Human Rights Campaign, Other LGBTQ Groups Back Impeachment Inquiry

“The safety and well-being of our democracy is at stake,” says HRC President Alphonso David.

www.advocate.com/politics/2019/9/27/human-rights-campaign-other-lgbtq-groups-back-impeachment-inquiry

HRC Supports Formal Impeachment Inquiry of Donald Trump

HRC announced support for a formal inquiry into Donald Trump and an investigation of any other persons, up to and including Vice President Mike Pence, in asking the government of Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, leveraging the withholding of foreign aid from the United States.

HRC President Alphonso David said:

These are serious allegations that, if true, thoroughly compromise the national security of the United States, the constitutional process, and the integrity of our electoral framework. The safety and well-being of our democracy is at stake. The U.S. House is right to launch a formal inquiry and investigate all others who may have played a role in these alleged crimes or were aware of them. As the Speaker said, no one is above the law, and that includes the President of the United States. 

On September 18, The Washington Post reported that an official in the U.S. intelligence community filed a formal whistleblower complaint after observing Donald Trump making a “troubling” promise to the head of a foreign government. Over the past week, it has been alleged that the Trump-Pence administration withheld foreign aid to the government of Ukraine as leverage over a demand that they investigate Joe Biden and his family, a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination and chief political rival of Trump.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-supports-formal-impeachment-inquiry-of-donald-trump?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Everlast Taps Trans Boxer Patricio Manuel in Historic Campaign

The “Be First” campaign spotlights a pioneering athlete.

www.advocate.com/sports/2019/9/27/everlast-taps-trans-boxer-patricio-manuel-historic-campaign

Activists call out Donald Trump’s continued lies about LGBTQ rights

Fresh from his pledge to help expand LGBTQ rights at the United Nations this week, Donald Trump now faces wide, international criticism for his treatment of queer rights at home.

“Donald Trump’s words at the U.N. do not just ring hollow – they are an unadulterated lie. His administration has done nothing to protect LGBTQ people at home or abroad,” Zeke Stokes of the U.S. gay rights group GLAAD said in a statement.

At the UN, Trump declared: “We stand in solidarity with LGBTQ people who live in countries that punish, jail or execute individuals based upon sexual orientation.” Homosexual conduct remains illegal in 69 countries, the overwhelming majority of which are in Africa. At least six of those countries punish homosexuality with death.

Related: United Nations Secretary-General Condemns Countries With Anti-Gay Laws

Apart from his words, critics also point out that Trump and his administration have actually walked back a number of advancements or protections of the queer community. That includes banning transgender people from serving in the military, arguing that employers have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ employees before the Supreme Court, and allowing medical or adoption agencies to deny care or services to queer people. Furthermore, detractors also point out that Trump has bad taste in friends: he selected noted homophobe and supporter of conversion therapy Mike Pence as his running mate in 2016 and enjoys spending time with self-proclaimed “proud homophobe” Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil.

Despite the international criticism, LGBTQ Republican group the Log Cabin Republicans opted to endorse Trump for reelection. The move sparked wide dissent within the grassroots organization, prompting several high-profile members to resign in protest.

www.queerty.com/activists-call-donald-trumps-continued-lies-lgbtq-rights-20190927?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Impeachment Poll, Hillary Clinton, Greta Thunberg Helpline, Super Bowl Halftime, Abbey Road, Kristin Chenoweth: HOT LINKS

43 PERCENT. Support for impeachment rises 7 points. ‘The Morning Consult poll was conducted on Sept. 24-26 at a time when House Democrats started a formal impeachment inquiry over a whistleblower complaint involving President Trump‘s call with Ukraine’s leader. The poll showed 43 percent now support the start of impeachment proceedings, up 7 points from a weekend survey. Meanwhile, opposition to impeachment fell 6 points to 43 percent.’

MCCAIN V NAVARRO. Meghan McCain reportedly threatened to quit The View if Ana Navarro was hired full time.

HILLARY CLINTON. Trump’s actions are what the founders called “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

MICHAEL COHEN. Jailed Trump “fixer” says he has Ukraine info to share. ‘In a radio interview with Rick Ungar, Michael Cohen’s attorney Lanny Davis indicated the former “fixer” to President Donald Trump has information on Ukraine and he’s ready to talk.’

Listen to “Rick Ungar Show Highlight: Lanny Davis Says Michael Cohen Is Ready To Testify About Trump’s Ukraine Call” on Spreaker.

‘IDIOT’ Florida teacher reassigned after labeling Donald Trump as an “idiot” on quiz question. ‘According to a tweet posted by a parent who says his daughter was in the class, the question reads, “45th Pres; 2017; Republican; Real Estate businessman; Idiot.” The question was multiple choice and had several answers, which included Donald Trump.’

GRETA THUNBERG HELPLINE. For adults angry at a child.

MICHIGAN. Federal judge halts state policy banning state contracts with adoption agencies that discriminate against gay couples: ‘The state’s settlement and comments made by Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel about the policy prior to taking office show “that the state’s new position targets St. Vincent’s religious beliefs,” U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker wrote in his Thursday opinion.’

ON THE RAG. This week on the gay magazines.

SUPER BOWL 2020. And the halftime headliners are….

ELTON JOHN: UNCENSORED. Graham Norton will interview the rock icon for BBC One documentary. “Like the rest of the nation I’m a massive fan of Sir Elton John’s music, but to sit down with him in his home to ask him about his life, career and family was a huge privilege. Funny, frank and fearless, I can’t wait for people to hear him tell his story.”

HEY I’M JUST LIKE YOU. New Tegan & Sara album released.

SAPIOSEXUAL. Mark Ronson apologizes for declaring himself one: “It sounds like I went on a TV show to be like, ‘Guys, I have some big news!’ And the fact that I would go on and sort of declare myself — like as a heterosexual white male — part of any marginalized community was  terrifying to me, or just embarrassing.”

LOST AND FOUND OF THE DAY. An iPhone dropped to the bottom of a river for 15 months was returned to its owner – and it works.

REMIX OF THE DAY. The Beatles’ Abbey Road.

NEW TUNE OF THE DAY. Meghan Trainor “Wave”.

COVER OF THE DAY. Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande “You Don’t Own Me”.

TRAILER OF THE DAY. For All Mankind.

FRIDAY FLASH. Clem Scherrer Studio.

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Impeachment Poll, Hillary Clinton, Greta Thunberg Helpline, Super Bowl Halftime, Abbey Road, Kristin Chenoweth: HOT LINKS