HRC AND 100+ FAITH LEADERS CONDEMN TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION’S ABUSE OF SACRED SYMBOLS AND FAILURE TO RESPOND TO RACIAL VIOLENCE: “Donald Trump’s use of force against peaceful protestors in order to stage a photo op is only the latest incident of offensive and authoritarian actions that have come to represent the Trump-Pence administration,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “As faith and civil rights leaders, we are united to fight back against all forms of oppression and injustice. The core pillars of faith traditions across the world are equity and justice, principles that the Trump-Pence administration has failed to uphold in every way. Their disregard for the lives of Black people, people of color and all marginalized communities is morally reprehensible, an affront to the oaths they took, and will be rebuked on election day.” Read more from HRC and Gay City News, and see the full letter and list of signers here. 

NEW HRC DATA SHOWS THE REAL IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE OF COLOR: Unsurprisingly, LGBTQ people and people of color are experiencing higher rates of unemployment than the general population. More from HRC. 

• 17% of LGBTQ people and 17% of people of color became unemployed due to COVID-19, compared to 12% of the general population
  • 22% of LGBTQ people of color became unemployed due to COVID-19, compared to 13% of white LGBTQ people.
• 30% of LGBTQ people and 35% of people of color have had their work hours reduced, compared to 23% of the general population.
  • 35% of LGBTQ people of color had their work hours reduced, compared to 27% of white LGBTQ people
• 10% of LGBTQ people and 10% of people of color have had to take a pay cut, compared to 7% of the general population
  • 13% of LGBTQ people of color had to take a pay cut, compared to 8% of white LGBTQ people

MUST-READ MONDAY -- HRC SHARES TIPS FOR PROTESTING PEACEFULLY AND SAFELY: As thousands across the country and around the world speak up about the systemic racism, violence and police brutality Black people encounter, HRC wants to help people protest peacefully and safely. Read more from HRC. 

• The Advocate is also sharing ways to support protestors and how to get involved. More here. 

22 years ago, James Byrd Jr. was murdered by white supremacists. He & Matthew Shepard share the title of the 2009 hate crimes prevention law. And yet as this present moment shows us, we still have much work left to do. Let’s honor James by recommitting to end hate and racism. pic.twitter.com/NnXvH224rL

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) June 7, 2020

HRC STRONGLY OPPOSES OHIO VOTER SUPPRESSION EFFORTS: Said HRC President Alphonso David, “Our nation is handling crisis after crisis, but rather than address the core problems we face -- police brutality and access to health care services -- some members of the Ohio House of Representatives have decided to instead make it harder for Ohioans to vote... Our democracy is at its best and most functional when every citizen has an equal opportunity to have their voice heard. This bill drags us backward at a time when we should be focused on building a stronger, more equitable nation. HRC strongly opposes House Bill 680 and will work with our legislative allies to oppose it.” More from HRC. 

LGBTQ PRIDE EVENTS IN THE U.S. ARE SHIFTING TO FOCUS ON RACIAL JUSTICE: “Pride started as a protest against generations of police harassment and brutality,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “It is only fitting that this year's Pride events echo the first Pride march and the protests... which were largely led by transgender people of color.” Read more from Reuters. 

HONORING JAMES BYRD JR. ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS TRAGIC DEATH: More from HRC.

Every person has the right to protest against the injustices marginalized groups face every day. As we speak out against issues like systemic racism and police brutality, check out these tips for protesting peacefully and safely. https://t.co/Tnf6TApmZK pic.twitter.com/r4BkWvzAQH

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 5, 2020

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ACTRESS LILI REINHART (@lilireinhart) COMES OUT AS BISEXUAL: More from Out Magazine. 

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