HRC Announces Third Year of Global Partnerships in Pride

Post submitted by HRC Director of Global Partnerships Jean Freedberg

HRC Global is proud to announce its awardees for the third year of the Global Partnerships in Pride program. The 2019 partners include advocates and organizations in Colombia, Sri Lanka, Malawi, Ecuador, Ukraine, Barbados, Uganda, Bermuda and Jordan. 

Starting with International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in May and running through the year, this program celebrates the ways that our partners are working to uplift their communities and fight for equality, even in places where there are still tremendous challenges. Events held each year range from Pride parades and celebrations of faith to showcasing creativity in radio programs, shows and comic books that elevate LGBTQ voices.

This year HRC is proud to support the following Prides:

Pride in Colombia

HRC was honored to partner with Alba Lucía Reyes, director of the Sergio Urrego Foundation and a 2018 HRC Global Innovator, to support Pride Day 2019 in Bogotá with the theme “Difference Unites Us.” The foundation, created to honor the life of Lucía Reyes’ gay son, worked with a coalition of supportive businesses to build conversations around diversity and inclusion.

Pride in Jordan

HRC Global Innovator Hasan Kilani hosted an LGBTQ iftar on IDAHOTB in Amman, Jordan. The iftar took place in a private residence and was organized by the Rainbow Street field team and other partners in Amman. It was attended by more than 40 invited guests, including activists and allies from across the country. 

Pride in Sri Lanka

HRC was proud to work with HRC Global Innovator Rosanna Flamer-Caldera for the second year in support of Colombo Pride. Flamer-Caldera’s organization EQUAL GROUND organized two events at Pride this year, IFFLGBTIQ (Friends and Family of LGBTIQ) and the IDEA junction.

Pride in Uganda

On July 26, HRC Global Innovator Tom Junior Twongyeirwe, the national coordinator of Universal Coalition of Affirming Africans Uganda, helped organize a Pride worship event for the group’s members, affirming faith leaders, LGBTQ community members and allies. Said Twongyeirwe, “For the first time, [the] rainbow flag was raised in a Ugandan Church.”

Pride in Barbados

The Pride Barbados Parade marked the culmination of a month of Pride activities in Barbados. For local organizers, including HRC Global Innovator Ro-Ann Mohammed, Pride is an opportunity for the community to speak on its own behalf about the lives of LGBTQ Barbadians and celebrate diversity. 

HRC Global is proud to support our worldwide network of alumni, now with more than 130 incredible advocates in more than 80 countries around the world. 

Check back for updates from Prides in Bermuda, Malawi, Ecuador and Ukraine. 

For more information about HRC’s work around the world, visit hrc.org/Global. 

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-announces-third-year-of-global-partnerships-in-pride?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Rockies Apologize After Employee Tells Lesbians Not To Kiss

A Rockies employee named Karen told two fans not to kiss on their anniverary because Coors Field is a ‘family park.’

www.advocate.com/sports/2019/8/23/rockies-apologize-after-employee-tells-lesbians-not-kiss

He says the bouncer attacked him for kissing his boyfriend, the bar says he attacked the bouncer

A gay man named Ben Sanson-Ngiratregd says a bouncer at Barrio, a Latin American restaurant and bar in St. Paul, Minnesota, gave him a black eye and a concussion on Sunday night after he kissed his boyfriend at the bar.

Sanson-Ngiratregd told KSTP.com:

“A guy came behind me and grabbed my shirt. He’s like ‘You can’t do that in here.’ He was calling me a very derogatory name for me being gay.”

“I told him to get his hands off of me and then he just started punching me in my face. I have bumps and bruises all over my body, I was thrown down cement stairs, dragged across the floor.”

Related: Recent queer bashings in Dallas and Denver leave gay man and trans woman partially paralyzed

However, Barrio disputes Sanson-Ngiratregd’s version of events. In a statement, the restaurant said:

“We are continuing to investigate the incident that took place early Sunday morning at Barrio Lowertown, but based on what we know so far — the account of our security guard as well as those of a number of witnesses and our review of our security footage — we believe our colleague acted only to defend himself and to ensure the safety of our other guests when physically attacked. At no time did any Barrio employee or anyone else associated with our restaurant punch a guest during this incident.”

If Sanson-Ngiratregd’s account proves true, it’ll be merely the most recent case of a restaurant discriminating against LGBTQ customers.

In December 2018, a South Carolina restaurant put a note which read “fag” into a gay customer’s takeout bag. In June 2018, a Florida restaurant called a lesbian couple “disgusting.” In August 2017, a Washington D.C. restaurant shamed a gay couple for wanting to share a sundae.

In January 2017, a South Africa restaurant denied a gay couple service during their “date night” promotion. In December 2014, a London restaurant told a lesbian couple that their kisses were “inappropriate.” In May 2014, a Texas restaurant told a gay couple they “don’t serve f*gs.”

In December 2013, a Montreal restaurant kicked out a lesbian couple for their public display of affection. In November 2013, a Georgia restaurant said it has the right to deny entry to a trans woman.

www.queerty.com/says-bouncer-attacked-kissing-boyfriend-bar-says-attacked-bouncer-20190823?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Herd of Elephants Saved from Muddy Mining Pit After Rescuer Digs Escape Path: WATCH

A herd of frightened elephants was saved on Tuesday after they slid into a muddy mining pit in Pahang’s forest reserve, 125 miles east of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Rescuers came to the aid of the pachyderms using a backhoe to dig a path by which the elephants could find their way out, which they did.

The rescue was captured on video by Malaysia’s Department of Wildlife.

The post Herd of Elephants Saved from Muddy Mining Pit After Rescuer Digs Escape Path: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Herd of Elephants Saved from Muddy Mining Pit After Rescuer Digs Escape Path: WATCH

Tell the Labor Department that Gutting LGBTQ Job Protections is Unacceptable

On Day 11 of his presidency, Donald Trump promised that President Obama’s Executive Order, which protects 1 in 4 workers, would “remain intact.” Last week, he broke that promise.

The latest proposal out of the Department of Labor attempts to gut protections for LGBTQ people, women and religious minorities by adding unprecedented religious exemptions to a historic executive order prohibiting discrimination against the employees of federal contractors and subcontractors.

Join HRC in flooding the Department of Labor with comments reminding them that everyone deserves a workplace free from discrimination — no matter who they are. 

Here are a few points to consider while writing your comment: 

• One in four Americans works for a federal contractor. If this regulation becomes permanent, these employees could see key enforcement of protections eviscerated in an instant.
• The proposed regulation is a broad and sweeping effort to implement a license to discriminate against people on the basis of their gender identity and sexual orientation.
• The proposal cherry picks federal court decisions, relies upon language not contained in the majority opinions, and blatantly changes the context and meaning of case law to justify the changes to existing regulations.
• The Department of Labor is negatively impacting LGBTQ people, women and religious minorities by allowing businesses and organizations receiving taxpayer dollars to opt-out of critical nondiscrimination provisions.

Let’s shut down this harmful proposal — and let’s do it together.

Write your comment and tell the Department of Labor that everyone deserves a workplace free from discrimination.

www.hrc.org/blog/tell-the-labor-department-that-gutting-lgbtq-job-protections-is-unacceptabl?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Serbia Has Blocked Path for LGBTQ Parenthood After Lesbian PM Has Baby

Ana Brnabic was the first out world leader to have a child in office. Now Serbia is banning other queer people from concieving a child the same way.

www.advocate.com/world/2019/8/23/serbia-has-blocked-path-lgbtq-parenthood-after-lesbian-pm-has-baby

Man Says Restaurant Bouncer Brutally Beat Him After He Kissed His Boyfriend: WATCH

A St. Paul, Minnesota man says he was beaten by the bouncer at the restaurant Barrio after he kissed his boyfriend at the bar.

Said Ben Sanson-Ngiratregd to KSTP: “The whole time it was happening I really thought I could die. A guy came behind me and grabbed my shirt. He’s like ‘You can’t do that in here.’ He was calling me a very derogatory name for me being gay. I told him to get his hands off of me and then he just started punching me in my face. I have bumps and bruises all over my body, I was thrown down cement stairs, dragged across the floor.”

The restaurant released a statement saying the employee was acting in self-defense: “We take any allegation that one of our guests was mistreated very seriously. We don’t tolerate any form of discrimination or inappropriate conduct by anyone associated with our company. We are continuing to investigate the incident that took place early Sunday morning at Barrio Lowertown, but based on what we know so far – the account of our security guard as well as those of a number of witnesses and our review of our security footage – we believe our colleague acted only to defend himself and to ensure the safety of our other guests when physically attacked. At no time did any Barrio employee or anyone else associated with our restaurant punch a guest during this incident. Reports that two employees were involved in this altercation are incorrect.”

Police are investigating.

The post Man Says Restaurant Bouncer Brutally Beat Him After He Kissed His Boyfriend: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Man Says Restaurant Bouncer Brutally Beat Him After He Kissed His Boyfriend: WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: August 23, 2019

HRC DENOUNCES TRUMP’S NOMINEE’S ANTI-LGBTQ REMARKS ON MATTHEW SHEPARD: Said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid): “At at time when violence and discrimination against LGBTQ people other marginalized communities is on the rise in this country, the last thing we need is another judicial nominee who does not recognize LGBTQ people as people worthy of basic respect and protection under the law.  Steven Menashi is not fit to serve on any judicial bench, much less a court one step down from the Supreme Court. He should withdraw, and if he doesn’t, he should be rejected by the Senate.” More from HRC.

“VISIBILITY SAVES LIVES. VISIBILITY SAVED MY LIFE!”: Actor Ian Alexander (@ianaIexander) spoke at HRC’s Salt Lake City dinner and highlighted the importance of visibility for LGBTQ youth. Watch here.

“Visibility saves lives. Visibility saved my life!”

❤️����������

Thank you @ianaIexander for your candid remarks highlighting the importance of visibility for LGBTQ youth. pic.twitter.com/2GAw1Z5k7g

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 22, 2019

HRC RESPONDS TO JASON LEWIS SENATE ANNOUNCEMENT IN MN: “Jason Lewis is a dangerously out-of-touch extremist who compared LGBTQ people to rapists and criminals and complained that he could no longer call women ‘sluts’” said HRC Regional Campaign Director for Minnesota Lindsey Clark. “The fact that he wants to make a reappearance from obscurity is his decision, but we’re confident Minnesotans will send him there again.” More from Pink News. 

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY — WE’RE NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING! VIDEO OF DAD TRIMMING TRANS SON’S BEARD GOES VIRAL: More from We Are Mitú. 

When I first came out as trans my parents didn’t know wtf to do with me, almost 3 years into my transition and my dad’s out here giving me a fade and trimming my beard in the backyard. If you needed a sign that things get better here it is pic.twitter.com/c2ijciqaS1

— patojito hermoso (@TransTramposo) August 20, 2019

DURING NYC BLACK PRIDE FESTIVAL, ADVOCATES SPEAK OUT ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK TRANS WOMEN: More from ABC News. 

HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID SPEAKS AT NATIONAL NQAPIA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT:

.@HRC President @AlphonsoDavid spoke at the National @NQAPIA Leadership Summit about the urgent need to pass the #EqualityAct, the intersectional work that needs to be done to uplift the voices of API LGBTQ people, and mobilizing to elect pro-equality candidates. pic.twitter.com/TNSGAUcScH

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 23, 2019

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS’ VP JEFF FREITAS ON IMPORTANCE OF LGBTQ RIGHTS & INCLUSION IN EDUCATION: “At [the Education International World Congress], I addressed my international union siblings in support of a resolution that answered the call to fight for LGBTQI rights,” writes Freitas (@jeff_freitas), who is openly gay, in a piece for The Bay Area Reporter. “I did this because I believe that LGBTQI rights are human rights. I believe they are worker’s rights. And I believe that LGBTQI issues are critical to public education.” Read more from The Bay Area Reporter. 

TEXAS COUPLE WHO RAN “CONVERSION THERAPY” CAMP FOR YOUTH ARE INDICTED BY GRAND JURY: More from NY Daily News. 

TRANSGENDER WOMAN SUES EMPLOYER AFTER SHE WAS HARASSED AT HER JOB & SUBSEQUENLY FIRED: More from Chicago Sun Times. 

MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY INCLUDE THE HISTORY OF LGBTQ AND DISABILITY RIGHTS IN CURRICULA AS SOON AS NEXT YEAR: More from Washington Informer. 

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

GEORGIAN-AMERICAN LAWYER THEODORE JONAS FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST ANTI-LGBTQ ACTIVIST FOR THREATS DURING GEORGIA’S FIRST-EVER PRIDE EVENT IN JULY: More from Eurasianet. 

BRAZIL PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO CUTS GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR FILM PROJECTS, INCLUDING LGBTQ FILMS: More from PinkNews. 

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

TVLine reports that ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise” is featuring a same-sex couple for the first time; Pride Source reports on the new Netflix show “Styling Hollywood,” which stars a same-sex couple; HRC Global is in Seoul for the ILGA Asia conference

This week, @HRC‘s Jay Gilliam and Jean Freedburg (@FreedJean) join advocates from around the region, including HRC Global alumni, in Seoul for #ILGAAsia2019 to share strategies and learn from other activists in the fight for LGBTQ equality. #Together4Change pic.twitter.com/M8X4BBJuRy

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 22, 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-august-23-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Emily Valentine, Er Christine Elise, Is Back in ‘90210’—and She’s Gay

The unconventional reboot of the teen soap features two stars playing queer women. We spoke with one of them, Christine Elise, about the lesbian “Christine Elise.”

www.advocate.com/television/2019/8/23/emily-valentine-er-christine-elise-back-90210-and-shes-gay