{"id":57636,"date":"2017-11-06T10:10:53","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T15:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/am_equality-tipsheet-november-6-2017\/"},"modified":"2017-11-06T10:10:53","modified_gmt":"2017-11-06T15:10:53","slug":"am_equality-tipsheet-november-6-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/am_equality-tipsheet-november-6-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 6, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 6, 2017<\/b>
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HRC PRESIDENT CHAD GRIFFIN STATEMENT ON MASS SHOOTING IN SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, TEXAS: <\/strong>\u201cOur hearts go out to those impacted by this senseless tragedy today in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Whether in an LGBTQ club or a Texas church, gun violence is plaguing our country. Unless Congress acts, no community in America can be safe. Make no mistake about it, what happened in Sutherland Springs could have easily happened in any other town across America. The murder of innocent people across our country should move Congress to realize there is an overwhelming and indisputable need for action. It’s time for Congress to stand up to the NRA. We will continue to demand action until our lawmakers either hear us — or we have new lawmakers.\u201d The tragedy, which left at least 26 people dead and at least 20 injured, comes just a few weeks after a mass shooting in Las Vegas that took \u00a058 lives and injured more than 515. Last year, 49 people — most of them LGBTQ and Latinx — were killed at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Yet, in recent weeks, Congress and the White House have only discussed modest potential steps to address the scourge of gun violence facing the country. Prior to the Las Vegas shooting, Congress was even considering legislation to allow silencers and transportation of concealed weapons across state lines. Common-sense gun violence prevention measures endorsed by HRC include banning access to assault-style rifles, expanding background checks, and limiting the ability for suspected terrorists and those with a history of domestic abuse to access guns. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, more than 33,000 gun deaths<\/a> happen every year. More from HRC<\/a> and the Washington Blade<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Whether in an LGBTQ club or a church, gun violence of any kind should move Congress to act. W\/ each day that passes, more people will die.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) November 5, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

HRC PRESIDENT CALLS ON SECRETARY TILLERSON TO SPEAK OUT ON GLOBAL ANTI-LGBTQ ATTACKS: <\/strong>In a letter<\/a> to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, HRC President Chad Griffin <\/strong>(@ChadHGriffin<\/a>) addressed the growing attacks against the LGBTQ community around the world and called on Tillerson to speak out against the anti-LGBTQ human rights abuses occurring in Egypt, Chechnya, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Georgia, Tanzania, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan. To date, neither President Trump nor Tillerson have publicly condemned the atrocities. Writes Griffin<\/strong>, \u201cWhen you are silent, the perpetrators of this violence see America not as a moral leader — but as a government that will look the other way. In addition, we ask you to demonstrate America\u2019s commitment to human rights by increasing U.S. funding for LGBTQ civil society groups around the world and making it clear to the American people, the international community and State Department staff that supporting and protecting the human rights of LGBTQ people remains a State Department commitment and priority.\u201d More from HRC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Every day Tillerson and Trump are silent on anti-LGBTQ persecution around the globe more lives are put at risk. t.co\/N8FWTLrYBB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) November 3, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

MUST WATCH MONDAY — FORMER NFL PLAYER RYAN O\u2019CALLAGHAN WRITES LETTER TO HIS YOUNGER SELF: <\/strong>The openly gay<\/a> former New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs player reveals his struggles with remaining closeted throughout high school, college and in his professional career. \u201cYou will realize, Ryan, that you have been scared of nothing. This is not the end. No. This is just the beginning. You will soon feel free for the first time in your life. Heck, you might even find love with someone who understands you and your struggle. So again, breathe. Really, breathe. Believe it or not, it gets better for you, and soon you will want to share this newfound happiness and love with the world. Just hang in there a little longer, buddy. One day, people will look up to you for your strength.\u201d More from CBS<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY:<\/strong><\/p>\n