Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Rubio says people don't choose their sexual preferences
Ky. marriage ban unconstitutional, state judge rules
"This Court believes that marriage, regardless of whether the union is between members of the same sex or opposite sex, is a fundamental right," Wingate wrote in his decision.
HRC Survey Shows Striking Increase in Americans Who Personally Know and Support Transgender People
The data, collected for HRC by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, shows that 22 percent of likely voters surveyed reported that they personally know or work with a transgender person, up from 17 percent who said they did in a similar poll last year. And knowing a transgender person translates powerfully into positive impressions: 66 percent of those who said they know a transgender person expressed favorable feelings toward them, compared with 13 percent who did not -- a net favorability of 53 percentage points.
“This is powerful testimony to what we in the LGBT community have always known - that the more people who know us, and become familiar with our personal stories, the more supportive they are of inclusion and equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “This data tells us that the dramatic increase in the visibility of transgender people in our workplaces, our homes, and in our popular culture has helped propel this growing support of transgender Americans.”
This positive trend of understanding is perhaps reflected most dramatically in the corporate world, where HRC Foundation’s work with Fortune 500 companies through the annual Corporate Equality Index has resulted in two-thirds now offering explicit gender identity non-discrimination protections, and 34 percent offering transgender-inclusive health care benefits.
But even with those gains, many transgender people still face enormous difficulties and disparities in income, health and safety:
More than 70 percent of victims of LGBTQ or HIV-motivated hate violence homicides in 2013 were transgender women, and 67 percent were transgender women of color, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs;
At least seven transgender women have been murdered this year in the U.S.; 13 were reported killed last year, all but one were women of color;
15 percent of transgender people in the U.S. live in extreme poverty, earning less than $10,000 a year, compared with 4 percent of the nation’s overall population living in similar straits;
There is no training accreditation for transgender medical services or a certification in transgender medicine, leading to a lack of competent care, and few doctors who provide transition-related surgery -- most geographic areas have none;
In an HRC survey of 10,000 LGBT youth, less than half of those identifying as transgender said they had an adult in the family they could turn to if worried or sad, and only 27 percent reported that their families were very accepting.
“As we celebrate the growing visibility and acceptance of transgender friends, family members and colleagues, we must acknowledge the real risks for transgender people in living authentically. It’s imperative that we continue to call for policies that protect people based on their gender identity, and continue our work to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot in our schools, our workplaces, and our communities,” Griffin said.
Judy & Dennis Shepard to Receive Harvey Milk Honors Medal at Inaugural Diversity Honors
“The
Harvey Milk Foundation is proud to make history along with the Pride
Center at Equality Park to debut this event which will celebrate the
power and resolve of adversity,” said Stuart Milk, co-founder
and president of the Harvey Milk Foundation. “There has been a
tremendous amount of progress for more equal rights and acceptance
around the world, but we have a lot more work to do. This event will
allow us to showcase our achievements and celebrate those
who have and continue to advocate for equality.”
In
October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son,
Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Matthew’s death moved
thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies
in his memory. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s
fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and
established the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated
to working toward the causes championed by Matthew
during his life: social justice, diversity awareness & education,
and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Judy
Shepard is the founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation
Board of Directors, and served as its first executive director from 1999
to 2009. In her continuing role as board president, she
and Dennis travel across the nation speaking to audiences about what
they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more
accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity,
sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation.
Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir,
“The Meaning of Matthew,” exploring the family’s journey through the
prosecution of Matthew’s assailants, the ensuing media coverage, and
their continuing work to advance civil rights.
She and Dennis continue to make their home in Casper, Wyoming.
“We
couldn’t be prouder to co-present an event that showcases leadership in
diversity and equality in South Florida and beyond,” said Robert Boo,
chief executive officer at The Pride Center at Equality
Park. “The Pride Center at Equality Park has a long history of being at
the forefront of promoting positive gay role models and this event
symbolizes our strong commitment to those we serve and our generous
supporters who stand behind our mission.”
As
part of the celebration, Diversity Honors will offer a front and center
opportunity to hear about the need for more education, greater
acceptance and advocacy for equal rights from
Stuart Milk, nephew of the late civil rights icon, Harvey Milk
(1930-1978), one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United
States who was assassinated after winning a seat on the San Francisco
Board of
Supervisors. Stuart has spearheaded or played a vital role in award
winning programing in 47 countries in support of the
LGBT community and human rights.
Ryan Skyy's 'Done' Picked Up For Rotation By MTV and Logo
Hot on the heels of the announcement that his song 'Done' has been picked up for rotation by MTV and Logo, DJ/Producer Ryan Skyy ("guaranteed to get you on the dance floor," CBS'
Mancave) is announcing his upcoming DONE Tour which will run from April 29 - July 31.
Turn the Internet Red for Marriage Equality
In just one week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges. Before this historic day, HRC wants to show that America is ready for marriage equality...and that's where YOU come in...
HRC's goal is for 500,000 people to change their Facebook profile pictures in the next few days.
It's simple to do with their picture equality tool.
By going red, you’ll make a statement that no matter where you live, you can demonstrate your support for marriage equality — and the belief that #lovecantwait any longer. This simple action will just take a few seconds, but will have a powerful impact, and will help show unified support for marriage equality, once and for all.
San Antonio Shame: Mayor Calls LGBT Protections a “Waste of Time”
Taking part in a “faith forum” for mayoral candidates on Sunday, Mayor Ivy Taylor of San Antonio, Texas attacked a recently-enacted non-discrimination ordinance protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) city employees and contractors from discrimination.
Taylor, a Democrat and former member of the city council who succeeded Mayor Julian Castro when he was appointed to President Obama’s cabinet, told the crowd, “I did not feel we should have even been debating that issue. […] I thought it was a waste of time.” Taylor voted against the ordinance when it was before the council.
“If Mayor Taylor thinks protecting her own citizens from discrimination is a waste of time, then she has no business serving the people of San Antonio—as mayor, as a city council member, even as dog catcher,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “She should apologize for her shameful comments immediately and take some lessons from the former mayor on how to lead on behalf of all the residents of this great city.”
Mayor Taylor’s shameful comments come at a moment when more than 20 pieces of anti-LGBT legislation are being considered by the Texas legislature.
Taylor, a Democrat and former member of the city council who succeeded Mayor Julian Castro when he was appointed to President Obama’s cabinet, told the crowd, “I did not feel we should have even been debating that issue. […] I thought it was a waste of time.” Taylor voted against the ordinance when it was before the council.
“If Mayor Taylor thinks protecting her own citizens from discrimination is a waste of time, then she has no business serving the people of San Antonio—as mayor, as a city council member, even as dog catcher,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “She should apologize for her shameful comments immediately and take some lessons from the former mayor on how to lead on behalf of all the residents of this great city.”
Mayor Taylor’s shameful comments come at a moment when more than 20 pieces of anti-LGBT legislation are being considered by the Texas legislature.
Janine and the Mixtape - Lose My Mind
Building up to the release of her new EP, Janine and the Mixtape has been releasing new content every Monday as part of her Little Mixtape Mondays campaign. Starting in February with a Nirvana cover, she drew inspiration from Eckhart Tolle for "This Moment," and most-recently debuted the video for her buzz single, "Hold Me."
BeTested.co: Grab A Friend and Get Tested!
What you can do - Test, Talk, PrEP, PEP, Treatment, End Stigma.
GMCLA Brings the it gets better Tour to Denver
Written and directed by Liesel Reinhart with musical direction by Morten Kier, it gets better began online as a way to share personal testimonials with young people - especially LGBTQ individuals – about the need to persevere despite painfully challenging situations. The show brings to life real-life stories from lesbian, gay, transgender, genderqueer and straight allies from across America and infuses them with dynamic musical numbers by the talented eight-member cast – with a few surprises along the way!
In the week leading up to the performance of It Gets Better, the creative team will work in the community and at schools with an outreach program designed exclusively for this production. In addition to performing excerpts from the musical, smaller groups will meet discussing the issues of bullying, tolerance and acceptance. Students will watch ‘it gets better’ videos and respond with their own videos, poems and stories. Additionally, in each town, company artists will rehearse with 40-80 singers from local choirs who will join them onstage for the final number during the performance.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Good Chemistry – Denver’s Gay-Friendly Dispensary
Good Chemistry, Denver’s gay-friendly dispensary, is guided by four core principles:
SCIENCE – Good Chemistry believes that Cannabis has significant therapeutic benefits and work to support and expand its study.
ACCESS - Good Chemistry believes that many barriers exist which fundamentally restrict access to safe reliable medical grade cannabis and search for meaningful ways to remove them.
DIGNITY - Good Chemistry believes in the fundamental and inalienable right of a person to choose their medical treatment. Recognizing that often patients who take cannabis are subjected to unfair treatment under the law, Good Chemistry is committed to defending and protecting the rights of their patients.
COMPASSION - Good Chemistry recognizes that medical cannabis is a potent and effective medicine for many patients who cannot afford it and is dedicated to providing for those in need.
Nice To See StevieB: And Baby Makes Three
I am currently conducting a research study, with my dating habits as of late. And, I am learning a lot. After I turned forty years old, I started to date guys in their twenties. I honestly believed there were no differences in guys my age and gay men in their twenties. I went through this twenty year old phase in my life, and I thought that since I was once twenty, I would understand. I am here to report that I am dead wrong.
There seems to be is a magical age when guys are old enough that they're bored with the hookup scene and interested in relationships, yet haven't reached the point where they're bored with relationships, and just want to hook up. This has nothing to do with chronological age. It has more to do with when the individual comes out. The key to finding any guy is to find one on the same pendulum swing as you. This hasn’t changed since I was posting ads on the back pages of Denver’s Outfront Newspaper. Yes, before the interwebs, we had to post ads in the singles column of our gay newspapers. Chiseled into stone tablets, if I remember.
It appears that younger guys pendulums swing faster these days. Kids, I tells ya. When I do sit down on a date I have a series of questions I like to ask. Yeah, know, after the “do your parents know where you are?”question. The clearest one is, “Are you attracted to older guys on a personal level, or physical level?” This shows me whether there’s a Daddy fetish going on, or if it’s a maturity compatibility thing. When I was twenty I hated interacting with other twenty year olds, I preferred having a conversion with people over forty. The other questions are “Do you know who Matthew Shepard, and Larry Kramer are? Have you seen the film, Paris is Burning?” The answers are surprising. Is it wrong to give a homework assignment after the first date? I think no.
There is; however, something new, other than the fact that no gay man under the age of twenty-six would ever have a Facebook account. The guys I have dated as of late, are now thinking love and marriage. And children. It seems that generation next, have the freedom and acceptance to be able to dream of settling down and raising a family. This truly is - a different time, my friends.
This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.
Django Django - Beginning to Fade
It’s fitting Django Django present the entrancing and laid back “Beginning to Fade” on this 4/20. One of the band’s prettiest and most patient songs to date, “Beginning to Fade” was written by bassist Jim Dixon while suffering writers block and features beautiful piano playing by Tommy Grace. As the third song shared leading into Born Under Saturn’s May 4th
release, it perfectly represents this album’s full band approach
compared to their debut which was largely written by producer/drummer Dave Maclean and guitarist/vocalist Vinnie Neff,
as well as the band’s range as they continue to find magic in the
unexplored spaces between musical genres. “Beginning to Fade” follows
debut single, “First Light,” and “Reflections,” a huge floor-filler that swirls with sophistication and went straight to number one on Hypemachine.
These songs run the gamut in terms of styles and influences, yet one
listen to any of them and there’s no denying they are distinctly Django
Django.
OUT on DVD/VOD: Saugatuck Cures
Saugatuck Cures follows a widowed bed and breakfast owner, Maggie Callaghan (Judith Chapman), living in Saugatuck, Michigan dealing with a second round of cancer. When she can't afford treatment, Maggie's gay son Drew (Max Adler) becomes determined to raise money for her treatment, yet doesn't have the slightest idea of how to do it. After a falling out with his affluent sister, Penelope, a religious conservative, Drew is convinced by his eccentric, best friend Brett (Danny Mooney), who is straight, to pose as ex-gay ministers in order to raise the money by "converting" homosexuals into heterosexuals! The two friends set forth on a crazy adventure, getting into a lot of trouble with the law, family conflicts and not knowing if they will have enough time to save mom.
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