I think that the climate for the LGBT Q community right now is kind of tense. There have been *** lot of legislative attacks that have been going on across the country at the same time as the bit of attacks. We're also saying *** real online and in person harassment and threats of violence. June is Pride Month and many businesses across the country get in on the event and show their support for the LGBTQ community. But many corporations have received backlash in the recent weeks. Most recently target announced that it removed products and relocated pride displays to the back of certain stores after protesters knocked over pride signs and worried staff. So you started seeing things like rainbow t-shirts or, or stuff like that in, in stores. And um for many um who are part of the community, it's been really encouraging and um has made people feel really good. What I think has been difficult now is that there's *** coordinated attack to try and get companies to take that merchandise away or to not speak out on behalf of civil rights for LGBTQ people. It's just part of this broader and concerning trend of extremism in our country. Nearly 500 anti LGBTQ bills have been introduced in the state legislatures around the country. Because of this, many advocacy groups are calling for new campaigns to convince corporate leaders to use their platforms in support of the LGBTQ community. There are even organizations like out leadership that advises corporations in the US and abroad on how to adopt LGBTQ supportive policies and practices. Janson Wu with the Glbt Q legal advocates and defenders says when big corporations show support, it can create *** safer environment for employees, really important that we not cave to extremism, celebrating pride in corporate America in storefronts on mainstream is profoundly affirming to the well being of all LGBTQ people, particularly young people, all of us, whether or not you're part of the LGBTQ community or not, you know, need to be vocal, need to be visible about, you know, the values that we all share. First and foremost, we need to celebrate those companies that are doing the right thing that are leading with their values of inclusion and affirmation and not backing down in the face of extremism. Um I think the Dodgers is *** good example. They initially rescinded um their um invitation to uh an LGBT Q organization that they're honoring in the face of protest. But then after they realized uh that was the exact wrong thing to do in the face of extremism. They reverse course and chose the path of quality. So this was the first permit that we got for uh *** parade in Denver in 1970. Rex Fuller is with the center on Colfax in Denver. It's *** center dedicated toward providing help for those in the LGBTQ community. Fuller says more open corporate support can also help with mental health of young adults. Some major companies, financial support also helps his organization. This is *** place that can be *** safe harbor in *** really loud storm out there. Um The support of companies is definitely part of the funding model that keeps us in business. We are able to provide the services that we do in part because of the support that we get from different companies who, who support the Center. And we're really grateful for that. Still LGBT Q supporters in the community say these struggles such as hostility towards retailers are just the latest obstacle in *** decades long struggle for equality. Thomas Hoppo scripts, news, Denver.
Human Rights Campaign declares a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people
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Updated: 10:57 PM CDT Jun 6, 2023
For the first time in its four-decade history, America's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization has declared a national state of emergency for members of the LGBTQ+ community, the Human Rights Campaign said Tuesday."LGBTQ+ Americans are living in a state of emergency. The multiplying threats facing millions in our community are not just perceived – they are real, tangible and dangerous," the group's president, Kelley Robinson, said. "In many cases they are resulting in violence against LGBTQ+ people, forcing families to uproot their lives and flee their homes in search of safer states, and triggering a tidal wave of increased homophobia and transphobia that puts the safety of each and every one of us at risk."Alongside the emergency declaration, the group will release a digital guidebook, including health and safety resources, a summary of state-by-state laws, "know your rights" information and resources designed to support LGBTQ+ travelers and those living in hostile states, it said.The historic announcement – just a few days into Pride Month – follows "an unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in 2023," according to the Human Rights Campaign, as violence against LGBTQ people continues and the community's rights have become a flashpoint in the 2024 election. Years after 49 people were killed at the Pulse gay nightclub in Florida, Club Q in Colorado in November became the site of a massacre at a beloved LGBTQ "safe space."And the Human Rights Campaign just last month issued an updated travel notice for Florida, outlining potential impacts of six bills recently passed there, many already signed by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican contender for president who's championed "don't say gay" and pronoun bills. Across U.S. state legislatures, at least 417 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in roughly the first quarter of 2023 – a new record and twice the number of such bills introduced all of last year, according to American Civil Liberties Union data. The number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law so far this year is also more than double last year's tally, which had been the highest on record, the Human Rights Campaign said. They include pronoun refusal laws, forced student outing laws, anti-drag bans and "don't say LGBTQ+" laws.Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to issue an opinion in a case over whether a business can deny services to LGBTQ customers. But even as Human Rights Campaign trumpets warnings, the group insists it will not back down from any attempts to stymie the community: "LGBTQ+ people nationwide will not be erased – not now, not ever," the group said.
For the first time in its four-decade history, America's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization has declared a national state of emergency for members of the LGBTQ+ community, the Human Rights Campaign said Tuesday.
"LGBTQ+ Americans are living in a state of emergency. The multiplying threats facing millions in our community are not just perceived – they are real, tangible and dangerous," the group's president, Kelley Robinson, said. "In many cases they are resulting in violence against LGBTQ+ people, forcing families to uproot their lives and flee their homes in search of safer states, and triggering a tidal wave of increased homophobia and transphobia that puts the safety of each and every one of us at risk."
Alongside the emergency declaration, the group will release a digital guidebook, including health and safety resources, a summary of state-by-state laws, "know your rights" information and resources designed to support LGBTQ+ travelers and those living in hostile states, it said.
The historic announcement – just a few days into Pride Month – follows "an unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in 2023," according to the Human Rights Campaign, as violence against LGBTQ people continues and the community's rights have become a flashpoint in the 2024 election.
Years after 49 people were killed at the Pulse gay nightclub in Florida, Club Q in Colorado in November became the site of a massacre at a beloved LGBTQ "safe space."
And the Human Rights Campaign just last month issued an updated travel notice for Florida, outlining potential impacts of six bills recently passed there, many already signed by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican contender for president who's championed "don't say gay" and pronoun bills.
Across U.S. state legislatures, at least 417 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in roughly the first quarter of 2023 – a new record and twice the number of such bills introduced all of last year, according to American Civil Liberties Union data. The number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law so far this year is also more than double last year's tally, which had been the highest on record, the Human Rights Campaign said.
They include pronoun refusal laws, forced student outing laws, anti-drag bans and "don't say LGBTQ+" laws.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to issue an opinion in a case over whether a business can deny services to LGBTQ customers.
But even as Human Rights Campaign trumpets warnings, the group insists it will not back down from any attempts to stymie the community: "LGBTQ+ people nationwide will not be erased – not now, not ever," the group said.
