U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Calling for End to Persecution of Gay Men in Chechnya

The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution similar to a bipartisan resolution passed by the House last June condemning the persecution of gay men in Chechnya.

NBC News reports:

“The Senate condemns the violence and persecution in Chechnya and calls on Chechen officials to immediately cease the abduction, detention, and torture of individuals on the basis of their actual or suspected sexual orientation, and hold accountable all those involved in perpetrating such abuses,” the resolution states.

The resolution also calls on Russia “to protect the human rights of all its citizens, condemn the violence and persecution, investigate the allegations in Chechnya, and hold accountable all those involved in perpetrating such abuses.”

The resolution was introduced by Pat Toomey (R-PA), and Ed Markey (D-MA).

The post U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Calling for End to Persecution of Gay Men in Chechnya appeared first on Towleroad.

U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Calling for End to Persecution of Gay Men in Chechnya

‘Murder On The Orient Express’ Premiere Live Stream: Watch Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Daisy Ridley And The Cast Arrive
‘Murder On The Orient Express’ is finally set to arrive in cinemas, but before we can see it, it’s time for the film’s A-list cast to hit the red carpet at its world premiere.

Sir Kenneth Branagh’s hotly-anticipated film will get its debut airing at the Royal Albert Hall, with its stars – including *deep breath* Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Penelope Cruz, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Dame Judi Dench and Michelle Pfeiffer – all hitting the red carpet first.

Willem Dafoe, Leslie Odom Jr and Sergei Polunin will also be there, joining their co-stars a selection of celebrity guests to have a first look at the big screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s most famous novel.

And you can watch as all of the stars as they arrive on the night, with BUILD’s exclusive live stream.

Tune in here at 6pm to see all the action.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/murder-on-the-orient-express-premiere-live-stream_uk_59fb310fe4b0b0c7fa388d78

BREAKING: Trump’s Unqualified, Anti-LGBTQ Nominee for USDA Post, Sam Clovis, Withdraws Nomination

Today, HRC released the following statement regarding Sam Clovis’ withdrawal from consideration to serve as chief scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Sam Clovis has opposed equality for LGBTQ people at practically every turn and even pushed the unscientific nonsense that being LGBTQ is a choice,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “It’s disconcerting that the Trump-Pence administration continues to nominate candidates who are as extreme as they are unqualified. Sam Clovis certainly fit that description, and while his nomination has today been withdrawn, it’s absolutely essential that the Senate reject the scores of other dangerous nominees this administration continues to push forward.”

Sam Clovis is among the worst in a long line of anti-LGBTQ extremists nominated by Donald Trump and Mike Pence. Clovis has a disturbing history of anti-LGBTQ extremism, as reported by CNN. Clovis, who has no scientific background, has repeatedly peddled the falsehood that being LGBTQ is a “choice.” Clovis has also disgustingly equated protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination with protecting pedophiles, and he opposes marriage equality. 

www.hrc.org/blog/breaking-trumps-anti-lgbtq-nominee-for-usda-post-sam-clovis-withdraws?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Study suggests gay men fall in love with guys who share this one characteristic with their fathers
Your romantic type could be dictated by your dear old dad.

www.queerty.com/study-suggests-gay-men-fall-love-guys-share-one-characteristic-fathers-20171102?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells to Headline Revival of ‘Boys in the Band’ on Broadway

Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, and Andrew Rannells are set to headline a 15-week revival of Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking 1968 play The Boys in the Band, which centers on a group of gay men who gather in a NYC apartment for a friend’s birthday party.

Also starring are Robin de Jesus, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tuc Watkins.

The 50th anniversary production will be directed by Joe Mantello at the Booth Theatre. Ticket information will be announced at a later date.

From the producers:

After the drinks are poured and the music turned up, the evening slowly exposes the fault-lines beneath their friendships and the self-inflicted heartache that threatens their solidarity.  A true theatrical game-changer, The Boys in the Band helped spark a revolution by putting gay men’s lives onstage — unapologetically and without judgement – in a world that was not yet willing to fully accept them.

“The significance of The Boys in the Band cannot be underestimated.  In 1968, Mart Crowley made theatrical history by giving voice to gay men onstage, in this uncompromising, blisteringly honest, and wickedly funny play,” said Ryan Murphy. “The play was groundbreaking in its exploration of how gay men treated each other and how they were made to feel about themselves.  And while some attitudes have thankfully shifted, it’s important to be reminded of what we have overcome and how much further we still have to go.”

David Stone adds, “Everything has changed.  And nothing has changed.”

A sensation when it premiered in April 1968, The Boys in the Band was originally scheduled to run for five performances at the Playwrights’ Unit, a small off-Broadway venue.  Overnight, the show became the talk of the town for its unflinchingly honest depiction of gay life, and transferred to Theater Four on West 55^th Street, drawing the likes of Jackie Kennedy, Marlene Dietrich, Groucho Marx, and Rudolf Nureyev, among many others.  The play went on to run for over 1,000 performances.  The entire original company performed the show to great acclaim in London and also appeared in William Friedkin’s landmark 1970 film version.

The post Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells to Headline Revival of ‘Boys in the Band’ on Broadway appeared first on Towleroad.

Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells to Headline Revival of ‘Boys in the Band’ on Broadway

Omar Naseef: Ich bin schwul und Muslim – das wünsche ich mir von meiner Familie
Mein Bruder erzählte mir neulich von einem Gespräch zwischen seinem Sohn und dessen Cousine – der Tochter unserer Schwester. Mein Neffe hatte seiner Cousine verkündet, er wolle später einmal wie ich sein. Sie entgegnete ihm: “Du willst also SCHWUL werden?”

Weiterlesen: yum_de, Islam, Muslime, Homosexualität, Blogs, Community, Yum, Germany News

www.huffingtonpost.de/omar-naseef/ich-bin-muslim-und-schwul_b_18448226.html

Peyronie’s Disease: Symptoms And Treatment For The Curved Penis Condition Explained

Men who have Peyronie’s disease – where the penis curves dramatically – could have an increased risk of developing cancer, according to a new study.

The study of 1.5 million men by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, suggested men with the condition have a 40% increased risk of developing testicular cancer, a 40% increased risk of developing stomach cancer and a 29% increased risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma), according to The Telegraph.

But Dr Helen Webberley, who runs the online healthcare service My Web Doctor, said “we need to be very careful that this [research] is fully evaluated before people start to worry”. She added: “We also need to be careful that very ‘normal’ men with a slight bend do not get swept up in this association.”

Off the back of the study, we looked into the symptoms and causes of Peyronie’s disease, as well as how to get treated.

What is Peyronie’s disease?

“Many men have a bend or a mild curvature of the penis,” Dr Webberley explained. “Peyronie’s disease is a different thing altogether. It is a rare condition where there is true fibrosis in the shaft of the penis leading to a marked bend and difficulties with urination and sex.”

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see your GP:

:: a thickened area or hard lump (plaque) in the shaft of the penis 

:: a curve in the penis when it’s erect

:: pain in the penis, usually during an erection 

:: the penis looking misshapen, like an hour glass

:: loss of length or girth of the penis.

According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), Peyronie’s disease affects approximately one in every 16 men (6%), however many urologists believe it’s under-reported, possibly affecting as many as one in 10 men (10%). Most men affected are over the age of 40.

As previously mentioned, the condition causes the penis to curve. When a plaque grows on the top of the penis, for example, it can cause the penis to bend upward and when it grows on the underside, it causes a downward bend. In some cases, the plaque develops centrally, which can lead to indentation and shortening of the penis.

There are often two stages to the disease, according to BAUS: a painful, inflammatory phase which usually lasts for three to six months and a chronic or stable phase, which usually happens at least six months after the pain has stopped. During the latter stage, no new changes occur to the shape or curvature of the penis.

Causes

Peyronie’s disease is sometimes caused by injury to the penis, however in a lot of cases there’s no obvious reason as to why it develops. 

Treatment

The disease usually changes the shape of the penis permanently, meaning it won’t go back to the way it was before. That said, it won’t always affect men to the point where they need treatment, according to the NHS.

If Peyronie’s disease is affecting your sexual function or causing pain, you might be offered non-surgical treatment such as steroids which are injected into the affected area or medicines. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is also an option, where soundwaves target the plaque. Although there is not much evidence to suggest any of the aforementioned treatments are effective. 

In severe cases, Peyronie’s can be treated with surgery. According to the NHS, this might involve: removing or cutting away the plaque and attaching a patch of skin or a vein to straighten the penis, removing an area of the penis opposite the plaque to cancel out the bend or implanting a device to straighten the penis.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/peyronies-disease-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-for-curved-penis-condition_uk_59fb24e5e4b0b0c7fa3878a9

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 2, 2017

HRC URGES SENATE TO REJECT ANTI-LGBTQ EXPORT-IMPORT BANK NOMINEE: Scott Garrett, Trump’s nominee to lead the Export-Import Bank, had his hearing yesterday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. “Scott Garrett is not qualified to be the President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. It makes no sense to appoint someone to lead an institution he does not believe should exist,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “Even among the many House members with anti-LGBTQ records, Scott Garrett managed to stand out for his extreme positions on the inclusion of LGBTQ people in our country. The Trump-Pence administration continues to dispatch anti-LGBTQ officials to all levels of government and Garrett is simply another disgraceful agent in their crusade against equality. We urge the Senate to reject his nomination.” Garrett’s stance and hateful remarks led HRC to call for his removal as subcommittee chair in the House Financial Services Committee. More from HRC.

COURT PREVENTS LOUISIANA GOV FROM PROTECTING LGBTQ STATE WORKERS: Yesterday, a three-judge panel of Louisiana’s First Circuit Court of Appeal upheld an earlier District Court decision striking down Governor John Bel Edwards’ executive order protecting LGBTQ state workers and contractors from discrimination. “This decision is a setback with serious consequences for LGBTQ state employees and contractors throughout Louisiana,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “Governor John Bel Edwards’ common sense protections are similar to executive orders issued by governors around the country.” Bel Edwards issued the executive order last April, protecting state employees and contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  Attorney General Jeff Landry sued the governor, asking the court to throw out those explicit protections that do not exist under state law. More from The Associated Press.

TRUMP JUDICIAL NOMINEE FAILS TO DENOUNCE DANGEROUS PRACTICE OF SO-CALLED ‘CONVERSION THERAPY’: When asked by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) about his connection to the anti-LGBTQ Nebraska Family Alliance, L. Steven Grasz — Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals — failed to denounce the group’s support of the debunked practice. Additionally, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) asked Grasz about referring to marriage equality as a “grave danger,” he claimed he would follow the Obergefell decision as the law of the land. More from Newsweek and Mother Jones.

• The American Bar Association yesterday deemed Grasz “not qualified” for this seat. More from The Omaha World-Herald.
• Grasz joins a growing list of anti-LGBTQ judicial nominees being advanced by the Trump-Pence Administration, including Jeff Mateer, Damien Schiff, Stephen Schwartz and Mark Norris.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — WATCH THIS 104-YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIAN EXPLAIN WHY HE SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Alex was married for 45 years to his wife, and now wants the same rights for his gay grandson. Results in Australia’s non-binding postal vote on marriage equality are expected November 15. More from Metro.

MORNING MUST READ FROM REUTERS, “OUT FOR VOTES: BATTLE OVER RIGHTS INSPIRES MORE U.S. TRANSGENDER CANDIDATES”: Reporter Letitia Stein (@LetitiaStein) writes, “[Virginia Delegate candidate Danica Roem’s] candidacy comes as more transgender men and women are vying for voices in the political arena where they have been targeted by conservative lawmakers seeking to limit their rights, most notably by restricting bathroom access… Nearly 30 races in the 2017-18 election cycle already have a transgender candidate, up from 13 in 2015-16… The community’s electoral push comes as Republican President Donald Trump’s administration has reversed guidance to public schools on allowing transgender students’ bathroom choice and wants to ban transgender people from military service.” More from Reuters.

With LGBTQ rights under attack, more transgender Americans are running for office. That’s good for the country. t.co/QSQKxEwjox

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) November 1, 2017

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL SUPPORTS CRIMINAL CASE OVER CHECHNYA’S ANTI-LGBTQ HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES: Russian Human Rights Ombudsperson Tatayana Moskalkova told reporters yesterday that a criminal case could be made concerning anti-LGBTQ torture against Chechen man Maksim Lapunov. Since early this year, Chechen authorities have rounded up and detained more than 100 men in secret prisons, under suspicion that they are gay or bisexual. Chechen leaders have denied these accusations, going so far as to deny the very existence of LGBTQ people in Chechnya. Nonetheless, there have been numerous verified reports of torture and at least three and possibly as many as 20 men have been killed. More from Tass Russian News Agency.

• While the U.S. Congress has passed resolutions condemning the violence and persecution by Chechen authorities, President Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have thus far failed to publicly condemn the attacks. More from Upworthy.

EGYPT AND RUSSIA BLOCKED FROM REMOVING INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN  UN’S OLYMPICS RESOLUTION: In advance of the Olympics, the United Nations General Assembly passes an “Olympic Truce Resolution,” which includes a commitment that the Olympics will not discriminate — including on the basis of sexual orientation. This year, however, Egypt and Russia attempted to remove the language on non-discrimination, because of the reference to sexual orientation. The U.S. and other nations blocked them. More from HRC and The Washington Blade.  

COUNTY JUDGE TELLS PHOENIX WEDDING SHOP OWNERS THEY MUST SERVE SAME-SEX COUPLES: Judge Karen Mullins of the Maricopa County Superior Court rejected Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski’s challenge to the city’s LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance in their quest to discriminate against same-sex couples. More from The Arizona Republic.

HEARING SET IN ETHICS CASE AGAINST ANTI-LGBTQ JUDGE: The Judicial Conduct Commission asserts that Judge W. Mitchell Nance, a family court judge in Kentucky, violated several ethics provisions when he refused to hear adoption cases involving same-sex parents. His outrageous reasoning was that he does not believe same-sex parents are in the “best interests” of a child. Nance has announced he would resign effective December 16. More from The Associated Press.

HRC MOURNS CANDACE TOWNS, TRANS WOMAN OF COLOR MURDERED IN GEORGIA: HRC was horrified to learn of the death of Candace Towns, a 30-year-old woman shot to death in Macon, Georgia. Towns is at least the 25th reported killing of a transgender person in the U.S. this year. Nearly every person killed has been a woman of color — and overwhelmingly Black women. More from NewNowNext.

THOUSANDS CALL FOR REMOVAL OF CATHOLIC OFFICIAL OVER SHAMEFUL “TIPS” FOR SHUTTING LGBTQ FAITHFUL OUT OF FUNERAL RITES: In a newsletter to area priests, Bishop Morlino of the Catholic Diocese of Madison (Wis.) urges preventing same-sex partners of the deceased to play a “prominent role” in funerals, and forbidding Mass at funerals where the LGBTQ deceased didn’t give “any signs of repentance before death.” More from The Associated Press.

HBCUs ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LGBTQ STUDENTS: Across the country, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are making strides for LGBTQ students. More from NBC and Blavity.

MANDY MOORE TALKS ABOUT HER LGBTQ MOM & TWO BROTHERS: The singer and actress says that “nothing makes me happier than seeing anybody live their authentic self, and to choose love. If anyone can find love, I support it, I salute you and I celebrate that.” More from NewNowNext.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH: There are more than 400,000 children and youth waiting for a permanent family. Check out some ways you can mark National Adoption Month with HRC’s All Children – All Families Project at HRC.

REFLECTING ON PROTESTANT CHRISTIANS EMBRACING LGBTQ DIVERSITY, 500 YEARS AFTER MARTIN LUTHER: There are more than 5,000 Protestant churches in the U.S. that are welcoming and affirming of LGBTQ people. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran church body in the U.S. consecrated an openly gay bishop in 2013 and allows clergy to perform same-sex marriages. Other major mainline protestant denominations, including the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA), have also opened their doors to LGBTQ people and advocate for LGBTQ equality. More from HRC.

WORLDWIDE SURVEY FINDS MAJORITY SUPPORT EQUALITY FOR LGB PEOPLE: The ILGA-RIWI survey found that 55 percent of respondents agree that “equal rights and protections should be applied to everyone, including people who are romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.” The question did not include gender identity. More from PinkNews.

HONG KONG FINANCIAL SECTOR PUSHES CITY ON LGBTQ EQUALITY: In light of this week’s announcement that Hong Kong will host the 2022 Gay Games, companies including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are pushing for pro-equality policy. More from Bloomberg.

READING RAINBOW

NBC reports that an Alabama drag queen will donate the outfit she wore while advocating against the anti-LGBTQ then-state Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore; Broadway World announces Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund ‘Home for the Holidays’ benefit concert; Arizona PBS reports that the state legislature has formed an LGBT Caucus;

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-november-2-2017?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

LGBTQ acceptance front and center in new P&G ‘Love Over Bias’ Olympics video

www.glaad.org/blog/lgbtq-acceptance-front-and-center-new-pg-love-over-bias-olympics-video