Alabama Hospital Celebrates Three Years of Health Care Equality Leadership

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital recently celebrated its third year earning the status of “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” on HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).  UAB Hospital joins 417 other impressive healthcare facilities, including the VA Birmingham Medical Center of the Veterans Health Administration, in earning a perfect 100 on the 2018 HEI.

Now in its 11th year, the HEI evaluates health care facilities’ policies and practices related to equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees across the nation. A record 626 healthcare facilities actively participated in the survey, committing to LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. In 2018, the HEI evaluated more than 1,600 healthcare facilities nationwide.

HRC Alabama State Director Eva Kendrick joined UAB leadership at its “Celebrate Equality” reception, praising UAB Hospital for its continued leadership in healthcare equality for LGBTQ Alabamians.

“In a state where more than half of LGBTQ Alabamians report fearing coming out to their health care providers due to stigmatization and where LGBTQ persons experience disproportionate impacts of workplace discrimination, it is encouraging that UAB Hospital not only serves millions of patients a year as the state’s largest public hospital, but is also one of the state’s leading employers,” Kendrick said. “UAB’s commitment to a higher standard of care for both LGBTQ patients and employees is creating a different Alabama — one health care facility at a time.”  

HRC thanks UAB Health System President Dr. Will Ferniany; Chief Diversity Officer Deborah Grimes; Chief Operating Officer Reid Jones; UAB Medicine Director, Network Development and Affiliations Dawson Smith; and members of the HEI Advisory Team for their leadership in advancing LGBTQ health care equality in Alabama.

For more information about HRC Foundation’s annual Healthcare Equality Index, visit hrc.org/HEI.

www.hrc.org/blog/alabama-hospital-celebrates-three-years-of-health-care-equality-leadership?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

The Most Popular Engagement Trends of 2018

Traditionally, proposals have consisted of a man getting permission from his girlfriend’s father before getting down on one knee. Today, though, modern couples are getting creative when popping the big question. From theatrical productions like flash mobs to low-key conversations, here’s how Millennials are approaching engagements. Theatrical Production Some couples choose to go all out […]

The post The Most Popular Engagement Trends of 2018 appeared first on PlentyOfFish Blog.

The Most Popular Engagement Trends of 2018

St. Vincent Takes a ‘Fast Slow Disco’ Trip Through a Gay Dance Floor: WATCH

St. Vincent released a video today for her track “Fast Slow Disco”, a reworked version of her song “Slow Disco”. The clip, which shows her amid the writhing, leather-clad bodies on a gay dance floor, was directed by Zev Deans.

Said St. Vincent of the clip: “I always felt this song could wear many different outfits and live many different lives. here she is in disco pants, sweating on a new york dance floor.”

The post St. Vincent Takes a ‘Fast Slow Disco’ Trip Through a Gay Dance Floor: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

St. Vincent Takes a ‘Fast Slow Disco’ Trip Through a Gay Dance Floor: WATCH

Trump Threw Starburst Candy at Angela Merkel During G7: WATCH

A petulant Donald Trump threw Starburst candy at German Chancellor Angela Merkel during negotiations at the G7 summit, according to CBS Senior Global Affairs Contributor Ian Bremmer.

Said Bremmer to the CBS This Morning hosts: “The advisers had been working on it until 3:00 that morning, straight through the night, including Kudlow from the United States, and Trump was sitting there with his arms crossed, clearly not liking the fact that he felt like they were ganging up on him. He eventually agreed. He said, okay, he’ll sign it. At that point, he stood up, he put his hand in his pocket, his suit jacket pocket, and he took two Starburst candies out, threw them on the table, and said to Merkel, ‘Here, Angela. Don’t say I never give you anything.’”

The post Trump Threw Starburst Candy at Angela Merkel During G7: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Trump Threw Starburst Candy at Angela Merkel During G7: WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: June 21, 2018

TRUMP-PENCE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND DANGEROUS HOUSE GOP IMMIGRATION BILLS: HRC responded to Donald Trump’s executive order retreating from his cruel and dangerous policy of separating families at the border and two bills scheduled for votes tomorrow in the U.S. House of Representatives that fall far short of addressing the needs of refugees, dreamers, and other undocumented immigrants. “The Ryan and Goodlatte bills fail to address the challenges faced by refugees, Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants, and also falls short on ending the horrific treatment of migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “Instead of breaking up immigrant families and throwing unreasonable obstacles in front of asylum seekers, the Trump-Pence Administration and Congress should be ensuring basic human rights and working on a clean Dream Act that honors our country’s commitment to over a million undocumented immigrants, including over 75,000 LGBTQ young people. They must also act to immediately end detention of children.” More from HRC, Advocate, Wisconsin Gazette and Washington Blade.

The Trump-Pence Administration & Congress should be ensuring human rights and working on a clean Dream Act that honors our country’s commitment to undocumented immigrants, including 75,000+ LGBTQ young people. The House GOP immigration bills do neither. t.co/PWChdXmdp9

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) June 20, 2018

HRC ENDORSES DARREN SOTO FOR U.S. CONGRESS FLORIDA SEAT: “Darren has been a strong ally to the LGBTQ community throughout his career, including standing up to the Trump administration’s hateful anti-LGBTQ policies and pushing for progress to expand civil rights and protections under law,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. “In Central Florida, he brought community leaders together when the Trump administration rescinded protections from transgender students. He has fought for workforce and housing protections, and he supports legislation to make sure our elders get the care and services they need.” More from Florida Politics.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO DECLARES JUNE 20 AS EDIE WINDSOR DAY: Windsor, plaintiff in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor, successfully challenged the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 2013. Her case, argued by Roberta Kaplan, helped pave the way for the 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that established nationwide marriage equality. Yesterday would have been Edie’s 89th birthday.

I am proud to declare today, June 20, Edie Windsor Day.

Edie’s strength in the face of adversity is an inspiration to all of us. Today we honor her extraordinary life, her groundbreaking leadership, and her lasting contributions to equality everywhere. pic.twitter.com/mYxpaxsNRr

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 20, 2018

ICYMI — KIMAHLI POWELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RAINBOW RAILROAD, TOOK OVER HRC’S TWITTER FOR #WorldRefugeeDay: Rainbow Railroad is one of the only organizations in the world helping LGBTQ people escape persecution — including in Chechnya, where confirmed reports reveal ongoing crimes against humanity, including abductions, detentions, forced disappearances, torture, and even murder of men suspected of being gay or bisexual. More from HRC.

It’s fitting that #WorldRefugeeDay falls during #PrideMonth. #LGBTQ asylum seekers are often forced to flee their home, family & country because of who they are and who they love. @RainbowRailroad is proud to work with @HRC to lift up these stories. —@Kimahli #HRCTwitterTakeover pic.twitter.com/LbjfCXHuXc

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 20, 2018

STEPHEN COLBERT SLAMS ANTI-LGBTQ EXTREMIST AND MASSACHUSETTS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE SCOTT LIVELY: Lively once wrote a book claiming the Nazi Party was “controlled” by “homosexuals.” Watch here.

ICYMI — TWO WISCONSIN SCHOOLS RECEIVE HRC FOUNDATION’S WELCOMING SCHOOLS SEAL OF EXCELLENCE: Nuestro Mundo Community School and Herbert Schenk Elementary School of the Madison Metropolitan School District received the honor for their commitment to creating inclusive learning environments for all students. More from HRC and The 74.

TREND ALERT — TRANS STUDENTS WELCOME AT SINGLE-SEX NEW YORK CITY PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Two major private girls’ schools in New York City — The Brearley School and the Spence School — recently announced that transgender girls are welcome to apply. More from The New York Times.

FAIRFAX (VA) COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD VOTES TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT PrEP IN EDUCATION CURRICULUM: PrEP is a once-daily pill proven to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. More from The Washington Post.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING, LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE NON-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE PASSES FIRST READING: More from Jackson Hole News & Guide.

FORTY-FOUR PERCENT OF LGBTQ AMERICANS STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SAVINGS: The study pointed to the wage gap between LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ workers. More from Marketwatch.

TWO LGBTQ PEOPLE ATTACKED IN OAKLAND AND SAN FRANCISCO: More from ABC 7.

MORMON DADS OF LGBTQ YOUTH FIND SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY IN ONLINE COMMUNITY: More from USA Today.

PRIDE MONTH ROUNDUP

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LGBTQ EMPLOYEE GROUP TO HOLD PRIDE EVENT: Attorney General Jeff Sessions is not expected to attend. More from Washington Blade.

• NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine made a statement to honor LGBTQ Pride Month, despite his history of anti-LGBTQ actions. More from Advocate.
• Wake County, North Carolina, recognizes LGBTQ Pride Month for the first time. More from The News & Observer.

THANK THESE TEN BLACK LGBTQ ICONS FOR YOUR RIGHTS THIS PRIDE: James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Bayard Rustin and Audre Lorde, among others, pushed the needle forward on equality for women, the Black community and the LGBTQ community. More from Ebony.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

AWFUL — FRENCH OFFICIAL SAYS SAME-SEX COUPLES SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ADOPT “CHILDREN THAT NO ONE WANTS”: More from The Local.

BRITISH ARMY VETERAN SHUTS DOWN HOMOPHOBIC ATTACK ON LONDON BUS: More from The Evening Standard.

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

Entertainment Tonight interviews trans actress Candis Cayne on her role in the groundbreaking new show ‘Pose’; BuzzFeed lists 26 young adult novels with LGBTQ themes; San Francisco Examiner looks at the epidemic of homeless LGBTQ youth; Journal of Accountancy reports best practices for employers when an employee comes out as transgender; WHYY speaks to Philadelphia LGBT Affairs Director Amber Hikes

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-june-21-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

How Climbing Hills on My Bike Keeps Me Grounded

www.advocate.com/health/2018/6/21/how-climbing-hills-my-bike-keeps-me-grounded

We Must Be the Role Models We Lack

Being a mentor to young LGBTQ people is all our responsibility, writes the out dean of Golden Gate University School of Law.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2018/6/21/we-must-be-role-models-we-lack

Texas GOP Endorses ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy, Hate-Crimes Law Repeal, Marriage Reversal

The state’s Republican party just released its platform — and it’s jaw-dropping. 

www.advocate.com/politics/2018/6/20/texas-gop-endorses-ex-gay-therapy-hate-crimes-law-repeal-marriage-reversal

Show the world your Pride in the #takePride photo challenge
Queerty and Target want to know how you #takePride

www.queerty.com/show-world-pride-takepride-photo-challenge-20180620?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

HRC Responds to Trump-Pence Executive Order and Dangerous House GOP Immigration Bills

 Today, HRC responded to Donald Trump’s executive order retreating from his cruel and dangerous policy of separating families at the border and two bills scheduled for votes tomorrow in the U.S. House of Representatives that fall far short of addressing the needs of refugees, dreamers, and other undocumented immigrants. HRC will also join other civil rights organizations to mobilize its 3 million members and supporters for a day of action on June 30, anchored by rallies in Washington and across the country: www.familiesbelongtogether.org/.

“The Ryan and Goodlatte bills fail to address the challenges faced by refugees, Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants, and also falls short on ending the horrific treatment of migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Instead of breaking up immigrant families and throwing unreasonable obstacles in front of  asylum seekers, the Trump-Pence Administration and Congress should be ensuring basic human rights and working on a clean Dream Act that honors our country’s commitment to over a million undocumented immigrants, including over 75,000 LGBTQ young people. They must also act to immediately end detention of children.”

The bill proposed by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) seeks to implement a point system that more than likely would exclude countless Dreamers from the promise made to them by the United States. Additionally, it would allocate a needless and wasteful billions of dollars toward a border wall and militarization of the southern border.

The bill proposed by Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) goes even further by denying Dreamers a path to citizenship, sharply limiting legal immigration, and restricting family immigration.

Despite Donald Trump’s late and incomplete retreat from his cruel and dangerous policy, thousands of families have already paid the price and will continue to suffer from this actions. As the National Immigration Law Center notes: “This executive order would have the effect of jailing, for months or even years, immigrant families seeking safety in the U.S.”

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-responds-to-trump-pence-executive-order-and-cruel-gop-immigration-bills?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed