Politics

National Center for Transgender Equality Launch 2022 U.S. Trans Survey Pledge 

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US Trans Survey

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and partners are excited to launch the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey Pledge (USTS) at ustranssurvey.org. Through the USTS Pledge, members of the trans community can now sign up to receive information about the survey, learn how to participate and pledge to take the survey when it is released in 2022. 

“NCTE is proud to partner with the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, TransLatin@ Coalition, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and other organizations that serve trans people nationwide on the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey,” said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of NCTE.

“The Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is incredibly excited to be a partner for the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey, the leading source for insight into the real-life experiences of the trans community. As the largest trans survey in the U.S., we know that it’s critical to ensure that the experiences of as many Black binary and nonbinary trans people as possible are captured in the survey,” said Carter Brown, national executive director of BTAC.  “We are encouraging everyone to be a part of history and pledge to take the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey.”   

“Our organization is grateful to partner on such an important milestone for our community with the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey,” said Bamby Salcedo, president and CEO of the Los Angeles-based TransLatin@ Coalition. “The data we will generate as a community will provide support for our continued advocacy for our specific needs.”

Information about the U.S. Trans Survey:   

  • The U.S. Trans Survey is the largest survey of trans people in the United States.  
  • The USTS documents the lives and experiences of trans people in the U.S. and U.S. territories.   
  • The U.S. Trans Survey is for all trans people ages 16 and up.   
  • The USTS is for people of all trans identities, including binary and nonbinary trans identities.  
  • The USTS is the main source of data about trans people for the media, educators, policymakers and the general public, and covers health, employment, income, the criminal justice system and other aspects of life.   
  • USTS reports have been a vital resource, including the reports on the experiences of people of color and reports by state.   
  • In 2015, nearly 28,000 people took the USTS, making it the largest survey of trans people in the U.S. to date. A lot has happened since then, and it’s time to conduct the USTS again in 2022.    

Participants who sign a pledge form to participate will receive email updates from NCTE about the survey. Taking the pledge does not obligate anyone to take the survey and participation is voluntary. Participants will be asked to consent to take the survey once it becomes available. 

LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS Awareness Days in 2022

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LGBTQ Awareness Days

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
February 7, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Transgender Day of Visibility
March 31, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

National Day of Silence
April 22, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Lesbian Visibility Day
April 26th, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

International Family Equality Day
May 1, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

National Honor our LGBT Elders Day
May 16, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
May 17, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
May 19th, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Harvey Milk Day
May 22, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Pansexual Visibility Day
May 24, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Long Term Survivors Day
June 5, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

World Refugee Day
June 20, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

National HIV & Aging Awareness Day
September 18, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Bisexuality Day
September 23, 2022
event page link

National Coming Out Day
October 11, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
October 15, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

LGBT Center Awareness Day
October 19, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

International Pronouns Day
October 19th, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Spirit Day
October 20, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Asexual Awareness Week
October 23-29, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Intersex Awareness Day
October 26, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

LGBT Stem Day
November 18, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20th, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

Polyamory Day
November 23, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

World AIDS Day
December 1, 2022
event page link | facebook event link

photograph by Ted Eytan

Dallas Native Venton Jones Launches Campaign for House District 100

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Venton Jones

DALLAS, TEXAS –Non-Profit CEO and community leader Venton Jones announces bid for the open House District 100 seat in the March Democratic Primary. Jones, who has devoted almost two decades of service in public health, seeks to represent a district with some of the highest rates of uninsured families and mortality in Texas.

Jones stated, “Public health must be at the top of the agenda for any Texas public official. I grew up, live, and operate a non-profit all within the district. I see every day how the lack of adequate healthcare leads to the economic disparity of Black and Hispanic communities and if elected, I look forward to leading the effort to change that.”

Jones, 37, boasts an impressive resume of public service from Dallas, TX to Washington D.C. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and received his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. After college, Jones moved to Washington, D.C. working for almost a decade on initiatives impacting public policy and building community coalitions. He then returned to the District 100 neighborhood he grew up in and founded the non-profit Southern Black Policy & Advocacy Network; an organization that aims to improve the health, social, and economic conditions facing Black communities living in the U.S. South. Jones also currently serves as a Democratic Precinct Chair, Election Judge, appointee to the City of Dallas MLK, Jr. Community Center Board, an appointee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Health Resources and Services Administration Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment by Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

It’s also quite fitting that Jones launches his campaign on December 1st, which marks the observance of World AIDS Day. Jones has been a tireless fighter for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS including serving as the current Chair to the Dallas County HIV Taskforce, and former Vice-Chair to the Dallas County Ryan White Planning Council.

With the March 1st Democratic Primary quickly approaching, Jones’ campaign is gearing up very fast. Jones is proud to have already received the endorsements from Commissioner John Wiley Price, former House District 100 Representative Lorraine Birabil, and a host of Precinct Chairs and community leaders.

District 100 is currently served by Representative Jasmine Crockett who is not seeking re-election, and covers South Dallas, and parts of Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, East Dallas and West Dallas. “District 100 has with a wide range of racial, social and economic diversity, and I look forward to representing the needs of all communities”.

Daniel Hernández could be the be the second Latinx out LGBTQ member of Congress!

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Daniel Hernández, Arizona

Daniel Hernández is running for Congress to represent Arizona’s second district. If elected, Daniel will be the second Latinx out LGBTQ member of congress. The date of the primary election is August 2nd, 2022 and the general election takes place on November 8th, 2022

The Victory Fund writes…

Daniel is a state representative, former school board president, and lifelong Arizonan running for Congress to help Southern Arizona families.

Daniel was born and raised in Tucson, his mother an immigrant from Mexico who came to the U.S. where she met Daniel’s father. A first-generation college student, Daniel attended the University of Arizona when he interned for then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and was there on the day of the tragic attack on her life which resulted in 6 deaths and 13 people injured. Daniel was the first to administer first aid to the Congresswoman before the EMTs arrived and was named a national hero by President Obama.

Inspired by Congresswoman Giffords’s commitment to public service, Daniel went on to advocate for access to reproductive health care and education as program manager for Raíz, Planned Parenthood’s Latino outreach program. He was also elected to his local school board, where he became the youngest school board president in the district’s history.

Since 2017, Daniel has served in the Arizona State House, was one of the youngest elected and is a co-founder of the House LGBTQ caucus. In the House, he has worked with both Republicans and Democrats to pass bills protecting survivors of sexual assault and secure $20 million for school resource officers, counselors, and social workers. He also led the fight against legislation that would discriminate against LGBTQ Arizonans.

He fought to expand access to affordable health care, having struggled firsthand with a severe illness and to afford the right care and medication. During the pandemic, he protected critical health care services and saved a rural hospital that treats underserved communities in Southern Arizona. He also received recognition as the 2019 Women’s Healthcare Champion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Find out more about Daniel at: danielhernandezforcongress.com

The Illinois Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act Becomes Law

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Keep Kids Safe and Healthy Act Becomes Law

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act, which creates age-appropriate learning standards for public schools that decide to teach comprehensive personal health and safety education (grades K-5) and comprehensive sexual health education (grades 6-12).

Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, said:

“Equality Illinois is excited the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act is now law. In Carbondale, Springfield, Naperville, and more communities across the state, LGBTQ youth consistently told us their healthcare needs, their relationships, and their identities must be included and affirmed in public school instruction about personal health and safety education and sexual health education. This law advances Illinois’ values of inclusion and the freedom to build our best lives without burden or discrimination.

“While we are proud of this Act, there is much work to be done and more allies to get on board to ensure all Illinois public schools provide students with age-appropriate, comprehensive, and affirming personal health and safety education and sexual health education. We will forge ahead.”

Also known as Senate Bill 818, the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act applies to public school districts that choose to teach comprehensive personal health and safety education in grades K-5 and comprehensive sexual health education in grades 6-12. The new law will establish age-appropriate learning standards in alignment with national standards developed by leading public health groups, education organizations, and experts to ensure that youth in Illinois are equipped with the necessary tools and information to lead healthy and safe lives at all ages. The Illinois State Board of Education must develop and adopt the standards by August 1, 2022. Before that date, public schools that provide instruction in comprehensive personal health and safety education and comprehensive sexual health education must do so in an age-appropriate, inclusive, and comprehensive way.

The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act also ensures that such instruction is inclusive and affirming of communities who historically have been stigmatized or excluded from such instruction, including youth living with a disability, LGBTQIA youth, pregnant or parenting youth, and survivors of interpersonal and sexual violence. Additionally, this education must not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act passed the Illinois General Assembly in May, where it was championed by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), State Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago), State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), and State Representative Kathleen Willis (D-Addison).

The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act is supported by a broad statewide coalition of organizations, including Equality Illinois, ACLU of Illinois, AIDS Foundation Chicago, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Illinois, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago Abortion Fund, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, Chicago Women’s Health Center, Citizen Action/Illinois, Comprehensive Sex Ed Now, Cook County Health, EverThrive Illinois, Healing to Action, Hult Center for Healthy Living, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Illinois National Organization for Women, Illinois Public Health Association, Illinois School Counselor Association, Kenneth Young Center, Lambda Legal, Life Span, McHenry County Citizens for Choice, Mujeres Latinas en Acción, National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter, National Council of Jewish Women Illinois, Peoria Proud, PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois, Prairie Pride Coalition, Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Resilience, She Votes Illinois, SIECUS, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, Uniting Pride of Champaign County, and YWCA Evanston/North Shore.

“Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for signing the bill,” Johnson said. “Thank you to our champions: State Sen. Ram Villivalam, State Rep. Camille Lilly, State Sen. Celina Villanueva, and State Rep. Kathleen Willis. Thank you to the 37 state senators and 60 state representatives who voted YES to supporting Illinois’ youth, including LGBTQ youth. Thank you to our many dedicated partners, including Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, Rainbow Café LGBTQ Center, AIDS Foundation Chicago, and the ACLU of Illinois.”

Censorship of LGBTQ Websites Around the World

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Internet Censorship Around the World

A new report from OutRight Action International, the Citizen Lab, and the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) documents the state of website censorship in some of the most challenging countries in the world for LGBTIQ communities. The report shows prevalent censorship of LGBTIQ website content, reflecting prevalent levels of LGBTIQ-phobia and active silencing of LGBTIQ voices by certain states. The study combines network measurement techniques with interviews from local experts, providing novel insight into the technical obstacles many users face in accessing LGBTIQ news, health, and human rights websites.

The report focuses on Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These countries are known for having some of the most challenging environments for the promotion and protection of human rights in the world. The documented online censorship in these jurisdictions prevents LGBTIQ people from accessing important information, silences LGBTIQ voices, and obstructs the efforts of civil society who are fighting for LGBTIQ rights.

The report provides detailed technical and policy examinations of each country, finding:

  • The highest blocking consistency was found in Saudi Arabia, where most LGBTIQ URLs were found blocked more than 75% of the times tested.
  • The highest number of LGBTIQ URLs found blocked was in Iran.
  • Russia had the highest number of networks that block LGBTIQ URLs. 
  • In all six countries, LGBTIQ-related content is wrongly conflated with pornography and subjected to laws outlawing such content.
  • Censorship leads to self-censorship, especially where punitive actions against LGBTIQ communities are intensifying.

OutRight Action International, Citizen Lab, and OONI also found that in some of these countries, the criminalization of same-sex relations and transgender identities, in addition to the shrinking space for civil society online and offline, has hampered coalition- and movement-building efforts.

Deputy Executive Director of OutRight Action International, Maria Sjödin, comments:

“For so many LGBTIQ people around the world, the ability to connect online is the only opportunity to find community and access life-saving information. Censorship cuts off an important lifeline, further demonizes the LGBTIQ community, and obstructs the work of LGBTIQ organizations. Such censorship, typically justified by discriminatory or arbitrarily applied laws, is in violation of international standards of freedom of expression and access to information. As long as states continue to censor LGBTIQ websites, the international community, private sector actors and civil society must do what they can to protect these fundamental rights.”

Access the report here. 

Victory Fund Endorses Malcom Kenyatta

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Malcom Kenyatta

Victory Fund has endorsed Malcom Kenyatta for the United States Senate in Pennsylvania. If elected Kenyatta will become the first out gay man ever elected to the United States Senate. His primary election takes place May 17, 2022, and the general election is November 8, 2022.

The Victory Fund writes…

Representative Malcolm Kenyatta currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention, and on a host of committee leadership positions. As the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly, he is deeply committed to creating an equitable and inclusive society. As a legislator, he has championed proposals to address generational poverty, raise the minimum wage, protect workers’ rights, increase access to mental healthcare, stem the rise of gun violence, and protect our digital infrastructure. 
 
In 2016 and in 2020, he was elected as Delegate to the Democratic Convention, both times garnering the second-highest vote total of any delegate in the Commonwealth. He has also appeared on local and national media outlets to discuss systemic poverty, affordable education and childcare, and making government more accountable to citizens. He was the subject of an award-winning short documentary about his election run, ‘Going Forward’ produced by Seven Knot Productions, which premiered on ‘The Atlantic Magazine Selects’ in 2018. In 2020, he was chosen by President Joe Biden to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention along with a group of other ‘Rising Stars.’ He was one of twenty Electoral College votes cast for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 

Malcolm lives in the same neighborhood he grew up in North Philadelphia with his partner, Dr. Matthew Jordan Miller. 

Learn more about Malcom at: www.malcolmkenyatta.com

Will Michelle Rayner be the First Out LGBTQ Member of Congress from Florida?

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Michelle Rayner for Congress

The Victory Fund has endorsed Michelle Rayner for the US House of Representatives District 13 seat. If she wins, Rayner will become the first out LGBTQ member of congress from Florida. District 13 includes the cities of St. Petersburg, Largo, and Clearwater. The primary election takes place August 13th, 2022, and the general election will take place November 8th, 2022.

Victory fund writes ….

Civil rights and social justice attorney Michele Rayner made history in 2020 when she was elected as the first openly queer Black member of the Florida legislature and immediately established herself as one of the strongest advocates for underserved communities. Now, she’s ready to do more for her constituents by bringing their fight to Washington.

Michele was raised by a family of changemakers in Pinellas County. Her parents both integrated the University of South Florida in the early 1960s, with her mother going on to become one of the first Black social workers in St. Petersburg and her father successfully putting himself through engineering school while working in a warehouse. Her parents established themselves as community leaders and set an example for Michele with their dedication to service.

After law school, Michele joined the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s office, a position she was drawn to because she felt it was where she could do the most good for the most vulnerable in her community. While serving as a public defender, she learned the importance of truly listening to and steadfastly advocating for clients who have limited agency.

Michele was called to ensure justice again when she became an attorney for Markeis McGlockton’s family, working alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Markeis was shot and killed in an altercation in a Clearwater parking lot, reigniting the debate over Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law 6 years after the death of Trayvon Martin. During the 2019 trial, the killer was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The experience made it clear to Michele that running for the legislature could help her do more to fight unjust laws like Stand Your Ground and prevent future tragedies from occurring.

Growing up, Michele’s father always told her: “Help others, do the right thing and most of all, always keep your head up high.” To this day, Michele keeps her head up and will continue to do so as a leader for her constituents, ensuring an equitable recovery from COVID, protecting voting rights, and demanding real justice for underserved communities in Congress.

Michele currently lives in St. Petersburg with her wife Bianca and their dogs.

Boys & Girls Clubs Partners With Gill Foundation To Support LGBTQ Youth

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Boys and Girls Clubs Partners with Gill Foundation

Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with Gill Foundation, will further build the capacity of local Boys and Girls Clubs staff members throughout the country to enable staff members to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) youth, their families and caregivers.

With over 4,700 local Clubs nationwide, Boys & Girls Clubs of America serves around 4.6 million youth a year, many of whom identify as LGBTQ. As research shows that LGBTQ youth with supportive communities have greater self-esteem and resilience, Boys & Girls Clubs of America remains committed to doing whatever it takes to position our youth for great futures, including young people of every sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Adding to its 160 years of experience in youth development, Boys & Girls Clubs of America will gain specialized knowledge and skills for how to best support LGBTQ youth, a critical component to the enhancement of overall safety and well-being for youth, serving as a protective factor for major health risks and negative outcomes.

“Being inclusive goes beyond creating safe, welcoming spaces for youth, it means that we are allowing everyone the freedom to be exactly who they are and reminding them that we accept them every step of the way as they continue to explore their most authentic selves,” says Crystal Brown, National Vice President of Youth Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We’re extremely grateful to the Gill Foundation for its continued commitment to educating Club staff as they continue to support LGBTQ youth.”  

With support from Gill Foundation, a 2-hour instructor-led foundational course, “Serving LGBTQ Youth (101)”, will offer participants the knowledge and understanding needed to offer a safe, positive environment for youth, staff and families of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

The course will be digitized and made accessible to all Clubs year-round covering definitions for common language used when discussing gender identity and sexual orientation, how to use affirming language while working with LGBTQ youth in Clubs and how to support LGBTQ youth through common scenarios that occur at the Club.

About Gill Foundation

The Gill Foundation is one of the nation’s leading funders of efforts to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. The foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations that advance equality by doing research, educating the public, analyzing policy, and working within the legal system.

About Boys & Girls Club of America

For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,700 Clubs serve over 4.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter. 

Victory Fund Endorses Alex Wan in Race for Georgia House District 57

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Alex Wan Atlanta

Former Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan, a long-time Morningside homeowner and civic leader, has been endorsed by Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund in the race for Georgia State House District 57. Victory Fund (www.VictoryFund.org) is the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ people to public office.

“LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed Alex in his previous races and is pleased to endorse his bid to continue serving Georgians, this time under the Gold Dome,” says Mayor Annise Parker, Victory Fund President & CEO. “During his 8 years on Atlanta City Council and since, Alex has worked with friends and neighbors across the district, tackling the community’s shared challenges. He is well-positioned at this critical juncture in our history to continue fighting for those issues in the State Legislature.”

Wan announced his bid to represent Georgia State House District 57, following the December announcement by State Rep. Pat Gardner that she will retire after the 2020 General Assembly. This endorsement signals Victory Fund’s confidence that Wan is ideally suited to represent District 57 and will be a strong voice for equity and equality in the Legislature.

“I am honored by the support of Victory Fund,” says Wan, who has called District 57 home for more than 25 years. “As I have said before, Victory Fund’s candidate training and support played an important part in my public service journey. As I continue fighting for the progressive, inclusive values we share as Atlantans, I am proud to do so with the support of the LGBTQ Victory Fund.”

Wan served as an Atlanta City Council member for Council District 6, which overlays much of House District 57, for 8 years. Wan was the first Asian American and first openly gay man elected to the Atlanta City Council. Since that time, he continues his community service as the Fulton/Atlanta citizen representative on the Atlanta Regional Commission Board and as a member of the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board.

“I hope that my service to our district since I moved here over 25 years ago has demonstrated the kind of representative I will be,” Wan says. “Voters know my values. They know my commitment to service. They know that I’m accessible. And voters know that my experience on the Atlanta City Council and relationships I have developed with state and national elected officials will be invaluable.”

His professional experience includes the private, public, non-profit and higher-education sectors. He is Executive Director of Horizons Atlanta, a nonprofit that provides tuition-free summer enrichment programs for children from traditionally underserved communities. Wan holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Finance MBA from Wharton Business School and has completed educational programs at Dartmouth and Harvard.

Members of the Georgia House are elected for two-year terms, with the election to be held in November 2020, taking office in January 2021. Wan notes that redistricting that results from the 2020 Census will take place in the Fall of 2021, and that we need legislators in place who will approach that process fairly.

For more information about Wan and his campaign: www.AlexWanForAtlanta.com.