Gay couple marry in their NYC apartment during coronavirus lockdown

 

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How’s this for the gag of the season? Certain, uh, global circumstances pushed things far ahead of schedule, but the love has always been there and I can’t wait to spend forever with my HUSBAND! #loveislove #ido #willyoubemyquarantine

A post shared by brian (@brianbrownbear) on Mar 21, 2020 at 10:53am PDT

With the coronavirus pandemic prompting lockdowns across the world, and marriage ceremonies being outright canceled in several regions, some couples are rushing to tie the knot.

Such was the case with partners Mitch and Brian, who live in New York City – which has emerged as a COVID-19 hotspot in the US.

Although becoming engaged during a trip to Provincetown last summer, the men weren’t planning on getting married last week… but then the pandemic prompted a change of plans.

Related: American theater giant Terrance McNally dies of coronavirus complications

Mitch told Pink News that he works for an arts and culture nonprofit. He became fearful that the pandemic could prompt him to lose his job, and therefore his health insurance. At the current time, nobody wants to lose their health insurance.

The two men decided that rather than wait, now would be a good time to get hitched.

“We figured it was a good idea to pull the trigger on getting married,” he said, “So that I could be added to Brian’s health insurance, if it gets to that … So, this past Thursday, we broke our self-isolation and went to City Hall to get our marriage license.”

City Hall told them that they could get married if their license was signed by an officiant and mailed in. Fortunately, a co-worker of Brian’s is authorized to officiate weddings. The two men got the license and rushed back to their studio apartment.

There, alongside the officiant colleague and two friends as witnesses, they had their wedding ceremony. They celebrated by placing a sign on their fire escape that read, “Just married: Still quarantined.”

“Our studio apartment wasn’t the venue of our dreams, but it felt right and was great to have the support of everyone who was present,” said Mitch.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating with everyone when we’re allowed to go back outside.”

It was a race against city hall, but we narrowly won. I love this man so, so, so much. Enjoy the health insurance, Mitch! pic.twitter.com/36bc6kTXnX

— feral streep (@brianbrownbear) March 21, 2020

The two men have both tweeted about their wedding, with both their tweets prompting thousands of likes and messages of congratulations.

Okay, NOW we’re married!!! t.co/p3mOki5NiC

— No Malarkey & Me (@themitchcase) March 21, 2020

The couple acted just in time. On Friday, City Hall announced it was closing its marriage license bureau, “until further notice.”

Related: Nashom Wooden, aka drag star Mona Foot, dies from COVID-19

As of yesterday, New York state had 25,665 recorded cases of COVID-19, while there have been 192 deaths in New York City alone. Further restrictions were being implemented to stem the spread of the virus.

The White House yesterday asked those leaving the New York City area – many of whom are trying to escape the virus – to self-quarantine for 14 days to avoid spreading the disease in other parts of the US.

www.queerty.com/gay-couple-marry-nyc-apartment-coronavirus-lockdown-20200325?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Immigration Equality Demands ICE Release HIV-Positive Asylum Seekers

Immigration Equality has filed a complaint with the office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties demanding that ICE release HIV-positive detainees.

From Immigration Equality: “Today, Immigration Equality filed a complaint with the office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, calling for the immediate release of all people living with HIV in ICE detention, citing grossly negligent medical care and grave risk to their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The six named complainants are all asylum seekers who fled persecution based on their sexual orientation, political opinion, and HIV-status, and despite being parole eligible with a qualifying sponsor, were denied release. These cases exemplify the systemic failures by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection to provide safe conditions for all HIV-positive individuals.”

They add: “According to the Centers for Disease Control, people living with HIV with a low CD4 count—which indicates a weakened immune system—are much more vulnerable to being infected with COVID-19 and more likely to suffer serious health consequences than the general population. The already extremely poor medical care in ICE detention combined with the effects of COVID-19 could lead to countless deaths of detained HIV-positive individuals.”

Said Aaron C. Morris, Executive Director of Immigration Equality: “Our community has faced a life-threatening pandemic before. Then, as now, we raised the alarm with government officials who did nothing until we forced them to. We cannot allow the negligence of the federal government to let our people die again. All people living with HIV must be released from immigration detention immediately. Every day DHS waits will have fatal consequences.”  

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Immigration Equality Demands ICE Release HIV-Positive Asylum Seekers Amid Coronavirus Crisis

#AM_Equality: March 25, 2020

HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID IN THE HILL — “THE SUPREME COURT MUST NOT LICENSE TAXPAYER-FUNDED DISCRIMINATION”: “The Supreme Court recently announced it will hear a case to decide whether a local government contractor can pick and choose which civil rights laws it follows,” writes David (@AlphonsoDavid). “The consequences of the Court’s decision could be profound and far-reaching. If the Court decides that organizations can pick and choose which non-discrimination laws they follow, it could open a floodgate of discrimination in child welfare services against not only LGBTQ people, but also people of different faiths, single women and people with disabilities. It’s crucial that the Supreme Court uphold the lower court ruling rejecting the argument that religious agencies performing public child welfare services have a special right to discriminate.” Read the full op-ed in The Hill. 

More than 400,000 children in foster care across the U.S. deserve a loving home. @HRC President @AlphonsoDavid discusses how a #SCOTUS case will decide if government-funded child welfare agencies can discriminate against LGBTQ individuals. @thehill t.co/4HYmKUg41j

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 24, 2020

HRC IS TURNING TO VIRTUAL ORGANIZING IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: While there is much uncertainty about what lies ahead in the coming weeks and months for our country, one thing the COVID-19 crisis has made even more clear is that the stakes of the election this November could not be higher. Last week, HRC shifted its Equality Convention to a virtual volunteer convention featuring speeches by both Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren). Volunteers from across the country joined together to learn about HRC’s new tools and resources. Learn more about how you can get involved from HRC. 

WELCOMING SCHOOLS WEDNESDAY — HRC LAUNCHES WEEKLY PROGRAMMING WITH ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR INCLUSIVE LEARNING AT HOME: Each week while most students are out of school due to COVID-19, HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools will offer a book and a related activity adapted from our teacher lesson plans for parents to use with children at home. Week One focuses on The Family Book by Todd Parr (@toddparr), which celebrates the many different ways to be a family. Read more from HRC. 

HRC MOURNS THE LOSS OF PLAYWRIGHT TERRENCE MCNALLY: More from HRC. 

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of longtime HRC supporter Terrence McNally.

Both on and off the stage, he was a voice for many in the LGBTQ community. We send our condolences to his husband, Tom Kirdahy, and those who loved him. t.co/Tu7IHmMLk6

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 24, 2020

LGBTQ HOMELESS PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT ACCESS TO HOMELESS CENTERS, SHELTERS DURING COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS: One in five LGBTQ people live in poverty, and 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. More from Reuters and HRC. 

IN THE STATES

GREENVILLE COUNTY COUNCIL IN S.C. VOTES TO NULLIFY ANTI-LGBTQ RESOLUTION: More from Greenville News. 

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

FX’S “POSE” (@PoseOnFX) DONATES SHOW’S REAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO NEW YORK CITY HOSPITAL TO ASSIST WITH RESPONSE TO COVID-19: More from The Advocate. 

10-TIME IRELAND NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD TITLE WINNER DENIS FINNEGAN COMES OUT AS GAY: “I hope just telling my story might help one person notice there’s more acceptance out there,” said Finnegan (@denisfinnegan1). More from the Washington Blade. 

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

LGBTQ PRIDES AND OTHER EVENTS ARE BEING CANCELLED OR POSTPONED AROUND THE WORLD DUE TO COVID-19: Read more from Forbes. 

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

Pride covers 17 LGBTQ movies to watch while social distancing; PopSugar shares 23 of Jazz Jennings’ (@JazzJennings__) most inspiring quotes 

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-march-25-2020?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

$2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Would Ban Trump-Owned Companies from Receiving Aid

The $2 trillion bill reportedly agreed upon by the U.S. Senate would reportedly ban companies owned by Trump or his children from receiving aid.

Bloomberg reports: “According to a summary circulated by the office of Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, businesses owned by the president, vice president, members of Congress or heads of executive departments would be excluded from receiving that aid. The block also would also extend to companies controlled by their children, spouses or in-laws.”

CNBC adds: “The Senate had yet to release the final terms of the deal. An earlier draft seen Tuesday would provide cash payments of up to $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples and $500 per child, reduced if an individual makes more than $75,000 or a couple makes more than $150,000.  …. The draft language also stipulated a $350 billion fund for small businesses to mitigate layoffs and support payroll. McConnell said the bill would ‘stabilize key national industries’” to prevent as many layoffs as possible. U.S. passenger and cargo airlines have sought $58 billion in government relief to help manage a financial blow that they say is worse than 9/11. The details of that aid was one of the last major outstanding issues Tuesday night.”

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$2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Would Ban Trump-Owned Companies from Receiving Aid