Gary Bettman, Commission of the National Hockey League says teams will be banned from wearing specialty warmup jerseys in celebration of the LGBT community or other causes next season as to avoid “distractions”.
NHL teams are still permitted to hold specialty nights like Pride Night, Black History Night, and Military Appreciation Night and can also create specialty jerseys for the benefit of various charities.
While the on-ice jerseys will no longer display specialty designs, teams can still create and sell specialty jerseys for charity purposes. Bettman clarified, “Players who choose to model them can do that. It’s really just the question of what’s on the ice.”
In January, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, recently traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, refused to wear a pride night-themed warmup sweater, citing his Russian Orthodox religious beliefs. This stance was later echoed by San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer and brothers Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers.
In March, the Chicago Blackhawks did not don their pride-themed warmup sweaters, reportedly due to security concerns over the Russian law restricting the promotion of LGBT rights. The Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers also retracted their decisions to wear special sweaters for their respective pride nights.
There’s been a lot of discussion about political figures and world leaders on Twitter, and we want to share our stance.
Twitter is here to serve and help advance the global, public conversation. Elected world leaders play a critical role in that conversation because of their outsized impact on our society.
Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets, would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.
We review Tweets by leaders within the political context that defines them, and enforce our rules accordingly. No one person’s account drives Twitter’s growth, or influences these decisions. We work hard to remain unbiased with the public interest in mind.
We are working to make Twitter the best place to see and freely discuss everything that matters. We believe that’s the best way to help our society make progress.
In other words they are scarred shitless of retaliation they ignore their own Terms of Service for the orange buffoon.
After the election of Donald Trump as president the Centers for Disease Control has abruptly and indefinitely cancelled planning for an LGBT youth health summit.
News of the summit planning’s cancellation comes days after partners working with the CDC on a climate change and health conference scheduled for February told news outlets that the long-planned event had been canceled due to concerns about the Trump administration’s reception of it.
The one-day gathering was to include “national leaders” and would meet at the CDC’s Roybal campus in Atlanta in order “to address the health and well-being of LGBT youth.”
“This was supposed to be a big deal,” said the source to Talking Points Memo, who requested anonymity given the politically sensitive nature of the cancellation. “They had a whole communications team on it, it was going to be on Facebook live. The intention was to plan a 5-year agenda.”
The CDC event planners, assuming Hillary Clinton would win the presidency, had started putting together a list of potential partner organizations including the YMCA, Human Rights Campaign and othersbut were waiting until after Nov. 8 to extend formal invitations. The event was initially planned for mid-December, but planning documents show the date for the summit was pushed back in late October to Jan. 12.
“From the very beginning when we were talking about partner decisions it was made very clear that no discussions were to leave CDC and that the invitations would be sent out to the big national nonprofits the day after the election,” the source said.
Those formal invitations never went out. Preparations continued through Friday after the election, but the following week’s planning meeting was canceled without notice and replaced with a “next steps” conference call, according to the source. Organizers were thanked for their work and informed that the summit was postponed indefinitely on that call, while a new internal workgroup on LGBT youth health also was proposed
Last night at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, opening ceremony IOC president Thomas Bach made a strong statement against “any form of discrimination” and in favor of tolerance. Viewers worldwide heard the statement; but NBC viewers in the U.S. did not, because the network edited it out.
Here’s a transcript of Bach’s speech from British TV. NBC edited out the bolded portion.
Good evening, dear Athletes. Mr president of the Russian Federation, Mr Secretary General of the United Nations, Good evening Olympic friends and fans around the world! Welcome to the 22nd Olympic Winter Games! Tonight, we are writing a new page in Olympic history. What has been achieved in seven years is a remarkable achievement. I would like it thank, in again, the president of the Russian Federation and his Government. The Sochi organizing committee. The Russian Olympic committee. And the IOC members in Russia. Thank you to all the workers for your great contribution under sometimes difficult circumstances. Thank you to all the people of Sochi and the Krasnodar region. Thank you for your patience, thank you for your understanding during these years of transformation.
Now you are living in an Olympic Region. I am sure you will enjoy the benefits for many, many years to come. Thousands of volunteers have welcomed us with the well-known warm Russian hospitality. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers. Bolshoi spasiba, valantyoram! Thank you very much to everyone. Russia and the Russians have set the stage for you, the best winter athletes on our planet. From this moment on you are not only the best athletes, you are Olympic Athletes. You will inspire us with your outstanding sports performances. You have come here for sports. You have come here with your Olympic dream. The International Olympic Committee wants your Olympic Dream to come true. This is why we are investing almost all of our revenues in the development of sports. The universal Olympic rules apply to each and every athlete- no matter where you come from or what your background is. You are living together in the Olympic Village. You will celebrate victory with dignity and accept defeat with dignity. You are bringing the Olympic Values to life. In this way, the Olympic Games, wherever they take place, set an example for a peaceful society. Olympic Sport unites people. This is the Olympic Message the athletes spread to the host country and to the whole world. Yes, it is possible to strive even for the greatest victory with respect for the dignity of your competitors. Yes, Yes, it is possible – even as competitors – to live together under one roof in harmony, with tolerance and without any form of discrimination for whatever reason. Yes, it is possible – even as competitors – to listen, to understand and to give an example for a peaceful society.
Olympic Games are always about building bridges to bring people together. Olympic Games are never about erecting walls to keep people apart. Olympic Games are a sports festival embracing human diversity in great unity. Therefore, I say to the political leaders of the world – thank you for supporting your athletes. They are the best ambassadors of your country. Please respect their Olympic Message of goodwill, of tolerance, of excellence and of peace. Have the courage to address your disagreements in a peaceful, direct political dialogue and not on the backs of the athletes. APPLAUSE To all sports officials and sports fans I say – join and support our fight for fair play, the athletes deserve it. To you – my fellow Olympic Athletes – I say, respect the rules, play fair, be clean, respect your fellow athletes in and out of competition. We all wish you joy in your Olympic effort and a wonderful Olympic experience. APPLAUSE To all of you – Athletes, Officials, Fans and Spectators around our globe – I say, enjoy the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games! And now I have the honour of inviting the president of the Russian Federation, Mister Vladimir Putin, to declare open the 22nd Olympic Winter Games.
We should have boycotted, plain and simple. But no. We let the lily-livered powers that be in the LGBT community cop-out once again. We even some in the gay community trot out the old chestnut, “but what about the athletes?” as if it’s an athletes right to be subsidized by the government and/or corporation in some bullshit sport and that outweighs the cost of another human beings life.
Last night was a televised validation of Putin and a celebration of his corruption and evil sponsored by Visa and Coca Cola and the spinelessness of NBC and America for not taking a stand.
Last night an anti-gay attack happened in the NYC gay-borhood of Chelsea when a group of 6 or more people targeted two gay men for holding hands on West 24th Street, and beat them while calling them “faggot” and other anti-gay slurs.
The victims, ages 53 years old and 27, were walking home from a movie.
The men were treated at a nearby hospital and released shortly after. One sustained a laceration to the side of his face, while the other had a laceration on his chin that required seven stitches.
“I am appalled by reports that two men were senselessly beaten in Chelsea simply because they were perceived to be gay. Holding hands as they walked down West 24th Street, they were assaulted as their attackers hurled anti-gay slurs.
The cowardly individuals who committed this crime do not represent New Yorkers and our community will not be cowed by such violence. New York City’s greatest strength is our diversity, and we will not stand for attacks against anyone, for any reason. We thank the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force for taking immediate action to investigate this incident, and urge anyone with information about these assaults to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-866-313-TIPS.”
Police clashed with hundreds of hooded anti-gay extremist in Montenegro on Wednesday as they tried to disrupt the first gay pride parade to be held in the conservative Balkan country that is in talks to join the European Union.
Several hundred extremists shouting “Kill the gays” attacked gay activists and clashed with police on Wednesday in a bid to disrupt the first ever pride event in staunchly conservative Montenegro, which is seeking to improve its human rights record as it bids to join the European Union.
Angry assailants threw rocks, bottles, glasses and various other objects — including chairs from local cafes — at several dozen flag-waving gay activists who shouted back “Kiss the gays.” A shower of stones and bottles also landed on special police securing the gathering in the coastal town of Budva.
Police then intervened to push the attackers away and allow the event to continue. The participants briefly marched by the sea before they stopped to hold speeches as extremists shouted insults from a distance. Later, police again clashed with smaller groups of extremists scattered throughout the town.
Montenegro, began EU accession talks last year, hoping to be the next in line for membership after Croatia but before joining, it must demonstrate readiness to protect human rights.
1. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) backs civil unions but not gay marriage.
“In the past, Senator Casey has supported civil unions and he is closely following the debate around DOMA. He intends to thoroughly review any legislation on this when it comes before the Senate,” said Casey’s spokesman John Rizzo.
Asked if the senator supports the repeal of DOMA, Rizzo simply repeated that Casey will review any legislation that comes before the Senate.
2. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) continues to back DOMA, in addition to opposing same-sex marriage.
“Senator Manchin believes that a marriage is a union between one man and one woman. His beliefs are guided by his faith, and he supports the Defense of Marriage Act,” said Manchin spokeswoman Katie Longo.
3. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) has not publicly come out in support of marriage equality, although she did oppose North Carolina’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. In a statement last year, she said it would have “far-reaching negative consequences for our families, our children and our communities.” In 2008, Q-Notes also reported that Hagan said she believed the issue should be left up to the states to decide.
4. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
“Sen. Nelson strongly supports civil rights for same-sex couples, while believing marriage should be between a man and a woman,” Nelson spokesman Ryan Brown said in a statement. “The issue will likely be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court before the end of the year.”
5. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) supported allowing states to decide what to do about marriage but did not take a position beyond that.
“Senator Heitkamp believes this should be handled on a state-by-state basis,” said Heitkamp’s communications director, Whitney Phillips.
6. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) has mostly shied away from discussing gay marriage in public, offering only her support for people’s right to “love who they love.”
“I feel very strongly that people should be allowed to love who they love, but unfortunately my state has a very strong ban against gay marriage constitutionally, so I’m going to have to think really carefully and listen to the voters of my state about that issue,” Landrieu said. “But it’s very tough because I think most people believe that people should love who they love.”
The Louisiana senator, who is up for reelection in 2014, voted against an amendment in 2006 that would place a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage, even though at the time she defined marriage as “a sacred union between one man and one woman.”
7. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) opposes DOMA and co-signed an amicus brief last much that urged the Supreme Court to invalidate Section 3 of that law. But the senator has yet to endorse same-sex marriage as a legal right.
“Sen. Carper was proud to support Delaware’s efforts to enact Civil Union legislation and earlier this month he joined 211 of his Congressional colleagues in co-signing the Amicus brief that urges the Supreme Court to invalidate Section 3 of DOMA,” his office said in a statement. “He has also said that he would vote to repeal DOMA. He also opposed President Bush’s attempt to enact a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Like many Americans including Presidents Obama and Clinton, Sen. Carper’s views on this issue have evolved, and continue to evolve. He continues to give this issue a great deal of consideration.”
8. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) does not support same-sex marriage.
“He has not changed his position on marriage equality,” Johnson’s office said. Asked if that meant he does support the right of a gay couple to marry, the office replied: “No.”
9. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.)opposed same-sex marriage during the campaign. His office said it would send offer a statement of explanation for his current position, though it hadn’t done so by the time of publication.
10. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) does not support same-sex marriage.
“Senator Pryor’s position on same-sex marriage has not changed,” said his spokeswoman, Lucy Speed. Was that opposed to gay marriage? “Yes,” she replied.
Considering that same-sex marriage support is an official plank of the Democratic Party each of those l;listed above should be chastised by the DNC and NOT ONE THEM should get one red cent for re-election campaigns from the Democratic national Committee.
The cowardly members of the Westboro Baptist Church showed their true “righteous colors” this week and never left their hotel rooms in Newtown CT, after nationwide outrage, cyber-attacks and volunteers from all across the United States traveled there, to form a human barrier to prevent them from reaching the memorial service for Sandy Hook Elementary principal Dawn Hochsprung.
Hundreds off duty police officers, firefighters, bikers and concerned and disgusted citizens traveled across country to join with locals in forming a human barricade to stop members of the church from trying to picket.
Last week a website for members of New York’s Fire Department put out a call for off duty emergency workers to travel to Sandy Hook and a day before the memorial service the estranged son of Westboro pastor Fred Phelps had released a statement condemning the planned picketing action.
‘My sincere hope is that the Sandy Hook community is able to grieve and mourn privately, and with whatever peace can be had in knowing the rest of the world mourns with you,’ wrote son Nate Phelps, who is a board member of the group Recovering from Religion.
ANONYMOUS the worldwide Hacktivist group also became involved and declared war on the Westboro Baptist Church by hacking into Phelps-Roper twitter account and taking it over Also ANONYMOUS disrupted several of the WBC websites by launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks against them, and has leaked the personal details of several members, such as home addresses, emails, and phone numbers.
In turn the internet security company the Westboro Baptists have hired to protect its website from attacks announced that it would be donating the money it received from Westboro to charities supporting the Newtown community, veterans groups like the Wounded Warrior Project, and LGBT groups like The Trevor Project.’
This is how you fight hate and evil You STAND UP and FIGHT BACK. You don;t ignore it.
Well done to all involved.
How about the Family Research Council next? Same boat, different crew.
Lawrence O’Donnell last night on Rewrite delivered a brilliantly, scathing, coherent, and laser-beam precise take-down of Mitt Romney and his wimpy-ass trust fund sons culminating in a challenge to Tagg Romney over his remarks that he wanted to “take a swing” at Obama during the presidential debate.
“So. You wanna take a swing at someone for calling your old man a liar? Take a swing at me. Come on. Come on. And don’t worry. There won’t be any Secret Service involved. Just us. And I’ll make it easy. I’ll come to you. Anytime, anywhere. Go ahead Taggart. Take your best shot.”
Yesterday, President Barack Obama named thirteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor given to individuals who have made great contributions to the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
This years recipients included Madeleine Albright, John Doar, Bob Dylan, John Glenn, John Paul Stevens, and Dolores Huerta among others.But conspicuously absent from this years awards was a posthumous to LGBT Civil Rights hero Frank Kameny who passed away earlier this year.
Frank Kameny, along with Harvey Milk is “one of the most significant figures’ in the American LGBT civil rights movement history. In 1957, Kameny was dismissed from his position as an astronomer in the Army Map Service in Washington, D.C. because of his homosexuality, leading him to begin “a Herculean struggle with the American establishment” that would “spearhead a new period of militancy in the homosexual rights movement of the early 1960s”. Kameny later went on to co-founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, DC, became the first openly gay candidate for the United States Congress in 1973, and stayed actively involved and at the forefront of the LGBT civil rights movement until his death last year on October 11, 2011 at age 86.
In death, I thought gay pioneer Frank Kameny would be palatable to President Obama when deciding this year’s Medal of Freedom recipients. Well, our Less-than-Fierce Advocate-in-Chief announced the latest batch of awardees yesterday and Kameny’s name was omitted.
My thinking was that the White House would not risk giving this gay icon the award while he was alive, because he might go off-script at the reception and ceremony for the honorees and say something to anger the administration, but once he had passed on Obama would give him this award. I was wrong.
Our lame Democratic Party gay leadership at the Human Rights Campaign issued a release lauding Obama choosing longtime gay ally and labor advocate Dolores Huerta as a recipient, and failed to express disappointment that Kameny was not posthumously selected along with Huerta. Foolish of me to even think HRC could praise the president, salute Huerta and advocate for Kameny getting the Medal of Freedom if Obama is reelected.
Not only is it a shame Obama didn’t award Kameny the Medal of Freedom in 2012, it’s equally troubling that HRC and AFER expended no energy and resources fiercely advocating on Kameny’s behalf.
Kameny and his legacy more than deserve to be recognized and included in Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients.
But it seems that in an election year not only is it to risky to sign an executive order against LGBT discrimination in the workplace. But its even too “controversial” to award one of the most prolific LGBT rights pioneers this country has even seen a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
