text:
Elia Chechick, a visual communications student at the Bezalel Arts School in Jerusalem, put together this drag queen airline safety video for one of her classes — and the results are stunning.
The video, called Priscilla — Queen of the Sky is a parody of gay anthem "Let's Have A Kiki" by Scissor Sisters and is impressive in its quality.
"It was a serious challenge to find a place to film the clip, because there aren't a lot of airlines based in Israel," Chechick told Ynet News. "I just tried to contact all the major companies, private planes, and anything else I could find. We got a lot of 'no'. It took us a few months to find a place… El Al gave us access to one of their flight attendant training aircraft, which was the ultimate place to film… El Al were really great about it, and supported the shoot for 6 hours straight, and for free."
Watch the video above.]]>
In an interview for GLAAD's video series, GLAAD: All Access, Olympic champion diver Greg Louganis talks with host Claire Pires about the homophobia he experienced, living with HIV, and how he has found a new passion working with Olympic hopefuls.
Louganis has won four Olympic gold medals, and no one to date has ever beaten his diving records. But behind the scenes, he was bullied growing up and on his Olympic team for being gay. Even though he had won four Olympic gold medals, he did not receive any endorsement deals, and he struggled financially because of that reality. In 1995, however, he published the book, "Breaking the Surface," in which he came out as a gay man living with HIV, making him one of the first athletes to publicly come out and launching him into a new career as an HIV and AIDS advocate.
The documentary, Back on Board: Greg Louganis, (HBO at 10 p.m. ET Tuesday, Aug. 4) traces his story from a difficult childhood, through his Olympic conquests, to a transformative post-Olympic life, outlining the discrimination and other obstacles he has faced throughout his remarkable journey.
Watch the GLAAD video above.]]>
Shira Banki, a 16-year-old girl who was injured during last week's attack on Jerusalem Pride, died on Sunday. Banki was marching to support her LGBT friends when a right-wing extremist, Yishai Schlissel, breached the perimeter of the parade and attacked those around him with a knife. Though there were police present throughout the parade, six people, including Banki, were stabbed before they could contain him.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that Banki's family issued the following statement:
"Our magical Shira was murdered because she was a happy 16-year-old – full of life and love – who came to express her support for her friends' rights to live as they choose. For no good reason and because of evil, stupidity and negligence, the life of our beautiful flower was cut short. Bad things happen to good people, and a very bad thing happened to our amazing girl," the family said in a statement, which also expressed "hope for less hatred and more tolerance."
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said in a statement: "The murder at the pride parade in the streets of Jerusalem is a criminal act, and we won't let it achieve its objective. We'll continue to allow complete free expression in the city for everyone, continue to support all the groups and communities in the city and Open House. We'll continue the education to accept the other and tolerance in the education system and won't be deterred by those who try to prevent this by foul methods."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to the Banki family in a statement.
"Shira was murdered because she courageously supported the principle according to which everyone is entitled to live their lives in dignity and safety," Netanyahu said Sunday. "We will not allow the abhorrent murderer to undermine the fundamental values upon which Israeli society is based. We strongly condemn the attempt to instill hatred and violence in our midst and we will deal with the murderer to the fullest extent of the law."
Yishai Schlissel, a haredi Orthodox man from Modiin Ilit in the West Bank, remains in police custody after being deemed psychologically fit to stand trial on Friday, a day after he allegedly stabbed six marchers. Schlissel had been released from prison three weeks earlier after serving 10 years for a similar attack at Jerusalem's 2005 gay pride parade.]]>
The lead authors are Asaf Orr, the Transgender Youth Project Staff Attorney for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and Joel Baum, Gender Spectrum's Senior Director for Professional Development and Family Services. Other co-authors include the National Education Association (NEA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
Schools are increasingly being called upon to include and support transgender students. Recognizing that this can seem daunting or overwhelming, Schools In Transition offers practical guidance and field-tested tips to parents, educators, administrators, and community members on planning and supporting a transgender student through a transition at school. The guide is geared toward the needs of all students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, and incorporates recommendations that will allow schools to tailor those plans to the particular circumstances of the student and school. The authors include statements, recommendations, and resources which are based on data, research and best practices that have been tested in this field, as well as narratives of real experiences from students and educators.
"Having worked with many transgender students and their families, I know that school administrators want to do what they can to meet the needs of their transgender students and comply with Title IX. Unfortunately, many are unsure about how to achieve that goal," said Asaf Orr. "This guide changes that by giving all the stakeholders in a school the tools to support a transgender student in their school. Following this guide will not only assist schools in complying with Title IX, but also create a safe and more supportive environment for all students in the district."
Joel Baum added: "Schools in Transition is a unique and crucial resource for educators, caregivers and students. A young person's assertion of their authentic gender, and the attendant questions it raises can feel overwhelming for all involved. This invaluable tool effectively breaks down the process, helping convert uncertainty to action. It provides a roadmap in which everyone can locate themselves on the journey to a successful experience for all."
"At the ACLU, I talk with trans and gender nonconforming students and their parents from all over the country all the time," said ACLU Youth and Program Strategist Chris Hampton. "This guide answers many questions I hear almost daily, and provides practical step-by-step advice for everything from how schools should approach names and pronouns, to privacy concerns, to ways transgender students can use special education laws to get accommodations at school."
"We could not be more proud of this partnership with other leaders dedicated to creating safe, supportive schools for transgender students," said Ellen Kahn, head of HRC Foundation's Children, Youth and Families Program, which includes its national Welcoming Schools effort that works with educators to create LGBT-inclusive and supportive elementary schools. "This groundbreaking publication will provide in-depth and practical guidance for school administrators, counselors, teachers, and parents–all of whom are key to ensuring that transgender children can learn and thrive at school."
"NEA is proud to be a co-author of Schools in Transition, a first-of-its kind guide to supporting transgender students in K-12 schools," added NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia. "This publication is an extremely valuable resource for the three million NEA members who work tirelessly to assure that their schools and classrooms are safe and welcoming for all students. And it will be a lifesaver for the increasing number of transgender students who are living as their authentic selves. Only when every school provides an inclusive, respectful environment can every student achieve their full potential."
More and more transgender students of all ages are asking their families and communities to support them in living their lives authentically. Having that support in school is critical because of the central role that schools play in their lives. A negative school experience not only hinders a transgender student's academic achievement and growth, but can also interfere with their long-term mental health. Schools In Transition helps prevent that from happening.
The guide includes:
Download the guide here.
On Wednesday, August 12 from 2:30 -3:30 EST/11:30am-12:30pm PST, join the authors of Schools in Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools for a discussion about this unique resource. This one hour online hangout will include an overview of the document as well as an opportunity to ask questions and learn about additional resources for supporting schools to create truly welcoming environments for their transgender and gender expansive students. To participate, please click here.]]>
Much of what we know about trans people in the U.S. has come from this study, and it has been an important source of information about who we are for advocates, policy makers, and the public.
But first and foremost, the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey is the trans community's survey. It is a survey for all trans identities, including trans, genderqueer, and non-binary people. As the community's survey, the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey data set and results will be available to community advocates, organizations, and researchers for years to come.
For 2015 U.S. Trans Survey sign up information visit: ustranssurvey.org
The study, carried out by members of Washington University at St. Louis, accessed data from 289,024 students from 223 U.S. universities participating in the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II, a national survey of a broad range of health behaviors, outcomes and perceptions among college students. To identify eating disorders, students were asked if they have been diagnosed or treated by a professional for anorexia or bulimia in the past year. Cisgender students also identified as heterosexual, unsure or sexual minority.
Transgender students responded that they had been diagnosed with an eating disorder in the past year at an alarming rate of 15.82%. Cisgender students were between .55% (heterosexual men) and 3.66% (unsure men). Cisgender sexual minority and unsure men and women were 2-4 times more likely to have been diagnosed with an eating disorder than heterosexual men and women.
The study also measured past-month diet pill use. Transgender students (13.5%) also reported much higher usage rates than heterosexual men (1.88%) and heterosexual women (4.29%).
The authors, led by Dr. Alexis E. Duncan, offer a couple potential explanations for the findings.
"Transgender individuals may use disordered eating behaviors to suppress or accentuate particular gendered features. It has been suggested that striving for weight loss may be a way for transgender women to conform to feminine ideals of slimness and attractiveness," the authors state.
Another reason, the authors point out, is a common trigger of eating disorders is stress, and there is research to suggest the stress levels in these individuals is elevated as a result of belonging to a stigmatized social category.
"Among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, a strong link has been found between higher levels of minority stress and poorer mental health outcomes. The same mechanisms are likely at play in transgender individuals, who may be exposed to substantial amounts of discrimination, both on an interpersonal and societal level," the authors assert.
To read the full article, please visit jahonline.org/ or http://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X%2815%2900087-7/abstract
To learn more about SAHM, go to www.adolescenthealth.org.]]>
NEW YORK – As news outlets across the globe prepare to report on the Pope's upcoming visit to the United States, GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, and DignityUSA, the nation's foremost organization for LGBT Catholics and their supporters, have called on Pope Francis to meet with Catholic LGBT families during his September 2015 visit to the United States.
In keeping with his stated desire to support family acceptance, the organizations have asked the Pope to meet with LGBT families of the Catholic faith. In a letter sent to the Vatican this week, the organizations wrote:
Many LGBT people and family members have experienced a resurgence of hope for full acceptance in our Church as a result of your words and reports of personal meetings with LGBT people. We see your visit to the U.S. as an opportunity for you to hear from us how central our faith is to our lives, and to work together towards creating a Church where all families know that we are truly loved and welcomed.
Currently, our Church's teaching and pastoral practices surrounding LGBT people are causing an enormous pastoral crisis, as well as upholding systemic, institutionalized discrimination against LGBT people and our families. In the U.S. and around the world, we are experiencing alienation from the Church, higher rates of poverty and violence, and discrimination in employment, housing, educational opportunities, and access to health care.
The full letter can be viewed here: http://www.glaad.org/blog/pope-francis-asked-meet-lgbt-families-glaad-dignityusa
Approximately 60% of Catholics in the United States, of diverse backgrounds, support marriage equality, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. The Catholic Church's teaching and pastoral practices on LGBT people, however, often cause "an enormous pastoral crisis, as well as upholding systemic, institutionalized discrimination against LGBT people and our families," the letter states.
"Millions are hopeful that the Roman Catholic Church can change its hurtful rhetoric and policies toward LGBT people. But that change cannot come without hearing about the faith and struggles of LGBT Catholics," said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. "It's time for Pope Francis to get to know LGBT Catholics and their families, because you can't turn your back on someone whose story you know."
"Pope Francis has shown a great willingness to meet with lots of different kinds of people. It is very important that he sits down and listens to LGBT Catholics and our families. We love our Church, but struggle with being excluded, preached against, and misunderstood. We hope that if we have a chance to tell our stories, he will see how important it is for the Church to be more welcoming," said Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director of DignityUSA.
Twenty-eight additional organizations and individuals co-signed the letter calling on the Vatican to address the compelling pastoral need for healing and reconciliation for LGBT members of the Catholic Church. The letter was mailed directly to the Vatican in advance of the Pope's September 2015 visit to the United States.
Additionally, GLAAD will soon release "Reporting on Pope Francis & LGBT People," a resource guide for journalists covering Pope Francis and his upcoming visit to the United States. The guide provides the best practices and story ideas, a timeline, and prominent statements about LGBT people from Pope Francis and U.S. bishops.]]>
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore continues to "flout and violate" the state's code of judicial ethics following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage across the country, according to a new supplement filed today in the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) ongoing ethics complaint against Moore.
"Justice Moore has been removed from office for unethical actions once before, but it's clear that he hasn't learned his lesson," said SPLC President Richard Cohen. "It's obviously unethical for him to urge defiance of a United States Supreme Court ruling. He needs to understand that he is a judge, not a preacher."
The filing to the Judicial Inquiry Commission of Alabama alleges that Moore has committed new ethics violations by improperly commenting on pending or impending cases in numerous speeches and interviews; by suggesting that Supreme Court precedent need not be followed; and by announcing that he would recuse himself from cases rather than apply precedents with which he disagreed.
His continued association with and promotion of the Foundation for Moral Law also violates the Alabama Canon of Judicial Ethics. He is listed as president emeritus of the legal services organization, and his wife, Kayla Moore, serves as president. The organization is involved in litigation involving same-sex marriage.
The SPLC complaint describes instances in which Moore's statements and activities overlap with and promote the work of the Foundation for Moral Law. For example, in a July 7 interview with political activist Randall Terry, Moore indicated that he was in "active" conflict with the federal judiciary over its "horrendous opinion" in the same-sex marriage case and was fighting the same-sex ruling with briefs and speeches.
"If Chief Justice Moore wants to make political speeches or be an activist in opposition to same-sex marriage, he is free to do so, but he cannot simultaneously hold his current position on the Alabama Supreme Court," Cohen said. "His blatant disregard for judicial ethics demonstrates once again that he is unfit for office."
The SPLC first lodged its complaint against Moore on Jan. 28 and filed a supplement on Feb. 3. The initial complaint noted that Moore was encouraging lawlessness by attempting to assemble state officials and judges to oppose the federal court system.
The Judicial Inquiry Commission of Alabama could recommend that Moore face ethics charges in the Alabama Court of the Judiciary. That court removed Moore from the office of chief justice 12 years ago after he refused to comply with a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building.
The opinion removing Moore from the bench states that the oath of chief justice commands Moore "to support both the United States and Alabama Constitutions." It also notes that if there is a conflict between the documents, "the Constitution of the United States must prevail." The 2003 opinion followed a successful SPLC lawsuit to remove the judge's Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building.
Roadside Attractions will release Stonewall in theaters Sept. 25.
Stonewall is a drama about a fictional young man caught up during the 1969 Stonewall riots. Danny Winters (Jeremy Irvine) is forced to leave behind friends and loved ones when he is kicked out of his parent's home and flees to New York. Alone in Greenwich Village, homeless and destitute, he befriends a group of street kids who soon introduce him to the local watering hole The Stonewall Inn; however, this shady, mafia-run club is far from a safe-haven.
As Danny and his friends experience discrimination, endure atrocities and are repeatedly harassed by the police, we see a rage begin to build. This emotion runs through Danny and the entire community of young gays, lesbians and drag queens who populate the Stonewall Inn and erupts in a storm of anger. With the toss of a single brick, a riot ensues and a crusade for equality is born.
Serduchka's most recent work includes an appearance in the comedy film Spy starring Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law and Jason Statham. Serduchka is readying to put out a new single and ep as well as gearing up to star in several new Hollywood films to come.
Born in Poltava, Serduchka was encouraged by his mother to take part in music and art. He received first place for Best Actor's work in the competition "Kursk Anomaly" and his popularity grew until he made his television debut via "Cheese" in 1994. He began to star in commercials as Verka Serduchka and was soon performing in front of sold-out audiences. Serduchka worked on his craft and collaborated with music producer Yuri Nikitin and wrote his debut single "Just Vera," which eventually led to an extensive tour throughout Russia.
As his music career flourished, Serduchka performed at the National Academic Theatre of Russian Drama, as well as several gigs in New York City. Serduchka has garnered several awards, such as two Golden Gramophones and Muz-TV's "Best Album."]]>
It is an announcement certain to figure prominently among traditionally anti-LGBT politicians seeking the 2016 presidential nomination in the Republican Party. Despite medical evidence to the contrary, many politicians and transphobes consider transgender people "sick."
At one point, society and a sizable segment of the medical community thought gays and lesbians "sick," as in mentally ill. Similarly, society once held the same view the physically disabled were "sick" based on armchair psychology that any person with a disability must also be mentally ill. Popular culture images fed both long outdated views.
Today's view is that those who claim others, like the transgendered, are "sick" are themselves "sick" with, to put it mildly, bias against the trans community. To put it more accurately and bluntly, they are sick with hate.
It's no coincidence that the Defense Department's plan to fully sexually modernize all branches of the military comes as public opinion for the transgender community is favorably influenced by Caitlyn Jenner's graceful and passionate public transitioning. When Congress holds the inevitable hearings on lifting the transgender ban, I expect Olympic Gold Medalist Ms. Jenner will go to Washington to change political views on transgender military service.
In typical bureaucratic fashion, the Defense Department announced "creation of a working group" that will work over six months "to study the implications of lifting the ban," Washington sources report. In truth, the department has been studying the issue for years and will hopefully not morph six months into six years.
The most fundamental implication of lifting the military's transgender exclusion is that it fulfills the promise of our nation's Founders that all are equal, and those who wish to wear the uniform to serve America's cause are welcome to do so regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
According to a Defense Department statement, the working group will commence its work "with the presumption transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness, unless and except where objective, practical impediments are identified." This translates to a limited lifting of the transgender ban.
Why a limited lifting? Why partial equality? I expect answers to these questions will be as perverse as the questions themselves. "[E]xcept where objective, practical impediments are identified" should have ended with "if any." Since it did not, this could mean a Go Slow Approach to transgender military service.
One part of the Defense announcement that was completely accurate dealt with further sexual modernization of the military. "The Defense Department's current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core missions," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said.
The long fight for open military service for gays and lesbians should have always included open transgender service. It is a shame on the Defense Department and political leaders that transgender soldiers have been treated as an undesirable class based on "sick" stereotypes for so long.
The U.S. military should celebrate openness, honesty, equality, and dignity for all troops. The outdated and unnecessary ban on open transgender military service should end in 2015.
Human Rights Advocate Jim Patterson is a writer, speaker, and lifelong diplomat for dignity for all people. In a remarkable life spanning the civil rights movement to today's human rights struggles, he stands as a voice for the voiceless. A prolific writer, he documents history's wrongs and the struggle for dignity to provide a roadmap to a more humane future. Learn more at www.HumanRightsIssues.com]]>
Only 19 states and D.C. explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace. Of the LGBT Americans who have experienced discrimination, 47 percent reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace.
Last week, HRC endorsed The Equality Act, a comprehensive federal non-discrimination law. The Equality Act wouldn't just provide explicit protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the workplace. It would also provide basic protections against discrimination in access to public spaces, housing, education, jury service, credit and federal funding.
Additionally, The Equality Act doesn't change the exemptions available for religious institutions under federal law or the First Amendment.
In the past week, major corporations, including Microsoft, American Airlines, Facebook, Nike, General Mills, Google, Apple, The Dow Chemical Company and Levi Strauss & Co., released statements making clear that they believe all LGBT Americans should have the protections from discrimination in federal law that they deserve.
The results of a new Democracy Corps survey from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research released last week indicates that support for non-discrimination legislation unites the country. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of likely Republican voters support protecting LGBT people from workplace discrimination, as do 90 percent of Democrats. Similarly, this legislation draws impressive majorities of support among college (84 percent) and non-college voters (73 percent), younger (85 percent) and older voters (75 percent), as well as observant Christians (70 percent).
In March, polling conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner for HRC revealed that nearly two-thirds of LGBT Americans (63 percent) have faced discrimination in their lives, with LGBT people reporting workplace discrimination as the most frequently experienced form of discrimination.]]>
SAN DIEGO – Campaign finance reports due today show the 2016 race for the San Diego Third District City Council seat is off to a competitive start with both major candidates reporting similar war chests. Today, Anthony Bernal announced that his campaign has raised $53,000 in the first reporting period of the election cycle (June 7 – June 30, 2015) from 260 individuals with $52,000 cash on-hand. Bernal and his opponent, the top two candidates, reported only a $12,611 difference in funds available after all outstanding debts are paid, illustrating this race as a virtual toss-up.
"I am honored and incredibly humbled by the confidence that the community stakeholders and residents of San Diego have placed in me to lead this District," said Bernal. "I believe these constituents have sent a clear message that they truly value experience in this race and it is my experience working in City Hall and in the neighborhoods of Council District Three that will continue our city's progress."
To date, Bernal is the only candidate in the race with actual experience working at City Hall. For more than six years, Bernal has worked in the office of current San Diego City Councilmember for the Third District, Todd Gloria, who will be termed out in 2016.
Bernal serves as Councilmember Gloria's Director of Business and Community Projects, supervising the Downtown, East Village, and Little Italy neighborhoods in addition to working directly with the planning groups and residents associations in the communities throughout the Third District. He also liaises on issues related to public utilities, parks and recreation, small business, veterans, and Civic San Diego.
Previous to working for Councilmember Gloria, Bernal worked as a project manager specializing in public utility projects for a local engineering firm. Bernal and his wife, Amy, live in downtown.
The 2016 primary will occur June 7, 2016.]]>
Saturday nights Golden Crown Literary Awards in New Orleans brought together lesbian fiction pioneers Rita Mae Brown, Lee Lynch, and Dorothy Allison, all sharing a stage for the first time, reports the Advocate.com.
Lee Lynch, a contributor on LGBTweekly.com , won a Goldie Award in the Non-fiction/Anthology category An American Queer: The Amazon Trail.
Allison and Lynch together presented Rita Mae Brown with the Lee Lynch Classic Book Award for her seminal lesbian novel, Rubyfruit Jungle, and the best-selling novelist included the weekend's best line in her speech:"Never celebrate your oppression."
The complete list of winners is below.
Debut Author:
Just Intuition – Makenzi Fisk
Never Too Late – Julie Blair
Stick McLaughlin: The Prohibition Years – CF Frizzell
Romantic Suspense/Intrigue/Adventure:
The One – JM Dragon
Sharpshooter – Leslie Murray
Switchblade – Carsen Taite
Undone – EM Hodge
Kissing Keeps us Afloat – Laurie McFayden
The Acquittal – Anne Laughlin
Left Field – Elizabeth Sims
The Consequence of Murder – Nene Adams
Young Adult:
Double Exposure – Bridget Birdsall
Riding the Rainbow – Genta Sebastian
Just Girls – Rachel Gold
Anthology/Collection (Creative Non-Fiction):
Queerly Beloved A Love Story Across Genders – Diane Anderson-Minshall Jacob Anderson-Minshall
An American Queer – Lee Lynch
The Magic Hunt – LL Rand
The Devil You Know – Marie Castle
Dogs of War – Geonn Cannon
Heart's Surrender – Emma Weimann
Best Lesbian Erotica 2014 – Rachel Windsor
Escapades – MJ Williamz
Dramatic/General Fiction:
The War Within – Yolanda Wallace
Loved and Lost – Stephanie Kusiak
Everything – Carole Wolf
Anthology/Collection (Fiction):
Wicked Things – Jae and Astrid Ohletz
Unwrap These Presents – Astrid Ohletz and R.G. Emanuelle
Historical Fiction:
Tangled Roots – Marianne K. Martin
Waiting for the Violins – Justine Saracen
The Bright Lights of Summer – Lynn Ames
Traditional Contemporary Romance:
Kiss the Girl – Melissa Brayden
Nightingale – Andrea Bramhall
The Midnight Moon – Gerri Hill
Science Fiction/Fantasy:
FutureDyke – Lea Daley
Return of an Impetuous Pilot – Kate McLachlan
Rabbits of the Apocalypse – Benny Lawrence
Tee Corinne Outstanding Cover Design:
Everything – Ann McMan designer
Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award:
Olive Oil and White Bread – Georgia Beers
Lee Lynch Classic Book Award:
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
Trailblazer Award:
Joan Nestle
GCLS Directors Volunteer Award: Watty Boss
SAN DIEGO – San Diego County residents can get an up-close look at the region's only proton treatment facility for cancer care, as Scripps Health will host a special open house Tuesday, Aug 25, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Scripps Proton Therapy Center.
The free event will include tours of the facility, which opened for patient care last year, complimentary refreshments and appetizers and a presentation on proton therapy by the center's medical director, Carl Rossi, M.D. Scripps Proton Therapy Center is located in Mira Mesa at 9730 Summers Ridge, Road, San Diego, Calif., 92121. To register to attend, please call 1-800-SCRIPPS (1-800-727-4777).
Proton therapy is an extremely precise form of external beam radiation treatment that spares more healthy tissue surrounding a patient's tumor than convention X-ray radiation. Less radiation to healthy tissue lowers the probability of side effects and treatment-related cancers.
The Scripps Proton Therapy Center is the first in the nation to treat patients exclusively with pencil-beam scanning, which enables doctors to be far more specific with where they deliver the radiation dose compared to earlier passive scatter technology. Pencil-beam technology also allows doctors to vary the radiation dose within the tumor target, which previously was not possible.
Scripps Health provides the center's clinical management services and Scripps Clinic oversees the medical services at the center. Advanced Particle Therapy is the center's developer and owner. Varian Medical Systems of Palo Alto, Calif., developed, installed and validated the center's ProBeam proton delivery system.]]>
The report, "Bolstering State Efforts to Implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Key indicators and recommendations for policymakers and community stakeholders," builds upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2014 "State Prevention Progress Report," which provided state-level data on indicators related to national HIV prevention goals. The release of the report coincides with the release by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Update, which sets priorities to guide the nation's HIV response through 2020.
While significant progress has been made since the release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy in 2010, the report indicates that states can, and should, do more to align their efforts with the national goals of 1) reducing new infections; 2) increasing access to care and improving health outcomes for people with HIV; and 3) reducing HIV-related health disparities.
"The burden of HIV, and the response to it, varies across states due to a number of social, political and economic factors," said Jeffrey S. Crowley, Program Director of the National HIV/AIDS Initiative at the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law and a lead author of the report. "But we have found that if states focus on a handful of priority action steps and implement them successfully, they can begin to close critical gaps and dramatically accelerate progress toward ending their HIV epidemics." Crowley served as the Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and Senior Advisor on Disability Policy from 2009-2011. In this role, he led the development of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States.
Among its recommendations, the report urges states to target their resources and services to key populations bearing the brunt of the epidemic, especially gay men and other men who have sex with men. Despite representing the greatest percentage of all new HIV infections in each state, neither federal programs nor state health departments have adequately targeted funding to this population.
The report also recommends that barriers that prevent access to care and treatment services should be removed. This includes expanding access to Medicaid, the source of healthcare coverage for the majority of uninsured people living with HIV, under the Affordable Care Act. According to the report, 21 states have not expanded Medicaid, including 10 states in the South, a region disproportionately affected by the epidemic.
To help reduce HIV stigma and to support current public health approaches to fighting HIV, states should re-evaluate and modernize laws related to exposure to HIV that are outdated and inconsistent with scientific evidence. Thirty-three states currently have laws that criminalize the transmission of HIV and 38 states use general criminal laws to prosecute people with HIV for failure to disclose their status.
And in an effort to reduce HIV infections, all states should require the reporting of all CD4 and viral load tests, essential data deemed necessary to build a robust continuum of care in each state. The collection of this data will enable policy makers to make more informed decisions based on epidemiology in the state, and will improve efforts to reduce HIV incidence, disparity and mortality.
"The report tells us that many states have made incredible progress in effectively implementing the nation's HIV goals," said Brian Honermann, senior policy adviser of amfAR and co-author of the report. "As we look to implement the next five years of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, we hope that state officials and community stakeholders see this as a useful tool to help strengthen their HIV programs and make further progress toward ending the AIDS epidemic in America."
The full report, including state-by-state analyses of key indicators and recommendations, can be downloaded here.]]>
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promptly condemned the stabbings as "a most serious incident" that is antithetical to Israeli values. "A despicable hate crime was committed this evening in Jerusalem," he said. "In Israel everyone, including the gay community, has the right to live in peace, and we will defend that right. I welcome the Israeli religious leadership's condemnation of this terrible crime, and I call on all those in positions of leadership to denounce this contemptible act. In the name of all of Israelis, I wish the wounded a full and speedy recovery."
Full story at the Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Police-Man-stabs-four-people-at-Jerusalem-gay-pride-parade-410687]]>
For the first time at NGLCC, the CIA will serve as a sponsor. The CIA has developed a strong working relationship with the NGLCC since 2012. NGLCC has provided introductions to affiliate chambers across the country, which has enabled the CIA to dispel myths and misconceptions about the agency, discuss current diversity and inclusion efforts, and highlight the many internships and job opportunities at CIA. The CIA seeks to be an employer of choice for the LGBT community, and sees the NGLCC as a key partner in these efforts.
The NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference will be the first major national gathering of LGBT advocates and supporters since the Supreme Court marriage decision.
Attendees will hear from:
The NGLCC Biz Competition will involve LGBT entrepreneurs from three companies who will be selected to give their best 15-minute presentations on their company, a new or existing product, market or other innovation with the purpose of gaining valuable feedback from an expert panel of angel investors, venture capitalists and other business experts.
"This has been a momentous year for the LGBT movement. That is why it is so important to keep the momentum going and continue to push forward," says Justin Nelson, president and co-founder. "NGLCC and our allies will urge Congress to enact the Equality Act, which would ensure the well-being of America's diverse and innovative workforce, as well as non-discrimination in housing, credit, public spaces and services, education, federally funded programs and more."
"Looking beyond domestic issues," adds Chance Mitchell, co-founder and CEO, "NGLCC is committed to fostering the growth of LGBT entrepreneurs and business organizations around the world. This year's conference will reflect this emphasis; we will be hosting discussions and workshops intended to realize this goal."
The conference, which will be held Aug. 11–14 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, will be the largest LGBT business development event in the world. For more information visit: nglcc.org/events
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to ensure improved health outcomes for Americans at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and achieve greater coordination across the Federal Government, I hereby order as follows:
Section 1. Policy. My Administration has made substantial progress in addressing the domestic HIV epidemic since the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States (Strategy), the first of its kind, was released in July 2010. The Strategy has served as a blueprint for executive departments and agencies (agencies) as well as for community partners in the private and nonprofit sectors. This effort has led to increased coordination and collaboration among agencies and fostered the use of evidence-based policy approaches for improving HIV prevention and care.
Federal, State, and local agencies have contributed to significant improvements in health outcomes through their enhanced focus on the HIV care continuum — the sequential stages of care from being diagnosed to achieving viral suppression. Our partners across all levels of government and all sectors of society have also worked to ensure that all Americans living with HIV/AIDS receive our full support at every stage of their illness.
Further, my Administration has been committed to reducing the HIV-related disparities experienced by certain populations, including gay and bisexual men of all races and ethnicities, Black women and men, Latino women and men, people who inject drugs, youth aged 13-24, people in the Southern United States, and transgender women. Addressing the intersection between HIV/AIDS, violence against women and girls, and gender-related health disparities has also been a priority. The Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities established in my memorandum of March 30, 2012, has focused its efforts on increasing screenings for HIV and intimate partner violence, addressing violence and trauma when supporting women in HIV care, and expanding public education efforts across all levels of government regarding HIV and violence against women and girls.
Today, I am releasing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States: Updated to 2020 (Updated Strategy) to build on this progress. The Updated Strategy integrates the recommendations of the HIV Care Continuum Working Group, established in Executive Order 13649 of July 15, 2013 (HIV Care Continuum Initiative), and the recommendations of the Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities, so that their work can inform the Nation's response to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Updated Strategy also takes into account recent research advancements in our understanding of HIV/AIDS, and builds on the historic successes of the Affordable Care Act, which is helping millions of Americans, including those who are living with HIV, access affordable, quality health care.
This order is designed to ensure successful implementation of the Updated Strategy by requiring coordination and collaboration by, and accountability of, the Federal Government; fostering enhanced and innovative partnerships with State, tribal, and local governments; and encouraging the commitment of all parts of society. The duties and authorities this order assigns are in addition to those assigned by my memorandum of July 13, 2010 (Implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy). In light of recent progress and continuing challenges, we must continue to improve our national effort to reduce new HIV infections, increase access to care for people living with HIV, reduce HIV-related disparities and health inequities, and achieve greater coordination across all levels of government.
Sec. 2. Role of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP). (a) The Director of ONAP, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), shall be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Updated Strategy.
(b) The Director of ONAP shall annually report to the President on the implementation of the Updated Strategy, including progress in meeting key targets and taking key actions identified in the Updated Strategy and the Federal Action Plan, an annual guidepost developed by ONAP in conjunction with agencies, designed to implement new efforts to address the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Sec. 3. Lead Agency Responsibilities. While the Updated Strategy will require a Government-wide effort in order to succeed fully, certain agencies have primary responsibilities and competencies in implementing the Updated Strategy.
(a) Designation of Lead Agencies. Lead agencies for implementing the Updated Strategy shall be:
(i) the Department of Defense;
(ii) the Department of Justice;
(iii) the Department of the Interior;
(iv) the Department of Labor;
(v) the Department of Health and Human Services;
(vi) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(vii) the Department of Education;
(viii) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(ix) the Department of Homeland Security; and
(x) the Social Security Administration.
(b) Lead Agency Action Plans. Within 100 days of the date of this order, the head of each lead agency shall submit a report to ONAP and OMB on the agency's action plan for implementing the Updated Strategy. The plans shall assign responsibilities to agency officials, designate reporting structures for actions identified in the Federal Action Plan, and identify other appropriate actions to advance the Updated Strategy. The plans shall also include steps to strengthen coordination in planning, budgeting for, and evaluating domestic HIV/AIDS programs within and across agencies. Lead agencies are encouraged to consider, and reflect in their plans, steps to streamline grantee reporting requirements and funding announcements related to HIV/AIDS programs and activities.
(c) Ongoing Responsibilities of Lead Agencies. The head of each lead agency shall:
(i) designate an official responsible for coordinating the agency's ongoing efforts to implement the Updated Strategy;
(ii) develop and support a process for sharing progress reports, including status updates on achieving specific quantitative targets established by the Updated Strategy, with relevant agencies and ONAP on an annual basis, or at such other times as ONAP requests; and
(iii) in consultation with OMB, use the budget development process to prioritize programs and activities most critical to meeting the goals of the Updated Strategy.
Sec. 4. Other Agency Responsibilities. All agencies that support HIV/AIDS programs and activities shall ensure that, to the extent permitted by law, they are meeting the goals of the Updated Strategy.
(a) Department of State. Within 100 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State shall submit to ONAP and OMB recommendations for improving the Government-wide response to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic, based on lessons learned in implementing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program.
(b) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Commission). Within 100 days of the date of this order, the Chair of the Commission shall submit to ONAP and OMB recommendations for increasing employment opportunities for people living with HIV and a plan for addressing employment-related discrimination against people living with HIV, consistent with the Commission's authorities and other applicable law.
Sec. 5. Role of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). The PACHA, which was established by Executive Order 12963 of June 14, 1995 (Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS), as amended, shall monitor the implementation of the Updated Strategy and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) and to the Director of ONAP, as appropriate, concerning implementation and progress in achieving the Updated Strategy's goals.
Sec. 6. National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Interagency Working Group. There is established the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Interagency Working Group (Federal Interagency Working Group) to support the implementation of the Updated Strategy.
(a) Membership. The Federal Interagency Working Group shall be co-chaired by the Director of ONAP and the Secretary or their designees. In addition to the Co-Chairs, the Federal Interagency Working Group shall consist of representatives from each lead agency, OMB, and any other agency or office designated by the Co-Chairs.
(b) Consultation. The Federal Interagency Working Group shall consult with the PACHA, as appropriate.
(c) Outreach. The Federal Interagency Working Group shall hold regular meetings and conduct outreach with representatives of private and nonprofit organizations, State, tribal, and local governments and agencies, elected officials, and other interested persons to assist the Federal Interagency Working Group in its efforts.
(d) Functions. As part of its efforts, the Federal Interagency Working Group shall:
(i) request and review information from agencies describing their efforts to implement the Updated Strategy;
(ii) share and disseminate best practices to combat the HIV epidemic among agencies and other stakeholders;
(iii) integrate new HIV-related research results into the overall implementation of the Updated Strategy;
(iv) obtain input from community partners, scientific and technical experts, and stakeholders in State, tribal, and local governments to inform implementation of the Updated Strategy;
(v) increase government and public awareness of HIV-related issues;
(vi) specify how to better align and coordinate Federal efforts, both within and across agencies, to improve health outcomes for Americans at risk for or living with HIV; and
(vii) integrate the Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities into the implementation of the Updated Strategy.
(e) Reporting.
(i) Within 100 days of the date of this order, the Federal Interagency Working Group shall provide recommendations to the President on actions that agencies should take to implement the Updated Strategy through 2020.
(ii) The Director of ONAP shall include, as part of the Director's annual report to the President, a report prepared by the Federal Interagency Working Group concerning Government-wide progress in implementing the Updated Strategy.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
July 30, 2015.
Saturday, Aug. 1, Equality Florida, the NAACP, Florida A&M University Center for Health Equity, and the Black Treatment Advocates Networks Melbourne and Broward County, in partnership with NASTAD, AIDS United, NMAC, NBGMAC, and the Black AIDS Institute are convening a statewide conversation to engage local and national HIV experts and leaders in making recommendations to expand HIV testing, and improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care for Black gay, bisexual, and other Black men who have sex with men in the state of Florida.
The conversation will include presentations by a number of national and international HIV/AIDS experts including: Douglas M. Brooks, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy; A. Cornelius Baker, Acting Deputy Coordinator for Affected Populations and Civil Society Leadership, Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy; and Gregorio Millett, Vice President and Director, Public Policy at amfAR. The meeting will be facilitated by Black AIDS Institute President and CEO, Phill Wilson.
"Given the new opportunities and advancements around treatment including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Treatment as Prevention (TasP), the Black AIDS Institute is proud to support the efforts of local and national leaders in developing programming that responds to the needs of Black MSM in the state of Florida," said Wilson.
This very important meeting will be held at Pride Center Florida, 2040 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305 from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 1.
For more information visit: https://flmsm.eventbrite.com or www.blackaids.org]]>
The meeting on Thursday, July 23 brought together businesses who provide citizenship services to their employees with the White House, the Department of Labor and the Department of Education to discuss the importance of equipping immigrants with the opportunities, skills and training they need to succeed.
"Several of the businesses that have partnered with New American Workforce were able to speak at the White House about the tremendous work they are doing to assist and support their employees who are pursuing U.S. citizenship," said Jennie Murray, Director of Integration Programs at the National Immigration Forum. "They are truly leading the way in their respective industries in demonstrating that their companies thrive when their employees have the opportunities, skills and status to reach their fullest potential."
The San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association boasts 90 member properties, employing over 7,000 people. HMA Board President Mike Staples and Executive Director Namara Mercer were among those at the White House discussing the topic of immigrant integration.
"The San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association is proud to partner with the New American Workforce on helping our associates towards a path to citizenship," said Staples. "It was very beneficial to hear how other companies and organizations are integrating their workforce. This partnership creates an amazing benefit for our hotel employees."]]>
thursday, july 30
Ben Folds Live
Between a successful solo career as singer/songwriter and his star turns leading Ben Folds Five, the man himself has become an alternative pop/rock legend. Just as exciting as his live concerts has been his thoughtful engagement with evolving technology and online media. A classy, cutting edge night at the Summer Pops.
Embarcadero Marina Park South, 206 Marina Park Way in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets from $20, 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
friday, july 31
Amy tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy winner Amy Winehouse – in her own words. Featuring extensive unseen archive footage and previously unheard tracks, this strikingly modern, moving and vital film shines a light on the world we live in, in a way that very few can. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse was a musician that captured the world's attention. A pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense – she wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyze her own problems.
Hillcrest Cinemas, 3965 Fifth Ave. in the heart of the Uptown District, 1:20, 4:10, 7:10 and 10 p.m., tickets $9.50, $11.50 from 4:10 p.m., 619-298-2904, landmarktheatres.com
saturday, aug. 1
2015 Surf Dog Competition – Unleashed by Petco
Get stoked! It's time for the most adorable surf event of the year. At the 2015 Unleashed by Petco Surf Dog Competition, the most fearless dogs will jump on their boards, paddle out and hang 20! This event must be seen to be believed. Bring the whole family for a day of rad competitions, goodies and fun!
Imperial Beach Pier, 2 Elder Ave. in Imperial Beach, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 619-424-4000, unleashedby.petco.com/surfdog
sunday, aug. 2
Bill Maher
For the last eighteen years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. First on Politically Incorrect (Comedy Central, ABC, 1993-2002), and for the last seven years on HBO's Real Time, Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him twenty-one Emmy nominations. In October of 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher's uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, Religulous, directed by Larry Charles (Borat). The documentary has gone on to become the seventh highest grossing documentary ever.
Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8 p.m., tickets $80, 800-745-3000, humphreysconcerts.com
monday, aug. 3
Missy Andersen
Born in Detroit and living in San Diego by way of Queens, New York, Missy Andersen follows her self-titled debut with a timeless follow-up of blues going straight to the spirit and body. With her band leader/guitarist/husband Heine Andersen, she has again created a personal soundtrack for good times and the pain and joys of love.
Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, 7 p.m., $5 cover, 619-224-3577, humphreysbackstagelive.com
tuesday, aug. 4
Twilight in the Park
For 35 years, Twilight's live music under the stars has been delighting visitors. The music program ranges from military bands and Dixieland jazz, to big band swing and Latin salsa. Concerts run all the way through to Aug. 27. Tonight: Heliptrope – 1915 in the park. Special theme-oriented activities to help celebrate the Balboa Park Centennial start at 5:30 pm and will feature antique cars, barbershop quartet, dancing lessons and historical information.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, El Prado in Balboa Park, 5:30-7:15 p.m., free, 619-325-9541, twilightconcerts.net
wednesday, aug. 5
SummerFest Under the Stars
Come to the famous La Jolla Cove and join SummerFest Music Director Cho-Liang Lin for a free concert to kick off the festival. Bring your picnic and enjoy this wonderful, family-friendly SummerFest tradition featuring a stunning ocean backdrop!
Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Blvd. in La Jolla, 7 p.m., free, http://ljms.org/ai1ec_event/free-outdoor-concert-summerfest-stars-2015/]]>
The first Republican primary debate is next Thursday. The winners are already clear: Fox News and pollsters. With Fox News limiting the debate to the top ten candidates in an average of national surveys, every release of data will generate clicks for the network and the number crunchers. If Fox News is smart, they'll roll out the final participant list in a LeBron-esque "Decision" special with a Family Feud board. While we wait for the big reveal, it's worth looking at the Democratic primary field, which has quietly expanded to five candidates.
Hillary Clinton. Most pundits call the former secretary of state and senator from New York the "frontrunner" preceded by adjectives on a spectrum from current to dominant to prohibitive. She leads her closest competition by 40 points (Real Clear Politics Average) in national primary polls, and maintains smaller leads in Iowa and New Hampshire. Despite a run of negative coverage about her email server, she bests all Republican candidates (well, those of the 16 who she has been polled against) by at least four points.
Her only speed bump was a spate of Quinnipiac polls showing most major Republican candidates beating her in Iowa, Colorado and Virginia. On the upside, she can win without those swing states if she keeps the rest of President Obama's map and Florida or Ohio.
Bernie Sanders. Nature abhors a vacuum, so the Vermont senator stepped into the space to Clinton's left created when Sen. Elizabeth Warren refused to run. Few thought an Independent and proud socialist with hair crazier than Donald Trump would have much impact, but Sanders appears to have captured the hearts of the progressives. He has narrowed the gap against Clinton in both Iowa and New Hampshire and now also defeats many Republicans in general election match-ups.
Democratic liberals have fallen in love with someone in every recent election: Sen. Bill Bradley (2000), Gov. Howard Dean (2004), and Sen. Barack Obama (2008). What set President Obama apart was his ability to add other constituencies to his primary coalition, most notably African American Democrats. (Clinton was also out- maneuvered by Obama on delegate math, a problem she will no doubt fix.) Should Sanders win in largely white Iowa and New Hampshire, he still will still need to break Clinton's hold on Latinos, African Americans, women and labor. Threatening to leave his Netroots panel when confronted with #BlackLivesMatter activists didn't help.
Martin O'Malley. The former Baltimore mayor and Maryland governor was supposed to be the liberal alternative to Clinton. He stumbled out of the gate in 2014 when his lieutenant governor lost to a Republican in deep blue Maryland. Then the Freddie Gray case put the spotlight on law enforcement in Baltimore, reaching back to his time as mayor. To top it off, he may have handled Netroots worse than Sanders, telling activists that "white lives matter" and "all lives matter." Somewhere in his political career, he might have learned that making a technically accurate statement doesn't make up for missing the point.
Jim Webb. The former Virginia senator appears to be running to both sides of Clinton, to the extent that he is running at all. As a veteran and former Navy secretary, he is credibly to her left on avoiding military intervention, but somewhat incredibly to her, and the party's, right on social issues, as evidenced by his odd comments on the Confederate flag. It will be interesting to see how he handles the "Why do you want to be president?" question given that his disdain for politics led him to leave the Senate after one term.
Lincoln Chafee. Chafee held a Rhode Island Senate seat as a liberal Republican (1999-2007), lost re-election to Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, successfully ran for governor as an Independent (2010-2014), and became a Democrat (2013) but chose not to seek re-election. So Chafee is running for "his" party's presidential nomination in his first race as a Democrat. That would probably disqualify Chafee, except that Sanders is doing the same thing. Chafee's bigger problem is that the three preceding sentences may be all you know about him.]]>
This week I want to devote my column to an article written by David R. Henson about the MCC church in Augusta, Ga. that was hit by a hate crime following the SCOTUS ruling showing how there is so much work yet to be done.
The article first appeared at patheos.com and is reproduced with permission of the author.
Pastor Dan
Christian persecution in the United States is real.
It's just not what you think.
Christian persecution isn't about having to offer birth control to women.
It's not about having to serve wedding cakes to gay and lesbian couples.
Christian persecution isn't even having people call you out when you spout homophobic, sexist, or racist opinions, veiled blasphemously as biblical.
Real Christian persecution is having your church burned to the ground because black people worship there.
Real Christian persecution is having your church graffitied hatefully because gay and lesbian people can worship there.
Real Christian persecution in the United States terrorizes people — often Christians themselves. It calls to mind violence, done in the name of God, continuing in the name of God. And Christianity — particularly as it has been historically practiced by white, heterosexual people in the United States — has a very deep, very long history of perpetrating this kind of violence.
The latest victim of such persecution is the Church of Our Redeemer, a Metropolitan Community Church in Augusta, Georgia (MCCOR). It's an open and affirming church in the midst of a deeply homophobic culture that birthed the Southern Baptist Convention. The church is a beacon for LGBTQ equality, a home and safe haven for many in the town.
But a neighbor Tuesday morning called the church's senior pastor, the Rev. Rick Sosbe, after noticing a vandal had sought to extinguish the church's light for equality. Someone had spray-painted "Leviticus 18:22″ on doors of the church along with the words "burn" and "lie."
As someone who until recently ministered in the Augusta area, who has walked its downtown streets in solidarity during Pride, and who has known some of this church's ministers and members, I was both shocked and angry when news of a hate crime hit so close to home.
And just an hour away, the KKK, a self-professed Christian organization, is protesting the Confederate battle flag being removed from the South Carolina capitol in the most vile and hateful of ways.
Certainly, these two shouldn't be simply equated with each other, but at their core, both are motivated by hate and by violence toward difference. Hate, it seems, has become a "Christian" value for some.
How in God's name has Jesus been fashioned into an idol for bigots?
Need we be reminded that almost half of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community are professing Christians? Need we be reminded that the vast majority of Black Americans are Christians?
Need we be reminded – yet again – that in the United States, it has almost always been Christians terrorizing Christians?
White Christians terrorizing Black Christians for 400 years.
Heterosexual Christians terrorizing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians for decades and longer.
And those categories aren't mutually exclusive mind you. But I put these examples together because it bears remembering that hate crimes in this country have tended to be committed overwhelmingly by Christians, frequently against Christians.
It's terribly ironic. Christians like Franklin Graham fret and worry about attacks on the Christian faith from Muslims or other vague bogeymen who aren't white, who aren't Christians, or who aren't heterosexual. But the real attack on Christianity is coming from Christians.
But as tempting as it is to focus just on this evil and hateful crime in Augusta, at the unknown criminals who attempted to darken the light of love and equality that MCCOR represents, that's not the whole story. The MCCOR community is continuing to shine its light in Augusta. Church and community members — even a few passersby — have rallied together to repair the damage, to clean and re-paint. There has been shared joy in the joining together to literally erase the hate, according to folks there.
As always, the whole story can be so much bigger and more generous than an act of hate. And we can be a small part of that. In many ways, MCCOR is a beacon — and a fairly isolated one at that — in Augusta for ministry to and among LGBTQ people. And you can let them know they are not alone. Send their church a message or prayer of encouragement, a message of God's love. Pour out on them the gift they have poured out in Augusta, the gift of welcome, of acceptance, and of unconditional love.
Make a donation to MCCOR here at their Go Fund Me site: http://www.mccoor.com/giving/donate-online/ or send checks and loving messages directly to 557 Greene Street Augusta, Georgia 30901-1459.]]>
"To create technology that empowers the world, we need to reflect the diversity of the world," Microsoft said in a statement. "Supporting diversity, inclusiveness and equal treatment is not just good for business, it is also the right thing to do. That's why we support the protections for LGBT Americans as outlined in The Equality Act."
Microsoft joins a number of leading American corporations, including American Airlines, Facebook, Nike, General Mills, Google, Apple, The Dow Chemical Company, and Levi Strauss & Co, in support of federal LGBT non-discrimination protections.]]>
The Office of Youth Advocacy was created in spring 2015 to ensure that student voice, advocacy, and equity are interwoven into all aspects of the district's work. Major foci of the work includes cultural proficiency; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) training and supports; restorative practices; ethnic studies; civic collaboration, and substance use prevention.
"Public education has, for decades, tackled some tough issues around equity and around ensuring pathways of success for all students – LGTBQ students, students of color, and those with socio-economic challenges, language barriers or disabilities," said Superintendent Cindy Marten. "We're making a promise to students to deliver on equity and it's not just our words but our actions that will deliver on this promise.
"Right now, we are expanding the reach of the Office of Youth Advocacy to address these tough issues, and to lead a complex, coordinated and essential effort with extensive stakeholder engagement along the way," Marten noted. "We have been working long and hard with our Safe Schools Task Force and with a number of community partners to outline needs and solutions. We are now ready to expand our implementation of these important and agreed-upon solutions in a systemic, coherent, systematic, focused effort. We will continue to work with our community agencies and partners in supporting our long-term plans."
Highlights of the strategic plan include significant changes in 2015-16 for addressing issues that matter most for our LGTBQ youth:
- Revisions to the district's anti-bullying awareness policy to include a training protocol for all employees, and development of an electronic tool to allow for anonymous reporting of bullying
- Launch of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education (GLSEN) School Climate Survey at all secondary schools to provide benchmark data for current students, and to be implemented annually thereafter
- Training for all district employees around LGTBQ issues to build understanding around and compliance with Seth's Law, the FAIR Education Act, and the School Success and Opportunity Act, and to assist with providing resources to students, along with ongoing training coordinated with campus Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) student clubs and the National Equity Project (NEP) as part of the district's instructional learning cycles
- Participation in an "OUT for Safe Schools" initiative to address needs of students to easily identify district and school staff who are committed to providing a supportive resource for LGTBQ students
"We are absolutely committed to providing safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments for all students," said Board President Marne Foster.
Board Trustee Kevin Beiser added "I am thrilled and look forward to action plans being implemented for mandatory LGTBQ training for all staff and some of these dramatic things we are doing to support LGTBQ students, including our commitment to having a dedicated staff member focusing on LGTBQ students and improved bullying reporting procedures."
The Office of Youth Advocacy provides representation in Instructional Cabinet, the San Diego UNIFIED Through Diversity Committee, the Blueprint Task Force, the Latino Advisory Committee, the Safe Schools Advisory Committee, Restorative Justice collaborative meetings, Pathways Re-Engagement team meetings, the Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee, and the San Diego High School Substance Use Intervention Task Force.
The Office of Youth Advocacy presentation to the Board is available at http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9YPVB37FE308.]]>
Today, YouTube content creator Raymond Braun shared his latest video featuring Sergeant Shane Ortega, the first trans man to serve in the U.S. military. Raymond talks with Sergeant Ortega about his military career, some common misconceptions about the trans community and how to be a trans ally.
Watch above as Sergeant Ortega talks with Raymond about his personal journey.]]>
The competition is seeking to create new tools that allow measurement of tourist behavior, such as where they go, what they do and how much they spend. The competition is also looking for innovative mechanisms for collecting and analyzing data, such as crowd sourcing and data mining of social networks.
The winning entry will receive 10,000€ ($11,000) cash or an 18,000€ ($20,000) scholarship for the Lisbon MBA. Two runners-up will receive 2,000€ ($2,200) cash. All three will be invited to present their ideas at a conference in Lisbon in September.
"LGBT tourists are a hugely important part of the $1.5 trillion tourist economy, spending over $200 billion annually" said Carlos Kytka, GETA's executive director. "If we are going to enhance their experience and improve the facilities and services offered to them we need to have good data so that companies and destinations can make evidence-based improvements".
The competition is part of GETA's "Promoting Innovation in LGBT Tourism" program which has already seen initiatives such as the launch of Europe's first LGBT language school holidays and partnering with the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office to provide official safety guidance to LGBT travellers.
Anyone wanting to enter the competition can find details at www.thelisbonmba.com/news/tourism-innovation-competition
Closing date for entry is Aug. 31.]]>
Consecutive terms were handed down July 24 to John Raymond Kinloch, 43, by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Ana Espana who ordered him to pay $8,075 to the crime victim's compensation fund.
He was given credit for 1,107 days spent in jail since his 2012 arrest, and fined $12,764. A jury convicted him June 3 of 33 counts of molestation that included 18 counts of molesting a former student. He was also convicted of possession of child pornography on his computer in his San Ysidro home, but acquitted of molesting a fifth boy.
The probation report said Kinloch was gay and that his first sexual experience was with the teenage victim in the case. The victim is now an adult and testified against him.
The victim's mother said she met Kinloch at a parent/teacher conference and became friends. She said she was a single mother and Kinloch "became a dad figure for my son."
"Looking at it now, it was a lie for his selfish needs and wants," said the mother. "A devil was allowed in a candy store. I pray that justice will be served."
Deputy District Attorney Harrison Kennedy said there was "a lack of remorse" and a violation of trust and manipulation to "naïve teens" online. He sought a 405-year sentence.
Kinloch last worked at Wolf Canyon Elementary School in Chula Vista as a first grade teacher before he was arrested Nov. 30, 2012. Before then, he worked at Feaster Charter School, which used to be called Feaster Elementary School, also in Chula Vista. The former Feaster student was a teenager when he was molested in 2004.
Kinloch posed as a girl online and had online chats with teenage boys. Kinloch persuaded three boys to pose naked on a webcam and perform a sex act, but they never met him.
His attorney, Kerry Armstrong, said his client will definitely appeal the verdicts involving the online activities because he never met them or touched them. Armstrong said the youths didn't know they were victims until law enforcement told them they were chatting with an adult man.
"We'll see what the 4th District Court of Appeals thinks. We didn't think there were valid charges," said Armstrong afterwards. "I don't think it's a child molest when you meet someone online."
Armstrong asked for a sentence of 18 years and 10 months, saying his client admitted to molesting the former student to authorities. "Mr. Kinloch is very remorseful," said his attorney.
Kennedy described Kinloch as "a pervasive predator of children" and said "justice was served" with the 125-year sentence. "John Kinloch will not be on the street anymore," he added.
In a statement afterwards, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said "sexual predators who target our children are some of the worst criminals on the street."
Kinloch was dressed in blue jail clothing and did not say anything at his sentencing. He also didn't testify at his trial which began May 20.
Kinloch passed a background check before he was hired in 1999 by the school district. However, Kinloch's name came up in a 1998 court case in England when he testified against an acquaintance accused of trafficking in child pornography on the Internet. Kinloch was granted immunity for his testimony and he was not a teacher at the time. Because he was a witness, his name did not surface in a background check.
Too much stuff leads to frustration. Frustration leads to cleaning. Cleaning leads to finding (more) stuff you forgot you had… like the bookstore gift certificate you got seven months ago.
Uh oh.
So now what? You've read all the Buzz Books – so what get with that new-found gift certificate treasure? Read on for some great ideas….
Could you survive in the wilderness? That's a question that's asked of a college sophomore after a plane crash in "Girl, Underwater" by Claire Kells. Life is good for nineteen-year-old Avery Delacorte but on her way home from school, the plane she's on crashes and she's one of a handful of survivors. So is an irritating fellow member of her swim team… Pair it up with "Stella Rose" by Tammy Flanders Hetrick, a book about a woman who tries to raise a teenager after the girl's mother has died. She barely knows the girl… but how much did she really know about the teen's mother?
If you're still in need of a beach read, look for "Soil" by Jamie Kornegay, the story of a scientist who tries to live off the grid and instead dies. When his corpse shows up on a farm, well, read the book and find out… When you're done with it, try "Aquarium" by David Vann, the story of how a friendship between a lonely little girl and an old man who meet because of their love for the fish at a local aquarium. Hint: what happens is not anything that's good….
Oh, how I love a good old-fashioned western. If you do, too, then look for "Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral" by Mary Doria Russell. It's the story of that one day in Tombstone, and its aftermath. Well-researched, it reads like a novel but feels like a history book.
The news has been filled all year long with extreme weather stories but "What Stands in a Storm" by Kim Cross tells the story of one for the record books. It was April 27, four years ago, when Alabama was hit. And hit. And hit. This isn't a book for the faint of heart, but weather fans will want to read it. You'll also want to read "The Mercy of the Sky" by Holly Bailey, the story of the tiny town of Moore, Oklahoma, and the tornado that ripped through it just over two years ago.
Summertime is a great time to read, but if you feel as though you can't find even a few minutes for a book, then peek at these. First: "100 Things You Will Never Find" by Daniel Smith is a book about lost treasure, lost cities, and lost artifacts. Start it, and you'll lose track of time. Also look for "Knowledge is Beautiful" by David McCandless, a fun book of graphs and facts on pages made perfect for browsing. Then, find "Lonely Planet's Instant Expert" by Nigel Holmes, and learn to do tricks and gain skills to wow neighbors, kids, and your friends. Round off your reading with "Between You and Me" by Mary Norris, a book about words, language, and punctuation (or irritating lack thereof).
So you love music. You take it with you wherever you go, so why not read "Beale Street Dynasty" by Preston Lauterbach, a story of Memphis, a rich man who got his money in a surprising way, and the people he influenced who, in turn, changed the nation.
With so many rumors circulating about religion, what's the truth? In "The Handy Islam Answer Book" by John Rendard, PhD, you'll find the answers to the things you wonder: history, legal matters, and basic beliefs, all at your fingertips. Also in this series, "The Handy Nutrition Answer Book" by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E. Svarney will answer your "What should I eat?" conundrums.
If a move is in your plans at all in the future, then "RightSize… Right Now!" by Regina Leeds is exactly what you need. In 8 weeks, says Leeds, you can de-clutter, pack, and move in an organized fashion without stress – and that goes for any relocation, from home to home or cubicle to corner office.
If you're spending the summer single and hating it, then look for "Getting Back Out There" by Susan J. Elliott. This is a book about love, but it's different: this one helps you do the homework first, so you're truly ready to dip your toes into the dating pool again. Then, you'll get help making sure true love lasts. And, just in case (because you might need it eventually), look for "Five-Minute Relationship Repair" by Susan Campbell, PhD and John Grey, PhD – because that little lover's spat should lead to a lover's chat. Oh, and try this one, too: "30 Lessons for Loving" by Karl Pillemer, PhD. It's a book filled with advice from folks who've been happily married for years and years and years.
Here's a book that every citizen may want to read: "400 Things Cops Know" by Adam Plantinga. It's a book filled with stories, advice, and anecdotes told by a veteran patrolman who isn't afraid to lay it on the line, but who also entertains while he informs. There's useful advice here, things you didn't know, and things you'll be glad you know now. See if you don't like reading "The Handy Military History Answer Book" by Samuel Willard Crompton afterward. It's a book that will fill in the blanks for anything you don't already know about our armed forces and that of other countries.
Anyone who's binge-watched Amish Mafia this year will want to read "Renegade Amish" by Donald B. Kraybill. This book – part true crime, part peek into Amish culture – is also perfect for fans of the legal process. Another true crime book you might want to try is "Death by Cannibal" by Peter Davidson. Just don't take it to the lunchroom with you.
So you've read a book that everybody's raved over… and now you want to know the truth from another angle. In "The Wild Truth," author Carine McCandless picks up where Jon Krakauer left off in the story of one young man in the Alaska wilderness. McCandless is the subject's sister. And there's your truth.
How does your garden grow? There's no contrariness to "The Triumph of Seeds" by Thor Hanson, a book about how the lowly seed moved into just about every corner or our lives and changed the world.
So you have a cool new cabin to vacation in this year. But did you ever wonder about the quirks of your new abode? In "Atoms Under the Floorboards: the Surprising Science Hidden in Your Home" by Chris Woodford, you'll learn things like why you can't see light, how going underground in the winter is a good thing, and why a bicycle is such a lovely piece of machinery.
Speaking of your home, shouldn't it be a sanctuary? Of course it should, which is why you need "Elements of Style: Designing a Home & A Life" by Erin Gates. This beautifully illustrated book will help you create a gorgeous home, with advice on color, furniture, linens, walls, flooring, and accessories. Think: SPA and then pair it up with "At Home with Madame Chic" by Jennifer L. Scott, a book about living well, stylishly.
Want to learn something new and interesting this summer while keeping your brain flexible? Grab "Numericon: A Journey Through the Hidden Lives of Numbers" by Marianne Freiberger & Rachel Thomas. This lively trivia-type book is perfect for people who love to play with numbers and those who want to know more about how they work. Yes, there's math in here. Are you surprised? And if you need another book to challenge your brain with math, look for "Finding Zero" by Amir D. Aczel, who is a mathematician. Will you like it? If you're into numbers, you can count on that.
For the person who wonders what's Out There, "Secret History: Conspiracies from Ancient Aliens to the New World Order" by Nick Redfern offers plenty of food for thought. Who really killed Martin Luther King, Jr.? Who – or what – is mutilating cattle, right in the middle of fields? These and other keep-you-up-at-night things can be found here…
If you're reading this guide, then you're undoubtedly a fan of the printed page. In "BiblioTECH" by John Palfrey, you'll learn why, in this age of information-any-time, we must work hard to preserve our libraries.
Has your child spent most of the summer inside with a game of some sort? Then you both need "How to Raise a Wild Child" by Scott D. Sampson. This book will teach you and your child how to explore nature, the outdoors, wildlife, plant life, and more, and how you'll learn to crave it. Pair it up with binoculars and a magnifying glass…
You may remember the big things you learned in History Class, but what about the behind-the-curtain things that few knew? In "A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History" by Tim Grove, you'll learn a few. What's the deal, for instance, about the cotton gin? How did a mule figure into American history? Read on and learn. Pair it up with "The Handy American History Answer Book" by David L. Hudson, Jr., JD, a Q&A book that puts to rest all those things that make you say, "Hmmmmm…."
If you're a Civil War buff, you can probably rattle off all kinds of dates and battles – but what about the behind-the-scenes people who had a hand in the War? Learn about them in "Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy" by Karen Abbott. This book tells the story of four women who went undercover on behalf of the Blue or the Grey: what they gave up to do it, and what happened when they did. And speaking of influential women and the American spotlight, "Whatever You Choose to Be" by Ann Romney might be a great book for you to find. It's quick – it doesn't have many pages, but it does have plenty of advice.
History doesn't have to be dry. Case in point: "Playboy on Stage" by Patty Farmer with Barbara Van Orden, contributions by Will Friedwald. This is a history of the Playboy clubs, from start to the closing of the very last one, not 30 years ago. In between, you'll read about the people who performed for customers, and memories of those who worked there.
There's an election coming up, just in case you hadn't noticed, and "The Fat Boy with the Bomb and 200 More of the World's Craziest Politicians" by Brian O'Connell, pictures by Norm Chung will make you want to laugh it off. Best part: it's not just our politicians that get skewered; the whole world gets equal opportunity! For another look at politics, the White House, and the presidency, from the POV of someone who was there, look for "And the Good News Is…" by former presidential press secretary, current Fox News contributor, and host of The Five, Dana Perino.
If you're a fan of old-time Hollywood, then you'll love "Hope" by Richard Zoglin, a huge and sweeping account of the life of comedian Bob Hope. Are there secrets in here? Was the Road to Zanzibar a long one? Pair it up with "In the Company of Legends" by Joan Kramer and David Heeley, a compilation of profiles featuring some of the screens biggest stars of yesterday. Bonus: PICTURES!
Admit it: there's always been a part of you that's wanted to run away and join the circus. Katie Hickman did, and in "Travels with a Mexican Circus," she explains how she ended up traveling with and performing beneath the Big Top in a most unlikely place.
Basketball fans, it won't be long before your season returns. In the meantime, look for "Not a Game: The Incredible Rise and Unthinkable Fall of Allen Iverson" by Kent Babb. It's an all-around look at a player – his childhood, his past, his rise and fall – that fans seem to either love or hate, but I think you'll love this book.
What's in your noggin? A pretty remarkable organ, that's what, and in "The Brain's Way of Healing" by Norman Doidge, M.D., you'll read about the exciting aspects that science is learning about the gray matter between your ears. Match it up with "Creatures of a Day and Other Tales of Psychotherapy" by Irvin D. Yalom, a collection of case studies on living and dying.
So you can "feel it in your gut." That takes guts, and in "Follow Your Gut" by Rob Knight with Brendan Buhler, you'll see how right you are when you utter those words. This TED talk in book form will prove how what's behind our belly buttons is also behind our allergies, obesity, and more.
What's it like to live with Asperger's Syndrome? In "Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate" by Cynthia Kim, you'll get a good look. Kim is a writer who also runs her own publishing company; here, she offers advice, comfort, and personal stories, making this a book for those who have ASD and for those who love them.
Spiders, snakes, being alone, loss. If you've got fears (and who doesn't?) and you can see at least some humor in them, then "Why Am I Scared of Everything?" by Bethany Straker is the book for you. Using a fictional character and lots of illustrations, this book pokes gentle fun at the things that frighten us, and it offers sage advice that might help you forget your fears – or, at least make you laugh a little. Pair it up with something serious: "The Evil Hours" by David J. Morris, a war correspondent and former Marine who tells what it's like to live with PTSD.
Here's something to make you smile: "The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness" by Amit Sood, M.D. How can you be happier in four easy steps? Step one: find this book. Step two: read. Then pair it up with "A Fearless Heart" by Thupten Jimpa, PhD, a book about being compassionate and how, by helping others, you can help yourself.
You might not want to think about it when the sun's shining and the birds are singing, but "The Conversation" by Angelo E. Volandes, M.D. is a book to help you plan the end of your life, how you want to be cared for, and what you don't want. With this book, you can start one of those difficult talks that nobody wants to have but everybody should.
Younger readers may want to ask: what was it like in the beginning of the AIDS epidemic? "Visions and Revisions" by Dale Peck will show you. From the POV of an activist, this book is also somewhat of an autobiography and yes, a rant.
Caitlyn Jenner did it. Laverne Cox did it. If this is your year to do it, then you'll want "Transgender Persons and the Law, Second Edition" by Ally Windsor Howell, LL.M. This hot-off-the-presses book will help put your mind at ease when it comes to nagging questions on employment, health care, personal safety, and more. Nice touch: websites you can visit to learn more.
Students of LGBT history will definitely want to find "Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings of Bayard Rustin," edited by Devon W. Carbado and Donald Weise, foreword by Barack Obama, afterword by Barney Frank. Back in 1963, in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, Rustin was an openly gay man with strong political ties and influence, and was an organizer of the March on Washington. This powerful collection underscores his legacy through some fifty years of his life.
Here's a philosophical question for your summertime: what would you do to keep your sibling alive? In "The Bone Bridge" by Yarrott Benz, the author finds out, as a young teen, that he has a blood disease that can kill him. His brother is match for transfusions – but his brother is also homophobic and the author is gay. WWYD (What Would You Do)?
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, "Under This Beautiful Dome" by Terry Mutchler is particularly moving. It's the story of two women – a journalist and an Illinois State Senator and their relationship. It was a secret, at first, and they worried about discovery (which could ruin careers). Then, when one of them becomes very ill, they worried about how she could be supported by the woman she loved.
Everybody thinks that Stonewall started the gay rights movement, but in "Barbara Gittings: Gay Pioneer," author Tracy Baim shows that the woman who's been called the Mother of the Gay Rights Movement was working on LGBT rights many years before (and after!) Stonewall. This book, loaded with photographs, is a well-done celebration of an activist, friend, and woman with a vision of the way things could be.
Everybody knows that new customers are hard to get these days… so why not ensure that the ones you have, you keep, in a way that's convenient for everyone? In "The Automatic Customer" by John Warrillow, learn how to join the subscription economy. Think: Birchbark. Think: Barkbox. Think about it, then read "Mindsharing: The Art of Crowdsourcing Everything" by Lior Zoref and let social media do your marketing and decision-making.
So there's a wedding in your future – or maybe you've just started a new relationship – and you sometimes wonder about nagging issues of harmony (or lack thereof). In "The Couple's Guide to Financial Compatibility" by Jeff Motske, CFP, you'll learn how to avoid trouble in one major category of getting along. Surprisingly, though, money isn't the only thing this book tackles. Check it out and you'll see…
The rules of business seem to change, and management is no different. In "Widgets" by Rodd Wagner, you'll learn a new method of managing employees with empathy in mind. Also look for "Changing the Conversation" by Dana Caspersen, a quick-bites kind of book that will make conflict resolution a breeze.
If you've committed yourself to strengthening your leadership skills this year, take a look at "Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work" by Tracy Brower. This book will teach you how to help your employees to make the most of time, both at work and at home – thereby bringing success to you both. Pair it up with "Chief Customer Officer 2.0" by Jeanne Bliss, a book about making your business as customer-driven as possible, and how it will help your company grow.
Dog owners know what it's like to have that One Dog – and we're always happy to read about that of others, so "Good Dog", an anthology of takes from David DiBenedetto and the Editors of Garden & Gun is one to try. This is a compilation of tales (or is that tails?) from authors you know and authors you don't. Add to that "The Rescue at Dead Dog Beach" by Stephen McGarva, a book about a man who was on vacation and made a startling discovery that changed his life. Bring tissues, that's all I'm saying. Oh, and don't forget "Sleeps with Dogs" by Lindsey Grant, who is a pet sitter. This is a fun book because it's about dogs… but not just dogs. Grant dishes about owners, too, and how great is that?
Here's a book to keep by your bedside: "Horses" by Bob Langrish and Nicola Jane Swinney. It's a gorgeously-illustrated book filled with dozens and dozens and dozens of portraits of different breeds of equines, plus enough information to whet your appetite. If you have a horse, you can't be without this book. Come to think about it, you can't be without this book if you don't have a horse…
If you've promised yourself a new hobby this year, look for "Peterson Reference Guide to Birding by Impression" by Kevin T. Karlson & Dale Rosselet. This is a new way to birdwatch, with an emphasis on more than just habitat and pretty feathers. Pair it with "Fastest Things on Wings" by Terry Masear, who is a hummingbird rehabilitator.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS – small kids
For the child who's already become a bit of a Royal Watcher, "Mr. Chicken Lands on London" by Leigh Hobbs will be a big hit. In this story, Mr. Chicken (who looks a little mean, fangs and all) is eager to start his vacation in Great Britain. Your kids will love the story the first time, but be sure to pay attention to the illustrations!
CHILDREN'S BOOKS – middle-graders
For the child who loves reading about history, "Why Would a Dog Need a Parachute?"
by Jo Foster is a Q-and-A-type book about World War II. Your child will learn about different kinds of shelters, how evacuees lived, and how some of them became spies. Add to it "Dr. Dino: How Fast Can You Fart?" from Dr. Dino's Learnatorium – a book filled with fun facts on the human body – and your child will be a smartypants by time school starts.
For the kid who loves to draw or paint, "Cool Art" by Simon Armstrong would be a great before-you-go-back-to-school gift. Including, but going beyond, the masters, this book explains painting, color, technique, painter bios, and more. Pair this book up with a nice package of colored pencils and a drawing tablet. Here's another choice for the creative kid: "Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular" by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith. It's part mystery, part novel, part movies, and it includes special effects projects for your science-loving kid.
For the wordsmith in the family, "The Weird World of Words" by Mitchell Symons is pure delight. Symons has authored lots of trivia-type books and this latest one deals with language and the quirks it contains. The best word to describe it? "Mine."
For the young dog lover, "Ellie's Story" by W. Bruce Campbell will be a welcome treat for the summer. It's about a dog who was born to rescue people. She's highly trained but she needs to do more. For readers ages 12 to adult: perfect.
Leadership + golf. Is it possible? In "Art of the Deal: Golf – Access to Success" by Washington D.C.'s own Rose Harper will show you how you can use your golfing skills to enhance your career. Bonus: there's plenty of biography in this book, to make it interesting.
Some days, you have it… and some days, you wish you did. That's the time when you need "Grown-Up ABCs Momma Taught Me" by Houston's Flo McAfee. This quick-to-read book is filled with light boosts to help turn your day around. Pair it up with "i-Comfortable Victim" by Texas' own Victoria E. Broussard, Esq., a novel of success that's tainted by one woman's deep, dark, and long-buried secret.
So you've been watching your calories this summer, but you might need a little help. Find it in a novel: "Fit Happens" by Louisiana's own Sonia Marie Trimble. This book is about how one woman finds it within herself to shed the pounds, work the muscles, and find the life she deserves.
If you've been struggling all summer with business woes, look at "Light a Fire Under Your Business" by California firefighters Tom Pandola and James W. Bird. This guidebook on using leadership to inspire your employees will teach you to create the kind of corporation atmosphere that will grow your business and help everyone to reach for their best.
Don't spend one more month of this year alone. In "Please God Send Me a Husband" by Miami's own Monique Rainford-Bourne, M.D., you'll learn, through lessons and anecdotes, how to stop looking for the wrong man and find Mr. Right… and you'll do it with God's help and guidance. Bonus: this book is purse-sized, and perfect for reading anywhere.
For the child who loves history – especially early American history – then look for "The Legend of Jocko: Child Hero of the American Revolution" by Miami's Waymon Eugene LeFall. It's the story of a little "Negro" boy who lived in the years before this country was a country. When his father volunteered for General Washington's army, the boy snuck away and joined them, too – and gave his life for the cause. Kids ages 5-to-11 will love it.
Now the literary housekeeping: titles change. Books go out of print. Things happen, and if you can't find what you're looking for, ask the nice lady or gentleman at the bookstore for their recommendations and expertise… because they really ARE the experts.
And there you are: a whole bunch of ideas for you to look for, add to your I-want-to-read-this list, or to find at your bookstore or library.
Happy Reading!]]>
STATEMENT BY AMERICAN AIRLINES – "We at American Airlines are proud of our long history of supporting LGBT equality. Now is the time for full equality for the LGBT community in the United States. Ensuring fairness in our workplaces and communities is both the right thing to do and simply good business."
STATEMENT BY FACEBOOK – "We are open and vocal supporters of equality. Ensuring fairness in the workplace is a fundamental principle at Facebook and we support legal protections for LGBT Americans as outlined in the Equality Act."
STATEMENT BY GENERAL MILLS – "At General Mills we have a long history of supporting LGBT equality and the time has come in this country for full, federal equality for the LGBT community. Ensuring fairness in our workplaces and communities is both the right thing to do and simply good business."
STATEMENT BY GOOGLE – Diverse perspectives, ideas, and cultures lead to the creation of better products and services and ideas. And it's the right thing to do. That's why we support protections for LGBT individuals as outlined in the Equality Act."
STATEMENT BY NIKE – "At NIKE, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, and we strive to treat our employees equally. We believe that diversity drives innovation and allows us to attract and retain world class talent. We need fair and equitable laws that prevent discrimination, and NIKE supports the Equality Act introduced by Senator Merkley and his colleagues in Congress. This is another important step in the fight for equality."
All eight of these major companies scored a perfect 100 on HRC's annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a nationally recognized benchmark of LGBT inclusion in the workplace, and were recognized on HRC's list of Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality in 2015.
"The American business community is once again demonstrating what it has long understood — that inclusion gives rise to innovation and productivity, and discrimination has no place in the workplace," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "We are tremendously grateful to these corporate leaders for their support of the Equality Act and the basic principle that all Americans should be able to live their lives free of discrimination. These companies agree — equality is good for business and the time for full federal equality is now."
Earlier this year, over 120 prominent leaders in the tech industry called on "legislatures to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes to their civil rights laws and to explicitly forbid discrimination or denial of services to anyone."
On Wednesday, Ted Olson and David Boies, the bipartisan legal team that represented the plaintiffs in the Hollingsworth v. Perry case that challenged California's Proposition 8 and was ultimately heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, came out in support of a comprehensive federal LGBT non-discrimination law.
The results of a new Democracy Corps survey from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research released Wednesday indicates that support for non-discrimination legislation unites the country. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of likely Republican voters support protecting LGBT people from workplace discrimination, as do 90 percent of Democrats. Similarly, this legislation draws impressive majorities of support among college (84 percent) and non-college voters (73 percent), younger (85 percent) and older voters (75 percent), as well as observant Christians (70 percent).
In March, polling conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) revealed that nearly two-thirds of LGBT Americans (63 percent) have faced discrimination in their lives, with LGBT people reporting workplace discrimination as the most frequently experienced form of discrimination.]]>
Today, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) ratified a resolution that removed the national restriction on openly gay adult leaders and employees. Of those present and voting, 79 percent voted in favor of the resolution. The resolution was recommended for ratification by the Executive Committee earlier this month. The resolution is effective immediately.
The new policy, which bars discrimination based on the sexual orientation of organization employees, still allows church-organized local units to consider an individual's sexual orientation when deciding who can volunteer and lead Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews.
According to a release issued by the BSA today: "Chartered organizations will continue to select their adult leaders and religious chartered organizations may continue to use religious beliefs as criteria for selecting adult leaders, including matters of sexuality. This change allows Scouting's members and parents to select local units, chartered to organizations with similar beliefs, that best meet the needs of their families. This change also respects the right of religious chartered organizations to choose adult volunteer leaders whose beliefs are consistent with their own.
"Moving forward, we will continue to focus on reaching and serving youth, helping them grow into good, strong citizens. By focusing on the goals that unite us, we are able to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve."
Watch National BSA President Dr. Robert M. Gates speaking on the policy change in the video above.
HRC President Chad Griffin issued the following statement on the BSA announcement, "Today's vote by the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay, lesbian and bisexual adults to work and volunteer is a welcome step toward erasing a stain on this important organization. But including an exemption for troops sponsored by religious organizations undermines and diminishes the historic nature of today's decision. Discrimination should have no place in the Boy Scouts, period.
"BSA officials should now demonstrate true leadership and begin the process of considering a full national policy of inclusion that does not allow discrimination against anyone because of who they are."
Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the Boy Scouts of America change in policy, "Today is another step forward for equality, with the Boy Scouts of America finally joining other youth organizations in ending its ban on gay leaders and volunteers. I am hopeful we will see even more progress from the Boy Scouts going forward. Because the lifting of the ban still allows some chapters to refuse gay leaders and volunteers, however, I'm sure we can expect some pockets of opposition to remain, much like we've seen with some county clerks refusing to issue marriage licenses. Given the 'sea change' the Boy Scouts noted in the decision to lift the ban, I believe that opposition will find themselves on the wrong side of history."]]>
"This is history. This is an experience that happened," said teacher Lyndsey Schlax. "How can we not teach history? That's what we do."
Out reported that Schlax is hard at work creating a lesson plan for the class. The curriculum will cover seminal moments in LGBT history such as the Stonewall riots, the AIDS crisis and the ongoing fight for marriage equality. Schlax will also look at the effect LGBT people have had on historical events, as well as the way they are portrayed in pop culture.
"Or, how did World War II help create the gay enclave in San Francisco?" Schlax said. "It has to do with how the war ended — people ending up in San Francisco after. People finding each other. People not necessarily wanting to return."]]>
Around the world, doctors, medical researchers, and other professionals dedicated to health care and public health are working hard every day to combat disease and build healthier communities. Their efforts have led to improved sanitation, cleaner water, better access to care, and improvements in how we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Today, on World Hepatitis Day, we join in these efforts to improve lives here at home and abroad by raising awareness of a silent epidemic and reaffirming our commitment to combat it.
Nearly 400 million people worldwide are living with viral hepatitis, and more than 1 million people die each year from this disease. Yet because hepatitis often persists silently for years before revealing any symptoms, many — including about two-thirds of the Americans who live with it — are unaware of their infection status, which can lead to long-term liver damage and death.
Prevention and early detection are essential to saving lives. Safe and effective vaccines for hepatitis A and B are widely available, and simple blood tests for hepatitis B and C can lead to early detection and life-saving care and treatment, including the cure of the infection. I encourage all Americans to ask their health care provider about hepatitis, and to learn more by visiting www.CDC.gov/Hepatitis.
As President, I am committed to advancing the fight against viral hepatitis infections. The Affordable Care Act has increased access to quality, affordable health care for millions of Americans — creating more opportunities for early detection of viral hepatitis — and it requires most insurance plans to cover recommended preventive services without copays, including hepatitis A and B vaccines and hepatitis B and C screenings. New protections under the law also eliminate annual and lifetime dollar limits on coverage and prohibit insurers from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions, including hepatitis.
Guided by our Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, my Administration is working with government, private, and non-profit organizations to ensure that new cases of viral hepatitis are prevented. We also remain invested in addressing related health issues such as liver cancer, HIV infection, and substance use disorders, and the disproportionate impact viral hepatitis infections have on African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives, as well as our Nation's young people.
Today, we renew our commitment to those impacted by hepatitis and to all those we have lost to this disease. Let us resolve to break the silence surrounding hepatitis, and redouble our efforts to defeat it in all its forms.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 28, 2015, as World Hepatitis Day. I encourage citizens, Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and communities across the Nation to join in activities that will increase awareness about hepatitis and what we can do to prevent it.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
Get More:
Logo Documentary Films, Logo TV
The documentary Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine premieres tonight on Logo as part of their new documentary film series focusing on untold LGBT stories. The documentary follows director Michele Josue, a close friend of Matt Shepard's, as she travels to important locations in his life and interviews other friends and family members including his parents Judy and Dennis who founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Watch the trailer above and tune in to Logo tonight at 9 for Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine.]]>
Same-sex families can now fully realize the long delayed promise of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" for all Americans contained in the Declaration of Independence. Five Supreme Court Justices found the U.S. Constitution afforded same-sex couples the dignity marriage bestows on them and their families.
Newspaper headlines across the country and the globe likewise hailed the dignity of the Supreme Court decision in recognizing same-sex families with all the rights and responsibilities of other families. Now families will be families with dignity and without regard to sexuality.
In one sense, the sexuality war is over; in another sense, it has just begun. It is not, though, politically wise for members of Congress, collectively or individually, to promote an agenda to deny Americans their dignity. Some will try; but they should listen to the wisdom of the Supreme Court on the dignity of marriage and two American leaders on the dignity of work.
Political and religious leaders from former President Ronald Reagan to civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have spoken about the dignity of work. Their words are important as Congress considers ending employment discrimination against LGBT workers by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
From his 1980 presidential acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Detroit, Reagan said, "Work and family are at the center of our lives, the foundation of our dignity as a free people." Every member of Congress should consider Reagan's fundamental wisdom and fairness for all American workers and families.
Employment was a key element of Dr. King's civil rights campaigns across the country and his historic 1963 march on Washington for jobs and freedom. In March 1968, Dr. King said, "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." Workplace equality will certainly motivate workers to greater productivity, career satisfaction, and greater success for themselves, their families, and employers.
Both President Reagan and Dr. King understood Washington and the courts had important roles to play in equality, freedom, and employment. Associate Justice Kennedy was appointed to the Supreme Court by Reagan and his emphasis on dignity reflects his understanding of the legacies of Reagan and Dr. King.
Thus, it is in America that labor and marriage strengthen individuals, families, and our fundamental American values of fairness and dignity. Same-sex families now have national protections against efforts to deny them their Constitutional rights to marry the person of their choice.
The battle for dignity and pride for LGBT relationships began at the Stonewall Inn in New York in 1969, when police harassment produced riots. The Stonewall Riots birthed LGBT Pride and the long walk to the dignity of our relationships GOP Justice Kennedy vocalized for the world on June 26, 2015.
The late U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, a North Carolina Republican, once called me a "pervert" in the Congressional Record, on July 19, 1994, for promoting workplace fairness for LGBT workers in the federal sector. Helms never offered any dignity to gays and lesbians, only crude redneck insults and heartless laughter at gay men, sick with AIDS, and "militant" lesbians. Helms voted to confirm Kennedy to the Supreme Court. What a perverse chapter in the legacy of the bigot Jesse Helms.
What remains now for Congress is the important and dignified work of passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has lingered in perpetual debate in Congress for over 20 years thanks to Helms and his followers.
Helms' body lies in his Tar Heel state but his ugliness, bias, and hate toward innocent and hardworking LGBT people haunts the halls of Congress. The place should be fumigated with dignity to remove all the taint Helms bequeathed the institution and his followers.
Former President Reagan and Dr. King were giants for vocalizing the dignity of work. Helms was an evil, narrow-minded bigot. For members of Congress who want to honor the dignified spirits of Reagan and Dr. King, they should find a way to extend workplace equality, fairness, and dignity to all Americans without regard to sexuality. They should work together to pass ENDA in 2015.
Human Rights Advocate Jim Patterson is a writer, speaker, and lifelong diplomat for dignity for all people. In a remarkable life spanning the civil rights movement to today's human rights struggles, he stands as a voice for the voiceless. A prolific writer, he documents history's wrongs and the struggle for dignity to provide a roadmap to a more humane future. Learn more at www.HumanRightsIssues.com]]>
But there you have it. Two, former Hillcrestians, now living in the place all handsome, toned and shirtless people go to be discovered: West Hollywood. These two, now known simply as the 'Theme Team's Marcus and Jason, are trying to spice up the sketch comedy circuit on YouTube and want what every viral success story needs: people of good will spreading the word.
But, if these promotional videos Marcus and Jason have introduced themselves in seem like another snarky familiar couple pointing out the absurd in gay culture, it's because they are. Flashback to 2008. Jeffrey Self, from Atlanta, and Cole Escola, from NYC, produced a series of very funny skits out of, we presume, their crowded New York City apartment. For a short time, they would do sends ups of everything from California's vote on same-sex marriage, to a tribute to Bernadette Peters.
Of course, there is always room for funny. Let's hope Marcus and Jason continue to find it.]]>
The Texas Supreme Court has suspended the enforcement of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) and ordered the Houston City Council to repeal the ordinance or place it up for a vote in the November city elections.
"We agree with the Relators that the City Secretary certified their petition and thereby invoked the City Council's ministerial duty to reconsider and repeal the ordinance or submit it to popular vote," the Texas Supreme Court wrote in a per curiam opinion. "The legislative power reserved to the people of Houston is not being honored."
The city's equal right ordinance bans discrimination based not just on sexual orientation and gender identity but also, as federal laws do, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy and genetic information, as well as family, marital or military status.
The Houston Chronicle reported that opponents sued the city, complaining that City Secretary Anna Russell had determined that petitioners had collected enough signatures to force a repeal measure onto the ballot, but had been overridden by Mayor Annise Parker and then-City Attorney David Feldman, whose staff determined many of the valid signatures were on invalid petition pages.
One of the plaintiffs, former Harris County Republican Party chief Jared Woodfill, called the ruling "a huge victory for the people of the city of Houston." He called on Parker, the first openly gay leader of a major American city, to apologize to the public.
A "disappointed" Parker said she thought the court had erred in its "eleventh hour ruling" and said her team was consulting with the city's pro bono outside counsel on "any possible available legal actions." She said the ordinance resembles measures passed by other major U.S. cities and many local companies.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Equality Texas, Texas Freedom Network, Texas Wins, Freedom for All Americans, Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal issues a joint statement:
"HERO embodies Houston values, and we are confident that the voters will uphold it should it end up on the ballot this fall. The fact that enforcement of the ordinance has been suspended, despite it being passed by the City Council, places at risk Houstonians who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. HERO currently protects 15 different classes, including sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity and pregnancy—in employment, housing and public accommodations.
"Houston cannot afford to be the one of the largest, most culturally diverse and business-friendly cities in the nation without comprehensive anti-discrimination protections. Discrimination is bad for business. But we believe Houston voters will agree that everyone who lives in and visits this great city has the right to be free from discriminatory and unequal treatment."]]>
At a press conference Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya, President Obama said countries should not discriminate based on sexual orientation. Responding to a question on the treatment of gay and lesbians in Kenya, which rights groups have called dismal, and President Kenyatta has called a non-issue, Obama said,
"Similarly, with respect to the rights of gays and lesbians, I've been consistent all across Africa on this. I believe in the principle of treating people equally under the law, and that they are deserving of equal protection under the law and that the state should not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. And I say that, recognizing that there may be people who have different religious or cultural beliefs. But the issue is how does the state operate relative to people."
Responding to that same question Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta referred to gay rights as a "non-issue" for Kenyans saying, "… But there are some things that we must admit we don't share — our culture, our societies don't accept. It is very difficult for us to be able to impose on people that which they themselves do not accept. This is why I repeatedly say that, for Kenyans today, the issue of gay rights is really a non-issue. We want to focus on other areas that are day-to-day living for our people."
In response to Saturday's press conference, Eric Gitari, head of a leading Kenyan LGBT organization, the National Lesbian and Gay Association spoke to the Washington Blade saying, "We feel excluded: That's what Kenyatta is sending as a message." In a statement the organization also said, "We encourage Mr. Kenyatta to endeavor to appreciate the stigma, violence and violations experienced by Kenyan gays and lesbians and how these degrading acts reduce the contribution by Kenyan gays and lesbians to the development of this resilient nation."
Ty Cobb, Director of HRC Global said, "President Obama continues to show tremendous leadership on this issue and we commend him for speaking out on the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect, no matter who they are or whom they love, or what country they live in. We sincerely hope that President Kenyatta and other African leaders listen to the voices of their own citizens who feel excluded from society, and live in daily fear of violence and discrimination."]]>
There's a Big Gay Loophole in the Civil Rights Act that doesn't cover LGBTs. The proposed Equality Act would patch it up, but of course, opponents of equality are making up all kinds of crazy claims about why the Big Gay Loophole should stay open forever. Fortunately, their reasons are completely absurd, so it shouldn't be too hard to knock 'em down.
Watch Matt Baum above as he debunks the opponents of equality.]]>
You walked into the office holiday party and began chewing the fat with all your favorite colleagues. You grabbed a plate of food and found a seat with all your friends at one of the tables in the ballroom. It was the perfect setting for a great time. Then it happened; your chair cracked and you tumbled to the floor.
Everyone was staring at you. Your friends helped you to your feet. The damage was done. You were mortified and you knew that everyone was keenly aware that you were 150 pounds overweight. That chair wouldn't have crumbled had you been a respectable weight. You swore you would begin a fitness program the next day and lose all that excess baggage. It should have been that last straw, but it wasn't.
You were enjoying beers with all the classmates from the class of 1990. It's been a long time since the ole gang got together to wax nostalgic. A game of basketball became the focal piece of the afternoon at the park on that warm Saturday in June. Ten minutes into the game you were feeling winded and dizzy.
You requested a break and there were no objections to a timeout for a few pulls off of those cans of Bud Light. However, you were finished for the day. Your buddies continued to play while you watched from the lawn chair. You fully intended to quit smoking after that weekend. It should have been the last straw, but it wasn't.
It was the grand opening of the new boutique hotel in downtown. It was the big kickoff party to the summer too. The boys spent plenty of time and money finding the perfect swimsuits for the new season of water sports. It proved to be a wild time. It looked like a cover shoot for Model Magazine. You didn't dare to even take off your shirt that day.
You informed the boys of some lame excuse so you weren't chastised too badly for keeping your body covered that day. You were simply too embarrassed to show off your physique that lacked any tone. You even scheduled an appointment for the following week with a fitness counselor to discuss a program. You never made it to that appointment. It should have been the last straw, but it wasn't.
Over and over this scenario repeats itself in towns and hamlets across this great land. These moments are all too willing to serve as stepping stones to improvements in our health and fitness. Howard Beale came upon his straw that broke the camel's back in the mid 1970s. It's your turn to exclaim "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
This wellness article is brought to you by that guy who votes nay to any more political ads. That guy is Ron Blake and he approves this article. You can cast your vote for Ron at firstname.lastname@example.com.]]>
By also adding "gender identity," Goshen College and Eastern Mennonite University are opening their door to the transgender community as well.
Read more at: http://elielcruz.religionnews.com/2015/07/23/3-christian-colleges-recognize-lgbt-employees-can-be-christian-too/
According to a report in The Local, the CDU announced Friday that 45 percent of its members voted against gay marriage while 35 percent voted in support in a survey.
The survey was conducted over the past three weeks, asking members whether they would support gay marriage in Germany. About 40 percent of the CDU's roughly 12,500 members sent in their votes.
While same-sex couples in Germany may enter into legal unions, they do not have the same rights as heterosexual married couples, such as the ability to adopt children together.
Germany continues to lag behind most of Europe in recognizing marriage equality.
For the first time there will be a weekend dedicated to leathermen in the United Kingdom and reaction and interest is building fast on the special Facebook event page and Twitter and on a dedicated UK Leather Pride website.
According to the organizers, "The U.K. needed a leather pride; Leather Pride needed a home. So, a small team of leathermen got together and decided to organize a U.K. Leather Pride. We looked around for a city to host such a great weekend – and we chose Bristol.
"Bristol's a quirky city and is well suited to leathermen. The city hosted Bristol Leather Weekend last year which was an outstanding success.
We figured the city would be an ideal host for the first ever UK Leather Pride. And, after consulting with local businesses and groups, we settled on the first weekend of November as the right time to hold it."
Stay tuned for more information on this event in the coming months!]]>
A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile, a documentary about a false online relationship between a Canadian woman and a Syrian girl, premiered Friday in select theaters and through the on demand service SundanceNow Doc Club.
The documentary follows the story of Amina Arraf, a Syrian-American girl who got involved in an online relationship with a Canadian woman, Sandra Bagaria, during the Syrian uprising and recorded it on her blog, "A Gay Girl in Damascus." The blog got an enormous following and triggered global concern when Arraf was allegedly abducted by the Syrian police. However, it was discovered that "Amina" was a fake profile created by an American man.
The film premiered at Sundance last January to strong reviews and will make its debut on television later this year through Sundance Channel Global.
Watch the trailer above.]]>
Proceeds from this event will benefit the LGBT Senior Community of San Diego via the Aging with Dignity Initiative at SDHDF and the Senior Services Program at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. This evening lawn party will feature delicious food, hosted bar, silent auction, live entertainment, extraordinary performances by the Imperial Court de San Diego, and special guest, star of the hit shows "Queer as Folk" and "Talk Soup", comedian Hal Sparks! Enjoy an evening of music and friends along the breathtaking San Diego Bay. This signature summertime event is not to be missed! Don't forget to make a splash in your finest nautical-themed outfits for this festive night!
Save the date:
Tickets are available online at www.sdhdf.org or via phone at 619-291-3383]]>
Earlier this week, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed HB 3930, an enhanced hate crime protections law that explicitly includes crimes against transgender people.
The existing hate crimes law, signed in 1990 by Gov. James Thompson, included sexual orientation as a protected category, which had been interpreted to include gender identity. The new law, authored by Equality Illinois specifically names gender identity as a protected category in the state's hate crimes statutes. The Anti-Defamation League partnered with Equality Illinois to advocate for the measure.
The new law also extends hate crimes protections to community centers that may be targeted for institutional vandalism because of sexual orientation or gender identity status. HB 3930 unanimously passed the Illinois House and Senate. Cherkasov noted that the legislative leaders from both parties were instrumental in helping secure bipartisan votes for the measure, which goes into effect on January 1, 2016.
"We are excited this important bill will now become law and explicitly cover the full LGBT community under the Illinois hate crimes statute," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans.
"We thank Gov. Rauner for signing House Bill 3930, the first piece of pro-LGBT legislation to cross his desk. We also thank state Rep. Sam Yingling, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, and state Sen. Daniel Biss for their sponsorship and dedicated leadership on this legislation," Cherkasov said.]]>