Tag Archives: trans issues

From the Hollywood Reporter: A U.S. congressman who represents portions of Greensboro, N.C., is accusing Bruce Springsteen of being a “bully,” after the rock star canceled a concert there to protest a new law that’s being described as anti-gay. “It’s disappointing he’s not following through on his commitments,” said Rep. Mark Walker, a Republican freshman congressman. “We’ve got other artists …

Watch Van Zandt’s thoughtful interview below. Rolling Stone reports: Hours after Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band canceled their Greensboro, North Carolina concert Sunday to protest the state’s controversial, discriminatory “bathroom bill,” guitarist Steven “Little Stevie” Van Zandt defended Springsteen’s decision while backstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday. “We just felt the issue …

Posted this morning to the Facebook page of Equality North Carolina head Chris Sgro: Friends, it is my honor to be appointed to the remainder of Representative Ralph Johnson’s unexpired term. Ralph was a great leader for Greensboro and I have big shoes to fill. Amos Quick will fill the seat after January and have my support, but GCDP stepped …

The Raleigh News & Observer reports: N.C. NAACP president William Barber says his group will hold a “mass sit-in” at the legislature if a controversial LGBT law isn’t repealed by April 21. Barber, whose Forward Together Moral Movement has organized numerous Moral Monday protests and acts of civil disobedience, plans to announce more details about the event at a news …

Raw Story reports: A new online campaign is targeting North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) for mockery concerning his state’s new anti-trans legislation. #PeeingForPat, as it’s being called, encourages participants to contact the governor to “confirm your adherence to or disregard of” HB2, which bans trans residents from using public restrooms according to their gender identity, and also rolled back …

WHOA. Bruce Springsteen tweeted out this statement this afternoon: As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the “bathroom” law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms …

CNN reports: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Friday that if elected president, he would overturn laws in Mississippi and North Carolina that critics say discriminate against the gay community. “As president of the United States, I would do everything I can do to overturn those outrageous decisions by Mississippi and North Carolina,” he said on ABC’s “The View.” “We have …

A Mississippi hospitality group with 1400 hotels, restaurants, and shops among its members has a plan to mitigate damage to the state’s reputation. From Jackson’s ABC affiliate: Mike Cashion, executive director of the MHRA, said “when HB 1523 was signed, Mississippi was thrust into the national spotlight. Regardless of its intent, this legislation has created a level of controversy and …

In a video posted today to the YouTube channel of the National Center for Transgender Equality, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell denounces states that have “chosen to single-out their LGBT residents and transgender people, in particular, for exclusion.” More from the clip recap: Delaware Gov. Jack Markell stands up for transgender equality and combats the misinformation and scare tactics being utilized …

The State reports: S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley said Thursday that a proposed law to limit the bathrooms that transgender people can use is not needed. Haley said her office has not received any complaints about the issue, adding South Carolinians are respectful to people of different backgrounds. “I don’t believe it’s necessary,” the Lexington Republican told reporters. “There’s not one …

Talking Points Memo reports: The Tennessee state legislature on Wednesday advanced two separate pieces of legislation that target LGBT individuals, eliciting outcries from the business community. The state House on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow counselors to deny services to individuals based on sincerely held beliefs, letting them refuse to help gay individuals. State Rep. Dan Howell [PHOTO] …

You may remember South Carolina GOP state Sen. Lee Bright from his wacko rant about the White House lighting up in the “abomination colors.” Today he’s back in the news with an anti-transgender bill that mimics the one just enacted in North Carolina. Bright’s bill differs from North Carolina’s in that his state doesn’t even HAVE any pro-trans laws to …

A few days ago I posted an impassioned letter from Bob Page, the openly gay founder and CEO of North Carolina’s Replacements LTD. In an interview published today, Page tells Forbes writer Susan Adams that his letter, which has been viewed over one million times on social media and his company’s website, has generated over 13,000 responses, 98% of which …

Over 600K views for the below skit posted to Facebook a few days ago by Moovs. Watch as trans men and women are forced by law into the wrong bathroom. This is the new reality for thousands of trans Americans in North Carolina.

“I think the NBA should move the All-Star game from there next year. As a black person I’m against any form of discrimination, against whites, Hispanics, gays, lesbians, however you want to phrase it. It’s my job, with the position of power that I’m in and being able to be on television, I’m supposed to stand up for the people …

Last week worried organizers of North Carolina’s High Point Market Week, which bills itself as the world’s largest home furnishings industry trade show, revealed that they were being deluged with cancellations in the wake of the state’s anti-LGBT hate law. Yesterday event CEO Bob Maricich issued a statement which slams the “appalling” law and declares that any anger directed towards …

Greensboro was one of the North Carolina cities whose LGBT rights ordinance was overturned by HB 2. The lone dissenting vote last night came from the council’s only Republican. Of course. From Greensboro’s Fox affiliate: City council members voted 8-1 Tuesday in favor of a resolution opposing House Bill 2. HB2, or the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, is …

This one could ultimately mean thousands of lost jobs. From Charlotte’s Fox affiliate: Red Ventures is also considering pulling out of their 500 person expansion in 2016 after HB2 was passed. “HB2 does not reflect the values of our people, our state or our democratic process. The speed with which it was passed and lack of constituent input enabled a …

Kyle Mantyla reports at Right Wing Watch: Anti-gay activist Mark Creech of the Christian Action League, who once declared that gay marriage is “an attempted gang rape of our culture,” is organizing a show of support for North Carolina’s recently passed anti-LGBT law. In a video posted on his website, Creech asks people to demonstrate their “strong support” for the …

Freedom For All Americans reports: This morning, April 5, Paypal, a global company dedicated to facilitating online payments, announced that it is withdrawing plans to open a new global operations center in Charlotte. The reason for their plans to withdraw? North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which was ramrodded through the North Carolina General Assembly on March 23, with just 12 …