Pence Continues Anti-Equality Campaign Tour with Schuette, James, Bishop and Epstein in Michigan

Today, eight days before the crucial midterm elections, HRC is exposing the record of Vice President Mike Pence, who is scheduled to campaign with anti-equality candidates Bill Schuette, John James, Mike Bishop and Lena Epstein today in Oakland County and Grand Rapids.

“Despite the hundreds of thousands of Michigan voters who support equality, these candidates disturbingly continue to align themselves with the discriminatory Trump-Pence agenda and push dangerous policies that leave LGBTQ Michiganders behind and hurt Michigan families,” said HRC Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman.“Their positions are politically toxic and Michigan voters won’t stand for their attacks on our friends, family and neighbors. With Election Day just 8 days away, HRC is on the ground working harder than ever to elect Gretchen Whitmer, Debbie Stabenow, Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens — pro-equality champions who will fight for our values and be a check on the dangerous Trump-Pence agenda in Michigan and in Washington.”

As Schette, James, Bishop and Epstein align themselves with the anti-LGBTQ Trump-Pence administration, HRC is on the ground mobilizing our members and supporters and nearly 1.1 million Equality Voters in Michigan to re-elect Senator Debbie Stabenow, elect Gretchen Whitmer as Governor, and elect Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and Haley Stevens to Congress (MI-11). HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Michigan, 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. 

Bill Schuette has made virulent anti-LGBTQ activism a cornerstone of his political career.  As Michigan Attorney General, Schuette filed suit to oppose protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination and bullying in schools, and supported a license to discriminate in mental health care. He also wasted millions of taxpayer dollars in a crusade to stop marriage equality, and recently chose to ignore consistent legal precedent in issuing a formal opinion denying that LGBTQ Michiganders are protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity under the state Civil Rights Act. HRC-endorsed Gretchen Whitmer is a stalwart champion for the LGBTQ community. As a state senator, she led the passage of an anti-bullying bill to protect Michigan’s LGBTQ youth, and fought to pass legislation that would provide benefits to same-sex partners of public employees in Michigan, prior to nationwide marriage equality. She also sponsored legislation to expand Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for LGBTQ Michiganders.

In the U.S. Senate race, John James is eagerly accepting support from anti-LGBTQ extremist Mike Pence, and has previously refused to support laws protecting LGBTQ Michiganders from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. HRC has endorsed incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow. She supported marriage equality; the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act; and the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require school districts to adopt codes of conduct prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion. Stabenow is also a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s civil rights laws.

Rep. Mike Bishop (R) who’s running for reelection in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, received a zero on HRC’s most recent congressional scorecard. Earlier this year he also voted in favor of an amendment that would have banned access to transition-related health care for military service members and their families. HRC has endorsed former CIA analyst Elissa Slotkin who is a strong supporter of LGBTQ equality. She supports the Equality Act and spoke out strongly against President Trump’s effort to ban qualified transgender service members from the military.

Lena Epstein has spent her time in public service closely tying herself to Donald Trump and Mike Pence, serving as co-chair of Trump’s Michigan campaign in 2016. HRC has endorsed Haley Stevens in her bid to represent the people of Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. Stevens has dedicated her career to improving the lives of Michigan’s working families and is a strong advocate for full equality. She supports marriage equality and has committed to passing the Equality Act when elected.

HRC has also endorsed Gretchen Driskell for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. 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.
 

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Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples

We’re only two days away from the big couples costume party, and you have no idea what you’re going to do. Fortunately, ideas for last-minute costumes are plentiful, especially if you’re going for a couples costume. Here are a few fun ones to try: Flappers and Fellas This time-period focused costume is always a fun […]

The post Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples appeared first on PlentyOfFish Blog.

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples

Bakery Sparks Uproar by Referring to Gingerbread Men as ‘Ginger Persons’

A bakery which refers to its Gingerbread Men as ‘Ginger Persons‘ has sparked a debate on Twitter, outraging some users as an example of political correctness run amok.

However, the baker explained to a Twitter user that had claimed credit for the politically correct name change that the bakery has been calling them that since the early ’80s.

Tweeted Thomas the Baker: “Sorry to disappoint you all – they have been Ginger Persons since 1983! It was chosen by one of our Managers in York and the name stuck. We did get a complaint from trading standards in the 80’s that we were discriminating against ginger haired people – seriously!! ”

Gingerbread men being changed to Ginger ‘persons’ people need to get a grip, most ridiculous thing I’ve seen ahahaha pic.twitter.com/PWEbNPKGdU

— Courtney Hodgson (@Ccourtney_1999) October 21, 2018

Gingerbread men have now been renamed Ginger Persons @mothercareuk I demand you change your sexist name IMMEDIATELY! #PERSONCare pic.twitter.com/imlJqFAgQt

— Ben Dav (@bendav85) October 23, 2018

If they are now ginger persons bc they can’t be called gingerbread men, due to sexism. I’m now claiming its discrimination against gingers. #gingerbreadmen #greggs pic.twitter.com/Nh5jAriDFu

— Lulo_xox (@Lulo_xox) October 27, 2018

Hi, can I have some non binary, gender fluid ginger persons please? pic.twitter.com/ZipuWxTgn4

— José Luíz (@JoeMckechnie1) October 24, 2018

ginger persons oh my god i hate the world

— anna (@annabuckIey) October 24, 2018

Everyone fuming that they’re now called ginger persons instead of men. Alls I could notice is the shitty offer of 4 for 2 quid or 50p each pic.twitter.com/D5MQxQInfl

— Connor (@ConB_EFC) October 27, 2018

Political correctness has gone bonkers. Bye bye ginger bread man hello ginger persons pic.twitter.com/9guPxzgcjF

— Kev (@007Magpie) October 25, 2018

It’s 2018, so of course #Halloween gingerbread men are now “ginger persons” #ThisTakesTheBiscuit pic.twitter.com/JxJumMEI6w

— Martin Daubney (@MartinDaubney) October 23, 2018

Sorry to disappoint you all – they have been Ginger Persons since 1983! It was chosen by one of our Managers in York and the name stuck. We did get a complaint from trading standards in the 80’s that we were discriminating against ginger haired people – seriously!! t.co/bteVKsBaoo

— Thomas the Baker (@thomasthebaker) October 24, 2018

The post Bakery Sparks Uproar by Referring to Gingerbread Men as ‘Ginger Persons’ appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Bakery Sparks Uproar by Referring to Gingerbread Men as ‘Ginger Persons’

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: October 29, 2018

NEVER IN OUR LIFETIME HAS AN ELECTION BEEN MORE IMPORTANT: Bombs mailed to Trump critics. Black customers targeted at a Kentucky grocery store after a failed attack on a Black church. Eleven people — including a prominent HIV specialist — killed at a Pittsburgh synagogue. All this past week. We must hold accountable those who fan the flames of hate through their words — or their silence. Make your voice heard. #TurnOut on November 6. More from HRC.

Your vote is your voice. Use it to speak up for a more equal America. Vote for @StaceyAbrams on November 6. #gapol #gagov #TeamAbrams t.co/JHpdNpaaIg pic.twitter.com/BcSjd96mdp

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 28, 2018

#TurnOUT — JUST EIGHT DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY:

• HRC President Chad Griffin hit the campaign trail in Minnesota in support of pro-equality champions U.S. Sen Tina Smith (@TinaSmithMN), and congressional candidates Angie Craig (@AngieCraigMN), Dean Phillips (@deanbphillips) and Dan Feehan (@danielfeehan). The @HRC team is working to #turnout the vote for them and others up and down the ballot.
• Over the weekend, Griffin also joined @RepJeffries and the HRC team in #NJ03 to #TurnOUT #EqualityVoters for pro-equality champion @AndyKimNJ.
• Former President Jimmy Carter has called on Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp to resign as secretary of state due to Kemp’s alleged role in recent reports of voter suppression. More from The Associated Press.
• What’s at stake for the LGBTQ community this election: Read Maya Salam’s  (@Maya__Salam) piece in The New York Times.
• Los Angeles Blade’s Karen Ocamb (@KarenOcamb) interviews HRC-endorsed U.S. congressional candidate Katie Porter. More from Los Angeles Blade.
• ICYMI — Natalie Portman joins HRC in Texas to mobilize voters for MJ Hegar.

Actor Natalie Portman joined @HRC members, supporters and volunteers in #TX31 today to knock on doors and mobilize #EqualityVoters for pro-equality leader @mjhegar.

Find your early voting site and make a plan to #TurnOUT and elect Hegar → t.co/qylBC7pPYk pic.twitter.com/xYbYdPc2aO

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

#WEWONTBEERASED — TRANS YOUTH SPEAK OUT AGAINST TRUMP-PENCE PLAN TO GUT PROTECTIONS:

• Brandon Adams, a trans teen from Framingham, Massachusetts, calls on his state to vote ‘YES’ on Proposition 3 to protect nondiscrimination protections for trans people in the face of the Trump-Pence memo. More from USA Today.
• Kasen Ford was 12 when he — along with his mom — sat down for an interview with StoryCorps about being transgender. Listen at NPR.
• Rideshare company Lyft has reaffirmed its dedication to transgender equality:

Today we’re proud to stand with @TransEquality providing free rides to support their important work, and reaffirming our commitment to equality & inclusion. And thanks to @Lyft passengers for donating $1.5M to @HRC (Human Rights Campaign) through Round Up & Donate!

— johnzimmer (@johnzimmer) October 26, 2018

AND IN MASSACHUSETTS — BOSTON’S MAYOR HOLDS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF TRANS RIGHTS: On Nov. 6, Massachusetts voters will decide the fate of a non-discrimination law that protects transgender people in public spaces. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the non-discrimination bill into law in July 2016, and it went into effect in October 2016. Opponents of equality used anti-transgender tactics and messages to get Question 3, which would repeal these non-discrimination protections, on the ballot this election. More from WHDH.

MUST WATCH MONDAY — TYLER OAKLEY HONORED AT HRC’S TWIN CITIES GALA:

.@HRC was proud to honor @tyleroakley with the Visibility Award at the Twin Cities Gala, where he highlighted the diversity of the #LGBTQ community and the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. pic.twitter.com/2M30D5NGRs

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 26, 2018

ARREST IN SOUTH CAROLINA AFTER ANTI-LGBTQ BOMB THREAT: Jonathan Logan-Guy Radford was charged after allegedly posting that he had made a bomb and planned to target LGBTQ students at his high school. More from WIS News.

RALLY TO SUPPORT TRANSGENDER INMATES IN PITTSBURGH: The rally drew attention to the discriminatory practice of placing transgender women in men’s jails, putting them in danger of physical or sexual violence. More from David Highfield (@DavidHighfield) at CBS Pittsburgh.

PAUL MART, CO-FOUNDER OF GAY GAMES, PASSES AWAY AT 100: More from The Bay Area Reporter.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

KENYAN HIGH COURT TO RULE ON COLONIAL-ERA LAW BANNING SAME-SEX RELATIONS BETWEEN CONSENTING MEN: More from Gay Star News.

HORRIFYING — ANTI-LGBTQ GRAFFITI ON HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL IN TEL AVIV: The memorial honors the LGBTQ victims of the Holocaust. More from Pink News.

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

Passport Magazine previews the November 3 Black Tie Dinner in Dallas; Evening Standard shares a conversation between openly gay actors Sir Ian McKellen and George Shelley; BBC reports penguin couple Sphen and Magic have become fathers as their foster egg has hatched; Times Union sits down with Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk; The New York Times explores single-fatherhood for gay and bisexual men; Arizona Capitol Times interviews openly transgender judge Tracey Nadzieja; INTO reports that a trans flag with the words “Trans People Deserve to Live” was unfurled from a balcony by the Trans Latin@ Coalition during the World Series.

Come through Dodger fans ������������ #TransRightsAreHumanRights #worldseries pic.twitter.com/4nnCFW7Nsg

— INTO (@Into) October 29, 2018

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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!

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