Tag Archives: LGBT rights

State Department Appeals Federal Ruling Granting Birthright Citizenship To Child Of Bi-National Gay Dads

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 …

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House Judiciary Committee Advances Equality Act

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 …

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Tennessee Spikes Adoption Bill Amid Business Backlash

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 …

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Polish Leader: LGBT Rights Are An “Imported Threat”

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 …

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Canada: Royal Mint Unveils “Gay Loonie” Coin [VIDEO]

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 …

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Major Tennessee Employers Object To Anti-LGBT Bills In Joint Letter: Ikea, Hilton, Unilever, Marriott, Nike, More

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 …

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Trump Poised To Roll Back Trans Health Protections

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, …

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SCOTUS To Hear LGBT Workplace Discrimination Cases

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 …

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LGBT Groups Split On Canada’s “Gay Loonie” Coin

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 …

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POLAND: Extremists Arrested At Pride March [VIDEO]

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 …

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Mike Pence: I Don’t Believe In Discrimination, Mayor Pete’s Problem Is With The First Amendment [VIDEO]

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 …

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Mayor Pete On Ellen: Mike Pence Should Say He Has Changed His Mind And Backs LGBT Protections [VIDEO]

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. …

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San Jose City Council Votes To Hang Rainbow Flags Near New Airport Chick-Fil-A In Sign Of LGBT Solidarity

NBC News reports: A California city that last year approved the opening of a Chick-fil-A at its local airport now wants to send a message of support to LGBTQ people as the opening date for the fast-food restaurant nears. The San Jose City Council voted 11-0 on Tuesday to hang rainbow flags in support of LGBTQ people and pink, blue …

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Alabama: End To Marriage Licenses Near Final Approval

The Birmingham Herald reports: A bill to eliminate marriage licenses in Alabama and instead have couples file an affidavit that probate judges would record as part of a marriage document moved a step close to becoming law today. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range. Albritton has tried to pass similar bills since the U.S. …

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Taylor Swift Donates $113K To Tennessee LGBT Group

Variety reports: Taylor Swift has donated $113,000 to the Tennessee Equality Project as it tries to stop state lawmakers from passing a series of bills she and others characterize as a “slate of hate.” The donation was announced by Chris Sanders, who leads the project. “She sees our struggle in Tennessee and continues to add her voice with so many …

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ISRAEL: PM Benjamin Netanyahu Refuses To Commit To LGBT Rights In First Meeting With Activists In 10 Years

The Times of Israel reports: Leaders of Israel’s LGBT community blasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday after the Likud leader told them during a meeting that coalition pressures prevented him from promising to promote equal rights. In a rare meeting with activists at his residence in Jerusalem, the prime minister said opposition from religious and ultra-Orthodox parties blocked him from …

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AG Bill Barr Orders Probe Into Treatment Of LGBT Staffers At DOJ After Complaint From Employee Group

NBC News reports: Attorney General William Barr ordered an investigation into the Department of Justice’s treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff following a complaint from DOJ Pride, its LGBTQ employee resource group. In an April 4 letter to DOJ Pride released Friday, Barr said he was “troubled” by the group’s concerns, which were raised in a March 27 …

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Top Vatican Official Meets With Activists On Call For Pope To Condemn Laws That Criminalize Homosexuality

The Washington Blade reports: A group of more than 50 LGBTI rights advocates on Friday met with a high-ranking Vatican official and renewed their calls for the Catholic Church to condemn laws that criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations. ILGA World in a press release said the activists met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, and presented him …

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TEXAS: Senate Approves Bill Allowing Any Licensed Professional To Refuse To Serve LGBT Clients/Patients

The Texas Tribune reports: After emotional testimony, a forceful show of opposition from leaders in the state’s business community and more than an hour of floor debate, the Texas Senate on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a sweeping religious refusals bill, a priority proposal for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that LGTBQ advocates have called a “license to discriminate.” The measure, …

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TENNESSEE: House Approves Anti-LGBT Adoption Bill

The Associated Press reports: Tennessee lawmakers are working to become the latest state to ensure faith-based adoption agencies can refuse to place children with gay parents and other families because of their religious beliefs without facing any penalties. The GOP-dominant House overwhelmingly voted 67-22 in support of the proposal after a brief but tense debate. The bill must now pass …

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