Daily Archives: December 9, 2019



You Might Like

Videos | Dating

Live Cams | Live Chats

 

NEWS

NFL kicker Matt Gay stands up for LGBTQ kids who have been bullied

NFL kicker Matt Gay stands up for LGBTQ kids who have been bullied

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay has been taunted and teased his entire life for his name and he’s finally decided enough is enough.

On Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, 25-year-old Gay, who, for the record, is not gay, wore special anti-bullying cleats to send a message of solidarity with LGBTQ people and others who have been subject to bullying.

“It’s so easy to hide behind a phone and say whatever you want,” he told the Tampa Bay Times prior to the game. “I think it’s pure coward-ism for those who do it and there’s no place for it in this world.”

“I got bullied and teased all the time for my last name and things like that. Luckily I was stronger willed than they were and overcome it. There’s a lot of kids that get bullied in this world and have no way to stand up for themselves.”

#Bucs K Matt Gay unveils his cleats for #MyCauseMyCleats in support of Anti-Bullying. Gay spoke on why he chose this cause. pic.twitter.com/J94kkvwOY2

— PewterReport (@PewterReport) December 4, 2019

“Some of the messages I receive, it’s almost like people forget you’re an actual human being,” Gay said. “That you’re sending this to another person. It’s easy when you’re sitting behind a phone and not face to face with someone and can say whatever you want.”

He continued: “But you don’t know it’s affecting that person, it’s affecting the mom and those that are around them. Just being able to show a little faith in humanity and love everyone. We’re all struggling through life. There’s no reason to beat somebody down for no reason.’”

This Sunday, @MGtweetymonster will be raising awareness for anti-bullying on his cleats.#MyCauseMyCleats pic.twitter.com/R43CV5G6uz

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 6, 2019

Gay chose to wear the cleats as part of the NFL “My Cause, My Cleats campaign,” which has players decorate their shoes to show support for a cause they personally believe in.

The Buccaneers beat the Colts 38-35 during yesterday’s game.

www.queerty.com/nfl-kicker-matt-gay-stands-lgbtq-kids-bullied-20191209?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

NEWS

HRC Foundation Kicks Off Second Workplace LGBT Inclusion Survey in Chile

HRC Foundation Kicks Off Second Workplace LGBT Inclusion Survey in Chile

Today, HRC Foundation, in partnership with Fundación Iguales, Chile’s largest LGBT advocacy group, launched its second HRC Equidad CL: Programa de Equidad Laboral survey evaluating LGBT-inclusive policies and best practices at major Chilean employers. The second annual HRC survey showcases businesses and corporations promoting equality for LGBT employees in workplaces across Chile. 

HRC was joined at a kickoff event today — hosted by Accor Hotels — by corporate leaders and representatives of major employers committed to continuing their efforts to create an inclusive corporate culture by participating in the HRC Equidad CL survey. In the coming months, the Chile-based program will collect responses to the survey and measure the growth of the program in its second year. 

In last year’s inaugural survey, 15 companies earned top ratings and received the HRC Foundation’s designation of “Best Place to Work for the LGBT Community” or “Mejores Lugares para Trabajar LGBT,” reflecting their commitment to LGBT equality and adoption of vital LGBT-inclusive employment policies and practices. The Chilean-based survey, inspired by HRC’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) — the premier benchmarking tool on corporate LGBT-inclusive policies and practices in the U.S. — is HRC’s first in-country program in South America and the second in Latin America following the successful model of HRC Equidad MX in Mexico.

The HRC Equidad CL survey assesses businesses and multinational companies based on three core pillars of LGBT inclusion:

  • Adoption of non-discrimination policies;
  • Creation of employee resource groups or diversity councils; and
  • Engagement in public activities to support LGBT inclusion.

“Business leaders in Chile are driving critical progress for our community by building workplaces that are inclusive and welcoming to all,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “As the new president of the Human Rights Campaign, I’m excited to see how HRC Equidad CL has been a powerful instrument for positive change in Chile and throughout the region. By advancing equality, more and more corporations are helping employees and economies thrive.” 

“Every year, we see a growing number of businesses and corporations around the world understand the value of promoting an LGBT-inclusive workplace,” said Beck Bailey, director of HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program. “Having these important companies participate in the HRC Equidad CL survey represents a significant step in raising awareness of workplace equality among Chilean-based businesses. We are excited to continue working with Fundación Iguales to expand our efforts and commitment to promoting LGBT inclusion across workplaces in Chile.” 

“For Empresas SB it is important to measure their advances in sexual diversity and to be in tune with the best work practices that guarantee discrimination-free work spaces,” said Matías Verdugo, CEO of Empresas SB. “Equidad CL gives us the possibility to measure ourselves every year with the best companies in the field and to incorporate more practices in favor of the LGBT + community.”

“In its second year, the HRC Equidad CL program is already driving tangible change within businesses and corporations across the nation,” said Emilio Maldonado, HRC Equidad CL Implementing Partner. “We are excited to continue working with major employers to promote and grow LGBT-inclusive workplaces for all their employees and to witness this growth with Human Rights Campaign to carry on our collaborative efforts to achieve LGBT inclusion in Chile.” 

Through its CEI, Equidad MX and Equidad CL programs, the HRC Foundation has established guidelines to implement LGBTQ-inclusive policies, practices and benefits across national and international corporations impacting more than 30.6 million employees worldwide. This endeavor is complemented by the HRC Global program, which supports the work of communities throughout the world in advocacy of the full rights of LGBTQ people around the world. This year, HRC announced a major initiative to pursue strategic litigation in countries where they can make a difference as part of broader efforts in the movement for LGBTQ equality.

Learn more at hrc.im/equidadCL and hrc.im/GlobalWorkplacePrograms for more information about HRC’s Global Workplace Programs. 

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-kicks-off-second-workplace-lgbt-inclusion-survey-in-chile?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

Some people have just discovered Keanu Reeves starred in a homoerotic thriller

Some people have just discovered Keanu Reeves starred in a homoerotic thriller

View this post on Instagram

Keanu for Christmas

A post shared by Bruce LaBruce (@brucelabruce) on

Queer writer and director Bruce LaBruce shared some old publicity photos to his Instagram yesterday. The shots feature a young Keanu Reeves and fellow actor Carl Marotte. They were taken to promote a play the two men starred in back in Toronto in 1984.

As LaBruce explains, “In 1984 a theatrical production of playwright Brad Fraser’s “Wolfboy” premiered in Toronto co-starring two young unknown actors named Carl Marotte and Keanu Reeves.

“My friend John Palmer, who, twenty years later, adapted my hustler short stories from my J.D.s fanzine for a movie called “Sugar,” directed the original production.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bruce LaBruce (@brucelabruce) on

The images prompted a large online response, as many people had never heard of the production. Others marveled at how young Reeves looks. If shot in spring 1984, he was 19-years old and still a drama student.

Wolfboy was written by Canadian playwright and screenwriter, Brad Fraser.

Based in a mental institution, Reeves’ character was “an innocent teen who got sucked into a relationship with a deranged boy who believes he is a werewolf,” according to a documentary made later on Reeves’ career.

The same documentary says, “The play’s homoerotic undertones made it a cult hit with Toronto’s gay community.”

“He was absolutely gorgeous,” the play’s director, John Palmer, said of casting Reeves.

“He was a knockout…There was an honesty about him. He had so much energy that he didn’t know what to do with.”

Related: Gasp! Trans directors The Wachowskis to revive ‘The Matrix?!’

Reeves was born in Beirut to an English mother and US father. His parents separated when he was three and he was raised primarily in Toronto. He came to Hollywood attention with his role in the 1986 movie, River’s Edge. He went to achieve A-list fame with movies such as Point Break, Speed and the Matrix trilogy.

At the same time, he also made arthouse movies, most notably starring alongside River Phoenix as street hustlers in My Own Private Idaho. He returns to screens in 2020 with Bill & Ted Face The Music. New Matrix and John Wick movies are also in the works.

Director, writer, photographer, and pornographer Bruce LaBruce is Canadian and has also spent much of his life in Toronto. He published the queer punk zine J.Ds in the mid-80s before branching out into filmmaking. His works include No Skin Off My Ass (1993) and L.A. Zombie (2010).

Although not achieving the same Hollywood success as Reeves, Marrotte has maintained a successful acting career in Canada, where he is a TV regular.

www.queerty.com/people-just-discovered-keanu-reeves-starred-homoerotic-thriller-20191209?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

NEWS

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 9, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 9, 2019

HRC URGES SENATE TO REJECT ANTI-LGBTQ JUDICIAL NOMINEE LAWRENCE VANDYKE: “Lawrence VanDyke has made clear that he has no intention of upholding the rights of LGBTQ people,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “From his college writings to his roles in government, VanDyke has spent his career consistently opposed to equality for all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Senate should not confirm a judicial nominee who has received a rare rating of ‘unqualified’ from the American Bar Association.” Read more from HRC.

CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS: THE “FAIRNESS FOR ALL” ACT IS AN AFFRONT TO EXISTING CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS: In a joint statement, the groups wrote: “The ‘Fairness for All’ Act is anything but fair, and it certainly does not serve all of us. It is wrong to put into law a different system of protections for LGBTQ people and their families. The Equality Act was passed through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, and nearly 70% of Americans support comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. The ‘Fairness for All’ Act, on the other hand, was introduced by a small group of lawmakers. This legislation licenses discrimination while eroding the rights of people of faith.” Read more from HRC.

ON FRIDAY, THE U.S. HOUSE PASSED THE VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT: This vital legislation would ensure that fair access to the ballot is protected for all Americans. More from HRC.

The right to vote is one of our most fundamental rights, and yet it remains under attack. With the passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act in the House, we are one step closer to protecting this bedrock principle of our democracy. Now the Senate must act to #RestoreTheVote. t.co/Y1EPgdIzMy

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) December 6, 2019

MONDAY MUST-READ FROM NYTIMES — THE TRUMP-PENCE ATTACKS ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE HAVE SPREAD THROUGH THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT: “While socially conservative policies have been mainstays of the Trump White House, what distinguishes the transgender initiative is its sweep,” writes Lola Fadulu (@lfadulu). Said Mimi Lemay (@mimislemay), who has a transgender son: “I don’t think deep down most Americans agree with what the Trump administration is doing in regards to LGBT people. I think most people know what’s fair, and they have a sense of empathy.” Read more from The New York Times.

HRC FOUNDATION AND SAGE RELEASE NEW VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING IMPORTANCE OF LONG-TERM CARE EQUALITY INDEX: “The LEI now has 47 national, statewide, regional and local aging, senior services or LGBTQ membership or advocacy organizations that have endorsed the index and are encouraging residential long-term care facilities to take the Commitment to Caring Pledge,” writes Lois A. Bowers (@Lois_Bowers). “More than 60% of those responding to a 2018 national survey of LGBTQ older adults by AARP said they were concerned about how they would be treated in a long-term care setting. Now is the time to allay those fears and leave no doubt in the minds of current and prospective residents that they will be treated well.” Read more from McKnight’s Senior Living and HRC.

HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID NAMED TO CITY & STATE’S “2019 POWER OF DIVERSITY: BLACK 100” LIST: Read more here.

NEW STUDY FINDS THAT A MAJORITY OF GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN UNDERSTAND THAT UNDETECTABLE EQUALS UNTRANSMITTABLE: U=U means that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load will not transmit HIV to others. Read more from the NIH.

  • In New Orleans, local LGBTQ bars including Good Friends are offering free HIV testing to patrons. Read more from Slate.

LGBTQ PEOPLE CAN FACE UNIQUE FORMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION: More from Bustle.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

12-YEAR-OLD TRANS ACTIVIST REBEKAH BRUESEHOFF (@MightyRebekah) TALKS ABOUT HER ADVOCACY AND ROLE IN THE NEW DISNEY+ TV SHOW “MARVEL’S HERO PROJECT”: More from The Advocate.

CONGRATS TO THE LGBTQ AND ALLIED NOMINEES FOR THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS AND THE CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS: See more from HRC.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

STUDY FINDS THAT A MAJORITY OF SOUTH KOREANS SUPPORT NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE: More from The Williams Institute.

TEENS IN ARGENTINA ARE ADVOCATING TO MAKE SOME WORDS GENDER-NEUTRAL: More from the Washington Post.

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

Connection Newspapers reports that Arlington will honor six human rights advocates, including HRC Youth Ambassador Sean Bender-Prouty.

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-december-9-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

You Might Like

Videos | Dating

Live Cams | Live Chats