New Nonpartisan Poll Shows LGBTQ Equality is a Winning Message

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, released the following statement after a new national poll shows Americans are strongly rejecting laws like North Carolina’s HB2, which targeted transgender people and wrote discrimination into state law.

The national survey released by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found that only 35 percent support such laws, while 64 percent of Americans oppose them. What’s more, only 30 percent support laws that allow businesses to discriminate and deny service to LGBTQ people because of who they are or whom they love. A majority — 63 percent — are opposed to such laws.

“Targeting LGBTQ people for discrimination isn’t just wrong, it’s a recipe for electoral disaster,” said HRC Communications Director Jay Brown. “From Pat McCrory to Donald Trump, those who somehow still believe it’s acceptable to target LGBTQ people with discriminatory laws that deny us equal treatment under the law are in for a rude awakening in November.”

In key states around the country like North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio and Florida, HRC has found that the number of LGBTQ eligible voters alone exceeds the average margin of victory over the last three presidential elections.

Meanwhile, with support for marriage equality at record highs, HRC’s own polling has also found that a 55 percent majority of voters are less likely to support an anti-equality candidate for president. This includes key swing groups like independents, married women and white millennial voters, all of which reported voting Republican in 2014 exit polling.

The poll from PRRI comes one day after a new poll in North Carolina shows that HB2 is hurting incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory, who trails his Democratic challenger by 9 points — the worst margin of any statewide Republican tested in the poll. Monmouth University reported, “7-in-10 voters (70%) feel the passage of HB2 has been bad for North Carolina’s reputation nationally.  Only 9% say it has been good for the state’s image and just 14% say it has had no impact.”

Last week, the Human Rights Campaign joined Equality North Carolina in endorsing Roy Cooper for Governor of North Carolina, citing McCrory’s refusal to fully repeal #HB2.

www.hrc.org/blog/new-nonpartisan-poll-shows-lgbtq-equality-is-a-winning-message?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Anti-Trans All-Stars Publish Biased Review of Gender and Sexual Orientation Research

Psychiatrist Paul McHugh has described transgender people as caricatures, counterfeits, impersonators, confused and mad. Doctor and statistician Lawrence Mayer served as a $400-per-hour expert witness for North Carolina governor Pat McRory’s defense of HB2. Now, the pair have teamed up to promote their anti-LGBTQ views in The New Atlantis, a publication its editor says is a platform for a “conservative way of thinking about…modern science and technology.”

McHugh and Mayer take different tones in their efforts to marginalize the LGBTQ community. McHugh openly mocks transgender people, while Mayer couches his opinions in concern for “suffering” LGBTQ youth and adults. But the pair have the same strategy: using scientific credentials to feign expertise on gender and sexual orientation.

Neither McHugh nor Mayer has conducted original research on LGBTQ people. Neither has ever written about sexual orientation or gender identity in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Other than a Wall Street Journal op-ed, McHugh’s writings on trans people are limited to religious and political media: First Things, a journal of “religion and public life,” and Public Discourse, a social-conservative outlet. McHugh sometimes says “we” when describing a colleague’s research on trans women. But, in reality, he shut that program down soon after taking control of the department—nearly four decades ago.

While the New Atlantis article mostly describes legitimate research, the claims it makes based on that research are not backed by experts in the field. The authors make much of elevated depression and suicide rates among LGBTQ people—a key issue for LGBTQ advocates—and acknowledge the substantial research showing that anti-LGBTQ stigma plays a crucial role. While these admissions may make the article seem neutral, readers should not overlook the lack of evidence backing key claims—like the notion that ending stigma “is unlikely to eliminate all of the disparities in mental health status” or the insinuation that “children who express gender-atypical thoughts or behavior” are “encouraged to become transgender.” In reality, experts who support gender-affirming care are adamant that “gender-atypical thoughts and behavior” don’t mean a child is trans—and that any decisions should follow the child’s lead, without pressure from adults.

Despite their efforts to appear neutral, McHugh and Mayer are far outside the medical and scientific mainstream. Earlier this month, the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics—which represents 64,000 pediatricians across the United States—penned a heartfelt letter on the importance of supporting transgender children. Citing a recent study in the flagship journal Pediatrics, Dr. Benard Dreyer wrote that “there appears to be no harm — and possible benefit — from…parent-supported early social transitions.”

As experts have come to consensus on points like the fact that therapy can’t change sexual orientation and that gender transition is a crucial step towards well-being for many trans people, anti-LGBTQ advocates have increasingly resorted to dishonest spins of valid studies. The authors they cite often tell a very different story. In 2006, the recognized hate group with which McHugh is affiliated sent an anti-LGBTQ letter to school superintendents across the country. A journalist who interviewed several researchers cited was told that the letter’s descriptions were “misleading and incorrect.” One physician was certain the group “didn’t even read” his research.

Publishing in a peer-reviewed journal is an absolute baseline for scientific credibility. But The New Atlantis is a conservative ethics and policy magazine, not a peer-reviewed scientific journal. McHugh and Meyer knew that peer reviewers would have challenged their biased interpretations and forced them to clarify their misleading statements.

In his Pediatrics piece, Dr. Dreyer urged his colleagues that “as physicians, especially pediatricians, we not be our patients’ first bully.” Evidently, neither Dr. McHugh nor Dr. Meyer got the memo.

www.hrc.org/blog/anti-trans-all-stars-publish-biased-review-of-gender-and-sexual-orientation?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

PHOTOS: You’ve Never Been To A Frat Party Like This Before

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/uEEfL6AAOEc/

This Gay Couple Went Looking for a 3rd on Jack’d, Then Brutally Murdered Him, Police Say

A jury trial is under way for a Texas man accused of conspiring with his boyfriend to rob and brutally murder a victim they lured on a gay hookup app.

Arthur Harmon (above right) is charged with murder in the death of Kevin Moyer (right), a 53-year-old traveling salesman from Dallas, whose naked body was found wrapped in a sheet in the backseat of his car near Beaumont in 2014.

Authorities have said that Harmon, his boyfriend Yiannis Mihail (above left) and a third man, Cody Lewis, used the app Jack’d to lure Moyer to their home, with the intention of robbing him because they needed rent money. Lewis recently pleaded guilty in the case.

Deputy Rod Carroll, a spokesman for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, told me in 2014 that authorities don’t believe the murder was an anti-gay hate crime.

“The guys that murdered him are also homosexuals, and that’s how they linked up,” Carroll said, referring to Harmon and Mihail.

KBMT-TV reports that Harmon’s attorney, Thomas Burbank, maintained his client wasn’t involved as the trial got under way this week.

“Mr. Harmon doesn’t know him,” said Burbank. “Never met him. Didn’t know him. I think one of the other co-defendants knew him, communicated with him. … They communicated on a website and then met up that night for a possible relationship.”

Prosecutors say the defendants fatally strangled Moyer using “vet tape,” the station reports. Police also recovered a bloody knife and a pellet gun, and Moyer was identified using dental records.

About 35 people attended a vigil for Moyer in Dallas following his murder.

Watch KBMT’s report below.

The post This Gay Couple Went Looking for a 3rd on Jack’d, Then Brutally Murdered Him, Police Say appeared first on Towleroad.

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Vandals Detonate Explosive Device in Vending Box of Massachusetts LGBT Newspaper: VIDEO

Police in Salem, Massachusetts are searching for a group of about seven people who placed an explosive device in a news box for the Rainbow Times, an LGBT friendly news outlet.

The explosion early on Tuesday morning was heard about a mile away.

Speaking to ABC, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who appeared on the cover of the latest issue of Rainbow Times, said:

“I am sad and upset about this incident, which based on the video surveillance footage appears to be targeting the Rainbow Times, an LGBT friendly news outlet.

“This cowardly attack runs contrary, not simply to that work, but to what it means to be a city whose very name means peace.

“We are a community that supports each other as neighbors and, even in the face of violence and hatred, today should be no different. Fear and hate may cloud the hearts of those committing this act, but it will never, ever characterize this community. Salem is the City of Peace.”

RELATED: Predominantly LGBT Megachurch in Dallas Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat

Rainbow Times boxes were also vandalized in June and police have investigated similar incidents to the boxes before that.

Publisher Gricel Ocasio (above) added that new boxes will be set up across Salem.

“We are going to stay here,” said Ocasio. “This gives us more incentive to go ahead and promote not only the message of the paper, but the inclusion that this beautiful city is all about.”

The explosion is being treated as a hate crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Salem police Detective Kevin St. Pierre at 978-744-0171 extension 197.

Watch a report below.

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USL Suspends and Fines Player Who Repeatedly Called Robbie Rogers a ‘Queer’

The United Soccer League (USL) has suspended an Orange County Blues player who allegedly repeatedly called out LA Galaxy defender Robbie Rogers a “queer” during a game last weekend.

Following the Saturday match, Rogers claimed on Facebook that midfielder Richard Chaplow (right, though Rogers didn’t identify him specifically in the post) “called me a queer repeatedly.” Rogers added:

“To be honest, my initial reaction was shock. This is my fourth season back in the MLS and I’ve yet to hear another player use that or any other gay slur during a game.

“I quickly became enraged. I spent the drive home wishing I had channeled my inner Zidane and punched or head-butted this player…

“…I am proud more than ever that I had the courage to come out as a queer man. I feel so fortunate to have gotten to share my story with others and to have gotten to play this sport I love so much as an openly gay person. I am, more than ever, thankful to have teammates and a family that love and support me for the son, brother, partner, father and queer player that I am.

“I’m encouraging, as I did when I came out four years ago, all athletes to find the courage within themselves to come out. Listen, only you know when and how it’s best for you to live your truth and share your story, but each one of you that chooses to make this courageous step is not just vastly improving your own life but literally saving others.”

The Kansas City Star reports that a USL spokesperson said the decision to suspend Chaplow for two games and fine the player for an undisclosed sum was determined after video review, along with conversations with the referee and players and staff for both teams.

RELATED: Robbie Rogers Spills the Beans on His ‘Awkward’ First Time Hooking Up With Another Guy: VIDEO

USL president Jake Edwards said: “The USL has zero tolerance for this type of behavior. We cannot, nor will we, condone any language that is counter to the values we have instilled throughout the USL.”

In light of recent events. pic.twitter.com/JzLQTjDHIr

— Richard chaplow (@Rchap04) August 25, 2016

However, Chaplow has denied accusations that he is homophobic : “I have been banned for swearing at a player, not homophobic slurs. A former player with English teams Burnley, West Brom and Southampton, Chaplow told The Telegraph:

“At no point in the statement is a homophobic slur made reference to, and the simple reason for this is it didn’t happen.

“I swore several times at Rogers for over reacting to a foul, but at no time was the language homophobic and no evidence has been found of this, hence the way the statement has been wrote.

“I feel it’s important that people realise what the ban is for.

“I have a close family member that is openly part of LGBT community so to suggest I’m homophobic is ridiculous and there is no evidence to support this.”

Supporting his player, OC Blues head coach Barry Venison said:

“I am delighted that Richard has been found 100 per cent innocent of the false accusations of him directing homophobic language towards an opponent.

“The fact is, Richard is being punished for swearing at an opponent and I’m disappointed at the severity of the punishment for “offensive and abusive language directed at another player”.

“I encourage all news outlets, reporters and responsible human beings to read the USL statement and report what it actually says and not what they would like it to say.”

(Chaplow image via Twitter)

The post USL Suspends and Fines Player Who Repeatedly Called Robbie Rogers a ‘Queer’ appeared first on Towleroad.

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20 Gay Greek Gods

We’ve been around a long time.

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2016/8/25/20-gay-greek-gods

Yes, There Are Black Queers in Oregon and They Need Help

The former Portland black chapter of PFLAG, the only one of its kind in the nation, declares independence and sets a course toward racial justice.  

www.advocate.com/race/2016/8/25/yes-there-are-black-queers-oregon-and-they-need-help

Trans Woman Artist vs. Chicago Topless Ordinance

Bea Sullivan-Knopf, a performance artist who uses nudity to confront discomfort with trans bodies, is suing the city of Chicago to overturn an ordinance that bans exposed female breasts in establishments that serve alcohol. 

www.advocate.com/transgender/2016/8/25/trans-woman-artist-vs-chicago-topless-ordinance