Brunei says it won’t enforce its law stoning gay people to death, but that’s not good enough
The law will remain on the books and life for LGBTQ people in the country won’t really improve.

www.queerty.com/brunei-says-wont-enforce-law-stoning-gay-people-death-thats-not-good-enough-20190506?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Michael Cohen Makes Final Statement as He Heads to Jail: ‘There Still Remains Much to Be Told’ — WATCH

Former Trump “fixer” Michael Cohen addressed reporters as he headed to a three year federal prison sentence.

Said Cohen: “I hope that when I rejoin my family and friends that the country will be in a place without xenophobia, injustice, and lies at the helm of our country. There still remains much to be told and I look forward to the day when I can share the truth.”

The post Michael Cohen Makes Final Statement as He Heads to Jail: ‘There Still Remains Much to Be Told’ — WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Michael Cohen Makes Final Statement as He Heads to Jail: ‘There Still Remains Much to Be Told’ — WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: May 6, 2019

FROM THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS ED BOARD– “MAINE PROTECTIONS FROM DISCRIMINATION SHOULD BE NATIONWIDE”: “We built on significant, if unfinished reforms in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act — enshrining federal protections from discrimination for people on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. But even that landmark legislation falls short in protecting some groups today,” the Board writes. The law lacks clear, comprehensive protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. The Board argues eloquently for passage of the federal Equality Act — which is supported by Maine’s congressional delegation. Read the full piece at The Bangor Daily News.

SHAMEFUL — IOWA GOV. KIM REYNOLDS SIGNS BILL WITH ANTI-TRANSGENDER PROVISION: “It’s deeply disappointing that Gov. Kim Reynolds is caving to the pressure from some radical lawmakers in the Iowa Senate, instead of protecting the rights and dignity of transgender Iowans,” said JoDee Winterhof (@JoDeelive), HRC senior vice president of policy and political affairs. More from HRC.

MUST WATCH MONDAY — JESSE TYLER FERGUSON AND JUSTIN MIKITA JOIN THE “AMERICANS FOR THE EQUALITY ACT” CAMPAIGN IN POWERFUL NEW VIDEO: The series, filmed by award-winning directors Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) and Paris Barclay (@Harparbar), launched with a video featuring Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field (@sally_field) and her son Sam Greisman (@SAMGREIS). Additional videos have featured Karamo Brown (@Karamo), Adam Rippon (@adaripp), Shea Diamond (@iamsheadiamond) and Justina Machado (@JustinaMachado). More from HuffPost.

TEN TRANS WOMEN GRANTED ASYLUM IN U.S.: The women, who allege they were harassed by officers while being held in a Texas detention center, worked with the immigrant advocacy group RAICES, which connected them with legal representation. More from CBS.

WE MUST STOP THE EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE:

• Fourth person sentenced in 2017 murder of Stephanie Montez, a trans woman in Texas: More from KZTV.
• Horrifying — trans woman in Colorado attacked: Denver police are asking for the public’s help in identifying those who brutally attacked Amber Nicole. More from CBS Denver [Warning: graphic images at link].

We are horrified by the attack on Amber Nicole, a transgender woman in Denver. We wish her a swift recovery.

This vicious attack must be fully investigated, and the suspects must be found brought to justice.

Trigger warning: graphic images at link. t.co/18qj1NmxZw pic.twitter.com/ygfihmzaP4

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 3, 2019

HRC RESPONDS TO REPORTS THAT THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI HAS DECLARED A MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY: “While this is an important step we continue to call on him to repeal this draconian law in its entirety and uphold all Brunei’s commitments under international law, “ said HRC Director of Global Partnerships Jean Freedberg. “The world has turned its eyes to Brunei in recent months and we urge the countless advocates, activists and organizations who seized this moment to speak out against these human rights abuses to continue to do so.” More from France 24.

It’s reported the Sultan of Brunei declared a moratorium on the death penalty, but urge this draconian law be repealed entirely.

The Trump-Pence admin is silent & must join the chorus of voices speaking out against these human rights abuses. #EyesOnBrunei t.co/su8boQmG71

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 5, 2019

EUROPEAN STUDY SHOWS HIV WAS NOT TRANSMITTED BETWEEN SAME-SEX COUPLES WHEN ONE PARTNER HAD HIV AND WAS TAKING ANTIRETROVIRAL MEDICATION: More from Reuters.

• UNAIDS’ Undetectable = untransmittable campaign also works to educate that HIV treatment is highly effective in reducing the transmission of HIV, and that people living with HIV with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually. Read more here.

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FORMS TASK FORCE ON BLACK YOUTH SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH: The Task Force will raise awareness of the rise in the suicide rate for Black children among members of Congress and staff, and identify legislative recommendations to address this mental health crisis. More from The Root.

COUNTRY SINGER CAMERON HAWTHORN (@cmrnhwthrn) COMES OUT AS GAY IN NEW MUSIC VIDEO: More from Dallas Observer.

HRC REMEMBERS TIM FISHER, LGBTQ ALLY AND ADVOCATE IN THE LUTHERAN CHURCH: More from Minneapolis Star Tribune.

HRC REMEMBERS RACHEL HELD EVANS, ADVOCATE FOR LGBTQ INCLUSION IN THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH: More from Slate.

Rachel Held Evans was steadfast in her support and inclusion of LGBTQ people in the church, and a beacon of hope for LGBTQ people of faith.

We are deeply saddened to learn of her loss and send our condolences to all who knew her. t.co/2AEV2ztU7V

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 4, 2019

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

Atlas Obscura writes about the radical roots of potlucks in queer women communities; The Associated Press interviews trans opera singer Lucia Lucas (@lucialucasde); Vice shares how gay and bisexual men in Indonesia are using social media to live their truths; WEKU reports on a local conference addressing LGBTQ mental health; HRC marks the Muslim holy month of Ramadan; HRC congratulates Meghan Stabler (@MeghanStabler) on becoming the first openly transgender member of Planned Parenthood’s Board of Directors

Congratulations @MeghanStabler! I know you will do great things on @PPFA’s National Board of Directors, and we are so grateful for your years of leadership @HRC and in the progressive movement. t.co/MaKbvYTcp7

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) May 5, 2019

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-may-6-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Richard Madden Doesn’t Believe Gay Roles Should Be Restricted to Gay Actors

Richard Madden, who plays Elton John’s manager and lover John Reid in the upcoming biopic Rocketman, said he doesn’t believe gay roles should be restricted to gay actors.

RECENTLY: Richard Madden Talks Dropping Trou for ‘Bodyguard’

Said Madden to The Guardian: “It’s a really terrible route to go down if we start restricting people’s casting based on their personal lives. We have to focus more on diversity and having everyone represented, but I’m also a firm believer in the best actor for the part.”

Taron Egerton, who plays Elton in the film, recently weighed in on the topic, telling UK’s Attitude magazine: “It’s easy for me to sit here as a white, heterosexual man and say I should be able to play a part I want. But I completely understand why a gay actor would feel that this is an opportunity for which they would be better suited. The way I feel about it is that Elton asked me to play him in a movie about his life. I am proud and privileged to be playing this person who happens to be gay. I want to live in a world where people are excited about playing people who are different from themselves. I believe that there is something inclusive and progressive about that.”

The post Richard Madden Doesn’t Believe Gay Roles Should Be Restricted to Gay Actors appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Richard Madden Doesn’t Believe Gay Roles Should Be Restricted to Gay Actors