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

STOP the Nomination of Tom Price for HHS Secretary

January 24, 2017

TAG Statement for the Record in Opposition to the Nomination of Tom Price for HHS Secretary: Treatment Action Group (TAG) releases this statement in strong opposition to the nomination of Representative Tom Price (R-GA) for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). We urge critical community action and implore the Senate Finance Committee to challenge … More STOP the Nomination of Tom Price for HHS Secretary

Fashion Model Reveals She is Intersex

January 23, 2017

International Fashion Model Hanne Gaby Odiele Reveals She is Intersex; Announces Partnership with interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth to Raise Awareness About the Importance of Human Rights Protections for Intersex People Worldwide New York, New York— In an effort to be true to herself and spotlight an often invisible human rights issue, internationally acclaimed fashion … More Fashion Model Reveals She is Intersex

What Trump’s Inauguration Means to this Jewish Mother Lesbian Activist

January 20, 2017

As I write this it has come to my attention that Trump has been sworn in and within minutes the Department Of Labor has removed all reference to LGBT equality while the White House has removed reference to climate change from their respective websites…. I was awakened this morning at about 4.00 am by the formidable and … More What Trump’s Inauguration Means to this Jewish Mother Lesbian Activist

Tourism & Convention Leaders Warns Anti Trans Bill Would Devastate Texas’ Economy

January 11, 2017

WASHINGTON – Prominent officials from the tourism, convention and meeting planning industries gathered in Austin today to warn Texas lawmakers that SB 6, the discriminatory bill mirroring North Carolina’s HB 2 law, would damage the Lone Star State’s economy and brand. SB 6 bans transgender people from using restrooms in public schools, universities, and government buildings. … More Tourism & Convention Leaders Warns Anti Trans Bill Would Devastate Texas’ Economy

Georgia has Weakest Non Discrimination Laws | Report Makes Case for Protections

January 11, 2017

WASHINGTON – Civil rights and religious leaders from across Georgia gathered in Atlanta this afternoon to release a new report that outlines the growing need for updates to the state’s civil rights protections. The Georgia Unites Against Discrimination coalition commissioned the report, and Joe Whitley authored the executive summary. Whitley served in the administrations of Presidents … More Georgia has Weakest Non Discrimination Laws | Report Makes Case for Protections

Trump Confirmations | Mattis Past Positions on LGBT Troops and Women in Combat Raise Concerns

January 11, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – As Trump appointees face off with Senators in confirmation hearings, we at O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da will provide opinions and statements, noting the condemnation of these ridiculous Trump choices, many of whom clearly are unqualified and/or unable to perform these duties in the best interests of the American people: Retired Gen. James Mattis will attend … More Trump Confirmations | Mattis Past Positions on LGBT Troops and Women in Combat Raise Concerns

EOIR Final Rule on the Recognition of Organizations and Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representatives

January 11, 2017

Executive Office for Immigration Review Announces Final Rule on the Recognition of Organizations and Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representatives FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) today announced a final rule titled, Recognition of Organizations and Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representatives. This new rule, effective Jan. 18, 2017, amends the regulations governing the … More EOIR Final Rule on the Recognition of Organizations and Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representatives

County of Marin digs deeper toward decision on potential reopening of 132-year-old tunnel

January 11, 2017

San Rafael, CA – On January 30, the Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin an investigative study of the 132-year-old Alto Tunnel, an old railroad passage from Mill Valley to Corte Madera that has been sealed for more than three decades. This follows a 2015 study that assessed the tunnel’s right-of-way. The … More County of Marin digs deeper toward decision on potential reopening of 132-year-old tunnel

Virginia House Bill 1612 Would Negatively Impact Transgender Adults and Trans Youth

January 11, 2017

HB 1612 Would Also Create Costs for State Businesses, Budget and Economy  On January 11, a Virginia lawmaker offered House Bill 1612 (HB 1612), which would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings, and public universities based on “sex,” as determined by one’s “original birth certificate.”  Additionally, the bill would require schools to inform … More Virginia House Bill 1612 Would Negatively Impact Transgender Adults and Trans Youth

Influenza Widespread in Marin, Bay Area

January 6, 2017

Public Health Officer says it’s not too late to get a flu shot San Rafael, CA – County public health departments around the Bay Area are announcing that influenza activity is increasing and has reached “widespread” levels. Areas with the most influenza activity in the state include the Bay Area. Flu transmission in Marin County … More Influenza Widespread in Marin, Bay Area

Report On Human Rights Defenders at Risk in 2016

January 6, 2017

Front Line Defenders Launches Annual Report On Human Rights Defenders at Risk in 2016 More than 1000 human rights defenders were killed, harassed, detained, or subjected to smear campaigns and other violations in 2016, Front Line Defenders reported today at the launch of its annual report in Dublin. The Annual Report on Human Rights Defenders … More Report On Human Rights Defenders at Risk in 2016

Appeal by Family After Trans Teen Suicide

January 5, 2017

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255 Call for acceptance: “Remember how loving and passionate an activist Jai was…. Together we can make this world safer and softer for youth like Jai by treating everyone we meet with dignity and respect no matter how different they may appear.” After Bakersfield police confirmed that search crews found the body … More Appeal by Family After Trans Teen Suicide

NAACP Withdraw or Arrest Message to AG Nominee Jeff Sessions

January 3, 2017

” Withdraw or arrest us,” is the message the NAACP is sending to Senator Jeff Sessions, as they stage a sit-in at the Senator’s  Alabama office, to demand his withdrawal as the Donald Trump nominee for U.S. Attorney General. And aptly so: Sessions is a known racist whose history of bigotry proves that the is absolutely incapable of representing all Americans … More NAACP Withdraw or Arrest Message to AG Nominee Jeff Sessions

2016 Heroes and Zeroes yields an unprecedented number of Zeroes

December 30, 2016

Yeah all 62,979,879 plus of them ….. By Melanie Nathan, December 30, 2016. As the New Year approaches, and in looking to write up my annual Heroes and Zeroes I could not help but notice that this year 62,979,879 ZEROES voted for a sick, mentally deficient, hateful, misogynistic, racist, sexual predator, who happens also to be a xenophobic, … More 2016 Heroes and Zeroes yields an unprecedented number of Zeroes

Name Change Victory for Transgender Man in New York

December 20, 2016

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund announces a name change victory for a transgender man in New York. A state appeals court has granted a legal name change for Ben Stanford, reversing a lower court decision that initially denied his name change petition because he declined to share “medical evidence” of his … More Name Change Victory for Transgender Man in New York

Amnesty International USA to Co-Sponsor Women’s March on Washington on January 21

December 19, 2016

Amnesty International USA will co-sponsor the Women’s March on Washington, which is set for January 21, 2017, the day after the presidential inauguration. “We’re proud to stand with people from all across the country to declare that women’s rights are human rights and to demand that the new administration and Congress protect everyone’s human rights,” … More Amnesty International USA to Co-Sponsor Women’s March on Washington on January 21

Equality Wins at UN General Assembly with Protection of SOGI Independent Expert

December 19, 2016

Today in the United Nations General Assembly, a cross-regional group of states affirmed the principles of universal human rights by blocking a hostile attempt to prevent the work established by the UN Human Rights Council of the Independent Expert on Discrimination and Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. A small group of States … More Equality Wins at UN General Assembly with Protection of SOGI Independent Expert

Anti-Gay Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa Insults Host Country Constitution

December 15, 2016

Anti-gay homophobes from around the world met in South Africa, a country where the constitution specifically includes LGBT equality, issuing a declaration opposing same-sex marriage and families.  According to Mamba Online, The World Congress of Families Regional Conference, which took place last week at The Westin hotel in Cape Town, was hosted by the recently formed International Organization … More Anti-Gay Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa Insults Host Country Constitution

Response to Nationwide Spike in Hate-Filled Incidents

December 6, 2016

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Southern Poverty Law Center Respond to Nationwide Spike in Hate-Filled Incidents |  National Civil Rights Organizations Underscore Commitment to #StopTheHate WASHINGTON, D.C. and Montgomery, Ala., December 6, 2016 – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) issued the following … More Response to Nationwide Spike in Hate-Filled Incidents