Happn takes a stand against bullying for #SpiritDay

 

Happn, the leading global dating app that enables users to discover the people they’ve crossed paths with in real life, has teamed up with GLAAD, to encourage Happn users to take a stand against LGBTQ bullying.

In support of GLAAD and Spirit Day on Thursday, October 20, 2016, Happn will launch a powerful U.S. campaign grounded in the frightening statistic that nearly three-quarters (74%) of students reported experiencing some type of peer victimization in the past school year. According to research by GLSEN, bullying and harassment remain a significant concern of students, families and schools all across the country. Furthermore, despite legal and cultural changes, LGBTQ students continue to face hostile school climates.

On Spirit Day, a full screen image will pop up when users first fire up Happn. The message “Words Can Hurt” will appear followed by a call-to-action that cites the harrowing youth statistic, encourages Happn users to take part in Spirit Day, and directs them to glaad.org/spiritday, where they can:

• Go purple. Use GLAAD’s mobile app to turn your Happn profile picture purple.
• Join the conversation. Take part in the movement on social media – Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat – by using #SpiritDay.
• Make a donation. Provide a contribution that will help GLAAD carry out its work – including Spirit Day – as the organization seeks to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people around the world.

“We choose words carefully in portraying ourselves in order to charm others when filling out our dating profiles. If only we could be equally as mindful of the derogatory words used towards the LGBTQ community,” said Didier Rappaport, CEO and co-founder, Happn. “To show our support for the GLAAD youth-driven cause, Happn is leveraging its platform to raise awareness, and challenging its users to rewrite the script for LGBTQ acceptance in America and across the globe.”

All those moved by the Words Can Hurt campaign can take action by contributing to GLAAD’s Spirit Day efforts: spiritday-glaad.nationbuilder.com/donate.

About Spirit Day

Each year, millions of people “go purple” for Spirit Day in a united stand against bullying and to show support for LGBTQ youth. According to a 2015 GLSEN survey, more than half of LGBTQ students report being victimized based on sexual orientation, with a further three quarters of students who report hearing anti-LGBTQ remarks in school. Started in 2010 by high school student Brittany McMillan, Spirit Day now draws the participation of celebrities, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, and individuals around the world, who join together in a united stand against bullying.

Check out glaad.org/spiritday for more about how to stand against bullying and show support for LGBTQ youth. Also follow @GLAAD on Twitter to keep up to date with #spiritday news.Spirit Day is made possible by the generous support of its presenting partners Target and Wells Fargo, official partners, NBA and WNBA, NFL, Viacom, and WWE, and supporting partners, American Eagle Outfitters, Barilla, Comcast NBCUniversal, Kellogg’s, Kirkland & Ellis, Toyota Financial Services, and Zipcar.

Past participants in Spirit Day include the White House, the Empire State Building, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Cher, Laverne Cox, Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Shaquille O’Neal, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The View, The Talk, The Tonight Show, MTV, the NBA, the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, WWE, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, the Las Vegas Strip, and more.

www.glaad.org/blog/happn-takes-stand-against-bullying-spiritday

Take a Tour of the Nation's Historic LGBT Landmarks

Take a virtual tour of the sites where Truman Capote, Bayard Rustin, the Furies Collective, and more made LGBT history.

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2016/10/19/take-tour-nations-historic-lgbt-landmarks

Season Three Of “American Crime Story” Will Take On Versace’s Murder

In 1997, fashion designer Gianni Versace was gunned down on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion by Andrew Cunanan, a serial killer and sociopath who murdered four other people during a three-month period before turning the gun on himself.

On Tuesday, it was announced season three of Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story will tackle Versace’s murder, and be filmed simultaneously with season two (which takes on Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath.)

Related: The 15 Most Ridiculous Moments From Lifetime’s House Of Versace

As Pink News reports, he teleplays will be based off 1999’s Vulgar Favors by Maureen Orth, a book that delves into Versace’s murder and the subsequent hunt for Cunanan.

Producers at FX were so impressed by the first script they decided to accelerate production, and show-runner Ryan Murphy is expected to direct the first episode.

Related: The 15 Greatest Gay Designers

www.queerty.com/season-three-american-crime-story-will-take-versaces-murder-20161019?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

60 Cities Earn Perfect LGBTQ Protections Survey Score (But 8 Score Zero)

Sixty cities in the U.S. have earned perfect scores in a new Human Rights Campaign (HRC) nationwide ranking of LGBTQ protections.

The Municipal Equality Index looked at 506 cities including the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities, the five largest cities in each state and cities home to a state’s two largest public universities.

RELATED: Tearful Colton Haynes Accepts HRC Visibility Award, Makes Promise to Future LGBT People: WATCH

Cities are ranked based on inclusive laws and nondiscrimination policies in areas including housing, employment, public accommodations and access to services.

Diverse. Inclusive. Welcoming.

For the third-consecutive year, we’ve received a perfect score on the @HRC Municipal Equality Index. pic.twitter.com/06DhEcnZqR

— Orlando FL (@citybeautiful) October 19, 2016

According to HRC, the number of cities with perfect scores has increased from just 11 in 2012.

The report also found evidence of significant progress on transgender equality, noting that “Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits are offered to employees of 86 municipalities this year – up from 66 in 2015 and 5 in 2012 – and the growth of cities offering those benefits to their employees outpaces the growth in the number of cities rated.”

The cities at the top of the rankings are Phoenix, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; Detroit and New York City. Eight cities including Wasilla, Alaska; Clemson, South Carolina and Sheridan, Wyoming scored zero points.

Other key findings of the survey are:

87 cities from states without nondiscrimination laws protecting LGBTQ people scored above the overall nationwide mean of 55 points. These cities averaged 80-point scores; 22 scored a perfect 100.

Cities continue to excel even in the absence of state laws: 37 “All Star” cities in states lacking comprehensive non-discrimination laws scored above 85 points, up from 31 last year, 15 in 2014, eight in 2013, and just two in 2012.

The average city score was 55 points. 60 cities, or 12 percent of those rated, scored 100 points; 25 percent scored over 75 points; 25 percent scored under 33 points; and 8 cities scored zero points.

Cities with a higher proportion of same-sex couples, as tabulated by a UCLA Williams Institute analysis of the 2010 U.S. Census, tended to score better. The presence of openly-LGBTQ city officials was also correlated with higher scores.

In a statement, HRC President Chad Griffin said:

“This year, dozens of cities across the nation showed they are willing to stand up for LGBTQ people in their communities even when state governments are not. This builds on a trend we have long observed: that local governments are at the forefront of our fight for equality. Unfortunately, our opponents have witnessed this progress too, and in recent years, anti-LGBTQ lawmakers have pushed spiteful legislation aimed at pre-empting local protections. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to not only fight for equality at the state and local levels, but to enact comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people under the Equality Act.”

3rd year in a row for my hometown. 🙂 Rochester Achieves Highest Score In Municipal Equality Index t.co/cP58YVrNZw

— 🎃Dave Wilson🎃 (@TiChall) October 18, 2016

New York Mayor Mayor Bill de Blasio added that the city “prides itself on being an inclusive city for all, regardless of who they love or how they identify.”

You can check your city’s score here.

The post 60 Cities Earn Perfect LGBTQ Protections Survey Score (But 8 Score Zero) appeared first on Towleroad.

60 Cities Earn Perfect LGBTQ Protections Survey Score (But 8 Score Zero)

#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: October 19, 2016

IN FINAL #NCGOV DEBATE, ROY COOPER SHOWS WHY HE WILL BE NORTH CAROLINA’S NEXT GOVERNOR: Yesterday in North Carolina, Pat McCrory and Roy Cooper squared off for their final debate before the Nov. 8 election. “Pat McCrory continued to blame others and avoid taking responsibility for a dangerously discriminatory law that he alone signed,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “Voters across North Carolina saw a stark choice tonight between Pat McCrory’s failed policies and Roy Cooper’s positive vision for the future. By fighting to ensure that everyone in North Carolina can live their lives free from fear of discrimination, Roy Cooper showed again why he deserves the votes of all North Carolinians this Election Day.”  With early in-person voting set to begin Thursday in North Carolina, read more here on how HRC and Equality North Carolina are working to elect pro-equality candidates up and down the ticket in North Carolina.

BEFORE TONIGHT’S FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, WATCH THIS: Yesterday, HRC released a new ad highlighting presidential candidate Donald Trump’s alarming promise to appoint judges like late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Tonight’s debate will include a focus on the Supreme Court. “Donald Trump’s dangerous and hateful vision for our Supreme Court is to appoint justices in the model of Antonin Scalia — a man who spent his entire judicial career disparaging LGBTQ Americans, calling us murderers and polygamists,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The future of the Supreme Court is at stake in this election, and we cannot allow Donald Trump to nominate a new generation of anti-LGBTQ judges who would perpetuate Justice Scalia’s legacy of discrimination. Hillary Clinton has long been a champion for the LGBTQ community and is the only candidate in this race who would ensure that the Supreme Court continues its historic progress securing equality for all Americans.” Watch the video ad here, and read Griffin’s recent op-ed for NBC News on the dangers of giving Trump the power to appoint judges.

• It’s not just the high court: Jay Michaelson (@jaymichaelson) in The Daily Beast lays out succinctly the disaster a Trump-Pence administration poses for LGBTQ people here and around the word. Read it here.
• And, there’s this: Trump says that if elected and before he’s sworn in, he’ll meet with anti-LGBTQ Russian President Vladimir Putin.

IN NEW VIDEO, JUDY SHEPARD WARNS OF TERRIFYING CONSEQUENCES OF TRUMP’S HATE-FILLED CAMPAIGN: In a video ad released yesterday, Judy Shepard (@WyoJudyShepard), the mother of Matthew Shepard, warns of the consequences of Donald Trump’s hate-filled campaign. “When I see the hate Donald Trump has brought to his campaign for President,” she says, “it terrifies me.” The video, titled “Hate”,  recounts Matthew’s brutal murder in Wyoming 18 years ago, and features Trump’s despicable language on the campaign trail — inciting violence, mocking people with disabilities, trafficking in racism and bigotry, and joking about gun violence. “I know what can happen as a result of hate,” Judy Shepard says, “and Donald Trump should never be our president.” Judy Shepard also recently penned a powerful joint op-ed with HRC President Chad Griffin on how the LGBTQ community will vote for those they’ve lost to hate, and those still suffering. Watch the video here. More from CNN. And the Casper (Wyoming) Journal writes about how Matthew Shepard’s legacy lives on in his home state.

WATCH: Judy Shepard (@WyoJudyShepard) warns of terrifying consequences of Donald Trump’s hate-filled campaign. t.co/aw9pKJMYqN pic.twitter.com/aliECtQFSx

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) October 18, 2016

#turnOUT:

• In Colorado: ICYMI, HRC President Chad Griffin rallied with get-out-the-vote volunteers in Colorado Springs, and met up in Denver with Senator Michael Bennet for a Facebook Live event about LGBTQ equality and what’s at stake in this election. Watch it on Hillary for Colorado’s Facebook page. Colorado has more than 134,000 LGBTQ voters, and the margin of victory in the 2012 presidential election was 137,858 votes.
• In Nevada: Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@JesseTyler) and husband Justin Mikita (@JustinMikita) visited HRC members, volunteers and supporters in Las Vegas, firing them up to #turnOUT the vote for pro-equality candidates.
• And in North Carolina, transgender leaders, including HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride), worked in Raleigh to #turnOUT the pro-equality vote over the weekend. Read more here.

WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY: Terrance Moore, Deputy Executive Director for the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, breaks down the issue of implicit bias, and how it creates unique challenges for gay and bisexual Black men seeking healthcare. Moore shares his personal story struggling to find accepting health care after being diagnosed with HIV, writing, “We are in the midst of a crisis in health care right now — but there is a path forward.” Read the full piece at The Advocate.

MIAMI BANS DANGEROUS “CONVERSION THERAPY” FOR MINORS: The Miami Board of Commissioners recently approved a measure banning the dangerous and debunked practice of “conversion therapy” for minors. Though such practices have been rejected for decades by mainstream medical and mental health organizations, some practitioners continue to offer it. Minors are especially vulnerable — studies have shown that so-called “conversion therapy” can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide. More from The Miami Herald.

MID-WEEK BREAK – LOCAL POLICE OFFICER GETS IN FORMATION: Check out this police officer slay all day while dancing to Beyonce’s “Formation” at a high school pep rally in Virginia. Lieutenant Deuntay Diggs is the first openly gay cadet to attend the Virginia Military Institute, and the first openly gay deputy to serve in Virginia’s Strafford County Sheriff’s Office. More from BuzzFeed.

My sister teaches at a high school in Virginia and she just sent me this video of their county lieutenant dancing to formation @ a pep rally pic.twitter.com/2jaXnFgYrC

— spooky harry �� (@hereforthe1D_) October 14, 2016

READING RAINBOW

The San Francisco Chronicle lays out why the LGBTQ community embraces Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump…

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-october-19-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Spirit Day to culminate in memorial at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando

www.glaad.org/blog/spirit-day-culminate-memorial-pulse-nightclub-orlando

PHOTOS: Burrow Into D.C.’s Otter Den

www.gaycities.com/photos/335-otter-den/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

FINAL DEBATE: Obama’s Half-Brother is Trump’s Guest; Bill and Melania Won’t Shake Hands

Tonight’s third and final debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump takes place at 9 pm ET at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, moderated by FOX News anchor Chris Wallace. We’ll be streaming it live here.

A few details have emerged about tonight’s debate, which will be a conventional one-on-one rather than a town hall.

Donald Trump has invited Obama’s half-brother Malik to be his guest at the debate, the New York Post reports:

Malik — an American citizen who lives in Washington, DC, when he’s not in Kenya — says he will be a guest of Trump, the Republican nominee he supports for president.

“I’m excited to be at the debate. Trump can make America great again,” Malik told The Post.

“I look very much forward to meeting and being with Malik,” Trump said. “He gets it far better than his brother.”

Malik agrees with Trump that the mainstream media is biased, and he dismisses the women who claim Trump kissed or groped them without their permission.

“I don’t believe them,” Malik said. “Why didn’t they come forward before?”

Malick says he hasn’t seen his half-brother since August 2015 in Kenya during a presidential visit.

It’s unclear what the Trump campaign hopes to accomplish by the invitation.

Also, at the Clinton campaign’s request, Bill Clinton and Melania Trump won’t greet at the debate, the New York Times reports:

The new arrangement calls for the candidates’ spouses to enter the hall closer to their seats, rather than crossing the room, and each other’s paths.

That would avoid any potential for confrontations, given Mr. Trump’s penchant for dramatic stunts.

On Tuesday, an aide to Mrs. Clinton declined to comment on the change, and aides to Mr. Trump did not respond to an email seeking comment.

It is possible, of course, that further negotiations could result in a different arrangement, if both sides agree, by the time the debate begins at 9 p.m. Eastern.

We’ll continue to report on any developments as they unfold.

The post FINAL DEBATE: Obama’s Half-Brother is Trump’s Guest; Bill and Melania Won’t Shake Hands appeared first on Towleroad.

FINAL DEBATE: Obama’s Half-Brother is Trump’s Guest; Bill and Melania Won’t Shake Hands

Municipal Equality Index: Cities in Battleground States

Arizona. Colorado. Florida. Georgia. Iowa. Minnesota. Nevada. New Hampshire. North Carolina. Ohio. Pennsylvania. Virginia. Wisconsin.

Many of these are “battleground states,” poised to play an important deciding role in who will win the upcoming presidential election. And in some, the number of potential LGBTQ voters exceeds the state’s margin of victory for the presidential candidate in 2012 national election, leaving no doubt about the influence of LGBTQ voters.

Unfortunately, many of these states also lack statewide protections for its LGBTQ residents. So while some cities are pushing to become more LGBTQ-inclusive, a lack of statewide protections means that the cities must do more to earn perfect scores on HRC Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index, released this week in partnership with Equality Federation. The outcome of the election will have a profound impact on the lives of LGBTQ residents at the local, state and national levels.

Some states have restrictive legislation that prohibits cities from from passing LGBTQ-inclusive laws, while others apply the Dillon’s Rule, which prevents cities from providing broader nondiscrimination protections than those offered under state law.

Because of these types of restrictions, not every city has the power to enact the types of legislation that the MEI measures. For example, cities looking to advance equality in Virginia and North Carolina, both battleground states, face such restrictions and so are unable to score as well as fair-minded cities in states without the restrictive laws.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is just one example. Chapel Hill earned a rating of 68 on the 2016 MEI, up from 55 in 2015. The city has improved in a number of areas, including law enforcement and its relationship to the LGBTQ community. It even earned 14 bonus points this year. But though the city has shown steady progress on equality, it still has a long way to go to be fully inclusive, due in no small part to state-level restrictions such as HB2.

On Thursday, we’ll explore some of the MEI’s All-Star Cities, which have been able to achieve high scores despite being in states with restrictive laws.

www.hrc.org/blog/municipal-equality-index-cities-in-battleground-states?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed