#AM_Equality: May 26, 2020

HRC ENDORSES RITCHIE TORRES FOR CONGRESS: “Council Member Ritchie Torres has broken barriers before and he can do it again,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “As the first LGBTQ elected official in the Bronx, Torres made history and set a new standard for what leadership looks like in the borough. Not only do we have the opportunity to make history in New York, but we also can keep Rev. Ruben Díaz, Sr. out of Congress. Díaz is one of the most virulently anti-equality and anti-choice Democrats that New York has seen in a generation, lacking respect for even the basic humanity of LGBTQ people.” More from HRC. 

HRC ENDORSES GEORGETTE GÓMEZ FOR CONGRESS: “Georgette Gómez is a true changemaker and a champion of the LGBTQ community,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Whether it was against deep-pocketed special interests or outsiders dictating what San Diegans needed, Gómez has always worked harder and smarter to achieve real change for San Diego. We have the opportunity to make history in California and HRC is proud to endorse and work with an incredible leader like Georgette Gómez.” More from HRC. 

THURSDAY — CELEBRATE CHILD WELFARE PROFESSIONALS WITH HRC: HRC’s All Children – All Families (ACAF) program invites you to join the virtual release event for their 2020 annual report on Thursday, May 28th at 2 PM ET. The report celebrates 100 organizations that worked to transform their policies and practices over the last year — with ACAF’s guidance and support — to provide truly welcoming and affirming services for LGBTQ youth and families. Register today and download this PDF for more information. 

HRC’S ALPHONSO DAVID AND CHASTEN BUTTIGIEG ON INSTAGRAM LIVE: 

SUNDAY WAS PAN VISIBILITY DAY! May 24 marks Pansexual Visibility Day — a day for our community to uplift, elevate and celebrate those who identify as pansexual. Pan people’s sexuality can often be erased when they are assumed to be either gay or straight, or when their pan identity isn’t taken seriously, so it’s essential to make sure that we uplift the voices of pan people. More from HRC.

As we celebrate #PansexualVisibilityDay today, @HRC is here to provide a quick rundown on pansexual, bisexual, queer and fluid identities. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ufXGSB1t93

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

HRC MOURNS MCKINSLEY LAKEITH LINCOLN, BLACK LGBTQ PERSON KILLED IN LOUISIANA: “Time and time again, we have seen Black people, LGBTQ people and especially Black LGBTQ people violently killed for living their truth,” said Tori Cooper, HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative 

(@MsToriCooper1). “The Human Rights Campaign is standing with Lincoln’s family and friends in mourning today, and joins advocates and the National Black Justice Coalition in demanding a thorough investigation in this case, and into why Lincoln’s family was not informed of their loved one’s death.” More from HRC. 

CONGRESSMAN ALAN LOWENTHAL (D-CA) INTRODUCES BILL TO HONOR BILLIE JEAN KING WITH CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL: More from Orange County Breeze.

IN THE STATES

LAMBDA LEGAL IS FIGHTING TO OVERTURN A LAW THAT BLOCKS TRANS IDAHOANS FROM CHANGING THEIR GENDER MARKER: “We know that when identity documents out trans people, the community knows these stories of people being harassed, discriminated against and threatened with violence in those situations,” said Nora Huppert, a Renberg fellow at Lambda Legal and one of the lawyers working on the case. More from American Independent.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

TONIGHT — PRIDELAND PREMIERES ON PBS VOICES WITH POSE’S DYLLÓN BURNSIDE (@dyllonburnside): More from NewNowNext and HRC. 

Tonight, PRIDELAND premieres on PBS Voices. Be sure to tune in as host @dyllonburnside explores LGBTQ life and culture in the South.@HRC‘s own Carmarion D. Anderson (@cander01) also makes an appearance to discuss her work as Alabama State Director!t.co/qhAMAUGE94

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 26, 2020

JUST SAM (@CoJustsam) BECOMES FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ PERSON TO WIN AMERICAN IDOL: She is also the first woman of color to win in seven years. More from ABC News Radio.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

HRC CELEBRATES MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN COSTA RICA: “Today, Costa Rica has made history, bringing marriage equality to Central America for the first time,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Costa Rica’s LGBTQ community has worked tirelessly for years to make today a reality. This victory is theirs and it inspires the entire global LGBTQ community to continue fighting to move equality forward.” More from Reuters and HRC. 

BREAKING NEWS: Costa Rica has made marriage equality the law of the land. ️‍ Thank you, Costa Rica, for reaffirming that #LoveIsLove! t.co/Jji24r7Uxt pic.twitter.com/LygIeFyZQf

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 26, 2020

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

HRC reflects on Ramadan with Imam Abdullah Antepli (@aantepli); The Conversation looks at how to overcome challenges to caring for LGBTQ people in palliative care; Seventeen highlights the diversity of Pride flags; Insider shares LGBTQ romantic comedies you should watch; Washington Blade speaks with LGBTQ Ugandans about their experiences during COVID-19; them reports on United Methodist pastor Rev. Ray McKinnon of Charlotte, NC of his support for the LGBTQ community

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-may-26-2020?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Cheyenne Jackson reveals he’s had five hair transplants

Actor Cheyenne Jackson, 44, has revealed he’s had five hair transplants in the space of 14 years. In an emotional Instagram posting, he said he was revealing the information as he had been “dreading” people find out and no longer wanted to hide the fact.

The posting included a photo of the back of his head, revealing a large area of scarring where cosmetic surgeons had removed hair follicles to implant on the top of his scalp.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ᴄʜᴇʏᴇɴɴᴇ ᴊᴀᴄᴋsᴏɴ (@mrcheyennejackson) on May 23, 2020 at 3:30pm PDT

“I’ve been DREADING this day for 17 years. The day when my horrible secret would be revealed,” he said.

“No, this gnarly scar across my head isn’t from life-saving brain surgery, nor did I narrowly survive a shark attack.

“It’s worse. (At least in Hollywood…) I had hair transplant surgery. 5 of them, to be exact over 14 years.

“My inner monologue is ‘Really Cheyenne? With everything that’s going on in the world, you’re CONFESSING that you had hair surgery? Get over yourself.’ I get it, but I’m admitting this really, to RELEASE how much shame & anxiety I’ve had about people finding out for years.

Related: Is Cheyenne Jackson’s “Edge of Glory” cover better than the original?

“I started losing my hair around 22. My older brother was balding too, but was way braver & cooler & just shaved his off. It was really emotional for me to watch it fall out & I felt less attractive & truly less like myself as the days went on, so I saved up and got my first surgery at 28.

“I hid it from everyone. It was painful & expensive but I started to feel better about myself.
Over the years as my hair kept thinning, I kept secretly getting more procedures & would just pray that no one would find out.

“Why? Why did I care so much? What does that say about me?

“Being a vain actor in an industry that rewards beauty, I vowed to keep this my secret forever. I feel SO stupid saying that but it’s my truth. As if someone finding out would somehow negate my talent, or make me less viable or valuable in the world.

“At the beginning of every job, I’d secretly gather the hair & makeup people, dramatically close the door of the trailer, & make a big deal about REVEALING my devastating truth. Every. Single. Time. they basically said “ummm…yeah…so?” NO ONE CARED BUT ME!

“I’m sharing because maybe this will inspire someone out there to share a secret they’ve been hiding, or show a scar that they’ve been afraid of anyone seeing. Let it go. What I’ve learned during this pandemic is that shit like this just doesn’t matter.

“I’m trying to teach my kids to accept themselves & to be proud of who they are, & to put value on things that are IMPORTANT & REAL so as their father, the example should start with me. This is that. I’ll go first. #ShowYourScars”

Jackson is best known for his recurring roles in American Horror Story on FX but has a string of Broadway, TV and movie credits to his name. He has also released three albums of music.

He is married to fellow actor, Jason Landau. They married in 2014 and became fathers to twins, a boy and a girl named Ethan and Willow, in 2016.

Related: Cheyenne Jackson officially graduates to daddy status

The gay actor has spoken before about succumbing to the pressure to maintain his appearance. In 2016, he told Out magazine: “’I find that especially with gay guys, there’s such a pressure in our community to look young, to stay looking young. I will admit I kind of succumbed to that a few years back.

“I got into doing Botox and putting stuff in my face. And I started to not look like myself anymore. It kind of just made me sad. I was like, ‘What am I doing?’ I couldn’t wrinkle my forehead anymore. It changed the shape of my eyes. So three years ago, I was like, ‘F*** it. I’m just gonna let my face do what it’s gonna do’.”

www.queerty.com/cheyenne-jackson-reveals-hes-five-hair-transplants-20200526?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Cheyenne Jackson Just Shared Something Deeply Personal That’s Been Causing Him to Feel Shame and Anxiety for Years

Actor Cheyenne Jackson has been reflecting during his COVID-19 isolation about what’s important to him in life, and decided to share a secret he’s been hiding from fans for years in hopes that it might cause others to be brave about their insecurities and self-perceived faults.

“I’ve been DREADING this day for 17 years. The day when my horrible secret would be revealed, Jackson shared on Instagram. “No, this gnarly scar across my head isn’t from life-saving brain surgery, nor did I narrowly survive a shark attack. It’s worse. (At least in Hollywood…) I had hair transplant surgery. 5 of them, to be exact over 14 years.”

“My inner monologue is ‘Really Cheyenne? With everything that’s going on in the world, you’re CONFESSING that you had hair surgery? Get over yourself.’ the American Horror Story actor added. “I get it, but I’m admitting this really, to RELEASE how much shame & anxiety I’ve had about people finding out for years.”

“I started losing my hair around 22,” Jackson continued. “My older brother was balding too, but was way braver & cooler & just shaved his off. It was really emotional for me to watch it fall out & I felt less attractive & truly less like myself as the days went on, so I saved up and got my first surgery at 28. I hid it from everyone. It was painful & expensive but I started to feel better about myself.”

“Over the years as my hair kept thinning, I kept secretly getting more procedures & would just pray that no one would find out,” Jackson explained. “Why? Why did I care so much? What does that say about me? Being a vain actor in an industry that rewards beauty, I vowed to keep this my secret forever. I feel SO stupid saying that but it’s my truth. As if someone finding out would somehow negate my talent, or make me less viable or valuable in the world. At the beginning of every job, I’d secretly gather the hair & makeup people, dramatically close the door of the trailer, & make a big deal about REVEALING my devastating truth. Every. Single. Time. they basically said “ummm…yeah…so?” NO ONE CARED BUT ME!”

“I’m sharing because maybe this will inspire someone out there to share a secret they’ve been hiding, or show a scar that they’ve been afraid of anyone seeing. Let it go. What I’ve learned during this pandemic is that shit like this just doesn’t matter. I’m trying to teach my kids to accept themselves & to be proud of who they are, & to put value on things that are IMPORTANT & REAL so as their father, the example should start with me. This is that. I’ll go first. #ShowYourScars“

View this post on Instagram

I’ve been DREADING this day for 17 years. The day when my horrible secret would be revealed. No, this gnarly scar across my head isn’t from life-saving brain surgery, nor did I narrowly survive a shark attack. It’s worse. (At least in Hollywood…) I had hair transplant surgery. 5 of them, to be exact over 14 years. My inner monologue is “Really Cheyenne? With everything that’s going on in the world, you’re CONFESSING that you had hair surgery? Get over yourself.” I get it, but I’m admitting this really, to RELEASE how much shame & anxiety I’ve had about people finding out for years. I started losing my hair around 22. My older brother was balding too, but was way braver & cooler & just shaved his off. It was really emotional for me to watch it fall out & I felt less attractive & truly less like myself as the days went on, so I saved up and got my first surgery at 28. I hid it from everyone. It was painful & expensive but I started to feel better about myself. Over the years as my hair kept thinning, I kept secretly getting more procedures & would just pray that no one would find out. Why? Why did I care so much? What does that say about me? Being a vain actor in an industry that rewards beauty, I vowed to keep this my secret forever. I feel SO stupid saying that but it’s my truth. As if someone finding out would somehow negate my talent, or make me less viable or valuable in the world. At the beginning of every job, I’d secretly gather the hair & makeup people, dramatically close the door of the trailer, & make a big deal about REVEALING my devastating truth. Every. Single. Time. they basically said “ummm…yeah…so?” NO ONE CARED BUT ME! I’m sharing because maybe this will inspire someone out there to share a secret they’ve been hiding, or show a scar that they’ve been afraid of anyone seeing. Let it go. What I’ve learned during this pandemic is that shit like this just doesn’t matter. I’m trying to teach my kids to accept themselves & to be proud of who they are, & to put value on things that are IMPORTANT & REAL so as their father, the example should start with me. This is that. I’ll go first. #ShowYourScars

A post shared by ᴄʜᴇʏᴇɴɴᴇ ᴊᴀᴄᴋsᴏɴ (@mrcheyennejackson) on May 23, 2020 at 3:30pm PDT

The post Cheyenne Jackson Just Shared Something Deeply Personal That’s Been Causing Him to Feel Shame and Anxiety for Years appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Cheyenne Jackson Just Shared Something Deeply Personal That’s Been Causing Him to Feel Shame and Anxiety for Years

Campaña de derechos humanos celebra el matrimonio igualitario en Costa Rica

La Campaña de Derechos Humanos felicita a Costa Rica por su aprobación histórica de la igualdad matrimonial.

 “Hoy, Costa Rica ha hecho historia, trayendo igualdad matrimonial a Centroamérica por primera vez ”, dijo el presidente de HRC, Alphonso David. “La comunidad LGBTQ de Costa Rica ha trabajado incansablemente durante años para hacer que hoy sea una realidad. Esta victoria es suya e inspira a toda la comunidad global LGBTQ a seguir luchando para avanzar en la igualdad. Ahora, otros países signatarios de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos deberían seguir los pasos de Costa Rica y adoptar la guía de la Corte Interamericana estableciendo la igualdad en el matrimonio. Hoy es un día de celebración, pero también un recordatorio del trabajo que aún debemos hacer en todo el mundo en nuestra lucha global por el reconocimiento y la inclusión”.

Este desarrollo se produce después de una decisión de 2018 de la Corte Suprema de Costa Rica, posterior a una opinión consultiva anterior de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, que orienta a la legislatura costarricense a establecer la igualdad matrimonial como derecho humano. Siguiendo esta guía, la Corte Suprema costarricense falló a favor del matrimonio igualitario ordenando al congreso nacional a legislar de la misma manera o hacer que este entre en vigencia automáticamente el 26 de mayo del 2020. Esta victoria se produce a pesar de los últimos esfuerzos de los miembros de la legislatura costarricense para retrasar la implementación de la decisión.

Ayer, el presidente de HRC, Alphonso David, también hizo comentarios en un evento televisado creado por la campaña de igualdad matrimonial de Costa Rica Sí Acepto Costa Rica.

Vea más sobre el progreso hacia la igualdad matrimonial en todo el mundo aquí. Y vea más sobre el trabajo de HRC para apoyar los increíbles esfuerzos de los defensores en el terreno aquí.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-celebra-el-matrimonio-igualitario-en-costa-rica?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Costa Rica Has Legalized Same-Sex Marriage, Making it First in Central America

Costa Rica has officially legalized same-sex marriage in the wake of a landmark court ruling which took effect at midnight.

ICYMI: Costa Rica Supreme Court Rules for Marriage Equality, Gives Govt 18 Months to Change the Law

Reuters reports: “The nation’s constitutional court ruled in August 2018 that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and gave parliament 18 months to legislate or the provision would be automatically nullified. Earlier this month, more than 20 lawmakers tried to delay the marriage ruling by 18 months but the measure failed and the ban was lifted at midnight – although couples will have to opt for online weddings due to the coronavirus restrictions.”

Daritza Araya and Alexandra Qu Castillo, a lesbian couple, married moments after the new law took effect. Watch the joyous ceremony:

In January, 2018, what was to be Costa Rica’s first same-sex wedding was blocked by notaries refusing to work under temporary rules designed to allow such marriages to take place. The marriage was planned after the Inter-American Court earlier in January ruled that countries in the region should legalize same-sex unions. The court recommended at the time that those rights be upheld via temporary decrees while governments pursued permanent laws.

The post Costa Rica Has Legalized Same-Sex Marriage, Making it First in Central America appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Costa Rica Has Legalized Same-Sex Marriage, Making it First in Central America

Human Rights Campaign Endorses Georgette Gómez for Congress

Today, the Human Rights Campaign announced the endorsement of San Diego Council President Georgette Gómez in her bid to represent California’s fifty-third congressional district.

A born and bred resident of San Diego, Gómez has spent her career working in her community and across the city of San Diego for positive change. She made history in 2018 when the San Diego City Council unanimously elected her as the first LGBTQ Latinx Council President, recognizing her dedication to progressive values and deep experience in achieving real progressive change.

“Georgette Gómez is a true changemaker and a champion of the LGBTQ community,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Whether it was against deep-pocketed special interests or outsiders dictating what San Diegans needed, Gómez has always worked harder and smarter to achieve real change for San Diego. We have the opportunity to make history in California and HRC is proud to endorse and work with an incredible leader like Georgette Gómez.”

“I am proud to have received the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign, together we are going to pass the Equality Act, and make sure that everyone can live openly no matter who they are or who they love,” said Council President Georgette Gómez.

In the 2018 midterms, HRC helped register more than 32,000 voters and recruited more than 4,200 volunteers, who worked over 8,500 shifts and clocked more than 30,000 volunteer hours. In the critical final four days of the campaign, HRC staff and volunteers in get-out-the-vote efforts alone knocked on more than 80,000 doors, and held 36,400 conversations with voters at their doors and by phone on behalf of our endorsed candidates. HRC’s unprecedented grassroots mobilization worked to recruit volunteers, mobilize constituents, register voters and grow the organization’s grassroots army in an all-out effort to pull the emergency brake on the hateful anti-LGBTQ agenda of the Trump-Pence administration and elect a Congress that would hold them accountable. In 2020, our engagement and mobilization efforts will only deepen.  HRC will have at least 45 full-time staff in seven priority states and an additional 20 staff focused on a second tier of states and districts.

www.hrc.org/blog/human-rights-campaign-endorses-georgette-gomez-for-congress?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

5 Tips for Warding Off Depression During Quarantine

Just keep it simple — we’ll get through this.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2020/5/25/5-tips-warding-depression-during-quarantine