GAYography

LGBTQI World News, Advocacy & Virtual Travel & Events

All the Gay News That's Fit to Link

Made possible by Ashton, the GAYographer

Good morning <<First Name>>,

Again US voters elected more LGBTQ people than ever - including 2 lesbian mayors above, as well as the first trans man in a state legislature!

Do you want to meet many of them? I hope you'll join me in DC Nov 30-Dec 2 for the LGBTQ Leaders Conference.

Also, if you will be in New York for some holiday cheer on Dec 16 or 17, please come out to the NYC Gay Mens Chorus concert, Twinkly Lights.

Take care,

Ashton

P.S. My political take:

We expected a Republican take-over - finally (a week later) we are seeing they will narrowly lead the House. It's clear (but only hindsight shows us), work in some key races actually could have delivered the House to Dems. Yet, we can't really be too greedy about how historic the lackluster performance of Republicans was in a midterm year!

It's also clear that when a white gay Congressperson can't explain to voters why he opted to force out a black gay Congressperson - he's going to lose! We have to take the lesson home that that when LGBTQ candidates chose to fight, instead of unite, everyone loses.

Election 2022: California has the most out elected leaders - with 10% of its legislators who are LGBTQ. However, it appears the addition of Palms Springs to Republican Ken Calvert's district didn't help (apparently I needed to knock about 6,000 more doors for Will Rollins)! We also lost House races in OR, MD, & NC. Yet, we saved Chris Pappas in NH, Angie Craig in MN, Sharice Davids in KS, and gained Becca Balint from VT, Eric Sorenson in IL & (fabulous) Robert Garcia in CA. And now (finally) the first out Republican in NY (but he supports "Don't Say Gay" legislation & was at the insurrection!). For all the LGBTQ candidates - check out Victory Fund's live map!

Abortion Watch: Ballot measures related to reproductive rights in California, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, and Vermont - all ended positively for reproductive rights; blue states enshrined abortion rights while voters rejected abortion restrictions in red states! A fourth woman has come forward who almost died due to abortion restrictions. Even in Malta, a similar case of complications - for a tourist who had to be urgently flown to Spain for an abortive procedure - is forcing the country to rethink its prohibition. For now, a Georgia judge has annulled a 6 week ban there - but the Republican state legislature may take up new restrictive measures.

Putin's War: World War III was apparently avoided after it was determined that technically a Ukrainian missile landed in a Polish farm near the border, though Russia still caused the incident. CIA Director Burns was dispatched to urge Russia not to use nuclear weapons, but I'm including the Masha Gessen MUST READ article again. Thankfully Ukraine took back the only regional capital taken (Kherson), but after devastating suffering forced on its residents. Still continued Russian missile attacks on the power grid and other national infrastructure aimed to make Ukrainians tire of the war as winter sets in. Only now has Russia's economy truly fallen into recession!

World News

Qatar is being rightly challenged for its persecution of LGBTQ people - including a rainbow logo for team USA - but some officials are doubling down on their hate.

A legislative leader in Ghana has stated that a harsh, anti-LGBTQ law (even criminalizing allyship) will be implemented before 2024.

The Supreme Court in Poland has ruled that same-sex marriages could be recognized - or not exactly banned = by the constitution (that now affirms only heterosexual marriage).

Read the full text of the US Respect for Marriage Act. Republicans forced it to include specific provisions for religious exemptions, as well as excluding any possibility of recognizing polyamorous relationships. It should pass after yesterday's cloture vote included 12 Republicans (three who are retiring) - even Mormons are on board.

Lambda Legal is challenging the US Department of Defense for its exclusion of people living with HIV.

Did you know a gay guy is the reason for Gerogia's run-off?

Travel

If you are traveling to New York or just here on a holiday weekend - go with friends - and be keep your drinks (if you're drinking) close. The NYPD are investigating a string of assaults, and 2 deaths earlier this year.

List lovers: Looking for somewhere new to travel in 2023? Travel & Leisure has their top 50 best destinatons.

If you love JetBlue & Europe - you're in luck - the airline will begin flying to Paris next summer.

Events

NYC. TODAY with the World Cup coming up - join the LGBTIQ+ Human Rights Sports Coalition for a half day virtual conference looking at the issues and legacy for LGBTIQ+ people in Qatar 9am ET.

DC. Want to meet candidates from around the country - and world? Join me at the Victory Fund's annual LGBTQ Leaders Conference Nov 30-Dec 3.

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