U.N. Creates Its First LGBT Watchdog in Narrow Vote 

The U.N. Human Rights Council on Thursday narrowly voted in favor of creating an LGBT watchdog that will report on violence and discrimination committed against people around the world on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The position will be filled by an independent expert and is the most striking affirmation of LGBT rights the U.N. has taken to date.

BuzzFeed reports:

The person appointed to this role will be known as an “independent expert” and the position is charged with monitoring “violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

This was the most ambitious effort yet to advance LGBT rights within the United Nations system, and the resolution included the strongest language to date suggesting LGBT rights should be a concern of international human rights law.

The two previous resolutions concerning LGBT rights passed by the United Nations Human Rights Council merely called for the UN’s human rights office to prepare reports examining LGBT rights. But this and the few other mentions of sexual orientation or gender identity in other UN documents have been so modest that the UN Security Council made headlines by including a reference to sexual orientation in a press statement condemning the attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida — even though the document was not a formal resolution, it was notable that the UN’s most powerful committee had mentioned sexual orientation in any kind of declaration.

The draft SOGI resolution has been adopted!!! Votes: 23 yes, 18 no, 6 abst#HRC32 #SOGIexpertNOW #SOGIexperteAHORA pic.twitter.com/2gyrZOEzt1

— ILGA (@ILGAWORLD) June 30, 2016

Opposition to the resolution was led by Pakistan and nations from the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with the exception of Albania who co-sponsored the resolution.

Despite being unable to defeat the resolution, opponents were able to pass a few anti-LGBT amendments, including, as J. Lester Feder notes, ones “that urge respect for local values, ‘religious sensitivities,’ or domestic politics” and others that suggested the resolution imposes western values onto formerly colonial nations and condemned the use of “coercive measures” to change anti-LGBT policies.

So big picture: the resolution so far survives to create independent expert on LGBT rights. But with a lot of hostile language.

— J. Lester Feder (@jlfeder) June 30, 2016

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Here’s a Brutal Reminder of the Homophobic Danger We Still Face for a Kiss: WATCH

Por Un Beso (For a Kiss), a new short film (shown here with captions in English) released in conjunction with Madrid Pride, is a reminder of the thrills of finding romance among faces in the crowd, and the dangers gay men continue to face in showing that love in a public place.

The film began shooting the day after the attacks in Orlando, director David Velduque told El País, adding, “I invested [in the film] because I think it is very necessary to not forget that the rights for which the LGTBI community has fought have been very difficult to achieve. It is very important not to forget that continued visibility, awareness and education is key to achieving a society where love is not penalized.”

The film was released at a tribute to Orlando victims in Pedro Zerolo Square and highlights the violence in Madrid against the LGBT community where there has already been at least 98 documented attacks.

Por Un Beso was made in collaboration with Spanish gay magazine Shangay and stars Pelayo Rocal and Fernando Hevia.

Watch:

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Pentagon Lifts Ban On Transgender Servicemembers

Another era of discrimination is ending.

The post Pentagon Lifts Ban On Transgender Servicemembers appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/30/3794745/transgender-military/

The American Transgender Population Is Larger Than We Thought It Was

There are at least 1.4 million trans people, who make up 0.7 percent of the population.

The post The American Transgender Population Is Larger Than We Thought It Was appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/30/3794602/transgender-population/

La Marcha de Orgullo CDMX/Pride Parade in Mexico City…The March Together Continues!

The work of HRC’s partners in Mexico City continued this past weekend with an incredible showing of support in the pride parade route. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy were joined by dozens of top-rated CEI businesses and members of HRC’s Global Business Coalition that have formed a local consortium of LGBT-inclusive companies called Pride Connection.

Newly stationed U.S. Ambassador Roberta Jacobson marched in the parade and mingled with parade-goers throughout the day. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has hosted the Workplace Equality Program several times and continues to further our shared goals of equality by convening corporate partners, civil society and HRC for dialogue, workshops and projects.

Following the first international launch of the Corporate Equality Index last fall in Mexico City, the Workplace Equality team returned this summer to participate in Pride Connection’s inaugural summit on LGBT inclusion. The daylong summit brought over 200 corporate leaders and experts together for a bi-lingual sharing of the latest research and executive perspectives on the business case for LGBT inclusion.

Mary Beth Maxwell, senior vice president for programs, research and training, moderated an executive panel on the lived experiences and career insights from LGBT and allied leaders, Marianne Hasold-Schilter, executive vice president & chief administrative officer, International Banking; Andrew Wilson, chief information officer, Accenture; Tony Tenicela, global leader, Workforce Diversity and LGBT Markets, IBM; and, Louis Vega, chief of staff and global director at The Dow Chemical Company.

Deena Fidas, director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program, presented on the genesis of the Corporate Equality Index and “La Inclusión LGBT: El Caso de Negocio,” or “LGBT Inclusion: The Business Case.”

The summit comes after several years of work across HRC, the U.S. Embassy and the tremendous advocates within the Pride Connection companies, as well civil society leaders. On its own it was an achievement, but also reflects the years of partnership and expanded work ahead to move equality forward. 

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How to Support Diverse Families this Holiday Weekend

Post submitted by Charles Girard, Coordinator, HRC Welcoming Schools

This weekend, people across the country will gather with friends and family at barbecues and picnics to celebrate the Fourth of July.

As with any social gathering, children will likely encounter families that look different from theirs. This  may bring up questions such as:

“Why does he have two moms?”

“How come his dad is white but his mom is Asian?”

“How come her skin color is different than her parents’?”

How would you answer these questions? HRC’s Welcoming Schools resource ,“Yes, They Are A Family!” provides answers to these questions and many more. The guide offers sample responses to real-life questions, inquiries and statements about diverse families.

Do the young people in your life have other questions about diversity and LGBTQ people? The Welcoming Schools’ website has plenty of resources to help you answer all kinds of questions like:

“Why does he wear dresses?”

“Can two men get married”

“Why is her hair short? She looks like a boy!”

For all of that and more, check out welcomingschools.org.

HRC Welcoming Schools is a comprehensive approach to creating respectful and supportive elementary schools with resources and professional development to embrace family diversity, create LGBTQ-inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying and gender stereotyping, and support transgender and gender-expansive students.

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Antigay Benham Bros Urge Christians To Be Like Chocolate Chips

Fresh off the heels of their post-Orlando “We love the gays!” vomit-inducing vlog, the antigay Benham Brothers are back. This time, they’re plugging their crappy new book about the how Christians can survive in a “cookie dough of culture” that has been poisoned by liberals, Pagans, atheists and–you guessed it!–gay people.

Related: After Orlando, Benham Brothers Love Gays So Much They Want To Help Them Turn Straight With Jesus

This week, the twinsies sat down with Fox & Friends to talk about their book and that time they were fired from their HBTV reality show for being homophobic.

When introducing the brothers, co-host Ainsley Earhardt told viewers, “HGTV cancelled the Benham Brothers home renovation show before it ever aired because of the brothers’ Christian and pro-life beliefs.”

She left out the part about how they blamed “homosexuality and its agenda” for “attacking the nation” and warned of “demonic ideologies” that are corrupting public schools.

Related: Benham Brothers Fear “Poisonous Vine” Of Gayness Choking And Raping “Every Sphere Of America”

During the interview, David said they wrote the new book “to encourage Christians to stand up and be strong because we have Jesus Christ inside of us, we have the light of the world.”

“People of faith oftentimes want to be silent,” he added, “and now is not the time to be silent when darkness rises, it’s time to turn the light on.”

Then Earhardt asked about the reality show. Without getting into specifics, Jason replied by saying a “media firestorm” was ignited, causing “networks to stay away from us.” Then he cracked a joke about how network execs thought the brothers were “toxic.”

“Oh, you’re soooo toxic,” Earhardt giggled. “You’re teaching love.”

Related: Benham Brothers Don’t Want To Live In “Bizarro World” Where Christians Can’t Discriminate Against Gays

But things got especially nutty towards end of the interview, when Jason compared Christians to chocolate chips.

“We’ve got to be the chocolate chips of the cookie dough of culture,” he said. “We mix in. We don’t blend in. And we keep our distinct form. Even when put into a furnace!”

“That means you’re the best part,” Earhardt purred in response.

Watch the interview below. Or don’t.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

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12 Groundbreaking Music Videos By Gay Artists

Even before the days of MTV, artists have been rocking the needle forward for LGBT visibility with groundbreaking music videos showing the beauty of our lives, loves, and perseverance.

It’s a tradition that continues today, and while we’re thankful to have an army of allies who have used their art to stand with us in solidarity over the years, there is no substitute for the feeling that comes from seeing our stories told by members of our own community.

As we near the end of LGBT Pride month, we’re turning up the volume and celebrating our past, present and future with these 12 landmark videos by gay artists who were unafraid to let their rainbow flag fly high.

1. Village People, “Macho Man” (1978)
This homoerotic-fueled ode to masculinity was a feast for snacking eyes in the seventies. The super-sized serving of sexuality was initially unnoticed by a majority of straight fans while this track was blowing up the charts, but gay men knew exactly what they were seeing.

2. George Michael, “Outside” (1998)
Only a few short months after George Michael was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover cop in a Beverly Hills bathroom, the pop icon embraced his newly-out status with this satirical music video.

3. Divine, “You Think You’re a Man” (1984)

Long before RuPaul commanded us to “work,” legendary drag diva (and John Waters muse) Divine rocked out with her wig out, and gave men everywhere a timeless lesson in masculinity.

4. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax” (1984)

The original music video for the synth bands’ safe-sex anthem featured adventures at a BDSM gay bar. However, it was quickly banned by MTV and the BBC. The band was forced to film the SFW version that became a staple of the eighties, but the original continues to live on in internet infamy.

5. Le1f, “Wut” (2014)

From the rhymes (“I’m gettin light in my loafers”) to the unabashed lap dance with a hunk in a Pokémon mask, Le1f’s “Wut” takes a wrecking ball to assumptions that hip hop is a realm reserved for heterosexual artists.

6. Troye Sivan, “Blue Neighbourhood Trilogy” (2015)

A groundbreaking tale of young love unfolds over the course of three music videos from Troye Sivan’s sophomore album Blue Neighborhood, “Wild,” “Fools” and “Talk Me Down.” But it’s the cinematic director’s cut that combines the three music videos into one heartbreaking story that packs an unforgettable punch.

7. Culture Club, “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?” (1982)

The video for the track Boy George later admitted was about his tortured love affair with fellow band mate (Culture Club drummer Jon Moss) is filled with queer imagery and subtext that seems obvious by today’s standards, but flew under the radar in 1982.

8. RuPaul, “Supermodel (You Better Work)”

The glamazon who turned warring wigs into a television phenomenon first shifted drag into overdrive with this 1993 gem.

9. Years & Years, “Desire” (2016)

Two pop powerhouses team up for a video that celebrates sexuality without limits.

10. Bronski Beat, “Smalltown Boy” (1984)

The gay synth-pop trio’s (not so subtle) music video spotlighting the story of a young man who desires to escape the confines of his homophobic small town was a bold statement in 1984, and one of the many reasons this track has been an LGBT anthem for more than 30 years.

11. Steve Grand, “All-American Boy” (2013)

The singer-songwriter’s first music video went viral moments after it was uploaded to YouTube and proved same-sex love is as American as blue jeans, apple pie, and the 4^th of July.

12. Sam Smith, “Lay Me Down” (2015)

Sam Smith kicked down the closet door shortly before his debut album dropped and then went on to shoot this music video which shows the British crooner daydreaming of marrying the man of his dreams.

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Boris Johnson, Zac Efron, Istanbul, Nev Schulman, Barack Obama, Italy, War Whoop: NEWS

POPULISM. Obama rips Donald Trump. “They don’t suddenly become a populist because they say something controversial in order to win votes. That’s not the measure of populism. That’s nativism, or xenophobia, or worse. Or it’s just cynicism….Let’s just be clear: Somebody who labels ‘us versus them’ or engaged in rhetoric about how we’re going to look after ourselves and take it to the other guy — that’s not the definition of populism. Sorry.”

FOUR MORE YEARS. Canadian parliament cheers Obama.

BREXIT. Boris Johnson says he’s not running for Prime Minister: “In a speech in London – billed as his campaign launch – Mr Johnson said he did not believe he could provide the leadership or unity needed. It comes after Justice Secretary and fellow Brexit campaigner Michael Gove’s surprise announcement on Thursday morning that he would run for leader. Home Secretary Theresa May is among the candidates.”

DEFEATED. Senator Lee Bright, sponsor of South Carolina’s anti-LGBT ‘bathroom bill’, defeated in primary.

WAR WHOOP. Conservative ‘shock jock’ Howie Carr introduces Trump, mocks Elizabeth Warren’s Native American heritage. “He probably won’t be chastised by the Trump campaign. After all, the candidate himself has referred to Warren as “Pocahontas” and blatantly refused to accept or care that many Native Americans might find that offensive.”

ISTANBUL. Bombers were from Kyrgyzsstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia. “No group has claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack. Turkish news media reported that the attackers had rented an apartment in Istanbul’s conservative Fatih district, and neighbors had complained about a suspicious chemical smell coming from the building. At least one man left his passport at the rental property, according to the privately owned Dogan News Agency. The airport reopened on Wednesday morning with additional security measures in place.”

ITALY. European Court of Human Rights says country violated rights of gay couple: “The European Court of Human Rights said Monday that Italy violated the rights of gay couple for refusing to grant a residence permit to a New Zealander who wanted to live with his Italian partner in Italy. The court ordered Rome to pay damages of 20,000 euros. The ruling will become definitive in three months if none of the parties appeal.”

CATFISH DADDY. Nev Schulman’s going to be a father.

DELUSIONAL HARLEM HATE PASTOR. James David Manning says he’s thinking of buying the Mellon Bank: “The Bank Of New York Mellon, which has $28 trillion in custodial assets and has a market value of $42 billion, is the holder for the federal tax lien against Harlem’s infamous hate church.”

BEProud. Zac Efron wears shirt for Orlando victims.

THIRSTY THURSDAY. Rionsrkm.

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A Whopping 80% of Voters in This Arkansas City Endorsed Anti-LGBT Discrimination on Tuesday

Texarkana, Arkansas, on Tuesday became the latest US city where LGBT rights have fallen victim to the transgender bathroom myth.

Voters repealed the city’s nondiscrimination law, Ordinance No. M-130, by a whopping 3,409 to 881, or 80 percent to 20 percent, which is among the largest margins of defeat for any pro-LGBT measure in history.

The ordinance, which was approved unanimously by Texarkana’s Board of Directors in January, prohibited the city and its contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, opponents focused on the fact that it allowed trans people to use the restrooms of their choice, which they called indecent and a danger to women and children, according to The Texarkana Gazette:

At a celebration Tuesday night in downtown’s Omega Building, Richard Wagnon, leader of the anti-ordinance group the Repeal 130 Committee, expressed gratitude to voters.

“I’m very humbled and appreciative of the people of Texarkana, Ark.,” he said. “This says that we the people get to decide for ourselves what our community standards are.”

Dennis Young, a former Arkansas-side ward director and former Texarkana House representative who was active in the pro-ordinance group Keep M-130, conceded defeat but expressed hope for change.

“What else can you say except that we got whipped?” he said. “Unfortunately, Texarkana, Ark., is the loser in the long run, as in the manner of how we will be viewed by others. Thanks to those who wanted our city to be viewed as a progressive, tolerant city, the fight for equality for all will continue.”

More from the Human Rights Campaign:

The ordinance, which had passed the Texarkana Board of Directors by a unanimous vote early this year with broad-based support from citizens and the business community, was targeted by an onslaught of negative, deceptive rhetoric from extremists with no ties to Texarkana, and who have targeted similar protections across the state.

“The Board of Directors of Texarkana unanimously passed a non-discrimination ordinance earlier this year, after local residents and groups spent months pushing for its passage,” said Kendra R. Johnson, state director of HRC Arkansas. “This ordinance was repealed only because anti-equality individuals came into Texarkana and created a campaign of fear that distorts the reality of the ordinance. We remain committed to ensuring that every LGBTQ Arkansan has full legal protections, with no exceptions.”

When sponsoring the bill, City Director Tim Johnson said the “sole intent” of the ordinance was to put Texarkana in the best position to attract new industry and business. The ordinance protects city employees, vendors, and contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and prohibits discrimination against recipients of city services based on the same characteristics. Since its passage, outside groups and lawyers opposing the measure have distorted the intent and purpose of the law, and used harmful anti-transgender language and scare tactics.

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