#BELIEVE SURVIVORS -- BRETT KAVANAUGH MUST WITHDRAW: “Dr. Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick have come forward with credible allegations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh. Instead of treating them with dignity and respect, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have thus far refused to investigate their claims or halt the proceedings to gather more information, and have instead fast-tracked his confirmation. This is unacceptable,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “Since the Senate Republican leadership have refused to investigate, the Trump-Pence Administration must withdraw Kavanaugh’s nomination immediately. The price of admission to our nation’s highest court must be a fair, deliberate, thorough and transparent confirmation process. Instead, in their rush to hijack the Supreme Court, Senator Grassley, Senator McConnell and this White House are compounding the harms endured by these women and thousands of other survivors while undermining our democracy in the process.” More from HRC and INTO.
- “Brett Kavanaugh’s Gay College Roommate Had a Dead Pigeon Nailed to His Door” -- Kavanaugh’s former roommate Kit Winter told The Cut’s Lisa Miller (@lisaxmiller), “I interpreted it as an act of social hostility slash terrorism. I thought it was a very clear message. ‘We don’t like you, and we don’t want you here.’ I didn’t know who it was who didn’t want me here.
VICTORY! CONGRESS REJECTS ANTI-LGBTQ CHILD WELFARE AMENDMENT: “Fortunately, Congress has rejected this harmful effort to discriminate against LGBTQ people while disregarding what is in the best interests of children,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy (@David_Stacy). “Congress should be focusing on ways to help children in the child welfare system find homes rather than creating needless obstacles for prospective parents, effectively shrinking the pool of qualified folks who want to provide children with a loving home.” More from HRC and Metro Weekly.
HRC ANNOUNCES HISTORIC SLATE OF 39 ENDORSEMENTS IN ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE: “While anti-equality politicians from the State House to the White House are hell-bent on dragging Arizona backwards, HRC’s endorsed candidates are fighting to ensure every Arizonan has a fair shot,” said HRC Arizona State Director Justin Unga. “Being LGBTQ should never be an impediment to success, and a pro-equality majority in our State Capitol means LGBTQ Arizonans can finally stop battling policies that harm us and start working toward reforms that help us.” See the full list from HRC.
THROWBACK THURSDAY -- 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON: On April 25, 1993, an estimated million LGBTQ advocates flooded the National Mall in Washington, D.C., calling for government action on issues including allowing LGBTQ people to serve openly in the military to the repeal of laws criminalizing same-sex consensual relations and increased funding for HIV and AIDS research and treatment. Advocates recently held an event honoring this historic anniversary to discuss the progress and needs of the LGBTQ community during the past quarter-century. More on the event, including historic photos, from Los Angeles Blade.
HRC ENDORSES RON DINICOLA FOR U.S. CONGRESS (PA-16): “Ron DiNicola is the clear choice for fair-minded voters of Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District,” saidHRC Campaign Director Geoff Wetrosky. “An experienced leader and public servant, DiNicola will stand up for fairness and equality, and be a champion for the hard-working families across his district every day in Congress.” More from HRC.
HRC AND SAVE ENDORSE DONNA SHALALA FOR U.S. CONGRESS (FL-27): “Donna Shalala is a proven leader who will stand up to Donald Trump and Mike Pence and help pull the emergency brake on their reckless agenda,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “With the experience and commitment needed to move LGBTQ equality forward, Donna will reject the politics of discrimination and fight for all of the hard-working families in her district, across the state of Florida, and throughout the country.” More from HRC
