Gay Republican Runs for NY Senate: ‘In the 1980s I Was Called a Fa**ot. Now I’m Called a Fascist’ – WATCH

Pete Holmberg is a gay Republican running for New York State Senate in Trump’s district in New York City.

Says Holmberg in his new campaign ad, produced by The New York Republican County Committee: “Back in the 1980s, I was called a ‘fa**ot’. Now today as a Republican, I’m being called a ‘fascist.’”

Wrote Holmberg in text accompanying his campaign video: “As a New Yorker, a patriot, and a businessman, I’m horrified by the way Manhattan is treated by our government. From egregious taxes, to disrespectful restrictions on law enforcement, there are so many poor decisions threatening the future of Senatorial District 28, the place I’ve called home for more than 26 years. When Manhattan GOP Chairwoman Andrea Catsimatidis recruited me to run in March of this year, I thought long and hard about it. The conclusion I finally arrived at was this: After everything I’ve experienced and seen in life, maybe, just maybe, I could bring some new solutions to the table, and bring some unexpected people together. So I threw my hat in the ring.”

Holmberg added that he was grateful to Milo Yiannopoulos sympathizer Chadwick Moore, who turned Republican following backlash to his OUT magazine profile of the gay white supremacist: “As for the publicly coming out as a gay Republican thing, I would love to say I had the guts to do it first, but I’m hardly the first gay man out of the conservative gate in the Trump Era. Chadwick Moore paved the way for me (in the pages of The New York Post no less!) and I’m eternally grateful to him for introducing me to others like myself. Just like in the eighties, I learned I wasn’t alone!”

Holmberg concluded: ‘Earlier this year, my friend Michael called me and said, “you need to talk to this guy Brandon, he’s lost all his friends!” Normally that kind intro would be a red flag, but in NYC gay conservative circles, it’s kind of become a badge of honor. Brandon Straka has become one of my closest friends and his creation of The #WalkAway Campaign has had a direct impact across the country that I feel everyday on the streets of NYC as I meet people who are questioning old ideas and the fears that they accepted as facts. The world is changing. The Democratic Party isn’t what it was ten years ago, and The Republican Party isn’t what it was ten years ago. People today need to assess how they feel about specific issues, prioritize those issues according to what matters most to them, and then choose a team. As a fiscal conservative who opposes “Sanctuary Cities,” believes that the cap on Charter Schools should be lifted, and sees firsthand the way reckless taxation is driving people out of New York State, that choice was easy for me. I am proud to be a Republican. I’m even prouder to be a New Yorker. And I look forward to meeting many more of you.’

The post Gay Republican Runs for NY Senate: ‘In the 1980s I Was Called a Fa**ot. Now I’m Called a Fascist’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Gay Republican Runs for NY Senate: ‘In the 1980s I Was Called a Fa**ot. Now I’m Called a Fascist’ – WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: August 13, 2018

CHAIRMAN GRASSLEY — WHAT ARE YOU HIDING? Chairman Grassley announced hearing dates of Sept. 4, 5, 6, and 7 set for Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, less than two weeks after he rejected widespread calls that he request the release of all documents from the National Archives and George W. Bush Presidential Library related to Kavanaugh’s career in government. Said HRC Associate Legal Director Robin Maril: “Historically, the Senate has made an effort to consider every public statement or document related to a Supreme Court nominee’s career. Before this hearing takes places, the American people demand and deserve to have the most comprehensive and transparent view of Brett Kavanaugh’s record. There is no reason for Chairman Grassley and the Senate Republican Leadership to hide these emails — unless there’s something to hide.” More from HRC.

• Must read from a trans Texan about how Kavanaugh will put LGBTQ health care at risk. More from The San Antonio Express-News.

HRC ENDORSES MIKE LEVIN FOR U.S. CONGRESS IN CALIFORNIA’S 49TH DISTRICT: “For too long, the people of Orange and San Diego counties have been represented by a dangerous opponent of equality. Diane Harkey would continue to work against Southern California values — even supporting the debunked and cruel practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy,’” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Mike Levin will be the champion for equality District 49 deserves, and HRC is proud to endorse him.” More from HRC.

NEW DATA SHOWS THAT NEARLY 80,000 TRANSGENDER AMERICANS MAY BE UNJUSTLY BARRED FROM VOTING IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION: The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law explored the ways state law too-often prevents transgender people from updating their identification to match their gender identity, and compared it to states in which accurate identification is required to vote. Eight states — Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin — have a dangerous combination of laws that could prevent transgender Americans from exercising their right to vote. More from Advocate.

ICYMI — ROBBIE KAPLAN TALKS LAWSUIT AGAINST ‘UNITE THE RIGHT’ PLANNERS IN HRC TWITTER TAKEOVER: More from HRC.

MUST WATCH MONDAY — BUZZFEED CELEBRATES 23 TIMES LGBTQ PEOPLE OF COLOR SLAYED IN THE PAST YEAR: More from BuzzFeed.

HRC ENDORSES SCOTT WALLACE FOR CONGRESS FOR PA’S 1ST DISTRICT: “Scott Wallace is a strong champion for equality who will work hard to ensure that every Pennsylvanian is able to live, work and provide for their family without fear of harassment and discrimination,” said HRC Pennsylvania State Director Allison VanKuiken. “We thank him for supporting the federal Equality Act, which would provide essential protections to the LGBTQ community.” More from HRC.

YOU’RE WRONG, SESSIONS. ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM IS A HATE GROUP: Last week when unveiling his so called “Religious Liberty Task Force,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the claim that ADF — who helps attack LGBTQ people in the courts and abroad — is not a hate group. To quote your boss, “Wrong.” More from NewNowNext.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS COULD CORRECT THE COURSE FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY: In Nevada, HRC has identified more than 600,000 “Equality Voters” — voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive 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 Nevada in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state. More from The Nevada Independent.

LGBTQ MILLENNIALS ARE MORE LIKELY TO RE-ENTER THE CLOSET ONCE HIRED AT THEIR FIRST JOB: When an employee cannot bring their whole self to work — the whole workplace suffers. Too many LGBTQ young people, who may already experience bias based on their age, feel they must hide their LGBTQ identity at work. More from Julia Carpenter (@juliaccarpenter) at CNN.

IN 74 OF 85 REPORTED MURDERS OF TRANS PEOPLE, THE VICTIM WAS MISGENDERED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT:  This is unacceptable and dangerous. Ending anti-trans violence requires accurate reporting. More from ProPublica.

CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FINALIZES PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER DIVERSE STUDENTS: More from HRC.

AUSTIN, TEXAS INVESTIGATING FIREWORK THROWN ONTO PATIO OF GAY BAR: More from The Austin Statesman.

LEBRON JAMES FEATURES THE STARS OF ‘POSE’ IN LIST OF BLACK WOMEN HIS DAUGHTER LOOKS UP TO:

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

ONE YEAR AFTER CHECHEN POP STAR DISAPPEARS — ACTIVISTS STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS: Zelim Bakaev was last seen on August 8, 2017. Russian human rights activists believe he was one of several suspected LGBTQ people murdered by the government. More from NewNowNext.

EXTREMIST SETS LITHUANIAN LGBTQ EQUALITY GROUP’S BUILDING ON FIRE: More from Gay Star News.

SYDNEY POLICE CHIEF APOLOGIZES FOR HISTORY OF ANTI-LGBTQ BRUTALITY: More from Gay Star News.

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

LGBTQ Nation reports on the support trans activist Kate Bornstein received after being heckled at a Broadway play

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