HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan reveals new housing regulations to protect LGBT people

From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:

New regulations, published as final in the Federal Register next week, will go into effect in 30 days

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today new regulations intended to ensure that HUD's core housing programs are open to all eligible persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Donovan previewed the announcement at the 24^th National Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equality – Creating Change. View the final rule here.

“The Obama Administration has viewed the fight for equality on behalf of the LGBT community as a priority and I’m proud that HUD has been a leader in that fight,” said Secretary Shaun Donovan. “With this historic rule, the Administration is saying you cannot use taxpayer dollars to prevent Americans from choosing where they want live on the basis sexual orientation or gender identity – ensuring that HUD’s housing programs are open, not to some, not to most, but to all.”

The new regulations, published as final in the Federal Register next week, will go into effect 30 after the rule is published.

U.S. Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) also expressed support for the publishing of final LGBT housing guidelines, “I am grateful to the Obama administration for instituting this important policy.”

The final rule, published as Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs – Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, makes the following provisions:

• Requires owners and operators of HUD-assisted housing, or housing whose financing is insured by HUD, to make housing available without regard to the sexual orientation or gender identity of an applicant for, or occupant of, the dwelling, whether renter- or owner-occupied.  HUD will institute this policy in its rental assistance and homeownership programs, which include the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance programs, community development programs, and public and assisted housing programs.
• Prohibits lenders from using sexual orientation or gender identity as a basis to determine a borrower’s eligibility for FHA-insured mortgage financing.  FHA’s current regulations provide that a mortgage lender’s determination of the adequacy of a borrower’s income “shall be made in a uniform manner without regard to” specified prohibited grounds.  The rule will add actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity to the prohibited grounds to ensure FHA-approved lenders do not deny or otherwise alter the terms of mortgages on the basis of irrelevant criteria.
• Clarifies that all otherwise eligible families, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, will have the opportunity to participate in HUD programs. In the majority of HUD’s rental and homeownership programs the term “family” already has a broad scope, and includes a single person and families with or without children.  HUD’s rule clarifies that otherwise eligible families may not be excluded because one or more members of the family may be an LGBT individual, have an LGBT relationship, or be perceived to be such an individual or in such relationship.
• Prohibits owners and operators of HUD-assisted housing or housing insured by HUD from asking about an applicant or occupant’s sexual orientation and gender identity for the purpose of determining eligibility or otherwise making housing available. In response to comments on the proposed rule, HUD has clarified this final rule to state that this provision does not prohibit voluntary and anonymous reporting of sexual orientation or gender identity pursuant to state, local, or federal data collection requirements.

Other actions HUD has taken for LGBT Americans include:

• HUD conducted the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing.  Every ten years, HUD does a study of the impact of housing discrimination on the basis of race and color.  HUD undertook this important research in 1977, 1989 and 2000 and is currently undertaking this study again. It is believed that LGBT individuals and families may remain silent because in many local jurisdictions, they may have little or no legal recourse. While there are no national assessments of LGBT housing discrimination, there are state and local studies that have shown evidence of this sort of bias. For example, a 2007 report by Michigan’s Fair Housing Centers found that nearly 30 percent of same-sex couples were treated differently when attempting to buy or rent a home.
• HUD currently requires its recipients of discretionary funds to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that cover sexual orientation or gender identity.
• In 2011 HUD issued new guidance that treats discrimination based on gender nonconformity or sex stereotyping as sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, and instructs HUD staff to inform individuals filing complaints about state and local agencies that have LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination laws.
• The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental, sales and lending on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status. Approximately 20 states, and the District of Columbia, and more than 150 cities, towns and counties across the nation have additional protections that specifically prohibit such discrimination against LGBT individuals. Under the guidance issued in June 2010, HUD will, as appropriate, retain its jurisdiction over complaints filed by LGBT individuals or families but also jointly investigate or refer matters to those state, district and local governments with other legal protections.
• HUD and HHS hosted the first ever federal government summit addressing issues for LGBT seniors in December 2011.

View the final rule here.

Icandee Events to celebrate 12th anniversary with Black & White event Feb. 18 at LMNT near Midtown

From Lynn Bové of Icandee Events:

Miami – January 27, 2012 - Producer Lynn Bové will be celebrating 12 years of events for women with her company Icandee Events at the newest and coolest hotspot in the Design District/Midtown area, LMNT on Saturday, February 18, 2012. The theme of the event is black & white. The venue is predominantly white and attendees are requested to wear black for the evening.

The event will showcase a runway fashion show by G.A.G on this. Gabriela Guzman is the founder and designer of this eclectic urban label. Hip hop's reigning Queen, Nicki Minaj has been wearing the young and upcoming, designer’s fashion at several concert appearances. Another highlight will be artwork showcased by Barry Gross, Edgar Nano Sanchez, Reinier Gamboa, Tatiana Blanco and Fenol Marcelin. The musical titillations will be provided by 4 fabulous, female DJ’s; Citizen Jane, Gigi, Bonnie Beats and Kiki. You can also expect over the top costumes by dancers and other surprise guest.

“I’m constantly on the look out for the next cool venue and when I saw LMNT I knew it had to be the venue for my anniversary event. I loved the minimalistic and New York vibe of the venue.” said Lynn Bové. As one of the most ambitious undertakings in the region, LMNT is a unique breeding ground where contemporary themes in art are explored using a multi-media approach. Encompassing all of the elements of art under one roof LMNT features a gallery space, a video/photo studio, a state of the art recording studio, artist in residence studios an in house design/marketing team and coming soon a café. LMNT, derived from the Italian term "elementi" represents the elements of art, and is a one stop shop for incubating talent of all forms from start to finish.

Location: LMNT, 55 NW 36^th Street, Miami FL 33137

Time: 10:00pm – 3:30am

Cover: $10 before 11pm, $12 after

Valet & street parking available

About Icandee Events

What started as a promoting gig for Lynn Bové at a little bar on Lincoln Road called 821 12 years ago, has evolved into highly anticipated special events showcasing top venues and stellar artists that have included Nicole Henry, The Spam Allstars, Conjunto Progresso, The Chirino Sisters, Angela Laino, Karina Iglesias, Cat Shell and countless other acclaimed musical acts. The Miami-based promotion company has sponsored and co-produced some of the area’s biggest not-for-profit events including Aqua Girl, Winter Party, Miami Beach Gay Pride and countless others. Icandee Events is synonymous with quality productions that feature great music, over the top performers, and hundreds of happy revelers.

Aqua Girl 2012 offers early-bird opportunities

From Aqua Girl:

This year we have quite a few surprises in store for you, including more cultural activities including, a film screening, wine tasting and shopping event. We are also excited to announce that our home for the past twelve years, The Surfcomber Resort has had a complete redesign and renovation. So don't wait, book your room, order your passes and pack your bags!

UN chief: Africa leaders should respect gay rights

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says African nations should stop treating gays as "second-class citizens, or even criminals".

Ban told African leaders that gathered in Ethiopia's capital on Sunday for an African Union summit that discrimination based on sexual orientation "had been ignored or even sanctioned by many states for far too long".

Ban said it would be challenging for Africa to "confront this discrimination". There was no immediate response from African heads of states to Ban's speech. Many African countries outlaw homosexuality and many African churches preach against it.

Cancer, HIV survivor says he’s running for his life

BY SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN, SDEGNAN@MIAMIHERALD.COM

If truth is stranger than fiction, marathoner Richard Brodsky has quite a tale to tell. That he has lived to tell it will make the 59-year-old even more extraordinary Sunday when he and his wife, Jodi, line up with nearly 25,000 others for the start of the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.

Brodsky, of Atlantic Beach on Long Island, N.Y., and his wife, who grew up in Miami Beach, have competed together in about 30 marathons. The last 25 have been gifts.

In 1997, Brodsky was diagnosed as HIV-positive. He shared the news the same day with Jodi, who had been his wife for 17 years, was the mother of his three daughters — and hadn’t a clue about his then-recent affairs with men.

Click here to read the complete article.

Mitt Romney wins big in straw vote Saturday at Log Cabin Republicans' Florida caucus in Miami

Log Cabin Republicans overwhelmingly chose Gov. Mitt Romney as their favorite GOP presidential candidate in a Florida straw vote on Saturday at City Hall the Restaurant, 2004 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami.

Of 34 votes cast:

• Mitt Romney - 24
• Newt Gingrich - 6
• Ron Paul - 4
• Rick Santorum - 0

The straw vote came following Log Cabin's national board meeting in Miami.

Above: Jim Pease, president of the Tampa Bay chapter; national Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper; Miriam "Mimi" Planas and Eddie Sierra, co-chairs of the Miami chapter; and A. Jay "Andy" Eddy of the Broward chapter.

Click here to view a gallery from Saturday's Florida caucus. Photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff.

HUD Secretary Donovan at Creating Change conference announces LGBT housing protections

At the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's annual Creating Change conference in Baltimore, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today "announced a new HUD policy to fight discrimination against LGBT people in federally supported housing programs," according to the Task Force.

 

“I’m here this afternoon because our president and his administration believe the LGBT community deserves a place at the table — and also a place to call home. Each of us here knows that rights most folks take for granted are routinely violated against LGBT people,” Donovan said. “That’s why I’m proud to stand before you this afternoon and say HUD has been a leader in the fight — your fight and my fight — for equality. Over the last three years, we have worked to ensure that our housing programs are open. Not to some. Not to most. But open to all.”

Said Rea Carey, executive director of The Task Force:

"This policy announced today by Secretary Donovan will literally save lives. LGBT people and their families all across the country depend on HUD programs to have a roof over their head. Unfortunately, there are landlords out there who would choose to discriminate, putting families in peril. These housing protections will reduce homelessness and increase economic security for LGBT people, which helps break the cycle of poverty that many families experience due to discrimination.”

Click here to read Donovan's complete remarks at Creating Change.

Equality Florida to honor Steve Rothaus, Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber at March 2012 gala

 

 

Equality Florida held a mixer Thursday night at the Miami Beach home of Larry Hyer to announce details of the upcoming 2012 Miami Gala.

The gala, celebrating Equality Florida's 15th anniversary, will be 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at the Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets start at $125. Click here to purchase.

2012 honorees:

• Voice of Equality Award: Steve Rothaus, gay issues reporter for the Miami Herald (me!)
• Equality Means Business Award: Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to view a gallery from Thursday night's mixer. Photos by RIC KATZ.

Called 'self loathing,' Log Cabin Republicans struggle for respect in the LGBT community

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com

Miami-Dade political activist Miriam “Mimi” Planas says it’s easier to tell her Republican friends she’s gay than to tell gay friends she’s a Republican.

“It’s got such a bad image and we’re trying to undo that,” said Planas, Miami chapter co-chair with Eddie Sierra of Log Cabin Republicans, a Washington, D.C.-based gay political group holding its national board meeting Saturday in Miami.

The meeting comes at the same time that the nation’s attention is focused on Florida’s presidential primary. Voters go to the polls Tuesday.

Log Cabin Republicans claim 22,000 members nationwide. About two dozen from 42 chapters will participate in the Miami board meeting, said national Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper, an Army veteran from Tallahassee who later worked for U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami; Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; and his brother, President George W. Bush.

Cooper affirms the difficulties of being a gay member of the GOP: “I laugh about this with fellow Republican colleagues, that walking into the Republican National Committee, I feel much more comfortable than walking into other gay organizations.”

He says gay Democrats often mock the Republicans. “The thing that is quite disturbing — they say we’re not thinking, that we’ve been lobotomized. Or we’re self-hating or self-loathing.”

Michael Emanual Rajner, legislative director of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, puts it bluntly:

“If you want to identify as a gay constituency to a political party that doesn’t want you, that actually uses you as a ploy to mobilize ultra Christian conservative voters, to further marginalize us as Americans, you have to scratch your head and wonder,” Rajner said. “They’re continually outcasts and shunned in their system.”

Gay rights have been front and center this Republican presidential campaign. Front-runners Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have all enthusiastically spoken against gay marriage, adding fuel to the gay Democrats’ fire.

“That is nothing more than going after their base. I believe they are saying what needs to be said,” said Scott Herman, a gay Republican state House candidate in Broward County.

When gay Democrats attack Herman’s political affiliation, he reminds them “you have extremists on both sides in both parties.”

“We have heard of ultra conservative judges on the Democratic side and liberal judges on the Republican side,” Herman said.

Herman points out that Log Cabin Republicans sued the United States to end the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prevented gays and lesbians from openly serving. Bipartisan support in the U.S. House and Senate led to the policy being repealed in 2010.

“I believe the Republican Party is showing, even today, that its being more inclusive than excluding,” said Heman, a disabled Desert Storm and Desert Shield veteran who formerly held office in Cabarrus County, N.C.

“I was the first openly gay Republican elected in North Carolina history,” said Herman, who moved to Wilton Manors just over two years ago.

Broward has had an active Log Cabin club dating back to 1991, chapter member A. Jay “Andy” Eddy said.

Eddy, a Republican for more than 40 years, said he supports the party because “I like the whole fiscal approach of the platform, the whole concept of fiscal responsibility.”

“When I've dealt with Republicans in the past I felt more attuned to ethical responsibility and accountability,” he said. “I don’t support runaway taxes. I like that you don‘t make yourself subservient to entitlements. It robs you of the riches that America has to offer.”

The Miami club is 4 years old. Planas, a former Miami-Dade Commission candidate, said she and Sierra are working hard to build membership.

“We want to reach people and let them know they don’t have to be Democrats if they’re gay,” Planas said. “I believe in what we do. And I believe that there are a lot more gay Republicans out there who don’t want it to be known they are Republicans.”

Two years ago, Planas worked a Log Cabin booth at the Miami Beach Gay Pride festival.

“We had a little interest. Not much at all. We had a few people come to the booth and ask what it was about. When they heard we were Republicans, they ran off.”

Some Log Cabin members that day reported being abused by angry gay Democrats, Planas said.

“They got spit on. They got called names,” she said. “It’s really, really rough to be a Republican.”

IF YOU GO

Log Cabin Republicans’ Florida “cocktail caucus” will be 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at City Hall the Restaurant, 2004 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. For more information, call Miriam “Mimi” Planas at 786-443-9875.