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National roundup: LGBT DREAMers, David Furnish, death of Ohio trans woman
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times
2017-02-21

This article shared 626 times since Tue Feb 21, 2017
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The Williams Institute estimates that there are more than 75,000 LGBT DREAMers in the United States, and more than 36,000 have participated in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ), including 24,000 who renewed in the program, a press release noted. DACA allowed undocumented immigrants who entered the United States before the age of 16, and met other requirements, temporary work authorization and protection from deportation for a renewable two-year period. In LGBT DREAMers and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Dr. Kerith Conron and Policy Analyst Taylor N.T. Brown, provide information on LGBT people involved with the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors ( DREAM ) Act and those enrolled in DACA. See http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/LGBT-DREAMers-and-DACA-February-2017.pdf.

In a recent interview, David Furnish—singer Elton John's husband and the chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation—gave President Donald Trump some advice on HIV and AIDS policy, On Top Magazine reported. Talking with Human Rights Campaign publication Equality, Furnish said he hopes lawmakers don't squander an opportunity to ends the AIDS epidemic. In part, he said, "Our primary advice to the new administration is to apply evidence-based approaches that we know work to reduce the risk of infection and keep people alive and well. We are concerned about the rhetoric of the campaign that promoted racism, sexism and homophobia."

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) has revealed the homicide of JoJo Striker, a Black transgender woman killed in Toledo, Ohio, on Feb. 8; the press release stated that it's the third reported killing of a transgender/gender nonconforming person NCAVP has responded to in 2017—and all three homicide victims have been transgender women of color. Initial reports misgendered Striker, but recent reports have used her correct pronouns.

Two Tennessee Republican lawmakers are backing a bill that appears to ban same-sex marriage in the state, according to On Top Magazine. State Sen. Mae Beavers and state Rep. Mark Pody have introduced the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 found that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The landmark decision voided state laws and constitutional amendments that defined marriage as a heterosexual union; many of these bans remain in place, although they're unenforceable.

The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) responded Feb. 20 to media reports that the Trump administration plans to rescind guidance from the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education regarding schools' obligations to transgender students under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. "Transgender young people face tragically high rates of discrimination and bullying, and they need a government that will stand up for them—not attack them," said HRC President Chad Griffin in a press release. "It's shocking that this kind of harm would even be a subject of debate for the president. We call on Trump to immediately and permanently affirm the Obama Administration's guidance and protect transgender students."

In response to the U.S. Department of Justice's announcement that it will no longer challenge a nationwide hold on protections for transgender students, nearly 800 parents of transgender children sent a letter to President Donald Trump condemning the decision and calling on his administration to fully enforce federal civil-rights laws, a Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) press release stated. The letter, signed by parents from 45 states plus Washington, D.C., was organized by HRC and its newly formed Parents for Transgender Equality Council, a coalition of the nation's leading parent-advocates working for equality and fairness for transgender people.

Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan—who is seeking the second-highest elected position in Atlanta government, Atlanta city council president—has been endorsed by Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, an organizational press release noted. In his bid for Council President, Wan says he will continue to leverage deep roots in the community, long-time civic leadership, business acumen and his record during seven years at city hall. Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government.

A gay actor who lived with his elderly friend announced that she has passed away, LGBTQ Nation noted. Chris Salvatore, best known for his roles in the Eating Out series, moved his friend and neighbor, Norma Cook, 89, into his apartment when he found out that she was diagnosed with leukemia and needed regular medical care. Salvatore became her primary caregiver and took power of attorney when doctors said she needed 24-hour care.

The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation announced that author/New York Times columnist Charles Blow will be a featured speaker at HRC's annual Time to THRIVE conference, a press release noted. HRC's Time to THRIVE—for K-12 educators, professional counselors and other youth-serving professionals on LGBTQ youth safety, inclusion and well-being—will be held April 28-30 in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the National Education Association and the American Counseling Association.

The sports community is warning Texas about possibly passing a "bathroom bill" that would prohibit transgender people from using the bathroom that matches their gender identity, Metro Weekly noted. The NBA is the latest organization to chastise Texas lawmakers for the bill, shooting off a warning that the bill could impact the state's ability to host future sporting events. The league has already shown that it is willing to relocate games or tournaments to cities that are perceived as welcoming to all fans, including members of the LGBTQ community, as it did when it moved its All-Star Game, being held this weekend, from Charlotte, North Carolina, to New Orleans because of North Carolina's anti-transgender HB2 law.

In Florida, an amendment to extend Jacksonville's human-rights odinance to include the LGBT community passed City Council by a vote of 12 to six on Feb. 14, FirstCoastNews.com reported. Mayor Lenny Curry returned the bill without signing it or vetoing it, making it law. A similar measure failed in 2012 by a close 10-to-nine vote; last year, a revised version was withdrawn after it became clear it could not pass.

U.S. hate groups—and particularly anti-Muslim groups—are on the rise, fueled in part by the recent presidential election, according to a new report from a liberal-leaning advocacy group that tracks domestic extremism, The Washington Post reported. The Southern Poverty Law Center ( SPLC ) attributed some of the growth to President Trump, who it described in its quarterly Intelligence Report as having "electrified the radical right," and whose campaign rallies, the report's author claims, were "filled with just as much anti-establishment vitriol as any extremist rally."

The people behind gay social network Hornet announced major updates to the mobile app and website, a press release noted. In the new version, Hornet users will now be able to easily access unique content from Hornet's editorial news site, as well as event information and stories from Hornet's travel and events site, all under one navigation header. Inside the iOS and Android app, users will be able to access other guys' profiles, as well as places and events, and stories all from the Discover tab.

Sheryl Swoopes headlines the six-member Class of 2017 that will be inducted June 10 into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN noted. The group, which was unveiled Sunday, includes former UConn star Kara Wolters, coach Rick Insell, official Sally Bell, contributor Christine Grant and former Southern Connecticut State coach Louise O'Neal. In 2005, Swoopes ( who recently coached Chicago's Loyola University's women's basketball team ) came out as lesbian, several media outlets noted; however, she is currently married to a man.

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities ( NIMHD ) staff expresed condolences on the passing of Judith Bradford, Ph.D., a friend and ardent supporter of the institute who passed away recently after a long and courageous battle with cancer, a press release stated. Bradford was director of the Center for Population Research in LGBT Health and co-chair of The Fenway Institute in Boston. In addition, she served on the first Institute of Medicine panel focused on lesbian health almost 20 years ago.

GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard released a statement urging Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to keep crucial LGBTQ youth protections intact. In part, Byard said, "With 66% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning ( LGBTQ ) students reporting having personally experienced LGBTQ-related discriminatory policies or practices at their school, protecting LGBTQ students is a necessity. During her confirmation hearing, then-nominee DeVos expressed her support for maintaining safe learning environments for all students—including LGBTQ students—and we hope she will keep that promise. Last year, a record number of families from across the country turned to the Department of Education for help."

Washington state's supreme court has unanimously ruled that a florist who refused to provide services for a same-sex wedding broke the state's antidiscrimination law, The StarTribune reported. Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Richland, Washington, had been fined by a lower court for denying service to a gay couple in 2013. Stutzman said she was exercising her First Amendment rights, and her lawyers immediately said they would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn this latest decision.

A 22-year St. Louis County police veteran who was once picked to become the department's liaison to the gay community is now suing the department for discrimination, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. In a lawsuit filed Jan. 10, Sgt. Keith Wildhaber claims a former St. Louis County Police Board member told him to "tone down your gayness" if he ever wanted to be promoted. Police Chief Jon Belmar had not commented on the suit or agreed to an interview about his department's interaction with gay officers.

Proposed legislation is advancing in New Mexico to ban the use on minors of conversion therapy that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. The prohibition would apply to licensed physicians, nurses, psychologists and other health practitioners who apply conversion therapy to people under 18. State Sen. Jacob Candelaria and Rep. Andres Romero, Democrats from Albuquerque, are sponsoring the measure.

The co-owner of a chain of drag-queen clubs was viciously beaten in San Diego, LGBTQ Nation reported. Mark Zschiesche, who co-owns the Lips Drag Queen Showplace Restaurant and Bar, said he was walking alone after going to a grocery store when a man he did not know approached him. "Before you knew it, this guy hit me in the face and called me faggot. From that point I was in shock," Zschiesche told CBS8.

James Charles—who made news when he became the first male spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics—recently got in hot water for making a comment on social media that some saw as being anti-Africa, NewNowNext.com noted. Charles wrote he was scared to be traveling to Africa because he was afraid he'd get Ebola—a tweet that has since been deleted. The World Health Organization declared the continent of Africa Ebola-free as of January 2016.

Conor Kennedy has struck a plea deal following a December brawl in Aspen, Colorado. Kennedy was arrested after defending a friend that was on the receiving end of an anti-gay slur outside of the Bootsy Bellows nightclub, Instinct Magazine noted, citing TMZ. Kennedy—the son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and an ex of Taylor Swift—had his lawyer enter the plea, and the judge gave him a six-month deferred sentence. That means the arrest will be scrubbed from his record if he stays out of trouble as well as abstains from booze and drugs over that period.

In a video released by the Norman, Oklahoma, police department, a woman who was punched by former Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon says the incident started after Mixon made unwanted sexual advances toward her and later called her friend a gay slur, Fox Sports noted. Mixon's attorney, Blake Johnson, denied his client verbally harassed Amelia Molitor, who admitted her memories of the night are hazy and scattered. Mixon led Oklahoma in rushing this past season; despite receiving a first-round grade, he reportedly won't be invited to the NFL combine that starts later this month.

Out Fox anchor Shepard Smith came under fire for criticizing President's Trump's treatment of CNN reporter Jim Acosta during a Feb. 16 news conference and for Trump's refusal to answer questions about his campaign's ties to Russia, USA Today noted. "It's crazy what we're watching every day," Smith said after Trump's news conference. "It's absolutely crazy. He keeps repeating ridiculous, throwaway lines that are not true at all and sort of avoiding this issue of Russia as if we're some kind of fools for asking the question." Some social-media users urged others to boycott Smith.

Journalist Jeremy Scahill, a frequent guest of Real Time with Bill Maher, canceled his appearance set for Feb. 17 in protest of the show's booking of Milo Yiannopoulos, the controversial Breitbart News editor who Scahill said would use the HBO platform to "legitimize his hateful agenda," Deadline reported. Yiannopoulos, who's openly gay, was set to appear as the top-of-show guest, a one-on-one segment with Maher, and so wouldn't share the stage or debate with other guests. "Liberals will continue to lose elections," Maher responded, "as long as they follow the example of people like Mr. Scahill, whose views veer into fantasy and away from bedrock liberal principles like equality of women, respect for minorities, separation of religion and state, and free speech."

Speaking of Yiannopoulos, he will not be allowed to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ), The Hill reported. The decision comes while Yiannopoulos is roiled in controversy over a video in which he is appears to defend pedophilia. The video clip was posted on the video streaming service YouTube in January 2016, but gained new traction on social media after a conservative blog shared it. In the video ( which he said was "deceptively edited" ), Yiannopoulos says that relationships between older men and young gay boys can be beneficial. He also flippantly discusses his own sexual assault.

And Simon & Schuster has dropped Milo Yiannopoulos' book, Dangerous, because of those pedophilia-related comments, USA Today noted. The right-wing provocateur's publisher said, "After careful consideration, Simon & Schuster and its Threshold Editions imprint have canceled publication of Dangerous by Milo Yiannopoulos"—and he noted the development shortly after, on Facebook. Yiannopoulos' provocative right-wing persona ( he attacked feminists and trashed women who used birth control, to name a few of his views ), helped get him a reported $250,000 book deal from Threshold Editions, a conservative imprint of Simon & Schuster, which was due to release Dangerous in June.

American Girl, the popular doll line, has introduced its first boy, USA Today noted. Logan Everett made his debut Feb. 16 as the drummer who performs with another new American Girl doll, Tenney Grant, who is a budding country western singer. Logan is the lone boy among American Girl's vast cast of characters; the company sees him as both a.way to please long-time fans as well as a new addition who will appeal to a broader audience that includes both girls and boys.

Openly gay boxer Yusaf Mack popped in on a Twitter troll who has been harassing him with homophobic slurs on social media, BET.com noted. Witnesses told TMZ Sports that, in a barber shop, Mack attacked the man while the guy's head was in a sink during a wash. Mack told TMZ that he reached a breaking point over the man's slurs and disrespect of him, and that the troll got what he had coming to him.

The CEO of Baltimore-based sports-apparel company Under Armour responded to criticism he received after calling President Trump "an asset to the country," Newser reported. In an open letter to Baltimore published as a full-page advertisement in the Baltimore Sun, Kevin Plank wrote, in part, "I answered a question with a choice of words that did not accurately reflect my intent. The company stands for equal rights and job creation and believes 'immigration is a source of strength, diversity, and innovation for global companies based in America.'"


This article shared 626 times since Tue Feb 21, 2017
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