Don’t Be Dumb at Brunch: Matthew Shepard at Peace, Free Uber Rides to the Polls
Happy Sunday! Hungry? Because we know you’re thirsty … for knowledge. It’s brunch time, so don’t be dumb. This week we bring you stories about National Coming Out Day and Matthew Shepard, and a look at HRC’s annual list of best and worst cities for LGBTQ people. Plus, here’s how Uber is helping you vote.
And of course we have our Whackjob of the Week. See who it is below.
Here are the week’s 5 news stories that’ll keep you looking well-informed at brunch:
1. Do You Remember the Day You Came Out?
October 11 was National Coming Out Day, and it was amazing to see and read all the posts from people celebrating their truth and inviting others to come out, creating a safe space for all. Facebook seized the opportunity to add a feature allowing users to indicate the day they came out as a “life event.” Not only was it a great way to memorialize the day they came out, but it encourages others to live proudly and maybe use the feature to make their first LGBTQ proclamation.
2. A Final Resting Place for Matthew Shepard
It’s been 20 years since Matthew Shepard was murdered. Since then he’s been memorialized in print, onstage and through the efforts of his indefatigable mother Judy and her activism.
Washington National Cathedral is known for being an inclusive church for the LGBTQ community, having hosted a same-sex wedding as early as 2010, and in 2014 introducing its first trans preacher, Rev. Cameron Partridge. Now Washington National Cathedral will be the sacred spot where Matthew’s ashes are interred. His life was not taken in vain if his story keeps inspiring others to fight crime against our community.
3. Free Uber Rides to the Polls on Nov. 6
Unless you’ve been living in a box you know how important the upcoming midterm elections are for the LGBTQ community (and America). Uber announced that on Tuesday, Nov. 6, anyone with an Uber account can use the app to quickly find their polling place and book a ride to get there. The “Get to the Polls” button will be available to all users, launching automatically when they open the app.
The company is teaming up with #VoteTogether and Democracy Works, which will be providing promo codes to redeem free rides, and Uber says it’s hoping to use its vast resources to help support the democratic process. The right to vote is your most precious right, and a way to make your feelings known. Don’t ever think your vote doesn’t matter — for candidates or for ballot initiatives. EVERY. VOTE. COUNTS.
4. How Does Your City Stack Up?
Even during a tough time for the LGBTQ community with Donald Trump in office, HRC’s annual Municipal Equality Index for 2018 has a whopping 78 cities receiving a perfect score.
A total of 506 municipalities were examined with respect to their local laws banning discrimination and conversion therapy, the inclusiveness of their employment practices, services offered to LGBTQ people, law enforcement and the city’s outreach to LGBTQ people. Check out how your city scored here. It’s just like the old saying, “All politics is local.” Our community needs to continue to elect politicians at all levels of government who embody our values, with a goal of full equality.
5. Whackjob of the Week: Kanye West
No words we could type could do the video justice. But there Kanye West sat, in the most important office in the country, cursing and acting like he’s a leader himself.
