Today marks the 15th annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance, a memorial for all transgender (and other non-gender-conforming people) who have lost their lives due to hatred and violence toward their identity.
Sixth Circuit Ruling on Gay Marriage Bans Could Send Marriage Equality to the Supreme Court
This Sixth Circuit has changed the legal landscape, becoming the first federal Court of Appeals to uphold a ban since the US Supreme Court decided US v. Windsor.
UPDATE: Supreme Court Justice Delays Marriage Equality in Idaho
Justice Kennedy issued a one-page order requiring the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to delay their ruling striking down Idaho’s same-sex marriage ban.
Marriage Equality Set to Take Hold in 35 States Following Court Rulings
Decisions by the US Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this week brought the number of states in which same-sex marriage bans are effectively null and void to 35.
Civil Rights Lawsuit for Transgender Workers Is First of its Kind
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has brought two lawsuits on behalf of transgender worker, marking the first time the federal government has sued to protect transgender rights under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Ecuador Will Now Recognize Same-Sex Civil Unions
As of this upcoming September 15, same-sex couples in Ecuador will legally be able to register their civil unions.
Federal Judge Upholds Louisiana Same-Sex Marriage Ban
A federal judge ruled that Louisiana has the right to ban same-sex marriage in the state and to refuse to recognize legal same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
New Report Urges US Military to Allow Transgender Personnel to Serve Openly
A recent report has concluded that the US military has the resources it needs to allow transgender personnel to serve openly. Unfortunately, military policies don’t allow them to do so.
Supreme Court Blocks Marriage Equality in Virginia
The US Supreme Court granted a request Wednesday that delays a decision that would have allowed same-sex couples to start getting married this week in Virginia.
Ugandan President Signs Law Making HIV Transmission Illegal
Provisions of the law include possible imprisonment of HIV-positive individuals, a ten-year prison sentence and fine for the “intentional transmission of HIV,” a five-year prison sentence for “attempted transmission of HIV,” and compulsory testing in some situations.
Low-Income Transgender Residents in Oregon to Gain Access to Government-Funded Care
As of 2015, low-income transgender residents of Oregon will have access to gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy if they want it.
Tennessee Judge Upholds Ban on Recognizing Legal Same-Sex Marriages
A Tennessee state court last week broke away from a tide of court rulings in favor of marriage equality by upholding the state’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere.
Constitutional Court Invalidates Uganda’s Anti-Gay Law
Uganda’s Constitutional Court today struck down – on procedural grounds – a package of anti-gay policies signed into law this February by President Yoweri Museveni, but left room for lawmakers to attempt to pass the law, or another version of it, again.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Marriage Equality in Virginia
In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Monday upheld a lower court decision overturning Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Executive Order Banning LGBT Discrimination in the Workplace Makes No Religious Exemptions
The President yesterday signed a long-awaited executive order barring workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Department of Education Grants University Religious Exemption From Title IX
The US Department of Education recently granted George Fox University a religious exemption from Title IX to, effectively granting the institution permission to discriminate against transgender student Jayce M.
Study Finds LGBT Job Applicants Less Likely to Get Interviews
A study conducted by the Equal Rights Center and Freedom to Work found that people with experience working for an LGBT organization were significantly less likely to get called for an interview than someone with similar experience but for a different type of activist organization.
Congressional Leaders, Advocates Speak Out Against TPP Citing Human Rights Concerns
“The United States should not condone these laws by conducting business as usual with Brunei. We have to seek to use all available and appropriate policy tools to pressure the sultan to change his new penal code.”
LGBT Rights Groups Withdraw Support for ENDA Following Hobby Lobby Decision
Several LGBT rights groups have withdrawn their support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), citing increased concerns about the religious exemption included in the bill.
Supreme Court Upholds California’s ‘Gay Conversion Therapy’ Ban
The US Supreme Court ruled Monday that “gay conversion therapy,” which aims to change the sexual orientation of children under the age of 18, is within a state’s right to regulate and can therefore be banned.