Lena Waithe to LGBT People: ‘We Need to Be United’
The Master of None star warned of the dangers of a divided community at the GLAAD Media Awards.
www.advocate.com/people/2018/4/13/lena-waithe-lgbt-people-we-need-be-united
Daily Archives: April 13, 2018
Jim Parsons accepts Stephen F. Kolzak Award from Ryan Murphy and ‘Boys In The Band’ cast mates
Jim Parsons accepts Stephen F. Kolzak Award from Ryan Murphy and ‘Boys In The Band’ cast mates
Jim Parsons, the out actor popularly known for his role as Sheldon on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, took home one of the highest honors of the night at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday. The Stephen F. Kolzak Award is given to an LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting LGBTQ acceptance. The award was presented to Parsons by friend and colleague, Ryan Murphy, with a surprise appearance by Parson’s ‘Boys In The Band’ cast mates Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Robin De Jesus, Brian Hutchinson, Charlie Carver, Michael Benjamin Washington, and Tuc Watkins. For tickets visit: www.broadway.com/shows/boys-band/
Parsons and Murphy worked together in the past on the HBO television movie, The New Normal, which received a GLAAD Media Award in 2015. They are currently working on the upcoming Broadway play, Boys In The Band, with Murphy producing and Parsons set to star. The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles will air exclusively on Logo on April 18, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT.
The Stephen F. Kolzak award is named after a legendary casting director, who devoted the last part of his life to raising awareness in the entertainment industry about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people as well as people living with HIV. Previous Stephen F. Kolzak honorees include Laverne Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Troye Sivan, Ruby Rose, Chaz Bono, Wanda Sykes, Melissa Etheridge, Alan Ball, Pedro Zamora, Martina Navratilova, Paris Barclay, Robert Greenblatt, and Sir Ian McKellen.
Parsons will star in the upcoming film A Kid Like Jake, in which he will play the father of a young boy exploring his gender identity.
“Jim Parsons’ talent, humor, and impressive body of work have made him one of the most visible and beloved out LGBTQ actors today,” GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “Parsons not only proudly tells LGBTQ stories through his roles, but also works behind the camera with his husband Todd to tell LGBTQ stories that raise the bar for Hollywood and inspire acceptance.”
The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Gilead, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka, and Wells Fargo. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to amplify stories from the LGBTQ community and issues that build support for equality and acceptance.
April 13, 2018
Ryan and Richard
Despite Anti-LGBTQ Efforts, Equality Pushing Forward
Despite Anti-LGBTQ Efforts, Equality Pushing Forward
As legislative sessions continue in state capitols across the country, HRC is tracking more than 113 anti-LGBTQ bills and more than 178 pro-equality bills introduced in state legislatures. Twenty-nine legislatures are currently in session.
Despite broad support for LGBTQ equality and the historic national win on marriage equality in 2015, some state lawmakers have continued to advance an anti-LGBTQ agenda. HRC’s 2017 State Equality Index tracked last year’s continued attacks on the LGBTQ community, monitoring 129 bills introduced in 30 states designed to restrict the rights of LGBTQ individuals and their families. And the attacks are continuing in 2018.
But we aren’t just on the defense, we’re also working to pass pro-equality bills across the country. With more than 178 pro-LGBTQ bills filed, we are working hard with our local partners to make sure we are gaining ground in our fight for LGBTQ equality.
A recent Washington Post analysis found that despite more than 110 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country, none have passed. In previous years, anti-equality lawmakers in both North Carolina and Texas paid big, and many legislatures are “losing their appetite” to move anti-LGBTQ bills, said HRC State Legislative Director Cathryn Oakley.
Here are major updates from this week:
Alaska
Anchorage voters soundly rejected Proposition 1 — a dangerous ballot measure that sought to eliminate existing municipal non-discrimination protections for transgender people. The ballot measure would have also enshrined discrimination into law by forcing transgender people to use facilities that are inconsistent with their gender identity. HRC served on the executive committee for Fair Anchorage, a coalition that includes local organizations such as the ACLU of Alaska, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and Hawaiian Islands and the Alaskans Together for Equality, Identity and Pride Foundation. HRC worked with Fair Anchorage to uphold the city’s LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance and had field staff working on the ground with the campaign to mobilize opposition to Proposition 1 and elevate transgender voices and stories in the fight.
BREAKING: In a historic vote, #Anchorage voters refused to succumb to hate and bigotry by voting #NoOnProp1 — a dangerous, anti-transgender ballot measure crafted to enshrine discrimination into law. t.co/2jwuV0qFjI pic.twitter.com/3XcDSl9YC3
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 7, 2018
California
Last week, AB 2943, a bill to expand existing state protections against conversion therapy using state consumer protection law, received a “do pass” recommendation from the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection by a vote of 8-2 and was referred to the Judiciary Committee. On April 10, the bill was heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee and received a recommendation of “do pass” with a vote of 8-1. It now goes to the Assembly for a vote.
Colorado
Last week, HB 1245, a bill to protect youth from conversion therapy, passed the House. The bill was assigned to the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, where it will have a hearing on April 23. In three previous sessions, this bill has passed the House but not the Senate. This committee is the same body that killed the bill last session on a party line vote of 3-2. Advocates are mobilizing to communicate their support for the bill to committee members. Another bill of interest, HB 1256, will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 18. If passed, HB 1256 would restore funding to the Colorado Civil Rights Division, the department charged with protecting the civil rights of all Coloradans in employment, housing and public accommodations. In February, Republicans on the committee voted to block funding for the crucially important division. In addition to investigating claims of discrimination in Colorado, the body provides training and outreach about non-discrimination laws to the general public, local businesses, community groups and federal agencies. The bill now goes to the Senate.
The Colorado House passed HB18-1245 — a bill to protect #LGBTQ youth in the state from the dangerous practice of “conversion therapy.” We urge the Senate to pass this crucially important bill. t.co/bKrw9wqc4c
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 8, 2018
Hawaii
This week, Hawaii’s House of Representatives passed SB 270, legislation protecting LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” The version that passed l the House included several amendments, sending it to conference committee before it can move to Governor David Ige’s desk. Last month, Hawaii’s State Senate passed the bill with only one senator voting against the bill.
It is time Hawaii join the growing number of states enacting laws to protect #LGBTQ youth from “conversion therapy.” We urge state legislators to swiftly advance #SB270 through conference committee and send it to @GovHawaii David Ige’s desk. t.co/ng1NZWYniy
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 10, 2018
Kansas
The Kansas legislature was tentatively scheduled to adjourn on April 6 but, following the passage of a critical school finance bill, it went into recess instead of adjourning. The conference process now continues on HB 2481, a broad adoption bill passed by the Kansas House first as a clean bill, and then by the Senate, which amended it to include an anti-LGBTQ license to discrminate provision. As amended by the Senate, HB 2481 would create a license to discriminate for taxpayer-funded child placement agencies that refuse to place children with LGBTQ foster or adoptive parents, single parents or any parents who don’t meet a contractor’s religious criteria. In response, the House rejected the changes made by the Senate and the bill was sent to a conference committee. To pass, the bill will either need to be resolved by the conference committee or would face a reconsideration of the House vote not to concur. The Kansas legislature is scheduled to come back on April 26.
Maine
On April 12, LD912, a bill to protect youth from the harmful practice of conversion therapy passed the House with a vote of 76-88. Early last month, the vital legislation passed out of joint committee. The bill is expected to get a Senate floor vote before end of session on April 18.
BREAKING: The Maine House of Representatives passes legislation to protect #LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” t.co/NmFdZDzXz7
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 12, 2018
New Hampshire
On April 10, HB 587, a bill to protect youth from conversion therapy, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The committee amended and passed the bill on April 12. HRC Legislative Counsel Xavier Persad testified in support of the bill. The bill previously passed the House in January. HB1319, a transgender non-discrimination bill, passed out of the House to the Senate. In the Senate, it was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and awaits a hearing date, perhaps as early as next week.
Oklahoma
On April 11, SB 1140, a license to discriminate in child welfare services bill, passed the House Judiciary Committee as amended. The bill, which had already been passed by the Oklahoma Senate, would make it harder for kids to find foster and adoptive families by allowing taxpayer-funded government contractors to refuse to work with LGBTQ individuals, same-sex families or other qualified prospective parents who don’t meet an contractor’s religious criteria. While the amendment added in committee would reduce the number of children harmed by the bill, the amendment could well be stripped out during floor debate. Regardless, with or without the amendment, the bill creates a license to discriminate and HRC strongly opposes it in any form. On April 11, HRC President Chad Griffin stood alongside Freedom Oklahoma and other advocates to discuss the harms this bill would cause and to encourage Oklahomans to contact their representatives to voice their opposition SB 1140’s discriminatory measure.
ICYMI: @HRC President @ChadHGriffin and staff joined Freedom Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Capitol to oppose #SB1140, a proposed license to discriminate in the provision of child welfare services. t.co/zE1QRcS05N pic.twitter.com/mozJq6vmrR
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 12, 2018
Tennessee
HRC has been working on the ground alongside the Tennessee Equality Project to oppose SB 2480 and HB 2620, two anti-transgender bills that would force the state’s attorney general to either defend or pay for the defense of anti-transgender policies adopted by schools. Last week, SB 2480 failed in the Senate Judiciary. This week, HB 2620, a bill that had already been taken off notice but then added to the calendar in a bit of procedural trickery, was finally taken off notice for good. The Tennessee legislature is expected to adjourn on April 16.
After Endless Mockery, ‘Straight Pride’ Badges Banned From Amazon
After Endless Mockery, ‘Straight Pride’ Badges Banned From Amazon
After the product ignited outrage, the site will no longer sell the colorless rainbow.
www.advocate.com/comedy/2018/4/13/after-endless-mockery-straight-pride-badges-banned-amazon
Michael Cohen, Sinclair, Butt Masks, Taylor Swift, Chvrches, Chris Wallace, Madonna: HOT LINKS
Michael Cohen, Sinclair, Butt Masks, Taylor Swift, Chvrches, Chris Wallace, Madonna: HOT LINKS
POLL. Majorities support investigation of Trump, and believe Comey more than the president: “The public by a broad 69-25 percent supports Mueller’s initial thrust, to investigate possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and Russian government attempts to influence the 2016 election. Support extends to half of conservatives and more than four in 10 Republicans….Americans by a 16-point margin, 48-32 percent, find Comey more believable than Trump.”
ANOTHER ONE. And the latest ’90s sitcom to get a reboot is…
CIRCULATING. White House plan to discredit Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein…
Michael Cohen
MICHAEL COHEN. Trump lawyer under criminal investigation: “President Donald Trump‘s personal attorney Michael Cohen has been under criminal investigation for months, largely centering around his business dealings, federal prosecutors in New York said in court documents obtained by ABC News.” Federal investigators may have seized recordings in raid of Trump lawyer’s offices: “Cohen, who served for a decade as a lawyer at the Trump Organization and is a close confidant of Trump, was known to store the conversations using digital files and then replay them for colleagues, according to people who have interacted with him.” Trump lawyers say material is protected by attorney-client privilege.
CHRIS WALLACE. FOX News host slams Comey’s “bitchy” book.
Chris Wallace: “It seems to me that the real story in this book is that there’s no new hard evidence of any crime, of anything illegal, and it doesn’t really change the equation on President Trump.” pic.twitter.com/EsDNqc9Rle
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 13, 2018
SINCLAIR BROADCASTING. 12 senators call on FCC to investigate Sinclair for “deliberately distorting news by staging, slanting, or falsifying information.”
NEW: 12 senators are calling on the FCC to investigate Sinclair Broadcasting for “deliberately distorting news” and engaging in a “systematic news distortion operation that seeks to undermine freedom of the press.” pic.twitter.com/jdCvl2xZRG
— Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) April 12, 2018
DANCING WITH THE STARS. The cast has been revealed.
NIKKI HALEY. Speaking out against Syrian chemical weapon use at the UN: “The world must not passively accept the use of chemical weapons… Everything the United Nations stands for is being blatantly defied in Syria… All nations and all people will be harmed if we allow Assad to normalize the use of chemical weapons.”
Nikki Haley: “The world must not passively accept the use of chemical weapons… Everything the United Nations stands for is being blatantly defied in Syria… All nations and all people will be harmed if we allow Assad to normalize the use of chemical weapons.” pic.twitter.com/Oynu6TRnae
— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) April 13, 2018
MOSCOW. Play about 1920s gay poet emerges as the dark horse in this year’s Golden Mask awards: “The Trout Breaks the Ice is based on the story of Mikhail Kuzmin, who disappeared into the official obscurity imposed by the Soviets on artists considered deviant or who were out of favour. The play’s success comes amid fears that the relative freedom enjoyed by Russian theatre is under threat.”
COSMETIC TIPS OF THE DAY. Madonna on butt masks: “It’s kind of a no-brainer. You can take any face mask and try it on your behind. Skin is skin. I think people would want the skin on their butt to be smooth, glowing, and hydrated. I mean, I know I do. There are certain special people that get to see our butt and you want it to look its finest.”
DENIS BALBIR. French commentator suspended for using anti-gay slur: “Balbir criticized the German team’s players for their perceived arrogance and used an anti-gay slur to describe them. His post-game comments were not broadcast live.”
TIME-LAPSE OF THE DAY. Storm clouds.
NEW TUNE OF THE DAY. Chvrches “Miracle”.
COVER OF THE DAY. Taylor Swift turned Earth Wind & Fire’s “September” into a banjo ballad.
FRIDAY FLASH. Ace Cee.
The post Michael Cohen, Sinclair, Butt Masks, Taylor Swift, Chvrches, Chris Wallace, Madonna: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.
Michael Cohen, Sinclair, Butt Masks, Taylor Swift, Chvrches, Chris Wallace, Madonna: HOT LINKS
HRC to Join First LGBT Pride Festival in Mike Pence’s Hometown of Columbus, Indiana
HRC to Join First LGBT Pride Festival in Mike Pence’s Hometown of Columbus, Indiana
Tomorrow, HRC will celebrate with local advocates at the first-ever LGBT Pride Festival in Columbus, Indiana — hometown of Vice President Mike Pence, whose political career has been predicated on anti-LGBTQ animus. Spearheaded by Columbus high school senior Erin Bailey, organizers say they hope the event will reflect the growing diversity and commitment to inclusion evident in their community, despite Pence’s deplorable legacy.
“We are honored to participate in Columbus’ inaugural LGBT Pride Festival and prove once again that love trumps hate,” said HRC Senior Public Policy Advocate and Indiana native Jennifer Pike Bailey, who will be representing HRC at the event. “By fearlessly standing up for equality, Erin Bailey is showing Mike Pence, who has a long, disturbing record of attacking and demonizing the LGBTQ community, that Hoosiers won’t stand for his brand of discriminatory politics.”
Mike Pence has a long history of undermining progress and promoting discriminatory anti-LGBTQ policies. He first garnered national attention in 2015 for his “license to discriminate” bill that could have allowed businesses to deny service to LGBTQ people. As vice president, he has helped lead the charge for discriminatory policies including an executive order granting a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and attempting to ban qualified transgender service members in the military. Trump reportedly even once joked that Pence wanted to “hang” all gay people.
Pence also opposes marriage equality and Department of Education guidelines supporting transgender students. When serving in Congress, he voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, calling it a “radical social agenda.”
Columbus’ LGBT Pride Festival will take place on 4th Street downtown from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14.
Amazon one-ups Netflix in the gay department
Amazon one-ups Netflix in the gay department
Amazon just got really, really gay.
Trump Pardons Scooter Libby: Is it a Message for Manafort and Flynn?
Trump Pardons Scooter Libby: Is it a Message for Manafort and Flynn?
Chief of Staff I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby in the President’s Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), 2001 / National Archives
Donald Trump has pardoned Scooter Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s former Chief of Staff who was convicted in 2007 of lying to the FBI and obstructing the investigation into the leak of the identity of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame.
Some are speculating that the pardon was a message from Trump to Manafort and Flynn that they will be pardoned if they protect him.
The full White House statement:
Today, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) to I. “Scooter” Lewis Libby, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Richard Cheney, for convictions stemming from a 2007 trial. President George W. Bush commuted Mr. Libby’s sentence shortly after his conviction. Mr. Libby, nevertheless, paid a $250,000 fine, performed 400 hours of community service, and served two years of probation.
In 2015, one of the key witnesses against Mr. Libby recanted her testimony, stating publicly that she believes the prosecutor withheld relevant information from her during interviews that would have altered significantly what she said. The next year, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals unanimously reinstated Mr. Libby to the bar, reauthorizing him to practice law. The Court agreed with the District of Columbia Disciplinary Counsel, who stated that Mr. Libby had presented “credible evidence” in support of his innocence, including evidence that a key prosecution witness had “changed her recollection of the events in question.”
Before his conviction, Mr. Libby had rendered more than a decade of honorable service to the Nation as a public servant at the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the White House. His record since his conviction is similarly unblemished, and he continues to be held in high regard by his colleagues and peers.
In light of these facts, the President believes Mr. Libby is fully worthy of this pardon. “I don’t know Mr. Libby,” said President Trump, “but for years I have heard that he has been treated unfairly. Hopefully, this full pardon will help rectify a very sad portion of his life.”
Plame, appearing on MSNBC on Friday, suggested that Trump is telegraphing a message to Manafort and other aides, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who are key figures in the Russia investigation.
“This is definitely not about me. It’s absolutely not about Scooter Libby. This is about Donald Trump and his future,” Plame said before the formal announcement hit. “It’s very clear that this is a message he’s sending that you can commit crimes against national security and you will be pardoned, so I think he’s got an audience of three right now. That would be Manafort, Flynn and Kushner, and perhaps others.”
“The message being sent is you can commit perjury and I will pardon you if it protects me and I deem that you are loyal to me,” she added.
And the irony of the pardon, on the day when Trump attacked former FBI director James Comey for being a liar and a leaker, wasn’t lost on anyone.
Calling @Comey a “proven LEAKER & LIAR” while you’re about to pardon Scooter Libby, who leaked the identity of a covert CIA employee and was convicted for lying about it to the FBI — well, that’s quite a thing.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 13, 2018
The post Trump Pardons Scooter Libby: Is it a Message for Manafort and Flynn? appeared first on Towleroad.
Trump Pardons Scooter Libby: Is it a Message for Manafort and Flynn?
