Equality Roundup: Awards Redux
This Saturday, Rev. Canon Albert Ogle accepted the Pride Award from Equality California at the San Diego Equality Awards, in honor of not just his California equality work, but also his global commitment to LGBT equality. Check out the slideshow above for pictures from the San Diego Equality Awards.
Next up: Palm Springs in October!
One of our honorees from the LA awards spoke with us a little on being honored: “Fabulous event with great energy. Our staff and young patients that attended felt overwhelming support that was heartwarming to all,” said Dr. Marvin Belzer, head of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Extraordinary Service Honoree. “We enjoyed hearing about EQCA and your efforts to support the needs of youth, especially your working on reducing bullying. The highlight of the evening was when Aly spoke about her personal experiences facing her transition to living as a young women, how she experienced prejudice during middle school and how the support of our staff and her family helped her overcome her fears.”
“The heartwarming acknowledgements and support from all who attended the gala means the world to us as we struggle to find the resources to meet the needs of GLBT youth and their families. Since returning to work this week, our entire division, including those whose work doesn’t focus on GLBTQ youth, report feeling energized to hear of all the wonderful support we received at the EQCA Gala,” said Dr. Belzer.
We were totally touched by Aly’s bravery and amazing story: “Thank you for giving me the chance to speak today. I’ve been seeing a therapist since 2007 since I was 12, which was the age I came out to my parents. I went through a few different therapists and psychiatrists. One told me I had social anxiety disorder. Another said I was gay. And another told me I had ‘daddy issues.’ I wanted to say, ‘Shut Up, please!’ My main problem was that I wanted to get on hormones.”
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“I was still in middle school then and middle school was not easy. I was seen as different and not treated very well by the other students. So even though I was transitioning, I lived as a boy to protect myself throughout school. It seems like so long ago. But that was only four years ago since I started working with the staff at the Division. I feel so accepted and interested by all the staff I work with there. I also joined a support group at the Division and I’ve been going there for two years.”
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“I’m now 17 and in my first year of Fashion college. I worry about having six classes. I worry about my hair. I do not worry about being trans.”
Other news:
“Conversion therapy” is neither, an LA Times Op-Ed from Dr. Laura Embry, Equality California board member.
One of Equality California’s successes this legislative season has been getting the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to audit school compliance with laws meant to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students from discrimination. A two-part investigation by the Contra Costa Times finds compliance woefully low (Part two.)
LGBT activists “freeing the soul of America,” says Joe Biden.
After Tyler Clementi’s Suicide, Hard Questions for Mother and Church.
“New Normal” too much for old normal in Salt Lake City, more from GLAAD.
San Francisco’s Eagle endangered.
Dan Savage and Brian Brown debate marriage; no minds are changed in the hour. Writer Mark Oppenheimer played referee, Brian Brown gets shirty post-debate, the Atlantic picks three interesting moments for the tl;dr crowd. John Corvino, who wrote “Debating Same-Sex Marriage” with Maggie Gallagher of the so-called National Organization for Marriage, talks about Savage and Brown’s debate, as well as the debate in general.
Finally, 10 Celebs avoiding the altar until everyone can marry. Look, we already gave Brangelina our blessing — we want more marriages, not fewer, so don’t hold back on our account.
