The Census Is Messy, But LGBTQ Lives Depend on It

Glenn D. Magpantay has many reservations about the census, but he won’t make perfect the enemy of good.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2020/4/16/census-messy-lgbtq-lives-depend-it

Gay Twitter has a lot to say about Aaron Schock partying with boys in Cabo during quarantine

While the rest of the world has been hunkered down in their homes trying to slow the spread of coronavirus, former GOP Rep. Aaron Schock has been pounding back margaritas with a gaggle of gays on the beach in Mexico, and Gay Twitter is not happy about it.

Photos of Schock enjoying the empty beaches, bars, and restaurants in Cabo San Lucas with a group of Instagays began circulating online earlier this week. West Hollywood political activist (and sometimes Queerty contributor) James Duke Mason was one of the first to break the news on Facebook.

“So not only is Aaron Schock a disgraced ex-politician who spent years voting against the rights of his own people (and STILL hasn’t apologized),” Mason wrote, “he’s also a moron who is partying with friends in Mexico DURING A GLOBAL QUARANTINE.”

Now, here’s what Gay Twitter has had a lot to say about the matter…

But it doesn’t stop there…

Schock came out as gay on Instagram last month. In his coming out statement, he wrote: “I can live openly now as a gay man because of the extraordinary, brave people who had the courage to fight for our rights when I did not: community activists, leaders, and ordinary LGBT folks.”

Now, not only is he living openly because of the sacrifices made by queer people, but of those made by all the responsible people who have been staying home in an effort to save human lives.

Related: How do you solve a problem like the toxic white gays who party with Aaron Schock?

www.queerty.com/gay-twitter-lot-say-aaron-schock-partying-boys-cabo-quarantine-20200416?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Fox News’ Dr. Oz Calls for Opening Schools Because It Would Only Lead to 2-3% More Deaths: WATCH

Fox News contributor Dr. Mehmet Oz said Thursday that the U.S. should consider reopening schools because it would result in only a 2-3 percent increase in the number of deaths from COVID-19.

“We need our mojo back,” Oz told host Sean Hannity. “Let’s start with things that are really critical to the nation where we think we might be able to open without getting into a lot of trouble.

“I tell you, schools are a very appetizing opportunity,” Oz added. “I just saw a nice piece in The Lancet arguing that the opening of schools may only cost us 2 to 3 percent, in terms of total mortality. And, you know, any life is a life lost, but to get every child back into a school where they’re safely being educated, being fed and making the most out of their lives, with a theoretical risk on the back side, that might be a tradeoff some folks would consider.”

The post Fox News’ Dr. Oz Calls for Opening Schools Because It Would Only Lead to 2-3% More Deaths: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Fox News’ Dr. Oz Calls for Opening Schools Because It Would Only Lead to 2-3% More Deaths: WATCH

#AM_Equality: April 16, 2020

TODAY @ 11 A.M. ET — VIRGINIA VALUES COALITION, LGBTQ ADVOCATES CELEBRATE SIGNING OF VIRGINIA VALUES ACT: The Virginia Values Coalition, Equality Virginia, Human Rights Campaign and Freedom for All Americans, alongside LGBTQ Virginians and allies, will hold a press call to highlight the real impact of the newly signed Virginia Values Act and discuss the years-long efforts to pass a non-discrimination bill in Virginia. The newly signed legislation will grant non-discrimination protections to Virginians on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and modernize Virginia civil rights law to protect people of color, veterans, women and others. Virginia became the first state in the South to have non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, and the first state since 1993 to add a prohibition on discrimination in public accommodations (protecting all Virginians) where none existed before.

• All interested media can RSVP by emailing [email protected] for the meeting number.

HRC TO TRUMP: DELAYING STIMULUS CHECKS TO INCLUDE NAME IS “REVOLTING AND INHUMANE”: “This economic hurricane has disproportionately impacted marginalized groups, including LGBTQ people, who more often find themselves in industries that have completely shut down or dramatically scaled back staff and pay,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “Yet, Trump is delaying this much needed, vital resource for his own personal vanity. This act is absolutely revolting and inhumane and proves yet again he is unfit to lead.” More from Rhuaridh Marr (@rhuaridh) at Metro Weekly.

HRC MOURNS JOHANNA METZGER, TRANS WOMAN KILLED IN BALTIMORE: According to reports, Metzger was fatally stabbed while visiting a Baltimore recovery center from Pennsylvania. Metzger, who is white, is believed to be the sixth transgender or gender non-conforming person violently killed this year in the U.S., and the eighth death in Baltimore since HRC began tracking this data in 2013. More from HRC.

• On April 14, Baltimore Safe Haven, a local LGBTQ community center, organized a virtual vigil to honor Metzger’s life due to COVID-19. More from Muri Assunção (@MuriAssuncao) at New York Daily News. 

THURSDAY FEATURE — HRC TO HOLD VIRTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR LGBTQ HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE SENIORS: The event will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 8 and will include many traditional elements of a graduation ceremony, including an official welcome from HRC President Alphonso David and GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard (@EByard), a commencement address, valedictorians for exceptional, dynamic LGBTQ+ students and music. Those interested can register for the event here. More from Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

ICYMI — HRC, UNIDOS, BLACK LEADERS ORGANIZING COMMUNITIES URGENTLY CALL ON CONGRESS AND STATES TO FUND ELECTION EXPANSION EFFORTS: “No one in America should be denied the right to vote because of health and safety concerns or confusion about the voting process,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “The changes we call for today will make major improvements to our electoral system and ensure that voters have the opportunity to have their voices heard in a safe, secure manner.” Listen to the press call here. 

LGBTQ ELDERS ARE THE EPICENTER OF THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC, EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AND HIGHER HEALTH RISKS: From social isolation to thin support networks, LGBTQ older people also grapple with serious health disparities that are particularly consequential in the time of COVID-19. More from Next Avenue.

• SAGE’s new initiative, SAGE Connect, provides an opportunity to receive or make a phone call to an LGBTQ elder once a week. HRC is also partnering with SAGE on the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI), the first-ever nationwide assessment of how long-term care facilities are treating their LGBTQ residents. 

FRESH AIR PODCAST REMEMBERS LGBTQ PIONEER PHYLLIS LYON: Listen more from Terry Gross (@nprfreshair) on NPR. 

IN THE STATES

HRC JOINS OVER 100 NATIONAL AND LOCAL GROUPS ON LETTER TO CONGRESS SUPPORTING D.C. COVID-19 FUNDING FIX: “Momentum is building to retroactively fix the treatment of D.C. in the state stabilization fund in the third coronavirus response bill and to also ensure that D.C. is treated as a state for future coronavirus state stabilization funding,”  said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). Read more here.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

BOB THE DRAG QUEEN TALKS NEW HBO SHOW WE’RE HERE AND LIFE IN QUARANTINE: We’re Here showcases people who stretch across the LGBTQ spectrum, exploring just how different the LGBTQ experience can be depending on where a person lives. Read more from Jeffrey Masters (@jeffmasters1) at The Advocate. 

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

LGBTQ ORGANIZATION KPH ISSUES STATEMENT AGAINST BILLS UNDER REVIEW BY THE POLISH PARLIAMENT: The bills would restrict access to abortion and reliable sex education for young people. More from KPH. 

SAME-SEX COUPLE IN AMSTERDAM ASSAULTED AND CALLED ANTI-LGBTQ SLURS: More from Out. 

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
 Gay Times spotlights Love Simon’s Keiynan Lonsdale’s (@KeiynanLonsdale) new queer ode in upcoming debut album

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-april-16-2020?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Gus Kenworthy sells video messages for COVID-19 relief, reveals recent struggles

 

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A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Apr 14, 2020 at 2:43pm PDT

Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy has returned to Instagram after a six-week absence to reveal that – like so many of us during the COVID-19 outbreak – he’s been going through some challenging times.

Previously a regular user of social media, Kenworthy, 28, has been quiet since early March. A lengthy posting yesterday revealed the reasons why.

“I know I’ve been MIA for the past month and a half but tbh this whole thing has been really hard on me,” he began.

“I know has been a struggle for most everyone. One thing I’ve learned is that just because we’re in isolation it does NOT mean that we’re alone. We really are in this together! If you’re struggling w/ depression and you’ve been feeling down and worthless know that I have been too,” he says.

“In school, in sports and in life I’ve always hated asking for help because I’ve wanted to seem strong, brave, tough, self-assured, etc but I’ve realized that sometimes you just need help and when you do you need to ask for it. It’s literally what friends are for.

“Swallow your pride and text a friend saying ‘I’m feeling really down, can you talk?’ It will help,” Kenworthy said.

“I’m thankful for my friends and all of you for being my support system; I’m thankful for the people who have used this time to create fun, funny content that has made me laugh and offered levity amidst the darkness; I’m thankful for my health and, most especially, I’m thankful for my family.”

Related: Gus Kenworthy teams up with disabled teen to win unique contest

Kenworthy then went on to say that his own family has been affected by some significant health issues.

“We had some serious scares this past month and it’s put into perspective, more than ever before, the importance of family. My 9-month-old nephew, Bodhi, had a bad cough/ fever and started having trouble breathing. He ended up being flight for life’d to Denver Children’s Hospital to be put on a respirator and spent a week in the ICU.

“Shortly after he returned home my 4-year-old niece, Bobbie, fell ill and had to be rushed to the same hospital to undergo two emergency surgeries. They’re both finally home again and recovering!”

Kenworthy goes on to say these recent experiences, along with the ongoing pandemic, have prompted him to do more to help our frontline workers.

“I’m incredibly thankful and forever grateful to our healthcare workers on the front line of this pandemic. I can’t show my gratitude enough but, in an effort to help out, I’ve decided to join Cameo to make personalized videos for anybody who wants one w/ 100% of my proceeds going to #FirstRespondersFirst to raise money for the doctors & nurses risking their lives to save others. If you wanna buy a video there’s a link in my bio and I’ll match whatever we raise up to $10,000!

“Thank you all for staying home to help flatten the curve and also for reading my unsolicited novel of a caption. Let’s #BeatTheVirus”

Cameo is a platform where celebrities and influencers record a personalized video message for fans for a fee. Kenworthy is selling his messages for $150 each, with everything he raises going to healthcare workers. You can check out some of his videos on his Cameo page.

Kenworthy’s post prompted thousands of comments, with the vast majority appreciating his message and showing support.

Related: Grindr quarantine story is restoring some people’s faith in humanity

However, one user posted a comment of disapproval that prompted a response from Kenworthy.

“Telling depressed people to swallow their pride ain’t it. Making already depressed people feel like it’s their fault ain’t it. Sad,” said one of his followers.

Kenworthy responded, “If that’s really what you got out of my caption then you completely missed the mark. As someone who’s been suffering from depression right now I encouraged anybody else struggling with the same thing to reach out to a friend and ask for help.

“In no way did I imply that anybody’s depression is their fault, all I was trying to do was leave a gentle reminder that we’re not alone in this,” Kenworthy continued. “It’s a scary time and we could all probably use some love and support but other people may not know our struggles and so it’s important to ask for help when it’s needed. Anyway, I wish you well, bud. Stay home, stay healthy and maybe stay off my page if you’re going to come for me on a post where I’m opening up about struggling mentally in the hopes of helping others. ”

Kenworthy posted from Los Angeles, where he is presumably in lockdown. His photo showed him with his beloved dog, Birdie, who he rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm during the 2018 Olympics.

www.queerty.com/gus-kenworthy-sells-video-messages-covid-19-relief-reveals-recent-struggles-20200416?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29