Biden Talks Trans Rights, Calls Conversion Therapy Sick at Fundraiser

Biden also gave a shout-out to the late Aimee Stephens and talked about vetting his potential VP choices.

www.advocate.com/election/2020/5/14/biden-talks-trans-rights-calls-conversion-therapy-sick-fundraiser

Mar-a-Lago to Reopen With Social Distancing In Jacuzzi, No Pool Noodles

President Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort will partially reopen this weekend., according to an email sent to members.

CNN reports: Guests were told that the main house, where Trump often takes up residence, along with the spa, gym and tennis courts, will remain closed, while the Beach Club will open under new guidelines through June 28, according to the email. Mar-a-Lago’s staff will be enforcing social distancing guidelines for members who visit the Beach Club. The email says loungers and tables will be spaced six feet apart and “on the pool deck and in the pool/jacuzzi.” The members-only club is also conducting a heightened cleaning regime. Restrooms will be “thoroughly sanitized hourly” and the club will have “sanitizing stations” spread around the pool deck.It is unclear whether the President will return to the property before the season ends. He normally visits the club during winter months.

More from Business Insider: Members will also have to bring their own towels, and pool noodles will be banned, according to The Washington Post. “Do not congregate,” members were warned in the club’s email. With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis adding Palm Beach County to the Sunshine State’s “phase one” reopening plan, Mar-a-Lago will be able to open its doors for the first time in 57 days. Under the governor’s order, only the club’s pool areas will be able to reopen. How, exactly, the Jacuzzi social distancing measures will be enforced remains unclear, The Post’s David Fahrenthold noted. 

In related news, Farenthold and Joshua Partlow reported Thursday afternoon that the U.S. government has now paid at least $970,000 to Trump’s company since he took office, including 1,600 nightly room rentals at his hotels and clubs.

From WaPo: The records show that taxpayers have now paid for the equivalent of more than four years’ worth of nightly rentals at Trump properties, including 950 nights at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J., and 530 nights at the president’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida, according to a Post analysis. Trump still owns his business, though he says he has given day-to-day control to his eldest sons. Last year, Eric Trump said that when government officials visit Trump properties with the president, they are charged “like 50 bucks.” But in the 1,600 room rentals examined by The Post, there were no examples of a rate that low. Instead, the lowest room rate was $141.66 per night, for each of the rooms in a four-room cottage in Bedminster. The highest rate was $650 per night for rooms at Mar-a-Lago.

The post Mar-a-Lago to Reopen With Social Distancing In Jacuzzi, No Pool Noodles appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Mar-a-Lago to Reopen With Social Distancing In Jacuzzi, No Pool Noodles

Fighting for LGBTQ Equality this IDAHOTB

To mark Sunday’s observance of the 2020 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), the Human Rights Campaign is recognizing the power of voices speaking out against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and violence around the globe, and honoring those who speak up for LGBTQ rights and equality.

IDAHOTB is a day to draw attention to the homophobia, transphobia and biphobia still faced by so many LGBTQ people around the world. May 17 was chosen as the annual day for IDAHOTB because it is the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declassification of same-sex attraction as a mental disorder, which happened in 1990. The theme this year is “Breaking the Silence,” in honor of all those who still cannot live their lives fully as themselves. 

 Ahead of IDAHOTB, HRC sat down with Jean Freedberg, director of global partnerships at HRC, to discuss her work and how HRC Global is engaging with LGBTQ advocates around the world during the COVID-19 health crisis. 

How does HRC work with LGBTQ advocates around the world?

During this time of COVID-19, we are committed to continuing to engage with LGBTQ advocates across the world. Over the years, HRC Global has built a strong Global Alumni Network of more than 150 amazing, courageous and passionate advocates and allies from some 90 countries, all of whom are creating innovative, smart and durable solutions to advance equality at home. We will continue to partner with them virtually, by providing programming and capacity-building support to help strengthen their work. 

We will also continue to share lessons learned from our own history and from each other over the years, especially programs on how to involve allies and how to build relationships with people of faith and employers. We are still planning to hold the 5th annual Innovative Advocacy Summit virtually this year – stay tuned for updates! 

How did you get involved in this work?

My lifelong activism was defined by growing up in South Africa and being involved in the anti-apartheid movement. At its core, that was a movement which was focused on fighting for intersectional justice before we even fully understood that term. It was about understanding the interconnections between all forms of discrimination and oppression.

Why is it important to approach LGBTQ rights from an intersectional perspective?

My work is grounded in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its inspiring foundational language that unequivocally states, “every human being is born free and equal in rights and dignity.” That is, at its core, an intersectional approach. As an out lesbian, I have been involved in the LGBTQ movement for many years. In my current position at HRC, I can bring everything that I’ve learned over my entire career to bear, not only the practical knowledge of what it takes to build a movement, but the passion that I have for changing the world and making it a better place. 

How can we encourage folks to get involved?

Making sure that others have the tools to advocate for LGBTQ rights is something that’s very important. Becoming involved and speaking out on IDAHOTB is a good starting place for those who want to be involved in the global LGBTQ movement. 

The intersections of communications, campaigning and policy are really all the essential parts of the movement. Follow your heart, learn as much as you can and offer to help. You will learn more from getting involved and just doing.

IDAHOTB celebrates the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s resolution to declassify same-sex attraction as a mental disorder in 1990. The move followed a similar decision by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973. The WHO’s monumental change created a shift in how many LGBTQ people were treated. In 2004, LGBTQ activists gathered for the first time to mark this date with rallies in support of equality. The anniversary is now marked by celebrations, governmental proclamations and renewed efforts to end the discrimination and violence that LGBTQ people throughout the world still face.

www.hrc.org/blog/fighting-for-lgbtq-equality-this-idahotb?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

GLAAD Joins The Bisi Alimi Foundation and International Partners for IDAHOBIT 2020: Breaking the Silence in Africa

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-joins-bisi-alimi-foundation-and-international-partners-idahobit-2020-breaking-silence