#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 8, 2018

by Allison Turner

HRC’s plan to mobilize pro-equality voters in 2018; Really, Pence? You’re “for” LGBTQ people like Olympian Adam Rippon?

BREAKING -- REUTERS DETAILS HRC PLAN TO MOBILIZE PRO-EQUALITY VOTERS IN 2018 ELECTION AND BEYOND: Correspondent Daniel Trotta (@danieljtrotta) reports on the Trump-Pence attacks on LGBTQ rights and how HRC is identifying and mobilizing Equality Voters across the U.S. “This is a voting bloc that has to be respected, and sought after, and feared,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). The millions of voters in HRC’s database, Trotta reports, “can be deployed to get out the vote for candidates who support LGBT rights.” He adds: “The database will enable HRC to target voters in any particular district, whether for or against a candidate or ballot initiative, or simply to mobilize people for a debate before a local school board.” HRC’s deep organizational commitment to the elections is part of its historic effort to pull the emergency brake on the Trump-Pence administration’s hate-fueled agenda. More from Reuters.

REALLY, MIKE PENCE? YOU’RE “FOR” LGBTQ PEOPLE LIKE OLYMPIAN ADAM RIPPON? Pence has made a career of attacking members of our community, from his dangerous License to Discriminate to his constant opposition to marriage equality.

FACT: As a member of Congress, Mike Pence supported a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and referred to gay couples as a signal of "societal collapse"

FACT: Mike Pence signed into law a disastrous License to Discriminate in Indiana. He was willing to tank his state's economy if it meant allowing people to refuse services to LGBTQ people.

FACT:  Although he failed, Mike Pence tried to ram through anti-marriage equality legislation during his time in the House, and worked to block same-sex marriage as governor.

FACT: Pence supported diverting critical HIV & AIDS funding to pay for dangerous so-called "conversion therapy" measures.

FACT: Adam Rippon is right -- Pence has fought against LGBTQ people and our well-being nearly every day of his career. He is not "for" us.

BERMUDA GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL REPEALING MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Under the guise of passing domestic partnership benefits, the new law strips loving same-sex Bermudan couples of the right to marry and jeopardizes Bermuda’s international reputation and economy. “Governor John Rankin and the Bermuda Parliament have shamefully made Bermuda the first national territory in the world to repeal marriage equality,” said Ty Cobb (@TyWesleyCobb), director of HRC Global. “Despite this deplorable action, the fight for marriage equality in Bermuda will continue until the day every Bermudian is afforded the right to marry the person they love.” More from HRC and The Associated Press.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Tomorrow is Alice Walker’s 74th birthday. An advocate, activist, poet and novelist, Walker has spent her life giving voice to the richness of the emotions and experiences of the Black community, amplifying shared struggle through powerful writing, including her novel The Color Purple.

HRC RELEASES POWERFUL VIDEO FEATURING DREAMER: Mo is part of the immigrant youth-led United We Dream network working to change hearts and minds for the passage of a common-sense, bipartisan DREAM Act. There are 75,000 LGBTQ Dreamers in the United States. Among those who would be affected by DACA’s rollback are 36,000 LGBTQ recipients. Watch here.

NEW JERSEY JOINS AMICUS BRIEF OPPOSING TRUMP’S TRANSGENDER MILITARY BAN: More from Politico.

CALL YOUR STATE LAWMAKERS -- State bills to keep on your radar!

  • Today, the Virginia House General Laws Committee votes on two important LGBTQ housing and employment non-discrimination measures, which passed the Virginia Senate last month with strong bipartisan support. Said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse: “HRC is working to mobilize our tens of thousands of members and supporters across the Commonwealth to speak out about the importance of these long overdue protections with strong bipartisan support.”

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

HAITIAN LGBTQ ADVOCATES SAY DISCRIMINATION HAS WORSENED SINCE 2010 EARTHQUAKE: More from PRI.

TURKISH LGBTQ ADVOCATE HOLDS HUNGER STRIKE TO BRING ATTENTION TO GOVERNMENT’S DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LGBTQ INMATES: More from Turkey Purge.

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

Advocate highlights a powerful podcast sharing the story of Jen, a transgender woman; Domino reports that Trulia will allow renters and home buyers to determine which communities have LGBTQ-inclusive comprehensive protections; Billboard interviews openly bisexual Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui about her message to struggling LGBTQ people; Voice of America reports that Kamilla Carvalho will be the first openly transgender woman to perform as a star dancer at Rio de Janeiro's Carnival parade; Human Rights Watch previews potential developments in Latin American LGBTQ equality

Topics:
A.M. Equality