The Federation of Gay Games published today its submission to the International Olympic Committee's “Agenda 2020” initiative.
Agenda 2020 was launched in December 2013, when IOC president Thomas Bach announced that an extraordinary session of the IOC would be held one year later in Monte Carlo. Agenda 2020 is to be a roadmap for the Olympic Movement under his presidency.
As part of this initiative, Bach called on interested parties to provide input by 15 April. A variety of organizations have made submissions, including National Olympic Committees, International Federations, groups such as Human Rights Watch, and third-party sports groups such as the FGG, which held its first face-to-face meeting with Thomas Bach last November in Paris;
The FGG's submission lays outs suggestions in two main areas: the Olympic Games, including host selection, and the Olympic Movement's role in worldwide sport.
Marc Naimark, FGG vice president for external affairs, observed: “If, as stated in Principle 2 of the Olympic Charter, the 'goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity', then basic human rights must be respected by all parties to the Olympic Charter: the IOC, National Olympic Committees, International Federations, and Organizing Committees.” He added: “Just as the natural environment is now part of the selection process for Olympic hosts, the human environment must be considered in this most important choice.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released new guidance describing the responsibilities of colleges, universities and public schools to address sexual violence and other forms of sex discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The guidelines, highlighted by the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault’s new report released earlier Tuesday, provide greater clarity about the requirements of Title IX around this critical issue – as requested by institutions and students.
“For far too long, the incentives to prevent and respond to sexual violence have gone in the wrong direction at schools and on college campuses,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “As interpreted and enforced by the department, Title IX and other federal laws are changing these incentives to put an end to rape-permissive cultures and campus cultures that tolerate sexual assault.” Included in today’s document are examples of proactive efforts schools can take to prevent sexual violence and remedies schools may use to end such conduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The frequently asked questions examine critical issues, including when schools should respect students’ request for confidentiality, when schools should take immediate steps to protect students who complain about sexual violence from the alleged perpetrator and potential retaliation, and how to determine whether sexual violence occurred and the appropriate remedies for such violence. The guidance also clarifies that its terms apply to all students, including lesbian and gay students, transgender students and undocumented students.
“Our federal civil rights laws demand that all students – women and men; gay and straight; transgender or not; citizens and foreign students – be allowed to learn and participate in all parts of college life without sexual assault and harassment limiting their opportunities,” said Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights. “The Office for Civil Rights stands ready to enforce this core principle to ensure all students’ safety in schools.”
The Office for Civil Rights’ mission is to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the nation through the vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination by educational institutions on the basis of disability, race, color, national origin, sex, and age, as well as the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001. Additional information about the office is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html.
The National
Coalition for the Homeless and the Ali Forney Center have joined
together to launch the National Campaign for Youth Shelter, a
collaboration that will build a grassroots campaign to demand a national
response to youth homelessness. The National Campaign for Youth Shelter calls include the following:
A federal
commitment to provide all youths age 24 and under with immediate access
to safe shelter, affirming the principle that no young person in the
United States should be left homeless in the streets.
An
immediate commitment to add 22,000 beds. (This number corresponds to the
number of youths identified in the most recent Point In Time Count of
homeless persons conducted by the federal government).
A more
accurate and comprehensive effort to count the number of homeless youth
in the nation in order to determine the number of beds that are needed
over the next decade.
On June 2nd
the National Campaign for Youth Shelter will hold a rally in New York
City to launch the campaign as a priority within the LGBT movement. LGBT
youth are disproportionately over-represented in the homeless youth
population, with as many as 40% of the nation's homeless youth being
LGBT, while only 5% of the overall youth population is LGBT.
A second
rally will be held in Washington DC later in the year by a broader
coalition of organizations also impacted by youth homelessness.
Currently,
there are only approximately 4,000 youth shelter beds in the United
States, yet as many as 500,000 unaccompanied youths experience
homelessness each year.
"It's
indefensible that our nation would abide hundreds of thousands of young
people to be homeless and on their own," says Jerry Jones, executive
director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. "The National
Campaign for Youth Shelter will highlight the urgency of basic emergency
shelter as we work toward permanent solutions to this crisis."
"It is
unprecedented to have so many LGBT organizations join together with
prominent national housing and anti -poverty organizations to fight for
the humane treatment of impoverished youths." says Carl Siciliano,
executive director of the Ali Forney Center. "With all this support, the
National Campaign for Youth Shelter will build a movement to finally
prevent youths from being left to suffer homelessness without access to
shelter. The wealthiest nation on earth must not allow its youths to be
left out in the streets."
Over 30 organizations have endorsed of the National Campaign for Youth Shelter, including:
Colorado Springs is the next stop for Stephanie Redcross and Vegan Mainstream for their Vegan Professional Boot Camp! I am so excited that Stephanie is bringing her magic to Colorado and giving the opportunity for vegan and vegan friendly business folk to learn so much about business, marketing and many other items that can help in being successful.
I had the awesome opportunity to speak with Stephanie and ask her a few questions. Before I get to that, please check out her site with all of the information you need about the upcoming boot camp in Colorado Springs on May31st: http://veganprofessionalbootcamps.com/project/colorado-springs-co/
This boot camp is listed as an action-packed learning symposium for existing and aspiring vegan professionals! I love that. Looking over the list of presenters I see names of people I know will be able to give attendees so much information and insight on so many levels.
Lastly, before we get to the interview, I have been in the position in my life where I really wanted to attend something that would support my goals and found myself not being able to afford it. If you are a blog reader of ours, find yourself really wanting to go to this boot camp knowing that this could benefit you and those you help in the future but it's not in your budget right now, and agree with our principles of making the world a better place for all living beings and being a voice for all of the voiceless, then send me a private email to vegandude@msn.com I will pick one scholarship of those that connect with me.
Now to my conversation with Stephanie! Stephanie is the managing director of Vegan Mainstream. Vegan Mainstream provides marketing solutions to vegan and vegetarian businesses, as well as to those interested in incorporating more mindful practices and products into their brand. I haven't met her in person but I grinned the entire time speaking with her. Her kindness overflows and her knowledge of marketing and business came across to me immediately.
Comprised of producer Justin Walkden and vocalist Shane Lock, Problems have built their sound on experiments blending organic and electronic sounds. Influenced by world music and downtempo electronica, the Adelaide based duo have created something that sits between the chill wave vibes of Washed Out and the worldly electronica of Bonobo.
An
openly lesbian U.S. Navy veteran is seeking to have her ashes buried
with those of her late wife in an Idaho state military cemetery. The
state's ban on the recognition of same-sex marriages bars the cemetery
from granting a side-by-side burial, despite the fact that the couple
married in California in 2008.
"I'm not surprised. I've been
discriminated against for 70 years, and they might as well discriminate
against me in death as well as life," Madelynn Taylor said.
The coalition plans to spend at least
$500,000 in two races, supporting Richard Tisei, a candidate for
Massachusetts' 6th District, and Carl DeMaio in California's 52nd
District. The group says it raised a record $2.75 million in the first
quarter of 2014.
Denvercar2go is a new urban mobility solution designed to easily move you throughout Denver and surrounding areas. car2go offers a fleet of 300 smart fortwo vehicles that free float in public parking within a 46 square-mile Home Area.
Locate a car2go
near you on their website or mobile app, swipe your member card on the
windshield and drive for as long as you would like! Remember, parking
around town (meters and residential 2+ hours) is FREE!
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $29 million in grants to assist more than 1,200 extremely low-income persons and families living with HIV/AIDS annually. This funding will provide these households with a stable living environment, which is essential to accessing healthcare and HIV related services. In addition to housing assistance, these local programs will provide access to the needed supportive services such as life skills, job readiness services and employment training.
The funding announced is offered through HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA)<http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/aidshousing/programs/index.cfm>; and will renew HUD’s support of 26 local programs in 18 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands (see attached chart and individual project descriptions below).
“These grants will give our local partners a vital resource to keep low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS healthy,” said Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Having a place to call home can make all the difference to someone who might otherwise be homeless or on the brink of homelessness.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race Reunited will be open to the public for the first time EVER on May 6th, 2014 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown L.A. For the past five seasons, Queens have celebrated among a private crowd of friends and family. Only NOW, for the FIRST TIME EVER, fans will be able to purchase tickets to this extraordinary, televised event and mingle with celebrities and past Drag Race superstars.
RuPaul says - "You have not LIVED until you've seen my girls' charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent in the flesh, henny."
RuPaul’s Drag Race Reunited will feature the crowning of Season 6’s winner and an all star cast reunion. This fabulous event will be held at the newly restored Theatre at Ace Hotel DTLA, an historic and legendary venue once owned by Mary Pickford in the 1920s. This televised event, produced by World of Wonder and LogoTV, will be open to everyone from the casual viewer to the super fan.
Check out Chiodos' new music video from the band's hit album DEVIL. Chiodos’ new album debuted at #12 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart with more than 18,000 units sold. DEVIL also entered the Billboard charts at #1 Independent, #2 at Hard Rock, #3 at Rock and #5 at Vinyl. The release finds founding front man Craig Owens and drummer Derrick Frost reunited with band members Bradley Bell, Pat Mcmanaman and Matt Goddard, as well as the first album to feature lead guitarist Thomas Erak (The Fall Of Troy).
The Human Rights Campaign is calling on the Boy Scouts of America to end its longstanding discriminatory ban on gay adults in Scouting and reinstate Rainier Beach United Methodist Church’s charter. In March, BSA leaders fired Geoff McGrath, 49, leader of Troop 98 in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood after he came out as gay in an NBC News report. McGrath’s troop’s meetings were held weekly at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church. After his firing, the church stood by him and McGrath continued to lead the troop. Now, BSA leaders have revoked the church’s charter.
“Banning a caring Scoutmaster who has dedicated his time and efforts to helping young men grow into adults of integrity is a moral outrage,” said Jeremy Pittman, HRC’s deputy field director and an Eagle Scout. “Leaders at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church put young people first and denounced discrimination. Now they are paying the price as BSA clings to its outdated policies.”
By David Smith Bootcamp n' Brunch is a weekly fitness class for the GLBT and allied community that takes place Sundays at 10am at Cheesman Park ($10 suggested donation). It is open to everyone and all levels of fitness! Be sure to invite your friends and get ready for a workout! The workouts consist primarily of cardio as well as resistance training and core workouts; individual, partner and group exercises as well as fun games and exercises to challenge you and have fun! Regardless of your fitness level, the workout is your own and you can participate at your own level. The goal is that you push your limits and challenge yourself. Most importantly it's to HAVE FUN!
Award-winning MileHighGayGuy.com is seeking advertising sales reps. The
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who, preferably, is familiar with the GLBT community. This is a contract
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