#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: August 5, 2016
UGANDAN POLICE RAID LGBTQ PRIDE EVENT: Yesterday, the Ugandan police raided a peaceful LGBTQ pride event in Kampala, the country’s capital. Police arrested several participants, who were subsequently released, including activists Frank Mugisha and Pepe Onziema of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). “The violent raid and arrest of LGBTQ leaders attending a Uganda Pride event is an affront to the universal freedom to peaceably assemble and to the basic dignity of LGBTQ Ugandans,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Ugandan authorities must stop targeting and persecuting LGBTQ people.” HRC has called for the police responsible for the raid to be held accountable for their violent actions. Read more about longtime anti-LGBTQ Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and his discriminatory policies here. More from BuzzFeed.
HB2 HAMMERING NC SMALL BUSINESSES: In a sobering op-ed for the Charlotte News & Observer, Chris Armstrong, director of special initiatives at Small Business Majority, writes that the state’s discriminatory HB2 law is not just bad for LGBTQ people, it’s also bad for the state’s nearly 800,000 small businesses. He notes that the NBA’s decision to move its 2017 All Star game out of the state — an estimated loss of $100 million to NC — is just the latest blow caused by HB2. “Small-business owners keep North Carolina’s economy strong,” Armstrong writes, “but they can’t do that if they can’t keep talented employees and loyal customers — and HB2 is driving away both.” More from News & Observer. Meanwhile, Trump supporter NJ Gov. Chris Christie is just fine with HB2’s anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
- With marquee events like the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four on the line, The Houston Chronicle urges Texas lawmakers and voters to pay attention to the fallout over HB2.
- Citing HB2, the American Physical Society is canceling its 2018 conference scheduled for Charlotte. More from The Charlotte Observer.
- Troubling: Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools put trans student protections on hold in wake of Gavin Grimm SCOTUS decision: Superintendent Ann Clarke says the system has placed a temporary hold on a bullying prevention regulation giving transgender students access to restroom and locker room facilities corresponding to their gender identity. More here.
DON’T MISS HRC’s @SARAHEMCBRIDE TAKE DOWN CLINT EASTWOOD: Following Clint Eastwood’s defense of Donald Trump and his hateful policies, HRC’s Sarah McBride schooled the actor in a viral tweet storm. More from Attn:.
- Tim Kaine gives shout out to McBride: While campaigning in North Carolina, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Senator Tim Kaine referenced McBride’s history-making DNC speech — she’s the first transgender person to address a major party convention — and her reminder of the unfinished work in the fight for LGBTQ equality. More from Queerty and watch here.
ORLANDO SHOOTING INSPIRES GOP SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ PROTECTIONS: Nearly two dozen Republican officials in Central Florida have signed a non-binding resolution supporting efforts to “pass legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identification.” More from Orlando Sentinel.
- Angel Colon thought he would never walk again after being shot six times at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub, but he’s back on his feet and dancing. Get your tissues ready and watch at The Advocate.
THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE: Feminist-in-Chief Barack Obama used his birthday yesterday to give us a present — writing in Glamour about the future he hopes for his daughters and his commitment to making it a reality. Gender stereotypes, the President writes, “affect all of us, regardless of our gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.” Read the full piece here.
- And, just because, here’s a great reminder of what this President has done for the LGBTQ community.
FIRST OPENLY TRANS WOMAN TO PARTICIPATE IN OLYMPIC CEREMONY: Be sure to watch for Brazilian model Lea T. in tonight’s Olympic opening ceremony when she becomes the first openly-trans woman to participate in an Olympics opening ceremony. She told BBC Brazil, “[T]he message is clear … include everyone, no matter their gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. We are all human beings and we are part of society. My role at the ceremony will help send this message.” More from CNN.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER COACH TO HOMOPHOBIC FANS — BOY BYE: Chicago Fire General Manager Nelson Rodriguez took to the field last weekend to announce that soccer fans who participate in homophobic chants or slurs will be ejected from the stadium. To the fans angry about the policy? “Go find another team to support,” Rodriguez said. More from Towleroad.
SAN FRANCISCO TO BE AN LGBTQ DATA DYNAMO: In July 2017, San Francisco will begin collecting voluntary data about the sexual orientation and gender identity of its residents in an effort to create more accessible and effective services for the LGBTQ community. More from San Francisco Bay Times.
HOUSE LGBT CAUCUS CALLS ON UKRAINE TO PROTECT PRIDE FESTIVAL: The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus has called on the Ukrainian government to ensure the safety of Pride celebrations in the city of Odessa this month. Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David Cicilline said the safety of participants is “of the utmost importance” to the committee. More from LGBT Weekly.
READING RAINBOW
Washington Blade examines whether anti-LGBTQ violence will overshadow the Olympics; The Huffington Post highlights a beautiful pro-LGBTQ mural; Houston Chronicle endorses Hillary Clinton for President of the United States; NBC speaks to Lesbians Who Tech founder about LGBTQ diversity in technology; Slate interviews two authors of LGBTQ children’s books; Star Observer explores the LGBTQ gaming community; and The Advocate discusses the challenges same-sex parents face when coming-out in the back-to-school season.
www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tip-sheet-august-5-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Canchola is now out on bond and living in McAllen, Texas, with his first-degree murder trial repeatedly delayed due to a backlog in DNA testing. But Sylvester’s previous boyfriend, now-22-year-old Taylor Shirley of Houston (above right), isn’t giving up in his fight to bring Canchola to justice.
