Tag Archives: LGBT rights

Britain’s Channel 4 reports: Two years ago Prime Minister Theresa May gave Ruth Davidson a promise. The UK government would use its influence to advance LGBT rights in Northern Ireland – despite considering Gay Marriage and Abortion to be devolved issues. That promise helped secure Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson’s decision to back Theresa May’s £1 billion deal with the …

Via press release from GLAAD: “LGBTQ Americans are one step closer to being protected by federal law instead of living in a country where hard-working Americans in a majority of states can be fired from their jobs, denied housing opportunities, and turned away from other critical services – including access to health care – simply for being who they are. …

Via press release: Today, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following statement in support of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity: “I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5, the “Equality Act,” which amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other core civil rights …

USA Today reports: During an interview with the president, Fox News host Steve Hilton commented how he thinks it’s great to see Buttigieg on stage with his husband as the couple normalizes same-sex marriage amidst the ever-present media spotlight of a presidential campaign. “I think it’s absolutely fine,” Trump replied. “I do.” Hilton noted that it’s “a sign of great …

The New York Times reports: As tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the rainy streets of Taipei on Friday, lawmakers in Taiwan voted to legalize same-sex marriage, a first for Asia. “We want to marry!” supporters outside the legislature chanted in approval of the measure, as they applauded and waved signs and rainbow banners. “On May 17th, 2019 in #Taiwan, …

Via press release from GLAAD: GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today slammed President Donald Trump and his administration for opposing the Equality Act, which would secure across-the-board protections for more than 13 million LGBTQ Americans at their workplace, in their homes, and across their communities. More than 161 corporate backers support the Equality Act and a majority …

Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade: With a vote on the Equality Act in the U.S. House expected on Friday, a senior administration official indicated exclusively to the Washington Blade that President Trump opposes the bill. “The Trump administration absolutely opposes discrimination of any kind and supports the equal treatment of all; however, this bill in its current form …

The Guardian reports: A woman has been arrested on suspicion of offending religious sentiment, after posters bearing an image of the Virgin Mary with her halo painted in the colours of the rainbow flag appeared in the city of Płock in central Poland. The Polish interior minister, Joachim Brudziński, announced on Twitter on Monday that a person had been arrested …

Via press release from Immigration Equality: Yesterday, the U.S. State Department appealed the decision of a California federal district court that recognized the birthright citizenship of Ethan Dvash-Banks, the child of a same-sex bi-national couple. The government refuses to recognize the validity of Andrew and Elad Dvash-Banks’ marriage, and continues to defend its discriminatory policy, which conditions the recognition of …

The Hill reports: The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved legislation that would prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment and housing. The Equality Act was approved in a 22-10 party-line vote, setting the bill up for a potential floor vote. “The ability to have a job, to receive medical care or to rent a home should not depend on …

The Associated Press reports: Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday spiked a proposal that would have allowed faith-based adoption agencies to refuse to place children with gay parents and other families because of their religious beliefs. The bill had been scheduled to be debated by the GOP-dominant Senate. However, at the last minute, the sponsor [Rep. Tim Rudd] quietly asked for the …

The Associated Press reports: The chairman of Poland’s conservative ruling party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has called the LGBT rights movement a foreign import that threatens the Polish nation. Kaczynski, a member of parliament who wields tremendous influence as leader of the Law and Justice party, also said during a lecture on patriotism that “everyone must accept Christianity” in Poland and questioning …

The CBC reports: The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a commemorative loonie to mark what it called a key milestone for lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people, with the government saying the coin symbolized progress while highlighting the work that still needs to be done to advance equality. Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau was amongst a number of dignitaries …

The Tennessean reports: IKEA, Lyft, Hilton and Warby Parker and several other businesses operating in Tennessee are speaking out against legislation affecting LGBT individuals, arguing the proposed bills will make employee recruitment more difficult and harm the state’s business climate. These companies, which sent a signed letter to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker Glen Casada, join a growing …

The Hill reports: The Trump administration appears ready to roll back health care protections for transgender people, and advocates are gearing up for a fight. A proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that’s expected in the coming days would make it easier for doctors, hospitals and insurance companies to deny care or coverage to transgender patients, …

CNBC reports: The Supreme Court on Monday took up job discrimination cases that could for the first time resolve at a national level whether lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers can be fired based on their identity. The cases come as federal courts as well as independent agencies within the Trump administration remain divided over whether Title VII of the …

CBC News reports: A new dollar coin designed to commemorate 50 years of homosexual rights has sparked a dual backlash — from both members of Canada’s LGBT community and from a social conservative group. The loonie, to be launched April 23 at an invitation-only event in Toronto, will feature a stylized depiction of two overlapping human faces within a large …

In Poland reports: Nine men were detained by the police following Saturday’s pride march in the western central Polish city of Gniezno, deputy inspector Iwona Liszczyńska reported. Some of the detainees were accused of disturbing a public gathering and violating police officer’s bodily integrity. The first ever pride march in Gniezno’s history took place under the “Gniezno – the first …

The Hill reports: Vice President Mike Pence responded to criticism from 2020 White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg (D) in an interview that aired on Friday, accusing the South Bend, Ind., mayor of ginning up a conflict for votes. In an interview with CNN, Pence said that the mayor knew that Pence did not have a problem with him over his …

USA Today reports: In a taped appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” scheduled to air Friday, Pete Buttigieg responded to Pence’s accusation that he criticized the vice president’s faith when he said the “Mike Pences” of the world should understand that he didn’t choose to be gay. ‘“I’m not critical of his faith; I’m critical of bad policies,” Buttigieg said. …