Tag Archives: LGBT rights

Reuters reports: The Texas governor signed a law on Thursday to protect the religious rights of faith-based groups in state child welfare programs, but critics said it could be used to discriminate against LGBT and non-Christian families in adoptions. Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3859 which allows faith-based groups working with the Texas child welfare system to deny …

Unlike his Obama administration predecessor, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has omitted sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in his 2017 employment anti-discrimination policy statement. Here’s what the pertinent section now says: The Department of Commerce does not tolerate behavior, harassment, discrimination or prejudice based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. We will also provide …

The Toronto Star reports: The Liberal government will introduce legislation later this year to erase past convictions for sexual activity with a same-sex partner, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday as multi-coloured flags were raised on Parliament’s west lawn. The legislation would add to reforms already in the works to atone for the damage caused to thousands of Canadians convicted …

Politico reports: The LGBT legal advocacy group Lambda Legal is opening a new Washington office in an expansion aimed at ratcheting up a fight against the Trump administration for which they’re planning to raise an additional $25 million over the next four years, on top of their existing budget. The office will be run by Sharon McGowan, who was until …

The Washington Blade reports: A transgender former journalist pulled off a surprise victory in a Virginia primary on Tuesday, winning the Democratic nomination to face off against anti-LGBT Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William) in the general election. Danica Roem, who was seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the 13th District seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates, beat out Steve …

With clear skies and temperatures that pushed into in the mid-90s, today tens of thousands of LGBT activists marched past the White House, where it appeared that rooftop snipers were keeping a wary eye on the boisterous and often hilarious anti-Trump action, which included rousing chants of “Shame! Shame! Shame!” See some of my photos below and check out the …

The Associated Press reports: Germany has begun granting gays from Chechnya special visas on humanitarian grounds following reports that gay people are being tortured and killed in the Russian republic. The Foreign Ministry told The Associated Press on Thursday the first man arrived in Germany on Tuesday and four other applications for humanitarian visas are being reviewed. Gay activists and …

The Washington Blade reports: Organizers of D.C.’s annual Capital Pride parade and festival scheduled for June 10 and 11 and more than a dozen related events such as dance parties, art exhibits and D.C. Latino Pride events that began June 3 were expected to draw as many as 200,000 people or more from the Mid-Atlantic region. And with the national …

That this clip comes today is likely not just an ordinary corporate LGBT Pride Month celebration as Southwest is headquartered in Texas, where yesterday Gov. Greg Abbott called a special legislative session, in part, to make another attempt to pass an anti-transgender bill. From the airline’s Facebook page: “Southwest Airlines University is a place where Employees come to learn and …

Via press release from Labor Secretary Alex Acosta: This June, we recognize Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month at the Department of Labor. The department honors the impactful contributions of all Americans, no matter their ethnic background, gender, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. Pride at DOL, the Department’s Affinity Group for LGBTQ Employees and Allies, helps educate …

Via press release from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: In recognition of LGBTI Month, the Department of State affirms its solidarity with the human rights defenders and civil society organizations working around the world to uphold the fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons to live with dignity and freedom. We also recognize that LGBTI persons continue to face the threat of …

Australia’s News Corp outlet reports: In the skit released on Saturday night in Paris, McEnroe said Court telling fans that “tennis is full of lesbians” prompted three thoughts to him. “This is true and who gives a f**k? This is not true and who should give a f**k? This is half true and should we really give a f**k?”, he …

Deutsche Welle reports: The 17th annual ‘Equality Parade’ took place as Poland’s conservative government continues to oppose civil unions for same-sex couples. Organizers put the number at 50,000, while the police said 13,000 attended the parade, with 40 foreign embassies, including those of France and the US, expressing their support. The parade was intended to “draw attention to the rights …

The Associated Press reports: The Michigan appeals court has ruled in favor of a Midland health club in a lawsuit filed by a woman who said her rights were violated when she encountered a transgender person in the locker room. The court found no evidence of sexual harassment, noting that Yvette Cormier and a transgender woman were both wearing clothes …

The BBC reports: The Malaysian government is encouraging young people to make videos about “preventing” homosexuality by offering cash prizes. A competition launched on the health ministry’s website offers up to $1,000 (£780) for the best videos tackling “gender confusion”. The entries should explore prevention and control; issues and consequences; and how to get help, said the site. It is …

Slate reports: On Wednesday, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill prohibiting the “gay panic” defense, which allows alleged murderers to defend their actions in court by arguing that their victim’s sexual orientation “triggered” their crime. The bill also bars the “trans panic” defense, which alleged murderers may use to justify the killing of a trans person on …

Reuters reports: Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced plans on Thursday for new infrastructure including an underground railway line and copper smelter, and said she would push forward on her promise to get a law passed that would allow for same-sex marriage. Her wide-ranging annual state-of-the-union speech to Congress in the port city of Valparaiso, which lasted over two hours, largely …

Today would be Gilbert Baker’s 66th birthday and Google celebrates with an animated doodle. They write: Today’s doodle is a little more colorful thanks to Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, a symbol of pride and freedom for the LGBTQA+ community. Teaching himself to sew, Baker put his skills to work for the San Francisco gay community, making banners …

One year ago today President Obama issued his final LGBT Pride Month proclamation, a tradition Donald Trump, as well as all other federal agencies, evidently chose to discontinue. Tonight, however, Ivanka issued a pair of tweets in which she declares that she is “proud to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ community” and support her “LGBTQ friends and the LGBTQ Americans …

One year ago today President Obama issued his final LGBT Pride Month proclamation. We’re not holding our breath for any recognition from the current White House, but the Democrats have come through. From DNC chairman Tom Perez:   “From Stonewall to the Supreme Court, our nation has made great strides in LGBTQ rights. LGBTQ Pride Month is an opportunity to …