Democrats Stage Sit-In Over Gun Violence in House: 'No Bill, No Break' (Video)
Cameras in the House cut out during the sit-in; Democrats were chanting “No bill, no break.”
Monthly Archives: June 2016
York Pride 2016
Landlord Gives Awful Pastor Who Praised Orlando Shooting The Boot
Landlord Gives Awful Pastor Who Praised Orlando Shooting The Boot
Pastor Roger Jimenez is learning the hard way that sometimes actions do, indeed, have consequences.
Jimenez made headlines last week when he launched into a hateful diatribe praising the Orlando mass shooting.
“Are you sad that 50 pedophiles were killed today?” the pastor of Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento said in his sermon just hours after the massacre. “Um no, I think that’s great! I think that helps society. I think Orlando, Florida is a little safer tonight.”
He followed that up by saying Christians “don’t need to do anything to help” and suggested the government “round them [gays] all up and put them up against a firing wall, and blow their brains out.”
Related: Christian Pastor Hopes God “Finishes The Job” And Kills Orlando Survivors
Well, it appears the landlord who owns the building where Verity Baptist Church congregates got wind of the sermon and didn’t appreciate it. So he’s terminating their lease.
According the property managerment company Harsch Investment Properties, Jimenez’s speech violates a clause in their lease agreement which states “tenants who advocate hatred and the taking of innocent lives” will not be tolerated.
Since the lease doesn’t technically expire until 2017, Harsch Investment Properties says it will not renew the congregation’s lease. They have also met with Jimenez to encourage him to move out sooner, saying they won’t impose a penalty for breaking the lease.
“We have many places of worship and other religious organizations in the properties we manage,” company officials stated in a press release. “Like all our tenants, their occupancy rights are protected in their leases.”
Related: Conservative Wingnuts Waste No Time Using Orlando Tragedy To Further Political Agendas
The statement continues: “Just as we respect the right of individuals to speak their views, as distasteful as they may be, we also respect the right of others to protest as a reflection of their values. For decades, the owners and staff at Harsch Investment Properties have supported the LGBT community and many other organizations whose missions are to further respect, dignity and the ability for all individuals to live their lives as they wish.”
Tim Tebow Visits Former Teammate Hospitalized After Orlando Attack
Tim Tebow Visits Former Teammate Hospitalized After Orlando Attack
Beefy former NFL Quarterback Tim Tebow paid a visit to a former high school teammate who was shot in the Orlando terrorist attack.
Rodney Sumter played high school football with Tebow, and was working as a bartender at Pulse nightclub during the attack, which left him with multiple injuries. The Orlando Sentinel reports:
Sumter was a bartender at the Pulse. He was shot three times and has two broken arms, according to his Instagram account and the Florida Times-Union. Valencia nursing student Joshua McGill noticed Sumter bleeding from both arms outside the nightclub and helped treat his wounds until he reached the ORMC emergency room, according to an NBC News report
He was wounded and recovering at the Orlando Regional Medical Center during the surprise visit from Tebow. The two took different paths after high school:
After Tebow and Sumter competed together at Nease High, Tebow won two national titles and the Heisman Trophy while leading the Florida Gators. Sumter played at Jacksonville University before eventually moving to Orlando to work as a dancer and bartender.
Sumter wrote on Instagram:
“My high school quarterback left the Bahamas to come and see me. Tebow has always been an awesome person.”
Definitely an awesome person, a great football player, and a true ally. We’ll call this one another touchdown for Tebow.
Donald Trump: ‘I Would Look Into’ Issuing an LGBT Pride Proclamation as President
Donald Trump: ‘I Would Look Into’ Issuing an LGBT Pride Proclamation as President
Donald Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl that he would consider following Obama’s tradition of issuing an LGBT Pride proclamation in the month of June.
“I would look into it. And I feel so badly what happened [in Orlando]. And we have to do something about it.”
RELATED: The Republican Misdirection on Gay Rights Won’t Fool Us into Forgetting the Hate
Trump then pivoted the interview to an attack on Hillary Clinton, repeating his already thoroughly debunked claim that he would be better for gay people than Clinton:
“And just remember. Some of these countries that are contributing to Hillary Clinton. Some of these countries where we’re taking in thousands of people. They kill gays. They kill gays. They enslave women. They enslave women. And yet they give money to Hillary Clinton. She accepts it. She wants more people to come into this country. Im better for women. I am better for gays. I am better for a lot of people.”
Watch:
The post Donald Trump: ‘I Would Look Into’ Issuing an LGBT Pride Proclamation as President appeared first on Towleroad.
Rep. John Lewis Leads Sit-In on House Floor Demanding Gun Control Vote: WATCH
Rep. John Lewis Leads Sit-In on House Floor Demanding Gun Control Vote: WATCH
Civil rights icon and Rep. John Lewis staged a sit-in on the house floor today after delivering a searing speech on inaction on gun control.
Said Lewis, before Democrats planted themselves on the House floor:
“We can no longer wait. We can no longer be patient…Sometimes you have to do something out of the ordinary. Sometimes you have to make way out of no way. We have been too quiet for too long. There comes a time when you have to say something, when you have to make a little noise. When you have to move your feet…Now is the time to get in the way. We will be silent no more. The time for silence is over.”
Watch:
Joining w/ @repjohnlewis &dozens of my colleagues for House sit-in for a vote to prevent gun violence #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/Lg4cM9Gzj0
— Elizabeth Esty (@RepEsty) June 22, 2016
The post Rep. John Lewis Leads Sit-In on House Floor Demanding Gun Control Vote: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Watch This Awesome Activist Confront Bigoted FRC Mouthpiece Tony Perkins: VIDEO
Watch This Awesome Activist Confront Bigoted FRC Mouthpiece Tony Perkins: VIDEO
Tony Perkins, the leader of anti-gay listed hate group Family Research Council (FRC) is good at dishing it out but not so great when questioned on his hate-mongering in the name of Christianity.
Persecuted Evangelical Perkins has fought tooth and nail against same-sex marriage, endorsed Republican bigot Ted Cruz for president, cozied up to oft married “traditional marriage” fan Kim Davis and claimed that Bryan Fischer is just not homophobic enough to cut the mustard. Tax exempt charity FRC had revenue of close to $15 million in 2014.
Opponents of the truth might restrain the voices of the messengers, but they cannot restrain the message of the gospel. -> 2 Tim 2:8-9
— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) June 22, 2016
Last week it seemed the world was finally waking up to Perkins’s B.S. when he was seemingly dropped from an ABC “This Week” discussion on the Orlando massacre. Yesterday, GetEQUAL activist Angela Peoples (right) – aka my new hero – spoke for many when she confronted Perkins with the fact that he is complicit in the massacre of 49 people in Orlando.
The confrontation came following a press conference held after Donald Trump’s evangelical love-in yesterday. At the press conference, a GetEQUAL activist was told to leave the venue after she asked Perkins to explain how he feels about fueling homophobia.
RELATED: Anti-LGBT Extremist Stumped Over Which Bathroom a Transgender Person Should Use: WATCH
Perkins had nothing much to say to the accusations but managed a lame “you are very disturbed.”
“You are responsible for hate and lies -a culture that has fueled violence against our community.
“What do you have to say for yourself, Tony Perkins? You are responsible – you are responsible for all of this violence. Do you see those 49 people that were murdered in Orlando. You created that environment, sir. What do you have to say for yourself, sir?
“We don’t want your prayers, Tony Perkins. We don’t want your lies. We want you to stop being homophobic, we want you to stop the hate speech.”
Watch the frankly fantastic confrontations below.
.@mspeoples confronts Tony Perkins of the @FRCdc “what do you have to say for yourself Tony Perkins?” pic.twitter.com/V8XBov0iwF
— GetEQUAL (@GetEQUAL) June 21, 2016
Video credit to Mark Winston Griffith, Brooklyn Deep #hatequation pic.twitter.com/DUUzwNxQGp
— GetEQUAL (@GetEQUAL) June 21, 2016
(Angela Peoples image via Facebook)
The post Watch This Awesome Activist Confront Bigoted FRC Mouthpiece Tony Perkins: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.
HRC Arkansas Hosts Orlando Vigil
HRC Arkansas Hosts Orlando Vigil
Post submitted by Kendra R. Johnson, State Director, HRC Arkansas with contributions from Abram Greenbaum, Intern, HRC Arkansas
In the aftermath of the early morning tragedy in Orlando, thousands of people gathered at vigils across the U.S. With only hours to put them together, it was a stark reminder that in the face of hatred and bigotry, the LGBTQ community and our allies have the power and will to come together and persevere.
On Sunday night in Little Rock, Arkansas, hundreds of allies and LGBTQ community members banded together for two vigils. HRC, the Center for Artistic Revolution, ArTEC, Stonewall Democrats and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense sponsored the first vigil at the First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock.
“This is not a time for intolerance toward our Muslim brothers and sisters,” said HRC Arkansas Director Kendra R. Johnson. “Intolerance claimed these lives. Only love will heal us.”
Two days later, HRC Arkansas partnered with ByLites and several other community groups to host a second vigil focused on allowing community members to share their expressions of grief, sorrow, anger and resilience. Held at the Terry House, the 49 names were read aloud as candles were lit for each victim. Those in attendance sang, read poetry and voiced their support for the LGBTQ community.
As our community continues to recover from the Pulse tragedy, LGBTQ leaders in Orlando have come together to form The LGBTQ Alliance and have partnered to create The Heal Orlando Project. HRC encourages everyone to visit healorlando.org/ to access support or lend a hand. Mourners can also sign HRC’s virtual memorial at www.hrc.org/WeAreOrlando.
www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-arkansas-hosts-orlando-vigil?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: June 22, 2016
#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: June 22, 2016
ATTORNEY GENERAL LORETTA LYNCH VISITS ORLANDO: Yesterday, Attorney General Loretta Lynch visited Orlando to meet with survivors of the Pulse dance club massacre, as well as the victims’ friends and loved ones. Lynch said that while the LGBTQ community had faced a “shattering attack,” a message of hope prevails. Said Lynch: “The message of Orlando that I have seen today — and what the American people have seen in the wake of this horrific assault — is a message of determination to remove hatred and intolerance from our midst; to live our lives freely and without fear; and to stay true to the principles of liberty, justice and equality that define America at our best.”
- The tragedy in Orlando has inspired many, especially Latinx LGBTQ people, to come out: The New York Times gives a heartbreaking account of the hours and days following the Pulse massacre, as many directly affected by the tragedy chose to come out to their families.
- R&B star Frank Ocean’s emotional response to Orlando massacre: In a letter on Tumblr, Ocean, who is bisexual, wrote about homophobia, how hate can escalate to violence, and shared stories of witnessing anti-LGBTQ discrimination from an early age.
- In the wake of the senseless violence in Orlando, Senators Tammy Baldwin,(D-WI), Barbara Mikulski, (D-MD) and Mazie Hirono, (HI-D), have introduced an amendment to increase funding to prevent and respond to hate crimes.
RALLY AGAINST HATE: Tonight, LGBTQ advocates, including HRC, will hold a “Rally Against Hate” at the Bicentennial Plaza in downtown Raleigh. Following Orlando, equality advocates are determined now more than ever to come together to defeat the hate and bigotry that motivated the attack, and others like it. The reality that HB2 continues to put a target on the backs of LGBTQ people is abundantly clear. The rally will call for the protection of LGBTQ North Carolinians, and consequently, the full repeal of HB2.
WHILE TRUMP COURTS ANTI-LGBTQ EXTREMISTS, CLINTON VETS PRO-EQUALITY CANDIDATES FOR RUNNING MATE: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has begun vetting a shortlist of pro-LGBTQ equality running mates. It includes Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro of Texas. All three candidates have shown a commitment to the LGBTQ community throughout their years of service. Meanwhile, presumptive GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump met yesterday behind closed doors with anti-LGBTQ leaders and hate groups — including Tony Perkins, Jerry Falwell Jr. and E.W. Jackson — in an effort to assure them that he’s the candidate who will promote their vile agenda.
MAKE IT STOP: RUBIO WANTS ANOTHER SIX YEARS TO FAIL LGBTQ FLORIDIANS: Failed presidential candidate Marco Rubio has announced he will run for another Senate term and, despite his long history of voting against the interests of LGBTQ Floridians, he has astonishingly suggested that the attack on Pulse nightclub was an impetus for his decision to run again. JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs, said that Rubio’s recent plans to run for the Senate seat is “shameful,” and especially so “after he’s promised to roll back all the gains LGBTQ people have made. From his votes to his rhetoric, Marco Rubio has never been an ally to LGBTQ people…” More from The Miami Herald.
THE PENTAGON MOVES INTO FINAL STAGES OF LIFTING THE BAN ON TRANSGENDER SERVICE: According to media reports, the Pentagon is closing in on finalizing a policy that will finally allow transgender troops to openly serve in the military. On Monday, military officials met to lay out the terms of the policy repeal, as well as discuss when the ban’s repeal would be publicly announced. The new policy is expected to affect the military’s nearly 2,500 transgender servicemembers. More from USA TODAY.
DISGRACED KY CLERK KIM DAVIS WANTS HER CONTEMPT APPEAL TO GO AWAY: Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis, famous for flouting federal law by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, is now asking for a big “nevermind.” She wants a federal court to dismiss her appeals of contempt charges for defying the Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling now that Kentucky has removed the requirement for clerks to sign their names to marriage licenses. More from ABC News.
KKK FLYERS TARGET LGBTQ COMMUNITY: Residents of Ocean Springs, Miss. were stunned recently to find Ku Klux Klan flyers spouting anti-LGBTQ hate scattered across their neighborhood, just days before the state’s discriminatory HB 1523 law goes into effect July 1. Said HRC Mississippi State Director Rob Hill, “This is another example of just how dangerous this hateful HB 1523 law is; it sends a message that LGBTQ people are second-class citizens in our own state, and it lends credence to groups that prey on hate, ignorance and fear.” More from MSNewsNow.
#NOMOORE: ROY MOORE ASKS TO HAVE ETHICS CHARGES DISMISSED: Yesterday, disgraced Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore asked a court to dismiss ethics charges against him stemming from his refusal to accept the marriage equality ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. From HRC Alabama State Manager Eva Kendrick: “It is clear that Roy Moore not only believes he is above the law, he believes he is above judicial ethics. Moore was tasked with upholding the law of the land when marriage equality was affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States, and he defied that task, in the process harming loving, committed same-sex couples across Alabama for his own personal, discriminatory reasons. We remain optimistic that the sanctions against Moore will be upheld.”
UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT WILL FLY LGBTQ FLAG FOR FIRST TIME: As a part of Pride celebrations in London this weekend, Parliament members will raise the LGBTQ pride flag for the first time in history. Members will also be taking part in the Pride parade, and a double-decker bus will display the number 49 in memory of the lives lost in Orlando. More here.
- In another first, all 28 member states of the EU have agreed to work to end “any discrimination” faced by the LGBTI community. As part of the agreement, the EU will file a yearly progress report regarding the rights of LGBTI people across every European country.
BERMUDA TO HOLD NON-BINDING REFERENDUM ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY: The British Overseas Territory of Bermuda will hold a referendum on marriage equality and same-sex civil unions on Thursday. Since the results will be non-binding, the government will not be required to take action based on the results.
READING RAINBOW
In a powerful video, actor Evan Rachel Wood opens up about the issues, stereotypes and misconceptions facing the bisexual community, including her own struggles; Pink News highlights beautiful Orlando remembrance tattoos; The Huffington Post shares a father’s journey to love and acceptance of his genderqueer child; NBC News details how parents can be supportive of LGBTQ children; and New York Magazine profiles transgender athlete Chris Mosier, the first trans athlete to appear in ESPN Magazine’s annual “Body Issue.”
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-22-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Out NYC Councilman Corey Johnson Blasts Hypocrisy of 'Gays for Trump' (Video)
Out NYC Councilman Corey Johnson Blasts Hypocrisy of 'Gays for Trump' (Video)
Are you LGBT and supporting Donald Trump for president? Corey Johnson wants you to rethink that.
