President Trump attacks LGBTQ Americans in reported national 'License to Discriminate' order

President Trump attacks LGBTQ Americans in reported national 'License to Discriminate' order

Administration deceives Americans with reported plans to legalize anti-LGBTQ discrimination across the country

According to The Nation, a leaked copy of a draft executive order reveals plans by the Trump administration to “legalize discrimination.” This comes after President Donald Trump’s misleading pledge earlier this week to leave in place federal workplace protections for LGBTQ people. The executive order, obtained by The Investigative Fund and The Nation, could allow for businesses, schools, and even healthcare providers to turn away LGBTQ people based on “religious freedoms.”

“If anything in this document were to become federal law, it would be a national license to discriminate, and it would endanger LGBTQ people and their families,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO. “Freedom of Religion does not mean the freedom to discriminate. If the Trump Administration moves forward with any of these unconstitutional and un-American policies, the chorus of public outcry will get even louder while the president’s approval ratings continue to crumble.”

President Trump’s planned anti-LGBTQ executive order, a draft of which was reported on by the media on Wednesday, is strikingly similar to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) – a law Vice President Mike Pence championed and signed into law while governor. Public backlash to that law was immediate and severe, causing a $250 million economic panic, prompting companies to postpone business expansions, and derailing the state’s reputation as a welcoming place for all people.

So what could President Trump’s reported national ‘License to Discriminate’ order mean for LGBTQ Americans? Here’s a look at just some of what could take place as discrimination is enshrined in federal law.

WHAT TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER COULD MEAN FOR LGBTQ AMERICANS:

1) Employers without penalty may fire an LGBTQ person from their job because of religious freedom.

2) Child welfare and adoption services without penalty may deny LGBTQ couples the ability to adopt children.

3) Health care providers without penalty may deny LGBTQ people, including women, critical services that are important to their health needs.

4) Schools without penalty may openly discriminate against LGBTQ teachers, faculty, and students.

5) Government officials without penalty may deny LGBTQ people services – including county clerks who issue marriage licenses for couples.

6) Businesses without penalty may deny LGBTQ people services, including pharmacies, restaurants, beauty salons, sporting events, etc.

February 1, 2017
Issues: 

www.glaad.org/blog/president-trump%C2%A0attacks-lgbtq-americans-reported-national-license-discriminate-order

Tom Daley on why you shouldn’t compare his physique to your own

Tom Daley on why you shouldn’t compare his physique to your own

“I train six hours a day, six days a week. It’s not as if it’s something that happens just from going to the gym for 20 minutes or an hour a day.

My life’s about getting to the point where I’m in the physical shape that I can do all my diving the best that I can. So, I do feel bad and I wouldn’t want to make anyone feel that way. But I know that if anyone else trained for six hours a day, six days a week, they would get the same result…

Outside of the pool I don’t walk around the house in my trunks! The other day, an old lady came up to me and said: ‘Gosh, I don’t recognize you with your clothes on!’ and I guess people see me on TV and diving with no clothes on. It’s nice to go to a photoshoot and actually wear something.”Tom Daley, discussing gay men’s complicated relationship with their physiques for Attitude‘s Body issue.

www.queerty.com/tom-daley-shouldnt-compare-physique-20170201?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Small Town Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender in Letter to Citizens

Small Town Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender in Letter to Citizens

Jess Herbst

Jess Herbst, the mayor of New Hope, Texas, came out as transgender in advance of a public town meeting on Tuesday night.

Herbst was appointed mayor of the town last year after serving as alderman, road commissioner, and mayor pro-tem, after New Hope’s mayor suffered a heart attack days before the election.

The NYT reports:

Ms. Herbst suggested on the city’s website that the culture was changing in the United States and directed constituents to her personal website, where she has kept a diary over the years. It included photos of her sitting in restaurants in Europe and of her “embracing leggings” in the gallery of images titled, “Who I am now,” juxtaposed with a section called, “Who I used to be,” with images of her life as Jeff…

…Ms. Herbst also said that she had the support of her family. Her wife grew up in New Hope, and the couple have lived in the town with their two daughters since 1999.

The paper notes that Herbst has received support for her courage in a state where it is legal to discriminate on the basis of gender identity.

Herbst’s letter in full:

As the new mayor of New Hope, I would like to tell you all what a privilege it is to serve you. Since 2003 I have had the privilege of being an alderman, road commissioner and mayor pro-them. In May of 2016, I became your mayor.

My wife has lived in New Hope since she was 2 years old. Along with our 2 daughters, we have lived here since 1999, on the same farm my wife was raised. I was born and raised in Greenville, Texas.

As your Mayor I must tell you about something that has been with me since my earliest memories. I am Transgender. Twoyears ago, with the support of my wife, daughters and son-in-law,  I began Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). At the time, I did not imagine I would hold the Mayors position, but here I am.

I know that transgender people are just coming to light in our society, and we have made great strides in the last few years. Celebrities like olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner, Laverne Cox from the show ‘Orange is the new Black’ and popular shows like ‘Transparent’ , society finally has a chance to see and learn about who we are. It is gender identity not sexual preference that applies to me. I love my wife, and she loves me, we have no intention of change. My daughters have been adamant supporters of me and are proud to tell people their father is transgender.

I am self employed and all of my customers have been understanding and supportive.

I live my life as a female now, and I will be performing my duties to the town as such. I have written a blog documenting my decision process and experiences as transgender and I think you would find it contains much insight. The site is JessHerbst.Com

I’m not especially sensitive to the pronoun I’m called, and I expect people to take time to make the change. I use the name Jess, a simple change from Jeff.

I will continue as Mayor and hope to do the very best for the town. Please feel free to email me questions or comments, my email is [email protected]. The Monthly Town Council meetings are on the last Tuesday of every month, at Town hall on Rockcrest. The meeting begins at 7:30pm. There is a spot for public comment at the beginning of each meeting if you wish to address me, or the council about this or any other town matter. I encourage you to do so, it really is the best way for the council to know what issues need addressing.

Thank you for your attention.

Photo: Jess Herbst.

The post Small Town Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender in Letter to Citizens appeared first on Towleroad.


Small Town Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender in Letter to Citizens

Republicans Continue to Rush Trump’s Anti-LGBTQ Nominees’ Confirmations Through the Senate

Republicans Continue to Rush Trump’s Anti-LGBTQ Nominees’ Confirmations Through the Senate

Today, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) took the unprecedented step to suspend the rules of the Senate Finance Committee by unanimous consent with no Democrats present. They then voted, again with no Democrats present, to advance the nomination of Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, as well as the nomination of Steve Mnuchin to serve as Treasury Secretary.

Democrats had boycotted the Senate Finance Committee markup of the nominees yesterday, preventing the committee from reaching a quorum to vote on the nominees. In a letter to Senator Hatch, Democrats explained that both nominees have yet to answer all of their questions and, gave inaccurate and misleading testimony and responses to questions. In addition, Mnuchin failed to respond to questions for data regarding the foreclosure practices of OneWest. There are also serious ethics concerns around Rep. Price’s nomination. 

By boycotting the meeting, Democrats hoped Republicans would wait to markup the nominees until these issues were addressed. Instead, Sen. Hatch’s unprecedented move to advance the nominees without Democrats in the room took the country one step closer to having one of the most anti-LGBTQ Secretaries of Health and Human Services in modern history. You can read more about Rep. Price’s record in HRC’s report, Tom Price: A History of Anti-LGBTQ Actions.

Also today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to be attorney general on an 11-9 party line vote. Democrats successfully delayed his vote yesterday by invoking the two-hour rule, which states that committees may only meet for two hours after the Senate convenes, and making speeches of opposition until the two-hour mark was hit. 

Senator Sessions has spent a lifetime in public service devoted to proudly denying equality and justice for LGBTQ people. As Attorney General of Alabama and as a U.S. Senator, Jeff Sessions has not only ignored every opportunity to protect the LGBTQ community from violence, discrimination, and marginalization, but he has actively used his positions to stand against equality for LGBTQ Americans in nearly every form. His vote on the full senate is expected on Monday. You can read more about Sessions’ record in HRC’s report Jeff Sessions: A History of Anti-LGBTQ Actions.

Senator Sessions and Rep. Price’s nominations weren’t the only anti-LGBTQ nominations that moved forward this week, however. In a meeting of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Betsy DeVos’ nomination to be Secretary of Education was advanced on a party line vote of 12-11. However, although Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) voted DeVos out of committee, they raised serious concerns during the hearing and both announced today that they would be opposing her nomination on the Senate floor.

DeVos’ record raises serious concerns about whether she will be committed to protecting the diverse populations served by the Department of Education and if she can serve every student equally.  DeVos has a lengthy record of supporting anti-LGBTQ groups and causes, including organizations that have been designated as anti-LGBTQ hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center. You can read more about DeVos’ failure to commit to supporting and protecting LGBTQ students in HRC’s letter of opposition to her confirmation.

www.hrc.org/blog/republicans-continue-to-rush-trumps-anti-lgbtq-nominees-confirmations-throu?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed