HRC CELEBRATES PRO-EQUALITY WINS IN WISCONSIN ELECTION:

• Congratulations to Judge Jill Karofsky on her victory for Wisconsin State Supreme Court: “Last week, Republicans on both the state and national level put their own politics ahead of the health and safety of Wisconsinites in an effort to win a seat on the state Supreme Court. Yet, despite those historically loathsome efforts, Judge Karofsky rose above,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “These results show that the Trump campaign’s unprecedented $10 million effort to limit access to voting can, and will again, be overcome.” More from HRC. 
• Congratulations to Mayor Tom Barrett on his reelection and to Assemblywoman JoCasta Zamarripa on her historic win in her race for Milwaukee Alderwoman: “The city reelected a strongly pro-equality mayor in Tom Barrett and elected its first LGBTQ member of the Common Council,” said David. “Throughout his tenure, Mayor Barrett has prioritized inclusiveness and equality, and Assemblywoman Zamarripa has been one of Wisconsin’s fiercest advocates for LGBTQ people and communities of color in the state legislature.” More from HRC. 

TODAY AT 2 PM E.T. -- HRC AND ARIANNA’S CENTER TO HOST GLOBAL LATINX TRANSGENDER LEADERS FOR A CHAT ON THE IMPACT COVID-19 IS HAVING ON TRANS COMMUNITIES: More from HRC. 

• If you are interested in listening in on this powerful conversation or to speak more with the panelists or HRC’s team, feel free to reach out to Elliott Kozuch at elliott.kozuch@hrc.org.

HRC REMEMBERS BLAKE BROCKWAY, AN AMAZING LEADER AND ADVOCATE FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY: More from HRC.

We are devastated by the passing of former Board of Governor for HRC Nashville & South Florida Blake Brockway.

A longtime member of the HRC family, Blake advanced equality one smile and laugh at a time. Our thoughts are with his friends & family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/Puc6lE0DfR

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 13, 2020

TUESDAY TWEET -- ON WNYC, HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID ON FDA DECISION TO RELAX BLOOD DONATIONS FOR MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AMID COVID-19: More from Lydia McMullen-Laird (@lydiamcmlaird) at WYNC. 

I spoke with @WNYC’s @TheTakeaway about the FDA’s new blood donation restrictions and what more needs to be done to update a policy that remains based on bias rather than science. Listen here: https://t.co/4677DrDZaH

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) April 13, 2020

VOICE OF AMERICA’S MAXIM MOKSALKOV HIGHLIGHTS HOW COVID-19 DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY: “The reality is that 1 out of 5 LGBTQ people currently live in poverty, and the COVID-19 affects so many different industries but it’s going to disproportionately impact the LGBTQ community,” HRC President Alphonso David tells VOA. Watch more at VOA.

• HRC recently published a research brief outlining the particular health and economic risks faced by the LGBTQ community during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Read the full brief here, and find a full list of all of HRC’s efforts and COVID-19 resources at this link.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS SCHOOL COUNSELORS CAN SUPPORT LGBTQ YOUTH: HRC Youth Ambassador Ace Auker explains that counselors can save a “LGBTQ person’s life, or they can make it significantly more dangerous. A supportive, open-minded, and protective counselor can allow a closeted LGBTQ person the space to be themselves and to feel safe at school.” More from HRC. 

IN THE STATES 

FLORIDA POLICE CHIEF ON LEAVE AFTER ALLEGEDLY SAYING DEPUTY DIED FROM COVID-19 BECAUSE HE WAS GAY: More from Christina Zhao (@christinaxzhao) at Newsweek.  

GET CULTURED - Entertainment, arts and sports news!

LGBTQ ICON AND POSE STAR BILLY PORTER (@theebillyporter) CREATES SPECIAL SPOTIFY PLAYLIST TO “RAISE YOU UP” DURING THE COVID-19 QUARANTINE: More from Brandon Voss (@BrandonVoss) at NewNowNext. 

• Porter’s playlist is a part of HRCares, a Virtual Care Package from HRC to our LGBTQ family. Check out the virtual care package here. 

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

IRELAND’S OPENLY GAY PRIME MINISTER TO RE-REGISTER AS DOCTOR TO HELP PATIENTS WITH COVID-19: More from LGBTQ Nation.

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

 The New York Times highlights the rich cultural impact of queer women

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