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#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: July 27, 2016
DNC’S HISTORIC NIGHT CONTINUES INCLUSIVE, PRO-EQUALITY MESSAGE: Democrats made history Tuesday, nominating the first female presidential candidate in Hillary Clinton, a leader with the most pro-LGBTQ agenda of any candidate who has run for president. Following his spouse’s historic nomination, President Bill Clinton noted Secretary Clinton’s 2011 speech in Geneva, where she declared, “gay rights are human rights.” Washington Blade International News Editor Michael Lavers tweeted: #LGBT activists overseas have told me @HillaryClinton‘s “Gay Rights are Human Rights” speech has literally saved lives. Tuesday also featured a lineup of speakers building on the convention’s strong pro-equality theme, including the need to pass the federal Equality Act. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe called out anti-equality lawmakers in his state for trying to write discrimination into state law. Actors Lena Dunham, America Ferrera and Debra Messing gave Hillary Clinton their nod as the candidate of inclusion and unity.
- During yesterday’s roll call vote, Supreme Court marriage equality plaintiff Jim Obergefell of Ohio and first openly-lesbian U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin cast their state delegation votes for Hillary Clinton.
- Today: Chelsea Clinton speaks at a luncheon hosted by HRC and Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute. The event will honor pro-equality elected officials and record number of openly LGBTQ delegates. HRC President Chad Griffin and Victory Institute President Aisha Moodie-Mills will also speak. Can’t make it? We’ll stream on Facebook Live starting at 11:30am EST.
- Tomorrow: The first openly transgender person speaks at a convention. HRC’s national press secretary Sarah McBride will make history with her speech. HRC President Chad Griffin will also speak tomorrow.
- North Carolina’s disastrous anti-LGBTQ HB2 law was dissected at an LGBT Congressional Caucus Meeting at the DNC. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said “If you’re against discrimination, then you’re against all discrimination.” More from WNCN.
- Meanwhile, The Associated Press reports that Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and NC GOP legislative leaders have already wasted over $176,000 in legal fees defending the deeply discriminatory law. More here.
- And as WRAL reports, from bluegrass to baseball outfields, the economic consequences of HB2 continue to mount. More here.
- HRC President Chad Griffin, serving as Vice Chair of the Convention, was on the podium for much of last night’s historic moments. Check out his tweet:
ON DECK TONIGHT AT THE DNC: President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will take the stage. Over the last eight years, they have made history advocating for equality, and transforming through policy and leadership the lives of LGBTQ people and their families across the nation. They have both announced support for the Equality Act, and are the first sitting president and vice president to endorse marriage equality.
FDA MAY RECONSIDER BLOOD BAN: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may be poised to change its unjustified policies requiring that gay and bisexual men to abstain from sex for one year before being permitted to donate blood. It is seeking public comment on its current blood donation recommendations, signaling the potential for changes to the ban. “We’re hopeful this call for comments represents the next step toward changing an outdated and short-sighted policy,” said Jay Brown, HRC Communications Director. More from Reuters.
SEATTLE ADVANCES ORDINANCE TO PROTECT YOUTH FROM SO-CALLED ‘CONVERSION THERAPY’: A subcommittee of the Seattle City Council has unanimously approved legislation banning the dangerous and discredited practice of “conversion therapy” on minors. The measure, which is supported by Mayor Ed Murray, heads to the full council on Monday. Cincinnati, Miami Beach, Washington D.C., California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, New York, and Vermont already have similar protections in place. More from Komo News.
GAVIN GRIMM’S LAWYERS ASK SCOTUS NOT TO TAKE HIS CASE: Lawyers for Gavin Grimm, the transgender teen who sued his Virginia School District over its refusal to grant him access to the boys’ restroom, have asked the Supreme Court of the United States to decline to reconsider the ruling of the 4th Circuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled in Grimm’s favor earlier this year. The school district has asked the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s ruling. More from The Washington Post.
LGBTQ SUPPORT AT HBCUs: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are stepping up for their LGBTQ students, including through programs like HRC Foundation’s HBCU Leadership & Career Summit. More from U.S. News & World Report.
EQUAL RIGHTS COALITION LAUNCHES AT GLOBAL LGBTI HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE: At the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference in Uruguay earlier this month, 29 governments announced the launch of an Equal Rights Coalition. The coalition seeks to strengthen cooperation between countries in advancing LGBTI rights. More from HRC.
PRINCE HARRY TACKLING HIV STIGMA: After Prince Harry streamed himself being tested for HIV via Facebook Live video last month, HIV testing in the UK has increased by 500 percent. The video was part of a pilot program that gave away 4,750 free at-home testing kits. More from Pink News.
READING RAINBOW
The Huffington Post talks to LGBTQ teens who are struggling with homelessness; A study of U.S. middle and high school students suggests that eating disorders are increasing for LGBTQ youth reports Care 2 and CBC News; San Francisco Gate reports that Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff will be honored by GLAAD for his LGBTQ advocacy; and Bloomberg covers the purchasing power of the U.S. LGBTQ community.
www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tip-sheet-july-27-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
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