National
State Dept. calls for investigation into murder of LGBT activist in Russia
Yelena Grigoryeva found stabbed to death on Sunday
Following the murder of a prominent LGBT activist in Russia, the State Department is calling for local authorities in St. Petersburg to launch a thorough investigation into her death, including her reported inclusion in an online anti-LGBT “hit list.”
A State Department spokesperson made the comments via email in response to a Washington Blade inquiry into the murder of Yelena Gregoryeva, who campaigned with the Alliance of Heterosexual and LGBT for Equality.
“We are saddened by the tragic murder of activist Yelena Grigoryeva in St. Petersburg,” the spokesperson said. “We extend condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues, and admire her advocacy for the advancement of human rights in Russia.”
The spokesperson also said the incident follows a trend of anti-LGBT hostility in Russia.
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia enacted a law banning LGBT “propaganda” directed at youth. Since that time, human rights groups have noted an increase in harassment and violence against LGBT people after the law passed.
“We will continue to follow this disturbing case closely, particularly given ongoing concerns about widespread impunity in Russia for violence against members of civil society and LGBTI persons,” the spokesperson said.
According to the Russian LGBT Network, Gregoryeva had been targeted recently on a website that drew inspiration from the horror movie franchise “Saw” and targeted LGBT people. The site, which first appeared in 2018 and called for people to hunt those listed on it, was taken down by Russian authorities last week.
The State Department spokesperson called for a full investigation into both Gregoryeva’s death as well as the reported anti-LGBT website.
“We call on authorities to investigate this fully, including her reported inclusion on an anti-LGBTI ‘hit list’ published online, and to hold perpetrators fully to account,” the spokesperson said. “We are aware of reports that police have detained a suspect in this incident.”
Amid the perception the Trump administration is too friendly with Putin, whom U.S. intelligence agencies say interfered in the 2016 election on Trump’s behalf, the State Department spokesperson also called on Russia to maintain its obligation to human rights.
“We continue to urge the Russian government to uphold its obligation to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in accordance with its international obligations and Russia’s laws and constitution,” the spokesperson said.
The Washington Blade has placed a request with the Russian embassy in the United States seeking comment on the State Department response.
Mark Bromley, chair of the Council for Global Equality, said he was pleased from the State Department response.
“I’m pleased to see that the State Department remains supportive of LGBTI concerns in Russia — including the ongoing persecution in Chechnya and the increasing hostility to LGBT groups across the country,” Bromley said. “This tragic murder casts an ominous shadow.”
Jeremy Kadden, senior international policy advocate for the Human Rights Campaign, said, however, the State Department response isn’t enough.
“The horrific death of Yelena Grigoryeva shocks the conscience and deserves real action from this administration at the highest levels,” Kadden said. “Unfortunately, this is only the latest example of the unconscionable silence from Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo, who continue to remain silent about human rights abuses against LGBTQ people around the globe. While it is important that the State Department has committed to monitoring the case, and has called for the perpetrators to be held accountable, our nation’s top leaders have an obligation to utilize their platforms to loudly condemn anti-LGBTQ violence in Russia and beyond.”
Federal Government
US Census Bureau testing survey on LGBTQ households
Agency proposing questions about sexual orientation and gender identity
The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking public comment on a proposed test of sexual orientation and gender identity questions on the American Community Survey. The test would begin this summer and continue into next year.
The Census Bureau published the request as a Federal Register notice. In its press release the agency noted that the ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed housing and socioeconomic data. It allows the Census Bureau to provide timely and relevant housing and socioeconomic statistics, even for low levels of geography.
As part of the process for adding new questions to the ACS, the Census Bureau tests potential questions to evaluate the quality of the data collected.
The Census Bureau proposes testing questions about sexual orientation and gender identity to meet the needs of other federal agencies that have expressed interest in or have identified legal uses for the information, such as enforcing civil rights and equal employment measures.
The test would follow the protocols of the actual ACS — with one person asked to respond to the survey on behalf of the entire household. These particular questions are asked about people 15 years of age or older. Households are invited to respond to the survey online, by paper questionnaire or by phone.
The current Federal Register notice gives the public a final opportunity to provide feedback before the Census Bureau submits its recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The public may provide feedback through May 30 online.
The White House
Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Nancy Pelosi is also among this year’s honorees
Beloved LGBTQ advocate Judy Shepard is among the 19 honorees who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the U.S., the White House announced on Friday.
The mother of Matthew Shepard, who was killed in 1998 in the country’s most notorious anti-gay hate crime, she co-founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation with her husband Dennis to raise awareness about anti-LGBTQ violence.
The organization runs education, outreach, and advocacy programs, many focused on schools.
In a statement shared via the Human Rights Campaign, Shepard said, “This unexpected honor has been very humbling for me, Dennis, and our family. What makes us proud is knowing our President and our nation share our lifelong commitment to making this world a safer, more loving, more respectful, and more peaceful place for everyone.
“I am grateful to everyone whose love and support for our work through the years has sustained me.
“If I had the power to change one thing, I can only dream of the example that Matt’s life and purpose would have shown, had he lived. This honor reminds the world that his life, and every life, is precious.”
Shepard was instrumental in working with then-President Barack Obama for passage of the landmark Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, which was led in the House by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who will also be honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom during the ceremony on Friday.
Also in 2009, Shepard published a memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed,” and was honored with the Black Tie Dinner Elizabeth Birch Equality Award.
“Judy Shepard has been a champion for equality and President Biden’s choice to honor her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a testament to what she’s done to be a force of good in the world,” HRC President Kelley Robinson said in a statement.
“A mother who turned unspeakable grief over the loss of her son into a decades-long fight against anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and violence, Judy continues to make a lasting impact in the lives of the LGBTQ+ community,” she said.
“It is because of her advocacy that the first federal hate crimes legislation became law and that countless life-saving trainings, resources and conversations about equality and acceptance are provided each year by the Matthew Shepard Foundation,” Robinson said. “We are honored that Judy is a member of the HRC family and know that her work to create a more inclusive and just world will only continue.”
Other awardees who will be honored by the White House this year are: Actor Michelle Yeoh, entrepreneur and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jesuit Catholic priest Gregory Boyle, Assistant House Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), former Labor and Education Secretary and former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), journalist and former daytime talkshow host Phil Donahue, World War II veteran and civil rights activist Medgar Evers (posthumous), former Vice President Al Gore, civil rights activist and lawyer Clarence B. Jones, former Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), former U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) (posthumous), Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky, educator and activist Opal Lee, astronaut and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center Ellen Ochoa, astronomer Jane Rigby, United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero, and Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe (posthumous).
National
United Methodist Church removes 40-year ban on gay clergy
Delegates also voted for other LGBTQ-inclusive measures
The United Methodist Church on Wednesday removed a ban on gay clergy that was in place for more than 40 years, voting to also allow LGBTQ weddings and end prohibitions on the use of United Methodist funds to “promote acceptance of homosexuality.”
Overturning the policy forbidding the church from ordaining “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” effectively formalized a practice that had caused an estimated quarter of U.S. congregations to leave the church.
The New York Times notes additional votes “affirming L.G.B.T.Q. inclusion in the church are expected before the meeting adjourns on Friday.” Wednesday’s measures were passed overwhelmingly and without debate. Delegates met in Charlotte, N.C.
According to the church’s General Council on Finance and Administration, there were 5,424,175 members in the U.S. in 2022 with an estimated global membership approaching 10 million.
The Times notes that other matters of business last week included a “regionalization” plan, which gave autonomy to different regions such that they can establish their own rules on matters including issues of sexuality — about which international factions are likelier to have more conservative views.
Rev. Kipp Nelson of St. Johns’s on the Lake Methodist Church in Miami shared a statement praising the new developments:
“It is a glorious day in the United Methodist Church. As a worldwide denomination, we have now publicly proclaimed the boundless love of God and finally slung open the doors of our church so that all people, no matter their identities or orientations, may pursue the calling of their hearts.
“Truly, all are loved and belong here among us. I am honored to serve as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for such a time as this, for our future is bright and filled with hope. Praise be, praise be.”
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