Tag: Delaware

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Sarah McBride Poised To Become 1st Trans Member Of Congress

Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride poised to become first out transgender member of Congress

State Sen. Sarah McBride of Delaware won the Democratic Primary for Delaware’s lone U.S. House seat last night with nearly 80% of the vote. The win means McBride is poised to become the country’s first openly transgender member of Congress. Continue reading “Sarah McBride Poised To Become 1st Trans Member Of Congress”

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Fire Chief Catches Heat After Calling Drag Event ‘Fa**ot Show’

L-R William Buckaloo & friend, Magnolia Applebottom (images via Instagram)
A fire chief in Delaware attended a drag show at a local restaurant over the weekend and then took to social media to complain about being ‘talking into’ going to a ‘faggot show.’ William Buckaloo, the assistant fire chief in Rehoboth Beach, attended a drag show at the Blue Moon and tagged himself in a Facebook post which read, “The sh*t I get talked in to (sic)…Matt, talked us to go to a f*ggot show.” The hostess for the show, Magnolia Applebottom, came across the social media post and addressed the remarks on her Instagram:

“What a sad turn of events. The @lewes_fire chief thought it was ok to go to a gay owned and operated establishment… and go to a show hosted and produced by a award winning gay entertainer and use that F word on social media… Your job is to protect the people in our community not bring us down. Do better!!! Be better!!! And we recognize your inappropriate behavior.”

 

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A post shared by Magnolia Applebottom (@mrsmagnolia)

The friend tagged in the Facebook post by Buckaloo, Matt Sprenkle, quickly put space between himself and the fire chief as well as denouncing Buckaloo’s comments. Sprenkle told the Washington Blade he did not invite Buckaloo to the show nor did he attend the show, as he was dining in the restaurant at the time. Sprenkle clarified that he’s only an acquaintance of Buckaloo’s and the two men had run into each other at the Blue Moon. “I do not agree with any of the comments he made and do not associate myself with them,” said Sprenkle. After the social media firestorm, Lewis Fire Department Chief Steve Evans told the Blade that he had removed Buckaloo from his position. Evans added that he “expects the department will formally suspend Buckaloo” as well.

Buckaloo has not commented publicly since being removed from his position.

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News Round-Up: September 16, 2020

(promotional photo from the acclaimed film ‘Call Me By Your Name’)
Some news items you might have missed: • The Independent: In a new interview, Luca Guadagnino, who directed the Oscar-nominated coming-of-age film Call Me By Your Name, defended casting straight actors Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer in gay roles. • Washington Blade: Gay Democratic activist Eric Morrison defeated a six-term incumbent by a decisive margin in Delaware’s Democratic primary on Tuesday for a seat in the state House of Representatives. Morrison is considered the strong favorite to win in the Nov. 3 general election in a heavily Democratic district. If elected, he will emerge as Delaware’s first openly gay man to serve in the Delaware State Legislature. •  Washington Post: The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicted Wednesday that most of the American public will not have access to a vaccine against the novel coronavirus until late spring or summer of next year. Redfield said the vaccine will be provided first to people most vulnerable to covid-19 with Americans who are considered at lower risk offered the shot more gradually. • AARP: The venerable seniors’ organization takes a look at sacrifices Americans made out of patriotism during World War II. But, today, wearing a face mask is ‘tyranny…’ • CNN: Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, on the Donald’s biggest concerns about releasing his tax returns: “His biggest fear is, if that tax return was released, there’s a whole slew of accountants and forensic accountants that will rip through it and he will end up with a massive tax bill, penalties, fines, and possibly even tax fraud.”

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Delaware Becomes 15th State To Ban Harmful “Ex-Gay” Therapy

Delaware has become the 15th state to ban the harmful practice of so-called “conversion” or “reparative” therapy.

On Monday, Governor John Carney signed the bill that bans attempts to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors. The legislation considers conversion therapy “unprofessional conduct” for mental health and medical professionals. Any mental health professional caught practicing the ‘theraphy’ on a minor will find themselves subject to discipline.

The new law also contains language preventing the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families from recommending “conversion therapy.”

During the legislation’s journey to becoming law, state Rep. Richard Collins (R-Millsboro) introduced an amendment that would have allowed conversion therapy if a patient were to request it. The amendment, fortunately, gained no traction and was soundly voted down.

HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride, a Delawarean herself, issued a statement which read, in part, “Today’s signing is a critical step forward in the fight to ensure that Delaware is a safe and affirming state for all LGBTQ youth, and we hope that the values and progress reflected in this law guide the ongoing conversation in Delaware about protecting LGBTQ students from discrimination.”

The practice has been condemned by the American Medical Association, the American Pediatrics Association, the American Psychiatric Association and many others due to its disastrous effects which can lead to depression and, in some cases, suicide.

Delaware joins Connecticut, California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, Hawaii, New Hampshire – plus Washington, D.C. in enacting legislation to ban the widely discredited practice of “ex-gay” therapy.

Additionally, over 30 cities and municipalities have banned the practice from being performed on minors.

See below a map from the Williams Institute showing where bans have been enacted as well as states with pending legislation.

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News Round-Up: July 23, 2018

Derek Chadwick (image via Instagram)

 Some news items you might have missed:

• Instagram celeb/model Derek Chadwick (above) comes out as gay.

• Liza Minnelli is auctioning thousands of personal belongings July 30 – August 1, including personal items, correspondence, awards, and photos from her mother Judy Garland, as well as pristine bespoke outfits from designers such as Halston, Chanel, Givenchy, and more. For more info, click on this link.

• The New York Daily News has gutted its newsroom by firing half its staff in an effort to refocus the newspaper’s efforts on breaking news. The below tweet is from the now-former editor-in-chief.

• Controversial soccer player Jaelene Hinkle has been cut from U.S. Women’s National Team. In 2017, she refused a call-up to the women’s national team on the basis that she didn’t want to wear a rainbow number for the team’s Pride Month initiative based on her religion.

• My Instinct colleague Samuel reviews Kathy Griffin’s new Laugh Your Head Off comedy tour.

• Read this: The story of a woman who took care of hundreds of abandoned gay men dying of AIDS.

•  Delaware has become the 15th state to ban so-called “conversion therapy.” #happyDance

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Marriage equality passes in Delaware by a vote of 12-9

By a vote of 12-9! Yay! Happy dance!

During the debate, state Sen. Karen Peterson came out as a lesbian and challenged her colleagues, saying, “If my happiness somehow demeans or diminishes your marriage, you need to work on your marriage.” Truth.

The bill heads to Gov. Markell’s desk where he has promised to sign into law.

UPDATE: Gov. Markell plans to sign the bill TODAY!  Marriage equality to begin July 1.

UPDATE II: Delaware Gov. Jack Markell as he signed the marriage equality bill – “I do not intend to make any of you wait one minute longer.”

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Delaware: Final vote on marriage equality today

Big day in Delaware! Full Senate will be voting on marriage equality.  The bill easily in the state House last month by 23-18. But today is predicted to be very close.

Start thinking those happy thoughts.

Governor Markell is a supporter and has promised to sign if it hits his desk.

Below is the final “forecast” from Delaware Liberal.  As you can see, it could be a nail biter.

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Delaware: Final Senate vote for marriage equality next Tuesday

After being approved by a Senate committee this week, Delaware’s marriage equality bill goes before the full Senate on Tuesday.

The Washington Blade reports that seven Senators are in the definite “no” column, and nine Senators in the “yes” column, leaving five votes up in the air:

State Sen. Catherine Cloutier (R-Heatherbrooke) remains undecided. State Sens. Bruce Ennis (D-Smyrna,) Bethany Hall-Long (D-Middletown,) Robert Marshall (D-Wilmington) and Robert Venables (D-Laurel) did not return the Blade’s requests for comment. Hall-Long and Marshall voted for the civil unions bill that Gov. Jack Markell signed into law in 2011, while Ennis and Venables opposed it.

So that’s 9 for, 7 against, and 5 undecided.

If you live in Delaware, please pick up the phone and start calling. Let’s make Delaware state number 11.

(via PurpleUnions.com)