Rufus Wainwright’s Artistic Response to the Trump Presidency is Here (with an Assist from Darren Criss) – WATCH

Rufus Wainwright today released “Sword of Damocles”, his musical response to the Trump presidency, along with a lush music video.

Wainwright explained the parable behind the video: “At a lavish banquet, King Dionysius is confronted by his servant Damocles – a brat who is jealous of the king’s splendor and power. Through supernatural forces, the two roles are switched. The smug, inexperienced commoner becomes the king. But his joy is short-lived. He quickly realizes that being king isn’t all crowns and cheeseburgers. With great power comes great responsibility.”

He added: ‘“Sword of Damocles” is my artistic response to what I see currently transpiring within the American government and how its collapse is affecting every aspect of existence for us all. With the Midterm Elections around the corner, it’s important for everyone to take a stand and contribute in some way – whether it’s bringing awareness to issues in your community, protesting/demonstrating, watching the news to formulate your own opinions, creating, yelling – it’s all hands on deck. The famed, ancient expression “Sword of Damocles” is a parable of impending doom of and to those in positions of power. This timeless tale points out the hard fact that with great power, comes great responsibility, and for all concerned, great danger. VOTE.’

Said director Andrew Ondrejcak: “Often my work is concept-driven but for Damocles, I knew that I wanted to focus on a more traditional narrative storytelling. I’ve also been playing with a more formal approach to color – and I wanted to experiment with a Wizard of Oz effect – to begin the story in brownish tones, and then once Dorothy lands in Oz, the creamy sepia tones of Kansas turn into the candy-colored Technicolor of Oz. I think this also speaks to this duality of reality and imagination, of the Real and Unreal.”

Proceeds from the track and video benefit Swing Left.

The post Rufus Wainwright’s Artistic Response to the Trump Presidency is Here (with an Assist from Darren Criss) – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Rufus Wainwright’s Artistic Response to the Trump Presidency is Here (with an Assist from Darren Criss) – WATCH

What’s at Stake for the Affordable Care Act as Open Enrollment Begins for 2019

Today marks the beginning of the open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which runs from November 1 through December 15. However, with the midterms less than a week away, the fate of the ACA remains uncertain as anti-equality candidates running for Congress are hell-bent on dismantling and undermining these critical protections for millions of Americans.

The ACA provides unprecedented federal protections for countless Americans, including LGBTQ people, who faced discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity before the law’s implementation. Despite the countless efforts by Donald Trump, Mike Pence and congressional Republicans, the ACA still remains the law of the land.

However, the fight isn’t over. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that he would revisit repealing the ACA if Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate after the November midterms. Our nation’s most vulnerable communities, such as those living with pre-existing conditions like cancer or HIV, would be hardest hit if the ACA was dismantled.

Governors also have a vital role to play in strengthening the ACA in their own state. Currently, 34 states, including the District of Columbia, have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. It’s crucial we help to elect pro-equality gubernatorial candidates in order to provide health coverage for hard working Americans.  

HRC has endorsed more than 400 pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot, who are not only campaigning to protect the ACA’s critical protections but are stumping to expand the law in their own states. Here are just some of the candidates running to protect the landmark health care law.

Tammy Baldwin

Pro-equality trailblazer Senator Tammy Baldwin is running for re-election on a campaign platform to protect Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions afforded by the ACA. The Trump-Pence administration is banking on her opponent Leah Vukmir to win so they can again attempt to strip health care away from millions in the Badger State. 

The Trump administration gave up the game tonight — @mike_pence is openly saying that with @LeahVukmir in the Senate, they will try to repeal the Affordable Care Act yet again.

That’s what’s at stake in this election. pic.twitter.com/3ayFRLKx4R

— Tammy Baldwin (@tammybaldwin) August 31, 2018

Andrew Gillum

Florida gubernatorial candidate and pro-LGBTQ champion Andrew Gillum believes that affordable health care should be a right and not a privilege. As governor, Gillum would expand Medicaid to countless Floridians under the ACA. His opponent, anti-LGBTQ extremist Ron Desantis, has fully embraced the Trump-Pence administration’s agenda and voted for the American Health Care Act (AHCA), also known as “Trumpcare,” while serving in Congress.

✅ Medicaid Expansion
✅ Protecting People with Pre-existing Conditions
✅ Medicare-for-All
✅ Women’s Healthcare

If we vote, we win.#BringItHome

— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) September 19, 2018

Kyrsten Sinema

Protecting the ACA in the Grand Canyon State is a centerpiece of HRC-endorsed Arizona Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema’s campaign. Her opponent, Rep. Martha McSally voted for the AHCA.

See this list? If the administration succeeds in eliminating protections for pre-existing conditions, chances are you or someone you love will be affected.

Nearly 2.8 million Arizonans live with a pre-existing condition. I’m committed to protecting their care. #AZSen pic.twitter.com/SRy9DVLwbB

— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) August 1, 2018 

Jacky Rosen

Nevada senatorial candidate Rep. Jacky Rosen is holding her  accountable for voting for the AHCA in the Senate. She is campaigning to protect the law’s vital coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions.

“Jacky Rosen’s a good bet. You send Jacky to the U.S. Senate, she’s not going to let Republicans gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions. She’s not going to let Republicans gut your Medicare to pay for their tax cuts. She’s going to protect your care, period.” pic.twitter.com/La4uN7E89j

— Jacky Rosen (@RosenforNevada) October 23, 2018

Stacey Abrams

Pro-equality champion and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is advocating to expand Medicaid in the Peach State, while her opponent and anti-equality candidate Brian Kemp staunchly opposes the ACA. Abrams’ win in the Peach State could mean hundreds of thousands of Georgians could become covered under the ACA for the first time. 

Medicaid expansion has created jobs and increased access to health care in Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Iowa, West Virginia, Indiana…and 27 other states.

I am the only candidate for #GAGov who will get it done for Georgia. We must #ExpandMedicaid.t.co/yJPq0Sy7Rp

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) October 18, 2018

 The future of the Affordable Care Act will be decided by just a few seats in the House and Senate. There’s too much at stake in this election. Supporters in any state can text “VOTER” to 30644 to verify their voter registration, find their polling place and receive election reminders. For more information on how to get involved, signing up to volunteer or joining an advocacy training, visit HRC’s Equality Voter Action Center.

www.hrc.org/blog/whats-at-stake-for-the-affordable-care-act-as-open-enrollment-begins-for-20?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Mike Pence Stumps for Anti-Equality Candidates Mike DeWine and Troy Balderson in Mansfield, Ohio

Less than one week before the crucial midterm elections, HRC is exposing the record of Vice President Mike Pence, who is scheduled to campaign with anti-equality candidates, including gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine and Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12).

“For too long, anti-LGBTQ politicians like Attorney General Mike DeWine and Rep. Troy Balderson have held our state back, pushing policies that hurt Ohio families and undermine LGBTQ progress,” said HRC Ohio State Director Shawn Copeland. “If elected, they will only double down on the Trump-Pence administration’s discriminatory agenda. But we have the opportunity to elect pro-equality champions Richard Cordray and Danny O’Connor, who will fight for working families and move equality forward in both Columbus and Washington. The choice for voters could not be more clear. With less than one week until the crucial midterm elections, HRC is on the ground mobilizing our hundreds of thousands of members and supporters in Ohio to turn out for equality up and down the ballot.”

As DeWine and Balderson align themselves with the anti-LGBTQ Trump-Pence agenda, HRC is mobilizing our members and supporters and nearly 1.8 million Equality Voters in Ohio to elect Richard Cordray as Governor and Danny O’Connor (OH-12) to Congress. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Ohio, and has staff and resources on the ground in the state as part of the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history. 

As Ohio Attorney General, DeWine defended the state’s marriage ban, stating that LGBTQ people did not deserve “protected-class status.” DeWine also opposes non-discrimination laws protecting Ohioans on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity as well as protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination and bullying at school. HRC-endorsed Richard Cordray has a long record working to advance equality. Cordray supports marriage equality and the Ohio Fairness Act, crucial legislation that would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio. He also supports updating Ohio’s outdated birth certificate laws to allow transgender Ohioans to change the gender marker on their birth certificates.

In the race for Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Troy Balderson is eagerly accepting support from anti-LGBTQ extremist Mike Pence, and has previously voted against anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. HRC has endorsed Danny O’Connor, a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ community. O’Connor supports marriage equality; legislation to increase funding for HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment; and the Equality Act, landmark federal legislation that would provide the same basic non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ people as other protected groups under federal law. In 2015, O’Connor also submitted an amicus brief in support of the petitioners in the Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality case at the Supreme Court of the United States.

HRC’s comprehensive “The Real Mike Pence” campaign includes a report, microsite and series of videos that shine a spotlight on Pence’s decades-long crusade against LGBTQ equality, and inside-the-White-House efforts leading the Trump-Pence administration’s attacks on LGBTQ people.

www.hrc.org/blog/pence-stumps-for-anti-equality-candidates-mike-dewine-and-troy-balderson?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

GLAAD and Michelle Obama’s ‘When We All Vote’ join forces for Election Eve telethon

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-and-michelle-obamas-when-we-all-vote-join-forces-election-eve-telethon