North Carolina LGBTQ Inequality

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has signed into law new discriminatory legislation HB 142 that legislators claim as a repeal of HB 2 however the fact is the new law keeps in place the most troubling parts of HB 2 including the provision that prevents local governments from passing nondiscrimination ordinances. Ian Palmquist, Program Director of Equality Federation stated, “Why mince words? This is a fake repeal. As a proud North Carolinian, I’m deeply disappointed that HB 2’s shameful ban on local protections will continue. While we disagree with Governor Cooper on this compromised repeal bill, we do agree on this: local ordinances aren’t enough. North Carolinians must update our state’s nondiscrimination laws to fully protect the LGBTQ community & we’ll keep working until that happens.” Chris Sgro, Equality NC Executive Director added, "HB2 was hastily passed without any input from the LGBTQ community just one year ago. Today, we returned to the legislature with a deal made between Governor Cooper, Phil Berger & Tim Moore that once again left out the ones most impacted by the discriminatory law - LGBTQ North Carolinians. Lawmakers & Governor Cooper have failed to resolve the problems with HB2 by doubling down on discrimination. Once again, the North Carolina General Assembly has enshrined discrimination into North Carolina law." Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation concluded, “We’re not giving up on LGBTQ North Carolinians. Today’s bill doubles down on HB 2’s harmful ban on local protections, but we will double down our efforts to create a more fair & equal North Carolina.” Let’s hope that the NCAA & others do not fall for this discriminatory bandaid.
For More Info: equalitync.org
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Trans Students Bathroom Rights

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Wednesday in the case Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified School District involving a transgender Wisconsin student whose school had denied him access to the boy’s room. The school district is appealing a preliminary injunction from a lower court granting the student the right to use the boy’s room. Ashton (Ash) Whitaker stated, "Although the last couple of years have been hard for me & for my mom, I am happy that today my story was heard. I'm grateful for all the support I've received from my friends, family, my lawyers & especially my mom. If there's one thing I want other transgender students to know, it's that you're not alone & there is help and support for you. I'm optimistic about my case & hope it helps others as well as me." Attorney Joseph Wardenski of Relman, Dane & Colfax, who argued Ash’s case in court added, “We’re confident that the Seventh Circuit will affirm the preliminary injunction, which has allowed Ash to enjoy his senior year without the constant fear of being treated differently from other boys by his school. We believe that the court will recognize the serious & lasting harm that this kind of discrimination causes transgender students like Ash.” Kris Hayashi, Transgender Law Center Executive Director concluded, “Students like Ash just want to go to school & get an education like everybody else, free of harassment & discrimination. Ash has been incredibly courageous & I hope his persistence is rewarded.” Ash is represented by Transgender Law Center (TLC) the largest national transgender advocacy organization & Relman, Dane & Colfax PLLC, a Washington, D.C.-based civil rights law firm.
For More Info: transgenderlawcenter.org
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Trump Erasing LGBT People

The Trump Administration has submitted to Congress a list of categories of data it plans to collect for the 2020 Census & the American Community Survey (ACS) which excludes LGBT people. Last year a number of federal agencies urged the Census Bureau to collect sexual orientation & gender identity data, explaining that the information was critical to their ability to implement & enforce the law. Meghan Maury, Criminal & Economic Justice Project Director, National LGBTQ Task Force stated, "The Trump Administration has taken yet another step to deny LGBTQ people freedom, justice & equity, by choosing to exclude us from the 2020 Census & American Community Survey. LGBTQ people are not counted on the Census—no data is collected on sexual orientation or gender identity. Information from these surveys helps the government to enforce federal laws like the Violence Against Women Act & the Fair Housing Act & to determine how to allocate resources like housing supports and food stamps. If the government doesn’t know how many LGBTQ people live in a community, how can it do its job to ensure we’re getting fair & adequate access to the rights, protections & services we need?” This decision is part of a string of actions by the Trump Administration to remove sexual orientation & gender identity questions from federal surveys & to stall assessment of programs targeting the LGBTQ community. The Census does collect data on gay & lesbian couples through its "relationship to householder" question; this results in a very narrow depiction of the needs & experiences of our community. Graphic by Richard Emmanuel.
For More Info: thetaskforce.org
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Boston Lesbian Health Event

Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing For Change) will be meeting on Sunday April 2nd from 2P to 4P to talk about age, health & the art of noticing. Guest speakers will include Elizabeth Kass, MD, an internal medicine & women’s health specialist at Fenway Health & one of Boston OLOC’s favorite speakers & Chloe Karl, a Licensed Occupational Therapist who uses alternative modalities in promoting women’s health. Alice Fisher, Founding Member of OLOC-Boston stated, “No question, aging is accompanied by health issues. One key to good health is prevention & the other noticing signs that can alert you to problems. Bring your questions on April 2nd and join Liz Kass MD of Fenway health & Chloe Karl, Licensed Occupational Therapist for another Boston OLOC Sunday afternoon.” Liz will be discussing normal aging, signs of heart attack, cognitive changes & how to notice signs that can alert you to what is outside of normal. Chloe takes a more preventative approach to aging using nutrition, herbs, movement, essential oils & cold laser therapy to treat such health concerns as incontinence, joint pain, exhaustion & vision fatigue. The event takes place at Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street in Brookline, MA. Following the event there will be an early dinner at Sichuan Garden, 295 Washington Street in Brookline Village, Brookline.
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Boston Pride Announces Marshals

Boston Pride has announced the Grand Marshal & Honorary Marshals for the 47th Annual Boston Pride Parade. Grand Marshal is Kristen Porter & Honorary Marshals awarded posthumously are the late Norman Hill, Dr. Judy Bradford & John Michael Gray. Sylvain Bruni, Boston Pride President stated, “We are excited to announce the 2017 Pride Marshals chosen by the community, who have done an amazing job over many decades to represent, to support & to benefit a wide spectrum of the LGBTQ community. We look forward to having Kristen Porter lead the parade while also honoring the legacies of Norman Hill, Dr. Judy Bradford & John Michael Gray.” Parade Chair Martha Plaza added, “On June 10th we will march as a community that is ‘Stronger Together’ as our diverse community is represented in the parade, demonstrating that we will stand up for each other & continue to fight for civil rights for all.” Grand Marshal Kristen Porter is founder of Kristen Porter Presents Dyke Night® celebrating 20 years of serving the Boston LGBTQ community. Kristen has donated her time & money to Dyke Night’s philanthropic mission to make the world better for the LGBTQ community by creating high quality inclusive events that support the community artistically, socially & philanthropically. Honorary Marshals awarded posthumously are the late Norman Hill, former President of Gay Officers Action League New England, Dr. Judy Bradford, Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute from its inception in 2001 who played a key role in building a framework for LGBTQ focused research & teaching & John Michael Gray half of the famous ‘Hat Sisters’, was a prominent Massachusetts LGBTQ community activist who helped raise money for causes ranging from AIDS healthcare to cancer research.
For More Info: bostonpride.org
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Trumpcare Halted Gorsuch Next

LGBTQ advocates are rejoicing the halt of Trumpcare. Now we have to ensure Senator Schumer's promise to filibuster Gorsuch's nomination. Trump has tasted a major failure Washington- Style by the defeat of his appalling attempt to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, "We are relieved to learn that Trumpcare has been pulled from consideration & that, at least for now, the Affordable Care Act still stands. Under the proposed Trumpcare, the so-called American Health Care Act, an estimated 24 million people stand to lose health care coverage. And while Trumpcare has been stalled for now, our work must continue to stop this very harmful piece of legislation." Since the beginning of the year, the Task Force has organized actions in Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia & elsewhere calling on U.S. Senators to vote against the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Carey added, "We are also ecstatic to hear that Senator Schumer plans to filibuster Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court. Gorsuch is an outlier judge, whose extremists opinions are the antithesis of the Court's philosophies & his confirmation poses a fundamental threat to the lives & wellbeing of LGBTQ people. We urge everyone to continue calling on their Senators to vote against Gorsuch's nomination.”
For More Info: thetaskforce.org
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Whoopi Goldberg At SAGE Table

Whoopi Goldberg, Dominique Jackson of Oxygen’s “Strut” & Lisa Kron, Tony Award winner for “Fun Home,” were among the celebrities & LGBTQ activists who previewed SAGE Table last night at NYC’s Chefs Club. The event was hosted by Tom Leonardis & Victor Jeffreys II, who serve as co-chairs of SAGE Table Steering Committee, NY. SAGE Table is a nationwide initiative designed to establish stronger connections across generations in our LGBT community produced by Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) & sponsored by AARP. The event happens in communities across the country on May 18th. Goldberg stated, “I am proud to be a part of SAGE Table. Don’t forget: We’re all getting older. That’s why we have to make sure we’re looking out for those who have come before us, appreciate what they have done & share those experiences with those coming after. On May 18th we will all have that conversation.” Leonardis added, “Chefs Club is the ultimate place to show off a one-of-a-kind event like SAGE Table. It’s dramatic but intimate—a great place to learn about each other over an exquisite meal.” Each gathering will bring together young & older members of our LGBTQ community & allies to break bread & build bonds. Q & A sessions at the events will bring young & older people together to share their perspectives on aging in the LGBTQ community & create stronger connections between generations. Organizers have set a goal of 10,000 participants who will meet in various venues. An estimated 3,000 have already committed.
For More Info: sagetable.org
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