New Hillary Ad Champions LGBTQ Rights

There’s a new Hillary Clinton ad from the Human Rights Campaign, and it’s quite sweet.

“Equality is about of course passing laws, but it also is changing hearts and minds,” she says. “We need to build an America where nobody has to worry that they can get married on Saturday and get fired on Monday. Where kids aren’t bullied just because of who they are and where every American has the chance to live up to his or her God-given potential no matter who they are or who they love.”

It concludes with a reminder to vote, which is of course crucially important if you live in a swing state. If not, you can still have a say in the election by quitting your job to volunteer, or by donating thousands of dollars.

Hillary’s relationship with LGBT people is occasionally a bit rocky — she’s endured some justifiable criticism for not supporting marriage sooner. But most of the criticisms against her either aren’t true, or don’t tell the full story.

The good news is that queer people overwhelmingly support Clinton, by a margin of 80% for her and 20% for Trump. Is she perfect? Hahaha, no, but neither is John F. Kennedy or Cher or Abraham Lincoln or Walt Whitman or Helen Mirren or whatever other idols you have. Nobody is perfect, but in this bonkers country we only get two choices for president. One is pretty good and the other isn’t even worth discussing, so all things considered, it could be worse. Hey, there’s a great national slogan — “America: It could be worse.”

www.queerty.com/new-hillary-ad-champions-lgbtq-rights-20161021?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Gold Star Father Khizr Khan Questions Trump in Powerful New Hillary Clinton Ad: WATCH

“I want to ask Mr. Trump, would my son have a place in your America?”

The father of Captain Humayun Khan, the Muslim-American US soldier who sacrificed his life for his unit in Iraq in 2004, appears in an emotional ad for Hillary Clinton in which he grills Donald Trump.

Khan made international headlines over the summer when he appeared at the Democratic National Convention and held up a copy of the US Constitution, defying Donald Trump for his plan to ban all Muslims from the country.

Watch:

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Gold Star Father Khizr Khan Questions Trump in Powerful New Hillary Clinton Ad: WATCH

#turnOUT the Early Vote in North Carolina

Submitted by: Noreen Elnady, Field Organizer for TurnOUT North Carolina

Thursday was a very exciting day for me especially, since it was my first-ever time voting. I only became a U.S. citizen a couple of months ago, so this was my first chance to have my voice heard, and it was even more meaningful to me that it was in such a crucial election.

This election is very important to me not just because of the consequences of it on the national level, but also on the local level, with HB2 being such a hot topic. HB2 is the reason I am now a field organizer with TurnOUT NC, trying to get as many pro-equality candidates elected this November. But my fight against HB2 started earlier. I actually used to be an intern at the NC General Assembly for a year and a half. In my time there, I was privileged to witness the inner workings of our political system, but also its flaws.

This is where HB2 comes in. The day of the special session, which was a long one but felt like a moment, I was there to witness all of it. I sat through committee meeting and sessions, where I watched our legislators take away the most basic rights of the people in this state, but I also watched the brave transgender people in our community come out and speak up against this awful legislation. That day is when I realized we need to do more.

That is why I am working with TurnOUT NC to get these pro-equality candidates elected. I cannot stress enough the importance of this election. If we achieve our goals, it will send a message across the nation that if you’re an elected official that passes anti-trans legislation, we will work to vote you out of office.

That is why I stood out there as one of the first people in line to early vote, and I hope everyone goes out and does the same. If you want to early vote (which you should!), here is the link to find early voting locations near you

Today, there are an estimated 255,800 LGBTQ adults living in North Carolina — a substantial population given that the state was won in the last three presidential elections by an average of 180,500 votes. Nearly 90,000 LGBTQ adults live in the Charlotte Metro Area alone. The LGBTQ voting bloc in North Carolina will play a pivotal role in the presidential, gubernatorial and other down ballot races.

Click here to sign up to volunteer at our Charlotte or Raleigh offices. If you have questions about HRC’s work in North Carolina to #turnOUT voters, please contact HRC Associate Regional Field Director Ryan Wilson at [email protected].

It’s not too late to register to vote in North Carolina. During the early vote period that runs through Saturday, November 5, North Carolina residents can register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time at any early voting location in their county.

www.hrc.org/blog/turnout-the-early-vote-in-north-carolina?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Lady Gaga Shades Madonna; Twitter Erupts

It all began innocently enough; just your average promotional interview.

On October 21, Lady Gaga made an appearance on Apple Music’s Beats 1 show, where DJ Zane told Gaga: “There is another artist who has lived a very parallel existence based on this story, which I’m sure you can relate to.”

“You know Madonna tells a very similar story… overprotective father… ‘Papa Don’t Preach’… you know what I mean?”

As Attitude reports, that’s when things took an awkward turn.

“Madonna and I are very different,” Gaga replied. “Just saying. We’re very different.”

I wouldn’t make that comparison at all and I don’t mean to disrespect Madonna, she’s a nice lady, and she’s had a fantastic huge career, biggest pop star of all time.

I play a lot of instruments. I write all my own music. I spend hours and hours a day in the studio. I’m a producer. I’m a writer. What I do is different.

There is spontaneity to my work. I allow myself to fail. I allow myself to break. I’m not afraid of my flaws.”

Gaga setting it straight with the Madonna comparisons pic.twitter.com/BGikFWWhz5

— EXPOSED (@Exposing_celebz) October 21, 2016

She also stated that her style isn’t “just rehearsing over and over again to put on a show.”

And after emphasizing that she didn’t mean disrespect in any way, she said:

I just will not be compared to anyone anymore I am who the f–k I am and this is me. My life story is my life story, just like yours is. The thing is we all express things in different ways, but my rebellion at my father for him being angry with me, that has ended. It’s like finally I can bite back.”

Twitter went feral regarding the comments: 

Gaga: *slurs* “Madonna and I are very different. I wouldn’t make that comparison at all”. pic.twitter.com/YLHFSgOodt

— Nice Lady (@DitaElectronica) October 21, 2016

Gaga: “I’m Different Than Madonna, I Write My Own Songs”

Oh Really @ladygaga Please See This & Next Time Stfu & Take A Seat pic.twitter.com/UyNSE4ccFL

— Shady Madonna Facts (@ShadyMFacts) October 21, 2016

interviewer: so Miss Ga-
Gaga: call me Joanne
interviewer: what inspired Joanne?
Gaga: I did it for the memes, something Madonna can’t do.

— GRIGIOGIRL666 (@BibleGirl666) October 20, 2016

Lady Gaga just left a hilarious reply making a reference to Madonna’s “Bedtime story” to a fan. ??? pic.twitter.com/AAkCfpTbJ5

— THE MUSIC TEA (@MusicFactsTea) October 19, 2016

Lady Gaga is a real musician and a performer extraordinaire. Madonna is a poser musician,but a great performer.

— Dan Birch (@Mabolzich) October 21, 2016

Gaga shouldn’t have said that about Madonna honestly. She’s right, people should stop making the comparison, but what she said was wrong.

— Lisanne (@LisanneCM) October 21, 2016

I take nothing away from Gaga’s talent but her music does nothing for me. I could be wrong but Madonna has done ALL.OF.THIS. ?

— Remy LeBeau (@ThereGoTerry) October 21, 2016

Madonna lacks talent?….Lady Gaga lacks respect for that comment, Madonna a walking goddess.

— Chetanna #Achilles (@kanecruz) October 21, 2016

@ohmadonnaa You are right. I’m done. It’s that damn interview Gaga gave. Makes me pissed. Focus back on @Madonna The True artist!

— Melanie Wiseman (@MelanieCWiseman) October 21, 2016

People are saying Lady Gaga threw shade at Madonna, but shade takes creativity, which Gaga doesn’t have ?… Now bitch THAT’S shade

— Mark Ball (@artist_mjb) October 21, 2016

www.queerty.com/lady-gaga-shades-madonna-twitter-erupts-20161021?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Oprah to Undecideds: ‘You Don’t Have to Like’ Hillary Clinton, But There’s Only One Choice – WATCH

Oprah taped a sit-down interview with Pastor TD Jakes to air next week in which she explained why she has been silent over the past few months about the presidential race.

Said Oprah:

“The reason why I haven’t been vocal, other than saying I’m with her, is because I didn’t know what to say that could actually pierce through all the noise and the chaos and the disgusting vitriol that’s going on and actually be heard…”

She also had a few words for the undecideds out there:

“There really is no choice, people. All the people sitting around talking about they can’t decide. This is what I what I wanna say — wait a minute. I hear this all the time. You get into conversations — and there’s not a person in this room who hasn’t been in the same conversation — where people say, ‘I just don’t know if I like her.’”

She added:

“She’s not coming over to your house! You don’t have to like her. You don’t have to like her. Do you like this country? Do you like this country? You better get out there and vote. Do you like the country? Do you like freedom and liberty? Do you like this country? OK. Do you like democracy or do you want a demagogue?”

Watch:

The post Oprah to Undecideds: ‘You Don’t Have to Like’ Hillary Clinton, But There’s Only One Choice – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Oprah to Undecideds: ‘You Don’t Have to Like’ Hillary Clinton, But There’s Only One Choice – WATCH

#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: October 21, 2016

COUNTDOWN and #TurnOUT: 18 days until Election Day and all eyes are on North Carolina — a crucial swing state this election year. HRC and our partners at ENC are working throughout the state and in targeted districts — like those in the Charlotte area where an estimated 90,000 LGBTQ voters call home. Check out the graphic below for more and HRC’s blog here.

HILLARY CLINTON’S COMMITMENT TO LGBTQ EQUALITY FRONT & CENTER IN NEW HRC CAMPAIGN VIDEO AD: Today, HRC released a new video ad featuring Hillary Clinton’s historic commitment to fighting for full LGBTQ equality. In the video, Hillary says, “We need to build an America where no one has to worry that they can get married on Saturday and be fired on Monday; where kids aren’t bullied just because of who they are; and where every American has the chance to live up to his or her God-given potential, no matter who they are or who they love.” The video is part of HRC’s unprecedented digital campaign in a get-out-the-vote effort aimed at more than 2 million potential pro-equality voters nationwide. Watch the video here.

#RELATIONSHIPGOALS: Yesterday HRC and Equality NC released two new digital ads in North Carolina: “Hillary” and “Voting.” The ads feature Lennie Gerber and Pearl Berlin, a North Carolina couple together for a half century, talking about what is at stake and on the ballot in this election. Watch both videos here.

#RelationshipGoals: Meet Lennie & Pearl, an NC couple together for 50 years, on making history & voting for @hillaryclinton #turnOUT pic.twitter.com/4kMCpfyaF8

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) October 21, 2016

#turnOUT IN THE TARHEEL STATE: HRC President Chad Griffin was in Charlotte  yesterday to help kick off early voting in North Carolina, a key battleground state where equality is on the ballot, and where voters can help put Hillary Clinton in the White House and remove Pat McCrory, who signed the discriminatory HB2 law, from the governor’s office. HRC is targeting more than 400,000 potential pro-equality voters across North Carolina, in coordination with its larger get-out-the-vote effort aimed at mobilizing the 10 million LGBTQ voters nationwide. The power of the LGBTQ vote in North Carolina is clear: the state has more than 255,800 LGBTQ people of voting age; the margin of victory in the 2012 presidential race in North Carolina was 92,004.

• Memo to @PatMcCroryNC & anti-equality lawmakers: The days of political attacks on LGBTQ people are over. Check out this in-depth look at HRC’s work in North Carolina in McClatchy DC.

TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE FROM THE DONALD: At a rally for Hillary Clinton yesterday, President Barack Obama called out Donald Trump’s “bromance” with Russia’s anti-LGBTQ dictator Vladimir Putin. Putin has criminalized being LGBTQ in Russia, fueled brutal beatings of people in the street and threatened anyone who simply speaks publicly about equality. “Bromance” is one word for it… we also like “puppet.” Watch here.

LOL OF THE WEEK: “It was the best of times. Absolutely phenomenal. It was the worst of times. Total disaster.” Yesterday, Twitter exploded with the hilarious hashtag, #TrumpBookReport. Check out a few of the best ones here, and just TRY not to read them in his voice.

AN EPIDEMIC OF ANTI-TRANS VIOLENCE: Sergeant Jessica Hawkins heads the Washington Metro Police Department’s LGBT liaison unit, and, as a transgender woman, is painfully aware of the epidemic of violence against transgender women. In 2016, at least 20 transgender people have been killed. All but three victims have been transgender woman and 15 have been black women, according to HRC and other advocates tracking the deadly violence. More from Reuters.

USING TECH TO COMBAT ANTI-LGBTQ BULLYING: Virginia’s Fairfax County Public Schools are utilizing technology to combat anti-LGBTQ bullying in schools, giving faculty and staff access to online simulations designed to help them react in ways that encourage a more safe and inclusive learning environment for LGBTQ students. More from NBC Washington.

BRITAIN TO PARDON THOUSANDS OF MEN CONVICTED OF THE “CRIME” OF BEING GAY. The New York Times reports: “Decades after homosexuality was decriminalized in Britain, the government announced on Thursday that it would posthumously pardon thousands of gay and bisexual men who were convicted, in essence, of having or seeking gay sex. Since 2012, men with such convictions who are still alive have been able to apply to have their names cleared.” Read more about the “Alan Turing law” here.

INDONESIA’S PRESIDENT SPEAKS OUT ON LGBTQ SAFETY: Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, in comments to the BBC,  for the first time publicly called for the protection of LGBTQ people at a time of escalating violence and discrimination in his country.  “The police must act… There should be no discrimination against anyone,” he said. More from TIME.

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST OPENLY GAY AND ABORIGINAL MP: Chansey Paech made an inspiring speech after being sworn in as a Northern Territory MP yesterday, saying, “I am young, I am gay, I am black. A true-blue Territorian.” More from Mashable.

READING RAINBOW

WCVB reports that two people have been charged with blowing up a LGBTQ newspaper box in Salem, Mass…. Washington Blade follows anti-LGBTQ pastor Scott Lively as he exports his hate in Kyrgyzstan… Los Angeles Times reviews ‘Moonlight,’ a new film about young, black, gay life… BuzzFeed talks to two moms who reached out to Highlights magazine about including more depictions of LGBTQ families…

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-october-21-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Apparently Alabama Hasn’t Gotten The Memo That Gay Marriage Is Legal In The United States

Alabama. The Heart of Dixie. Epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement. Breeding ground of the KKK. Home of the Crimson Tide and antigay Governor Robert Bentley, who, as you may recall, had his adulterous phone sex recording leak earlier this year.

Historically, the state has never been particularly good at advancing with the times. And it doesn’t appear to be getting any better because it appears over a dozen probate judges in at least eight different counties have not yet received the Supreme Court’s memo from 18 months ago that declared marriage a fundamental right for all people living in America.

Related: AL’s Antigay Governor Is One Dirty Talker, According To Leaked Phone Sex Tape

Since the historic ruling in June 2015, many probate judges have denied marriage licenses to any couple living in Alabama, gay or straight.

“We do not issue marriage licenses because our judge chose not to,” Debbie Owens, chief clerk of Washington County, which is overseen by Judge Nick Williams, tells AL.com. “It’s our judge’s choice.”

“Alabama law says probate judges may issue marriage licenses, but doesn’t require them to,” Angi Stalnaker, spokeswoman for Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen, adds. “The Supreme Court said you can’t discriminate against individuals. He’s not discriminating because he’s not issuing licenses to anybody in Pike County.”

But not everyone–or anyone, frankly–buys the excuse.

Related: The KKK Is, Wait For It, Very Unhappy About Gay Marriage In Alabama

“There is no doubt that the counties that are not issuing licenses to anybody have taken that approach because of the same sex-marriage decision,” Randall C. Marshall, legal director of the ACLU of Alabama, says. “The U.S. Supreme Court talked about marriage as a fundamental right, [so] individuals who live in those counties and are burdened by the refusal of the probate judge to issue marriage licenses may, in fact, have a constitutional claim.”

“We thought this was over but, sure enough, Alabama will be the last state in the nation to get through this,” Gary Wright II, one of the plaintiff’s in the state’s original gay marriage case Strawser v. Strange adds. “Everyone thinks, especially after the Supreme Court win, that this was settled … but the judges who didn’t want to go along with [gay marriage] just said, ‘we won’t issue licenses to any couple.’”

When pressed on this, Stalnaker exercised her teenage logic by saying that Alabama law “says that they ‘may’ issue marriage licenses, not that they ‘shall’ issue them.”

Related: Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore Will Stand Trial For Defying Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

www.queerty.com/apparently-alabama-hasnt-gotten-memo-gay-marriage-legal-united-states-20161021?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

City Gym Boys Flex Their Dance Muscles for ‘The View’ – WATCH

The View launched a video dance contest in August around Mary J Blige’s song “World’s Gone Crazy”.

People were supposed to learn a dance routine, and record it, and send it in and they’re just starting to post some of the clips they’ve received to their YouTube account, including this one from the urban fitness company City Gym Boys NY, who go further than just dance.

They flex.

And pump.

It may get you motivated this morning.

Watch:

The post City Gym Boys Flex Their Dance Muscles for ‘The View’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

City Gym Boys Flex Their Dance Muscles for ‘The View’ – WATCH