Tag Archives: equality

VMA artists, speakers require equality, suicide prevention

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By Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press

Monday, Aug. 28, 2017|6:37 a.m.

. The MTV Video Music Awards are known for developing viral moments implied to shock or impress. But this year’s show was a far more full-grown affair that had lots of essential speeches, exciting efficiencies and pop culture occasions.

Numerous award presenters called for equality, including the mother of a woman who was eliminated while protesting white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, and a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Other artists reached out to those suffering from depression. Pink taught her daughter an important lesson of self-acceptance.

Lastly, Kendrick Lamar, the night’s huge winner, set the phase ablaze at the beginning of the program, while Taylor Swift bid farewell to her credibility in a new music video.

Here are the program’s leading moments:

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PINK ‘S LESSON OF LOVE

Pink was honored on Sunday night with the Michael Jackson Video Lead Award. After carrying out a medley of her hits atop an automobile suspended from cable televisions and riding around on a lawnmower, Pink utilized her acceptance speech to resolve her 6-year-old child, Willow, who got here on the red carpet in a three-piece suit to match her moms and dads’ fits.

The Grammy-winning singer said her child informed her just recently she seemed like she was unsightly. Pink reacted that numerous artists, from Jackson to Prince to David Bowie as well as herself, were routinely made fun of, but pressed ahead with their art to motivate others.

“We don’t change,” Pink stated. “We take the gravel in the shell and make a pearl. And we help other individuals to alter so they can see more sort of charm.”

And in closing, she advised her daughter: “You my darling are gorgeous.”

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NOT ALONE

The musical neighborhood was hit hard this year with the suicides of two rock artists, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington and Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell. Jared Leto, actor and diva of the band 30 Seconds to Mars, spoke about visiting with both singers and how Bennington’s voice was “at the same time ferocious and fragile. That voice will live permanently.” Leto utilized the homage to reach out to those suffering with thoughts of suicide.

“Hear me now: You are not alone,” Leto stated. “There is always a method forward. Reach out. Share your thoughts. Do not quit.”

That belief was amplified throughout an efficiency by Reasoning, Alessia Cara and Khalid, who carried out a tune for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, “1-800-273-8255.” The performers were joined on phase by suicide effort survivors, a few of whom were crying. Reasoning said the tune was “a platform to talk about something that mainstream media does not want to speak about: mental health, stress and anxiety and depression.”

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A REQUIRE EQUALITY

Throughout the night, the relentless style for lots of artists and speakers on the stage was to require unity and equality. Paris Jackson, daughter of Michael Jackson, stated that America has no tolerance for violence, hatred and bigotry.

Susan Brother, whose daughter Heather Heyer was eliminated when a man owned his vehicle into a crowd in Charlottesville, stated individuals all over the world had actually been influenced by her child’s guts.

“I desire individuals to know that Heather never ever marched alone,” Brother said. “She was signed up with by individuals from every race and every background in this country.”

The violence in Charlottesville was triggered by the city’s choice to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. One of his descendants, the Rev. Robert Wright Lee IV, introduced Bro and said his ancestor has actually become a sign of bigotry.

“We have actually made my forefather an idol of white supremacy, bigotry and hate,” Lee said. “As a pastor, it is my ethical duty to speak out against bigotry, America’s initial sin.”

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RIP OLD TAYLOR

Taylor Swift stated completion of her track record in her brand-new video for her first single “Look What You Made Me Do,” from her next album. In the video, which premiered throughout the VMAs first hour, the pop star emerged from the tomb as a zombie and sang her accusations in a dark world where previous versions of herself come back to haunt her.

With a variety of recommendations to her feuding with other stars like Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West, the video parodies the media stories around her profession. It concludes with a number of Swifts arguing among themselves, with digs that have actually frequently been tossed at her such as “You are so fake,” or “There she goes playing the victim again.” Lastly it ends with her own famous quote describing Kanye West: “I would quite like to be omitted from this narrative.”

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FIRE AWAY KENDRICK

With the top-selling album of the year, Kendrick Lamar was the big winner with six awards, including video of the year. He opened the show rapping his single “DNA,” in a cage of laser lights. Then as he transitioned to his hit “Modest,” a performer is fired simply a few feet away from Lamar in a dangerous and rather scary minute. The rest of the efficiency featured ninja-like dancers scaling a wall of fire behind Lamar.

PRIDE Night Parade shines with wish for equality– IMAGES

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Before the drifts began rolling at the PRIDE Night Parade in downtown Las Vegas Friday, organizers of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender event understood the 17th annual celebration would be more unique than in previous years.

“There is a lot more excitement out there from the neighborhood,” said Las Vegas Pride President Jorge Solorio, 28. The credit for that goes to the USA Supreme Court, which this summer season ruled that same-sex couples had a constitutional right to wed.

. Bikes rumbled right after “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung. American flags fluttered beside rainbow banners. The parade corridor, on 4th Street, from Gass to Stewart opportunities, shone with additional street lighting, multi-color light sticks and glittery outfits put on by spectators and individuals.

“Color our World with Pride” was 2015’s style, Solorio stated. Some drifts showcased music and dancing while Clark County emergency situation vehicles flashed their lights.

Rithy Khim, 21, cheered, jumped, stretched his arms and waved his rainbow flag, and scarf, which matched his T-shirt. He existed to celebrate equality. “We’re all equal and we just want to be dealt with the exact same, much like everybody else.”

2 of his friends appeared simply to support him. Khim said this year’s parade is unique since of the Supreme Court’s choice on same-sex marriage.

Brittney Hinau, who wore her hair loose and red, described herself as being pansexual and echoed Khim. “These are my individuals,” she stated, spreading her arms large. “I’m right here for this love, this joy, the rainbow, the enjoyable.” She admired Nevada’s choice to allow same-sex marriage and said the nation is altering.

“It’s happening. It’s going to stay in this manner,” Hinau stated. “And this is the world today.”

With the recent court decision, Solorio hoped more individuals would don’t hesitate to be open about their sexuality, without worry. “Even those who may have been frightened in the past, now they are willing to be more open and true to themselves.”

Thousands of people of all ages grinned and cheered as the floats passed by. The event drew households, couples and singles, numerous of whom brought their animals.

Hinau’s conclusion: “Love will be a good thing. Everybody will be accepted, ultimately.”

Contact Ricardo Torres at [email protected]!.?.! and 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @rickytwrites

Same-sex marital relationship ruling is just one step to equality

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As a long-lasting supporter for LGBT neighborhoods and the development of equal rights for everyone, I was delighted to become aware of the Supreme Court’s decision making same-sex marriage a basic right across the nation. Obergefell v. Hodges forever will be remembered as evidence that “love wins.”

Amazing as it is, marriage equality is simply the beginning. On July 24, Congressional Democrats introduced the Equality Act, which would secure all Americans from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation is an upgrade to the Civil liberty Act of 1964 and would offer securities in work, education, real estate, public accommodations and where discrimination has actually been prohibited for other safeguarded groups of individuals. For example, same-sex couples now can marry in all 50 states, however they do not have employment protections in 28 states. That would change under this expense.

We at Caesars Entertainment support the Equality Act. However, we cannot depend on the political procedure alone. After all, it’s unclear whether Congress will handle this legislation. So it is very important that all of us take action and leverage the energy of Obergefell v. Hodges to ensure equal rights encompass everybody.

For us, that suggests labor force variety and addition, which our team believe are the secrets to continuing the positive effect of the court’s decision. It’s not just the ideal thing to do, it favorably affects business performance. According to the Harvard Company Testimonial, research offers compelling proof that a diverse employee base opens innovation and drives growth. And according to McKinsey & & Co., Fortune 500 business with varied executive boards delight in substantially higher profits and returns on equity.

At Caesars, we desire our team to be as diverse as the people we serve. We are pleased that more than 32,000 workers (57 percent) are from minority groups, that females make up 41 percent of our management team which we’ve earned a best score in the HRC’s Business Equality Index for 8 years in a row. Our insistence on employing highly qualified employee who reflect the rich variety of our communities represents a real advantage.

Moving on, my hope is that Obergefell v. Hodges is more than a landmark ruling for the LGBT community. I want its biggest legacy to be equality recognized for all Americans. Personally, I want to see a purposeful push for gender pay equity and more diverse corporate boards.

Regardless of the issue, merely hoping for modification won’t make it occur, nor will relying on governmental legislation alone. It takes everyone working together– people and organizations– to make real equality a fact for everybody.

Jan Jones Blackhurst is executive vice president of interactions, government relations and business responsibility at Caesars Home entertainment. She is a previous two-term mayor of Las Vegas.