Compiled by Dennis McMillan
Voter ID Laws Could Prevent 34,000 Transgender People from Voting
A new study has found that over 34,000 transgender people may be prevented from voting in the upcoming election due to strict voter ID laws. The study, “The Potential Impact of Voter Identification Laws on Transgender Voters in the 2016 General Election,” was released by UCLA School of Law’s The Williams Institute—a think tank focused on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. Its author, Williams Institute Scholar Jody L. Herman, Ph.D., used data from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality to look at voter ID laws in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. In those states around 112,000 transgender people are estimated to have transitioned and are eligible to vote, but about 30% may be prevented from doing so. The reason? A lack of identification that accurately reflects their correct gender, according to the study. Currently, thirty-four states have voter ID laws that require someone to produce an “acceptable” form of identification to poll workers in order to vote. The strictest forms of those laws require a government-issued ID, which is where transgender people face a potential barrier.
edgemedianetwork.com
NCLR Launches Campaign Urging Municipal and State Leaders to Ask Congress to Pass Equality Act
The San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights launched a new campaign—Support the Equality Act—urging municipal and state leaders across the country to enact resolutions pressing Congress to pass the federal Equality Act. While the LGBTQ community has experienced landmark victories over the last year, including the historic U.S. Supreme Court marriage equality decision, we still do not have comprehensive and specific anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people under federal law or in 32 states. In several states—including North Carolina and Mississippi—extreme anti-LGBTQ lawmakers have mounted unprecedented attacks on LGBT people in an attempt to set back the movement for LGBTQ equality. More than 200 bills that seek to legalize discrimination against LGBTQ individuals were considered this year in states across the country. Introduced last year, the Equality Act would amend federal civil rights laws to reflect that federal sex discrimination laws bar anti-LGBTQ discrimination, as many courts have held, and to create nationwide protections against sex discrimination in public accommodations. nclrights.org
Outer Space Declared an LGBT-Friendly Zone
Outer space has been declared an LGBT-friendly zone, thanks to human rights activist group Planting Peace, which launched a gay pride flag into orbit. With the use of a weather balloon and a GoPro, the flag was sent into space, reaching an altitude of 21.2 miles above Earth and remained in orbit for just over three hours. Planting Peace is an adversary of the Westboro Baptist “God Hates Fags” Church. “It was an honor to send the first Pride flag into space, and it provided a wonderful opportunity to show that Planting Peace will not stop fighting for LGBTQ rights until all sexual and gender minorities experience full, fundamental rights in every corner of the universe,” Aaron Jackson, President of Planting Peace, said. “The backdrop of space gave us a stunning, inspiring and peaceful canvas for our message of hope to our LGBTQ family. I would love for LGBTQ children who are struggling to see this, and look up to the stars and remember that the universe shines brightly for them, and they are not alone.” edgemedianetwork.com
Activist Fighting Major 6th & Market Development Over LGBTQ Historical Significance
On October 27, the Planning Commission is set to consider the approval of Group i’s 12-story development project at 950-974 Market St. (at Sixth). Current plans call for a 120-foot-tall building with 247 condos, a 232-room hotel, approximately 16,000 square feet of retail space, and 82 below-ground parking spaces. At the hearing, the Planning Commission will also consider the appeal of the Preliminary Mitigated Negative Declaration (a.k.a. Neg Dec) filed by housing activist and Q Foundation president Brian Basinger, formerly of the AIDS Housing Alliance. Basinger is appealing the project on both historic and contemporary grounds. As proposed, the project would demolish five existing structures, including the former locations of The Old Crow, one of the first gay bars in San Francisco, as well as other now-closed gay bars like the Pirate’s Den, The Landmark Room and The Silver Rail. hoodline.com
Radical Love to Present 4th Annual East Bay LGBTQ Youth Pride
Radical Love has announced that East Bay’s 4th annual LGBTQ Youth Pride will take place in Hayward on Saturday, October 22. The vision for Radical Love is to promote justice, wellness and community for LGBTQ youths by offering this free, fun and meaningful event where such individuals can come together to watch inspiring live performances by artists from our community. They can also receive free healing work, share a free meal, connect to local resources, and mobilize to stand up for justice and liberation. The Youth Pride event will be at 22245 Main Street, Suite 102, Hayward, from 1 to 5 pm. ourfamily.org
SF LGBTQ Community Responds to Haiti Hurricane Crisis
Rainbow World Fund is a San Francisco-based LGBTQ humanitarian organization helping out with Hurricane Matthew that has left a path of devastation throughout much of Haiti, where cholera is quickly spreading in the devastated southwest with the death toll topping 1,000. People are asked to be part of the LGBTQ community’s response by making a donation to Rainbow World Fund’s Haiti Emergency Fund. RWF has been funding humanitarian projects in Haiti since 2004. RWF’s disaster relief partner CARE is on the ground providing clean drinking water, food assistance and emergency supplies such as tarps for shelter, blankets and hygiene kits. 100% of donations will fund these lifesaving actions. Specify “Haiti” when donating online or when sending a check to RWF, 4111 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. rainbowfund.org
Marriage Equality Pioneer Edith Windsor Finds Love Again with New Wife
Edith Windsor is best known for her historic marriage equality case, in which she sought to be legally recognized as her late wife’s widow and ended up taking down the Defense of Marriage Act. But after spending years in the spotlight for the love she lost, the octogenarian activist remarried activist and finance executive Judith Kasen in New York. Windsor, 87, and Kasen, 51, married in a simple courthouse ceremony with a single witness, a little less than a year after the couple’s first date. In February, they will attend an Olivia Cruise where Windsor has a speaking engagement. And come 2017, if Donald Trump wins the presidency, they’re apparently contemplating a four-year vacation to Barcelona. lgbtqnation.com
Governor Brown Signs Nation’s Most Inclusive Restroom Access Law
Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) establishing the nation’s most inclusive restroom access law among states. Assembly Bill (AB) 1732 makes all single-user restrooms in California businesses, government buildings and places of public accommodation universally accessible to all genders starting March 1, 2017. Sponsored by Equality California, the Transgender Law Center and California NOW, the bill stands in sharp contrast with 19 states this year that considered restricting access to restrooms, locker rooms and other sex-segregated facilities on biological sex. asmdc.org
Our Family Coalition Offers Halloween Party for Youth
Our Family Coalition, advancing equity for LGBTQ families with children through support, education, and advocacy, will present a Ghostbusters Halloween Party on October 23,12:30 pm–2:30 pm at Eureka Valley Recreational Center, 100 Collingwood Street in the Castro. OFC encourages attendees to “show off your costumes at our super-fun annual Halloween celebration. Kids and their grown-ups can enjoy crafts, activities, and our infamous costume fashion show. Donate outgrown Halloween costumes, and bring a dastardly potluck dish if you can.” OFC staffer Shareena can answer any questions at shareena@ourfamily.org or call 415-981-1960 ourfamily.org
Millions Will ‘Go Purple’ to Stand Against Bullying
Every year, millions of people “go purple” on Spirit Day, October 20, to take a stand against bullying and to show support for LGBTQ youth by wearing purple or coloring purple in social media. GLAAD, organizing the event, says the visibility of celebrities, athletes, politicians, faith leaders, schools, and other people taking a stand against bullying can change the world for LGBTQ youth, sending a strong message to let them know that they are not alone. This year, in an effort to help raise awareness and build even more support for Spirit Day, GLAAD is challenging supporters, friends, and others to help raise $100,000 by October 20 to fund this vital campaign that builds awareness in communities around the world about the epidemic of anti-LGBTQ bullying. For information and resource kits, contact glaad.org/spiritday
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