5 THINGS TO KNOW

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Your voices were heard and stopped the Texas anti-transgender legislation.

August 17, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Your voices were heard and stopped the Texas anti-transgender legislation.

Today, HRC released a new graphic highlighting the many voices that joined together to successfully stop anti-transgender legislation that was considered in the Texas legislature. It can be viewed here. Due to the outpouring of opposition from Texans from all walks of life, anti-transgender legislation is dead for this session. HRC is proud to have worked throughout the regular session and special session with a coalition of organizations, including Equality Texas, the ACLU of Texas, the Texas Freedom Network and the Transgender Education Network of Texas.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Alabama’s next senator could be firmly anti-LGBT.

August 17, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Alabama’s next senator could be firmly anti-LGBT.

Former chief justice of the State Supreme Court Roy Moore and Senator Luther Strange, appointed to fill Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ empty seat, emerged as the top choices among a crowded GOP field on Tuesday to set up a runoff. Strange is expected to embrace President Donald Trump‘s policies more or less across the board, and even borrowed his slogan in saying, “What it all boils down to is: Who’s best suited to stand with the people of this country, with our president, and make sure we make America great again?”

5 THINGS TO KNOW

When looking for a smile, it’s helpful to look for the big gay rainbow.

August 16, 2017 compassq Comments Off on When looking for a smile, it’s helpful to look for the big gay rainbow.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in New Zealand in April 2013, when the country’s politicians voted overwhelmingly – 77 votes to 44 – in favour. And one of those who rose to speak in favour was National Party MP Maurice Williamson, who was a minister under PM John Key at the time. His four-minute speech became a viral hit at the time and the 60-something politician was labelled a “gay icon” and even invited on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

You’re free to pee in the Lone Star State.

August 16, 2017 compassq Comments Off on You’re free to pee in the Lone Star State.

Amid opposition from hundreds of businesses and moderate Republican lawmakers, a Texas measure that would restrict access to bathrooms in schools and public buildings according to the gender on a person’s government-issued ID appears to be dead, according to lawmakers. The state Senate passed SB3 in July by a 20-10 vote, but it was never referred to the House. The House version, HB46, never made it to committee, making passage unlikely before the legislature completes its 30-day special session on Wednesday.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Indonesia’s growing intolerance of its LGBT community.

August 16, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Indonesia’s growing intolerance of its LGBT community.

Indonesian social media was flooded with images of the 141 men, many shirtless and faces turned away from the cameras, who were detained in a raid on the men-only Atlantis sauna in Jakarta. The incident was slammed by human rights activists worldwide in May, before it quickly faded from the news. Yet it remains one of the most public examples of Indonesia’s growing intolerance of its LGBT community.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Montreal’s Pride Parade to feature Leo Varadkar and Justin Trudeau.

August 16, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Montreal’s Pride Parade to feature Leo Varadkar and Justin Trudeau.

Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s taoiseach, or prime minister, will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Montreal’s Pride parade during a three-day visit that gets underway Saturday. The two leaders met in Ireland in July, shortly after Varadkar took office as the country’s first openly gay prime minister. Trudeau says he and Varadkar plan to discuss issues related to diversity and inclusion and how both countries can benefit from the Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which goes into effect next month.