Open Photo Shoot in Hudson, NH
Open Photo Shoot in Hudson, NH

www.noh8campaign.com/event/open-photo-shoot-in-hudson-nh-1

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: October 10, 2018

HRC EQUALITY PAC LAUNCHES SEVEN-FIGURE AD BLITZ: The ads focus on voter engagement and turning out the vote in key states and congressional districts across the country. The digital, direct mail, text and phone voter contact program  focuses on educating voters about early voting options, mobilizing them to turn out on November 6th, and holding Trump-enabling candidates accountable for their extreme positions on issues including health care, immigration, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights and more. The initial digital and direct mail buy is more than $2 million across three U.S. Senate and five U.S. House races crucial to securing a pro-equality majority in Congress. More from HRC and National Journal.

TODAY — HEARING IN KARNOSKI V. TRUMP TO PROTECT TRANS TROOPS: This morning, Lambda Legal, OutServe SLDN and the State of Washington will appear before the Ninth Circuit to urge the court to uphold a district court ruling barring implementation of the Trump-Pence administration’s discriminatory trans military ban. They will also ask the Ninth Circuit to reject efforts by the Trump-Pence admin to conceal military docs regarding the ban, and refuse to provide even a log of documents withheld by the White House. HRC, alongside Gender Justice and the Military Partners Association are proud organizational plaintiffs opposing the ban. #ProtectTransTroops

HORRIFYING — TRANS GIRL BARRED FROM ENTERING ANY LOCKER ROOM DURING LOCKDOWN DRILL: A Stafford County, Virginia, middle school denied a transgender student access to both the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, forcing her to sit in a hallway where she would have been in danger had the emergency been real. The school superintendent issued an apology, saying “There’s no question the school system did not handle the way it should be, there’s no question that the student was separated, there’s no question that the school division needs to reassess its procedures, policies.” More from USA Today and WJLA.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING WEDNESDAY — MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE FOR TAMMY BALDWIN!

INSIDE THE FIGHT TO PROTECT TRANS RIGHTS IN MASSACHUSETTS: On Nov. 6, Massachusetts voters will decide the fate of a non-discrimination law that protects transgender people in public spaces. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the non-discrimination bill into law in July 2016, and it went into effect in October 2016. Opponents of equality used anti-transgender tactics and messages to get Question 3, which would repeal these non-discrimination protections, on the ballot this election. More from reporter Stephanie Ebbert (@StephanieEbbert) in The Boston Globe.

GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF MEXICO CITY NEARLY BARRED FROM ENTERING U.S. FOR CARRYING SHEET MUSIC IN THEIR LUGGAGE: The Los Angeles Times’ Catherine Womack (@cewomackwrites) reports that while heading to events in Los Angeles hosted by actor William Shatner and U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, the group was halted temporarily at the Houston airport. More from Los Angeles Times.

TODAY IS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY: Many LGBTQ young people experience family rejection, bullying and harassment, or feel unsafe for simply being who they are, all of which can be added risk factors for anxiety and mood disorders. HRC and the University of Connecticut’s 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report reaffirmed that, sadly, mental health disparities between LGBTQ youth and non-LGBTQ youth continue to widen, an alarming trend that we must work together to address. More from HRC.

• HRC’s Ellen Kahn writes for Reuters: “As a culture, as a community, and especially as adults we must take seriously the work to destigmatise this issue. If we can, and if it feels safe to do so, let’s talk about what we’re doing for our mental health… And let’s eliminate once and for all the devastating, isolating myth that individuals struggling with mental illness are each struggling with it alone.” Read her full piece here.

‘TRANSPARENT’ CREATOR JILL SOLOWAY’S MOVING OPED ON HER PARENT COMING OUT AS TRANS: More from The New Yorker.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

TAIWAN TO HOLD REFERENDUM ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY: HRC supports Equal Marriage Coalition Taiwan, headed by HRC Global Innovator Jennifer Lu, as they work to stop the anti-marriage equality campaign. More from U.S. News and World Report.

MORGANNA BECOMES FIRST OPENLY TRANS CONTESTANT ON ‘LA VOZ MEXICO’: More from Desastre MX.

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

OUT Magazine recommends 20 movies to watch during LGBTQ History Month; Daily Mail reviews a recent ‘Big Brother’ episode in which a contestant came out as gay; Independent reports on CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins’ apology for previous anti-LGBTQ tweets; Essence shares Samira Wiley’s journey to coming out; Gay Star News checks out a new video from GLAAD featuring Laverne Cox urging you to vote!

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org) and not authorized by any candidate or committee.

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-october-10-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Billy Eichner Uses His Big Mouth to Push Young People to Vote at the American Music Awards: WATCH

In a rousing moment at last night’s American Music Awards, Billy Eichner used his big mouth to urge young people to vote in the midterm elections.

Shouted Eichner, bringing the audience to its feet: “Young people of America, the biggest election of our lifetime is happening, on November 6. Tonight is the final night to register in 20 states in this country. Please grab your friends. Tell them to vote.  Now is the time. If you believe in equality for women, for people of color, for the LGBTQ community, if you believe if climate change is real and that we need to do something about it. Don’t let anyone tell you your vote won’t count. It does!”

.@billyeichner makes a passionate plea for millennials to register to vote during the #AMAs. pic.twitter.com/AjCvrqmlDQ

— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) October 10, 2018

The post Billy Eichner Uses His Big Mouth to Push Young People to Vote at the American Music Awards: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Billy Eichner Uses His Big Mouth to Push Young People to Vote at the American Music Awards: WATCH

Texas pastors file federal lawsuit seeking license to discriminate against LGBTQ people

www.queerty.com/texas-pastors-file-federal-lawsuit-seeking-license-discriminate-lgbtq-people-20181009?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Transgender Student Barred from Taking Shelter in Male and Female Locker Rooms During Active Shooter Drill



A student at a middle school lockdown in Stafford, Virginia, was barred from taking shelter in the male or female locker rooms with other students during an active shooter drill while the student watched teachers debate where she should go.

Equality Stafford’s Lesley Woods reported the incident on Facebook: “This past week, an incident occurred during a middle school lock down drill in Stafford County. When the drill began, a particular class of children took shelter in the bathroom/locker room nearest them as they were in PE. One student was prevented from entering either the boys or girls locker room while the teachers discussed where she should go. The student was forced to watch the adults charged with her care, debate the safest place (for the other students) to have her shelter. During this debate, she was instructed to sit in the gym with a teacher until the drill was complete, away from her peers and identified as different. After some additional debate, she was made to sit in the locker room hall way, by the door away from her peers. This happened because the child, in addition to being a model student, also happens to be transgender.”

Added Woods: “Let me be clear. During an event that prepares children to survive an attack by actual assailants, she was treated as if she was so much of a danger to peers that she was left exposed and vulnerable. These events occur across our country right now but this one happened here.”

Said Woods to Fox5DC: “This is nothing new for the family. They are a solid family and they are very much in support of their child, and they are really solid advocates for the community. So I would say all in all, the rest of us are shocked and appalled and motivated to come and speak and learn, but this family – this is their life everyday.”

Stafford County Public Schools released a statement: “Stafford County Public Schools does not comment on individual student incidents to avoid divulging confidential information. However, the new superintendent has requested a review of all protocols and procedures including security to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. We take such matters very seriously and they will be addressed. The welfare of all students is of the utmost importance for SCPS.”

The post Transgender Student Barred from Taking Shelter in Male and Female Locker Rooms During Active Shooter Drill appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Transgender Student Barred from Taking Shelter in Male and Female Locker Rooms During Active Shooter Drill

HRC’s Equality Votes PAC Launches Seven-Figure “Votes Conquer Hate” Ad Campaign Across 7 States

Today, the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Votes PAC announced a new seven-figure ad blitz focusing on voter engagement and turning out the vote in key states and congressional districts across the country. The digital, direct mail, text and phone voter contact program  focuses on educating voters about early voting options, mobilizing them to turn out on November 6th, and holding Trump-enabling candidates accountable for their extreme positions onissues such as health care, immigration, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights and more. The initial digital and direct mail buy is more than $2 million across 3 Senate and 5 House races crucial to securing a pro-equality majority in Congress. Examples can be viewed below. 

The first wave of ads include digital ads and mail pieces targeting anti-equality candidates in key swing states, including Dean Heller in Nevada, Martha McSally in Arizona and Leah Vukmir in Wisconsin. Additionally, HRC’s Equality Votes PAC has digital ads running in other key congressional districts such as TX 23, CA 48, CA 49, MN 02, and KS 03. HRC’s Equality Votes PAC will continue to track other key races and make additional commitments through Election Day. 

The ads will appear on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and as “pre-roll” ads on YouTube and other video hosting sites. 

“With so much at stake — health care, immigration, reproductive rights, and the hard-won civil rights of all Americans — this is the most important election of our lives,” said Olivia Alair Dalton, senior vice president for communications and marketing at the Human Rights Campaign. “The Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Votes PAC is investing in key races across the country, educating and empowering Equality Voters to make their voices heard and ensure that Votes Conquer Hate. In Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada and several other key races, Equality Voters have the ability to swing the election, defeating anti-equality candidates and ensuring pro-equality officials can help pull the emergency brake on the harmful, discriminatory Trump-Pence agenda.” 

The ads target target millions of “Equality Voters” in key districts and states. Partnering with the data and analytics firm Catalist to create an “Equality Voter Model,” the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) built on decades of voter and polling data to assess the degree to which a person is likely to support pro-LGBTQ policies — from marriage equality and adoption by LGBTQ parents, to laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. During the 2016 election, HRC refined the model, allowing for direct outreach to millions of equality voters in crucial battleground states, moving them to action in support of pro-equality issues and legislation, as well as our endorsed candidates. The power of Equality Voters was also made crystal clear in 2017 when a wave of pro-equality and openly LGBTQ candidates were elected in states across the country. In Alabama, HRC-endorsed candidate Doug Jones claimed a historic victory over his opponent — the notoriously anti-LGBTQ politician Roy Moore. In Virginia, voters sent a resounding message rejecting the politics of hate and fear by electing pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

Arizona

Wisconsin

Nevada

California

Texas

Minnesota

Supporters in any state can text “VOTER” to 30644 to verify their voter registration, find their polling place, and receive election reminders. For more information on how to get involved, sign up to volunteer, or join an advocacy training, visit HRC’s Equality Voter Action Center.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrcs-equality-votes-pac-launches-seven-figure-votes-conquer-hate-ad-campaig?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

HRC Foundation Releases Two Major Resources For LGBTQ Latinx Americans

Today HRC, in partnership with the Hispanic Federation and UnidosUS, released Coming Out: Living Authentically as LGBTQ Latinx Americans, a resource for LGBTQ Latinx people living in the U.S. Additionally, HRC and the University of Connecticut released a groundbreaking report, 2018 Latinx LGBTQ Youth Report, detailing the experiences of young LGBTQ youth in the U.S.

The launch of the resources coincide with National Latinx Heritage Month.

“As we mark this month by celebrating and honoring the Latinx community and its rich and continuing contributions to our country, we also recommit to reaching out to and supporting LGBTQ Latinx people who may still be living in the closet, and LGBTQ Latinx youth who are disproportionately targeted for bullying and harassment,” said Alejandro Avilés, HRC Foundation Director of Outreach and Engagement. “Our new resources can serve as a valuable tool to help Latinx people start important conversations around the very personal decision of coming out, and to address the often-daunting issues faced by LGBTQ young people — especially under the discriminatory Trump-Pence administration.”

There is no universal experience shared by LGBTQ Latinx people, whether as young people, or during the coming out process. However, many Latinx people young and old face similar challenges, especially those raised in religious communities where they may face traditions and teachings that condemn LGBTQ identities. Language differences can also make it difficult to find relevant or relatable resources, and support and a lack of LGBTQ Latinx representation in media, entertainment and politics perpetuates invisibility.

HRC’s Coming Out: Living Authentically as LGBTQ Latinx Americans addresses the challenging journey to live openly and examines how unique hurdles facing LGBTQ Latinx people in the U.S. can be overcome with time and education.

“I shudder to think of where my sons might be today if I hadn’t realized that I had to change… to let go of the internalized homophobia that I was prisoner of for almost three decades because of my Mexican-American, Catholic upbringing,” said Roland Gutierrez, proud gay father of 24-year-old LGBTQ triplet sons, who is quoted in the coming out guide. “By learning to accept my sons, I eventually came to accept myself. Despite all that is wrong in this country and in this world, I am absolutely happy…”

Find the full coming out resource, Coming Out: Living Authentically as LGBTQ Latinx Americans, here. Learn more about HRC’s coming out resources here.

In the groundbreaking 2018 Latinx LGBTQ Youth Report, HRC and researchers at the University of Connecticut found that among Latinx youth who participated in a recent survey of 12,000 LGBTQ young people:

• Seventy-two percent heard family say negative things about LGBTQ people;
• Eighty-two percent reported feeling worried, nervous or panicked in the past week;
• Only 28 percent always felt safe in the classroom;
• Seventy-three percent have been verbally insulted because of their LGBTQ identity;
• Eighty percent experienced racial discrimination;
• And only seven percent believe Latinx people are regarded positively in the U.S.

The U.S. lacks reliable data about LGBTQ people, especially about the experiences of LGBTQ youth. In light of this, and in the face of consistent attacks on LGBTQ youth, HRC is committed to ensuring this data is in the hands of teachers, counselors, coaches, doctors and other youth-serving professionals across the country. These findings will inform a variety of HRC Foundation programs for youth and youth-serving professionals, including Welcoming Schools program, the All Children-All Families program and the Time to THRIVE Conference.

Find the full youth survey report for Latinx youth, 2018 Latinx LGBTQ Youth Report, here.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-foundation-releases-two-new-major-resources-for-lgbtq-latinx-americans?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Trump Says He Likes Taylor Swift’s Music ‘About 25 Percent Less Now’ as Voter Registrations Spike: WATCH

Donald Trump was asked about Taylor Swift’s decision to declare her support for Democrats and against anti-LGBTQ Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

Responded Trump, who needed to be told what Swift had said: “I’m sure Taylor Swift doesn’t know anything about [Marsha Blackburn]. And uh…let’s say that I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now.

Swift has been credited for a spike in voter registrations following her announcement, Kamari Guthrie, director of communications for Vote.org told Buzzfeed News: “We are up to 65,000 registrations in a single 24-hour period since T. Swift’s post… [For context, 190,178 new voters were registered nationwide in the entire month of September, while 56,669 were registered in August.]”

Buzzfeed News added: ‘“Vote.org saw [Tennessee] registrations spike specifically since Taylor’s post,” Guthrie said. The organization has gotten 5,183 in the state so far this month — at least 2,144 of which were in the last 36 hours, she said, up from 2,811 new Tennessee voter registrations for the entire month of September and just 951 in August. Guthrie said the site had also seen a big jump in the number of visitors since Swift’s post, with 155,940 unique visitors in the last 24 hours — second only to the number of people who visited on National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 25 when there were 304,942 unique visitors (The average daily users for the site are 14,078 in 2018).’

The post Trump Says He Likes Taylor Swift’s Music ‘About 25 Percent Less Now’ as Voter Registrations Spike: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Trump Says He Likes Taylor Swift’s Music ‘About 25 Percent Less Now’ as Voter Registrations Spike: WATCH

Rosie O’Donnell: Lady Gaga is Coming to Broadway in ‘Funny Girl’ and So Am I

At an appearance with Randy Rainbow at New York’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday night, Rosie O’Donnell told the crowd that Lady Gaga is coming to Broadway in Funny Girl as Fanny Brice. O’Donnell also said that she’d be playing her mother.

Rosie O’Donnell just said on stage that Lady Gaga will play Funny Girl on Broadway and she’ll play her mother.

— BRIAN O’KEEFE (@BOKABC) October 7, 2018

Broadway World was among those noting O’Donnell’s remarks but added, “there has been no confirmation of any of this information at this time.

Newsday adds: “Broadway buzz has been looking at a return of the Jule Styne musical, the semi-autobiographical story of Brice and her relationship with gambler Nick Arnstein, ever since a planned production in 2012, directed by Bartlett Sher and rumored to star Lauren Ambrose, was shelved.  A 2016 London production, starring Sheridan Smith, was filmed and is due to hit theaters on Oct. 24.”

The post Rosie O’Donnell: Lady Gaga is Coming to Broadway in ‘Funny Girl’ and So Am I appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Rosie O’Donnell: Lady Gaga is Coming to Broadway in ‘Funny Girl’ and So Am I

Hurricane Michael, Hope Hicks, Pete Davidson, John Roberts, Catch One, Shangela, Will Vinton, Gotham: HOT LINKS

HURRICANE MICHAEL. New storm expected to ramp up to Category 3, fast: ‘According the NHC, forecast models give it a 55-60% chance to “rapidly intensify” again over the next 24 hours. That means by this time tomorrow morning it could be at least a very strong category 2 or likely a category major 3 hurricane.’

CRISIS. New report details horrific near-future as a result of climate change: “The report, issued on Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists convened by the United Nations to guide world leaders, describes a world of worsening food shortages and wildfires, and a mass die-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040 — a period well within the lifetime of much of the global population.”

NO MAGA. Pete Davidson rips Kanye West’s Trump rant on SNL.

BRETT KAVANAUGH. Chief Justice John Roberts ignored judicial misconduct complaints sent to him about Brett Kavanaugh: ‘People familiar with the matter say the allegations made in the complaints — that Kavanaugh was dishonest and lacked judicial temperament during his Senate testimony — had already been widely discussed in the Senate and in the public realm. Roberts did not see an urgent need for them to be resolved by the judicial branch while he continued to review the incoming complaints, they said. The situation is highly unusual, said legal experts and several people familiar with the matter. Never before has a Supreme Court nominee been poised to join the court while a fellow judge recommends that misconduct claims against that nominee warrant review.’

HOPE HICKS. Former Trump aide joins FOX News: ‘Hope Hicks, former right-hand woman to President Donald Trump and his trusted communications chief, is set to join Fox as an executive vice president and Chief Communications Officer. According to a press release, Hicks will join “New Fox”, the company left following Twenty-First Century Fox’s upcoming merger with Disney.’

SERVER ISSUES. So, yeah, there was something fishy about that Trump server communicating with Russia.

PHILADELPHIA. City unveils “Edie Windsor Way” to honor marriage activist. “Windsor, who was born in Philadelphia, was the lead plaintiff in the landmark 2013 Supreme Court decision United States v. Windsor, which forced the federal government to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples.”

STAR TREK FIRST LOOK. Here’s Ethan Peck as the latest Spock.

AMANDLA STENBERG. Actress comes out about her sexual assault: “My breath was the tool I relied on when I ended up in a foreign country on a three-hour train ride to find an emergency contraceptive. The night before, what started as a consensual experience had turned forceful. Painful things had been done to my body that made me feel broken and disposable. I was unable to consent to them, and was silenced verbally and physically when I protested.”

LOS ANGELES. Union nightclub to rebrand as Catch One: “The Union sign on top will be replaced with the new Catch One logo. All other architectural elements on the building will stay the same, Webster said. Catch One will continue to book events that are inclusive to people from all walks of life, according to a statement from the club. From soul, funk, and jazz nights, to heavy metal, hip hop, and EDM, the massive venue features a variety of musical genres and cultural events.”

A STAR IS BORN. Shangela and Willam talk about making the film with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper: “You know they couldn’t keep my mouth shut. When they said, ‘We’re going to switch cameras around. You guys have a moment,’ she could have left. She didn’t. She stayed right in that seat and was like, ‘So Shan, what’s going on?’ And I’m like, ‘Let’s do it.’”

NEW YORK COMIC CON. A visual journey.

SHELDON WHITEHOUSE. Congressman who grilled Kavanaugh mocked in new ad from opponent.

RIP. Claymation legend Will Vinton. ‘In the 1980s and ’90s, Portland, Oregon-based Will Vinton Studios became the largest stop-motion studio in the U.S. and the force behind iconic advertising characters including the California Raisins — memorably dancing to the Motown hit “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” on the way to a spot in the Smithsonian Institution — and the Domino’s Pizza Noid.’

JIM BUNNER. Reporter who wore MAGA hat while covering Trump rally is fired.

FIRST FOOTAGE OF THE DAY. Gotham Season 5. ‘It would appear as though the series will also incorporate the delinquent gang from the Frank Miller comic “The Dark Knight Rises” along with villains like Bane, The Ventriloquist/Scarface, Lady Shiva, and Mother & Orphan all due to appear on screen in at least one of the thirteen episodes to air.

TRAILER OF THE DAY. Aquaman.

TV TRAILER OF THE DAY. House of Cards Season 6.

HIDDEN DETIAILS OF THE DAY. The New York Public Library.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY. Rebecca Bendheim “Maybe I’m Gay”.

MONDAY MUSCLE. Donald Romain.

The post Hurricane Michael, Hope Hicks, Pete Davidson, John Roberts, Catch One, Shangela, Will Vinton, Gotham: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Hurricane Michael, Hope Hicks, Pete Davidson, John Roberts, Catch One, Shangela, Will Vinton, Gotham: HOT LINKS