HRC Joins the Call for Peace Corps to End Dismissals of Volunteers Newly Diagnosed with HIV

HRC has joined Treatment Access Group (TAG) and other HIV advocates and organizations to call on the Peace Corps to revise its policies regarding volunteers who are newly diagnosed with HIV. According to recent media reports, two Peace Corps volunteers were informed that their assignments would be terminated as a result of their recent HIV diagnosis. Worryingly, reports have also emerged of Peace Corps officials denying volunteers’ requests for PrEP, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, a once-daily pill used to prevent HIV.  

“These policies are outdated and harmful to Peace Corps volunteers living with HIV or seeking effective prevention tools,” said Peter Cruz, associate director of HRC’s HIV and Health Equity Program. “We join fellow HIV advocates in asking the Peace Corps to act quickly to modernize their HIV policies and practices.”

Recent advances in HIV treatment and prevention have brought us closer than ever to ending the HIV epidemic. Today, we know that people living with HIV who adhere to antiretroviral therapy and maintain viral suppression have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their partners. Additionally, the CDC states that the use of PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by more than 90 percent, and by more than 70 percent among people who inject drugs.

HRC joins TAG and other advocates in urging the Peace Corps to update its HIV and AIDS policies to ensure that they align with current HIV science and information.

To read the sign-on letter to Peace Corps, click here.

For more information on HRC Foundation’s work to end HIV and HIV-related stigma, click here.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-joins-the-call-for-peace-corps-to-end-dismissals-of-volunteers-newly-di?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

The Blueprint to Your Dream Wedding

Planning the perfect wedding can be a daunting task. The average couple in the US has between 12-18 months from the time that they become engaged to the day of their wedding. This may seem like you have ample time, however if you aren’t regularly sticking to a wedding planning checklist, time may sneak up […]

The post The Blueprint to Your Dream Wedding appeared first on PlentyOfFish Blog.

The Blueprint to Your Dream Wedding

HRC Joins Government and Business Leaders to Promote LGBT Inclusion in Mexico

Today, HRC Foundation hosted an event at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance to honor the museum, government officials and corporate partners for their growing commitment to greater LGBT inclusion. The event also celebrated the museum’s first LGBT-themed exhibit — “LGBT+. Identity, Love and Sexuality”, which includes mention of HRC’s Equidad MX program among important equality efforts that are driving change in Mexico.

The recognition comes at a time of significant progress in LGBT equality and inclusion for the business community in Mexico, aided by HRC Equidad MX: Workplace Equality Program. HRC first international workplace assessment program promotes LGBT-inclusive policies and best practices, evaluating major Mexican businesses and multinationals based on three core pillars of LGBT inclusion:

• Adoption of nondiscrimination policies;
• Creation of employee resource groups or diversity and inclusion councils; and
• Engagement in public activities to support LGBT inclusion.

“I celebrate with great enthusiasm the actions and initiatives by the civil society in recognition of the rights of the LGBT community, particularly those accomplished by ADIL. I also applaud the Museum of Memory and Tolerance’s initiative to create the exhibit ‘LGBT + Identity, Love and Sexuality,’ which generates and raises public awareness about the need to respect diversity, and the understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation,” said Norma Inés Aguilar, Chief of Staff for the Minister of Public Administration.

“Today, Mexico is experiencing greater LGBT inclusion in different areas of society. The museum seeks to honor this social transformation and highlight the importance of having inclusive spaces where everyone is welcomed, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation,” said Linda Atach, Director of Temporary Exhibits at Museum Memory and Tolerance. “The exhibition is a channel of expression to understand the challenges, achievements and realities surrounding the LGBT + community, a path that denounces indifference, intolerance and discrimination, with the aim of generating respect and inclusion through deep knowledge of the LGBT community.”

“HRC welcomes the voices of so many leaders from across Mexico’s business, public and civil society sectors to promote LGBT equality as we head into Pride month. Now is the time for all of us to join in partnership and stand for our values of inclusion” said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC’s Vice President for Programs, Research and Training.

“The unprecedented success of HRC Equidad MX demonstrates the commitment by major employers in Mexico to foster and support LGBT-inclusive workplaces. Mexico is now taking the lead by engaging corporate and government leaders to start a national dialogue for LGBT inclusion,” said Deena Fidas, HRC Director of HRC Equidad MX and HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program. “The Museum’s pioneering exhibit solidifies the visibility of the LGBT community in Mexico and reflects the rich and diverse history of its people. HRC is deeply honored to be included in the first-ever LGBT exhibit at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance in Mexico City.”

Earlier this year, the Museum of Memory and Tolerance launched the LGBT exhibition to generate greater public awareness about the richness of LGBT diversity, gender and sexual orientation. The exhibition is made possible by the support of the Mexico’s government and corporate sponsors committed to work for greater LGBT inclusion.

HRC is proud to join with Pride Connection and corporate sponsors Scotiabank, Grupo Modelo México, Marriott International and Vice Media to honor the museum’s efforts and its commitment to participate in the HRC Equidad MX survey to continue their long history for LGBT equality.

Since September 2016, HRC Equidad MX has been working with Mexican-based companies to promote awareness about the importance of LGBT diversity and inclusion in workplaces across the country. The program creates consulting and education models for Mexican companies and organizations interested in furthering their inclusivity efforts.

For more information on the HRC Equidad MX program, visit hrc.im/equidadMX or email [email protected] to learn more about participating in the HRC Foundation’s Equidad MX survey.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-joins-government-and-business-leaders-to-promote-lgbt-inclusion-mexico?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

‘Queer Eye’ Season 2 Launching June 15

New episodes of Queer Eye, shot in the same time period as the first season, will begin airing on June 15, Netflix announced today. The network made the announcement online with the above video depicting a group text between  Bobby Berk (design) Karamo Brown (culture), Antoni Porowski (food and wine) Jonathan Van Ness (grooming), and  Tan France (fashion).

The post ‘Queer Eye’ Season 2 Launching June 15 appeared first on Towleroad.

‘Queer Eye’ Season 2 Launching June 15

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: May 24, 2018

“BETSY DEVOS, HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT?” — HRC PROJECTS MESSAGE ON U.S. DEPT. OF EDUCATION BUILDING IN WASH., D.C.: Last night, HRC and artist Robin Bell (@bellvisuals) projected a message to Education Secretary DeVos to raise awareness about how the Trump-Pence Administration’s policies are harming already vulnerable LGBTQ youth. The projection featured findings from HRC’s recent groundbreaking  survey of 12,000 LGBTQ teens. The survey, conducted in partnership with the University of Connecticut, found that LGBTQ teenagers are not only experiencing heartbreaking levels of stress, anxiety and rejection, but also overwhelmingly feel unsafe in their own schools. The projection included a survey finding that 95 percent of LGBTQ teens report trouble getting to sleep at night, and asked DeVos, “how do you sleep at night?” More from HRC and The Hill.

• HRC’s projection took place one day after DeVos unconscionably told a U.S. House committee that she would not take action on civil rights violations against transgender students “until the Supreme Court opines or until [U.S. Congress] takes action.”  More from The Hill.
• DeVos also showed complete ignorance for the law regarding undocumented students, stating that schools should decide whether to report undocumented students to immigration enforcement. More from The Washington Post.

MORNING MUST READ — CEO OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. SAYS FED. GOVT NOT HEEDING SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE ON LGBTQ HEALTH: “Psychological science demonstrates the harms of discriminatory public policies and the benefits of supportive ones,” Arthur C. Evans Jr. (@ArthurCEvans) writes. “The current climate in Washington is likely to increase stigma and stress in sexual and gender minority populations across the nation, with negative effects on physical and mental health.” More from The Hill.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Gallup’s latest polling shows that 67 percent of Americans support marriage equality — the highest ever recorded. In 1996, only 27 percent of Americans supported marriage equality. Support for marriage equality has increased for Democrats (83 percent), remained the same for Independents (71 percent) and decreased slightly for Republicans (44 percent). More from Gallup.

• Gallup also estimates that 4.5 percent of Americans identify as LGBTQ — an estimate lower than findings from other research groups. The same survey also found that 8.2 percent of millennials identify as LGBTQ. More from Gallup.

UNACCEPTABLE — OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS OF HIV AND AIDS MEDICATION & PREVENTION ARE SKYROCKETING: Health insurers are cancelling co-pay assistance programs, forcing people living with HIV and people on PrEP to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. HRC joined dozens of HIV organizations in calling on insurance commissioners and attorneys general to investigate. More from Washington Blade.

HRC MOURNS GIGI PIERCE, TRANS WOMAN SHOT IN OREGON: Police investigators say they believe that Pierce, 28, was shot during an altercation with Sophia Adler, who has been charged with Pierce’s murder, according to KGW-TV. Advocates and allies took to social media to raise awareness of her murder, calling the news of the Idaho native’s death “shocking.” Oscar Guerra-Vera, executive director of the Q Center in Portland, said that he is planning a community response to Pierce’s death for Portland’s LGBTQ community. More from HRC, Gay Star News and The Portland Mercury.

• In Detroit, Charles Marion Brown was sentenced to 32-55 years in prison for assault and armed robbery of a transgender woman. More from The Detroit News.

MEXICAN MAN MARRIED TO AMERICAN MAN WRONGLY ARRESTED BY ICE: Jose “Ivan” Noe Nuñez Martinez was arrested in January after he and his husband, Paul Frame, petitioned for Nuñez Martinez to gain legal status. More from The Associated Press.

TRANSGENDER INMATES IN MISSOURI WILL NOW HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL CARE: Missouri Judge Noelle C. Collins ruled that the state’s Department of Corrections must change its policy denying trans inmates gender-affirming care — even if they did not receive it prior to entering prison. More from Nidhi Prakash (@nidhiprakash) in BuzzFeed.

WHY AREN’T TRUMP-PENCE CABINET SECRETARIES ATTENDING THEIR AGENCY’S PRIDE RECEPTIONS? Chris Johnson (@chrisjohnson82) asks the question in The Washington Blade.

HRC JOINS ONGOING EFFORTS TO HELP LGBTQ PEOPLE IN PUERTO RICO: HRC is proud to join #ReconstruyeQ, a coalition of LGBTQ and allied organizations working to support ongoing rebuilding efforts for LGBTQ people in Puerto Rico who are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane María, which devastated the island last September. More from HRC.

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico more than eight months ago — and hurricane season starts again in June. @HRC is proud to join the @ReconstruyeQ project to rebuild homes for LGBTQ families still in dire need of support. ��️‍������ t.co/sBSIOuH7uH pic.twitter.com/ZqxCC9jSCq

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 23, 2018

ADVOCATES IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, REACH OUT TO POLICE CHIEF ABOUT RESPECTING ALL IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY: In anticipation of next month’s LGBTQ Pride festival, members of the community — including HRC’s local steering committee — sent a letter to the chief highlighting the disproportionate policing of people of color, and especially transgender people of color, across the country. More from Prizm.

• In Minneapolis, police will not attend the local Pride Parade in uniform. More on why from Minnesota Public Radio.

LGBTQ-AFFIRMING INDIANA CHURCH CUTS TIES WITH NON-PROFIT THAT ALLEGEDLY FIRED MAN FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION: More from The Evansville Courier & Press.

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

Washingtonian interviews two advocates in DC bringing HIV screenings to underserved neighborhoods; Advocate profiles LGBTQ advocates in America’s territories; The Washington Post speaks to those involved in the new Star Wars about efforts to have LGBTQ representation; HRC profiles LGBTQ foster youth advocates; ArtForum mourns artist Robert Indiana.

RIP Robert Indiana, an LGBTQ artist who made “LOVE” an iconic image. t.co/XvRSblv9GE

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) May 23, 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-may-24-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

66 Photos of Butch, Thick Muscle by Randy Addison

www.advocate.com/photography/2018/5/24/66-photos-butch-thick-muscle-randy-addison

These Are the Trans People Killed in 2018

www.advocate.com/transgender/2018/5/18/these-are-trans-people-killed-2018

Arrested Development’s Entire Cast Lines Up to Support Jeffrey Tambor

The Netflix show is returning for a fifth season, despite accusations of sexual misconduct against Tambor, or his history of yelling at colleagues.

www.advocate.com/television/2018/5/23/arrested-developments-entire-cast-lines-support-jeffrey-tambor

Introducing Places – Now on Tinder

Find common ground.

You love a good dive bar. You have a passion for spin class. You know where to find the best ramen in town. That says a lot about you. Now you can swipe on others who are into that, too.

Introducing Places—Tinder’s latest feature designed to help you discover new people who hang where you hang. Now, you not only have something in common, you also have a genuine icebreaker and your first-date spot. Boom.

Here’s How It Works:

Tap the pin next to the familiar flame at the top of your Discovery screen to access Places. You can opt in by tapping “Turn Places On.” Start going places and you can then swipe on potential matches who have also visited the same cool spots.

Built with Privacy in Mind:

Places was designed to help you connect with potential matches who love the same spots you do—and you’re in control:

• Easily opt in or out: You can turn Places on and off at any time. If you don’t want anyone to know that you were at the library, we’ll keep your secret. Just know that if you ever need a study buddy, you can count on Places to be there.
• Not in real time: You won’t be included in a new place until after you’ve left. Even if you cross paths with someone at the coffee shop, Tinder won’t show you there until later unless it’s somewhere you’ve already included in your Places. So, keep it movin’!
• Just social places: There are probably some places you’d rather keep to yourself, right? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We will never show you at the bank, your home, or doctor’s office because Places is strictly social and tbh, sharing a bank isn’t exactly mind-blowing information.
• You’re in charge: You can delete a place if you want to keep it hidden, or even choose to never be shown at a place, ever. You and your potential matches both have to actually have visited that place to be included. Rest assured that the people we’ll show you after you’ve left the bar have also dealt with the snarky staff, too. With Places, you’ll have a mutual connection that makes it easier to fill up an empty chat bubble.
• Potential matches only: We’ll only show you potential matches, so don’t bother scrolling through your Feed for these folks because they’ll all be fresh faces. And once you’ve matched with (or swiped left on) someone via Places, they’ll no longer appear in Places. So, basically, new places mean new faces.

Now that you’ve got the lowdown, think of all the places you can go from here!

Places is powered by Foursquare and Mapbox and is being tested in three cities: Sydney and Brisbane, Australia and Santiago, Chile.

We’re excited for you to try it out! As with all tests, the feature may change as we gather feedback and work to make the Tinder experience even better.

Swipe on!

blog.gotinder.com/introducing-places/

HRC Mourns Gigi Pierce, Transgender Woman Fatally Shot in Oregon

HRC is saddened to learn of the death of Gigi Pierce, 28, a transgender woman fatally shot Monday evening in Portland, Oregon.

Police investigators say they believe that Pierce was shot during an altercation with Sophia Adler, who has been charged with Pierce’s murder, according to KGW-TV.

Advocates and allies took to social media to raise awareness of her murder, calling the news of the Idaho native’s death “shocking.” Oscar Guerra-Vera, executive director of the Q Center in Portland, said that he is planning a community response to Pierce’s death for Portland’s LGBTQ community, according to the Portland Mercury.

Pierce is the eleventh known homicide of a transgender person this year. Another transgender woman, Nicole Hall, was recently found dead in Dallas, Texas, but her cause of death is still unknown. Unfortunately, police and most media reports misgender her.

Since 2013, HRC has tracked 117 incidents of fatal violence against transgender and non-binary people. Of these, 66 have been victims of gun violence. In 2017, 16 out of the 28 deaths were the result of gun violence.

HRC Foundation and the Trans People of Color Coalition released a report documenting the senseless acts of violence that made 2017 the deadliest year on record for transgender people, particularly for trans women of color.

To learn more about HRC’s transgender justice work, visit hrc.org/Transgender.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-mourns-gigi-pierce-transgender-woman-fatally-shot-in-oregon?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed