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#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 22, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 22, 2019

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION REAFFIRMS NEED TO PROTECT LGBTQ YOUTH FROM SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY”: Said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid): “No child should have to endure this painful and life-threatening practice, and we are glad to see the AMA taking seriously the need to protect LGBTQ youth… The voices of medical professionals have long been central to the growing support for LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies and communities — these AMA policies continue that trend.” More from Metro Weekly.

Medical professionals have long been central to the growing support for LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies & communities. Grateful to the @AmerMedicalAssn for adopting these policies, including reaffirming need to protect LGBTQ youth from “conversion therapy.”t.co/BjFyTJi2Ne

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) November 19, 2019

LAST NIGHT, HRC PRESIDENT JOINED SLAVE PLAY CAST MEMBERS ON BROADWAY FOR POST-PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION: The LGBTQ+ Night Out event featureD a performance of the play, and a Talk Forward discussion led by HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid), with guests HRC Board Chair Jodie Patterson and Slave Play cast members Ato Blankson-Wood and James Cusati-Moyer, queer actors who play a same-sex couple in the groundbreaking work. Said David: “In our fight for full equality, we cannot ignore how the dark forces of our shared past continue to push the rights and lives of people of color and LGBTQ people to the margins, and how our work must break down these systems that ultimately dehumanize all of us.” More from HRC.

Thank you to all who were able to join us for @SlavePlayBway‘s LGBTQ+ Night performance and our discussion about the complexities and revelations of this startling, disturbing, and astonishingly revealing play. pic.twitter.com/OHEg2Ux7vH

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) November 22, 2019

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY — LIL NAS X BECOMES FIRST OPENLY GAY RAPPER NOMINATED IN TOP GRAMMY CATEGORIES: The iconic rapper (@LilNasX), fresh off his historic win at the Country Music Association, has nabbed six Grammy nominations, including best record, album and new artist. More from The Los Angeles Times.

THE CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES THERE ARE NEARLY 1 MILLION SAME-SEX COUPLES LIVING TOGETHER NATIONWIDE: This figure includes married and unmarried couples — and makes up 1% of the overall population. More from Roll Call.

LOS ANGELES OPENS COUNTY’S FIRST PUBLICLY-FUNDED SHELTER FOR TRANS WOMEN: Casa Zulma will offer more than 16 beds for those in need, as well as supportive services. More from Curbed Los Angeles.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

OPENLY GAY COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL COACH NAMED ‘CONFERENCE COACH OF THE YEAR’: Coleman Lee is the head women’s volleyball coach at Central Methodist University in Missouri, where he coaches alongside his husband Garrett Case. More from Outsports.

MAKEUP ARTIST MARIO DEDIVANOVIC COMES OUT AS GAY IN MOVING SPEECH AT AMERICAN INFUENCER AWARDS: Dedivanovic (@MakeupByMario) won the Artistic Achievement Award at the ceremony. More from Allure.

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

Datebook reviews the new documentary ‘Gay Chorus Deep South’; HRC interviews Sayer Johnson, co-founder of the Metro Trans Umbrella Group

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-22-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

HRC President Alphonso David To Join Slave Play Cast for LGBTQ+ Night Discussion

HRC President Alphonso David To Join Slave Play Cast for LGBTQ+ Night Discussion

HRC announced that it is heading to Broadway tomorrow for LGBTQ+ Night at the Golden Theater in partnership with “Slave Play.” The evening will feature a post-performance Talk Forward discussion led by HRC President Alphonso David, with guests HRC Board Chair Jodie Patterson and “Slave Play” cast members Ato Blankson-Wood and James Cusati-Moyer, queer actors who play a gay couple in the groundbreaking work.

“Equal measures startling, disturbing and astonishingly revealing, “Slave Play” cracks open the American experience to reveal the pain and beauty at the heart of our identities,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “In our fight for full equality, we cannot ignore how the dark forces of our shared past continue to push the rights and lives of people of color and LGBTQ people to the margins, and how our work must break down these systems that ultimately dehumanize all of us. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience this transformative play again, and am looking forward to diving into the complexities and revelations of the play with Jodie Paterson, Ato Blankson-Wood and James Cusati-Moyer.”

Written by Jeremy O. Harris, who has been called the “queer Black savior the theater world needs,” “Slave Play” explores race and lust and history in a performance the New York Times described as “willfully provocative, gaudily transgressive and altogether staggering.” Harris was recently named Out 100’s Showman of the Year.

For more information about “Slave Play” and to purchase tickets, go to slaveplaybroadway.com/

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-president-alphonso-david-to-join-slave-play-cast-for-lgbtq-night-discus?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 20, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 20, 2019

ON THIS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, READ ABOUT HOW THE TRANS COMMUNITY IS STILL NAVIGATING “A CONFLICTED REALITY OF BREATHROUGHS AND BARRIERS”: USA Today’s Susan Miller (@susmiller) writes on state of transgender visibility and rights, from Democratic presidential candidates including transgender rights in their platforms to this tragic reality — 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people are known to have been killed in 2019. More from USA Today. 

PROFILES IN TRANS ADVOCACY AND POWER: 

  • Building community with Chastity Nicole Petty Carter. As program coordinator of the Beyond Identities Community Center (BICC) for the AIDS Taskforce of Cleveland, Carter runs day-to-day activities, including the youth center, where Black young people receive resources and training to be advocates in their communities. More from HRC. 
  • Empowering the transgender community one relationship at a time. Health and equity consultant Tori Cooper talks about supporting and empowering the transgender community in Atlanta through advocacy training, housing and education. More from HRC. 

HRC RELEASES 2019 MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX, HIGHLIGHTING INCREASING INCLUSIVENESS OF OF CITIES NATIONWIDE: A record-setting 88 cities across the U.S. earned the highest score possible in HRC’s eighth annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI).“We have the federal government stripping away protections that LGBT people have had for decades,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “So, it’s even more important that states and localities take the affirmative step to protect LGBTQ people.”  More from WPSU.

  • More coverage from HRC’s launch of the MEI in State College, Pennsylvania in the Centre Daily Times.
  • And check out this comprehensive Iowa City Press-Citizen report about the MEI launch there, and how Iowa municipalities fared in this year’s assessment, here. 

We are on the ground in State College, PA today joining with local leaders & advocates to launch @HRC‘s Municipal Equality Index. This year’s MEI lays out in vivid detail how municipalities are stepping up for fairness & equality by protecting LGBTQ residents & visitors. pic.twitter.com/qJwi8QnzMY

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) November 19, 2019

KIDS ARE KIDS — NEW STUDY SHOWS TRANS CHILDREN LIVING AUTHENTICALLY DEVELOP SIMILARLY TO THEIR CISGENDER PEERS: “The most surprising finding is, overall, just how similar transgender and cisgender kids looked,” study co-author Selin Gülgöz told Newsweek. “What this means is that, if I saw the data of any random participant, I would not be able to tell if that child is transgender or cisgender.” More from Newsweek. 

REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF FORMER IOWA SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE MARK CADY: More from the Des Moines Register and HRC.

Mark Cady was a champion for equality who worked tirelessly to protect the rights of all Iowans. Cady’s legacy and service in the Iowa Supreme Court will continue to impact and change the lives of LGBTQ Iowans nationwide. t.co/K5pvPT3j1L

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 20, 2019

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!
HRC ANNOUNCES CONTEST TO ATTEND RED CARPET PREMIERE OF THE L WORD: GENERATION Q: More from HRC. 

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS HOLDS HEARING FOCUSED ON CHALLENGING JAMAICA’S COLONIAL-ERA SODOMY LAW: More from Washington Blade.  

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS CONDEMN PUNISHMENT OF MALAYSIAN MEN FOR SAME-SEX RELATIONS: More from South China Morning Post.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
Pride spotlights student Reid Arthur coming out in a dazzling Taylor Swift lip sync; WLRN reports on a new photo exhibit in Wilton Manors highlighting transgender and non-binary couples; Hyperallergic shares Kia LaBeija’s powerful performance debut honoring a queer, Black femme story of collective liberation

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-20-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

“The L Word®: Generation Q” Red Carpet Premiere Sweepstakes

“The L Word®: Generation Q” Red Carpet Premiere Sweepstakes

“The L Word®: Generation Q” is coming soon … and you could be at its world premiere!

HRC and SHOWTIME® are partnering to send YOU and a guest to the official premiere of “The L Word®: Generation Q” in Los Angeles on December 2 — hotel and airfare included!

Donate $10 right now to HRC and you’ll be entered to win this unforgettable experience.

Here’s what you could win:

  • TWO tickets to the world premiere of “The L Word®: Generation Q” in L.A. on Dec. 2
  • Round trip airfare for you and a loved one
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Lots of amazing memories!

Even if you aren’t the lucky winner (which we hope you are!), your donation gets you a year-long membership to HRC and puts you on the frontlines in our fight to protect LGBTQ civil rights in communities across the country.

But don’t wait! The entry deadline on November 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET — and the premiere — will be here before you know it!

Make your $10 gift ASAP and be entered for your chance to see “The L Word®: Generation Q” in person.

“The L Word®: Generation Q” premieres on Sunday, December 8 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®.

You can enter more than once! The more times you contribute $10, the more times you’ll be entered to win. Donate $50 for five entries or $100 for 10. Click here to get started.

www.hrc.org/blog/the-l-word-generation-q-red-carpet-premiere-sweepstakes?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

HRC Releases Annual Report on Epidemic of Anti-Transgender Violence

HRC Releases Annual Report on Epidemic of Anti-Transgender Violence

HRC Foundation released A National Epidemic: Fatal Anti-Transgender Violence in the United States in 2019, a distressing report honoring the at least 22 transgender people and gender non-conforming people killed in 2019 and detailing the contributing factors that lead to this tragic violence. The report comes two days ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance, which, this year, marks the 20th annual commemoration of transgender people killed during the preceding year.

“Transgender women of color are living in crisis, especially Black transgender women,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “While the details of the cases documented in this report differ, the toxic intersection of racism, sexism, transphobia and easy access to guns conspire to deny so many members of the transgender and gender non-conforming community access to housing, employment and other necessities to survive and thrive. Every one of these lives cut tragically short reinforces the urgent need for action on all fronts to end this epidemic — from lawmakers and law enforcement, to the media and our communities.”

A National Epidemic:Fatal Anti-Transgender Violence in the United States in 2019 explores many of the factors that can contribute to or facilitate fatal violence. In many instances, systemic discrimination at the intersection of gender identity and race lead to significant barriers to employment and housing. This pushes many transgender and gender non-conforming people into underground economies, including sex work, to survive and into circumstances where they may be more likely to encounter violence.

The report also calls for the expansion of community-based resources and programs to address the epidemic. Earlier this year, HRC announced it is significantly expanding its work dedicated to justice for the transgender community. The organization will advance new initiatives working alongside community advocates to focus on economic empowerment; capacity-building programs; targeted task forces in communities hardest hit by the epidemic of anti-trans violence; and expanded public education campaigns.

There are a number of actions outlined in the report that lawmakers can take to address the violence, including passing non-discrimination protections; enhancing law enforcement response and training; improving data collection and reporting; reforming laws that have the impact of criminalizing marginalized communities and undermining public health; and adopting common-sense gun violence protections.

This year’s annual report found that since the start of the year, at least 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in the U.S., all but one were Black. Since January 2013, HRC has documented more than 150 transgender and gender non-conforming people who were victims of fatal violence; at least 127 were transgender and gender non-conforming people of color. Nearly nine in every 10 victims were transgender women and 58 percent of all domestic deaths occurred in the U.S. South. These disturbing numbers likely underreport deadly violence targeting transgender and gender non-confirming people, who may not be properly identified as transgender or gender non-conforming.

In addition to the 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people killed by fatal violence, the report also profiles two other cases of transgender women, Johana ‘Joa’ Medina and Layleen Polanco, whose deaths remain under investigation. Both were likely impacted by circumstances fostered by hate, indifference and dehumanization. Medina, 25, died at a hospital in El Paso, Texas, just hours after being released from ICE custody. She suffered severe health complications that went untreated while she was in detention, according to Diversidad Sin Fronteras. Her family filed a wrongful death and personal injury claim against ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. Polanco, 27, was found dead in solitary confinement at Rikers Island on June 7. Her family says authorities knew she had epilepsy and failed to provide her proper treatment despite her condition.

The report comes just days after the Federal Bureau of Investigation released 2018’s hate crimes data, which found an alarming 34 percent increase in violent hate-based attacks on transgender people between 2017 and 2018. 

Last week, HRC commemorated the annual Transgender Awareness Week, which is dedicated to illuminating both the progress and unfinished work in the fight for transgender equality. Throughout the week, HRC featured several transgender activists on the frontlines of change across the country, including Kiara St. James and Marissa Miller. On Wednesday, transgender people and their allies will gather in communities across the country to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance. 

For more information on the Human Rights Campaign’s work on transgender equality, visit: www.hrc.org/explore/topic/transgender.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-releases-annual-report-on-epidemic-of-anti-transgender-violence-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

Ensuring Competent Care for Transgender and Non-Binary People

Ensuring Competent Care for Transgender and Non-Binary People

While communities around the country observe Trans Awareness Week, in one Texas city, advocates have shifted the narrative. 

The Mahogany Project and Save Our Sisters, two Houston-based organizations, have founded Black Trans Empowerment Week to “not only to memorialize those who have been tragically taken, but to charge forward into the empowered future they envision for all transgender people.”

For Houston community health advocate Donte Oxun, it’s exciting to see. 

“Even in the light of so much transphobia and racism from our government and from some parts of society, to see my community be like, ‘You know what? We’re not just remembering our dead.’ We actually have so much more work to do, and we’re going to do all of it,’” they told HRC.

Oxun has worked in HIV and public health spaces since 2009, shortly after they were diagnosed with HIV — something that propelled them into speaking out.

“Like many people who are gender diverse and of color, my life was definitely touched by HIV even before I was living with HIV,” Oxun said. “I have family members who I lost to HIV when I was pretty young.”

“I’ve always been a bit of a loudmouth and a person who understands and relates with people who struggle,” they continued. “So, the way I dealt with my HIV diagnosis was to be really public about it at first. It’s important to humanize our perspective and really show that people can live regular lives and that we deserve to have our stories told.”

In their work with Legacy Community Health in Houston, Oxun is a lead patient advocate, primarily helping patients — particularly trans and non-binary patients — living with HIV or Hepatitis C to navigate the health care system and receive the care they need. Legacy has been offering gender-affirming, LGBTQ-competent care for young people and adults for more than 30 years, Oxun said.

“Competent care is a challenge,” they said. “We shouldn’t have to negotiate between parts of our identities when seeking care is already a challenge.”

Texas has one of the highest populations of uninsured people, reminds Oxun. Obstacles to accessing care range from poverty and socioeconomic status to fear of stigma or violence — something on the minds of many as we draw closer to commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance. 

Of the 22 known transgender or gender non-conforming people killed this year, four of those victims were killed in Texas. All four of the trans people killed in Texas this year were Black transgender women — something that matters when talking about how to support and provide services for the local transgender community.

“Violence affects people’s health care,” Oxun said. “When a person doesn’t feel safe to catch the bus to walk down the street, they’re going to be less likely to see a doctor. They’re going to be less likely to pick up their prescriptions. They’re going to be less likely to get access to care.”

Until those barriers are dismantled and addressed, transgender and gender non-conforming people will continue to face higher rates of discrimination, poverty, homelessness and violence not just in Texas but around the country.

“No matter who you are, if you’re working in any form of health care, you’re going to interact with somebody who’s gender diverse,” Oxun said. “You may not know it, they may not be comfortable reporting it to you, but you are. It’s about seeing them as a whole person.”

For information for LGBTQ people seeking to learn more about access to care, particularly under the Affordable Care Act, click here.

www.hrc.org/blog/ensuring-competent-care-for-transgender-and-non-binary-people?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

#HRCTwitterTakeover with Rep. Sharice Davids

#HRCTwitterTakeover with Rep. Sharice Davids

Rep. Sharice Davids partnered with HRC for a Twitter Takeover to talk about visibility and why representation matters.

1/ Hey Twitter! It’s Rep. @ShariceDavids taking over @HRC’s account this #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth to talk about why visibility and representation matter. pic.twitter.com/twx8ThxDr3

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

2/ I ran for Congress to fight for the people of Kansas, and I ended up making history.

Today, I am one of *two* Native American women to ever serve in the House of Representatives and one of only a handful of openly LGBTQ members of Congress. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover pic.twitter.com/IKxJoV8ys8

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

3/ This significance isn’t lost on me, especially as we honor #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.

I wouldn’t be here without the contributions of all the incredible Native people who shaped our nation as we know it today. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeovert.co/Q0CZOrHDfD

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

4/ Many of us know how hard it can be to be part of a marginalized group.

But more diverse candidates are running—and winning—than ever before.

Now more than ever, we realize the truth that representation matters.
—@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover t.co/WbZr59deD6

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

5/ I am humbled to serve the people in my district, and I am honored every day to walk the halls of the Capitol as a woman, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and as a part of the LGBTQ community. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

6/ We have to be in the room because if we’re not, then whole communities get left out of conversations.

Sometimes it’s intentional. But a lot of times, it isn’t—and that is often more dangerous. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

7/ In 2019, we are still seeing laws and practices persist that disenfranchise Native voters, LGBTQ voters, voters of color and so many other marginalized communities, not just in Kansas, but all across the U.S. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover t.co/aTXiOGNfgD

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

8/ For far too long, Native American and LGBTQ voices have been underrepresented in Congress.

By having new perspectives at the table, we’re literally bringing ideas and experiences to the national conversation that haven’t been there before. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover pic.twitter.com/IqRXTxxSUe

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

9/ It’s why being a part of the House’s historic passage of the #EqualityAct was so meaningful to me—not because I thought that the Senate or Mitch McConnell would do their jobs—but because it is the kind of thing that can literally save lives. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

10/ According to the @CDCgov’s 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, among Native American LGBTQ youth:
❌50% report feeling sad or hopeless
❌15% did not go to school because they felt unsafe
❌More than 1/3 were bullied on school property
—@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

11/ I’m consistently inspired by the Native and LGBTQ youth in this country. They give me hope for our future.

But these numbers are unacceptable, and it’s up to each of us to address them and work to change this reality. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

12/ For LGBTQ youth and Native youth and people who have been left out of the conversation, it means a lot for leaders across this country to step up and say, “Your experience matters. It matters that you’re here.”
—@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover pic.twitter.com/2TZ03fA99y

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

13/ If I could go up to every single young person in this country and tell them “you matter,” I would.

But right now the only thing I can do is to keep pushing for policy that’s going to institutionalize that message for our kids. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

14/ I get to stand before you as:
��The first out LGBTQ member of Kansas’ delegation
��One of the first two Native American women to ever serve in Congress
��Part of the most diverse Congressional class ever

And that means something.
—@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover pic.twitter.com/A7QjagfA8B

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

15/ We have so much more work to do, and that only happens if each and every one of us registers and gets out to vote.

The right to vote was fought for by so many. We must honor that fight and commit ourselves to it. —@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover t.co/JHpdNpaaIg

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

16/16 One different voice in the room can change policy.
One different voice in the room can change lives.

We owe it to the next generation and the generation after that to start making change now.
—@ShariceDavids #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2019

www.hrc.org/blog/hrctwittertakeover-with-rep-sharice-davids?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

100 Days In: Alphonso David is Building the Future of the Human Rights Campaign

100 Days In: Alphonso David is Building the Future of the Human Rights Campaign

Today, HRC celebrated the first 100 days of Alphonso David’s trailblazing and transformative tenure as the president of the Human Rights Campaign.

“Over the past 100 days, I have met with national leaders, supporters, advocates and volunteers — many of whom are living on the frontlines of our community’s struggle for equality,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “They have shared with me how meaningful and impactful the work of the Human Rights Campaign has been, and they have also challenged us to do better, to learn faster and to lean in on the issues that matter most to those who need us the most.

“One hundred days in, I am proud of what we have already accomplished together,” David continued. “We have launched new initiatives that will empower and support our community’s most marginalized members, protect foundational rights and institutions of our democracy, deepen our commitment to ensuring racial justice in all that we do, and expand our national footprint. And this is only the beginning. For 40 years, the Human Rights Campaign has been working to build a society in which every person can thrive — no matter who they are or whom they love. Now, as we turn toward 2020 and the most important election of our lifetimes, I am more committed and hopeful than ever because of the stronger organization, movement and nation that we are building together.” 

In his first official act as president of the Human Rights Campaign, Alphonso David embarked on a national tour of seven key cities to meet with and rally HRC members, advocates, voters and pro-equality candidates ahead of the 2019 and 2020 elections. 

This tour, as well as ongoing conversations with community leaders, members and partners, led the launch of several events and initiatives to advance equity and equality within and outside the LGBTQ movement, including:

  • Launching the Power of our Pride Town Hall with our partners at CNN– the first time in history that a major cable news network aired a presidential event devoted to LGBTQ issues.  
  • Partnering with Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight to help combat voter suppression in the critically important upcoming 2020 election. This new partnership will bring together the organizations’ expertise in voter protection and voter mobilization to ensure fair and open elections in 2020 and beyond.
  • Deepening and expanding HRC’s work dedicated to seeking justice for transgender people with new initiatives that address their urgent needs, specifically in communities deeply affected by racism, sexism and transphobia. This major effort will be rooted in collaborative, community-based work focused on economic empowerment; capacity-building programs; targeted task forces in many of the communities hardest hit by the epidemic of anti-trans violence; and expanded public education campaigns.
  • Expanding HRC’s legal efforts by joining with seven of the nation’s top law firms to bring strategic impact litigation challenging anti-LGBTQ legislative and policy actions domestically and internationally, including the relentless attacks on LGBTQ equality by the Trump-Pence administration.
  • Recommitting the organization to deepening its racial justice work and releasing a statement of principles on racial equity and inclusion.
  • Expanding HRC’s national footprint and engagement by opening offices in New York and Los Angeles.

During the first 100 days of his tenure as the president of the Human Rights Campaign, Alphonso David has also:

In the next few months, David will be working with HRC staff, members, supporters and volunteers to develop these new initiatives and others; to strengthen the organization’s existing work; and to kick our electoral efforts into high gear in advance of the most important election of our lifetimes. 

In 2018, HRC mobilized 57 million Equality Voters in targeted states and districts nationwide to help elect pro-equality leaders at every level of the ballot. In 2017, HRC identified six priority states for their importance in both 2018 and 2020: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.  In those states, pro-equality candidates won 5/5 Senate seats, 4/6 Governor’s mansions and broke anti-equality trifectas or supermajorities in 4/6 states. Now, in addition to electing pro-equality candidates nationwide, HRC will build upon the tremendous successes in these states and across the country to defeat Donald Trump and Mike Pence while electing a pro-equality president in 2020.

www.hrc.org/blog/100-days-in-alphonso-david-is-building-the-future-of-hrc?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

HRC Announces Fellowship to Energize Young Voters Ahead of Nevada Caucus

HRC Announces Fellowship to Energize Young Voters Ahead of Nevada Caucus

HRC is proud to announce our 2019 Nevada Fall Fellows as a part of our initiative to energize young voters and activists in the battleground state ahead of the Nevada Caucus. HRC’s Fall Fellows will play a critical role in advancing pro-LGBTQ policies at all levels of government, promoting LGBTQ-inclusive programs, holding elected officials accountable for their votes and actions and electing LGBTQ champions to office. 

This fall, they will join HRC in Nevada to: 

  • Mobilize voters to turn out in the Nevada Caucus.
  • Increase scores on HRC’s Municipal Equality Index, which rates cities based on their LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies and services. 
  • Build off our electoral victories in 2018 to reelect pro-LGBTQ leaders in 2020. 
  • Train and mobilize people to phone bank, canvass and lobby for equality.

Our team in the Silver State includes Nevada State Director Briana Escamillia, Reno Regional Organizer Stephan Page and Las Vegas Regional Organizer Alyssa Cortes. Joining them is a diverse group of fellows to help meet HRC’s bold new initiative to better serve LGBTQ people and their families.

Meet our 2019 Nevada Fall Fellows

Beatriz Amparán-Ochoa is based in Las Vegas and is a self-employed entrepreneur born in Northern Mexico. She served as a life coach, mentoring aspiring business owners to live a life with impact, purpose and financial success. 

Amparán-Ochoa’s time as an HRC Fall Fellow will focus on educating and encouraging LGBTQ youth in immigrant communities of Southern Nevada to take action in local politics and immigrants’ rights initiatives.

Manny Ayala is based in Las Vegas and has been organizing on different campaigns and political groups since 2015. Ayala studies political science at the College of Southern Nevada. As a queer working-class Latino, Ayala persevered through a toxic, anti-LGBTQ environment to reach unimaginable heights. He attributes his success to the power of affirming friends within the LGBTQ community. 

As a fellow for HRC, he will work within the community to help other LGBTQ people break past systemic oppression and bigotry to live thriving lives.

Deja Wargo-Cole is based with HRC in Las Vegas and is a full-time organizer and student at Nevada State College. Wargo-Cole’s passion for helping her city and community has manifested through social justice activism and is at the heart of everything she does. 

Wargo-Cole is excited to work as an HRC Fall Fellow to ensure pro-equality legislative officials are elected to office. She will build off HRC’s success from the midterms and the 2019 Nevada Legislative Session to ensure that our leaders defend our newly-gained protections.   

Tania González Contreras joined HRC’s team in Reno and is an alum of the University of Nevada, Reno. Contreras received a Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies along with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice, with law and justice specialization. 

Contreras will join HRC in the fight to ensure every LGBTQ person and their family have equal justice under the law. 

 

             Sudhiti Naskar is based in Reno and is a journalist and graduate student at University of Nevada, Reno. Naskar will support HRC’s communication strategies and facilitate relationships with our key partners and activists. 

         Chris Castagnetti is based in Reno and is a recent graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. As an advocate for environmental and social justice, Castagnetti will work with our team to mobilize the Reno community to take action and move equality forward throughout the city.    

Follow the impact our new HRC Fall Fellows are making by following HRC Nevada on Twitter and Facebook, or by volunteering as we resist the politics of prejudice and hate to improve the lives of LGBTQ people.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-announces-fellowship-to-energize-young-voters-ahead-of-nevada-caucus?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

NEWS

HRC Responds to New FBI Report Showing Spike in Reported Hate Crimes Targeting LGBTQ People

HRC Responds to New FBI Report Showing Spike in Reported Hate Crimes Targeting LGBTQ People

Today, HRC responded to troubling federal data showing unacceptably high levels of hate crimes — and an increase in those targeting LGBTQ people — as reported by the FBI today.

“Bias-motivated crimes are a real, frightening problem in the United States, and LGBTQ people continue to be targeted because of who they are,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “In 2018, we know that at least 28 transgender people were violently killed. So far in 2019, 22 transgender or gender non-conforming individuals have been killed. These numbers represent real people — people with friends, families and lives. The epidemic of violence against LGBTQ people and specifically against transgender women of color is staggering, and it is something we must address head-on. For that to happen, we need mandatory hate crimes reporting across the country, better training for law enforcement officers to recognize bias-motivated crime and greater inclusion and equity in our communities. This data is harrowing, but it is also helpful in understanding just how much work we all have to do, together.”

In 2018, which is the most recent FBI data released, 7,120 hate crime incidents were reported — slightly less than in 2017, when 7,175 hate crime incidents were reported. Hate crimes directed at LGBTQ individuals, however, increased by almost six percent, including a significant 42% increase in crimes directed against transgender individuals — up from 119 in 2017 to 168 in 2018.

It’s not only LGBTQ people who are affected by this epidemic of violence. Bias-motivated crimes based on race, religion, disability and gender remain at troublingly high levels. Racially-motivated crime remains the most common hate crime, with nearly half of race-based hate crimes targeting Black people. For the third year in a row, there was a significant uptick in hate crimes targeting the Latinx community, increasing 14% from last year. While overall numbers of crimes involving religion-based bias decreased, nearly 60% of such crimes targeted Jewish people and Jewish institutions — including the tragic murders of 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue building in Pittsburgh. 

Because reporting hate crimes to the FBI is not mandatory, these alarming statistics likely represent only a fraction of such violence. The number of law enforcement agencies reporting hate crimes data decreased by 110 from 2017 to 2018, and at least 85 cities with populations exceeding 100,000 either did not report data to the FBI, or reported zero hate crimes. The lack of mandatory reporting means that the FBI data, while helpful, paints an incomplete picture of hate crimes against the LGBTQ and other communities. In addition, this report reveals that Alabama and Wyoming — which had a combined population of nearly 5.5 million in 2018 — were the only states reporting zero hate crimes for 2018.

That is why since the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) in 2009, HRC has worked with the FBI to update the agency’s crime reporting, from providing training materials to sharing details on hate crimes when they occur. HRC continues to press for improved reporting, passage of state laws that protect LGBTQ individuals from hate crimes and expanded education and training initiatives.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-responds-to-new-fbi-report-showing-spike-in-reported-hate-crimes-target?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

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