We’re on our way.
Submitted Anonymously
Romney blocked antibullying guide for use of "bisexual" and "transgender"
The Boston Globe has recovered documents showing that former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney’s administration blocked an antibullying guide from being published in 2006 because it included the words “bisexual” and “transgender.”
At the time, Romney said that the public school antibullying guide wouldn’t be published because it was lengthy and needed review. But the Globe located an email from a public official saying otherwise:
“Because this is using the terms ‘bisexual’ and ‘transgendered,’ DPH’s name may not be used in this publication,’’ wrote the official, Alda Rego-Weathers, then the deputy commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
This appears to have been part of Romney’s strategy to distance himself from the LGBT community as a way to gear up for his first presidential run and appease social conservatives. About 10,000 copies of the guide were ultimately printed in 2008 after Romney left office, containing information for teachers and administrators on how to stop bullying and hazing.
“Romney put his own political interests ahead of the safety of vulnerable youth,’’ said Don Gorton, a gay-rights advocate and author of the 120-page antibullying report, which was not printed and distributed until after Romney left office.
Well this is certainly good to know. Every piece of information that surfaces about Romney’s past gets more terrifying.
(Source: gaywrites)
Janet Jackson to produce trans-focused documentary
Performing artist Janet Jackson has signed on to produce a documentary called Truth, which will focus on the lives and concerns of transgender people across the world.
She’ll likely be conducting interviews with subjects on camera as well as managing behind the scenes. The film is set to begin production this summer.
“All people are very important to me. I’ve been fortunate to make friends and learn about very different lives. Truth is our small chance to ask that you try and understand someone who lives their life in a way that is a little bit different from yours, even though all of our hearts are the same. We want to stop the hate and find understanding,” Janet said in a statement.
Huh. Who would have thought?
(Source: gaywrites)
Target launches pride apparel line
The Target Corporation has just launched a line of rainbow-studded t-shirts supporting gay pride season, aiming to donate a portion of the proceeds to the pro-gay Family Equality Council.
This may come as a shock to many gay rights activists, who remember Target sadly for its past contributions to MN Forward, a group that supported anti-gay political candidate Tom Emmer. However, Target also gets consistently high rankings on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, and it’s a sponsor of Minneapolis-area Pride events.
“Target is not anti-gay,” Michael Francis, Target’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, told The Los Angeles Times. “It’s important to set the record straight and provide some context.”
The shirts are apparently only available online and through the month of June. Get yours here. And in the meantime, what do you think about this? Is it a change of heart, or has Target always been allied?
Marine's murder considered a hate crime
The death of a Marine by stabbing last month has been ruled a hate crime, according to the case’s lead prosecutor.
Michael Poth stabbed Philip M. Bushong on Capitol Hill’s Barracks Row after yelling an anti-gay slur. He had just seen Bushong hug a gay male friend, though Bushong himself was straight. Poth and Bushong are both U.S. Marines.
Poth was charged with second-degree murder while armed. After reviewing video footage of the incident, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Liebman has also ruled it a hate crime. Poth will stay in jail on the murder charge.
So, so sad. We have a lot of work to do.
Christians unite against homophobic pastor
The North Carolina preacher who advised people to beat their possibly gay or gender non-conforming kids has faced backlash not just from the LGBT community, but from Christians too.
A group called Faithful America is circulating a letter expressing outrage at Pastor Sean Harris’s violent and hateful comments during a recent sermon. At the time of this writing, the letter had already earned more than 12,000 signatures of support.
The statement reads:
Faithful Christians are appalled by Pastor Sean Harris’s hateful tirade urging violence against gay and lesbian youth. Violence and child abuse can never be justified by the teachings of Jesus Christ. All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should be assured in church that they are beloved children of God.
Pastor Harris’s words did not in any way represent the majority of the Christian community. Thousands of Christians and certainly people of other faiths have spoken up to right this wrong, and while the pastor can’t unsay what he said, it’s reassuring to know his voice is not the loudest.
“I think what you’re seeing is a profound recognition on the part of the American people that gays and lesbians and transgender persons are our brothers, our sisters, our children, our cousins, our friends, our co-workers, and that they’ve got to be treated like every other American. And I think that principle will win out.”Barack Obama. Baby steps. More. (via gaywrites)
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Senate passes LGBT-inclusive Violence Against Women Act
Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed the first version of the Violence Against Women Act to include specific protections for LGBT survivors of domestic violence.
The law was first enacted in 1994 but has never included language that specifically aided LGBT communities. The law will give more resources to programs for investigating and prosecuting in cases of domestic violence and support victim service programs as well. The law passed in the Senate 68-31, and the House will likely vote in May.
According to Sharon Stapel of the Anti-Violence Project, 25%-35% of same-sex relationships are marked by domestic violence and abuse, which is about the same rate as other relationships. However, LGBT domestic violence victims have fewer supportive services, and they often face discrimination when seeking help. This latest reauthorization ensures that all people are able to access services regardless of his or her actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
“To be the target of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking is terrifying and traumatic,” National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director Rea Carey said in a statement issued shortly after the vote. “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not immune from this violence, and their distress should not be further heightened by a lack of proper response from service providers or law enforcement. Imagine being assaulted, scared and in pain — and then being turned away from receiving basic services and care. No one should ever be subjected to such inhumane treatment.”There’s been a lot of buzz around this bill in general, but it’s really important to acknowledge how it goes somewhere totally new for LGBT communities. We will certainly see how this unfolds - hopefully for the better.
