Category: U.S.A.

LGBT News

Coronavirus – Marin Proclaims Health Local Emergencies Increasing Eligibility

March 3, 2020

Proactive move increases eligibility for COVID-19 cost reimbursement The County of Marin is taking steps to proclaim a local health emergency and a local state of emergency to prepare for impacts associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that has raised concerns worldwide. San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services … More Coronavirus – Marin Proclaims Health Local Emergencies Increasing Eligibility

Coronavirus Patient from Travis Isolated at Marin Hospital

February 27, 2020

Marin assists in regional response to evacuees; No cases have been identified in Marin San Rafael, CA – Marin County Health and Human Services today confirmed the transfer of one patient with laboratory-confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Travis Air Force Base in Solano County to a Marin County hospital. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control … More Coronavirus Patient from Travis Isolated at Marin Hospital

LGBTQI Leaders on Panel at Commonwealth Club: Picking the Democratic Presidential Candidate

February 19, 2020

With thanks to host Michelle Meow, famed Bay Area LGBTQI producer and TV show host, Commonwealth Club of San Francisco is platforming a discussion involving member of San Francisco’s LGBTQI community. This promises to be a robust discussion. Check it out.   Oh yes and I am on the panel too! My position may surprise … More LGBTQI Leaders on Panel at Commonwealth Club: Picking the Democratic Presidential Candidate

Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

February 4, 2020

Federal District Judge Deborah A Batts, the first openly lesbian federal judge when she was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by President Bill Clinton in in 1994, died Sunday at the age of 72. She was currently overseeing a case against celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti over allegations … More Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

Jan Falk Therapist – Is this Anti Semitism Within our Ranks

December 21, 2019

QUESTION:  what if she were asked as an expert witness in her family law custody mediation expert testimony practice to testify in court for or against an Israeli Plaintiff or Defendant? Facebook, the social media platform is that oddity that brings us humans together in cause, kinship, and opinions. Often opinions differ. Often we fail … More Jan Falk Therapist – Is this Anti Semitism Within our Ranks

African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

December 11, 2019

While in general I am  pleased that we are covering some serious issues, make sure manner and implementation is not imposing – Melanie Nathan of African Human Rights Coalition  is urging caution on LGBTQI Global Rights – Melanie Nathan The Washington Blade Notes: “Three U.S. senators on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require the … More African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

COURT UPHOLDS DECISION ON REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA

December 3, 2019

Monument was Removed from Courthouse Circle in Chatham County CHATHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is celebrating a North Carolina court’s decision to dismiss the United Daughters of the Confederacy’s (UDC) lawsuit to stop Chatham County from removing the Confederate monument from the courthouse circle in Pittsboro. The monument … More COURT UPHOLDS DECISION ON REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA

Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

December 1, 2019

TWO men who were caught having sex at a lodge in Kapiri Mposhi in 2017 have been sentenced by the High Court in Lusaka, Zambia to 15 years imprisonment. Japhet Chataba, 28, a carpenter of Ndeke Township, and Steven Samba, of Kasenshi in Kapiri Mposhi. The Judge ruled that the men had committed an “act against … More Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

Refugee Agencies Sue Trump Over Executive Order

November 21, 2019

Today HIAS,  Church World Service (CWS), and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), took Donald Trump to court over his recent executive order giving state and local officials authority to block refugee resettlement in their jurisdictions. These agencies are suing the administration because it is attempting to enact a state-by-state, city-by-city refugee ban. “It was not … More Refugee Agencies Sue Trump Over Executive Order

Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

November 21, 2019

The  Refugee Protection Act (RPA) of 2019, led by Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Zoe Lofgren and cosponsored by more than two dozen members of Congress seeks to restore justice to the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems and revive our country’s founding commitment to offer safe haven for those fleeing persecution.  Congress must support … More Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit 2019 Platforms in Disgrace

October 22, 2019

If you are a ‘Most Powerful Women’ then show us who you truly are! Follow the example of the award-winning filmmaker dream hampton!  Upon hearing that Kirstjen Nielsen, Trump’s former Department of Homeland Security secretary who oversaw the caging of children and separation of families, is being given a platform at this month’s Most Powerful Women … More FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit 2019 Platforms in Disgrace

Amicus Briefs Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights

October 10, 2019

Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights By Jocelyn Samuels The Supreme Court will soon decide whether it’s legal for an employer to fire a gay man because the employer disapproves of his sexual orientation, or to refuse to hire a trans woman because the employer is uncomfortable with her gender identity. … More Amicus Briefs Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights

Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s Jewish New Year Message

September 22, 2019

Rosh Hashanah Walking Together in the New Year By Congressman Jerrold Nadler As we join with family and friends and prepare for the Jewish New Year, let us allow the shofar to call us to unity—and to action. Let the call of the shofar remind us that we must hold fast to our Jewish values … More Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s Jewish New Year Message

Victims of Transphobic and Homophobic Attack Speak Out

September 16, 2019

Attorney Lisa Bloom, of the famed civil rights law firm, The Bloom Firm, has taken on the case of four members of the transgender and gay community who were attacked at Las Perlas, a Los Angeles venue. Bloom noted the courage of her clients as well as her pride in taking on the case. She … More Victims of Transphobic and Homophobic Attack Speak Out

LGBTQ Military Updates

September 5, 2019

This from The Modern Military Association of America: The voice of the LGBTQ military and veteran community: “Your own actions…do not reflect the action of your words”  – A transgender Naval officer had a sharp response to former Secretary Mattis’ recent Wall Street Journal essay.  Find out why he found it “well written, true, piercing and full of hypocrisy.” … More LGBTQ Military Updates

CFI Hosts Educational and Community Screening in Marin of Award Winning Documentary UNSETTLED

September 4, 2019

Dear Friends, African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC) is proud to announce its partnership with California Film Institute (CFI) for the upcoming free community impact and educational screening of the award-winning feature documentary Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America, in Marin County, California. You are invited to the screening! Bay Area filmmaker Tom Shepard’s powerful new documentary tells the untold stories … More CFI Hosts Educational and Community Screening in Marin of Award Winning Documentary UNSETTLED

Join the Choral Protest in San Francisco to be led by CLOSE THE CAMPS CHOIR

September 4, 2019

“Last week, I awoke from a dream where I saw thousands of singers filling up a park, raising their voices against injustice. Now I am working to make that happen.  Please join Close the Camps Choir on Sunday September 15 at the Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco, from 3.00-5.00 PM and add your voice to our chorus!”  It literally … More Join the Choral Protest in San Francisco to be led by CLOSE THE CAMPS CHOIR

Lawsuit against Steuben County alleges Jail Violates Rights of Transgender People 

August 22, 2019

BATH, NY – The New York Civil Liberties Union, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, and the law firm BakerHostetler filed a lawsuit yesterday against Steuben County, the Steuben County Sheriff, and several officials and employees at the Steuben County Jail on behalf of a transgender woman whom jail officials housed in a men’s facility … More Lawsuit against Steuben County alleges Jail Violates Rights of Transgender People 

Report Exposes Global Reach of So-Called Conversion Therapy

August 22, 2019

A groundbreaking report released by OutRight Action International today exposes the global reach of so-called conversion therapy. Drawing on data from survey results with almost 500 respondents from 80 countries, and in-depth interviews with experts and survivors from more than a dozen countries, the report overwhelmingly shows that so-called conversion therapy efforts occur across the … More Report Exposes Global Reach of So-Called Conversion Therapy

Trump Speaks his Anti-Semite Truth in his attacks on Omar, Tlaib and Democrats

August 20, 2019

And An Ode to Trump’s Disloyalty, By A Jew: Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office today, while meeting with the President of Romania, Donald Trump was asked about his criticisms of Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who were barred from entering Israel last week due to their support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions … More Trump Speaks his Anti-Semite Truth in his attacks on Omar, Tlaib and Democrats

Trump HUD Rule Would Weaken Protections for Fair Housing Victims

August 19, 2019

Trump Administration Proposes Changes to HUD Rule that Would Weaken Protections for Fair Housing Victims and Foreshadows Wide-ranging Consequences  San Rafael, August 19, 2019 – The Trump administration seeks to gut one of the Act’s critical tools: the Disparate Impact rule. The Fair Housing Act prohibits both intentional discrimination as well as the application of … More Trump HUD Rule Would Weaken Protections for Fair Housing Victims

Despicable Trump Anti-LGBT Anti-Women Labor Discrimination Rule up for Public Comment

August 14, 2019

The Trump administration is attempting to legitimate workplace discrimination against LGBTQ employees and other vulnerable people, to include unmarried pregnant women, after the Labor Department unveiled a rule that would allow federal contractors to cite religious beliefs to protect themselves from bias claims. The rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, … More Despicable Trump Anti-LGBT Anti-Women Labor Discrimination Rule up for Public Comment

Bringing STRAIGHT Money Talk by Suze Orman to GAY (LGBTQ) Journalist Convention

August 8, 2019

Last Day for NLGJA Convention Advance Registration Rate – NLGJA Convention Event of the Week:  Straight Money Talk with Suze Orman: NLGJA’s 2019 National Convention in New Orleans is coming up fast! Each week from now until the convention, NLGJA will be featuring one of the outstanding activities that will be offered throughout the Convention. Be sure … More Bringing STRAIGHT Money Talk by Suze Orman to GAY (LGBTQ) Journalist Convention

SoulCycle, Equinox and Ross Statements exacerbate Call for Boycott

August 8, 2019

On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that real estate developer and investor Stephen Ross is hosting a fundraising luncheon for Trump’s reelection campaign at his Southampton, New York, home on Friday. Ross is the founder and chairman of the real estate firm Related Companies, which is the financial force behind Hudson Yards, Equinox Fitness Clubs, … More SoulCycle, Equinox and Ross Statements exacerbate Call for Boycott

Tom Shepard’s UNSETTLED Wins Prestigious OUTFEST, Los Angeles Award

August 2, 2019

With special thanks to the featured asylum seekers and refugees Mari, Cheyenne, Junior and Subhi, for having the courage and fortitude to tell your stories before you had barely landed! Dear Friends, This week I had the great honor of accepting the OUTFEST Los Angeles 2019 juried Best Feature Documentary award for the Film UNSETTLED … More Tom Shepard’s UNSETTLED Wins Prestigious OUTFEST, Los Angeles Award

Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

July 12, 2019

After postponing last month’s planned immigration sweep, the Trump Administration is now preparing to launch a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across major U.S. cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco. These raids, which are scheduled to commence on Sunday, will harm … More Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

Navigating the new landscape of LGBTQ divorce for Lawyers and Therapists

June 27, 2019

A new book by Adam Romero, the Williams Institute’s Arnold D. Kassoy Scholar of Law and federal policy director, and Abbie Goldberg, a former Williams Institute visiting scholar and professor of psychology at Clark University, provides a comprehensive resource for navigating the new world of LGBTQ relationship dissolution. The right to marry means same-sex couples have gained … More Navigating the new landscape of LGBTQ divorce for Lawyers and Therapists

I am Named for Excellence in Blogging Award as NLGJA Announces 2019 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients 

June 19, 2019

I am so honored to be named for the Excellence in Blogging Award: Melanie Nathan for “LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya,” www.oblogdee.blog   and congratulations to all the award recipients with thanks for the important work. This is truly an honor, and most especially because it recognizes the subject matter which I … More I am Named for Excellence in Blogging Award as NLGJA Announces 2019 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients 

No Place for Kacsmaryk’s Bigotry on the Federal Bench

June 18, 2019

The Senate voted today to move forward with confirming Matthew Kacsmaryk to be a lifetime federal judge, despite strong protests from Democrats ― and one Republican ― over his record of opposition to LGBT rights and abortion rights. The Senate voted 52-44 on a procedural step to advance Kacsmaryk’s nomination to the U.S. District Court … More No Place for Kacsmaryk’s Bigotry on the Federal Bench