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Hillary Clinton Celebrates LGBT Pride, Looks To Future Progress

As gay Americans celebrate LGBT Pride AND the historic Supreme Court Obergefell ruling one year ago today which brought marriage equality to the entire nation, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton joins in celebrating the progress of the LGBT community, but also noted the work still to be done in the march for full equality.

Via press release:

“One year ago today, we celebrated a watershed moment for equality in America. Thanks to the bravery of LGBT Americans like Jim Obergefell and Edie Windsor, and the determination and tireless organizing of the LGBT community and their allies, marriage equality became the law of the land in all 50 states.

“Over the last year, more barriers to equality have fallen – including, finally, the last state law banning same-sex couples from adopting. Just this month, President Obama designated Stonewall as the first national monument commemorating LGBT history in America.

“We’ve also seen how much work is still unfinished. The attack in Orlando broke our hearts, and reminded us that LGBT people – particularly people of color – are still targets for harassment and violence. Discriminatory laws in states like North Carolina highlight the need for full federal equality under the law for LGBT Americans. And Donald Trump’s pledge to consider appointing Supreme Court justices who would overturn marriage equality underscores the fact that so much of the progress we’ve made is at stake in November.

“But even when the road ahead seems daunting, never forget: on this day in history, love triumphed in the highest court in the land. Today, our march toward a more perfect union continues—toward equality, dignity, and justice for all.”

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English Cop Pops Proposal At London Pride

We’ve seen many public proposals between same-sex couples here in the U.S. with the arrival of marriage equality, but it’s not so common in the UK.

But London got to share in a couple’s happy moment right on the streets of this year’s Pride Parade when a constable marching in the parade with his department stopped along the way to get down on one knee and propose to his boyfriend.

ITV News reports that the constable stopped along the parade route where his partner, Jonathan Sammons, was watching and got down on one knee. The two exchanged a kiss to the roaring of the crowd and then the constable rejoined his fellow police officers.

The newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan marched in the festivities, too.

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Conservative George Will Leaves GOP Over Trump: “Make Sure He Loses”

CNN reports that even George Will, longtime conservative commentator and columnist has announced he is leaving the Republican party over the nomination of Donald Trump.

Will indicated four years of Trump with no opposition would be dangerous for the country. His advice to Republicans? Deal with Hillary for four years and come back in 2020.

In a speech at a Federalist Society luncheon Friday, he told the audience, “This is not my party,” according to PJ Media, a conservative news website.

Will, who worked on President Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign, also said at the luncheon that Trump as president with “no opposition” from a Republican-led Congress would be worse than Clinton as president with a Republican-led Congress.

When asked by PJ Media about his message to conservatives regarding Trump, Will responded, “Make sure he loses. Grit their teeth for four years and win the White House.”

In usual Trumpian fashion, The Donald responded via Twitter:

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ThinkProgress’ @ZackFord Covers The Sad Little #MarchForMarriage

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President Obama Celebrates Designation Of Stonewall National Monument

On Friday, June 24, President Obama designated the Stonewall National Monument – the first national monument dedicated to telling the story of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community’s struggle for equal rights.

In this week’s address, the President talked about the importance of preserving and sharing this significant part of the American story.

President Obama also reflected on the amazing progress LGBT Americans have seen over the course of his administration.

Over the past seven years, we’ve seen achievements that would have been unimaginable to the folks who, knowingly or not, started the modern LGBT movement at Stonewall. Today, all Americans are protected by a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is history. Insurance companies can no longer turn you away because of who you are. Transgender Americans are more visible than ever, helping to make our nation more inclusive and welcoming for all. And one year ago this weekend, we lit the White House in every color – because in every state in America, you’re now free to marry the person you love.

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#Brexit: Over A Million Sign Petition Calling For Second EU Referendum

Call it ‘buyers remorse’ – In the aftermath of the United Kingdom voting to exit the European Union on Thursday, over a million people have signed a petition to call for a second referendum on the issue.

The petition would institute new rules stipulating that to approve leaving the EU, polls would require a majority of 60% and at least 75% turnout to be considered valid.

Here’s the actual language of the petition: “We the undersigned call upon HM Government to implement a rule that if the Remain or Leave vote is less than 60 per cent based a turnout less than 75 per cent there should be another referendum.”

So many people electronically signed the petition that it crashed the UK government’s website.

With over a million signatures the issue is required to at least be debated in Parliament.

More here.

(source)

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Pentagon To Announce Repeal Of Ban On Transgender Service Members

NBC News reports that the Pentagon is in preparations to announce changes in policy regarding open service by transgender men and women within weeks.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter could make the announcement as early as next week and he will call for full implementation one year from now.

Related: Eric Fanning, First Openly Gay Army Secretary, Confirmed by U.S. Senate

The details of the repeal could shift. One defense official told NBC News that the working group that has been studying this issue since July 2015 will provide broad guidance.

It will be up to the individual services to work out the details. Those details include barracks, rules for new recruits, allowance for sex reassignment surgery, diagnosis of dysmorphic disorder, policies on group showers and more.

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Democrats Celebrate Progress Of LGBT Americans

From TJ Helmstetter, DNC spokesperson:

“LGBT Americans have seen tremendous progress under President Obama, and we can’t afford to go backwards. There is more work to be done to achieve full equality.

“We need to enact the Equality Act to prevent discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

“We need to prevent and reverse anti-gay and anti-trans legislative efforts like HB2 and so-called religious freedom legislation that would allow businesses and government officials to discriminate against our community.

“That’s why it’s so important to defeat Donald Trump and elect a Democrat as the next President of the United States to continue to build on President Obama’s remarkable pro-LGBT record.”

(h/t JMG)