Dan Patrick Launches Crusade Against Every Transgender Student In Texas
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) wants to make sure no school in the state ever respect or accommodate a transgender student.
The post Dan Patrick Launches Crusade Against Every Transgender Student In Texas appeared first on ThinkProgress.
thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/01/3783763/dan-patrick-transgender-offense/
The Huge Problem With The Way The Media Is Covering Amber Heard’s Abuse Allegations
Amber Heard’s bisexuality has become a focus for the media when reporting on her abuse.
The post The Huge Problem With The Way The Media Is Covering Amber Heard’s Abuse Allegations appeared first on ThinkProgress.
thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/01/3783422/amber-heard-biphobia/
A Federal Court Just Silently Slipped A Knife Into North Carolina’s Anti-LGBT Bathroom Bill
Score another loss for the forces of discrimination.
The post A Federal Court Just Silently Slipped A Knife Into North Carolina’s Anti-LGBT Bathroom Bill appeared first on ThinkProgress.
HRC Honors Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day
Today, HRC is proud to celebrate the 11th annual Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day.
Each year, LGBTQ-headed families and their allies from across the nation show their support for LGBTQ families by sharing their photos, experiences, videos and stories using the hashtag #LGBTQFamilies on social media.
You can join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube by posting about any topic related to LGBTQ families using the hashtag #LGBTQFamilies.
Are you looking for ideas on how to join the conversation? Mombian.org has created a great list of 15 things you can write about to help get you started!
At a time when we have seen appalling attacks on LGBTQ-headed families in state legislatures around the country, HRC is proud to celebrate and support all families. HRC is committed to the continuing fight for legal equity and fairness for LGBTQ-headed families. Check out some of HRC Foundation’s resources addressing the many potential paths to parenthood, as well as tools to confront issues facing LGBTQ-headed families or LGBTQ youth.
Dana Rudolph started Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day as part of an effort of Mombian.org, a website for lesbian moms and other LGBTQ parents, offering a mix of parenting, politics, diversions, and resources.
You can read more about LGBTQ Families Day by going to Mombian.org or by following the hashtag #LGBTQFamilies on social media.
HRC’s All Children – All Families project promotes LGBTQ cultural competency among child welfare agencies through innovative resources including an online agency self-assessment tool; comprehensive staff training, free technical assistance, and more. Learn more here.
www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-honors-blogging-for-lgbtq-families-day?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
HRC Alabama Celebrates Pride Season
Post sumbitted by Eva Walton Kendrick, HRC Alabama State Manager
With the start of the summer months, the heat and humidity won’t be the only things returning to Alabama. Beginning the first of June, cities around the state will celebrate pride season and HRC Alabama will be there every city along the way.
Our staff and volunteers look forward to the opportunity to meet you, hear your stories and share the work we are doing in your city and across the state to make achieve full equality for all LGBTQ Alabamians.
Make sure to take a look at our HRC Alabama pride schedule below to identify the pride event nearest you. We will have booths at Central Alabama Pride, Shoals Pride Fest, Rocket City Pride, Montgomery Pride, Tuscaloosa Pride and Mobile Pride. Each booth will include valuable LGBTQ resources and fantastic new HRC gear. All visitors to the HRC booths will have the chance to join HRC’s more than 1.5 million members and supporters on the right side of history.
June
Friday, June 3, 6:30 p.m. – Birmingham, “Out at the Field: LGBTQ Night with the Birmingham Barons”
Saturday, June 11 – Birmingham, Central Alabama Pride Parade, contact Tori Wolfe-Sisson ([email protected]) to sign up to march with HRC Alabama
Sunday, June 12, 11 am – 8 pm – Birmingham, Central Alabama Pride Fest. (Sign up to staff the HRC Alabama booth here.)
Saturday, June 18, 11 am – 10 pm – Huntsville, Rocket City Pride. Sign up to staff the HRC Alabama booth here.
Saturday, June 18 – Florence, Shoals Pridefest. Sign up to staff the HRC Alabama booth here.
Saturday, June 25 – Sunday, June 26 – Montgomery, Montgomery Pride. Sign up to staff the HRC Alabama booth here.
October
Sunday, October 23 – Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Pride
www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-alabama-celebrates-pride-season?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Celebs, advocates, organizations nationwide #StandWithTarget and LGBT acceptance
GLAAD
Across the country, people with diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences are aiming to unite with their eye on a common target—LGBT acceptance—for today’s #StandWithTarget campaign from GLAAD, Freedom For All Americans, Family Equality Council, and GLSEN.
Recently, Target has come under fire by a small – but loud – group of people who oppose its policies that protect LGBT people. The company is sending a clear message that it stands for equality and acceptance alongside others like Starbucks and Barnes & Noble.
And supporters of one of the largest discount retailers in the U.S. and its transgender-inclusive and LGBT-affirming policies are showing their appreciation on social media and in stores. Everyone – from celebrities, on-the-ground Target shoppers, and leading national and regional advocacy organizations – is letting Target know they hit the bullseye by supporting its LGBT guests and team members.
Check out some of the folks who #StandWithTarget because Targets stands with LGBT equality:
Celebrities & advocates:
Today is #standwithtarget Day!
Shop at Target and post a picture, They support the LGBTQ community. Thanks. ❌⭕️❌ pic.twitter.com/gdTUmWnpyz— Jeanette Jennings (@MomofJazz) June 1, 2016
Don’t forget to shop at @Target today, June 1! #WeAreNotThis #RepealHB2 #TransIsBeautiful #StandWithTarget t.co/LzLeEeGVxL
— Jessica Herthel (@jessicaherthel) June 1, 2016
Organizations & companies:
Take the pledge to #StandWithTarget and @GLAAD, supporting our #LGBTQ community: t.co/c4hCOpCaJJ pic.twitter.com/cgTki7csBt
— Point Foundation (@PointFoundation) June 1, 2016
@Target Thank you for doing the right thing! #StandWithTarget
— VIANOVA, Inc (@vianovagroup) June 1, 2016
Today’s the day to #StandWithTarget & show support for trans-inclusive policies: t.co/QFPMfDxGXo pic.twitter.com/GfS7q89n6y
— GLSEN Day of Silence (@dayofsilence) June 1, 2016
#StandWithTarget and #Milwaukee‘s #LGBT youth by shopping at Target and donating supplies to Pathfinders today! t.co/jZFa567gWL
— PathfindersMKE (@PathfindersMKE) June 1, 2016
Take the pledge and show you #StandWithTarget! t.co/ZPz5w9rref pic.twitter.com/aFYeEIF8TM
— GLSEN (@GLSEN) June 1, 2016
People standing with Target nationwide:
I’m awful at selfies, but I can still #StandWithTarget: supporting sensible, accepting solutions 4 all customers. pic.twitter.com/eN3wPG0snG
— macsmom (@macsmom) June 1, 2016
Our mommy works for Family Equality Council and our Uncle Kenan works for Target so we proudly STAND WITH TARGET! If you do too, share our post and #standwithtarget #familyequalitycouncil #target @kaptainkenan
A photo posted by cyoungphoto (@cyoungphoto) on
You can read Target’s statement supporting its LGBT customers here.
It’s time to come together to tell Target – “Thank you for doing the right thing!” You can join GLAAD, Family Equality Council, GLSEN, and Freedom for All Americans and take the pledge to #StandWithTarget today, Wednesday, June 1 as LGBT Pride Month begins.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE PLEDGE AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
Then, be sure to take a stand with us by:
www.glaad.org/blog/celebs-advocates-organizations-nationwide-standwithtarget-and-lgbt-acceptance
PHOTOS: You'll Laugh, Then Cry at These Vintage Pride Photos
www.advocate.com/pride/2015/6/21/photos-youll-laugh-then-cry-these-vintage-pride-photos
Amid A Sea Of Violent Hate Crimes, Dallas Police Partner With Antigay Pastor
For over a year, Oak Lawn–Dallas’s prevailing gayborhood–has been terrorized by a wave of over a dozen violent antigay attacks that have kept the area on edge and under lockdown. Police have made exactly zero arrests thus far, leading residents to fight back and take matters into their own hands. Now, Dallas police Chief David Brown is being accused of maintaining a covert professional partnership with virulently antigay Fox News contributor Pastor Robert Jeffress and his Southern Baptist megachurch.
Related: Transphobic ‘Bathroom Cop’ Follows Dallas Woman Into The Restroom
The New Civil Rights Movement reports that Brown is facing criticism from various LGBTQ advocacy groups--particularly following a rabid speech from Pastor Jeffress that implies pro-gay businesses are an even bigger threat to American than ISIS. As a result, Brown has been doing some fairly acrobatic feats of backpedaling, including releasing the following prepared statement titled “A Message from the Chief”:
“As Chief, one of my greatest worries is the physical and emotional well-being of officers as they put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of Dallas. We encourage and support all of our officers who seek out services offered to maintain their physical, emotional, and spiritual health regardless of their religious affiliation.”
On April 17, 2016, First Baptist Dallas held a Back the Blue Event to show support for officers and offered free services to officers and their families.
There is no agreement or relationship between the Dallas Police Department and First Baptist Dallas to provide services to officers.
But as The New Civil Rights Movement points out, this press release directly contradicts previous sentiments Brown has expressed about the partnership, particularly when announcing the upcoming “Back the Blue Event,” with Jeffress in tow, during another press conference.
Related: After 12 Violent Antigay Hate Crimes, Dallas Police Finally Put Neighborhood On “Lock-Down”
Talking to WFAA-TV in April, Jeffress said, “This is not just a one-day photo op with the Dallas Police Department. This Sunday signals a beginning of an ongoing relationship with the Dallas Police Department.”
Among Jeffress’ promises, as reported by The Dallas Morning News: his congregation wound fund scholarships for police officer’s kids to go to Bible camps; he’d host a Sunday School service for cops each Sunday; he’d offer complimentary counseling sessions to police and their families; and the church would start a new fund so Brown could reward officers and show his appreciation for them.
The church even posted a video clip in which Brown says, “We are very grateful and thankful to First Baptist Dallas for all that they are doing, and we are really, really excited about this Sunday and the many, many Sundays thereafter where this church will be supporting our officers.”
And in the below video, Brown stands chummily beside Jeffress and says,”I’m excited about this special opportunity that First Baptist Dallas is offering to each of us and our families. Not only will the church be showing their support with a special breakfast reception, gifts and more, but they are going to provide an ongoing network of support like never before.”
So, for obvious reasons, people aren’t exactly sold on Brown’s recent statement.
Writing on Twitter, Councilman and LGBTQ advocate Philip Kingston quipped:
They had a week, and the best they could come up with is “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for?” They have… t.co/gIwNhSgRr4
— Philip Kingston (@PhilipTKingston) May 28, 2016
Lee Daughtery, a gay bar owner, said his statements were simple “pandering.”
“I still don’t have clarification on the relationship between FBC and DPD,” he wrote on Facebook. “Staying silent on hate speech, is the same as promoting it. Take a stand Chief, Dallas isn’t this, and won’t be. We are better than this.”
Avi Adelman, a Dallas crime watchdog, says he’s filed a public information request seeking concrete details about the business relationship. The department has apparently told him it will take about a month to get all the records together.
Regarding Brown’s statement, Adelman says, “If you think for one moment that is a truthful statement, then I have a bridge over the Trinity River I want to sell you. I am sure a strong attempt to cover the documents is already in the works.”
Netflix Brazil Celebrates LGBT Pride with Heartwarming Video: WATCH
Look beyond fiction. That’s the message Netflix had for Brazilians, in celebration of the country’s LGBT Pride month.
A day before São Paulo’s LGBT Pride Parade, the streaming service giant posted a video online about diversity and LGBT representation on its programming and series. The video starts with a scene from Sense8 where Nomi Marks, a proud lesbian and transwoman activist played by Jamie Clayton, says that the real violence is the one “we do to ourselves when we are too afraid to be who we really are.” Then a series of individuals and couples part of of the Brazilian LGBT community talk about the importance of seeing themselves being represented on TV.
Gabi, a 23-year-old transwoman said it took a while for her to give Netflix her vote of confidence, but once she saw Sense8 ‘s Nomi, everything changed. “A complete character that just happens to be trans, or happens to be gay, it reminds everyone that these people are human beings,” she says.
Scenes from Orange Is The New Black and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Netflix’s other LGBT-inclusive shows, also appear, and different people share their experiences: “when you find other ways to be gay in these series, it does you a great good; you no longer think you are doomed to be unhappy,” says a gay man talking about Titus, from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
The video ends with why these shows are important for the community: “fictional characters represent real people.”
The cast of Sense8 rode in the São Paulo Pride parade and caused quite a sensation on Avenida Paulista.
Netflix started operating in Brazil in 2011 and it has an estimated 4 million subscribers.
The post Netflix Brazil Celebrates LGBT Pride with Heartwarming Video: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker Says He’ll Sign Transgender Rights Bill
Should it reach his desk, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, says he’ll sign the House version of a transgender rights bill which has been stalled in the legislature for several months.
“We’ve certainly listened to a variety of points of view from many sides and have said, from the beginning, that we don’t want people to be discriminated against,” Baker said in an interview with The Boston Globe. “If the House bill were to pass in its current form, yeah, I would sign it.”
The bill approved by the Senate and the version that is set to be passed by the House on Wednesday would allow people to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity and would protect transgender people from discrimination in barber shops, malls, libraries, restaurants, and other public accommodations.
Baker said he supports the House bill because it contains language which calls on the attorney general to issue guidance for taking legal action against anyone who asserts gender identity for an improper purpose.
The House is expected to take up the legislation today.
The post Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker Says He’ll Sign Transgender Rights Bill appeared first on Towleroad.
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