HRC Statement on the Election of Donald Trump: Our March Toward Equality Continues

Tonight, HRC issued the following statement on the election of Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

HRC President Chad Griffin made the following statement:

“Throughout our nation’s history, we’ve faced devastating setbacks in our pursuit of a more perfect union. But even in the darkest of moments, Americans have summoned the courage and persistence to fight on. The results of tonight’s presidential election require us to meet tomorrow with the same resolve and determination.

“This is a crucial moment for our nation and for the LGBTQ movement. The election of a man who stands opposed to our most fundamental values has left us all stunned. There will be time to analyze the results of this election, but we cannot afford to dwell. We must meet these challenges head on.

“Over the last 18 months, Donald Trump and Mike Pence have intentionally sowed fear and division for cynical political purposes. They now face a decision about whether they will also govern that way. We hope, for the sake of our nation and our diverse community — which includes women, people of color, those with disabilities, immigrants, and people of all faiths and traditions — they will choose a different path.

“For our part, HRC will continue our fight for equality and justice for all with greater urgency and determination than ever before. We must. Lives literally depend on it.

“Despite the outcome of this presidential race, we know that the tide has irreversibly turned in favor of LGBTQ equality. Today, we draw strength from the vast majority of Americans who believe that our lives and rights are worth fighting for. Thanks to you and your tireless work, we deployed the largest get out the vote effort in our organization’s history. In North Carolina, it appears we have defeated the hateful Governor Pat McCrory and helped elect Roy Cooper to repeal HB2. We were proud to support Hillary Clinton, and she made history as the most pro-equality candidate to ever run for president of the United States.

“The defeats we have suffered tonight demonstrate that our future victories will require us to dig deeper and work harder to continue bending the moral arc of the universe toward justice and equality. We must fight to protect our progress, and to limit the damage that Donald Trump has promised.

“To every LGBTQ person across this nation feeling stunned and disheartened, and questioning if they have a place in our country today, I say this: You do. Don’t ever let anybody tell you otherwise. Be bold, be strong, and continue to stand up for the principles that have always made America great.

“At a time like this, we don’t slow down. We double down. Tomorrow, HRC will set to work once again, undeterred and focused on our mission to realize a world in which every single LGBTQ person is safe and equal and valued.”

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-statement-on-the-election-of-donald-trump-march-toward-equality-continu?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Activists Declare Gov. Pat McCrory Defeated in North Carolina

The Human Rights Campaign is celebrating the defeat of the politician central to signing the loathed H.B. 2 in North Carolina.

www.advocate.com/election/2016/11/08/activists-declare-gov-pat-mccrory-defeated-north-carolina

Gunman Dead After Standoff Shuts Down Southern Calif. Polling Places (Video)

www.advocate.com/crime/2016/11/08/gunman-dead-after-standoff-shuts-down-southern-calif-polling-places-video

HRC Congratulates U.S. Senator Michael Bennet on Election Victory

Tonight, HRC congratulated Colorado’s U.S. Senator Michael Bennet on his re-election campaign victory.

“Congratulations to U.S. Senator Michael Bennet on his important victory tonight,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Senator Bennet is a champion for LGBTQ equality, and his return to the U.S. Senate is crucial in our efforts to pass the Equality Act so that everyone can live free from fear of discrimination. We look forward to working with him in the U.S. Senate to move equality forward.”

In 2016, HRC launched TurnOUT, its most robust get-out-the-vote effort in its more than 35-year history. This year, HRC developed an “Equality Voter Model” that gave the organization the tools needed to reach beyond HRC’s 1.5 million members and supporters to target pro-equality voters in crucial races and key battleground states across the nation. The dynamic new model used years of polling conducted for HRC, public voter files, and available data on voters not yet affiliated with the organization but who have demonstrated an openness to creating a more equal and fair society. HRC’s historic effort also included deploying more than 100 staff members to races across the country, mobilizing our volunteers to commit more than 50,000 hours contacting voters and fundraising for candidates, launching an unprecedented persuasive advertising campaign, and harnessing the power of social media like never before.

There are nearly 134,400 LGBTQ voters in Colorado, and HRC communicated to thousands of members and supporters about the need to #turnOUT and support pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot. In addition to HRC President Chad Griffin personally campaigning in the state along with other HRC staff on the ground, the organization mobilized members and supporters in Colorado by email, text message, and social media, encouraging them to turn out and vote for pro-equality candidates.

Congratulations Senator Michael Bennet (@BennetForCO) on your re-election #ElectionNight #turnOUT pic.twitter.com/OUcbNmxbnH

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) November 9, 2016

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-congratulates-u.s.-senator-michael-bennet-on-election-victory?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Here's the Moment Bernie Sanders Casts His Vote for Hillary Clinton (Video)

www.advocate.com/election/2016/11/08/heres-moment-bernie-sanders-casts-his-vote-hillary-clinton-video

HRC: Florida Delegation Takes Key Step Toward Fairness With Election of Stephanie Murphy

Today, HRC released the following statement after Stephanie Murphy was declared the winner in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, defeating anti-equality Congressman John Mica.

“Stephanie Murphy will give the Orlando area LGBTQ community an important ally in Congress who will work to ensure that everyone, including LGBTQ people, can one day live free from fear of discrimination,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. “HRC was proud to support Stephanie Murphy’s campaign, and we look forward to working with her to pass the Equality Act and move us one step closer to equal treatment under the law for LGBTQ people.”

In 2016, HRC launched TurnOUT, its most robust get-out-the-vote effort in its more than 35-year history. This year, HRC developed an “Equality Voter Model” that gave the organization the tools needed to reach beyond HRC’s 1.5 million members and supporters to target pro-equality voters in crucial races and key battleground states across the nation. The dynamic new model used years of polling conducted for HRC, public voter files and available data on voters not yet affiliated with the organization, but who have demonstrated an openness to creating a more equal and fair society. HRC’s historic effort also included deploying more than 100 staff members to races across the country, mobilizing our volunteers to commit more than 50,000 hours contacting voters and fundraising for candidates, launching an unprecedented persuasive advertising campaign, and harnessing the power of social media like never before.

There are more than 565,800 LGBTQ voters in Florida, and HRC communicated to thousands of members and supporters about the need to turn out and support pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot. HRC delivered more than 6.9 million messages via email, text message, and social media impressions to members and supporters in Florida encouraging them to vote for pro-equality candidates.

Congratulations Congresswoman-Elect @SMurphyCongress! #FL07 #ElectionDay #turnOUT pic.twitter.com/fGRH85nRbM

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) November 9, 2016

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-florida-delegation-takes-key-step-toward-fairness-with-election-of-step?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Jim Gray Loses; U.S. Senate Won't Get an Out Gay Man

A gay man and transgender woman are nominees of the Democratic Party in U.S. Senate races.

www.advocate.com/election/2016/11/08/jim-gray-loses-us-senate-wont-get-out-gay-man

Calum McSwiggan Sentenced For Filing False Gay Bashing Report

After pleading guilty, YouTube personality Calum McSwiggan has been sentenced for vandalizing a car and telling authorities he was attacked last summer in West Hollywood.

Related: Popular Gay YouTuber Calum McSwiggan Brutally Beaten Outside The Abbey In West Hollywood

According to The Mercury News, the 26-year-old has been sentenced to “three years felony probation” and “52 anger-management councelling sessions.”

Related: Sources Are Seriously Questioning Whether Gay YouTube Star Was Actually Beaten In WeHo

On top of that, he’s been asked to pay $7,000 in restitution.

Related: Calum McSwiggan’s Friends: “Don’t Form Opinions” About Alleged Attack Just Yet

McSwiggan initially told cops a wild drunken story about being brutally bashed by a motley group of evildoers and rogue drifters after a night of hard swigging.

An official statement from authorities widely disputed most of his claims. (They never contested the swigging.)

Related: UPDATE: Calum McSwiggan Charged With Filing False Report

That night, cops observed him “injuring himself with the handle and receiver to a payphone” inside his cell.

Related: Calum McSwiggan Misses L.A. Court Summons For Faking Hate Crime; Instagrams From Spain Instead

Prior to McSwiggan’s sentence, prosecutors claimed he falsified his tall tale of that one wild night he was brutally beaten by the nefarious driver of the automobile and his two wickedly cruel, wildly cackling and dangerously ill-tempered henchmen.

Related: Wholesome YouTuber’s Adult Webcam Past Just Won’t Stay In The Past

And that’s that; our last-ever Calum McSwiggan post. It’s been real.

www.queerty.com/calum-mcswiggan-sentenced-filing-false-gay-bashing-report-20161108?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29