Man fired hours after job offer for throwing homophobic tantrum
Karma works quick.

www.queerty.com/man-fired-hours-job-offer-throwing-homophobic-tantrum-20180426?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Phoenix Approves Rainbow Crosswalks to Support the LGBTQ Community

Arizona’s Family

Phoenix, Arizona’s mayor and city council have approved the installation of two rainbow crosswalks to support the LGBTQ community in that city.

AZFamily reports: “The rainbow-painted crosswalks are proposed to be installed at the crossing of Central Avenue at Portland Street and the crossing of Seventh Avenue at Glenrosa Avenue…The installation of the rainbow crosswalks in Phoenix were requested by the Phoenix Pride Community Foundation, one-n-ten, and Aunt Rita’s Foundation after contacting the Mayor’s Office.These groups have offered to cover the costs of materials, installation and ongoing maintenance for the rainbow-painted portions of the crosswalks that are not already maintained by the city.”

Said Stanton: “Phoenix values and embraces its LGBTQ brothers and sisters. Phoenix is committed to ensuring equal treatment and rights for everyone and showing our support because we know diversity makes us stronger.”

Here’s what a similar crosswalk looks like in Tucson. Among the other cities that have them are Atlanta, Houston, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, West Hollywood, and Washington, D.C..



The post Phoenix Approves Rainbow Crosswalks to Support the LGBTQ Community appeared first on Towleroad.

Phoenix Approves Rainbow Crosswalks to Support the LGBTQ Community

Utah Is Finally Addressing Its Epidemic of Youth Suicide

Equality Utah’s Troy Williams on how his organization is directing resources to the state’s most vulnerable people.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2018/4/26/utah-finally-addressing-its-epidemic-youth-suicide

Janelle Monáe Comes Out as Queer, Pansexual: ‘I Consider Myself to Be a Free-Ass Motherf–ker’

Janelle Monáe came out as queer and pansexual in a new Rolling Stone cover story.

“Being a queer black woman in America,” she says, taking a breath as she comes out, “someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker.” She initially identified as bisexual, she clarifies, “but then later I read about pansexuality and was like, ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too.’ I’m open to learning more about who I am.”

My fave tidbit from the new ROLLING STONE cover on @JanelleMonae: “Monáe’s family members all share the same story: She was born to be a star. There was that time she got escorted out of church for insisting on singing Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ in the middle of the service.” pic.twitter.com/sIgjbu6iPT

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 26, 2018

The profile continues:

“She always ducked questions about her sexuality (“I only date androids” was a stock response) but embedded the real answers in her music. “If you listen to my albums, it’s there,” she says. She cites “Mushrooms & Roses” and “Q.U.E.E.N.,” two songs that reference a character named Mary as an object of affection. In the 45-minute film accompanying Dirty Computer, “Mary Apple” is the name given to female “dirty computers” taken captive and stripped of their real names, one of whom is played by Tessa Thompson. (The actress has been rumored to be Monáe’s girlfriend, though Monáe won’t discuss her dating life.) The original title of “Q.U.E.E.N.,” she notes, was “Q.U.E.E.R.,” and you can still hear the word on the track’s background harmonies.”

Read the full cover story HERE.

Monáe is debuting “Dirty Computer”, a 44-minute “emotion picture” accompanying the album of the same name, today on MTV and BET.

The film, which co-stars Tessa Thompson (“Thor,” “Selma,” Westworld”)  is described in a press release as “the story of a young woman named Jane 57821 (Janelle Monae), who is living in a totalitarian near-future society where citizens are referred to as ‘computers.’ … ‘Dirty Computer’ explores humanity and what truly happens to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness when mind and machines merge, and when the government chooses fear over freedom.” It was produced by Monae and directed by Andrew Donoho and Chuck Lightning, and features collaborations with video directors Alan Ferguson, Emma Westenberg and Lacey Duke.

Here’s the trailer:

The post Janelle Monáe Comes Out as Queer, Pansexual: ‘I Consider Myself to Be a Free-Ass Motherf–ker’ appeared first on Towleroad.

Janelle Monáe Comes Out as Queer, Pansexual: ‘I Consider Myself to Be a Free-Ass Motherf–ker’

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: April 26, 2018

TODAY — CHILD WELFARE ADVOCATES AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS CALL ON KANSAS LAWMAKERS TO REJECT ANTI-LGBTQ ADOPTION BILL: HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin), will join Equality Kansas, the ACLU of Kansas, child welfare advocates and business leaders for a press conference at 1 p.m. today at the Kansas State Capitol calling on lawmakers to reject HB 2481 — an anti-LGBTQ proposal that would allow taxpayer-funded child welfare organizations to turn away qualified Kansans seeking to care for a child in need. The legislation would enable discrimination against LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other qualified parents to whom the agency has an objection. For more information, email [email protected].

#NoMuslimBanEver — TRUMP’S MUSLIM TRAVEL BAN ARGUED AT SCOTUS: HRC rallied at the Supreme Court of the United States yesterday to stand up against all forms of Islamophobia and call out the danger this travel ban creates for LGBTQ people abroad. The Trump-Pence travel ban poses a serious threat to individuals trying to get to the U.S. to claim asylum — including LGBTQ Muslims and immigrants seeking to escape violence and persecution. More from The Washington Post and The New York Times.

• The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) led an amicus brief in the case highlighting the history of U.S. travel bans motivated by anti-LGBTQ extremism and racism. More from Advocate.

Today, @HRC stood with our allies as @realDonaldTrump‘s Muslim travel ban was argued at the Supreme Court.

HRC will continue to stand up against all forms of Islamophobia and call out the danger this travel ban creates for #LGBTQ people abroad. #NoMuslimBanEver pic.twitter.com/hunTDsYxty

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 25, 2018

THANKFUL THURSDAY — HEARTWARMING STORY OF DC-AREA DENTIST WHO DONATED HIS SERVICES TO VICTIM OF BRUTAL ANTI-LGBTQ ASSAULT: Said Dr. Christopher Banks: “Without knowing the depth, breadth and expense of Zach’s injuries, I reached out and offered full care because we are all members of a powerful loving LGBTQ community before anything else. It is through these acts of love in the face of hate that we will persist, thrive, and succeed in showing the world we want to be ‘one.’” More from Fox 5 DC.

This is what it’s all about. Reaching out a hand and extending kindness to people when they need it the most. Thank you for reminding us good exists everywhere, Dr. Christopher Banks.t.co/mwaDwmoJ7A

— Steven Petrow (@StevenPetrow) April 25, 2018

TRUMP’S LATEST ATTACK ON TRANS PEOPLE — HHS CONSIDERS ROLLING BACK GROUNDBREAKING PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE:  The Trump-Pence administration claims it may have to modify regulations implementing section 1557 of the ACA, which expressly protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex stereotyping. “Nothing about HHS’s actions take those rights away,” said Robin Maril, HRC associate legal director. “It really signals an unwillingness on behalf of the federal government to enforce the law.” More from Kate Sosin Oeser (@KateSOeser) at Into.

• Trump-Pence’s HHS guidelines for teen pregnancy erase LGBTQ people: Said Ellen Kahn, director of HRC’s Children, Youth and Families Programs, “There’s no explicit effort in this current administration to addressing the needs of LGBTQ folks at all.” More from Andrea González-Ramírez (@andreagonram) at Refinery29.

EXCLUSIVE LOS ANGELES BLADE INTERVIEW WITH REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA): Karen Ocamb (@KarenOcamb) sits down with Rep. Schiff to discuss the Trump-Pence administration, with a focus on Mike Pence. With Donald Trump mired in lurid scandals and investigations that threaten his presidency, Pence has flown under the radar, quietly spearheading a charge to radically undermine the rights of LGBTQ people and women, attack voting rights, undercut sound science, and enable the greatest assault on American institutions in modern history. More from Los Angeles Blade.

HOBOKEN, NJ, PASSES BILL TO MAKE CITY-OWNED, SINGLE-OCCUPANCY RESTROOMS GENDER NEUTRAL: Said Xavier Persad, HRC Legislative Counsel: “This new policy and the proposed ordinance reflect best practices being adopted in a growing number of municipalities across the country and send a clear message that Hoboken is open for all. We thank Mayor Bhalla for his leadership in updating city policies and for his support of the proposed ordinance.” More from NPR and Pix 11.

HRC PARENTS FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY COUNCIL MEMBER JOANNE LEE OF WISCONSIN SPEAKS ABOUT LEARNING TO BE AN ALLY: At first Joanne did not accept her transgender sons.  But after one took his own life due to depression, her life changed. Now she advocates for better treatment of LGBTQ youth, transgender healthcare, mental health and a better future for all children. More from Baraboo (Wisc.) News Republic.

COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF PrEP PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY:

OUT NOW: @CDCgov and @EmoryUniversity have released a comprehensive, national directory of 1,800 public and private PrEp providers for all 50 states and U.S. territories. t.co/lpWi162LMG

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 25, 2018

HRC JOINS LETTER URGING CONGRESS TO “TELL A MORE INCLUSIVE STORY” ON PUBLIC LANDS: The letter, signed by 122 organizations, says, “National monuments in particular have helped make our public lands more inclusive by commemorating the fights for civil rights and racial justice, women’s suffrage, LGBTQ equality, workers’ rights, tribal recognition and traditions, and so many other pivotal moments, individuals, and movements that continue to take our country forward.” More from Sierra Sun Times.

TRANS MAN WHO DREAMT OF MILITARY CAREER FINALLY ABLE TO ENLIST: After months of waiting, Nicolas Talbott can continue pursuing his five-year dream. He tells NPR’s Martha Bebinger (@mbebinger), “There’s nothing about being transgender that makes you any less capable than anybody else of military service,” More from NPR.

TRANS TEACHER IN WICHITA NAMED GLSEN’S NATIONAL EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR: Stephanie Byers, a band and orchestra teacher at North High School, came out to her students in 2014. More from The Wichita Eagle.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

UNACCEPTABLE — TRUMP-PENCE ADMIN GIVES MONEY TO SOUTH AFRICAN GROUP AFFILIATED WITH KNOWN HATE GROUP: The grant to Focus on the Family  from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief was awarded for an abstinence-based program. More from Washington Blade.

KENYAN FILMMAKER WANURI KAHIU TO PREMIERE LGBTQ LOVE STORY AT CANNES: More from Shadow and Act.

CORPORATE ALLIES PAVING THE WAY FOR EQUALITY IN HONG KONG: More from Bloomberg.

EL SALVADOR’S MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE RELEASES NEW POLICY ON LGBTQ PEOPLE: While details haven’t been shared with LGBTQ advocates in the country, they believe the policy to be good — though worry about how strictly it will be implemented. More from Washington Blade.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Los Angeles Blade reports on the opening of the Los Angeles Trans Wellness Center — believed to be the first of its kind; Forward reflects on the unique issues faced by Jewish LGBTQ people;  HJnews.com shares the journey of an LDS Church member becoming an ally to the LGBTQ community

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-april-26-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

The 21 Most Homophobic Members of Trump’s Cabinet

www.advocate.com/politics/2018/4/26/21-most-homophobic-members-trumps-cabinet