Category: U.S.A.

LGBT News

Push for California to pass State Funded Travel Ban to North Carolina

March 31, 2016

 Call to Action Ask California State representatives to Pass North Carolina Travel Ban Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have asked the state of California to stand up to these attacks. Assembly Bill 1887, authored by Asm. Evan Low, (D-Campbell), is pending before the California Assembly. It would ban state-funded travel by … More Push for California to pass State Funded Travel Ban to North Carolina

Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

March 30, 2016

PLEASE rally to demand  Justice for Transgender murder victim Islan Nettles New York, NY — Everything Transgender in NYC (ETNYC) is calling on advocates and activists for transgender justice and allies in the greater New York City area to rally at the courthouse for Islan Nettles, tomorrow, Thursday March 31, 2016 at 9 a.m. Last year … More Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

Five Reasons why LGBT Activists Endorse Tammy Duckworth

March 28, 2016

Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth is running against incumbent Republican Senator Mark Kirk, to represent Illinois in the United States Senate.  In the face of a senseless endorsement of the Republican by a prominent LGBT organization, leaders and activists have expressed outrage, and are now calling for the support of Representative Duckworth. Following her career as … More Five Reasons why LGBT Activists Endorse Tammy Duckworth

World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

March 26, 2016

The World Congress of GLBT Jews, with Bet Mishpachah and GLOE as co-hosts are holding a Shabbaton in Washington DC, at the DC Jewish Community Center, next month from April 8th to April 10th. The Program and contact information is detailed below. The World Congress is a networking resource for LGBTQ Jews from around the … More World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

TLDEF Condemns North Carolina Anti-Trans Student Law

March 24, 2016

North Carolina Law Strikes Down LGBT Protections, becoming First State to Exclude Transgender Students from School Bathrooms and Locker Rooms New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) condemns a new law passed by North Carolina lawmakers and signed by Governor Pat McCrory, which will ban transgender students in schools and all transgender … More TLDEF Condemns North Carolina Anti-Trans Student Law

Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

March 17, 2016

New York- The man accused of fatally beating Islan Nettles, a 21 year old transgender woman, turned down a plea deal today in a Manhattan criminal court, and will now face a jury trial scheduled for March 30, 2016. Judge Robert Stolz offered James Dixon only 12 years behind bars in exchange for pleading guilty … More Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

Pope Fires Vatican Ambassador Who Stirred Kim Davis Controversy

March 17, 2016

Do you recall the Pope’s visit to the United States and the huge yarn that Kim Davis legal team spun around her so called “meeting” with the Pope, in a manner that attempted to convey the Pope’s ‘support’ for Davis’s refusal to do her job to marry people equally, as a County employee?  Well the … More Pope Fires Vatican Ambassador Who Stirred Kim Davis Controversy

ACT UP AIDS Activist’s Letter To Hillary Clinton

March 12, 2016

” I have been fighting for my life since Reagan was in office. I remember the conversation about AIDS Nancy Reagan started–I remember the dark black wind of nothingness,” Matt Ebert Democratic candidate for the United States presidency, former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton praised Nancy Reagan for “starting the conversation … More ACT UP AIDS Activist’s Letter To Hillary Clinton

California State Senator Speaks out Against Reagan on AIDS

March 11, 2016

In an interview conducted at Nancy Reagan’s funeral today, Hillary Clinton praised her for “starting the conversation on AIDS” and then later, after an outcry by the Gay community, retracted her comment, saying she misspoke. Today we are reminded that some of our politicians have stood up against those who wish to the rewrite history … More California State Senator Speaks out Against Reagan on AIDS

Racist Vandalism at San Leandro Unified School District

March 8, 2016

On Monday morning of this week, employees of the San Leandro Unified School District apparently  arrived at work to see a disgusting and frightening display of racism, hate and bigotry. I am not sure if this was reported to police or FBI, but it seems a source is concerned that nothing is going to be … More Racist Vandalism at San Leandro Unified School District

Florida House & Senate Avert Disaster of Expanded Pastor Protection Bill

March 2, 2016

Legislature to clarify controversial measure and simply reaffirm current law

Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 8.35.45 AMTallahassee – Avoiding the disastrous route of their Georgia colleagues, the Florida House of Representatives today is expected to pass an amended version of the so-called Pastor Protection bill (HB 43) to limit its scope and send the message that controversial amendments allowing discrimination would not be entertained.

The bill had been widely criticized as a vaguely worded and unnecessary duplication of existing laws that served as a Trojan Horse for more nefarious measures to be added. That was the route Georgia lawmakers took by amending their pastor protection bill last month to allow any individual or faith-based business, for-profit entity, or taxpayer-funded organization to ignore nondiscrimination protections or any law that conflicts with their religious beliefs about marriage. The state is roiling from the public outrage and the economic backlash that has been strong enough to draw the threat of a veto from the Georgia governor. … More Florida House & Senate Avert Disaster of Expanded Pastor Protection Bill

TLDEF Applauds SD Governor for Vetoing Bill That Targeted Transgender Students for Discrimination

March 1, 2016

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard for vetoing a bill that would have singled out transgender students for discrimination by prohibiting them from using bathrooms and locker rooms that match who they are as boys and girls. In February, South Dakota lawmakers passed House Bill 1008. The bill would have restricted facility access to students of the “same biological sex,” and defined that to mean “the physical condition of being male or female as determined by a person’s chromosomes and identified at birth by a person’s anatomy.”

Last week the governor met with transgender students who explained how harmful it would be to their health and well being to deny them use of bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with who they are. Thousands of activists across the nation joined them in urging the Governor to reject the legislation. Today the Governor did just that. Had the bill been enacted, it would have been the first law in the nation targeting transgender students for bias. … More TLDEF Applauds SD Governor for Vetoing Bill That Targeted Transgender Students for Discrimination

San Francisco Pride to Hold Forum on African American LGBTQI Contributions

February 26, 2016

San Francisco Pride is pleased to announce the first in a series of forums to explore and elucidate the 2016 San Francisco Pride theme, “For Racial and Economic Justice.”

The forum, African American Contributions to LGBTQI Culture in the American Experience, will be held at 6:30 PM, immediately following the 6:00 PM San Francisco Pride monthly membership meeting, where members will vote for one of the 2016 SF Pride community grand marshals. … More San Francisco Pride to Hold Forum on African American LGBTQI Contributions

Equality California Endorses 10 Pro-Equality Candidates for State and Federal Office

February 24, 2016

Los Angeles — Equality California today announced the endorsements of 10 strong LGBT allies for office in Congress and the California Legislature. “These candidates represent the length and breadth of the state and come from a variety of backgrounds and experience,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California.  “However, they share a commitment to … More Equality California Endorses 10 Pro-Equality Candidates for State and Federal Office

California Legislation Introduced to Increase Transparency in Law Enforcement Records

February 19, 2016

“We are still at the back of the bus in areas of criminal justice” said Alice A. Huffman, president of the California-Hawaii State Conference of NAACP. “Every day we are still being victimized. Police misconduct and racial injustice is at an all-time high in our country and one has to wonder just what did the civil rights movement accomplish. That’s why the California-Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP stands with Senator Leno on this very timely bill to ensure that the veil of secrecy on inappropriate behavior among law enforcement personnel, who have a sworn duty to protect and serve all citizens, will be lifted.” … More California Legislation Introduced to Increase Transparency in Law Enforcement Records

GSA Day for Racial Justice

February 19, 2016

LGBTQ youth are taking action today–GSA Day for Racial Justice–to fight for our future and celebrate the multiple identities we hold. GSA Day for Racial Justice is more than just a day of action. It has become a movement of LGBT youth who are fighting to end state violence against black lives, who educate each other on sexual health and wellness, and who understand that gender is a social construct that limits people in all races and ethnicities. … More GSA Day for Racial Justice

Sacramento Equality Awards to Honor Members of the LGBT Community

February 12, 2016

Sacramento – Equality California will honor Assemblymember Rich Gordon, Mario Guerrero of SEIU, Executive Secretary to Governor Brown Nancy McFadden, and Dana Williamson, former cabinet secretary to Governor Brown and principal of Grace Public Affairs, for their steadfast support of the LGBT community. This year’s Sacramento Equality Awards will take place Monday, March 7, 2016 at … More Sacramento Equality Awards to Honor Members of the LGBT Community

Five State Senators Kill Basic Protections for LGBT Floridians

February 9, 2016

Today five Senators killed a bill that would have provided basic protections for Floridians regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. By Melanie Nathan, Feb 09, 2016.A motion to reconsider a contentious bill banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people failed in a Senate panel Tuesday, signaling its virtual demise for the 2016 Legislative … More Five State Senators Kill Basic Protections for LGBT Floridians

Housing Discrimination Laws Invoked by LGBT at similar rate to POC and Women

February 9, 2016

New Study: LGBT people, people of color and women use housing non-discrimination laws at similar rates Posted by Melanie Nathan, Feb 09, 2016. LGBT people file housing discrimination complaints based on sexual orientation and gender identity as frequently as people of color and women file complaints based on race and sex, according to a new analysis … More Housing Discrimination Laws Invoked by LGBT at similar rate to POC and Women

Florida Historic First Hearing on LGBT Nondiscrimination

February 4, 2016

The Florida Competitive Workforce Act enjoys bipartisan support Posted by Melanie Nathan,  Feb 04, 2016. The Florida Competitive Workforce Act (HB 45/SB 120) will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee next Monday, February 8th at 1:30 PM. The meeting will be held in Room 110 of the Senate Office Building.  “This is a huge … More Florida Historic First Hearing on LGBT Nondiscrimination

FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

February 3, 2016

Senate Judiciary Committee has stated support for expanding the bill Posted by Melanie Nathan, February 03, 2016. The dangerous and so-called Pastor Protection Act (HB 43/SB 110) is scheduled for its last vote before reaching the House Floor in the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow morning at 9:00a.m. The bill passed through its first Senate committee … More FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

Will LGBTQ Task Force Survive The Creating Change Controversy Financially

January 26, 2016

By Melanie Nathan, January 26, 2016. When the National LGBTQ Task Force found itself in the midst of an Anti-Semitic tempest, at their Creating Change Conference this week,  San Francisco activist and blogger Michael Petrelis was curious about the organizations financial health and so he explored.  It seems its heading for change, perhaps downhill!  Carrying … More Will LGBTQ Task Force Survive The Creating Change Controversy Financially

LGBT Protesters at Creating Change Call for the Destruction of Israel

January 23, 2016

Has Creating Change taken on a New Meaning: Does that Change involve LGBTQ America Supporting Anti Semitism? By Melanie Nathan, January 21, 2016. This week will go down in history as one of the saddest and most destructive, ever, in the lives of LGBTQ Jews.  We became the target of antisemitism disguised as protesting alleged … More LGBT Protesters at Creating Change Call for the Destruction of Israel

Famed LGBT Voices Blast Task Force For Banning Jewish Event from Creating Change Conference

January 18, 2016

The Hypocrisy of Rea Carey and the LGBT Task Force : “Our vision for the future of the movement is one that is broad, inclusive and dynamic” – and yet they ban a pre-arranged and once accepted  Jewish event within days of the Conference. See Call to Action below! By Melanie Nathan, January 18, 2016. … More Famed LGBT Voices Blast Task Force For Banning Jewish Event from Creating Change Conference

HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

January 14, 2016

Transgender activists, Trans Community and all who care please take note of this call to action by the Federal Government and leading organizations! Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a new regulation that it is considering adopting, one that would, for the first … More HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

January 14, 2016

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016 Lambda Legal today filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a Boulder County property owner who violated the federal Fair Housing Act and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to rent a housing unit she owns in Gold Hill, Colorado, to a same-sex couple, one of whom is transgender, … More Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family