Combating Post-Election Bullying and Bias-Motivated Incidents in Schools

Post submitted by Kimmie Fink, Welcoming Schools Facilitator

Yesterday, HRC released the results of a nationwide youth survey, revealing a significant increase in bias-based bullying and harassment since November’s election. Findings include:

• Seventy percent of respondents reported witnessing bullying, hate messages or harassment during or since the 2016 election. Of those, 79 percent said such behaviors have been occurring more frequently since the onset of the presidential campaign.
• Over the past 30 days, about half of transgender youth reported feeling hopeless and worthless most or all of the time, and 70 percent said that these and similar feelings have increased in the past 30 days. Thirty-six percent had been personally bullied or harassed, and 56 percent had changed their self-expression or future plans because of the election.

These findings echo a recent Teaching Tolerance report, After Election Day, The Trump Effect: The Impact of the 2016 Presidential Election on Our Nation’s Schools. The report details how educators have seen school climates negatively affected by the results of the recent presidential campaign.

Now, ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration, more and more educators across the nation are wondering how they can support and foster healthier school climates.

For the benefit of all students, teachers must directly address bias-based bullying. Creating safe, welcoming schools is no easy task, and goes beyond addressing bullying behavior when it happens. In order to end bullying, teachers must eliminate the bias at the root of it. This is possible through education and luckily, HRC’s Welcoming Schools has plenty of resources to help.

Preparation is your best tool in creating respectful learning environments and combating the “Trump Effect.” The Welcoming Schools’ guide “What Do You Say To ‘That’s So Gay’ and Other Anti-LGBTQ Comments?” is an excellent resource that provides quick, simple responses that teachers can use at a moment’s notice. Ignoring harassment gives the behavior your tacit approval. Instead, view these incidents of bullying as teachable moments, and learn how to shift conversations from simply disciplinary to educational.

Promoting kindness and respect presents an opportunity to be a powerful example of support and unconditional love to your students each and every day. For more resources and to learn more, visit www.welcomingschools.org.

For more resources on how you can support LGBTQ youth who have been affected by the election results, click here.

To learn more about HRC’s work with children and youth, visit hrc.org/youth.

For more information about bullying, click here and click here.

For more information about cyberbullying, click here.

HRC’s Welcoming Schools is the nation’s premier program dedicated to creating respectful and supportive elementary schools in embracing family diversity, creating LGBTQ-inclusive schools, preventing bias-based bullying, creating gender-expansive schools, and supporting transgender and non-binary students.

www.hrc.org/blog/combating-post-election-bullying-and-bias-motivated-incidents-in-schools?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

EXCLUSIVE: Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy Now Officially a Couple

The classic Batman series characters are out and in love in this Friday’s DC Comics: Bombshells #79. 

www.advocate.com/art/2017/1/19/exclusive-harley-quinn-and-poison-ivy-now-officially-couple

The Obamas will be chillaxing at their gay friend’s Palm Springs manse this weekend

Everyone copes differently, but few do it with such singular style. On Friday, as a literal shitshow streaks blackly across the Capitol, the Obamas will be kicking it poolside at a Palm Springs manse owned by one of Barack Obama‘s ambassadors.

Related: In Trump we don’t trust: What it means to be trans in the era of DJT

As TMZ reports, the Rancho Mirage home is owned by James Costos, outgoing US ambassador to Spain, and his husband Michael Smith, the White House decorator since 2008. It’s the Obama’s 4th visit to the palatial estate, which is spread out over eight acres and peers over the top of the development —  the perfect place to sip Mai Tais, observe the world you’ve conquered, and brace yourself for whatever grisliness is around the corner.

www.queerty.com/obamas-will-chilling-gay-friends-palm-springs-mansion-weekend-20170119?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

A Dog’s Purpose, Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Murphy, Noor Salman, Gregg Sulkin, Sam Smith: HOT LINKS

GOLDEN SHOWERS. Weather forecast for Trump’s inauguration. “The forecast has become more certain that Friday is going to be cloudy, damp and cool for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony and the subsequent parade.”

SWEARING IN. He’ll use Lincoln Bible: “After a particularly contentious campaign for president in 2016, Trump’s inauguration committee said the significance of Lincoln and the fiercely divided nation he inherited in 1861 is echoed in what some see as a country working through divisions that are also significantly deep.”

AZEALIA BANKS. (Of course) she’d love to perform at Trump’s ‘EPIC’ inauguration.

AMERICAN CRIME STORY. Ryan Murphy plans new series on the Monica Lewinsky scandal: “To that end, Murphy and American Crime Story producers Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions have optioned author Jeffrey Toobin’s 2000 best-seller A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President as source material.”

CASH TRAIL. Six U.S. agencies investigating Trump, Russia, and election: “The FBI the CIA, the National Security Agency, the Justice Department, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and representatives of the director of national intelligence are involved in the inquiry, which will determine whether money moved from the Kremlin covertly helped Donald Trump win. ”

MILITARY. General James Mattis recommended for Defense Secretary: “The vote, conducted during a closed-door meeting, was 26-1. The only senator opposing Mattis was Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand of New York…’Sen. Gillibrand voted ‘no’ on Gen. Mattis’ confirmation in committee today because she believes civilian control of the military is fundamental,’ her spokesman, Marc Brumer, said in a statement.”

NOOR SALMAN. Orlando shooter’s wife pleads not guilty. “Salman will return to court Feb. 1 to argue for her release pending trial on the counts that could result in a life sentence if she is convicted.”

SORRY. Teen Wolf star’s dick pics debunked.

THAILAND. Czech fugitive wanted for knowingly spreading HIV arrested at resort: “Zdenek Pfeifer, 49, was detained at his apartment on the island of Phuket on Tuesday evening, Thai Interpol said in a statement. His arrest came after reports warning of his presence in the popular holiday nation went viral on Thai social media this week.”

SAM SMITH. Singer spotted in West Hollywood.

IMPRESSIONS. Celebrities do impressions of other celebrities for Graham Norton.

COLIMA. Mexican volcano’s eruption caught on camera: “A fiery nighttime eruption of the Colima, Mexico, volcano shot ash and smoke over 6,500 feet into the air and could be heard 50 miles away, officials said. The eruption Wednesday on the 12,000-foot mountain was the third major eruption this year, although the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Washington, D.C., part of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, gave almost daily accounts of new ash in the atmosphere since Jan. 3, as well as a spectacular eruption on Dec. 27.”

ELLEN DEGENERES. She broke the record for the most People’s Choice Awards – 20.

PETA calls for boycott of film after video reveals dog almost drowning on set.  “PETA is asking moviegoers to boycott A Dog’s Purpose (read its statement below) after video emerged on TMZ from the set of the film that clearly shows a German Shepherd being forced into rushing water and then going under and handlers screaming as they rush to save it from drowning. The animal-rights group is targeting a specific animal supplier — Acton, CA-based Birds & Animals Unlimited.”

THIRSTY THURSDAY. Draft Less.

The post A Dog’s Purpose, Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Murphy, Noor Salman, Gregg Sulkin, Sam Smith: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.

A Dog’s Purpose, Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Murphy, Noor Salman, Gregg Sulkin, Sam Smith: HOT LINKS

Join GLAAD & hundreds of thousands more at the Women’s March on Washington

www.glaad.org/blog/join-glaad-hundreds-thousands-more-womens-march-washington

Carly Simon’s gay ex-husband has a lot to say

Carly Simon fans will no doubt be intrigued by some new revelations from Jim Hart in his new memoir, in which he talks about being married to the famous singer while languishing in the closet.

The two were introduced in the late 80s in a train station, and he had no idea she was a famous singer — he barely even listened to music. But they got along famously, even though he had a bit of a secret life via gay sex chats and cruising spots.

It took years of therapy for Jim to come to terms with his sexuality — all the while doing his best to be a supportive partner for Carly. He helped her deal with anxiety and panic attacks and stage fright. On the advice of Jackie O, he opened Carly’s mail to shield her from weird fans and threats.

In return, Carly supported Jim when he left the insurance industry and began working on a novel.

But his sexuality was a problem as long as it remained secret — particularly when he experienced an attraction to James Taylor. Eventually, Carly’s accountants noticed that he was making calls to gay sex chat lines from one of the lines set up in the apartment. He confessed what he’d done and promised it would stop.

But it didn’t. He suffered from addiction and more clandestine affairs until it was all too much and he went to rehab — multiple times. After nineteen years of marriage, they finally split up, but Hart had at least one victory: he was finally ready to stop hiding his sexuality.

You’ll find these and assumedly many, many more stories about Hart and Simon in Hart’s book, Lucky Jim.

www.queerty.com/carly-simons-gay-ex-husband-lot-say-20170119?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

‘Lord of the Dance’ Michael Flatley Coming Out of Retirement to Jiggle for Trump

The Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley will be joining the unimpressive list of acts who have agreed to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration, the NY Daily News reports:

Flatley, 58, has been featured on “Dancing with the Stars,” but is best-known for creating the Irish dance shows “Riverdance,” “Lord of the Dance,” “Feet of Flames” and “Celtic Tiger.”

The Chicago native and his group will perform at the inauguration ball on Friday night. This will be the first time Flatley breaks out of retirement, however his troupe will do most of the dancing, according to the Irish Times.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee reportedly asked Flatley quite some time ago and he only confirmed his attendance on Wednesday.

Also performing at various events: 3 Doors Down, Toby Keith, Chrisette Michele, (some of) The Radio City Rockettes, Jackie Evancho, Lee Greenwood, Sam Moore and The Piano Guys.

Photo: Irish dancer Michael Flatley by Max Lin is licensed under cc-by-sa-2.0.

The post ‘Lord of the Dance’ Michael Flatley Coming Out of Retirement to Jiggle for Trump appeared first on Towleroad.

‘Lord of the Dance’ Michael Flatley Coming Out of Retirement to Jiggle for Trump

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 19, 2017

PRESIDENT OBAMA ON HIS LGBTQ RIGHTS LEGACY — “I COULD NOT BE PROUDER”: At his final White House press conference, President Obama said he “could not be prouder” of his LGBTQ legacy when asked about it by Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson82). The president also looked back on LGBTQ milestones during his administration, including the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” honoring Ellen DeGeneres with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and helping transform public perceptions of the LGBTQ community. He also talked about the battles ahead and transgender people being targeted specifically. “The attitudes of young people, in particular, have changed,” Obama said. “That doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be some fights that are important, legal issues, issues surrounding transgender persons. There’s still going to be some battles that need to take place.”

During the last press conference of his presidency, @POTUS spoke about his legacy on #LGBTQ rights & the heroes who changed America forever. pic.twitter.com/vg0ai2Ueip

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) January 18, 2017

• Protecting Obama’s legacy: Check out this piece from The Huffington Post on the fears the LGBTQ community has about Trump rolling back the progress made during the Obama Administration here.

SEN. CORY BOOKER URGES UN NOMINEE HALEY TO CONTINUE PROGRESS ON GLOBAL LGBTQ RIGHTS: During South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s Senate hearing for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations yesterday, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) recounted the seminal moment when current UN Ambassador Samantha Power told the UN Security Council, “LGBT rights are human rights, human rights are LGBT rights, and human rights must be universal.” The U.S. has been a leader at the UN when it comes to LGBTQ human rights. Last year, the UN created and twice protected a new watchdog position devoted to advancing LGBTQ rightsand released a first-of-its-kind report on violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ community. See Booker’s remarks on C-SPAN (starting at 02:00:39).

HRC JOINS “DOCUMENTING HATE” PROJECT TO COLLECT MORE COMPLETE DATA ON BIAS-MOTIVATED INCIDENTS: The project organized by ProPublica, the independent, nonprofit news organization, is thought to be the most robust effort to date to collect data on hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents. As The New York Times reports, “Documenting Hate” will “analyze information from law enforcement, news reports, nonprofit groups and individuals in order to investigate topics like how many hate crimes occur annually, which parts of the country have the highest prevalence and whether the frequency or severity of hate crimes has changed since the election of Mr. Trump.” In addition to the Times, other project participants include Google News Lab, Univision, BuzzFeed and The Advocate, and is utilizing data collected by HRC in their reports on anti-transgender violence, by other civil rights organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as reports submitted directly to the project. More from The New York Times.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: The cast of the groundbreaking TV show Will & Grace — Debra Messing (@DebraMessing), Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack), Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) and Megan Mullally (@MeganOMullally) — announced that the show will return to primetime later this year with a 10-episode revival. The show, which first aired in 1998, has been heralded as opening doors for LGBTQ characters in the television industry. More from Vogue.

#WillandGrace to return to @NBC! Congrats to @MaxMutchnick @DebraMessing @SeanHayes @MeganOMullally @EricMcCormack t.co/po52bmsNDd pic.twitter.com/OD6BgAGsGA

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) January 19, 2017

SHOT — UNC PRESIDENT SAYS HB2 DRIVING AWAY QUALIFIED JOB CANDIDATES: Margaret Spellings, president of the multi-campus University of North Carolina system, told The Associated Press that she knows of qualified candidates who have cited the state’s anti-LGBTQ HB2 law when turning down offers to work in the UNC system. With 16 universities and a high school, the system is one of the state’s largest employers. Read the full interview from AP.

CHASER — TEXAS REP WARNS LEGISLATURE ABOUT HB2-LIKE ANTI-TRANS BILLS: In a speech to the Texas Association of Business, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus stressed the economic fallout that anti-LGBTQ laws can cause, saying, “Many people where I come from get concerned about anything that can slow down our overall job-creating machine. They are also watching what happened in North Carolina, and they are not enthusiastic about getting that type of attention.” Estimates show that Texas stands to lose up to $8.5 billion from anti-LGBTQ legialation. More from The Texas Tribune.

COALITION ON CIVIL RIGHTS BANDS TOGETHER ON EVE OF TRUMP INAUGURATION: On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, a coalition of more than 200 national advocacy organizations, including HRC, has issued a bold statement of solidarity — promising to stand firm on civil rights in the face of an incoming administration that ran on an anti-rights agenda. Read the full statement here.

HRC REPORT DETAILS ANTI-LGBTQ CAREER OF TRUMP’S HHS PICK: After announcing its opposition to Tom Price (R-GA), Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, HRC released a report, Tom Price: A History of Anti-LGBTQ Actions, detailing his discriminatory voting record, public statements against LGBTQ people and opposition to the Affordable Care Act.

• Trump’s health policy adviser once asserted that crucial HIV research money was being used to support Russian prostitutes. Kay Talento made the allegation while fighting against federal HIV and AIDS research funding in 2003. More from BuzzFeed.

PRESIDENT OBAMA PARDONS SOLDIER ONCE IMPRISONED FOR BEING GAY: Peter Heidgerd, imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth in the 1990s because he was in a relationship with another man, has had the felony removed from his record. More from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

ELLEN (KEEPS!) MAKING HISTORY: At last night’s People’s Choice Awards, Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) was awarded her 20th People’s Choice Award — the most anyone has ever earned. Congrats! More from The Huffington Post.

Congratulations to @TheEllenShow on making @PeoplesChoice history! #PCAs t.co/wew97Ussww

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) January 19, 2017

HRC PRESIDENT HONORED BY SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: At a ceremony at the Pentagon before Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning’s final farewell ceremony, he honored HRC President Chad Griffin with the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award, for exceptional service that makes a substantial contribution to the accomplishment of the Army’s missions.

.@SECArmy, thank you. You not only made history — you led w/ honor. Grateful to have received Sec. of the Army Public Service award today. pic.twitter.com/ePSd4roaXi

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) January 18, 2017

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAPTURES STORIES FROM TRANS COMMUNITY: The Transgender Oral History Project will publish more than 200 stories from transgender and gender nonconforming people in the Midwest. More from Minnesota Daily.

SRI LANKAN OFFICIALS REJECT PROPOSAL TO DECRIMINALIZE SAME-SEX SEXUAL ACTS: A proposal to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation was rejected by the Cabinet, which ruled it would undermine a section of Sri Lanka’s penal code that makes same-sex sexual acts punishable by up to 12 years in jail. More from Press Trust of India.

READING RAINBOW

Fortune shares five states where LGBTQ-owned businesses are thriving… Bloomberg sits down with Joseph Vardner, vice president of the LGBT Bar Association of DC, to talk about upcoming legal challenges during the Trump administration…

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-january-19-20171?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

In Trump we don’t trust: What it means to be trans in the era of DJT

What’s in a name? For some, it’s a matter of living authentically or living a lie. And with Inauguration Day looming, many in the transgender community are scrambling to get their legal documentation (name changes, driver’s licenses, passports, etc.) corrected before Trump takes office, including 24-year-old Cade Schmidt (pictured), a self-described “non-cis male” from Seattle.

“In my experience, belonging to a marginalized group [like the trans community] forces you into this unnatural state where you are always prepared for the absolute worst thing to happen,” he tells Queerty. “But you’re also keeping just enough hope alive within yourself to get out of bed each day and face an America where you might get harassed, assaulted, or even killed for who you are.”

Related: Huge Uptick In Calls To Trans Suicide Prevention Hotlines In Wake Of Trump Election

We had a chance to chat with Schmidt about Trump, where he is at with his documentation, and what his concerns about the next four years…

QUEERTY: First things first, how do you identify?

SCHMIDT: I identify as a dude, through and through. I know “transguy” or “man” would be much more simple and satisfactory for other people, but for me, I see myself as no more or less than any other man–trans or cis. I guess you could call me a non-cis male. But more commonly, I identify as a Game of Thrones fan.

Where are you at with your documentation?

I am in the compiling stages. I have written my testimony to have my legal gender changed and have received affirmation from both my mental health physician and doctor. Now it’s a matter of compiling the paperwork, submitting it, and paying the fee. Changing my legal gender has always been on my to-do list, but, oddly enough, I had a feeling that I needed to get the paperwork done a few months before Election Day. I always knew I had to do it eventually, but for some reason I just had a hunch in September that I needed to get the ball rolling.

Related: Hello from across the aisle: Meet Emma, a transgender woman who voted for Trump

For those who don’t know, why has getting your documentation changed become such a big deal all of a sudden?

In 2010, the State Department made it simpler for trans* folks to change their genders on their passports. In 2014, Obama signed an executive order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against LGBTQ people. Changes like this were made by the Obama Administration to make it a little easier for trans folks to have their authentic gender legally recognized. But not all of these protections are safe from the Trump Administration’s meddling. If Trump’s Administration moves to remove executive orders and other federal protections put in place by Obama, it allows the states to make their own decisions on LGBTQ protections.

So, as trans man, what does a Trump presidency mean to you?

I am preparing for the worst by speeding up my legal gender affirmation. I have no way of knowing how bad things could get for me and all LGBTQ Americans in the next few years, so I need to cross my T’s and dot my I’s before things might get bad. On the other hand, I am also preparing for the best. I want to get married some day, I want to buy a house, and be a father. I need my marriage certificate to have my authentic name and gender. I want to be listed as my child’s legal father and I want to have my house in my name. My life is moving forward in the next four years, regardless of Trump. I will not let ignorance and hate get in the way of my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

Would you say the stakes of a Trump presidency are perhaps higher for the trans community versus others in the LGBTQ community?

I’m wary to say that things are more difficult for trans* folks, because that opens several cans of worms. That being said, I often have found it difficult to relate to my peers because of my identity. For example, after the election people had a hard time understanding why I was so depressed and why I just couldn’t “get over” the results. But when you have an identity that has become as politicized as trans* identity has over the past five years, the Trump Presidency is like throwing several wrenches into our progress.

How can folks within the LGBQ community support the trans community during this time?

Hang out with us. If you can, offer to buy the drinks because legal gender affirmation is expensive. Also, once you have educated yourself, do your best to help others around you educate and enlighten themselves about issues facing folks right now. When your gender-identity isn’t “traditional,” or lies outside gender-norms, it can be hard to blend in. Like when you go by a different name than what’s on your ID, or when you need to pee and use a bathroom other people don’t think you belong in, or when you are shopping in the women’s section of a store and everyone is staring at you because they think you should be shopping in the men’s. It is important to remember all of these are day-to-day experiences trans people have that cisgender people tend to take for granted.

www.queerty.com/uncertainty-ahead-means-trans-era-trump-20170119?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Rick Perry’s Confirmation Hearing as Energy Secretary: WATCH LIVE

Rick Perry’s confirmation hearing as Energy Secretary is underway.

Perry  had no idea what being the Energy Secretary meant: “When President-elect Donald J. Trump offered Rick Perry the job of energy secretary five weeks ago, Mr. Perry gladly accepted, believing he was taking on a role as a global ambassador for the American oil and gas industry that he had long championed in his home state.In the days after, Mr. Perry, the former Texas governor, discovered that he would be no such thing — that in fact, if confirmed by the Senate, he would become the steward of a vast national security complex he knew almost nothing about, caring for the most fearsome weapons on the planet, the United States’ nuclear arsenal.”

Also:

“My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking,” Perry will say, according to an advance copy of his opening statement. “In fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination.”

Perry, most known for serving as governor of Texas for 15 years and running for president in 2012 and 2016, will cast himself as an advocate for a range of energy sources when he testifies before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, noting that he presided over the nation’s leading energy producing state.

The post Rick Perry’s Confirmation Hearing as Energy Secretary: WATCH LIVE appeared first on Towleroad.

Rick Perry’s Confirmation Hearing as Energy Secretary: WATCH LIVE