Toronto Police: Trans Woman of Color's Death Was Not Homicide
Police have determined that Sumaya Dalmar’s death was not a murder, but investigators still released a statement after inquiries from trans residents.
Mitch Kellaway
Depression's Peculiar Grip on Black LGBTQs
Depression's Peculiar Grip on Black LGBTQs
Remember Raymond Chase, Aiyisha Hassan, and Joseph Jefferson? All three were so depressed that they committed suicide.
Raymond was a 19-year-old, openly gay student majoring in culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. On Sept. 29, 2010, he hanged himself in his dorm room.
Just a few days later, on Oct. 4, 2010, Aiyisha, 19, also took her own life. According to an Oct. 23, 2010, ChicagoNow blog post by Lenox Magee:
“She was having a lot of trouble with a lot of different things, but mainly her sexual identity and just trying to express that,” says 21-year-old Lauren Morris, a fourth-year student at Howard, who lived in the same building as Hassan from 2008-2009. Hassan was a former biology student at D.C.’s Howard University.
Joseph, 26, a New York City resident and graduate of Harvey Milk High, was a gay youth activist. He was HIV-positive, and it has been reported that he was especially prone to depression and experienced a variety of financial setbacks — as well as his father’s disapproval of his sexuality. On Oct. 23, 2010, the day Joseph killed himself by hanging, he posted the following on his Facebook page:
I could not bear the burden of living as a gay man of color in a world grown cold and hateful towards those of us who live and love differently than the so-called “social mainstream.”
The most salient characteristic that these young people had in common was their race. They were Black.
I’m writing this multi-part series to shine a bright light on depression’s disproportionate impact on Black LGBTQ persons. As one who’s suffered from this illness throughout periods of his life, I can attest to its near-crippling effects.
But before I share my personal experiences and why and how depression can be more prevalent among Black LGBTQ individuals, let’s define the illness. There are several types of depression, but I’ll discuss the two considered to be the most prevalent: major depressive disorder (MDD) and persistent depressive disorder (PDD).
Let’s talk MDD. According to WebMD:
You might have this type if you feel depressed most of the time for most days of the week.
Some other symptoms you might have are:
- Loss of interest or pleasure in your activities
- Weight loss or gain
- Trouble getting to sleep or feeling sleepy during the day
- Feelings of being “sped up” or “slowed down”
- Being tired and without energy
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of suicide
Now on to PDD. WebMD states:
If you have depression that lasts for 2 years or longer, it’s called persistent depressive disorder. It used to be known as dysthymia.
You may have symptoms such as:
- Change in your appetite (not eating enough or overeating)
- Sleep too much or too little
- Lack of energy, or fatigue
- Low self-esteem
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feel hopeless
Are LGBTQ individuals more prone to mental-health issues — including depression — than the general population? A United Kingdom study published last September in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that at least for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, this is indeed so. According to a Care2 post by Steve Williams:
This research, which is the largest of its kind to assess sexual minority groups in this manner, confirmed what smaller studies have repeatedly shown: that LGB people are far more likely to suffer from certain mental health problems like depression and anxiety, as well as being more prone to substance abuse.
So just why might LGB individuals be more prone to depression? Williams explains that it’s not our sexual orientation itself but how society treats us as a result of our sexual orientation:
[E]arly and sustained periods of stress can make people more likely to develop a range of adult mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Stigma and discrimination surrounding LGBT identity is certainly one factor here.
Next up: the beginnings of my experience with this beast named depression (which can be both insidious and in-your-face), and an exploration of its peculiar grip on Black LGBTQs.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Wyatt O’Brian Evans’ website is wyattevans.com.
Anti-LGBT Bill Stripping Local Non-Discrimination Ordinances Advances in West Virginia
Anti-LGBT Bill Stripping Local Non-Discrimination Ordinances Advances in West Virginia
On the heels of a successful attack on fairness and equality in Arkansas, anti-equality forces are trying to quickly push through a similar bill abolishing local liberty in West Virginia
HRC.org
Madonna Almost Dies On Stage After Major Wardrobe Malfunction
Madonna Almost Dies On Stage After Major Wardrobe Malfunction
Holy shit. Someone just got fired.
While performing before a live audience at the Brit Awards in London this evening, Madonna was violently yanked down a flight of stairs by one of her backup dancers. She crashed to the ground several feet below and struggled to regain her composure.
The Living for Love hit maker was wearing a black Armani cape. The plan was for the backup dancer to pull the cape off to reveal a sparkly red getup underneath. But before doing so, Madonna was supposed to untie the strap around her neck.
Evidently the strap was too tight because when the backup grabbed the cape, he accidentally pulled Madonna down with it.
But, just like the lyrics in her song, the Queen “carried on.” Ever the pro, she got up off the ground, took a deep breath, and kept on singing. (Though she was likely dying of embarrassment inside.)
Shortly afterward, she posted the following message to her Instagram page:
A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Feb 25, 2015 at 2:50pm PST
Long live the Queen!
Related stories:
Madonna Couldn’t Care Less About You Ageist Haters
Madonna Steals The Grammys With Rousing Performance Of “Living For Love”
A Look Back At Madonna’s Greatest Live TV Performances
Graham Gremore
Kentucky Senate Panel Approves Discriminatory Transgender Bathroom Bill
Kentucky Senate Panel Approves Discriminatory Transgender Bathroom Bill
What is with the anti-trans crowd’s obsession with bathrooms? Do they think trans kids are all Eric Cartman, sticking a bow on their head and faking it to get some nefarious need met?
This past Monday the Kentucky Senate Education Committee revisited and approved Senate Bill 76 in an 8-1 vote in an attempt to force transgender students to use the bathroom at their school that matches their biological sex rather than their gender identification. In a particularly shady move, the committee kept its agenda for Monday in perpetual “Pending” status and no mention of the bill was ever made to the public until it was brought up at the meeting.
Opponents called the bill “mean-spirited” and contended that it may violate federal law governing the equal treatment of male and female students. Proponents claim that transgender rights are being elevated above student rights and that they don’t feel comfortable with trans students using the “wrong” bathroom.
The Republican-led Senate is expected to approve the bill and pass it on to the Democratic-controlled House.
Christian Walters
Watch: LGBT Athletes Tell Their Stories in Trailer for SXSW Doc 'Out to Win'
Apple's Latest Upgrade Includes LGBT Emojis
Apple's Latest Upgrade Includes LGBT Emojis
Thanks, Tim Cook.
Neal Broverman
www.advocate.com/business/technology/2015/02/25/apples-latest-upgrade-includes-lgbt-emojis
West Virginia Considering Bill To Block Local Governments From Extending LGBT Protections
West Virginia Considering Bill To Block Local Governments From Extending LGBT Protections
The West Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that would eliminate several LGBT anti-discrimination measures passed in the state.
The legislation would prohibit local governments from enacting anti-discrimination protections that are different from those in place at the state level. West Virginia’s current anti-discrimination protections do not extend to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals. The law would also nullify anti-discrimination protections for LGBT individuals that are currently in place in six communities, including Charleston, the state’s biggest city.
According to the bill’s text, the prohibition is an attempt to benefit businesses in the state by ensuring that employers are subject to uniform anti-discrimination protections.
But Andrew Schneider, executive director of the advocacy group Fairness West Virginia, said the bill is “anything but a pro-business bill.”
“It would strip the right of communities from making their towns and cities more inclusive. And these days the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies are establishing policies that they don’t discriminate against anyone including LGBT employees,” he told The Huffington Post. “No one wants to move their company to a close-minded hostile environment.
“If West Virginia starts to create this perception that we promote discrimination, then we’re not going to be open for business. We are shutting the door on business by doing that.”
Del. Lynne Arvon (R), who introduced the bill Monday, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The legislation was presented in the same week that a similar bill banning protections for LGBT individuals became law in Arkansas.
Beyond being bad for business and promoting discrimination, Schneider added, the West Virginia bill would usurp the ability of local governments to pass their own laws and develop solutions for their specific communities.
“Cities and towns are entitled to do what is right for them,” he said. “This seems to fly in the face of the principles of the democratic process.”
The bill also comes just a few weeks after the tiny, five-person town of Thurmond, West Virginia, voted to protect LGBT individuals from discrimination.
After Thurmond passed its anti-discrimination measure, Schneider told The Huffington Post that it was clear there was a “movement afoot” to establish similar protections in the state.
Asked if the statewide bill was a response to recent momentum for LGBT protections, Schneider said Wednesday, “I think that there’s part of that, you know, people out there who would like to hold on to the status quo of discrimination … They don’t want to see the world evolve to one of inclusiveness and acceptance.”
Ben and Jerry’s Join The People’s Brief
Ben and Jerry’s Join The People’s Brief
www.hrc.org/blog/entry/ben-and-jerrys-join-the-peoples-brief?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
West Virginia Panel Advances Bill Banning LGBT Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
West Virginia Panel Advances Bill Banning LGBT Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
H.B. 2881, a bill that would ban local municipalities in the state of West Virginia from enacting LGBT anti-discrimination ordinances, advanced out of committee today and now moves to the House floor for an up or down vote. The bill is a facsimile of the anti-gay bill Arkansas recently enacted.
The bill, named the “West Virginia Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act”, claims its intent is to “improve intrastate commerce” and business by enacting “uniformity” of laws, thus benefitting “the businesses, organizations and employers seeking to do business in [West Virginia] and will attract new ones to [it].” In actuality, the bill prevents local governments from protecting its LGBT citizenry from discrimination.
(a) No county, municipality or other political subdivision may adopt or enforce a local law, ordinance, resolution, rule or policy that creates a protected classification or prohibits discrimination on a basis not contained in state law.
And adds:
(b) Any local law, ordinance, resolution, rule or policy adopted before the operative date of this act that violates subsection (a) of this section shall be null and void.
Prior to the bill advancing out of committee, Andrew Schneider, Executive Director of Fairness West Virginia, told The New Civil Rights Movement,
“HB 2881 not only prohibits the rights of communities to govern themselves but it also interferes with democracy in its purest form: city and town councils. When a nondiscrimination ordinance or resolution is considered or passed, each community has the opportunity to speak out against it, vote the city or town leadership out of office, or repeal the ordinance. There’s no need for interference by the state legislature.”
Sean Mandell
