Tag: legislation

Legislature Approves Bill to Strengthen Existing Anti-Discrimination Policies for LGBTQ Resource Families

August 23, 2022

Legislature Approves Cervantes Bill to Strengthen Existing Anti-Discrimination Policies for LGBTQ Resource Families (SACRAMENTO) – Today, the State Assembly approved Senate amendments to Assembly Bill 2466 by Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) by a vote of 72-0, sending the bill to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. AB 2466 strengthens existing anti-discrimination policies for lesbian, gay, transgender, and queer … More Legislature Approves Bill to Strengthen Existing Anti-Discrimination Policies for LGBTQ Resource Families

California Fails to Lead on Intersex Legislation

January 4, 2022

Senator Wiener Will Not Seek to Advance SB 225 — Intersex Civil Rights Legislation — Due to Lack of Votes in Committee SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced he will not be moving forward with Senate Bill 225: the Intersex Bodily Autonomy, Dignity and Choice Act. This civil rights legislation would ban medically … More California Fails to Lead on Intersex Legislation

Ghana and the New Hateful Anti LGBTI Draft Bill

July 29, 2021

Ghana is launching into anti-LGBTQI swampland that will bring violence and danger to LGBTQI individuals in that country, as well as risk the nations standing with regard to international AID and tourism. Draft anti-gay legislation submitted to Ghana’s parliament may legislate up to 10 years in prison for LGBTQI individuals as well as groups those … More Ghana and the New Hateful Anti LGBTI Draft Bill

A Win – No Ban Act Passes the House – Pertinent to Vote Trump Out

July 24, 2020

For more than three years, the Trump administration has done what it can to stop Muslims, refugees, asylum seekers, and many others from entering our country. The passage of the National Origin-Based Anti-discrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act is a major step toward ending discrimination in our immigration laws and policies.​ It happened- In the … More A Win – No Ban Act Passes the House – Pertinent to Vote Trump Out

2019 LGBT Law Changes

December 30, 2019

2019 This year, per EQAULDEX – there were 10 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 76 changes made. A total of 1256 legal changes have been made so far since 2010 in the decade….. July 8 Ecuador Same-sex marriage becomes legal. Civil marriage between same-sex couples is already a … More 2019 LGBT Law Changes

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

Marin County Approves 2 Medicinal Cannabis Licenses

August 2, 2019

Businesses to open as delivery-only retailers with limited signage San Rafael, CA – Now that two applications have been approved, Marin County is a step closer to having its first legal delivery-only medicinal cannabis retail operations in its unincorporated areas.  With the Medicinal Cannabis Delivery-Only Retailer (MCDORe, or “McDory”) licensing ordinance as its guideline, the … More Marin County Approves 2 Medicinal Cannabis Licenses

Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Dangerous Anti-LGBTQ Child Welfare Bill

May 3, 2018

Advocates call on Gov. Mary Fallin to veto discriminatory bill WASHINGTON – At the eleventh hour, lawmakers in Oklahoma approved a bill that would allow adoption agencies receiving taxpayer funding to discriminate against legally married same-sex couples and LGBTQ youth, among others. The bill, SB 1140, was approved by both the House and Senate chambers … More Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Dangerous Anti-LGBTQ Child Welfare Bill

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

Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Historic Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation

June 1, 2017

 This morning, for the first time in state history, Wisconsin lawmakers introduced legislation to extend nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment and public spaces to transgender individuals. “We Wisconsinites are proud of our efforts to protect people from discrimination, and deservedly so,” said Katie Belanger the Acting CEO and President of Operation for Freedom for All Americans. … More Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Historic Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation

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

TLDEF Condemns Sweeping Anti-LGBT Legislation in Mississippi

April 4, 2016

Urges Governor Phil Bryant to Veto Legislation New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) strongly condemns House Bill 1523 in Mississippi and urges Governor Phil Bryant to veto the legislation. The Mississippi Legislature passed the bill in a final vote today. Governor Bryant now has five days to sign or veto the … More TLDEF Condemns Sweeping Anti-LGBT Legislation in Mississippi

FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

February 3, 2016

Senate Judiciary Committee has stated support for expanding the bill Posted by Melanie Nathan, February 03, 2016. The dangerous and so-called Pastor Protection Act (HB 43/SB 110) is scheduled for its last vote before reaching the House Floor in the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow morning at 9:00a.m. The bill passed through its first Senate committee … More FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

California Governor Signs Landmark Leno Bill Addressing Smartphone Theft

August 25, 2014

Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation today addressing the growing epidemic of smartphone theft in California. SB 962, authored by Senator Mark Leno and sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón, requires all smartphones sold in California to come pre-equipped with theft-deterring technological solutions to render the devices useless if stolen.

… More California Governor Signs Landmark Leno Bill Addressing Smartphone Theft

MA Bill for Equal Access in Public Accommodations gets public hearing

July 8, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 07, 2013 This Tuesday July 9th, a hearing will be held for the Massachusetts Equal Access in Public Accommodations bill – officially (H.1589/S.643)  An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public – in front of the Joint … More MA Bill for Equal Access in Public Accommodations gets public hearing

California Eleven Bills Authored by Senator Mark Leno Pass Senate Floor

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, SACRAMENTO – Eleven bills authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) – the openly gay California State Senator from San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma Counties- passed the Senate this week and will proceed to the Assembly. The measures include legislation that allows farmers in California to cultivate hemp, a bill that … More California Eleven Bills Authored by Senator Mark Leno Pass Senate Floor

I cannot say it any better – Thank you US Congress- finally!! Hate Crimes Bill passes.

July 17, 2009

  ” Dear Melanie,   Often it seems like I’m writing to ask you to help respond to an urgent crisis. Well, today, I’m proud to tell you about an important, hard-fought victory that we won last night. Just before midnight Thursday, the Senate finally passed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as an … More I cannot say it any better – Thank you US Congress- finally!! Hate Crimes Bill passes.