#LimitlessAfricans: Olave

#LimitlessAfricans: Olave

mowunna posted a photo:

#LimitlessAfricans: Olave

#LimitlessAfricans, Olave: Non-binary Trans Femme Burundian (Shot in Rotterdam, Netherlands)

Q. What would you have to say to people who say that being LGBTQ is “un-African”?

“That it is a lie. That “African”-ness cannot mean outside of human experience, conduct and existence. That as we develop and root ourselves in “African”-ness, we should imagine it as spacious and inclusive. That we do ourselves a disservice, that we lose real wealth in diversity, if “African” is going to mean restrictive, exclusive and oppressive. LGBTQIA people have always existed, have always been part of the lived realities, the cultural and spiritual space of all cultures, philosophies and traditions on the continent. They have been healers, leaders, outcasts and at times not particularly interesting. They have, and do, and we will continue to be. It is “un-African” to erase them (our shared ancestors), to exclude us (your siblings, neighbors, lovers, friends and parents) and those to come (our children, our legacy, our hope). “

www.limitlessafricans.com

#LimitlessAfricans: Olave

Trump Announces Departure of White House Counsel Don McGahn, Who Talked Extensively with the Mueller Probe

Trump Announces Departure of White House Counsel Don McGahn, Who Talked Extensively with the Mueller Probe

Donald Trump announced on Twitter Wednesday morning that White House Counsel Don McGahn would be leaving in the fall. McGahn made headlines earlier this month after it emerged that he had spent more than 30 hours speaking with Robert Mueller’s team. That news prompted a Trump meltdown on Twitter.

Tweeted Trump on Wednesday: “White House Counsel Don McGahn will be leaving his position in the fall, shortly after the confirmation (hopefully) of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. I have worked with Don for a long time and truly appreciate his service!”

White House Counsel Don McGahn will be leaving his position in the fall, shortly after the confirmation (hopefully) of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. I have worked with Don for a long time and truly appreciate his service!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018

The post Trump Announces Departure of White House Counsel Don McGahn, Who Talked Extensively with the Mueller Probe appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Trump Announces Departure of White House Counsel Don McGahn, Who Talked Extensively with the Mueller Probe

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: August 29, 2018

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: August 29, 2018

FORMER AG ERIC HOLDER TO KEYNOTE HRC NATIONAL DINNER, GEORGIA GOV. NOM STACEY ABRAMS TO ADDRESS HRC MEMBERS: Holder will deliver remarks in a program Sept. 15 that will also feature trailblazing Virginia Delegate Danica Roem and candidate for Nevada Secretary of State, Nelson Araujo. “As attorney general for the most pro-equality administration in history, Eric Holder has had a profound impact on the lives of countless Americans, and he played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for marriage equality and many of the rights LGBTQ people enjoy today,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “Now through his leadership of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Eric Holder continues to be a champion of civil rights, helping to fight partisan gerrymandering and safeguard the fundamental right to vote.” Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia who is energizing statewide grassroots support, will address HRC leaders and members from across the country earlier in the day. More from HRC, Metro Weekly and Washington Blade.

.@HRC is excited to announce that @EricHolder, Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) & @NelsonAraujoNV will speak at @HRC’s 22nd annual #HRCNationalDinner. @StaceyAbrams, the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia, will also address HRC volunteers earlier that day. t.co/9YMaZB2kvE

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 29, 2018

HRC CELEBRATES PRO-EQUALITY CHAMPION KYRSTEN SINEMA’S PRIMARY WIN: “HRC proudly supports pro-equality champion Rep. Kyrsten Sinema — a strong, effective leader who puts solutions first and fights to ensure every Arizonan has a shot at the American Dream,” said HRC Arizona State Director Justin Unga. “The stakes in November could not be clearer. In the coming weeks, HRC will continue mobilizing more than 800,000 Equality Voters and tens of thousands of members and supporters in the state to turn out for Sinema.” More from HRC.

  • Sinema will face Congresswoman Martha McSally  in the general election. McSally has long opposed marriage equality and consistently supported  discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ policies and proposals while in Congress, including an amendment that would allow discrimination against LGBTQ people by taxpayer-funded organizations.
  • New York Times editorial board member Michelle Cottle (@mcottle) celebrates the primary loss of “truly sadistic” Joe Arpaio. Convicted of criminal contempt, the former Arizona sheriff built his career on attacking nearly every marginalized community, including using anti-LGBTQ schemes to humiliate inmates at his ‘Tent City’ prison. More from NYT.

TODAY — PENCE TO CAMPAIGN FOR ANTI-LGBTQ U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE JOHN JAMES: “John James has proven he has no place in the U.S. Senate,” said HRC State Director Amritha Venkataraman. “In a state with 1.1. Million Equality Voters, where a strong majority of citizens support marriage equality and fundamental civil rights, James has nonetheless perplexingly chosen to align with Mike Pence — an extremist who has made virulent anti-LGBTQ activism the cornerstone of his political career.” More from HRC.

WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY — TEEN VOGUE DETAILS ATTACKS ON OUR YOUTH BY BETSY DEVOS AND THE TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION:  “The Department of Education, led by DeVos, telegraphs unconcern for the well-being of LGBTQ students; of sexual assault survivors; of students of color; of any kid who might find themself navigating confrontations with armed officers. All this is not lost on students,” Claire Lampen (@claire_lampen) writes in the cover story. “Safety is not just about feeling safe from gun violence, it’s about feeling safe in your body, as the person you are and being treated equally no matter who you are.” Read the full piece from Teen Vogue.

Introducing our Back to School cover story: A look at Betsy DeVos’ attack on safe and equitable schooling: t.co/MD8Y3W3FIn Words by @claire_lampen Art by @AnthonyWGerace pic.twitter.com/q7cM4qeYtu

— The Real Jolly Bengali (@TheSamhita) August 28, 2018

 

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE ADOPTS NON-BINARY INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN ITS CHARTER AND RULES: The new language amends a requirement that all committees and like bodies must be divided equally between men and women to account for members who are non-binary. More from CNN.

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO TREAT TRANS INMATE WITH DIGNITY: The ruling ensures that Reiyn Keohane, a trans woman, has access to medically-necessary care as well as women’s clothing and grooming items. More from Miami Herald.

RALLY AT FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN ALBUQUERQUE FOR TRANS WOMAN FROM HONDURAS WHO DIED IN ICE CUSTODY: Last month, HRC sent a FOIA request to  the U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for records related to the detention and death of Roxsana Hernandez. More from KOAT.

TRIAL BEGINS IN MURDER OF HOUSTON TRANS WOMAN: Tariq Lackings, 32, is accused of murder in the 2016 shooting of Shante Isaac, 34. More from LMT Online.

AFTER REGRETTABLE INCIDENT, MISSOURI SCHOOL DISTRICT MOVES FORWARD WITH HELP FROM HRC’S WELCOMING SCHOOLS PROGRAM: More from HRC.

APPEALS COURT TOSSES RIDICULOUS LAWSUIT CHALLENGING CONGRESS MEMBER’S RIGHT TO DISPLAY RAINBOW PRIDE FLAG: More from Times of San Diego.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

ANTI-LGBTQ ACTIVISTS IN TAIWAN PROPOSE PUBLIC VOTE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY: The move comes after Taiwan’s top court ruled last year that the ban on marriage equality is unconstitutional and it must be enacted within two years. More from Channel News Asia.

IRAQI MAN OUTED AS GAY BY AUSTRIAN IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, REFUSED ASYLUM: More from Independent.

FIVE CHARGED IN MURDER OF TRANS WOMAN IN FRANCE: More from BBC.

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

The (Raleigh) News & Observer interviews a former University of Alabama student who came out as gay while serving as a fraternity president; them reviews the first original series for the streaming network Crunchyroll, created by a trans man; Creative Review looks at a new exhibit at the London’s British Museum on resistance that includes a HRC button

.@britishmuseum is celebrating everyday items of dissent in its latest exhibition. Private Eye editor Ian Hislop has picked out over 100 unassuming objects from its collection – all of which share the common goal of sticking it to the man t.co/AYcRwmbxlL pic.twitter.com/BEPMcKYPkk

— Creative Review (@CreativeReview) August 28, 2018

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

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-august-29-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Eric Holder and Stacey Abrams to Join Day of Events Celebrating HRC’s 22nd Annual National Dinner

Eric Holder and Stacey Abrams to Join Day of Events Celebrating HRC’s 22nd Annual National Dinner

Today, HRC announced that former Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder will deliver remarks at the Human Rights Campaign’s 22nd annual National Dinner on Saturday, September 15, 2018, in Washington, DC. The program will also feature trailblazing Virginia Delegate Danica Roem and candidate for Nevada Secretary of State, Nelson Araujo. Earlier in the day, Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia who is energizing statewide grassroots support, will address key HRC leaders and members from across the country. The weekend of events, held in Washington, D.C., helps to raise necessary and crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ equality.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder was a leader on LGBTQ issues during his time leading the U.S. Department of Justice, including the fight for marriage equality. Under his leadership, the Department of Justice issued a brief in support of the lawsuit seeking to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, key parts of which were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013. Since his time in office, Holder has focused on fighting gerrymandering and preparing for Congressional redistricting that will take place after the 2020 Census.

“As attorney general for the most pro-equality administration in history, Eric Holder has had a profound impact on the lives of countless Americans, and he played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for marriage equality and many of the rights LGBTQ people enjoy today,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Now through his leadership of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Eric Holder continues to be a champion of civil rights, helping to fight partisan gerrymandering and safeguard the fundamental right to vote.”

As a candidate for governor, Georgia House of Representatives Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams has made LGBTQ equality a centerpiece of her candidacy, vowing to fight any anti-LGBTQ laws passed by the Georgia General Assembly. She has also made clear that Georgia must be a welcoming place for all, repeatedly noting that if Georgia wants to continue being a hub for business and innovation, it must not pursue policies that would discriminate against LGBTQ Georgians.  

“Stacey Abrams is inspiring Americans across the state of Georgia and around the country through her historic campaign for governor,” Griffin continued. “As a stalwart supporter of LGBTQ equality, Leader Abrams is fighting for the rights of all Georgians. HRC is on the ground working tirelessly to help ensure she prevails on Election Day.”

Virginia Delegate Danica Roem and Nelson Araujo, who is running to become Nevada’s next Secretary of State and the first out LGBTQ person elected to statewide office in Nevada, will also speak on HRC’s National Dinner stage.

“As we work to turn out millions of LGBTQ voters across the nation, we are thrilled to welcome two trailblazing elected officials, Danica Roem and Nelson Araujo,” Griffin said. “Virginia Delegate Danica Roem made history last year when she defeated one of Virginia’s most vhemently anti-LGBTQ politicians and became the only out transgender state representative in the nation. And this fall, HRC is working to help Nelson Araujo make history in his own right by becoming Nevada’s first Latinx Secretary of State and the first LGBTQ Nevadan to be elected statewide.”

Delegate Danica Roem is the first out transgender person to be elected in Virginia and the first out-and-seated transgender state legislator in American history. Roem unseated former Delegate Bob Marshall, Virginia’s self-described “chief homophobe” who authored several anti-LGBTQ bills throughout his 26 years in office. In addition to working to make Virginia a more inclusive commonwealth for all, Delegate Roem is committed to serving her constituents by focusing on traffic, jobs, schools and government accountability. She’s also working to pass non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, improving affordable access to health care, updating the Virginia Human Rights Act to include gender identity and sexual orientation, and removing the outdated, unconstitutional language on marriage equality that still exists in the Virginia code and constitution.

Nelson Araujo is running for Nevada Secretary of State and has been a member of the Nevada State Assembly for two terms, serving as Assistant Majority Leader in the most recent legislative session. Throughout his time in the State Legislature, he has consistently led the fight on LGBTQ equality, and was instrumental in last year’s push for a statewide ban on so-called “conversion therapy” for minors. He was also political co-chair of the HRC Las Vegas steering committee from 2011 to 2014. If elected, Araujo would be the first Latinx Nevada Secretary of State and the first out LGBTQ person elected to statewide office in Nevada.

More information is available at www.hrcnationaldinner.org.

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-628-4160, www.hrc.org, approved by Stacey Abrams for Governor and the Committee to Elect Nelson Araujo. Not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate’s committee.

www.hrc.org/blog/eric-holder-and-stacey-abrams-to-join-day-of-events-celebrating-hrcs-22nd-a?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Man Claims to Be Lover of Chris Watts, the Colorado Man Charged with Killing His Wife and Two Daughters: WATCH

Man Claims to Be Lover of Chris Watts, the Colorado Man Charged with Killing His Wife and Two Daughters: WATCH

HLN Crime & Justice host Ashleigh Banfield spoke with a man claiming to be the former lover of Chris Watts, who has been charged in the horrific murder of his pregnant wife Shannan and their two young children in Frederick, Colorado. Shannan’s body was discovered in a shallow grave on the property of Watts’ former employer days after Watts had given public pleas for her return to local news outlets. The children’s bodies were found submerged in crude oil in drums nearby. Watts later claimed he had killed Shannan after she strangled her daughters because he told her he wanted to separate.

“This is a story we have to be honest with you we can’t independently verify,” said Banfield, leading into the segment.

Banfield spoke to the man, who claimed he met Watts on an app called MeetMe.

Said the alleged lover: “He messaged me. It all seemed very innocent at first…He was listed as straight and not bi or homosexual….I met him in person. The first time we met he came over to the place I was staying in Loveland, Colorado, which is pretty much a neighboring town to Frederick. It was clear that he was interested in me and attracted to me.”

The man said it turned romantic that night and went “off and on until March or April,” for “about 10 months.”

The man also said he found out later that he was married: “He told me had children but he portrayed that he was single, and there was some point that I met up with him and got in his Ford pickup and he had his daughters with him and the oldest pretty much spilled the beans that he was still married. She asked him if she could sleep with him and mommy tonight.”

Banfield shared that  portion of the interview on social media.

BREAKING: A man who claims to be a FORMER LOVER of Chris Watts is speaking out on the accused killers past in an exclusive interview! pic.twitter.com/9Ac94nQAOg

— Crime & Justice (@CrimeJusticeHLN) August 28, 2018

The man went on to discuss more, according to 9News: “I asked why his profile said straight. He said he was not out and not ready to be out as far as sexuality…I asked why he lied to me. He told me he knew he wouldn’t have a chance with me if he told me he was married. He told me what I wanted to hear…He told me his wife was verbally and emotionally abusive…He told me he didn’t love her. She didn’t love him. I knew something was wrong at home…I hope he gets convicted and I hope he stays in prison for the rest of his life.”

The post Man Claims to Be Lover of Chris Watts, the Colorado Man Charged with Killing His Wife and Two Daughters: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Man Claims to Be Lover of Chris Watts, the Colorado Man Charged with Killing His Wife and Two Daughters: WATCH