SGN May 24, 2019 - Part 1

Seattle Gay News

Taiwan becomes first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage

TAIPEI, Taiwan – On May 17, 2019, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), in a historic vote, the parliament of Taiwan voted to legalize same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. This landmark step follows a ruling by

the Constitutional Court of Taiwan back in 2017, which ruled that legislation preventing partners of the same sex to marry was unconstitutional and violated LGBTIQ people’s right to equality.

see TAIWAN page 11

HUD rolls back protections for Trans homeless

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced it will reverse Obama-era protections for Transgender people who are experiencing homelessness.

The policy change would create a “religious exemption” for shelters receiving federal funds, allowing them to turn away Trans people.

The Obama administration required shelters that receive HUD funding to place see HUD page 6

HISTORIC: US House

of Representatives passes the Equality Act

WASHINGTON, DC (May 17, 2019)

– Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, hailed the historic passage of the Equality Act by the US House of Representatives, the first time a chamber

of Congress has approved a comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights bill. The crucially important, bipartisan legislation will finally provide clear, comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people across see EQUALITY ACT page 5

Anti-LGBT, anti-choice judge heads for Senate confirmation

Another horrible Trump nominee

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

In a party-line vote, US Senate Republicans voted to go forward with a confirmation vote for Howard Nielson, nominated by Donald Trump to the US District Court in Utah.

He is the latest in a series of horrible judicial nominees Trump has sent to the Senate for confirmation.

Fifteen LGBT activist organizations –including Lambda Legal, the Community of LGBT Centers, and the National Centers see NIELSON page 12

House of Representatives passes Equality Act in major step for LGBTQ rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed The Equality Act (H.R. 5,) by a 236-173 margin today [May 17, 2019].

This vote marks the first time in U.S. history that a chamber of Congress has advanced legislation providing for nationwide, explicit, and comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. The legislation also fills significant gaps in our federal civil rights laws for all

women and people of color, clarifying that everyone is protected under the law.

Ronald Newman, national political director at the ACLU, had the following response:

“This vote is a monumental step forward in the fight for true, lived equality for LGBTQ people. For too long, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and especially transgender and non-binary members of our communities have had to live with the constant threat

of discrimination and harassment. This law would protect them from being fired from their jobs if they came out as trans, turned away from a business serving the public because of their gender presentation, or denied a lease agreement if they applied with their same-sex partner. Finally, our elected officials stepped up to affirm that our nation’s civil rights laws protect everyone.

“It is now incumbent upon the Senate to finish this work. The ACLU will continue

to fight for the advancement of this crucial legislation, and will be taking note of the members who stand in its way. The time for full equality for LGBTQ people is long overdue.”

Courtesy of the ACLU

Chairman Nadler floor statement in support of the Equality Act

WASHINGTON, DC (May 17, 2019) –Today, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following statement in support of HR 5, the Equality Act, which explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity:

“I rise today in strong support of HR 5, the Equality Act, which amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other core civil rights statutes, to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill would also strengthen nondiscrimination protections for women and others.

“Today is a historic day – the first time a comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights bill has come to the floor of the House. This long overdue legislation will provide millions of LGBTQ Americans protections from being denied medical care, fired from their jobs, or thrown out of their homes simply because of who they are.

“Much of the history of the United States has been about expanding the definition of who is understood to be included when the Declaration of Independence says ‘all men are created equal.’ When these words were first written, that phrase did not include black and Latino men; it did not include Native Americans; it did not include women; and it did not include LGBTQ individuals.

“At this moment, we have an opportunity to continue our march toward justice –to enshrine in our nation’s laws protections for marginalized communities to ensure that everyone can fully participate in key areas of life, and to provide them recourse in the face of discrimination.

“Despite what opponents of the bill may say, we know these protections can work. We know that our existing federal nondiscrimination laws have helped millions of Americans.

“We know that protections for sexual orientation and gender identity have worked in more than 20 states and that, in

these places, women still have rights, religious freedom is still protected, parents are still involved in their children’s health care, and doctors are still free to exercise their professional medical judgment. Transgender individuals play sports – and sometimes they win and sometimes they lose, just like everyone else.

“But the ability to have a job, to receive medical care, or to rent a home should not depend on who someone is or where they happen to live. We cannot accept the situation where anyone in this country can get married on Sunday and legally be fired on Monday because of who they love.

“For decades, the LGBTQ community has been coming to Congress to tell us

their stories. We have heard of transgender women being fired from their jobs, lesbian couples being kicked out of their homes, and gay men being denied medical care. It is time we stop asking them to come to the Capitol just to defend their existence.

“The question before us is not whether the LGBTQ community faces outrageous and immoral discrimination, for the record shows that it clearly does. The question is whether we, as Congress, are willing to take action to do something about it. The answer goes straight to the heart of who we want to be as a country – and today, that answer must be a resounding ‘yes.’

“To the thousands of LGBTQ people who have shared their stories, I say: thank

you for your bravery. Thank you for reliving your trauma to help build the case for this legislation – to build the case for expanding freedom in this country.

“We hear you; we see you; we believe you. And we will continue fighting for you.

“I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island, Rep. David Cicilline, for his tireless leadership in introducing this bill and helping to shepherd it through the legislative process. I urge my colleagues to support this landmark legislation and I reserve the balance of my time.”

Courtesy of Rep. Jerrold Nadler

APA lauds Equality Act as good for business, health, and families

WASHINGTON, DC (May 17, 2019)

– Following is the statement of Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, on the passage of the Equality Act (HR 5) by the U.S. House of Representatives:

“The American Psychological Association commends the US House of Representatives for passing the Equality Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories to federal civil rights laws,” Davis said. “Discrimina-

tion against sexual and gender minorities remains a problem across the United States, causing increased levels of stress, which can lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and poorer health in these populations. Psychological research shows that discrimination is bad for business, health, and families. We now urge the Senate to pass this important legislation as well.”

The House passed the Equality Act by a vote of 236-173. If enacted, the legislation would amend federal civil rights law –

including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Jury Selection and Services act – to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics.

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. The APA’s membership includes

nearly 118,400 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial, and Canadian provincial associations, the APA works to advance the creation, communication, and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.

Courtesy of the APA

GLAAD praises Speaker Pelosi, members of Congress for passing Equality Act through the US House, calls on Senate to follow suit

NEW YORK (May 17, 2019) – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today praised Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the United States House of Representatives for passing the Equality Act. The bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections for LGBTQ Americans [in] employment, housing, and public accommodations –among [other areas] – across the country. Currently, LGBTQ Americans receive zero nondiscrimination protections in 26 states.

“LGBTQ Americans are one step closer to being protected by federal law instead of living in a country where hardworking Americans in a majority of states can be fired from their jobs, denied housing opportunities, and turned away from other critical services – including access to health care – simply for being who they are. Fairness should never be a partisan political issue, and the Senate should pass this bill without delay,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD.

Ellis praised the leadership of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi following the vote.

“The Equality Act’s passage wouldn’t have been possible without Speaker Pelosi holding the gavel,” Ellis said. “Speaker Pelosi has made full LGBTQ equality under the law a cornerstone of her career, and her leadership today reminds us once more what a staunch ally she is.”

If signed into law, the Equality Act would update the existing Civil Rights Act of 1964 by ushering in across-the-board protections for Americans regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This

means protections in employment, housing, credit, education, and public accommodations would be guaranteed for LGBTQ Americans under this law.

The Equality Act would also come at a time when the most anti-LGBTQ govern-

ment in recent memory has attacked LGBTQ people at every turn. Since taking office, the Trump administration has unleashed more than 106 attacks against LGBTQ Americans in policy and rhetoric, all of which could be found on GLAAD’s

Trump Accountability Project (TAP) by going to www.glaad.org/trump.

DNC on the House passage of the Equality Act

WASHINGTON, DC (May 17, 2019) –Today, House Democrats passed the Equality Act, a comprehensive bill to expand nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Tom Perez released the following statement in response:

“Today, Democrats reaffirmed our

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the country in employment, housing, public spaces, education, jury services, credit, and federal funding.

“Today’s historic vote is a major milestone for equality and sends a powerful and profound message to LGBTQ people, especially LGBTQ youth, that the US House has their backs,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “No one’s rights should depend on which side of a state or city line they live on, and today we took a giant step forward in our journey toward full equality.

“This historic victory would not have been possible without the millions of LGBTQ people and our allies who organized, mobilized and turned out to elect a pro-equality majority in 2018. Now, we will take our fight to the US Senate and turn up the pressure on Leader McConnell to allow a vote on this crucial legislation. And we won’t slow down in working to turn out the 10 million eligible LGBTQ voters and our millions more allies to elect a pro-equality president in 2020 who will sign the Equality Act into law.”

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

support for the equitable and fair treatment of LGBTQ people. Every LGBTQ person, regardless of where they live, deserves the right to earn a living, raise a family, and live a life free from discrimination.

“Seven in ten Americans support protections for LGBTQ people, but President Trump is standing in the way. This

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 finally 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, while expanding and enhancing protections for people of color, women, and religious minorities.

Today’s vote of 236-173 in the House included eight Republicans joining 228 Democrats to vote in favor of the legislation.

The bipartisan Equality Act, first introduced in Congress in July 2015, is sponsored by Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in the House and Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) in the Senate. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) prioritized passage of the legislation, which now heads to the US Senate.

In 2018, the HRC made an historic commitment to elect a pro-equality Congress in the midterm election. A year prior, the HRC launched HRC Rising, the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history. The HRC endorsed more than 480 pro-equality candidates nationwide and deployed 150 staff to organize and mobilize voters in more than 70 congressional, targeted Senate, and key statewide races across 23 states during the 2018 elections. The HRC helped register more than and recruited more than 4,200 volunteers, who clocked more than

administration has been ruthless in its efforts to undo the progress we’ve made toward LGBTQ equality. From access to health care to the ability to serve in uniform, this president and his administration have dragged us backwards when it comes to LGBTQ rights. The American people deserve better.

30,000 volunteer hours. In the critical final four days of the campaign, HRC staff and volunteers in get-out-the-vote efforts alone knocked on more than 80,000 doors on behalf of our endorsed candidates.

The Equality Act was reintroduced in the new US House in March with growing, unprecedented support. More than 200 major corporations have joined HRC’s Business 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. In a historic move, the US Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers announced their support for the Equality Act. A recent survey by PRRI found that nearly seven in 10 Americans support laws like the Equality Act. More than 500 statewide and national organizations have endorsed the legislation, including social justice, religious, medical, and child welfare organizations.

In April, the HRC held the Equality Act Month of Action. While Congress was in recess, the HRC joined with partners in fourteen key states to host dozens of in-district grassroots events to build support for the legislation, including phone banks, lobbying training, door-to-door canvasses, and in-district meetings with members of Congress. On Thursday, the coalition to pass the Equality Act hand-delivered petitions signed by over 168,812 Americans to original sponsor Rep. David Cicilline, urging Congress to [pass] the legislation.

“But no matter what this administration throws at us, we know that if we speak loud enough, if we fight hard enough, we can bend the arc of history toward justice and equality for all.”

Courtesy of the DNC

As the legislation made its way through both the House Judiciary and Labor and Education Committees, the HRC released several videos from members of Congress in support of the Equality Act, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Cory Booker (D-NJ); and Reps. Bonnie Watson (D-NJ), John Lewis (D-GA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). The HRC also launched the “Americans for the Equality Act” series. Filmed by awardwinning directors Dustin Lance Black and Paris Barclay, the campaign featured prominent figures in entertainment, sports and beyond speaking about the need for the legislation, like Sally Field and her son Sam Greisman, Shea Diamond, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband Justin Mikita, Adam Rippon, Dustin Lance Black, Justina Machado, and Karamo Brown.

To learn more about the Equality Act, visit www.hrc.org/resources/the-equalityact.

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.

Courtesy of the HRC

Jayapal to hold Town Hall at University of Washington May 29

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clients in single-sex or sex-segregated spaces according to their gender identity. It also barred federally funded shelters from discriminating against LGBTQ people.

Trump’s HUD Secretary, Ben Carson, previously promised that the Obama-era protections would remain in place, but according to an abstract posted online, the new HUD policy would allow facilities to “to consider a range of factors in making such determinations, including privacy, safety, practical concerns, religious beliefs,

any relevant considerations under civil rights and nondiscrimination authorities, the individual’s sex as reflected in official government documents, as well as the gender which a person identifies with.

“The proposed rule does not dictate a required basis for making determinations other than that they be consistent with an overall policy.”

Ian Thompson, senior legislative representative for the ACLU, warned that the rule change put Trans people at risk.

“When shelters are allowed to turn transgender people away – a policy that is sanctioned by a government that continues to push the lie that the mere existence

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) will hold a town hall at the University of Washington on Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30pm. At the event, Jayapal will discuss her work in Congress and take questions from members of the community in attendance. Town halls are an important way for constituents to connect with their representatives in government and hold them accountable.

This town hall occurs at a significant time for the U.S. House of Representatives, which is currently considering legislation to protect Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)/Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients and continuing investigations into President Trump’s ongoing obstruction of justice. Recently, the House passed the Equality Act – landmark civil rights legislation to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ people – as well as two sensible gun reform bills to expand background checks and close the Charleston loophole.

of trans people threatens the privacy and safety of others – deadly violence against the trans community on the streets will rise,” he said.

“For transgender people, particularly trans youth of color and Black trans women who experience homelessness at appallingly high rates, the crisis is especially dire, and has led to a devastating and largely unaddressed epidemic of violence and death.”

Thompson added that the ACLU will take legal action to fight the rule change.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) also criticized the change in policy.

“President Trump is putting trans lives

WHO: U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)

WHAT: Jayapal to Hold Town Hall at the University of Washington

WHEN: Wednesday, May 29 –6:30pm-8pm

WHERE: University of Washington, South Ballroom, HUB, 4001 E Stevens Way NE

Washington’s 7th District encompasses most of Seattle and surrounding areas, including Vashon Island, Lake Forest Park, Edmonds and parts of Burien, Shoreline and Normandy Park.

Courtesy of the Office of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)

at risk yet again,” DNC LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta said in a statement.

“Study after study has shown that LGBTQ people, especially transgender youth, have a higher chance of experiencing homelessness over the course of their lives. Additionally, 7 in 10 transgender individuals who stayed in a shelter last year were kicked out, physically or sexually assaulted, or faced another form of mistreatment because of their gender identity.

“By allowing shelters to turn away transgender people, the Trump administration has shown once again it regards them as second-class citizens who don’t deserve the most basic services or protections.”

OutRight Action International to host panel discussion and conversation May 30

I’m delighted to share that OutRight’s Executive Director Jessica Stern will be back in Seattle on May 30, and we are co-hosting an exciting event featuring Jessica and several other incredible womxn changemakers who are leading movements for social justice in our community!

I hope you’ll join us at The Riveter (1517 12th Ave.) on Thursday, May 30 from 6-8pm for wine, appetizers, and an inspiring and meaningful conversation about how our collective efforts for LGBTQIA+ equality, immigrants’ rights, gender and racial justice, protecting our planet, progressive philanthropy, and equity & inclusion are connected. You’ll hear personal stories from longtime activists and new leaders including:

• Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus

• Jessica Stern, Executive Director, OutRight Action International

• Michele Storms, Executive Director, ACLU of Washington

• Katie Carter, CEO of Pride Foundation

• Sudha Nandagopal, CEO of Social Venture Partners International

• Monserrat Padilla, Coordinator of Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network

• Colleen Echohawk (Pawnee/Athabascan), Executive Director Chief Seattle Club Jodi-Ann Burey, Sr. Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from The Riveter will be moderating our panel discussion, and Diana Birkett Rakow, VP of External Relations for Alaska Airlines (our event sponsor) will share some opening remarks.

Come learn how we can work together to protect and advance rights, equity and justice for everyone. Tickets: $15 on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walkthis-way-womxn-to-watch-right-now-tickets-60849892667?utm_source=OutRigh t+Action+International+Updates&utm_ campaign=c4f7d13986-EMAIL_Walk_

This_Way&utm_medium=email&utm_ term=0_e2598f1f94-c4f7d1398693856529&mc_cid=c4f7d13986&mc_ eid=5904653693 – or email me at khultquist@outrightinternational.org if you’d like to help us by volunteering at the event.

Thanks so much for your support, and take care!

Katie Hultquist (pronouns: she/her) West Coast Director – Seattle, WA OutRight Action International

Country Doctor opens dental clinic for Medicaid/Apple Health enrollees

New clinic on 19th Ave. E. is an asset to the community

SEATTLE (May 17, 2019) – Individuals and families with Medicaid/Apple Health coverage can now receive dental care at a new clinic on Capitol Hill.

For nearly 50 years, Country Doctor Community Health Centers (CDCHC) has provided high-quality primary medical care to central Seattle neighborhoods,

regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. The organization’s Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center on Yesler and Country Doctor Community Clinic on 19th Ave. E. provide primary care to over 20,000 people each year. The After Hours Clinic, open evenings and weekends in the Swedish Cherry Hill building, provides walk-in care as an alternative to the emergency room.

CDCHC now provides dental care at its new building at 510 19th Ave. E., next door to the Country Doctor clinic. The new clinic is open to any member of the community with Medicaid or Apple Health coverage. If you are uninsured, Country Doctor can help you enroll in Medicaid/ Apple Health or other insurance. The clinic is also part of the Lifelong Dental Program.

Country Doctor’s dental services include screening, cleaning, emergency care, and restorative work, plus referral assistance if a patient needs services beyond the scope of the clinic.

“We know people in our community who are on Medicaid/Apple Health have a hard time finding a dentist or have long waits at other clinics. We are pleased to be able to provide dental services to those in need,” says Dr. Jeanne Chan, the organization’s dental director.

Over 900 people have been served at the eight-chair clinic in the first few months of operation.

“More than half of Medicaid enrollees in Seattle have not received regular dental care. Communities of color and people who do not speak English are even less likely to have received care. Our mission is address inequity in health care by making sure individuals and families with Medicaid can get excellent care,” says Raleigh Watts, CDCHC’s executive director.

The new dental clinic building was built with support from private donors; city, state, and federal governments; and a number of foundations, including the Norcliff Foundation, the Murdoch Family Foundation, and Arcora.

To make an appointment for dental care, persons on Medicaid/Apple Health should call 206-299-1611 during business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Courtesy of CDCHC

200+ economists support Dingell, Jayapal Medicare

for All bill

WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2019) -

Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) released the following joint statement after a group of more than 200 economists spoke out in favor of “Medicare for All” bill to guarantee quality health care for everyone:

“This letter highlights what millions of Americans know to be true: momentum is growing across our country to guarantee health care as a human right. No longer can our country treat health care as a commodity. Every day, unaffordable health care forces millions of Americans into bankruptcy or to delay treatments and care. Ensuring everyone has quality, affordable health care through Medicare for All will alleviate the burden of crippling health care costs to both the system and for American families.”

The economists sent the letter to Congress and the people of the United States

expressing their support for Medicare for All. The letter highlights that a single-payer “Medicare for All” health insurance system for the US would finance quality care for all US residents while significantly reducing overall health care spending under the current health care system. Full text of the letter can be found below:

As economists, we understand that a single-payer “Medicare for All” health insurance system for the US can finance good-quality care for all US residents as a basic right while still significantly reducing overall health care spending relative to the current exorbitant and wasteful system. Health care is not a service that follows standard market rules. It should therefore be provided as a public good.

Evidence from around the world demonstrates that publicly financed health care systems result in improved health outcomes, lower costs, and greater equity. As of 2017,

the US spent $3.3 trillion annually on health care. This equaled 17 percent of US GDP, with average spending at about $10,000 per person. By contrast, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, the U.K., Australia, Spain and Italy spent between 9 and 11 percent of GDP on health care, averaging $3,400 to $5,700 per person. Yet average health outcomes in all of these countries are superior to those in the United States. In all of these countries, the public sector is predominant in financing health care.

For these reasons the time is now to create a universal, single-payer, Medicare for All health care system in the United States.

Public financing for health is not a matter of raising new money for health care but of reducing total health care outlays and distributing payments more equitably and efficiently. Implementing a unified single-payer system would reduce administrative costs and eliminate individu-

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A civil society campaign in support of marriage equality, led by Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan, has been gaining strength over the last two years both at local and international levels. Jennifer Lu, the coordinator of the campaign, has been part of OutRight’s Advocacy Week at the United Nations in December 2018 and a speaker at OutSummit, enabling her to address international policymakers directly.

The groundbreaking changes were passed by Parliament despite a referendum on the topic held at the end of 2018 showing that a majority of Taiwanese society does not support same-sex marriage. The provisions passed by Parliament today allow for same-sex marriage as well as some adoption

rights, and will come into force on May 24.

Jessica Stern, executive director of OutRight Action International, commented:

“The Parliament of Taiwan made a historic decision today. They stepped up and unequivocally showed that human rights and equality are not subject to public opinion. The parliament made a decision recognizing that love is love, regardless of gender, and that everyone who wishes to formalize their relationship and benefit from the corresponding protections of the state can do so, regardless of whether their partner is of the same or different gender. With this groundbreaking decision, Taiwan becomes the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage. It is incredible that the decision was made on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia, and Interphobia, sending the

strongest possible message against hate and discrimination and for recognition of the human rights of LGBTIQ people.

But while the parliament deserves immense credit for taking this brave step in spite of opposition, it could not have happened without the relentless courage and perseverance of LGBTIQ activists in Taiwan. Their success brings hope and inspiration to LGBTIQ movements in Asia and around the world.”

Every day around the world, LGBTIQ people’s human rights and dignity are abused in ways that shock the conscience. The stories of their struggles and their resilience are astounding, yet remain unknown – or willfully ignored – by those with the power to make change. OutRight Action International, founded in 1990 as the International Gay and Lesbian Human

als’ and employers’ insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs. If combined with public control of drug prices and a dramatically simplified global budgeting system, a sensible Medicare financing system would reduce health care costs while guaranteeing access to comprehensive care and financial security to all.

As such, we support publicly and equitably financed health care through a Medicare for All system at the federal level, as described in HR 1384 and S 1129. We encourage Congress to move forward with implementing a public financed Medicare for All plan to achieve the equitable and affordable universal health care system that the American people need.

Courtesy of Rep. Pramila Jayapal

Rights Commission, works alongside LGBTIQ people in the Global South, with offices in six countries, to help identify community-focused solutions to promote policy for lasting change. We vigilantly monitor and document human rights abuses to spur action when they occur. We train partners to expose abuses and advocate for themselves. Headquartered in New York City, OutRight is the only global LGBTIQ-specific organization with a permanent presence at the United Nations in New York that advocates for human rights progress for LGBTIQ people.

Courtesy of OutRight Action International

AFJ: Bress is wrong for the 9th Circuit

WASHINGTON, DC (May 17, 2019)

– The Alliance for Justice (AFJ) today released a report on the record of Daniel Bress, a Trump nominee for a seat on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. AFJ President Nan Aron made the following statement:

“President Trump is on a crusade to push the 9th Circuit to the far right, so much so that he didn’t even bother to look within the California legal community for a nominee to this seat, which historically has been held by a judge from that state. Instead he tapped Daniel Bress, who has been an ultraconservative DC attorney for years now. This nomination is being rammed through over the objections of both California senators, Sens. Feinstein and Harris, who have pointed out Bress’s minimal ties to the state. Republicans on the Judiciary Committee are now blatantly refusing to respect the rights of these senators – one of whom is the ranking member on the committee – when it comes to judicial nominations, and that is truly disturbing.”

Among other things, the AFJ report finds that:

• Bress is nominated to fill a California seat on the circuit, but both California sena-

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for Transgender Equality and Lesbian Rights – sent a letter to the Senate asking that Nielson not be confirmed, but he seems to be headed for a lifetime career in the federal courts.

In 2009, Nielson filed a motion saying that federal judge Vaughn Walker couldn’t be trusted to issue an impartial ruling on Proposition 8 – the 2008 Californian ballot measure outlawing same-sex marriage –because Walker is an out Gay man.

In other comments against marriage equality, Nielson has said that same-sex families are “inferior to heterosexual families” and that there’s no way to tell between queer people and people who are just

tors have rightly highlighted his lack of connection to the state. As Sen. Feinstein wrote, “[W]e raised concerns about Daniel Bress since he lives in Washington, DC, not California, is quite young, and has no judicial experience.”

• Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham initially appeared to acknowledge that Sen. Feinstein’s concerns were legitimate. He then chose to override

“confused or maladjusted.”

He also “argued that sexual orientation is a choice and disputed the evidence that discrimination against LGBTQ people leads to higher rates of depression and suicide,” according to The Huffington Post Nielson is also pro-torture and antichoice.

In 2005, while serving as a legal counsel for the US Justice Department under Republican President George W. Bush, Nielson wrote a memo supporting the use of so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” – the preferred Bush-era euphemism for “torture.” In it he argued that the Geneva Conventions allow US personnel to torture civilians outside of the US.

In 2016, Nielson authored two Supreme Court amicus briefs: the first argued that the US government wasn’t legally allowed

these concerns of his committee’s ranking member with no further explanation, by scheduling a hearing for Bress.

• This is not the first time California’s senators have been overridden in their objections to federal judicial nominees for seats assigned to their state. The nominations of Kenneth Lee and Daniel Collins have also proceeded despite the senators’ opposition.

• Absurdly, Bress appears to be pretending he is based in California by changing his contact information online. Bress’s contact information on his law firm’s website gave only a Washington, DC, phone number up until late 2018. Following news that Bress was being considered for a California seat on the 9th Circuit, a San Francisco number was added. This is a dishonest ploy unworthy of a potential federal judge.

• Bress litigated pro bono to convert a public elementary school to a charter school in Anaheim County, California, under a controversial California “parenttrigger” law. The far-right American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has utilized the California law as a template for other state parent-trigger bills.

to help Americans afford healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, and the second supported a Texas law that would have made abortions virtually inaccessible throughout the state. This law was found unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court.

Nielson has also represented the National Rifle Association (NRA) in three different cases. Each time, he argued that any bans on semiautomatic rifles and large capacity magazines, or on people under the age of 21 buying or publicly carrying firearms were unconstitutional.

In its open letter opposing Nielson’s confirmation, Lambda Legal wrote:

“There are over 70,000 LGBT people who live in the state of Utah. Salt Lake City has the seventh highest percentage of adult LGBT people in the country – even larger than New York City. It is critical that

• Bress has repeatedly opposed the right of people to band together in class-action lawsuits and hold corporations accountable, not just in his professional capacity as an attorney representing clients but in writings he has published in media.

• Bress has repeatedly defended large corporate interests at the expense of workers and consumers, including his defense of a corporation, BASF Catalysts, against a lawsuit filed by thousands of asbestos injury victims. The victims sued because, among other claims, the corporation allegedly deceived and misled plaintiffs into settlements by lying about important facts. Read the full report here: https://afj.org/ our-work/nominees/daniel-bress.

The Alliance for Justice believes that all Americans have the right to secure justice in the courts and to have their voices heard when government makes decisions that affect their lives. It is a national association of 130 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society.

Courtesy of the Alliance for Justice

members of this vulnerable minority, like everyone else, have access to equal justice under the law when they enter the courtroom. Unfortunately, Mr. Nielson’s long record of working to undermine protections for LGBT people … demonstrate that he will not be able to impartially administer equal justice.”

Some 50 Democratic Congressmen also sent a letter to US senators asking them not to confirm Nielson.

Nielson is by no means the only objectionable nominee Trump has sent to the Senate. Several of the president’s judicial nominees have hinted they believe that Brown v. Board – the Supreme Court decision barring racial discrimination – was wrongly decided.

HRC & UConn survey finds API LGBTQ youth at heightened risk for discrimination at home and in school

WASHINGTON, DC (May 22, 2019)

– Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, in partnership with the University of Connecticut, released the 2019 LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Youth Report, a groundbreaking resource detailing the experiences of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) LGBTQ youth. The report, which analyzes responses from nearly 1,200 young people who participated in the HRC’s online 2017 LGBTQ Teen Survey, reveals elevated levels of stress among these 13-to-17-year-olds, as well as an overwhelming lack of comfort in being open about their identity at home and in school.

“While there is power in being both a person of color and LGBTQ, we know that discrimination against people holding multiple marginalized identities can be magni-

fied – and this is true for the many young LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islanders we surveyed,” said Ellen Kahn, the HRC Foundation’s Director of the Children, Youth & Families Program. “Our findings make it clear that we must address the harmful policies and practices, negative or nonexistent portrayals in the media, challenges in finding culturally competent support, and historically maintained systems of racial oppression that complicate the ability of LGBTQ API youth to thrive.”

The report is being released during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month to further conversations about the intersections of LGBTQ experiences and Asian American and Pacific Islander identities.

API Americans represent dozens of cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities, making them one of the most diverse

communities in America. There are an estimated 22.5 million APIs in the US, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.

The HRC and researchers at the University of Connecticut found that:

Only 19% of LGBTQ API youth say they can “definitely” be themselves at home, and only 29% say they can “definitely” be themselves in school;

84% of respondents rate their average stress level a 5 or higher on a 10-point scale;

Only 9% of respondents said they would be very comfortable discussing a question about their LGBTQ identity with a counselor; and

Over half of transgender and genderexpansive API youth surveyed can never use the restroom that aligns with gender identity at school.

The voices of Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth are powerfully represented in this report:

“I’m already out, but my mother hates that I’m lesbian and doesn’t want me telling anyone about my ‘flaw.’”

“I was raised in a household where we don’t talk about what makes us comfortable or uncomfortable, so whenever my counselor encouraged me to talk about my feelings, I was out of my comfort zone but appreciative. She made sure I knew she was seeing things through my perspective and did everything she could to help, comfort and inform me.”

“Because LGBTQ identities are not discussed in any public way at school, I don’t feel comfortable letting a nonLGBTQ person know my identity.”

The US lacks reliable data about LGBTQ people, especially about the experiences of LGBTQ youth. Supportive parents, school administrators, teachers, counselors, and other youth-serving professionals play an essential role in the lives of API LGBTQ youth. These findings will inform a variety of HRC Foundation programs for youth and youth-serving professionals, including the HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools and All Children-All Families programs and the Time to THRIVE conference. The full results of the survey can be found [at https://bit. ly/2M6UJb9].

For more information about life at the intersections of API and LGBTQ identities, [go to https://bit.ly/30C0OzC].

The Coca-Cola Foundation was a generous supporter of this critical resource.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of 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.

Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign

GLAAD’s 2019 Studio Responsibility Index: film industry addressing GLAAD’s inclusion challenge as LGBTQ representation increases in major film releases

LOS ANGELES (May 23, 2019) –GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today released its seventh annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI), a report that maps the quantity, quality, and diversity of LGBTQ people in films released by the seven largest motion picture studios and their subsidiaries during the 2018 calendar year.

For the full report visit: http://glaad.org/ sri.

GLAAD’s Studio Responsibility Index found that of the 110 releases from major studios in 2018, 20 (18.2%) included characters that were lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ). This represents a significant increase from the previous year’s report (an all-time low at 12.8%, 14 out of 109 films). This is also the second highest percentage of inclusive films found in the seven-year history of the report, just behind 18.4% of films (23 of 125) in 2016.

For the first time in the report’s history, there were an equal number of films that included gay and lesbian characters, with 55% (11) of LGBTQ-inclusive films [featuring] gay men, and 55% of LGBTQ-inclusive films featuring lesbian characters. Bisexual representation remained steady at a mere 15% (three films). For the second year in a row, transgender characters were entirely absent from the 110 major studio releases.

While the number of LGBTQ characters increased over the past year, there was a significant drop in racial diversity of LGBTQ characters. In 2018, 42% of LGBTQ characters were people of color (19 of 45) and 58% (26) were white. This is a decrease of fifteen percentage points from the 57% of LGBTQ characters of color in 2017. Despite a decrease in racial diversity as a whole, GLAAD counted six Asian/ Pacific Islander (API) LGBTQ characters (13%) in major studio releases in 2018. This is a notable improvement from the previous year, when API LGBTQ characters were entirely absent from mainstream releases.

GLAAD also released a video of celebrities and Hollywood creators speaking about the power of LGBTQ images in film, as GLAAD renews its call for 20% of film to be inclusive by 2021. The video combines moments from the GLAAD Media Awards and features Greg Berlanti (director, Love, Simon), Samira Wiley (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” upcoming film Vault), Lena Waithe (Ready Player One, EP of Showtime’s “The Chi” and BET’s “Boomerang”), Troye Sivan (Boy Erased ), Kerry Washington (“Scandal,” Django Unchained ), Trace Lysette (“Transparent,” upcoming film Hustlers), and Tarell Alvin

McCraney (writer, Moonlight). Video and embed code here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=p2EsnprZ3HM

In last year’s Studio Responsibility Index, GLAAD called on the seven major film studios to ensure that 20% of annual releases include LGBTQ characters by 2021, and that 50% of films include LGBTQ characters by 2024. Four of the seven studios hit this 20% goal individually: 20th Century Fox at 40%, Universal Pictures with 30%, then Warner Brothers at 22%, and Paramount rounding out at exactly 20%.

“The successful releases of films, including Love, Simon, Deadpool 2, and Blockers, brought fresh LGBTQ stories to audiences around the world and have raised the bar for LGBTQ inclusion in film,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD president and CEO. “While the film industry should include more stories of LGBTQ people of color and transgender people, studios are finally addressing the calls from LGBTQ people and allies around the world who want to see more diversity in films.”

In this year’s SRI, 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures both received a “good: rating; Paramount Pictures, Sony Entertainment, and Warner Brothers received “insufficient” ratings; and Lionsgate Entertainment and Walt Disney received “failing” ratings.

Global entertainment agency WME, Endeavor Content, and GLAAD are hosting a forum discussion with film industry leaders and LGBTQ content creators to advance LGBTQ inclusion in film on the morning of Thursday, May 23, at WME Headquarters in Los Angeles. The event will feature a panel discussion that includes actress Jamie Clayton (Netflix’s “Sense8,” “Designated Survivor,” and the upcoming film The Chain); GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis; Isaac Lee, executive chairman of EXILE Content and former chief creative officer at Univision; and Franklin Leonard, the founder of “The Black List,” the yearly publication highlighting Hollywood’s most popular unproduced screenplays and the company birthed to continue its mission. Dino-Ray Ramos, host of Deadline’s New Hollywood podcast and associate editor at Deadline. com, will moderate.

“We are honored to host the second annual forum with GLAAD,” said Endeavor Content co-president Graham Taylor. “The results of their SRI show promise, but we still have more work to do.”

“We remain committed to our partnership with GLAAD,” continued Endeavor Content co-president Chris Rice, “ensuring that together, we find solutions to provide a platform for underrepresented storytellers.”

GLAAD’s 2019 Studio Responsibility

Index offers the following recommendations on how studios can both improve depictions of LGBTQ characters and stop repeating mistakes:

• LGBTQ characters saw more screen time than in previous years – but there is still progress to be made. Of the 20 LGBTQinclusive films released in 2018, GLAAD found that ten films featured more than ten minutes of screen time for an LGBTQ character. Of the 45 LGBTQ characters counted this year, 26 of them had less than three minutes of screen time and 16 of those had under one minute.

• Animated and family films must be more inclusive of LGBTQ characters. None of the 18 films that fell under the category of animated/family film released by major studios in 2018 included LGBTQ characters. This is the first time in five years that GLAAD has not counted a single film in that genre as LGBTQ-inclusive.

• The full diversity of the LGBTQ community must be better reflected in wide-release films. In 2018, 42% of the LGBTQ characters GLAAD counted were people of color. This is a 15–percentage point decrease from 2017. A notable improvement from 2017’s report is the inclusion of Asian-Pacific Islander (API) LGBTQ people. In 2018, API LGBTQ characters made up 13% (six) of all LGBTQ characters compared to zero characters in 2017. However, there was a significant drop in Latinx queer characters, from 28.5% to 7%.

GLAAD urges Hollywood to quickly move forward in telling stories of LGBTQ characters at the intersection of multiple identities. This also includes more queer characters with a disability, those of different religions and body types, more trans characters, more queer women, and others.

• Of the 110 major studio films released in 2018, GLAAD did not count a single transgender character. Major studio film is behind the rest of Hollywood when it comes to trans representation. In the year that saw the groundbreaking FX television series “Pose” put a multitude of trans stories front and center and trans creators behind the scenes, “Supergirl” introduce America to TV’s first trans superhero, and A Fantastic Woman taking home an Oscar, there were still no transgender characters in any major studio film.

“We know that inclusion is both the right thing to do and good for the bottom line. Audiences supported stand out LGBTQinclusive wide releases last year with both their dollars and social buzz. Nielsen found that LGBTQ audiences are 22% more likely to see a theatrical release more than once,” said Megan Townsend, GLAAD’s Direc-

tor of Entertainment Research & Analysis. “The studios should recognize the power of LGBTQ moviegoers and the desire for stories that reflect ourselves, and create and market more films for this audience who is ready to buy tickets.”

GLAAD’s Studio Responsibility Index reviews films based on GLAAD’s “Vito Russo Test,” a set of criteria analyzing how LGBTQ characters are situated in a narrative. Named after GLAAD co-founder and celebrated film historian Vito Russo, and partly inspired by the “Bechdel Test,” these criteria represent a minimum standard GLAAD would like to see a greater number of mainstream Hollywood films reach in the future.

The Vito Russo Test criteria are as follows:

1. The film contains a character that is identifiably lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ).

2. That character must not be solely or predominantly defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity (i.e., the character is comprised of the same sort of unique character traits commonly used to differentiate straight or nontransgender characters from one another).

3. The LGBTQ character must be tied into the plot in such a way that their removal would have a significant effect, meaning they are not there to simply provide colorful commentary, paint urban authenticity, or (perhaps most commonly) set up a punchline. The character should matter.

GLAAD’s 2019 Studio Responsibility Index found that 65% (13 of 20) of LGBTQinclusive films released in 2018 passed the Vito Russo Test, which is the highest percentage recorded in the report’s history. The major studio releases that passed the Vito Russo Test in 2018 include Love, Simon; Blockers; Deadpool 2; Crazy Rich Asians; and The Girl in the Spider’s Web, [among others]

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www. glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

Courtesy of GLAAD