Brief examines anti-trans legislation
A policy brief released from The Fenway Institute and the Center for American Progress examines state and local legislation that would prevent transgender people from using gendered public facilities, such as restrooms or locker rooms, that align with their gender identity, a press release stated.
The brief debunks myths about safety concerns regarding the use of these spaces by people who are transgender and describes the many negative outcomes that these discriminatory bills could cause. Lastly, it calls on states to pass laws that protect the rights of all Americans to access public accommodations regardless of gender identity.
The policy brief, "State Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bills Threaten Transgender People's Health and Participation in Public Life," is available at www.americanprogress.org/issues/ext/2016/01/05/128257/state-anti-transgender-bathroom-bills-threaten-transgender-peoples-health-and-participation-in-public-life/ .
National media group expands
The National Gay Media Association ( NGMA ), which brings together the top regional newspapers serving the U.S. LGBT communities, announced the addition of three new papers to its membership: Watermark in Orlando, The Pride in Los Angeles and Philadelphia Gay News, a press release noted.
Other NGMA members are The Washington Blade, The Bay Area Reporter ( San Francisco ), Bay Windows ( Boston ), Between the Lines ( Detroit ), the Dallas Voice, Gay City News ( New York City ), GA Voice ( Atlanta ), South Florida Gay News and Windy City Times ( Chicago ).
NGMA has its roots in the old National Gay Newspaper Guild.
Tutu's daughter marries partner
The Rev. Canon Mpho Tutu—daughter of Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu—wedded Professor Marceline van Furth in a small civil ceremony in the Netherlands, according to a Times Live article.
Canon leads the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. van Furth is a professor in the Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Vrije University in Amsterdam; she also holds the Desmond Tutu Chair in Medicine at the university.
It is the second marriage for both women.
The Times Live item is at www.timeslive.co.za/local/2016/01/02/Canon-Mpho-Tutu-and-Professor-Marceline-Furth-tied-the-knot-in-the-Netherlands .
HRC previews legislative battles
The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) has previewed state and local legislative battles in the year ahead, including anti-LGBT bills likely to be considered in at least 27 states.
HRC anticipates that, as in 2015, anti-LGBT activists will push for measures that give legal cover to discrimination against LGBT Americans in dozens of states. The analysis also highlights opportunities to advance LGBT equality in 2016.
In 2016, HRC expects more than two dozen state legislatures to consider anti-equality measures, including those in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The full report can be read at www.hrc.org/2016legislature .
Chamber announces partnership with SCORE
The Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce ( CAGLCC ) announced that it has formed a business-mentoring collaboration with SCORE Chicago.
This is the first such partnership in the nation between any SCORE chapter and an LGBT business-focused organization. SCORE Chicago partners with such businesses as PayPal, Constant Contact, 1871 Incubator, MB Financial, Autism Speaks and Crain's Chicago, among many others.
Beginning in early 2016, SCORE Chicago will have a mentor on-site weekly at the CAGLCC's offices in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood for mentoring sessions. Visit GLChamber.org .
