Tag Archives: HRC

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 6, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 6, 2019

IN MEXICO CITY — HRC CELEBRATES THE MORE THAN 120 EMPLOYERS IN MEXICO FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO LGBT WORKPLACE INCLUSION: More from Latin Post, Mundo Ejecutivo, Infomercado and Reforma

Tonight we celebrate the more than 120 employers who have earned top ratings in the 2020 HRC Equidad MX report. These scores reflect their commitment to LGBTQ equality and adoption of essential LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices in their workplaces. pic.twitter.com/U1Y5YCgh1g

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) December 6, 2019

11TH CIRCUIT COURT IN FLORIDA HEARS CASE ON JACKSONVILLE SCHOOL’S BATHROOM POLICY: The case was brought on behalf of transgender student Drew Adams. “All I ever wanted from my school was to be treated like any other boy, and to have the same opportunity to thrive and learn as my peers,” said Adams (@drewcaofficial). More from Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Lambda Legal.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW “READY, SET PrEP” PROGRAM: By increasing awareness and access to PrEP and HIV preventive medication, we can end the epidemic facing thousands of Americans, especially LGBTQ people and people of color, who are at risk for HIV. Read more from the Washington Blade and HRC

FEEL-GOOD FRIDAY — HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BISEXUAL PRIDE FLAG!: The first bi pride flag was unveiled on December 5, 1998, and for the past 21 years, it has been a symbol of bi+ pride and visibility around the world. Learn more from HRC

Happy birthday to the bisexual pride flag!

For the past 21 years, the bisexual pride flag has been a symbol of bisexual pride and visibility around the world. ������

Read more about how you can support the bi+ community at t.co/sdGcmTGvFo. pic.twitter.com/KIRMr0lsMb

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 5, 2019

HRC JOINS COALITION PARTNERS TO URGE SUPPORT FOR THE VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT: Learn more here

This week the House is expected to vote on the Voting Rights Advancement Act — critically important civil rights legislation that would ensure fair access to the ballot for all Americans is protected.@HRC joins @CivilRightsOrg and partners to urge Congress to #RestoreTheVote. t.co/AnhWFVWi2O

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 5, 2019

HORRIBLE — SUSPECT YELLING ANTI-LGBTQ SLURS USES HAMMER TO ATTACK MAN ON NYC SUBWAY PLATFORM: More from NBC 4

MASSACHUSETTS MAN WHO ATTACKED ANOTHER MAN AND CALLED HIM ANTI-LGBTQ SLURS HAS BEEN ARRESTED: More from the Associated Press

ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS RULES THAT JUDGE WAS WRONG TO DENY TRANSGENDER MAN’S NAME CHANGE: More from Phoenix New Times.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

JOIN HRC AND SHOWTIME AT AN “L WORD: GENERATION Q” WATCH PARTY SUNDAY NIGHT: Check out the trailer and RSVP to an event near you! More from HRC.

l word, sweepstakes, HRC

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

JACOB EDWARD (@ItsJacobEdward) TO BECOME THE FIRST NON-BINARY PERSON TO HOST THEIR OWN SHOW ON BBC RADIO 1: Read more from Forbes

TRANS PEOPLE AND ALLIES IN INDIA START POSTCARD CAMPAIGN TO CONTINUE PROTEST OF A BILL ADVOCATES SAY IS HARMFUL TO THE TRANS COMMUNITY: More from The News Minute.

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

Popsugar reviews 15 great reads from transgender and non-binary authors; New York Magazine talks to actress and HRC supporter Yeardley Smith (@YeardleySmith); Purposely Awakened interviews J. Maurice McCants-Pearsall (@McCantsPearsall), director of HRC Foundation’s HIV and Health Equity program, about HRC’s Elevate Fellowship Program

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-tipsheet-december-6-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

HRC Foundation Recognizes More than 100 Employers in Mexico For Their Commitment to LGBT Inclusion

HRC Foundation Recognizes More than 100 Employers in Mexico For Their Commitment to LGBT Inclusion

Today, HRC Foundation, launched its third annual HRC Equidad MX: Programa Global de Equidad Laboral, a survey evaluating LGBT workplace inclusion within major Mexican businesses and multinationals. Since its inception, the program has experienced unprecedented growth — this year, 120 employers have earned top ratings in the 2020 HRC Equidad MX report, reflecting their commitment to LGBT equality and adoption of essential LGBT-inclusive policies and practices in their workplaces.

“Promoting fundamental rights and welcoming workplaces for LGBT employees is not only in the interest of fairness — it is also smart for business,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “As the new president of the Human Rights Campaign, I am proud to witness the unprecedented positive change driven by HRC Equidad MX and the enthusiastic response of hundreds of business leaders who understand the critical importance and economic value of LGBT workplace inclusion in Mexico.”

HRC President Alphonso David will deliver remarks at a launch event today, hosted by Walmart Mexico and Central America and supported by prominent LGBT-committed corporate partners including IBM, Edelman, UBER and many others. The event will convene hundreds of corporate leaders, participating companies, civil society stakeholders and influencers — including Christian Chávez, an openly gay actor and singer — to celebrate LGBT workplace inclusion.

The pioneering Equidad MX program, modeled after HRC’s Corporate Equality Index  — the premier LGBTQ workplace equality benchmarking survey in the U.S., recognized top-scoring companies with the HRC Foundation’s designation of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” or “Mejores Lugares para Trabajar LGBT”. The award honors their commitment to expanding efforts creating welcoming and fair workplaces for LGBT employees.

The groundbreaking success of  HRC Equidad MX is reflected in the rapidly-growing number of companies participating in the survey — and achieving top ratings for LGBT workplace equality. In the survey’s inaugural year, 32 companies in Mexico — including PEMEX, one of the largest employers in Latin America — earned top ratings. That number jumped to 69 companies last year, and hit 120 this year — including 36 that are based in Mexico. HRC Equidad MX seeks to continue to expand this network of inclusive employers throughout Mexico.

The 2020 HRC Equidad MX Report assessed major Mexican businesses and multinational companies on three core pillars of LGBT inclusion:

  • Adoption of nondiscrimination policies;
  • Creation of employee resource groups or diversity and inclusion councils; and
  • Engagement in public activities to support LGBT inclusion.

“All the participating companies are making genuine efforts to promote an LGBT-inclusive corporate culture and best practices across Mexican workplaces,” said Beck Bailey, director of HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program. “Providing a work space where LGBT employees can reach their full potential is key to attracting and retaining the best workforce. We commend the business honorees for their leadership and dedication to fostering LGBT inclusion for all their employees.”

“The inspiring results of HRC Equidad MX constitute a remarkable landmark for LGBT workplace inclusion in Mexico and the broader Latin American region,” said Francisco Robledo and Fernando Velázquez, HRC Equidad MX Implementing Partners. “The growing number of businesses committed to promoting LGBT-inclusive policies and practices indicates that more and more corporate leaders understand and value the fairness and benefits of inclusive workplaces.”

Earlier this year, HRC staff convened with members of the HRC Equidad MX Business Council to develop strategies to achieve long-lasting impact throughout Mexico and discuss LGBT-inclusive trends and the success achieved in the first three of remarkable workplace inclusion efforts.

Through its CEI, Equidad MX and Equidad CL programs, the HRC Foundation has established guidelines to implement LGBTQ-inclusive policies, practices and benefits across national and international corporations impacting more than 30.6 million employees worldwide. This endeavor is complemented by the HRC Global program, which supports the work of communities throughout the world in advocacy of the full rights of LGBTQ people around the world. This year, HRC announced a major initiative to pursue strategic litigation in countries where they can make a difference as part of broader efforts in the movement for LGBTQ equality.

HRC is proud to recognize 3M, Accenture, Airbnb, Amazon México, American Airlines, American Express México, Aon, AT Kearney, AT&T México, AXA Partners, Bain & Company México, Baker McKenzie, BASF, Boston Consulting Group, Best Buy México, BNP Paribas Cardif, Brown-Forman México, CBRE, Cineápolis, Cisco Systems of México, Citibanamex, Coca Cola FEMSA, Coca-Cola México, Compucom México, Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, Cushman & Wakefield México, Dell EMC, Deloitte Consulting, Diageo, Distribuidora Therso, Dow Química Mexicana, Edelman, Edenred México, Experts, EY, Facebook, Festival Internacional de Cine de Los Cabos, Ford Motor Company, Gayosso, GE México, General Motors de México, Google México, Grupo Cinco M, Grupo Modelo, Here Technologies, Herman Miller, Hotel Marriott Puerto Vallarta, HP Inc, HSBC México, Hyatt Regency Mexico City, IBM, IFT, INE, Intel México, IPG Media Brands, iTexico, J.P. Morgan, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg Company México, Lexmark International de México, Lubrizol, Madison Tailored Brand Solutions, ManpowerGroup, Market Pro, Mastercard, McCann Worldgroup, McKinsey & Co. México, Mercedes-Benz Autobuses, Metco, Metlife, Microsoft, MMK Group, Mundo Joven, Museo Memoria y Tolerancia, Neta Comunicación, Nielsen México, Nike, Novartis, OfficeYa, Ogilvy & Mather, Oliver Wyman, Oracle México, P&G, PayPal, PEMEX, Pepsico Alimentos México, Pernod Ricard México, Pfizer México, Philip Morris México, Porter Novelli, PSB Technology, PÚBLICO/trabajo, PwC, RB, SAP México, Scotiabank, Sephora México, Shell México, Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar, Sodexo México On Site, Softtek, Solaz a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos, Sonova México, Sony Music Entertainment México, T&C Group, TAO Publicidad & Eventos, TE Connectivity, Thomson Reuters, Tsolco, Uber, Unilever de México, Viva Aerobus, Volteo, Von Wobeser y Sierra, W Mexico City, Walmart de México y Centroamérica, Warner Music México, Western Union, Wizeline, Zurich to celebrate LGBT-inclusion in the workplace.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-recognizes-over-100-employers-in-mexico-for-commitment-to-equality?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 4, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 4, 2019

TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION JOINS HUNGARY AND BRAZIL TO BRING TOGETHER ANTI-LGBTQ ACTIVISTS ON CAPITOL HILL: Today’s so-called “Second International Conference on Family Policy” will feature government officials and right-wing activists from organizations with long track records of undermining human rights and reproductive rights, including the Heritage Foundation, C-FAM and National Right to Life Committee. Learn more from HRC

ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, DEAF AND SEXUALLY FLUID ACTOR AND MODEL NYLE DIMARCO (@NyleDiMarco) SHARED A POWERFUL VIDEO: Watch here.

Today is International Day of Disabled Persons!

My Deaf identity is not an obstacle but an advantage — an asset.

I absolutely love being my true self because that translates to confidence, taking me to places and bringing me opportunities I never imagined possible. pic.twitter.com/B8QwQNb8TJ

— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) December 3, 2019

WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY — CAN YOU BELIEVE??? JONATHAN VAN NESS FEATURED ON COVER OF COSMOPOLITAN U.K.: “My work has only really just begun,” Van Ness (@jvn) tells Cosmo’s Amy Grier (@amygrier). “I really want to improve the social safety net for people living with HIV and figure out how to make sure Donald Trump doesn’t win [another election] and find out how to make legislators sexy again and make critical thinking cool. I want equal rights and protections for women and LGBTQ+ people.” Read the full interview here

First non female cover star in 35 years ��️‍���� thanks for having me ��️‍����@CosmopolitanUK showing more variations of beauty for young LGBTQ+ people YAS QUEEN photo by @Rachell_Smith pic.twitter.com/oSXbDHaK51

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) December 2, 2019

CHECK OUT THE FOUR MOST-IMPROVED CITIES WORKING WITH HRC TO MAKE LGBTQ EQUALITY A PRIORITY: Read more from HRC

HRC MOURNS LONG-TIME LGBTQ ADVOCATE DAN COCHRAN: More from HRC

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

PIONEERING GAY CARTOONIST HOWARD CRUSE PASSED AWAY LAST MONTH: Learn more about his life and work from LGBTQ Nation

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ PEOPLE IS ON THE RISE IN BERLIN: Read more from The Advocate

IRELAND TO SIMPLIFY PROCESS FOR 16- AND 17-YEAR-OLDS TO CHANGE THEIR GENDER ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES: Read more from PinkNews

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

HRC & West Elm partner to introduce new “Love is Love” collection just in time for the holidays.

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-tipsheet-december-4-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Trump-Pence Administration Joins Hungary and Brazil to Bring Together Anti-LGBTQ Activists

Trump-Pence Administration Joins Hungary and Brazil to Bring Together Anti-LGBTQ Activists

Post submitted by Taylor N.T. Brown, HRC Global senior manager, and Jeremy Kadden, HRC senior international policy advocate

On Wednesday, the Hungarian and Brazilian governments, alongside the Trump-Pence administration, are holding a conference in the U.S. Capitol with well-known promoters of anti-LGBTQ hate. The so-called “Second International Conference on Family Policy” will feature government officials and right-wing activists from organizations with long track records of undermining human rights and reproductive rights, including the Heritage Foundation, C-FAM and National Right to Life Committee. 

HRC is exposing this event for what it is: a hate-filled gathering focused on organizing against democratic norms and universal human rights — including the rights of LGBTQ people and women

Check out the anti-LGBTQ records of just some of the many scheduled speakers:

  • U.S. Reps. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., and Andy Harris, R-Md., both have extensive anti-LGBTQ track records, with scores of 0 out of 100 on HRC’s past three Congressional Scorecards. Hartzler has been a leading supporter of a ban on transgender people serving in the armed forces, and has fought against marriage equality and the Equality Act. Harris has been outspoken in opposition to marriage equality and legislation prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. 
  • Katalin Novák, Hungary’s minister of family and youth affairs and vice president of the country’s incumbent right-wing, nationalist party, has strong ties to designated hate groups groups such as the World Congress of Families and the Alliance Defending Freedom. She has spoken at WCF conferences, keynoted an event in March ludicrously named “Making Families Great Again”, and last month met with members of ADF. Novák also has troubling connections within the Russian government, including the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, which played a key role in Russian interference into the 2016 U.S. presidential election. 
  • Charmaine Yoest, vice president of the Heritage Foundation, has a track record of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric. According to Rewire, she has “referred to transgender people as ‘crazy,’ labeled transgender people ‘creatures,’ and referred to medical care for transgender people as ‘a joke’”. 
  • Susan Yoshihara, senior vice president of C-FAM, has incorrectly and offensively characterized same-sex couples as worse parents than different-sex couples
  • Stefano Gennarini, vice president of C-FAM, has attacked countries supporting the rights of LGBTQ people at the U.N., mischaracterizing these rights as “special.” 
  • Valerie Huber, special representative at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has long fought against sex education and women’s reproductive health and rights.

Anti-democratic leaders are working to empower new international alliances and networks with events like this one. The governments organizing this event are positioning themselves to be among the leading torchbearers of anti-LGBTQ organizing around the world. 

For years, the Hungarian government, led by right-wing extremist Viktor Orban, has chipped away at democratic values and norms by promoting an anti-LGBTQ agenda and fostering the country’s ties to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. It is now collaborating with allies in the Trump-Pence administration and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro to advance a global anti-LGBTQ campaign.

By sharing news about this and other events organized by anti-LGBTQ extremists, you can help expose these shameful activities and the elected officials supporting them. It is important to speak out and let this administration know that we are united against hate.

For more information about HRC’s work around the world, subscribe to our quarterly newsletter and visit hrc.org/Global.  

www.hrc.org/blog/trump-pence-administration-joins-hungary-and-brazil-to-bring-together-anti?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 3, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 3, 2019

U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS ASSERTS TRUMP-PENCE ADMIN IS “UNDOING DECADES OF CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRESS”: The report cites multiple examples of Trump-Pence’s unrelenting attacks on the LGBTQ community. Said Commission Chair Catherine E. Lhamon (@CatherineLhamon), “the Trump administration has been as vocal as it is possible to be about its dismissal of LGBTQ rights as worth protecting. It will take us a very long time to dig out from under the damage this administration has caused to civil rights in this country.” Read the full report here, and more from NBC Out

TUESDAY TWEET — YESTERDAY, THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL UNVEILED A PLAQUE IN HONOR OF MATTHEW SHEPARD: Read more here, and from The Daily Beast & WUSA9

Sunday would have been Matthew Shepard’s 43rd birthday.

On Monday, the Washington National Cathedral dedicated a plaque in his memory.

“Matt being there gives notice…that there is one place they can go to to be safe, welcomed and accepted.” t.co/2dz5m7W8ue

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 3, 2019

HRC EXPANDS PRESENCE IN CALIFORNIA TO WORK CLOSELY WITH FRIENDS AND PARTNERS TO ELECT PRO-EQUALITY CANDIDATES AND ADVANCE EQUALITY: Read more here

I was so proud to be in LA with @HRC supporters and partners to celebrate our expanded presence and deepened work in this critically important center of entertainment, culture and technology. pic.twitter.com/nOglnRiDGj

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) December 3, 2019

CHECK OUT QUÉPASA’S PIECE ON HRC’S LGBTQ INCLUSION WORK IN CHILE: Beck Bailey, director del Programa de Igualdad en el Centro de Trabajo de HRC, estableció un acuerdo con Fundación Iguales para levantar el ranking Equidad CL, programa que certifica a las empresas 100% diversas e inclusivas. “Fue inspirador ver que en este primer año, hay participantes que están comprometidos en evaluar sus prácticas y políticas respecto a la inclusión LGBT,” dijo Bailey (@TheBeckBailey). Este 9 de diciembre se lanzará una nueva versión de Equidad CL, donde podrán participar, hasta el 31 de enero de 2020, todas las empresas que operen en Chile y así rankear los mejores lugares de trabajo para la comunidad LGBTQ. Más de QuéPasa

El ejecutivo trans que lidera primera encuesta sobre buenos lugares de trabajo para la comunidad LGBTQ en Chile t.co/6xFn11pYhD pic.twitter.com/ARoIl0eMSU

— Qué Pasa (@QuePasaCL) November 29, 2019

UTAH TEACHER BERATES CHILD WHO SHARED WITH CLASS THAT THIS THANKSGIVING, HE IS THANKFUL HE’LL BE ADOPTED BY HIS TWO FOSTER DADS: The substitute teacher was removed from the school after three of the child’s fifth-grade classmates asked her to stop, and walked out to get the principal. “This situation really hurt him. This person really hurt us,” said one of the dads, Louis van Amstel (@LouisVanAmstel), who was on multiple seasons of “Dancing With the Stars.” More from USA Today and The Salt Lake Tribune

BOSTON ACTIVISTS URGE THE CITY TO NAME A NEW GREEN SPACE AFTER RITA HESTER: Hester, a transgender woman, was killed in Boston more than 20 years ago. Hester’s death spurred activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith (@gwenners) to start the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. Read more from WGBH.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., WELCOMES A COUNTY JUDGE WHO WAS DENIED COMMUNION AT HER CHURCH BECAUSE SHE’S MARRIED TO A WOMAN: More from WOOD TV

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

ACTRESS ANNETTE BENING ABOUT HER TRANSGENDER SON STEPHEN IRA: “He’s an articulate, thoughtful person, and I’m very, very proud of him,” Benning said. Read the full interview at AARP

HRC ATTENDS PREMIERE OF THE L WORD: GENERATION Q: More here

Great to be in LA for the premiere of @SHO_TheLWord. This groundbreaking show returns on Dec. 8 with the powerful stories of a new, diverse group of LGBTQ characters. Be sure to tune in. pic.twitter.com/F3BxaBL70L

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) December 3, 2019

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

TRANS PEOPLE AND ALLIES IN INDIA PROTEST A BILL, NOW PASSED BY PARLIAMENT: Intended to help protect the trans community, it fails to meet demands for “comprehensive anti-atrocities and anti-discrimination legislation.” Said Grace Banu (@thirunangai), founder of the Trans Rights Now collective, “it is not just problematic but regressive.” More from The Washington Post.

  • More than one thousand people joined a Pride parade last week in New Delhi. More from The New York Times

EVEN AS ACCEPTANCE OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY INCREASES IN JAPAN, LGBTQ PEOPLE STILL FACE CHALLENGES FROM A CONSERVATIVE CULTURE: Read more from Ben Dooley (@BenjaminDooley) at The New York Times.

  • Yesterday, Yokohama became the third city in Japan to recognize LGBTQ and common-law couples. More from The Japan Times

AS ANTI-LGBTQ HATE CRIMES RISE IN BRAZIL, A WOMAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR KILLING HER GAY SON: Read more from Out Magazine [warning — disturbing descriptions at link]. 

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

Outsports reports on Dwyane Wade’s (@DwyaneWade) eloquent support of his family — and son — after a Thanksgiving photo went viral; McKnight’s Senior Living contributor Mary Beth Mohn (@mbsweetzer) writes on the importance of inclusive care for LGBTQ elders

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-tipsheet-december-3-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 2, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 2, 2019

MUST WATCH MONDAY — HRC MARKED WORLD AIDS DAY YESTERDAY: “This epidemic affects people across genders, ages, income and borders. In the US, 1 in 4 Latinx gay and bi+ men and 1 in 2 Black gay and bi+ men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime. Almost half of Black trans women in the U.S. are living with HIV,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “We have the power to end this epidemic worldwide, but it will take courage, hard work and commitment from all of us. We must unite to end stigma and improve access to care.” More here.

  • Once again, Donald Trump’s World AIDS Day proclamation failed to even acknowledge the communities most impacted by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, including LGBTQ people. Read more from the Washington Blade and The Advocate.

LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP:

  • The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to protect LGBTQ youth from so-called “conversion therapy”: The ordinance was co-authored by Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins (@annapoetic) and Council Member Phillipe Cunningham (@CunninghamMPLS), the first openly Black trans woman and first openly trans man of color elected to public office. More from The Advocate
  • The New Jersey State Assembly advances a bill banning LGBTQ panic defense: The measure must clear the Senate before heading to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk. More from Politico and WHYY
  • Indiana to make it more difficult to change gender markers on personal identification documents: The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle proposal “will make it more difficult and more dangerous for our clients to get an accurate identification and that’s going to put them at risk,” said Megan Stuart, director of the LGBT Project at Indiana Legal Services (@inlegalsvc). More from The Advocate.

HRC FOUNDATION URGES SUPPORT THROUGH “SNAP FOR GOOD REWARDS” CAMPAIGN THIS GIVING TUESDAY: As part of the campaign, General Mills and Honey Nut Cheerios will donate a portion of $100,000 to HRC and two other participating organizations. “Over the past two months, we’ve seen people across the country creatively use Snapchat around their breakfast tables to connect with their friends and support the ongoing fight for LGBTQ equality,” said Chris Speron, Senior Vice President for Development and Membership at the Human Rights Campaign. More from HRC.

GROWING NUMBER OF CITIES MOVE TO PROTECT LGBTQ PEOPLE: “Despite state and federal motions to stymie pro-equality measures, cities across the U.S. are continuing to increase equality standards and protections for all their citizens,” writes Katelyn Newman (@knewfornews) of U.S. News & World Report. HRC’s 2019 MEI report found 88 cities across the U.S. achieved top scores — up from 11 in 2012. Read more from U.S News & World Report.

NEVADA’S FIRST LGBTQ MAYORS SHOW THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND REPRESENTATION: “Rural Nevada’s gay mayors could represent a sign of change in the cultural attitudes of small-town America,” writes John M. Glionna (@jglionna). More from the Las Vegas Review-Journal

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

FORMER NYC HOMES OF ARTIST GEORGIA O’KEEFFE AND AUTHOR PATRICIA HIGHSMITH ADDED TO LGBTQ HISTORIC REGISTRY: More from AM New York.

CYNDI LAUPER TO BE AWARDED INAUGURAL UNITED NATIONS AWARD FOR WORK SUPPORTING LGBTQ YOUTH: Lauper (@cyndilauper) will receive the High Note Global Prize from the U.N.’s Human Rights and the High Note Global Initiative for her efforts to end homelessness among LGBTQ youth. More from The Advocate and Rolling Stone.

ACTOR BILLY DEE WILLIAMS (@realbdw) COMES OUT, SAYING “I ALSO SEE MYSELF AS FEMININE AS WELL AS MASCULINE”: Read the full interview from Esquire

“I also see myself as feminine as well as masculine.”

Congrats to Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) for coming out and living your truth as gender fluid. �� t.co/BFeLotuO7m

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 30, 2019

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

LGBTQ PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM IN GERMANY FACE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND SAFETY CONCERNS: More from Open Democracy.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS GROWING GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE OF LGBTQ PEOPLE: The 2019 Legatum Prosperity Index notes that the number of those surveyed expressing acceptance of LGBTQ people rose from one in four people a decade ago to almost a third in the latest report. More from Sonia Elks (@SoniaElks) at Openly

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

Forbes talks with social worker Caitlin Ryan about her research on LGBTQ acceptance within families

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-tipsheet-december-2-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Check Out These Top 4 Most-Improved Cities Working with HRC to Make LGBTQ Equality a Priority

Check Out These Top 4 Most-Improved Cities Working with HRC to Make LGBTQ Equality a Priority

HRC Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index scorecard provides a roadmap for cities looking to make their community more inclusive of the LGBTQ people who live and work there. City leaders work with HRC to improve their policies and services by enacting non-discrimination protections, including ensuring city employees have trans-inclusive health care and requiring anti-bullying policies for youth-facing city services.

Every year, cities find ways to stand out among the 506 cities rated in the MEI by working hard to ensure their communities are welcoming and inclusive of all people. The four most improved cities — those that made the biggest MEI score gains between 2018 and 2019 — are:

  1. Overland Park, Kansas: 54 point increase
    Since the MEI’s debut in 2012, the number of cities earning the highest score has increased by more than eightfold, and today at least 25 million people live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state. One of those cities is Overland Park, which over the past year enacted LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination protections covering private employment, housing and public accommodations.

 

  1. Norman, Oklahoma: 51 point increase
    Norman also enacted an LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance covering private employment, housing and public accommodations over the past year.

 

  1. Racine, Wisconsin: 45 point increase 
    Wendy Strout, HRC Wisconsin State Director, worked with advocates and leaders in Racine to build its MEI score, which resulted in the largest improvement in the state, vaulting the city to the top five most improved in the country. “I am very proud of the work Racine put in to achieve such a significant jump on its MEI score,” Strout said. “Since pro-equality Mayor Cory Mason was elected, he, his team, the LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin and strong allies in the community worked hard to make the city’s MEI score more reflective of its inclusivity.” 

Racine, Wisconsin, MEI

 

  1. Gaithersburg, Maryland: 36 point increase 
    Gaithersburg added LGBTQ liaisons this year, which displayed a commitment to inclusiveness and helped increase their score significantly.

HRC congratulates all of the cities that continue to make LGBTQ equality a priority. A special mention goes out to the following cities for their progress and enduring commitment to equality: Phoenix; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Henderson, Nevada; State College, Pennsylvania; Racine, Wisconsin; Toledo, Ohio; Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Kansas; Seattle; Tampa, Florida; Atlanta; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Oakland, California; Richmond, Virginia; and Los Angeles.

Check out how your city rates on LGBTQ equality. The full report, including detailed scorecards for every city, as well as a searchable database, is available online at www.hrc.org/MEI.

www.hrc.org/blog/check-out-these-top-4-most-improved-cities-working-with-hrc-to-make?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Communities Make the Difference This World AIDS Day – At Home and Around the World

Communities Make the Difference This World AIDS Day – At Home and Around the World

Post submitted by HRC Global Senior Manager Taylor N. T. Brown

Each Dec. 1, advocates around the world come together to recognize World AIDS Day. The annual commemoration is a vital opportunity to remember those who have come before us, show solidarity with communities and elevate the stories of advocates working around the world to end HIV & AIDS.

This year, the Joint United Nations (U.N.) Programme on HIV & AIDS is organizing around the theme, “Communities make the difference.” HRC understands the value of empowered community advocates around the world and through our work amplifies the innovative approaches many use to fight HIV & AIDS.

This spring, HRC Global hosted advocates from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, many of whom are working to end HIV & AIDS and the dangerous stigma around it, at our 2019 Global Innovative Advocacy Summit. Through their words and actions, these activists inspire us to continue working to end HIV & AIDS once and for all.

“These global advocates are leading the way in their communities to support people living with HIV & AIDS. Their efforts show that LGBTQ communities have and continue to make a difference in this fight,” said HRC Global Director Jay Gilliam.

Our HRC Global Innovators are making a tangible difference — not just in their home communities, but also around the world. They have gone to the U.N. to advocate for the protection of human rights for people living with HIV & AIDS. And in their own communities, they are bringing together peers and community members to push for the inclusion of transgender people in developing national guidance on combatting HIV.

Collectively, they have lifted up LGBTQ people and others living with HIV through Pride celebrations, innovative tools to accessing services, messages of hope and determination and providing support for women vulnerable to HIV.

Working together, we can end HIV.

Visit hrc.org/HIV for more information on HRC Foundation’s work to end HIV and share this video.

For more information about HRC’s work around the world, subscribe to our quarterly newsletter and visit hrc.org/Global. 

www.hrc.org/blog/communities-make-the-difference-this-world-aids-day-at-home?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Adoption is a Trans Issue

Adoption is a Trans Issue

Post submitted by Nia Clark, HRC Foundation All Children – All Families Trainer

November is National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness of the thousands of children and youth in the U.S. who are awaiting adoption every year. 

For youth in foster care, being adopted into a loving and permanent family can be hard for many reasons. I entered foster care when I was 8-years-old. For years, the system failed to give me the supportive and affirming care I needed as an LGBTQ person.

When I was legally adopted at 16, I was just beginning to affirm myself as a young Black trans girl. However, I was forced to choose between my gender identity or having a permanent home and family. When I finally gathered the courage to tell my adoptive mother my truth, she terminated the adoption, just six months after my placement. I was forced back into foster care. 

Rather than allowing these experiences to negatively impact my outlook on the future, I decided to use my personal narrative to change the system as a child welfare advocate, practitioner and trainer for HRC Foundation’s All Children – All Families project.

Adoption is a trans issue, a bi issue, a pan issue an LGBTQ issue.

In my work as a trainer and educator, I help adoption and foster care professionals understand the issues faced by trans folks and the broader LGBTQ community and how being an LGBTQ-inclusive agency can affirm and sometimes save the lives of the youth they serve.

This National Adoption Month, it’s important to consider how LGBTQ people can make all the difference for these youth: as advocates, as prospective parents, as professionals and as a community that knows every child deserves a loving home.

HRC is making an impact by raising awareness of the discrimination and systemic obstacles LGBTQ youth as well as LGBTQ prospective parents face through educational resources and telling powerful stories, like those of Sam and Nakiya.

Every year more than 20,000 young people age out of foster care without being adopted.

Depending on the state in which they live, youth in the foster care system “age out” when they reach a certain age, or when they finish high school. When I aged out of the system at 22, I was homeless for more than three months. I had no safety net to fall back on and the foster care system didn’t equip me with the independent living skills I needed to survive. I had to learn how to do everything on my own. My story is far too common, and many of today’s youth face the same struggles I did.

Even as more and more stories of adoption or experiencing the foster care system come to light through shows like The Fosters or through people sharing their stories, overall awareness and understanding remains low. This month and every month, we must continue to raise awareness about foster care adoption among our friends, families and communities.

Join us to make a real difference by educating others.

Together, we can ensure that youth — especially those that are at the intersections of being Black and LGBTQ — are cared for and given the permanent families they deserve. That’s why HRC’s All Children – All Families project is so important to me. Change is made when we educate, empower and energize to help vulnerable communities. In honor of Trans Awareness Week and National Adoption Month, share this blog post and follow HRC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as they share these life-changing stories and resources.

If you’re interested in learning about the findings from HRC’s 2019 survey on LGBTQ adult experiences and perceptions of adoption. 

The public opinion information in this post comes from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoptions 2017 US Adoption Attitudes Survey conducted by Harris Poll.

Learn more about the work of All Children – All Families to promote LGBTQ cultural competency in adoption and foster care at hrc.org/acaf. Want to stay up-to-date on All Children – All Families resources and activities? Subscribe to “Field Forward,” the program’s monthly e-newsletter at hrc.im/field-forward.#NationalAdoptionMonth

www.hrc.org/blog/adoption-is-a-trans-issue?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 25, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 25, 2019

PROPUBLICA REPORT – “UNDER TRUMP, LGBTQ PROGRESS IS BEING REVERSED IN PLAIN SIGHT”: Kirsten Berg (@kirstenberg) and Moiz Syed (@moizsyed) report that “Donald Trump promised he would fight for LGBTQ people. Instead, his administration has systematically undone recent gains in their rights and protections” — and they document 31 examples, from employment, schools and public housing, to foster care and adoption, criminal justice and public life. Read their report at ProPublica.

Donald Trump promised he would fight for LGBTQ people. Instead, his administration has systematically undone recent gains in their rights and protections. Here are 31 examples. t.co/qDqXsADFXq

— ProPublica (@propublica) November 24, 2019

HRC TEXAS STATE DIRECTOR REBECCA MARQUES TALKS ON MOVING EQUALITY  FORWARD IN THE LONE STAR STATE: “2020 is going to be the election of a lifetime in Texas,” said Marques (@_rebeccamarques). “We have a shot at creating a bipartisan, pro-equality majority in the Texas House.” More from James Russell (@jamesfortexas) at the Dallas Voice.

MUST WATCH MONDAY — TRANS ACTRESS AND ICON LAVERNE COX STARS IN NEW SMIRNOFF HOLIDAY AD: More from YouTube.

AT 37TH ANNUAL HRC NEW ENGLAND DINNER IN BOSTON, SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR CENTERED LGBTQ RIGHTS: More from WCVB

Sen. @AmyKlobuchar delivered a powerful speech about LGBTQ equality and the importance of ending the epidemic of violence facing transgender women of color at the 2019 @HRCNewEngland Dinner. pic.twitter.com/NhTjmrv051

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 24, 2019

WOMEN’S COLLEGES HAVE VARYING ADMISSION POLICIES FOR TRANS AND NON-BINARY STUDENTS: “We’re living in a changing world. We are a women’s college. Our mission is to help educate women and the definition of being a woman is changing,” said Alexandra Trower, chair of Hollins University’s board of trustees. More from Jeremy Bauer-Wolf (@jbeowulf) at Education Dive

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE ALUM HERA JAY BROWN NAMED FIRST TRANSGENDER RHODES SCHOLAR: “As our rights and experiences as women are under threat, this moment has given me pause to reflect on what an honor it is to pave this path,” said Brown, among 32 scholars selected for the diverse 2020 class. More from The Guardian.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

FRONT AND CENTER — LGBTQ ARTISTS AND ALLIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS GRAMMY NOMINEES: Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande), Brandie Carlile (@brandicarlile), Lady Gaga (@ladygaga), Lil Nas X (@LilNasX) and John Waters are among the LGBTQ artists and allies nominated for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards. More from HRC

SHOWTIME TO DEVELOP SERIES BASED ON NON-BINARY ACTIVIST JACOB TOBIAS’ MEMOIR SISSY: The series, currently titled “Sissy,” would follow Tobi Gibran, “a non-binary college grad and full time gender weirdo from North Carolina.” More from Joe Otterson (@JoeOtterson) at Variety.

Congratulations, @JacobTobia, on bringing your powerful book “Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story” to our TV screens! ����⚪️���� t.co/jG8pPd603T

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 22, 2019

RYAN RUSSELL HONORED WITH GAY TIMES SPORTING HERO AWARD: Earlier this year, Russell (@RKRelentless) made history when he came out as bisexual, becoming the first openly LGBTQ player at the professional level of American football. More from Gay Times.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

THAI LGBTQ ACTIVISTS CHALLENGING LAW THAT LIMITS MARRIAGE TO BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN: More from Openly

IN A TOUGH CLIMATE FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE, MEXICO CITY TAKES ACTION TO PROTECT TRANS YOUTH: A proposal that would allow minors to change their legal name and gender on their personal identification documents will be presented to the Mexico City Congress next week. More from Mitú

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
Mashable highlights Transform, a community nonprofit where trans teens can donate clothing in exchange for a wardrobe that better fits their gender.

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-tipsheet-november-25-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed