Trans New Yorkers Can Now Update Birth Certificates More Easily
The New York City Council approved legislation that removes an old requirement that transgender people undergo gender-confirming surgery before they can amend their birth certificates.
Sunnivie Brydum
LGBT Protections Included in New Federal Profiling Guidance
Today, the federal government introduced a revised profiling policy that now prohibits sexual orientation and gender identity as a form of profiling.
HRC.org
YouTuber Connor Franta Comes Out To His 3.8 Million Subscribers
“[This] is truly the year that I have accepted who I am and become happy with that person,” YouTube star Connor Franta says in his aptly titled “Coming Out” video. “So today I want to talk to you guys about that and be open and honest, and tell you that I’m gay.”
Even if you (like us) have never heard of Connor, his story is one we can most certainly relate to. And you can’t argue with those 3.8 million subscribers.
Dan Tracer
What To Watch This Week on TV: Eichner On 'New Girl,' Charli XCX On 'SNL'
Check out our weekly guide to make sure you’re catching the big premieres, crucial episodes and the stuff you won’t admit you watch when no one’s looking.
— Sons of Anarchy, a gritty cable drama about Charlie Hunnam’s butt or something, comes to a dramatic close Tuesday at 10 p.m. Eastern on FX. The series finale concludes the seven-season story focusing on the SAMCRO motorcycle club, including Jax (Hunnam) and his mother (Katey Segal).
Netflix’s latest original, plus Barbara’s Most Fascinating and more on TV this week, AFTER THE JUMP …
— We can’t get enough of comedian Billy Eichner’s deranged delivery. On Tuesday, he brings his shouty schtick to New Girl at 9 p.m. on FOX. (If you haven’t already, check out his hilarious send up of Taylor Swift’s songwriting, above.)
— Netflix hopes to continue its hot streak of groundbreaking original programming with Marco Polo, hitting the streaming service Friday. The historical drama follows the titular Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) as he works alongside Mongolian emperor Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong).
— You might know rising pop star Charli XCX as one of the writers of Icona Pop’s inescapable hit “I Love It” or as the snarling brit who duetted with Iggy Azalea on her summer jam “Fancy.” The singer-songwriter, whose “Boom Clap” appeared on the soundtrack of The Fault In Our Stars, takes the stage as the musical guest on this week’s Saturday Night Live, 11:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC with host Martin Freeman. Check out one of our favorite Charli tracks, “Superlove,” above.
— Who will be Barbara Walters’ most fascinating person of 2014? Among the faces you can expect to see Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern on ABC during her 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014 special, you’ll catch Neil Patrick Harris, Taylor Swift (above) and Chelsea Handler.
What are you watching this week?
Bobby Hankinson
www.towleroad.com/2014/12/what-to-watch-this-week-on-tv-eichner-on-new-girl-charli-xcx-on-snl.html
Out Country Singer Ty Herndon Makes First Public Appearance With Boyfriend
‘This is monumental for both of us,’ Herndon said at the Trevor Live L.A. benefit on Sunday.
Jase Peeples
LeAnn Rimes On Country Music's LGBT Stance And Gay Stars Ty Herndon And Billy Gilman
Singer LeAnn Rimes sounded off on country music’s evolving stance on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in a new GLAAD interview.
Rimes, whose new holiday EP “One Christmas” hit stores this fall, told GLAAD’s Claire Pires, “I hope that we’re moving forward and not back.”
She also discussed fellow country stars Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman, both of whom came out as gay last month.
“I knew this was all about to happen and [Herndon] actually texted me right before it happened. I’m so proud of him,” she said. “Ty waited for a very long time in his life and Billy actually has a chance at having a full life as an out, gay man.”
She then added, “People should be able to love who they love — it’s as simple as that.”
Her sentiments echo those she made in a 2011 interview with PrideSource, in which she spoke about her support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
“I just believe that everybody should be able to do what they want to do as long as no one’s hurting anybody,” she said at the time.”I don’t believe in hate. I don’t believe in bullying. It’s something that’s become a huge issue, especially with cyberbullying. It just breaks my heart seeing kids committing suicide because they’re not accepted. It kills me.”
Don’t Be Fooled By The Smile. You Won’t Believe What This Homophobic Pastor Has Been Saying.
There never seems to be a shortage of right-wing Christian extremists spewing out vitriolic nonsense, but Pastor Logan Robertson has risen to the top of the flock this week by tripling down on hate.
The story starts with Jim Marjoram, a self-proclaimed gay Christian who has written a book about his experience in the church and his faith. He sent an email out to around 400 churches about his project, and received a reply he could hardly believe.
Pastor Robertson of the Westcity Bible Baptist Church wrote “we are not interested in your filthy lifestyle or book,” adding, “I pray that you will commit suicide, you filthy child molesting fag.”
Jim contacted the media with the outrageous email, and New Zealand’s ONE News took the story. Openly gay reporter Matt McLean called Pastor Robertson to request an interview, and on the phone the pastor told Matt that he hoped he too would commit suicide, and that he doesn’t give interviews to “filthy faggots.”
The Pastor did grant a straight journalist an interview, however, and said:
“I think every single one of them should be put to death. Christians shouldn’t be doing it, I’m not going to do it, it’s the Government’s job to be doing it.”
Jim told ONE News he isn’t angry with the pastor, but he does hope people realize that what Logan is preaching “isn’t love.”
He also wanted to give a special thanks to the homophobic pastor for helping him promote his book. Boom.
Related stories:
Pastor Envisions An AIDS-Free World By Christmas If We “Execute The Homos Like God Recommends”
Pastor Thinks Pro-Gay Country Crooner Kacey Musgraves Ought To Be Hanged
Is New York Pastor James Manning The Next Fred Phelps?
Dan Tracer
New Minnesota Policy Allows Trans Students To Compete On Sports Teams
Minnesota has become the 33rd state to adopt a formal transgender student policy after the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) last week voted to accept a policy that will allow transgender students to join sports teams that correspond with their gender identity, reports the Guardian.
The new policy creates a protocol to determine if someone who identifies as female but was born male can compete on female school sports teams.
In opposition to the policy, anti-gay Minnesota Child Protection League published a transphobic ad in several newspapers which read:
“THE END OF GIRLS’ SPORTS? Her dreams of a scholarship shattered, your 14-year-old daughter just lost her position on an all-girl team to a male … and now she may have to shower with him. Are you willing to let that happen?”
The same group sponsored another ad in October which asked “A male wants to shower beside your 14-year-old daughter. Are YOU ok with that?”
Anti-gay activist group the Minnesota Family Council had proposed a bylaw change stipulating that a student’s sex at birth be used to determine eligibility. However, the proposal wasn’t considered.
While MSHLS executive director Dave Stead acknowledged that support for the policy wasn’t unanimous among the league’s member schools, he added:
“I’ve heard from a limited number of schools that say, ‘I don’t like the idea,’ and then once we’ve talked about it they said, ‘I still don’t like the idea, but I’m supportive of the initiative of trying to give us direction.’
“There was nothing that was done today that would prevent a school from being a member of the High School League. Not one scintilla.”
At capacity–and then some–at the #MSHSL #trans-inclusive policy board meeting. #transjustice pic.twitter.com/W6ec8MPY1T
— Jacob Ruff (@jacobmruff) December 4, 2014
Elliot Kunerth, a 17-year-old transgender male, said:
“The passing of this will change the lives of so many transgender people who are going through hell. With the passing of this, I hope it will erase the ignorance and help people understand that trans kids are just looking for equal opportunities.”
In a statement, Democratic Representative Keith Ellison rebuked those in opposition to the law:
“Too often when trans kids speak out, they’re told that they’re sick, or joking, or just plain wrong. Many of the people who opposed the MSHSL’s policy suggested that trans students might threaten other students’ safety. These depictions are bigoted and do not protect our students.”
To establish eligibility under the new ruling, students will have to produce written statements from their parents or guardians and health professionals affirming their gender identity. School activities directors will make the final decision on each application. Private schools with religious affiliations are exempt from the policy, which will take effect in the 2015-2016 school year.
Jim Redmond
WATCH: Ark. School Nixes Lesbian Student's Homecoming Speech
Quitman High School canceled the entire program of speeches even after the lesbian student agreed to revise hers.
Trudy Ring
www.advocate.com/education/2014/12/08/watch-ark-school-nixes-lesbian-students-homecoming-speech
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