IMG_5843
Zefrog posted a photo:
Pride in London 2016
Daily Archives: June 30, 2016
The Estimated Number Of Trans People In The U.S. Has Doubled
The Estimated Number Of Trans People In The U.S. Has Doubled
How many trans people are there living in the United States? Enough to populate a city, according to a new study from UCLA’s Williams Institute. (And what a city that would be! It probably would have a lot less drama about bathrooms.)
There are 1.4 million adults who identify as trans, researchers say, or about .6% of the country’s population. North Dakota and Iowa have the lowers percentage (.3%), with California and Hawaii having the highest (.8%).
Presumably, the large cities are more hospitable — San Francisco, for example, probably has a higher concentration than Fresno. And while there may not be a ton of trans people in Washington state, for example, Seattle is one of the trans-friendliest cities in the world. (As evidenced by the outpouring of support after a trans person was bashed after a rally; that support probably wouldn’t exist in, say, Texarkana.)
At any rate, this is a pretty significant surge in the trans population. In 2011, the estimate was just 700,000. Why did the number jump? There are a bunch of likely contributing factors: more states are reporting relevant stats; more people are open about being trans; and more people are realizing that gender is not as simple as the form someone filled out on your birth certificate. Think back just a few years — even as recently as 2011, many trans people might not have even known that they could be trans. But with growing visibility, more and more people can now recognize a character like Nomi on Sense8 and say “hey, that’s kinda me.”
feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/BWf3IjnDn4Q/estimated-number-trans-people-u-s-doubled-20160630
Gay ‘America’s Got Talent’ Contestant Brian Justin Crum Amazes Crowd With Queen Cover
Gay ‘America’s Got Talent’ Contestant Brian Justin Crum Amazes Crowd With Queen Cover
It’s situations like this for which the phrase “yas queen” was invented. A singer named Brian Justin Crum knocked it out of the park with a performance of “Somebody to Love” on America’s Got Talent.
The 28-year-old from San Diego brought his mother with him to the audition, and explained that she’d supported his career ambitions. From there, he nailed every note.
At this point you probably know how these things go: everyone in the audience got to their feet, including the judges.
Brian, who is openly gay, also had the support of his boyfriend Rumer, who tweeted “my boo is killing it!!!” It’s not Brian’s first time before an audience; he’s previously worked on Broadway with Wicked and Next to Normal. But now he’s managed to get his foot in the door of the Simon Cowell ecosystem — will that machine chew him up, or will he ride his newfound fame to ongoing success? Let’s watch and find out.
New Hampshire Governor Issues Executive Order Banning Anti-Trans Discrimination in State Govt.
New Hampshire Governor Issues Executive Order Banning Anti-Trans Discrimination in State Govt.
New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan on Thursday signed an executive order banning the state from discriminating against its employees on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.
The order also applies to the administration of state programs and state contracts.
According to Hassan’s office, existing anti-discrimination policies protect the state’s transgender employees from being discriminated against on the basis of gender.
“Throughout our history, it has been clear time and again that we always grow stronger when we work to ensure the full inclusion of all citizens in our democracy, our economy and our communities,” Governor Hassan said. “By making clear that gender identity and gender expression are protected in the State’s anti-discrimination policies, this Executive Order helps ensure that New Hampshire state government welcomes and incorporates the talents and contributions of all of our citizens. As we celebrate Pride Month, this Executive Order reinforces that New Hampshire is a welcoming state where everyone has the opportunity to share in our high quality of life and economic success.”
Of the effect of Hassan’s order, her office said in a statement,
In addition to making clear that gender identity and gender expression are included in the State’s anti-discrimination policies and provisions, the Governor’s Executive Order requires state agencies to review and revise their policies as necessary to ensure that they do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity or gender expression; the Department of Justice and the Department of Administrative Service to review and revise state contract language to include protections against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression; and the Division of Personnel to provide guidance to state agencies in implementing the Executive Order by September 15, 2016, and propose rules changes as necessary.
You can read the full text of the executive order HERE.
[Photo via Wikipedia]
The post New Hampshire Governor Issues Executive Order Banning Anti-Trans Discrimination in State Govt. appeared first on Towleroad.
A Closeted Gay Footballer Struggles to Come Out in New Film ‘Wonderkid’ – TRAILER
A Closeted Gay Footballer Struggles to Come Out in New Film ‘Wonderkid’ – TRAILER
A new film, Wonderkid, tells the story of a closeted gay professional footballer (Americans, read: soccer player) who is struggling to come out and come to terms with his sexuality as his career begins to take off.
Directed by Rhys Chapman and starring Chris Mason (who played the Kray twins’ cousin Ronnie Hart in the 2015 crime thriller Legend), ‘WONDERKID’ follows the inner turmoil of a talented player battling with the stress and scrutiny of the modern game, and the concealment of his sexuality.
Contributing to the ongoing ‘Football v Homophobia’ campaign, the 30-minute film has been commissioned to help raise awareness about a lack of openly gay professionals in the sport.
From the film’s YouTube posting:
[Wonderkid] is part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the lack of openly gay professionals in the sport. It has won the support of Sir Ian McKellen & Stephen Fry, as well as organisations such as The Telegraph, adidas, The FA, The Premier League, Kick it Out, Watford Football Club, Tottenham Hotspur & Sky Sports.
Wonderkid will premiere at the Odeon in Leciester Square in London before the start of the Premier League’s next season. It will be released online shortly afterwards.
Watch a trailer for the film, below.
The post A Closeted Gay Footballer Struggles to Come Out in New Film ‘Wonderkid’ – TRAILER appeared first on Towleroad.
Department of Defense Ends Discriminatory Ban on Trans People Serving Openly in the U.S. Military
Department of Defense Ends Discriminatory Ban on Trans People Serving Openly in the U.S. Military
Today, HRC hailed the Department of Defense (DOD) for finally ending the ban on transgender Americans serving openly in our military. The historic decision means that the U.S. will join 18 other nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Israel, already allowing transgender people to serve openly in their militaries.
“Today, we join in celebration with the thousands of brave transgender patriots who will now be able to serve our nation openly and with the deep respect they deserve,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Ending this discriminatory policy not only brings long-overdue recognition to transgender service members, it also strengthens our military and our nation. Our military will now be able to recruit the very best candidates, and retain highly-trained, talented transgender service members once facing discharge for no other reason than who they are. History will remember Secretary of Defense Ash Carter for his leadership in taking this historic and necessary step forward.”
Under the new policy, starting today, transgender people in the military will be able to serve openly in the military, and cannot be discharged simply because of their gender identity. Transgender service members on Oct. 1 will be able to access all medically-necessary care and begin to officially change their gender in Pentagon personnel systems.
However, under the new guidelines, openly transgender people will not be allowed to join the military immediately. They won’t able to enlist until up to one year from now, or when training of the forces in the new policy, which begins in October, is complete. In addition, the policy requires that transition-related medical care be completed and the prospective service member must be “stable” according to their doctor for a minimum 18 months. This policy will be reviewed within the next 24 months.
“The outdated regulations have had significant implications on our nation’s military readiness and on transgender service members risking their lives around the world – sometimes in combat zones. The Department of Defense should waste no time in ending these discriminatory practices, and ensuring equal treatment of our transgender service members,” Griffin said. “This includes reducing the unnecessary 18-month waiting period much sooner than in two years.”
In July 2015, the Pentagon announced a working group to study how to modify existing regulations to allow open transgender military service. The working group was expected to complete its review after six months and provide options for how to address the various regulations needed to be updated in order to allow for open service by transgender people.
According to the Williams Institute, there are approximately 15,500 actively serving transgender members of the U.S. military, making the Department of Defense (DoD) the largest employer of transgender people in America. These courageous men and women were forced to serve in silence by DoD medical out-of-date and medically out-of step regulations prohibiting their service and requiring their separation from the military if discovered.
Unlike the statutory ban that interfered with lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members from serving (known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”), the ban on transgender military service was just policy and required only today’s action by the DoD to update.
HRC Talks Workplace Inclusion in India
HRC Talks Workplace Inclusion in India
HRC was in Hyderabad, India, to kick off and participate in the city’s first summit focused on LGBTQ workplace inclusion last week, convened by the U.S. Consulate General. Hyderabad is a booming business center, home to investments and dozens of multinational companies, with a population roughly the size of the New York and growing rapidly.
Opened by Consul General of in Hyderabad, Michael Mullins, the event, “Inclusive Workspace: Employing the LGBTI” was at the prestigious Indian School of Business. Deena Fidas, HRC’s director of the Workplace Equality Program, offered a keynote on the path HRC took to starting the Corporate Equality Index and how leaders in the current global economy have forged a path for LGBTQI equality. With over 200 attendees, many from the 70+ highly rated Corporate Equality Index businesses in the area and members of HRC’s Global Business Coalition, the event also brought together a panel with Fidas, the President of the American Chamber of Commerce, who is also the Vice President for Human Resources for AMD Asia; the CEO of Google, India; the Human Resource Officers of Facebook and Synchrony Financial; a Professor of Marketing from the Indian School of Business; and LGBTI activists.
Steffan DeClue, HRC’s Associate Director, Foundation Relations, who has prior experience with civil society in India, supported the summit and met individually with top LGBTQI leaders in Hyderabad to discuss challenges and opportunities ahead.
Numerous press outlets covered the summit, including THE HINDU, which is the second most circulated English-language newspaper in India, with sales of 1.5 million copies each day.
www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-talks-workplace-inclusion-in-india?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Thousands of Constituents Demand Repeal of HB2
Thousands of Constituents Demand Repeal of HB2
Post Submitted By: Ryan Wilson, HRC Senior Regional Field Organizer
Since launching just three months ago, TurnOUT! North Carolina (NC) has worked across North Carolina identifying voters committed to the same cause: full repeal of the discriminatory HB2. Volunteers have canvassed neighborhoods, farmers markets, concerts, street festivals, sporting events and even popular restaurants. In key districts, our coalition collected over 3,000 postcards from constituents asking their specific lawmaker to vote to repeal HB2. Over the past two weeks, constituents have come to the General Assembly in Raleigh to hand deliver these postcards representing the voices of residents of their district.
With the constituents in these key districts, a total of over 12,000 North Carolinians have personally demanded that Governor Pat McCrory and legislative leaders vote to repeal HB2 before they end the legislative short session.
On Wednesday, HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse, Equality North Carolina’s Matt Hirschy and several supportive legislators made one final call to fully repeal HB2 before the end of session and to not waste any additional time with the proposed “fixes” being discussed.
TurnOUT! NC will continue to mobilize pro-equality North Carolinians to speak out for full repeal of HB2. TurnOUT! NC has field organizers based in Asheville, Charlotte and the Triangle area.
For more information about our work in North Carolina, contact HRC Associate Regional Field Director Ryan Rowe at [email protected].
Candis Cox Daniels
HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse
Delivering to Rep. Rob Bryan’s office
Delivering to Rep. Chris Malone’s office
Catching up with Rep. Avila
Delivering to Rep. Pendleton’s Office
www.hrc.org/blog/thousands-of-constituents-demand-repeal-of-hb2?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
GLAAD celebrates lift of transgender military ban
GLAAD celebrates lift of transgender military ban
Transgender service members from SPARTA pose with SPARTA’s Sue Fulton (far left) and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter (second from right). Photo credit: TransMilitary
On the eve of Independence Day weekend, GLAAD celebrates the end of the discriminatory ban that previously prevented transgender troops from openly serving in the United States military. Today, the official proclamation came from Defense Secretary Ash Carter that transgender troops will now be able to openly serve their country in all branches of the armed forces.
According to CNN, Secretary Carter has announced the ending of this ban will take effect immediately, and transgender people will no longer be discharged on the basis of their gender identity.
Secretary Carter said, “Although relatively few in number, we’re talking about talented and trained Americans who are serving their country with honor and distinction. We want to take the opportunity to retain people whose talent we’ve invested in and who’ve proven themselves.”
The process of introducing and implementing reformed procedures to address admission, health care, housing, uniforms, and non-discrimination is expected to take another year.
The military is lifting the ban on trans service members. A long overdue step toward full equality and acceptance: t.co/0iZCISlYpr
— Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) June 30, 2016
SPARTA, the largest organization of actively-serving transgender military members today celebrated the Pentagon’s announcement confirming that transgender Americans will be able to serve their country on equal footing with other service members.
“Secretary Carter today fulfills his promise that every American who is qualified to serve will be allowed to serve,” said former Army Captain Sue Fulton, President of SPARTA. “The thousands of transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen – and their commanders – have one less burden on their shoulders today. We are grateful to the military and civilian leaders in the Department of Defense who worked so hard to get this right.”
In 2011, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — a policy that protected closeted lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) personnel from discrimination but disallowed them from serving openly in the military — was repealed, giving LGB military service members the right to serve their country regardless of their sexual orientation. However, the lift of this ban did not apply to gender identity and transgender people were still unable to serve openly.
According to the Palm Center’s Report of the Transgender Service Commision, it is estimated that there are 15,500 active transgender troops, and more than 134,000 transgender veterans who served in the United States armed forces. Transgender people also enlist in the military at a proportionately higher rate than the general population with transgender adults being more than twice as likely than cisgender adults to serve.
Most transgender troops, however, have been forced to conceal their gender identity to avoid risk of being discharged at a commander’s discretion or losing their benefits simply for being who they are.
June 30, 2016
Issues:
www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-celebrates-lift-transgender-military-ban
BREAKING: Pentagon Ends Ban on Transgender Service Members
BREAKING: Pentagon Ends Ban on Transgender Service Members
Starting today, transgender members of the military can serve openly.
www.advocate.com/transgender/2016/6/30/breaking-pentagon-ends-ban-transgender-service-members
