The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation hosted its first-ever HBCU ( Historically Black Colleges and Universities ) Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Briefing for University Presidents and Senior Executives, according to a press release. The summit is a day-long meeting of high profile HBCU leadership to discuss LGBTQ inclusive practices and policies and share best practices for expanding equality on their campuses. Presidents and senior officials from 16 HBCUs joined HRC representatives as well as Michael Lomax ( CEO and president of the United Negro College Fund and former president of Dillard University ) for the event.
In Pennsylvania, conservative state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe ( R-Butler ), is now saying that an "unhinged" and "crimson-faced" Philadelphia lawmaker—whom his office later identified as openly gay Democratic State Rep. Brian Sims—threw papers at him and berated him after a hearing last month regarding emotionally charged legislation involving "sanctuary cities," Philly.com reported. Sims, the first openly gay representative to be elected to the state legislature, declined to be interviewed—but his office did not deny the exchange with Metcalfe. In 2013, Metcalfe tried to prevent Sims from speaking on the House floor about two U.S. Supreme Court rulings that bolstered same-sex marriage.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has passed a bill into law banning licensed health care providers from using conversion therapy to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity, Boston.com reported. Rhode Island has become the 10th state ( along with Washington, D.C. ) to pass such a law. The law bars providers from advertising or engaging in conversion therapy for those under 18, but it does not bar religious leaders or adults who choose the therapy.
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of North Carolina and Lambda Legal announced they have taken steps to expand the federal lawsuit challenging North Carolina's anti-LGBT law HB 2 to include a challenge to its replacement, HB 142, which the organization say has left many of the harms caused by HB 2 in place, a press release stated. HB 142 bars the "regulation" of access to restrooms and other facilities in schools and other state or local government buildings in North Carolina; it also prevents cities from passing any protections against discrimination in private employment or places of public accommodation—for LGBT people or anyone—until 2020.
In Tennessee, a judge ruled that same-sex couples in the state have the same rights as opposite-sex couples who have children born through artificial insemination, a San Francisco Chronicle item stated. Four married lesbian couples sued after the state passed a law that requires using the "natural and ordinary meaning" of words in state law. Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle's dismissed the couples' lawsuit, saying they didn't prove their rights had been violated, The Tennessean reported; however, the couples heralded the ruling as a victory because it will give them equal parental rights when the children are born.
A dispute in a custody battle between a same-sex couple could impact thousands of Arizona children born via artificial insemination—regardless of the sexual orientation of their parents, Arizona Central reported. The case before the Arizona Supreme Court—and numerous others making nearly identical arguments in Arizona and nationwide—is part of ongoing efforts to reinterpret Arizona laws following U.S. Supreme Court rulings granting same-sex couples the right to marry. In Arizona, the conflict is over parental rights and whether the state's so-called "paternity" statute is about a marriage certificate or biology.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser received loud applause and multiple requests to have her picture taken with members of Log Cabin Republicans of the District of Columbia during her appearance as an invited guest speaker at the organization's regularly scheduled July meeting, The Washington Blade reported. About 50 members of the group attended the meeting, held in an upstairs room at the Exiles bar and restaurant. Pointing out that the Republican Party has also long pushed for autonomy and more decision making by states and local governments rather than the federal government, she called on Log Cabin members to become actively involved in pushing for D.C. statehood.
Longtime San Francisco Chronicle science editor David Perlman is retiring at the age of 98, LAObserved.com stated. Perlman first began working for the Chronicle in 1940. When he was 91, the Society of Professional Journalists awarded Perlman with the 2010 Helen Thomas Award for his service and contributions to the profession, SFGate.com noted. Importantly, he was the first to report on AIDS cases in 1981, and followed the disease as it tracked a path through the continents of the globe.
Wealthy Dallas businessman Jeffrey Payne—who owns the city's popular gay leather bar, The Eagle—filed as a Democratic candidate for the Texas governor's race, NBC News reported. Payne, who won the title of International Mr. Leather in 2009, plans to lend $2.5 million of his own money to his gubernatorial campaign. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced his bid for re-election as well.
Florida gay activist Billy Manes—best known for his roles at Watermark Online and the Orlando Weekly—has died at the age of 45, ClickOrlando.com reported. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan posted on Facebook that Manes died July 21 of pneumonia and organ failure. In 2015, Manes moved to a new role as editor-in-chief at Watermark Online, a local LGBTQ newspaper, but revealed recently that he had been "let go." Mayor Buddy Dyer tweeted, "Our hearts are heavy learning @billymanes has passed away. Always a vibrant force of nature with a healthy dose of wit. You'll be missed."
The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee voted eight to one to send legislation to ban transgender-friendly bathroom policies by local governments and public schools to the full Senate, MyStatesman.com reported. All Republicans on the committee voted in favor, as did Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville; the only no vote came from Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. During the third public hearing on the subject this year, transgender Texans and parents of transgender children told the committee that limiting bathroom use to the sex listed on a person's birth certificate would target a vulnerable population for harassment, isolation and discrimination.
TheBody.com unveiled a new Resource Center for Trans People and HIV—among the first dedicated online platforms serving as a one-stop resource on all aspects of HIV for people of transgender experience, a press release noted. The Resource Center for Trans People and HIV aims to connect, empower and educate those impacted by misinformation about the health and life experiences of trans people. Visit TheBody.com/content/79513/trans-resource-center.html?ic=tbhrc.
GLAAD released a statement regarding the resignation of now-former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, a press release noted. Spicer reportedly left office after "vehemently objecting" to the appointment of Anthony Scaramucci as the new communications director for the White House Press Office. GLAAD President/CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a release, "Sean Spicer's resignation today should show the nation that it's nearly impossible to defend President Trump and his administration's toxic agenda."
A Denver home-intelligence startup, co-founded by out Denver software entrepreneur Tim Gill, has raised $8 million, BizJournals.com reported. Josh.ai, which makes artificial intelligence systems for the home, raised $8 million to bring its total fundraising effort to $11 million since its founding two years ago. Gill founded Denver desktop publishing system Quark in 1981 and created Denver's Gill Foundation.
The owner of a Pennsylvania bridal shop recently claimed that her faith precluded her from selling a dress to a same-sex couple, Philadelphia Gay News reported. Shannon Kennedy and Julie Ann Samanas said the incident happened July 8 at W.W. Bridal Boutique in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. "[A worker] said, 'I don't know if you've heard, but we're Christian and we don't believe in that; our faith doesn't let us believe in that,'" Kennedy recalled. W.W. Bridal Boutique did not respond to a request for comment.
A federal judge is weighing whether the Drug Enforcement Administration can access a Utah prescription-drug database without a warrant in a lawsuit that pits the right to privacy against the need to combat the country's opioid-drug epidemic, ABC News noted. The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) of Utah and the state's attorney general argue that warrantless searches of the database violate people's privacy rights—and the Utah firefighters union and a state gay-rights group ( Equality Utah ) joined the ACLU in the lawsuit.
A man who says he has filed multiple lawsuits demanding courts affirm his right to marry a laptop computer has now filed suit insisting Rep. Alan Lowenthal and three other members of Congress remove the rainbow-colored Pride Flag from the hallways outside their congressional offices, the Press-Telegram reported. The plaintiff, Chris Sevier, has already attracted a fair amount of media attention for his legal filings. Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, acknowledged the lawsuit and his intent to resist its claims via his Twitter account.
The trial of a 24-year-old Washington, D.C., man charged with two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly bludgeoning to death two roommates with whom he had sexual relations continued in D.C. Superior Court recently, The Washington Blade reported. Prosecutors have so far presented to the jury close to 40 witnesses in an effort to support their argument that Jeffrey Bernard Neal killed one of his male roommates in a dispute over money and killed the other male roommate because he witnessed the first murder.
On ESPNW, WNBA superstar Sue Bird officially came out as lesbian—and revealed that she's dating soccer icon Megan Rapinoe, The New York Post noted. "I'm gay. Megan's my girlfriend. … These aren't secrets to the people who know me," the Seattle Storm point guard said. Together since last fall, Bird, 36, revealed a spark ignited with Rapinoe, 32, during the 2016 Rio Games.
With the news that Scott Frantz of Kansas State University has come out publicly as gay, college football will have five openly gay players this season—a record, Outsports reported. Frantz will join freshman My-King Johnson of the University of Arizona as players who belong to schools in college football's highest level. Other out players will include Kyle Kurdziolek, of Ilinois' University of St. Francis; Darrion McAlister, who plays for Marian ( Ind. ) University; and Wyatt Pertusett, of Ohio's Capital University.
In Florida, Paul Congemi—a 60-year-old Republican long shot in St. Petersburg's mayoral race—has grabbed headlines by saying, among other things, that people who want reparations should "go back to Africa," The Washington Post reported. Talking to Jesse Nevel ( a white campaign opponent who heads a group calling for reparations for African Americans ), Congemi said, "The reparations that you talk about, Mr. Nevel, your people already got your reparations. Your reparations came in the form of a man named Barack Obama." Congemi told The Post he was a lifelong Democrat who switched allegiances after then-President Barack Obama came out in favor of same-sex marriage.
Conservative radio host Wayne Allyn Root believes the reason Megyn Kelly's Sunday prime-time newsmagazine show is taking a ratings nose dive is because liberal men are "all gay," The Washington Blade noted. Right Wing Watch reported that Root said that Kelly's downfall on NBC is because she lost the Republican male audience from Fox News. "Real men like beautiful women," Root continued. "Liberal men? You could walk into a room and they wouldn't even notice. They're too busy worrying about the poor.
