SGN Apr 12, 2019 - Part 1

Seattle Gay News

“Surprising” new findings: PrEP users at risk for STIs but not because they don’t use condoms

There was no link between condom use and STIs among PrEP users, study finds

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

People on PrEP are at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but not because they’re using condoms less

than those not on PrEP, according to new research. The new study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, tracked 2,981 Gay and Bi men in the heavily populated Australian state of

Perez Hilton outs Sultan of Brunei’s

son

after country enacts new law that would stone gay people to death see PREP STI STUDY page 5

Nations offering greater LGB rights enjoy significantly higher GDP per capita than previously thought

Research on 45 years of evidence from 132 countries by international team shows the addition of one class of LGB rights is associated with over $2,000 in GDP per capita

AMHERST, Mass. – A new study published by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Leiden University, Netherlands and Rutgers University has found see LGB STUDY page 13

by Bil Browning LGBTQ Nation

Perez Hilton has outed the Sultan of Brunei’s son – fourth in line to the throne – as a gay man after his father enacted

Shariah law in the country. The punishment for homosexuality and adultery is death from stoning.

As worldwide outrage mounts and calls to boycott the Sultan’s chain of luxury see BRUNEI page 13

VICTORY! Arizona repeals anti-LGBTQ curriculum law after filing of lawsuit

PHOENIX, AZ (April 11, 2019) –Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey today signed into law an amendment that repeals the state’s anti-LGBTQ curriculum law that barred LGBTQ students from receiving medically accurate, age-appropriate infor-

mation about non-heterosexual people in their health education classes. The amendment removes language that had prohibited instruction in HIV/AIDS curriculum that see ARIZONA page 13

Women in Trades Fair celebrates 40th anniversary

Opens May 10 at Seattle Center

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

The annual Women in Trades Fair celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with what promises to be a better-then-ever exhibition on Friday, May 10, at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion.

The purpose is to open up good employment opportunities – ones that will lead to career employment, better-than-average wages and benefits, and retirement programs – to women.

Exhibitors include union apprenticeship programs, governmental agencies, colleges, vocational programs, and private companies.

This year participants include King County, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Schuchart Corporation, and Vigor Industrial. Training programs include apprenticeships with laborers, sheet metal workers, carpenters, Seattle meat cutters, operating engineers, pipefitters, and electricians.

Outdoor exhibits will include Seattle City Light’s climbing pole, King County Facilities’ build project, and Seattle DOT’s shovel test.

Middle and high school students from all over the Puget Sound region attend and are introduced to the high-paying, empowering positions in the skilled trades.

Women in Trades also aims to help work-ready women seeking employment.

“Sometimes, a match is made on the spot,” Women in Trades Manager Cynthis Payne notes. “The exhibitor walks away with a new enthusiastic hire and the hiree walks away with a living-wage job.”

The first Women in Trades Fair was

held on Saturday, November 10, 1979, at the Seattle Labor Temple on First Avenue in downtown Seattle. It featured workshops with topics such as How to Enter the Trades, Overcoming Math Anxiety, Affirmative Action - Racism & Sexism on the Job, and How to Survive in the Trades. There were booths and demonstrations that showcased carpentry, electrical, firefighting, appliance repair, forklift driving, and more.

The original fair was produced by Mechanica and the University YWCA with support from the King County Women’s Program, Operating Engineers Local 302, the Seattle Office of Women’s Rights, the federal Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, and the National Electrical Contractors Association. It was an ambitious undertaking for its time, and aimed at resetting the traditional division of labor between “men’s” and “women’s” work.

“It’s 2019 and 39 Trade Fairs have come and gone. Every current tradeswoman, at some time in her career, experiences the same struggles as did those women in 1979,” Women in Trades says in its press release.

“The percentage of women working in skilled trades remains dismal, and sometimes the glass ceiling seems to get thicker and thicker. But the modern tradeswoman pushes on like a dandelion growing through a sidewalk crack. One might wonder why we don’t just throw up our hands and give up? The answer is simple: ‘We’re Here to Work.’”

Aquarian Tabernacle Church to host Spring Mysteries Festival at Fort Flagler April 18-21

Local witches bring ancient Greek festival to life

From the end of the Bronze age until the fall of the Roman empire, people across the Mediterranean would travel to the Greek city of Eleusis to experience the Eleusinian Mysteries – a ritual so profound that it is said to have freed participants from the fear of death. This month, a local Wiccan group is providing an opportunity to experience that ritual again at their Spring Mysteries Festival.

The Spring Mysteries Festival will be held April 18-21 at Fort Flagler in Nordland, Washington. For the last thirty-four years, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church has been hosting this festival to bring the Eleusinian Mysteries to life. Like their ancient counterparts, participants are sworn to secrecy to preserve the magic of the experience.

“The Mysteries are an opportunity

for people to connect with the Olympian Gods, dedicate themselves to a better, more fulfilling life and reawaken the magick within themselves,” said Archpriestess Belladonna LaVeau. “With the world in a state of chaos, the lessons that were basic to the Greeks, who gave birth to modern civilization, can bring us back to those things important to live a rich and full life.”

Because of the ancient oaths of secrecy, the Eleusinian Mysteries have been reassembled thanks to scholarly research. Staff members have been working on their roles in the ritual for a year, sometimes longer, in preparation and participants will have an opportunity to speak directly with the Olympian Gods as part of the festival.

The four-day festival also includes workshops, vendors, and the debut performance of a brand-new album from popular New Age musician Wendy Rule. Tickets and lodging information is available at www.springmysteries.com.

Rt.

Rev. Dusty Dionne to be elevated as new Archpriest

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC), an International Wiccan Church, is elevating a new Archpriest into its ranks after 5 years of being without one when the previous Archpriest passed away. Rt. Rev. Dusty Dionne, who has been a High Priest within the ATC for over almost a decade, will be elevated this Good Friday [April 19] during the annual Spring Mysteries Festi-

val hosted by the ATC to join his wife in partnership within the Archpriesthood. Matriarch Belladonna LaVeau-Dionne, who will continue as head of the church.

Wicca is an earth-based religion commonly referred to as witchcraft. The Aquarian Tabernacle Church was founded in 1979 with its World Headquarters in Index, Washington, on the Skykomish River. The ATC has received recognition from the IRS allowing the same privileges of chartering affiliated churches as the Catholics and Mormons, making it one of the largest Wiccan Churches in the world.

Dionne’s training began as a young child while learning Native American Spiritualism, laying down the groundwork for a life of magick. He is the High Priest of the WISE Tradition, a British Traditional Wiccan path with roots to Janet and Stewart Farrar. His ministry has been heavily influenced by Taoism and science, helping give him a broader spiritual understanding of the universe that is practical, encompassing, and result-oriented. “Wicca is sacred science. It is far too practical to be something that you have to take on faith,” said Dionne. “Wicca and science run hand-in-hand, and day-byday science is catching up.”

A frequent media guest, Dionne has made appearances on local shows such as Jon Anastasio’s “Power of Healing,” internet-wide shows such as “Turn up the Night” with Kenny Pick, and local Seattle CNN affiliates. Dionne speaks on the worship of Wicca, politics within religion, the breaking down of the universe from the perspective of the magically inclined, and Wiccan Leadership Concepts.

Dionne holds the tenant of “care for the

earth and those around you” close to his heart. He sits on the Board of Directors for Save the Seeds Foundation, a charity that is focused on preserving the natural food supply. He helped organize a program called #PillowsForEveryone that provided bedding supplies from donors to hundreds of needy people and works every year with Pasado Safe Haven to disseminate hundreds of pounds of food, clothes, bedding, and toys to pets across the Skykomish River Valley of Washington. Last year Dionne travelled 10,000 miles sharing the importance of earth stewardship and home family gardening with local communities.

As for this new role, Dionne hopes to bring his love of the earth, helping others, and skills with politics within religion and ministering to the table when he becomes Archpriest. “It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of Pete Davis. The world has a lot of challenges today. In the past, Wicca has been getting its feet under Her. Now, the world needs us, and the lessons of living in harmony with the Earth like never before. It’s time we looked beyond the pagan community and focus on Earth Stewardship.”

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church is a legal and fully-recognized 501(c) (3) nonprofit founded in 1979. Their headquarters are in Index, Washington although they have affiliate congregations across the United States and other counties including Australia, Italy, Canada, Ireland, and more. www.atcwicca.org

Courtesy of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church

Washington State Mr. & Ms. Leather Organization’s

2019 Washington Leather Emerald Award and Community Service Award winners announced

PREP STI STUDY continued from cover

Victoria, in which Melbourne is located.

Researchers found a 20% increase in the rates of new STIs among people on a PrEP trial called “PrEPX.” They also found there was an increased risk of acquiring an STI while on PrEP compared to before starting PrEP.

But they found there was no correlation between that increase and the rate of condom use among the test subjects. Researchers said they found it “surprising” that “condom use was not a significant predictor of acquiring an STI when using PrEP,” since it goes against common assumptions about the safety of sexual practices.

In trying to explain the greater incidence of STIs, the study posited that an increase in casual sex partners and group sex led to more STI diagnoses. But, the researchers said, more regular testing associated with PrEP use also explained the increase in STI diagnoses.

“It’s important to understand that when people start taking PrEP, they also get tested more frequently, so STIs are more likely to be detected anyway,” said lead author and Burnet Institute PhD student Michael Traeger.

He argued the study results should help

better guide STI prevention campaigns for people who take PrEP. Those campaigns should not just focus on condom use, he said, but also reduce the time to STI diagnosis through frequent testing.

“But as PrEP uptake increases, identifying individuals most at risk of STIs will become increasingly important for informing effective and focused STI prevention,” Traeger added.

The study showed that about 25% of participants accounted for a majority of the new STI diagnoses, and that group of subjects experienced very high rates of STIs.

Associate Professor Edwina Wright argued that the findings “are a rebuttal to the backlash against PrEP users for reducing condom use.”

Wright is the principal researcher in the PrEPX Study. She is also the co-head of the HIV Elimination Program at the Burnet Institute.

“The findings are also important because they highlight the need to target our sexual health messaging about STI risks to a relatively small proportion of PrEP users to help reduce their STI rates,” she said.

“We need to address these findings by engaging in more research to prevent STIs, including STI vaccines and antibiotics that may prevent STIs.”

GLAAD statement on President Trump’s impending ban on Transgender Americans from serving the United States

NEW YORK (April 11, 2019) –GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today issued the following statement denouncing President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender Americans openly serving in our nation’s armed services. Trump’s directive will be implemented on Friday, April 12.

“This is a dark day for our nation’s military and the more than 13,000 brave transgender service members who are putting their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. It’s morally wrong, it’s unpatriotic, and make no mistake: it’s not just discriminatory, it is damaging. It compromises readiness, good order, and discipline in our armed forces,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD.

Ellis continued, “This systematic erasure by President Trump and his administration is a national disgrace, and we will not be silent, nor will we forget. Equality and acceptance are only made possible when we speak up and fight back. We will continue to do just that, no matter who is in the White House. And we will reverse this discriminatory attack on our military.”

GLAAD has asked all LGBTQ Ameri-

cans and allies to show support for the trans community by changing their profile photos on social media to the imagine of the trans pride flag. So far, celebrities like Laverne Cox, Peppermint, Asia Kate Dillon, and Ben Stiller and former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm have all participated in this campaign.

Currently, more than 13,000 transgender service members would experience a direct impact [from] the ban, and more than fifty-six retired generals and admirals have opposed the Trump administration’s directive. More information about how and who this ban effects can be found [at https:// www.glaad.org/blog/what-you-need-knowpresident-trumps-ban-transgender-servicemembers].

Not only has GLAAD condemned the administration’s attempt to prevent transgender Americans from serving the United States but GLAAD also supported the production and publicity of “TransMilitary,” a documentary that tells the stories about the brave trans soldiers currently our country. GLAAD presented a copy of the documentary to every member of the US House Subcommittee on Military Person-

Debunking myths: President Trump’s ban on Transgender service members

NEW YORK (April 10, 2019) –GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today issued the following document to the media in an effort to help debunk the outrageous and discredited myths about transgender Americans who wish to openly serve and protect the freedoms of the United States.

From questioning a person’s readiness to issuing a false claim about the cost of having a transgender service member, the Trump administration continues to placate to anti-LGBTQ activists who wish nothing but to roll back LGBTQ acceptance across the nation.

MYTH: Trump’s ban is only a “partial ban” on transgender Americans – some can still serve. [https://www.rollingstone. com/culture/culture-news/supreme-courttrump-transgender-military-ban-782309/]

FACT: The so-called “Mattis Plan” was designed to prevent future transgender Americans from enlisting. Once the 13,000 active trans service members either retire or leave service, no other transgender individuals will be permitted to serve according to their true gender identity.

MYTH: It’s expensive to have a transgender American to serve our nation. [https://wapo.st/2VEazdM]

FACT: According to the RAND Corporation, medical costs for transgender service members reaches a maximum of $8.4 million. This is only 0.1% of the Pentagon’s projected 2020 budget. [https:// www.cnbc.com/2019/03/12/the-pentagonis-asking-for-a-colossal-718-billion-forits-2020-defense-budget.html]

MYTH: Allowing transgender Americans to serve would affect overall military readiness. [https://www.teenvogue.com/

story/trans-military-ban-is-based-ondebunked-information]

FACT: RAND also estimates that only 0.1% of trans service members would need the kind of health care that would disrupt their ability to immediately serve. [https:// www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/ RR1530.html]

MYTH: Transgender service members are seeking “special” accommodations.

FACT: During a subcommittee hearing, trans service members confirm they do not wish to have special treatment. [https:// thehill.com/hilltv/rising/426636-transgender-army-captain-says-supreme-courtruling-could-have-long-term-impact]

Not only has GLAAD condemned the administration’s attempt to prevent transgender Americans from serving the United States but GLAAD also supported the production and publicity of “TransMilitary,” a documentary that tells the stories about the brave trans soldiers currently our country. GLAAD presented a copy of the documentary to every member of the US House Subcommittee on Military Personnel ahead of the subcommittee’s hearing on the topic on February 27. “TransMilitary” is now available on iTunes and Amazon.

The Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members is a part of the more than 100 attacks the administration has made against LGBTQ Americans in policy or rhetoric since 2017. To see the entire list of attacks on Trump’s attacks on LGBTQ Americans and for more information on GLAAD’s Trump Accountability Project, go to www.glaad.org/trump.

Courtesy of GLAAD

nel ahead of the subcommittee’s hearing on the topic on February 27. “TransMilitary” is now available on iTunes and Amazon.

The Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members are a part of the more than 100 attacks the administration has made against LGBTQ Americans in policy or rhetoric since 2017. To see the

entire list of attacks on Trump’s attacks on LGBTQ Americans and for more information on GLAAD’s Trump Accountability Project, go to www.glaad.org/trump.

Courtesy of GLAAD

GLAAD urges LGBTQ Americans, allies to show support for Transgender Americans ahead of Trump’s ban on Trans service members this Friday

NEW YORK (April 10, 2019) – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today urged all LGBTQ Americans and allies to join GLAAD in a social media campaign aimed to support the transgender community ahead of the Trump administration’s upcoming directive that would ban trans Americans from openly serving in our nation’s armed services.

President Trump’s upcoming ban, which has been condemned by more than fifty-six retired admirals and generals, will be implemented this Friday, April 12.

“Trump’s ban on transgender service members will go into effect this Friday.

The ampersand represents the power of our voices together,” tweeted Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD.

“I’m changing my profile picture to stand with all of the trans people who have been targeted by this administration’s actions. Please join me.”

“Trump’s ban on transgender service members will go into effect on April 12, 2019. Trump has been targeting trans people from the moment he took office. We’re changing our profile picture to show

support for trans people everywhere, and we encourage you to do the same,” [read a] tweet by GLAAD on April 8, 2019.

Not only has GLAAD condemned the administration’s attempt to prevent transgender Americans from serving the United States but GLAAD also supported the production and publicity of “TransMilitary,” a documentary which tells the stories about the brave trans soldiers currently our country. GLAAD presented a copy of the documentary to every member of the US House Subcommittee on Military Personnel ahead of the subcommittee’s hearing on the topic on February 27. “TransMilitary” is now available on iTunes and Amazon.

The Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members is a part of the more than 100 attacks the administration has made against LGBTQ Americans in policy or rhetoric since 2017. To see the entire list of attacks on Trump’s attacks on LGBTQ Americans and for more information on GLAAD’s Trump Accountability Project, go to www.glaad.org/trump.

Courtesy of GLAAD

APA concerned about Transgender military ban

WASHINGTON, DC (April 9, 2019)

– The American Psychiatric Association (APA), the national medical association representing more than 38,500 psychiatric physicians, is concerned about the Department of Defense’s (DoD) decision to implement a ban of transgender Americans from the US military, effective Friday. As of Friday, most transgender service members will be required to follow the standards of their biological sex or be removed from service. Previously, DoD

policy allowed transgender service members to seek treatment, and now the DoD intends to discriminate against those who did. As physicians providing treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders, we affirm that being transgender or gender diverse implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability, or ability to serve in the military. We urge the administration to eliminate this policy and instead, work with our organization to ensure policy decisions are informed by medical

evidence.

“The APA has long fought against discrimination against any patient population,” said APA President Altha Stewart, MD. “This ban perpetuates discrimination and stigma against transgender people. Furthermore, this ban harms the military by depriving the service branches of willing and capable members.”

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medi-

cal association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world, with more than 38,500 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. The APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information please visit www.psychiatry.org.

Courtesy of the APA

HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow to testify at congressional hearing on the bipartisan Equality Act

WASHINGTON, DC (April 9, 2019)

– Today, Sarah Warbelow, legal director of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, will testify on Capitol Hill about the urgent need for the Equality Act — crucially important, bipartisan legislation that will finally provide clear, comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people across the country. The hearing on the legislation will take place this morning in the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. Backed by nearly 70% of Americans, hundreds of members of Congress, more than 180 major businesses, and more than 350 statewide and national organizations, the Equality Act has growing, unprecedented support.

“For countless LGBTQ Americans, discrimination is tragically still part of their everyday lives,” said Warbelow. “No one should live in fear of discrimination or harassment, yet in 30 states, LGBTQ people are still at risk of being fired, refused housing, or denied services simply because of who they are. The Equality Act is critical for the rights and welfare of millions, and it’s vitally important that Congress pass it and provide clear, consistent protections nationwide.”

The historic hearing today will also include the personal story of Kimberly Shappley, the mother of a transgender child, as well as testimony from Patrick Hedren, the vice president of labor, legal, and regulatory policy for the National Association of Manufacturers.

Discrimination is a real and persistent problem for LGBTQ Americans. HRC polling has found that nearly two-thirds of self-identified LGBTQ Americans report experiencing discrimination. Currently,

50 percent of LGBTQ Americans live in the 30 states that still lack statewide legal nondiscrimination protections, leaving their residents and visitors at risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

The Equality Act would guarantee existing civil rights laws apply to LGBTQ people by providing clear, consistent nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.

The Equality Act has growing, unprecedented support. More than 180 major corporations have joined the HRC’s Busi-

ness Coalition for the Equality Act. Recent polling finds that a growing majority of Americans – including Republicans, Democrats, and independents – support LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections and LGBTQ equality. A recent survey by PRRI found that nearly seven in 10 Americans support laws like the Equality Act. More than 350 statewide and national organizations have endorsed the legislation, including social justice, religious, medical, and child welfare organizations.

The HRC recently launched a public awareness and advertising campaign called “Americans for the Equality Act.” Filmed by award-winning directors Dustin Lance Black and Paris Barclay, the series debut video featured Academy Award–winning

in entertainment,

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

The HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

NYC Pride announces Barclays Center for WorldPride Opening Ceremony

Whoopi Goldberg to host; Cyndi Lauper, Ciara, Todrick Hall and more to perform during NYC Pride’s Benefit Concert for Ali Forney Center, Immigration Equality, and SAGE

NEW YORK, NY – NYC Pride, the host of WorldPride 2019 | Stonewall 50, has formally unveiled the location and initial talent line-up of the official Opening Ceremony of WorldPride. The Wednesday, June 26, 7-10pm Ceremony will be formatted as a benefit concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Proceeds from the ticket sales to this historic concert event will support Ali Forney Center, Immigration Equality, and SAGE – three leading organizations in the LGBTQIA+ movement based in New York City.

Prolific entertainer and internationally-recognized humanitarian, Whoopi Goldberg, will host the ceremony, featuring a growing medley of acclaimed speakers and performers. Cyndi Lauper, iconic performer for the LQBTQIA+ community and New Yorkers alike, leads the initial release of the talent line-up.

A decorated actress, comedian, author and television personality, Whoopi Goldberg is among a very elite group of artists who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT), along with a Golden Globe. Although born and raised in New York City, she performed in San Diego and the Bay Area with the Blake Street Hawkeyes theatre troupe, where she created the characters that became “The Spook Show,” later evolving into her hit Broadway show, Grammy Award-winning album and the HBO special that helped launch her career.

“I’ve been a longtime advocate of the LGBTQIA+ community and this year marks a pivotal moment within our storied history and fight for equality,” said Goldberg. “Hosting a WorldPride event is an absolute honor and I am delighted be a part of the Opening Ceremony in June.”

Cyndi Lauper is a groundbreaking Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist with global record sales in excess of 50 million. Her unmistakable voice, influential style, and infectious performances

have catapulted her to stardom from her roots in Queens. Tireless in her advocacy work, she’s a lifelong activist who champions the underdog – especially women, people living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQIA+ community.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the WorldPride Opening Ceremony,” said Lauper. “I can’t wait to celebrate with my LGBTQIA+ friends and family from across the world.”

Ciara, a Grammy?Award-winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress has sold more than 23 million records and 16 million singles worldwide, including chart-topping hits “Goodies,”

“Ride,” “Oh,” “1, 2 Step,” “Body Party,” and “I Bet.” Todrick Hall is a multi-talented singer, rapper, actor, director, choreographer, and YouTube personality who rose to prominence on American Idol.

“In celebration of WorldPride 2019 | Stonewall 50, NYC Pride is dedicated to broadening its commitment to serving the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Chris Frederick, Executive Director of NYC Pride.

“Every ticket sold to this 10,000-seat event is supporting some of the best service and advocacy work being done in our community by Ali Forney Center, Immigration Equality and SAGE.”

The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agency dedicated to LGBTQhomeless youths –assisting nearly 1,800 young people per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center, which provides over 65,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scatteredsite housing program.

SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people. Founded in 1978, and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is an organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers.

Immigration Equality is the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization, representing and advocating for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.

Tickets for the WorldPride Opening Ceremony will go on sale April 12 at 10am EST at https://2019-worldpride-stonewall50.nycpride.org/events/opening-ceremony. Additional talent announcements will be released in the upcoming weeks ahead.

WorldPride 2019 | Stonewall 50 will be comprised of more than 25 different events for LGBTQIA+ and allied people during the full month of June, 2019. Throughout the course of the celebration, all WorldPride events will ladder up to the foundational theme, “Millions of Moments of Pride.” Join New York City, and the world, this June as we honor the past, celebrate our differences and march together for our future. www.worldpride.org

Courtesy of WorldPride 2019 | Stonewall 50

LGB STUDY

that nations offering more rights to lesbian, gay and bisexual people enjoy significantly higher per capita GDP than those who trail in LGB equality, and that nations fostering exclusion of LGB people are causing substantial harms to their economies. The report, “The Relationship between LGBT Inclusion and Economic Development: Macro-Level Evidence,” appears online in the journal World Development

The researchers applied legal and economic data for 132 countries from 19662011 to the eight-point Global Index on Legal Recognition of Homosexual Orientation (GILRHO) to assess how economic harms caused by limitations of LGB rights – such as lost labor time, lost productivity, underinvestment in human capital and the inefficient allocation of human resources – are related to the macroeconomy. The GILRHO index, created by Dutch law professor and study co-author Kees Waaldijk of Leiden University, covers eight categories

ARIZONA

“[p]romotes a homosexual life-style,” “[p] ortrays homosexuality as a positive alternative life-style,” or “[s]uggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex.”

Today’s action comes exactly two weeks after the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Lambda Legal, along with law professor Clifford Rosky and pro bono counsel Perkins Coie LLP, filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Equality Arizona, including its members who are public school students, challenging the anti-LGBTQ curriculum law.

“A full repeal is an amazing development, as it removes the harmful and discriminatory language that we specifically challenged in the lawsuit,” NCLR Senior Staff Attorney Julie Wilensky said. “We are grateful to the leadership of Arizonans who have been advocating for many years on this issue.”

“The writing was already on the wall, considering that the Arizona attorney general had already signaled they were not going to defend the law in court,” said Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Puneet Cheema. “We are thrilled that state officials have moved so quickly to get this harm-

of legal recognition and protection for lesbians and gay men, assigning each right with one point. They found that the addition of just one additional point on the GILRHO scale is associated with an increase in real GDP per capita of $2,065, and that estimates of the cost of exclusion suggest that 6-22 percent of this sum “could plausibly reflect the GDP costs of excluding LGB individuals from a full range of legal rights.”

“All over the world LGBT people face discrimination in the labor market, harassment and bullying in education and stresses that harm their health. This treatment diminishes their ability to contribute to the economy most when countries fail to recognize their rights,” says lead author M.V. Lee Badgett, professor of economics and public policy at UMass Amherst and distinguished scholar at the UCLA Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy.

“Human rights already provide strong arguments for full LGBT equality, and over the last few decades they have contributed to increasing legal recognition in

ful law off the books and allow LGBTQ students – in fact all students – to get access to the medically accurate information that literally could save their lives.”

The lawsuit, Arizona Equality v. Hoffman, was filed March 28, 2019 in the US District Court for the District of Arizona.

The plaintiff, Equality Arizona, is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the equality of LGBTQ people. The organization includes student members, two of whom were described in the complaint. One student, referred to by the anonymous initials “A.A.,” is a gay freshman in a Greater Phoenix high school. Another student, who is identified by the initials S.C. and is also named as a plaintiff, is a seventh-grade student at a middle school in Tucson. The lawsuit argued the antiLGBTQ curriculum law violated the equal protection clause of the US Constitution.

“We are tremendously gratified that Arizona lawmakers and elected officials came so quickly to realize how harmful the anti-LGBTQ curriculum law is, and moved so rapidly to repeal it,” said Michael Soto, executive director of Equality Arizona. “A state law that explicitly demeaned and dismissed LGBTQ students and their relationships could not help but encourage abuse and discrimination at school. We are glad to see it erased from the books and are grateful to the LGBTQ leaders and allies

many countries,” says Waalijk. “The economic argument for equality, based on the economic effect of LGB inclusion as tested in this study, can widen and deepen the global legal trends captured in the GILRHO index.”

The study’s findings are more than six times higher than previous estimates; in 2014, the researchers released a study based on a more limited sample of emerging economies that found only a $320 increase in per capita GDP per GILRHO point.

“Many people, including policymakers, may turn a blind eye to the moral argument against discrimination against LGBT individuals. But if the economy is brought up, they are more likely to use money rather than morals to justify reforming policies to protect LGBT rights,” says co-author Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, professor of women’s and gender studies at Rutgers University. “Policymakers want to see the numbers, so here are the numbers that show the economic effect. Here’s evidence they can use to support change.”

The study notes that the empirical

who made the repeal possible.”

“While I recognize the bullying experienced by LGBTQ students will not simply disappear, at least now there isn’t a law on the books that singles me out as someone who should be ashamed of who they are,” said S.C.

“This is a really important first step.”

“I am delighted that state officials and lawmakers moved so quickly to get this law off the books,” said Carol Brochin, S.C.’s mother. “School is supposed to be a safe place where my child, like any other student, can receive education and support that will help as they move through life. The anti-LGBTQ curriculum law did just the opposite, and I couldn’t be happier to see it repealed.”

Arizona’s anti-LGBTQ curriculum law was enacted nearly thirty years ago in 1991. Kathy Hoffman – the Arizona Superintendent of Public Education and a defendant in the lawsuit – herself acknowledged that the law needed to be repealed, and she in fact welcomed the filing of the lawsuit. There were repeated failed legislative efforts to repeal the law before today’s historic vote.

The case is Equality Arizona v. Hoffman. Read about the case here: https:// www.lambdalegal.org/in-court/legal-docs/ equality-arizona_az_20190329_complaint

Attorneys working on the case are: Puneet Cheema and Peter Renn, Lambda Legal; Julie Wilensky and Asaf Orr,

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

hotels and airline, Hilton alleged that Prince Azim is gay in a video he uploaded to YouTube. [The YouTube video is embedded in LGBTQ Nation’s report: https://www. lgbtqnation.com/2019/04/perez-hilton-outssultan-bruneis-son-country-enacts-newlaw-stone-gay-people/]

The young royal has frequently been photographed with queer celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner and Gus Kenworthy. After blowback from activists, Kenworthy deleted a photo he had uploaded to social media of the two of them together at a party hosted by the prince.

Related: The world is condemning Brunei’s gay stoning law, but America is just vaguely “concerned” [https://www. lgbtqnation.com/2019/04/world-condemning-bruneis-gay-stoning-law-america-justvaguely-concerned/]

Azim is known for his lavish parties with celebrity-studded guest lists where the booze flows freely despite also being banned under the law. His brother, Prince Jefri, is also reportedly “hedonistic” and adultery would be his fatal sin. Both men would be put to death under their father’s law.

analysis uses legal rights of LGB people to represent LGBT inclusion. “Unfortunately we do not have multi-year data on the actual social position of LGBT people across the world, nor do we have a multi-year dataset on the legal rights of transgender people in many countries,” the researchers clarify. “Accordingly, we remove the ‘T’ from LGBT to acknowledge our shift in focus to LGB rights.”

The full study, “The Relationship between LGBT Inclusion and Economic Development: Macro-Level Evidence,” can be found at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ S0305750X19300695?dgcid=author

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, a think tank on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research with real-world relevance.

Courtesy of The Williams Institute

National

McDonald, and Katherine May at Perkins Coie LLP.

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and policy work. More information is available at www.lambdalegal.org

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) was the first national LGBTQ legal organization founded by women and brings a fierce, longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and our community’s most vulnerable. Since 1977, the NCLR has been at the forefront of advancing the civil and human rights of LGBTQ people and their families through impact litigation, public policy, and public education. Decades ago, the NCLR launched the first LGBTQ Immigration Project, Transgender Rights Project, Youth Project, and Elder Law Project, and began working to end conversion therapy through what is now the Born Perfect campaign. www.nclrights.org

Courtesy of Lambda Legal

“Y’all know I don’t out people anymore,” Perez said in the video. “I used to do that back in the day but I’m making an exception here. I’m guessing the Sultan of Brunei doesn’t know that his son, Prince Azim, is a

big old homo. I would know because I have spent time with Prince

“It’s so hypocritical this

and

is a

enacted a law to stone to death gay men.”

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