“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Several LGBT rights groups have withdrawn their support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), citing increased concerns about the religious exemption included in the bill.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.
President Obama Pledges to Sign Executive Order Protecting Transgender Federal Employees
At the White House annual LGBT Pride Month reception Monday night, President Obama reiterated his commitment to sign an executive order protecting transgender federal employees from discrimination.
President Plans Expansion of Sick Leave For Same Sex Couples
Today, the White House called for a major benefit expansion that would boost same-sex couples.
Obama to Issue Executive Order Banning Discrimination Against LGBT Employees
The Obama administration announced yesterday that the President will issue an executive order prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Medicare Ban on Transition-Related Transgender Health Coverage Lifted
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Departmental Appeals Board ruled on Friday that transgender people can no longer be automatically denied Medicare coverage for surgery as part of their transition-related health care.
Obama Proclaims June 2014 LGBT Pride Month
“During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate victories that have affirmed freedom and fairness, and we recommit ourselves to completing the work that remains.”
Oregon Same-Sex Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
A federal court yesterday struck down Oregon’s state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, finding that the ban violated the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. Minutes later, officials in Oregon began issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples who had been eagerly awaiting the decision, some having camped out in front of a Portland […]
WATCH: Jay Leno, Frances Fisher, Ellie Smeal, and Others Speak Out to #StopTheSultan in Beverly Hills!
Couldn’t make it to our May 5 rally to #StopTheSultan of Brunei’s Taliban-like laws in Beverly Hills? No problem.
Arkansas Same-Sex Marriage Ban Struck Down
An Arkansas state judge struck down an Arkansas law and state constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.
Beverly Hills City Council Condemns Taliban-Like Brunei Penal Code
“The City of Beverly Hills strongly condemns the government of Brunei as well as other governments which engage in similar policies for adopting laws that impose extreme and inhumane penalties including execution by stoning, flogging and severing of limbs.”
PHOTOS: Feminists Rally Across from the Beverly Hills Hotel to #StopTheSultan!
Yesterday’s star-studded #StopTheSultan rally was a huge success! We’ve got the photos to prove it.
US Department of Education: Title IX Protects Transgender Students
The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued guidelines this week that Title IX prohibits discrimination against transgender students.
TAKE ACTION: Protest Brunei’s Kill-A-Gay and Flog-A-Woman Penal Code Online and in Beverly Hills!
Please immediately reach out to the Sultan, the Brunei Embassy, the US Ambassador to Brunei, and the United Nations Secretary-General demanding that this new horrific Brunei penal code be rescinded.
Activist Monica Jones Found Guilty of “Walking While Trans”
“I am saddened by the injustice that took place at my trial,” she said in a statement, “but we are not giving up the fight. It’s time that we end the stigma and the criminalization of sex work, the profiling of trans women of color, and the racist police system that harms so many of us.”
Federal Judge Strikes Down Texas Gay Marriage Ban
“Those in control of this state need to stop fighting the future. They must stop governing by fear. They must stop pretending there’s some security blanket in laws that treat others unfairly.”
Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Permitting Use of Religion as Cover to Discriminate
The bill was strongly opposed by LGBT groups who have seen businesses in other states – such as florists, photographers, and bakers – refuse to provide services to same-sex couples. Members of the Arizona business community also opposed the bill, as did politicians on both sides.
Republican Senators Introduce Bill to Limit Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a bill last week that would give states the power to decide whether to give married lesbian and gay couples the same federal benefits that heterosexual married couples receive.
Kansas Senate Comes Out Against Anti-Gay Legislation
If signed into law, HB 2453 would allow the refusal of government services to same-sex couples, as well as private services such as access to stores and medical services, making LGBTQ people effectively second-class citizens.
