New Study Connects Suicide Rates of Transgender Teens to Bathroom Restrictions

Using data from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, a new study correlated the high suicide rates of transgender teens with bathroom restriction for transgender teens.

“Transgender and gender non-conforming people frequently experience discrimination, harassment, and marginalization across college and university campuses,” the Journal of Homosexuality explained. “Using the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, this study analyzes whether being denied access to these spaces is associated with lifetime suicide attempts, after controlling for interpersonal victimization by students or teachers. Findings from sequential logistic regression (N = 2,316) indicate that denial of access to either space had a significant relationship to suicidality, even after controlling for interpersonal victimization.” 

This study comes at a pertinent time for transgender youth across the country. Just last month, HRC released a report detailing an alarming onslaught of legislation nationwide targeting transgender people, particularly transgender youth.

An unprecedented 44 anti-transgender bills are being considered in 17 states. Some bills undercut the ability of transgender people to access gender-affirming health care, create state-sanctioned avenues of anti-transgender discrimination and, last but not least, deny transgender people access to bathrooms, locker rooms and athletic teams consistent with their gender identity.

Unfortunately, a third of the anti-equal access “bathroom bills” would apply statewide to multi-user restrooms, locker rooms and similar facilities. If passed, some impose criminal penalties on transgender people who use restrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Most recently, the Tennessee House Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee unanimously passed HB 2414 – an outrageous bill targeting transgender students in public elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as those in public universities. The measure, which now moves to the full committee, seeks to force transgender students to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity. Tennessee would be the first state in the nation to pass such a law.

Earlier this month, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed HB 1008 — outrageous legislation that attacked the rights of transgender children in public schools by attempting to force them to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity.

To learn more about how you can support transgender youth, click here. For more information about anti-LGBT bills in your state, click here.

www.hrc.org/blog/new-study-connects-suicide-rates-of-transgender-teens-to-bathroom-restricti?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

The Most Extreme Attempt Yet To Demonize Transgender People And Deny Them Rights

A new video smears all transgender women as criminals and predators.

The post The Most Extreme Attempt Yet To Demonize Transgender People And Deny Them Rights appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/03/18/3761379/transphobic-video-predators-criminals/

Salesforce Calls on Governor Deal to Keep Georgia Open for Business

As the discriminatory HB 757 heads to the Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s desk, Salesforce is joining corporate leaders across the country in speaking out against the deplorable anti-LGBT legislation. The company announced today that it would substantially decrease its investment in Georgia should the bill become law. Their statement, which was released earlier this afternoon, reads:

“The legislation creates an environment of discrimination and makes the state of Georgia seem unwelcoming to same-sex couples and the LGBTQ community. We were encouraged by Governor Deal’s recent comments that he would veto any bill that allows the perception of discrimination and we are now calling on him to stand by his comments and move quickly to veto HB 757. If HB 757 is not vetoed and instead becomes law, Salesforce will have to reduce investments in Georgia, including moving the Salesforce Connections conference to a state that provides a more welcoming environment for the LGBTQ community.”

As it stands, this bill could allow a business owner or employee to refuse service to LGBT people. It could also undermine local non-discrimination ordinances that protect LGBT people, permit hospitals to refuse to provide medically necessary care and allow a taxpayer-funded service provider to discriminate by denying a job because of the applicant’s religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Governor Deal made clear weeks ago that he wouldn’t sign legislation that allows discrimination–now is the time for him to show Georgia and the nation that he means it. Take action now to urge Georgia Governor Deal to veto this bill.

www.hrc.org/blog/salesforce-calls-on-governor-deal-to-keep-georgia-open-for-business?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Ambassador Samantha Power Addresses HRC Staff, Members and Supporters

Last weekend, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power delivered an impassioned keynote at HRC’s Spring Equality Convention. Ambassador Power is a strong advocate for equality and has often used her position to advance LGBT equality efforts.

The Ambassador’s remarks on Saturday provided the narrative of how LGBT rights have gained salience within the Obama Administration, beginning with President Obama’s Presidential Memorandum in 2011.

“(The memorandum) made the struggle to end discrimination against LGBTI persons a central part of our government’s efforts to promote human rights around the world,” she said. “From fighting the criminalization of LGBTI status; to directing significant resources to empowering LGBTI groups abroad; to responding swiftly and meaningfully when governments have repressed LGBTI rights.”

She also articulated the many challenges that continue to plague the LGBT community around the world. Over 70 countries still criminalize same-sex activity or relationships and Ambassador Power called on the U.S. government and civil society to continue to spread the powerful message that LGBT rights are human rights, both at home and abroad.

Ambassador Power also called on HRC and other leading LGBT organizations to continue to partner with advocates around the world and to listen to local advocates on the ground.

“It is so crucial that groups like HRC take the expertise you’ve built over decades to train advocates in other countries who are facing daunting obstacles,” she explained. “Hearing from them how we can most effectively empower them to lead their own efforts to equality, always guided by the simple principle that it should never be too much to ask for everybody’s basic human rights to be respected; and that no one should be subjected to violence or discrimination just because of who they are.”

Notable guests, such as U.S. Special Envoy for the Rights of LGBTI Persons Randy Berry and National Security Council’s Director for Multilateral Affairs and LGBT Rights Curtis Reid, were in the audience. Ambassador Power highlighted the work of these two leaders, noting that Berry has traveled to 42 countries since being appointed and that Reid oversees the LGBTI portfolio at the National Security Council.

HRC thanks Ambassador Power for her leadership and looks forward to working with her to help expand LGBT equality abroad.

www.hrc.org/blog/ambassador-samantha-power-addresses-hrc-staff-members-and-supporters?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Watch the trailer for the Nigerian LGBT-themed film 'Hell or High Water'

www.glaad.org/blog/watch-trailer-nigerian-lgbt-themed-film-hell-or-high-water