HRC & Local Advocates Launch Equality Act Month of Action with Dozens of In-District Events

HRC & Local Advocates Launch Equality Act Month of Action with Dozens of In-District Events

HRC launched an Equality Act Month of Action with dozens of in-district grassroots events to build support for the Equality Act — critically important bipartisan legislation that will finally provide clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people nationwide. While Congress is in recess, over the next several weeks HRC is joining with coalition partners and local advocates for in-district organizing events in support of the Equality Act, including phone banking, lobbying training, door-to-door canvassing, and in-district meetings with members of Congress.

“Voters across the country are energized and speaking out about the vital importance of passing the historic, bipartisan Equality Act,” said HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. “While members of Congress are back in their home districts, HRC is working with local coalition partners to ensure these members of Congress cannot ignore this growing, unprecedented support for nationwide LGBTQ non-discrimination protections. Backed by 70 percent of Americans, more than 190 of the nation’s leading companies, and more than 350 statewide and national organizations, now is the time for Congress to advance the Equality Act and ensure LGBTQ people are included in our nation’s civil rights laws.”

HRC and coalition partners will be holding the in-district, grassroots events in CA, FL, IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, WA, and WI. Individuals interested in getting involved can find out more here.

Discrimination is a real and persistent problem for LGBTQ Americans. HRC polling has found that nearly two-thirds of self-identified LGBTQ Americans report experiencing discrimination. Currently, 50 percent of LGBTQ Americans live in the 30 states that still lack statewide legal non-discrimination protections, leaving their residents and visitors at risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of who they are or whom they love. The Equality Act would guarantee existing civil rights laws apply to LGBTQ people by providing clear, consistent non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally-funded programs and jury service.

The Equality Act has growing, unprecedented support. More than 190 major corporations have joined HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act. Recent polling finds that a growing majority of Americans — including Republicans, Democrats and Independents — support LGBTQ non-discrimination protections and LGBTQ equality. A recent survey by PRRI found that nearly seven in 10 Americans support laws like the Equality Act. More than 350 statewide and national organizations have endorsed the legislation, including social justice, religious, medical and child welfare organizations.

HRC recently launched a public awareness and advertising campaign called “Americans for the Equality Act.” Filmed by award-winning directors Dustin Lance Black and Paris Barclay, the series debut video featured Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field and her son Sam Greisman. The campaign will feature prominent figures in entertainment, sports and beyond speaking about the need for the legislation.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-local-advocates-launch-equality-act-month-of-action-with-dozens-of-in-d?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is on Fire: VIDEO

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is on Fire: VIDEO

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is on fire. The fire alarm went off around 6:30 pm according to André Finot, a spokesman for the cathedral.

Developing… (refresh for updates below)

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is on fire. pic.twitter.com/DG1U8FKQov

— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 15, 2019

Photographs shared on social media showed flames shooting out of the roof of the iconic French Gothic landmark and popular tourist destination as a massive blaze appeared to be underway. France’s most famous cathedral was built between the years 1163 and 1345.

Famed Paris cathedral Notre Dame is on fire pic.twitter.com/Vv7lwGuxWZ

— Matkal Netsah (@MatkalN) April 15, 2019

Sixteen statues were recently removed from the church’s spire by crane due to renovation work that has been continuing on the structure.

Notre Dame, Paris, is on fire and it feels like the end of the world. pic.twitter.com/qYYk7ewipq

— Shiv Malik (@shivmalik) April 15, 2019

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted: “A terrible fire is underway at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The @ PompiersParis are trying to control the flames. We are mobilized on the spot in close connection with the @ dioceseParis . I invite everyone to respect the security perimeter.”

Un terrible incendie est en cours à la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Les @PompiersParis sont en train de tenter de maîtriser les flammes. Nous sommes mobilisés sur place en lien étroit avec le @dioceseParis. J’invite chacune et chacun à respecter le périmètre de sécurité. pic.twitter.com/9X0tGtlgba

— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) April 15, 2019

So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019

Roommate just sent this of Notre Dame on fire in Paris woowwww pic.twitter.com/NEMs33AHYD

— Process Guy (@leistomania93) April 15, 2019

Before the news breaks, the Notre Dame is on fire. pic.twitter.com/fhSNcznCG2

— Ashley (@AshhHuntington) April 15, 2019

#NotreDame on fire pic.twitter.com/2o6fdFmLbC

— Liam Taylor (@LiamMTaylor) April 15, 2019

Appalling News from #Paris Would seen to be a MAJOR fire at #NotreDame Cathedral. so sad pic.twitter.com/fBOBsZ9n4I

— Fraser Rush (@fraser_rush) April 15, 2019

The post Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is on Fire: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is on Fire: VIDEO

GLAAD Calls on the American Museum of Natural History to Cancel Planned Event with Anti-LGBTQ President Jair Bolsonaro

GLAAD Calls on the American Museum of Natural History to Cancel Planned Event with Anti-LGBTQ President Jair Bolsonaro

Brazilian President: “I prefer, rather, a son run over by a convoy to a homosexual son. If my son were ‘gay,’ he would be dead to me.” 

NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today called on the American Museum of Natural History to immediately cancel an upcoming event featuring Brazilian President and notorious anti-LGBTQ activist Jair Bolsonaro that’s to be held on the museum grounds. According to The Gothamist, the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce plans to hold a gala event to name Bolsonaro its “Person of the Year” at the Museum.

“It’s dangerous for a respected attraction like the American Museum of Natural History to provide a national platform for a foreign leader who is known for targeting and attacking marginalized communities, especially LGBTQ people,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “Parents and current members of the Museum like me should not stand idly by while the Museum grants visibility to someone who supports the assault of young children just for potentially being LGBTQ. The Museum should re-examine serving as the home for Bolsonaro’s honor, and instead, send a message to LGBTQ Brazilians as well as its LGBTQ members by canceling the event.”

Brazilian President has a horrific and barbaric anti-LGBTQ record, and since his election last year, President Bolsonaro – like the Trump Administration – has systematically tried to erase LGBTQ families from the fabric of Brazil. Just recently, President Bolsonaro even praised the anti-LGBTQ efforts made by President Trump and his administration since taking office in 2017 – a total of 103 attacks on LGBTQ Americans overall.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Anti-LGBTQ History of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro

  • Said he’d prefer his son die in an accident than be gay (Rough translation: “There are certain things that I say are as death. It would bring me disgust, would make me sad, and I even think that he, himself, would abandon me in that case. To me, it is death. And more: I’d rather he died in an accident than show up with some guy. To me, he really would have died.” Original interview, in Portuguese, can be found here: web.archive.org/web/20110709235317/http://playboy.abril.com.br/entretenimento/entrevista/jair-bolsonaro/
  • Reiterated his preference for a dead son over a gay son: “I prefer, rather, a son run over by a convoy to a homosexual son. If my son were “gay,” he would be dead to me.”
  • Supported a father who beat his 8-year-old son to death for showing effeminate traits, suggesting that beating the child would have prevented him from being gay.
  • Has bragged that “if I see two men kissing on the street, I’m going to hit them.” 
  • Said: “If a gay couple came to live in my building, my property will lose value. If they walk around holding hands, kissing, it will lose value! No one says that out of fear of being pinned as homophobe.”
  • Claimed LGBT rights activists wants to recruit children for sex: “They want to reach our children in order to turn the children into gay adults to satisfy their sexuality in the future. So these are the fundamentalist homosexual groups that are trying to take over society.”
  • Said being gay is a “behavioral issue” inspired by “liberal habits” “drugs” and “women also working,” adding that is a young person starts hanging out with certain people with a certain behavior, he’ll adopt that sort of behavior. He’ll think it’s normal”.lab.org.uk/ellen-page-confronts-jair-bolsonaro-about-homophobia-in-rio-de-janeiro/
  • Referred to a rival political party as “a party of dicks and faggots”.
  • Implied that President Dilma Rousseff is a lesbian, demanding that she “admit your love with homosexuals”.
  • Called Eleonora Menicucci, the Minister for Women’s Policy, “a big dyke”.
  • Said he’d “rather have a son who is an addict than a son who is gay”.
  • Said he does not have a gay child because his children are well educated.
  • Insisted gay parents sexually abuse their children: “I make a connection between homosexuality and pedophilia because many of the children who will be adopted by “gaycouples will be abused by these homosexual couples.”
  • Wanted to rid textbooks of homosexuality.
  • Removed LGBTQ rights from human rights ministry considerations just hours after inauguration.
  • Said: “If your son begins to act like this, sort of gay, he deserves a smack and he’ll change his behavior”.

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April 15, 2019
Issues: 
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www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-calls-american-museum-natural-history-cancel-planned-event-anti-lgbtq-president-jair

Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle, Perhaps the Last Female of the Species, Dies in China Zoo Leaving 3 Known Left in the World

Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle, Perhaps the Last Female of the Species, Dies in China Zoo Leaving 3 Known Left in the World

China’s last female Yangtze giant softshell turtle died over the weekend at the Suzhou Zoo. She was the last known female of her species. Only three others are known to exist, one at the Suzhou Zoo and two others in separate lakes in Hanoi, Vietnam. Yangtze softshell turtles are the largest freshwater turtle species in the world.

The turtles became threatened due to habitat loss and the use of the shell and bones for (useless) Chinese alternative medicine.

China’s last female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) died on Saturday after an artificial insemination at the Suzhou Zoo in East China’s Jiangsu province. Now, only three remain in the world. #wildlife t.co/wQG2XdebOl pic.twitter.com/wu0WwofX1q

— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) April 14, 2019

China Daily reported: “An international research team carried out the fifth artificial insemination for the female turtle on Friday, but the animal did not recover from the procedure, even though researchers spent hours trying to save its life. The dead female turtle is believed to be over 90 years old; Suzhou Zoo’s male turtle is over 100 years old.”

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Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle, Perhaps the Last Female of the Species, Dies in China Zoo Leaving 3 Known Left in the World