Political Accomplishments in the Season of Pride

Cities typically host their Pride celebrations in June to commemorate the historic uprising for LGBT rights at the Stonewall Inn in New York that began June 28, 1969, and continued for several days.

Now President Obama, in the last year of the most supportive presidential administration in U.S. history, is working to recognize the uprising with a national monument across the street from the Stonewall Inn, in Christopher Park.

On May 9, 2016, federal officials, including Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, National Park Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y), attended a listening session to get feedback on the idea of adding this first LGBT monument to the National Park Service historical monuments. That would mean that National Park Service employees would be on hand at the monument to explain the history of the LGBT movement to visitors.

Obama hopes to make this decision final during June, which would allow the LGBT community to celebrate it during Pride month.

May 9 also marked the beginning of Obama’s most recent effort to advance the rights of LGBT people – protecting transgender individuals and their right to use bathrooms of their own choice.   

On that day, U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced a federal civil rights lawsuit against the State of North Carolina. In addition, Lynch said: “We are seeking a court order declaring House Bill 2’s restroom restriction impermissibly discriminatory, as well as a statewide bar on its enforcement. While the lawsuit currently seeks declaratory relief, I want to note that we retain the option of curtailing federal funding to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the University of North Carolina as this case proceeds.”

The Human Rights Campaign called Lynch’s speech “a milestone for transgender rights,” expressing appreciation that she went beyond merely announcing the lawsuit. She also gave context to the suit and addressed transgender individuals directly. Lynch said:This action is about a great deal more than just bathrooms. This is about the dignity and respect we accord our fellow citizens and the laws that we, as a people and as a country, have enacted to protect them – indeed, to protect all of us. And it’s about the founding ideals that have led this country – haltingly but inexorably – in the direction of fairness, inclusion and equality for all Americans.”

Now more than ever, it’s imperative to continue the Obama legacy and vote a Democratic president into office this November.

With that thought in mind, make this your best year of celebrating Pride. Locally, Kansas City hosts its annual PrideFest June 3-5 and St. Joseph hosts its event June 18-19. More details on each can be found at www.gaypridekc.org and at www.facebook.com (search for St. Joe Pride).

Happy Pride month!

‘Religious freedom’ bill defeated in Missouri

In Missouri, our legislators made us proud on April 27, when they rejected SJR 39, the so-called “religious freedom” bill that would have allowed businesses and individuals to discriminate against LGBT people based on religion. We thank the Missouri businesses and chambers of commerce that spoke out against this discriminatory bill and we thank the Emerging Issues Committee of the state House of Representatives who voted against it. Because of the committee’s 6-6 tie vote on the proposed constitutional amendment, it could not advance to a vote by the full House of Representatives, even though it had previously passed in the Senate. The committee members who voted against it were Democratic representatives Jeremy LaFaver, Mike Colona and Sharon Pace, and Republican representatives Jim Hansen, Caleb Rowden and Anne Zerr.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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