No matter what issue you are passionate about, know that your voice can lead to positive change – by Leah Remini
In 2008, in response to the passage of Proposition 8, @adambouska and partner @jeffparshley started the @noh8campaign to take a stand against discrimination . Now, 11 years later, the #NOH 8 Campaign has grown to fight against bullying of all kinds . I am honored to add my face (and my voice) to this movement. The message of ‘No Hate’ should be embraced and spread-

www.noh8campaign.com/article/no-matter-what-issue-you-are-passionate-about-know-that-your-voice-can-lead-to-positive-change-by-leah-remini

To calm everybody down, here are some photos of the South of France
Let’s not discuss whether or not a European travel ban is a good idea. Let’s just look at photos of lovely beaches around the south of France. The gay scene in Marseille and Nice is becoming a new hotspot.

www.queerty.com/calm-everybody-photos-south-france-20200312?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Republicans to Oppose Coronavirus Bill with Free Testing, Medical Leave, Food Assistance

Republicans in Congress, along with the White House, plan to oppose a sweeping economic stimulus bill in response to the fast-spreading coronavirus.

Politico reports: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told Republican lawmakers on a conference call Thursday morning that the GOP is going to oppose the Democratic coronavirus bill as currently constructed, according to sources on the call.Democrats will likely to be able to pass the bill in the House, but the Republican opposition is a blow to hopes for bipartisanship, and could be a harbinger for how Senate Republicans and the White House will view the bill.

More from CNN: The sweeping legislation the House plans to vote on Thursday would provide free testing for the novel coronavirus, including for uninsured individuals. It would also provide funding for paid emergency leave for people either diagnosed with coronavirus or people who had to stop working to care for someone affected by the virus. Individuals who are eligible to get benefits could receive two-thirds of their average monthly earnings up to $4,000 for the month in which they have to take off 14 or more days of work. The bill would allow the benefit to be received for up to three months. The proposal would set aside nearly $1 billion for food assistance for those affected by coronavirus, with $500 million being earmarked for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides nutritional assistance to millions of low-income women and their children, in order to provide additional support for women or mothers who are affected by the pandemic. Another $400 million would go to The Emergency Food Assistance Program in order to provide aid to food banks that are being met with a higher demand during the pandemic.

The Los Angeles Times reports: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) paused deliberations on the measure this morning to look over proposals that Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin sent on behalf of the administration. Mnuchin and Pelosi spoke twice Thursday morning to discuss ideas, according to Pelosi’s spokesperson, Drew Hamill. But House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) signaled his opposition to the Democratic proposal, suggesting bipartisan agreement was not close. White House officials would not specify what changes the administration is asking for. “The White House does not support much of what the speaker has proposed as currently drafted, but we do support many of the policies reflected in her draft, and are asking that they continue to work with us to find a bipartisan, bicameral agreement,” said a White House official who was not authorized to comment by name.

The post Republicans to Oppose Coronavirus Bill with Free Testing, Medical Leave, Food Assistance appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Republicans to Oppose Coronavirus Bill with Free Testing, Medical Leave, Food Assistance

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: March 12, 2020

MORE THAN 40 MAJOR EMPLOYERS OPPOSE STATE-BASED LEGISLATION TARGETING TRANS YOUTH, LGBTQ COMMUNITY: The employers released an open letter calling for lawmakers in states across the country to oppose dozens of bills that target LGBTQ people, and transgender children in particular. The signers — which include AT&T, Capital One, Dow Inc., Google, Hilton, Microsoft, Salesforce, and others — note: “We are deeply concerned by the bills being introduced in state houses across the country that single out LGBTQ individuals – many specifically targeting transgender youth – for exclusion or differential treatment.” More from HRC, 9to5 Mac and Metro Weekly.

“Business growth and innovation rely on states being open and welcoming to everyone including the LGBTQ community,” said Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) President of the Human Rights Campaign. “Harmful legislation such as the torrent of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country deeply affect businesses’ ability to recruit and provide opportunities to their customers and employees. The letter underscores the widespread corporate and public opposition to anti-LGBTQ legislation and clearly warns states that LGBTQ discrimination will harm states’ economic competitiveness.”

MORE THAN 100 ORGANIZATIONS SIGN LETTER HIGHLIGHTING IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LGBTQ COMMUNITIES: The letter reads: “As LGBTQ+ community and health leadership, the undersigned organizations offer to stand shoulder to shoulder with the mainstream health leadership to make sure we learn from history and do not allow any population to be disproportionately impacted or further stigmatized by a virus.” Read the full letter here.

LGBTQ VOTERS CONTINUE HIGH TURNOUT RATES ON MINI TUESDAY: NBC yesterday released new exit polling highlighting historic, high turnout for LGBTQ voters in the Democratic primary. Across the Super Tuesday states overall, 9% of the electorate identified as LGBTQ, double the LGBTQ population of 4.4% across these states. For more information LGBTQ and Equality Voters in March States, go to HRC’s March State Voter Snapshot. More from Metro Weekly.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — HRC HONORS ACTOR CAITLIN KINNUNEEN WITH HRC VISIBILITY AWARD:

ADVOCACY GROUPS SUE STATE DEPARTMENT OVER COMMISSION ON UNALIENABLE RIGHTS: The commission, chaired by notoriously anti-LGBTQ Mary Ann Glendon, stresses “natural law and natural rights” often used as a code for opposing advancements in LGBTQ human rights. More from Washington Blade.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION UPDATES POLICIES TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE OF TRANS AND NON-BINARY COMMUNITY: More from The Advocate.

IN THE STATES 

NEW POLLING OUT OF ARIZONA ON LGBTQ EQUALITY: The polling results show Arizonians’ broad opposition to anti-LGBTQ legislation. More from HRC. 

• Less than 1% of all voters, including less than 1% of Republicans, say that “regulating transgender rights” is among the most important issues for Arizona’s state government to address. 
• 79% of voters support non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and a more inclusive view on society.
• 55% of voters, including 58% of independents, believe bills like HB2706 “further stigmatiz[e] already vulnerable children to push their political agenda and further divide us.”
• 55% of voters, including a majority of independents, disapprove of the job Republicans in the legislature are doing on LGBTQ issues. Only 34% believe that these lawmakers are performing well at respecting the rights of LGBT people.

INSIGHT INTO THE WORK TO PASS LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS IN OHIO: More from LGBTQ Nation.

LGBTQ Ohioans continue to live under a patchwork of protections that leaves them vulnerable to discrimination. #OHFairnessAct is the next step in ensuring Ohio’s laws are reflective of our fundamental values of fairness and equality. t.co/G2i38PrF5O

— HRC in Ohio (@HRC_OH) March 11, 2020

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

JANELLE MONÁE (@JanelleMonae) TO HEADLINE 2020 NYC PRIDE ISLAND FESTIVAL: More from BET.

SWISS WRESTLER CURDIN ORLIK COMES OUT AS GAY in an interview with The Magazine. More from Pink News.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA OPENS FIRST LGBTQ WELLNESS CENTER: More from Openly.

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-march-12-2020?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

LGBTQ people at heightened risk from coronavirus, warn advocacy groups

Some of the most well-respected LGBTQ advocacy groups in the US – including HRC and GLAAD – have signed an open letter to remind “all parties handling COVID-19 surveillance, response, treatment, and media coverage that LGBTQ+ communities are among those who are particularly vulnerable to the negative health effects of this virus.”

COVID-19 is the name given to this particular form of coronavirus.

The letter states that LGBTQ people have an increased vulnerability linked to the following factors.

“1. The LGBTQ+ population uses tobacco at rates that are 50% higher than the general population. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that has proven particularly harmful to smokers.

“2. The LGBTQ+ population has higher rates of HIV and cancer, which means a greater number of us may have compromised immune systems, leaving us more vulnerable to COVID-19 infections.

“3. LGBTQ+ people continue to experience discrimination, unwelcoming attitudes, and lack of understanding from providers and staff in many health care settings, and as a result, many are reluctant to seek medical care except in situations that feel urgent – and perhaps not even then.”

Related: LGBTQ people blamed for coronavirus. Typical.

It goes on to state, “In addition, there are more than 3 million LGBTQ+ older people living in the United States. LGBTQ+ elders are already less likely than their heterosexual and cisgender peers to reach out to health and aging providers, like senior centers, meal programs, and other programs designed to ensure their health and wellness, because they fear discrimination and harassment.

“The devastating impact of COVID-19 on older people – the current mortality rate is at 15% for this population – makes this a huge issue for the LGBTQ+ communities as well.

“LGBTQ+ communities are very familiar with the phenomena of stigma and epidemics. We want to urge people involved with the COVID-19 response to ensure that LGBTQ+ communities are adequately served during this outbreak.”

It goes on to list recommendations to parties involved in handling the coronavirus pandemic.

These include, “Ensuring health messaging includes information tailored to communities at increased risk for COVID-19, including LGBTQ+ populations. An example of such tailored messaging is including imagery of LGBTQ+ persons in any graphic ads.”

They also recommend monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in LGBTQ communities, and ensuring health workers provide “equal care to all regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity/presentation, ability, age, national origin, immigration status, race, or ethnicity.”

The letter has been signed by National LGBT Cancer Network, SAGE, Whitman-Walker Health, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, the Harvey Milk Foundation, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, Lambda Legal and over 90 other organizations.

Related: This photo of a lesbian tweeted by the CDC is giving people hope for surviving coronavirus

Yesterday, the World Health Organization officially classified coronavirus as a pandemic. Besides Italy, Denmark has placed itself in lockdown, while President Donald Trump has ruled that travel from most of Europe will be banned for 30 days from Friday, to stem the spread of the virus.

The National LGBT Cancer Network, which published the open letter on its website, also offers information for LGBTQ people concerned about the virus, including advice on handwashing and links to resources.

It highlights those most at risk: “If an LGBTQ+ person has cancer, smokes, is HIV+, is over 65 years old, or has any other fragile health condition, consider taking additional measures to avoid risk of infection.

“This could include more vigilance about staying away from symptomatic people, it could include avoiding larger gatherings of people, and should definitely include practicing excellent epidemic hygiene, like frequent hand washing and breaking habits of face-touching.”

www.queerty.com/lgbtq-people-heightened-risk-coronavirus-warn-advocacy-groups-20200312?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

SC County Repeals Anti-Gay Resolution That Would Have Made It America’s 1st LGBT-Free Zone: VIDEO

Last week, we told you how Greenville County, South Carolina, was poised to become America’s first LGBT-free zone.

However, on Wednesday, the Greenville County Council abruptly voted to repeal an anti-gay resolution from 1996 that one council member wanted to place on the November ballot. The resolution stated “that lifestyles advocated by the gay community should not be endorsed by government policy makers, because they are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes.”

Citing economic concerns, County Council Chairman Butch Kirven called Wednesday’s special meeting to reconsider the body’s vote from last week, which left the resolution in place.

The Greenville News reports: Today, the County Council in a 7-5 decision voted to approve a measure that effectively put aside a previous council’s stance taken against gays during a politically charged climate surrounding the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. It was a compromise that more turned away from history than affirmatively establish any new county position on the subject — putting to sleep any non-binding resolutions after four years, which includes the 1996 statement. The vote nonetheless was greeted with cheers in the crowd of mostly LGBTQ supporters both inside the chambers and rallying outside.

More from the Greenville Journal: Indeed, Council chambers had already reached full capacity well before the special meeting had even begun, with crowds gathering in the lobby and outside in the County Square parking lot to listen to the proceedings. The meeting came a little more than a week after County Council failed to pass the exact same sunset resolution at their regular meeting on March 3. That resolution had been widely expected to pass, but Councilmen Bob Taylor and Joe Dill switched their votes at the last minute, after listening to protests from citizens who cited scripture and “traditional family values.” … In a letter announcing the meeting, Kirven addressed the “immediate consequences” and “potential harm to the general well-being and future economic prospects that are essential and beneficial to the entire population of Greenville.”

It’s unclear whether Dill still plans to go forward with his proposal to allow voters to weigh in on the resolution.

Watch the vote and the ensuing celebration below.

The post SC County Repeals Anti-Gay Resolution That Would Have Made It America’s 1st LGBT-Free Zone: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

SC County Repeals Anti-Gay Resolution That Would Have Made It America’s 1st LGBT-Free Zone: VIDEO