Three-Digit Suicide Hotline Number on Its Way
The number would provide ease of access for all, including particularly at-risk populations such as LGBTQ youth.
www.advocate.com/news/2019/12/12/three-digit-suicide-hotline-number-its-way
Tag Archives: LGBTQ
One of the year’s most homoerotic films came from country where LGBTQ people have no legal rights
One of the year’s most homoerotic films came from country where LGBTQ people have no legal rights
“Temblores” (Tremors) is a Spanish-language film by Jayro Bustamante. Produced and set in Guatemala City, the film is being praised by critics and fans alike for being one of the first to show queer representation in the socially conservative country.
It centers around Pablo, a married man from an ultra-religious family, coming to terms with his sexuality after meeting a free-spirited masseur named Francisco. He is later urged by his wife and parents to undergo conversion therapy or risk losing his children.
“Gay people are born this way,” Juan Pablo Olyslager, who plays Pablo in the film, tells Metro Weekly. “I don’t think they are made. So there’s nothing to change according to my view. I think [these therapies] are ridiculous, they are humiliating, and they can have the potential to destroy somebody.”
Olyslager says he hopes the films helps more people realize this, particularly audiences in Guatemala, where there are no legal protections for LGBTQ people.
“I would like to reduce prejudgment, or judgments on gay people,” he says. “I think the movie depicts a real human being with real struggles, who really does love somebody of the same sex, and is going through these struggles.”
Watch the trailer below.
Homophobic group ‘One Million Moms’ selects its latest enemy… Hallmark movies
Homophobic group ‘One Million Moms’ selects its latest enemy… Hallmark movies
And it today’s “Seriously?” file…
Muckraking homophobes and misleadingly titled grassroots group One Million Moms has selected the Hallmark Channel as its next target. The reason: a hint that the TV network might consider adding LGBTQ storylines to its TV movies.
The controversy began with hopeful remarks from CEO of Crown Media Family Networks Bill Abbott. “In terms of broadening out the demographic, it’s something we’re always thinking about,” Abbott told The Hollywood Reporter. “Always considering and we’ll continue to make the movies where the best scripts are delivered to us and what we think have the most potential.” Abbot made the comments in addressing a lack of diversity in Hallmark TV movie characters. Of 24 new telefilms debuting this season, only five have black leads. In the same interview, Abbott commented that the network would also consider films based around LGBTQ leads as well.
Related: One Million Moms calls for ‘Toy Story 4’ boycott. The reason is priceless.
Now, according to the New York Daily News, the idea that Hallmark might produce more films without a straight, white lead (the horror!) has sent One Million Moms into a tailspin. “Please sign our petition asking Hallmark to do what is right and reject airing movies and commercials with LGBT content!” the group posted on its website. NBC reports that, at the time of this writing, the group had only collected 16,000 signatures. Fundamentalist Catholic website LifeSite also joined in the outrage, collecting 40,000 signatures under the auspice of preventing “promotion of homosexuality and transgenderism.”
Hallmark Holiday movies, though popular, also have a reputation for sentimentality and silly plotting, often revolving around implausible romance or magical events. In addition to enduring criticism for a lack of ethnic and sexual diversity, Hallmark has also come under fire for attempts at integrating Jewish characters into its movies.
#AM_Equality: December 11, 2019
#AM_Equality: December 11, 2019
THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL SHOULD HAVE ENDED THE TRUMP-PENCE ADMIN’S DISCRIMINATORY TRANS TROOP BAN: HRC joins leading LGBTQ organization to express disappointment that the final FY20 National Defense Authorization Act does not include the Speier/Brown amendment, which would have codified non-discrimination and ended the administration’s ban on transgender service members. “It is unconscionable that thousands of honorably serving transgender service members and their families will continue to live under the threat of discharge simply because of who they are,” the joint statement said. More from HRC.
Transgender troops served openly and honorably without incident for three years before this reckless ban on their service was put into place by the Trump-Pence administration. #ProtectTransTroops t.co/xdRuFzOJ35
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 10, 2019
WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY — MARRIAGE EQUALITY PLAINTIFF JIM OBERGEFELL CALLS ON SCOTUS, LAWMAKERS TO DO MORE TO PREVENT ANTI-LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION: “[E]veryone should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of who they are — and that means ensuring no one faces unfair treatment because of their LGBTQ+ identity,” writes Obergefell. More from AZ Central.
HRC ENDORSES HOUSTON MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER FOR RE-ELECTION: “From his time in the legislature to his current tenure as mayor, Sylvester Turner has worked to advance the rights of LGBTQ Houstonians,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). More from HRC.
HRC FOUNDATION’S WELCOMING SCHOOLS OFFERS BOOK-BUYING TIPS FOR CHILDREN FOR THE HOLIDAYS: With authors ranging from actors and athletes to a Supreme Court justice. See the full list from HRC.
TRANSGENDER UTAHNS ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING A STATE SUPREME COURT RULING ON CHANGING GENDER MARKERS: “I love people saying to me, ‘Angie, the courage and the grace that you’ve had through this [legal process] is amazing,’” said Angie Rice, who asked the Utah Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling preventing her from changing the gender marker on her legal documents. “But they don’t see the hurt and the sacrifice behind the scenes.” Read more from The Salt Lake Tribune.
HRC PRAISES SENATE INTRODUCTION OF THE GLOBE ACT: “While the Trump-Pence White House refuses to speak out against anti-LGBTQ attacks worldwide, it is essential that the U.S. Congress defend the human rights and protections of all people — including LGBTQ people,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. More from HRC.
TRUMP’S LGBTQ PRIDE MERCH “IS MONUMENTALLY HYPOCRITICAL AND INSULTING” TO LGBTQ AMERICANS: It’s “also part of a long list of attempts to grab media attention that momentarily makes Trump appear as an ally of LGBTQ people,” writes Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) on NBC.
GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!
PANTENE SHARES A MESSAGE OF RESILIENCE AND HOPE FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE JOURNEYING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS : The series shares the stories of four transgender people going home for the holidays. “While every LGBTQ+ person has their own unique story about going home for the holidays, everyone is seeking the same thing — to be surrounded by people who love and accept them,” said Procter & Gamble, the parent company of Pantene, in a statement. More from CNN.
NFL’S MATT GAY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITY, JOINS ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN: Gay (@MGtweetymonster) talks about the bullying he and his family faced because of their last name. More from PinkNews.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
DESPITE PROTESTS BY TRANS PEOPLE AND ALLIES, INDIAN PRESIDENT RAM NATH KOVIND SIGNS BILL INTO LAW: Advocates argued that the bill is harmful to the trans community and asked the President not to approve it. More from The News Minute.
HUNDREDS MARCH IN HUNGARY’S FIRST-EVER TRANS PRIDE, CALL FOR RIGHT TO LEGALLY CHANGE THEIR NAME & GENDER ON DOCUMENTS: More from PinkNews.
MISS MYANMAR, THE FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITOR, SPEAKS OUT FOR LGBTQ ACCEPTANCE: More from Washington Blade and Glamour.
CAMBODIA TO TEACH LGBTQ ISSUES IN SCHOOLS TO TACKLE ANTI-LGBTQ BULLYING AND DISCRIMINATION: “We want our children to be aware of these issues and know that no one should be discriminated against in school or any part of life,” Yung Kunthearith, deputy director of the education ministry’s department of health studies told Reuters. Read more from Matt Blomberg (@BlombergMD) at Openly.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
GoMag spotlights Anti Violence Project Executive Director Beverly Tillery (@BeverlyTillery) as New Yorker of the Year
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-december-11-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
A Call to Action: Get the Health Coverage You Need
A Call to Action: Get the Health Coverage You Need
Post submitted by Sarah Coombs, senior health policy analyst at the National Partnership for Women & Families
This week marks Affordable Care Act Women’s Week of Action, and we are calling on all women to get the coverage they need.
Health insurance coverage is essential to making health care more affordable and accessible for women. Not only is access to health care vital to women’s physical, emotional and mental well-being, but also to their economic security and ability to participate fully in society.
Women are often health care decision-makers, paid and unpaid caregivers and advocates for themselves and their loved ones. Women also spend a disproportionate amount of their economic resources on health care.
Since the passage of the ACA in 2010, the rate of uninsured women has reduced by almost half, but there are still nearly 11 million women who remain uninsured — a disparate number of whom are women of color, immigrants, LGBTQ and/or women with low incomes. LGBTQ people experience high uninsured rates and barriers to health coverage and care, such as discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. This makes access to health insurance coverage critical to reducing health disparities for women of color and LGBTQ people of color, who fare worse than their counterparts in nearly every major health indicator. Women rely on health coverage to access preventive care, family planning and treatment for chronic conditions. Studies show that women with health insurance are more likely to have a regular source of care and receive preventive services.
Thanks to changes made to the health care system by the ACA, women now have guaranteed access to comprehensive health coverage through the health insurance marketplace. This means insurers can no longer deny women coverage because they have a pre-existing condition, such as a diagnosis of HIV, cancer or pregnancy — something that’s critical for transgender women of color who face higher rates of HIV and many other conditions, for the 68 million women and girls with a pre-existing condition and for the nearly 6 million pregnancies each year. This also means women no longer have to pay more than men for the same insurance policies.
The ACA has greatly expanded transition-related health care coverage even to people who are not in ACA marketplace plans. For example, insurers cannot limit or deny coverage for services used for gender transition when those services would normally be covered when treating a non-transition related health condition. Finally, individuals are guaranteed coverage for essential health benefits, including maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use disorder services.
One of the ACA’s most important advancements for women’s health is the guarantee of no-cost-sharing coverage of preventive services, which include access to the types of services that combat pervasive health disparities, such as: wellness visits; cervical and breast cancer screenings; contraception and contraceptive counseling; counseling for sexually transmitted infections; HIV testing; interpersonal and domestic violence screening; gestational diabetes screening during pregnancy; and breastfeeding support, services and equipment. Furthermore, under the ACA a plan can’t limit a preventative service based on an individual’s sex assigned at birth, gender identity or their recorded gender.
Although Section 1557’s non-discrimination protections are under attack by the courts and by the Trump administration, it is important to know that these protections still remain in place.
The ACA provides guaranteed access to quality, comprehensive health coverage to millions, but only one in 20 uninsured consumers know about the December 15 deadline to enroll for 2020 coverage in most states.
Without health insurance coverage, a women’s health and economic security are at risk, so use this Women’s Week of Action to encourage everyone within your circle to sign up for coverage at HealthCare.gov.
Orville Peck, Berlin, Patrick Bumatay, Billie Eilish, Marie Fredriksson, Art Basel Banana, Bill Barr: HOT LINKS
Orville Peck, Berlin, Patrick Bumatay, Billie Eilish, Marie Fredriksson, Art Basel Banana, Bill Barr: HOT LINKS
IMPEACHMENT. Democrats announce articles of impeachment against Donald J. Trump. ‘In nine short pages, the draft articles accused Mr. Trump of carrying out a scheme “corruptly soliciting” election assistance from the government of Ukraine in the form of investigations that would smear his Democratic political rivals. To do so, Democrats charged, Mr. Trump used as leverage two “official acts”: the delivery of $391 million in security assistance and a White House meeting for Ukraine’s president.’
Articles of Impeachment by RawStory on Scribd
BAD FAITH. Bill Barr attacks the FBI over investigation of Trump’s collusion with Russia: “In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Barr essentially dismissed the findings of the Justice Department’s inspector general that there was no evidence of political bias in the launching of the Russia probe, saying that his hand-picked prosecutor, John Durham, will have the last word on the matter.”
TRUMP VS MCCONNELL? Differing opinions on what a Senate impeachment trial should look like: “But the show is exactly what Trump wants. He’s made clear to advisers privately that rather than end the trial as quickly as possible, he is hoping for adramatic event, according to two people familiar with his thinking. He wants Hunter Biden, Rep. Adam Schiff and the whistleblower to testify. He wants the witnesses to be live, not clips of taped depositions. And he’s hoping to turn it into a spectacle, which he thinks is his best chance to hurt Democrats in the election.”
RIP. Marie Fredriksson of Roxette has died at 61.
TEXAS. Pierce Bush, grandson of George H.W. Bush, is running for Congress: “Bush joins a crowded GOP field in Texas’ 22nd congressional district, a seat currently held by retiring Republican Rep. Pete Olson. At least 14 other Republicans are running in the GOP primary for this suburban Houston district, which will likely also be a top Democratic target next year.”
THIS SH*T IS… $120,000 Art Basel banana eaten by performance artist.
OHIO STATE. Meet the gay activist fighting on behalf of sexual assault survivors: “Now, Snyder-Hill, 49, a prominent LGBTQ activist and a military veteran, is involved in one of more than a dozen lawsuits filed against the university — all of which are in mediation, according to OSU spokesman Benjamin Johnson.”
2020. New Monmouth University national poll: “Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters continue to be divided over who they want to put up against Trump in 2020. The top contenders continue to be Biden (26%), Sanders (21%), and Warren (17%). However, these three are in a slightly different order than where they stood last month (23% Biden, 23% Warren, and 20% Sanders) or in late September (28% Warren, 25% Biden, and 15% Sanders). Buttigieg is the preferred choice of 8% of Democratic-identifying voters (similar to 9% in November and 5% in September).”
#28. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) won’t seek another term. “Yoho, who aligned himself with the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party and has been a fierce supporter of President Donald Trump, joins at least 27 House Republicans in announcing their departures from the U.S. House.”
PATRICK BUMATAY. Gay Trump 9th Circuit nominee poised for confirmation: “As an openly gay man and Filipino-American, Bumatay brings diversity to Trump’s mostly straight, white judicial nominees. Bumatay’s nomination, though largely overshadowed by controversy surrounding his would-be colleague on the Ninth Circuit, Lawrence VanDyke, has been a long time coming for the White House.”
PDA OF THE DAY. Ryan Russell and Corey O’Brien.
UK. British war veteran gets apology over LGBT ban: “Joe Ousalice, 68, had served in the navy for nearly 18 years when he was discharged in 1993 because of a ban on LGBT people serving in the armed forces. The former radio operator, who lives in Southampton, served in the Falklands war, did six tours of duty in Northern Ireland, was posted to the Middle East and was seconded for two and a half years to a Nato taskforce. Ousalice was stripped of his long service and good conduct medal and three good conduct badges when he was discharged because of his sexuality.”
BOMBSHELL. FOX News drama lets nobody off the hook – not even Megyn Kelly.
COCKTAIL D’AMORE. Berlin’s free-love club night: ‘Currently, Cocktail takes place monthly at Griessmuehle, a club in a converted former factory, where they moved after losing a location “due to corporate estate investments”. During Cocktail, Griessmuehle’s basement dancefloor becomes a sex dungeon (the aforementioned “cosmic hole”); its inner chambers, a labyrinth of darkrooms; its garden, a hybrid of playground, catwalk and disco. While the party has grown larger and moved away from its early underground settings, Griessmuehle’s expansive layout is optimally suited for shenanigans. Bordered by railway lines, industrial units and a canal, Griessmuehle allows you to forget normal life in a temporary autonomous zone.’
LATE LATE SHOW PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY. Alicia Keys and Billie Eilish.
COOKING LESSON OF THE DAY. Brad and Orville Peck Make Elote.
TRAILER OF THE DAY. Like A Boss.
TOO HOT FOR TUESDAY. Gabriel Molinero.
The post Orville Peck, Berlin, Patrick Bumatay, Billie Eilish, Marie Fredriksson, Art Basel Banana, Bill Barr: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.
The Human Rights Campaign Endorses Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner for Reelection
The Human Rights Campaign Endorses Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner for Reelection
HRC announced its endorsement of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s bid for reelection.
“From his time in the legislature to his current tenure as mayor, Sylvester Turner has worked to advance the rights of LGBTQ Houstonians,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Mayor Turner has unabashedly advocated for the equality every LGBTQ Houstonian desires and deserves. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse his bid for reelection. Together, we will build a better, more inclusive Houston.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner said, “If we work together, and we are excited about our city — and if we love each other — regardless of our race, ethnicity, gender, gender and sexual identity, socioeconomic status, and all the things that could potentially divide us, then we will build a city that values the service and labor and essential humanity of one another. Thank you, HRC, for your support.”
Since his time in the state legislature, Mayor Turner has had a strong record on LGBTQ issues. He authored bills to protect homeless LGBTQ youth earning him an A+ from Equality Texas. As Mayor, he created an LGBTQ Advisory Board in the wake of the Pulse shooting to identify further ways he and his office could improve on their already strong LGBTQ record.
Tony Buzbee, a major Trump donor, has utilized his personal wealth to self-fund his campaign, allowing him to steer clear of addressing the needs of Houstonians. Throughout the campaign, Buzbee has advocated against a legitimate equal rights ordinance and continues to placate his far-right allies, like Steven Hotze.
Alongside its three permanent full-time staff in Texas and four local volunteer steering committees, HRC deployed 13 additional staff and organizers for a major get-out-the-vote effort across the state. In addition to robust door-to-door, mail and phone canvassing in partnership with local groups including Equality Texas, HRC hosted four Equality Action Academy trainings to give HRC members and supporters the tools they need to take action locally in legislative advocacy and in support of pro-equality candidate campaigns.
| Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org). Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. |
LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Face Violence at Home, Derision in America
LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Face Violence at Home, Derision in America
New legislation could force the Trump administration to start taking LGBTQ asylum seekers seriously, writes Sayid Abdullaev.
www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/12/10/lgbtq-asylum-seekers-face-violence-home-derision-america
For LGBTQ Youth, Human Rights Day Has Special Meaning
For LGBTQ Youth, Human Rights Day Has Special Meaning
Around the world, LGBTQ, gender-nonconforming, and non-binary youth need to be heralded — and protected.
www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/12/10/lgbtq-youth-human-rights-day-has-special-meaning
Italian mafia welcomes out gay members. Wait, what?
Italian mafia welcomes out gay members. Wait, what?
Acceptance of LGBTQ people in mainstream society sometimes takes odd forms. Just ask Lady Godiva, the drag queen who helped usher in a new era for acceptance of gay people among Italy’s organized crime.
Yes, really.
Anti-mob prosecutor Nicola Gratteri tells The Times that the ‘Ndrangheta, the crime syndicate of southern Italy, now welcomes gay members. That news comes as a shock to anyone familiar with the Italian Mob, which has long fostered homophobic attitudes.
“It undermines their image of themselves as tough, virile guys,” Gratteri says. “But the Mafia have evolved along with society. Gays can be accepted now, even as foot soldiers, so long as they don’t parade it in public.”
Related: Here’s How The Mafia Brought The Early LGBT Community Together
According to Gratteri, gay men in the mob can openly attend gay bars, have boyfriends, exchange passionate love letters and even perform as a drag queen, as in the case of Lady Godiva. Godiva is the son of a prominent mafioso.
In an even stranger twist, Gratteri, who has characterized the mob as growing “soft” over the years, has also faced public backlash from pro-gay mafia members who welcome their LGBTQ fellow gang members. He’s also faced numerous attempts on his life, including discovering a bomb made of 36 pounds of plastic explosives meant to kill him in 2017.
He lives his life under constant police protection, and often shies away from social functions like attending his children’s school plays for fear of attacks on his life. That said, we hope any attempt at a Godfather Part 4 includes a drag performing Corleone.
