#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 16, 2018

by Allison Turner

Trump-Pence, Congress’ continued failure to support Dreamers; Pulse survivor takes over HRC twitter in aftermath of Florida shooting

HRC RESPONDS TO CONTINUED FAILURE OF TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS TO SUPPORT DREAMERS: The Senate yesterday failed to pass protections that would have provided a path to citizenship for the more than a million Dreamers living and working in the United States, including 75,000 LGBTQ young people. “Dreamers are Americans. It’s disappointing that, despite some positive bipartisan efforts, the Senate has failed to pass legislation to protect them today,” said David Stacy, HRC Government Affairs Director. “The overwhelming majority of Americans -- 87 percent -- across the political spectrum believe our leaders must pass the DREAM Act now. A bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate agrees.” Read more from HRC.

PULSE SURVIVOR BRANDON WOLF TAKES OVER HRC TWITTER IN AFTERMATH OF FLORIDA SCHOOL SHOOTING: After 17 people were killed during the shooting Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Wolf (@bjoewolf) remembered friends lost at Pulse, called for sensible gun safety measures and urged voters to elect leaders who will take action on this deadly epidemic -- and aren’t in the pocket of the NRA. More from HRC.

FEEL GOOD (AND A REASON TO FIGHT!) FRIDAY: Chesley and Bailey Glassco are an Alabama same-sex couple who have dedicated their lives to children -- both as teachers and as foster parents. They are excited and ready adopt their foster son, Jay, who has a developmental disorder. More from Scalawag Magazine.

LEHIGH COUNTY, PA., SAYS COMPANIES MUST HAVE ANTI-DISCRIM POLICIES PROTECTING LGBTQ WORKERS IF THEY WANT TO DO BIZ WITH COUNTY: More from The Morning Call.

“I CAN’T TONE IT DOWN,” RIPPON SAYS -- AND YOUNG LGBTQ PEOPLE SAY THEY DON’T WANT HIM TO: The Washington Post’s Steven Petrow (@StevenPetrow) weighs in on how Rippon is inspiring LGBTQ young people.  The Washington Post.

  • Last night, Rippon pulled out an amazing performance, landing himself in seventh place leading into tonight’s frees kate program.
  • A LESSON IN QUEER HISTORY -- LATINX, GAY PIONEER RUDY GALINDO: He’s a former U.S. national ice skating champion. More from NBC.

KANSAS CITY CARE CLINIC SAVING TRANS LIVES: The recently-opened transgender clinic provides health care to a community too often un- or under-insured. More from KSHB.

ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY -- PRO-EQUALITY CLERGY CONDEMN APPOINTMENT OF ANTI-LGBTQ BISHOP TO MI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION: Governor Rick Snyder appointed anti-LGBTQ Bishop Ira Combs Jr. More from M Live.

HRC -- HELPING MUNICIPALITIES WORK TOWARD EQUALITY: HRC recently met with the Human Rights Commission of Arlington County, Virginia, to discuss how the county can achieve a perfect 100-point score in HRC’s 2018 Municipal Equality Index -- a roadmap to help communities become more inclusive of the LGBTQ people who live, work and travel there. More from HRC.

AACAP OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY”: The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) approved a policy statement asserting that “‘conversion therapies’ should not be part of any behavioral health treatment of children and adolescents.” More from HRC.

SPOTLIGHT ON UNIVERSITY ADVOCATES IN NORTH CAROLINA:

  • Read how a professor at North Carolina State University corrected course after a student made a transphobic comment at The Technician.
  • At Appalachian State University, students are protesting a campus speaker who supports the dangerous and abusive practice of “conversion therapy.” More from Spectrum News Charlotte.

ANTI-TRANS PAMPHLET DISGUISED AS LEGITIMATE RESOURCE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO TEACHERS: More from Pink News.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

MORNING MUST READ -- “I WAS BORN IN BERMUDA. I WON’T BE GOING BACK.” Former HRC board member Kirkland Hamill tells his story in Advocate.

  • How will Bermuda’s decision to repeal marriage equality affect tourism? More from The New York Times.

GAY HONG KONG POP STAR’S SHOW BANNED IN MALAYSIA: Denise Ho was set to perform in Kuala Lumpur in April, but says her application to perform was cancelled because of her sexual orientation. More from Reuters.

CANADA HOSTS PRIDE HOUSE FOR LGBTQ OLYMPIANS AND ALLIES: This Pride House is the first in Asia -- and the first directly affiliated with a national Olympic committee. More from NewNowNext.

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

NewNowNext reports that a trans teen will be featured on the newest season of Teen Mom; PopSugar luxuriates in a new Lush bath bomb that will benefit transgender rights causes

Topics:
A.M. Equality