LGBTQ Victory In Massachusetts

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has signed H. 140, a bill protecting our youth from so-called “conversion therapy,” into law. Massachusetts now becomes the 16th state in the U.S. to protect youth from this heartless practice. Marty Rouse, HRC National Field Director stated, “This legislation grants LGBTQ youth in Massachusetts a new freedom to live authentically, free from fear of the debunked & potentially life-threatening practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy. We thank & applaud Gov. Baker & the Massachusetts General Assembly for making these protections law & congratulate them in taking this momentous bipartisan step forward in ensuring Massachusetts is a safe and affirming state for all LGBTQ children.” There isn’t any credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people such as depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness & even suicidal behavior. The harmful practice has been condemned by every major medical & mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association & American Medical Association. Massachusetts becomes the 16th state to protect our youth from so-called “conversion therapy,” following California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington & the District of Columbia with Puerto Rico’s Governor issued an executive order protecting minors in the commonwealth from the harmful practice last month. Now we have just 34 states to go.
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Vatican Meeting with LGBT Leaders

There was a meeting at the Vatican with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State & lawyers & leaders from international LGBT human rights organizations on Friday April 5th in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. The meeting was to address improving the relationship between LGBT people & the Catholic Church. According to Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director, New Ways Ministry it was a step in the right direction but more action needs to happen. DeBernardo stated, “We had hoped for a stronger statement from Cardinal Parolin in response to the information presented by the LGBT advocates on human rights violations. Parolin reaffirmed church teaching on human dignity & opposition to violence of any sort & he promised to inform the pope of the meeting & to remain in touch with the leaders. But, the Vatican & especially Pope Francis, need to speak out more strongly against laws which criminalize LGBT people & cultural attitudes which support & promote violence against them. Vague generalizations will not suffice, nor will they be effective.” The New Ways Ministry is a 42-year old national Catholic ministry of justice & reconciliation for LGBT people & the church that’s based in Mount Rainer, Maryland. DeBernardo concluded, “Unfortunately, in many countries Catholic bishops have shamefully been either silent, or worse, supportive of measures that criminalize LGBT people, often with inhuman punishments. As a next step, Vatican officials & Pope Francis need to clearly & forcefully denounce LGBT criminalization laws. Decisive action is needed to respond to this terrible scourge which destroys lives & erodes human dignity.”
For More Info: newwaysministry.org
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Massachusetts Protects LGBTQ Kids

The Massachusetts House & Senate have both voted to ban Anti-LGBTQ Conversion Therapy & the bill has been sent to Governor Baker to sign into law, which will make the Commonwealth the 16th state to do so. Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Coalition to Ban Conversion Therapy for Minors stated, “We are deeply grateful for the support of Speaker DeLeo & Senate President Spilka. Passage of this legislation will protect LGBTQ youth in Massachusetts from undergoing fraudulent & harmful medical treatments. Special thanks to Rep. Kay Khan & Sen. Julian Cyr for their extra efforts to get this bill passed in the version we most need. The legislature did a great service today to LGBTQ youth in Massachusetts. By protecting young people from undergoing the fraudulent & harmful treatments of forced Conversion Therapy, legislators showed their commitment to protecting kids from techniques that often lead to depression, despair, substance abuse & suicide. We urge Governor Baker to sign this important legislation.” Deborah Shields, JD, MPH MassEquality’s Executive Director concluded, “Massachusetts has an established history of standing up for fairness & equality & of protecting & supporting LGBTQ youth. MassEquality urges Governor Baker to sign this bill into law as soon as possible to protect the Commonwealth’s young people from this harmful & discredited practice.” The states already banning conversion therapy include California, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, Connecticut, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New York, Delaware & the District of Columbia & Puerto Rico.
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Brunei Law To Kill LGBT People

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah has implemented a law in his Southeast Asian country to punish anyone found guilty of committing adultery or having gay sex will be stoned or whipped to death. Ty Cobb HRC Global Director stated, “We are facing a dangerous crisis as Brunei is implementing laws that impose state-sponsored torture & murder of LGBTQ people. It’s absolutely crucial that the international community speak out now & demand that the Sultan of Brunei stop these barbaric changes that threaten the lives of Brunei citizens. The Trump-Pence Administration must also immediately make clear that these outrageous human rights abuses will not be tolerated.” Singer & LGBTQ Icon Elton John & Actor George Clooney have called for a boycott of nine hotels linked to Brunei including the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Bel-Air in Los Angeles, the Dorchester in London & Le Meurice in Paris. Clooney stated, "Let that sink in. In the onslaught of news where we see the world backsliding into authoritarianism this stands alone." With three of Brunei’s hotels in the UK the Peter Tatchell Foundation will be demonstrating against the Sultan of Brunei this Saturday April 6th 2P at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane W1 in London to protest Brunei's medieval Sharia legislation. Peter Tatchell stated, “The Sultan of Brunei, owner of the Dorchester Hotel, has enacted death by stoning for people found guilty of adultery, blasphemy, same-gender relations & straying from traditional interpretations of Islam. We must show him that the international community rejects this barbarism.”
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Lesbian Mayoral Candidates Win

We’re on-track for 2019 to become the year of the Lesbian Mayor as Lori Lightfoot won her bid in Chicago, Illinois, Satya Rhodes-Conway won in Madison, Wisconsin & Jolie Justus placed in her Kansas City primary & will advance to the general election in June. Last month Jane Castor placed first in the Tampa mayoral election & is the frontrunner for the run-off election on April 23rd & if she wins will be the first openly LGBTQ mayor of a major city in the Southeast. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund stated, “These historic victories leave us well-positioned to make 2019 the year of the lesbian mayor – potentially tripling the number of lesbians elected major city mayors in just one cycle. Lesbian mayors bring unique experiences & perspectives to the position that make them more empathetic, principled & values-driven leaders & voters in cities as diverse as Chicago, Kansas City, Madison & Tampa are clearly responding to that.” On Lori Lightfoot win Parker added, “A Black lesbian taking power in the nation’s third-largest city is a historic moment for so many communities that are too often ignored in American politics. Chicago’s enormous influence on the national dialogue provides a platform for Lori to promote more inclusive solutions to the challenges facing our cities & nation & to be a credible messenger as well. Lori will certainly remain focused on the issues facing Chicago. But as the highest-ranking LGBTQ person ever elected mayor of an American city a title she takes from me she is also now a key leader in the movement to build LGBTQ political power nationwide.” Annise Parker served as the first openly lesbian Mayor of Houston from 2010 to 2016.
For More Info: victoryfund.org
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Equality Act & LGBTQ Civil Rights

As Congressional hearings begin for the Equality Act April 2nd, LGBTQ advocates joined by Congressional leaders talk about how this federal civil rights legislation will protect millions of LGBTQ Americans & their families from discrimination. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5) stated, “The Equality Act is a long time coming — the result of the courage of activists & advocates who have risked their lives, raised their voices & demanded that we tear down the barriers to the American Dream for the LGBTQ community. Every American should be able to live, work & attend school in an environment free from hate, free from discrimination & free from artificial limits imposed by prejudice. The Equality Act will ensure the full legal & social equality of the LGBTQ community & Congress must have the courage to codify these rights into law.” Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center of Transgender Equality added, “Too many transgender people are denied peace, dignity & safety & we were reminded of the tragic consequences of that over this past weekend—on Sunday morning, we were heartbroken to learn of the death of Ashanti Carmon, a young Black transgender woman. To be sure, no single piece of legislation can hope to permanently end assault & murder against transgender people. But the Equality Act is a necessary step to point our nation in the right direction.” Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice President of External Affairs at the Center for American Progress concluded, “At its best, America is defined by an abiding faith in the values of love, compassion & respect for our common humanity. I am proud to join advocates in every corner of our nation in urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Equality Act of 2019 & I hope this week’s historic hearings on the bill will bring our nation closer to finally passing this vital piece of landmark legislation.” (Graphic by Richard Emmanuel)
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Cleve Jones LGBTQ Trip To Cuba

Rainbow World Fund has been visiting Cuba since 2012 & Cleve Jones LGBTQ Icon Activist & Founder of the Memorial AIDS Quilt will be joining them on their humanitarian trip from May 8th to 18th. Jones has been invited to Cuba by Dr. Mariela Castro Espin to receive the CENESEX (Cuban National Center for Sex Education) Prize in recognition of his contributions to the LGBTQ movement. Jones stated, “I've always wanted to go to Cuba & it's a good time to see what life is like for LGBT people & for people, like myself, who are living with HIV." During this fabulous journey you’ll learn from the Cubans about the realities of their country including visiting projects that serve the Cuban people & meet with members of the LGBTQ community, church leadership, artists & leaders in many fields. You will gain insight into the struggles & hopes of the Cuban people & visit places such as medical clinics, programs that serve the elderly, art institutions, schools & other historical & cultural sights. The many highlights include participating in the LGBTQ Pride celebrations in Havana. To be part of this once in a lifetime experience the trip cost is $2,800 & includes a Cuba travel visa (required), all hotels & accommodations, in-country transportation by private van, all meals (except one), all tips/gratuities, translation & guide services, speakers fees, entrance fees to special events. It does not include round trip air transportation from the USA. Flights are available from several US airports to Havana. We talked to fierce LGBT ally Jon Alpert about his HBO documentary “Mariela Castro’s March: Cuba’s LGBT Revolution” in November of 2016. LISTEN
For More Info: rainbowfund.org
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