Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender news and perspectives of LGBT community
But you can pay second installment of your property taxes before 2017 is done San Rafael, CA – The federal overhaul of the tax code has some Marin County residents asking the County’s tax collector if 2018 taxes can be paid in advance. Although the President of the United States had not signed the bill … More Marin County: Sorry, It’s Too Early to Pay 2018 Taxes
Responds to weeks of escalating pressure from immigrant youth in CA and Washington to pass the Dream Act California, Washington, D.C. – With less than two days remaining this year to pass the Dream Act, immigrant youth successfully pushed Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to commit to vote NO on any Continuing Resolution that does not … More BREAKING: Sen. Feinstein to Immigrant Youth: “No Continuing Resolution Without the Dream Act!”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A Pentagon memo proves that the Justice Department misled a federal court by claiming that the military is unprepared to accept transgender applicants on January 1st. The memo, whose subject is “Transgender Applicant Processing,” consists of a simple set of instructions for processing applications, and was distributed to commanders on December … More Pentagon Document Proves Justice Department Misinformed Federal Court about Transgender Ban
Short pictorial of my personal 2017 year in review… A most interesting variety of Heroes and Zeroes, from the President of the United States to a local Marin County lawyer – From Donald Trump to Mercedes Gavin – read on….. Reflecting on Last year: THIS IS WHAT I wrote in 2016 for the O-blog-dee-O-blog-da 2016 … More Heroes and Zeroes 2017
New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds an Oklahoma jury’s verdict today in favor of an English professor who was fired from from her teaching job on the basis of her sex. Dr. Rachel Tudor was denied tenure and terminated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma in 2011 after she … More TLDEF Applauds Oklahoma Jury’s Verdict in Favor of Wrongfully Fired English Professor
… even though for reasons having little to do with his homophobia – but at least there is hope for a future administration that would now be more likely to embrace equality like its neighboring South Africa” Melanie Nathan, African HRC. Like many Africans I am so happy to see Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe ditched by his … More Zimbabwe Ditches Homophobic Mugabe
“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
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COALITION, CALIFORNIA GROWERS ASSOCIATION AND CALIFORNIA MINORITY ALLIANCE FORM IMPORTANT COLLABORATION TO STRENGTHEN CANNABIS INDUSTRY’S GRASSROOTS AND PUBLIC POLICY EFFORTS IN CALIFORNIA Groups to Leverage Local and State Policy, Social Justice, Grassroots Organizing, Advocacy and Industry Expertise to Help Take California’s Cannabis Industry to Next Level LOS ANGELES—Southern California Coalition (SCC), the largest, … More Collaboration to Strengthen Cannabis Industry’s Efforts in California
By Human Rights Campaign Based on TLDEF’s Anti-Discrimination Cases Based on two successful proceedings brought by the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Walmart’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) rating has been suspended by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The CEI is a rating of LGBT equality at corporations … More Walmart Corporate Equality Index Rating Suspended
Join WOMEN’S MARCH SAN FRANCISCO on January 20th to march and rally in Civic Center San Francisco! More information on the day to come as we get closer to the event. On January 20, 2018, Women’s March San Francisco will unite along with multiple other cities in California to reaffirm our commitment to building a … More Women’s March is Up and Running January 20, 2018
Civil and Human Rights Coalition Criticizes Senate Judiciary Committee Approval of Ideological, Inexperienced Nominees WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee today voted, on a party-line basis, to advance the nominations of Gregory Katsas to the U.S. Court … More Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Ideological Inexperienced Nominees
Just last week, a block down from my home here in San Anselmo, Marin County, an enclave for liberal America, a place where every Jew ought to feel safe, a swastika appeared in the parking lot of Drake High School: One of many such incidents here in Marin County, since Trump became president of the … More Teen’s Account of Attending Trial of Nazi War Criminal
International Organization Hosts Event In U.S. On Eve Of Trump Visit To Vietnam New Orleans, La. ( Nov. 6, 2017) — The international group Justice for Lai Dai Han is hosting a U.S.-based event – on the eve of President Trump’s visit to Vietnam to speak at the APEC Summit – to raise awareness of … More Group Seeks Justice for Those Assaulted During Vietnam War
In a landmark address, the United Nation’s first-ever independent expert investigating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity warned that LGBTQ people around the world are facing mounting human rights violations. Speaking before the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, Vitit Muntarbhorn, whose position was created last June, presented his full report on the global … More United Nations Human Rights Address warns of Mounting LGBTQI Human Rights Violations
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
New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief to the United States Supreme Court in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, spotlighting the immense need for public accommodations laws that protect more than two million people in our nation who identify … More Serious Harm to Transgender People if Supreme Court Sides with Bakery Owner Challenging Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Law
New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds news that a federal court in the District of Columbia has blocked enforcement of the Trump Administration’s transgender military ban. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a preliminary injunction today. Earlier this month TLDEF filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief with the federal court in Washington, D.C. … More TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban
Yet another Donald Trump Executive Order is failing miserably: CNN is reporting that a federal judge in Washington blocked the Trump administration Monday from enforcing parts of its transgender military ban. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly held that the plaintiffs: “have established that they will be injured by these directives, due both to the inherent inequality they … More Judge Blocks Trump Transgender Military Ban
“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
New delivery-only retail ordinance goes before Supervisors November 14 San Rafael, CA – More than two months after the County of Marin introduced a revised draft ordinance for delivery-only medical cannabis licensing for public review, the time for a formal vote is approaching. First, the Marin County Board of Supervisors would need to approve the … More Marin County BOS to Consider Licensing for Medicinal Cannabis
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.
IAAB v. Trump Team Praises Ruling Blocking Muslim Ban 3.0 Washington, DC – Early this morning, Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a ruling in Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) v. Trump, blocking the Trump administration from implementing Muslim Ban 3.0, which was scheduled to go … More Another Ruling Blocking Muslim Ban 3.0
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
A federal judge has blocked Trump’s Third faulty Executive Order from being implemented. Today’s ruling in Hawaii v. Trump. This is likely to be appealed. Judge Derrick K. Watson in Hawaii decision means that the administration cannot restrict the entry of travelers from six of the eight countries that officials said were either unable or … More Trumps Third Attempt at Muslim Travel Ban Fails with Federal Court Block
Marin Exhibit Hall Center shelter remains open; donations still not needed San Rafael, CA (2:45 PM)– The Marin County Office of Emergency Services and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continue to operate a temporary shelter for North Bay wildfire evacuees at Marin Center Exhibit Hall at 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. … More Information on Marin County Wildfire Relief Coordination
Our Congressman Jared Huffman was set to have his annual political fundraiser this week- and has so kindly turned it into a fundraiser for Fire Victims – THANK you! Statement: “This is no time for politics or political fundraising. It is a time to help our neighbors in need, and that’s what we’ve decided to … More Congressman Huffman Annual Political Fundraiser will be Fire Victim Fund Relief
New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center announced that it is sending an emergency medical response team to provide medical relief to Puerto Rico as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort. The team is comprised of Spanish-speaking medical providers and nurses with experience in emergency response, and will be … More Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Sending Emergency Medical Team to Aid in Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico
In honor of Mom – by Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2017. (20 Tishrei 5778) The last time I wrote about my late mom, Professor Carmen Nathan was 5 years ago. On this night of her Yartzheit,* as I memorialize her extraordinary life again, two of my Facebook posts meet eye to eye: Mom was ahead … More Harvey Weinstein Triggers A Yartzheit Pact
SEE MOST RECENT UPDATES AT END OF POSTRe PETS SEE BELOW. Updated Tuesday 10th: Searching for loved one got to SafeandWell.org. What a family needs after a fire: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/list-things-family-needs-after-house-fire-41747.html UPDATED ALERT at 3.00 PM Mon 9th Oct: Queen of the Valley hospital in Napa is trying to reach all on call physicians and nurses. Due to the … More North Bay Fire Storm – Information for Marin, Sonoma, Napa
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