Senator Doug Jones, Facing Tough Reelection Battle in Alabama, Says He’ll Vote to Convict Trump

Despite facing one of the toughest reelection battles in the U.S. Senate, Doug Jones (D-AL) said today he would vote to convict Donald Trump on both impeachment articles.

Said Jones in a lengthy statement: ““Having done my best to see through the fog of partisanship, I am deeply troubled by the arguments put forth by the President’s lawyers in favor of virtually unchecked presidential power. In this case, the evidence clearly proves the President used the weight of his office and that of the United States government to seek to coerce a foreign government to interfere in our election for his personal political benefit. The President’s actions placed his personal interests well above the national interests and threatened the security of the United States, our allies in Europe, and our ally Ukraine. His actions were more than simply inappropriate. They were an abuse of power.”

AL.com reports: “The senator has faced pressure from both sides of the aisle in Alabama over his vote, including several demonstrations organized by the Alabama Republican Party throughout the state last week in Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile.”

The post Senator Doug Jones, Facing Tough Reelection Battle in Alabama, Says He’ll Vote to Convict Trump appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Senator Doug Jones, Facing Tough Reelection Battle in Alabama, Says He’ll Vote to Convict Trump

Nancy Pelosi ripped up Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. And now, the memes…

When asked why she ripped up Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech after he had finished speaking before the House chamber last night, Nancy Pelosi told reporters, “Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.”

A little while later, the Speaker released a statement further explaining her motivations. It read, in part: “The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people.”

Meanwhile, at the White House, they had a different take on things:

And now, the memes…

Related: Nancy Pelosi’s “f*ck you” clap to Donald Trump has been immortalized in memes for posterity

www.queerty.com/nancy-pelosi-ripped-donald-trumps-state-union-address-now-memes-20200205?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

California Governor Posthumously Pardons Gay Civil Rights Icon and MLK Confidant Bayard Rustin

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that he is pardoning gay civil rights icon Bayard Rustin, the close friend of Martin Luther King Jr. who helped organize King’s 1963 March on Washington.

The AP reports: “Gov. Gavin Newsom pardoned Rustin for his arrest in 1953 when he was found having sex with two men in a parked car in Pasadena. He was in town as part of a lecture tour on anti-colonial struggles in West Africa. He served 50 days in Los Angeles County jail and had to register as a sex offender before returning to his home state of New York. He died in 1987.”

The L.A. Times adds: “Newsom said the decision was inspired by calls from several state lawmakers to pardon black civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, a principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and a top adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  Newsom said the clemency program will allow pardons for others who were subjected to discriminatory arrests and prosecutions that unjustly targeted LGBTQ Californians.”

Said Newsom in a statement: “In California and across the country, many laws have been used as legal tools of oppression, and to stigmatize and punish LGBTQ people and communities and warn others what harm could await them for living authentically. I thank those who advocated for Bayard Rustin’s pardon, and I want to encourage others in similar situations to seek a pardon to right this egregious wrong.”

The post California Governor Posthumously Pardons Gay Civil Rights Icon and MLK Confidant Bayard Rustin appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

California Governor Posthumously Pardons Gay Civil Rights Icon and MLK Confidant Bayard Rustin

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 5, 2020

HISTORY IN THE MAKING — WITH MORE THAN 70% OF IOWA CAUCUS RESULTS IN, PETE BUTTIGIEG IS POISED TO BECOME FIRST OPENLY-LGBTQ MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATE TO FINISH AT OR NEAR TOP OF A PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST: “It’s extraordinary,” Buttigieg, speaking emotionally in New Hampshire, said of his slim lead in Iowa. “It also, I hope, means something to a lot of people wondering if they fit in, people who are different, people who don’t know if they belong in their community, or in their family. This is proof you can believe in yourself and in your country.” More from CNN. 

For the first time, an openly LGBTQ candidate put points on the board in a presidential contest. Truly a historic moment as results come in from the #IowaCaucuses.

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) February 5, 2020

THE DISSEMBLER-IN-CHIEF USES STATE OF THE UNION TO SEED HARMFUL LIES: During last night’s State of the Union, HRC highlighted Trump’s record on demonizing immigrants, cutting funding for HIV and AIDS and placing anti-LGBTQ judges on the bench at all levels. Read more of last night’s coverage on HRC’s Twitter.

HRC ENDORSES CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHRISTY SMITH FOR U.S. CONGRESS: Said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid): “As a former school board president, Smith brought her unique experience to the California Assembly and became a champion for LGBTQ students. HRC is proud to endorse her bid and will work to ensure she joins the pro-equality majority in the House of Representatives.” More from HRC.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR — THIS FRIDAY, HRC TO HOST PANEL FOR NATIONAL BLACK HIV AND AIDS AWARENESS DAY: If you are a member of the press interested in attending, please contact [email protected]. 

This National Black HIV and AIDS Awareness Day, join @HRC, @NativeSonNow and @TheBodyDotCom for CommUNITY Voices, a discussion and listening session on health, faith and relationships. #NBHAAD

Join us → t.co/1Q2rCqXZmj pic.twitter.com/7r1d6TzIlF

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 5, 2020

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING WEDNESDAY — BILLY PORTER GIVES THE LGBTQ STATE OF THE UNION FOR LOGO: More from USA Today.

��️‍������ Billy Porter delivers the 2020 LGBTQ State of the Union, reflecting on the past year and looking ahead for the #LGBTQ+ community. ���� #SOTU #LGBTQSOTU @theebillyporter pic.twitter.com/NDWQSER396

— Logo ��️‍�� (@LogoTV) February 4, 2020

TRANS WOMEN TRANSFERRED OUT OF ICE DETENTION CENTER IN NEW MEXICO: The Sante Fe Dreamers Project, which is in regular contact with the women, say they have been transferred to two facilities, one in Colorado and one in Washington. More from Washington Blade.

IDAHO MAN FOUND GUILTY OF BRUTAL BEATING OF TRANS WOMAN IN A WOMAN’S BATHROOM IN OREGON: Fred Constanza, 37, was convicted of first-degree bias crime, second-degree assault and harassment, The Oregonian reported, for following Lauren Jackson into the women’s bathroom in an Oregon park and attacking her — shattering her jaw and fracturing her skull. More from The Oregonian.

LGBTQ CENTER IN DETROIT TO OPEN PERMANENT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR LGBTQ YOUNG ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS: More from The Detroit News.

.@REC_Detroit’s new residential community aims to provide stable housing for LGBTQ people, especially trans women of color, ages 18-25. They offer shelter, access to primary care doctors and addiction and mental health counseling. t.co/HbiCGTFhyv

— HRC in Michigan (@HRC_MI) February 4, 2020

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT: The Virginia General Assembly recently ratified the amendment, taking a step forward in affirming the importance of equality under the law. This historic moment has been almost a century in the making, and HRC breaks down what’s happening. More from HRC. 

CALIFORNIA BILL WOULD REQUIRE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES TO CHANGE DIPLOMAS TO REFLECT CHOSEN NAMES OF TRANSGENDER GRADUATES: More from NBC Out. 

JESUIT FATHER JAMES MARTIN URGES CATHOLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT & WELCOME LGBTQ STUDENTS: More from Crux. 

HRC SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER INTERNS: More from HRC.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

NYT FEATURES TRANSMASCULINE ACTORS ON HOW THEY’RE CHALLENGING STANDARDS IN THE INDUSTRY: More from The New York Times.

• History-making article! According to the “New New York Times” Twitter bot, which flags when a word is first used in The Times, this article marks the first appearance of “transmasculinity.” 

transmasculinity

— New New York Times (@NYT_first_said) February 4, 2020

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

REPORT FROM ILGA-EUROPE SHOWS RISE OF ANTI-LGBTQ RHETORIC AND HATE CRIMES ACROSS EUROPE: More from Reuters.

CAMEROON ADVOCATES REOPEN SHELTER FOR VICTIMS OF ANTI-LGBTQ VIOLENCE: More from RightsAfrica.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break! 

CBC speaks to Norma Lize about her work to help trans refugees in Vancouver; NPR reports on the renaming of a Brooklyn park to honor Marsha P. Johnson

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

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