We Can Protect Religious Liberty Without Denying Rights to LGBT People

The Do No Harm Act would end this current game of discrimination.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2018/6/04/we-can-protect-religious-liberty-without-denying-rights-lgbt-people

Jim Parsons Unloads on Roseanne’s Tweets (How? Why?), Red State Sitcoms, and His Very Traditional Marriage: WATCH

Boys in the Band and Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons sat down with CNN’s Van Jones (above) for a chat about a variety of topics, starting with Roseanne’s tweets.

Said Parsons: “I only felt about it on an emotional scale, so I guess that’s what I’ll say. Which was, ‘how?’ and ‘why?’ That was really my only reaction to it. I was surprised [the show] was cancelled immediately…But really to the face of it – just reading that tweet several times – I was like ‘how did you type that?’”

He also spoke about how entertainers today are held to higher standards than elected officials: “I did have one thought though which was that it’s okay to say certain things as an elected official right now that it is not necessarily okay to say as an entertainer and I find that fascinating…If your job is put into place by the votes of the citizens, then you can still get by. In this case, ABC cut ties with something that was obviously going to be a cash cow for them for however long.”

Jones then asked about red state sitcoms and whether there should be more of them.

Said Parsons: “Working in the industry I do get the sense that we are surrounded at the creative level by more of the left leaning mindset and heartset than the right-leaning…I have so many conservative traits about me. I’m such a family-first type of guy. Perhaps I have a more expansive view of family…I don’t see that as a left or right type of thing.”

Parsons also spoke about his marriage: “The big deal, which really took me by surprise was how – and this goes to me being a bit of a traditionalist – or maybe just human – was how meaningful the day was. We did it because it was meaningful, but to actually go through the wedding; to be there in front of all of your loved ones, and your family. It gave such meaning to doing this so people could bear witness to it. It meant so much more to me than I was prepared for. Especially having grown up where it wasn’t a possibility. And so it wasn’t a dream.”

The post Jim Parsons Unloads on Roseanne’s Tweets (How? Why?), Red State Sitcoms, and His Very Traditional Marriage: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Jim Parsons Unloads on Roseanne’s Tweets (How? Why?), Red State Sitcoms, and His Very Traditional Marriage: WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: June 4, 2018

MAJOR VICTORY! KANSAS CITY, KS, PASSES LGBTQ NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS: “This is a major victory for LGBTQ equality in Kansas City, Kansas, and it’s especially encouraging following state lawmakers’ shameful move ramming into law a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people in child welfare services,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “It proves that progress at the local level is possible even when state lawmakers refuse to do the right thing. We thank the commissioners for taking action and congratulate Equality Kansas and the local advocates who made this incredibly important victory possible.” More from Advocate.

HRC ENDORSES RICK NEAL FOR U.S. CONGRESS: “Rick Neal’s commitment to equality and long career serving others prove he will be a champion of fairness, justice and equality in Congress,” said HRC Ohio State Manager Shawn Copeland. “HRC is proud to endorse his candidacy for Ohio’s 15th District, and we look forward to electing another pro-equality champion to the U.S. House of Representatives come November.” More from HRC.

A MAJORITY OF MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS WANT TO PRESERVE STATE NON-DISCRIM PROTECTIONS FOR TRANS COMMUNITY: Results of the WBUR poll show that 52 percent of voters want to preserve a bipartisan 2016 law that added gender identity to the state’s non-discrimination laws, and only 38 percent support a November ballot initiative that would repeal the important protections. More from WBUR.

CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCES BAN ON TAXPAYER-FUNDED TRAVEL TO OKLAHOMA OVER ANTI-LGBTQ LAW: More from The Los Angeles Times.

California @agbecerra announced a ban on taxpayer-funded travel to Oklahoma after Oklahoma @GovMaryFallin signed anti-LGBTQ #SB1140 into law. t.co/rpjbqS9Wic

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 3, 2018

LGBTQ STUDENTS FACE HIGHER RATES OF BIAS-BASED BULLYING: The survey of Oregon students found that LGBTQ young people also experience violence, sexual assault and suicide ideation at higher rates compared to their non-LGBTQ peers. More from Medical Xpress.

AUGUSTA, GA, CONSIDERING MEASURE TO PROTECT LGBTQ EMPLOYEES: Local organizers believe they have the votes to pass the resolution, which would bar discrimination based on gender, gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation. More from Augusta Chronicle.

USA TODAY’S SUSAN MILLER (@SUSMILLER) ON DOCUMENTING THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AFTER MARRIAGE EQUALITY: More from USA Today.

THREE ANTI-LGBTQ ASSAULTS HAVE OCCURRED IN D.C. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS: More from Washington Blade.

PRIDE MONTH ROUNDUP

TRUMP AGAIN FAILS TO RECOGNIZE LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH: “It is clear that failing to recognize Pride Month is intentional, just as it was last year,” HRC President Chad Griffin told NBC News. “Trump and Pence are obsessed with erasing us. But we will not be erased, and in November, the White House is due for a rude awakening on their blatant discrimination.” More from NBC, Teen Vogue and NewNowNext.

“ALEXA, GIVE US A PRIDE FACT”: HRC is working with Amazon and Amazon’s employee LGBTQ affinity group, glamazon, to help celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month by releasing a Pride Facts skill for Amazon Alexa.  Throughout June, Alexa owners  will be able to say, “Alexa, tell me a Pride fact,” and it will respond with facts about LGBTQ Pride, LGBTQ history, important LGBTQ leaders and figures and other topics. More from HRC.

ICYMI — HRC & J.CREW GROUP INC. PARTNER TO SUPPORT LGBTQ EQUALITY: Half of the retail price of both lines — available at J.Crew and Madewell stores nationwide, as well as online at the HRC store — will benefit HRC’s work on the front lines in the fight for full LGBTQ equality. More from HRC.

• NBC announces annual #PRIDE30 honorees including Kehinde Wiley, Danica Roem, Emma Gonzalez, Lena Waithe, Gina Ortiz Jones and Andrea Jenkins. More from NBC.
• Sitting down with Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, legendary LGBTQ activist, who  was present at the 1969 Stonewall riots and has been leading the way for LGBTQ equality since. More from James Michael Nichols (@JMN) at HuffPost.
• Read about Philly’s first “LGBTQ State of the Union” at  Metro Weekly.
• Pride events in nation’s capital from Washington Blade.
• Learn how the Nazi’s anti-LGBTQ pink triangle was reclaimed for LGBTQ Pride. From TIME.
• Today is LGBTQ Families Day. There are an estimated 3 million LGBTQ parents in the U.S. raising 6 million children. Learn more about HRC’s work for all families here.

.@HRC is committed to the continuing fight for legal equity and fairness for #LGBTQ-headed families. #LGBTQFamiliesDay t.co/0PsQ2wflB3

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 4, 2018

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING — RUSSIAN AMB. TO U.K. CLAIMS “THERE’S NO HOMOPHOBIA IN RUSSIA, PUTIN MET ELTON JOHN”: More from Pink News.

• Meanwhile, LGBTQ Russians fear for their lives: Stimul, a Russian organization, works to provide safe places for LGBTQ Chechens and other Central Asians and to help them seek asylum. More from The Daily Beast.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FIRST YEAR OF HRC’S PARTNERSHIPS IN INNOVATION ADVOCACY PROGRAM: From HRC.

HRC Global formed the inaugural class of our newly launched Partnerships in Innovative Advocacy program with organizations in these six countries:
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— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 3, 2018

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

Michigan Live reports that Ann Arbor has appointed Travis Radina as the city’s new LGBTQ liaison to the mayor’s office; Teen Vogue explores the intersection of Black, queer, Muslim identity for one foster youth; The Guardian interviews HRC’s Candace Gingrich; Romper asks moms how they explain LGBTQ identity to their children; The New York Times reflects on pro-equality country music

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-june-4-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Ian McKellen’s Well-Lived Life Gets the Celluloid Treatment

Sir Ian speaks to us about the new documentary that chronicles his journey from actor to activist.

www.advocate.com/current-issue/2018/6/04/ian-mckellens-well-lived-life-gets-celluloid-treatment