Tag Archives: employment

“Just when you thought the media couldn’t sink any lower, the Times takes on the same First Amendment that gives it the freedom to print these vicious attacks on Christians. In a stunning column, the newspaper argues that men and women of faith have no place in public management of any kind. The piece, which shows a remarkable disinterest in …

The FRC has launched the hashtag #FiredForFaith. You know what to do. UPDATE: The local Fox affiliate was live-streaming. Click play and forward to where things start around the 20-minute mark. At the 60-minute mark anti-gay crackpot Alveda King speaks. King is currently signing her press releases as “Dr. Alveda King” because she got an honorary doctorate from some Christian …

Just in via email: Dear Joe, Right now, our friend Reverend Garland Hunt is preparing to lead the Standing for Our Faith Rally at the Georgia Capitol rotunda in support of Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran. At the center of the controversy down in Atlanta is a man who has served as a public official with a sterling record; and who …

From the editorial board of the New York Times: Until last week, Kelvin Cochran was the chief of the Atlanta fire department, where he oversaw a work force of more than 1,000 firefighters and staff. He was fired on Jan. 6 by Atlanta’s mayor, Kasim Reed, for homophobic language in the book, “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” Among …

The image above comes via NOM. Tony Perkins will also be there in Atlanta today. From his press release: Atlanta’s fire department is supposed to put out the flames — not fan others. Unfortunately for Mayor Kasim Reed, the controversy over the firing of Christian fire chief Kelvin Cochran is igniting a different debate over religious liberty. Despite insisting that …

“Mr. Cochran was simply exercising his First Amendment rights, publishing a book as a private individual and not making any claims as a representative of the city. His views – which, incidentally, are views shared by a majority of Georgians and a majority of people throughout the country and across the globe – have no bearing on whether he is …

“Atlanta’s Kelvin Cochran knows all about fire — but being fired? That’s a whole new experience — one Cochran hopes other Christians never face. The long-time member of the city’s Fire Rescue Department was forced out of the squad in a shocking display of anti-religious prejudice after a distinguished career that [sic] an appointment by the Obama administration as the …

You didn’t think Todd Starnes would let this guy go unmartyred, did you? “The LGBT members of our community have a right to be able to express their views and convictions about sexuality and deserve to be respected for their position without hate or discrimination,” Cochran told me in an exclusive interview. “But Christians also have a right to express …

Matt Comer reports at Q Notes: City Council members in Greensboro, N.C., unanimously passed several new ordinance changes at their meeting on Tuesday, making it the first city in the state to prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination in housing, among other protections. The city’s move toward more inclusive local policies follows similar proposals and discussion in Charlotte, the state’s largest city, though …

Via Miami’s NBC affiliate: The Archdiocese of Miami is warning employees that they could be fired for any conduct that is “inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church” in the wake of the start of same-sex marriages in Florida. The letter, from Archbishop Thomas Wenski, told employees that “because of the Church’s particular function in society, certain conduct, inconsistent …

Nighttime workers and nightlife fans in New Jersey will soon have no way to get home from Manhattan if the Port Authority gets its way. Via the Jersey Journal: Several Hudson County officials will join forces with other officials tomorrow to call on the Port Authority to to cancel its proposal to eliminate the overnight PATH service. The press conference, …

Via Equality Florida: Publix has announced that starting on January 1, 2015, they will be expanding benefits to legally married same-sex couples. “Publix is expanding spouse coverage for its health, dental and vision benefits plans to associates who are married in any state where same-sex marriages are legal, regardless of the associates’ state of residence. Publix’s benefits plans offer coverage …

Earlier this month the state of Kentucky announced that it will be denying $18M in tax incentives to the Ark Encounter because its employment application stipulates that prospective staffers must be fundamentalist Christians. Today Answers In Genesis, the creationist parent organization of the Ark Encounter, claims that their religious freedom to discriminate is being discriminated against. In addition to refuting …

Via the Associated Press: The Justice Department is now interpreting federal law to explicitly prohibit workplace discrimination against transgender people, according to a memo released Thursday by Attorney General Eric Holder. That means the Justice Department will be able to bring legal claims on behalf of people who say they’ve been discriminated against by state and local public employers based …

Via press release: The regulations published on December 3 by the U.S. Department of Labor implement the objectionable Executive Order that President Obama issued in July to address what the Administration has described as “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” discrimination in employment by federal contractors. We will study the regulations carefully, but we note the following initially. Our Church teaches …

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today announced that in the next session he will introduce a sweeping federal LGBT rights bill that will cover employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations. Justin Snow reports at MetroWeekly: Merkley said that while the Senate’s passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in November of last year by a 64-32 vote after the bill failed by …

“Bring it on. Unlike his hotly contested unilateral actions on immigration or minimum wage, President Obama’s executive order providing workplace protections for LGBT federal employees is a simple extension of an executive order that was already in place under the administration of President George W. Bush. We hope that Director Shiu calls Congressmen Kline and Walberg on their ridiculous bluff …

Earlier this week the Department of Labor issued its final rule on the implementation of President Obama’s executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT employees. House Republicans are now trying to stall the order’s enactment. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed: House Education and Workforce Committee Chair John Kline, a Republican from Minnesota, and Rep. Tim Walberg, the Republican …

Last night a GOP-dominated House panel rejected a last minute attempt to pass ENDA before Congress adjourns for the year. Chris Johnson reports at Washington Blade: Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) introduced the amendment on behalf of Jared Polis (D-Colo.), who’s gay and chief sponsor of ENDA, during House Rules Committee consideration of the fiscal year 2015 defense authorization bill. Polis …