current events
Trump Revokes Obama Guidelines on Transgender Bathrooms
By Daniel Trotta
Daniel Trotta provides wrote on President Donald Trump's administration revoking federal law for public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms of their choice, which has now become a state decision as of Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Since Trump reversed this signature of former Democratic President Barack Obama, citizens have uproared*, including About 200 protesters who gathered in front of the White House chanting: "No hate, no fear, trans students are welcome here."
Conservative Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, hailed the Trump administration action and said, "Our fight over the bathroom directive has always been about former President Obama's attempt to bypass Congress and rewrite the laws to fit his political agenda for radical social change,"
This new law has targeted many transgender youth, specifically a Virginia transgender boy, Gavin Grimm, whom officials want to deny him use of the boys' room at his high school. Others say Trump's anti-discrimination claim is being threatened with civil rights matters at hand, especially when The White House previously boasted of Trump's support for LGBT rights, noting in a Jan. 31 statement that he was the first Republican presidential nominee to mention the community in his nomination acceptance speech.
*including Beyonce who was not listed in this article.
By Daniel Trotta
Daniel Trotta provides wrote on President Donald Trump's administration revoking federal law for public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms of their choice, which has now become a state decision as of Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Since Trump reversed this signature of former Democratic President Barack Obama, citizens have uproared*, including About 200 protesters who gathered in front of the White House chanting: "No hate, no fear, trans students are welcome here."
Conservative Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, hailed the Trump administration action and said, "Our fight over the bathroom directive has always been about former President Obama's attempt to bypass Congress and rewrite the laws to fit his political agenda for radical social change,"
This new law has targeted many transgender youth, specifically a Virginia transgender boy, Gavin Grimm, whom officials want to deny him use of the boys' room at his high school. Others say Trump's anti-discrimination claim is being threatened with civil rights matters at hand, especially when The White House previously boasted of Trump's support for LGBT rights, noting in a Jan. 31 statement that he was the first Republican presidential nominee to mention the community in his nomination acceptance speech.
*including Beyonce who was not listed in this article.
Wave of Vandalism, Violence Hits LGBTQ Centers Across Nation
By Mary Emily O’Hara
Mary Emily O’Hara talks about Ruby Corado, a transgender arrived on March 12, 2017 at her office with broken glass, a door ripped off its frame and a shaken staffer. One of her working trans woman was attacked. The office was called Casa Ruby located in Washington, D.C. A center and advocacy organization for transgender women. Corado said, "He grabbed something and threw it at her. It hit her on the arm. Then walked toward her and said, 'I'm gonna kill you, faggot.’ Everyone at the office was trying to calm him down, but he leaves and bricks come flying in. O’Hara mentions that D.C. is not the only city that has a local LGBTQ community center hit by violence or vandalism in recent weeks.
On March 6, 2017 there was a drive by shooting in the Tulsa, Oklahoma headquarters of Oklahomans for Equality. The next day, a man entered Oklahomans for Equality harassing and threatening the staff, saying "I wish you all would die." The executive director of the Oklahomans for Equality, Toby Jenkins, told The Tulsa World it was the most serious incident he'd seen in 12 years.
A LGBTQ community centers in Los Angeles and Milwaukee were hit with hate graffiti in February, with the people of L.A. to see, "F**k Trannies" spray-painted across the walls. Milwaukee's Diverse & Resilient center was covered in paint reading "Fag."
By Mary Emily O’Hara
Mary Emily O’Hara talks about Ruby Corado, a transgender arrived on March 12, 2017 at her office with broken glass, a door ripped off its frame and a shaken staffer. One of her working trans woman was attacked. The office was called Casa Ruby located in Washington, D.C. A center and advocacy organization for transgender women. Corado said, "He grabbed something and threw it at her. It hit her on the arm. Then walked toward her and said, 'I'm gonna kill you, faggot.’ Everyone at the office was trying to calm him down, but he leaves and bricks come flying in. O’Hara mentions that D.C. is not the only city that has a local LGBTQ community center hit by violence or vandalism in recent weeks.
On March 6, 2017 there was a drive by shooting in the Tulsa, Oklahoma headquarters of Oklahomans for Equality. The next day, a man entered Oklahomans for Equality harassing and threatening the staff, saying "I wish you all would die." The executive director of the Oklahomans for Equality, Toby Jenkins, told The Tulsa World it was the most serious incident he'd seen in 12 years.
A LGBTQ community centers in Los Angeles and Milwaukee were hit with hate graffiti in February, with the people of L.A. to see, "F**k Trannies" spray-painted across the walls. Milwaukee's Diverse & Resilient center was covered in paint reading "Fag."
YouTube under fire for hiding LGBT videos
By James Rogers
James Rogers mentions that YouTube hid LGBT-related videos in its ‘Restricted Mode’. An activist named Rowan Ellis said, “It is filtering out a hell of a lot of LGBT content – I have had around 40 videos taken off so that you can’t see them if you’re in Restricted Mode.” Rogers talks about an well known homosexual YouTuber, Tyler Oakley has over 8 million subscribers tweeted that his videos has been blocked by video sharing. The hashtag #YouTubePartyisOver is all over on twitter with anger. Videos that has LGBT topics are available in Restricted Mode. Some videos that has subjects like health, politics and sexuality may not appear for users and institutions that choose to use this feature.
By James Rogers
James Rogers mentions that YouTube hid LGBT-related videos in its ‘Restricted Mode’. An activist named Rowan Ellis said, “It is filtering out a hell of a lot of LGBT content – I have had around 40 videos taken off so that you can’t see them if you’re in Restricted Mode.” Rogers talks about an well known homosexual YouTuber, Tyler Oakley has over 8 million subscribers tweeted that his videos has been blocked by video sharing. The hashtag #YouTubePartyisOver is all over on twitter with anger. Videos that has LGBT topics are available in Restricted Mode. Some videos that has subjects like health, politics and sexuality may not appear for users and institutions that choose to use this feature.
Transgender Conservatives Speak Out: Trump 'Failed' The Test Of Equality
By Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile mentions that Jordan Evans, a transgender Republican who supported Donald Trump, hoping Trump would support trans rights. Evans wanted to believe in Trump. She went to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), located at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland
speaking about Donald Trump a day after the president rescinded protections for transgender students. “The Republican Party does have a nasty track record on this. But I also feel that doesn’t mean that those of us who do vote Republican for other reasons shouldn’t at least do what we can, and at least try and pull the party into what we see as a more socially common sense position. I understand that we get a lot of flak for it. But I want people in the LGBTQ community to know…there are people here that, I think, we can work with. We aren’t going to see changes today, or tomorrow, but in the next few years we’re going to start to see things happen slowly and improve.”
By Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile mentions that Jordan Evans, a transgender Republican who supported Donald Trump, hoping Trump would support trans rights. Evans wanted to believe in Trump. She went to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), located at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland
speaking about Donald Trump a day after the president rescinded protections for transgender students. “The Republican Party does have a nasty track record on this. But I also feel that doesn’t mean that those of us who do vote Republican for other reasons shouldn’t at least do what we can, and at least try and pull the party into what we see as a more socially common sense position. I understand that we get a lot of flak for it. But I want people in the LGBTQ community to know…there are people here that, I think, we can work with. We aren’t going to see changes today, or tomorrow, but in the next few years we’re going to start to see things happen slowly and improve.”
Transgender Conservatives Speak Out: Trump ‘Failed’ The Test Of Equality
By Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile mentions that Jordan Evans, a transgender Republican who supported Donald Trump, hoping Trump would support trans rights. Evans wanted to believe in Trump. She went to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), located at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland
speaking about Donald Trump a day after the president rescinded protections for transgender students. “The Republican Party does have a nasty track record on this. But I also feel that doesn’t mean that those of us who do vote Republican for other reasons shouldn’t at least do what we can, and at least try and pull the party into what we see as a more socially common sense position. I understand that we get a lot of flak for it. But I want people in the LGBTQ community to know…there are people here that, I think, we can work with. We aren’t going to see changes today, or tomorrow, but in the next few years we’re going to start to see things happen slowly and improve.”
By Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile mentions that Jordan Evans, a transgender Republican who supported Donald Trump, hoping Trump would support trans rights. Evans wanted to believe in Trump. She went to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), located at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland
speaking about Donald Trump a day after the president rescinded protections for transgender students. “The Republican Party does have a nasty track record on this. But I also feel that doesn’t mean that those of us who do vote Republican for other reasons shouldn’t at least do what we can, and at least try and pull the party into what we see as a more socially common sense position. I understand that we get a lot of flak for it. But I want people in the LGBTQ community to know…there are people here that, I think, we can work with. We aren’t going to see changes today, or tomorrow, but in the next few years we’re going to start to see things happen slowly and improve.”
Justin Timberlake Gives Moving Speech To LGBTQ Youth At iHeartRadio Music Awards
By Abigail Williams
In Abigail Williams article she talks about how when Justin timberlake won an award on the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Inglewood, California and how he made a speech for the minority and LGBTQ youth. He went up to the stage and explained that his song “Can’t stop the feeling” is about “inclusion” and “being together.” In his speech he says, “If you are black or you are brown or you are gay or you are lesbian or you are trans, or maybe you’re just a sissy singing boy from Tennessee, anyone that is treating you unkindly it’s only because they are afraid, or they have been taught to be afraid of how important you are.Being different means you’re making a difference,”
By Abigail Williams
In Abigail Williams article she talks about how when Justin timberlake won an award on the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Inglewood, California and how he made a speech for the minority and LGBTQ youth. He went up to the stage and explained that his song “Can’t stop the feeling” is about “inclusion” and “being together.” In his speech he says, “If you are black or you are brown or you are gay or you are lesbian or you are trans, or maybe you’re just a sissy singing boy from Tennessee, anyone that is treating you unkindly it’s only because they are afraid, or they have been taught to be afraid of how important you are.Being different means you’re making a difference,”
Restaurant Co-Owner: I Was Beaten Because I’m Gay And I Blame Trump
By Curtis M. Wong
Curtis M. Wong talks about a co-owner of a popular drag queen restaurant. Mark Zschiesche claims he was punched in the face because he’s gay. He co-owns the Lip Drag Queen Showplace restaurants he was walking in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego, California. He was attacked by a passerby he said took place shortly after 2a.m. on Sunday not far from the San Diego location of Lips. Zschiesche says in the video, “Somebody beat me because I am gay, and I blame Trump and all those who support him!”
“I just feel that, ever since the campaign, that there’s just this hatred brewing,” he told HuffPost. “This isn’t about me; this is about all of us.” The alleged attack left Zschiesche bruised and bloodied, but he said did not require medical treatment. Zschiesche filed a police report at the San Diego Police Department.
By Curtis M. Wong
Curtis M. Wong talks about a co-owner of a popular drag queen restaurant. Mark Zschiesche claims he was punched in the face because he’s gay. He co-owns the Lip Drag Queen Showplace restaurants he was walking in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego, California. He was attacked by a passerby he said took place shortly after 2a.m. on Sunday not far from the San Diego location of Lips. Zschiesche says in the video, “Somebody beat me because I am gay, and I blame Trump and all those who support him!”
“I just feel that, ever since the campaign, that there’s just this hatred brewing,” he told HuffPost. “This isn’t about me; this is about all of us.” The alleged attack left Zschiesche bruised and bloodied, but he said did not require medical treatment. Zschiesche filed a police report at the San Diego Police Department.
Transgender Conservatives Speak Out: Trump ‘Failed’ The Test Of Equality
By Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile mentions that Jordan Evans, a transgender Republican who supported Donald Trump, hoping Trump would support trans rights. Evans wanted to believe in Trump. She went to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), located at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland
speaking about Donald Trump a day after the president rescinded protections for transgender students. “The Republican Party does have a nasty track record on this. But I also feel that doesn’t mean that those of us who do vote Republican for other reasons shouldn’t at least do what we can, and at least try and pull the party into what we see as a more socially common sense position. I understand that we get a lot of flak for it. But I want people in the LGBTQ community to know…there are people here that, I think, we can work with. We aren’t going to see changes today, or tomorrow, but in the next few years we’re going to start to see things happen slowly and improve.”
By Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile mentions that Jordan Evans, a transgender Republican who supported Donald Trump, hoping Trump would support trans rights. Evans wanted to believe in Trump. She went to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), located at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland
speaking about Donald Trump a day after the president rescinded protections for transgender students. “The Republican Party does have a nasty track record on this. But I also feel that doesn’t mean that those of us who do vote Republican for other reasons shouldn’t at least do what we can, and at least try and pull the party into what we see as a more socially common sense position. I understand that we get a lot of flak for it. But I want people in the LGBTQ community to know…there are people here that, I think, we can work with. We aren’t going to see changes today, or tomorrow, but in the next few years we’re going to start to see things happen slowly and improve.”
Ciara McElveen, transgender woman, killed in New Orleans
By Mathew Rodriguez
In Mathew Rodriguez’s article he talks about how an transgender african american woman, Ciara McEvleen was killed in New Orleans. McElveen was stabbed to death and was later rushed to the University Medical Center, where she died. After she was killed two days before Chyna Doll Dupree. “This is the sixth reported murder of a transgender woman in 2017. “ Syria Sinclaire is a member of the New Orleans transgender community and a program coordinator at the Tulane Drop-In Wellness Center. She mention that "Trans women don't want any special privileges," and “We should have the right to live our lives open and free and not be taunted and traumatized by the general public if they don't approve."
By Mathew Rodriguez
In Mathew Rodriguez’s article he talks about how an transgender african american woman, Ciara McEvleen was killed in New Orleans. McElveen was stabbed to death and was later rushed to the University Medical Center, where she died. After she was killed two days before Chyna Doll Dupree. “This is the sixth reported murder of a transgender woman in 2017. “ Syria Sinclaire is a member of the New Orleans transgender community and a program coordinator at the Tulane Drop-In Wellness Center. She mention that "Trans women don't want any special privileges," and “We should have the right to live our lives open and free and not be taunted and traumatized by the general public if they don't approve."
‘Moonlight’ Makes Oscars History as 1st LGBTQ Best Picture Winner
By Mary Emily O’Hara
Mary Emily O’Hara article talks about how on Sunday February 28, 2017 during the Oscars, ‘Moonlight’ became the first LGBTQ film ever to take the Best Picture prize at the 89th annual Academy Awards. LGBTQ flims has always been nominated for Best Picture before. O’Hara adds the LGBTQ movies that has been in the Oscars which is "Milk," "Brokeback Mountain," "Boys Don't Cry," and "Philadelphia". A LGBTQ movie has never won a Best Picture award. "It has often been noted that playing queer characters, especially queer characters who die, is one of the best ways to get a Best Actor statue," LGBTQ film Jenni Olson noted in an email to NBC Out. Since the movies "Milk" and "Brokeback Mountain" were "the big heartbreakers" they failed to win the top prize.
By Mary Emily O’Hara
Mary Emily O’Hara article talks about how on Sunday February 28, 2017 during the Oscars, ‘Moonlight’ became the first LGBTQ film ever to take the Best Picture prize at the 89th annual Academy Awards. LGBTQ flims has always been nominated for Best Picture before. O’Hara adds the LGBTQ movies that has been in the Oscars which is "Milk," "Brokeback Mountain," "Boys Don't Cry," and "Philadelphia". A LGBTQ movie has never won a Best Picture award. "It has often been noted that playing queer characters, especially queer characters who die, is one of the best ways to get a Best Actor statue," LGBTQ film Jenni Olson noted in an email to NBC Out. Since the movies "Milk" and "Brokeback Mountain" were "the big heartbreakers" they failed to win the top prize.
The Challenges That Remain for L.G.B.T. People After Marriage Ruling
By Liam Stack
“For many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, the killings were a painful reminder that despite successes like the Pentagon’s lifting the ban on military service by transgender people and the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage, obstacles to acceptance and equality remain.” Liam Stack’s article shows the many different struggles that people who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community still face today such as Transgender Rights, Health Care, Immigration and Criminal Justice Reform, and many other forms of discrimination.
LGBT And The Secret To Inclusion In UK Workplaces
By Allyson Zimmermann
“Across the globe, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) communities experience alienation, exclusion and discrimination on a daily basis and the workplace is no exception.” Allyson Zimmermann says. She also added how LGBT individual with others find themselves as the outsiders of the group. “They are not truly embraced as part of the team, feel excluded from opportunities and subsequently may also take a step back” in the business world. In the UK they had a recent poll about 77% of the LGBT people said they felt uncomfortable about being themselves in public and 74% said they felt the need to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity. Zimmermann showed that it is our responsibility as a community to strive for creating greater inclusion every day.
A School Cancelled A Visit From A Transgender Author Because It Was "Inappropriate"
By Patrick Strudwick
Patrick Strudwick’s article talks about a transgender author named Juno Dawson. In Preston, Lancashire a Catholic state called Brownedge St. Mary’s Catholic High School is a school that had previously been widely commended for its work on LGBT issue. Dawson was going to the school, but in 48 hours before she was told it was cancelled. Dawson said a staff member at the school told a representative of the company organising the event that it had been deemed “inappropriate” and the “subject matter” meant “they didn’t think it was suitable”. “All week I’ve been speaking to year sevens and eights with no problems – in a mixture of grammar schools, private schools, faith schools, all sorts of different schools.” The school that cancelled on her was a high school. “I won’t be the only person this is happening to and historically trans people have really struggled with employment, because we feel we can’t survive in the workplace.”
Pro-LGBT rights protesters dance to Mike Pence's home
By Betsy Klein
Betsy Klein's article brings light to the minority of LGBTQ+ activists. About 200 Pro-LGBTQ rights protesters marched to Vice President Mike Pence's neighborhood to start a dance party less than 48 hours before his inauguration for the purpose of "...sending a clear message to Daddy Pence that we will not tolerate bigotry and hate in our country," (organizer Firas Nasr).
Pence has an anti-LGBTQ record and anti-same-sex marriage stance. Protesters want to get Pence’s attention in hopes he will get to know the LGBTQ community positively and embrace equality. The group peacefully walked the 1.2 miles in Washington D.C. from the Friendship Heights metro station around Chevy Chase Circle to the Pence's temporary home over the course of an hour, with frequent dance breaks, glitter and glow sticks.
By Liam Stack
“For many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, the killings were a painful reminder that despite successes like the Pentagon’s lifting the ban on military service by transgender people and the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage, obstacles to acceptance and equality remain.” Liam Stack’s article shows the many different struggles that people who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community still face today such as Transgender Rights, Health Care, Immigration and Criminal Justice Reform, and many other forms of discrimination.
LGBT And The Secret To Inclusion In UK Workplaces
By Allyson Zimmermann
“Across the globe, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) communities experience alienation, exclusion and discrimination on a daily basis and the workplace is no exception.” Allyson Zimmermann says. She also added how LGBT individual with others find themselves as the outsiders of the group. “They are not truly embraced as part of the team, feel excluded from opportunities and subsequently may also take a step back” in the business world. In the UK they had a recent poll about 77% of the LGBT people said they felt uncomfortable about being themselves in public and 74% said they felt the need to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity. Zimmermann showed that it is our responsibility as a community to strive for creating greater inclusion every day.
A School Cancelled A Visit From A Transgender Author Because It Was "Inappropriate"
By Patrick Strudwick
Patrick Strudwick’s article talks about a transgender author named Juno Dawson. In Preston, Lancashire a Catholic state called Brownedge St. Mary’s Catholic High School is a school that had previously been widely commended for its work on LGBT issue. Dawson was going to the school, but in 48 hours before she was told it was cancelled. Dawson said a staff member at the school told a representative of the company organising the event that it had been deemed “inappropriate” and the “subject matter” meant “they didn’t think it was suitable”. “All week I’ve been speaking to year sevens and eights with no problems – in a mixture of grammar schools, private schools, faith schools, all sorts of different schools.” The school that cancelled on her was a high school. “I won’t be the only person this is happening to and historically trans people have really struggled with employment, because we feel we can’t survive in the workplace.”
Pro-LGBT rights protesters dance to Mike Pence's home
By Betsy Klein
Betsy Klein's article brings light to the minority of LGBTQ+ activists. About 200 Pro-LGBTQ rights protesters marched to Vice President Mike Pence's neighborhood to start a dance party less than 48 hours before his inauguration for the purpose of "...sending a clear message to Daddy Pence that we will not tolerate bigotry and hate in our country," (organizer Firas Nasr).
Pence has an anti-LGBTQ record and anti-same-sex marriage stance. Protesters want to get Pence’s attention in hopes he will get to know the LGBTQ community positively and embrace equality. The group peacefully walked the 1.2 miles in Washington D.C. from the Friendship Heights metro station around Chevy Chase Circle to the Pence's temporary home over the course of an hour, with frequent dance breaks, glitter and glow sticks.