A federal agency Wednesday granted Republican S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s request for a waiver to allow the state Department of Social Service to license faith-based child-placement agencies.
The waiver, issued by the U.S. Department and Health and Human Services, enables the Upstate’s Miracle Hill Ministries to continue its foster-care program, which caters to Christian families.
Supporters, including McMaster [photo above], say the waiver allows Social Services to license faith-based child-placement agencies without requiring them to abandon their religious beliefs. Opponents argue it allows taxpayer-funded discrimination based on religion.
Americans United reacts via press release:
Americans United for Separation of Church and State denounces the Trump administration’s decision today to sanction taxpayer-funded discrimination by allowing South Carolina foster care agencies the right to refuse to work with anyone they deem the “wrong” religion.
“This is yet another example of the Trump administration using religion to advance a regressive political agenda that harms others. And this time, the target is not only religious minorities but also our most vulnerable children – those in need of loving homes,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “It is unconscionable that this administration would use government funds to discriminate against the very populations our laws are designed to protect.
“While this waiver is specific to South Carolina, it sets a dangerous nationwide precedent that elevates the beliefs of government-funded programs over the best interests of the children in their care,” Laser continued. “Religious freedom is a fundamental American right – it should never be used to justify discrimination.”
The waiver allows Miracle Hill to reject ALL non-Christian parents, not just LGBT families.
The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexual and Gays (J-Flag) is asking for donations after their office building was destroyed in a fire.
Dubbed the Rainbow House, a fire caused extensive damage to the building and its content on 30 December 2018. It is unknown what started the fire in the building, located in St Andrew.
The cost of the fire is estimated to be around $50,000 to $60,000 (43909.25EUR – 52691.10EUR). Now J-Flag are asking for help as they seek to rebuild the Rainbow House. Anyone wishing to contribute should send an email to rebuilding@jflag.com.
J-Flag said in a statement: ‘We have received an outpouring of support from the LGBT community, our allies, partners and donors, offering condolences and seeking information on how they can help us in our rebuilding efforts.
‘Thanks to our government and civil society partners who have opened their doors to us, we are slowly resuming operations on a limited basis.
‘We are heartened that the important work we do means so much to everyone and we are grateful for any support we can get.
‘Based on our capacity at this time, crowdfunding is the most effective way to reach our recovery goals.’
Among the things lost in the fire are files, equipment, furniture and computers.
J-Flag is one of the most prominent LGBTI rights groups in what many consider to be one of the most homophobic countries in the world.
Homosexuality itself isn’t illegal. However, male homosexual sex is illegal according to the Sexual Offences Act (2009).
A 2014 report by Human Rights Watch found ‘LGBT people in Jamaica face intolerable levels of violence and cannot rely on the police’.
On February 9, 10 and 11, 2019, the Santa Rosa Symphony (SRS) presents “Love Letters,” celebrating women and love. Guest conductor Sarah Ioannides will lead the orchestra for this concert, which begins with Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel’s Overture in C major and ends with her brother Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, Scottish. After Fanny’s overture, Out Trans Artist Sara Davis Buechner plays Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor. Clara’s husband Robert’s Overture to Manfred completes this Valentine’s weekend concert.
“Love Letters” will be performed on Saturday, February 9, at 7:30 PM; Sunday, February 10 at 3 PM and Monday, February 11 at 7:30 PM at Weill Hall in Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center. Additionally, the Discovery Rehearsal, which is general seating, happens at 2 PM on Saturday, February 10. The concert experience is further enhanced with pre-concert talks, given by SRS Cultural Historian and Musicologist Kayleen Asbo PhD, one hour prior to performances (except the Discovery Rehearsal). These informative 30-minute talks conclude with a Q & A period.
Program notes, a Spotify playlist of the works and an overview video with Dr. Asbo are available on the concert event page. Tickets range from $24 to $87 and may be purchased online, in person or by phone (see below). In addition, for each adult ticket purchased, the ticket holder may request a free ticket for a youth, ages 7 to 17, to accompany them.
Sara Davis Buechner has been praised worldwide as a musician of “intelligence, integrity and all-encompassing technical prowess” (New York Times); lauded for her “fascinating and astounding virtuosity” (Philippine Star), and her “thoughtful artistry in the full service of music” (Washington Post); and celebrated for her performances which are “never less than 100% committed and breathtaking” (Pianoforte Magazine, London). Japan’s InTune magazine says: “When it comes to clarity, flawless tempo selection, phrasing and precise control of timbre, Buechner has no superior.” In her twenties, Davis Buechner won awards from the world’s première piano competitions – Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, Leeds, Salzburg, Sydney and Vienna. She won the Gold Medal at the 1984 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and was a Bronze Medalist of the 1986 Tschaikowsky International Piano Competition in Moscow.
A dedicated Yamaha Artist for more than 30 years with a repertoire of more than 100 concertos, Davis Buechner has appeared as soloist with many of the world’s prominent orchestras. In 2016, she joined the piano faculty of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University in Philadelphia. She has presented lectures and masterclasses worldwide, notably at the Royal Academy in London, the Juilliard School in New York City, Indiana University, the Eastman School of Music, Shanghai Conservatory and the Kobe-Yamate Gakuen in Osaka, Japan. Read her full bio here.
Described by the New York Times as a conductor with “unquestionable strength and authority” and “magic,” Sarah Ioannides’ dynamic presence on the podium has won praise from audience and critics internationally. Ioannides, now in her fourth season as Music Director of Symphony Tacoma, has gained recognition as one of the most engaging and respected conductors of her generation. She previously served as music director for the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra (2005-2012) and the El Paso Symphony (2005-2011). Ioannides, whose guest engagements span six continents, was listed as one of the top twenty female conductors worldwide by Lebrecht’s “Woman Conductors: The Power List” in 2016. The Los Angeles Times declared that she is “one of six female conductors breaking the glass podium” and she was praised in the New York Times as part of “a new wave of female conductors in their late 20’s through early 40’s.” In addition, she was awarded the JoAnn Falletta award for the most promising female conductor. Read her full bio here.
Concert Times and Location
Saturday, February 9, and Monday, February 11, at 7:30 PM, Sunday, February 10, at 3:00 PM
Discovery Open Rehearsal is Saturday, February 9 at 2:00 PM All performances are at Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University.
Tickets are available by phone, online and in person as follows: (707) 546-8742; srsymphony.org; or Santa Rosa Symphony Patron Services, 50 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa (Weekdays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, opening at 10:30 AM Wednesdays)
Free tickets for youth, ages 7-17. Patrons may request ONE FREE ticket for a youth 7-17 with each paid adult ticket to a Classical Series concert. This offer is not available online, but may be requested by phone or in person.
Sponsors
Supporting sponsor: The E. Nakamichi Foundation
Sarah Ioannides underwritten by Ava & Sam Guerrera
Sara Davis Buechner underwritten by Linda Castiglioni
Media sponsor: The Press Democrat
Discovery Open Rehearsal Series sponsored by The Stare Foundation and David Stare of
Dry Creek Vineyard
Pre-concert talks sponsored by Jamei Haswell and Richard Grundy
Additional support provided by the County of Sonoma – Board of Supervisors
Openly gay mayor Peter Buttigieg has announced he will be running for president in 2020.
Buttigieg, currently mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced on Wednesday (22 January) that he is forming an exploratory committee to run for president for the Democratic Party.
He says his campaign will focus on ‘intergenerational justice’.
‘My generation is the generation that experienced school shootings beginning when I was in high school, the generation that fought in the post 9/11 wars, the first generation not to be better off than our parents materially – if nothing changes.’
He also appears to take a swipe at President Donald Trump’s mantra, Make America Great Again.
He adds: ‘There is no again the real world. We can’t look for greatness in the past. Right now our country needs a fresh start.
‘There’s a new generation of voices emerging in our country, walking away from the politics of the past and ready to deliver on our priorities. There is no again in the real world. That’s not a bad thing. We’re ready for a fresh start.’
The 37-year-old is the joint youngest candidate to enter the race, alongside Representative Tulsi Gabbard. He is a veteran of the Navy and is married to his husband Chasten.
Buttieg was elected mayor in 2011 at the age of 29, making him the youngest person ever to serve as mayor of South Bend.
In 2017, he ran for Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairman, but was unsuccessful.
Other Democrats who have expressed intent or formed exploratory committees include Senator Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gilibrand and Kamala Harris.
Tanisha Yeasmin Chaity, who was appointed to Bangladesh’s Human Rights Commission, said she was “excited” and added “it was a new beginning for the entire transgender community.”
Chaity joined Bangladesh’s Human Rights Commission last year (YouTube)
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Chaity said: “Hijras should lead lives as normal people. The attitude and mindset of society has to change in order to ensure that hijras do not have to do what they are forced to do for money.”
Hijra is an umbrella term which refers to a third gender in south Asia and is sometimes used to describe transgender people.
Despite this, they are often subjected to violence, discrimination and rejected by family, leaving them forced to make money by begging or sex work.
Chaity said: “I was the only male child of the family, and thus my parents were not ready to accept these changes. Their attitude towards me changed, and they kept trying to demoralise me.
“When the pressure became overwhelming, I left my home for the first time to look for people like me in the transgender community – where I would feel safe and accepted,” she said.
Saturday February 9 @ 8 pm. Stella Heath Quintet presents: The Billie Holiday Project at Occidental Center for the Arts. Evocative songstress Stella Heath (French Oak Gypsy Band) fronts a stellar band of local musicians for a cabaret-style musical tribute to the life and art of the legendary singer for Black History Month at OCA’s acoustic sweet spot. $20 Advance/$25 at door. Fine refreshments. Wheelchair accessible. Black History Art Exhibit open for viewing in Gallery. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. 707-874-9392
Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman in ‘The Favourite.’ (Photo courtesy 20th Century Fox)
The 91st Academy Awards announced the nominees for its class of 2019 with “The Favourite” and “Roma” tying for the most recognition with 10 nominations each.
“The Favourite” earned nominations for its three lead actresses with Olivia Colman scoring a Best Actress nomination for portraying Queen Anne and Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz receiving Best Supporting Actress nominations.
“A Star is Born” came in an overall close second pulling in eight nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Original Song nominations for Lady Gaga and a Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for Bradley Cooper.
Other LGBT-inclusive nominations include the Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which became the highest grossing music biopic of all time upon its release last year. Rami Malek was also nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. “Green Book” also earned Viggo Mortensen a Best Actor nomination and Mahershala Ali a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his portrayal of musician Don Shirly.
Melissa McCarthy was nominated for her role as lesbian writer Lee Israel in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” and Richard E. Grant received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for playing her gay friend Jack Hock.
LGBT nominees on the list were Jeff Whitty for co-writing “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman for their Netflix documentary “End Game,” Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman for writing the original song “The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns” and Shaiman for Original Score for “Mary Poppins Returns.” The LGBT-inclusive film”Marguerite,” which tells the story of a nurse and an aging woman’s friendship, was also nominated for Live Action Short.
The Academy also finally gave some overdue credit to acting veterans Regina King and Sam Elliot with their first nominations. King was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the James Baldwin adaptation “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Elliot received a nom for Best Supporting Actor for “A Star is Born.”
Notable snubs in this year’s Academy Awards crop were a Best Director nomination for Cooper for his directorial debut in “A Star is Born” and Timothée Chalamet for Best Supporting Actor in the drug addiction-fueled drama “Beautiful Boy.”
Two film nominations were also historical film moments. Netflix received its first Oscar nomination for “Roma” and “Black Panther,” which earned seven nominations, became the first Marvel film to be nominated for Best Picture.
The Academy Awards air on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Check out the complete list of nominees below.
Best Picture
“Black Panther”
“BlacKkKlansman”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“The Favourite”
“Green Book”
“Roma”
“A Star Is Born”
“Vice”
Best Actor
Christian Bale – “Vice”
Bradley Cooper –”A Star Is Born”
Willem Dafoe – “At Eternity’s Gate”
Rami Malek – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Viggo Mortensen – “Green Book”
Best Actress
Yalitza Aparicio – “Roma”
Glenn Close – “The Wife”
Olivia Colman – “The Favourite”
Lady Gaga – “A Star Is Born”
Melissa McCarthy – “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Best Director
Spike Lee – “BlacKkKlansman”
Pawel Pawlikowski – “Cold War”
Yorgos Lanthimos – “The Favourite”
Alfonso Cuarón – “Roma”
Adam McKay – “Vice”
Best Supporting Actor
Mahershala Ali – “Green Book”
Adam Driver – “BlacKkKlansman”
Sam Elliott – “A Star Is Born”
Richard E. Grant – “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Sam Rockwell – “Vice”
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams – “Vice”
Marina de Tavira – “Roma”
Regina King – “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Emma Stone – “The Favourite”
Rachel Weisz – “The Favourite”
Best Adapted Screenplay
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen – “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”
Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott and Spike Lee – “BlacKkKlansman”
Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty – “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Barry Jenkins – “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper and Will Fetters – “A Star Is Born”
Best Original Screenplay
Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara – “The Favourite”
Paul Schrader – “First Reformed”
Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly – “Green Book”
Alfonso Cuarón – “Roma”
Adam McKay – “Vice”
Best Cinematography
Łukasz Żal – “Cold War”
Robbie Ryan – “The Favourite”
Caleb Deschanel – “Never Look Away”
Alfonso Cuarón – “Roma”
Matthew Libatique – “A Star Is Born”
Best Documentary Feature
“Free Solo”
“Hale County This Morning, This Evening”
“Minding the Gap”
“Of Fathers and Sons”
“RBG”
Best Animated Film
“Incredibles 2”
“Isle of Dogs”
“Mirai”
“Ralph Breaks the Internet”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
Best Foreign Language Film
“Capernaum” (Lebanon)
“Cold War” (Poland)
“Never Look Away” (Germany)
“Roma” (Mexico)
“Shoplifters” (Japan)
Best Documentary Short Subject
” Black Sheep”
“End Game”
“Lifeboat”
“A Night at the Garden”
“Period. End Of Sentence”
Best Animated Short Film
“Animal Behaviour”
“Bao”
“Late Afternoon”
“One Small Step”
“Weekends”
Best Live Action Short Film
“Detainment”
“Fauve”
“Marguerite”
“Mother”
“Skin”
Best Original Song
“All the Stars” from “Black Panther,” Kendrick Lamar, SZA
“I’ll Fight” from “RBG,” Diane Warren
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns,” Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
“Shallow” from “A Star Is Born,” Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt and Benjamin Rice
“When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings” from “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” David Rawlings and Gillian Welch
Best Original Score
Ludwig Goransson – “Black Panther”
Terence Blanchard – “BlacKkKlansman”
Nicholas Britell – “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Alexandre Desplat – “Isle of Dogs”
Marc Shaiman – “Mary Poppins Returns”
Best Production Design
“Black Panther”
“The Favourite”
“First Man”
“Mary Poppins Returns”
“Roma”
Best Costume Design
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”
“Black Panther”
“The Favourite”
“Mary Poppins Returns”
“Mary Queen of Scots”
Best Film Editing
“BlacKkKlansman”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“The Favourite”
“Green Book”
“Vice”
Best Visual Effects
“Avengers: Infinity War”
“Christopher Robin”
“First Man”
“Ready Player One”
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
“Border”
“Mary Queen of Scots”
“Vice”
The US Supreme Court has voted to issue a stay of injunction that will allow President Donald Trump’s ban on trans people serving in the military to go ahead.
The US’ highest court delivered its decision early on Tuesday morning (22 January). However, it will continue to debate the matter before making a final decision on the issue.
High Court Justices voted along party lines issuing a 5-4 win in Trump’s favor. Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kegan dissented from the vote.
LGBTI advocates have started speaking out against the decision.
‘Allowing Trump and Pence’s trans military ban to go into effect harms active duty transgender troops and our national security. We will fight this harmful and discriminatory ban until it is fully defeated,’ wrote Human Rights Campaign president, Chad Griffin, on Twitter.
US LGBT military organization OutServe SLDN’s executive director, Andy Blevins also condemned the ruling.
‘For the past two-and-a-half years, thousands of qualified, transgender individuals have made our nation’s armed forces better, in every measurable quality, with their authentic service,’Blevins said.
‘The Court’s decision to allow the Trump-Pence Administration to institute their wanting and discriminatory practices while the litigation proceeds is disappointing – our siblings-in-arms deserve better.
‘We look forward to continuing our representation of these proud and selfless patriots, and reminding this Administration that military policy cannot be defined by baseless and discriminatory rationalizations.’
Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, called today’s decision a ‘setback.’
‘Not only is the Trump Administration creating a dangerous environment for transgender service members,’ she said, ‘but they are also weakening the strength of our military and setting a dangerous precedent that puts the safety of our soldiers and nation’s military readiness in jeopardy.’
Trump first instituted the ban in 2017 and received widespread backlash to his decision. A month after that, he issued a memorandum declaring the end of trans service at the start of 2018.
UK-based LGBTI rights group Stonewall has reinforced the need for LGBTI-themed books for children.
The group says that books highlighting LGBTI issues are essential for LGBTI youths exploring their sexuality and gender identity.
The group made the statement at a time when LGBTI themed children’s books have faced considerable opposition in numerous countries, including the US and Canada.
Sidonie Bertrand-Shelton, Stonewall’s head of education programmes, said that including LGBTI themes in children’s books is not only important for the development of LGBTI youths but in ‘[helping] all pupils develop an understanding of difference,’ the Guardian reports.
‘Celebrating difference is an important step toward building inclusive learning environments where all young people can be supported to reach their full potential,’ Bertrand-Shelton added.
‘[This] makes representations of LGBT people in books and education materials vital for young people who might be questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.’
A 2017 School Report by Stonewall found that only 20% of LGBT students had been taught about same-sex relationships at school.
The report also found that 77% had not learned about trans people or gender identity.
Stonewall’s statement comes after a Catholic school board in Canada earlier this week removed an acclaimed graphic novel which includes two boys kissing.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board said the book’s removal was ‘not necessarily’ because of the LGBTI content, but for ‘the actual relationship content … It is not a book we really need younger kids reading without guidance.’
However, the book was reinstated into primary schools following protests over the decision.
This week also saw a group of parents in Kansas protesting to have books with transgender content removed from school shelves.
The group claimed that a book such as I Am Jazz contained a ‘sexual revolution agenda, indoctrination of children’.
Other high-profile instances have seen disputes over LGBTI themed books throughout the world.
Last year in Hong Kong, the Sexual Orientation Ordinance Concern Group successfully lobbied to have a number of LGBTI themed children’s books removed from the shelves of public libraries.
The group – which claim they have no political or religious affiliations – said they were concerned that LGBTI inclusive content in schools might lead to ‘alternate brainwashing education’.
LGBTI rights in Singapore remain a contentious issue. LGBTI rights activists often meet with considerable opposition from both political and religious groups, and male homosexual sex is still criminalized in the city-state.
As it explains, the purpose of the report is to ‘identify potential gaps in attitudes, knowledge, and institutional practices toward LGBTQ patients’.
In order to complete their survey and find results, the authors took a random sample of 450 oncologists from 45 cancer centers from the American Medical Association’s Physician Masterfile.
Promsingly, a majority of the oncologists affirmed the importance of knowing their patients’ identities and receiving LGBTQ education.
Regarding identities, more believe it’s important to know a patient’s gender identity (65.8%) compared to sexual orientation (39.6%). A large majority (70.4%) expressed interest in receiving education specifically about LGBTQ patients.
Following the survey, however, confidence dropped among oncologists about their own knowledge.
53.1% said they were confident about LGB health needs and information before taking the survey. That number dropped to 38.9% after the survey.
The numbers were even lower about transgender knowledge (from 36.9% to 19.5%).
A promising fact is that a majority of these doctors (83%) feel comfortable treating trans patients, but only 37% felt like they know enough to actually do so.
‘With this research, we’re really interested in looking at how discrimination affects not only patient health but also how can we intervene at the provider level to have an impact on quality of care,’ one of the author’s, Megan Sutter, told CBS News.
Another author of the study, Gwendolyn Quinn, revealed some of the questions they asked the oncologists.
They asked the doctors if they knew the LGBTQ community is more likely to spend time in the sun, use tobacco, and have substance abuse. They also inquired if women who have never had sex with a man are still at risk for HPV.
‘The answer to these questions is that they’re true, but many of the doctors in the survey didn’t think that,’ Quinn said.
She continued: ‘It’s not a patient issue. We should not expect people who identify as LGBTQ to train us about what their needs are. It is our obligation as institutions and providers of care to figure out how we can best serve them.’
