HRC RESPONDS TO FDA’S UPDATED SO-CALLED BLOOD BAN: According to the updated policy, the FDA has shortened the deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM) from 12 months to three months. “While this change by the FDA is a step in the right direction, it still bases itself in bias rather than science. This is progress from the FDA. But our work is not yet done,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “This announcement by the FDA reduces the waiting period of time to 3 months and shrinks its untenable, virtual ‘ban’ on blood donations for gay and bi+ men.  But creating policy based on identity as opposed to risk is irrational and given the current COVID-19 crisis, it is more critical than ever to prioritize science and facts over fear and bias.” More from HRC, Washington Blade and BuzzFeed.

• Alongside Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), HRC held a virtual press conference on the decision. Watch here.
• Prior to this announcement, HRC called on the FDA to make swift changes to its antiquated policy regarding blood donations from MSM. More from HRC.

BREAKING: @US_FDA is changing the blood donation deferral period from 12 to 3 months for gay & bi+ men. Although this is a step forward that will slightly increase the pool of potential donors during the #COVID19 pandemic, more needs to be done.

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) April 2, 2020

TRUMP ADMIN REFUSES TO REOPEN ACA MARKETPLACE: Said HRC President Alphonso David: “Over 20 million Americans and almost one-in-five LGBTQ people lack health coverage. By not reopening the ACA exchange, Trump is making the LGBTQ community, and every marginalized community across this nation, more vulnerable to the virus. Yet again, Trump has failed us when we needed presidential leadership most Americans need the exchange reopened, President Trump must act now.” More from HRC.

FRIDAY PRIDE-DAY -- LGBTQ PRIDES ACROSS THE GLOBE TEAM UP TO HOST A VIRTUAL PRIDE IN JUNE: While the full event is still in the planning stages, the organizers of more than 800 Pride events affected by COVID-19 are working together to create a global, digital Pride event. More from Reuters.

HRC MOURNS TARACH MA NIALLAIS, LGBTQ ADVOCATE LOST TO COVID-19: More from Irish Central.

FATHER JAMES MARTIN ON BRIDGING THE GAP FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE OF FAITH: More from HRC.

IN THE STATES 

CALIFORNIA STUDY ON LGBTQ ELDERS AND COVID-19: More from The Pride LA.

• HRC Foundation and Advocates and Services for LGBT Elders (SAGE) have released a new resource that explains the reasons why LGBTQ older adults are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 health crisis and helps to ensure they are getting the care they need. More from HRC.

LOCAL LGBTQ COMMUNITIES STRUGGLING AND FINDING COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19: Check out how communities and New Jersey and Louisville, KY are handling the pandemic.

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MISSOURI NAMES FIRST-EVER OPENLY LGBTQ BISHOP: The Rev. Deon Johnson, an openly gay man, officially will become the 11th bishop of the diocese when he is consecrated on June 13. More from St. Louis Public Radio.

GET CULTURED - Entertainment, arts and sports news!

QUEER ICONS TEAM UP FOR FUNDRAISER TO HELP THEATRE COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19: Those involved include Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) and Michael Urie (@michaelurie). Get the exclusive from Variety.

• Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) and Zachary Quinto (@ZacharyQuinto) will livestream a reading of Terrence McNally’s play Lips Together, Teeth Apart to honor the late gay playwright and raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. More from Advocate.

GIVE YOUR QUARANTINE MEALS A QUEER EYE MAKEOVER WITH ANTONI! More from Metro.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP#5: Cooped Up Chicken ��. The chicken may be cage-free but we sure aren’t ��. Chicken, literally any kind, beans, also literally any kind and other goodies make a meal. Donate if you can to @feedingamerica link in bio ❤️

A post shared by Antoni Porowski (@antoni) on Mar 20, 2020 at 12:45pm PDT

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

IN FIRST ACT FOLLOWING POWER GRAB, HUNGARY PRIME MINISTER ATTACKS TRANS COMMUNITY: Viktor Orban’s administration introduced a bill to replace “gender” with “birth sex” on all legal documents within hours of him being granted the ability to make decisions without consulting other lawmakers. More from Pink News and Reuters.

ALL PLAINTIFFS APPEAL FOLLOWING HIGH COURT OF SINGAPORE’S DISMISSAL OF THREE CHALLENGES TO BAN ON SAME-SEX RELATIONS BETWEEN MEN: More from Channel News Asia.

NEW DUTCH STUDY SHOWS REPORTS OF ANTI-LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOLS HAS RISEN OVER PAST FIVE YEARS: More from NL Times.

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

Nerdist celebrates queer love stories in film and TV

Have news? Send us your news and tips at AMEquality@hrc.org. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!