Sonoma County recently has launched a standby list for coronavirus vaccination appointments.
Residents who register for the list will be notified when vaccination appointments at local clinics become available because of extra doses or unfilled appointments, said Matt Brown, a county spokesman.
Individuals will be called in the order that they registered, Brown said, and should be “ready to go” once they are notified. The calls may come from a blocked number.
To register, visit https://form.jotform.com/211016242241134. Residents will be asked to provide their name, date of birth, address, contact information and preferred language. Insurance is not required to receive a vaccine.
Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting, has insisted that it “isn’t impossible to solve” gun violence.
Since the the June 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, which saw 49 mostly Latinx LGBT+ people killed, there have been at least 50 mass shootings in the US, according to GLAAD.
Wolf was one of the survivors of the atrocity and a lead gun reform advocate. Speaking with the podcast LGBTQ&A, produced by The Advocatemagazine in partnership with GLAAD, Wolf said: “It’s sad that we’ve almost allowed ourselves to feel like violence is inevitable, especially against young people.
“The reality is not that these things are impossible to solve.
“The reality is not that violence is inevitable because other countries have solved it.
“The reality is that we have allowed our leaders to get away with being not held accountable for their inaction to a place where we have instead normalise the violence instead of forcing them to take action.”
Despite his frustration surrounding the public perception of gun violence, Wolf said there have been some “large” wins in the last few years.
He said: “Think about what candidates running for office are able to say and not say about gun safety reform. [Previously] it was not something that you could show up and talk about and create an issue around.
“And then think about 2018, and where gun safety reform lived in the conversation during a midterm election… Over 40 candidates backed by the NRA lost in the 2018 midterms. That’s massive.”
Thinking back to the Pulse shooting he survived, and why the media “moved on” so quickly without seeing any significant change, Wolf added: “We were too gay and too brown for people to care… When we stood up in front of the camera and asked for action from our leaders, they didn’t see their kids in us.
“We were in a dark, dirty nightclub, gay and brown and doing what we do. And it’s easy for us to feel as other to them.”
But this reaction is what inspired Wolf to fight for gun reform.
He said: “I realised that if people did not step up from our community, the brown LGBTQ voices would be erased from the story. And they were for a long time.”
In his speech, he called for universal background checks before individuals are able to buy firearms, “extreme risk protection orders” so that people deemed dangerous by law enforcement can have their guns taken away, and the closure of legal loopholes that allow people who have misdemeanour hate-crime convictions to access guns.
Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on Thursday signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, bolstering religious beliefs as a claim or defense in court. Democrats and other opponents have decried the new law, arguing it would empower people to freely discriminate against LGBTQ people with beliefs that they are immune in the courts.
Democratic lawmakers in both chambers who are LGBTQ shared soul-bearing testimony in floor sessions about the message the bill’s passage would send to communities who already suffer discrimination. The legislation spurred opponents to rally outside the Capitol, while more than 250 companies co-signed a letter opposing SB 215.
Vermont is on track to become the 13th US state to ban the outdated and abhorrent gay and trans panic defences.
The Vermont Senate unanimously voted Wednesday (21 April) to sign a state measure that will stop defendants from citing a victim’s sexuality or gender, perceived or otherwise, to justify the killing of queer people.
The decades-old legal strategy, long used to chillingly win a jury’s sympathy, lessen charges or shorten a sentence, says that people kill or become violent in a state of temporary insanity because the victim is LGBT+.
While the defence has never been used in the state, senators voted 29-0 to stop anyone from becoming the first, VTD reported.
In doing so, gay senator Brian Campion said on the virtual floor, provision H128 “will never allow a senseless legal argument to act as cover for personal, societal or systemic prejudices and biases”.
“This bill ensures Vermont courtrooms never allow such obvious bigotry to come into trial – to heap further suffering onto the victim,” he added.
“As a gay man, I take great pride in this body taking this step – another step in a long line of steps it has taken – to undo, reverse, and end long-held and entrenched societal bigotries.”
The Vermont Senate will give final approval to the legislation Thursday (22 April) after which it will be shuffled back to the House.
Considering House lawmakers already passed a version of the bill 144-1 last month, the bill is unlikely to face any roadblocks.
Senators tweaked the bill to stop the defence from being mounted not only at trial but during sentencing, too.
The city of Scottsdale has voted to approve a non-discrimination ordinance, becoming the eighth city in Arizona to provide protections to members of the LGBTQ community and other groups.
The Scottsdale City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on Tuesday protecting residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, public places and housing.
The ordinance will take effect on May 20 and apply to all elected and appointed city officials, employees and volunteers and all contractors, vendors and consultants of the city.
“The ordinance represents the city of Scottsdale’s commitment to anti-discrimination and fair treatment of residents, visitors and employees in the Scottsdale community, and the City Council’s support and value for diversity and inclusiveness,” the statement said.
The City Council had discussed a similar ordinance in 2016, but never took it to vote because of disagreements on whether to exempt businesses with fewer than 15 employees.
The newly approved ordinance has multiple exemptions, including federal and state officials, federally recognized American Indian tribes and religious organizations. The ordinance will also not apply to anyone who violates any policy or regulation of any places of public accommodation that applies to everyone.
City officials who violate the ordinance could be subject to multiple “responsive actions,” including termination. People not connected with the city who violate the ordinance could face fines between $500 to $2,500 per violation.
The city of Mesa adopted a similar anti-discrimination ordinance earlier this year.
Highlighting the school’s “double standard”, he asked board members at the time: “Why is it against dress code for a man to be comfortable with his masculinity and defy the gender norms society has imposed on us?
“Why is it harmful for me to wear nail polish? If it’s not harmful for girls to wear it, why is it harmful for males?”
Now, months later, Trevor Wilkinson has finally convinced Clyde School Board to introduce a gender-neutral dress code.
According to the Abilene Reporter, the new code no longer mentions nail polish or makeup at all, and all other requirements will apply to all students, regardless of their gender.
Board members even included high school students in the drafting of the new code.
Trevor Wilkinson told local news station KTXS: “It is with great honour that I am pleased to announce that Clyde High School’s dress code is officially gender-neutral forever.
“I’m at a loss of words for the joy I am feeling on this special day.
“I am so blessed by the support, love, and help I have received through this experience.”
He added on Facebook: “It has been great to be able to help be a small part of a much needed change.”
Caitlyn Jenner, the former Olympian, reality TV star and transgender activist, said Friday she is running to be governor of California, as a recall of the sitting Democratic governor moves forward.
In a press release posted to Twitter, Jenner, a longtime Republican, said that she’d make a “formal announcement” in the “the coming weeks” and pitched herself as a “compassionate disruptor” who will campaign on “solutions” and “providing a roadmap back to prosperity” for the state.
“California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality. But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision,” Jenner said.
Jenner’s campaign website also went live Friday morning. Axios first reported the news.
POLITICO reported this week that Jenner did not cast ballots in nearly two-thirds of the elections in which she was eligible to vote since 2000. Though critical of Newsom, she did not vote in the 2018 gubernatorial election in which the Democratic governor had the biggest landslide victory for a non-incumbent since 1930.
All told, Jenner has voted just nine times in California’s 26 statewide elections since 2000, Los Angeles County records show.
Jenner announced she is a transgender woman in April 2015. She starred in her own reality TV show, called “I am Cait” in 2016.
“The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president,” she wrote.
Despite her renouncement of Trump, pro-LGBTQ groups were quick to slam Jenner over her entrance into the race Friday, citing her prior support for him.
“Make no mistake: we can’t wait to elect a #trans governor of California. But @Caitlyn_Jenner spent years telling the #LGBTQ+ community to trust Donald Trump. We saw how that turned out,” tweeted Equality California.
Police in South Africa are investigating the killing of a young gay man – Lonwabo Jack – who’s believed to be the country’s fourth LGBT+ murder victim in less than a month.
The body of the 22-year-old was found with stab wounds in a pool of blood on Sunday (18 April) in Mau-Mau, Nyanga East. He died on his birthday, according to the Lesbian Alliance Of South Africa (GLASA).
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana told IOL that no arrests had been made yet, and that allegations of rape had also formed part of the investigation.
“Lonwabo was a nice kid, he was always surrounded by his friends and liked fun and good times,” said Lonwabo’s father Mzwabantu.
“He was a quiet kid and would not say some of the things he would experience because he felt like he could handle them just like any other man. However, when he told us that he was raped we knew as his parents that we had to take a stand. Having a gay child has taught us a valuable lesson.”
The family are said to be distraught after learning of the manner of his son’s death. “We also suspect that he was raped because his shorts were taken off,” he added.
“It’s heartbreaking to give birth to a child and also bury them, especially because he was never sick.”
The brutal killing came days after LGBT+ protests at the South African parliament on Friday (16 April) as queer people demanded tangible action against the rising rate of hate crimes.
Less than a week ago South African media learned of the death of Nathaniel Mbele, a gay man who was stabbed in the chest near the city of Vanderbijlpark.
Shortly before this police found the mutilated remains of Andile “Lulu” Ntuthela, a gay man who was butchered and burned. He was tragically preceded by Sphamandla Khoza, 34, a gay man who was stabbed, beaten and had his throat slit in Durban.
“It comes as a great shock to hear that there has been another horrific rape and murder of LGBTIQ+ persons,” said Siyabulela Monakali, spokesperson for the women’s rights and gender-based violence group Ilitha Labantu.
“We urge members of the community to work together to help root out this scourge of violence and discrimination. We need to build communities that are tolerant and accepting of people’s diversity and not discriminate against anyone based on their sexuality.
Petaluma City Schools (PCS) invites elementary school parents and caregivers to attend an online education session regarding supporting LGBTQIA+ students on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 6-8pm. This session, which is open to families with elementary students in other nearby school districts, will aim to provide both an introduction to relevant topics for LGBTQIA+ youth and families who may be at the beginning of their journey, as well as more in-depth information for families who have already been on this journey for a while. Spanish translation and ASL interpretation will be available.
For this gathering, we will be joined by panelists from the following local community organizations, with descriptions of relevant program offerings listed next to each:
North Bay LGBTQI Families: Community building events and school advocacy resources for LGBTQIA+ families, and monthly social and family gatherings for gender expansive youth under age 12.
Positive Images LGBTQIA+ Center: Peer support groups for youth/TAY and adults, Leadership Development Program for youth/TAY 12-24, LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Trainings and Consultation, Community Outreach Events, Resources and Referrals.
Promotores de Amor/LGBTQ Connection: Education and resources for support of LGBTQIA+ youth in the Latinx community; peer support and youth leadership development programs for ages 14-24.
Amor Para Todos: Advocacy and implementation to create more gender and LGBTQIA+ inclusive school and community environments through things like policy and curriculum changes, gender neutral restroom signage, as well as elementary APT Student Clubs (similar to GSAs).
Petaluma TIDE: Raising awareness, coalition building and advocating for equity in school communities through dialogue and relationships.
UCLC/CUAC (United Community Learning Coalition/Comunidad Unida en Aprendizaje Colaboratorio): A working group dedicated to building a wraparound support model for the schools to address educational inequities in Petaluma.
For event security purposes this session will be presented as a webinar, and participants will have the opportunity to send in written questions via this form both before and during the event. Participants may also submit their questions by phone by calling McKinley School at 707-778-4750.
Please know that through this event we intend to offer a safe and supportive space for our LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community members. Hate speech or disrespectful conduct of any kind will not be tolerated, and any participant displaying conduct of this nature will be removed from the event immediately. You may submit any questions or feedback you have regarding this event via the form above.
See below for call-in options, and we look forward to seeing you on the 28th!
When: Apr 28, 2021 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Virtual Parent & Caregiver Education Night on Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://petk12.zoom.us/j/84338809877
Or One tap mobile :
US: +16699006833,,84338809877# or +13462487799,,84338809877#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592
Las escuelas de la ciudad de Petaluma (PCS) invitan a los padres y cuidadores de la escuela primaria a asistir a una sesión de educación en línea sobre el apoyo para los estudiantes LGBTQIA + el miércoles 28 de abril de 2021 de 6 a 8 p.m. Esta sesión, que se ofrece a familias con estudiantes de primaria en otros distritos escolares cercanos, tendrá como objetivo proporcionar una introducción a temas relevantes para los jóvenes y familias LGBTQIA + que pueden estar al comienzo de este camino, al igual que información más detallada para familias que ya llevan un tiempo en este camino. Habrá traducción al español e interpretación de ASL.
Para esta reunión, se nos unirán panelistas de las siguientes organizaciones comunitarias locales, con descripciones de programas relevantes al lado de cada una:
Familias LGBTQI de North Bay: eventos comunitarios y recursos de defensa escolar para familias LGBTQIA +, y reuniones sociales y familiares mensuales para jóvenes menores de 12 años de género expansivo.
Positive Images LGBTQIA + Center: Grupos de apoyo para jóvenes / TAY y adultos, Programa de desarrollo de liderazgo para jóvenes / TAY 12-24, Capacitaciones y consultas sobre competencias culturales LGBTQIA +, Eventos de alcance comunitario, Recursos y referencias.
Promotores de Amor / LGBTQ Connection: Educación y recursos para el apoyo de los jóvenes LGBTQIA + en la comunidad Latinx; programas de desarrollo de liderazgo juvenil y apoyo entre pares para edades de 14 a 24 años.
Amor Para Todos: Promoción e implementación para crear más entornos escolares y comunitarios inclusivos de género y LGBTQIA + a través de cosas como cambios en las políticas y el plan de estudios, señalización de baños neutrales en cuanto al género, así como grupos de estudiantes APT de primaria (similares a los GSA).
Petaluma TIDE: aumentar conciencia, formación de coaliciones y promoción de la equidad en las comunidades escolares a través del diálogo y las relaciones.
UCLC / CUAC (United Community Learning Coalition / Comunidad Unida en Aprendizaje Colaboratorio): un grupo de trabajo dedicado a construir un modelo de apoyo integral para que las escuelas aborden las inequidades educativas en Petaluma.
Por motivos de seguridad, esta sesión se presentará como un seminario web y los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de enviar preguntas por escrito a través de este formulario antes y durante el evento. Los participantes también pueden enviar sus preguntas por teléfono llamando a la escuela McKinley al 707-778-4750.
Tenga en cuenta que a través de este evento tenemos la intención de ofrecer un espacio seguro y de apoyo para nuestros miembros de la comunidad LGBTQIA + y BIPOC. No se tolerará el discurso de odio o la conducta irrespetuosa de cualquier tipo, y cualquier participante que muestre una conducta de esta naturaleza será retirado del evento de inmediato. Puede enviar cualquier pregunta o comentario que tenga sobre este evento a través del formulario anterior.
Vea a continuación las opciones de llamadas, ¡y esperamos verlo el día 28!
Cuándo: 28 de abril de 2021 a las 06:00 p.m. hora del Pacífico (EE. UU. Y Canadá)
Tema: Noche educativa virtual para padres y cuidadores sobre el apoyo a los estudiantes LGBTQIA +
Haga clic en el enlace a continuación para unirse al seminario web:
