Conversion Therapy Bill Dies In Utah Legislature

UPDATE - The bill that would have banned 'conversion therapy' in Utah has stalled and died for this legislative session.

Republicans had tried to insert an amendment that would allow professional therapists to 'talk' about changing a teen's sexuality, but not promising to 'reverse' it.

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Utah lawmakers have gutted legislation that would have banned so-called 'conversion therapy' in the state.

With recent changes, the new bill allows therapists to continue using the same techniques, just not with a promise of a certain outcome.

The new version also doesn't ban therapy intended to change transgender youth.

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah, left the morning hearing fuming about the committee’s decision. The majority of the committee, he said, sided with “quack therapists” and “snake oil salesmen” by approving a version of the bill that would be easily sidestepped by practitioners of conversion therapy.

The substitute bill by Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, focuses on prohibiting practices that cause pain or physical distress to a minor patient. It also would ban claims that a therapy could fully and permanently reverse a child’s sexual orientation and assertions that such a change is necessary.

All of the nation’s leading mental health and medical associations, including the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have rejected conversion therapy as dangerous and ineffective, and 15 states have banned certain counselors from trying to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors. The practice has been linked to suicide and depression, and supporters of Hall’s legislation have framed it as a potentially life-saving legal change.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Craig Hall, told the committee, "This bill, substitute 4, just to make it clear, will not prevent conversion therapy."

Federal courts have upheld bans on 'conversion therapy,' and the U.S. Supreme Court has refused, thus far, to hear appeals on the subject.

Las Vegas: Father Shoots & Kills 14-Year-Old Son For Being Gay

Giovanni Melton

Wendell Melton of Las Vegas Nevada was arrested for the shooting murder of his 14-year-old son Giovanni Melton after they had an argument about Giovanni’s sexual orientation.

According to NBC 3 News Wendell, 53, shot and killed the teenager after the dispute last Thursday.

Giovanni’s former foster mother, Sonja Jones, said the father once caught Giovanni with his boyfriend and became enraged.

“He hated the fact that his son was gay,” Jones added. “I’m sure that inside of his mind, he would rather have a dead son than a gay son."

“Giovanni was abused physically and mentally and spiritually for many, many years,” she added.

“I hope they throw the book at him. I hope he never sees the light of day,” said Jones. “I hope every day when he looks in the mirror, he sees his son’s face.”

According to court records, Giovanni's mother had abandoned her children after a long custody battle.

Giovanni lived with his older brother alone in a condo complex.

Wendell had served in the military and recently worked for United Airlines. He had already faced allegations of abusing his sons and faced charges involving illegal firearms.

He has been charged with murder, child abuse, and prohibited person possessing a firearm.

Jones has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Giovanni’s older brother pay for funeral expenses.

Wendell Melton

Disney Channel Series "Andi Mack" Will Feature It's First LGBTQ Storyline

(Courtesy: Disney Channel. Left to right: Buffy (Sofia Wylie), Cyrus (Joshua Rush),
Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), Jonah (Asher Angel)

GLAAD shares the news that the Disney Channel show Andi Mack will feature it's first LGBTQ storyline this season.

Season 2 of the series premieres this Friday, October 27 at 8PM ET.

For anyone not yet familiar with the show, "Andi Mack" is a contemporary coming-of-age story about a relatable girl (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) who's trying to determine where she fits in and the many amazing ways she can live her life. On the eve of her 13th birthday, Andi learns that her older sister, Bex (Lilan Bowden), is actually her mother. This revelation puts Andi on an unfamiliar path of self-discovery which she navigates with the help of her loving, albeit complicated, family; her two best friends, Cyrus (Joshua Rush) and Buffy (Sofia Wylie); and her middle school crush, Jonah Beck (Asher Angel). Along the way, Andi learns that sometimes the unexpected is what makes life great.

And in this season’s premiere episode, Cyrus begins to realize something about himself. Andi is hoping for her parents Bex and Bowie (Trent Garrett) to get married, all while awkwardly sorting out her feelings for classmate Jonah. Meanwhile, a second storyline depicts one of Andi's two best friends, 13-year-old Cyrus, as he's beginning to realize that he too has feelings for Jonah. This realization begins an important part of his journey to self-discovery as a gay teen and ultimately, his self-acceptance.

In the episode, Cyrus confides in Buffy. The scene, and what Buffy says to Cyrus, makes for positive role models both for kids and adult viewers. In subsequent episodes, Cyrus begins to understand himself, and can count on his supportive friends Buffy and Andi who, as teenagers, are also on a journey to self-discovery. He also grapples with how to tell his new girlfriend, Iris, about his new understanding of himself.

This story arc is a first for Disney Channel; it's the first time the channel has depicted a character's journey to self-discovery as an LGBTQ individual. However, it won’t be the first time an LGBTQ character has appeared on Disney Channel. Back in 2014, a lesbian couple appeared on an episode of “Good Luck Charlie.”

The series is the channel's number one show for girls this year. The median age of the viewers is ten.

Expect the howling to begin any time now from the anti-LGBTQ "One Million Moms."

Radio Show: Carl Siciliano Of The Ali Forney Center Talks Homeless LGBT Youth

Carl Siciliano, founder/Executive Director of The Ali Forney Center

With the Ali Forney Center's funding raising effort continuing in hopes of purchasing the anti-gay ATLAH Church in Harlem, I wanted to share my radio show interview with founder and Executive Director Carl Siciliano.

I'm really proud of this interview from my companion  radio show - The Randy Report on BlogTalkRadio.

Carl Siciliano talks with me about the current #HarlemNoHate Campaign which aims to raise funds to help the Center purchase a church in Harlem to expand it's services for homeless LGBT youth.

The poetic irony is that the pastor of the church, Rev. James Manning, has spent years spewing vitriolic hate speech towards the LGBT community in Harlem.

Pastor Manning is notorious for signage at the church with messages such as “Jesus would stone homos” and that all supporters of LGBT people should be cursed with cancer, HIV, madness, and eternal damnation.

"The biggest reason our youths are driven from their homes is because of homophobic and transphobic religious beliefs of their parents. If we are able to obtain the space it would truly be a triumph of love over hatred," says Siciliano.

The church is being put up for auction due to unpaid bills and tax liens on February 24th. The goal of the #HarlemNoHate campaign is to purchase the church and make what was once a place that put religious-based hate on broad display, and turn it into a safe haven for young LGBT.

The Ali Forney Center is the largest and most comprehensive organization in the nation dedicated to housing LGBT youth. AFC serves youth aged 16-24, and provides emergency and transitional housing, street outreach, a drop-in center, medical and mental health treatment, a vocational/educational program, and a counseling project for the families of LGBT youth.

Listen as we talk about the difficulties homeless LGBT youth face and how you can help.

You can donate to the #HarlemNoHate campaign by clicking here.

News Round-Up: February 18, 2016

Some news stories you might have missed:

• That time when an anti-gay hate group accidentally contributed thousands to an annual LGBTQ teen dance.

• New Bloomberg poll shows Hillary Clinton holds strong lead in South Carolina over Bernie Sanders - 53%-315.

• Donald Trump's Town Hall on MSNBC was a ratings loser last night coming in 3rd to Fox News (with a substitute host) and CNN.

• Japanese electronics giant Panasonic will soon recognize same-sex marriage among it's nearly 250,000 employees.

• South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has agreed to meet with transgender kids before singing discriminatory anti-trans "bathroom bill." Here's hoping he learns something.

• The Mississippi House Judiciary Committee has advanced an anti-LGBT bill that would legalize "religious liberty" discrimination in the state.

• Hillary Clinton scores a big endorsement - South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn. Clyburn is the highest-ranking African-American in Congress.

• If Under Armor can make me look like this, I'm investing in the company!

NYC: Ali Forney Center Raises $200K To Purchase Anti-Gay Harlem Church

Via press release:

Less than two weeks after the ATLAH church, home of virulently anti-LGBT Rev. James David Manning, announced it had been foreclosed and was being put up for auction, the Ali Forney Center launched the #harlemnohate campaign and has raised $200,000 as an initial goal towards buying the building to provide housing for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) homeless youth in Harlem.

“It has been an extraordinary two weeks,” said Carl Siciliano, Executive Director and Founder of the Ali Forney Center. “We have been overwhelmed with support and encouragement and now have the opportunity to turn a place that has promoted hatred and violence into a safe space for LGBT homeless youth,” continued Siciliano.

“Ali Forney, who inspired the founding of the organization, was murdered in Harlem in 1997, only 12 blocks from ATLAH. In 2013 Islan Nettles was beaten to death in Harlem only one mile from ATLAH. Could there be a more just outcome to the ATLAH foreclosure than that the young LGBT people most endangered by the hatred and contempt Manning promotes would take over his building?” said Siciliano.

“AFC’s acquiring the beautiful and historic building that now stands as a symbol of hate would be extraordinary, but the bottom line is this: the Ali Forney Center has 200 youths per night on the waiting list for our beds. As an organization, we have no obligation more urgent than to increase our capacity to provide housing to these vulnerable youth. With the support of the Harlem community, those who have contributed and many others offering to help, we approach the February 24th auction with confidence and hope. Given the real estate market in Harlem we anticipate the bidding will go significantly higher than the $1.02M owed and we are in discussion with potential developers and investors to acquire the building and we anticipate having a partner by the time of the auction. We will continue fundraising through the #HarlemNoHate campaign and make every effort to be in as strong a position as possible to acquire the building,” concluded Siciliano.

To contribute to the campaign, supporters can go to http://harlemnohate.org

Anti-Gay Harlem Church Could Become A Haven For Homeless LGBT Youth

A Harlem church, which has become a symbol of hate and homophobia, may present an opportunity to be repurposed as a haven for homeless LGBT youth.

Via Huffington Post:

A New York state judge has ordered the ATLAH World Missionary Church to be sold at a public foreclosure auction, according to court records cited by DNAinfo New York. The church, which has been known to display messages like "Jesus would stone homos" and "Obama has released the homo demons on the black man" on its billboard, has reportedly amassed debts and tax liens totaling more than $1.02 million.

The Harlem church could prove to be a commodity in Manhattan's cutthroat real estate market. But the Ali Forney Center, an advocacy group dedicated to homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens and young adults, hopes that an online fundraiser will help raise $200,000 to secure the property as housing for its clients.

Carl Siciliano, who is the Ali Forney Center's founder and executive director, said in a press release that repurposing the church to house homeless LGBT youth would "truly be a triumph of love over hatred."

"The biggest reason our youths are driven from their homes is because of homophobic and transphobic religious beliefs of their parents," he said. "Because of this, it has been horrifying for us to have our youths exposed to Manning's messages inciting hatred and violence against our community. It has meant the world to us that so many Harlem residents have stood up to support our young people, and are now urging us to provide urgently needed care at the site of so much hatred."

LGBT rights activist Scott Wooledge, who is working with the Ali Forney Center to raise the funds to buy the church and has raised over $200,000 for homeless youth over the past two years, echoed those sentiments.

"We, as a community, have a golden, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn what was once a center of appalling hate into a home where our youth can be safe, nurtured, supported and thrive into self-sufficient adults," he told The Huffington Post in an email. "Let's seize the day, and turn the page on an ugly chapter in Harlem's history."

Siciliano has announced that should the Ali Forney Center not able to obtain the building, any funds raised will be utilized to increase its housing and vocational services for homeless LGBT youth in another site.

This is a wonderful chance to do something really beautiful. Please consider donating here.

You can follow the fundraising goals here.

Miley Cyrus Launches Happy Hippie Foundation To Help Homeless, LGBT Youth

Miley Cyrus announces the launch of The Happy Hippie Foundation today with a rocking assist from Joan Jett on their new music video "Different."

The Happy Hippie Foundation is dedicated to fight the injustices faced by homeless youth, LGBT youth and other vulnerable populations.

To learn more about the foundation, click here: http://miley.lk/happyhippie

Favorite Tweet Of The Day: Cyndi Lauper

Think On This...

(graphic via Memeographs)

I want you to think on this:

As thousands of anti-gay folks pour hundreds of THOUSANDS of dollars into a fund to help middle-class pizza restaurant owners in Indiana 'cope' with going public with their anti-gay animus:

• Homeless shelters go begging for funds to help those out in the freezing cold.

• Food pantries hope for contributions to help those who are hungry. Every. Single. Day.

• LGBT youth turned out by their families for being who they are search for a safe place to lay their heads for the night.

But folks who can proudly stand and say they wouldn't accept payment to feed a celebration of love of a same-sex couple are looking at a windfall of over $840,000.

29,000 have donated to help a middle-class family that owns a pizza restaurant.

Where were they for the homeless and hungry?

Tell me again how "Christ-like" they are...

Better yet - show me.

Here's MY call to action.

LGBT activist Scott Wooledge has launched a campaign to raise funds to help Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund, which helps homeless LGBT youth. Can I ask you to hit this link and donate?

Anything. $5. $10. Whatever. It all helps.

And then, one more favor - can you share that link on social media?

Show the world love is stronger than hate.

Voguing Viral Video Star Featured In American Apparel Ad

Since Brendan Jordon stole the spotlight in the background of an October Las Vegas news report, he has become a bona fide viral video celeb.

Appearances on Queen Latifah's talk show and visits to RuPaul's Drag Race have now led Jordan to his true calling - fashion model.

Check the new ad from American Apparel.  Buzzfeed shares:

Brendan is from Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s half Peruvan (his dad was born and raised in Peru) and he learned Spanish from his extended family that helped care for him. He enjoys taking photos, shopping and collecting Disney memorabilia.

In the future Brendan hopes to have his own TV show and design a clothing line.

His biggest inspirations are his great grandmother Lucy and Lady Gaga. we were inspired by Brendan after seeing his fearless act of spontaneity and applaud his efforts with the LGBTQ community.

His favorite styles of ours include the Clear PVC Circle Skirt and anything high-waisted.

A Mother Asks The Methodist Church To Stop Pushing People Away

A mother who lost her gay son to suicide after being shamed by a United Methodist Church youth director talks on the "gone too soon" journey of her son, and wonders what the true mission of a church is - to help create healthy relationships with Christ or create barriers that push people away from Christ?

Ali Forney Center's Annual Benefit Dinner - October 24, 2014

This year's Annual Benefit Dinner for The Ali Forney Center will be held on October 24, 2014, at Capitale in New York City.

The evening includes a cocktail reception, an extensive silent auction, live auction, performances by Lea DeLaria and Daniel J. Watts and more.

The mission of the Ali Forney Center is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth from the harm of homelessness, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.

However, this work cannot be done alone. The Center needs your help and support to make NYC a safer place for homeless LGBT youth.

This is one of the Center's biggest fund-raising events of the year. If in NYC, please consider attending; or if not able to attend, perhaps make a donation or donate something for the silent auction.

For ticket info, click here.

Atlanta: Daniel Pierce thanks his supporters at Lost-N-Found open house

Executive Director Rick Westbrook of Lost-N-Found, an Atlanta organization that cares for homeless LGBT youth, introduces 19-year-old Daniel Pierce.

Pierce's video documenting the physical and verbal abuse he suffered at the hands of his family as he came out went viral two weeks ago. The reaction to the video was so strong, it lead to the creation of a crowd funding campaign to help him with living expenses since he was thrown out of his home. With a goal of $2,000, the campaign raised over $94,000 in days.

Pierce has asked supporters to stop donating to the fund and divert their charitable donations to Lost-N-Found, the Atlanta group that cares for homeless LGBT youth and helped Pierce.

Pierce is also donating a portion of the money raised on his behalf to the homeless shelter.

Earlier this year the organization acquired a 7,000 square foot building to expand their shelter resources.

Georgia: Young gay turned out by family directs donations to local homeless shelter

A Georgia man, Daniel Ashley Pierce, who's video depicting physical abuse by family members during his coming out went viral, has seen a crowd-funding campaign set up in his name soar to almost $100,000 in funds to help him.

Now, Daniel has asked his friends to stop donating to the campaign and direct donations to an Atlanta-based LGBT homeless shelter.  From Daniel:

Thank you to everyone from around America and all over the world for your support in the past several days. This has been a rough time for me and I never imagined that so many people would show such overwhelming compassion and generosity.

[snip]

I’ve asked my friends to discontinue donations to the GoFundMe page, but if you would still like to give money and help the LGBTQ youth homeless crisis, please visit the Lost-n-Found Youth website at www.Lost-n-Found.org for more information on how you can make a difference for the many other kids in the world like me.

Rick Westbrook, Executive Director for Lost-n-Found, says the organization has received approximately $10,000 in funds from Daniel's request.

Michigan: Legislation introduced to ban "ex-gay" therapy for minors

Michigan Democrat Rep. Adam Zemke has introduced legislation which would ban gay conversion therapy for minors in the state.

From MLive.com:

House Bill 5703 would amend Michigan's mental health code to prohibit health professionals from attempting to change the sexual orientation of anyone under 18 years old.

"The evidence shows you cannot change sexual orientation, so the legislation was kind of a no-brainer," Zemke said. "We want to make sure children cannot be exposed to situations that are emotionally harmful to them because of their parents' beliefs or desires to try to change their orientation."

In 2009, the American Psychological Association said that attempts to change sexual orientation are ineffective and can have harmful side effects including depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety.

Currently, California and New Jersey have laws on the books outlawing gay conversion therapy for minors.

NYC: LGBT Rally for Homeless Youth on June 2nd

The National Coalition for the Homeless and the Ali Forney Center have joined together to launch the National Campaign for Youth Shelter, a collaboration that will build a grassroots campaign to demand a national response to youth homelessness.

On Monday, June 2nd the National Campaign for Youth Shelter will hold a rally in New York City to launch the campaign as a priority within the LGBT movement. LGBT youth are disproportionately over-represented in the homeless youth population, with as many as 40% of the nation's homeless youth being LGBT, while only 5% of the overall youth population is LGBT.

Edith Windsor, David Mixner, Cathy Marino-Thomas, and Carl Siciliano are a few of the names announced as speakers for the event.

Currently, there are only approximately 4,000 youth shelter beds in the United States, yet as many as 500,000 unaccompanied youths experience homelessness each year.

(via the event's Facebook page)

Book: "Heal This Way" photographed by Tracey B. Wilson

Lady Gaga's biggest fans share their emotional journey about coming out, bullying, thoughts of suicide, and the need for acceptance, in this new book.

Written by Lady Gaga's biggest fans, and photographed by Tracey B.Wilson, Heal This Way: A Love Story is a compilation of photos, letters, and quotes from LGBT youth. The book shares the heroic stories of young adults being bullied, coming out of the closet, and thoughts of suicide; all while encouraging us to love each other.

Heal This Way: A Love Story is a teaching tool that starts a conversation between parents and their kids, or teachers and students about what it means to be gay, and about the effects of bullying.

A portion of the book's sales benefit Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation, providing services for at risk LGBT youth.

Homeless Center Director Carl Siciliano on Phil Robertson debacle

Graphic via Memeographs

"When Phil Robertson and others condemn LGBT people in the name of Christ, they help create a climate where many religious parents condemn their LGBT children.

"The Ali Forney Center is inundated with youths from across the country who have been thrown out of their homes by religious parents who rejected them. Over 200,000 LGBT youths are enduring homelessness in the USA.

"LGBT youth will not be safe until more Christians follow the example of Jesus Christ, who never uttered a word in judgment or condemnation of LGBT people."

- A Statement from Ali Forney Center Executive Director, Carl Siciliano, regarding Phil Robertson.

California: 9th Circuit of Appeals upholds ban on "conversion therapy" for minors

Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed has the news:

A federal appeals court Thursday upheld California’s ban on therapy aimed at changing minors’ sexual orientation.

In a unanimous decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the law — the first of its kind in the country — was upheld as being within the legislature’s authority to pass. Parents wishing to employ such therapy with their children and professionals who employ “sexual orientation change effort” therapy.

New Jersey last week became the second state in the country to pass such a law.

The three-judge panel that heard the appeal of California’s law considered both free speech claims brought by the practitioners, associational claims brought by the parties, and claims about parents’ rights to raise their children. The judges found the law violated none of these provisions.