Alabama’s first openly gay lawmaker Patricia Todd to lead LGBTQ coalition
One Orlando Alliance, central Florida’s largest coalition of LGBTQ advocacy groups, on Tuesday named Birmingham-Democrat state Rep. Patricia Todd executive director. Todd, Alabama’s first openly gay lawmaker will lead the LGBTQ coalition in Orlando, Fla., in an effort to bring together LGBTQ+ organizations and work to transform Central Florida into an accepting and unified community for all. Eighteen organizations formed the alliance in June 2016 following the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando to offer short-term crisis counseling, emergency care packages, and money to victims and their families. Since then, the alliance has grown to more than forty groups with a long-term vision to support and empower LGBTQ residents in central Florida. Todd has over three decades of experience advocating for justice and equality. Born and raised in Kentucky, Todd served two years in Washington, D.C. with the National Organization for Women before moving to Alabama. She went on to serve as Executive Director for AIDS Alabama, the statewide HIV/AIDS organization, and State Director for the Human Rights Campaign. In 2006, she garnered national attention when she became the first openly gay elected official to serve in the Alabama House of Representatives. She was re-elected in 2010 without opposition. After serving 12 years, she did not seek re-election. Her farewell speech to the House received a standing ovation. “Patricia has been training for this role her whole life. She’s a natural fit and we’re delighted she’ll be joining the coalition in this important work,” remarked Jennifer Foster, Chair of the Board of Directors and one of the original co-conveners of the Alliance. Todd said of her new position, “I am honored to be selected as the Executive Director for One Orlando Alliance. I look forward to working alongside Alliance members to create a more inclusive Central Florida community.” “The work of One Orlando Alliance serves as a national model for how to pull community together in the wake of unimaginable tragedy,” Todd added. “I’m humbled to help tell that story of the origin and even more excited about our shared vision for a stronger, more unified future. Together, the Alliance will ensure that justice and equality are rights of all who call Central Florida home.” The selection of Todd followed an extensive nation-wide search that began in August, 2017. She will begin her new role on June 1.
Human Rights Campaign report lists Alabama as ‘High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality’
According to The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, and the Equality Federation; Alabama has some catching up to do. HRC, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its fourth annual State Equality Index report including detailed scorecards for every state and a comprehensive review of 2017 state legislation concerning LGBTQ equality. Each state was placed into one of four categories based on their pro- and anti-LGBTQ state laws. Alabama was listed in the “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality,” category. “Despite a historic victory in Birmingham with the state’s first LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance being passed in September 2017, the State Equality Index identifies many areas of opportunity and advancement for LGBTQ equality in Alabama,” said Executive Director of Equality Alabama, Alex Smith in a news release. “Equality Alabama is poised both to fight against a preemption of this ordinance in the 2018 legislative session and to support pro-equality pieces of legislation that aim to provide nondiscrimination protections statewide, make it easier for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals to change the gender marker on their birth certificates and state IDs, and remove homophobic language from the state’s sexual health education statutes.” According to the report, Alabama does not have any provisions for LGBTQ identifiers in the following categories: HOUSING: The state does not prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. EMPLOYMENT: The state does not prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. HATE CRIMES: The state does have a law that addresses hate or bias crimes based on sexual orientation only. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS: The state does not prohibit discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. SCHOOL ANTI-BULLYING: The state does not have a law that addresses harassment and/or bullying of students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. EDUCATION: The state does not have a law that addresses discrimination against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. TRANSGENDER HEALTHCARE: The state has neither a ban on insurance exclusions for transgender healthcare nor does it provide transgender-inclusive health benefits to state employees. GENDER MARKER CHANGE ON IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS: The state does not have laws or policies that facilitate gender marker change on driver’s licenses or birth certificates. CONVERSION THERAPY: This state has no restrictions on so-called “conversion therapy.” Alabama is one of the 31 states listed in the report as lacking explicit state-level protections for all LGBTQ people. Even at a time of historically high support for LGBTQ equality, an estimated 12 million LGBTQ Americans and their families remain at risk of being evicted or denied services because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “If an LGBTQ couple drove from Maine to California today, their legal rights and civil rights protections could change more than 20 times at state borders and city lines. The vast majority of Americans today understand that this crazy quilt of protections — and lack thereof — is wrong, impractical, and unacceptable,” said Chad Griffin, HRC President. “The time has come for us to do away with this ragged patchwork of state laws that fail to protect LGBTQ people equally by passing the Equality Act once and for all.
State Rep. Patricia Todd, champion for LGBTQ rights announces retirement
LGBTQ rights champion Alabama state Rep. Patricia Todd announced that she not seeking re-election on Monday. The Birmingham-Democrat confirmed her decision in a Facebook post Monday night. She wrote: It has been my honor and privilege to serve the constituents of House District 54 for the past 12 years. I have learned so much, met some incredible people, and I hope I have made a difference. So I am not running for reelection. The current ethic laws and the time to serve as a legislator create a barrier for me to secure full time employment and it has created a financial burden on my family. I love my role as a legislator. I will miss having a hand in crafted public policy, but hope my next career allows me to stay engaged. I promise that I will assist in any way possible to help my successor be an affective legislator. Todd is Alabama’s first, and only, openly gay lawmaker. She was first elected in 2006 and has served as the District 54 representative for the past 12 years.
Pell City High students denied LGBTQ homecoming float
A float for the Pell City High School homecoming parade representing the lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) student population was denied according to two students. 16-year-old junior Brianna Phillips and 15-year-old sophomore Haley Youngblood are now accusing the school district of discriminating against their sexual orientation. The girls claim they filled out the necessary form to submit a float for the upcoming Oct. 27 homecoming game, got 110 signatures from their peers for the non-academic float, and presented them to the principal to approve the float. Principal Tony Dowdy denied their request saying it failed to meet the necessary guidelines for a school float. Pell City School District superintendent, Dr. Michael Barber, has since weighed in and agrees with Dowdy. “The Pell City High School homecoming parade participation approval process was in existence prior to this event,” said Barber. “Those participating in the parade must follow the existing guidelines and gain prior approval. Those participating in the parade must represent existing clubs and organizations that represent the academic curriculum of Pell City High School.” But Phillips and Youngblood aren’t giving up. They’ve created a change.org petition and are hopeful Gov. Kay Ivey will weigh in with her support.
Birmingham City Council sets public hearing for LGBTQ-inclusive human rights ordinance
A nondiscrimination ordinance, which has been in discussion for the last four years, will be on this month’s Birmingham City Council agenda. Originally introduced to the Public Safety Committee by Council President Johnathan Austin in 2013, the “Non-Discrimination Ordinance” seeks to protect any person who wishes to enter into a contract with the City of Birmingham from all forms of discrimination, which could be based on, “race, color, religion, natural origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or familial status,” according to the most recent draft. Supporters of the ordinance are already rallying support on Facebook for the Sept. 26 Council meeting. “While speakers are important, we also need to let the council know that Birmingham supports this ordinance, so we need you to show up even if you don’t plan to speak!” posted the organizers of the event, “Show Up & Speak Out for Fairness.” “We want to pack the chambers and the hallways, so bring some friends with you!” the post continued. The hearing is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eva Kendrick, Alabama director for the Human Rights Campaign, said she was encouraged by the progress being made in Birmingham and hopes the Council will not get “bogged down in the legality” and instead focus on why this is needed. “In Alabama, LGBTQ citizens and others who may be under-protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, don’t have local accountability measures when it comes to discrimination,” said Kendrick. “What this ordinance would do is it would lead in creating local accountability. It seems like we’re more stuck on, ‘can we do this,’ as opposed to ‘why we need to do this.’” *This article has been updated to reflect the change in date of the meeting.
No LGBTQ category included in Census proposal for 2020 count
The U.S. Census Bureau is not proposing a separate count of LGBTQ Americans for its 2020 Census. The category had been sought by gay rights advocates. The bureau counts Americans according to race, gender and other characteristics. In its proposal to Congress, the people-counting agency is not asking for a separate category for LGBTQ Americans. The Census Bureau had no immediate comment. But gay rights advocates say it’s more evidence that Trump is going back on a campaign promise to protect the gay community. Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services removed questions on sexuality from two of its surveys. The Trump administration also has cancelled an Obama administration directive that students should use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Caitlyn Jenner calls Donald Trump transgender decision ‘a disaster’
Caitlyn Jenner is taking President Donald Trump to task for his administration’s reversal of a directive on transgender access to public school bathrooms. Jenner addresses Trump in a video posted Thursday night on Twitter. She says, “From one Republican to another, this is a disaster.” The Trump White House has ended a directive issued during Barack Obama’s presidency that told public schools to let transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms of their chosen gender. Jenner is particularly critical of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, saying, “Apparently even becoming attorney general isn’t enough to cure some people of their insecurities.” Addressing Trump, the former Olympic champion says: “You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community. Call me.” Jenner came out as a transgender woman in 2015. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Drag queen is suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore’s nightmare
Wearing big hair, loads of makeup and high heels, small-town drag queen Ambrosia Starling is the new worst nightmare of suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. Moore has called out Starling twice by name in recent days while defending himself against allegations of violating judicial canons with his opposition to same-sex marriage. During a news conference and in a written statement, Moore cited the cross-dressing entertainer as a reason he’s at risk of losing his job for the second time since 2003. That’s fine with Starling, who helped lead an anti-Moore rally on the steps of the Alabama Supreme Court building in January. Opponents that day filled out more than 40 complaints against Moore, who already was the subject of other complaints and now faces removal from office if convicted of violating judicial ethics. “If it takes a drag queen to remind you that liberty and justice is for all, here I am,” Starling said Tuesday between sips of coffee. Moore contends the effort to oust him is unfounded and politically motivated. Born and raised in the southeast Alabama city of Dothan, Starling is a gay man who dresses up like a woman to perform drag shows. Most days, the 43-year-old Starling dresses like a male and goes to a regular job, referring to himself as “he.” But the entertainer prefers the pronoun “she” when dressed as Ambrosia Starling, a stage name for drag shows. Fearful of losing his day job or endangering others in a Deep South state where many gays still fear violence or discrimination, Starling agreed to an interview on the condition that only the stage name was used. “I have a 71-year-old mother who lives with me that I have to worry about,” Starling said. “Her well-being and safety is No. 1 for me.” Starling wore her drag outfit to that demonstration against Moore outside the Supreme Court five months ago. In a long blue dress and light-colored coat, Starling referred to Moore as a bigot and asked crowd members to submit complaints against Moore to the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission, which accused the Republican Moore of wrongdoing on Friday, resulting in his suspension. The complaint filed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission accuses Moore of willfully failing to respect the authority of federal court decisions that cleared the way for gay marriage, which Moore opposes on the basis of faith and the law. He issued an administrative order to state probate judges in January that said state laws against gay marriage remained in place months after the U.S. Supreme Court effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide. An attorney for Moore, Mat Staver, said Moore issued the order because probate judges were asking questions about how to proceed. Staver said Moore will file a response within 30 days asking the Alabama Court of the Judiciary to dismiss charges against him. Moore has been tossed once before from the office of chief justice. Thirteen years ago he refused to abide by a federal judge’s order to remove a Ten Commandments monument Moore had erected in the rotunda of the state judicial building, resulting in judicial ethics charges and his removal by the Court of Judiciary. During a news conference last week in that same rotunda, Moore said Starling and similar people would have been classified as having a “mental disorder” just a few years ago. Moore also accused Starling of performing a “mock wedding” in violation of a state court order against same-sex marriage, a claim Starling dismissed as untrue. Describing himself as a churchgoing Christian who lives a normal life when not dressed in drag, Starling said he doesn’t mind being singled out by Moore. Many more lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and transgender people also oppose Moore’s tactics, Starling said, it’s just that not everyone can speak out. “I’ll take the hit for the entire LGBT community if it gets the message across,” Starling said. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
