IGLTA Announces Board of Directors for 2019-2020

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association announced today that Albert Herrera, Senior Vice President, Global Product Partnerships for Virtuoso has been appointed to its 2019-2020 board of directors. Virtuoso, a global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel, has more than 20,000 advisors.

Under his leadership, Herrera’s team manages relationships with more than 1,300 hotels and resorts, 150 on-site destination management companies, 60 tour companies, 30 cruise lines and 80 strategic alliances. He is based in New York City.

“We are honored to welcome industry leader Albert Herrera to the association board,” said IGLTA Board Chair Juan Julià​. “Virtuoso sets a high standard for the travel advisor community as well as suppliers globally. We look forward to having closer alignment with their network worldwide and to having Albert's valuable input in developing IGLTA's strategic growth."

Current board members who were reappointed for another two-year term are: Felipe Cardenas, Co-Founder/CEO, Colombian LGBT Chamber of Commerce Uwern Jong, Editor in Chief, OutThere magazine Richard Krieger, President, PrideWorld Travel Steven Larkin, Director of Sales Canada, Delta Air Lines Jon Muñoz, Vice President, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Hilton Don Skeoch, Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

The new board takes effect during the board meeting prior to IGLTA’s 36th Annual Global Convention in New York City, April 24-27.

Meghan Trainor and Years & Years Headline the 2019 LA Pride Festival with Ashanti Plus Amara La Negra & More

Today, Christopher Street West (CSW), the 501(c)3 non-profit that produces the annual LA Pride Festival and Parade, is excited to announce a diverse group of LGBTQ+ and allied performers set to take the stage at the 2019 LA Pride Festival. GRAMMY® Award-winning global superstar Meghan Trainor and British electronic pop trio Years & Years will headline this year’s must-attend festival on June 8-9 and will be joined by GRAMMY® Award winner Ashanti, plus Amara La Negra, Dej Loaf, Greyson Chance, MNEK, Pabllo Vittar and Ah-Mer-Ah-Su with more to be announced. Regardless of genre, this year’s performers will come together on the Festival’s two main stages and embrace this year’s theme, #JUSTUNITE.

Years & Years lead singer Olly Alexander has simultaneously emerged as one of the most culturally-important new voices and a once-in-a-generation frontman. His brave, unwavering and inspiring open-mindedness has helped a generation start important discussions around mental health and LGBTQ+ issues. Years & Years push boundaries by challenging notions of identity and sexuality in a way that is new to pop music, and totally their own.

GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Meghan Trainor first made history in 2014 with her diamond-certified smash single “All About That Bass.” In 2018, through a love letter published in Billboard, Trainor said, “To the entire LGBTQ+ community, I love you with all of my heart, I appreciate you endlessly and I support you with all that I have and believe in. I am there for you as you have been for me.”

LA Pride’s 2019 #JUSTUNITE theme makes a simple, yet powerful statement: that the work the LGBTQ+ community does together is ultimately what will make it stronger and more resilient than ever before. The theme is not only a nod to the Pride movement’s storied history of pioneers and activists who paved the way for the rights LGBTQ+ people have today, but it also is a reminder that the fight for equality is still far from over. LA Pride has embraced this rich history as the fuel to inspire, motivate and drive the LGBTQ+ community to its next chapter.

“LA Pride stands humbly on the shoulders of those that have come before us who worked tirelessly for nearly 50 years to create a movement. Our new generation of leadership looks to honor that past and build on the many hard-fought LGBTQ+ civil rights victories. Our multi-generational community is, indeed, stronger together, and this year’s LA Pride celebration draws upon our diverse experiences to ensure that our collective voice is more powerful than ever,” said Estevan Montemayor, President of the CSW Board of Directors.

For the first time, the LA Pride Festival is expanding onto Santa Monica Boulevard with Pride on the Boulevard, a free block party that will allow guests to gather and watch local performers on both Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 from 12:00pm – 7:00pm. The block party will be located on Santa Monica Boulevard between San Vicente and Robertson Boulevards and is accessible to everyone as a great way unite and celebrate together.

To create even more free opportunities for the community to participate in LA Pride, a new Friday night program has been added to the festival on June 7 at West Hollywood Park. The free evening will feature:

• An Official Opening Ceremony including a diverse mix of community and spiritual leaders and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community
• A combination of entertainment, including a WeHo Vogue Ball & Drag Show, a night of dancing, music from local DJs and special surprise guests

To help create a more seamless event experience throughout the entire festival, LA Pride will be implementing:

• Ticketing and guest services relocated to Santa Monica Boulevard, between Palm and Hancock Avenues, to expedite entrance into the festival grounds and reduce wait times
• New and additional street closures to help improve flow
• Increased and improved security teams with specialized training for the LGBTQ+ community
• Improvements to ADA implementation and accessibility for all guests, with extra focus on safe access and space throughout the festival for those guests requiring additional assistance. All ADA compliance and improvements will be overseen by Accessible Festivals.
• Those looking to volunteer can donate four hours of their time to the celebration and will in turn be able to receive complimentary tickets to the festival.

Festival goers are encouraged to buy tickets in advance online at lapride.org. Ticket sales and proceeds from the LA Pride Festival support and fund the LA Pride Parade, LGBTQ+ community grant programs and scholarships and CSW’s ongoing programming at Casa del Sol. CSW provides free festival tickets to LGBTQ+ non-profits and service organizations to distribute to their members.

Carly Rae Jepsen - Now That I Found You

 

Multi-platinum Grammy, Juno and Polaris Prize nominated singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen releases the video "Now That  I Found You" today.  "Now That I Found You" was produced by Captain Cuts and was released last month, along with the song "No Drug Like Me,"  on School Boy/Interscope Records.  “Now That I Found You” and “No Drug Like Me”  will appear on Jepsen’s forthcoming album which is set for release in 2019.  

DNC on the Introduction of the Equality Act

This week, the Equality Act, a comprehensive bill to expand non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, was introduced by Democrats in the House and Senate. LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta released the following statement in response:

“While the Trump administration prepares to implement the transgender military ban, House and Senate Democrats took a stand against hate and bigotry and reintroduced the Equality Act. For decades, LGBTQ people have been fighting to be treated fairly and with respect. Now, with support from the business community and Democrats in both houses of Congress, we have the opportunity to truly ensure that every LGBTQ person is protected from discrimination, no matter which side of a state border they live on. Democrats in Congress stand ready to fight with the LGBTQ community and support the Equality Act.”

3rd Annual Breck Pride Kicks Off April 3-7

The third annual Breck Pride celebration returns to the iconic slopes and historic streets of Breckenridge with daily events and entertainment April 3-7, 2019. The growing annual LGBTQ event, hosted by Breckenridge Ski Resort and the Breckenridge Tourism Office, is packed with fun events and experiences on and off the snow, including daily ski meetups, après parties and dance parties, live music, DJs, an on-mountain Color Run Parade, Drag Bingo and much more. New this year, included in the Breck Pride event registration is an exclusive sneak-peak Pride Pass to the Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival on Saturday, April 6.

It’s a week for everyone – LGBTQ, straight, skiers, snowboarders, beginners, experts, supporters – come one, come all. Save up to 30 percent off on lodging during Breck Pride, with rates starting at $149 per night, when you book at Breckenridge.com.

HRC Announces Unprecedented Business Support for the Equality Act from 160+ Top U.S. Companies Ahead of Reintroduction in Congress

Last week, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization — announced that an unprecedented 161 leading businesses have joined HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act. With a combined operation in all 50 states, headquarters in 26 states, more than $3.7 trillion in revenue, and more than 8.5 million employees across the United States, these companies know how important it is to have a federal legal standard that guarantees all employees the same rights and protections — no matter where they live.

Expected to be introduced in Congress next week, the bipartisan Equality Act would finally add clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people to our nation's civil rights laws. Currently, 50 percent of LGBTQ Americans live in the 30 states that still lack statewide legal non-discrimination protections, leaving their residents and visitors at risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of who they are or who they love.

“The more than 160 leading American companies that have joined HRC's Business Coalition for the Equality Act are sending a loud and clear message that the time has come for full federal equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. "By standing with the LGBTQ community and joining the fight to pass the Equality Act, these companies are demanding full federal equality for the more than 11 million LGBTQ people in this country who deserve to earn a living, raise their families and live their lives free from discrimination. These leading employers know that protecting their employees and customers from discrimination isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also good for business.”

“At The Hershey Company, we recognize that our talented employees are our business edge, and that retaining our place as the market leader in our category requires the best talent,” said Kevin Walling, Hershey’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “To help us achieve our goal of recruiting the nation’s top employees, we know that we must foster a business culture that is welcoming to all, regardless of sexual orientation, or gender, or race, or other status. By the same token, if our nation is to compete on a global stage, our federal laws must ensure that all employees are treated with the same respect. That is why The Hershey Company supports the Human Rights Campaign and the Equality Act.”

“At Kellogg, we firmly believe in diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace, marketplace and in the communities where we work and live,” said Mark King, Global Head, Diversity & Inclusion, Kellogg Company. “Supporting the Equality Act demonstrates our continued commitment to creating an environment in which all employees are included, treated with dignity and respect, and are empowered to achieve their full potential.”

“As one of the world’s leading innovators with more than 165 years of life-changing inventions, we know how important it is to foster an environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” said Christy Pambianchi, Executive Vice President, Corning Incorporated. “Consistent with Corning’s Values, we believe in equal treatment for all employees regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBTQ people are our innovators, our friends, our family members, and our neighbors, and they deserve to be able to live their lives free from discrimination or harassment.”

Discrimination is a real and persistent problem for LGBTQ Americans. HRC polling has found that nearly two-thirds of self-identified LGBTQ Americans report experiencing discrimination. The Equality Act would extend existing civil rights protections to LGBTQ people by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally-funded programs and jury service.

Recent polling shows that a growing majority of Americans support federal non-discrimination protections and LGBTQ equality. A recent survey by PRRI found that seven in 10 Americans (71 percent) support laws like the Equality Act. In addition, post-election polling from HRC found that 60 percent of voters in the 2018 midterms opposed the Trump-Pence administration’s reported plans to define gender entirely by sex assigned at birth, thereby potentially excluding transgender people from civil rights protections. Overall, voters also identified protecting the rights of groups targeted by the Trump-Pence administration as their top reason for voting to flip the U.S. House.

Major corporations in the HRC Business Coalition for the Equality Act include: A.T. Kearney Inc.; Abercrombie & Fitch Co.; Accenture; Adobe Systems Inc; ADP; Advanced Micro Devices Inc.; Airbnb Inc.; Alaska Airlines; Alcoa Corp.; Ally Financial; Amazon.com Inc.; American Airlines; American Eagle Outfitters; American Express Global Business Travel; Apple Inc; Arconic; Ascena Retail Group Inc.; Aspen Skiing Company LLC; AT&T Inc.; Atlassian; Bain & Co. Inc.; Bank of America; Best Buy Co.; Biogen; Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corp.; Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.; Boston Scientific Corp.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.; Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc.; Brown-Forman Corp.; Caesars Entertainment Corp.; Capital One Financial Corp.; Cardinal Health Inc.; Cargill Inc.; Chevron Corp.; Chobani; Choice Hotels International Inc.; Cisco Systems Inc.; The Coca-Cola Co.; Corning Inc.; Cox Enterprises Inc.; CSAA Insurance Group; Cummins Inc.; CVS Health Corp.; Danone North America LLC; Darden Restaurants Inc.; Deloitte; Diageo North America; The Dow Chemical Co.; Dropbox Inc.; E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (DuPont); Eastern Bank Corp.; eBay Inc.; EMC Corp.; Ernst & Young LLP; The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.; Evolent Health Inc.; Exelon Corp.; Expedia Group; Facebook Inc.; Food Lion; Gap Inc.; General Electric Co.; General Mills Inc.; General Motors Co.; Glassdoor Inc.; Google Inc.; The Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America; Gusto; HERE North America LLC; The Hershey Company; Hewlett Packard Enterprises; Hilton Inc.; HP Inc.; HSN Inc.; Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP; Hyatt Hotels Corp.; IBM Corp.; IHS Markit Ltd.; IKEA Holding US Inc.; Insight Enterprises; Intel Corp.; InterContinental Hotels Group Americas; Iron Mountain Inc.; John Hancock Financial Services Inc.; Johnson & Johnson; JP Morgan Chase & Co.; Juniper Networks Inc., Sunnyvale, CA; Kaiser Permanente; Kellogg Co.; Kenneth Cole Productions; KPMG LLP; Levi Strauss & Co.; Lendlease Americas Inc.; Linden Research Inc.; Lyft Inc.; Macy's Inc.; Marriott International Inc.; MassMutual; MasterCard Inc.; Merck.; MGM Resorts International; Microsoft Corp.; Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; Monsanto Co.; Moody's Corp.; Nationwide; Navient; Navigant Consulting Inc.; Nike Inc.; Northrop Grumman Corp.; Nuance Communications; Office Depot Inc.; Oracle Corp.; Patreon Inc.; Paul Hastings LLP; PepsiCo Inc.; Pfizer Inc.; Pinterest Inc; PNC Financial Services Group Inc.; Procter & Gamble Co.; Pure Storage Inc.; Qualcomm Inc.; Realogy Holdings Corp.; Replacements Ltd.; S&P Global Inc.; Salesforce; SAP America Inc.; Shire PLC; Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP; Shutterstock; Sodexo Inc.; Spotify USA Inc.; Square Inc.; Symantec Corp.; Synchrony Financial; T-Mobile USA Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.; Target Corp.; Tech Data Corp.; TIAA; TPG Global LLC; TransUnion; Turner Construction Co.; Twitter Inc.; U.S. Bancorp; Uber Technologies Inc.; Ultimate Software Group Inc.; Under Armour Inc.; Unilever; Univision Communications Inc.; Visa; Warby Parker; Wells Fargo & Co.; WeddingWire Inc.; Whirlpool Corp.; Williams-Sonoma Inc.; Workday Inc.; Xerox Corp.; Yelp Inc.; Zillow Group.

Performance Jerseys Benefit You Can Play

You Can Play and Legendborne have worked together to release a You Can Play line of High performance Obstacle Course Racing jerseys. The line includes a long sleeve jersey, short sleeve jerseys, sleeveless jerseys, and a sports bra. Not only are they a cool design and built to last, but 15% of all sales will go to You Can Play!!

Almost Half of LGBTQ Millennials Plan to Have Children Using Infertility Treatment; Fairer Health Insurance Policies Can Help

A new report published by the Family Equality Council reveals a strong interest in parenting among U.S. LGBTQ Millennials compared to previous generations; 77% of those aged 18 to 35 already have or are considering having children, 63% in the 36 to 54 age group and 33% of those aged 55 and older.(1) Among all LGBTQ prospective parents, 41% are considering assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), or surrogacy.(1) Dr. Mark P. Trolice, Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center, supports LGBTQ patients looking to start or expand their families, and he calls on lawmakers and health insurers to extend equal rights and ART access to aspiring LGBTQ parents.

Following the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality, advocates projected an increase in the number of LGBTQ families.(2) The Family Equality Council survey found that 48% of LGBTQ Millennials are currently planning to have children, compared to 55% of non-LGBTQ Millennials.(1) While only 5% of existing LGBTQ families used assisted reproductive technology, 41% are considering using it to start or grow their families.(1) Yet they are more likely to face obstacles than heterosexual couples; the authors of the Family Equality Council report noted that “insurance policies are rarely created to meet the needs of LGBTQ family building, and discrimination against LGBTQ prospective parents by agencies and providers remains widespread.”(1)

“Assisted reproductive technology expands family-building options for same-sex couples and allows them to have biologically related children of their own,” explained Dr. Trolice. He is a longtime advocate for LGBTQ parenting rights and insurance equality, and Fertility CARE: The IVF Center is committed to providing compassionate care to all patients, regardless of sexual orientation or marriage status. Reproductive treatments for gay and lesbian couples can vary depending on whether the prospective parents are male or female but are similar to the choices available to single men and women.

Lesbian couples may opt to have one partner donate the egg and the other carry the pregnancy, which would involve IVF; if one partner will fulfill both roles, IUI or IVF may be used. In either case, they would use donor sperm from a friend or sperm bank. Gay couples require an egg donor and a separate gestational carrier. During the IVF process, the prospective fathers may choose to fertilize the egg with the sperm of one or both partners through a procedure known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI.

With a growing number of fertility clinics welcoming same-sex couples, prospective LGBTQ parents can avoid the discrimination some have previously faced from healthcare providers and adoption agencies.(1) However, the cost of ART remains a challenge not only for those whose health insurance does not cover fertility treatments but for those whose healthcare plans require proof of infertility and/or mandate six to 12 cycles of IUI to be paid out of pocket before coverage for reproductive assistance kicks in.(2, 3)

A single round of IUI can run between $300 and $1,000,(4) or upwards of $1,500 with donor sperm,(3) while IVF can cost tens of thousands of dollars.(3) One study found couples who undergo an IVF procedure spent on average $15,435 more than those who underwent IUI.(4) A USA Today article noted it can cost a lesbian couple $20,000 to $30,000 just to get pregnant, while a male couple could be looking at six figures including a surrogate to give birth to their child.(2)

JONAS BROTHERS EARN #1 DEBUT ON BILLBOARD HOT 100 WITH HISTORIC NEW SINGLE “SUCKER”

Mounting up to the biggest comeback of the year, the Jonas Brothers capture their first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Not only does this mark the group’s very first #1 on the chart, but it’s the first #1 debut on the Hot 100 by a group in over 20 years, and the first #1 debut for a family group.

It also elevates them to rarified air as “Sucker” is just the 34th single to achieve a #1 Hot 100 debut in the chart’s 60-year history and the first for a family. "Sucker" also launches as Jonas Brothers' first #1 on Billboard's Streaming Songs and Digital Song Sales charts. The excitement keeps growing though as the musicians retain their place atop the charts worldwide. As an international phenomenon, it achieves their highest career single chart debut in the UK, landing in the Top 10.

With nearly 90,000 downloads and 50 million global Spotify streams, total consumption exceeds 333k in one-week. The success also encompasses North American number ones on Apple Music, Spotify, and iTunes as well as global number ones on Apple Music, YouTube, and Twitter. It's just taking over radio now as "#1 Greatest Gainer for Top 40."

The official video reached nearly 20 million views on its first day and is approaching 65 million views and counting in a week since its release, check out Anthony Mandler’s Director’s Cut of the “Sucker” music video here.

Fittingly, Jonas Brothers ended their takeover of The Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS by delivering the debut television performance of “Sucker.” Watch it here.

Throughout the week, they engaged in multiple popular segments on the show. Their Late Late Show segments, including Carpool Karaoke and Spill Your Guts have racked up over 114 million digital views combined. Their takeover also kicked off on a hilarious note as they parodied their song “Year 3000” with the clever “Year 2019.” Not to mention, The Mentalist and Dr. Phil joined the party.

This news comes on the heels of the Jonas Brothers announcing a partnership with Amazon Studios, Philymack, and Federal Films—a division of Republic Records—to release an upcoming documentary about the band. It’s set to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories.

One Colorado: REGISTER TODAY for the 2019 LGBTQ Denver Mayoral Forum on April 4th!

By Sarah Clark, Organizing Manager, One Colorado 
 
The Denver Mayoral election is just around the corner and we wanted to make sure you were invited to join us at our 2019 LGBTQ Denver Mayoral Forum on Thursday, April 4th at Exdo Event Center.

Candidates working to earn your support will participate in the forum at the EXDO Event Center, where they will answer questions on issues important to LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. After the forum, there will be a cocktail meet and greet where you'll have a chance to chat with the candidates themselves! Confirmed candidates to attend include Mayor MIchael Hancock, Penfield Tate, Dr. Lisa Calderone, Kayln Heffernan, and Jamie Giellis. Click here to sign up for our Denver Mayoral Forum and learn where the candidates stand on LGBTQ issues.

Attendance is free.



When you register online, you can submit a question that may be asked of the candidates. Please keep in mind that not all questions submitted will be able to be used at the forum.

We can't wait to see you there!

Books: Dungeons and Drag Queens

If you like to read more than just your friends at brunch, why not check out Greg Scarnici's latest book on Amazon right here. Dungeons and Drag Queens is a collection of humorous essays set on Fire Island with lots of drugs, sex and drag that also weaves in some history about what makes Fire Island such an amazing destination for the queer community.

Denver Arts Education for All Forum

What could a commitment to arts education for all do for Colorado? How do we measure the impact of art education and how can this inform practice? Join A+ Colorado, the City of Denver and the Colorado Business Committee for the arts as they host special guests and hear from both local and national experts on the importance of arts education for all at McNichols Civic Center Building April 3. This event, which is funded in part by IMAGINE 2020, is free and open to the public. RSVP for this forum...

Community Alert: Pattern of Sexual Assaults

The Denver Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in a pattern of sexual assaults. 

Since 2013, there have been several incidents where a man, possibly posing as a driver in the lower downtown area, sexually assaults males in his vehicle. Through the investigative process, Denver Police believes these sex assaults are related. It appears that the male suspect targets men who are walking alone in the lower downtown area, around the time that the bars are closing (1:30-3:00 a.m.). 

In cases being investigated, it does not appear that the suspect is targeting the men based on their sexual preference. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with dark or salt and pepper colored hair, a high-pitched voice, who speaks both English and Spanish with an accent. While the vehicle description has changed during the years, the most recent description is a tan minivan. 

Due to the lengthy timeframe of the reported incidents, the Denver Police Department is concerned that there may be additional victims who have not reported the assault. Therefore, victims are strongly encouraged to contact DPD by calling the Denver Police Department’s Sex Crime Unit at 720-913-6040, or by visiting www.SeekthenSpeak.org, where they can report the sexual assault online, including anonymously, and find out about other resources. Additionally, anyone with information about the suspect, is asked to call 720-913-7867, where they can remain anonymous.

Op/Ed: Follow CA and NJ’s Lead: Teach LGBT History in Schools

By Perry N. Halkitis

In the musical “Hamilton,” my former sixth-grade student, Lin Manuel Miranda, muses, “Who tells your story?”

His words are significant and meaningful to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, whose health and wellbeing are dependent on living our lives and telling our stories openly and without judgment. For too long, the majority has silenced or marginalized our stories, negating our role in history and perpetuating the stigma that undermines the physical, emotional, and social health of the LGBT population.

Stigma prevents LGBT people from seeking healthcare — even when they are in need of services. For decades, we have known that discrimination and homophobia leads to poor mental health, including heightened suicidal ideation, greater reliance on avoidant coping strategies, heightened alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, as well and more pronounced risky sexual behaviors. Conversely, research has documented improvements in LGBT health when laws are enacted that bestow LGBT individuals these same rights as their heterosexual peers.

Recently, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy took an important first step in guaranteeing the LGBT narrative is told by signing a law requiring public school students be taught the societal contributions of notable LGBT people throughout history, making it the second state in the nation after California to legislate such a curriculum. Other states should follow suit since LGBT history is history.

Because of Gov. Murphy’s initiative, New Jersey students we will be able to learn about and honor our LGBT heroes and their accomplishments, including the father of the modern computer, British mathematician Alan Turing; tennis great Billy Jean King, who equalized the playing field for women in the sport; and James Baldwin, a black gay man whose brilliant writing gave voice to the African American experience. By including LGBT history as part of the history we teach to the children of New Jersey, we will also bring to light the wrongs faced by so many LGBT people who have been forced to remain in the closet and hide their identities at the cost of their own health, such as was the case with Turing, who was subjected to chemical castration because of his sexual identity. Perhaps with these lessons, we will avoid making the mistakes of the past.

This is not the first time New Jersey has sought to affect change for underserved and marginalized groups. In the 1960s, it was one of the first states to require that black history to be taught in public schools. New Jersey’s legislation, while not perfect, makes strides toward destigmatizing LGBT people and honoring their lives. It has the potential of improving the health and wellbeing of the population, something my own research has studied and fought for nearly two decades.

Members of the LGBT community are often victims of vitriol and violence at the hands of perpetrators who have deep-seeded hatred toward this segment of the population they don’t know and don’t understand, which is the direct result of societal stigmatization of the LGBT community. Since 2017, under the Trump administration, LGBT hate crimes have been on the rise — after reaching an all-time low in the Obama administration.

It is within this climate that President Trump has stated he plans to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. While a noble and lofty aspiration, HIV — a disease that disproportionately affects gay men and trans women — is not simply a biologically produced disease. It is an epidemic driven by societal stigma, poverty, racial discrimination, and homophobia — social conditions that under the Trump administration have heightened with their attacks on people of color, immigrants, the poor, women, and the LGBT population.

Gov. Murphy’s legislation may have a more powerful effect on curbing the epidemic by normalizing and celebrating the lives of LGBT people. Stigma has been shown to be a driver of HIV, and reducing it through initiatives such as LGBT-inclusive curricula is a significant step in ending AIDS.

Other states should follow New Jersey and California’s lead to make LGBT history a standard part of their public school curriculum to ensure the stories and contributions of LGBT individuals are heard. Such storytelling can inform the ignorant and perhaps dampen the hate and stigma that undermine the individual and collective health of this population.

If the sharing of our experiences is undertaken thoughtfully and honestly throughout the nation, our stories will reveal the social and emotional paths that we as LGBT people have taken, the challenges we have faced at the hands of an often-hateful majority, and how, despite these conditions, we have shown resilience while contributing to the building of American society.

Perry N. Halkitis is Dean and Director of the Center for Health, Identity Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), School of Public Health, Rutgers University and between 1986 and 1992 was a teacher at the Hunter College Campus Schools. His book Out in Time: From Stonewall to Queer, How Gay Men Came of Age Across the Generations will be published by Oxford University Press in 2019.  

Call for Transgender Artists/Performers: Transgender Day of Empowerment

On Thursday, March 20, the LGBTQ Student Resource Center will be hosting their annual Transgender Day of Empowerment.

They are looking for transgender and gender-expansive performers and artists who would like to showcase their talents. If you identify as transgender or gender-expansive, and would like to participate, please fill out this form: http://bit.ly/TDOE2019