Transgender Mississippians Take Part in National Transgender Survey
In late August, HRC Mississippi Director Rob Hill traveled throughout the state of Mississippi to help Mississippians engage in the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey (USTS).
HRC.org
Kim Davis Has Filed Motion Claiming She Has Sustained “Irreparable Injury”
While the world waits to see what Rowan County clerk Jim Crow Kim Davis will do when she returns to work Monday morning, she’s gone ahead with plans to sue the Governor of Kentucky, Steve Beshear, claiming his orders to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples violates her First Amendment rights.
The Governor has already petitioned the 6th Circuit and requested they promptly dismiss the case, and Kim Davis’ lawyers have filed a motion in opposition to that request.
The New Civil Rights Movement reports that Davis is suggesting that the District Judge’s insistence that she give marriage licenses to all couples has resulted in “immediate and irreparable injury to her individual religious liberty and free speech rights” and that she’s now “facing immediate and substantial harm and consequences for exercising her individual constitutional and statutory rights.”
Davis’ lawyers have previously said claimed Judge Bunning’s request to comply with his order to hand out marriage licenses is “factually impossible.”
H/t: LGBTQNation
Jeremy Kinser
She'd Better Work: The Best 'Do Your Job, Kim Davis' Memes
What do Wonder Woman, Carla from Cheers, Velma from Scooby-Doo, Dana Scully from The X-Files, Queen Amidala from the Star Wars franchise, and even Fabio have in common?
According to dozens of creative Internet memes, they’re not anything like Kim Davis: no matter what, they do their job.
Attorneys for Davis say Monday is the day the Rowan County, Ky., clerk who went to jail last week rather than abide by orders from judges, Kentucky’s governor, and the U.S. Supreme Court returns to her job at the courthouse.
A federal judge released Davis Tuesday on the condition that she not interfere with her deputy clerks who have been complying with his order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Her lawyers have refused to say whether she will comply; noncompliance puts her at risk of another contempt of court charge and a return to jail.
So we wait and do our own jobs, while she sits at home reading fan mail, possibly drawing a salary despite not being at work. Maybe she’s also reading The Advocate.
Our first meme, by San Francisco-based graphic designer Shaun Osburn, is fast becoming the most popular Kim Davis entry. Even actress Gillian Anderson, who played FBI agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, retweeted his meme, with the comment “Brilliant!”
“As soon as I saw the notification from her on my phone I started crying. I was and still am a huge sci-fi and horror geek,” Osburn told Vocativ. “I had to run to the restroom at work to read it, because I knew I would cry. Even just a one-word response from her meant everything to my inner 12-year-old faggot nerd self.”
Another blast from the past meme popped up on Reddit and Imagur, featuring the reluctant Saint Nick substitute played by Tim Allen in the 1994 film The Santa Clause.
The meme makers reached even further back to include Velma, the bespectacled lady who is the brains behind those “meddling kids” and their dog, Scooby-Doo:
Speaking of cartoons, here’s a far more esoteric meme featuring Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most popular and influential Japanese artists and animators, who is frequently misquoted as saying anime was a mistake.
Even everyone’s favorite liberatarian TV character, Ron Swanson, played by Nick Offerman on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, does his job — while eating red meat.
Maggie Smith plays Hogwarts stalwart Minerva McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House, who she does her job to help Harry Potter from the beginning of his tale to the very end.
The woman who redefined the role of M in the James Bond movies, Dame Judi Dench, has played her character as someone who can be relied upon to do her job or die trying.
Could anyone blame Carla, played famously on TV’s Cheers by Rhea Perlman, for not doing her job? After all, she hates her customers almost as much as she hates her job, but she does it.
Queen Amidala, later to be known as senator of Naboo and mother to Luke and Leia, made some very questionable choices in headgear, hairstyle, makeup, and matrimony, but the character, played by Natalie Portman, still did her job.
Take it from that Amazonian of the superhero comic book world, Wonder Woman: Her plane may be invisible, but her work ethic is easy to see. Lynda Carter, we love you!
Speaking of men and heroes, do they work any harder than Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford? After all, he did the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs, which is … nonsensical. But whatever, he worked!
And when it comes to doing a job, nobody appreciates getting paid more than the Ghostbusters. They ain’t afraid of no gays!
Finally, can you think of anyone who you’d rather work with or watch work than Fabio? Oh, that mane of his! It’s like buttah!
Dawn Ennis
www.advocate.com/media/2015/9/11/shed-better-work-best-do-your-job-kim-davis-memes
Kate Geis and John Tomlinson Talk "Paul Taylor: Creative Domain" (AUDIO)
This week I talked with Filmmaker Kate Geis about her documentary Paul Taylor: Creative Domain and John Tomlinson, Executive Director of the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation. Paul Taylor is one of the dance world’s most elusive and admired choreographers. For 60 years he has given only glimpses into his creative process but in this fabulous documentary for his 133rd dance performance Three Dubious Memories, the audience is allowed into his studio for an in-depth exploration of how Mr. Taylor creates a single work. In 1998 director Matthew Diamond released the Oscar nominated film Dancemaker about the story of the then 69-year-old choreographer’s life, his company and his dances. Creative Domain is the next chapter in the creative life of Mr. Taylor. Through the intimate lens of award-winning cinematographer Tom Hurwitz, we witness Taylor’s verbal and non-verbal communication with his dancers. I talked to Kate Geis and John Tomlinson about this must-see documentary Paul Taylor: Creative Domain and their spin on our LGBT issues.
LISTEN:
When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Tomlinson stated:
Well I happen to be a gay man and I have a husband and we are thank God legally married finally and very proud of that. I’ve been with my husband almost 20 years and we’ve been married for four years now. I will also say just in general I’ve always been thrilled to work in an industry where LGBT issues are basically non-issues. We don’t have issues with that. We understand that the work we do has nothing to do with the sexual orientation of the people doing it. I think part of me was drawn to this part of the world because of that because I wanted to work freely in an environment where it wasn’t an issue of what my sexual orientation was. I also think it’s important to celebrate that fact that we always were on the frontlines in that. On top of which, I work for an artist who is so broadminded and sees the world in so many ways and explores all those issues on the stage and gives you a sense of great equality throughout his work.
Filmmaker Kate Geis is an Emmy winning documentary producer who began her career at Saturday Night Live and went on to produce documentary programming for WNET, Channel Thirteen, History Channel, A&E and Metro TV. John Tomlinson, Executive Director of the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation has been working with dance companies for more than 30 years including some of the greatest names in modern dance. The film’s Executive Producer Robert Aberlin has co-produced two award winning documentaries both of which appeared on WNET the New York PBS affiliate and he also serves on the board of The Paul Taylor Dance Foundation. Paul Taylor: Creative Domain opens in New York City at The Film Society Of Lincoln Center on September 11th with Filmmaker Kate Geis, Executive Producer Robert Aberlin, dance luminaries and dancers featured in the film attending a Q & A following the film. Paul Taylor: Creative Domain will be released theatrically in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and other key cities throughout September giving a rare glimpse of the process and creator of The Paul Taylor Dance Company.
For More Info: paultaylorcreativedomain.com
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The company that bought NYC’s Next magazine last spring just snapped up LA’s Frontiers too
Multimedia Platforms (MMP) has become one of the largest LGBT Media Companies in the US with the acquisition this week of Frontiers Media Holdings – publishers of the West Coast magazine, Frontiers.
MMP was founded in 2009, and went public in January (OTCQB: MMPW). The acquisition continues MMP’s rapid expansion since it made its stock market debut.
Earlier this year, the Fort Lauderdale-based company purchased the 33-year-old Columbia Funmap, Inc – which distributes LGBTI neighborhood ‘FunMaps’ to scene venues across the US.
In April, it announced that it was buying New York gay magazine, Next.
At the time, it’s CEO, Bobby Blair, told the Middle Market that the move was part of MMP’s plan to further increase its foothold of the LGBT media market.
‘What MMP is doing is crisscrossing the country. We’re negotiating with a prominent southern California brand that will hopefully give us a presence in that market.’
It now seems that the West Coast brand he was referring to was Frontiers Media Holdings. The acquisition gives MMP a presence across the US, but a particularly strong foothold in the lucrative East Coast and West Coast markets.
The US’s other major LGBTI media company is Here Media (The Advocate, OUT, Pride, Gay.Com, SheWired).
The Observer reports that Frontiers will expand to the East Coast and that Next will become available on the West Coast.
Michael Turner, owner of Frontiers Media and publisher of Frontiers, will become President of Digital Media for Multimedia Platforms. In a statement on MMP’s purchase of Frontiers, he said, ‘There are many exciting changes on the horizon, but I assure you that the award-winning content of Frontiers and its distinctive editorial voice will stay the same.
‘Soon Frontiers will go national, Next will come to California, and in the fall we will launch a next-generation online media hub that will include unique and aggregated news, lifestyle and entertainment stories, social blogs and premium video, all curated specifically for the global LGBT community.’
In a statement, MMP’s CEO Blair said, ‘We now lead in the three most populous states in the country – California, New York and Florida – and offer advertisers both national and international audiences. Our combined resources allow us to double print circulation and grow our web traffic exponentially in 2016.’
‘Anytime we see investment in LGBT media, that’s a good thing,’ said Cathy Renna, managing partner at LGBT marketing group Target Cue told the Observer.
‘LGBT media continues to be very under resourced and not as successful as it could be, because investments in that kind of niche media has been decreasing. But the community media is still vitally important.’
Ian Johnson, of Out Now Consulting, said the deal had potential pros and cons.
‘If the larger media company increases diversity of voices and opinions in content to the benefit of LGBT people then that is a good thing.
‘There is also a potential business benefit to a larger media company in offering cross-media packages to advertisers – although an aggregation of media can lead to less competition and choice for advertisers
‘Employees at combined media companies can sometimes face rationalization with resulting job losses as many larger media companies choose to combine back-office functions.
‘That said, it’s a tough media market out there, so if a larger company allows much-loved LGBT mastheads and media sites to sustain themselves profitably into the future, that is most definitely a strong positive outcome.’
The post The company that bought NYC’s Next magazine last spring just snapped up LA’s Frontiers too appeared first on Gay Star News.
David Hudson
HRC Continues Work to Pass Non-Discrimination Law in Nebraska
Recently, HRC Regional Field Director Hope Wisneski and Associate Regional Field Director Trevor Chandler spent a few days talking with our partners, staff, volunteers and legislators in Nebraska.
HRC.org
“Mom” Tells Christian Host Disneyland Turned Her Teen Son Gay, Speaks In Tongues
Gay Days at Disneyland is coming up soon, the annual weekend when the happiest place on earth becomes the gayest place on earth.
So it’s the perfect time to revisit this absolute gem of a prank phone call.
Brother Russell — aka “Melba” — calls into a local Christian radio show to describe her experience taking her son to Disney World. As luck would have it, it turned out to be gay day.
“Can you tell me what you saw?” the host sincerely asks, adding “some of this you probably can’t describe on a family show!”
Russell’s delivery is pitch perfect as he, as Melba, explains that her son was recruited by the eighteen-year-old gay son of a Disney employee.
The whole thing ends with a creepy prayer and Melba speaking in tongues.
Well played, Melba. Well played.
Listen below:
Dan Tracer
News: Glenn Beck vs Sarah Palin, Scandal, Jake Gyllenhaal, Antarctica, AHS: Hotel
> The Washington Post compiles politicians’ tributes to 9/11 victims today.
> Climate scientists warn burning all fossil fuels will melt the entire ice sheet covering Antarctica and drive up the sea level by more than 160 feet.
> American Horror Story: Hotel will feature a foursome with Lady Gaga and Matt Bomer.
> Towleroad’s Garth Greenwell chronicles the life and career of gay mystery novelist Michael Nava in The New Yorker.
> The Michigan Rep. who faked a gay sex scandal has resigned.
> Glenn Beck apologizes after saying he was “embarrassed” to have ever supported “clown” Sarah Palin.
> Scandal season 5 trailer teases a big divorce.
> Spanish cancer patient gets a 3D-printed titanium rib cage.
> Rush Limbaugh thinks Carly Fiorina should be grateful Donald Trump insulted her looks.
> Florida woman pulled over for speeding in a school zone tells cop “no wonder you people get shot.”
> Man charged in plot to use pressure cooker bomb at 9/11 memorial in Missouri.
> Mike Huckabee says the Supreme Court’s Obergefell ruling is “illegal” because it confuses people.
> Cristiano Ronaldo is looking hot as ever as he launches his new fragrance Legacy.
> Researchers find link between homophobia and pyschoticism. “Researchers found that people who scored highly on the psychoticism tests were more likely to have homophobic attitudes. This was also true of those who have immature defence mechanisms – which are the coping techniques helping people reduce anxiety produced by threatening people or uncomfortable situations.”
> Jake Gyllenhaal once wrote KFC a letter to bring back his favorite food item.
> Tom Hiddleston channels Hank Williams in I Saw The Light.
> Sean Bean and Matt Damon are getting ready for the premiere of The Martian tonight.
The post News: Glenn Beck vs Sarah Palin, Scandal, Jake Gyllenhaal, Antarctica, AHS: Hotel appeared first on Towleroad.
Kyler Geoffroy
News: Glenn Beck vs Sarah Palin, Scandal, Jake Gyllenhaal, Antarctica, AHS: Hotel
82-Year-Old Vet Wants Gay Dishonorable Discharge Removed from Military Record
An 82-year-old military veteran, Donald Hallman, is determined to clear his name.
The senior citizen has asked the military to remove his decades-old dishonorable discharge for being a “Class II homosexual.” According to American Veterans for Equal Rights, an estimated 114,000 soldiers were given a dishonorable discharge and drummed out of the service before the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was repealed in 2011. Members of the military are now allowed to serve openly.
The designation has tangible repercussions beyond the psychological pain the discharges caused. Not only does it disqualify veterans from receiving benefits, but it can also make it harder to find a job if the applicant lists their military service. Plus, the Veterans Association can now deny benefits to someone who’s discharge was the result of “aggravating circumstances” such as desertion, refusal to follow orders, or any misconduct leading to a court martial.
Gay veterans can apply to change their discharge status, but the requests must be done individually and can take years to accomplish. Many veterans rack up enormous legal bills fighting the designation. And it is the individual’s responsibility to prove the discharge was wrongly assigned.
Democratic congressmen Mark Pocan and Charlie Rangel introduced legislation in 2013 to streamline veterans appeals for removing the designation, but despite 102 bipartisan co-sponsors, the legislation died in a congressional term most noted for its lack of cooperation and achievements. Senator Brian Schatz introduced similar legislation earlier this year, but it has not moved forward.
“As an American, a congressman, and a Korean War veteran, I was proud to join my colleagues in ending the discriminatory law that previously barred open gay and lesbian soldiers from serving their country,” said Rep. Rangel when introducing his 2013 proposal. “Now is the time to finish the job and ensure that all those who served honorably are recognized for their honorable service regardless of their sexual orientation.”
Watch below as Hallman makes his case to CNN’s Ashleigh Banfield.
We Should Treat All Americans Fairly — Even Kim Davis
Kim Davis, the county clerk in Kentucky, who was just released from jail after publicly defying the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage says she did so “Under God’s authority.” As much as I want to attack or ridicule her, I can’t. Because that’s not the way we should deal with people who believe differently than we do.
As our nation’s laws progress toward respecting every member of our society, we need to learn to speak our differences respectfully and to reject any practice, law or policy that denigrates people.
After publicly coming out to the world in my article on TheRoot.com, “I’m Black, I’m a Minister and I’m Gay”, I expected some backlash but never did I imagine the attack from some in my own Christian community to be so cruel.
To bully, berate and belittle someone because their truth is different from yours only leads to continual discord in our diverse nation.
Kim Davis has every right to believe as she does. That’s America; people of all colors, creeds and sexual orientations being able to express their different beliefs through the freedom of speech. But what she does not have the right to do is impede on the rights of any other American based on her personal convictions.
Refusing a right protected by the law because of your religious belief is a perfect example of how not to govern in the 21st Century. Imagine a Muslim firefighter refusing to put out a fire at a Jewish Temple or vice versa. This is why it’s very important to adhere to the separation of church and state. So if religious convictions prevents someone from doing their job, especially a government official, then they should probably find another profession that aligns with their religious beliefs.
Kim Davis is not the first person to ever stand on the bible to resist change. People quoted the bible to object to things like women getting the right to vote or Blacks and Whites being allowed to intermarry. Equal rights came just the same.
I don’t judge Kim Davis for holding fast to her beliefs as a Christian. Civil disobedience like hers or like some in the Black Lives Matters movement have always forced the nation to do a gut-check during times of change. They make us see that there are many issues that still need to be addressed so that every American is treated fairly under the law.
I believe that fair treatment of all Americans no matter what color, creed or sexual orientation is coming. We as a civil society must hold fast to the notion that love and acceptance of one another, despite our differences, is the only prosperous way forward for our diverse nation.
Follow Benjamin on Twitter @iBenEvans
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