#AM_Equality Tipsheet: August 15, 2018

HRC CELEBRATES VICTORIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY: “HRC is proud to work on behalf of pro-equality candidates in these crucial races up and down the ballot, and will continue to mobilize our hundreds of thousands of members and supporters in Wisconsin to turn out for equality in the general election,” said HRC Wisconsin State Director Wendy Strout. “The choice for fair-minded Wisconsinites couldn’t be clearer this November. We can either support pro-equality champions like Senator Tammy Baldwin, who have spent their careers fighting to ensure that every Wisconsinite can live a life free from discrimination and harassment, or side with anti-equality candidates like Leah Vukmir who, time and time again, has worked to undermine equality for the LGBTQ community.” More from HRC.

• Anti-LGBTQ Acting Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt was ousted last night, again proving that using LGBTQ for cheap political gain costs at the ballot box.
• And in Vermont, Christine Hallquist made history as the first transgender person to win a major party primary for governor. More from The New York Times and NPR.

CONGRATS to these pro-#LGBTQ candidates in WI on officially clinching their nominations!
��️‍�� Sen. @TammyBaldwin
��️‍�� Rep. @MarkPocan
��️‍�� Rep. Ron Kind (@KindForCongress)
��️‍�� Rep. Gwen Moore (@Gwen4Congress)
��️‍�� @JoshKaulWI for AG t.co/ZEEBfdAnPm

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 15, 2018

DEPT OF LABOR ISSUES DIRECTIVE ENCOURAGING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LGBTQ PEOPLE: Said David Stacy (@david_stacy), HRC Government Affairs Director: “This is another attempt by the Trump-Pence Administration to implement a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people by providing unsound guidance in implementing Obama-era regulations. The erroneous application of the Supreme Court’s narrow ruling in Masterpiece and recent Trump executive orders is meant to aggressively marginalize hardworking Americans because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The American people will not tolerate discrimination, and LGBTQ people will not be erased.” Read more from the New Civil Rights Movement and Pink News.

WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY: Beck Bailey, HRC deputy director of workplace equality, tells CNN’s Julia Carpenter (@juliaccarpenter): “Non-binary people have always existed, but the idea of openly discussing and making space for welcoming non-binary people is something that’s really happening only the last couple of years.” Check out HRC’s employer toolkit on trans and non-binary inclusion in the workplace here. More from CNN.

I talked to non-binary, genderqueer and gender non-conforming workers about the changes they’d like to see in the workplace: t.co/i7Df0eJuDZ

— Julia Carpenter (@juliaccarpenter) August 13, 2018

ACCURATE REPORTING OF TRANS VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IS CRUCIAL: NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly (@NPRKelly) speaks with ProPublica reporter Lucas Waldron (@lhwaldron) about his report on the epidemic of violence against transgender women in Jacksonville, Florida, and the failure of police to properly investigate the crimes. Three transgender women of color — Cathalina Christina James, Antash’a English and Celine Walker — have been shot dead in the city, and a fourth injured, in the first six months of 2018. They have been routinely misgendered and misnamed by local law enforcement. Jacksonville officials must do more to address this deadly violence, find justice for the murdered women and strengthen local law enforcement’s relationship with the LGBTQ community. More from NPR.

REP. JIM RENACCI (R-OH) SPEAKS TO ANTI-LGBTQ HATE GROUP, THE FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: Yesterday, the anti-LGBTQ Senate-hopeful spoke to the hate group run by Tony Perkins. Renacci opposes marriage equality, supports a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and doesn’t support the Equality Act.

HORRIFYING — OKLAHOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT CANCELS CLASSES AFTER EXTREMISTS THREATEN TRANS STUDENT WITH VIOLENCE: Screenshots from a parent Facebook group for the Achille school district revealed gruesome, violent and disgusting threats against a trans student. The child’s parents have filed a restraining order. More from The Washington Post.

 GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

MICHELLE BACHELET (@mbachelet) NAMED NEXT U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF: Bachelet was the first woman president of Chile, a strong supporter of marriage equality and, during her presidency, signed a bill to allow LGBTQ couples to adopt. More from The New York Times.

ITALIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER GOES ON ANTI-LGBTQ RANT AGAINST SAME-SEX PARENTS: More from Pink News.

POLISH DEFENSE MINISTER CALLS LGBTQ PRIDE EVENT “PARADE OF SODOMITES”: More from The Washington Post.

RUSSIAN TEEN CHARGED UNDER ANTI-LGBTQ SO-CALLED “PROPAGANDA” LAW VOWS TO CONTINUE PROTESTING: More from NBC.

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

FleetOwner interviews LGBTQ truckers about their work experiences; KQED sits down with HRC’s Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) to talk about her memoir and the state of LGBTQ equality; HuffPost interviews Justin Hiltner (@hiltnerj) about LGBTQ bluegrass music

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-august-15-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

5 Signs Romance is Still Alive
It’s National Romance Awareness Month – and while it might not always feel like love is in the air if you are dating today, singles say they want Romance and are motivated to find it. Here are the 5 signs that Romance is still alive and kicking today! Foreva eva: 54% of singles believe in […]

blog.match.com/2018/08/15/romance-awareness-month/

After Landmark Primary Win, Vermont’s Christine Hallquist Could Become the Nation’s First Transgender Governor

Christine Hallquist / Twitter

Vermont’s Christine Hallquist won her Democratic primary on Tuesday, making her the first transgender gubernatorial nominee from a major party in U.S. history.

She will now face incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott in November.

On to November! Thank you all for your support – this is Vermont’s victory!

Join us→t.co/ONRg5t7VZJ

Donate→t.co/WdplXlJP7N #vtpoli #victory #bluewave #tearitupsister #firsttransgov pic.twitter.com/C5HBocqhrU

— Christine Hallquist (@christineforvt) August 15, 2018

Write the Daily Beast: “Hallquist is a former energy company CEO who came out as a transgender woman in 2015 after living in Vermont since 1976. If she wins the gubernatorial election in November, she will not only be the first transgender governor but only the second governor to be elected while out as LGBT. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who took office in 2015, is bisexual. (Former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey came out as gay in August 2004 in the midst of a political scandal and resigned shortly thereafter.)”

DNC Chair Tom Perez issued the following statement:

“The DNC is proud to congratulate Christine Hallquist, Vermont’s Democratic nominee for governor and the country’s first-ever openly transgender nominee for governor, along with all of tonight’s Democratic nominees in the Green Mountain State. Christine’s historic victory tonight is an inspiration to LGBTQ people everywhere, and we are excited to stand behind her and the entire slate of fantastic Democratic nominees in Vermont. There’s no doubt that Christine and her fellow nominees will join a strong ticket this November that will fight for our values and serve as dedicated advocates for Vermont’s working families. Vermont voters know that Democrats have their backs and share their values, and they’re ready to organize to turn more seats blue this November.”

Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about Hallquist’s primary win:

“Christine’s victory is a defining moment in the movement for trans equality and is especially remarkable given how few out trans elected officials there are at any level of government. Many thought it unthinkable a viable trans gubernatorial candidate like Christine would emerge so soon. Yet Vermont voters chose Christine not because of her gender identity, but because she is an open and authentic candidate with a long history of service to the state, and who speaks to the issues most important to voters.

“Christine’s business experience and progressive vision for Vermont means she’s perfectly-positioned to take on Governor Scott – whose approval numbers continue to plunge because of his inability to manage the state government and his failed attempts to hide his conservative policy positions. When voters head to the polls this November, we are confident Vermonters will make her the first openly trans governor in the nation and just the second openly LGBTQ person elected governor in American history.

“Christine often attributes Vermonters’ accepting her gender identity to the hard work and bravery of LGBTQ pioneers who came before her – those at Stonewall, the Harvey Milks, and other courageous activists. Now, Christine is a pioneer deserving of that appreciation. Her authenticity, poise and presence on the campaign trail will undoubtedly inspire more trans people to pursue their dreams of a career in elected office, and that will inevitably change America and the world.”

The post After Landmark Primary Win, Vermont’s Christine Hallquist Could Become the Nation’s First Transgender Governor appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

After Landmark Primary Win, Vermont’s Christine Hallquist Could Become the Nation’s First Transgender Governor

HRC Celebrates Victories of Pro-Equality Champions in Wisconsin Primary

HRC released the following statement celebrating the victories of pro-equality candidates including Senator Tammy Baldwin; Reps. Mark Pocan, Ron Kind, and Gwen Moore; and Josh Kaul for Attorney General.

“HRC is proud to work on behalf of pro-equality candidates in these crucial races up and down the ballot, and will continue to mobilize our hundreds of thousands of members and supporters in Wisconsin to turn out for equality in the general election,” said HRC Wisconsin State Director Wendy Strout. “The choice for fair-minded Wisconsinites couldn’t be clearer this November. We can either support pro-equality champions like Senator Tammy Baldwin, who have spent their careers fighting to ensure that every Wisconsinite can live a life free from discrimination and harassment, or side with anti-equality candidates like Leah Vukmir who, time and time again, has worked to undermine equality for the LGBTQ community.”

HRC is proud to support Senator Baldwin for re-election. She is the first openly LGBTQ U.S. Senator and the first woman elected to the Senate from Wisconsin. Throughout her public service, she has been a pioneer for equality as a leader in the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a champion for federal hate crimes protections, and a primary sponsor of the Equality Act. In addition to Baldwin’s strong civil rights record, she has been a voice for Wisconsin’s working people, leading the fight for quality, affordable health care access and an economy that works for everyone.

Baldwin will be facing State Senator Leah Vukmir in the general election. Throughout her almost two decades in public office, Vukmir has repeatedly taken extreme positions far outside the mainstream.  She derailed efforts to pass commonsense protections for Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community, including protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination and bullying at school. She is a long time opponent of marriage equality and has close ties to some of the nation’s most virulently anti-LGBTQ organizations, such as the Family Research Council. Vukmir has consistently voted against pro-equality legislation and has pushed for a license to discriminate in the healthcare system that would prioritize physicians’ beliefs over life-saving patient care. In addition to her attacks on the LGBTQ community, Vukmir’s extremist agenda also includes attacks on voting rights; health care, including ending protections for people with pre-existing conditions and stripping women of their reproductive rights; education; and the environment.

HRC-endorsed Josh Kaul will face incumbent Brad Schimel in the race for Attorney General. Schimel, joined the suit against the Obama administration’s life-saving guidance protecting LGBTQ students and recently urged the Supreme Court of the United States to grant a potentially sweeping license to discriminate against LGBTQ people. Schimel also accepted thousands of dollars from the notoriously anti-LGBTQ Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) to speak at the group’s recent conference in California.

HRC is on the ground working to defeat incumbent Governor Scott Walker, who is seeking a third term in office, and has made anti-LGBTQ activism a cornerstone of his political career. Walker supported Wisconsin’s constitutional amendment banning marriage equality, vetoed a bill to provide domestic partner benefits to workers and tried to kill a domestic partner registry. He also supports banning qualified transgender people from serving in the military, saying he “wouldn’t change” the Trump-Pence administration’s unconstitutional policy.

Following tonight’s primary, HRC will continue to examine races up and down the ballot to determine additional endorsements for the 2018 general election. In Wisconsin, HRC has identified more than 560,000 “Equality Voters” — voters who support  LGBTQ-inclusive policies. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Wisconsin in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state as part of the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-celebrates-victories-of-pro-equality-champions-in-wi-primary?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Illinois Gov. Vetoes Expansion of Nondiscrimination Law

The law currently applies to employers with 15 or more workers, but the vetoed bill would have extended its coverage to all employers.

www.advocate.com/politics/2018/8/14/illinois-gov-vetoes-expansion-nondiscrimination-law

‘Twinks4Trump’ founder fired from his job after after appearing on white supremacist podcast
Alt-right troll Lucian Wintrich has been stripped of his White House press correspondent credentials.

www.queerty.com/twinks4trump-founder-fired-job-appearing-white-supremacist-podcast-20180814?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

A Plea to Stop, or Slow, Brett Kavanaugh

The head of One Colorado is begging his state’s senators to challenge this ideologue.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2018/8/14/plea-stop-or-slow-brett-kavanaugh

Twitter Is Tired of Hollywood’s Gayface

The outraged reactions to the casting of a straight actor, Jack Whitehall, in Disney’s first clearly gay role mark a turning point in what’s tolerated.

www.advocate.com/film/2018/8/13/twitter-tired-hollywoods-gayface

Pence, DeWine and Husted Bring Wrong and Politically Toxic Anti-LGBTQ Attacks to Ohio

HRC called out Vice President Mike Pence for fundraising for Ohio gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine and his running mate Jon Husted tomorrow. Pence, DeWine and Husted have all crusaded against marriage equality and sought to undermine reproductive rights.

“Mike Pence, Mike DeWine and Jon Husted have pushed anti-LGBTQ policies that are not only wrong, they are politically toxic in a state with more than 1.5 million Equality Voters,” said HRC State Manager Shawn Copeland. “As Attorney General, DeWine defended the state’s marriage ban, stating that LGBTQ people did not deserve ‘protected-class status.’ DeWine also opposes non-discrimination laws protecting Ohioans on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination and bullying at school. As a U.S. Senator, DeWine never scored above a 25 on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard, which scores congress members’ votes on LGBTQ legislation.”

As Pence, DeWine and Husted campaign to push their extreme, anti-equality agendas, HRC is on the ground mobilizing our millions of members, supporters and Equality Voters in Ohio to reject the politics of hate and elect Richard Cordray for governor.

For more on Pence’s record, HRC’s comprehensive “The Real Mike Pence” campaign includes a report, microsite and a series of videos shining a spotlight on Pence’s inside-the-White House efforts to continue his decades-long crusade by leading the Trump-Pence administration’s attacks on LGBTQ people, including those who bravely serve our nation in the military. It lays out his long record of support for the abusive practice of so-called “conversion therapy;” his relentless pursuit of a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people; his attempts to block hate crime legislation and funding for HIV and AIDS prevention; and his efforts to undermine access to health and reproductive care essential to LGBTQ people. He also keeps busy with his extremist agenda by working to undermine science, health, transparency, education, justice and public safety.

In Ohio, HRC has identified more than 1,550,000 “Equality Voters” — voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Ohio in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

www.hrc.org/blog/pence-dewine-husted-bring-wrong-and-politically-toxic-anti-lgbtq-attack?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Mark Kanemura, Michael Avenatti, Trump Hotels, Ricky Martin, Peter Strzok, Mormons, Tel Aviv, Boys in the Band: HOT LINKS

MICHAEL AVENATTI IN IOWA. Fighting fire with fire. “What I fear for this Democratic party that I love so much is that we have a tendency to bring nail clippers to a gun fight. Tonight, however, I want to suggest a different course. I believe that our party, the Democratic party, must be a party that fights fire with fire. I believe that we can no longer be the party that turns the other cheek. We must be the party that marshals the power of law and government to strike back at those that strike our cheek and to bring those to justice. When they go low, I say, we hit harder. Now, I know some of you may disagree with me. The answer to Donald Trump, you may say, is to do the opposite of Donald Trump. Be noble, be kind, be classy. And I am all for each of those things. But tonight, with our country under an unprecedented assault by a con man who fights only for himself and degrades the vulnerable and the powerless and regular hard-working people day in and day out, I believe that we must honestly ask ourselves whether those that we fight for can afford our gentleness.”

CUT TO THE FEELING. Rainbow Pride Instastud Mark Kanemura finally got to perform with Carly Rae Jepsen.

POLITICAL SPENDING AT TRUMP PROPERTIES. In 2014 it was $35,000. In 2018 it’s $3,500,000. “At least 125 Republican campaigns and conservative political groups spent more than $3.5 million at President Donald Trump’s resorts, hotels and restaurants since January 2017, the month he was sworn in, according to an analysis by McClatchy.”

INCREASING HORROR. Stephen Miller’s uncle lays into the White House ghoul.

SARDINIA. Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef are yachting in the Mediterranean.

PETER STRZOK. FBI agent fired for anti-Trump texts: “Aitan Goelman, Strzok’s lawyer, said FBI Deputy Director David L. Bowdich ordered the firing on Friday — even though the director of the FBI office that normally handles employee discipline had decided Strzok should face only a demotion and 60-day suspension. Goelman said the move undercuts the FBI’s repeated assurances that Strzok would be afforded the normal disciplinary process.”

Agent Peter Strzok was just fired from the FBI – finally. The list of bad players in the FBI & DOJ gets longer & longer. Based on the fact that Strzok was in charge of the Witch Hunt, will it be dropped? It is a total Hoax. No Collusion, No Obstruction – I just fight back!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018

Just fired Agent Strzok, formerly of the FBI, was in charge of the Crooked Hillary Clinton sham investigation. It was a total fraud on the American public and should be properly redone!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018

ALEX JONES. The conspiracy theorist moved to Vimeo and immediately got cut.

RIP. Trans artist and activist Casey Hoke: “Casey Hoke, a transgender artist, activist and national public speaker dedicated to helping others combat marginalization, has died in Pomona, according to a family statement on his Facebook page. A spokesperson for Los Angeles County Deputy Medical Examiner Juan Carrillo told the Los Angeles Blade that the cause of death was deferred until after an official inquest. He died at his home in Pomona, outside Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, August 8.”

DEVASTATING. Trump tariffs’ effect on the fishing industry. “This isn’t an easily replaced market. What’s going to happen is China is just going to stop buying Alaska fish.”

NOVEMBER POLICY. Mormon church doubles down on gay policy: ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has quietly doubled down on a controversial policy toward gay members by including it in a recently updated manual for missionaries. Addison Jenkins, a student at Brigham Young University and an openly gay Mormon, said the 2015 policy was a watershed moment for the church’s gay members. Up until then, gay Mormons seemed to have a little more flexibility in matters of faith and sexuality. Jenkins said that changed with the new guidelines, which sent a clear message: no more gray area. Or, as he puts it, “If you want to be gay and Mormon, okay, but you have to be Mormon. And you can’t really be gay.”’

TEL AVIV. Thousands march on 9th anniversary of gay youth center shooting. “The 2009 attack was carried out by a lone gunman who killed two young people and wounded dozens more. The shooter was never caught. Many in the LGBT community consider the shooting a hate crime while police have speculated that it was motivated by a personal dispute rather than antipathy toward gays.”

CURTAIN CALL OF THE DAY. The Boys in the Band take a final bow.

We caused quite a heat wave this summer at the Booth. From all of us at #BoysintheBand, thank you for joining the party! pic.twitter.com/9lx0AeOWGg

— The Boys in the Band on Broadway (@BoysBandBway) August 12, 2018

MONDAY MUSCLE. Freddy.

The post Mark Kanemura, Michael Avenatti, Trump Hotels, Ricky Martin, Peter Strzok, Mormons, Tel Aviv, Boys in the Band: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

www.towleroad.com/2018/08/mark-kanemura/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+towleroad%2Ffeed+%28Towleroad+Gay+News+%29