In 2015, Kerry, “appointed the first special envoy for the human rights of LGBTI persons,” noted a January 9 Huffington Post report. “The issue [in question] is not Kerry’s commitment to the community. In 2015, President Barack Obama has also appointed a record number of openly gay ambassadors, and around the world, his administration has championed equality.”
Pittsfield mayor Lynda Tyer
NEW ENGLAND MAYORS JOIN NATIONAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION COALITION With anti-discrimination protections threatened at the national level, Americans are going local.
KERRY’S APOLOGY SCRUBBED FROM STATE DEPT. WEBSITE On January 30, the Human Rights Campaign released the following statement after former Secretary of State John Kerry’s apology to LGBT people (see previous newsmaker) was removed from the U.S. State Department’s website: “With each passing hour, the Trump administration continues to show the extent of their contempt for the enormous progress made over the past eight years,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Secretary Kerry’s apology to LGBTQ employees and their families who were targeted, harassed, and fired set the right tone for the State Department, even if it couldn’t undo the damage done decades ago. It is outrageous that the new administration would attempt to erase from the record this historic apology for witch hunts that destroyed the lives of innocent Americans. The apology, along with the other important LGBTQ content that has been removed, should immediately be restored, and President Trump should condemn such behavior at all departments and agencies.” Also scrubbed off the State Department’s website was content regarding LGBTQ pride month observances and the Special Envoy for the Human RIghts of LGBT Persons.
On January 18, two days before the presidential inauguration, 172 mayors from 42 states formed Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination. The bipartisan coalition aims to “secure LGBT nondiscrimination protections locally even if they’re not advancing federally.” In New England, Massachusetts leads the region with 12 cities’ leaders signed on. Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine each have two. Mayors in New Hampshire and Vermont have yet to sign on. In Massachusetts, this includes: Joseph Curtatone, Somerville; Robert Dolan, Melrose; Kimberley Driscoll, Salem; Kevin Dumas, Attleboro; Jon Mitchell, New Bedford; Alex Morse, Holyoke; David Narkewicz, Northampton; Joseph Petty, Worcester; Domenic Sarno, Springfield; Linda Tyer, Pittsfield; Martin Walsh, Boston; and Setti Warren, Newton. In Rhode Island: Jorge Elorza, Providence, and Donald Grebien, Pawtucket. In Connecticut: Scott Kaupin, Enfield, and Michael Passero, New London. In Maine: Joseph Baldacci, Bangor, and Ethan Strimling, Portland. Those in cities not yet in the coalition can put their mayors in contact with a representative from the group by sending them to action.mayorslgbt.org.
BRUINS WOULD ACCEPT GAY TEAMMATE, “NO QUESTION”
Boston Bruin Brad Marchand’s that attacked him with a homophobic slur. Here’s what Marchand shot back to the tweeter: “This derogatory statement is offensive to so many people around the world, [you’re] the kind of kid parents are ashamed of.” When interviewed about the exchange by ESPN.com, Marchand said, “I want to stand up for what I believe in, and I don’t think it’s right when people say things or bash people because of their sexual orientation. … We’re in 2017, and things are a lot different than they were 100 years ago. We’re all evolving to be equal, and that’s the way things should be.” ESPN followed up by asking Marchand how accepting pro hockey players would be when a teammate came out. “Guys would accept that, no question,” replied Marchand. “We’re a team in the [dressing] room and a family. It doesn’t matter what different beliefs guys have, or where they come from, or whatever the case may be.” “One of the better two-way players in the league,” noted the January 17 ESPN report, “[Marchand] won a Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and the World Cup of Hockey with Team Canada last fall. This season, he has 11 points in his past six games, as the Bruins keep pace in the Atlantic Division playoff hunt.” [x]
Boston Bruin Brad Marchand’s social media swipe caught the attention of ESPN after Marchand responded to a Twitter message
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