We should celebrate our diversity – not use it as a tool of division. Heather Knight’s recent article — “Mark Leno: his final quest is a run for the city’s top job” — was informative and seemingly-balanced until a particular unchallenged, ad hominem remark sent me back for a second read. The article quotes Nicole … More Mark Leno Leads San Francisco Mayoral Campaigns by Example
California Democrats rebuked Sen. Dianne Feinstein at their annual convention this weekend, denying her the party’s endorsement in this year’s Senate race, and giving a majority of their votes to her apparently more liberal primary challenger, Kevin de León. While many may slot Feinstein in the ‘moderate’ zone, I have seen her, through the years, as … More Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein
ICYMI in New York Times: “With DACA in Limbo, Teachers Protected by the Program Gird for the Worst” Washington, DC – A powerful New York Times story by Erica Green explores the contributions and fears of the 9,000 teachers with DACA status whose lives and students are facing an uncertain future due to President Trump’s decision to end … More 9000 DACA Teachers May have their Lives Stolen by Trump
The pleas for help continue to pour in from countries around the world, where people are attacked for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). These are usually people who have been shunned by family, friends and government, alike, with nowhere to turn. While you may feel that there is nothing you can do to … More Gay Man in Stabbing Attack Stuck without Status
“Chelsea Manning is superbly qualified to run for the United States Senate, not only because she is an American who meets all the legal requirements, but also because she has the courage to challenge and shake up a supremely flawed elitist system” Melanie Nathan. Yup call me haughty – that is me quoting me! My … More Why Chelsea Manning is Qualified to Run for Senate
Today the United States Supreme Court denied review in two cases, Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant and Bryant v. Barber, both challenging Mississippi’s HB 1523 passed in April 2016 and effective in October 2017. The Court’s decision not to hear the cases means the worst-in-the-nation anti-LGBTQ law will remain on the books in Mississippi. … More SCOTUS Denies Review in Cases Challenging Mississippi’s Anti-LGBTQ Law
NEW YORK, NY January 3, 2018 — The Business Equality Network announces its second annual BEQ Pride LGBTQ Business Equality Excellence Awards. Our recipients include 156 major employers and four sports organizations, all of which have demonstrated their comprehensive commitment to LGBTQ business equality. The full list of winners and a geographic breakdown by state … More Business Equality Network Announces Second Annual LGBTQ Business Equality Excellence Awards
National Religious Leadership Roundtable calls out Catholic Bishops’ ill-conceived, trans-denying letter (December 22, 2017 – Washington, DC) After a group of anti-LGBTQ religious leaders drafted a letter about the transgender community that claimed transgender people are a “false” idea, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s National Religious Leadership Roundtable offered up some advice: reach out and … More Catholic Bishops Called out on Trans-denying Letter
“Kenya has become a ‘safe haven’ for those fleeing war and famine in neighbouring states. But in secret hideaways and temporary homes, LGBT refugees are being forced – once again – to hide their true selves instead of walking out into the world with pride …” Article by Jacob Kushner – Huck Magazine DONATE TO … More Huck Reflection on Vulnerable LGBT Refugees in Kenya
African Human Rights Coalition Reports: Tanzania has deported three South African lawyers after they were accused of promoting homosexuality. They were among 13 people arrested on October 17 for taking part in a meeting to discuss challenging a law stopping private health clinics from providing HIV and Aids services. However, Sibongile Ndashe says they had no right … More South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality
In my capacity as executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC), where we advocate for LGBT asylum seekers and refugees from African countries, I report as follows on the African HRC website: : Since the suspension on the United States refugee program has expired, the Trump administration has ordered new measures, supposedly a stronger vetting … More African HRC Reports on New Delays for LGBTI Refugees After Trump Suspension Ends
“MCC called it “restructuring.” But that usually means shifting people around, not eliminating them without warning or seeking possible alternatives. Instead, Darlene was told “goodbye” with no warning, no severance, and no unemployment compensation from MCC.” Robin Tyler An article by Robin Tyler that appears in The Los Angeles Blade notes: I am shocked and I am … More Shocking Elimination of Lesbian Rev from MCC is NOT a Restructuring its a Firing
Here is what the BBC Reports today (And I have chosen the BBC report to make my point for good reason): “US President Donald Trump will allow refugee admissions to the US to resume while announcing stricter rules for vetting applicants, US media report. It comes as the 120-day ban on refugees expires on Tuesday. … More Trump Admin Failing LGBTI Refugees Bound for U.S.A.
TLDEF Files Brief in Support of Transgender Servicemembers Challenging Trump Administration’s Military Ban New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief with the United States federal court in Washington, D.C. in support of transgender troops who are challenging the ban on open transgender military service. Last July, … More TLDEF Files Brief Supporting Transgender Servicemembers’ Challenge to Trump Military Ban
Melanie Nathan, African HRC No Information on Eligibility or Application Process for Case-by-Case Waivers Has Ever Been Published Washington, DC – Last night, Muslim Advocates, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Southern Poverty Law Center filed Muslim Advocates v. Department of Homeland Security to compel the Trump Administration to release critically important details on … More Suing Trump Administration for Failing to Provide Information on Muslim Ban Waiver Process
Freedom for All Americans releases new online hub tracking LGBTQ nondiscrimination litigation WASHINGTON – Today marks the first day that the U.S. Supreme Court is sitting for oral argument in the 2017-2018 session. As the court returns to work, Masterpiece Cakeshop looms as one of the landmark cases for the term. But the Court could … More Multiple LGBT Cases on SCOTUS Docket as New Term Begins
Tuesday: DOJ and EEOC to Oppose Each Other in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit – The en banc 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals will reconsider longstanding legal precedent concerning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, while the federal government is a house divided NEW YORK CITY – This week, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in NYC will hear … More DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit
We are receiving reports that the Trump administration will institute travel restrictions for approximately ten countries by Sunday, when the travel ban for six majority Muslim countries is set to expire. These reports come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in the Muslim and refugee ban case in a few weeks. This travel ban is … More Trumps Muslim Ban To Be Renewed to 10 Countries
Washington, DC— The leadership of the National Black Justice Coalition announced today that David J. Johns has assumed the role of Executive Director as of September 1, 2017. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer … More National Black Justice Coalition Names Executive Director
Campus Pride today releases its 2017 Shame List highlighting for the second year in a row a national listing of “The Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth.” Up from 102 campuses last year, the national listing includes 139 campuses that openly discriminate against LGBTQ youth in policies, programs and practices as documented on the site … More Campus Pride Releases Shame List of Worst Campuses for LGBTQ
New York, NY – Internationally acclaimed fashion model Teddy Quinlivan today shares with the world her authentic self, disclosing that she is transgender. Quinlivan makes this announcement for her own self-empowerment and as a call to action about the importance of transgender equality. “I want to help break the stigma of what it means to … More International Fashion Model Reveals She is Transgender and Intends to Advocate for Transgender Rights
The United States Justice Department, yet again reflected the known bigotry of its leadership, Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Should be no surprise that the man, Sessions, whose career has delivered / supported racist, homophobic and xenophobic commentary or policy, filed a brief today with the Supreme Court in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop … More Shameful US Justice Department Supports Discrimination Against LGBT America
The Post originally Appears on the Recorder: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Thursday that family members of those in the United States, including grandparents and children-in-law, are exempt from President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive order. The court on Thursday disagreed with the government’s argument that, under a June order … More Ninth Circuit Rules Grandparents Exempt From Trump’s Travel Ban
By Melanie Nathan, A Court reinstated custody to an ultra religious Jewish mother in Brooklyn, New York, The parent, an ex member of Hassidic Judaism, lost custody of her three children after coming out as a lesbian and finally regained her custody after more than two years of appeals. The Appeals Court ordered that Chavie … More Jewish Lesbian Mom Regains Custody of Children
OutRight Action International has launched a new report titled, ‘Arab Mass Media: A Monitoring Report Looking at Sexuality and Gender Identity in Arabic Media from 2014 to 2017.’ The report is available in both English and Arabic. The report monitors widespread local and national newspapers in 14 countries in the Arab region, radio, TV channels, … More Report Finds Arabic Media Perpetuates Homophobia Transphobia in Region
Victory! EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart Against TLDEF Client in North Carolina New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has secured a victory before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on behalf of a transgender woman who endured employment discrimination at a Sam’s Club store in Kannapolis, … More Victory as EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart in Transgender Case
Donald Trump on Friday formally ordered the Department of Defense to reverse a 2016 order allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the military. The formal policy document comes a month after Trump surprised the Pentagon when he announced in a series of July 26 tweets that he would reverse the Obama-era policy change. The … More Trump Levels Unprecedented Attack Against Transgender Troops
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Condemns Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today responded to reports that the White House is forwarding guidance to military officials that directs Defense Secretary James Mattis to implement policy within six months to cease all … More Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment Condemned
SACRAMENTO — On behalf of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 22 today condemning President Trump’s announcement that he will ban transgender individuals from serving in the military and directing the California military to not discriminate against transgender service members. “Trump’s decision to ban transgender people from … More California Legislative LGBT Caucus Introduces Resolution to Prevent Discrimination Against Transgender Service Members
“When asked if that approach was simply bringing more attention to the other side, Nathan replied, America has never confronted bigotry the way we need to. If it takes bringing attention to them, then let that be.” Article reblogged from CBS Channel 5 News: SEE TV Broadcast here. SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — Fear of … More Weighing in on San Francisco Patriot Prayer Rally at Crissy Field
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