#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 12, 2018

by Allison Turner

Jeff Sessions’ shameful year as AG; Congrats to Team USA’s Adam Rippon; FOX pulls racist, anti-LGBTQ Olympics column

JEFF SESSIONS’ SHAMEFUL YEAR AS U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: Since he became the nation’s top law enforcement official a year ago, Sessions has unleashed attacks on and rolled back the rights of the LGBTQ community.

MONDAY MUST WATCH: Congrats to Team USA’s Adam Rippon (@AdaRipp) Canada’s Eric Radford (@rad85), and the Netherland’s Ireen Wüst (@ireenw), the first openly LGBTQ athletes to medal at the Winter Olympics! Now watch HRC’s Mark Lee interview Rippon on becoming an LGBTQ icon, bending gender norms in skating, and what this moment means for queer history. More from Advocate and  HRC.

FOX NEWS PULLS EXEC’S RACIST, ANTI-LGBTQ OLYMPICS COLUMN UNDER PRESSURE FROM HRC, OTHERS: Read more on this sorry episode from Jeremy Barr (@jeremybarr) at The Hollywood Reporter.

HRC ENDORSES REP. NICKIE J. ANTONIO FOR OHIO STATE SENATE: Said HRC Ohio State Manager Shawn Copeland: “[Rep. Antonio’s] leadership continues to be instrumental in the fight to move equality forward in the Buckeye State and we look forward to having another pro-equality voice in the Ohio State Senate.” Antonio is the primary sponsor of the Ohio Fairness Act, which would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio. More from HRC.

COMING ON FRIDAY -- HRC’S FIFTH ANNUAL TIME TO THRIVE CONFERENCE ON YOUTH SAFETY AND INCLUSION FEB 16-18: HRC will honor extraordinary advocates including LGBTQ ally Betty DeGeneres, transgender trailblazer Gavin Grimm and groundbreaking health care provider Dr. Ximena Lopez. Said Vincent Pompei, Director of HRC's Youth Well-Being Project and Time to THRIVE Conference chair: “Now more than ever, young people need to know the professionals in their lives are advocating for them. Time to THRIVE gives these professionals the tools, resources and inspiration to help every child thrive.” More from HRC.

“IF YOU CAME TO SEE THE BRIDE, YOU’RE OUT OF LUCK!”: StoryCorps shares the beautiful love story of veterans John Banvard and Gerard “Jerry” Nadeau, who have been together for nearly 25 years and married at the veterans home where they live. More from NPR.

HRC MOURNS CELINE WALKER, TRANS WOMAN OF COLOR KILLED IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Transgender advocate Monica Roberts writes on her TransGriot blog that the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded when Walker’s body was found at a local hotel on Feb. 4. Police are investigating. Walker, 36, is the fourth known transgender homicide victim reported this year. More from HRC.

POTENTIAL LEGAL ACTION FOR SCHOOL THAT PUNISHED STUDENT FOR ASKING OUT SAME-SEX PARTNER: Lambda Legal sent a letter to the Calhoun (Va.) County School Superintendent and Alexandria High School principal seeking written assurance that the couple will be allowed to attend prom. More from William Thornton (@billineastala) at AL.com.

HORRIFYING -- MICHIGAN CHURCH TARGETS LGBTQ YOUTH WITH WORKSHOP AKIN TO SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY”: More from The Associated Press.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

FRIGHTENING REPORT FROM UGANDA:  There was a violent break-in at Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum in Kampala last week. HRC stands with HRAPF (@hrapf_uganda) and Ugandan activists calling for the perpetrators to be arrested and held accountable. More at Human Rights Watch.

READING RAINBOW - Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Billboard reports on the nominees for the 2018 British LGBT Awards; HRC profiles the openly LGBTQ atheletes competing at the Winter Olympics; Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) speaks to Lynda Bengtsson-Davis and HRC’s Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) on his podcast, Off The Cuff; The Associated Press interviews openly gay Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy)

Topics:
A.M. Equality