A laudable apology
When people correct their mistakes appropriately, we should forgive them.
There’s a debate tonight on ABC/Univision! And it’s full of mostly real contenders for the Democratic nomination… how refreshing! I’ll try to serve up some coverage of their LGBTQ responses in tomorrow’s issue, but it will be a bit trickier as I don’t have access to the same video tools I used to. [womp womp]
Just remember there are two different townhalls coming up dedicated directly to LGBTQ issues, and you can easily watch both wherever you are:
September 20: GLAAD forum in Iowa, which will be livestreamed.
October 10: HRC Foundation forum in California, broadcast on CNN.
Here’s a round-up of today’s LGBTQ news stories:
Pence is anti-gay (Part 733)
Reminding us once again who his best friends are, Vice President Pence is headlining a fundraiser dinner for the Concerned Women for America, an anti-LGBTQ hate group. And of course, the event is at Trump’s hotel. Remember that whiny article I shared the other week complaining about how Virginia Tech’s new student orientation included identifying people’s pronouns? Yeah, it was written by the head of CWA.
(It was just a week ago when the White House was literally trying to claim Pence isn’t anti-LGBTQ.)
Another same-sex couple sues for their kid’s citizenship
Yet another same-sex couple is suing the State Department after their daughter was been denied citizenship because she was born in another country and doesn’t have a biological connection to both her parents. Though Roee and Adiel Kiviti are married, their daughter Kessem was considered “born out of wedlock.”
This is now at least the fourth suit a same-sex couple has had to file because the Trump administration decided in this one case not to recognize same-sex couples’ marriages.
California winery backtracks on not hosting same-sex weddings
Yesterday, a California winery went viral for refusing to host same-sex wedding ceremonies because of the owners’ religious beliefs — a clear violation of state nondiscrimination laws. Today, the Viaggio Winery has apologized and completely backtracked, and it’s a legit good apology:
In recent communications with potential visitors, I tried to explore options for celebrations that would accommodate both my religious beliefs and the expectations of our community. I realize now that contrary to my intent, this was hurtful to the people involved.
Our staff, our customers, and our community have helped me see that I was wrong. Our policy has been changed, effective immediately. All couples are welcome to hire our facilities for weddings and the celebrations that go with them.
I am sincerely sorry to have caused anyone pain at a time that should be joyous.
What I love about this apology is the recognition that the discrimination caused harm. There is a consequence to it! It’s not just that the venue isn’t an option, it’s that you’ve been attacked for who you are, singled out for exclusion. I wish this could be the kind of outcome that happens in other cases, and I hope same-sex couples now strongly consider giving Viaggio their businesses rather than punish them for their now-corrected mistakes.
New York City to drop conversion therapy ban (but it’s ok)
The New York City Council has agreed to repeal the city’s ban on anti-LGBTQ conversion therapy — but it’s only to avoid a lawsuit brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom. As I wrote about the case earlier this year, the case was brought by an Orthodox Jewish therapist who argues that the ban violates both his and his patients’ rights.
LGBTQ youth will remain protected by the state’s ban, which isn’t as broad and more closely resembles laws from other states — meaning it’ll be harder to challenge.
Michigan city approves conversion therapy ban
We may be losing NYC’s law, but East Lansing just became the latest city to pass a ban on providing conversion therapy to minors.
About those recanting conversion therapists
My buddy Chaim Levin was one of the plaintiffs who successfully challenged a Jewish conversion therapy group called JONAH a couple years ago. With the support of the Southern Poverty Law Center, they sued under New Jersey’s consumer fraud protections and won a ruling that forced the organization to shut down because it was misleading clients for profit.
In a thoughtful Facebook post this week, he called out conversion therapists who have since come out and condemned their past practices — and received a lot of press for doing so. He agreed to let me share his post in full here:
Random Texans sue on Chick-fil-A’s behalf
My buddy Josh Israel and I have reported for years on Chick-fil-A’s anti-LGBTQ donations — which they defend as part of their “higher calling” — and this year that reporting resulted in a couple of cities choosing not to add the chicken shop to their airport’s food courts. Because one of those cities was San Antonio, it pissed off Texas Republican lawmakers enough to pass what they called the “Save Chick-fil-A” Law, which prevents cities from taking adverse actions against contractors because of their personal beliefs or religious donations.
Now, a group of random dudes in Texas have sued San Antonio, arguing that the city is in violation of the law because Chick-fil-A is still not in the airport food court. They claim to have legal standing because they use the airport and would eat at Chick-fil-A there if they could.
This is how out-of-hand Christian privilege is getting in our country. Republicans are so dedicated to protecting bigots that a bunch of guys now think they can sue to force a city to put in a Chick-fil-A.
The marriage fight wasn’t without consequences
I’m usually not too excited about palace intrigue stories about the LGBTQ movement, but I wanted to pass along this story from LGBTQ Nation about a woman who fought really hard for marriages equality — then seemingly undermined everything she stood for when litigating her divorce. We fought for marriage equality, and we have to live with the liabilities of what we won.
Trans Lyft driver quits after attack by passenger
A Lyft driver in Portland, Oregon is quitting her job after a passenger attacked her for her identity. Maria Standing-Owl was driving a drunk man who claimed she was a man and started assaulting her from the backseat. She pulled over, and as he came around to attack her, she hit him with pepper spray and drove off.
The saddest part of this story is that the incident has prompted her to quit. She said she’s had a great experience as a driver, but after this incident, she doesn’t ever want to get in a car with men who might attack her again. That’s a very clear example of the impact of hate crimes — it’s not just an act of violence; it sows fear.
Elementary school community defends trans student
Did you know that Westboro Baptist Church is still around? The “God Hates Fags” group? And this week they targeted an elementary school because of a transgender student there. Who knew WBC was capable of a new low?
Well, the community at Leawood Elementary were not having it and held a big rally in favor of love and acceptance. There were positive chalking messages, supporting signs, and a “unity walk.”
As always, the backlash of support outweighed the tiny display of hate Westboro brought to town.
Dartmouth makes transition easier
For years, universities have been plagued with obstacles for supporting transgender and non-binary students — but in a really boring-sounding way. Many haven’t had the properly technology, let alone procedure, to make sure that students could update their gender marker on their records or make sure professors know which name they go by.
Dartmouth College is looking to set a new standard for how easy it is to address these issues. Starting this semester, all students will easily be able to update their chosen name, gender identity, and pronouns. These changes will not only ensure the classroom is more welcoming, but also ensure their transcripts, diplomas, and other documents that might identity them are all consistent and correct.
When you think about it, it sounds so simple. Why wouldn’t we just let students make clear how they identify? They’re adults, and it’s their own lives, and nothing is gained by trying to police that. I hope other schools continue to follow suit.
SNL gets more diverse
Among the actors joining the cast of Saturday Night Live this season is Bowen Yang, who is not only the first Asian cast member, but he’s gay too!
Until next time, stay platinum!
(Viaggio Winery photo credit: ViaggioWinery.com)