#AM_Equality Tipsheet: March 7, 2018

by Allison Turner

Starkville, Mississippi, approves Pride parade permit after national outcry; Advocates rally at SCOTUS against anti_LGBTQ judicial noms

STARKVILLE, MISS. APPROVES PRIDE PARADE PERMIT AFTER NATIONAL OUTCRY: “After the Starkville Board of Aldermen shamefully denied a permit for a Pride parade, the community rallied around Starkville Pride and pushed the city to do the right thing and allow the LGBTQ community to peaceably assemble and celebrate Pride in their own community,” said Rob Hill, HRC Mississippi state director. “HRC has been proud to work alongside Starkville Pride and community leaders to make this parade a reality, and we look forward to a successful Pride celebration in a few short weeks.” More from HRC.

ADVOCATES RALLY AT SCOTUS AGAINST ANTI-LGBTQ JUDICIAL NOMINEES: HRC joined a coalition of groups calling on U.S. senators to oppose Kyle Duncan and Thomas Farr, both Trump-Pence judicial nominees. HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow spoke at the rally, saying “Kyle Duncan is a gun for hire who has made his career about targeting LGBTQ people in every aspect of their lives.” More from Metro Weekly and Washington Blade.

SYLVIA GARCIA WINS PRIMARY IN TEXAS: HRC Texas field organizers have been hard at work mobilizing equality voters across the Lone Star State for yesterday’s primary to support pro-equality candidates including Sylvia Garcia, who is running for Congress. More from HRC.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING WEDNESDAY -- FAIR ANCHORAGE LAUNCHES TV AD URGING VOTERS TO REJECT PROP 1: The dangerous ballot measure would undermine the city’s non-discrimination ordinance by targeting members of the transgender community for discrimination. The ad features David Lockard and his transgender son, Col. More from HRC.

HAWAII STATE SENATE VOTES TO PROTECT YOUTH FROM SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY”: Said HRC Legislative Counsel Xavier Persad. “Children across the Aloha State deserve to live their lives authentically, and they deserve to know that they are not broken or ill because of who they are. We are calling on the House of Representatives to swiftly pass this bill and send it to Governor David Ige’s desk for his signature.” More from HRC.

TODAY -- NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE TO VOTE ON ADDING GENDER IDENTITY TO STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW: More from The Associated Press.

U.S. DISTRICT COURT ORDERS IDAHO TO ISSUE ACCURATE BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO TRANS PEOPLE: The decision comes in a case filed by Lambda Legal that challenged the state’s systematic rejection of efforts by transgender people seeking to have their birth certificates updated to reflect their gender identity. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare unsuccessfully claimed its interpretation of a state vital statistics law disallowed changes to the sex listed on birth certificates. More from Lambda Legal and The Idaho Statesman.

WHY DON’T WE KNOW HOW MANY LGBTQ AMERICANS THERE ARE? A big reason -- the U.S. Census doesn’t ask respondents to self-report on LGBTQ identity. HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy said the most commonly-cited statistic is that LGBTQ people comprise between four and six percent of the total U.S. population, adding: “But the thing about it is, the number is higher with millennials. I think we're still dealing with social stigma here. These are the best estimates right now… it's possible over time that's going to change.” More from John Donovan at How Stuff Works.

MAN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING PHILLY TRANS WOMAN: Charles Sargent is charged in the 2013 murder of Diamond Williams. More from CBS Philadelphia.

MUST-READ BY A GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUTH: “Whenever I tried to act masculine, it felt like putting on a mask. Constantly acting as someone you’re not takes a toll on you...” says HRC Foundation Youth Ambassador Sameer Jha. More from The Cut.

HAL SPARKS HONORED FOR ALLYSHIP AT HRC CINCINNATI DINNER: More from Prizm.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

ADVOCATES PLANNING FIRST LGBTQ PRIDE EVENT IN UGANDA SINCE 2015: Uganda Pride planned an event in 2016, but police shut it down. Tim Teeman (@TimTeeman) reports in The Daily Beast.

LGBTQ ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE BEING ASSAULTED IN SHARED UK HOMES: An investigation is underway after footage showing a transgender asylum seeker being attacked was shared with government officials. More from Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) at The Guardian.

SEVENTH VICTIM DISCOVERED IN TORONTO ANTI-GAY SERIAL MURDER CASE: Earlier this year, Bruce McArthur was arrested in connection with at least six murders spanning nearly a decade. More from The New York Post.

UM… WHAT? GHANAIAN REV CLAIMS MOST LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE SATANISTS... AND CONTROL THE ECONOMY? More from Pink News.

READING RAINBOW 

America Magazine highlights six LGBTQ parables from pro-equality Jesuit Priest James Martin; Los Angeles Blade speaks to the LGBTQ people who work behind the scenes to put on the Oscars; NBC New York shares the story of a trans teacher standing up to a transphobic busker on a subway car

Topics:
A.M. Equality