Tag Archives: LGBTQ

GLAAD partners with Pantene & the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles for “Going Home for the Holidays” #BEAUTIFULGBTQ videos

GLAAD partners with Pantene & the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles for “Going Home for the Holidays” #BEAUTIFULGBTQ videos

Credit: Pantene

Today, Pantene, in partnership with GLAAD & the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, has released a new video series called “Going Home for the Holidays,” which seeks to bring awareness to the unique challenges that some members of the LGBTQ community face during the holiday season.

Although 137 million Americans will travel home this holiday season, the “Going Home for the Holidays” series highlights how an estimated 44% of LGBTQ people feel like they can not come home as their true selves. The video series also showcases members of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles as they share their own experiences of going home, set to the soundtrack of their rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Through the series, Pantene wants to celebrate and encourage individuals to be proud of who they are – whenever, wherever, and however they come home.

Pantene’s new “Going Home for the Holidays” video series builds upon the brand’s “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful” Campaign, launched during Pride Month 2019. In addition to the main campaign video, the “Going Home for the Holidays” series also features videos of four members of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles as they share their own stories and speak about why coming home should be #BeautifuLGBTQ. Check out their stories below:

“At Pantene, we are committed to sharing diverse stories and overcoming obstacles to eliminate bias, celebrate personal expression and show a more inclusive world that emanates a holistic definition of beauty. “Going Home for the Holidays” sheds light on a universal experience felt amongst the LGBTQ+ community – the personal heartache of not being able to share their truest identity with family and friends, even at this special time of the year,” said Ilaria Resta, Vice President, North America Hair Care, Procter & Gamble. “We are honored to be stewards of the LGBTQ+ community and to help tell their important and transformational stories.”

“Pantene is setting the standard for authentic inclusion of LGBTQ people and stories among brands that transcend industries,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “LGBTQ stories need to be told by brands outside of Pride month and Pantene is demonstrating a real commitment to LGBTQ storytelling with this moving holiday video. Especially around the holidays when too many LGBTQ people feel isolated, it’s so important to remind community members who celebrate with families – chosen or otherwise – that they are beautiful.”

The Trans Chorus of LA will next perform at GLAAD’s annual holiday celebration, GLAAD Tidings in Los Angeles. 

December 5, 2019

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-partners-pantene-trans-chorus-los-angeles-%E2%80%9Cgoing-home-holidays%E2%80%9D-beautifulgbtq-videos

GLAAD partners with Pantene & the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles for “Going Home for the Holidays” video series in support of the LGBTQ community

GLAAD partners with Pantene & the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles for “Going Home for the Holidays” video series in support of the LGBTQ community

Credit: Pantene

Today, Pantene, in partnership with GLAAD & the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, has released a new video series called “Going Home for the Holidays,” which seeks to bring awareness to the unique challenges that members of the LGBTQ community face during the holiday season.

Although 137 million Americans will travel home this holiday season, the “Going Home for the Holidays” series highlights how an estimated 44% of LGBTQ people feel like they can not come home as their true selves. The video series also showcases members of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles as they share their own experiences of going home, set to the soundtrack of their rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Through the series, Pantene wants to celebrate and encourage individuals to be proud of who they are – whenever, wherever, and however they come home.

Pantene’s new “Going Home for the Holidays” video series builds upon the brand’s “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful” Campaign, launched during Pride Month 2019. In addition to the main campaign video, the “Going Home for the Holidays” series also features videos of four members of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles as they share their own stories and speak about why coming home should be #BeautifuLGBTQ. Check out their stories below:

“At Pantene, we are committed to sharing diverse stories and overcoming obstacles to eliminate bias, celebrate personal expression and show a more inclusive world that emanates a holistic definition of beauty. “Going Home for the Holidays” sheds light on a universal experience felt amongst the LGBTQ+ community – the personal heartache of not being able to share their truest identity with family and friends, even at this special time of the year,” said Ilaria Resta, Vice President, North America Hair Care, Procter & Gamble. “We are honored to be stewards of the LGBTQ+ community and to help tell their important and transformational stories.”

“Pantene is setting the standard for authentic inclusion of LGBTQ people and stories among brands that transcend industries,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “LGBTQ stories need to be told by brands outside of Pride month and Pantene is demonstrating a real commitment to LGBTQ storytelling with this moving holiday video. Especially around the holidays when too many LGBTQ people feel isolated, it’s so important to remind community members who celebrate with families – chosen or otherwise – that they are beautiful.”

December 5, 2019

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-partners-pantene-trans-chorus-los-angeles-%E2%80%9Cgoing-home-holidays%E2%80%9D-video-series-support

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

Finn and Poe Won’t Be Romantically Involved in ‘Rise of Skywalker’ But JJ Abrams Says LGBTQ Fans Will Feel Represented

Finn and Poe Won’t Be Romantically Involved in ‘Rise of Skywalker’ But JJ Abrams Says LGBTQ Fans Will Feel Represented

Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, and director JJ Abrams threw cold water on hopes that the relationship between characters Finn and Poe would blossom into a romantic relationship in The Rise of Skywalker.

Said Isaac to Variety: “Personally, I kind of hoped and wished that maybe that would’ve been taken further in the other films, but I don’t have control. It seemed like a natural progression, but sadly enough it’s a time when people are too afraid, I think, of…I don’t know what. … If they would’ve been boyfriends, that would have been fun.”

Said Boyega: “They’ve always had a quite loving and open relationship in which it wouldn’t be too weird if it went beyond it. But at the same time, they are just platonic at the moment.”

Director JJ Abrams called the Finn-Poe relationship “a far deeper one than a romantic one” but told fans to look for LGBTQ representation elsewhere: “And in the case of the LGBTQ community, it was important to me that people who go to see this movie feel that they’re being represented in the film. I will say I’m giving away nothing about what happens in the movie. But I did just say what I just said.”

The post Finn and Poe Won’t Be Romantically Involved in ‘Rise of Skywalker’ But JJ Abrams Says LGBTQ Fans Will Feel Represented appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.



www.towleroad.com/2019/12/finn-poe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+towleroad%2Ffeed+%28Towleroad+Gay+News+%29

#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

Category Is GivingTuesday Realness: ‘Pose’ Star Billy Porter Talks Fashion, Politics and Giving Back

Category Is GivingTuesday Realness: ‘Pose’ Star Billy Porter Talks Fashion, Politics and Giving Back

Photo: Poppy Gordon

Actor, activist and icon Billy Porter knows how to rock a red carpet, but for him giving back is always in vogue.

This GivingTuesday, Porter is teaming up with PayPal to spread the word about all the ways it’s possible to give back. Donating money certainly is the quickest way to make an impact for those who have the means, but there are lots of ways to give your time and talents to support the causes that mean the most to you.

We chatted with Porter about his favorite ways to give back and how he’s using fashion to change this “toxic gender world.”

Photo: Michael Simon/startraksphoto.com

What drew you to this campaign?

The spirit of giving has always been a part of my life growing up in the church environment, it’s one of the first things they teach you. So, when PayPal called me about this, it was a no-brainer. I really, really try to live my life in a space of paying it forward as much as I can possibly can.

What are some of your favorite ways to give back?

I’m an artist, so I always try to use my art in some way to give back. When I first moved to NYC, back in the early ’90s, I worked with the Actors Fund and Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS very often. I would show up and sing at benefits, or do my own personal concerts where all the proceeds would go to the those organizations, so I’ve always done it through my creativity, because I haven’t always had the finances to give in that way … Money is always a way to give, and PayPal is going to be matching by 10 percent, but I think it’s more important for everyone to know that giving is a hard thing. Giving of your time, whether it’s volunteering at food bank or mentoring someone who needs that kind of assistance, supporting small businesses, for instance, donating. Donate some of those clothes you got in your closet that you can’t wear no more, it don’t fit no more, you’ve been holding on to it for two decades — you ain’t that size no more! Donate those clothes somewhere. It’s getting creative with how we give, but every, every bit of it counts and matters.

Giving back and and paying it forward happens ALWAYS. It’s a way of life, it’s the oxygen that we breathe. It’s the only way the world is going to become a better place.

What are causes you’re excited about right now?

I always speak of the Actors Fund because the Actors Fund of America has been around for 137 years. They’ve been dedicated and committed to making sure that artists — people in the arts, very often we’re freelance — are taken care of when the insecurity of freelance-ness rears its ugly head. I have been a beneficiary of them when I was in my downtime period, they helped me through a really, really rough period, helping me with rent and utility bills and medical bills … They’ve been really present for me. They’ve been available for me in ways that are unimaginable. So, I’m always finding ways to give back.

What are the urgent needs for the LGBTQ community during this giving season?

The rights of LGBTQ people in general are under attack, like many other people’s rights are under attack. I have specifically been enlightened by being a part of Pose and now being a part of the transgender community and what that means and what that feels like. It’s really, really time for our focus to shift into how to protect that part of our society, our human society.

Why is Giving Tuesday particularly relevant now in 2019?

Giving is always relevant, let me just say that. Giving is ALWAYS relevant. This is no different than any other time, other than the fact we feel like some of us are under an oppressive regime. That means we keep giving, and we keep giving. Frederick Douglass said, ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,’ right? So, we just keep doing it. For me, it’s an extension of what I’ve always done. What I hope is that this moment is a springboard to remind people that giving is ALWAYS. Giving back and and paying it forward happens ALWAYS. It’s a way of life, it’s the oxygen that we breathe. It’s the only way the world is going to become a better place.

You’re no stranger to making a statement on and off the red carpet. What is your philosophy on fashion as a political act?

I’m from a generation of artists where the politics of it come first. The politics of it is rooted and grounded in the work, in general … So, we’re in this toxic gender world, where masculine and feminine are on opposite ends of the spectrum, and the twain shall never meet. That’s the conversation I knew we needed to have, but I didn’t know how intense it would be. It’s intense. It’s crazy. I feel humbled to be a part of that conversation, and I think it’s changing stuff. I know that it’s changing things. Fashion is art, and art is always political.

The post Category Is GivingTuesday Realness: ‘Pose’ Star Billy Porter Talks Fashion, Politics and Giving Back appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Category Is GivingTuesday Realness: ‘Pose’ Star Billy Porter Talks Fashion, Politics and Giving Back

#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!

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