Examining Equality: LGBTQ Pride Month
Throughout LGBTQ Pride Month, Comcast Newsmakers examines today's equality movement. Discover efforts to boost digital inclusion for members of the LGBTQ community in rural America; learn how the United States' bustling LGBTQ economy is fueling growth in communities nationwide; and hear how one woman's history-making journey has inspired the movement for transgender rights.
WHERE TO WATCH
Coverage runs throughout LGBTQ Pride Month here on ComcastNewsmakers.com. Comcast customers can also watch through Xfinity On Demand – just say "Comcast Newsmakers" into your X1 Voice Remote. Join the conversation on social media by tagging @ComcastNewsmkrs.
America’s Bustling LGBTQ Economy
There are an estimated 1.4 million LGBTQ-owned businesses in America today contributing $1.7 trillion to the national economy. More than 1,000 of these businesses are officially certified as LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE) by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
A discussion with Jacob Palalay, Senior Director of Corporate Relations for the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, about the economic contributions of LGBTQ businesses and the benefits of being certified as an LGBTBE.LGBTQ Authenticity at Work
In 2017, the American Psychological Association reported that social isolation and loneliness are major health threats that will continue to grow. This impacts the LGBTQ community, especially for those who are closeted or restrain their authentic identity in the workplace. As more Americans continue to identify as LGBTQ, how can the business world adapt?
Erin Uritus, CEO of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, discusses the need for businesses to foster a culture of authenticity and belonging for all employees.Closing Rural America's LGBTQ Tech ...
The internet has changed the way the world exchanges information. And for the LGBTQ population, the internet can be a lifeline and an important resource for identity and community formation, connections to local LGBTQ organizations, and vital online support spaces. Digital access can be limited, however, especially in rural America.
Christopher Wood, Executive Director of the LBGT Technology Partnership and Institute, discusses how this technology gap impacts LGBTQ Americans in rural areas, along with efforts to boost digital inclusion.Combatting Inequities Within the LG...
LGBTQ Americans have seen many advances in recent years but benefits of those advances have not been spread equally. There are marginalized groups within the LGBTQ community contending with high rates of poverty, HIV infection and discrimination.
Kierra Johnson, Deputy Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, discusses inequities that exist within the equality movement.The Out for America Project
In 1974, Kathy Kozachenko was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council in Michigan, becoming the first openly gay or lesbian candidate elected to public office in the United States. Forty-four years later, representation stands at 539 elected officials who openly identify as LGBTQ, holding public office from municipal to federal levels. While this number is at an all-time high, this population remains underrepresented at just 0.1 percent of all elected official nationwide.
Ruben Gonzales, Vice President of Leadership Initiatives at the LGBTQ Victory Institute, joins Paul Lisnek to discuss efforts to increase the ranks of LGBTQ elected officials and create a national network to help further LGBTQ equality through the organization’s “Out for America Census Project.A Face for Transgender Rights
A 2017 Pew Research Center study reports that Americans are becoming more accepting in their views of LGBTQ people, with 63 percent of respondents saying that homosexuality should be accepted by society. However, when it comes to transgender people, the public is split over whether acceptance has gone far enough, too far, or if the current level of acceptance is just right. As the movement for LGBTQ equality continues, what is the state of discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression?
Sarah McBride, National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, published her coming-out letter in the student newspaper at American University, launching her career as a transgender advocate and putting a face on the cause for transgender rights.LGBTQ Equality in Black America
Recent years have afforded many advancements in the movement for LGBTQ equality. And while public opinion polls show that visibility and acceptance continue to rise, not all subgroups reap the same benefits. For African-Americans who identify as LGBTQ, equality gaps do exist across earning ability, health issues and inclusion.
David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, discusses the black equality gap, along with his organization’s efforts to foster higher rates of acceptance and visibility for the black LGBTQ population.LGBTQ Pride in Rural America
While America’s LGBTQ population is highly visible in select metropolitan areas, LGBTQ people and their families live in every single geographic region of the United States, including rural communities. While challenges that contribute to a sense of LGBTQ isolation exist in rural America, many choose to remain, making homes and raising families with pride.
Julianna Gonen, Policy Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, discusses the organization’s “Rural Pride Campaign” and advocacy efforts to increase access to services for LGBTQ populations outside of urban areas.
FEATURED SEGMENTS
Wings for Autism
The air travel process can be difficult for even the most experienced traveler. For those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism, the experience can be daunting. Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc of the United States shares a discussion on his organization’s program designed to alleviate some of the stress that families and family members with autism experience when traveling by air.
The Scope of Child Abuse
The US Administration for Children and Families reports that an estimated 683,000 children are the victims of abuse of neglect each year in the United States. What does abuse look like? What should you do if you suspect abuse? A discussion with Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of the National Children's Alliance.Hispanic Students to Leaders
Latinos are underrepresented at America's most prestigious schools, contributing to a lack of diversity in leadership roles in the U.S. Elizabeth Vaquera of Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute discusses Hispanic enrollment, retention and graduation.The Future of Work
According to a 2017 McKinsey & Company report, 50% of current work activities are technically automatable by adapting currently demonstrated technologies. Spencer Overton, President of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies discusses how automation strongly impacts the global workforce for African Americans. A life-learning approach is one way to adapt to the advancement of technology.
Passion for Soccer
Founded in 2012, Detroit City FC has established itself as one of the most talked about soccer teams in North America. Our club motto, Passion for Our City, Passion for the Game, evokes the three ideas the grassroots organization was built upon: to satisfy the demand for soccer in downtown Detroit, represent the city in a positive light, and build community through “the beautiful game." In an era when sports teams are defined by billionaire owners and millionaire players, we are a team founded by a group of young Detroiters. Detroit City FC has developed into a minor league soccer success story, with one of the most exciting match atmospheres in North America, consistently sold-out games and passionate supporters. The seed of DCFC was planted in 2010, on the soccer pitch at Belle Isle in downtown Detroit. That grass - the very same that was transported from the Pontiac Silverdome after the 1994 World Cup - was the original home of the Detroit City Futbol League (DCFL), a co-ed, recreational league that pitted players from teams representing the many historic neighborhoods of Detroit. Founded as a community organizing endeavor aiming to bring city residents together, the league was wildly successful, quickly drawing over 1000 players a week to the games and after parties at bars across the city. Inspired by the success, DCFL founder Sean Mann pitched four friends an idea to further tap into the growing interest in the sport by founding a minor league soccer team to play in downtown Detroit. The team currently plays in the National Premier Soccer League.
Veteran To Civilian Life
Veterans readjusting to civilian life can face challenges. The MA Vet Centers offer combat vets and their families an array of free counseling services; with a focus in military sexual trauma and bereavement counseling. Jose Crego joins Newsmakers to discuss these services and many more including; Yoga, picnics, individual and group counseling.
.Revitalizing America's Downtowns - National Main Street Center
The Main Street Approach offers community-based revitalization initiatives with a practical, adaptable framework for downtown transformation that is easily tailored to local conditions.Gang Intervention Program
Ed Caisse from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and Director of the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative discusses implementing the C3 military policing based model in tough neighborhoods to reduce crime and dismantle gangs while building up youth and increasing graduation rate from 48 to 70 percent.
STORIES FROM YOUR REGION
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The LGBT Equality Caucus
In June 2008, Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Barney Frank, D-Mass., established the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. That same year, Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., was elected to Congress, becoming the first openly gay male elected as a freshman congressman. Rep. Polis, co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus joins Paul Lisnek to reflect on what sparked his run for office a decade ago, and the work of the Caucus today. -
Journey Toward LGBTQ Equality
The LGBTQ fight for equal rights became organized in 1969, after the riots at New York City's Stonewall Inn. LGBTQ civil rights activist and author Mark Segal has been involved in the movement from its beginning. Mark joins Robert Traynham for a candid and intimate discussion about his life, his role in the fight for equality, and the state of LGBTQ rights across America and around the globe. Mark is the publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News. Interview recorded on May 17, 2017. -
LGBTQ Equality in Black America
Recent years have afforded many advancements in the movement for LGBTQ equality. And while public opinion polls show that visibility and acceptance continue to rise, not all subgroups reap the same benefits. For African-Americans who identify as LGBTQ, equality gaps do exist across earning ability, health issues and inclusion.
David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, discusses the black equality gap, along with his organization’s efforts to foster higher rates of acceptance and visibility for the black LGBTQ population. -
LGBTQ Pride in Rural America
While America’s LGBTQ population is highly visible in select metropolitan areas, LGBTQ people and their families live in every single geographic region of the United States, including rural communities. While challenges that contribute to a sense of LGBTQ isolation exist in rural America, many choose to remain, making homes and raising families with pride.
Julianna Gonen, Policy Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, discusses the organization’s “Rural Pride Campaign” and advocacy efforts to increase access to services for LGBTQ populations outside of urban areas. -
A Face for Transgender Rights
A 2017 Pew Research Center study reports that Americans are becoming more accepting in their views of LGBTQ people, with 63 percent of respondents saying that homosexuality should be accepted by society. However, when it comes to transgender people, the public is split over whether acceptance has gone far enough, too far, or if the current level of acceptance is just right. As the movement for LGBTQ equality continues, what is the state of discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression?
Sarah McBride, National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, published her coming-out letter in the student newspaper at American University, launching her career as a transgender advocate and putting a face on the cause for transgender rights. -
Combatting Inequities Within the LGBTQ Community
LGBTQ Americans have seen many advances in recent years but benefits of those advances have not been spread equally. There are marginalized groups within the LGBTQ community contending with high rates of poverty, HIV infection and discrimination.
Kierra Johnson, Deputy Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, discusses inequities that exist within the equality movement. -
LGBTQ Authenticity at Work
In 2017, the American Psychological Association reported that social isolation and loneliness are major health threats that will continue to grow. This impacts the LGBTQ community, especially for those who are closeted or restrain their authentic identity in the workplace. As more Americans continue to identify as LGBTQ, how can the business world adapt?
Erin Uritus, CEO of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, discusses the need for businesses to foster a culture of authenticity and belonging for all employees. -
The Out for America Project
In 1974, Kathy Kozachenko was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council in Michigan, becoming the first openly gay or lesbian candidate elected to public office in the United States. Forty-four years later, representation stands at 539 elected officials who openly identify as LGBTQ, holding public office from municipal to federal levels. While this number is at an all-time high, this population remains underrepresented at just 0.1 percent of all elected official nationwide.
Ruben Gonzales, Vice President of Leadership Initiatives at the LGBTQ Victory Institute, joins Paul Lisnek to discuss efforts to increase the ranks of LGBTQ elected officials and create a national network to help further LGBTQ equality through the organization’s “Out for America Census Project.
