Brexit and LGBT community

Hello people!

I never expected the UK to go Brexit aka leaving the EU! I was wrong. Personally I think this is not the right choice but I am not from England, do not live there, so maybe I am missing something from the whole story. I do read a lot and watch the news. Till now my opinion is the same: I am still convinced this was not the best choice the UK could have made. However this is NOT Armageddon!! 😉

A normal voice aka realistic imo over this after that we go to the LGBT community.

Diva.mag.uk had an interesting article about this concerning the GLBT community:

By the early hours of this morning, it was clear that the UK had voted decisively to leave the EU.

Despite sharp divisions emerging across the country, with Scotland and London voting largely to Remain, Leave won 17,410,742 (51.9%) votes across the UK as a whole, beating Remain’s 16,141,241 votes (48.1%).

The reverberations are being felt across the country. This morning, Prime Minister David Cameron tendered his resignation while MPs tabled a motion of no confidence in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. And Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, whose country voted unanimously to Remain, told a press conference that a second independence referendum was now “on the table” and legislation was being prepared to stop Scotland being dragged out of Europe against its will.

And as the country attempt to come to terms with this seismic shift in UK politics, we wonder, how do the LGBT community feel about today’s decision?

Angela Eagle, Shadow Secretary of State, described the Leave surge in some of Labour’s heartlands as a “protest vote” by those frustrated with Tory austerity. She later retweeted Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, who said: “Today Jo would have remained optimistic and focussed on what she could do to bring our country back together around our best values.”

Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives and the woman some are tipping as a potential successor to David Cameron, praised the Prime Minister for offering “stability while the country plots its course” and said he was “honourable to the last”.

Margot James, a Conservative MP voting to remain, also praised Cameron and said she had tears in her eyes following his resignation.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, Director of UK Black Pride, this morning said she was feeling “concerned” about the result and asked: “The trajectory of our future, what does that look like now UK vote to leave the EU?”

And it wasn’t just politicians and activists voicing their opinions. Comedian Jen Brister tweeted: “I’m sick of this ‘proud to be British’ bullshit. I’ve never felt less proud,” while fellow funny woman Suzi Ruffell wondered if Leave supporters popping the Champagne knew their tipple of choice was French.

Not all LGBT people were disappointed with the result, though. Former UKIP MEP Nikki Sinclaire tweeted a picture of her with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and said: “We did it Maggie, We did it, We got our country back. I never gave up,” before adding: “We are getting out of the EU and getting rid of David Cameron in one go RESULT.”

Adam Lake, Director of Out and Proud UK, was also jubilant – and somewhat shocked – by the result, tweeting: “Fuck. We won. I can’t believe it. I’m scared but excited. So much to prove, but if we all work together on this my god we will prove it.”

But it seems most of the LGBT community, like wider society, are still letting the result sink in and feel uncertain about what the future will hold.

A Stonewall spokesperson told DIVA: “Clearly this decision will have a far-reaching impact throughout the UK and Europe. We don’t know what that impact will be at this stage, but Stonewall will be focusing on how any changes in the coming months and years affect the rights and equality of LGBT people.

“Our core mission – to improve and protect the rights of LGBT people and ensure that everyone, everywhere, is free to be themselves without fear of discrimination – remains the same regardless of today’s result.

brexit“We will continue to work with the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments to ensure that LGBT people are accepted without exception wherever they live, shop, work, study and pray. We will continue to work with the government to reform the way trans people are treated in the law, and we will continue to work by the side of LGBT campaigners across the world until every LGBT person, everywhere, is accepted without exception.”

And ILGA-Europe, who expressed concern about a Brexit before yesterday’s vote, today released a statement called for unity.

A spokesperson said: “From ILGA-Europe’s perspective, the message that must be taken from the UK referendum result is the need for more solidarity, not less. For greater compassion, not concentrating on what divides us. For celebrating our common humanity, not withdrawing to an insular worldview.

“Human rights organisations must come together to articulate a clear vision for the sort of Europe we want, one that is based on our shared vision of social justice, equality, freedom and diversity.

“We are not just talking about the LGBTI movement, but all human rights and equality groups, whether that is the women’s rights movement, environmental initiatives, development organisations, or sexual health and reproductive NGOs. More than ever, we all need to come together, standing stronger and more unified in our resolve to translate this vision into reality.

“Predictions about what will happen as a result of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union are fanciful at this point. But our commitment to working with our members in all parts of the United Kingdom to drive forward equality there, and across the entire continent of Europe, is one thing that will never be in doubt.”

Captain Janeway now lesbian pin up

Hi all!

Well, much beloved Captain Janeway from Voyager now has a great role in Orange is the New Black.
Caption Janeway and Seven of NineI know Kate Mulgrew from Start Trek Voyager. A whole lot of lesbians created a ‘different universe’. In Fanfic The Captain and a Borg, named Seven of Nine, had a very loving and not to forget hot relationship. I loved Voyager. The stories where good and the people living on Voyager where divers and interesting.

 
Now, Kate Mulgrew landed a role in Orange is the New Black.

Thanks to divamag.co.uk.
In the flesh Kate Mulgrew is everything you want her to be: poised, intense and fiercely intelligent. She leans in to draw you under her spell, her voice gravelly and full of gravitas. Her opinions are incisive and compelling. Oozing old school theatricality, she slips into Red’s Russian growl when she talks about the character. In short, she’s awesome. Here’s what she had to say.

DIVA: I love Orange Is The New Black because of the diversity of women it portrays. What’s that like for you as an actor?
Kate Mulgrew: It’s invigorating. See I’m a white, middle class girl so I’ve never had a problem with this. But most of these girls are of colour and have not had a shot. Constantly scrambling, lots of rejections, so the set has an energy that’s raw and it’s represented as soon as they open their mouths. I think what’s jumping across the screen is the truth.

OITNB is also incredible for its representation of the gay community. What do you think about the current situation in America for LGBT people?

Never forget that we’re primitive people. As animals, every herd will protect its own until the bitter end and this is an intrusion the likes of which the greater herd does not want to deal with at all. I mean just look at civil rights, come on. So transgenderism alone, that’s going to take a long time. It works in the metropolitan areas. We’re having the conversations. But in Middle America, we’ve still got a long, long way to go. That’s why this kind of a voice is very important.

JanewaySo who’s tougher – Red or Janeway?
You’d have to say Janeway. She broke the ultimate rule. She went to the Delta Quadrant. Janeway was an ardent and passionate scientist of the first order. She exercised the prime directive as none of the male captains had ever done before.

What was it like playing such an iconic and inspiring character?

When Paramount had the balls to put a female in the seat of a multi billion dollar franchise, they risked everything. I didn’t know that it would affect the scientific community, these young women coming out of the MIT going down to NASA, as directly as it did. I went to Washington and spoke to women in science because Mrs Clinton invited me. Nothing can be more gratifying in any career than to see this. Red is rich for me the actress but Janeway was really gratifying for me, the person.

And how do you feel about Janeway making you a lesbian pinup?

OITNB Kate MulgrewI feel very flattered. I really do because women are tougher than men. They’re more discerning. They’re more critical. Men are more simple. You just give them a little head rub. But the women, to get the women to like you, to admire you, means that you’re doing something right.

It’s true. We’re fussy and we chose you. I’ve been listening to the audiobook of your memoirs, Born With Teeth, because I wanted to hear them in your award-winning voice. You’re a beautiful and brutally honest writer. What was it like putting your life experience down on paper?

It was hard and it was good. Harrowing. Deeply rewarding. In the moment you’re in the process. You don’t realise how deep you’re going. But months later I saw there were repercussions to that process. I think that any writer worth her salt will pay the price. Honesty’s a big part of it. If you want to make a beautiful sentence, it must be rooted in something that is at risk. Otherwise, why would you bother to read my book? I could just write some bullshit thing in the National Enquirer.

Orange is the New BlackI’m glad you didn’t. And finally the question we all want to know – what can you tell us about Season 4?

It’s ruthless and it’s huge. I call it tsunamic because it is. We don’t know how big this wave is and then we’re under the wave and it’s too late and who will survive this? Stay tuned.

Johnny Depp, Amber Heard and girlfriend

Hi!

Thanks to Buzzfeed.com

Amber Heard, the actress who obtained a restraining order against estranged husband Johnny Depp in May, was arrested in 2009 for allegedly assaulting her then-girlfriend Tasya van Ree in Seattle, court officials confirmed Tuesday.
Heard and Van ReeProsecutors in Washington state ultimately declined to file charges against the actress for the alleged altercation at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which was reported Tuesday by TMZ.

An official with the King County District Court told BuzzFeed News that Heard — who at the time had changed her last name to van Ree — appeared for a probable cause hearing on Sept. 15, 2009, adding that the case was “filed as an assault.”
Heard was accused of grabbing and hitting Van Ree in the arm the previous day at the airport, TMZ reported.
The King County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuting attorney did not respond to BuzzFeed News’ request for comment.

Attorneys or representatives for either Heard or Van Ree also did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News’ request for comment.

Depp and HeardHeard was granted a restraining order against Depp on May 27 after claiming physical and verbal abuse.
Heard, who filed papers to end their 15-month marriage days earlier, also claims that Depp, 52, is abusing drugs and alcohol, and told a judge the actor has a “short fuse” that blew on May 21, when he hit in the face with a cell phone and struck her repeatedly.

Depp’s attorney, Laura Wasser, contended in court that Heard was “attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse” and to turn the tide of negative publicity surrounding her decision to file for divorce days after the actor’s mother died.

Civil rights are not for trans students!

I am not surprised. You??

Thanks to Buzzfeed.com

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Tuesday announced that it will not be reconsidering an earlier ruling in favor of the Obama administration’s policy that transgender students are protected under an existing civil rights law — a move that could send the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Transgender appealIn mid-April, a three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision that “the [Education] Department’s interpretation of its own regulation [interpreting Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972] as it relates to restroom access by transgender individuals, is entitled to … deference and is to be accorded controlling weight in this case.”

The case was brought by a transgender student, Gavin Grimm, against the Gloucester County School Board, which had passed a policy that restricts students to restrooms reflecting their “biological gender.” Grimm is represented by the ACLU, and the school board is represented by private lawyers.

The school board asked the full 4th Circuit — en banc — to reconsider the case, but the court announced on Tuesday that it had denied the request. The order stated that none of the judges requested a vote on whether to rehear the case en banc and, as such, the request was denied.

Judge Paul Niemeyer, who was the dissenting judge on the three-judge panel, wrote an opinion dissenting from the court’s decision not to rehear the case.

“While I could call for a poll of the court in an effort to require counsel to reargue their positions before an en banc court, the momentous nature of the issue deserves an open road to the Supreme Court to seek the Court’s controlling construction of Title IX for national application,” Niemeyer wrote.

The school district must now decide if it is going to ask the Supreme Court to do so and grant review of the 4th Circuit’s decision.

Grimm, however, said in a statement that he hopes the case will be over now.

“Now that the Fourth Circuit’s decision is final, I hope my school board will finally do the right thing and let me go back to using the boys’ restroom,” Grimm said in a statement. “Transgender kids should not have to sue their own school boards just for the ability to use the same restrooms as everyone else.”

The decision also comes just days after Texas and 10 other states sued the Obama administration over its policies and guidance providing for transgender protections under existing civil rights laws. In addition, several lawsuits are pending in federal courts in North Carolina over similar questions, consequences of that state’s anti-LGBT law passed earlier this year.

More: here