HRC Announces Hire of Carmarion D. Anderson as Alabama State Director

HRC Announces Hire of Carmarion D. Anderson as Alabama State Director

Today, HRC announced the hire of Carmarion D. Anderson as the state director for HRC’s office and statewide efforts in Alabama. 

“I am excited to join the Human Rights Campaign, especially at a time when it is vital for us to pursue and protect LGBTQ rights in Alabama and throughout the country,” said Carmarion D. Anderson, HRC Alabama State Director. “Now more than ever, it’s important for our community to stand together against any attacks on LGBTQ people and work toward a more fair, equal Alabama for all. Additionally, it’s important for our movement to reflect the diversity and challenges of its members. As a transgender woman of color, this is personal, and I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Carmarion to HRC. Carmarion brings an exceptional combination of experience, energy and sensitivity to guide HRC Alabama and nurture important relationships that will support the entire LGBTQ community across the state,” commented Meghan Kissell, director of HRC’s Project One America.

Carmarion D. Anderson is a vibrant and visible trans woman of color with a passion for inclusion in the world. As the Alabama State Director within HRC’s Project One America, Carmarion becomes the first trans person of color to serve in a leadership role with HRC in the organization’s history. Carmarion was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, with family roots in Natchez, Mississippi. Before joining HRC, Carmarion worked in the field of Public Health and Education, managing both local and national prevention initiatives focusing on HIV/AIDS and other health disparities that impact marginalized communities. Carmarion also brings a wealth of experience in faith spaces with her, currently serving as the National Co-Minister and South Region Coordinator for TransSaints ministry of TFAM (The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries). In addition to this role, Carmarion previously served for 15 years as an associate minister at the Living Faith Covenant Church, Dallas, Texas. Carmarion is the founder and former Executive Director of Black Transwomen, Inc., a national non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with a mission to uplift the voices, hearts, and souls of Black trans women

In 2014, HRC launched Project One America, an initiative geared towards advancing social, institutional and legal equality in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi. In 2019, Texas became a Project One America state, in recognition of HRC’s long-term commitment to the state. HRC Alabama continues to work to advance equality for LGBTQ Alabamians who have no state level protections in housing, workplace or public accommodations. Through HRC Alabama, we are working toward a future of fairness every day — changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

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Lil Nas X talks relationship status with Ellen and coming out to family

Lil Nas X talks relationship status with Ellen and coming out to family

Lil Nas X on The Ellen Show (Photo: YouTube)

Lil Nas X guested on the Ellen Show Monday to talk about his meteoric rise to fame, coming out, and his current relationship status.

On the last point, the 20-year-old rapper and singer turned coy. Asked if he was in a relationship, he said, ‘somewhat … somewhat.’

Clearly, whatever’s going on, it’s in the early stages or he doesn’t want to share it with the world just yet.

Related: WATCH: Kevin Hart doesn’t understand the homophobia Lil Nas X faced growing up

He was more comfortable talking about his rise to fame. He says this time last year he was sleeping on his sister’s floor whilst trying to promote his music online.

That all changed when he released his song, “Old Town Road”.

The track spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at number on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and was a hit around the world. This week, his follow-up track, “Panini”, is at number five on the Hot 100 while “Old Town Road” is at number ten, ensuring he’s no one-hit wonder.

It was during the latter’s run at the top of the charts, that Lil Nas X chose to come out as gay on Twitter: on the last day of Pride Month in the US.

DeGeneres applauded him for choosing to come out while at the top of the charts and asked him if his family already knew.

‘My dad and my sister, the same month that I came out, I told them pretty much. I guess give them a heads up a little earlier in the month.’

Last week, in a front cover interview with Billboard, Lil Nas X elaborated further on coming out to his dad, saying the prospect of telling his father about his sexuality had been “nerve-wracking.”

“It’s something I never probably would have did if I was still living with my parents. I have that independence to do it, you know?” he told Billboard.

Related: From Lil’ Nas X to Lena Waithe, Black gays are having a moment of pure joy. And it’s about time.

Ellen asked him what inspired him to come out when he did. He again said that living independently and his newfound success had helped the process.

“Just knowing like, it was something I knew I should of been done but I was like, I was not in a position where I had to worry about family and friends and how they would react, I guess. But it’s like, in the past year … I’m in a new level so it doesn’t really matter.

“And also, how it would be good for the young ‘uns who are listening to me right now who are going to have to go through stuff like this in the future, to know it’s alright.”

Ellen DeGeneres wasn’t the only talk show legend that Lil Nas X got to hang out with yesterday. Also guesting on the show was Oprah Winfrey.

Lil Nas X posted a photo of himself meeting Winfrey for the first time backstage. The image has been liked over 800,000 times across Instagram and Twitter. Winfrey told Ellen she had accidentally walked in on Lil Nas X when he wasn’t quite dressed, adding, “He’s so cute!”

i met oprah you guys pic.twitter.com/c0L60GZQfB

— nope (@LilNasX) September 22, 2019

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Teen Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Trolls Trump on Twitter, Hilariously Reclaiming His Mockery

Teen Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Trolls Trump on Twitter, Hilariously Reclaiming His Mockery

16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg turned Trump’s mockery against him on Twitter.

Late on Monday, Trump posted a viral video of the activist angrily rebuking world leaders for refusing to act on climate change. Trump tweeted the video, snarking, “She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!”

She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see! t.co/1tQG6QcVKO

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019

Thunberg has now reclaimed Trump’s sarcastic snark for her Twitter profile.

Thunberg stared down Trump as he arrived at the United Nations on Tuesday.

WATCH: Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg stares down President Trump as he arrived at the United Nations on Monday t.co/MlERjDDpae pic.twitter.com/KJ9rD7VPfh

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 24, 2019

The post Teen Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Trolls Trump on Twitter, Hilariously Reclaiming His Mockery appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Teen Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Trolls Trump on Twitter, Hilariously Reclaiming His Mockery

This single dad adopted a baby girl with Down syndrome after she was rejected by 20 families

This single dad adopted a baby girl with Down syndrome after she was rejected by 20 families

When Luca Trapanese learned there was a little girl with Down syndrome in need of a home, he did what any single, 41-year-old gay guy would do… He adopted her!

Luca, who lives in Italy and says he always wanted to be a father, adopted Alba in 2017. Barely two weeks old, she had already been rejected by 20 families, including her biological mother, because of her condition.

“Since I was 14 years old, I have volunteered and worked with the disabled,” Luca tells the BBC, “so I felt I had the right knowledge and experience to do it.”

In Italy, the law dictates that only married heterosexual couples between the ages of 18 and 45 are allowed to adopt, and single parents can only do so under very special circumstances.

“It was very difficult because I still wanted to be a dad,” he explains. “They told me that they would only give me children with illnesses, severe disabilities, or behavioral problems.”

So when he learned Alba was in need of a home, he immediately said yes then went down to the hospital to sign the papers.

“When I held her in my arms, I was filled with joy,” he recalls. “I felt that she was my daughter immediately. I knew I was ready to be her father.”

Luca says his story is unique because it “destroys many stereotypes about fatherhood, religion, and family.”

Luca describes now 18-month-old Alba as a determined kid who can be a bit stubborn at times. But, hey, she’s a toddler. He also says she loves to play and dance, meet new people, and, of course, spend time with Dad.

“I will spend the rest of my life with a girl I love,” Luca says, “and we will do many wonderful things together.”

Scroll down for more pics of Luca and Alba…

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Wedding Livio e Serena?

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Alba si sveglia alle 6.30 al massimo, riesco a tirarla per le 7.00 fin quando non inizia a ripetizione a dire PAPPA PAPPA PAPPA….allora mi alzo intontito, le riscaldo il latte. Lei lo beve in pochissimo tempo perché è affamata. Ci alziamo, ci prepariamo e andiamo insieme a fare colazione in piazza. Per le 9.00 massimo siamo in spiaggia insieme ad altri bambini…mare, tuffi, corse con gli zii e i cugini. Poi bagnetto con l’amido per togliere il sale, pranzo a volte preparato da zia Teresa che cucina molto bene, riposino di un paio d’ore sotto il controllo di nonna Antonietta mentre io vado a fare un tuffo. Dopo di nuovo spiaggia e bagnetto. Poi cena, passeggiata e per le 22 al massimo è stecchita a letto! Io la sento russare? mentre sono in giardino a leggere finalmente un libro …una vacanza tradizionalissima no? #Alba #padre #paternità #Procida #tradizione #mare #sole #famiglia

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#Procida #estate2019 #Alba #padre #paternità #mare Ph. Emanuele Cigliuti

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Vogliamo il sole!?????

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Sam Smith and Renee Zellweger Cover Judy Garland’s ‘Get Happy’ — LISTEN

Sam Smith and Renee Zellweger Cover Judy Garland’s ‘Get Happy’ — LISTEN

Sam Smith and Renee Zellweger duet for a cover of Judy Garland’s “Get Happy”, which she first performed in the 1950 film Summer Stock. The track is one of several being released ahead of the Judy biopic.

ICYMI: New Featurette Goes Behind the Scenes on ‘Judy’, as Renee Zellweger’s Performance in Garland Biopic Gets Rapturous Reception: WATCH

Said Smith: “It was truly an honor to sing with Renée. Nobody could have played Judy as well as Renée, and it is a career highlight for me to be singing with her, and in some small way, with Judy.”

The post Sam Smith and Renee Zellweger Cover Judy Garland’s ‘Get Happy’ — LISTEN appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Sam Smith and Renee Zellweger Cover Judy Garland’s ‘Get Happy’ — LISTEN