I’m getting ready to go on vacation, so this is your penultimate issue of Fording the River Styx for a week or so, though I may sneak a bonus issue in there.
In the meantime, it’d mean a lot to me if you took a few minutes to complete this cute little survey about your experience reading this newsletter. It’s been great to see it grow gradually over the past few months, but I want to make sure that the time I put into it is best serving its audience, so your feedback will make a big difference!
Here are some LGBTQ stories from today you might want to check out:
Creeping dominionism
The brilliant Katelyn Burns has a story you ought to read about the ways conservative Christians are increasingly exerting theological control over U.S. society. Complaints about Drag Queen Story Hour may be funny on their own, but such objections are part of a concerted effort to let Christian dominionism dictate the bounds of the law. If you’ve never heard that phrase before, definitely check out her story.
No sexual abuse protections for you
The Marshall Project has a new report detailing how same-sex couples in North Carolina don’t have the same access to domestic abuse protections. Due to an anti-gay technicality, only different-sex couples can obtain a 50B protective order if they don’t live together. Same-sex couples are repeatedly denied such protections.
Presidential candidates weigh in
The National Center for Transgender Equality has another interview with a presidential candidate out! Here’s what Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) had to say about trans rights:
Also, several of the Democratic primary candidates are going to join an LGBTQ-focused presidential forum next month. Mark your calendars to watch the livestream on September 20.
No justice for trans people
Two police officers — one from D.C. and one from Prince George’s County, MD — have been charged with forcing transgender women to have sex with them at the threat of sending them to jail if they didn’t. Both police forces have apparently decided not to hold them accountable. In fact, Maryland officer Ian G. Lucas has now pleaded guilty to “sexual solicitation” of a prostitute, a plea he can withdraw if he completes 48 hours of community service. He’ll otherwise get off scot-free and not have to register as a sex offender. The unnamed DC officer has not faced any charges.
Racial discrimination for Queer Eye Old Navy shoot
Queer Eye is filming some episodes in Philadelphia, and something very disturbing reportedly took place when they were shooting at an Old Navy. Several of the employees of color who usually work at that store were told to stay off-camera, while white employees from suburban Old Navy locations were brought in to work the store during the filming. Old Navy confirmed additional employees were brought in, but insisted, “We would never select employees to participate — or not — based on race.” Tan France claimed to have no knowledge of the staffing considerations and pointed out that the one employee that joined him on camera was African American.
Where are all the queer football players?
According to former NFL player Ryan O’Callaghan, who has come out as gay since retiring, there is at least one gay or bi player on every team, but they’re all afraid to come out. In his upcoming book, O’Callaghan describes the psychological trauma he experienced keeping himself closeted during his career.
Once again, it’d be really great if you could take a few minutes to take my survey about this newsletter!
Until next time, stay platinum!
(Old Navy photo credit: Flickr/Mike Mozart.)