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Teacher Objects to Using Trans Students’ Chosen Names, Loses Job
An Indiana teacher who had religious objections to using the preferred names says he was fired; the district says he resigned.
www.advocate.com/transgender/2018/6/09/teacher-objects-using-trans-students-chosen-names-loses-job
58 Photos of Natural, Naked Guys by Carl Vanassche
www.advocate.com/photography/2018/6/09/58-photos-natural-naked-guys-carl-vanassche
New Hampshire 4th State This Year to Protect LGBTQ Youth from “Conversion Therapy”
Today, HRC claimed victory as New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed into law HB 587 — legislation protecting LGBTQ youth in the state from the dangerous and debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” With Governor Sununu’s signature, New Hampshire joined the growing number of states and municipalities adopting these critical protections for LGBTQ youth. Just this year, Washington, Maryland and Hawaii have also enacted these protections, and lawmakers in Delaware recently passed similar legislation which currently awaits the governor’s signature.
The Granite State’s governor also signed crucially important legislation today explicitly protecting transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces. Find out more about that major victory here.
There is no credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people such as depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior. The harmful practice is condemned by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and American Medical Association.
HRC and local LGBTQ advocates, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) have been advocating for these protections for LGBTQ youth in the Granite State.
Connecticut, California, Nevada, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, Hawaii and now New Hampshire all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this abusive practice. A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including cities and counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Florida, New York, Arizona, and Wisconsin.
According to a recent report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, an estimated 20,000 LGBTQ minors in states without protections will be subjected to conversion therapy by a licensed healthcare professional if state officials fail to act.
More information on the lies and dangers of efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity can be found here.
Two Wisconsin Elementary Schools Receive HRC’s Welcoming Schools Seal of Excellence
Post submitted by Kimmie Fink, Welcoming Schools Consultant
HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is pleased to announce the most recent recipients of the program’s Seal of Excellence: Nuestro Mundo Community School and Herbert Schenk Elementary School of the Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin. The Seal of Excellence is awarded to schools that demonstrate outstanding dedication to creating and sustaining welcoming and inclusive school environments by meeting stated benchmarks and doing innovative work to further equity and diversity.
Nuestro Mundo received the Seal of Excellence at a ceremony attended by students, staff and families on Thursday, June 8, and Schenk was honored the following day. Welcoming Schools Program Director Johanna Eager presented each school with a banner commemorating their exemplary work in implementing the Welcoming Schools approach. Superintendent Jen Cheatham was also present for the Nuestro Mundo event. Both ceremonies featured special songs and videos celebrating the schools’ accomplishments.
“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work that both schools have put in toward achieving the Seal and ensuring that their school climates are safe and welcoming for all students, so that inclusive of differences, they can ease into their learning each day,” Eager said. She spoke with students at both sites about ally behavior. “It’s reassuring to watch students’ faces light up when they are asked about being allies,” she said, “and they all smile sharing how good it feels to be an ally to another student.”
The Seal of Excellence is open to any school committed to improving school climate through the Welcoming Schools approach. If you would like more information on the Seal of Excellence process, please contact us.
HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the nation’s premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to:
VICTORY! New Hampshire Governor Signs Legislation Protecting Transgender People from Discrimination
Today, Republican Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 1319 into law, protecting transgender individuals across the state from discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces. The major victory for equality marks the first statewide proactive win on LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections in any state since 2016. New Hampshire is now the 19th state in the country – and final state in New England – to explicitly provide comprehensive nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ people. It is particularly significant because of the broad Republican support HB 1319 garnered. The measure passed the Republican-controlled Senate by a vote of 14-10 and the Republican-controlled House with an overwhelmingly strong vote of 195-129.
Governor Sununu also signed HB 587 into law banning conversion therapy for minors, a dangerous and debunked practice that purports to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. New Hampshire joins 13 other states and the District of Columbia that also have laws or regulations protecting LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy.
“New Hampshire just took a giant step forward for LGBTQ equality by ensuring transgender people are explicitly protected under state law from unfair and unjust discrimination,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin. “No one should be fired, evicted, or denied services simply because of who they are. HRC was proud to work alongside Freedom New Hampshire and local advocates in fighting for this incredibly important victory, and we are thankful for the bipartisan group of lawmakers who took action to ensure this measure became law.”
“Today, New Hampshire lived up to its Live Free or Die motto. We are elated that elected leaders recognized the need for this law and worked together in a bipartisan effort to get it passed. We created a strong coalition of business leaders, law enforcement, elected officials, faith leaders, human rights advocates, and transgender people and their families, who were able to move the debate beyond fear to a place of understanding,” said Dan Pontoh, community organizer for Freedom New Hampshire, the bipartisan campaign that worked to pass the bill. “We want to especially acknowledge the courage of the transgender community who shared their stories and helped educate lawmakers and their neighbors that every person deserves to be treated fairly and equally under the law.”
“LGBTQ equality is not a partisan issue, but a human issue,” said Masen Davis, CEO of Freedom for All Americans. “The vast majority of Americans agree that LGBTQ people should be protected from discrimination, and I’m encouraged to see a growing number of conservative leaders join us in supporting freedom for all – especially after meeting their transgender neighbors and learning about the devastating impact of discrimination against LGBTQ people from all walks of life. New Hampshire residents have much to be proud of as they join their New England neighbors in protecting LGBTQ residents from discrimination.”
“Today the Governor signed common-sense legislation into law to ensure transgender people in our state are treated fairly and with dignity under the law,” said Devon Chaffee, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire. “It is passed time for New Hampshire to join the nineteen other states nationwide, including all other New England states, by explicitly including gender identity protections in our state’s non-discrimination protections.”
“Today New Hampshire became the sixth and final New England state to ensure transgender people have the security to live and work free from discrimination, just like everyone else,” said Janson Wu, Executive Director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). “This victory has been decades in the making, and GLAD has been proud to be a partner with communities across New England in that work every step of the way. Granite Staters – and all New Englanders – can be proud of their leadership today in the growing movement to secure equality across the nation.”
Freedom New Hampshire is the nonpartisan coalition of businesses large and small, law enforcement, anti-violence advocates, faith leaders, and transgender residents and their families who introduced Granite Staters to their transgender neighbors and made the case for equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination. HB 1319 was endorsed by the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, House Libertarian Caucus, Children’s Legislative Caucus, and the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission.
The members of the nonpartisan Freedom New Hampshire coalition include Freedom for All Americans, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire (ACLU-NH), Human Rights Campaign, Transgender New Hampshire, and Rights and Democracy New Hampshire.
The bipartisan victory in New Hampshire comes as the Trump-Pence Administration continues to push an anti-transgender agenda at the federal level, targeting transgender youth, workers, and individuals serving in the military. A growing number of Americans are rejecting discrimination against transgender people, as evidenced by public outcry in response to North Carolina’s deeply discriminatory HB 2 law; two consecutive failures by anti-LGBTQ activists in Washington State to bring the state’s decade-old nondiscrimination law to a ballot measure; the defeat of Texas’ SB 6, one of the worst anti-transgender bills in the country; and the recent victory in Alaska where Anchorage became the first municipality to defeat a ballot measure specifically targeting transgender rights.
The law goes into effect on July 8th, thirty days after the Governor’s signature.
Vote for the best dating spots in the OkCupid Daters’ Choice Awards!
Every week, over 50,000 people are asked out on OkCupid. So we thought: where do they actually go on dates?
We decided to find the answer. In partnership with Yelp, we’ve launched the Daters’ Choice Awards — a chance for you to vote on the best bars and venues in your city.
Here’s how it works: daters in New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Austin can cast their votes right now for their favorite venues in date-friendly categories. Next month, we’ll announce the winning venue in each category for each city.
So :::drumroll::: Without further ado, here are your nominees in each city. Click on the city you want to see, or scroll down for the full list.
Ready to vote? Exercise your right here. And if you’re inspired to ask someone out right now, head to OkCupid.
Vote for the best dating spots in the OkCupid Daters’ Choice Awards! was originally published in The OkCupid Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: June 8, 2018
HRC RUNS FULL-PAGE AD IN USA TODAY WITH SIGN BUSINESSES CAN DISPLAY TO SHOW THEY ARE #OpenToAll: Following the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case, this sign will allow businesses to show their support for the LGBTQ community by proudly stating that their place of business will not turn away anyone based on who they are or whom they love. “In the lead-up to the Masterpiece decision and in the days following, businesses across the country raised their voices to affirm that they are #OpenToAll,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing Olivia Dalton (@OliviaAlair). “While the Supreme Court’s decision did not deliver the sweeping ‘license to discriminate’ that anti-LGBTQ extremists were hoping for, we know they won’t stop here. That’s why, in the wake of this ruling, we are urging Americans in every corner of the country to come together in solidarity to reject discrimination.” More from HRC.
Following the SCOTUS decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, @HRC is running a full-page, nationwide ad in @USATODAY calling on all businesses to demonstrate their support for the #LGBTQ community by displaying our sign showing they’re #OpenToAll: t.co/6NLwJcBcqt pic.twitter.com/peRAE7xDj9
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 8, 2018
ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS CITES MASTERPIECE IN DECISION DENYING BUSINESS OWNERS A LICENSE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SAME-SEX COUPLES: The decision serves as a potent reminder that anti-equality activists, alongside the Trump-Pence Justice Department, did not secure a license to discriminate at the Supreme Court of the United States earlier this week — quite the opposite. More from Phoenix Business Journal.
Arizona Court of Appeals just issued decision in Brush & Nib v. Phoenix. It is the first lower court case to apply Masterpiece, and it relies on the decision to REJECT the argument that owners have a 1A right to discriminate against same-sex couples.t.co/R8BEyRPNM2 pic.twitter.com/tLUC0X7Lvu
— Joshua Block (@JoshABlock) June 7, 2018
.@HRC is incredibly saddened to learn of the death of chef Anthony Bourdain. He was an extraordinary person who was committed to equality and expanding understanding and acceptance among all people.
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 8, 2018
HRC PRESIDENT CHAD GRIFFIN (@CHADHGRIFFIN) ON THE GROUND IN OHIO: Yesterday, HRC discussed HRC and the University of Connecticut’s groundbreaking youth survey at a press conference at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “Our youth, our young people, are experiencing bullying; are experiencing rejection, in their homes around their own dinner tables, in their schools, and in their communities,” said Griffin. HRC has launched a nationwide Summer of Action anchored by more than 500 local events in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. More from WVXU.
FEEL GOOD FRIDAY — TWO DADS FOUND OUT A LOCAL BOY WAS BARRED FROM WEARING A DRESS AT SCHOOL… SO GUESS WHAT THEY DID? After the student was told to change out of a dress he was wearing as part of a class project exploring gender and sexism, the child’s father and another dad wore dresses to a meeting with school administrators. “These are the little things you can do as allies to make the world a better place,” said HRC Parents for Transgender Equality Council Member Amber Briggle (@mrsbriggle), whose trans son, Max, attends the same school. “I really want to highlight the little everyday actions we can do to make the world a little bit better for kids like Max.” More from A Plus.
DELAWARE LEGISLATURE SENDS ANTI-“CONVERSION THERAPY” BILL TO GOV. CARNEY’S DESK: “For young people across Delaware, this legislation provides vital and potentially lifesaving protections from the damaging, dangerous and discredited practice known as ‘conversion therapy,’” said HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride), a Delawarean. “While Delaware has made historic progress on LGBTQ equality, we can and must do more to protect LGBTQ youth from rejection, stigma and harm. SB 65 is a critical and significant step in that direction.” More from HRC and WDEL.
HRC ENDORSES RICHARD CORDRAY FOR OHIO GOVERNOR: “Richard Cordray’s commitment to equality and years of service to the people of Ohio make him the clear choice for voters,” said HRC State Manager Shawn Copeland. “Throughout his career in public service, Cordray has consistently worked to move equality forward, fighting for every person’s right to work and live free from harassment and discrimination.” More from HRC.
IOWA JUDGE STRIKES DOWN STATE’S MEDICAID BAN ON TRANSITION-RELATED CARE: Chief District Judge Arthur Gamble ruled in favor of two transgender Iowans, Carol Ann Beal of Northwest Iowa and EerieAnna Good of the Quad Cities, ruling that the state’s ban violated both the Iowa Civil Rights Act and the state constitution. More from Des Moines Register.
KITTERY, MAINE, SCHOOL COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES TRANSGENDER STUDENT POLICY: In powerful comments before the vote, one mother said, “There is no room for hate in Kittery.” More from Seacoast Online.
TRANSGENDER WOMAN WHO WORKS FOR STATE OF ALASKA SUES, ALLEGING HEALTH CARE DISCRIMINATION: Jennifer Fletcher says she was denied transition-related care by her insurance company. More from The Associated Press.
REMEMBERING ANTASH’A ENGLISH, TRANS WOMAN MURDERED IN JACKSONVILLE: Last night, community members held a memorial for English, who was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting early Friday. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating her death as a murder. More from Action News Jax.
RALLY IN NEW MEXICO TO OPPOSE TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER MIGRANTS IN DETENTION FACILITIES: Last week, Roxsana Hernandez, a transgender woman, died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after fleeing violence and discrimination in Honduras. HRC called on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct a thorough investigation into Hernandez’s death. More from The Associated Press.
INDIANA LAWSUIT ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANS STUDENT MOVES FORWARD: A district judge denied the school’s motion to dismiss the suit. More from 14 News.
SHAMEFUL — ANTI-EQUALITY EXTREMISTS IN CONNECTICUT SEEK TO BAN TRANS GIRLS FROM COMPETING IN SPORTS: More from USA Today.
PRIDE MONTH ROUNDUP
DETROIT MAYOR HOLDS CEREMONY TO RAISE RAINBOW FLAG FOR PRIDE MONTH: More from The Detroit News.
It was an honor to raise the flag alongside my partner in council, Council President Brenda Jones. pic.twitter.com/Fye9tVmFsh
— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) June 6, 2018
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
HRC MEETS WITH RAINBOW RAILROAD — CANADIAN LGBTQ GROUP HELPING GAY AND BI CHECHENS ESCAPE PERSECUTION: A Chechen refugee joined the meeting to share his story of escaping persecution after being kidnapped from his place of work, tortured in an abandoned building for several weeks and forced to provide names of other gay and bisexual men in the country. More from HRC.
We’re with @HRC in Washington today meeting with US government officials at the State Department and White House briefing them on Chechnya and the persecution of #LGBTQI people around the world. #Pride #SaveLives pic.twitter.com/VDED7guuXt
— Rainbow Railroad (@RainbowRailroad) June 7, 2018
SWEDISH SUPREME COURT DISMISSES HIV CRIMINALIZATION CHARGE: More from RFSL.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
San Francisco Chronicle interviews ‘Orange is the New Black’ star Lea DeLaria (@realleadelaria); Quartz looks at the fight for LGBTQ equality across Latin America; The Washington Capitals took home the Stanley Cup!
Congratulations to the Washington @Capitals on your first #StanleyCup! @HRC is proud to call goaltender Braden Holtby (@Holts170) and his wife Brandi (@bbholtby) longtime supporters. #ALLCAPS ����
��: @CapitalsPR pic.twitter.com/tAQrGBDTLe
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 8, 2018
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-8-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Congratulations to Christina and Hans from Lawrence, Kansas!
As with any journey, who you travel with can be more important than the destination. Christina is enjoying her love journey with Hans. She writes: “Hans messaged me on Zoosk. I liked his profile, so I messaged him back and we began chatting. A month later, we met up at a TGI Fridays. As soon as we sat down
The post Congratulations to Christina and Hans from Lawrence, Kansas! appeared first on Zoosk.
about.zoosk.com/en/blog/success-stories/congratulations-christina-hans-lawrence-kansas/
Country music legend Vince Gill surprises crowd with message for LGBTQ community at GLAAD and Ty Herndon’s Concert for Love and Acceptance
Country music legend Vince Gill surprised the crowd at the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance in Nashville at the Wildhorse Saloon last night with a message for LGBTQ Pride Month.
The event was co-hosted by Ty Herndon and Cody Alan, with appearances and performances by Tanya Tucker, Terri Clark, Billy Dean, Cale Dodds, Parson James, Temecula Road, Thompson Square, Cam, Anita Cochran, Shelly Fairchild, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Calum Scott, Brandon Stansell, and WWE Superstars Lana and Sonya. The concert is held annually and coincides with CMA Fest.
Following an iconic performance from Tanya Tucker, Vince Gill received a standing ovation as host Ty Herndon introduced him to close the show. Gill said: “As a young child I always heard the words that we are all created equal. I believed that as a little boy and I believe that as a grown man.”
LEGENDS ONLY @tanya_tucker is standing up for LGBTQ acceptance tonight at GLAAD and @TyHerndoncom’s Concert for Love & Acceptance. #Pride #CMAFest pic.twitter.com/cSrCRUzC4q
— GLAAD (@glaad) June 8, 2018
During the event, GLAAD also announced the Ty Herndon Rising Stars Grant, bestowed upon young people for their commitment to enhancing LGBTQ inclusion and representation in music. The grant is eligible to LGBTQ young people who are working to accelerate acceptance in the music industry. For information on how to apply, visit: www.glaad.org/amp/apply-now-receive-glaad-rising-stars-music-grant-2018
“At GLAAD we know that music has the power to change hearts and minds and all of the country music superstars who spoke and sang at the Concert for Love and Acceptance did just that,” said Zeke Stokes, GLAAD’s Vice President of Programs and Executive Producer of the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance. “Last night’s concert was one for the record books with an amazing lineup of talent and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”
The inaugural Concert for Love and Acceptance was held in 2015 to kick off GLAAD’s Southern Stories Tour. The event has been supported by artists like Reba McEntire, with a lineup of performances has included Chris Carmack, Crystal Gayle, Billy Gilman, Dana Goldberg, Kree Harrison, Mickey Guyton, Levi Hummon, Runaway June, Ryan Kinder, Meghan Lindsey, Street Corner Symphony, Thompson Square, and Trent Harmon. GLAAD’s Southern Stories initiative tells the stories of LGBTQ people and their allies in the South to create a cultural shift towards LGBTQ acceptance and understanding in the region.
The 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance partners include presenting partners CMT, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka and community partners Nissan and The Weissmann Group.
In ‘Alex Strangelove,’ Gay Teens Are Finally ‘Pretty in Pink’
Filmmaker Craig Johnson discusses his groundbreaking Netflix teen sex comedy centered on a questioning youth.
www.advocate.com/film/2018/6/08/alex-strangelove-gay-teens-are-finally-pretty-pink
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