Category: NEWS

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender news and perspectives of LGBT community

Take Action to Stop Alabama Bill that will hurt LGBT Families

March 15, 2017

The deceptively-named “Alabama Child Placing Agency Inclusion Act” will be debated in the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday, March 17, and we need your help to stop it. This bill would allow allow state-licensed, religiously-affiliated foster and adoption placing agencies to deny placements with individuals and families with whom they have a religious dispute … More Take Action to Stop Alabama Bill that will hurt LGBT Families

Bianca Jagger leads Saudi petition hand-in to UK Prime Minister

March 15, 2017

The 159,000 signatures petitions the UK to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia , Protests Yemen war & the jailing of Raif Badawi & other political prisoners  Bianca Jagger, Peter Tatchell and Baroness Jenny Jones led the hand-in of a 159,000-signature petition to the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Theresa May, at 10 Downing Street today Wednesday, … More Bianca Jagger leads Saudi petition hand-in to UK Prime Minister

US Gvt Appoints Hate Group Reps to Annual Women’s Rights Meeting at United Nations

March 15, 2017

On Monday, the United States Department of State announced that its official delegation to the 61st annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) includes representatives of two organizations known to oppose the UN human rights system, LGBTIQ rights, and women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. Included were the representatives from  the Center … More US Gvt Appoints Hate Group Reps to Annual Women’s Rights Meeting at United Nations

Marin Youth Still Targeted by Tobacco, Alcohol Ads

March 8, 2017

Statewide survey shows addictive products edge out healthy alternatives San Rafael, CA – A statewide review of tobacco, alcohol and food products in community stores shows unhealthy products edge out healthier ones, and Marin retailers near schools sell addictive products aimed at youths. “Healthy retail is an important part of community health,” said Dr. Matt … More Marin Youth Still Targeted by Tobacco, Alcohol Ads

African HRC Issues Press Statement as Trump ‘s Anti Refugee Order Hurts LGBTI Refugees

March 6, 2017

Below is the Statement at African Human Rights Coalition on Trump’s new anti Refugee Order and Muslim Ban.  I am noticing that few to none news outlets are speaking out about the impact of the Trump Executive Order on LGBTI refugees – calling it ONLY a Muslim Ban. We speak out against the Muslim Ban as well as … More African HRC Issues Press Statement as Trump ‘s Anti Refugee Order Hurts LGBTI Refugees

TLDEF Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Send Gavin Grimm’s Case Back to Fourth Circuit

March 6, 2017

New York, NY- Today, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund responded to news that the United States Supreme Court has sent the case of Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board back to the Fourth US Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court also vacated the Fourth Circuit’s previous decision in favor of Gavin Grimm. Grimm … More TLDEF Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Send Gavin Grimm’s Case Back to Fourth Circuit

Supreme Court Sends Historic Transgender Equality Case Back to Lower Court 

March 6, 2017

Order follows Trump administration’s withdrawal of nonbinding federal guidance on how to protect transgender student WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Supreme Court announced that it will not hear G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board, the historic transgender equality case on behalf of a Virginia transgender boy named Gavin Grimm. In light of President Trump’s decision to … More Supreme Court Sends Historic Transgender Equality Case Back to Lower Court 

Transgender Americans Voice Support for Gavin Grimm as His Landmark Title IX Discrimination Case Heads to The Supreme Court

March 2, 2017

TLDEF Brief Spotlights Positive Contributions of Transgender Americans and Harms of Denying them Basic Freedoms that Allow Full Participation in Society New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed a friend-of-the court brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of Gavin Grimm. Grimm is a transgender 17-year-old from Virginia who is challenging the … More Transgender Americans Voice Support for Gavin Grimm as His Landmark Title IX Discrimination Case Heads to The Supreme Court

California LGBT Caucus Chair Comments on Trump Admin Reversal of Transgender Protections

February 22, 2017

School Districts Must Still Comply or Risk Being Sued SACRAMENTO—Chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s recent reversal of transgender bathroom protections. “President Trump’s unrelenting assault on the LGBT community is shameful. This latest directive singles out transgender youth and proves that … More California LGBT Caucus Chair Comments on Trump Admin Reversal of Transgender Protections

Voting Opens for San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal

February 20, 2017

It is time to cast your vote for the San Francisco Pride 2017 Community Grand Marshals! Annually, the general public votes for both an individual and an organization to be honored at the parade and celebration, which is held on the last weekend in June. Voting is live and will continue until 12:00 Noon on … More Voting Opens for San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal

Kenyan Court Compels Trans Name Changes

February 15, 2017

The Kenyan Court has handed down a compulsion order, requiring the Principal Registrar of Persons to change the names in the identification documents for five transgender individuals in Kenya. The Principal Registrar of Persons has 21 days to effect the name changes in the national identification cards. A lawyer representing the trans clients told Justice George Odunga … More Kenyan Court Compels Trans Name Changes

Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

February 14, 2017

WASHINGTON – More than 140 artists and entertainers from across the country released a letter today urging Texas lawmakers to reject SB 6 and other bills currently pending in the legislature that would make it easier to discriminate against LGBT people. Equality Texas, GLAAD and the Ally Coalition released the letter, and signatories include Sting, Connie … More Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

Court Decision Allows LGBTQ Refugees to Continue Entering U.S.

February 11, 2017

Quoting the NBC Article by Julie Compton: African LGBTQ refugees hoping to come to the United States got the news they had hoped for Thursday night — they would not have to remain in countries where they face persecution or even death. The news came after a three-judge federal appeals court panel refused to reinstate President … More Court Decision Allows LGBTQ Refugees to Continue Entering U.S.

Surgery Today for Precedent-Setting Transgender Former Inmate

February 10, 2017

Formerly Incarcerated, Michelle-Lael Norsworthy, Scheduled for Surgery Today, February 10 San Francisco, Calif. (February 10, 2017) – Michelle-Lael Norsworthy, most notably known for setting a precedent that the state of California needs to provide gender reassignment surgery for trans inmates, is finally undergoing her surgery today, February 10. In April 2015, in the landmark decision … More Surgery Today for Precedent-Setting Transgender Former Inmate

Marin Supervisors Ban Recreational Cannabis

February 7, 2017

Board of Supervisors opts for local control on business activities –  San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on February 7 to ban non-medical cannabis business activities in unincorporated areas. “Our primary focus is to consider medical cannabis dispensaries over the next few months,” said Board President Judy Arnold. “Banning nonmedical cannabis … More Marin Supervisors Ban Recreational Cannabis

African Human Rights Coalition Advocates Against Trump Ban

February 6, 2017

February 6, 2017 Some LGBTI refugees in Africa, who were scheduled to travel under the United States Refugee Resettlement program had their travel plans revoked last week under Trump’s illicit Executive Order which suspended the refugee program.  Now several have been rescheduled for travel this week,  with thanks to the court order halting Trump’s ban/ suspension and … More African Human Rights Coalition Advocates Against Trump Ban

SCOTUS Sets Oral Argument in Historic Transgender Rights Case

February 3, 2017

Today the Supreme Court announced that it will hear oral argument in G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board on March 28. The case is being brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a Virginia transgender boy named Gavin Grimm. Grimm is challenging a policy in his local school district that singles out transgender students for … More SCOTUS Sets Oral Argument in Historic Transgender Rights Case

The Anti LGBT Order Being Considered by Trump

February 2, 2017

This executive Order is apparently under consideration by  the Trump administration and it would allow discrimination against LGBT people Order Could Impact Hundreds of Thousands of LGBT People, Including Tens of Thousands of LGBT Youth in Foster Care and Same-Sex Couples Seeking to Foster or Adopt President Trump is considering issuing an executive order that provides … More The Anti LGBT Order Being Considered by Trump

LGBT Record of Trump SCOTUS Nominee Gorsuch

January 31, 2017

With many thanks to the Williams Institute at UCLA LAw School, we examine the LGBT Record of Supreme Court Nominee, Scalia like,  Neil Gorsuch: Today, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. … More LGBT Record of Trump SCOTUS Nominee Gorsuch

The Shocking Incendiary Press Statement Firing Sally Yates

January 31, 2017

What you are about to read will blow your mind. Here is the language  Donald Trump used to announce the firing of Sally Yates, an Obama appointee who has been the acting United States Attorney General, pending the  Trump nominee confirmation for the position. To use the word “betrayal” and to slam Yates as ” weak on illegal immigration” is … More The Shocking Incendiary Press Statement Firing Sally Yates

Californians Demand Senators Feinstein And Harris Oppose Any Trump SCOTUS Nominee

January 31, 2017

Californians Demand Sens. Feinstein And Harris Oppose Any Trump Supreme Court Nominee And Use Every Tool Available To Reject The Pick Thousands Join Courage Campaign in Urging California Democrats to “Just. Say. No.” CALIFORNIA — A new petition from the California-based Courage Campaign is calling on the state’s Senators — Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris … More Californians Demand Senators Feinstein And Harris Oppose Any Trump SCOTUS Nominee

Trump Ban Challenged as Refugees Detained by the United States

January 28, 2017

Today the U.S. Government put its ban on Muslim refugees into action by detaining two Iraqis as they landed in the United States. Included is a contractor serving in a trusted position for the U.S. military in Iraq. According to the ACLU, lawyers for the two Iraqis who had been granted visas to enter the United States … More Trump Ban Challenged as Refugees Detained by the United States

Update on Alleged Immigration Raids in the San Francisco Mission

January 27, 2017

Know your rights Today people have expressed concern about possible ICE raids in the Mission, San Francisco . We have been informed that this was not a general  Immigration and Customs  Enforcement raid but a specific search for two individuals. Activists report that ICE agents came to Good Samaritan Apartments in the Mission in San … More Update on Alleged Immigration Raids in the San Francisco Mission

Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice

January 27, 2017

I Googled my late mother, Professor Carmen Nathan, who died many years before social media and Internet was really happening, (1990).  I came upon an honor bestowed upon her by the South African government in 2014 when they celebrated 20 years of the new SA constitution. I never knew about this until I found this and … More Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice