HRC and Muslims for Progressive Values Host Special Performance and Workshop

This weekend, HRC Foundation and Muslims for Progressive Values will host a special workshop and performance of “Coming Out Muslim: Radical Acts of Love.”

On Saturday, May 21, Tern and Wazina Zondon will perform the play, which captures stories and experiences of being at the intersections of Islam and queerness and its relationship to family, lovers, one’s sense of self and relationship with our faith. The stories “Coming Out Muslim” range from tales about other people’s theories about where queerness comes from, the gifts of being queer and Muslim, the tension between one’s culture and religion, and love—romantic and spiritual. “Coming Out Muslim” is both funny and poignant. The performance will be followed up with a talk-back, panel discussion and open to the audience for Q&A.

Although there is a general consensus among Islamic scholars that sexuality outside heteronormativity is prohibited in Islam, a growing number of scholars are revisiting and questioning mainstream Islam’s stance on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“I have never believed that there was anything that would take me away from God,” Terna told The Daily Beast. “There’s a line I say in the show, ‘If God is the source of my blood and its beat, how could I despise myself?’”

Like Terna, many LGBTQ Muslims are choosing to come out and reconnect with their faith. In October 2015, HRC Foundation released Coming Out to Islam and to Self, a guide to help LGBTQ Muslims who are seeking to reconnect with their faith and build more inclusive communities.

The following day on Sunday, May 22, HRC and Muslims for Progressive Values will host a workshop for LGBTQ Muslims and non-LGBTQ allies to share experiences dealing with oppression and working together towards an anti-oppressive framework.

WHEN

Performance: Saturday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Workshop: Sunday, May 22 at 11 a.m.

WHERE
Human Rights Campaign

1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington

TICKETS

General: $25

Students: $10 (with valid Student ID)

Imams, Islamic scholars, clergy: FREE

RSVPs are required. Please register at ComingOutDC.eventbrite.com

For more information, click here.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-and-muslims-for-progressive-values-host-special-performance-and-worksho?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Take Action for Equality in Mississippi

Earlier this month, hundreds of Mississippians gathered at a rally in Jackson to demand the repeal of HB 1523, the so called “Religious Liberty Accommodations Act.” The discriminatory law allows individuals, religious organizations and private associations to use religion to discriminate against LGBT Mississippians, in some of the most important aspect of their lives, including at work, at schools, in their family life and more. 

The rally was filled with a diverse and dedicated crowd. Long-time activists, republicans and democrats, well-respected attorneys and business leaders from across the state joined us, taking a stand for LGBT equality.

Just a few years ago, I would have never imagined some of these people “coming out” for LGBT equality. For example, I spoke to a straight couple from Madison who “had enough” with Mississippi’s legislature and statewide elected leaders who discriminated against the LGBT community.

If you were unable to attend the rally, there is still more you can do to fight against HB 1523:

• Text “MyMississippi” to 30644 for updates and actions across the state. 
• Learn about HRC’s work across the state at www.hrc.org/local-issues/mississippi.
• Sign up for our newsletter at www.hrc.org.
• Like HRC Mississippi’s Facebook page.   

Additionally, HRC Mississippi urges the LGBT and allied community show up. For example, attend city council meetings and local school board meetings and encourage leaders to enact pro-equality policies. You can share your opinions at your place of worship, creating a dialogue about the importance of accepting all people, and you can vote on Election Day to elect pro-equality leaders. By showing up together, we can make our state a place all are welcome and valued. 

www.hrc.org/blog/take-action-for-equality-in-mississippi?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Obamas Send Heartfelt RSVP to Binational Same-Sex Wedding

The first family wished binational couple Chelsea Roden and Lisa Hirschpek well on their wedding day. 

www.advocate.com/marriage-equality/2016/5/16/obamas-send-heartfelt-rsvp-binational-same-sex-wedding

Hate Cake Pastor Admits He Made Up the Whole Story

The gay pastor who accused Whole Foods of writing an antigay slur on his cake is recanting.

www.advocate.com/business/2016/5/16/hate-cake-pastor-admits-he-made-whole-story

Tourists Canceling Visits to North Carolina, Mississippi After Anti-LGBT Laws

These states stand to lose billions of dollars in revenue each year.

www.advocate.com/travel/2016/5/16/tourists-canceling-visits-north-carolina-mississippi-after-anti-lgbt-laws

Groundhog Day: Ben Carson Confirms Trump Might Pick Sarah Palin for VP

Just in case you thought America had a functioning democracy, over the weekend noted idiot Ben Carson leaked a few details about a few of the other inmates currently in the running to finish the 200-year-old job of destroying the country.

Trump has, for reasons that will probably never be clear, allowed Ben Carson some measure of authority over choosing the Vice Presidential nominee. And while been shadowed by a Washington Post employee, Ben just blabbed some of the names that they’re considering. And among them was walking patois Sarah Palin.

Also on the list: John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Chris Christie.

But it seems unlikely that Trump would pick any of these court jesters. John Kasich is boring, Marco Rubio is a turnip, Ted Cruz has a voice like someone hooked a vacuum cleaner up to a saxophone, and Chris Christie just makes everyone sad. Sarah Palin is more aligned with Trump’s brand, in that she is an actual crazy person from another planet. But even she is too predictable. Trump will undoubtedly want to choose someone shocking who we never saw coming.

That’s why, in a few weeks, we can probably look forward to an announcement about Trump teaming up with the comedian Gallagher; or Michael Jordan; or the man who invented the selfie stick. Somebody so unpredictably bizarre that we cannot resist the urge to discuss the choice at length until we are even more nauseated than we thought possible.

After the article was published, in fact, Carson attempted to clarify: they’re considering everyone for the post, so yes, of course Sarah Palin is on the list. But they’re not ruling anyone out, so it could be Elton John or Bill Nye or the ghost of Pablo Picasso for all we know.

And so there you have it: the country could soon be in the hands of some bumbling henchmen sidekicks, with a level of competence commensurate with someone who might follow The Penguin around. America! You can’t say we don’t get the leaders we deserve.

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RuPaul Explains Why ‘Drag Race’ Can’t Go Mainstream – WATCH

In an interview with Nightline, RuPaul says that he he thinks his hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race will never be able to go ‘mainstream’ because drag is inherently antithetical to mainstream culture.

RuPaul told ABC News’ Dan Harris, 

“I don’t think the show could ever go mainstream because drag is the antithesis of the matrix. You know, the matrix says, ‘Pick an identity and stick with it. Because I want to sell you some beer and shampoo and I need you to stick with what you are so I’ll know how to market it to you.’ Drag is the opposite. Drag says, ‘Identity is a joke,’” RuPaul explained.

He added, “I think that I haven’t been accepted in mainstream media outlets like ‘The Tonight Show’ or ‘Ellen’ or the late-night shows because the only way they could actually have a conversation with me is to make fun of me, or if they could somehow make a joke about what I’m doing.”

Ru also shared his emotional connection to the show and its contestants:

“‘Drag Race’ is popular because at its core it is the story of the tenacity of the human spirit. We get to see these kids who have been pushed aside by society, who’ve made a way for themselves to be seen and to be great. And watching them thrive throughout these challenges is captivating, especially knowing their stories. And I know their stories because it’s my story. It really is the story of really everyone who thinks outside the box.”

He adds,

“You know, show business is not for sissies. Drag ain’t for sissies. You’ve got to toughen up. I’m not on this show to … to make it easy, you know? I wanna prepare them.”

But through it all, Ru says he tries to balance his emotional reaction to the contestants’ stories with being their mama hen:

“…they’re looking to me to know how to react, so I react with compassion and with my heart. But I don’t want to break down, even though I do want to break down. You know, I have to stay strong because they see me as Mama Ru.”

RuPaul also addressed the way in which mainstream ‘straight’ culture often steals from gay culture, saying,

“It always has. My whole life time it has. It’s fine. We got plenty…Listen as a gay man … I’ve always been gay. It’s always happened in our culture, always, where mainstream culture will say, ‘Ooh, I think I’ll take that,’ you know? It’s fine. I’m just calling it for what it is. It’s perfectly fine.”

Watch the interview, below.

The post RuPaul Explains Why ‘Drag Race’ Can’t Go Mainstream – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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Austin LGBT Advocates Renew Push for Rainbow-Colored Gay Pride Crosswalks

LGBT advocates in America’s third-gayest city have renewed their push to install rainbow-colored crosswalks on a downtown street.

Austin Pride wants two rainbow-colored crosswalks on Bettie Naylor Street — named for a pioneering Texas LGBT activist — in the city’s warehouse district, which is home to its largest gay nightclubs.

The rainbow crosswalks received initial approval from the City Council in 2014, but the proposal was later rejected due to a lack of public support after some nearby business owners objected.

Now, Austin Pride has launched a Change.org petition to resurrect the project:

The Rainbow Crosswalks for the 4th & Colorado area were approved by the Austin City Council in 2014, with the caveat that the proposal be sent to the City Of Austin Art & Cultural Board for Artwork Donation Approval. That Art & Cultural Board voted it down, due to, in part, the ‘lack of public support’, which was initially gathered on their website, prior to the Board Meeting/Vote. They were also swayed by a couple of local businesses that didn’t want the rainbow crosswalks near their businesses. It is important to note that the City of Austin is in support of the proposed crosswalks. Support is to be reintroduced to the City and the Arts & Cultural Board for approval. Please take a moment and sign this petition, which will be presented to the City Council as proof of public support for this project.

What The Rainbow Crosswalks Will Represent?

Above all, the crosswalks will be an indication of Austin’s inclusion, unity, and acceptance.

It will stand as a beacon and a symbol of diversity to everyone who lives in and visits Austin, as a city that is welcome to and accepting of everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The initial installation is proposed to be provided by the City of Austin. Up keep and repainting will be paid for utilizing private funds and donations gathered by the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation.

Nearly 2,500 people have signed the petition in the three days since it was launched.

Other cities with rainbow-colored crosswalks include San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver.

Watch a report from Time Warner Cable News here.

The post Austin LGBT Advocates Renew Push for Rainbow-Colored Gay Pride Crosswalks appeared first on Towleroad.

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ACLU and Lambda Legal Seek to Immediately Halt Enforcement of North Carolina’s HB 2

The ACLU, the ACLU of North Carolina and Lambda Legal have filed a lawsuit in federal court against North Carolina’s anti-LGBT bathroom bill, HB 2, requesting that enforcement of the law be halted immediately.

The two civil rights legal groups argue that HB 2 singles out transgender individuals as targets for sex-based discrimination.

Via press release:

The three organizations and the law firm of Jenner and Block are challenging the law, House Bill 2, on behalf of six LGBT North Carolinians and members of the ACLU of North Carolina. They filed today’s motion for preliminary injunction while the case proceeds through the court system.

“HB 2 is causing ongoing and serious harm to transgender people in North Carolina and must be put on hold while it is reviewed by the court,” said Chris Brook, ACLU of North Carolina legal director. “The Justice Department has made it clear that HB 2 violates federal law. Gov. McCrory and the North Carolina Legislature wrote into state law discrimination against transgender people who just want to be able to use public facilities safely and securely.”

Kyle Palazzolo, Lambda legal staff attorney, said, “Each day that transgender North Carolinians are singled out by this harmful law, whether they are at school, at work, or just moving through their daily lives in society is another day the state is causing irreparable harm to an already vulnerable community. As Attorney General Lynch said this week, ‘none of us can stand by when a state enters the business of legislating identity and insists that a person pretend to be something they are not, or invents a problem that doesn’t exist as a pretext for discrimination and harassment,’ and we couldn’t agree more.”

Last week, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that the Department of Justice would be suing North Carolina and Governor Pat McCrory for violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, and the Violence Against Women Act.

The post ACLU and Lambda Legal Seek to Immediately Halt Enforcement of North Carolina’s HB 2 appeared first on Towleroad.

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