HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID ON THE LAUNCH OF PRIDE MONTH AND ANTI-RACISM: “Pride started with protest. LGBTQ people -- led in large part by transgender women of color -- resisted police brutality and violence at flashpoints like Stonewall, the Black Cat and Compton’s Cafeteria. We as a community refused to accept humiliation and fear as the price of living as our true selves. Our community understands what it means to rise up and push back against a culture that tells us we are less than, that our lives don't matter… So as we celebrate Pride Month, let us carry the work forward with greater intentionality to affect change for all of us, not some of us. Because while we may not be able to celebrate in person this year, there is nothing to stop us from taking action.” Watch here. 

• In order to help the LGBTQ community and its allies celebrate Pride Month in this moment, HRC is today officially launching its #PrideInside toolkit, a series of resources to help HRC members, the LGBTQ community and its allies celebrate Pride. The toolkit can be found at HRC.org/pride. 

As we celebrate #PrideMonth, let us remember that Pride started as a protest. In this moment, we must take action to embrace anti-racism and end white supremacy, not as necessary corollaries to our mission, but as integral to the objective of full equality. pic.twitter.com/5bO6b5iT8J

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) June 1, 2020

HRC RESPONDS TO TRUMP ADMIN ATTACKING TRANSGENDER YOUTH: In a ruling issued May 15, 2020, but made public Thursday, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) ruled, in conflict with previous wide-spread interpretation of the law, that a Connecticut policy that allows transgender athletes to compete in sports that align with their gender identity violates Title IX. “The Trump-Pence administration’s latest decision to attack transgender athletes is unacceptable and offensive,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “Transgender athletes have every right to play sports and participate in athletic activities in accordance with their gender identity.” More from HRC.

HRC MOURNS TONY MCDADE, BLACK TRANS MAN KILLED IN FLORIDA: His death is believed to be the at least 12th violent death of a transgender or gender non-conforming person this year in the U.S. McDade was allegedly killed by police -- which could make it the third officer-involved shooting in just under two months involving the Tallahassee Police Department. “The Human Rights Campaign and the entire transgender and non-binary community demand accountability and answers for Tony’s death -- and countless violent deaths of trans people, Black people and, disproportionately, Black transgender people. While these deaths are visible due to recordings and social media, we know far too many go completely ignored,” said Tori Cooper, HRC director of community engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. More from HRC. 

MUST-WATCH MONDAY -- HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID ON MSNBC’S “MORNING JOE”: David joined the show this morning to discuss the beginning of Pride month, the rash of racial violence against Black and transgender people and HRC’s commitment to anti-racism. Watch here. 

HRC MOURNS THE LOSS OF DR. RON SIMMONS, LGBTQ ACADEMIC, ADVOCATE & PUBLIC HEALTH LEADER: “Dr. Ron Simmons was a leader who showed so many in our movement that the fight for full equality does not begin or end with one aspect of our lives, but requires us to support each other fully and holistically,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Dr. Simmons made combating the HIV epidemic his life’s calling, and he was tireless in his efforts to demand justice and equity for Black and Brown communities who tragically continue to be the most impacted by HIV -- especially Black gay and bi+ men, and Black transgender women. We join Dr. Simmons’ loved ones in mourning, while we celebrate his invaluable legacy that will no doubt inspire and guide generations of activists and advocates to come.” More from HRC. 

HRC ENDORSES... 

U.S. HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER STENY HOYER: “Leader Hoyer is a true ally that our movement would be worse off without,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “His leadership and stewardship of pro-equality legislation like the Equality Act and repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ have made a true difference in the lives of LGBTQ people across America. We must work to ensure we not only maintain the pro-equality majority in the House but elect pro-equality partners in the Senate and White House to bring the change LGBTQ people need across this country.” More from HRC. 

U.S. HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP JIM CLYBURN: “Whip Clyburn has been a consistent ally for our community,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “As Whip, Congressman Clyburn has ensured the passage of pro-equality legislation, like the Equality Act, to provide crucial protections and rights for the LGBTQ community. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse Whip Clyburn and look forward to working with him to protect and advance civil rights for all.” More from HRC. 

SARA STAPLETON BARRERA FOR TEXAS STATE SENATE: “Sara Stapleton Barrera is a true champion for the LGBTQ community,” said HRC Texas State Director Rebecca Marques (@RebeccaMarques). “By electing Sara, Texas-27 can turn the page and work toward giving more than 850,000 LGBTQ Texans the protections they deserve -- protections that 70% of Texans support." More from HRC. 

MORE THAN 100 CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS CALL ON HHS TO INCLUDE LGBTQ PEOPLE IN ITS DATA COLLECTION: More from HRC. 

More than 100 bicameral leaders are calling on HHS to include LGBTQ people in its data collection on the impact of COVID-19 on our nation.

Thank you @SenatorMenendez, @SenatorBaldwin and @RepRaulGrijalva for leading on this important effort. https://t.co/NBiMmP3KfN pic.twitter.com/KLSfs0cbpe

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 28, 2020

ICYMI -- NEW HRC FOUNDATION REPORT SHOWS CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES WORKING TOWARD FULLY INCLUSIVE CARE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH: More from August Free Press. 

• Check out the report Change-Makers in Child Welfare 2020, highlighting All Children-All Families program’s partnership with 100 organizations across the country, working to improve the services they provide to LGBTQ youth.

DETROIT ARCHDIOCESE ENDS TIES WITH FORTUNATE FAMILIES, AN LGBTQ-AFFIRMING ORGANIZATION FOR FAMILIES & FRIENDS OF LGBTQ CATHOLICS: More from National Catholic Reporter.

• Check out HRC Foundation’s resource Coming Home to Catholicism and to Self for LGBTQ Catholics who hope to lead their faith communities toward a more welcoming stance.

IN THE STATES

TEXAS LAWMAKERS TO PUSH LGBTQ ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL IN UPCOMING SESSION: State legislators have announced plans to file a bill that would bar discrimination against LGBTQ Texans in housing, employment and public spaces. More from the Houston Chronicle. 

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ACTOR AND PRODUCER EUGENE LEE YANG ON COMING TOGETHER AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH: “Like many Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in the LGBTQ community, I am living at the intersection of two identities that experience senses of ‘otherness,’” said Yang (@EugeneLeeYang). “I’m constantly looking from the outside in at myself, unable to make sense of these sometimes at-odds parts of me.” More from HRC. 

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

Refinery29 highlights how LGBTQ activists are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic; Fast Company shares its first-ever list of LGBTQ women and non-binary innovators in business and tech

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