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QueerView Jan. 23: A Look Back At The Week In LGBT News Stories

QueerView Jan. 23: A Look Back At The Week In LGBT News Stories
Each week HuffPost Gay Voices and HuffPost Live will take a look back at some of the biggest queer news stories from the past week. Check back every Friday for your queer news round-up in this regular feature titled “QueerView.”

Obama Makes History With LGBT-Inclusive State Of The Union
President Obama made queer history on Tuesday by becoming the first president to say the words “lesbian, bisexual and transgender” in a State of the Union address.

Could Nationwide Gay Marriage Help The GOP?
The Supreme Court will once again take up same-sex marriage.

Colorado Baker Refuses To Write Anti-Gay Message On Cake
Denver’s Azucar Bakery is coming under fire for refusing to decorate a cake with anti-gay slurs and images.

New Renaissance For LGBT Artists Of Color
Tona Brown joins HuffPost Live to talk about being on the cover of Swerv Magazine.

‘Girl on Girl’ Documentary Shines Spotlight On Femme Visibility
Jodi Savitz joins HuffPost Live to discuss her documentary “Girl on Girl.”

President Obama Is Our #UnicornOfTheWeek
President Barack Obama is the #UnicornOfTheWeek! Alex explains why.

This Is What It’s Like To Be LGBT In Puerto Rico
Juan Carlos Vega joins HuffPost Live to discuss queer life and LGBT rights in Puerto Rico.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/23/queerview-january-23-_n_6532716.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

HRC Joins 13 Human Rights Urge Obama Administration To Take New Action Against Gambian Government

HRC Joins 13 Human Rights Urge Obama Administration To Take New Action Against Gambian Government

Following ongoing LGBT persecution, organizations call for visa bans and asset freezes against Gambian leaders and greater transparency on detained LGBT Gambians in letter to President Obama
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-joins-13-human-rights-urge-obama-administration-to-take-new-action-agai?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Bipartisan Coalition of Wyoming State Lawmakers Introduce LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill

Bipartisan Coalition of Wyoming State Lawmakers Introduce LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill

A bill that would prohibit employment discrimination based on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity has been filed in the Wyoming Senate by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, the Casper Star-Tribune reports:

WyomingIn addition to employees in the private sector, the Wyoming Human Resources Division would have to consider people seeking employment on the basis of their suitability and qualifications and without regard to their sexual orientation or gender identity, the bill states.

Public school teachers would not be discriminated against in compensation on account of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to SF115.

The bill would not apply to employment practices of a religious corporation, association, educational institution or society.

It also would not apply to people who work in ministry. They are currently protected under Wyoming law, and the legislation further articulates the protections, according to a statement by Compete Wyoming, a statewide coalition of business leaders who seek an update in the state’s law to draw more competitive workers to the state.

“This bill is about 9 to 5, 7 to 7 or whatever your workday is,” said Liz Brimmer, of Compete Wyoming. “It is about judging workers on their performance, qualifications and talent.  It’s just bad business to discriminate, and updating this law is important in the Equality State so that workers are productive, taxpaying and safe.”

Senate President Phil Nicholas and House Speaker Kermit Brown, both Republicans from Laramie, have signed on to the bill.

Anti-gay State Rep. Nathan Winters, meanwhile, has introduced a bill that would empower everyone from county clerks to private photographers to discriminate against LGBT citizens if their religious beliefs compel them to. 


Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2015/01/bipartisan-coalition-of-wyoming-state-lawmakers-introduce-lgbt-anti-discrimination-bill.html

This Is What Masculinity Really Means To Men

This Is What Masculinity Really Means To Men
“Dominance.” “Power.” “Strong.” “Alpha.” “Control.”

These are just a few of the words traditionally associated with masculinity.

We often hear men being described as “manly” or “macho” or “effeminate” — concepts that seem to define individual men along a sliding scale of masculinity. But in a world of both gender inequity and rapidly shifting gender roles, what does masculinity really mean?

We asked a group of men how they felt about the concept of masculinity, what they they find problematic about it, how they define the word and how they wish it was defined. What we discovered is that most of them aren’t quite sure. As HuffPost Deputy Features Editor Greg Beyer put it: “Masculinity is what it means to be a man — which I think is not such a simple thing.”

The one thing every man we spoke to agreed on is that having fewer limitations on what men and women “should” and “shouldn’t” do is a win for everyone. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just human beings.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/23/what-masculinity-means-to-men_n_6527710.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices