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Eight States Have Laws Banning Promotion of LGBTQ Topics, Similar to Russia’s Ban on Gay Propaganda

GLSEN published three interactive maps showing discrimination laws in the United States, which the Washington Post compares to Russia’s anti homosexual propaganda policies in some regard.

Eight states limit speech about homosexuality in ways similar to, though not as far-reaching as, the Russian ban that has received international criticism ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The Trevor Project explains that these laws “ban educators from talking about LGBTQ people, issues or history” and points out that they may prevent LGBTQ people from being in a safe environment.

Learn more about LGBT laws around the world. Sign up for early access to Equaldex.

Posted by Dan Leveille at 2:28pm
In 29 States You Can Be Fired For Being Gay [Infographic]
Barack Obama tweeted his support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on Monday morning. “It’s time to put aside politics and extend basic workplace protections for LGBT Americans” the...

In 29 States You Can Be Fired For Being Gay [Infographic]

Barack Obama tweeted his support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on Monday morning. “It’s time to put aside politics and extend basic workplace protections for LGBT Americans” the site’s campaign said.

Obama tweeted the infographic:

In 29 states, no state law protects you from being fired for being gay. Let’s fix that:  

View the campaign’s site

View more LGBT infographics

Posted by Dan Leveille at 7:33pm

Nonprofit Buys House Across From Westboro Baptist Church, Paints It Rainbow Colored

Aaron Jackson, one of the founders of charity Planting Peace, decided to purchase a house across from the homophobic Westboro Baptist Church and then paint it the colors of the gay pride flag.

According to The Huffington Post, the organization purchased the Topeka, Kansas house for roughly $83,000. Planting Peace calls it “Equality House” and is the beginning of a campaign against the hate group.

“I didn’t know anything about the church or where they were located, but that story kept popping up. And one night I wondered, Where is this church? I got on Google Earth, and I was ‘walking down the road,’ and I did a 360 view. And I saw a 'For Sale’ sign sitting in the front yard of a house. Right away it hit me, Oh my gosh, I could buy a house in front of the WBC! And immediately I thought: And I’m going to paint that thing the color of the pride flag.”

Read the full article at The Huffington Post.

(Photos: Carol Hartsell / Huffington Post)

More: LGBT Rights in Kansas, United States

Posted by Dan Leveille at 4:49pm

Alabama Teacher Caught Ranting About ‘Queers’ and 'Fat Butt Michelle Obama’

From Mashable:

When Alabama high-school teacher and football coach Bob Grisham went on a rant against “fat butt Michelle Obama” and “queers” in a classroom, little did he know that an unidentified student was recording audio of his remarks.

More: LGBT Rights in Alabama, United States

Posted by Dan Leveille at 5:12pm
Posted by Dan Leveille at 9:00am

“New Morning”: A new anti-gay-marriage commercial

The Campaign for American Values PAC just launched this anti-gay-marriage commercial endorsing Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. The ad attacks Obama’s support for gay marriage.

(via Queerty)

Posted by Dan Leveille at 4:49pm

Gay gamer convention GaymerCon raises over $12,000 on Kickstarter within first 24 hours

GaymerCon, which is described as “the first gaming and tech convention with a focus on LGBT geek culture,” brought in $12,223 USD from supporters on their Kickstarter project within just 24 hours.

The project was launched at around 11:45pm EST on Wednesday, and by the same time on Thursday, it had reached nearly 50% of its $25,000 goal. GaymerCon is scheduled for the late summer of 2013 and will be held in San Francisco.

Matt Conn, the founder of GaymerCon, is excited by how well the Kickstarter project is going. In a short interview with Equalitopia, Matt said, "I’m extremely surprised and humbled by the outpouring of support - it’s amazing to see that people want to see this subculture grow and flourish… and that’s awesome.“

The Kickstarter project is currently up to over $16,500 (65% of the goal) and has 29 more days left in its funding period. With 338 backers, contributions are averaging at around $49.

Just like all Kickstarter projects, if GaymerCon doesn’t reach its goal by the funding period, all backers will be returned their full contribution and the project will receive $0. Looking at the amount of support it has already received, it’s unlikely that it will have any trouble reaching its goal.

However, not everyone has been so supportive. Matt told us that some have criticized him: "It’s depressing the comments and the way people who are against the con have expressed their…feelings on it. We want to create a safe, fun space for this community to grow - and it is not about segregating them at all from the larger community.”

More information: Gaymercon.org, Twitter, Facebook
Posted by Dan Leveille at 6:40pm
Chick-fil-A in California vandalized on “National Same-Sex Kiss Day”
From the Los Angeles Times:
“ “On a day that some gay-rights activists are planning a "National Same Sex Kiss Day,” a Chick-fil-A in Torrance, California was vandalized overnight...

Chick-fil-A in California vandalized on “National Same-Sex Kiss Day”

From the Los Angeles Times:

“On a day that some gay-rights activists are planning a "National Same Sex Kiss Day,” a Chick-fil-A in Torrance, California was vandalized overnight with hateful graffiti.“ 

Read the full article on Los Angeles Times

(Photo credit: KTLA-TV)

Posted by Dan Leveille at 1:05pm
‘Muppets’ sever ties with Chick-Fil-A over anti-gay stance, donates payment from partnership to GLAAD
From The Huffington Post:
“ “The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have...

‘Muppets’ sever ties with Chick-Fil-A over anti-gay stance, donates payment from partnership to GLAAD

From The Huffington Post:

“The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chic-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).”

Read the full Huffington Post article

(Image: The Other 98%)

Posted by Dan Leveille at 10:50pm
“Same-sex couple Frank Capley-Alfano, left, and Joe Capley-Alfano kiss as they celebrate outside San Francisco City Hall Feb. 7, 2012, in San Francisco.”
Proposition 8 was ruled unconstitutional on Tuesday by a federal appeals court in San...

“Same-sex couple Frank Capley-Alfano, left, and Joe Capley-Alfano kiss as they celebrate outside San Francisco City Hall Feb. 7, 2012, in San Francisco.”

Proposition 8 was ruled unconstitutional on Tuesday by a federal appeals court in San Francisco.

(Photo: Getty Images via CBS News via Peter Galazka)

Posted by Dan Leveille at 5:58pm