May 17, 2013

WaPo: Obama executive order could end discrimination in federal contracts ⁰

by Editor • Across the Country, Legislation

But would he do it?

President Obama’s continuing popularity among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans is due in large part to major accomplishments of his first term: overturning the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, abandoning support for the so-called Defense of Marriage Act in court and his personal backing for marriage equality, which he announced a year ago this month.

(SNIP)

Given this, it is strange and incongruous that, while recent weeks have brought news that state after state has passed, or is considering, laws permitting same-sex couples to marry, the arguably more fundamental pursuits of work and livelihood are still in jeopardy for LGBT Americans. The lesbian mother working in a diner in Mississippi, Montana or Michigan can be fired just for being who she is; the gay aerospace engineer in Texas or Tennessee can lose his job because of whom he loves.

To bridge this gap and correct these wrongs, a broad Employment Non-Dis-crimination Act (ENDA) was simultaneously introduced in the House and Senate last month. With Republicans controlling the House, however, swift passage of a broad ENDA is doubtful.

Read in full at the Washington Post

May 17, 2013

Public Health Management Corp. releases study on needs of Philly’s LGBT seniors ⁰

by Editor • Across the Country

Via LGBT Elder Initiative

Data will guide policy makers in the region

PHILADELPHIA – In April, Public Health Management Corporation’s (PHMC) Research and Evaluation Group released a 104-page report titled Health and Service Needs of LGBT Older Adults in Philadelphia. The report includes full findings from one of the largest studies ever done on Philadelphia’s aging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The document reports on the experiences of more than 200 older Philadelphians from a variety of backgrounds who identified as LGBT.

A major outcome of the project is a set of recommendations to increase access to healthcare and enhance service provision for older LGBT adults. The recommendations were developed by examining the results of the research surveys, interviews and focus group as well as eliciting feedback from community members. These recommendations are unique in providing tangible resources for medical and social service providers to enhance their knowledge on how to serve LGBT persons.

Continue at LGBT Elder Initiative

May 17, 2013

LGBT consumers offer loyalty to companies who earn it ⁰

by Editor • Across the Country

From Gay Today:

According to recent research, gay males and lesbians place different levels of importance on gay-oriented marketing activities. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are vulnerable to pervasive discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and medical care due to a lack of legal protection. In contrast to the public sphere, over the past decade, many corporations have shown an increasing willingness to move ahead of public policy in affording equal rights to LGBT employees. In additional to creating internal corporate policies that seek to avoid discrimination and provide equal benefits for LGBT employees, many corporations have recognized the attractiveness of the LGBT population as a consumer market and spend billions of dollars each year targeting members of the LGBT population in the marketplace.

The LGBT consumer marketing is currently estimated to have an overall buying power of over $835 billion. While corporations can be quickly labeled as pursuing the “gay dollar,” the social visibility gained from corporate attention may be seen by some LGBT individuals as pivotal to the fight for societal rights. Hence, many LGBT consumers embrace the power of their spending by rewarding companies that are considered “gay-friendly” in terms of their corporate policies and their marketing activities. The most commonly employed “gay-friendly” activities include the provision of domestic partner benefits, corporate financial support of gay causes, company identification as gay-friendly in its marketing communications, and advertising in both gay and mainstream media.

Continue at Gay Today

May 17, 2013

lgbtSr editor interviewed in Philadelphia Gay News ⁰

by Editor • LGBT News

Excited to see this. The interview is about my novel, ‘Murder at Pride Lodge’ and the Kyle Callahan Mystery series. But she mentions lgbtSr, which I was especially glad to see. Thanks to Jen Colletta and Philly Gay News, online and print editions. You’ve made an old(er) writer’s heart very happy.

May 16, 2013

lgbtSr hosting panel at NLGJA convention in Boston ⁰

by Editor • LGBT News

Two years ago after the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association convention (NLGJA) in Philadelphia I said to my collaborator Rick Rose, they could really use a panel on serving the over-50 audience. Here it is 2013, and my panel submission was accepted. I’ll be in Boston in August, joined by Stephanie Mott. Stephanie has been a contributor to this site nearly from its beginning, a tireless advocate and educator, and a fabulous columnist. I can’t say how thrilled I am to have her on the panel with me and the chance to finally meet in person. Look for more updates as the time gets closer. – Mark McNease/Editor

May 16, 2013

‘Aged to Perfection’ podcast with Rev. Troy Perry now available for listening ⁰

by Editor • Aged to Perfection, Podcasts

Listen in as co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose welcome the Rev. Elder Dr. Troy D. Perry to the podcast. Rev. Perry is the founder of the United Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), a worldwide denomination that began with 12 people in his living room in Los Angeles on October 6, 1968. Over the course of 45 years, Rev. Perry became an internationally recognized spiritual leader and one of the world’s leading activists for the civil rights of gay/lesbian/bisexual and transgender people.

Rev. Perry hold an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry from Samaritan College in Los Angeles for founding MCC, an Honorary Doctorate in Human Services from Sierra University, Santa Monica, California for his work in civil rights, and was lauded by the Gay Press Association with its Humanitarian Award. Rev. Perry has been invited to the White House on five occasions.

In addition to everything else, Rev. Perry was a featured speaker at all of the LGBT Marches on Washington: 1979, 1987, 1993, 2000 and 2009. He conducted “The Wedding”–a demonstration for marriage equality at two of the marches–in 1993 at the IRS building and in 2000 at the Lincoln Memorial. We’re delighted to have him as a guest on the podcast.

SHOW LINK HERE

May 16, 2013

More gyms catering to over-50 cusutomers ⁰

by Editor • Activities, LGBT News

From Reuters:

By Dorene Internicola

(Reuters) – Baby boomers, the generation that vowed to stay forever young, are getting older, designing senior-friendly gyms and becoming their own personal trainers.

In exercise havens for the over-50 set, the cardio machines are typically low impact, the resistance training is mainly air-powered and some group fitness classes are taken sitting down.

At Welcyon gyms, founded by husband-and-wife boomers Suzy and Tom Boerboom, the average age of members is 62.

“The environment is really designed for those 50 and over,” said Suzy Boerboom.

The couple created Welcyon, which has locations in Minnesota and South Dakota, in 2009. It has no tread-mills and no free weights and workouts are customized to members’ levels of fitness. A smart card sets resistance, counts repetitions and adjusts workouts.

Continue at Reuters