HRC Calls on Gov. Holcomb to Reject Non-Inclusive Bill Excluding Transgender Hoosiers

Today, HRC reacted to the news that SB 198 has been passed through both legislative chambers in Indiana and is now headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk. The initially unrelated bill was amended late last week to include deeply flawed hate crimes language that excludes sex and gender identity, includes unconstitutionally vague language, and is non-mandatory in nature. This is not the fully-inclusive hate crimes bill the Governor initially called for, and HRC now calls on the governor to reject the bill in its current form.

“HRC will not support any proposal that is not fully-inclusive of the LGBTQ community and our allies, full stop,” said JoDee Winterhof, senior vice president for policy and political affairs at the Human Rights Campaign. “Unfortunately, SB 198 does not meet this criteria. Hate crimes laws must include both sexual orientation and gender identity alongside other protected characteristics in order to truly protect LGBTQ Hoosiers. All LGBTQ Hoosiers are deserving of protection, and leaders in Indiana must act to protect all of us from bias-based crimes. For that reason, we ask Gov. Eric Holcomb to reject this bill.”

In 2015, Indiana legislators passed a disastrous anti-LGBTQ law that caused massive economic and reputational fallout in the state. During that fight, large corporations and small business owners alike spoke up against the legislation, causing the legislature and former Gov. Mike Pence to attempt to stem the tide of opposition and financial loss. Major businesses – including Salesforce, Eli Lilly and Company, Alcoa, Cummins, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the NCAA, and more – played a lead role in negotiating the measure that limited the damage of the law.

This session, HRC has been working closely with our partners in the Indiana Forward coalition. Indiana Forward is made up by a number of allied member organizations, higher education professionals, and corporate partners like Anthem Inc, Cummins, and Eli Lilly and Company.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-calls-on-gov.-holcomb-to-reject-non-inclusive-bill-excluding-transgende?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

MUST WATCH: Jamie Lee Curtis & Sara Cunningham of ‘Free Mom Hugs’ Show Love for LGBTQ Youth and Thank GLAAD Supporter Ariadne Getty at 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

www.glaad.org/blog/must-watch-jamie-lee-curtis-sara-cunningham-%E2%80%98free-mom-hugs%E2%80%99-show-love-lgbtq-youth-and-thank

Lesbian Chef Teresa Montaño: From Soccer to Starbucks to Spain

Led by an innovative tastemaker, Los Angeles’s hottest Spanish restaurant explores the city’s cultural heritage.

www.advocate.com/exclusives/2019/4/02/lesbian-chef-teresa-montano-soccer-starbucks-spain

Guy in ‘MAGA’ hat slices open man’s hand with sword, screams homophobic slurs in public attack
“We know the suspect was wearing the hat,” SFPD spokesperson Officer Robert Rueca said.

www.queerty.com/lunatic-maga-hat-slices-open-mans-hand-sword-screaming-homophobic-slurs-20190402?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Zac Efron, Martin Shkreli, Nancy Pelosi, the Sussex Royals, Kamala Harris, Michael Bloomberg, Adam Schiff’s Nicknames, Sam Smith: HOT LINKS

JARED KUSHNER. Trump’s son-in-law shrugs off questions about his security clearance, and the Mueller Report: “We’ve had a lot of crazy accusations, like, that we colluded with Russia. I complied with all the different investigations, whether it be the Senate, the House, the special counsel. I’ve sat for nearly 20 hours of interviews with them.”

SPICE DRAMA. Ginger said she never hooked up with Scary.

TAKEDOWN OF THE DAY. Colbert on Trump’s threat to close the border.

JUSTIN AMASH. Michigan Republican ponders third party run against Trump: “I think my message does resonate with a lot of people,” said Amash, now in his fifth Congressional term. “There are people who are tired of the way it works and are coming to understand that the problem is this two-party duopoly and the partisan fighting that is nonstop. If people came to Washington with strong ideologies but less partisanship this would be a lot better.”

JOIN THE STRAIGHT ARM CLUB. Pelosi chastises Biden for being too touchy-feely with women: “Just pretend you have a cold and I have a cold.”

MAN CANDY. #TBT and more here (opens in a new tab)”>This Karamo Brown #TBT and more here.

View this post on Instagram

It’s a #TBT but not much has changed. #CheckMyStoryToSee

A post shared by Karamo (@karamo) on Mar 28, 2019 at 5:46pm PDT

PAPARAZZI. Alexander Skarsgard speaks out about shooting the classic Lady Gaga video.

NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT OF THE DAY. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

View this post on Instagram

“Welcome to our official Instagram; we look forward to sharing the work that drives us, the causes we support, important announcements, and the opportunity to shine a light on key issues. We thank you for your support, and welcome you to @sussexroyal.”- Harry & Meghan

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 2, 2019 at 7:16am PDT

2020. Bloomberg might still run: “These people tell me that Bloomberg, 77, who announced March 5 that he wouldn’t run, might reconsider if a centrist lane were to open up. The most likely scenario for that would be if Biden, 76, whose displays of public affection have burst into a major issue, were to stay out or fade fast.”

THE MATRIARCH. Barbara Bush biography reveals how much Nancy Reagan hated her.

CASH HAUL. Kamala Harris raises $12 million in first quarter: ‘Half of the total haul for Harris, a California senator, was raised online, including more than $1.1 million in the final week of March, when she spent heavily to attract more donors ahead of the financial deadline. Harris’ overall average donation was $55, while her campaign said the average online contribution was $28.’ Bernie Sanders raises $18 million. “Aides said the Vermont senator’s average donation was $20. Sanders’ campaign said he received a little under 900,000 individual donations, after setting a goal of 1 million in the first quarter of the year.”

ADAM SCHIFF. On Trump’s nicknames for him: “This is nothing new. We’ve seen these childish nicknames for a year and a half, but he is violating the cardinal rule of childish nicknames which is you’ve got to pick one and stick with it.

TOP TEN OF THE DAY. Earners on YouTube.

BEHIND BARS. Pharmadouche Martin Shkreli placed in solitary confinement: “Earlier this month, the much-maligned pharmaceutical businessman and uber troll Martin Shkreli was put in solitary confinement at Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, Forbes has been told by two sources with knowledge of the situation. That came after the Wall Street Journal described how he was using a contraband phone to run his pharma business from behind bars.”

TRAILER OF THE DAY. Pet Sematary.

TRAILER II OF THE DAY. Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.

SELF-LOVING SELFIE OF THE DAY. Sam Smith

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Feeling bloated and gross after my flight so thought I’d post a mirror selfie of my sexy bloated boobies coz we are friends. Finally

A post shared by Sam Smith (@samsmith) on Apr 1, 2019 at 1:54pm PDT

The post Zac Efron, Martin Shkreli, Nancy Pelosi, the Sussex Royals, Kamala Harris, Michael Bloomberg, Adam Schiff’s Nicknames, Sam Smith: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Zac Efron, Martin Shkreli, Nancy Pelosi, the Sussex Royals, Kamala Harris, Michael Bloomberg, Adam Schiff’s Nicknames, Sam Smith: HOT LINKS

Texas State Senate Passes Cruel and Discriminatory Anti-LGBTQ Bill

HRC released the following statement about the Texas State Senate’s vote to pass SB 17. The third reading of SB 17 is expected tomorrow, a procedural step before it is sent to the House. This bill is one of Lt. Gov Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities, despite his assurance that he would not take up anti-LGBTQ legislation this legislative session.

“Today’s vote on SB 17 marks a dark moment for Texas: the passage of one of the most broadly discriminatory bills under consideration across the country,” said Rebecca Marques, HRC Texas state director. “This bill would allow state-sanctioned discrimination against many Texans, but would particularly impact the LGBTQ community. Before the session began, Texas’ elected officials promised to focus on key issues important to all Texans and not to revisit the fights of the previous session. Instead, it’s legislative deja vu, as Dan Patrick is pushing a discriminatory anti-LGBTQ agenda yet again. We implore the House of Representatives to not take up this harmful bill.”

SB 17, which now heads to the Texas State House, would forbid a professional licensing or regulatory agency from sanctioning, refusing to issue a license, or revoking the license of a practitioner who asserts a religious justification for failure to meet professional standards. In Texas, more than 200 professions require professional licensing so that consumers are assured that the professional has the requisite skills and training and will be held accountable to to professional standards. It applies to all licensees in Texas, including teachers, fire fighters, doctors, architects, funeral directors, building inspectors, social workers, counselors, psychologists, therapists, judges, veterinarians, pipefitters, auditors, surgeons, and so many more. The bill includes specific exemptions to ensure that neither police officers nor medical practitioners providing emergency medical care would be allowed to assert religious justifications for failing to provide those life-saving services.

Licenses to discriminate such as SB 17 have a particular impact on LGBTQ people because LGBTQ Texans are not included in the state’s non-discrimination laws. That means, for example, that if the local pediatrician refuses to care for the child of a same-sex couple, the state licensing agency wouldn’t be able to address the pediatrician’s unprofessional behavior — even if the pediatrician is the only pediatrician in the family’s area.

This legislative session, at least 19 bills have been filed that threaten LGBTQ Texans.

www.hrc.org/blog/texas-state-senate-passes-discriminatory-anti-lgbtq-bill?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Randy Rainbow Sings to ‘Cruella DeVos’: ‘You’re Going to Hell’

The gay crooner lampooned the secretary of Education for attempting to slash the budget of the Special Olympics.

www.advocate.com/comedy/2019/4/02/randy-rainbow-sings-cruella-devos-youre-going-hell

Chick-fil-A banned from another airport over continued donations to anti-LGBTQ groups

www.queerty.com/chick-fil-banned-another-airport-continued-donations-anti-lgbtq-groups-20190402?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Blasts Security Clearance Sham at White House: ‘What’s Next? Nuclear Codes in Instagram DMs?’ — WATCH

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday blasted Jared Kushner’s use of WhatsApp to communicate with Saudi officials and lax security at the White House during a House Oversight Committee hearing.

Said AOC: “Reports are suggesting that we are conducting foreign relations by people with security clearances via WhatsApp! Every day that we go on without getting to the bottom of this matter is a day that we are putting hundreds if not potentially thousands of Americans at risk. I mean, really, what is next, putting nuclear codes in Instagram DMs? This is ridiculous.”

Yesterday it was reported that Donald Trump overruled security clearance denials by career employees for 25 individuals in his administration, according to a whistleblower who testified to the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

The post Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Blasts Security Clearance Sham at White House: ‘What’s Next? Nuclear Codes in Instagram DMs?’ — WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Blasts Security Clearance Sham at White House: ‘What’s Next? Nuclear Codes in Instagram DMs?’ — WATCH

Three Questions for Florida’s First LGBTQ Consumer Advocate

HRC Board of Governors member Nik Harris has been appointed Florida’s first LGBTQ Consumer Advocate. The announcement was made recently by Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried.

“We’re building a Department that represents all Floridians, and it’s paramount that LGBTQ Floridians have a voice in defending their safety, economic security, and well-being,” Fried said in a statement. “I’m pleased to have Nik Harris as our LGBTQ Consumer Advocate, helping safeguard consumer rights within this underserved community.”

From joining HRC in 2013 to serving on the Dolphin Democrats’ Board of Directors and as an a LGBTA Democratic Caucus member, Harris is a powerful force for LGBTQ equality in the Sunshine State.

HRC caught up with Harris to chat about what her appointment means for Florida’s LGBTQ community.

1. What will your position entail?

I will serve as the department’s liaison to Florida’s LGBTQ community, raising awareness about opportunities within the agriculture industry and helping address discrimination and fraud targeting the LGBTQ community. This is the first position of its kind in Florida. I am so thankful to the commissioner for this opportunity and for her commitment to equality. It is an honor and privilege to serve this community and the commissioner.

2. Tell us a bit about the work to move equality forward in Florida. What are some of the goals for the work ahead?

There is a lot of work to be done in Florida and across the country to ensure equality for all, and Florida must be a leader when it comes to combatting LGBTQ discrimination. No one should be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The broader goal for the state would be to pass a statewide non-discrimination law. It’s paramount that LGBTQ Floridians have equal protections. In this position, I hope to advocate and educate on behalf of the LGBTQ community and the Department of Agriculture because many people in the LGBTQ community are unaware of the services the department offers. The commissioner and I want to make those services common knowledge to everyone in the community.

3. What’s your message to other LGBTQ folks looking to get involved in their communities?

My message is to simply get out there and do it. There are so many opportunities to get involved in the community. Learn who your elected officials are and contact them. Join a caucus or other organizations that are working toward making changes in your city or state. Attend town hall meetings so you can make your voice heard. Also, support organizations like HRC or Equality Florida that are already doing the work.

www.hrc.org/blog/three-questions-for-floridas-first-lgbtq-consumer-advocate?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed