WATCH: Ireland's New Marriage Equality Ad Will Give You Goosebumps
The video asks Irish citizens to ‘bring your family with you’ to the polls on May 22, when the country hosts the world’s first national referendum on marriage equality.
Thom Senzee
www.advocate.com/world/2015/04/16/watch-irelands-new-marriage-equality-ad-will-give-you-goosebumps
6 Months After Tim Cook, LGBT Leaders Are Redefining Being Out a Successful
It’s been nearly six months since Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly revealed he is gay, making him one of the most prominent and inspirational role models for those who believe that being out and being successful never have to be mutually exclusive.
Life, like business, is about the right move at the right time. Coming out is a multi-level process: to yourself, your closest friends and family, your extended personal circle, then the world at large. Some people don’t even manage to take the first step until late in life; others are wide open to the world, but have never had “the talk” with their parents and family. It’s always subject to personal trade-offs and self-negotiation — again, just like any business.
Working every day with such inspiring people at StartOut, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering LGBT entrepreneurs and business leaders, I hear from so many colleagues who were so proud to welcome Tim to the family. But what excites me most about today isn’t its repercussions on the market or the LGBT community — which are gradual, vast, and very inspiring — but on some of the broader conversations about success we are now able to have.
Let’s start with: “What can we do to help LGBT people in business be their fullest, truest selves?”
Can there really only be three openly gay CEO’s (Trevor Burgess of C1 Financial Inc. and IGI Laboratories’s Jason Grenfell-Gardner) out of more than 15,000 publicly traded companies in America? If you can handle keynoting the most important conferences in the world, what’s holding you back from acknowledging your partner in front of them? Thankfully, most major companies have inclusive practices in place to help their leaders feel comfortable in identifying who they are and how that can make their work lives even more productive.
But ultimately, ‘Why do gay people need a business network’ is the most common question I’m asked in my work at StartOut and when out on the road promoting economic empowerment for the community. And the answers can be as wide-ranging and impassioned as our community itself is. The sheer number of affinity groups and diversity initiatives at major businesses show that the playing field is anything but level but the commitment to make it better is deep.
My work leaves me more optimistic for the future of our community every day because of the stories I’m hearing from newly out entrepreneurs and employees around the country. By reading and hearing the success stories of people just like them thriving in their careers while being at peace with who they are, America’s LGBT workforce is perpetuating a cycle of inspirational role models.
Ever since Tim’s coming out, I have been talking with the press about what kind of a game changer this was and what all this visibility means for a soon-to-be post marriage equality (crossing fingers) America. It was a game changer, trust me. But not for the reasons many people assume. I kept repeating that Tim’s leadership of Apple has not been, and will not be, defined by his being out. It will only be enhanced because now he’s empowered to lead without worrying he may have to hide anything about himself. His shareholders still have the same demands on him, and as he points out being gay is just a small part of him — he’s a sports fan, a southerner, and obviously one heck of a businessman.
That’s the key to being an out business leader in 2015 and beyond. Just by showing up and being counted, you’re changing the narrative. It’s up to more and more LGBT business leaders to come forward when they are ready and to be role models for others.
Your duty is to your organization when you’re the chief. But your responsibility is to yourself when you’re coming out. Sometimes the timing just doesn’t work out as we’d like it to. But when they do, and your full potential is freed from the shackles of having to keep such a big part of yourself hidden, your work has an unbounded opportunity to thrive. Then your duties and responsibilities to yourself and your business become intimately connected to the role you can play in serving, inspiring, or just joining ‘the community.’ These ideas can ultimately become one in the same.
I joined StartOut, and the broader LGBT business movement, to help ensure that when a business leader, from emerging entrepreneur to big time CEO, is ready to come out they have a community of strength, resources and support to count on as they continue on the business at hand: running successful companies. I believe that leaders will continue to look at Tim’s example, ask some of the tough questions I mentioned, and likely move a little faster to bring the fullest and truest self to both work and life. And I hope that the allies in the industry keep asking what they can do to make this process even easier for those who follow in Tim’s footsteps.
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Major Child Advocacy Organizations Join HRC in Calling for Defeat of Anti-LGBT Legislation
Discriminatory Measures Introduced in Many States Would Undermine Well-Being of Our Nation’s Children and Youth
HRC.org
Watch The Premiere Episodes Of ‘Cucumber’ & ‘Banana’ Here If You Missed It
Cucumber and Banana are two new series from Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies that premiered Monday on Logo following RuPaul‘s Drag Race. The shows take a hard (and often hilarious) look at the modern gay experience, often focusing the spotlight on the fumbling, awkward moments spent navigating the great gay universe.
If you missed the shows, you can check out the first episodes of each below:
Cucumber: Henry Best is disenchanted. All around him, men seem to be younger, smarter, and more attractive. When he gets a taste of the carefree life his younger co-worker and his impossibly handsome roommate lead, Henry’s entire way of life.
Banana: Dean seems to have the perfect life — he’s got a job, good friends, a great city apartment, and all the sex he wants – but his mounting debt and concerned roommate are pushing him closer to a long-simmering confrontation with his parents.
Cucumber & Banana air Mondays starting at 10 p.m. on Logo TV
Dan Tracer
The OXD Mirror: Getting Deeper Into House with Severino, Fort Romeau and More
BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / TAD HAES
Vanessa Daou: ‘Love Is War (Severino & Terry Farley Dub Is War Mix)’
Vanessa Daou’s 1996 single ‘Two To Tango’ became a 90’s club staple after getting a popular rework by New York legend Danny Tenaglia. Nearly 20 years later, one of Horse Meat Disco’s prolific producers/DJs, Severino Panzetta, alongside Terry Farley of Roach Motel, have given her 2013 ‘Love is War’ track their special touch to make yet another one of her soft spoken-word driven recordings into a hip-moving anthem. The simple, single note keys combined with an addictive bass line are the perfect instrumental work for Vanessa’s vocal work, making it a sure hit for late night crowds.
More new music AFTER THE JUMP…
THIS WEEKEND WE GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY BIG TIME
SATURDAY: DRAGON BENEFITING GMHC
We are proud and excited to be providing the music at this year’s DragOn, the annual showcase of creative costume and drag talent benefiting GMHC. This year’s theme is GLAMATRON. Time to show off your vision of the future! Drag is encouraged, but not required – anyone is welcome to join in the fun or just enjoy all the looks. And yes, the OXD crew will be sporting visionary couture. Tickets available on GMHC’s website.
SUNDAY: PARADISCO X SOUVENIRS BENEFITING THE FIRE ISLAND PINES HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Our friends at Fire Island Pines Historical Preservation Society have been working meticulously over the past few years to archive and document the history of LGBT music, art, architecture, politics and lifestyle out in Fire Island, past, present, and future. It’s a history that is pivotal to the music and nightlife we enjoy today, and remains as one of the most unique gay destinations in the world. We’re teaming up with them for our weekly party Paradisco to celebrate three decades of classic tea dance music along with guest DJ Robbie Leslie. Many of you may know Robbie as a resident DJ at NYC’s The Saint, The Pavilion and Sandpiper in Fire Island, or from listening to him on SiriusXM Radio’s Studio 54 station. We will be collecting a suggested, voluntary donation of $5.00 at the door (or more if you are feeling generous) on behalf pf FIPHPS so they can continue their mission of documenting the rich history of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove. For more info on their project, visit www.fiphps.org
OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD) curates and recommends music events to the gay community in NYC—in an effort to move the focus of the nightlife scene beyond the promoter and venue and to the music itself. OXD’s goal is to educate, entertain, engage and empower the gay audience to reclaim their ability to question and experience the unknown. The OXD Mirror will serve to showcase tunes that are definitely off-the-beaten-path but rightfully deserve the attention of the gay ear.
Follow us on Soundcloud! You can listen to our curated weekly playlists featured on Towleroad. to listen to tracks posted from past weeks. For more information on OXD, check out our website and accompanying blog at www.occupythedisco.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter: @OccupyTheDisco.
Occupy the Disco
Extreme Bull LGBT Audiobook
Michigan Car Repair Shop Owner Says He Will Turn Away Openly Gay Customers … And That's Legal
A Michigan car repair shop owner said he will refuse to serve openly gay customers — and, yes, that is legal.
Brian Klawiter is the owner of Dieseltec in Grandville, Michigan. On Tuesday, he took to Facebook to announce in a verbose post that he has no problem refusing to serve gay customers on the basis of religious freedom.
“I am a Christian,” he wrote, in part. “My company will be run in a way that reflects that. Dishonesty, thievery, immoral behavior, etc. will not be welcomed at MY place of business. (I would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons. Homosexuality is wrong, period. If you want to argue this fact with me then I will put your vehicle together with all bolts and no nuts and you can see how that works.)”
Enough is enough. Our rights as conservative Americans are being squashed more and more everyday. Apparently if you…
Posted by Dieseltec on Tuesday, April 14, 2015
He also defended himself while speaking with WOOD TV, a local NBC affiliate.
“If you have a vehicle that needs to be repaired, we’d be happy to do that for you,” he said. “But if you want to come in here with your boyfriend and you want to openly display that, that’s just not going to be tolerated here. We don’t believe that here.”
Zack Ford of ThinkProgress noted that if Klawiter decided to deny service to a gay person, he would likely face no legal repercussions because neither Michigan nor the city of Grandville have nondiscrimination laws protecting LGBT people in place. Michigan’s nondiscrimination law, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976, does not list sexual orientation or gender identity under its protection, according to LGBT rights advocacy group Equality Michigan. Thus, it is legal to deny LGBT people housing or service in stores and restaurants.
“Klawiter’s post is emblematic of too many businesses in this state where LGBTQ people’s lives are constantly at risk for simply being who they are,” Yvonne Siferd, director of victim services at Equality Michigan, said in a statement sent to The Huffington Post. “This is why we call for our representatives in Lansing to step up and modernize ELCRA to include sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. Klawiter’s statement goes beyond the denial of service to LGBTQ people and our allies, and includes a threat to our lives. That is contrary to our common values as Americans.”
Grandville Mayor Steve Maas has said he is open to exploring nondiscrimination legislation that would protect LGBT individuals if that is what the citizens of his town want, according to WOOD TV.
A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for Dieseltec, but it was eventually removed.
The fund was similar to a GoFundMe account in support of Indiana’s Memories Pizza, whose owners said they would not serve their pizza at a same-sex wedding because of their Christian beliefs. This right was defended under the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. More than $800,000 was raised for the establishment and the owners dubbed the windfall a blessing from God.
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Bill Attacking Transgender Youth Withdrawn from Texas House Committee
Yesterday, the House State Affairs Committee withdrew the Bathroom Surveillance Bill (HB 2801), a bill that would have harmed transgender youth in Texas.
HRC.org
Angie's List CEO Resigns, Announces Plans to Re-Enter Politics to Fix Indiana's 'Badly Damaged' Reputation
Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle has announced he is stepping down as CEO and will re-enter politics in an effort to help fix Indiana’s “badly damaged” reputation following the firestorm over the state’s “religious freedom” law.
Oesterle, a Republican and former supporter of Gov. Mike Pence, was one of the first major Indiana-based business leaders to join the corporate backlash against the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. He was also one of the first (and remains one of the few) business leaders to reject the so-called “fix” to the state’s law, calling it “insufficient” to prevent discrimination against LGBT individuals.
The Indianapolis Star reports:
Indiana’s public image “took a shellacking” after passage of RFRA spurred widespread criticism from gay rights groups, much of the business community and others, Oesterle said. “Indiana was under significant duress and went through a heartbreaking situation.”
Oesterle’s announcement amounts to “an announcement of trying to unseat a governor,” said Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics. “If you think about the individual positions that could have made a difference about this (RFRA), that’s only one, that’s the governor.”
“That is somebody who is saying either he is running for governor or is looking for somebody to run for governor,” Downs said of Oesterle.
Oesterle, a West Lafayette native and former trustee at Purdue University, said he hasn’t decided whether he wants to run as a candidate or support someone else. In 2004, Oesterle took a leave from Angie’s to manage [two-term Gov. Mitch] Daniels’ first campaign, which raised a record $18 million for an Indiana gubernatorial race and unseated a sitting governor, Democrat Joe Kernan.
Gov. Pence is up for reelection in 2016.
Read the Angie’s List press release announcing Oesterle’s departure, AFTER THE JUMP…
Angie’s List (Nasdaq:ANGI) today announced that William S. Oesterle plans to step down as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Oesterle has agreed to remain in his current role as CEO until a successor is appointed, and he will serve on the Board of Directors at least through the remainder of his current term. Mr. Oesterle, co-founder of the Company, has served as Chief Executive Officer since January 1999 and on the Board since the inception of Angie’s List in June 1995. After 20 years with the Company overseeing significant growth and market expansion, Mr. Oesterle has shared his intention to pursue other interests, including becoming more civically involved in the State of Indiana.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has initiated a search to identify a new CEO. Internal and external candidates will be considered. The Company has retained Spencer Stuart, a leading executive search firm, to assist in the process.
“On behalf of the entire Angie’s List Board, I want to thank Bill for his leadership in helping to create one of the strongest brands in local home services,” said John Chuang, Chair of the Angie’s List Board of Directors. “This transition period provides an opportunity to acknowledge and applaud Bill’s contributions to the Company, while also ensuring a smooth transition to our next Chief Executive Officer. We are focused on identifying a strong leader who has a record of driving positive financial results and who shares our vision of leveraging the unique attributes of the Angie’s List brand. The right candidate will build on Bill’s success, and will help us continue executing our strategy of establishing Angie’s List as the preferred platform in the $800 billion local services marketplace.”
“Serving Angie’s List alongside its 1,900 dedicated employees and being part of this amazing company from the very beginning has been a privilege and a highlight of my professional career,” said Mr. Oesterle. “I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished, especially seeing Angie’s Listgrow to where we are now connecting millions of consumers across the country with leading service providers in their areas. The decision to leave was not an easy one. But as I begin the transition to the next chapter, I have great confidence in the Company’s continued growth and prosperity and am committed to supporting a seamless transition.”
“For the past 20 years, Bill has been an outstanding partner to me and to the whole Angie’s List organization,” said Angie’s List co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Angie Hicks. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our talented team to execute on our marketplace strategy with the same passion and entrepreneurial spirit that Bill has instilled in our company and that has enabled our success.”
Kyler Geoffroy
