the Orlando attacks.
Later tonight, Ross will be a panelist at “Tipping Point: Jacksonville’s Role in the National LGBT Discussion,” an event hosted by JCE and GLAAD at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville. The panel event is an opportunity for regional members and allies of the LGBT community to come together and discuss ways to make LGBT affriming and inclusive legislation, LGBT visibility in the South, and full equality and cultural acceptance realities for LGBT Floridians.
The conversations and work being done on the ground in Jacksonville today will help inform and build GLAAD’s partnership with local leaders and advocacy organizations to accelerate acceptance across Florida and the U.S. South as a whole.
June 28, 2016
www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-partners-jacksonville-coalition-equality-day-advocacy
'Daily Show' Hears Twitter Backlash Over Abortion Joke (Video)
'Daily Show' Hears Twitter Backlash Over Abortion Joke (Video)
www.advocate.com/comedy/2016/6/28/daily-show-hears-twitter-backlash-over-abortion-joke-video
