Denouncing Termination of TPS for El Salvador

January 9, 2018

San Francisco, CA  – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) denounces the Trump Administration’s heartless decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 200,000 Salvadoran nationals who have been part of our communities for many years. Revoking their status is profoundly inhumane and will exacerbate conditions of violence and instability in El … More Denouncing Termination of TPS for El Salvador

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

White House Meeting on Immigration Unbalanced Unserious Unconscionable

January 8, 2018

Just like the White House Insistence on Poison Pills in Exchange for the Dream Act On Tuesday, the White House will host nearly twenty lawmakers to discuss immigration. The list of White House-selected invitees is an unfortunate reflection of where the Administration and Republican strategy seems to be leaning: it is loaded up with anti-immigrant … More White House Meeting on Immigration Unbalanced Unserious Unconscionable

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

87 Faith and Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief in Support of DACA Recipients in New York

December 26, 2017

Washington, DC – Last week, Muslim Advocates and the law firm of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, LLP filed an amicus brief on behalf of 87 religious groups and organizations representing or working with faith communities asking the United States District Court of the Eastern District of New York to suspend the government’s planned termination … More 87 Faith and Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief in Support of DACA Recipients in New York

Catholic Bishops Called out on Trans-denying Letter

December 23, 2017

National Religious Leadership Roundtable calls out Catholic Bishops’ ill-conceived, trans-denying letter (December 22, 2017 – Washington, DC) After a group of anti-LGBTQ religious leaders drafted a letter about the transgender community that claimed transgender people are a “false” idea, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s National Religious Leadership Roundtable offered up some advice: reach out and … More Catholic Bishops Called out on Trans-denying Letter

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

BREAKING: Sen. Feinstein to Immigrant Youth: “No Continuing Resolution Without the Dream Act!”

December 21, 2017

 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!”

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

Heroes and Zeroes 2017

December 11, 2017

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

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

Huck Reflection on Vulnerable LGBT Refugees in Kenya

November 13, 2017

“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

Collaboration to Strengthen Cannabis Industry’s Efforts in California

November 9, 2017

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

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

Teen’s Account of Attending Trial of Nazi War Criminal

November 7, 2017

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

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

United Nations Human Rights Address warns of Mounting LGBTQI Human Rights Violations

November 4, 2017

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

South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality

November 2, 2017

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

African HRC Reports on New Delays for LGBTI Refugees After Trump Suspension Ends

November 1, 2017

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

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

TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban

October 30, 2017

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

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

Marin County BOS to Consider Licensing for Medicinal Cannabis

October 27, 2017

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