HRC Endorses Katie Hobbs for Arizona Secretary of State

Today HRC announced its endorsement of Arizona Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs for Arizona Secretary of State.

“Throughout her time in the Arizona legislature, Katie Hobbs has stood shoulder to shoulder with our community, working hard to move equality forward,” said HRC Arizona State Director Justin Unga. “With thousands of Arizonans–including LGBTQ people of color and transgender Arizonans–more vulnerable to discrimination at the ballot box than ever before, we need a Secretary of State who will fight to protect and expand voting rights, and ensure every Arizonan can make their voice heard. Katie Hobbs is a proven problem solver and champion for all Arizonans, and HRC will be working hard on the ground to turn out Arizona’s more than 800,000 Equality Voters for her this November.”

“Throughout my legislative career, I have stood proudly with the LGBTQ community, working to ensure that ALL Arizonans enjoy the same quality of life free from discrimination,” said Katie Hobbs. “I’ve volunteered with LGBTQ youth at one•n•ten, and I have the privilege of working alongside the folks at Phoenix Pride celebrating the LGBTQ community here in the valley. The Human Rights Campaign is doing the important work of electing pro-equality champions around the country and I’m thrilled to have their endorsement in this critical race for Secretary of State.”

First elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2010 and the Arizona State Senate in 2012, Hobbs is a strong advocate for LGBTQ equality, who has supported and co-sponsored several pro-equality bills, including legislation to extend inclusive non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ Arizonans and legislation to repeal discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ adoption language in state statutes. She also worked to extend health care to hundreds of thousands of Arizonans, create new education and job training opportunities, and establish rights for victims of sexual and domestic violence. 

In Arizona, HRC has identified more than 800,000 Arizonans as likely Equality Voters, meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Arizona in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-endorses-katie-hobbs-for-AZ-secretary-of-state?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: July 26, 2018

FORTY U.S. SENATORS SIGN LETTER OPPOSING LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH ‘LICENSE TO DISCRIMINATE’ IN CHILD WELFARE SERVICES: The Senators write: “We strongly encourage you to reject this language and instead, support federal laws and regulations barring discrimination, and protect the rights of all qualified parents who answer the call to foster and adopt children in foster care. These children deserve the welcoming and loving homes that so many parents of diverse backgrounds are yearning to provide.” More from HRC, Gay Star News.

• Two dads have collected more than 26,000 petition signatures asking Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) to pull the discriminatory amendment. More from Q Voice News.

A DESPICABLE ANNIVERSARY — ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, TRUMP TWEETED OUT A BAN ON TRANS TROOPS: Said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin): “Despite Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s hateful efforts, brave transgender troops continue to demonstrate both their love of country and ability to serve. A grateful nation respects their service even if the commander-in-chief fails to do so.” In the year since the tweets, HRC has fought beside transgender service members and partner organizations in Karnoski v. Trump, the federal lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN to oppose this president’s discriminatory policy in the courts, on the streets and in the media. More from HRC.

MORNING MUST READ FROM THE WASHINGTON POST — “TRUMP IS SENDING LGBTQ MIGRANTS ‘BACK TO HELL”: The editorial board writes: “In the 1990s, the United States was among the first countries to start granting sanctuary to LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers fleeing persecution stemming from their sexual orientation or gender identity in their home countries. Now the Trump administration, intent on turning back the clock on almost every major facet of immigration policy, is increasingly complicit in their mistreatment.” More from The Washington Post.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — OKLAHOMA MOM OFFERS TO ATTEND ANY SAME-SEX WEDDING OF COUPLES WITHOUT SUPPORTIVE PARENTS: We stan an ally. More from Pink News.

PSA. If you need a mom to attend your same sex wedding because your biological mom won’t. Call me. I’m there. I’ll be your biggest fan. I’ll even bring the bubbles.

— Sara Cunningham (@MamaBearOk) July 20, 2018

HRC MOURNS DIAMOND STEPHENS, 39, A BLACK TRANS WOMAN KILLED IN MISSISSIPPI: In interviews with a local television station, family members said that Stephens had an “incredible personality.” Sadly, Stephens continues to be misgendered by police and in media reports. HRC offers guidelines for journalists and others who report on transgender people. More from HRC.

HRC ENDORSES STEVE SISOLAK FOR NEVADA GOVERNOR: “Steve Sisolak is the clear choice for Nevada voters and the champion we need to move equality forward across the Silver State,” said HRC Nevada State Director Briana Escamilla. “As Governor, he will work to protect our hard fought progress and ensure that our state remains welcoming and open to all.” More from HRC.

.@HRC is proud to endorse pro-equality candidate @SteveSisolak for #NVGov. Sisolak is a strong advocate for the #LGBTQ community and as governor will continue to fight for the full equality of all Nevadans. #NVPol t.co/XXPbYdAj2p

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

TWO ANTI-LGBTQ PEAS IN A POD — TRUMP BACKS TROY BALDERSON IN OHIO SPECIAL ELECTION: HRC has endorsed Balderson’s opponent, Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor. More from Prizm News.

HRC ENDORSES PRO-EQUALITY CANDIDATES FOR MICHIGAN STATE LEGISLATURE: Said HRC Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman: “Jeremy Moss, Jennifer Suidan and Ricardo White are incredible advocates for Michigan’s working families, who will fight tooth and nail to ensure that every Michigander is equally protected under state law.” More from HRC.

TRANS QUEER EYE PARTICIPANT SKYLER JAY SUING WORKPLACE FOR DISCRIMINATION: Skyler was denied reimbursement for his gender confirmation surgery by his employee insurance at the University of Georgia. More from Project Q Atlanta.

SIR ELTON JOHN SLAMS RUSSIA AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE: “We’re here to protect them and for everyone who’s HIV [positive] but especially for the LGBT community that has suffered so badly and are still suffering and it makes me crazy,” he said. “If there wasn’t this discrimination we could get rid of the disease far quicker.” More from Telegraph.

NEW SURVEY FINDINGS ASK TRANS AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHAT THEY NEED FROM THEIR SCHOOLS: Responses include non-discrimination policies protecting students on the basis of gender identity and expression,  LGBTQ student groups and access to appropriate restrooms and locker rooms — including gender neutral restrooms. More from Inside Higher Ed.

MORMON COUPLE SETS UP LGBTQ COMMUNITY SPACE IN THEIR UTAH HOME: QueerMeals offers members of the local LGBTQ community a safe space and a warm meal. More from Pink News.

 GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

INDIAN LGBTQ ACTIVISTS SAY DECRIMINALIZING SAME-SEX INTIMACY MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE: More from The Washington Post.

LGBTQ ARTICLES IN THE NEW YORK TIMES CENSORED IN QATAR: More from ABC.

ANTI-LGBTQ MEMBER OF JAPANESE LOWER HOUSE CALLS SAME-SEX COUPLES “UNPRODUCTIVE”: More from CNN.

CATHOLIC LGBTQ GROUP SHUT OUT OF POPE’S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES CONFERENCE IN IRELAND: More from Pink News.

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

InvestorPlace announces that Snapchat will be partnering with Pink News to share LGBTQ news; The Cincinnati Enquirer reviews a documentary on trans teen Leelah Alcorn; Gay Star News shares a new initiative from the National LGBT Bar Association that takes a stand against anti-LGBTQ legal groups; Advocate profiles long-time LGBTQ activist David Mixner (@DavidMixner); WBUR details one woman’s journey to find her brother’s remains after he was murdered in the infamous UpStairs Lounge arson attack in 1973; Reuters explains that LGBTQ people who are comfortable coming out to their doctors receive better care

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org) and not authorized by any candidate or committee.

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

One Year After Trump’s Trans Troop Ban Tweets, Trans Service Members Continue to Serve

Today, HRC marked one year since Donald Trump’s spurious and hateful tweets announcing a ban on transgender troops on July 26, 2017. In the year since the tweets, HRC has fought beside transgender service members and partner organizations in Karnoski v. Trump, the federal lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN to oppose this president’s discriminatory policy in the courts, on the streets and in the media.

“One year ago, thousands of transgender service members and countless more potential recruits found their worlds turned upside down,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Despite Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s hateful efforts, brave transgender troops continue to demonstrate both their love of country and ability to serve. A grateful nation respects their service even if the commander-in-chief fails to do so, and the Human Rights Campaign will not rest until we ensure that every transgender person is treated with respect and fairness.”

“From day one of this administration, Donald Trump and Mike Pence have sought to license discrimination against the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender people,” said HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride. “Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s despicable attempt to mandate discrimination in our military, America’s largest employer, is part of a broader effort to push transgender people back into the shadows and out of public life. From the bipartisan chorus of members of Congress to leading medical associations to several federal courts, every passing day we see further proof that this president’s policy is animus-fueled, dangerous and unconstitutional.”

“After the tweetban was issued, Lambda Legal and Outserve-SLDN flew into action. We promised we would take action if the policy was enacted and we did,” said Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Sasha Buchert. “Today, I think it’s also important to underscore another anniversary; that day just over two years ago when the ban on open transgender military service was lifted. The only thing that has happened as a result of allowing open transgender military service is that transgender service members are serving our country with honor, dignity and distinction.”

Following Trump’s initial tweets, HRC joined six currently serving members of the armed services, three individuals who seek to enlist, the American Military Partners Association (AMPA) and Washington state’s Gender Justice League as co-plaintiffs in Karnoski v. Trump, one of four federal lawsuits filed challenging the ban. Since then, seven federal courts – including, most recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit – have barred the Trump-Pence Administration from implementing the ban.

Despite the string of court victories for transgender troops and recruits, the Trump-Pence administration has continued to appeal the rulings in an effort to force their extreme anti-LGBTQ agenda on the U.S. military.

Yesterday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Personnel, and Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, joined representatives from HRC, Lambda Legal, Outserve-SLDN, and AMPA for a press call on the current state of the ban. An audio recording of the press call can be found here.

Later today, members of Congress will utilize Donald Trump’s social media platform of choice, Twitter, for a “tweet up” organized by HRC and Lambda Legal. Participants will show their support for transgender troops on Twitter beginning at 11 AM by utilizing #TransBanTweetUp.

Since the president’s initial tweets, a diverse range of voices have opposed banning transgender people from serving in the military. Thirty-three former national security experts and military leaders, the American Medical Association and the NAACP filed briefs in support the cases filed to halt the Trump-Pence ban.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA) Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and John McCain (R-AZ),  have stated their support for transgender troops. In March, HRC, Lambda Legal, Outserve-SLDN, AMPA and Gender Justice League unveiled a television ad title “Patriots” featuring many of those voices speaking out against the policy.

To learn more about HRC’s work on transgender equality, visit hrc.org/transgender.

www.hrc.org/blog/a-year-after-trumps-trans-troop-ban-tweets-trans-members-continue-to-serve?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

This ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Features Two Women and Lots of Identity Politics

A new production uses Shakespeare’s tale of woe to explore racial, sexual, and gender complications. The show’s producer shares the play’s impetus.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2018/7/26/romeo-juliet-features-two-women-and-lots-identity-politics

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