Celebrating 42 Years! Issue 33 Volume 44
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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Donald Trump headlines Lesbian kiss discrimination anti-Gay Orlando event Dems leads to Mariners admitting condemn him and event they must “do better”
Marco Rubio (l) and Donald Trump (r) – Photo courtesy of floridapolitics.com
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Donald Trump has displaced Marco Rubio as the headline speaker for an event sponsored by the anti-LGBT group Liberty Counsel on the two-
month anniversary of the Orlando massacre that killed 49 people. Billed as the “Rediscovering God in America Renewal Project,” the event will also feature Rubio and a host of other speakers drawn from the ranks of the Christian right.
Calista Nabors (l) and Giuliana Garcia (r) at Seattle Mariners game – Photo by Giuliana Garcia
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor On Friday, August 5, a Lesbian couple at a Seattle Mariners game were chastised by, and apologized to, by the base-
see ORLANDO page 16
Secret Service spoke to Trump about threats against Clinton
Trump at rally – Photo courtesy of ntvtelugu.com
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The US Secret Service – the agency charged with protecting the President, his family, and presidential candidates – has spoken to Donald Trump about inflammatory remarks he made about Hillary Clin-
ton and the Second Amendment. According to CNN, a Secret Service official confirmed that the agency has had “more than one conversation” with Trump on the topic. At an August 9 rally in Wilmington, N.C., Trump warned that Clinton was see SECRET SERVICE page 17
ball team’s officials for kissing in public. The two women, Giuliana Garcia and Calista Nabors, say they do not understand why their basic displays of public affection (kissing) were deemed inappropriate by the people who complained see KISS page 7
Belize Supreme Court issues landmark ruling on rights of LGBT people
Case plantiff Caleb Orozco, Executive Director of United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) – Photo courtesy of 76crimes.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. [August 10, 2016] – Human Rights First today applauded the over turning of Belize’s discriminatory sodomy law, a development that marks an historic victory for the human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) community in Belize. The decision by the countr y’s Supreme Court struck down a law that had been in place since the country was a British colony; it appears to be the first see BELIZE page 17
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Celebrating 41 Years!
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City Council on a roll: Bans housing discrimination, takes up secure scheduling by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Only a week after banning anti-LGBT conversion therapy, the Seattle City Council unanimously voted on August 8 to ban housing discrimination based on source of income. The next day, a City Council committee held its first hearing on a proposal to make employers give their workers fair notice of their scheduled shifts. The renters’ rights measure, sponsored by City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, requires landlords to rent to the first qualified applicant, regardless of whether the applicant lists government vouchers or subsidies as part of their income. The City already prohibits discrimination against people using Section 8 vouchers, but the new law will extend the protection to people with any kind of income or housing subsidies. A survey conducted by the City of Seattle last year found discrimination against Section 8 applicants in 63% of cases, in spite of the City’s ban on such discrimination, and also found discrimination against disabled prospective tenants in 64% of cases. Many studies have also documented implicit bias based on race, sexual orientation, family status, and other factors. “If we want to ensure people aren’t discriminating, especially against people of color...we really need to pass the first-in-time amendment,” said Xochitl Maykovich, an organizer with the Washington Community Action Network, which worked to pass the legislation. The new ordinance also bars landlords from affording some renters a positive bias, by forbidding so-called “movein specials” designed to favor Microsoft or Amazon employees. One exception to the new law would be for landlords who want to rent to people from historically marginalized communities – the landlord who prefers to rent to people of color, for example, or
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Lisa Herbold_ Photo courtesy townhallseattle.org
LGBT people – because that would “affirmatively further fair housing.” The other exemption would be for landlords who rent out portions of a single-family home that they themselves also occupy. In a statement, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray noted that his Housing Affordability Living Agenda (HALA) task force had recommended similar measures. “One of the key recommendations of the HALA committee was for the City to address barriers that our most vulnerable residents face when finding a home to rent,” said Mayor Murray. “The legislation we introduced this spring expanded fair housing protections for renters using subsidies or other sources of income. Thank you to the City Council for approving this proposal – our seniors, veterans, and working parents will now be able to use their protected benefits towards renting a home.” Secure scheduling The day after the August 8 renters’
rights vote, Lisa Herbold’s Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development, and Arts Committee – the same committee that passed the conversion therapy ban and sent it to the full Council – held a hearing on a proposed ordinance to give the city’s workers secure work schedules. The measure would require employers to give their employees at least 14 days’ notice of their work schedules, and to pay employees for at least half of scheduled shifts that are canceled or cut at the last minute. It would also require employers to afford full-time work to employees that want it, rather than adding additional, new part-time employees. According to Kamaria Hightower, communications director for the Martin Luther King County Labor Council (MLKCLC), Mayor Murray and City Councilmembers Lorena Gonzalez and Lisa Herbold crafted the legislation after consultations with “all the stakeholders,” including business groups. “Without secure scheduling, it’s impossible for workers to balance their budgets, their second jobs, and their families, and to be out in the community,” she said. Dom i no’s employe e Cr yst a l Kaufman, holding the younger of her two children in her arms as she spoke, noted that even after seven years at the same job, she gets her weekly work schedule less than 24 hours before her first shift. A representative of Allied Employers, a group of major unionized supermarket chains, spoke in favor of the measure, noting that “our businesses are unionized, and employees have a wide range of protections in their contracts, but nonunion employees need similar protections.” According to organizers from United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 21 and Working Washington, two groups backing the proposed ordinance, the legislation will go to the full City Council for a vote in early September.
Celebrating 41 Years!
An AIDS-free world is possible, but do we have the will to achieve it? by Anthony S. Fauci, MD and Deborah L. Birx, MD Courtesy of NMAC The National M inority AIDS Council This article first appeared as a Guest Editorial in the National Minority AIDS Council e-newsletter, July 12, 2016 Thirty-five years ago this week [the week of July 12, 2016], our lives – and the lives of millions of people around the globe – changed forever with the publication of a report of five previously healthy gay men in Los Angeles diagnosed with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a disease typically seen only in those with profoundly impaired immune function. As two physicians – one immersed in his career as a physician-scientist in infectious diseases and immunology at the National Institutes of Health, the other just starting her career as a fellow in internal medicine and immunology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center – we encountered the earliest days of what eventually would become the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We were trained to be healers, but during those early days of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic, we experienced the heartbreaking frustration of trying to help patients infected with the human im munodeficiency vir us whom we could not heal. With time, however, came the incremental and ultimately transforming scientific advances that moved an HIV diagnosis from an almost inevitable death sentence to a chronic, often manageable disease. In the 1980s, a person infected with HIV often lived less than a year after it progressed to AIDS. Today, combination antiretroviral therapy offers individuals with HIV nearly normal lifespans if they start treatment early and are able to adhere to their therapy. Buoyed by this stunning evolution, in September 2015, 193 United Nations member nations agreed to a bold idea that was once unimaginable – ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. This week [the week of July 12, 2016], these member nations are once again coming together at the 2016 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS to chart a fast-track toward reaching this goal. The science is clear: Every individual infected with HIV should be offered antiretroviral dr ugs as soon as the diagnosis is made – this approach is now recommended by the World Health Organization for every country around the world. This can prolong life and prevent further transmission of the virus. Last year, NIH-
funded research provided strong evidence of the advantage of beginning treatment soon after diagnosis rather than waiting until im mune system damage occurs. Clinical trials have also demonstrated that HIV treatment benefits not only the infected individual, but also his or her sexual partners, as lowering the level of virus in the body reduces the risk of transmitting it to others. Together, HIV treatment and other proven prevention interventions provide a powerful toolbox for ending
nership with countries to successfully translate these strategies into action. Globally, AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 45 percent since their peak in 2004. Yet the rate of HIV transm ission remains unacceptably high, with 2.1 million new infections occurring worldwide in 2015 alone. If the tools we already have for HIV treatment and prevention were widely implemented, and all HIVinfected individuals were identified and placed in continuous, effective preventive and medical care, more
the HIV/AIDS pandemic. These tools include voluntary medical male circumcision, which can reduce the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission by at least 60 percent; pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a single daily pill containing two anti-HIV dr ugs that can reduce by 90 percent the risk that an uninfected individual will contract HIV; the use of condoms; and innovative, multidimensional approaches to decrease the risk of HIV infection in young women, such as the DREAMS Partnership, led by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In recent years, PEPFAR; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS; and other global initiatives have worked in part-
than 90 percent of new HIV infections worldwide could be prevented each year. That is what we need to end AIDS by 2030. It will be challenging to reach this global target, even in the wealthiest countries. Outside of the clinic, HIV intersects with economics, gender, race, and other complex dynamics woven into the fabric of our communities. While some diseases are equalopportunity killers, aff licting the rich and the poor alike, HIV tends to exact its heaviest toll on vulnerable populations and those with scarce resources, in the United States and around the world. Globally, 39 0, 0 0 0 young women were newly infected with HIV in 2015 – more than 1,000 ever y day. In sub-Saharan Africa, girls account
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for three-quarters of new HIV infections among adolescents in the region. There, the path of HIV transmission for young women and, in turn, their male partners, is often sadly predictable. Men in their mid-to-late 20s commonly develop sexual relationships with adolescent girls, who benefit from the economic largesse of their older male partners. These HIVinfected men often transmit the virus to adolescent girls, who may remain unaware of their infection for years. They may then infect their other sexual partners, continuing the cycle. In the United States, black men who have sex with men are at greatest risk for HIV infection. In fact, if the rates of cur rent HIV diagnoses persist, about 1 in 2 black men who have sex with men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetimes. These men, who face the greatest risk of HIV infection, also must frequently confront racism and homophobia. Racial and sexual discrimination and the stigma against people living with HIV contribute to poorer health outcomes, often driven by reduced economic opportunities, a lack of access to health care, and a limited ability to use HIV prevention and treatment services. We have come a long way since we first confronted AIDS in 1981. Science has created effective tools that have saved millions of lives. However, we need to apply these tools with intelligence and alacrity to end the epidemic. We must ensure that HIV services reach the most vulnerable populations. Everyone – from governments and communities to philanthropists and the private sector – must play a part. We have the extraordinary opportunity to usher in the first AIDSfree generation in more than 35 years. The only question is: Do we have the will to do it? Dr. Fauci is Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health – www. nih.gov; Dr. Birx is Ambassador-at-large and Coordinator of the United States Government Activities to Combat HI V/A IDS and U. S. special representative for Global Health Diplomacy, Department of State – www. state.gov. About NMAC NMAC leads with race to urgently fight for health equity and racial justice to end the HIV epidemic in America. www. nmac. org
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Celebrating 41 Years!
KISS
continued from cover – which included a Mariners staffer. According to the women, during the seventh inning, an usher told them they were acting inappropriately. They were told they were being too affectionate for Safeco Field’s “family friendly environment.” The women filed an official complaint and called their experience a “hateful incident” on Instagram. For anyone scratching their head saying, “How could this be?” I’ve got news for you. The ugly truth is American’s largely do not approve of Gays and Lesbians kissing in public. A study published in the American Sociological Review in October 2015, reported that although a solid majority of Americans support insurance coverage and inheritance rights for same-sex couples, they are far less comfortable with same-sex public displays of affection. Among heterosexuals, only 55 percent approve of Gay men kissing on the cheek in public, compared with a whopping 95 percent who say that it’s okay for straight couples.
The Mariners PR folks are trying to sell the idea that no harm was done because the staff member acted on her own initiative last week. Team officials reviewed surveillance video and feel “confident” the staff member acted on witnessing inappropriate behavior but not the couple’s sexual orientation. Seattle Gay News thinks it’s important to note that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened or led to a complaint being filed. Practically the exact same thing happened in 2008 to a Latina Lesbian couple, only they were kicked out of the stadium. A report on this story also appears on Outsports.com.
launches classes for LGBTQ older adults in Seattle Sig n up fo r fa l l cl a s s e s fo r L G BT Q p e ople age 50 a nd old er sp ons o r e d by G e n e r a t i o n s w it h P r i d e i n p a r t n e r sh ip w it h L i felo ng Re c r e a t io n, S e a t t l e P a r k s a n d Re c r e at ion. Reg ist r at ion is now op en for t he fol low i ng cla ss es: • N u t r i t i o n fo r L i fe – T hu r s d ays, O c t o b e r 13t h a n d 2 7t h a n d Novemb er 10 t h f r om 1-3 pm • Tai Chi – Mondays, October 3rdNovember 28th from 5:30-6:30 pm
• E n h a n c e F i t n e s s – M o n d ay, We d n e s d ay a n d F r i d ay, O c t o b e r 7t h-D e c emb er 6 t h f r om 3:15 - 4:15 To sig n up for one or mor e cla sse s, pl e a s e c a l l C a r ol a t 2 0 6 - 6 8 4 42 4 0. For quest ion s r elat e d t o G ener at io n w it h P r id e, ple a s e c a l l K a t h le en at 2 0 6 -543 - 6 412. There is a small fee for classes, however, the Parks and Recreation Department has a generous scholarship program for LGBTQ older adults.
CORRECTION: In last Friday’s story in the SGN about the sentencing of Louis Chen, the SGN inadvertently reported the dates of Chen’s final hearing and sentencing incorrectly. The final hearing took place on July 28 and the sentencing took place on July 29 – not in June of those dates as we incorrectly reported.
Gay widower sues TV station for survivor benefits by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer T h e w id owe r of a G ay T V st a t i o n e m pl oye e f i l e d s u it a g a i n s t h i s l a t e h u s b a n d’s e m pl oye r a n d the pension f und adm inister ing t h e st a t ion’s employe e b enef it s for r ef u si ng t o g ive h i m t h e s u r v ivo r b enef it s t o wh ich he wa s ent it le d. D av i d R e e d f i l e d h i s l aws u i t a ga i n st K RON T V i n Sa n F r a nc i s c o a n d t h e K RON/ I BE W 45 p e n sion pla n on Aug ust 9. Re e d a nd h is lat e husba nd, D ona ld L e e G a r d n e r, f i r st b ega n d a ti ng i n 19 98. T hey b e ca me domest ic pa r t ner s i n 2 0 0 4. Ga rd ner wa s a t e ch n ica l d i re ctor a t K RON fo r m o r e t h a n 3 0 ye a r s, a nd a m emb e r of t h e I nt e r n a t ion a l Br ot he r ho o d of E le ct r ica l Worke r s ( I BE W ) L o ca l 45. He r et i r e d on h is u n ion p en sion i n 2 0 0 9.
Re e d a nd Ga rd ner were ma r r ie d i n 2 014 a f ter more t ha n 16 yea rs to get her, but Ga rd ner d ie d on ly f ive d ays later of a ra re blood d isease. Re e d t h e n a p pl ie d fo r s u r v ivo r b e n ef it s f r o m h i s l a t e h u s b a n d’s p ension f u nd but was den ie d, eve n t h o ug h t h e c o upl e h a d b e e n r eg i s t e r e d d o m e s t i c p a r t n e r s fo r 10 ye a r s a n d h a d m a r r i e d b efo r e G a rd ner d ie d. Un d e r C a l i fo r n i a l aw, d o m e st ic pa r t ner s have a l l t he r ig ht s a nd r e s p o n sibi l it ie s of m a r r ie d c o uple s, Re e d’s s u it a r g u e s, a n d Re e d h a d i n fa c t m a r r ie d h i s long t i m e p a r tner b efor e G a rd ner d ie d. “ My hu s b a n d a n d I d i d eve r yt h i ng we c o u ld t o p r o t e c t o n e a n ot he r,” Re e d sa id. “ Wo r d s c a n n o t d e s c r i b e t h e g r i e f o f l o s i n g t h e p e r s o n yo u pl a n n e d t o s p e n d t h e r e st of yo u r l i fe b e sid e. W h i l e I m o u r n e d h i s
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lo s s, I wa s d eva s t a t e d by K RON 4’s r ef u s a l t o r e c og n i z e o u r r el a t i o n s h i p a n d t o p ay t h e b e n ef it s t hat D ona ld e a r ne d du r i ng h is long s er v ic e t o K RON- 4 i n ord er t o p r o t e ct ou r fa m i ly.” At t o r n ey Te r e s a Re n a ke r, wh o represents Reed, sa id t hat t he pla n’s la ng u age r e qu i r es it t o t r e at Re e d as Ga rd ner’s lega l spouse. “ Fe d e r a l l aw r e qu i r e s p e n sio n pla ns to fol low t hei r w r it t en t er ms, a nd t her e is no quest ion t hat David a nd D ona ld must b e t reat e d a s spouses u nder t he clea r la ng uage of t he pla n,” she sa id i n a st atement. T h e Na t i o n a l C e n t e r fo r L e s b i a n R i g h t s ( N C L R) i s a l s o a s s i s t i n g w i t h R e e d’s s u i t . N C L R s e n io r s t a f f a t t o r n ey A my W h el a n s a id, “ T h e pl a n n e e d s t o a bid e by it s p r o m i s e s a n d p r ov i d e t h i s mu c h - n e e d e d b e n ef it t o D av id. It i s sh o ck i ng t h a t a Sa n F r a n c i s c o –
b a s e d c o m p a ny a n d a C a l i fo r n i a p l a n wo u l d d i s c r i m i n a t e a g a i n s t it s employe es a nd t hei r pa r t ner s i n t h is way. T her e is absolut ely no de fen s e i n t h is ca s e.”
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IBEW – Image courtesy of ibew.org
Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual high school students report alarmingly high rate of violence
the information and skills they need to help support LGB youth.
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor They say that you can judge the worth of a society from the behavior of its youth. If this is true then we are seriously lacking. This month, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released the first nationally representative study on the health risks of U.S. Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) high school students. CDC officials said the study was conducted “to understand more about behaviors that can contribute to negative health outcomes among LGB students, a question to ascertain sexual identity and a question to ascertain the sex of sexual contacts was added for the first time to the national and standard Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) questionnaires. (http://www. cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm) The new data offers insight into the health risks of approximately 1.3 million LGB high school students and highlights the need for accelerated action to protect their health and well-being. CDC analyzed data from the 2015 national survey (conducted among more than 15,000 students in grades 9-12) plus data from 25 state surveys, and 19 large urban school district surveys. The findings are described in a CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, “Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-related Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9-12 – United States and Selected Sites, 2015.” The report documents the rates at which LGB students reported experiencing substantially higher levels of physical and sexual violence and bullying than other students. In the report, sexual minority students were defined as those who identified themselves as Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual; who had had sexual contact with only persons of the same sex; or who had had sexual contact with persons of both sexes. “Collecting information about students’ sexual identity and about the sex of their sexual contacts is necessary because some students identify themselves as heterosexual but report having sexual contact with only persons of the same sex, whereas some students who identify themselves as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual have not had sexual contact or have had sexual contact with only persons of the opposite sex,” say officials. “This dissonance is well documented in other research and can be a normal part of the developmental process that occurs during adolescence.” The report compares the prevalence of
Photo courtesy of cdc.gov
118 health behaviors among sexual minority students to the prevalence of these behaviors among non-sexual minority students. The analyses are possible due to the inclusion of two new questions about sex of sexual contacts and sexual identity on the 2015 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The findings from this report show the rates at which LGB high school students experience many health risks, compared with heterosexual students. These health risks are most apparent among students who identify themselves as LGB. Specifically, this report found that compared to their heterosexual peers, LGB students are significantly more likely to report: • Being physically forced to have sex (18% LGB vs. 5% heterosexual) • Experiencing sexual dating violence (23% LGB vs. 9% heterosexual) • Experiencing physical dating violence (18% LGB vs. 8% heterosexual) • Being bullied at school or online (at school: 34% LGB vs. 19% heterosexual; online: 28% LGB vs. 14% heterosexual) “While physical and sexual violence and bullying are serious health dangers on their own, a combination of complex factors can place young people at high risk for suicide, depression, addiction, poor academic performance, and other severe consequences,” said the CDC. Data demonstrate that LGB students may be at substantial risk for these serious outcomes: • More than 40% of LGB students have seriously considered suicide, and 29% reported having attempted suicide during the past 12 months. • Sixty percent of LGB students reported having been so sad or hopeless they stopped do-
ing some of their usual activities. • LGB students are up to five times more likely than other students to report using illegal drugs. • More than 1 in 10 LGB students reported missing school during the past 30 days due to safety concerns. While not a direct measure of school performance, absenteeism has been linked to low graduation rates, which can have lifelong consequences. With this data in hand, the CDC makes recommendations for students, teachers and parents. “The majority of LGB students cope with the transition from childhood through adolescence to adulthood successfully and become healthy and productive adults,” said officials. “However, this report documents that LGB students have a higher prevalence of many health risk behaviors compared with heterosexual students. These data highlight the need for collective action to keep these students safe.” Although there are no simple solutions to address the health risks LGB students’ face, research demonstrates the importance of school, community, and family support for LGB youth. • Focused public health and school-based actions and policies that support safe and supportive environments for LGB students are key. • Youth-serving agencies and organizations, including schools, communities and youth-friendly health care centers and providers, can help facilitate access to education and information, health care services, and evidence-based programs and interventions designed to address the health-related behaviors that impact LGB youth. • Outreach efforts and educational programs can provide parents and families with
“Because many health-related behaviors initiated during adolescence often extend into adulthood, they can potentially have a life-long negative effect on health outcomes, educational attainment, employment, housing, and overall quality of life,” the CDC said. “Many LGB students, therefore, need coordinated action to meet their needs and improve their health and well-being.” The CDC says that in order for LGB students to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe and supported. CDC works with other federal agencies, national nongovernmental organizations, and state and local departments of education, health, and social services to raise awareness about the health risk behaviors and support the health and wellbeing of LGB students by: • Developing policies and practices that support the establishment of safe and supportive environments for all students, including LGB students. • Facilitating access to education, health care, and evidence-based interventions designed to address priority health-risk behaviors among LGB students. • Implementing programs and providing training for those who work with LGB students to better understand needs and services. • Summarizing and applying survey results to increase the effectiveness of interventions and programs for LGB teens. • Providing funding and technical assistance to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that reduce health risk behaviors and promote healthy practices among LGB students. • Monitoring the impact of broad policy and programmatic interventions on the health-related behaviors of LGB students. “CDC calls for accelerated action to protect the health and well-being of these young people,” said officials. “Coordinated action by schools and communities is needed to protect LGB students and address the health risks they face.” CDC and its partners are taking action by funding, implementing, and evaluating programs that address many of these health risks and supporting the solutions, including violence prevention, developing tools for education partners to promote healthy school environments for all students, forging national partnerships, and providing scientific leadership.
COMMENTARY on CDC survey from HRC Foundation dating; And more than 30 percent reported having attempted suicide in the past year alone.
Alarming CDC Data Show LGBTQ Youth Face High Rates of Violence and Bullying, Underscoring Urgency of Efforts to Support and Protect Them This year’s survey of high school students first to include data on respondents’ sexual orientation WASHINGTON D.C. – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, today responded to the alarming results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nationwide survey of high school students, which found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual young people are far more likely to experience violence and bullying, and attempt suicide, than their heterosexual peers. “Anti-LGBTQ bullying and harassment have serious and heartbreaking consequences for young people and these numbers make that more clear than ever,” said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC Foundation’s Senior Vice President for Programs, Research and Trainings. “This is a call to action to support and protect our young people. From the messages youth receive at their kitchen table, in their classroom, and on primetime TV, we all must do more to put an end to anti-LGBTQ stigma. Policymakers, for one, can start with the passage and implementation of lo-
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cal, state, and federal anti-bullying policies and nondiscrimination protections.” “The CDC’s plan to add gender identity questions to future student surveys will enhance our understanding of obstacles faced by LGBTQ young people, and help drive our urgent efforts to end the stigma they face and ensure that all young people are safe, supported and affirmed,” Maxwell continued. This year marked the first time the biannual Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) (http:// www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index. htm) asked young people about their sexual orientation. The results from this year’s survey are sobering: Thirty-four percent of LGB teens reported having been bullied in school, and 18 percent said they had been forced to have sex; Twenty-three percent reported experiencing sexual violence, and 18 percent were subjected to physical violence from someone they were
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The YRBS surveys teens – 15,713 in 2015 – in high schools across the country. While this report gives insight into the plight of LGB youth, it is not a complete picture: a number of states eliminated sexual orientation questions from their surveys. Additionally, the YRBS still does not identify teens who are transgender or gender-expansive – even though previous research suggests that transgender teens are more likely to experience violence and other serious problems. The CDC is expected to add these questions to the YRBS in the future. Researchers believe that anti-LGBTQ stigma is a major cause of problems including depression, violence and substance abuse among LGBTQ young people. They also know that studies show support from peers, family and other important adults helps enormously. HRC’s Welcoming Schools program works to reduce stigma and bullying starting in elementary school by providing professional development training to teachers. Through the All Children – All Families project, HRC trains child welfare workers to support LGBTQ youth. Last month, HRC partnered with the American Counseling Association to release the first of five online learning modules for counselors who work with LGBTQ young people. HRC’s annual Time to Thrive conference gives youth-serving profes-
sionals the tools they need to promote LGBTQ youth well-being. While current federal law provides some support to promote school safety, it does not comprehensively and expressly focus on bullying or harassment and in no way addresses the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ youth. That is why Congress needs to pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act – legislation that would require school districts to adopt anti-bullying and harassment policies that specifically include bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity, along with race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and religion. To learn more about how HRC supports LGBTQ young people at school, at home and in their communities, visit http://www.hrc.org/ explore/topic/children-youth. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the United States’ largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation - www.hrc.org
Celebrating 41 Years!
PRESENTED BY ALASKA AIRLINES
SUMMER MOVIES IN CAL ANDERSON PARK
FRIDAY NIGHTS IN AUGUST AUG 12 Spaceballs
AUG 5 Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same
AUG 26 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy AUG 19 Barbarella
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Celebrating 41 Years!
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Biden vs. the bishops by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Joe Biden – Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Three prominent Catholic bishops have written a blog post scolding Vice President Joe Biden for officiating at a Gay wedding on August 1. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, and Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo criticized the vice president, who is Catholic, on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website. “When a prominent Catholic politi-
cian publicly and voluntarily officiates at a ceremony to solemnize the relationship of two people of the same sex, confusion arises regarding Catholic teaching on marriage and the corresponding moral obligations of Catholics. What we see is a counterwitness, instead of a faithful one founded in the truth,” the bishops wrote. “Pope Francis has been very clear in affirming the truth and constant teaching of the Church that same-sex relationships cannot be considered ‘in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family,’” they added. “Laws that redefine marriage to deny its essential meaning are among those that Catholics must oppose, including in their application after they are passed.” Biden, who famously jumped the gun on the Obama administration’s endorsement of marriage equality in 2012, married two White House staffers, Brian Mosteller and Joe Mahshie. He then tweeted a photo of the event with the comment “Proud to marry Brian and Joe at my house. Couldn’t be happier, two longtime White House staffers, two great guys.”
The couple asked Biden to preside over the ceremony at his official Washington, DC, residence. He obtained a temporary certificate from the District of Columbia in order to perform the wedding. Archbishop Kurtz is president of the USCCB, Wenski is chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Malone is chairman of the USCCB Committee on
Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth. Kurtz and Wenski have been vocal opponents of same-sex marriage, Wenski even going to the extent of warning employees of his diocese against expressing sympathy for Gay and Lesbian couples. Malone is a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization that has donated money to antiequality ballot measures.
Bishop Richard J. Malone – Photo courtesy of wnycatholic.org
Who the hell is Evan McMullin? Ex-spy, ex-stockbroker, ex-missionary challenges Trump for GOP votes by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Evan McMullin announced August 8 that he will run as an independent conservative candidate for president. McMullin, a former CIA counterterrorism operative, former stockbroker, former refugee resettlement specialist, and former Mormon missionary, was recruited by Better for America, an anti-Trump group. He currently lives in Provo, Utah. McMullin had been working as chief policy director of the House Republican Conference but resigned to launch his presidential bid. He is already too late to get on the ballot in several states, but he could be a factor in other states, especially in Utah, where he might draw enough votes away from Trump to swing the state’s electoral votes to Hillary Clinton. Branding Clinton “a corrupt career politician” and charging that “Donald Trump appeals to the worst fears of Americans,” McMullin said, “I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President.” McMullin served in the CIA for 10 years, from 2001 to 2011, heading up spying and counterterrorism operations in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. He then went to work for Goldman Sachs and started advising Republican members of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was subsequently hired by the House Republican Conference as its senior policy advisor. His announcement of a presidential run came on the same day that 50 key Republican national security experts released a
Evan McMullin – Photo courtesy of npr.org
letter denouncing Donald Trump. “We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless president in American history,” the letter said. Names on the letter include former CIA and National Security Agency Director Michael Hayden, former Director of National Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, and Eric Edelman, who was Vice President Dick Cheney’s national security adviser. It also includes two Homeland Security secretaries under George W. Bush, Tom
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Ridge and Michael Chertoff; and former World Bank President and Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick. Whether McMullin had advance knowledge of the letter is not known. According to Better for America, several prominent Republicans will back McMullin. The group said Republican consultant Rick Wilson and Florida-based pollster and operative Joel Searby were supporting McMullin’s candidacy. Better for America has been funded in part by John Kingston, a Boston-based
conservative donor who bundled for Mitt Romney. McMullin earned his bachelor’s degree in international law and diplomacy from Brigham Young University and a master’s of business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, he went as a Mormon missionary to Brazil and worked as a refugee resettlement officer for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Amman, Jordan.
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Celebrating 41 Years!
THE RIO OLYMPICS: 20 Team USA men to keep your eyes on
nals, but many fans in attendance and those watching at home will surely not forget the 6 foot 9 cutie.
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Besides the actual competition, one of the great things for any Gay man watching the Olympics is seeing muscular men swim in Speedos, wrestle in nylon singlets, cycle in painted-on tights, run around the sand in beach shorts, and of course, tackle a pommel horse in stretch pants and tank tops. With more than 11,000 athletes from 206 NOCs (National Olympic Committees) competing in Rio, there are just too many attractive men to comb through (did you catch that slippery goodness of a Tongan flagbearer during the Opening Ceremony?!!). But narrowing that field down to the 262 men representing the good ole’ USA seems more doable. Looks are subjective – everyone has their ideal types – but here are 20 American men competing in the Olympics that you may want to take a closer look at. 1) Nathan Adrian – Swimming Not only is Adrian a star in the Olympic pool, he’s also a Puget Sound native, born and raised in Bremerton. Including the Rio Games, he’s now won four gold medals, a silver and a bronze. The handsome product of a Chinese mother and American father, and the youngest of three swimmers in his family, Adrian easily makes this hot list. 2) McQuin Baron – Water Polo Sporting a clean, classic image, this goalkeeper is enjoying his first Olympics experience, after being named to the American team last year for the World Aquatics Championships. Baron is currently enrolled at USC, where he also competes in water polo.
15) Nathan Schrimsher – Modern Pentathlon Schrimsher was the first athlete to officially earn a spot on the 2016 US Olympic team, and he’ll be one of the last participants to compete, as his event, the modern pentathlon, isn’t scheduled until August 18. A current sergeant in the United States Army, this 6 foot 2 babe will return to duty in Fort Carson post-Rio. 16) Kawika Shoji – Volleyball If you follow college volleyball, you’ll recognize the name Shoji. Kawika, who currently plays professionally in Turkey, and younger brother Erik, are the sons of legendary Hawaii women’s coach David Shoji. Kawika, by the way, was a member of the Stanford team that won the NCAA championship in 2010.
Nathan Adrian – Photo by Team USA
carry a tune (well, kind of), evidenced on the swim team’s carpool karaoke video posted on YouTube; let’s just say they look cute singing along to Miley Cyrus. 7) Rickie Fowler – Golf Maybe it’s just me, but I think this guy looks a little like a young Leonardo DiCaprio. Either way, those hazels eyes and olive skin tone are irresistible. Golf returns to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years and Fowler, who pretty much taught himself how to play, is a favorite in the tournament. 8) Nico Hernandez – Boxing Hernandez is already celebrating in Rio, having captured the silver medal in the Men’s Light Fly 49 kg boxing event. The Wichita, Kansas native, who was a standout wrestler in high school, posted an inspiring message on Instagram following his Olympic achievement, “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” 9) Erik Kynard, Jr. – Track & Field This American high jumper has already stood on the medal podium, taking the silver medal four years ago in London. But his sights are set on gold. Kynard, Jr., a Kansas State graduate, is often referred to as Kobe Bryant’s doppleganger, and that’s enough to make this list.
Howard Shu – Photo by Team USA
12) Taylor Phinney – Cycling/Road A Colorado native, Phinney was destined to be an Olympian, as both of his parents are cycling medalists; his mom was also a speed skater. The sexy 26 year-old posed shirtless for the Pro Tour Pinups calendar a few years ago and is a flourishing painter on the side.
18) Michal Smolen – Canoe Slalom This canoeing hottie earned a spot on the national team in 2011, when he was just 17 years old, which put him in prime position to make the US Olympic team, but was ineligible to compete because he hadn’t become an American citizen yet. Things were different this time around for the Polish-born paddler, as he has participated in the Rio Games, although he failed to make the finals of his event. Still young, at 22, we’ll probably see him again in Tokyo.
Miles Watson – Photo by Team USA
3) Miles Chambley Watson – Fencing Chambley Watson is one of two former Nittany Lions on this list (Aaron Russell is the other Penn State alum), having competed in college fencing on a full scholarship. The bleach-headed, tattooed athlete can easily be spotted in a crowd and has become a celebrity at the Rio Games; it helps that he also models on the side. 4) Phil Dalhausser – Beach Volleyball File this guy under “dilfs.” The bald, super tall daddy didn’t start playing volleyball until his senior year of high school and went on to claim the gold medal in Beijing, in 2008. With partner Nick Lucena, he’s a favorite to medal again in Rio, which would be sweet redemption for being knocked out in round 16 at the London Games. 5) David Boudia and Steele Johnson – Diving Rather than separating these two, we’ll list them together since their silver medal accomplishment in the men’s synchronized 10m platform was a team effort. The adorable pair, barely 27 (Boudia) and 20 (Johnson), could pop up again at the 2020 Olympics. And yes, Steele Johnson is his real name. 6) Conor Dwyer – Swimming Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte get all the attention from Team USA’s men’s swim team, but beating them both in the looks department is Dwyer. The Illinois-born Olympian had already earned gold and bronze medals in Rio, as of press time, and as a result has been asked by the Chicago Cubs baseball team to throw out the first pitch in an upcoming game. Surprisingly, the hunky Dwyer and aforementioned Adrian can
17) Howard Shu – Badminton This dapper Californian, who stands at 6 foot 1, began playing badminton professionally soon after he graduated from UCLA in 2013. Although he’s ranked #67 right now, he won the South Africa International tournament in 2015 and finished third at the Pan American Games last summer, which qualified him for the Olympics.
19) Jack Sock – Tennis This corn-fed Midwesterner is actually a really nice guy; I can attest to that after meeting him a year ago at a Cincinnati pro tournament. Although he lost his first round singles match at the Rio Games, at press time he had advanced through to the men’s doubles semifinals and was set to play mixed doubles later in the week. The 23 year-old, who resides in Kansas City these days, has already won Wimbledon and French Open doubles titles; an Olympics medal would look great in his trophy case. Glenn Ochal – Photo by Team USA
10) Steven Lopez – Taekwondo Originally from Nicaragua, this decorated martial arts competitor is seeking his third Olympic gold medal, following victories in Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004). He also nabbed bronze in Beijing (2008). The 37 year-old, who now lives in Texas, is undoubtedly easy on the eyes. 11) Glenn Ochal – Rowing This rowing stud is participating in his second Olympics, winning a bronze medal in London. He will try for another medal on August 13 when the men’s coxed eight finals take place, where Ochal and his teammates clocked the fastest time in the repêchage.
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13) Ben Provisor – Wrestling This bulky, bearded wrestler is competing in Men’s Greco-Roman 85kg this week in Rio, his second Olympics after losing in the quarterfinals at the London Games four years ago. He’s married to fellow wrestler Leigh Jaynes, but if Provisor were Gay he’d be the hottest bear on the mat, hands down. 14) Aaron Russell – Volleyball This giant outside hitter led Penn State to four consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances and now plays professionally for the Sir Safety Conad Perugia club in Italy. The US men’s volleyball team lost its first two matches in pool play at the Olympics and faces elimination before the quarterfi-
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20) Kisi Unufe – Rugby Sevens This Utah-born cutie played wide receiver on his high school football team, before setting his sights on rugby. The American team just missed out on a spot in the quarterfinals, after placing third in their pool play. But they’re expected to contend in Tokyo; and Unufe, who was named to the “World Rugby’s Dream Team” at last year’s Wellington sevens tournament, stands a good chance at making the team again.
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GOP bigwigs to Reince Priebus: Save us from Trump! by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
More than 70 Republican elected officials and party operatives are sending a letter to RNC Chair Reince Priebus begging him to stop spending GOP funds on Donald Trump’s presidential bid and instead fund downballot races they say are endangered by Trump’s plummeting popularity. The story was first reported by Politico on August 11. “We believe that Donald Trump’s divisiveness, recklessness, incompetence, and record-breaking unpopularity risk turning this election into a Democratic landslide, and only the immediate shift of all available RNC resources to vulnerable Senate and House races will prevent the GOP from drowning with a Trumpemblazoned anchor around its neck,” Politico quotes from a draft of the letter it obtained from an unnamed source. “This should not be a difficult decision, as Donald Trump’s chances of being elected president are evaporating by the day.” The letter lists several actions by Trump that have “alienated millions of voters of all parties,” including attacking Gold Star families, positive
RNC Chair Reince Priebus – Photos courtesy of usnews.com
comments about foreign dictators, and encouraging Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails. “Those recent outrages have built on his campaign of anger and exclusion, during which he has mocked and offended millions of voters, including the disabled, women, Muslims, immigrants, and minorities,” the letter states. “He also has shown dangerous authoritarian tendencies, including threats to ban an entire religion
from entering the country, order the military to break the law by torturing prisoners, kill the families of suspected terrorists, track law-abiding Muslim citizens in databases, and use executive orders to implement other illegal and unconstitutional measures.” According to Politico, Andrew Weinstein is one of the organizers behind the letter. Weinstein served as director of media relations for the Dole/Kemp presidential campaign and was deputy press secretary to
then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich. He has been one of the most vocal “Never Trump” Republicans. Weinstein denied that the lettersigners are endorsing Democrat Hillary Clinton or any other presidential candidate. The letter is coming from “people who want the party to protect its majorities in the Senate and the House. It’s not an endorsement of anybody,” he said. Twenty signers are former RNC staffers, including Mindy Finn, a former RNC chief digital strategist; Christine Iverson Gunderson, former RNC press secretary; Virginia Hume Onufer, former RNC deputy press secretary; Beth Miller, former RNC field communications director; Heather Layman, former deputy press secretary; B. Jay Cooper, former RNC communications director under four chairmen; and Patrick Ruffini, former RNC campaign director. Former US Sen. Gordon Humph rey of New Hampshire – who has labeled Tr ump “nuts” – and former Reps. Chris Shays of Connecticut, Tom Coleman of Missouri, and Vin Weber of Minnesota have also signed on. Politico said that the RNC had not responded to their request for comment.
ORLANDO
continued from cover Liber t y Cou nsel represente d Kim Davis in her legal battle to deny ma r r iage licenses to samesex couples in Kentucky, and her attor ney, Matt Staver, is one of the scheduled speakers. Staver also represents Alabama judge Roy Moore, now being tried for et h ics violations stem m i ng f rom h is i nst r uct ions to st at e judges to ignore the US Supreme Cou r t’s r uling lega lizing sa mesex mar riages. Soon a f ter the Orla ndo mass shooting, Staver denounced memorial gatherings for the victims as “homosexual love fests.” Staver’s wife, A nita, the current president of t he orga n ization, has boasted that she car ries a handgun in her purse to fend off Trans women in public restrooms. The Democratic National Comm it tee ( DNC) condem ned the event and called on Trump to “disavow these anti-Gay extremists.” “Instead of honoring the memor y of those we lost at P ulse two months ago, Donald Tr ump and Ma rco Rubio have come to Orla ndo to head l i ne a gat her i ng of some of the nation’s most incendia r y a nti-gay bigots,” DNC Cha i r Don na Bra zile a nd DNC LGBT Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes said in a statement. “We at the DNC join all people of good conscience in expressing our solida r ity with the Orlando LGBT community as they continue to gr ieve the deadliest shooting in American histor y. We suggest Tr ump a nd Rubio disavow t hese a nt i-gay ext rem ist s who have likened gay people to Nazis and cha racter ized H I V/A I DS as divine ‘penalties’ for being gay. Failing to do so will be yet another example of the utter lack of judgment that makes Tr ump unfit
to serve.” In addition to Tr ump, Rubio, and the Stavers, the event includes a who’s who of the Christian right: • David Barton, a member of the Republican platform committee that pushed through the most anti-LGBT platform in the party’s history • Bill Federer, radio talk show host a nd publisher, who cla ims that LGBT equa lity will facilitate Islamic r ule over the US and Western Europe • Ken Graves, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel in Bangor, Maine, a leader of the fight against marriage equality in his state • David Lane, founder of the A mer ica n Renewa l P roject, a n
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DNC LGBT Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes (r) and DNC Chair Donna Brazile (l) speak out against the “Rediscovering God in America Renewal Project” – Photos courtesy of p2016.org and thewrap.com
umbrella organization for r ightwing pastors. Republica n presidential hopefuls Rand Paul, Rick Per r y, Ted Cr uz, and Mike Huckabe e have a l l at tended La ne’s events, as has GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence. According to Bloomberg Polit ics, at tendi ng Ch r istia n r ight events is a political necessity for Tr ump. White evangelicals make up 20% of all registered voters in the country. A recent Washington Post/ABC News poll shows Trump dom inating th is bloc of voters with 76% support, compared with 18% for Hillary Clinton. Rubio is now t r yi ng to rescue his political ca reer from the
wreck of his unsuccessful presidential campaign by r unning for re-election to the US Senate. H is Senat e r a c e aga i nst D emo c r a t ic Rep. Pa t r ick Mu r phy i s now “ t o o clos e t o ca l l,” howeve r. A new Q u i n n ipia c p ol l put s Mu r phy w it h i n t h r e e p oi nt s of Rubio, w it h a t h r e e -p oi nt m a rg i n of e r r o r. Q u i n n ip i a c’s a s si s t a nt p ol l i ng d i r e c t o r, Pe t e r A. Br ow n, s u g ge s t e d Tr u m p’s plu m m e t i ng p ol l nu m b e r s a r e hu r t i ng Rubio i n F lor id a.
Celebrating 41 Years!
I’m in cahoots with Wikileaks to destroy Clinton, Trump advisor says by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone has admitted he is working with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to take down Trump’s presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. Assange, who has repeatedly expressed his hatred for Clinton, engineered the July disclosure of Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails showing Democratic Party insiders disparaging Clinton’s primary rival, Bernie Sanders. Speaking to a Republican group in Florida on August 9, Stone predicted an “October surprise” involv-
Roger Stone – Photo courtesy of nationalreview.com
ing new email leaks. The expression “October Surprise” dates from the 1972 presidential elec-
tion and refers to a last-minute news event timed to occur so soon before an election that the opponent has no time to respond to it. In this case, Stone seemed to suggest that additional DNC or Clinton documents were being held in reserve, to be released late in the campaign in order to swing public opinion to Trump’s side. “With regard to the October surprise, what would be your forecast on that given what Julian Assange has intimated he’s going to do?” Stone was asked. He replied, “Well, it could be any number of things. I actually have communicated with Assange. I believe the next tranche of his documents pertain to the Clinton Foundation, but there’s no telling what the October surprise may be.”
On July 28, Trump astonished reporters at a Florida press conference when he appeared to call on Russian intelligence to hack Clinton’s emails. He later said he was only speaking sarcastically. Stone has also gone in for hyperbole, telling reporters on July 29 that he expected a “bloodbath” if Trump loses the election. “If there’s voter fraud, this election will be illegitimate,” Stone told homocon Milo Yiannopoulos on a Breitbart podcast. “The election of the winner will be illegitimate; we will have a constitutional crisis, widespread civil disobedience, and the government will no longer be the government.” He then promised a “bloodbath” if the Democrats attempt to “steal” the election.
SECRET SERVICE continued from cover
out to “abolish the Second Amendment.” The theme is standard in Trump’s stump speeches, but he went on to add what many took as a direct threat to Clinton. “If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks,” Trump said. “Though the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.” The phrase “Second Amendment remedies” was coined by Republican senatorial candidate Sharron Angle in her unsuccessful bid to unseat Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid in 2010 and is usually taken to mean gun violence. The remarks fit neatly into Clinton campaign messaging that Trump is emotionally unstable. “What Trump is saying is dangerous. A person seeking to be the president of the United States should not suggest violence in any way,” Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said in a statement. The Trump campaign insisted at first that the candidate was only joking, and later said that Trump was referring to the political power of pro-gun voters, but even Republicans rushed to criticize the remarks. On August 10, former GOP Rep. Joe Scarborough, now host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” criticized his party for its
BELIZE
continued from cover time a court has struck down a sodomy law in the Caribbean region. The plaintiff in the case was Caleb Orozco, Executive Director of United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM). “We are thrilled for our partners at UNIBAM and the entire LGBT movement in Belize,” said Human Rights First’s Shawn Gaylord. “This is the result of years of activism to advance the human rights of
Joe Scarborough host of “Morning Joe” – Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com
continued support of Trump. “Let me say this to my Republican Party,” he said. “You are letting Donald Trump destroy the party. And you’ve done it from the beginning. We’ve said from the very beginning when he started blowing himself up, when Paul Ryan endorsed him, that it’s only going to get worse. And it just keeps getting worse, doesn’t it?”
LGBT people and this ruling represents a key victory for justice and equality. Let us hope that this step may inspire neighboring Caribbean countries to also take action to end the criminalization that only serves to marginalize groups of citizens who simply seek equality and respect.” Sodomy laws often are used to justify marginalization of LGBT communities throughout the region. Such discriminatory laws foster environments that set the stage for bias-motivated violence and discrimination. The invalidation of the law signals a move toward inclusion for LGBT Belizeans. As an ally and partner, the U.S.
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Scarborough’s on-air comments came only a day after he wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post calling for the GOP to drop Trump from the ticket. That night, CNN news anchor Don Lemon got into a shouting match with Dan Bongino, Republican congressional candidate and Trump supporter. Bongino insisted that Trump was only
saying that pro-gun voters would go to the polls in large numbers to vote against Clinton. “What you’re saying right now makes no sense!” Lemon exploded. “I’m sitting at home, I’m watching Donald Trump. I have two ears and I have two eyes and I can see the reactions. We’re not stupid!…You should be ashamed of yourself!”
government should encourage its counterparts in Belize to uphold the rights of all its citizens, including members of the LGBT community, and bolster its work to support civil society and the LGBT movement. Courtesy of Human Rights First http://www. humanrightsfirst. org/
Shawn Gaylord of Human Rights First – Photo courtesy of humanrightsfirst.org
August 12, 2016
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Celebrating 41 Years!
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