March 29, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

HRC’s Tribute to Orlando Victims; Rep. Ted Lieu Discusses Gun Legislation Thursday

BY KAREN OCAMB  |  Terrorism is once again in the headlines with the suicide-bomber attack at the Istanbul airport late Tuesday that killed 41 and wounded 239 others.

U.S. officials believe the attack was the work of ISIS, though no group has yet taken responsibility.

Most of the ISIS attacks have been suicide or car bombs—with the noted exception of the apparently ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the gay Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12.

That shooter, Omar Mateen, had been on federal terrorist watch list but, thanks to U.S. lax gun laws, was able to buy the assault weapons he used to kill 49 innocent, mostly gay Latino club-goers and injure 53 others.

The Human Rights Campaign, Equality California and other LGBT organizations immediately made gun violence a top priority for the LGBT community.

Rep. Ted Lieu, who represents Los Angeles County is pictured during the Congressional sit-in
Rep. Ted Lieu, who represents Los Angeles County is pictured during the Congressional sit-in

Last week, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives staged an unprecedented sit-in on the House floor—lead by iconic civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis with heavy participation from California Democrats— calling for common sense gun legislation to provide universal background checks and prevent suspected terrorists from purchasing guns. Four such measures were earlier voted down by Senate Republican, leading many to accuse Republicans of being in the pocket of the National Rifle Association, the powerful, rich and ideologically pure Second Amendment lobbying group. The Supreme Court, however, just put a dent in the NRA’s bulletproof political armor Monday, ruling that people convicted of committing reckless acts of domestic violence can be denied the right to own a gun.

As a follow up on the House sit-in, Democrats around the country, including throughout California, are hold National Day of Action events today. As a continuation of that discussion, on Thursday morning, Rep. Ted Lieu, who represents Los Angeles County and is pictured during the sit-in, is joining Judge Ralph Fertig, one of the original Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights movement, and members of the Leo Baeck Temple to talk about the imperative need for gun safety regulation and how the community can help.
The event is open to the public. It is being held on Thursday, June 30 at 10AM at Leo Baeck Synagogue, 1300 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90049.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign’s StopTheHate effort to pass gun control legislation, famed openly gay producer/director Ryan Murphy, Ned Martel and their colleagues at Ryan Murphy Television produced a moving tribute to the Orlando 49, featuring members of the entertainment community sharing poignant stories about each of the shooting victims.

The video features, (in order of appearance) Lady Gaga, Chris Pine, Cuba Gooding Jr., Connie Britton, Matt Bomer, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Lea Michele, Colton Haynes, Sophia Bush, Jane Fonda, Harry Shum Jr., Denis O’Hare, Rob Reiner, Melissa Benoist, Caitlyn Jenner, Édgar Ramírez, Max Greenfield, Chaz Bono, Cheyenne Jackson, Emma Roberts, Kerry Washington, George Lopez, Evan Rachel Wood, Sofia Vergara, Diego Boneta, Nina Jacobson, Demi Lovato, Tyler Oakley, Yeardley Smith, Kid Cudi, Kaitlin Olson, Kevin McHale, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lee Daniels, Chace Crawford, Evan Peters, Gerard Butler, Katey Sagal, John Stamos, Laverne Cox, Jordana Brewster, Wes Bentley, Finn Wittrock, Darren Criss, Kathy Bates, Anna Paquin, Guillermo Díaz and Joe Mantello.

in NEWS
Related Posts

LGBTQ+ Advocates React to Release of Full Nex Benedict Autopsy Report

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Organizations Demand Justice and Systemic Change The full autopsy report on the death of Nex Benedict has been released by...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Two Men Charged in Murder of Sidney Barrett Morris at L.A. Live Restaurant

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

DA Gascón Announces Charges; LAPD Chief Choi Expresses Condolences.  Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced murder charges Tuesday...

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Judy Garland’s Teenage Bel-Air Estate Hits Market for $11.495 Million

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Wizard of Oz” Star’s Former Home Offers Piece of Hollywood History A Bel-Air estate commissioned by Judy Garland during her...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...