Police Step Up Patrols After Social Media Threat to Philadelphia Gay Bars



Police stepped up patrols around Philadelphia gay bars on Friday night after a social media post threatened a possible shooting.

CBS Philly reports: “A recent online post made reference to a possible shooting at Woody’s or Voyeur. Police say they’re taking the post seriously. However, they say they do not believe there is an immediate threat.”

Woody’s released a statement on Facebook: “In such uncertain times, you wouldn’t think a threat would come from a member of our community, but now the unthinkable has happened. A hollow threat was made by a former customer & it’s spreading through social media. The owners & management of Woody’s have a long working relationship with the Philadelphia police in making the safety of our customers and staff top priority. Philly PD has investigated & Homeland Security has assured us that the threat made is non-credible and unfounded.”

A similar statement was posted on Voyeur’s Facebook page.

Coincidentally, the threats come a week after at least two Boston gay bars received threatening phone calls around the same time on consecutive nights. The content of those threats was not disclosed. dbar in Dorchester received a threatening call on Friday night, and Alley Bar in downtown Boston received a similar call on Saturday.

The post Police Step Up Patrols After Social Media Threat to Philadelphia Gay Bars appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Police Step Up Patrols After Social Media Threat to Philadelphia Gay Bars

Matias Brand: Bored on Friday After Working All Week…

What’s up freaky family. After working all week as a maintenance man for sexy homeowners. I’m sore and aching. Who’s gonna run me down and take care of this throbbing cock. I’ll be online after I shower. See you soon…

Visit Matias Brand’s Chat Room

www.flirt4free.com/models/bios/matias_brand/about.php?mp_code=f48t&service=guys

WATCH: Expert says MMF threesomes are more popular than MFF
Oh really now?

www.queerty.com/watch-expert-says-mmf-threesomes-popular-mff-20181116?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

HRC: Proposed Rule Change to Title IX Would Harm Survivors of Sexual Assault

Today, HRC responded to a new proposal from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to change Title IX in a way that would suppress the voices of survivors of rape and sexual assault and make it easier for their perpetrators to get away with their actions.

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity that receives federal funding. Title IX’s prohibition on sex discrimination, as a matter of law, requires schools to address sexual harassment, including sexual violence, as forms of sex discrimination. In addition, Title IX protects students from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, as evidenced by continuing case law, guidance previously issued by the Department of Education, and school district settlements to this effect.

Among the dangerous changes to this regulation is a proposal to permit religiously-affiliated schools the ability to decline to submit a request or notice for a Title IX exemption to the Department of Education on their institutional policies, keeping students and their parents in the dark on whether the school intends to discriminate.

“This rule turns back the clock to a time when our schools swept rape, sexual assault, and harassment under the rug,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “This is a blatant disregard for the justice of survivors of sexual violence by letting schools off the hook for Title IX obligations and denying survivors, including LGBTQ survivors, their civil right to equal access to education. The only safe place created for schools with this proposed rule is one for perpetrators. These changes are unacceptable and must be rejected.” 

LGBTQ people are disproportionately affected by sexual assault and harassment, and the stigma that many LGBTQ people face can make it more difficult for survivors to report. Studies suggest that nearly half of bisexual women have been raped and half of transgender people will experience sexual violence at some point in their lifetimes. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a national survey of high school students, lesbian and bisexual women and gay and bisexual men experienced higher rates of sexual assault than their straight counterparts. In addition, a 2015 study by the Association of American Universities found that 60 percent of gay and lesbian students and nearly 70 percent of bisexual students report being sexually harassed on campus.

In July, representatives from HRC met with other survivors of sexual assault in a meeting with Betsy DeVos to emphasize that it is critical that she and the Department of Education enforce Title IX and maintain the 2011 guidance that details specifically schools’ obligations under Title IX to ensure “prompt and equitable resolution[s]” to complaints of sexual violence.

HRC’s Jordan Dashow wrote a powerful op-ed for The Advocate on how changes to Title IX would affect LGBTQ survivors of sexual violence and is the subject a powerful video released by HRC.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-proposed-rule-change-to-title-ix-would-harm-survivors-of-assault?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Congratulations to Debbie and Michael from Great Britain!

Hook, line and sinker… Mike got Debbie. She writes: “My daughter signed me up to Zoosk in February 2015 (as she knew I would never have the courage to do it myself). On the night of December 5, I met up with Mike for date. We talked the night away! It was 3am before we knew it;

The post Congratulations to Debbie and Michael from Great Britain! appeared first on Zoosk.

about.zoosk.com/en/blog/success-stories/congratulations-debbie-michael-great-britain/

#Am_Equality Tipsheet: November 16, 2018

TWENTY-SEVEN TAIWANESE AND MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES SPEAK OUT IN SUPPORT OF LGBTQ EQUALITY: The statement comes ahead of November 24 referendums in Taiwan that include five ballot initiatives — three that would harm LGBTQ people, including two attempting to undermine a landmark Taiwanese Constitutional Court decision supporting marriage equality and another that would repeal a portion of the Gender Equity Education Act, which supports LGBTQ inclusion in Taiwan’s school curriculum. In contrast, two other initiatives would affirm marriage equality and the importance of the Gender Equity Education Act. The major businesses are joined in their statement by six non-governmental organizations operating in Taiwan and globally. More from HRC, INTO and Taiwan News.

THANK YOU, CHAD! HRC PRESIDENT CHAD GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE IN 2019: Said Griffin (@ChadHGriffin): “The true strength of the Human Rights Campaign is in its fearless army of staff and volunteers, who are committed to ensuring full equality reaches every LGBTQ person across America, and around the world. Even as I step down from my role in this remarkable organization, I remain committed to HRC’s mission and will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ people — and all Americans — as I embark on this next chapter. So now is the time to fight harder and dig deeper. Because there are still more trails to be blazed. There is still more history to be made and more battles to be won. The LGBTQ community’s brightest days and our grandest victories are still ahead of us.” More from HRC, Advocate and The Associated Press.

Thank you to @HRC’s incredible staff, volunteers and supporters for the journey of a lifetime. This organization has never been stronger, and I couldn’t be prouder of all we’ve accomplished together these past 7 years. t.co/Hz94ns63iD pic.twitter.com/4rDhntnDbY

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) November 15, 2018

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY — HRC SITS DOWN WITH FIRST TRANS PERSON TO PUBLICLY TRANSITION AT A MAJOR CHILEAN CORPORATION: Alessia Injoque (@ale_injoque) was also a featured speaker at the launch of HRC Equidad CL and shared her story with HRC for Trans Awareness Week.

Alessia Injoque es la primera persona transgénero en hacer su transición pública en una corporación importante en Chile. Injoque fue una de las ponentes en el lanzamiento de HRC Equidad CL y nos compartió su historia.

LGBTQ VOTERS TURNED OUT IN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBERS THIS MIDTERM ELECTIONS: CNN, NBC and the Wall Street Journal reported that six percent of the voting bloc identified as LGBTQ — an increase from past years. More from Washington Blade.

TURNING ORANGE TO BLUE:

BREAKING: Congratulations to @HRC-backed Katie Porter (@KatiePorterOC) on your incredible win. We look forward to working with you to move #EqualityForward. #CA45 #ElectionResults2018 pic.twitter.com/v9Y4VUMzHN

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 16, 2018

HRC AND UCONN SURVEY FIND SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR TRANS AND GENDER EXPANSIVE YOUTH: The new report details the alarming barriers facing transgender and gender-expansive youth — and their perseverance in the face of discrimination and harassment. The findings were drawn from the 5,600 transgender and gender-expansive youth who participated in HRC’s groundbreaking 2018 LGBTQ Youth Survey. “Amidst an onslaught of political attacks on the rights and dignity of transgender people, these harrowing results reinforce that transgender and gender-expansive youth need action and need it now,” said Jay Brown, Acting Senior Vice President, HRC Foundation (@ThisIsJayBrown). “No child should have to wake up in the morning fearful of rejection, bullying or discrimination, but for far too many transgender and gender-expansive youth that remains an everyday reality.” More from HRC.

NEW VOX SERIES DEBUNKS MYTHS ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY: Read the full series here.

HUYENDO DE LA DISCRIMINACIÓN, INMIGRANTES TRANSGÉNERO SE UNEN A LA CARAVANA MIGRANTE: Milagros Chirinos, jefa de prensa bilingüe de HRC, habló con Univision Arizona sobre la discriminación específica contra inmigrantes transgénero que viajan en la caravana migrante. “En esos países, lamentablemente, todavía no hay leyes que protejan a esta comunidad, lo cual es alarmante”. Más de UnivisionAZ.

BROOKLYN MAN ACCUSED OF ANTI-LGBTQ ATTACK ON TWO MEN ARRAIGNED ON HATE CRIME CHARGES: More from Patch Williamsburg – Greenpoint.

KENTUCKY BAPTIST CONVENTION CUTTING TIES WITH CHURCHES THAT SUPPORT LGBTQ HIRES: More from WLKY.

FORMER COWBOYS LINEBACKER JEFF ROHRER COMES OUT AS GAY, WILL MARRY PARTNER THIS WEEKEND: More from The New York Times.

HRC HONORED WITH A SHORTY AWARD FOR ITS FIGHT TO PROTECT LGBTQ IMMIGRANTS:

Tonight, @HRC was honored by @shortyawards #shortygood for our fight to protect #LGBTQ immigrants.

LGBTQ rights are immigrants’ rights, and an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. ������️‍�� t.co/VqBdKj68D3

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 16, 2018

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPION BECKY LYNCH COMES OUT IN SUPPORT OF LGBTQ WRESTLERS, EQUALITY: Read the exclusive interview from Pink News.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Advocate reports on the unique challenges for LGBTQ Muslims during the Trump-Pence administration; Pix11 reviews a new documentary on the experiences of LGBTQ NYPD officers; Refinery29 speaks to trans model Geena Rocero (@GeenaRocero) for Trans Awareness Week; HuffPost shares a Ellen segment in which Laverne Cox surprises a trans man who had never met another openly trans person

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-november-16-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Rapper said she’d beat her son if he’s gay, doesn’t understand the outrage
Words matter.

www.queerty.com/rapper-said-shed-beat-son-hes-gay-doesnt-understand-outrage-20181115?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

True Colours Cava Debuts in the U.S. and Commits $100,000 to Accelerate LGBTQ Acceptance with GLAAD

www.glaad.org/blog/true-colours-cava-debuts-us-and-commits-100000-accelerate-lgbtq-acceptance-glaad

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 15, 2018

“IF YOU ATTACK US… WE ARE GOING TO DEFEAT YOU IN THE NEXT ELECTION” — HRC PRESIDENT CHAD GRIFFIN ON MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND TRUMP: In an exclusive interview with Variety’s Ted Johnson (@tedstew), Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) said of this election, “[W]e will see this as one of the great awakenings of our democracy where LGBTQ people, women and people of color rose up, spoke out, voted in historic numbers and ran for office in historic numbers.” More from Variety.

ICYMI — HRC HOSTS NEARLY 50 HBCU STUDENTS AT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT IN ATLANTA: The three-day summit was designed to foster campus environments that are welcoming and affirming to LGBTQ people. At the event, Karamo Brown, co-host of the hit Netflix series Queer Eye, helped launch a partnership between HRC and HBCU Buzz, the premier news site covering HBCUs, dedicated to creating the first-ever LGBTQ HBCU Alumni Network. To join the network, click here. Ryan Swain of “Pose” and Amiyah Scott from “Star” were also featured speakers. More from HRC and The Southern Digest.

.@HRC was honored to host nearly 50 students from 27 Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide for a three-day leadership summit designed to foster environments that are welcoming and affirming to LGBTQ people on #HBCU campuses. ✊����️‍�� t.co/cjfbE0pJOo

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2018

THANKFUL THURSDAY — OUT HONORS LGBTQ ACTIVISTS WITH 2018 OUT100 LIST: Honorees include Billy Porter, Emma González, the cast of Queer Eye, Indya Moore, Danica Roem, Hayley Kiyoko, Mj Rodriguez, Daniela Vega, DeRay Mckesson, Amber Hikes, Brendon Urie, Ryan Murphy, Gus Kenworthy, Kim Petras, Adam Rippon, Seth Owen, Blair Imani, Keiynan Lonsdale and more! Check out the full list from Out Magazine.

THE RAINBOW WAVE CONTINUES TO WASH OVER THE COUNTRY:

• Minnesota’s Dave “Hutch” Hutchinson is believed to be the first openly gay man elected sheriff in the Midwest. More from The Associated Press.
• Polk County, Florida, elected the state’s first openly gay school board member. More from Orlando Weekly.

TODAY IS THE “GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT”: A survey from HRC and the University of Connecticut of LGBTQ youth revealed that LGB youth smoke at rates up to two times as high as straight youth. Smoking rates among trans youth are 15 percent higher than those of LGB youth. It’s never too soon — or too late — to quit.

Tomorrow marks the #GreatAmericanSmokeout.

An @HRC & @UConn survey of #LGBTQ youth revealed
– LGB youth smoke at rates up to 2X as high as straight youth.
– Smoking rates among trans youth are 15% higher than those of LGB youth.

It’s never too early or late to quit. #GASO18 pic.twitter.com/fFStx4M7cT

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2018

HRC PARTNERS WITH LOVE HAS NO LABELS ON NEW SHORT FILM, RISING: The film features David Nutter and Lena Waithe (@LenaWaithe).

.@HRC is proud to join our partner @LoveHasNo_ in not only celebrating the moments that bring us together, but taking steps to act inclusively every day.

Together we’re proud to announce Rising, an original film, from Emmy® winners David Nutter and @LenaWaithe. t.co/FL6d90gAKj

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 14, 2018

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

NEW REPORT SAYS MORE THAN 70 MEN WERE JAILED BY TUNISIAN AUTHORITIES LAST YEAR ON SUSPICION OF BEING LGBTQ: More from The Guardian.

MALAYSIAN CENSORSHIP BOARD CONFIRMS IT WILL CUT LGBTQ CONTENT FROM BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: More from Pink News.

ASSOCIATION OF TAIWAN JOURNALISTS ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY: More from Taiwan News.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Newsweek reports on a horrifying video game that allows players to murder LGBTQ people; HuffPost reviews a new musical about a teen girl hoping to take her girlfriend to prom; Windy City Times interviews Brynn Tannehill (@BrynnTannehill) about her new book “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Trans”

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-november-15-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Introducing Swipe Surge

Let’s get this party started.

There are times when activity on Tinder naturally surges — you never know what could happen, you just know you don’t want to miss out. Swipe Surge is no ordinary party. It happens during festivals; it happens during Spring Break; it happens when someone screams “open bar” from the rooftop pool party and everyone needs to be “meeting a friend” who’s already inside. It happens any time people in your area are lighting up Tinder. And yes, the possibilities are endless.

During a Swipe Surge, activity is up to 15x higher! And with that many more people at the party, your match-making potential is increased by 250%, which means you’ll also spark up a new convo with a cutie 33% faster — so keep your witty banter, and your phone charged.

Want to know how to get invited to the hottest party in town? Of course you do.

Here’s how to get down with the get down:

A Swipe Surge can happen at anytime, so turn on your push notifications for real-time updates that will tell you when it’s go-time. Next, just open Tinder, and settle in because the fun can last for minutes or hours. People who’ve already joined the Swipe Surge will jump to the front of the line, and we’ll even show you who’s currently active. There’s no guest list, there’s no dress code, and it’s always BYOB. So, stay ready.

Swipe Surge is testing on iOS devices in select cities.

blog.gotinder.com/introducing-swipe-surge/