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Colorado Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill

Friday, March 25th, 2011

The bill will next be considered by the House of Representatives

Washington–The Human Rights Campaign commends the Colorado Senate for passing a comprehensive civil unions bill. The legislation passed by a 23 to 12 vote, and now moves to the House of Representatives.

“Legislators in Colorado have taken an important action to advance equality for all Coloradans,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We call on the Colorado House to swiftly follow the Senate’s lead on this crucial legislation.”

SB 127, introduced by Senator Pat Steadman, would allow both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into civil unions giving couples all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses.

Currently, five states have laws providing an expansive form of state-level relationship recognition for same-sex couples, without offering marriage. California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington provide same-sex couples with access to almost of all the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships. Earlier this year, the governors of Hawaii and Illinois signed into law civil unions bills. Couples in Illinois can begin applying for civil union licenses on June 1, 2011 and in Hawaii couples can begin applying on Jan. 1, 2012.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing relationship recognition in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.

Source: HRC Press Release

Howard Brown Hosts Community Roundtable with Chaz Bono

Friday, March 18th, 2011

CHICAGO–– Howard Brown Health Center is honored to host Chaz Bono, renowned advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights and social justice, as the featured speaker at The Lifeline Celebration on May 6, 2011 at the Palmer House Hilton, downtown Chicago.

In addition to sharing his personal journey at the main event, Bono will visit Howard Brown Health Center’s Sheridan Road Clinic earlier that day for an Open House on LGBT health and will participate in a panel discussion. Details about this public program are currently TBA.

“Chaz Bono is strong voice nationally for the LGBT community in general and for the transgender community specifically,” said Jamal Edwards, President and CEO. “For years, we have provided quality and cutting-edge health services to the transgender community including our new informed consent hormone protocol, THInC. We are thrilled that Chaz will be speaking and sharing his time with our patients, staff and supporters at Howard Brown and our Lifeline Celebration. It’s part of our broader and deep commitment to providing quality care to LBGTQ people.”

As the only child of famed entertainers Sonny and Cher, Bono used his celebrity spotlight to become one of the most recognized leaders for LGBT rights and social justice as an advocate, author and speaker. Recently, Bono shared his first-person account of a 40-year transformation from female to male in his biography, Transition. The book inspired a film documentary of Bono’s experiences in transforming from female to male in Becoming Chaz, which received a standing ovation at its debut at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

“Chicago is home to an active and vibrant LGBT community, and I’m very excited to have an opportunity to share my story as a transgender man,” said Bono. “It is not easy to find compassionate, quality healthcare as a transperson. I am thankful that an organization such as Howard Brown exists, because it provides much needed care to those who might not otherwise be able to access or afford it. ”

Following the afternoon’s events, Bono will mingle with guests during the Premier VIP reception of The Lifeline Celebration at 5:30 p.m. The evening’s Main Event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a personal address by Bono and the presentation of Howard Brown’s annual Friends for Life awards. Benefit guests can savor culinary specialties, sip champagne and cocktails and enjoy a raffle to raise funds to support Howard Brown’s Lifeline Appeal and its health and wellness services to the community.

Proceeds from The Lifeline Celebration will support Howard Brown’s ongoing work to meet the needs of more than 36,000 people with lifesaving health care services and a myriad of comprehensive programs to support the wellness of the entire LGBTQA community.

Tickets to the Premier VIP Champagne Reception, which features a mixer with Bono and opportunities to bid on signature raffle tickets, are $250. Admission to the Main Event, which features savory treats, cocktails, raffles and an address given by Bono, is $100.

For more information about The Lifeline Celebration and to purchase tickets, please visit www.HowardBrown.org or call (773) 388-1600.

A more detailed bio on Bono is posted here.

Source: Howard Brown Press Release, March 15, 2011

White House Launches Anti-Bullying Initiative

Friday, March 11th, 2011

New York, NY, March 10, 2011–The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was part of a White House press announcement highlighting anti-bullying campaigns by Facebook, MTV and the American Federation of Teachers.

At today’s Conference on Bullying Prevention, approximately 150 students, parents, teachers, non-profit leaders, advocates and policymakers convened at the White House to discuss how they can work together to combat bullying in America’s schools. The President also specifically cited anti-LGBT bullying as an ongoing problem among young people today.

“Today’s conference marks a turning point for young people everywhere, and in particular, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth who face disproportionate rates of harassment while at school,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “By taking this momentous stand against bullying, President Obama has sent a clear message to LGBT youth across the country that it’s okay to be who you are.”

The conference comes just months after GLAAD bridged an unprecedented partnership with Facebook and helped reshape the way the site responds to hateful and violent anti-LGBT posts. Facebook later joined GLAAD and other national organizations, including GLSEN, HRC, PFLAG and the Trevor Project, to create the “Network of Support,” an educational initiative that works to prevent anti-LGBT cyberbullying.

In a statement released today, the White House highlighted GLAAD’s commitment to countering anti-LGBT bullying and acknowledged GLAAD’s continuing work with Facebook, MTV and the American Federation of Teachers.

As part of MTV’s multi-year, award-winning A THIN LINE campaign, the network will launch a new anti-digital discrimination coalition, which will work with MTV to fight bullying and intolerance online (in partnership with the National Council of La Raza, Anti-Defamation League, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and GLAAD).

Additionally, The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) will be launching a national bullying campaign, “See a Bully, Stop a Bully, Make a Difference,” focused on raising bullying awareness and providing resources, training, and technical assistance for leaders and members. AFT will work closely with GLSEN and GLAAD to help amplify an anti-bullying message.

Source: GLAAD Press Release; Image: Mybarackobama.com

GLAAD Honors Russell Simmons, Robert Greenblatt, Ricky Martin and Kristin Chenoweth

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Los Angeles, CA–-The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will honor pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist Russell Simmons and Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of Entertainment at NBC, at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards.

Simmons will receive the Excellence in Media Award at the New York award ceremony on Saturday, March, 19, 2011, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Greenblatt will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the Los Angeles event on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at the Westin Bonaventure.

GLAAD previously announced that Grammy Award-winning singer Ricky Martin would receive the Vito Russo Award in New York and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth would receive the Vanguard Award in Los Angeles. Andy Cohen, Bravo’s Executive Vice President of Original Programming and host of Watch What Happens: Live will host the New York event. Special guests for the New York event include Wilson Cruz, Tina Fey, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Brent Ridge and Jane Velez-Mitchell. Special guests for the Los Angeles event include Chris Colfer, Kirsten Dunst, Omar Epps, Colin Farrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sean Hayes, Mike O’Malley, Shay Mitchell and Jill Zarin. Honorees for the San Francisco event on May 14, 2011, at the Marriott Marquis, along with additional special guests for all cities will be announced soon.

Nominees for the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards were announced earlier this year and are available here:http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/22/nominees. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

In 2011, the GLAAD Media Awards will also celebrate GLAAD’s 25th anniversary year, looking back at a quarter-century of work to build acceptance and advance equality through LGBT images in the media.

Pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist Russell Simmons will receive the Excellence in Media Award, presented to media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. As the co-founder of the iconic hip-hop record label Def Jam Recordings, Simmons has been a key figure in making hip-hop a mainstream cultural phenomenon, and has co-founded non-profit organizations such as the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and the Diamond Empowerment Fund. Through the organizations and his own efforts, Simmons has tackled problems like inner city poverty, voter registration among youth, HIV/AIDS awareness, animal rights and full equality for LGBT people. Simmons has repeatedly spoken out on issues of concern to the LGBT community and continues to urge Americans to support full equality. In 2009, Simmons wrote an open letter to Governor David Paterson of New York urging him to continue supporting marriage equality in the Empire State and in 2010, Simmons penned an open letter to the United States Senate, urging the body to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Past recipients include Tyra Banks, Julianne Moore, Diane Sawyer, Glenn Close, Billy Crystal, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Redgrave, Joy Behar, and Phil Donahue.

“Whether speaking out against the unfair nature of California’s anti-gay Proposition 8 or advocating for the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ Russell Simmons has become a critical ally who inspires diverse communities across the country to support equality,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “As a cultural icon, Simmons’ steadfast support of our community has also encouraged countless gay and transgender people of color to be proud of who they are.”

Golden Globe and Producers Guild Award-winner Robert Greenblatt will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for our community. As an openly gay producer in Hollywood, Greenblatt has brought diverse, multi-dimensional LGBT characters to homes across America. Among his early works he produced the 1999 ABC sitcom Oh, Grow Up about a recently out gay man living with his two straight friends. He also produced the critically acclaimed drama Six Feet Under for HBO which received multiple GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Drama Series. As Showtime’s President of Entertainment, he aired many shows with LGBT characters, including the GLAAD Media Awards-winning series The L Word as well as Nurse Jackie andUnited States of Tara, which are nominated for a GLAAD Media Award this year. In January, Showtime premiered Shamelesswhich includes Ian, a gay teen having an affair with his older boss. Greenblatt continues his producing success this year by stepping in as the Chairman of Entertainment at NBC. Previous Stephen F. Kolzak honorees include Wanda Sykes, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Bill Condon, Todd Haynes, Alan Ball, Ellen DeGeneres, and Sir Ian McKellen.

“From Keith & David’s family on Six Feet Under, Bette & Tina’s romance on The L Word to Marshall and Ian’s coming out stories on United States of Tara and Shameless, Robert Greenblatt has brought groundbreaking stories about gay and transgender people to Americans that have shattered stereotypes,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “By including stories of our community on some of America’s most talked-about shows, he has been instrumental in opening the door for so many of the current gay and transgender storylines that are continuing to advance equality.”

Source: Press release from www.glaad.org.

Pictured above, left to right: Russell Simmons, Kristen Chenoweth, Robert Greenblatt, Ricky Martin

HRC Endorses Rahm Emanuel for Chicago Mayor

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Longtime Equality Champion Will Lead City for All Chicagoans

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign announced its endorsement of Rahm Emanuel for Mayor of Chicago. The former White House Chief of Staff and member of Congress representing Chicago’s northwest side has a consistent record of support for LGBT Americans and was instrumental in enacting hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples nationwide.

“Rahm Emanuel has been a champion for equality throughout his career in public service,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “His dedication to the LGBT community and his commitment to fairness for all Chicagoans makes him a stellar choice for Mayor.”

“From passing hate crimes legislation, to extending visitation rights to LGBT couples, to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, we have worked together to advance equality for LGBT Americans. I look forward to continuing to work with HRC to advance the cause of equality in every community and neighborhood in Chicago if I have the privilege of serving as Mayor,” said Rahm Emanuel.

While in Congress, Emanuel was a consistent supporter of LGBT equality and scored 100% on the HRC Congressional Scorecard for each of the three terms he served. More recently, he was a key driver behind the President’s executive order on hospital visitation protections for same-sex couples. Additionally his campaign website points out his support for the civil unions law in Illinois and that he “continues to believe that full marriage equality, in name and in rights, should always be the goal.”

“Confronted by my family’s story, it was Rahm Emanuel who saw an injustice and brought it to the President’s attention in order to make the lives of same-sex couples better,” said Janice Langbehn, the catalyst for the hospital visitation regulations who was shut out of the emergency room as her partner Lisa Pond was dying. “I have no doubt that he will bring that same kind of enthusiasm and passion to his job as mayor of Chicago and I am proud to endorse his candidacy.”

“As a Chicagoan, I know Rahm Emanuel will be a great partner with our local LGBT community as we work together to improve the lives of all our citizens,” said John Barry, a member of the HRC Board of Directors.

Source: Press Release www.hrc.org

Winter 2011 Issue – Digital Download

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Click here to down load the 2011 winter issue winter2011small

Winter 2011 Issue

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Dear reader,

In order for us to bring you the best and serve you better, I have decided to make more changes to our site, PINKmag.com. The new improvements will inform readers of PINK’s exclusive online editorial and updates posted every Friday–featuring the most current, topical and edgy LGBT arts, culture and lifestyle news distributed by the magazine’s weekly 20K-plus receiving eblast, The PINK Spot. In addition, we’ll let you know what signature products PINK will be giving away in current/upcoming reader contests as well as announcing the winners of contests prior. I promise to bring you the most engaging, fun and informative stories, as reported by way of the most cutting-edge of coverage.

Our goal is to make PINKmag.com a simple and user-friendly site. I encourage you to tell us what you like and dislike, and what else you would like to see on PINKmag.com.

While we’re making these changes, I have decided to upload our winter 2011 issue as a PDF file on my column, so the site’s renovations won’t prevent you from enjoying PINK’s most recent print edition (as a digital download) as much as I enjoyed putting it together with my staff. So click on the link to the right of the succeeding colon: winter2011small

Enjoy!

Hawaii State Senate Approves Civil Unions

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Senate sends strong message to swiftly pass civil unions legislation

HONOLULU – Equality Hawaii and the Human Rights Campaign, today applauded the Hawaii State Senate for passing SB 232 by a 19-6 vote. The bill provides that the equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be available to thousands of same-sex couples in the state. The Senate now sends a strong message that the time is now to lay this issue to rest.

“For years we have strived to secure equal rights for all families in Hawaii and today we are one step closer to realizing that dream,” said Alan Spector, Co-Chair of Equality Hawaii. “We thank the Hawaii State Senate for recognizing the importance of this bill and for advancing the cause of equality in the Aloha State.”

Except for some technical corrections, SB 232 is identical to HB 444, the civil unions bill passed in 2010. That bill passed the House and Senate, with near supermajorities, before Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed it. No override vote was held.

“The Hawaii Senate has sent a strong message that discrimination against families headed by same-sex couples is wrong,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “All people of Hawaii deserve to be treated with equal dignity and respect under the law, and no child should ever have to grow up feeling that their family is somehow less than that of their friends and neighbors.”

The legislation now moves to the state house for its consideration. The house also has its own version of the bill, HB 1623, which incorporates updates to the previous bill. The updated bill addresses concerns raised in 2010 over the implementation of civil unions. The House may consider their own version, the Senate version or amend the senate bill to reflect their changes. Action is expected to proceed in the House next week. Following final passage, newly elected Governor Neil Abercrombie has pledged to sign the bill into law.

337 Businesses Rated “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality”

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

100% Scorers on Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index Offer Gold Standard of Workplace Fairness

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today released its annual list of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” This year 337 companies were awarded this distinction for their employment policies and practices that include LGBT workers and their families. The list comes as Fortune magazine has also released their annual “100 Best Companies to Work For.” A complete list of HRC’s honored businesses is available online at: www.hrc.org/placestowork.

“With the amount of time people spend at work, having strong protections on the job make a real difference in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “By mandating equal opportunity in hiring, ensuring equal compensation through medical and family benefits, and promoting inclusive and equal workplaces for LGBT employees, these companies are a model for other employers and federal and state governments.”

The “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” distinction is awarded to businesses that scored 100% on the HRC Foundation’s 2011 Corporate Equality Index, the primary method for businesses to benchmark and evaluate their policies, practices and diversity efforts relating to LGBT workers. The index evaluates non-discrimination policies, benefits, diversity training and other internal resources for LGBT workers, as well as external support for the LGBT community. Released in October, the 2011 Corporate Equality Index report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

The 337 businesses will be honored on March 23 at the Seventh Annual LGBT Workplace Awards Seminar and Reception hosted by Time Warner at the Time Warner Center in New York.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

PINK’s 2011 Plans and Parties

Friday, January 14th, 2011

PINK’s ever-adapting objectives include a number of events and altruistic focuses throughout 2011. The first of which is Pretty in Pink: An Evening of Beauty & Wellness in celebration of Valentine’s Day, slated for February 10, 2011. The intention of these PINK-sponsored evening’s are to generate operational support funds for charitable organizations serving the LGBT community in some fashion. Additionally, PINK will continue to support and sponsor benevolent bashes produced outside of the magazine as well, as it does with the annual Dining Out for Life event and Bar AIDS.

Also, please continue to bare with us as PINK continues the painstakingly long process of revamping its website at www.PINKmag.com. Readers can look forward to an all new, user-friendly system and homepage that will surely be worth the wait.