Tag: Freedom for All Americans

Republican Governor Mike DeWine Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

January 15, 2019

Ohio state employees will continue to be protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression WASHINGTON, D.C. – On his first day in office, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order which prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in state employment. This executive order extends a previous order signed by … More Republican Governor Mike DeWine Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

Virginia Lawmakers Advance LGBTQ Protections

January 15, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Efforts to secure LGBT nondiscrimination protections in Virginia are advancing with bipartisan support. Yesterday, Virginia’s Senate General Laws committee approved bipartisan legislation to protect LGBTQ Virginians from discrimination in housing and public employment. Freedom for All Americans (FFAA) is partnering with Equality Virginia, the state’s LGBTQ advocacy organization, to advance nondiscrimination legislation this … More Virginia Lawmakers Advance LGBTQ Protections

Trump ‘s Brett Kavanaugh Nomination As Good as an Attack on Women and LGBTQ Americans

July 9, 2018

To say that the  lives of Americans are at stake because of this nomination cannot be overstated. WASHINGTON — Donald Trump tonight, the President who Russia helped elect,  nominated D.C. Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Kavanaugh — a stalwart right wing conservative who previously worked in the George … More Trump ‘s Brett Kavanaugh Nomination As Good as an Attack on Women and LGBTQ Americans

Freedom for All Americans Announces Chief Counsel Jon Davidson

July 2, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Freedom for All Americans and Freedom for All Americans Education Fund announced LGBTQ movement lawyer Jon Davidson as the newest addition to its growing team working to secure explicit and comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people nationwide.Davidson has been one of the nation’s leading lawyers fighting for LGBTQ civil rights for more … More Freedom for All Americans Announces Chief Counsel Jon Davidson

Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

May 11, 2018

Governor gives go-ahead to legalize discrimination WASHINGTON – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin today signed SB 1140 into law, codifying discrimination against legally married same-sex couples and others looking to adopt, and imperiling the well-being of youth in the state’s child welfare system. The new law will permit taxpayer funded adoption agencies to turn away same-sex … More Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

Republican Speaker of Virginia House Kills Pro-LGBT Legislation

February 8, 2018

House Subcommittee Votes Down Four Nondiscrimination Bills, Including Two That Passed Virginia Senate in January RICHMOND, V.A — Lawmakers in Virginia’s House of Delegates today summarily killed four bills that would have ensured more equal treatment under the law for LGBT people across the Commonwealth. Several of the bills dismissed today enjoyed bipartisan support in … More Republican Speaker of Virginia House Kills Pro-LGBT Legislation

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

Shame on Texas Governor Pushing Anti-LGBT Agenda

June 6, 2017

Texas Governor Calls Special Legislative Session to Advance Anti-LGBT Agenda – Abbott’s decision is a capitulation to the Lone Star State’s rabidly anti-LGBT lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick WASHINGTON – Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced today that he is calling a special legislative session to tackle an inordinate agenda — including HB 2899, discriminatory legislation that bans municipalities … More Shame on Texas Governor Pushing Anti-LGBT Agenda

Freedom for All Americans Statement on Amendment Executive Order

May 4, 2017

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued an executive order today stating his administration’s commitment to “protect and vigorously promote religious liberty;” while also directing the IRS to loosen enforcement of the Johnson Amendment, a law passed in 1954 that regulates how 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organizations – like churches – can engage in political activities. The executive order … More Freedom for All Americans Statement on Amendment Executive Order

Trump Admin Selects Anti-Transgender Activist to Lead HHS Civil Rights Office

March 23, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week President Trump’s administration quietly appointed Roger Severino, a longtime opponent of transgender equality, as the head of the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services. Severino formerly ran the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation, an anti-LGBT think tank and lobbying … More Trump Admin Selects Anti-Transgender Activist to Lead HHS Civil Rights Office

Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

February 14, 2017

WASHINGTON – More than 140 artists and entertainers from across the country released a letter today urging Texas lawmakers to reject SB 6 and other bills currently pending in the legislature that would make it easier to discriminate against LGBT people. Equality Texas, GLAAD and the Ally Coalition released the letter, and signatories include Sting, Connie … More Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

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

Extra Concern on Trans Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2016

Today is the annual international Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), dedicated to the memory of those whose lives have been lost because they are transgender. According to Freedom for All Americans,  this year, there are at least 25 reported cases in the U.S. alone of transgender people who have been murdered. Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed … More Extra Concern on Trans Day of Remembrance

Breaking: Governor of Massachusetts Signs Transgender Bill Into Law

July 8, 2016

MA becomes first and only state this year to pass transgender -inclusive protections, including restrooms and locker rooms  BOSTON – Today Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed a transgender public accommodations bill into law making Massachusetts the only state this year to pass a bill updating state law to ensure full protections for transgender people from … More Breaking: Governor of Massachusetts Signs Transgender Bill Into Law

Two of US Most Anti-LGBT Lawmakers Toppled in Primary Battles

June 29, 2016

Voters in CO and UT also make history, handing victories to two transgender candidates for Congress    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two of the nation’s most virulently anti-LGBT legislators lost their primary elections on Tuesday night. South Carolina state Senator Lee Bright’s 52-48 loss in a runoff election with former Representative Scott Talley comes after he introduced legislation that … More Two of US Most Anti-LGBT Lawmakers Toppled in Primary Battles

Jackson Mississippi City Council unanimously passes nondiscrimination ordinance

June 15, 2016

WASHINGTON – In a major victory for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Mississippi, the Jackson City Council unanimously voted in favor of an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The ordinance protects LGBT individuals from discrimination in housing, employment and public services. “This ordinance is not only a major … More Jackson Mississippi City Council unanimously passes nondiscrimination ordinance

Freedom for All Americans Celebrates Anniversary and Contributions to LGBT Equality

June 10, 2016

One Year Later: 100+ Anti-LGBT Bills Defeated as FFAA Celebrates Anniversary New FFAA interactive map highlights status of LGBT-related bills across the nation as state legislative season winds down WASHINGTON – Freedom for All Americans (FFAA) launched one year ago with the goal of advancing comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people at the municipal, state … More Freedom for All Americans Celebrates Anniversary and Contributions to LGBT Equality

Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

June 1, 2016

Republican Governor expected to sign bill that would make MA 18th state with explicit protections for transgender people in public places Today the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed HB 4343, the bill that would update state law to ensure explicit protections for transgender people in public places, including parks, restaurants, hospitals, and public restrooms. The bill also passed the Senate … More Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

Oklahoma legislature adjourns without adopting bill targeting transgender students

May 27, 2016

The Republican controlled Oklahoma Legislature adjourned Friday without passing proposed legislation targeting transgender children. If signed into law, Senate Bill 1619 would have legalized discrimination against transgender children who need to use the restroom at school.  The measure would have also required schools to create separate facilities for any student who refuses to share a … More Oklahoma legislature adjourns without adopting bill targeting transgender students

Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

May 24, 2016

Revealing the Transphobic Organizations Fighting Trans and LGBT Freedom while Masquerading as Safety and Privacy Groups The organization Freedom for All Americans provides this report: Background on the Department of Education’s Recent Guidance re: Title IX and Gender Identity Earlier this month, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice issued a letter outlining what a … More Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

N.C. Gov. McCrory Continues to Misrepresent HB 2 with ‘Meet the Press’ Appearance

April 17, 2016

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory continues to misrepresent the animus behind the state’s discriminatory anti-transgender law, HB 2, with an appearance on ‘Meet the Press’ this morning. In the interview, McCrory attempted to create cover for himself from the increasing economic fallout directly tied to HB 2 by falsely claiming that other states have similar … More N.C. Gov. McCrory Continues to Misrepresent HB 2 with ‘Meet the Press’ Appearance

Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-LGBT Bill

March 30, 2016

Victory: Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-LGBT Bill, Citing Harms in Other States RICHMOND – Today Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would have allowed businesses and individuals to cite their religious beliefs as a reason to refuse services to LGBT people. In opposing the legislation, the governor said: “Businesses and job creators do not want … More Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-LGBT Bill