Chelsea Manning Marches at NYC Pride

Chelsea Manning Marches at NYC Pride

Released earlier this year from prison, trasgender activist Chelsea Manning, took part in her first LGBTQ pride parade in New York City on June 25.

Manning is the former U.S. Army soldier convicted by court-martial in 2013 for violating the Espionage Act after leaking the largest-ever number of classified documents to WikiLeaks. Prior to leaving office, President Barack Obama commuted Manning’s sentence and she was released from prison in May.

Manning marched with the American Civil Liberties Union along with Gavin Grimm. Grimm is the transgender teenager whose lawsuit over a school bathroom was remanded by the Supreme Court.

Manning tweeted about the Pride event: “honored to represent the @ACLU at this years @NYCPrideMarch lost my voice from screaming so much thank you”

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Heros Come in All Forms

Back in 1981 at a City Council hearing in New York City, a fiery debate was occurring on the gay rights bill. Pat Burns, Vice President for the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, stated that he knew of no gay cops and argued against the bill.

A few minutes later, Sgt. Charles Cochrane spoke and came out to his fellow police officers. “I am very proud of being a New York City policeman,” he said. “And I’m equally proud of being gay.”

In June, New York City named Greenwich Village corner Sgt. Charles H. Cochrane Way. The location is just a few feet away from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. This church is where Sgt. Cochrane and other LGBTQ police officers met and formed the Gay Officers Action League or GOAL.

Detective Brian Downey, the current President of GOAL, said Cochrane’s testimony all those years ago was a game-changer. “Heroes come in all forms. I’m where I am because of what this man did. From what I know of him, there’s one word that sums him up what he did — courage.”

Sgt. Cochrane died of cancer in 2008 at age 64.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/nypd-city-council-1981-honored-article-1.2674164

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Difference Enriches Us All

Difference Enriches Us All

Frances Goldin is a ninety-two year old literary agent, mother, and activist who has carried the same pride parade sign for thirty years. She’s a staple of New York City Pride with her sign that says, “I adore my lesbian daughters. Keep them safe.”

Goldin has two daughters, Reeni and Sally, who came out as lesbians in 1970. Goldin’s sign was made by a friend of hers. “Since the beginning of the parade, I’ve been going and waving my sign,” Goldin told BuzzFeed. “It sort of hit a nerve with people, particularly those whose parents rejected them. The response to the sign is always so great — it urges me to keep going.”

Photos of Goldin with her signature sign have been popular on Tumblr and other social media sites. She is a shining example of parental support for LGBTQ people. Goldin has even contacted other mothers on behalf of their LGBTQ children.

“I think I changed a few people’s minds and I’m glad about that,” Goldin said of her outreach to other parents. “Everyone should support their gay and lesbian children, they’re missing a lot in life if they don’t.”

In 1997 Goldin told The Washington Post, “Difference enriches us all.”

http://www.bustle.com/articles/183684-this-92-year-old-mom-activist-has-carried-the-same-pride-parade-sign-for-30-years

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Is it Positive or Negative: New York, help us decide!

Actor Tituss Burgess claims that moving company, Frank’s Express Moving from Brooklyn is not LGBT friendly.  The actor, known for his Emmy nominated role in the Netflix series, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” says he hired the company to move a sofa.  The representative Burgess spoke to said he would not move the sofa until Burgess posted a positive review online.  Burgess told the representative he had no problem doing a review after his couch was moved. Burgess claims a gay slur was used toward him and, well the couch stayed where it was, but Burgess did complete a review.  On Yelp.

Frank’s Express Moving response to the scathing review?  The company claims the representative is an impostor.  Frank’s Moving Express said they never had Burgess as a customer or even spoke to him. The company says they are working with police to find out the identity of the impostor.

So, we want to know: what is it?  New Yorkers are known for telling it like it is and we want to know:  is Frank’s Express Moving actually LGBT friendly?  Or did (so-called imposter) Burgess get it right with his review?  Let Hayden’s List know by submitting a review today!

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