Category: U.S.A.

LGBT News

Marin Ranks as Healthiest County in California Amidst Glaring Disparities

March 14, 2018

Marin Regains Ranking as Healthiest County in State – As Work remains for local officials to address health disparities and substance misuse San Rafael, CA – For the eighth time, Marin has been ranked the healthiest county in California by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The 2018 County Health Rankingssurveys more than 3,000 counties to measure … More Marin Ranks as Healthiest County in California Amidst Glaring Disparities

Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein

February 26, 2018

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

Withdrawal of Anti-Muslim North Dakota Senate Candidate

February 13, 2018

Washington, DC – Republican Gary Emineth has withdrawn today from the North Dakota senatorial race. This comes after a recent report from CNN regarding a pre-campaign tweet calling for “no more mosques in America.” When questioned in a radio interview, he doubled-down, stating “the bottom line is, a lot of the radicalization that’s turned on … More Withdrawal of Anti-Muslim North Dakota Senate Candidate

Marin County Considers New Rules for Short Term Rentals

February 8, 2018

New Short-Term Rental Rules Go to Supervisors Hearing set for March 13; quality of life for longer-term residents is key factor San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors will consider a new County of Marin ordinance on short-term rental properties to require that signage be posted to identify a property as a … More Marin County Considers New Rules for Short Term Rentals

Marin County Asks Your Input on Pollution

February 7, 2018

Online Survey Seeks Input on Pollution County initiative to understand residents’ awareness of stormwater contamination Marin County, CA – Pollution in our waterways is a significant problem that stems from many sources – from trash that ends up in San Francisco Bay to pesticides swept from lawns into creeks by gardening practices or stormwater. The … More Marin County Asks Your Input on Pollution

Wildlife Conservation, Education Grants Available in Marin

February 5, 2018

March 1 is deadline for nonprofits to land grants worth up to $5,000 Novato, CA – Environmentally conscious nonprofits have a chance to secure a grant worth up to $5,000 for promotions of educational and habitat restoration projects in Marin County. The Marin County Fish and Wildlife Commission is accepting proposals through March 1 for … More Wildlife Conservation, Education Grants Available in Marin

Responses to Trump State of the Union Address

January 31, 2018

CGRS Responds to State of the Union Address, Condemns White House Immigration Framework San Francisco, CA (January 31, 2018) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) condemns the hardline immigration policies promoted in yesterday’s State of the Union address, including measures that target asylum seekers. Despite disingenuous calls for unity, President Trump has … More Responses to Trump State of the Union Address

On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

January 15, 2018

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. On this day African Human Rights Coalition is quoting the message of the Obama Foundation: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. And as people around the country and the world celebrate his legacy with acts of service, I’m thinking about something … More On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

Damon Connolly Takes Reins as Marin County Board President

January 10, 2018

District 1 Supervisor takes over for District 5’s Judy Arnold San Rafael, CA – Damon Connolly, who represents San Rafael and the adjacent unincorporated neighborhoods as District 1 Supervisor, was sworn in January 9 as President of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Connolly, a Terra Linda resident, took the gavel from previous Board President … More Damon Connolly Takes Reins as Marin County Board President

SCOTUS Denies Review in Cases Challenging Mississippi’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

January 8, 2018

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

Business Equality Network Announces Second Annual LGBTQ Business Equality Excellence Awards

January 3, 2018

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

Marin County: Incentives Created for Second Dwelling Units

December 23, 2017

Through 2018, upwards of $1,500 in fees waived for certain in-home rentals San Rafael, CA – With Marin County experiencing a severe housing crisis, especially for affordable homes for lower income residents, the County of Marin is encouraging the creation of room rentals within existing residences. The Marin County Board of Supervisors recently voted to … More Marin County: Incentives Created for Second Dwelling Units

The 9th Circuit’s Xmas Gift to Trump: Slaps Down Trump’s Travel Ban a Third Time

December 22, 2017

Ninth Circuit Slaps Down Trump’s Travel Ban a Third Time: Via The Recorder : The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld an injunction against the third iteration of President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive order Friday. The court, which heard oral arguments in the case last month, ruled that Trump exceeded his authority … More The 9th Circuit’s Xmas Gift to Trump: Slaps Down Trump’s Travel Ban a Third Time

Generations of Strength, noted as Registration for San Francisco Pride 2018 Opens

December 22, 2017

Pride 2018: “We must ensure the stories of our generations of elders are not lost and that our youth know how to harness the strength built by generations. Most importantly, our youth need to know how to use their own strength both individually and collectively to face the future,” noted Larry Nelson whose San Francisco Pride theme … More Generations of Strength, noted as Registration for San Francisco Pride 2018 Opens

Marin County: Sorry, It’s Too Early to Pay 2018 Taxes

December 21, 2017

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

Pentagon Document Proves Justice Department Misinformed Federal Court about Transgender Ban

December 20, 2017

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

TLDEF Applauds Oklahoma Jury’s Verdict in Favor of Wrongfully Fired English Professor

November 20, 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

Walmart Corporate Equality Index Rating Suspended

November 9, 2017

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

Women’s March is Up and Running January 20, 2018

November 9, 2017

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

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Ideological Inexperienced Nominees

November 9, 2017

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

Group Seeks Justice for Those Assaulted During Vietnam War

November 6, 2017

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

Serious Harm to Transgender People if Supreme Court Sides with Bakery Owner Challenging Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Law

October 31, 2017

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

Judge Blocks Trump Transgender Military Ban

October 30, 2017

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

Shocking Elimination of Lesbian Rev from MCC is NOT a Restructuring its a Firing

October 30, 2017

“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

Trump Admin Failing LGBTI Refugees Bound for U.S.A.

October 24, 2017

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.

Another Ruling Blocking Muslim Ban 3.0

October 18, 2017

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 Supporting Transgender Servicemembers’ Challenge to Trump Military Ban

October 17, 2017

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

Trumps Third Attempt at Muslim Travel Ban Fails with Federal Court Block

October 17, 2017

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

Information on Marin County Wildfire Relief Coordination

October 13, 2017

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