New Week Roll Out!

Serving a Community via Producing COP 24/7
I think by now, most of you now that this forum is usually produced in advance and scheduled to appear throughout the week. I just love those fancy blogging gadgets that help with your time management when producing this time consuming platform. Even as that may be, I do break from the scheduled content to opt for perhaps whatever is "breaking news" or items that warrant being addressed ASAP. In our tenth year of production, I've learned much and have adapted to the latest trends, updates and the ever changing digital landscape.

 Let's keep it clear, COP 24/7 is a open space town square where an array of topics are brought to the table for discussion and or analysis. This forum has never been afraid of talking about what many folks are really thinking but not saying. Being taken to task for being outspoken has not been a barrier or means to stop addressing the tough issues from both a fact and or evidence premise. Its is our desire to always seek solutions or at least productive dialog for consideration.


 Recently we've launched our Rainbow Circle of Friends Initiative in which we are seeking individual or corporate donations to support all of work in advocacy, outreach, educational programming and leadership empowerment projects being made available across the state.

I have added a secured Paypal button in which you can show your pride by making a donation toward the producing of COP 24/7, designating your donation toward our advocacy work connected to our participation in AIDS Watch 2014 or our new anthology project slated for a December 2014 release.

We are doing the work and need your gifts, treasure or in-kind donations to help us keep moving forward.  If you've got news, observations, press releases or editorial comments, hit us up at nealix101@comcast.net Now let's
check what's on today's radar!!

B. Scott to Appeal Ruling Finding BET Didn't Discriminate

A Los Angeles judge has dismissed transgender media maven B. Scott's lawsuit claiming that BET discriminated against him when the network yanked him off the red carpet before the 2013 BET Awards and demanded he put on more traditionally masculine attire.

BY Sunnivie Brydum

A Los Angeles judge ruled Thursday that BET did not unlawfully discriminate against transgender media personality B. Scott when the network ordered him to change his attire in the middle of the preshow for the 2013 BET Awards, for which Scott had been hired as a style stage correspondent.  

 

L.A. Superior Court judge Yvette Palazuelos determined that BET's rights to control its creative expression through managing the attire of on-screen talent was protected by the First Amendment, and ultimately trumped the discomfort and discrimination Scott alleged he suffered as a result of being forced to change into more traditionally masculine attire.  

"It disheartens me that the message sent today wasn’t a message of acceptance, but rather it’s acceptable to discriminate against transgender individuals on the basis of their gender identity and expression," Scott said Thursday evening in a statement posted to his popular blog. "And that such discriminatory acts are protected under the first amendment. … Standing up for your rights and the rights of others can be a lengthy, uphill war. When one battle is lost, another is waged and yet we must press forward."

 

Scott filed a $2.5 million lawsuit against BET last August, charging that the network and its parent company, Viacom, discriminated against him on the basis of his gender identity by literally pulling him off the red carpet and demanding that he change into more masculine attire during the 2013 BET Awards. When Scott complied by pulling back his long hair, removing his makeup and high heels, and exchanging his flowing blue tunic and black slacks for a fitted navy suit jacket and slim black pants, he was added back to the end of the program's preshow in a vastly diminished capacity, as a guest commentator rather than the sole style stage correspondent he'd been hired as. 

 

Over the course of discovery in the lawsuit, emails between BET executives emerged that seemed to corroborate Scott's claims that he was censored on the basis of his gender-nonconforming presentation. In January, TMZ obtained emails allegedly from BET music programming president Stephen Hill, writing "I don't want 'looking like a woman' B. Scott … I want tempered B. Scott."

 

In response to Scott's lawsuit, BET filed a motion to strike, citing California's anti-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation laws, essentially arguing that Scott's suit should be dismissed because the network acted within its legal rights to free speech on national broadcast television. Judge Pazauelos granted that anti-SLAPP claim Thursday, striking Scott's lawsuit by using the precedent of several other cases in which courts determined that entertainment companies have a right to control their "creative process" and all aspects contributing to the way the final product appears. The Hollywood Reporter has an excellent analysis of the ruling and the precedent that allowed it to be reached. 

 

"Although I’m saddened by what today’s verdict means for myself and other members of the LGBTQ community, the struggle is not over," Scott said. "I will pursue progress and human rights for our community through the Appellate Court where I hope that my unique set of circumstances and BET/Viacom’s treatment of me will collectively yield active legislation to prevent anyone else from having to suffer as I have — without networks being able to disguise their unlawful discriminatory practices with vague, umbrella terms like ‘creative privilege.’ I’m committed to change, progress, human rights and equality for all, and by no means do I feel defeated."

 

LGBT media watchdog organization GLAAD also issued a statement supporting Scott. 

"Many television networks have yet to fully embrace individuals from all gender identities and expressions," said GLAAD's Rich Ferraro. "B. Scott's experience illustrates the need for networks to show more diverse images and do their part in bringing our culture to a safer and more accepting place."

 

Scott identifies as a gay transgender person who prefers the use of male pronouns.

Fast Facts in the City

 

"A Peace Of My Mind" exhibit opens today at the Laman Library in North LR.  It will run thru 6/8 and features an artist's photo exhibit accompanied by voice recordings of people's thoughts on peace.  There will be a special reception from 6-8pm tonite for the exhibit's opening, details are below. :)

 

Upcoming, the "Mother's Day For Peace" luncheon by WAND (www.ArkWAND.org) will be on Tues May 6th at the Governor's Mansion. Doors will open at 11:30; at noon, a delightful luncheon and program with Dr. Lisa Leitz, esteemed author of "Fighting For Peace".  Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-mothers-day-luncheon-tickets-11288715853

 

WAND will also host "Pizza, Peace & Politics" at US Pizza in Hillcrest this Tues April 22nd at 6pm (dinner and drinks are purchased by individuals attending).  A special guest speaker will, Aliyah Sarkar, will present "The Use of Women In War -- A Look at the Syrian Conflict". Sounds fascinating!