LGBT News

Ellen DeGeneres has delivered a heartfelt, yet amusing reaction to Mississippi’s hate law. Watch below. An excerpt: So, if you don’t know, the Governor of the state signed a religious freedom bill, which might sound good because the word freedom is in it. But here’s what it means. Under the law, if you say for religious reasons you can ‘deny …

Somehow I missed this yesterday. From the Jackson Clarion-Ledger: The folks at Funny or Die posted a mock Mississippi tourism video after Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1523, the religious objections bill, into law on Tuesday. Before you ask, “Why is this news?” it’s important to note this online spoof will eventually be seen by millions. And this is …

The Associated Press reports: Gov. Tom Wolf says he’ll sign an executive order to prohibit discrimination by state contractors against people who are lesbian, gay or transgender. Wolf told WESA-FM in Pittsburgh on Wednesday that he had hoped the Legislature would pass legislation designed to outlaw discrimination based on someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. But he says he’s decided …

A few days ago I posted an impassioned letter from Bob Page, the openly gay founder and CEO of North Carolina’s Replacements LTD. In an interview published today, Page tells Forbes writer Susan Adams that his letter, which has been viewed over one million times on social media and his company’s website, has generated over 13,000 responses, 98% of which …

Over 600K views for the below skit posted to Facebook a few days ago by Moovs. Watch as trans men and women are forced by law into the wrong bathroom. This is the new reality for thousands of trans Americans in North Carolina.

NBC Montana reports: Following PayPal’s decision to cancel its expansion plans in North Carolina, Sen. Jon Tester and Gov. Steve Bullock today invited the multi-billion dollar company to open up shop in Montana. Tester and Bullock’s letter to PayPal President and CEO Dan Schulman outlined the many reasons why Big Sky Country is best place to do business and create …

“I think the NBA should move the All-Star game from there next year. As a black person I’m against any form of discrimination, against whites, Hispanics, gays, lesbians, however you want to phrase it. It’s my job, with the position of power that I’m in and being able to be on television, I’m supposed to stand up for the people …

Last week worried organizers of North Carolina’s High Point Market Week, which bills itself as the world’s largest home furnishings industry trade show, revealed that they were being deluged with cancellations in the wake of the state’s anti-LGBT hate law. Yesterday event CEO Bob Maricich issued a statement which slams the “appalling” law and declares that any anger directed towards …

Greensboro was one of the North Carolina cities whose LGBT rights ordinance was overturned by HB 2. The lone dissenting vote last night came from the council’s only Republican. Of course. From Greensboro’s Fox affiliate: City council members voted 8-1 Tuesday in favor of a resolution opposing House Bill 2. HB2, or the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, is …

From the Spokesman-Review: Washington employees were banned from most government-related travel to Mississippi because of that state’s new law allowing businesses owners to refuse service to gay, lesbian and transgender customers for religious reasons. Gov. Jay Inslee issued the ban on non-essential travel Tuesday afternoon, saying Washington has strong laws against discrimination that covers sexual orientation and identity, and its …

From the Jackson Clarion-Ledger: A long Jackson City Council meeting Tuesday night ended on a high note — one that rang out, “We do not discriminate.” Councilmen unanimously passed a resolution in response to the Religious Liberty Accommodations Act, a bill Gov. Phil Bryant signed Tuesday which the city says “could be construed as anti-gay and lesbian and transgender.” “Regardless …

From the San Diego Union-Tribune: A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit over a man’s public nudity citation Tuesday, ruling there is evidence that San Diego police possibly discriminated against him at the annual gay pride event in Balboa Park. The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means the lawsuit is headed back to the lower district …

Via press release: Upon news that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed the discriminatory House Bill 1523 into law, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement: “It’s embarrassing, shameful, and truly perplexing that the Republicans still don’t get it. LGBT Americans are entitled to equal protection under the law, just as everyone else. No exceptions. No allowances …

Via press release from openly gay New York Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell: It is once again time for New York to send a strong message to the country that we will not allow state funded travel to states that allow discrimination against LGBT individuals. These laws, veiled as religious freedom, are simply attempts to skirt around the Supreme Court ruling last …

This one could ultimately mean thousands of lost jobs. From Charlotte’s Fox affiliate: Red Ventures is also considering pulling out of their 500 person expansion in 2016 after HB2 was passed. “HB2 does not reflect the values of our people, our state or our democratic process. The speed with which it was passed and lack of constituent input enabled a …

Fire up the boycott machine. From the Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Gov. Phil Bryant announced Tuesday via Twitter that he signed controversial House Bill 1523, the religious objections bill. Groups have protested HB1523, which they say will allow discrimination against LGBT people, and urge businesses to pressure Bryant and House Speaker Phil Gunn to fix or kill the legislation. The Mississippi Economic …

Due to his sexual orientation, Olympic diving legend Greg Louganis never landed the major endorsement deals bestowed on many world class athletes, but today he does finally get his Wheaties box. From the General Mills corporate blog: They are three remarkable athletes who won multiple gold medals while competing against the world’s best. Their accomplishments certainly put them into consideration …

Freedom For All Americans reports: This morning, April 5, Paypal, a global company dedicated to facilitating online payments, announced that it is withdrawing plans to open a new global operations center in Charlotte. The reason for their plans to withdraw? North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which was ramrodded through the North Carolina General Assembly on March 23, with just 12 …

This one is especially noteworthy considering that Georgia nearly got its own anti-LGBT hate law. From Atlanta’s ABC affiliate: Atlanta’s mayor has issued a travel ban to North Carolina. This comes after controversy over a nondiscrimination bill that some believe allows for discrimination. Mayor Kasim Reed’s office issued the following statement Monday: “As a result of Governor Pat McCrory’s decision …

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and hate group leaders have been bragging for days about the NCAA keeping their basketball championship tournament in Houston despite that city’s repeal of its pro-trans ordinance. Tonight they have less to laugh about. Via the New York Times: With a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Kris Jenkins, the Villanova men’s basketball team won its first national …