#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: July 28, 2016

TONIGHT, MOST LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE DNC EVER CONCLUDES ON HISTORIC NOTE: History will be made tonight at the Democratic National Convention as equality champion Hillary Clinton takes the stage becoming the first woman to accept the presidential nomination of a major party.  It will also be a historic night for LGBTQ progress, as HRC’s Sarah McBride becomes the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention. HRC President Chad Griffin, named a vice chair of the convention, will also speak tonight. Both are expected to speak during the 4-6p.m. hour.

• Also today, LGBTQ panel discussion: HRC’s Jay Brown will join a panel at 2:30 p.m. today moderated by Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff to discuss where the LGBTQ movement goes next. Panelists include Melissa Harris-Perry, Kevin Jennings of the Arcus Foundation and Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry. The discussion will be hosted at the National Museum of American Jewish History.
• Other signs of historic progress include… a record number of LGBTQ delegates — including a historic high of 27 transgender delegates; transgender rights advocate Marisa Richmond serving as official timekeeper; and Mara Keisling, a veteran trans advocate, serving on the platform committee. Watch here as McBride talks about the most pro-LGBTQ platform in history.
• Equality hero President Obama opened his inspiring speech last night by saying, “Love has no limits, and marriage equality is the law of the land.” During his address, vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine honored LGBTQ champion Harvey Milk, saying, “Martin had a dream… Harvey gave his life.”
• Christine Leinonen, the mother of Drew Leinonen, who was among 49 LGBTQ people and allies killed in the tragic shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando last month, made an emotional plea for gun violence prevention last night. And Georgia-based HIV activist Daniel Driffin became the first openly HIV-positive person to address a major party convention in 16 years.
• Chelsea Clinton condemns “conversion therapy”: During a luncheon for LGBTQ delegates hosted by HRC and Victory Institute yesterday, Chelsea Clinton lambasted the Republican Party for its support of dangerous so-called “conversion therapy.” More from The Washington Blade.
• Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black reflected on the progress of the LGBTQ movement during a dedication ceremony for a new LGBTQ landmark in Philly. More from The Daily Dot.
• Last night, HRC and Everytown held an event at the DNC with special guest, pop icon Tiffany. Follow @WeAreHRC on Snapchat for more.

12 STATES FILE BRIEF SUPPORTING DOJ & ED’S TRANSGENDER GUIDELINES: Yesterday Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a brief on behalf of 12 states, and the District of Columbia, supporting the recent release by the Departments of Education and Justice of historic guidance advising schools on how to ensure dignity and equal treatment of transgender students in federally-funded schools. The 12-state brief counters federal lawsuits filed by the Attorneys General of Nebraska and Texas, asserting that the administration’s action and similar policies protect transgender individuals from high rates of discrimination and violence. Contrary to claims being made by Paxton and Peterson, Ferguson’s brief states, “our shared experience demonstrates that protecting the civil rights of our transgender friends, relatives, classmates, and colleagues creates no public safety threat and imposes no meaningful financial burden.” California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, DC, joined the amicus brief which was filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas. More from BuzzFeed News.

ICYMI: HIV OUTBREAK IN RURAL INDIANA COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED: A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights how an HIV outbreak in rural Indiana could have been prevented. The study points to the deadly consequences of policies that Pence has pushed during his time in Congress and as Governor. Reminder: In Congress, Pence opposed funding for HIV prevention and suggested funding harmful conversion therapy programs. The Courier-Journal breaks down the study today: “‘A lot of things could have been done differently with our resources and capacity,’ said Carrie Lawrence, with the Indiana University School of Public Health Rural Center for HIV/STD Prevention.” More here.

WHO TO FINALLY REMOVE “TRANSGENDER IDENTITIES” FROM LIST OF MENTAL ILLNESSES: In a long-overdue move, the World Health Organization (WHO) will soon no longer classify transgender identities as mental disorder. This revision, which was unopposed, will significantly improve healthcare for transgender people. The new WHO’s codebook — the first revised edition in 25 years — is expected to be published in May 2018. More from The New York Times.

ALABAMA CHIEF JUSTICE ROY MOORE’S PATHETIC DEFENSE: In response to ethics charges filed against him for advising judges to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage equality decision, suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore claims he took his discriminatory action simply to answer questions from probate judges. The disgraced chief justice faces potential removal by the state’s Court of the Judiciary for defying the law of the land. #NoMoore from ABC News.

THE POLITICS OF BEING ‘OUT’ AT THE RIO OLYMPICS: As athletes prepare to head to the Brazil, where the threat of violence against LGBTQ people runs high, many of the estimated 500-plus LGBTQ athletes will likely remain closeted during the games out of concern for safety and a desire to preserve focus and sponsorships, USA Today reports.

• Earlier this month, HRC released a global spotlight brief on Brazil highlighting the violence the LGBTQ community continues to face despite social progress. Read it here.

WE ARE ORLANDO: A permanent memorial at Pulse Nightclub for the 49 victims of the deadly attack there last month is being planned. The OnePulse Foundation submitted paperwork for the tribute this week. More from The Orlando Sentinel.

READING RAINBOW

The Montgomery Advertiser Editorial Board warns the Alabama Legislature about the backlash from anti-LGBTQ laws; A Jackson Free Press op-ed describes how LGBTQ individuals experience “relentless pursuit” by Mississippi state legislators; A writer chronicles in Torontoist her bleak experience of being LGBTQ in foster care; VICE introduces the gay Syrian refugee who will be leading the Toronto pride parade; OUT examines queer themes within beautiful Islamic poetry; In The Advocate, Equality Virginia shares why it loves Tim Kaine; and UALR Public Radio highlights a new group house in Little Rock for homeless LGBTQ youth.
Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to A.M. Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tip-sheet-july-28-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Pulse to Become Permanent Memorial in Honor of Orlando Shooting Victims

“Anything we would ever do would include a memorial,” the bar’s owner has said. “We are still working through our grief.”

www.advocate.com/pride/2016/7/28/pulse-become-permanent-memorial-honor-orlando-shooting-victims

Randy Rainbow Interviews Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine – WATCH 

It’s official: Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine are the Democratic nominees for president and vice-president respectively. To celebrate the start of Clinton-Kaine’s general election rainbow tour, Randy Rainbow had a revealing interview with the running mates.

PREVIOUSLY: Randy Rainbow Spells It Out: ‘We Got Trump Trouble, America’ – WATCH

Randy asks the tough questions (“Who is Ben? Ben Ghazi. Who’s Ben Ghazi?”) and notes the history being made with this ticket (“It’ll be nice to have a feminine energy in the Oval Office. Tim, I mean you”).

Watch, below.

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Chelsea Clinton Blasts the GOP Platform’s Support for Gay Conversion Therapy: WATCH

Chelsea Clinton spoke to LGBTQ delegates at an event sponsored by the Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign on Wednesday and said she was deeply offended by the Republican Party platform and its embrace of gay conversion therapy.

Said Clinton:

“I’ve thought about what I found most offensive last week – it’s hard, admittedly to pick just one part of the Republican rhetoric which was divisive, degrading, demeaning, or the Republican Party platform which was the antithesis to all that Chad celebrated for us as Democratics here – it was the most regressive, least inclusive platform in modern political history.”

She added:

“But I think what I actually found most offensive really again ties to me as a mom. The open embrace of conversion therapy in the Republican Party platform ― in other words, child abuse ― to me is the clarion call for all of us to do everything we can to elect my mom, and elect Democrats up and down the ticket.”

Watch:

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Stephen Colbert to Donald Trump: ‘What Does Vladimir Putin’s D**k Taste Like?’

Stephen Colbert got giddy last night after responding to an audience member’s question during a Late Show Q&A that wasn’t broadcast.

The moment was posted on Twitter and shows Colbert’s response to the question, “if you had Donald Trump on your show tonight, what would you ask him?”

Said Colbert: “Well we’re not broadcasting right now, so I’d say ‘What does Vladimir Putin’s di*k taste like?’”

Watch:

And now @StephenAtHome with an important question for Donald Trump. #ColbertDNCt.co/DdG7aYYQO0

— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) July 27, 2016

In a news conference on Wednesday morning, Donald Trump challenged the Russian government to try and find 30,000 missing Hillary Clinton emails.

In an interview on FOX & Friends this morning, Trump said he was just being sarcastic: “Of course I’m being sarcastic. You have 33,000 emails deleted, and the real problem is what was said on the emails from the Democratic National Convention.”

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12 States File Brief Supporting Obama Administration’s Historic Guidance on Transgender Students

HRC hailed Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson for filing a brief on behalf of 12 states, and the District of Columbia, supporting the recent release by the Departments of Education and Justice of historic guidance advising schools on how to ensure dignity and equal treatment of transgender students in federally-funded schools.

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, DC, are joining the amicus brief supporting transgender students, which is being filed today in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas.

“These leaders are showing the nation what it means to stand up for all students, ensuring that our transgender youth are affirmed and respected in one of the places they should feel  most safe – their schools,” said Sarah Warbelow, HRC Legal Director. “No student should have to live in fear of being who they are, and we thank the tireless advocates working to guarantee a future full of opportunity for all young people.”

Earlier this month, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of 10 states seeking to block the historic guidance released by the Departments of Education and Justice earlier this year. The suit mirrors a similar legal attack led Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on behalf of his state and 10 others.

According to BuzzFeed News the 12-state brief counters those lawsuits, asserting that the administration’s action and similar policies protect transgender individuals from high rates of discrimination and violence. Contrary to claims being made by Paxton and Peterson, Ferguson’s brief states, “our shared experience demonstrates that protecting the civil rights of our transgender friends, relatives, classmates, and colleagues creates no public safety threat and imposes no meaningful financial burden.” More pointedly, the brief states, “their allegations of safety risks are unsupported hyperbole, their claimed loss of federal funding is distant and avoidable, and their claims of massive renovation costs lack support in the law and the record.  While Plaintiffs’ claimed harms are hypothetical, the discrimination suffered by transgender individuals is all too real.”

In May, HRC released a letter signed by national organizations representing almost 5 million educators, pediatricians, counselors and other child welfare providers urging lawmakers like Paxton to stop their political attacks on transgender youth. These organizations include the American Federation of Teachers, the American Academy of Pediatrics; the American Counseling Association; the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Education Association.

HRC Welcoming Schools has released a key resource for school officials to effectively and respectfully follow recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on the rights of transgender students. The guide answers questions school officials may be asked by parents, guardians and other community members.

www.hrc.org/blog/12-states-file-brief-supporting-obama-administrations-historic-guidance-on?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Stephen Colbert and John Oliver Upgraded the Democrats’ ‘Fight Song’ for Hillary: WATCH

Twice this week, primetime audiences at the Democratic National Convention have been treated to the a capella cover of “Fight Song” put together by a celebrity group of Hillary Clinton supporters led by actress Elizabeth Banks.

RELATED: 35 Celebs Perform Pitch Perfect A Capella Cover of ‘Fight Song’ for Hillary Clinton at DNC: WATCH

Not to be outdone by the Democrats, Stephen Colbert upgraded the song with help from his friend John Oliver.

Watch:

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NYC’s Out Hotel, Boycotted After Gay Owners Held Ted Cruz Fundraiser, is Through

New York City’s “gay” hotel, The Out Hotel, on 42nd Street Times Square, which became the focus of protests after its owners, Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass, held a fundraiser at their home for anti-LGBT Republican candidate Ted Cruz, is no more after seeing huge declines in occupancy and business, the NY Post reports.

RELATED: NYC’s Gay-Owned ‘OUT Hotel’ Faces Wrath of Protesters Angry Over Reception for Ted Cruz: VIDEO

The NY Post reports the decline in business to be a result of assimiliation – “as more gays feel welcome at other hotels” – and mentions the Cruz fundraiser as an aside:

“Reisner and business partner Mati Weiderpass kicked up a storm last year after hosting an intimate get-to-know-us fundraiser for GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.”

But goodwill toward the couple all but dried up after Reisner was caught lying about the nature of the meeting.

After initially defending the reception, Reisner and Weiderpass apologized on Facebook.

Said Reisner, feeling the backlash: “I am shaken to my bones by the e-mails, texts, postings and phone calls of the past few days. I made a terrible mistake.”

Added Weiderpass: “I share in Ian’s remorse. I, too, lay humbled with what has happened in the last week. I made a terrible mistake.”

Several gay organizations and individuals then pulled out of events scheduled at the Out NYC hotel, which also contains 7,500 square feet of restaurant and common space and the 14,000-square-foot XXL gay nightclub.

In a statement following the reception, Cruz issued a statement apparently meant to appease conservatives which said, “The purpose of the meeting and the primary topics of conversation were national security, foreign policy, and America’s commitment to standing with Israel. On the subject of marriage, when asked, I stated directly and unambiguously what everyone in the room already knew, that I oppose gay marriage and I support traditional marriage.”

Boycotts were launched against Reisner’s businesses and he began to speak out in his own defense, claiming that the event wasn’t a fundraiser.

“It is amazing that my businesses are being boycotted by some because I hosted a discussion with an elected official. Not a fundraiser. Not an endorsement. A dialogue,” wrote Weiderpass in an op-ed for The New York Observer. “Despite media reports to the contrary, I did not organize the Cruz dinner, but did embrace the opportunity—again, in a non-fundraising setting—to discuss a number of important issues, including support for Israel and support for gay rights.”*

“There were no checks given, it was nothing like that,” Reisner told New York magazine. 

Well it turns out Reisner wasn’t exactly telling the truth. The New York Times revealed in May 2015 that he cut a $2,700 check (the max individual contribution allowed) to the Cruz presidential campaign around the time of the dinner. Only after the NYT first reported on the dinner did Reisner ask for his check to be refunded.

The hotel has been leased by Merchants Hospitality hotel group, the Post reports: “Merchants signed an approximately $40 million contract earlier this month to take over the long-term lease for The Out, which sits on land owned by Richard Born on the far western end of The Deuce at 510 W. 42nd St. between Times Square and Hudson Yards.”

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