UPDATE: Orlando McDonald’s Fires Manager Who Denied Transgender Teenager Employment
December 14, 2009
An Orlando, Fla. McDonald’s has fired a manager after he refused to hire Zikkeria Bellamy, a 17-year-old transgender applicant.
According to the CBS 6, the McDonald’s issued a statement saying: “Sand Lake Road McDonald’s has a strict policy prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment in hiring, termination, or any other aspect of employment in the organization. The restaurant requires all employees to comply with local, state and federal employment laws.”
According to Bellamy, after the manager discovered she was a transgender person, he left a voicemail message saying: “You will not get hired.” “We do not hire fa**ots.” He also declined to interview her, according to a press release from the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, the organization representing Bellamy.
In its statement, McDonald’s further condemned the manager’s actions saying: “The behavior of the individual in question is not reflective of the employment policies in the organization. Further, this individual acted outside the scope of his authority and was not responsible for hiring. The individual in question is no longer employed by the restaurant.”
While this is step in the right direction, Bellamy’s attorney, Michael Silverman noted that it’s only a first step.
“We’re asking [the Florida Commission on Human Relations] to take the complaint and make sure that McDonald’s takes appropriate steps to make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” Silverman said.
He is also urging McDonald’s to include gender identity protections in its corporate employment policy and urging Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), now pending in Congress that would protect LGBT people from being fired for who they are.
GLAAD will continue to urge media attention for Zikerria Bellamy’s story.
Related Posts:Orlando McDonald’s Denies Transgender Teenager Employment: Manager Leaves Threatening Voice Message with Slur
December 7, 2009
When Zikerria Bellamy applied to work at an Orlando, Fla. McDonald’s, she was hoping to earn some extra cash to help support herself. But for the 17-year-old transgender woman, that never became a reality.
After a manager discovered that Bellamy was a transgender person, he left a voicemail message saying: “You will not get hired.” “We do not hire fa**ots.” He also declined to interview her, according to a press release from the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, the organization representing Bellamy.
Bellamy was stunned.
“When I first got it, I told my mom ‘this is not right, something has to be done about this’,” Bellamy told CBS 6 Orlando. “I just wanted to earn to some money and was willing to work hard at this job. In the current economy, jobs are really hard to find. I never expected to be judged on who I am, instead of being judged on whether I can do the job,” said Bellamy.
Employment discrimination remains a major problem for many LGBT people in the United States. And with no federal protections barring employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, an “average work day” for many LGBT people can be very difficult.
“Americans should have the chance to earn a living and provide for their families without being refused a job or fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their ability to do the job,” Michael Silverman, executive director of the TLDEF, who is representing Bellamy, said in a press release.
“Zikerria should not have been denied a job just because she is transgender. Like everyone else, she deserved to be judged on her ability to do the job and not on who she is,” he continued.
While the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)—a federal law that would prohibit employee discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity—continues to wend through Congress, it remains legal in 29 states to fire people based on sexual orientation. It is legal in 38 states to fire people based on gender identity remains legal.
GLAAD along with 19 other national organizations have called on Congress to immediately pass the legislation but there has been little to no traction on the issue.
And while the TLDEF has filed an employment discrimination complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations on behalf of Bellamy, Florida remains one of the many states that does not protect its transgender employees and residents.
GLAAD helped shape TLDEF’s press release and media prepped Bellamy extensively before her appearance on the local newscast. We also continue to pitch her story widely and anticipate future coverage in the Associated Press and on CBS The Early Show.
Related Posts:Georgia Elects Nation’s First Openly Lesbian African-American State Lawmaker
December 3, 2009
Georgia voters on Tuesday made history and elected Simone Bell to the state’s House of Representatives, making her the nation’s first openly lesbian African-American state lawmaker. Bell, who won the run-off election against Asha Jackson, will become the second LGBT congressperson in Georgia’s legislature, following Representative Karla Drenner also of Atlanta, according to the Victory Fund, a PAC that helps fund political campaigns of lesbian and gay candidates.
In an interview with EDGE, Chuck Wolfe, president and chief executive officer of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, said: “For more than 20 years, Simone has worked as an activist and advocate in Atlanta and across the south,” reported the Victory Fund, which endorsed Bell. “”This is a tremendous victory for LGBT Georgians,” he said. “Simone is a longtime leader in her community, and she will be a huge asset in the Georgia State House.”
According to the Associated Press: With all precincts reporting, Bell received 56 percent of the vote to Jackson’s 44 percent.
Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality issued a statement saying: “We are so proud of Simone Bell’s accomplishment. Even with all the odds stacked against her, she rolled up her sleeves and did the work of reaching out to voters in her district through an impressive grassroots effort. Having known and worked with Simone for over a decade, I know that she will be the sort of leader who will make all of Georgia proud.”
In an interview with The Sidney Morning Herald, Graham said: “I cannot recall a mayor’s race when there’s been so much attention placed on the gay and lesbian vote.”
“What is perhaps one of the most exciting outcomes of these campaigns is the fact that so many new LGBT activists of color, especially transgender individuals, became so involved in the canvassing, phonebanking and organizing that is needed for electoral victories such as these. Engaging and enabling new segments of our community to be involved in this work gives us all great hope for the future of our efforts to advance fairness, equality and safety for our community in the years to come.”
Atlanta voters also elected Alex Wan to its city council, making him the first Asian American and first openly gay man to hold that post.
Related Posts:Now Playing at a Computer Near You
March 18, 2009
Check out the latest webseries Drama Queenz, following the lives of three gay men as they deal with life, love and the highs and lows of living as actors in New York City. Eight episodes are available online right now, so what are you waiting for?
The series stars Dane Joseph (who is also the writer and executive producer), Kristen-Alexzander Griffith and Troy Valjean Rucker. Get to know these guys — they’re ones to watch!
You can check out all the episodes here, but we’ve got the first one below for your viewing pleasure.
New York Post’s Sean Delonas Draws Ire for New Cartoon
February 18, 2009
The headline on the Huffington Post says it all: “NY POST RUNS CARTOON ASSOCIATING OBAMA’S STIMULUS WITH CRAZED CHIMP.” The cartoon by Sean Delonas – who has been the subject of GLAAD Action Alerts and has made the “Worst” on the “Best and Worst” list on several occasions (even making the year-end “Worst Defamation of 2008” list) – has raised ire from readers and community leaders alike.
As Sam Stein notes in the Huffington Post:
“At its most benign, the cartoon suggests that the stimulus bill was so bad, monkeys may as well have written it. Others believe it compares the president to a rabid chimp. Either way, the incorporation of violence and (on a darker level) race into politics is bound to be controversial. Perhaps that’s what Delonas wanted.”
Since then, The New York Times CityRoom blog has picked up concerns expressed by both New York Governor David A. Patterson and the Rev. Al Sharpton, while also addressing GLAAD’s response to previous Delonas cartoons. The Post also released a statement defending the cartoon.
The cartoon – and the response to it – raises serious questions about how the Post chooses to editorialize about important issues facing Americans today. They’re certainly not afraid of controversy, but the degree to which Delonas has repeatedly made these kind of ugly, offensive – and unfunny – jabs at different communities begs the question of why the Post continues to provide him with such a large media platform.
Patrik-Ian Polk Jumps to an Image Award Nom
January 28, 2009
Gay auteur Patrik-Ian Polk just nabbed an NAACP Image Award nomination for his direction of Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom. He’s in good company: Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Darnell Martin are also nominated, but Polk is the only one with an LGBT film.
The 40th NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Halle Berry and Tyler Perry, airs live on Fox Feb. 12.
Good luck, Patrik!
Openly Gay Bishop to Pray at Lincoln Memorial Inaugural Event
January 12, 2009
When the announcement came that openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson was tapped to lead the prayer of invocation for the opening inaugural event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at 2:00 p.m. on January 18, The Associated Press article was published in hundreds of news outlets across the country and around the globe, from France to the Philippines.
It was not long ago that President-elect Obama faced heavy criticism from LGBT advocacy groups and leaders for his selection of conservative evangelist Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation. GLAAD issued a statement, and also published clips of Warren’s previous media statements on LGBT issues.
Obama defended his choice as part of his commitment to diverse voices at his inauguration, and pointed to the closing prayer invitation of straight ally, The Reverend Joseph Lowery, a United Methodist and veteran Civil Rights activist. Lowery is a signer on the Methodist statement of “People of Color for an All Inclusive Church.”
Robinson’s prayer at an opening inaugural event in front of the Lincoln Memorial is a powerful reminder of this country’s efforts to move toward freedom and equality for all. Change is possible.
When Bishop Robinson was interviewed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer recently, he reflected on church support of his ministry and said, “There is great excitement in my heart to be living in a time when the church is starting to get it right.” We can only imagine that he may have been thinking that the country is starting to get it right, too.
Mississippi Damned
December 23, 2008
LGBT Content:
Genre: Drama
Rating: NR
Director: Tina Mabry
Writer: Tina Mabry
Starring: DB Woodside, Malcolm David Kelly, Tessa Thompson, Malcolm Goodwin
Distributor: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Synopsis: Three Southern black children struggle to escape the cycles of addiction and violence inherited from generations of their family.
Premiering at the 2009 Slamdance Film Festival
Screening Times
Friday, January 16, 6:00 pm Treasure Mountain Inn – Main
Tuesday, January 20, 10:00 am Treasure Mountain Inn – Main
The Young and Evil
December 22, 2008
LGBT Content: Gay
Genre: Dramatic Short
Rating: NR
Director: Julian Breece
Synopsis: An HIV-positive prevention advocate becomes the target of seduction by a defiantly promiscuous but self-destructive gay teenager trying to become infected himself.
Premiering at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
Screening Times
Friday, January 16, 11:15 am Raquet Club, Park City
Friday, January 17, 11:30 pm Prospector Square Theatre, Park City
Tuesday, January 20, 12:15 pm Holiday Village Cinema IV, Park City
Wednesday, January 21, 6:30 pm Redstone Cinemas, Kimball Junction
Saturday, January 24, 12:45 pm Holiday Village Cinema I, Park City
Homophobic Rapper Sparks Outcry From Hip-Hop Community
November 21, 2008
In a recent interview with music site All Hip-Hop about his new album appropriately titled The Villian, rapper Trick Trick unleashed a hate-filled tirade on the gay and lesbian community. Throughout the interview the rapper repeatedly refers to the gay community using derogatory slurs and demanded that gay people not purchase his album.
Trick Trick, who is a close friend and long-time collaborator with controversial rapper Eminem, told All Hip-Hop:
“I’m-a go on the record right now with this. Homosexuals are probably not gonna like this album. I don’t want your f**got money any goddamn way. I don’t like it [homosexuality]. Carry that s**t somewhere else.”
According to All Hip-Hop, “The Villain”, contains a wide range of homophobic and vitriolic lyrics.
On the self-titled album track called “Trick Trick” the incendiary rapper refers to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell, both gay activists, as “d*ke b**ches” promising to send a “scud missile through their f**king cruise ship.” He also uses his sophomore album to advocate for the murdering and burning of gay men.
Trick Trick’s verbal assault has led to a huge response from the gay and lesbian hip-hop community and demands for a boycott of the artist and music label Koch Records.
Los Angeles-based gay rapper and actor Deadlee told All Hip-Hop:
“Obama was called a terrorist, unpatriotic, and the entire time kept his cool, I so wish I was like that. There is still a lot of hate against gays, and Trick Trick just perpetuates the hate.”
Relatively unknown in major hip-hop circles, Trick Trick’s comments were perceived by many to be a publicity stunt and did not seem to be provoked by any particular incident.
“The Villain,” which has been poorly received by critics, is Trick Trick’s Koch debut. Its 2005 predecessor, “The People Vs.,” was released by Motown and sold only 59,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Melange Lavonne, a Palm Springs-based rapper who will host an upcoming Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Hip-Hop Reality Show titled Urban Raiders said:
“Trick Trick can spew all the hate he wants, but gays are no longer perceived as punks, sissies or wimps. We are fighting for equality and if that means that our life is on the line than so be it.”
Hip-Hop blogger Khalil Amani added:
“Hip-Hop is for all people! Hip-Hop is about those who were voiceless. Hip-Hop is about speaking your truth, regardless of race, class, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Trick Trick’s comments are the furthest thing from hip-hop.”
Amanda Morgan – “What Does the Transgender Day of Remembrance Mean to You?”
November 21, 2008
The Transgender Day of Remembrance will be observed this Thursday, Nov 20. To commemorate the day, GLAAD will be blogging about issues relevant to the Day of Remembrance throughout the week.
We asked transgender people and allies to respond to the question “What does the Transgender Day of Remembrance mean to you?” This response is from Amanda Morgan.
Amanda Morgan is a photographer and writer whose work explores identity and relationships. She is particularly interested in issues of race, gender, sexuality, class, you can view her work on her Web site. Amanda is currently a Vaid Fellow for the National Gay & Lesbian TaskForce where she is working on issues of aging, bisexuality, and transgender discrimination in communities of color.
Amanda Morgan
Amanda’s response first appeared on the National Gay & Lesbian TaskForce’s OutSpoken blog. To find out more about the survey on transgender discrimination go here.
Remembrance Into Action
Transgender Day of Remembrance feels especially sad this year, with Duanna Johnson and Latiesha Green, two black trans women, murdered within a week of each other and another trans woman of color I met just a few weeks ago dead from as yet undisclosed causes.
I am often made aware of the vulnerability of our bodies when we are transgender or gender non-conforming and of color, but on this day it feels especially pertinent.
I am lucky – I have made it through my life thus having survived attacks that were not fatal or permanently disabling and having only received intimidation or threats based on my gender identity/sexual orientation. But many are not so lucky, 16 trans people have been murdered thus far this year and out of those 16, 11 are identified as people of color; the other five have not been publicly identified as belonging to any racial group. Ariel Herrera of Amnesty International has noted, “The most vulnerable are transgendered individuals of color. They are the most stigmatized in the community and often targeted by police.”
Despite this seemingly common knowledge, we are extremely lacking in terms of any real statistical analysis when it comes to the widespread discrimination and violence against trans people in this country. And without numbers, advocating for systemic change and better policies and laws to protect trans folks becomes difficult. It’s hard to get people outside the community to pay attention to our voices when our stories remain, from their perspective, merely anecdotal.
This is what motivated the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality to partner in launching a survey on the discrimination against transgender and gender nonconforming people. The survey opened in September, shortly before I began my fellowship at the Task Force. When the Policy Institute staff met to discuss what our roles would be, I already knew what I wanted to do. I volunteered to help administer the survey to people in the community without Internet access and to take the lead of people of color outreach in the New York metropolitan area.
The process of proctoring these surveys has been emotional, as I knew it would be. I have met and spoken to trans folks of color who are survivors of violent attacks, harassment and police intimidation, including false charges.
Every week, I hear the voices and stories of a community with few places to turn. Where do you go when someone in your neighborhood is leaving death threats on your door and you feel that the police can’t be counted on to value, let alone protect, your life? Like I said, I am lucky. When I was pulled over by a police officer who read me as male, all I had to put up with was a long series of condescending “young man’s,” as the officer handled me like the ignorant young black male he believed me to be, despite the information on my license. I still wonder how much worse that night could have been if he discovered my gender did not match up in the way he thought it should.
In the midst of so much, it is important to take time to grieve over those we have lost as well as for the rights we are repeatedly denied. But as often as I am reminded of how much we have lost and how much further we still have to go, I am also reminded of the hard work of healing being done by the wonderful trans folks that have invited me to their drop-in centers and support groups.
I am reminded of the bravery of each trans and gender con-conforming person pursuing the richness of a self-actualized life as opposed to one of self-denial. I think of these things and I am encouraged and I only pause for a second because there is too much to do.
If only there was some way to get this survey to every trans or gender nonconforming person in the country so not a single story would ever be lost again. Knowing this is not possible, I am doing everything I can to get the word out to transgender and gender nonconforming folks of color, because right now, in terms of survey results, our voices are the softest.
And yet, the news of murders within our community, and the subsequent media misrepresentation and degradation of said murder victims, maintains a near omnipresent hum. My wish for this year is that we don’t let the headlines have the last word.
Top Stories Today – 10.22.2008
October 22, 2008
National News:
- Bloomberg.com – Barney Frank Wields Clout to Curb Private Equity, Hedge Funds
- The Wall Street Journal – Gay Marriage in Peril in California
- Christian Science Monitor – In California, Gay Marriage Fight Heats Up
Regional News:
- Miami Herald (FL) – Elections Complaint Filed Against Supporters of Gay Marriage Ban
- Los Angeles Times (CA) – Black Clergy Both For and Against Gay Marriage Speak Out
- Los Angeles Times (CA) – Religious Rhetoric and Gay Marriage
- Los Angeles Times (CA) – COLUMN: Wielding Religion as a Weapon Against Gay Marriage
- San Francisco Chronicle (CA) – Prop. 8 Rivals Seek Support in Black Churches
- Journal-Inquirer (CT) – Employers Won’t See Health Insurance Change After Same-Sex Marriage
- San Francisco Chronicle (CA) – Voters Split in Many Ways on Gay Marriage Ban
- Ventura County Star (CA) – Shooting Suspect Set to Undergo Psychiatric Tests
- Associated Press (MT) – Helena Public Library Keeps Book About Gay Sex
- KXTV News 10 [Sacramento] (CA) – Recall Divides College Students & Clergy
- The Press-Enterprise (CA) – Students Stay Home to Protest Anti-Prop. 8 Donation
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) – Bus Tour Promoting Campus Inclusion is Coming to Fort Worth, Dallas
International News:
- Telegraph (United Kingdom) – Little Britain Star Matt Lucas to Divorce Partner Kevin McGee
- Arab Times (Kuwait) – Man Dead in Kidnap, Rape Attempt
Jump the Broom with Noah, Alex, Ricky and Chance on Friday
October 20, 2008
Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom hits select theaters Friday, October 24, but if you’re in the Washington, DC area, you can attend a very special private screening this week, sponsored by GLAAD, the National Black Justice Coalition and DC Black Pride.
On Friday, October 24, head to the E Street Cinema at 555 11th Street NW for a perfect date movie — and a chance to see the stars of your favorite Logo series in person!
For only $20, you can obtain a General Admission ticket.
But $30 will grant you a VIP ticket, which ensures preferred seating at the theater, with a reception to follow. (Great deal, huh?)
The movie starts at 5:45pm, with a Q&A with very special guests right after.
But what’s the film about?
All your favorite characters are back but this time, there’s a big wedding to plan! Noah, Alex, Ricky, Chance and their significant others travel to Martha’s Vineyard for a weekend wedding getaway. Drama ensues as one by one, their relationships start to crack under the pressure of closer examination.
Newly successful screenwriter Noah looks to his friends for advice as he prepares to move his relationship to a more serious level while struggling to keep his first studio movie alive. But the friends are of little help as they juggle their own issues. Elder statesmen Chance and Eddie attempt to scratch their seven-year itch but worry their marriage has permanently lost its spark. And playboy Ricky flaunts his barely legal college student fling in the face of his monogamous friends but hides a surprising secret that threatens to rock the house. Add to the mix Alex’s crazy-making wedding prep, a closeted superstar rapper, a high-maintenance studio exec, and a surprise visitor and you’ve got the makings of a hilarious and poignant romantic comedy.
Check out the trailer here.
And buy your tickets already! Tickets are going fast! Call 202.319.1552 ext. 24.
Let California Ring Launches One of the Biggest Ethnic Media Ad Buys in History
September 24, 2008
One of the biggest public education efforts launched in California in recent years, Let California Ring is making waves with an innovative ad campaign for ethnic press, which features community leaders, LGBT couples and their families.
The print, radio and online banner ads are slated to run through the end of September in more than 150 API, Spanish-language and African-American outlets statewide.
All told this public education campaign is expected to reach more than 15 million people.
The campaign kicked off last fall with a TV commercial, media coverage of the campaign reaching more than 8 million people worldwide, and house parties where guests gained the tools to have conversations about marriage with their own friends, family and community members.
GLAAD has played a key role since the beginning of this exciting campaign. We’ve helped shape the ad campaign and generate media coverage, we’ve spokesperson trained LGBT couples and their families and we’ve been working diligently to provide media professionals with important resources.
The conversation about marriage is more important than ever since California state law now allows LGBT couples to marry.
Since the campaign launched we’ve seen an exponential spike in traffic to the website. People are talking about marriage, and those are the exactly the conversation that we know are changing hearts and minds about the issue.
Join the conversation, or share your story at www.LetCaliforniaRing.org. We want to hear from you!
Artists Support Gay and Lesbian Community, Condemn Homophobia
September 12, 2008
This post is by Terrell Frazier, a Fellow at GLAAD who works in our Communities of African Decent program.
Janelle Monáe
Last weekend, up-and-coming musical artist Janelle Monae appeared at Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride festival, a celebration that draws LGBT African Americans from all over the country. According to the Southern Voice, during the opening ceremony “Monae pledged to be a strong ally for black gay men and lesbians, who she called ‘bold and fearless’ for living their lives openly and honestly.”
Monae can be included in a growing list of young black artists who not only defy musical barriers, categorization and industry expectations, but also reach out to diverse groups and demographics.
Kanye West
Recently, rapper Kanye West took time between songs at a concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden to urge his fans to “open their minds,” “be accepting of different people,” and speak out against homophobia and discrimination of gay and lesbian people.
Like Kanye, Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco has also garnered media attention by speaking out about sexism and homophobia in society and in hip-hop. While performing at the University of Michigan in October of 2007, Fiasco fielded some questions from his fans. According to Michigan Daily:
The questions were often pointed — not surprising for an outspoken artist known for the political content of his lyrics.
Lupe Fiasco
A fan who proclaimed himself to be “an openly gay man who loves hip-hop” asked the rapper where he fell in the spectrum of hip-hop artists who have expressed contrasting views on homosexuality and the gay community.
He pledged support for gays, among other groups, because he said he supports anyone who faces discrimination.
These artists, and the media covering their efforts to speak out against anti-gay attitudes, should be commended for helping to change the hearts and minds of many in the hip-hop community and beyond.
