Troye Sivan, The Ally Coalition advocate for LGBTQ-inclusive schools on Suburbia tour

www.glaad.org/blog/troye-sivan-ally-coalition-advocate-lgbtq-inclusive-schools-suburbia-tour

'The Outsiders' Author: My Characters Are Not Gay

S.E. Hinton defended the heterosexuality of Johnny and Dallas in a “salty” series of tweets, which some called homophobic.

www.advocate.com/books/2016/10/19/outsiders-author-my-characters-are-not-gay

Randy Rainbow Takes On Melania Trump And Makes Life More Bearable

America’s preeminent fake interviewer Randy Rainbow is back, this time splicing himself into a real sit-down with mushy-mouthed Melania Trump.

Related: Randy Rainbow’s “Interview” With Trump’s Attorney May As Well Be True

The result is as gut-churningly awkward and incoherent as the genuine article, but at least Rainbow’s satire brings a smile to our face rather than make us want to walk slowly and determinedly into the ocean glug glug glug.

Related: Randy Rainbow Moderates The First Debate; It’s Super

Watch: 

www.queerty.com/randy-rainbow-takes-melania-trump-makes-life-bearable-20161019?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Frank Ocean Turned Heads at the Obamas’ Final State Dinner

Frank Ocean was the talk of the fashion world last night after he surprised everyone with a daring look at the Obamas’ final State Dinner that could only be outshone by Michelle Obama in a metallic Versace hero gown.

Mrs. Obama was widely lauded for her show-stopping dress, appropriately designed by Versace for a State Dinner in honor of the Italian Prime Minister.

Stars descend on the White House for final state dinner hosted by the Obamas. t.co/UQ3SpOotag pic.twitter.com/nUG5omrXsp

— ABC News (@ABC) October 19, 2016

But aside from FLOTUS, it was Ocean that sent tongues wagging. He paired a navy blue suit, sans tied with classic Vans checkerboard sneakers.

Frank at the White House State Dinner tonight pic.twitter.com/7JKgmYhRpR

— Frank Ocean Daily (@TeamFrankDaily) October 19, 2016

According to People, Ocean (28) said of his choice of pairing casual footwear with evening attire, “First time doing it, probably because it’s my first time here.”

PREVIOUSLY: Frank Ocean’s ‘Nikes’ Music Video is a Queer Masterpiece – WATCH

Vogue described Ocean’s look thusly:

Accenting his classic and sleek navy suit (no tie, of course) with a fresh pair of checkerboard Vans, Ocean imbued the event with a little SoCal skater-boy flavor. It was a bold, rebellious choice for an evening spent dining among dignitaries and fellow rap stars, including his good friend Chance the Rapper, who opted for a classic black tuxedo. The artists both took their parents as their plus-ones for the evening, with Chance bringing his father, Ken Bennett, along, and Ocean escorting his mother, Katonya Breaux, to the affair.

Frank Ocean wore some great checkered Vans and brought his mom as his date #statedinner pic.twitter.com/sLa2ULVALj

— Cara Ann Kelly (@CaraReports) October 19, 2016

GQ named him the best dressed man of the evening:

While he certainly dressed for the occasion in a navy suit, he made sure to let his personality shine through in the details. Just check out the single pleat of pants (nice!), the fact that Ocean decided to go with no tie (boom!), and—most importantly—that he finished everything off with a pair of checkered slip-on Vans (damnnnn Daniel). It’s a chill AF move we wholeheartedly approve of from an enduring sneaker brand that happens to be the coolest shoe out there right now.

Ocean’s mom also tweeted from the event, thanking her son for bringing her to the event.

I am so blessed to have a son that includes me in his once in a lifetime events!!! I just hugged our First Lady!!!! #statedinner pic.twitter.com/Q0qTVsk2nK

— katonya breaux (@katonya) October 19, 2016

The post Frank Ocean Turned Heads at the Obamas’ Final State Dinner appeared first on Towleroad.

Frank Ocean Turned Heads at the Obamas’ Final State Dinner

Federal Judge in Texas Doubles Down on Transgender Discrimination by Refusing to Narrow Injunction

Today, HRC responded to a federal judge’s refusal to narrow his nationwide injunction on the enforcement of federal guidance regarding transgender students. In Texas v. United States, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor recently blocked the Department of Justice from enforcing the guidance that clarifies transgender students have a right to be free from discrimination in schools, including a right to use restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity. In a decision late last night, Judge O’Connor denied a request to limit his injunction to the 13 states who brought suit against the administration.

“By doubling down on his decision to block the Department of Justice from enforcing this important guidance, Judge O’Connor is putting thousands of transgender students at even greater risk of marginalization, harassment, and discrimination,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “It’s important to note however that despite this judge’s decision, schools are not barred from following the federal guidance. School administrators still have a responsibility to ensure that the civil rights of all students are respected and that transgender students have access to facilities consistent with their gender identity. As lawsuits on the scope of Title IX proceed, we believe that justice will prevail as courts continue to recognize that discrimination against transgender students is a form of sex discrimination.”

On May 13, 2016, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice released the guidance because schools and districts requested clarification on their obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination in education programs based on sex. Clarifying how schools can safeguard transgender students’ rights to privacy and safety, the guidance makes clear that transgender students have the right to be free from discrimination, including the ability to use gender-separated facilities (such as restrooms and locker rooms) that match their gender identity. The guidance follows similar policies in states and school districts across the country, including many that have been treating transgender students with dignity and respect for more than a decade.

In March of 2015, Judge O’Connor also sought to block Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rights for legally married same-sex couples despite the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision in United States v. Windsor (2013).

www.hrc.org/blog/federal-judge-in-texas-doubles-down-on-transgender-discrimination-by-refusi?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Bullying doesn't stop after the school bell rings, according to No Bully

www.glaad.org/blog/bullying-doesnt-stop-after-school-bell-rings-according-no-bully

BREAKING: Aaron Schock Is Back On Instagram After 83 Weeks

Breaking news, everyone! Former Republican state congressman from Illinois and Downton Abbey superfan Aaron Schock is back on Instagram after a year-and-a-half hiatus.

Related: In Rare Interview, Aaron Schock Says He’s Done With Politics. Shirtless Selfies? TBD.

The 35-year-old, totally-not-gay-100-percent-heterosexual, watersports-loving ex-lawmaker has been laying low for over a year now after resigning from the Illinois House of Representatives in March 2015 amid allegations of misusing campaign donations and taxpayer money to pay for things like lavish office renovations, luxury travel expenses, and tickets to Katy Perry concerts.

After relinquishing his seat, Schock’s once very active social media accounts went completely dark. He stopped posting daily updates about his life on Twitter or sharing half-naked pictures of himself on Instagram. He also stopped posing shirtless on Men’s magazine covers, making public appearances, or granting interviews to media outlets.

Related: Aaron Schock Spotted Sipping Cocktails With Another Man At Romantic DC Hot Spot

In fact, one of the only times Schock has been seen in recent months was back in April when he was spotted sipping a fruity cocktail by candlelight with an attractive male companion at a romantic D.C. waterfront restaurant. Other than that, he and his turquoise belt have been totally M.I.A.

Until now.

Related: Are You Ready For An Aaron Schock-Inspired Gay Skin Flick?

On Tuesday, Mr. Schock made his hotly anticipated return to Instagram after 83 long weeks away by posting this:

It’s a far cry from some of the stuff he used to post, which included things like this:

And this:

And this:

But, hey, maybe he wants to take things slow?

At the start of this year, we predicted Colton Haynes would come out of the closet (he did), Kim Davis would fall into obscurity (she has), Donald Trump would go down in flames (he currently is), and Hillary Clinton would be elected the next President of the United States (we remain cautiously optimistic). We also predicted that Aaron Schock would mount a comeback.

Could this be the start of a brand new Schock era? Only time will tell. And you know we’ll keep you posted.

Related: Colton Haynes, Aaron Shock & Hillary Clinton: Six Predictions For 2016

www.queerty.com/breaking-aaron-schock-back-instagram-83-weeks-20161019?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Gay Man Kicked Out of Texas Megachurch after Abandoning ‘Ex-Gay’ Conversion Therapy – WATCH

A gay Texas man has revealed that a megachurch removed his membership after he refused to continue to take part in an “ex-gay” program.

Jason Thomas says that when he first started attending Watermark Community Church around five years ago, the pastor was “open and authentic about his life and ‘struggles with sin.’” In an open letter published in The Dallas Morning News, Thomas writes that the pastor and the church “instilled a sense of comfort within me because of all the things I was hiding about myself.”

He made the decision to come out as gay and attend the church’s program aimed to change “perceived” sexual orientation. However, when Thomas disengaged from the programs after recognizing the damage it causes, he received a letter from the church  stating that he was “no longer a member of our body at Watermark.” The letter also “lovingly, but firmly” called Thomas “back to repentance.”

Earlier this month, Thomas published the 2015 letter on Facebook. In the same post he wrote:

You say our “sin” is not unique, but you treat us in a unique manner; this is unacceptable behavior. We are actual people that have actual feelings.

Here we are a year later and you are still doing to others what you did to me. You are tarnishing the name of God to Christians and non-Christians alike; you should be ashamed of yourselves! Do not forget, Jesus was a angry with people just like you who said certain groups of people were not worthy to be followers of Him.

Thank you for removing yourself from my life! I am who God made me to be. I cannot change my sexual orientation and nor would I want to. I now have internal peace and happiness unlike ever before.

RELATED – Texas ‘Ex-Gay’ Group Defends Billboard Promoting Reparative Therapy: VIDEO

Thomas told WUSA9.com:

“I just don’t think that they are aware of the impact this is having on people’s lives. I don’t want to go to war with the church, I don’t want to go to battle with them. I don’t want to say negative things about them. I just want them to recognize that they can do a better job at loving people.”

A statement from Watermark reads in part: “Like any member whose beliefs move away from the core commitments, biblical convictions, and values of Watermark, it became appropriate to formally change his membership status. However, we continue to express to him that he is loved and is always welcome to attend Watermark.”

Watermark Church also reportedly told Thomas to break up with his boyfriend, which he refused to do.

Watch a report via Fox 4 below.

The post Gay Man Kicked Out of Texas Megachurch after Abandoning ‘Ex-Gay’ Conversion Therapy – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Gay Man Kicked Out of Texas Megachurch after Abandoning ‘Ex-Gay’ Conversion Therapy – WATCH

HRC Holds Back-to-Back LGBTQ Workplace Inclusion Summits in Alabama

Last week, HRC Alabama hosted back-to-back LGBTQ Workplace Inclusion Summits in Huntsville and Birmingham. Attendees representing area businesses explored the business and economic development case for LGBTQ equality.

For the Huntsville summit, Deena Fidas, the Director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program, opened with discussion on the history and impact of the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is HRC’s national survey and benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees. In the 2016 CEI report, 407 major businesses — spanning nearly every industry and geography — earned a top score of 100 percent and the distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.” The Huntsville Workplace Inclusion Summit reviewed the CEI and the corresponding business case for inclusion highlighting the business drivers for equality including the talent imperative for recruiting and retaining employees, full employee employee engagement and productivity and access to fair-minded consumers and investors.

After the learning session on the CEI, Fidas facilitated a panel discussion that included Wayne Hutchens, Assistant Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for AT&T Alabama, Steve Kester, State & Local Government Affairs at Apple, and Dr. Deborah Barnhart, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The panel kicked off with a viewing of  AT&T’s CEO Randall Stephenson’s speech given to the company’s employee network groups discussing the Black Lives Matter movement which highlights the ever growing business commitment to social justice issues.

The panelists discussed Stephenson’s speech and how the tone of an inclusive environment is set at the top with strong leadership striving for diversity and inclusion. The panelists also shared insight into the evolution of the conversation on LGBTQ inclusion in Alabama, the “talent” case for inclusion, what it really means for employees to bring their full selves to work and how that case benefits a business or organization. Fidas used a first-person story of a former colleague who transitioned in the workplace to illustrate lessons learned from that experience and the power of creating workplaces that welcome everyone’s authentic self.

The next day, HRC headed to Birmingham where the first Alabama LGBTQ Workplace Inclusion Summit was held last year with Federal Club Council member, Fergus Tuohy, and Federal Club member, Katherine Bland, serving as event co-chairs.

In Birmingham, Fidas moderated a panel of experts from Alabama Power, Apple, BBVA Compass and S.S. Nesbitt & Co. who shared their experiences and first-hand learning with inclusion. The panel included executives Jonathan Porter, Vice President of the Birmingham Division for Alabama Power, Steve Kester, State & Local Government Affairs at Apple, Melodi Morrissette, Community Relations of the East Division for BBVA Compass, and Forrest Cook, Senior Human Resources and Benefits Consultant for S.S. Nesbitt & Co. The panelists shared lessons learned from the journey of diversity and inclusion efforts at their respective companies, how to tackle the conversations of current news – whether it’s anti-LGBT legislation, violence against transgender Americans, or the Black Lives Matter movement – and the road to success in implementing LGBTQ public policy initiatives. 

After the panel discussion on each day, attendees participated in interactive sessions on how to make the business case for equality and explored the challenges, opportunities and tools for change. The conference ended with one-on-one meetings for companies and municipalities to learn more about the business and economic development case for equality.

Pictured above: Deena Fidas at HRC’s Alabama Workplace Summit

For more information and resources on LGBTQ workplace inclusion visit: www.hrc.org/workplace

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-holds-back-to-back-lgbtq-workplace-inclusion-summits-in-alabama?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed