#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: June 7, 2016

HISTORY IN THE MAKING AS VOTERS IN SIX STATES TURN OUT TODAY: Voters in six states — California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota — will have the historic opportunity today to cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton, the first woman to win a major party’s nomination. The Associated Press reported last night that Clinton had the needed number of delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination.

TEXAS CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO PROTECT LGBTQ EMPLOYEES FROM WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION: The City Council in Mesquite, Texas has voted to approve a welcome change to their Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. The change to the non-discrimination policy would make sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy protected classes under the definition of sex. The policy change will move Mesquite into line with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by guaranteeing equal protection to its LGBTQ job applicants and employees. More from CBS DFW.

WHAT NORTH CAROLINA COULD LEARN FROM D.C.’S NON-DISCRIMINATION LAW: The Charlotte Observer says North Carolina ought to look to Washington, DC when determining how to protect its transgender residents and visitors from discrimination. DC law has allowed transgender people to use public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity since 2006, among other places of public accommodation. The availability of both multi-stall and single-stall restrooms allow people to use either the bathroom that matches their gender identity or gender-neutral facilities. Kyle Todd, an executive director of a local economic development program, says the law hasn’t caused a big stir: “You’ve probably been using the restroom with transgender people off and on for decades, and nobody’s ever known. I just can’t stress this enough: It’s just not a big deal. There hasn’t been a lot of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth. It’s just a bathroom.”

• “If you really want to serve DC’s trans community, hire them”: The DC Office of Human Rights and the National LGBTQ Task Force have released a best-practices guide for hiring and retaining transgender and gender non-conforming employees. More from DCist.
• Lutheran leaders call for the repeal of HB2: The North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) wants HB2 repealed. The group represents more than 200 Lutheran churches in the state, and says that the measure “creates a hostile community atmosphere.”
• When asked about HB2, Dolly Parton came out in support of North Carolina’s transgender residents: “I think everyone should be treated with respect… I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are. I just know if I have to pee, I’m gonna pee. I don’t care where it’s going to be.”

NEW HOUSE AMENDMENT TARGETS TRANSGENDER AMERICANS: Congressman Steve King (R – IA) has proposed a vehemently anti-transgender measure that would prohibit transgender people from using the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity in the U.S. Capitol. King’s amendment would be tacked on to the fiscal year 2017 legislative appropriations bill and prohibit the use of funds that would allow individuals to use the restroom that matches their gender identity. HRC’s Government Affairs Director David Stacy says the amendment would “tell every Members’ transgender constituents they aren’t welcome to visit the Capitol, the Library of Congress, or a House or Senate office building. Surely the House of Representatives has important work it should be getting done for the American people instead of targeting transgender Americans. The House should reject this harmful and mean-spirited amendment.”

35th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST CDC REPORT ON AIDS: This week marks the 35 years since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report on five young men who died as a result of AIDS in the early 1980s — the first documented cases of AIDS. This anniversary serves as reminder of the years of stigma, advocacy and medical innovations that have marked the HIV and AIDS movement. Read the report at The Advocate and check out President Obama’s statement on this anniversary and history of HIV/AIDS in America here.

• Proving there is still much work to be done, the National AIDS Trust in Great Britain warned the country’s National Health Service that it will face a legal challenge over its refusal to make available the HIV-prevention drug, PrEP. More from BuzzFeed.

HRC’S MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX TO ADD 98 NEW CITIES TO 2016 REPORT: For the first time, HRC’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI), along with the Equality Federation, asked members and supporters to vote on the new cities to be rated by the annual survey of LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices of municipalities nationwide. Ninety-eight new cities were picked to be researched this year, in addition to the usual lineup of all 50 state capitals, the nation’s 200 most populous cities, the five largest cities in every state, the communities home to each state’s two largest public universities, and an equal mix of 75 of the nation’s large, mid-size and small municipalities with the highest proportion of same-sex couples. A total of 506 cities will be rated, including NC newcomers Carrboro and Wilmington. More from HRC.

LOOK PAST PINK AND BLUE: Following complaints of discrimination in public places, New York City launched a $265,000 “Look Past Pink And Blue” ad campaign promoting the right of transgender residents and visitors to use the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity. The ads will begin appearing this week throughout the city’s subways, buses, phone booths and newspapers. More from BuzzFeed.

TRANS ATHLETE BECOMES FIRST TO COMPETE IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Chris Mosier became the first transgender athlete to compete in a world championship when he participated in the 2016 International Triathlon Union championship this past weekend. He’s the first transgender athlete to qualify under the International Olympic Committee’s revised guidelines, which allow transgender athletes to compete as the gender with which they identify. Mosier qualified for the U.S. team while competing in North Carolina last month.

O CANADA: Last week, Canada’s Parliament approved legislation to make the county’s national anthem gender neutral. The bill, which passed overwhelmingly, changes the anthem’s words, “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command.” Canada continues to be at the forefront of LGBTQ equality. Last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Administration proposed sweeping federal protections for transgender people. More from The Huffington Post.

OUT AND PROUD ON YOUTUBE: To celebrate Pride Month, popular LGBTQ YouTubers have used the platform to share why they’re proud to be out. YouTuber Davey Wavey organized the video, telling The Huffington Post that “With nearly five million [collective] subscribers, these YouTubers — and their audiences — have built a virtual community for celebrating who we are. It’s so powerful, and something we’re all grateful to be a part of.” Watch the video here.

• BATHROOM SHOW-STOPPER: The cast of the hit musical Kinky Boots created a video calling out the ridiculousness of anti-transgender bathroom laws. Check it out at The Advocate.

HRC PARTNERS WITH AMERICAN APPAREL TO “MAKE AMERICA GAY/ LGBTQ AGAIN”: Yesterday, American Apparel, HRC and the Ally Coalition launched a new campaign to support LGBTQ equality this Pride season. The campaign, Make America Gay Again/Make America LGBTQ Again, will feature a new Pride-themed merchandise line at American Apparel, a video series and in-store events to support acceptance for the LGBTQ community. A portion of all merchandise sales will go to HRC and the Ally Coalition. More from HRC.

• Snaps for Equality: In honor of Pride Month, the W Hotel franchise has launched an exclusive series of Snapchat filters featuring phrases such as “love won” and “the road to equality has never been straight.” For every filtered snap, the W will donate $1 to HRC.
• Live Proud: AT&T has kicked off its fourth annual Live Proud campaign, which encourages participants to celebrate and empower the LGBTQ community. Go to att.com/liveproud for more.

READING RAINBOW

BuzzFeed captures moments from LGBTQ Pride celebrations around the globe… Moroccan transgender activist Mala Badi writes in The Huffington Post about her experience and hopes for the movement… Out Magazine reviews Kerry Eleveld’s upcoming book on the fight for marriage equality… NBC News profiles Trey Pearson, a Christian rocker who recently came out… and Pink News reports that the former president of Nigeria recently announced that the country may revisit laws banning marriage equality.

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to A.M. Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tip-sheet-june-7-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Pride month begins with support from leading media, businesses, politicians

www.glaad.org/blog/pride-month-begins-support-leading-media-businesses-politicians

Hulu premieres LGBT-inclusive animated fairy tale short 'Rosaline'

www.glaad.org/blog/hulu-premieres-lgbt-inclusive-animated-fairy-tale-short-rosaline

OMG! Meryl Streep’s Donald Trump Drag Impersonation Is Absolutely Everything

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‘Gay of Thrones’ Recaps S6 E7 – ‘The Broken Condom’ – WATCH

Spoilers ahead…

We are already on episode 7 of season 6 of Game of Thrones and as usual, this week’s episode featured a lot to unpack.

We saw the return of the Hound (aka Dog the Bounty Hunter) and got a clue that that Margaery (aka Kate Middleton) has a plan to get back at the High Sparrow for what he did to her and her brother.

RELATED: Meanwhile, In Westeros: ‘Game Of Thrones’ 06×07 [RECAP] – SPOILERS

Your ‘Gay of Thrones’ guru Jonathan van Ness recaps all that went down in the 7 kingdoms this week with Highgarden Maggie Smith, vintage Mia Farrow, Lena Dunham, Brother D, Bernie Sanders, Baby Theon, and much more, below.

The post ‘Gay of Thrones’ Recaps S6 E7 – ‘The Broken Condom’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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Scott Speedman, Samsung, Bernie Sanders, Pam Bondi, Meryl Streep, Fish in Jellyfish: NEWS

RUSH TO JUDGMENT. Bernie Sanders spokesman speaks out after mainstream news media declares Clinton the “presumptive nominee“: “It is unfortunate that the media, in a rush to judgment, are ignoring the Democratic National Committee’s clear statement that it is wrong to count the votes of superdelegates before they actually vote at the convention this summer. Secretary Clinton does not have and will not have the requisite number of pledged delegates to secure the nomination. She will be dependent on superdelegates who do not vote until July 25 and who can change their minds between now and then. They include more than 400 superdelegates who endorsed Secretary Clinton 10 months before the first caucuses and primaries and long before any other candidate was in the race.”

FIVETHIRTYEIGHT. Hillary Clinton will be nominated because more Democrats are voting for her. “Sanders’s statement — and the AP’s call — distract from the larger point. Clinton will be the Democratic nominee because substantially more Democrats have voted for her. In addition to her elected delegate majority, she’s received approximately 13.5 million votes so far in primaries and caucuses, compared with 10.5 million for Sanders.”

2016 ELECTION. Donald Trump doubles down on racist attacks against judge: “An embattled Donald Trump urgently rallied his most visible supporters to defend his attacks on a federal judge’s Mexican ancestry during a conference call on Monday in which he ordered them to question the judge’s credibility and impugn reporters as racists. ‘We will overcome,’ Trump said, according to two supporters who were on the call and requested anonymity to share their notes with Bloomberg Politics. ‘And I’ve always won and I’m going to continue to win. And that’s the way it is.’”

MIC. Meet the gay voters backing Donald Trump. “More affluent voters are more likely to vote Republican, and should Trump lead a deescalation of the right’s culture war on LGBTQ issues, many well-to-do gays — to say nothing of non-gays turned off by the party’s social conservatism — may give the GOP a second look.”

DRAG KING. Meryl Streep does Donald Trump. “The three-time Oscar-winning actress took the stage in her Trump getup alongside her Mamma Mia! costar Christine Baranski, who was dressed as Hillary Clinton, at the annual Shakespeare in the Park Public Theater Gala event at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.”

You never saw this coming! #MerylStreep impersonates #DonaldTrump! pic.twitter.com/ZmZZyFbeNV

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) June 7, 2016

Meryl Streep just added Donald Trump to her resume at the Public Theater Gala pic.twitter.com/5ftmcKbRjN

— Jacob Bernstein (@BernsteinJacob) June 7, 2016

More of Meryl and Christine Baranski doing Trump and HRC pic.twitter.com/t7jgNsf74d

— Jacob Bernstein (@BernsteinJacob) June 7, 2016

HMM, PAM BONDI. Florida attorney general solicited donation from Trump and then decided against joining Trump University fraud case: “The new disclosure from Attorney General Pam Bondi’s spokesman to the Associated Press on Monday provides additional details around the unusual circumstances of Trump’s $25,000 donation to Bondi. After the money came in, Bondi’s office nixed suing Trump.”

CLASSIC. In the Hall of the Mountain Trump.

BARBADOS. Government rules out same-sex marriage: “’As a lawmaker, if Jane decides she wants to live with Janice, that is their business as far I am concerned. But I will not change the law to allow them to be married in Barbados. I will not stop them from being able to access health care, being able to have a job, or to be able to eat and sleep and do all the things I do,’ Government’s top legal adviser said last Friday at the official launch of Man Talk, a monthly discussion series organized by the Men’s Fellowship of the Cave Hill Wesleyan Holiness Church.”

AQUATIC WONDERS. Check out this fish that got trapped inside a jellyfish.

BRIGHTER FUTURE. Gambian student Alagie Jammeh granted asylum in U.S. “In September 2014, Jammeh posted on Facebook that ‘No one should be denied their basic fundamental human rights because of their sexuality.’ Though he took the post down two days later after receiving calls from relatives back home warning him of the government’s reaction to his statement, it was too late. By November, his presidential scholarship from the Gambian government was cut off.”

SCOTT SPEEDMAN. Told to put his shirt back on.

GROWING UP COY. The Fallout After a Family Fought for Its Transgender Child: “The story of Coy Mathis, a transgender girl who was born a boy, garnered international attention in 2013 when her parents, Jeremy and Kathryn Mathis, filed a complaint accusing the school district of violating the state’s anti-discrimination law. The Mathises went on to win their case, but not before coming under heavy criticism for putting Coy, then a 6-year-old first grader, in front of reporters and camera crews and on television with Katie Couric.”

BENDABLE. Samsung reportedly working on flexible OLED displays for next phone:

TOO HOT FOR TUESDAY. Yuri Rangel.

The post Scott Speedman, Samsung, Bernie Sanders, Pam Bondi, Meryl Streep, Fish in Jellyfish: NEWS appeared first on Towleroad.

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Dallas Suburb Rejects Hate Group’s Bathroom Lie, Adds LGBT Protections

The City Council in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas, voted to add LGBT workers to the city’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy on Monday night, despite strong opposition from the hate group Texas Values.

In a news release earlier Monday, Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz (above) alleged that the proposed policy amounted to the city starting “a bathroom war.”

“This dangerous ordinance forces every woman and girl in the City of Mesquite to be put in an uncomfortable and dangerous situation every time they use the restroom, shower, or locker room on city property,” Saenz wrote.

Before the vote, council members forcefully rejected Saenz’s argument.

“Sorry to disappoint everyone, this isn’t the bathroom war…no matter what a political hack from Austin tells you in a fundraising email,” Councilman Jeff Casper said. “Let me be clear: This policy has no effect on public restrooms. It simply states that the city of Mesquite’s employment decisions will be based on character and merit.”

More than 20 speakers who addressed the council during public comments were evenly divided on the proposed EEO policy.

“This obsession with bathrooms is not something that I understand,” said former Democratic state Rep. Harryette Ehrhardt, a pioneering LGBT ally. “It’s never been a really important thing in our family, and I don’t know what the obsession about it is. Maybe it’s because by espousing hatred and fear they can become more powerful.”

Passage of the Mesquite policy marked the third consecutive defeat for Texas Values and other anti-LGBT groups, in the wake of voters’ decision to repeal Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance in November. This spring, the Dallas suburb of Rockwall resoundingly rejected an anti-trans bathroom ordinance, and the Fort Worth school district enacted progressive new guidelines for dealing with trans students.

The post Dallas Suburb Rejects Hate Group’s Bathroom Lie, Adds LGBT Protections appeared first on Towleroad.

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Congressman Tries To Bring Bathroom Discrimination To Congress’ Own Restrooms

Rep. Steve King (R) doesn’t want trans people to pee on the Hill.

The post Congressman Tries To Bring Bathroom Discrimination To Congress’ Own Restrooms appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/07/3785453/steve-king-transgender-amendment/

Distraught Man Says He’s ‘Almost Over’ His Ex, But Still Jealous Of His Past Relationships

Is the such thing as a pioneer of self-hatred? Because journalist Michael Lee of Elite Daily might fit the bill.

His recent column — graced with the Morrissey-esque title “I’m Almost Over My Ex, But I Still Feel Jealous Of His Past Relationships” — is a staggering tale of “possessiveness, envy, and mistrust.”

Related: Adult Film Actor’s Beloved Chihuahua Publicly Stabbed To Death By Jealous Boyfriend

Writing of his ex-boyfriend in the purplest of prose — “I loved, I suffered and now I hate” — Lee confesses that he was — and still is — “aggressively jealous of my now ex-boyfriend’s past encounters with his former lovers and flames, even though he is no longer here to hold my hand.”

I’ve heard of being jealous and dubious of a current partner’s exes. Feeling threatened and jeopardized of a partner’s past is a natural feeling, after all. But why am I jealous of my ex’s past? Was it that I never felt good enough when he was in my present? Why am I still letting his past affect my present? Did his past exes have such a profound effect on me that, even after he is gone, I am still left here alone, lingering with jealousy?”

We’ve never considered obsessing over an ex’s past relationships — and frankly, we’re a little disappointed in ourselves. (Next time!)

Related: Just How Many Gay Men Are In Open Relationships? These New Stats May Surprise You (Or Not)

Lee’s disappointed in himself as well:

The problem was, I asked too many questions. I wanted to know my ex-boyfriend’s lover’s names, how they met, what they looked like and — most agonizing of all — what they had done together in bed. My curiosity got the best of me, and even through it killed me a little inside, I still was left wanting to know more. It’s gotten to the point where when I see someone who even half-resembles one of his exes (or what I visualize them to look like), I become paralyzed in my own self-doubt and fear. I’ve put them so high on a pedestal that I will never be able to compare to them.”

This sounds a bit disingenuous. Isn’t jealousy often a subconscious maneuver to push partners away without hurting their feelings? (If not an outright admission that you’re cheating or considering cheating?)

Reading through the story, we suspect the writer deliberately wrote this piece so his ex-boyfriend will find it online and take pity upon him– it’s a desperate plea for sympathy writ large. To his mind, perhaps it’s just the latest move in a delicious game…?

It’s taken me a lot longer to get over him than I initially imagined, but who would have thought that my ex-boyfriend’s past would be the reason I still find myself belittled and grasped with begrudging jealously and pulse-racing envy?

What is it about his past that still leaves me feeling numb? And when will I be able to run away from all the things he has done?”

What do you think? Has this guy taken romantic jealousy to terrifying new lows, or can you sympathize with this particularly feral green-eyed monster? Weigh in in the comments below.

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